Height Adjustable Child's Chair

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/909,183, filed on Sep. 2, 2022, which is a 371 National Stage Entry of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/021035, filed on Mar. 5, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/985,959, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

The present disclosure relates generally to highchairs and, in particular, to height adjustment of highchairs.

A highchair is a piece of furniture having a seat that is used to support children such as babies and toddlers as they are fed. The seat is raised from the ground, so that an individual, such as an adult, may spoon-feed the child or the child can reach a table or island top. Commonly, a tray which is attached to highchair, which allows the adult to place the food on it for either the child to pick up and eat or for the food to be spoon-fed to the child.

In an example, a highchair comprises a seat, and a base attached to the seat such that, when the base is disposed on a surface, the base supports the seat above the surface. The base comprises a plurality of legs that are configured to rotate, translate horizontally, or rotate and translate horizontally, so as to transition the highchair between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the seat is disposed at a first height and the plurality of legs together define a first footprint that has a first cross-sectional area in a select plane. In the lowered position, the seat is disposed at a second height, lower than the first height, and the plurality of legs together define a second footprint that has a second cross-sectional area in the select plane that is less than the first cross-sectional area.

In another example, a highchair comprises a seat, a support attached to the seat, and a base comprising a plurality of legs attached to the support such that the seat is configured to raise and lower relative to the base along a vertical direction. The highchair is configured such that raising the seat causes each of the plurality of legs to move so as to increase a footprint of the base. The highchair is configured such that lowering the seat causes each of the plurality of legs to move so as to decrease the footprint of the base.

In yet another example, a highchair comprises a base, a seat, at least one lock, and an actuator. The base comprises a plurality of legs, and a hub that is coupled to the plurality of legs and configured to translate along the plurality of legs. The seat is attached to the hub such that translation of the hub along the plurality of legs causes the seat to translate along a vertical direction. The at least one lock is configured to be transitioned between 1) a locked position, wherein each of the at least one lock engages a corresponding one of the legs so as to lock a vertical position of the seat relative to the base, and 2) an unlocked position, wherein the at least one lock is disengaged from the corresponding one of the legs so as to unlock a position of the seat relative to the base. The actuator comprises a handle and an axle, wherein the actuator is configured to convert translational movement of the handle into rotational movement of the axle, and rotational movement of the axle into translational movement of the at least one lock so as to transition the at least one lock between the locked position and the unlocked position.

In yet still another example, a method of operating a highchair comprises a step of raising a seat of the highchair from a lowered position to a raised position, wherein the raising step causes a plurality of legs of the highchair to rotate, translate outwardly along a horizontal direction, or rotate and translate outwardly along the horizontal direction, so as to increase a footprint defined by the plurality of legs.

Breakfast bars, kitchen islands, and counter-height freestanding tables are being utilized more frequently in homes. As a result, many homes may include eating surfaces disposed at two or more heights. For example, a home may include eating surfaces disposed at two or more of a dining height (or standard height) (e.g., about 28 inches to about 30 inches), a counter height (e.g., about 34 inches to about 36 inches), and a bar height (e.g., about 40 inches to about 42 inches). This has led to a need for highchairs in which the seat can be raised or lowered to accommodate eating surfaces disposed at these different heights.

In conventional highchairs in which the seats that can be raised or lowered, the bases that support the seats commonly have footprints that are fixed in size. In these highchairs, as the seat is raised or lowered, the footprint does not change. However, raising the height of a seat, without increasing the footprint, can reduce the tip over force needed to tip over the highchair, thereby making the highchair more susceptible to tip over. This problem could be overcome by implementing a highchair to have a footprint that is large enough to sufficiently limit tip over in both the raised and lowered positions. However, such a footprint may be oversized for the lowered position such that the highchair occupies more space in the lowered position than needed. In many homes, space is limited. Therefore, it would be beneficial to implement a highchair with a footprint that increases in size when the seat is raised and decreases in size when the seat is lowered. Disclosed herein are examples of highchairs having footprints that can be adjusted as the highchairs are raised and lowered.

Turning to, a highchairis shown according to one example. In general, the highchaircomprises a seat, and a basethat is attached to the seatsuch that, when the baseis disposed on a surface such as a floor, the basesupports the seatabove the surface. The basecomprises a plurality of legsthat are directly attached to the seator indirectly attached to the seatvia, for example, a support. The highchairis configured to transition between a raised position (e.g.,) and a lowered position (e.g.,). In the raised position, the seatis disposed at a first height and the plurality of legstogether define a first footprint FPthat has a first cross-sectional area in a select plane (e.g., P-P). In the lowered position, the seatis disposed at a second height, lower than the first height, and the plurality of legstogether define a second footprint FPthat has a second cross-sectional area in the select plane (e.g., P-P), where the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area. Thus, the highchairis configured such that the seatis configured to raise and lower relative to the basealong a vertical direction V.

The highchairis configured such that raising the seatcauses each of the plurality of legsto move (e.g., i) rotate, ii) translate along at least one horizontal direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction V, iii) translate along the vertical direction, or iv) any combination thereof), so as to increase a footprint of the base. Further, the highchairis configured such that lowering the seatcauses each of the plurality of legsto move (e.g., i) rotate, ii) translate along at least one horizontal direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction V, iii) translate along the vertical direction, or iv) any combination thereof) so as to decrease the footprint of the base. The highchaircan be configured such that just a portion, such as a lower end or foot of each leg, can translate along the at least one horizontal direction as illustrated in, or such that an entirety of each leg, including an upper end, translates along the at least one horizontal direction. The highchaircan be configured such that raising the seatincreases a space between the seatand the base, and lowering the seatdecreases the space between the seatand the base. In at least some examples, the seatcan be raised and lowered and the footprint can be increased and decreased without changing a length of one or more of the plurality of legs.

With continued reference to, the features of the highchairwill be discussed in further detail. The seatcan be any suitable seat for supporting a child such as an infant and/or toddler. In some examples, the seatcan a booster seat, a toddler seat, or a booster seatand a toddler seat.show one example of a seathaving a toddler seat, and a booster seatthat is removably couplable to the toddler seat.show a toddler seatwithout the booster seatcoupled thereto (e.g., with the booster seatremoved or omitted).

The booster seatand/or the toddler seatcan have a seat latch or fastener that is configured to selectively lock the booster seatand the toddler seatto one another.show one example of a seat latch or fastenerthat is carried by the booster seat, although it will be understood that the seat latch or fastener can be implemented in any other suitable manner. The seat latch or fastenerincludes an engagement surface(herein referred to as a latch engagement surface) that is configured to engage a corresponding engagement surface(herein referred to as a seat engagement surface) of the toddler seatso as to form an interference therebetween that prevents the booster seatfrom being removed from the toddler seat. The seat latch or fastenerincludes an actuation surfacethat is configured to be engaged by a user so as to move the latch between a locked position, wherein the latch engagement surfaceengages the seat engagement surfaceto form the interference, and an unlatched position, wherein the latch engagement surfaceis disengaged from the seat engagement surfaceand the interference is removed. In the example of, the actuation surfacedefines a push button that extends through an openingin a body or shellof the booster seat. The seat latch or fastenercan include a pivotthat defines a pivot axis Aof the seat latch or fastener, about which the seat latch or fasteneris configured to rotate to transition between the locked and unlocked positions. The seat latch or fastenercan include a springthat biases the seat latch or fastenertowards the locked position. For example, the springcan bias the seat latch or fastenerto rotate about the pivot axis Ato the locked position. It will be understood that the springcan be any suitable elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted.

The seatcan have a seat pan that defines a seating surface that is configured to support a child thereon. In the example of, the toddler seathas a seat panand the booster seathas a separate seat pan, although it will be understood that, in alternative examples, the toddler seatand booster seatcan utilize a single, shared seat pan. The seatcan optionally include one or more, up to all, of a seatback, a tray, and a footrest. The traycan be configured to removably couple to the seat. The footrestcan be removably coupled, or fixedly attached, to the seat.

The plurality of legscomprises at least two legs, such as at least three legs, at least four legs, or more than four legs. The legsare spaced from one another so as to define a spacetherebetween. The legsare spaced from one another along at least one direction, and are configured to move along the at least one direction to cause a footprint of the baseto increase and decrease along the at least one direction.show a specific example, where the basecomprises four legs(),(),(), and(). The first and second legs() and() are spaced opposite from one another along a first horizontal direction H. The third and fourth legs() and() are spaced opposite from one another along a second horizontal direction H, angularly offset from the first horizontal direction H. The first and second horizontal directions Hand Hare perpendicular to the vertical direction V. In some examples, the second horizontal direction Hcan be perpendicular to the first horizontal direction H.

The first leg() and third leg() can define a first pair of legs that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction A, perpendicular to the vertical direction V. The second leg() and fourth leg() can define a second pair of legs that are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A. The second pair of legs can be spaced from the first pair of legs along a transverse direction T, perpendicular to both the vertical direction V and the lateral direction A. The legs() and() of the first pair can spaced from one another along the lateral direction A by a first dimension d, the legs() and() of the second pair can be spaced from one another along the lateral direction A by a second dimension d, and the first and second pairs of legs can be spaced from one another along the transverse direction T by a third dimension d.

In some examples, the first, second, and third dimensions d, d, dcan be equal to one another. In such examples, the force needed to tip over the highchairin the transverse direction T can be substantially the same as the force needed to tip over the highchairin the lateral direction A. This may be advantageous when the seatis configured to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the basesuch that the seatcan selectively face the lateral direction A or transverse direction T. In alternative examples, the third dimension dcan be greater than the first and second dimensions dand d, and optionally, the first and second dimensions dand dcan be equal to one another. In such alternative examples, the force needed to tip over the highchairin the transverse direction T can be greater than the force needed to tip over the highchair in the lateral direction A. This configuration may be advantageous when the seatis rotationally fixed relative to the baseto face the transverse direction T. For instance, a tip-over force resulting from a leaning child may be more significant in the transverse direction T than in the lateral direction A. Thus, such a configuration would allow for greater stability along the transverse direction T, while limiting a dimension d, dof the basealong the lateral direction A.

In alternative examples (not shown), the basecan have a different number of legsthan that shown. For instance, the basecan have two or more legs, three or more legs, four or more legs, or five or more legs. In some examples, the basecan have just a single pair of legs, and the legs of the single pair can be spaced opposite from one another along one of the horizontal directions. For instance, in some examples (not shown), the plurality of legscan include a single pair of legs that are spaced apart from one another along a select one of a lateral direction A (side-to-side) and a transverse direction T (front-to-back). The legs can move towards and away from one another along the select one of the lateral direction A and transverse direction T so as to cause the footprint to increase and decrease along the select one of the lateral direction A and the transverse direction T. In other examples, the basecan have three legs. The three legs can be equidistantly spaced along a circumferential direction in the select plane P-P, although examples of this disclosure are not so limited. The three legs can move towards and away from one another so as to increase and decrease the footprint along three directions.

Each legcan have any suitable shape. For example, each legcan be configured as a tube (an example of which is shown in), as a flat plate, as a plate that is curved or bent on opposing sides (e.g., “u”-shaped), or any as other suitable shape. In examples that implement just one pair of legs, each leg in the pair can have a width along a direction that is perpendicular to the select one of the lateral direction A and transverse direction T that is greater than a width of the seatalong the same direction. Each legis preferably formed from metal, such as steel, but can be formed from any suitable material or materials. Each legcan have an upper endand a lower end. Each legcan have a length from its upper endto its lower end. In some examples, one or more, up to all, of the legscan have a fixed length. In other examples, one or more, up to all, of the legscan have an adjustable length (e.g., the leg can have telescoping portions such that the leg extends and retracts). The upper endof each legcan be offset from the lower endof the legalong an axis A. The lower endof each legcan be offset outwardly from the upper endof the legwith respect to the vertical direction V and a horizontal direction H. As can be seen in, each legcan extend away from one or more, up to all, of the other legsas the legextends from the upper endof the legto the lower endof the leg.

When supported on a surface, each legextends from the surface at a first angle θwhen the highchairis in the raised position () and a second angle θwhen the highchairis in the lowered position (). The second angle θis different from the first angle θ. For example, the second angle θcan be smaller than the first angle θ. One or both of the first θand second angles θcan be an acute angle. Each angle θand θcan be measured from an axis Aof a corresponding legto the surface. Note that the first angle θcan be the same for each of the legs, or the first angle θof one or more of the legscan be different from the first angle θof one or more other legs. Similarly, the second angle θcan be the same for each of the legs, or the second angle θof one or more of the legscan be different from the second angle θof one or more other legs.

The highchaircan comprise a supportthat attaches the seatto the base. The supportextends downward from the seat. The supportis preferably formed from metal, such as steel, but can be formed from any suitable material or materials. In some examples, the seatcan be rotatable relative to the support, and in other examples, the seat can becan be rotationally fixed relatively to the support. The supportcan be attached (e.g., translatably fixed) to the seatsuch that movement of the supportalong the vertical direction V causes movement of the seatalong the vertical direction V. The supportcan comprise a shaft. The supportcan be shaped as a tube or pole, or can have any other suitable shape such as (without limitation) a plate, a block, etc. The supportcan have a length along the vertical direction V that is greater than a dimension (e.g., diameter) of the supportalong a horizontal direction. The supportcan have a central axis A. The central axis Acan define a central axis of the highchair.

The basecan comprise a plurality of couplersthat couple the supportto the legs. In some examples, as in, the couplerscan couple the supportto the plurality of legssuch that each coupleris translatable along a respective one of the plurality of legsso as to cause the supportto translate along the vertical direction V. In other examples, as discussed below in relation to, the couplerscan couple the supportto the plurality of legssuch that each coupleris translatably fixed to the legs. The couplerscan indirectly couple the supportto the plurality of legsas shown or can directly couple the supportto the legs. Each legcan define a track that guides a couplerto translate along the track. In some examples, as illustrated in, each of one or more of the couplerscomprises a collar defining a holethat receives a respective one of the plurality of legstherethrough such that the collar is slidable along the respective leg. Thus, each respective leghas an external surface that defines an external track, and the collar can be configured to slide along the external track.

It will be understood that, in alternative examples, each of one or more of the couplerscan be configured in a manner other than a collar to translate along a respective legand/or each of one or more of the legscan have an internal surface that defines an internal track. For example, with reference to, each of one or more of the couplerscan comprise at least one wheelthat is configured to ride along a track, such as an internal track, defined by a respective one of the plurality of legs. As another example, with reference to, each of one or more of the couplerscan be comprise at least one foot or slider′ that is received in and configured to slide along an internal track defined by a respective one of the plurality of legs. As yet another example (not shown), each of one or more of the couplerscan comprise a block or carriage of a linear bearing, where the respective legcomprises the track or rail of the linear bearing.

The basecan comprise an upper hub. The upper hubcan be formed from injection molded plastic, or any other suitable material or materials. The upper hubcan be coupled to each of the plurality of legssuch that the legsare 1) fixed to the upper hubwith respect to translation along the vertical direction V, and 2) configured to rotate relative to the upper hub. Each legcan be attached to the upper hubat a pivotthat defines a pivot axis A. Each legcan be configured to rotate within a single plane. For example, the legs() and() can each be configured to rotate in a plane that extends along the first horizontal direction Hand the vertical direction V. The legs() and() can each be configured to rotate in a plane that extends along the second horizontal direction Hand the vertical direction V. In at least some examples, the upper hubcan be pivotably attached to the upper endof each leg.

The upper hubcan have a dimension d(see) from the first leg() to the second leg() along the first horizontal direction H. Similarly, the upper hubcan have a dimension ds (see) from the first leg() to the second leg() along the second horizontal direction H. The upper hubcan define an openingtherethrough that is configured to receive the support. The supportcan be received through the openingsuch that the supporttranslates through the openingalong the vertical direction V. The openingcan be sized to conform to a size of the supportso as to guide the supportalong the vertical direction and to limit movement of the supporthorizontally. In some examples, the supportcan have a keyed shape, such as a non-circular shape, that is configured to conform to a keyed shape of the opening. The keyed shapes can limit rotation of the supportrelative to the legsabout the central axis A.

The basecan comprise a lower hub, disposed below the upper hub. The lower hubcan be formed from injection molded plastic or any other suitable material or materials. The lower hubcan be coupled to each of the plurality of legssuch that the lower hubis configured to translate along the plurality of legsalong the vertical direction V so as to cause the plurality of legsto transition between the first footprint FPand the second footprint FP. The supportcan be fixed to the lower hubwith respect to translation along the vertical direction V and can be translatable relative to the upper hubwith respect to the vertical direction V. In at least some examples, the lower hubcan be fixed to a lower end of the supportand the seatcan be fixed to an upper end of the support.

The lower hubcan have a dimension d(see) from the first leg() to the second leg() along the first horizontal direction H. The dimension do can be greater than the dimension dof the upper hub. Similarly, the lower hubcan have a dimension d(see) from the third leg() to the fourth leg() along the second horizontal direction H. The dimension dcan be greater than the dimension dof the upper hub.

The plurality of couplerscan couple the legsto the supportvia the lower hub. Thus, it can be said that the couplersindirectly couple the legsto the support. Each of one or more of the couplerscan be pivotably attached to the lower hubat a pivot. In some alternative examples, the couplerscould directly couple the legsto the support. In other alternative examples, the couplerscould couple the legsto the supportvia one or more components in addition to, or other than, the lower hub. For example, the basecould comprise at least one linkage that is attached to the supportand that is coupled to the legsvia the couplers.

Referring now to, the highchaircomprises at least one lockthat is configured to selectively lock the highchairin the raised position and the lowered position. In some examples, the at least one lockcan be configured to lock the highchairin one or more intermediate positions, between the raised and lowered positions. Each lockcan be configured to engage a corresponding one of the legsto lock a position of a corresponding one of the couplersrelative to the corresponding leg. For example, the highchaircan comprise one, two, three, four, or more locks, each configured to engage a corresponding legto lock a position of a respective couplerrelative to the corresponding leg. In alternative examples, each of the at least one lock can be configured to lock a position of the supportrelative to the upper hub(see e.g.,and related description below).

Referring more specifically to, one example is shown in which each lockcomprises a protrusion, and each corresponding legdefines at least one opening, such as a plurality of openings, therein that is configured to receive the protrusion so as to lock the position of the supportrelative to the corresponding leg. Each openingcan correspond to a different position of the highchairsuch that, when a protrusionof a corresponding lockis received in the opening, the highchair is locked in the position. For example, individual legscan each comprise a set of openingsthat are spaced apart from one another along a length of the leg. The set of openingscan comprise a lower openingcorresponding to the lowered position and an upper openingcorresponding to the raised position. In some examples, the set of openingscan comprise one or more intermediate openingsthat correspond to one or more intermediate positions. Each lockcan be selectively moved into and out of the openingsof a corresponding set of openingsto lock the highchairin the different positions.

The highchaircan comprise an actuator that is configured to actuate one or more of the locks, or each of the lockscan be individually actuated without a separate actuator (e.g., each of the lockscan be a spring button).show an actuator according to one example that is configured to actuate at least one lock, such as four locks. It will be understood that, in alternative examples, the actuator can be implemented in any other suitable manner.

The actuator comprises a handle(as best seen in) that is configured to be engaged by a user. The handlecan be carried by the seat. Movement of handlecauses a corresponding movement of each of the at least one lockbetween a locked position and an unlocked position, such as from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this example, the actuator is configured to convert translational movement of the handleinto rotational movement of an axleand rotational movement of the axleinto translational movement of the at least one lock. To effectuate this movement, the actuator can comprise the axle, an upper rotor, an upper link, a lower rotor, and at least one lower linkage, such as a lower linkagefor each lock. In alternative examples, the handlecan be carried by a feature other than the seat, such as the upper hubor the lower hub. When implemented in the lower hub, the highchair can be devoid of the upper rotor, the upper link, and the axle, and instead, the handle can directly engage the lower rotoror indirectly engage the lower rotorvia a link similar to linkso as to rotate the lower rotor.

Turning more specifically to, the axlecan extend along the central axis A. The axlecan be shaped as a rod or can have any other suitable shape. The axlecan extend through the support. In one example, the axleand supportcan be concentric. The upper rotorcan be rotationally fixed to the axlesuch that rotation of the upper rotorcauses a corresponding rotation of the axle, and vice versa. The upper rotorcan have a disk shape or can comprise a disk. In such examples, the upper rotorcan be concentric with the axle. As used herein, the term “rotor” refers to a part that rotates or revolves in or relative to a stationary part. It will be understood that the upper rotorcan have other suitable shapes, such as an arm or a square plate that rotates, and can be otherwise configured. For example, the upper rotorcould be implemented as a pinion gear that is rotatably fixed to the axle, and the highchaircan comprise a rack gear that is moved by the handleso as to cause the pinion gear to rotate.

The upper linkcan be pivotably attached to both the handleand the upper rotor. For example, the upper linkcan have a first end that is pivotably attached to the upper rotorat a position that is spaced radially from the central axis Aand axle. The upper linkcan have a second end that is pivotably attached to the handle. The handlecan be configured to translate horizontally towards and away from the central axis A. The actuator can be configured such that, as the handletranslates along a radially outward direction, the upper linkmoves along the radially outward direction, thereby causing the upper rotorto rotate in a first rotational direction Dto move the at least one lockto an unlocked position. Further, the actuator can be configured such that, as the handletranslates along a radially inward direction, the upper linkmoves along the radially inward direction, thereby causing the upper rotorto rotate in a second rotational direction D, opposite the first rotational direction D, to move the at least one lockto locked position.

The actuator can comprise at least one spring, such as a plurality of springs, that is configured to bias the handleinwardly so as to maintain the locksin the locked position. The upper rotor, the upper link, and at least a portion of the handleand at least one spring, can be disposed within a cavityin the seat, such as within a cavity in the toddler seat. The seatcan comprise a cap(labeled in) that can be removably coupled to the seat pan. The capcan be removed so as to gain access to the cavity.

Turning now more specifically to, the lower rotorcan be rotationally fixed to the axlesuch that rotation of the axlecauses a corresponding rotation of the rotor, and vice versa. The lower rotorcan have a disk shape or can comprise a disk. In such examples, the lower rotorcan be concentric with the axle. However, it will be understood that the lower rotorcan have other suitable shapes and can be otherwise configured. The lower rotorcan be coupled to each of the at least one lower linkagesuch that rotation of the lower rotorcauses each lower linkageto translate radially inward or radially outward so as to engage each of the at least one lockwith a corresponding openingof a corresponding legor disengage the lockeach of the at least one lockfrom a corresponding openingof a corresponding leg. For example, rotation of the lower rotorin the first rotational direction Dcauses each lower linkageto translate radially inward, thereby disengaging a corresponding one of the locksfrom a corresponding openingof a corresponding leg. Further, rotation of the lower rotorin the second rotational direction Dcauses each lower linkageto translate radially outward, thereby engaging a corresponding one of the lockswith a corresponding openingof a corresponding leg.

The lower rotorcan comprise at least one openingfor each lower linkageso as to couple to the lower linkage. In some examples, each openingcan be shaped as a slot, although examples of the disclose are not so limited. Each openingcan be curved or bent. Each openingcan extend outward away from the central axis Aas the openingextends in the first rotational direction D. Each lower linkagecan comprise a protrusion(labeled in), such as a pin, that is received in a corresponding one of the openingssuch that the protrusiontranslates within the openingwhen the lower rotorrotates. Each openingcan be defined by a first inner drive surface(labeled in). The first inner drive surfacecan be configured to move a protrusionof a corresponding one of the lower linkagesso as to cause the lockto translate radially inward to an unlocked position. For example, rotation of the lower rotorin the first rotational direction Dcan cause a protrusionof a lower linkageto translate along a first inner drive surfaceof a corresponding openingalong a radially inward direction, thereby causing the lower linkageand lockto translate radially inward to an unlocked position. Each openingcan optionally be defined by a second inner drive surface(labeled in). The second inner drive surfacecan be configured to move a protrusionof a corresponding one of the lower linkagesso as to cause the lockto translate radially outward to a locked position. For example, rotation of the lower rotorin the second rotational direction Dcan cause a protrusionof a lower linkageto translate along a second inner drive surfaceof a corresponding openingalong a radially outward direction, thereby causing the lower linkageand lockto translate radially outward to a locked position. The second inner drive surfacecan be disposed radially inward of the first inner drive surface. In alternative examples, each openingcan be devoid of the second inner drive surface. In such alternatives, the at least one actuator springcan cause the axleto rotate the lower rotoralong the second rotational direction D, and each of the lockscan be translated outwards by a corresponding spring(labeled in).

Referring more specifically to, each linkagecan have an inner end, and an outer endthat is spaced outwards from the inner end. The inner endcan comprise a protrusionthat is configured to be received in an openingof the lower rotor. The outer endcan be attached to the lock. In some examples, each linkagecan comprise an inner linkand an outer link. The inner linkcan comprise the protrusion, and the outer linkcan be attached to the lock. An outer endof the outer linkcan be pivotably coupled to the lockand an inner endof the outer linkcan be pivotable coupled to the inner link. In alternative examples, the outer linkcould be a flexible link or strap that is or is not pivotably coupled to the lockand/or inner link.

Each lockcan be attached to a coupler(see) such that the lockis configured to translate with the coupleralong the leg. Each lockcan further be attached to a couplersuch that the lock, or a portion thereof, is translatable outward relative to the couplerto a locked position and inward relative to the couplerto an unlocked position. For example, each lockcan define a slottherein that is configured to receive a pinthat couples the lockto a corresponding couplersuch that the pinis translatable within the slotalong the inward and outward direction. Thus, each lockcan be supported such that the protrusionof the lockis configured to extend into the holein the couplerthat receives a corresponding leg, and into an openingof the corresponding legso as to lock a position of the highchair.

The inner linkof each lower linkagecan be attached to the lower hubsuch that the inner linkis configured to translate with the lower hubalong the vertical direction V. Each inner linkcan further be attached to the lower hubsuch that the inner link, or a portion thereof, is translatable outward relative to the lower hubto move a corresponding lockto a locked position and inward relative to the lower hubto move a corresponding lockto an unlocked position. For example, each inner linkcan define a slot(labeled in) therein that is configured to receive a pinthat couples the inner linkto the lower hubsuch that the pinis translatable within the slotalong the inward and outward direction. The highchaircan comprise, for each lower linkage, a springthat is configured to bias the lockradially outward towards the locked position. Each outer linkis pivotably coupled to a corresponding lockand inner linkto account for slight variations in movements between a corresponding couplerand the lower hub. It will be understood however, that in alternative examples, the inner and outer linksandof a lower linkagecan be implemented as a single rigid or flexible link.

Turning now to, a highchair′ according to another example is shown. Highchair′ has a seatthat can be configured as discussed above, and a base′ that is attached to the seatsuch that, when the base′ is disposed on a surface such as a floor, the base′ supports the seatabove the surface. The base′ comprises a plurality of legsthat are directly attached to the seator indirectly attached to the seatvia, for example, a support. The highchair′ is configured to transition between a raised position (e.g.,) and a lowered position (e.g.,). In the raised position, the seatis disposed at a first height and the plurality of legstogether define a first footprint FPthat has a first cross-sectional area in a select plane. In the lowered position, the seatis disposed at a second height, lower than the first height, and the plurality of legstogether define a second footprint FPthat has a second cross-sectional area in the select plane, where the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area. Thus, the highchair′ is configured such that the seatis configured to raise and lower relative to the base′ along a vertical direction V.

The base′ can comprise a plurality of couplers′ that couple the supportto the legs. Unlike the couplersof, which translate along each leg, each coupler′ is translatably fixed to a corresponding leg. In other words, each coupler′ is fixed to a corresponding legsuch that the coupler′ does not translate along the leg. The base′ can comprise an upper hub, which is configured as discussed above. The base′ can comprise a lower hub′, which is configured in a manner similar to that discussed above. Each coupler′ can have an inner end that is coupled to the lower hub′. The inner end of each coupler′ can be pivotably coupled to the lower hub′. Each coupler′ can have an outer end that is coupled to a respective one of the legs. The outer end of each coupler′ can be pivotably coupled to a corresponding one of the legs. Each coupler′ can be a link that couples a corresponding legto the lower hub′.

The base′ comprises a lock′ that is configured to fix a position of the seatrelative to the base′. In some examples, the lock′ can as simple as a cotter pin or ball lock pin. In other examples, the lock′ can be any other suitable lock. The lock′ can be configured to selectively engage the supportto lock the highchairin different positions. For example, the lock′ can be configured to be received through an openingof the upper huband engage openingsin the supportthat are spaced apart from one another along the supportalong the vertical direction V.

Although an example has been disclosed in which the legs rotate so as to increase and decrease the footprint of the highchair as the highchair raised and lowered, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. It will be understood that, in alternative examples, each leg could additionally, or alternatively, translate outwards and inwards along a horizontal direction and/or translate along a vertical direction so as to increase and decrease the footprint of the highchair as the highchair raised and lowered.

According to at least one example, a method of operating a highchair comprises a step of raising a seat of the highchair from a lowered position to a raised position, wherein the raising step causes a plurality of legs of the highchair to rotate, translate outwardly along a horizontal direction, or rotate and translate outwardly along the horizontal direction, so as to increase a footprint defined by the plurality of legs. The method can comprise locking the seat in the raised position after raising the seat to the raised position. The method can comprise, before the raising step, unlocking while the seat while the seat is in the lowered position.

It should be noted that the illustrations and descriptions of the examples and embodiments shown in the figures are for exemplary purposes only, and should not be construed limiting the disclosure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that the concepts described above with the above-described examples and embodiments may be employed alone or in combination with any of the other examples and embodiments described above. It should further be appreciated that the various alternative examples and embodiments described above with respect to one illustrated embodiment can apply to all examples and embodiments as described herein, unless otherwise indicated.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” preceded the value or range. The terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” can be understood as describing a range that is within 15 percent of a specified value unless otherwise stated.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list

While certain examples have been described, these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the inventions disclosed herein.

It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.