Highchair with horizontally adjustable tray

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a highchair and more particularly to a highchair with horizontally adjustable tray with improved characteristics.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Conventionally, parents buy a highchair to feed an infant. Typically, a highchair comprises a frame with long legs supported on a ground, a seat for supporting the infant, and a tray with food provided thereon.

[0006] A number of highchairs with either horizontally adjustable or fixed tray are found in a search such as Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 240,409 and 252,424, and 327,300, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,087,097, 5,118,161, 5,458,394, 5,507,550, and 5,586,800 wherein above No. 240,409 discloses a highchair with fixed tray and No. 327,300 discloses a highchair with horizontally adjustable tray.

[0007] But these are unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned because they are ineffective and/or complex in structure.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a highchair with horizontally adjustable tray. The advantages of the present invention are realized by configuring the highchair to comprise a pair of supports on opposed sides of highchair each having a plurality of elastic projections on the inside; a movable tray coupled between the supports including a tray portion and two beneath engagement members put on the supports each having a plurality of apertures with the elastic projections biased in or out of the apertures for changing the relative positioning of tray with respect to the supports; and a movable actuator in the tray including two vertical members each having a plurality of wedge members corresponding to the apertures of the engagement member and two elastic elements each having one end biased against the inside of tray and the other end biased against actuator, thereby effecting the locking of the actuator to the tray by restricting the movements of wedge members by the projected elastic projections or the disengagement of the actuator from the tray by moving the wedge members to pass over the retracted elastic projections; whereby the tray is capable of positioning in a locked position or moving relative to the supports or even being removed from the supports.

[0009] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0010] The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontally adjustable tray of highchair of a first preferred embodiment according to the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 tray;

[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically depict operations of the FIG. 1 tray;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a highchair incorporating the horizontally adjustable tray shown in FIG 1;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a horizontally adjustable tray of highchair of a second preferred embodiment according to the invention;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a highchair incorporating the horizontally adjustable tray shown FIG. 5; and

[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically depict operations of the FIG. 5 tray.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a highchair 40 incorporating a tray 20 constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a seat 401 and a frame 402 wherein tray 20 is horizontally provided in the front of seat 401 capable of being horizontally adjusted or removed from seat 401. The horizontally adjustable tray 20 is applicable to highchair or stroller.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a horizontally adjustable tray assembly comprising a pair of supports 10, 10′ on opposed sides of highchair 40, a tray 20, and an actuator 30. Note that since left parts of tray 20 and actuator 30 and support 10′ are mirror images of their counterpart and support 10 respectively such that the following detailed description of left parts of tray 20 and actuator 30 and support 10 are sufficient.

[0020] Support 10 comprises a tube 101 put on leg 402, two studs 102a,102breleasably coupled to highchair 40, a plurality of slots 103a,103b,and 103c,an elongate member 11 comprising a channel 111 including holes 112a,112b,and 112ccorresponding to slots 103a,103b,and 103crespectively, and recesses 113a,113b,and 113con the rear corresponding to holes 112a,112b,and 112ceach recess having an inverted U shape so as to form a receiving space and being inserted into slots 103a,103b,and 103crespectively, and elastic projections 12a,12b,12ceach elastic projection having a body (121a,121b,or 121c) and a rounded tip (122a,122b,or 122c) wherein each tip (122a,122b,or 122c) is projected into the corresponding hole (112a,112b,or 112c) in a locked position of tray 20 or cleared from the corresponding hole (122a,122b,or 122c) in an operating position of tray 20.

[0021] Tray 20 comprises a tray portion 21, two engagement members 22a,22b,and a base plate 23. Tray portion 21 generally has the same shape as base plate 23 so as to engage together to form a receiving area. Tray portion 21 has an oval shape comprising a flat central area 211 for retaining food or the like and n-shaped engagement channels 212a,212b.Engagement member 22ais also n shape being snapped into engagement channel 212asuch that tray 20 may move along supports 10, 10′. Two parallel rails 221a,221a′ are provided on the inside of engagement member 22a.The distance between rails 221aand 221a′ is about the width of channel 111 of elongate member 11 such that channel 111 may insert in the rails 221a,221a′. Apertures 222a,222b,and 222care formed in rails 221a,221a′ corresponding to holes 112a,112b,and 112crespectively.

[0022] Actuator 30 is provided between base plate 23 and tray portion 21 comprising a handle 31, a horizontal member 32, two vertical members 33, and two elastic elements 34a,34b.Handle 31 is coupled to horizontal member 32. Horizontal member 32 is coupled between one ends of vertical members 33. Vertical member 33ais engaged with the openings of apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22a.Vertical member 33acomprises a plurality of wedge members 331a,332a,and 333acorresponding to apertures 222a,222b,and 222crespectively. Elastic element 34ahas one end biased against the inside of tray 20 and the other end biased against horizontal member 32. As such, wedge members 331a,332a,and 333aof vertical member 33aare disengaged from apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22ain a locked position of tray 20 and actuator 30 by virtue of elastic elements 34a,34bwherein elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12care projected away from apertures 222a,222b,and 222crespectively (see FIG. 3A later). To the contrary, pull handle 31 against the elastic force of elastic elements 34a,34b.Then cause wedge members 331a,332a,and 333aof vertical member 33ato push elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12cto force them to retract into apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22ato overcome the obstruction of elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12c.As a result, tray 20 is free to slide long supports 10, 10′ or even removed from a device such as highchair. This position is called an operating position of tray 20 and actuator 30 (see FIG. 3B later).

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B in conjunction with FIG. 4, assembly and operation of the tray 20 of the invention is now described below.

[0024] In assembling tray 20, put engagement member 22aon support 10 to cause channel 111 to insert in the rails 221a,221a′. Next insert vertical member 33ainto engagement member 22ato cause wedge members 331a,332a,and 333ato block the openings of apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22a.Then insert the above coupled elements into engagement channel 212ato a desired position. Next, further push handle 31 a small distance to cause wedge members 331a,332a,and 333ato pass over apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22a.At the same time, elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12care projected away from apertures 222a,222b,and 222crespectively by virtue of elastic projections 12a,12b,12cto block any further movement of wedge members 331a,332a,and 333a.This is a locked position of tray 20 and actuator 30. As a result, the mounting of tray 20 to highchair 40 is finished (see FIG. 3A).

[0025] In adjusting the horizontal position of tray 20 with respect to supports 10, 10′, pull handle 31 against the elastic force of elastic elements 34a,34b.Then cause wedge members 331a,332a,and 333aof vertical member 33ato push elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12cto force them to retract into apertures 222a,222b,and 222cof engagement member 22ato overcome the obstruction of elastic projections 12a,12b,and 12c(see FIG. 3B). At this position, tray 20 and actuator 30 are in an operating position. As a result, tray 20 is free to slide along supports 10, 10′ until one wedge member 331a,332a,or 333aof vertical member 33ais stopped by the adjacent again projected elastic projection 12a,12b,or 12c.As a result, tray 20 and actuator 30 are in the locked position again. This finishes the horizontally relative positioning of tray 20 to supports 10, 10′.

[0026] If operator wants to remove tray 20 from highchair 40, simply continues the pulling procedure of handle 31 above until all wedge members 331a,332a,and 333aof vertical member 33aare clear from apertures 222a,222b,and 222cto overcome the restrictions of elastic projection 12a,12b,and 12c.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a horizontally adjustable tray 20aof highchair 40 of a second preferred embodiment according to the invention. As shown, a centrally disposed projection 403 is raised above seat 401 of highchair 40 for preventing an infant from accidentally slipping out of seat 401. A support 10ais provided on top of projection 403 including a U-shaped groove 104a,a plurality of holes 103d,103e,and 103fon the groove 104a,a plurality of elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12fprovided in holes 103d,103e,and 103frespectively, and a plate 11aon top of elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12fhaving a plurality of through apertures 112d,112e,and 112f.

[0028] Tray 20ais generally the same configuration as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: A U-shaped channel member 24ais provided on the underside of tray 20a.The width of channel member 24ais conformed to that of groove 104a.Channel member 24acomprises a plurality of through holes 241a,241b,and 241con the bottom.

[0029] Actuator 30acomprises a handle 31a,a vertical member 33ccoupled to handle 31 having a plurality of protuberances 331c,332c,and 333c,and an elastic element 34c(e.g., spring) having one end coupled to the inside of tray 20aand the other side coupled to vertical member 33cfor defining the movement of vertical member 33c.

[0030] In a locked position as shown in FIG. 7A, actuator 30ais engaged between channel member 24aand groove 104, and elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12fare projected above holes 103d,103e,and 103fthrough apertures 112d,112e,and 112finto the through holes 241a,241b,and 241cof channel member 24ato stop the movements of the protuberance 331c,332c,and 333cof vertical member 33c.

[0031] In adjusting the horizontal position of tray 20awith respect to support 10a,pull handle 31aagainst the elastic force of elastic element 34cto force elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12fto retract into apertures 112d,112e,and 112fto overcome the obstruction of elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12f(see FIG. 7B). At this position, tray 20ais in an operating position. As a result, tray 20ais free to slide along support 10auntil one protuberance 331c,332c,or 333cof vertical member 33cis stopped by the adjacent again projected elastic projection 12d,12e,or 12f.As a result, tray 20ais in the locked position again. This finishes the horizontally relative positioning of tray 20ato support 10a.

[0032] If operator wants to remove tray 20afrom highchair 40, simply continues the pulling procedure of handle 31aabove until all wedge members 331a,332a,and 333aof vertical member 33aare clear from apertures 112d,112e,and 112fto overcome the restrictions of elastic projections 12d,12e,and 12f.

[0033] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.