AU2015100116B4

AU2015100116B4 - Child seat

Info

Publication number: AU2015100116B4
Application number: AU2015100116A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Johan Nicolaas Buitendag
Original assignee: Buitendag Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BUITENDAG HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2015-02-03
Publication date: 2015-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-03
Also published as: JP3197900U; CN204617670U; ZA201409295B; KR20160002223U; AU2015100116A4

Abstract

This invention relates to a seating arrangement (10) and more particularly but not exclusively, to a seating arrangement suitable for use by infants and toddlers. The seat (10) includes a shell (12) comprising a seat formation (21), a backrest (22) extending from the seat formation (21), and two opposing side supports (23) extending from the seat formation. A front pillar (24) extends from the seat formation, the front pillar being spaced apart from ends of the opposing side supports so as to form openings (25) for receiving the legs of a user. The shell also includes an outer skirt (26) that extends operatively downwardly below the level of the seat formation. The seat furthermore includes a base that is releasably securable to the shell, characterized in that a secured height of the base relative to the shell is adjustable.

Description

1 CHILD SEAT FIELD [0001] This invention relates to a seating arrangement and more particularly but not exclusively, to a seating arrangement suitable for use by infants and toddlers. BACKGROUND [0002] Many different infant and toddler seats are known in the market, and are particularly popular to use for infants that cannot fully support themselves in a seated position. However, a disadvantage of existing seats is that they have a limited lifespan. Young toddlers, for example, may not be comfortable in the seat due to the height of the seat being undesirably low, in particularly if used on a larger chair as a booster seat. In addition, young toddlers also outgrow the seating area of the seat quite quickly. The most popular infant seats are generally bucket type seats, and the width of the bucket is not adjustable, resulting in infants outgrowing the seats at an early age. It is not desirable to increase the width of the seating area from the outset, because the bucket seat will then not provide sufficient lumbar support to a small infant. [0003] It is furthermore also desirable to supply a removable tray that can be removably secured to the seat. The tray is a very helpful accessory, and can be used by the infant as an eating tray or a play tray. A disadvantage associated with existing tray designs is that the trays are not always easy to attach, and the infant often has to be removed from the seat in order to attach or remove the tray. In addition, the tray has to be stored separately, which may result in the tray being misplaced or even lost. [0004] Finally, it is desirable for the seating surface of the seat to be soft, in particular when the infant is still small. However, the seat must still be sturdy and sufficiently rigid to provide a sufficient level of support. Some of the seats available in the marketplace comprise a shell made from a substantially rigid material, and an inner support portion made from a softer, more flexible material. Even though this works well, the inner support is often not easily removable from the shell, and even if it is removable, the inner support has to be stored separately which may result in the inner support being misplaced or even lost. It may, for example, be beneficial to be able to remove the inner support when the infant is older, so as to increase the seating volume of the seating arrangement.

2 OBJECT [0005] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a seat that will, at least partially, alleviate the above disadvantages. It is also an object of the invention to provide a seat which will be a useful alternative to existing seats. SUMMARY [0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a seat, suitable for receiving an infant or toddler, the seat including: a shell comprising a seat formation, a backrest extending from the seat formation; two opposing side supports extending from the seat formation; a front pillar extending from the seat formation, the front pillar being spaced apart from ends of the opposing side supports so as to form openings for receiving the legs of a user; the shell including an outer skirt that extends operatively downwardly below the level of the seat formation; a base being releasably securable to the shell; wherein a secured height of the base relative to the shell is adjustable, and wherein the seat further includes a tray that is releasably securable to the shell in an operative position in which the tray is secured to the front pillar, and a stowage position in which the tray is secured to a rear end of the shell, the rear of the shell further including a recessed zone configured and dimensioned for receiving the tray, in order for the tray to be flush with the shell when in the stowage position. [0007] There is provided for the base to be securable to the shell in a number of positions in which the position of the base relative to the shell differs. [0008] There is provided for the base to fit at least partially inside the outer skirt, and for the relative height of the base to be adjustable by adjusting the extent to which the base protrudes from the shell.

2a [0009] There is provided for the base to be configured and dimensioned to fit inside the shell in a number of different angular orientations, with the extent to which the base protrudes from the shell being different in each different orientation. [0010] In one embodiment there is provided for a first set of engagement formations to be provided on the base, and for at least two sets of second engagement formations to be provided on the shell, in order for the first set of engagement formations to engage one of the sets of the 3 second engagement formations when the base is secured to the shell in a first orientation, and for the first set of engagement formations to engage the other of the sets of the second engagement formations when the base is secured to the shell in a second orientation. [0012] The backrest and the side supports may be continuous. [0013] A further feature provides for the base and the seat formation to be spaced apart when the base is secured to the shell so as to define an internal stowage area inside the shell, between the base and the seat formation. [0014] There is provided for the base to be removable in order to provide access to the internal stowage area. [0015] There is further provided for the seat to include an inner support which is removably securable to the shell, and more particularly to the seat formation of the shell. [0016] The inner support may be configured and dimensioned to fit inside the stowage area in the shell. [0017] A still further feature of the invention provides for the seat to include a tray that is releasably securable to the shell. [0018] The tray and the shell may include complementary engagement formations. [0019] There is provided for the tray to be releasably securable to the inner shell in an operative position in which the tray is configured for use, and a stowage position in which the tray is secured to a rear end of the shell. [0020] Preferably, engagement formations suitable for engaging the complementary engagement formations on the tray are provided on the front pillar of the shell and also on a rear side of the shell. [0021] There is also provided for the rear side of shell to include a recessed zone configured and dimensioned to receive the tray, in order for the tray to be flush with the shell when in the stowed position.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of a non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0023] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a seat in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shell of the seat of figure 1; [0025] Figure 3 and is a cross-sectional side view of the shell of figure 2; [0026] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the shell of figure 2; [0027] Figure 5a is a front perspective view of the seat of figure 1 with a base of the seat in an extended position; [0028] Figure 5b is a front perspective view of the seat of figure 1 with a base of the seat in a retracted position; [0029] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the seat and of figure 1 with a tray attached to a front pillar of the seat; [0030] Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the seat of figure 1 in which the tray is in the process of being displaced to a stowage position; and [0031] Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the seat of figure 1 in which the inner support is located inside a stowage area inside the shell. DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS [0032] Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of seat in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

5 [0033] With reference to figures I to 4, the seat 10 comprises a shell 20, a base 30 that is removably securable to the shell 20, and an inner support 40 which is locatable inside the shell 20. The seat may also include a tray 50 that is removably securable to the shell 20. [0034] The shell 20 is in the form of an integrally moulded article, and comprises a seat formation 21 which will in use carry the weight of a child sitting in the seat 10. The seat formation 10 is somewhat concave in nature in order snugly and securely to receive the child in the seat. A backrest 22 extends substantially vertically upwardly from the seat formation 21, and in use provides lumbar support to the child sitting in the seat 10. Two side supports 23 extend from the seat formation 21 on opposing ends of the backrest 22. The side supports 23 are integrally formed with the backrest 22 in order to define a continuous, U-shaped bucket seat structure. A front pillar 24 extends from the seat formation 21 at a forward central zone of the seat formation 21. The front pillar 24 is spaced apart from the ends of the opposing side supports 23 in order to define openings 25 suitable for receiving the legs of a child sitting in the seat 10. A continuous outer wall of the shell 20 terminates in a continuous outer skirt 26, an edge of which in use rests on the surface on which the seat is to be used. [0035] A base 30 is configured and dimensioned snugly to fit inside the outer skirt 26 of the shell 20 so as to define a closed bottom of the seat 10. The base 30 includes a first set of engagement formations 31 as well as a second set of engagement formations 32. The two sets of engagement formations (31 and 32) are located adjacent one another, and are identical in so far as the functional engagement formation is concerned. However, the height of the engagement formations differ, with the first set of engagement formations 31 being higher than the second set of engagement formations 32. This relative difference in height results in the base 30 being securable to the shell 20 at different elevations, or put differently, in positions in which the extent to which the base protrudes from the upper skirt 26 differs. Both the first set of engagement formations 31 and the second set of engagement formations 32 are configured to engage a complementary third set of engagement formations 28 provided inside the shell 20. The configuration of the engagement formations is such that the first set of engagement formations 31 will engage the third set of engagement formations 28 when the base 30 is in a first orientation, whereas the second set of engagement formations 32 will engage the third set of engagement formations 28 when the base is in a second orientation - in this case when the base has been rotated through 180 degrees. This feature results in the height of the base effectively being adjustable. It will be appreciated that additional intermediate positions may be 6 provided, for example by providing further sets of engagement formations at 900 intervals. The difference in the effective height of the seat can be seen in figure 5a and 5b, with the base being in its highest position in figure 5a, and being in a retracted position in figure 5b. The inventor foresees that the height adjustability may be achieved in other ways as well, for example by using a lockable, threaded engagement arrangement. It will also be appreciated that the engagement formations may be inverted, with two sets of engagement formations provided on the shell, and a single set of engagement formations provided on the base. [0036] The seat 10 furthermore includes an inner support 40, which is made from a soft and pliable material and which is configured and dimensioned to fit inside the bucket seat defined by the shell 20. The inner support 40 comprises a seat formation 41, a continuous side and back support 44 extending upwardly from the seat formation 41, and an opening 42 through which the front pillar 24 of the shell 20 in use protrudes. In addition, the inner support 40 includes two slots 43 for receiving a fastening belt (not shown) that extends from the shell 20. In a first configuration, the inner support 40 will be located inside the shell 20, and will provide a soft and snug seating environment for the child sitting in the seat. As the child grows, it will however be possible to remove the inner support 40 in order to increase the volume of the bucket-like seat, so as to accommodate larger children. At this point in time the child will also not be requiring the additional support that is otherwise provided by the inner support 40 of the seat 10. Conveniently, the inner support 40 can be stored inside the shell 20. More particularly, the inner support 40 can be stored inside a stowage area 29 provided in the hollow bottom interior of the shell. More particularly, the stowage area 29 is defined by a gap that is formed between the lower surface of the seat formation 21 and the base 30. [0037] The inner support 40 includes a raised and contoured backrest for better infant positioning and support. This additional support is not required when the seat is used for a toddler, which is why the shell 20 does not have to have the same raised and contoured backrest. This results in a material saving when manufacturing the shell. [0038] The seat 10 also includes a tray 50 which can be releasably secured to the shell 20. The tray 50 includes a tray area 51 and engagement formations 52 for releasably securing the tray to the shell 20. When the tray is in an operative position, as shown in figure 6, the tray 50 will be secured to the front pillar 24 of the shell 20. This is achieved by the engagement formations 52 of the tray 50 engaging complementary engagement formations 53 provided on the front pillar 7 24. When the tray 50 is not required, it can be removed and conveniently secured to a rear surface of the shell 20. More particularly, complementary engagement formations 54 are provided on the rear surface of the shell 20 and allow the tray 50 securely to be mounted on the shell 20 when it is not in use. In addition, a recessed zone 55 is provided for receiving the tray 50, with the tray 50 and the recessed zone 55 being complementary profiled in order for the tray 50 to be flush with the shell 20 when it is in a stowed position. [0039] Buckle receiving formations 60 are provided in the side of the shell 20, and are adapted for holding securing belt arrangements. Two securing belts may be provided, one for securing the seat to a seating surface (not shown) of a larger chair on which the seat is located, and one for securing the seat to the backrest (not shown) of the larger chair on which the seat is located. When the securing belts are not in use, the belts can be pushed into the inside of the shell 20, with the belt buckles being secured in the buckle receiving formations 60. When the securing belts are required, the buckles can merely be removed from the buckle formations 60, and then pulled outwardly in order for the seatbelts to be removed from the shell. The securing belts are therefore also housed inside the stowage area when not in use. [0040] A number of features are associated with preferred embodiments of the seat. These include: * The seat can be used as a booster seat as well as an infant positioner; * The seat includes a height adjustable base for better on-chair functionality, and to accommodate older and larger children; * The inner support of the seat has a raised and contoured backrest for infant positioning, but the shell does not share this feature thus resulting in a more effective use of raw material; * The tray can be installed and removed without removing the child from the seat (inserts into back); * The tray can be installed / removed using a single hand; * The inner support can be stored inside the shell; and 8 * The inner support is removable, resulting in an increased seating volume for older children, thus increasing the lifespan of the seat. [0041] It will be appreciated that the above is only one embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A seat, suitable for receiving an infant or toddler, the seat including: a shell comprising a seat formation, a backrest extending from the seat formation; two opposing side supports extending from the seat formation; a front pillar extending from the seat formation, the front pillar being spaced apart from ends of the opposing side supports so as to form openings for receiving the legs of a user; the shell including an outer skirt that extends operatively downwardly below the level of the seat formation; a base being releasably securable to the shell; wherein a secured height of the base relative to the shell is adjustable, and wherein the seat further includes a tray that is releasably securable to the shell in an operative position in which the tray is secured to the front pillar, and a stowage position in which the tray is secured to a rear end of the shell, the rear of the shell further including a recessed zone configured and dimensioned for receiving the tray, in order for the tray to be flush with the shell when in the stowage position.

2. The seat of claim 1 in which the base is configured and dimensioned to fit inside the shell in a number of different angular orientations, with the extent to which the base protrudes from the shell being different in each different orientation.

3. The seat of claim 1 or claim 2 in which the base and the seat formation are spaced apart when the base is secured to the shell so as to define an internal stowage area inside the shell, between the base and the seat formation.

4. The seat of any one of claims 1 to 3 including an inner support which is removably securable to the seat formation of the shell. Buitendag Holdings (Proprietary) Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON