EP-4739169-A1 - TRANSFORMABLE CHILDREN'S BOOSTER SEAT/ADULT CHAIR SEATING SYSTEM

EP4739169A1EP 4739169 A1EP4739169 A1EP 4739169A1EP-4739169-A1

Abstract

A booster seat/adult chair system reconfigurable from a first, closed configuration to a second, open configuration closed position. In the closed position, the system is configured as a low booster seat while the booster self-assembles into a high booster seat in an open position. A booster seat cover is rotatably attached to its base. A seat unfolds when the cover is opened, supported by a seat support positioned between the seat and the base to transfer the load from the seat to the base in the open position. Foldable side supports are rotatably attached to the seat. A reconfigurable chair is provided for supporting the booster seat in a variety of configurations depending upon the age of the child. The chair can be used as a stand-alone adult chair as well as supporting bouncer, low booster seat, high booster seat, and high chair configurations.

Inventors

GOORIS, FREDERIC FRANS PETRUS
GOORIS, Yasmine Si Min

Assignees

Gooris, Yasmine Si Min

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240814

Claims (12)

A booster seat/adult chair system reconfigurable from a booster seat closed position to booster seat open position comprising: a booster seat having a closed position configured as a low booster seat, the booster self-assembling into a high booster seat in an open position, the booster seat including a cover rotatably attached to a base, the cover configured as a backrest in an open position; a seat rotatably attached to the cover that unfolds when the cover is opened; a seat support positioned between the seat and the base to transfer the load from the seat to the base in the open position; foldable side supports rotatably attached to the seat; an adult chair configured to receive the booster seat; the adult chair comprising; a chair frame including a first set of connectors and a second set of connectors; a reconfigurable chair seat connected on the frame chair frame with user reconfigurable connections, the chair seat configured to support the booster seat, the chair seat including one or more retainers for engaging retainers from the booster seat to retain the booster seat on the chair seat wherein the chair seat in a first position has an adult seating depth and the chair seat in a second position has a child seating depth different from the adult seating depth; chair legs extending from the chair frame; a chair back; chair back supports extending from the chair back and reversibly connected to the chair frame by the first set of connectors in a first chair back configuration and the second set of connectors in a second chair back configuration; wherein the booster seat is securable to the adult chair in either a closed position or in an open position when the chair seat is in either the first position or in the second position and when the chair back is in the first chair back configuration or the second chair back configuration.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, where the foldable side supports each include a groove that receives a portion of an edge of the cover.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, wherein the foldable side supports include one or more base slots that engage with a groove in the seat in an open and locked position.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, further comprising a repositionable cushion, the repositionable cushion contacting the booster seat cover when the assembly is in a closed position such that the closed assembly functions as a low booster seat.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, wherein the base includes one or more ribs to strengthen the base.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, further comprising a removable tray that is lockable to the booster seat in its open position.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, further comprising child restraining straps affixed to the booster seat.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, further comprising retainers extending from the booster seat base for connecting the booster seat to the adult chair.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 8, wherein the retainers are rotatable tabs on the booster seat base.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 8, wherein the adult chair seat includes apertures from receiving the rotatable tabs from the booster seat base.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 1, wherein the chair seat of the adult chair includes a first chair seat portion that is sloped downward and a second chair seat portion that is sloped upward.
The booster seat/adult chair system of claim 11, wherein when the first chair seat portion that is sloped downward is positioned in the front of the adult chair, seating surface length is configured to accommodate an adult and when reversed a seating surface length is configured to accommodate a child.

Description

TRANSFORMABLE CHILDREN’S BOOSTER SEAT/ADULT CHAIR SEATING SYSTEM Inventor: Frederic Frans Petrus Gooris Field of the Invention: The present invention generally relates to reconfigurable juvenile furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to self-assembling booster seats having multiple age-appropriate configurations and coordinating adult chairs for supporting the booster seats. Background: Child booster seats are often used in flights, vehicles, homes, and restaurants to elevate the sitting height level of small children on adult seats and chairs. When attached to an adult-sized chair or seat, a child booster seat allows a child to sit safely, comfortably, and at approximately the same height level as a sitting adult. Child booster seats are also necessary for safety reasons, particularly in flights and vehicles where seat belts are employed to ensure the proper fastened conditions of the seat belts. However, the problem with existing booster seats is that they are heavy (each typically weighing 2kg and up) , bulky, not easily portable, and occupy considerable storage space when not in use. Restaurants and home dining rooms alike face the issues of flexible seating arrangements depending upon whether adults or young children will be seated at a table. In general, placing booster seats on standard adult chairs can be unstable. However, dedicated juvenile furniture takes up space, does not coordinate with the remaining dining furniture, and does not accommodate the wide range of sizes of children under the age of 5. Thus, there is a need in the art for flexible booster/seat chair systems that can accommodate both adults and children. The present invention addresses this need. Summary of the Invention: The present invention provides a collapsible child booster seat that addresses the problems of poor portability and stow-ability of traditional child booster seats. The booster seat is light and easy to be folded flat into a compact form for storage and transport. While the booster seat can be used on any level surface such as a chair, bench, or sofa, it may optionally be locked into a custom designed chair as a support. This booster seat/chair system may be used as an adult chair, as a booster seat for older children, a pop-up booster seat for younger toddlers, or as a high chair for babies. In this manner, the maximum versatility is obtained from a single unit of furniture, which is particularly useful for environments that require seating flexibility with minimum storage, such as restaurants, dining rooms, and smaller homes. In one aspect, a booster seat/adult chair system is reconfigurable from a first, closed configuration to a second, open configuration closed position. In the closed position, the system is configured as a low booster seat while the booster self-assembles into a high booster seat in an open position. A booster seat cover is rotatably attached to its base. A seat unfolds when the cover is opened, supported by a seat support positioned between the seat and the base to transfer the load from the seat to the base in the open position. Foldable side supports are rotatably attached to the seat. A reconfigurable chair is provided for supporting the booster seat in a variety of configurations depending upon the age of the child. The chair can support bouncer, low booster seat, high booster seat, and high chair configurations. In another aspect, the present invention provides a booster seat/adult chair system reconfigurable from a first, closed configuration to a second, open configuration closed position. In the closed position, the booster seat is configured as a low booster seat and a child such as an older preschool child can sit on the top of the closed structure. Upon opening the cover, the structures self-assemble into a high booster seat in an open position. The booster seat cover is rotatably attached to its base. In the open position, the cover is configured as a backrest. A seat is rotatably attached to the cover and unfolds when the cover is opened. A seat support is positioned between the seat and the base to transfer the load from the seat to the base in the open position. Foldable side supports are rotatably attached to the seat and lock in an open position to the seat back formed from the cover. The system further includes a chair configured to receive the booster seat. The chair includes a chair frame including a first set of connectors and a second set of connectors. A chair seat is positioned on the frame chair frame and is configured to support the booster seat. In an embodiment, the chair seat mates with the base of the booster seat for added security. The chair seat includes one or more retainers for engaging retainers from the collapsible, self-assembling, pop-up booster seat to retain the booster seat on the chair seat. A chair back includes chair back supports extending from the chair back and reversibly connected to the chair frame by the first set of con