STRAP ARRANGEMENT FOR SECURING BOOSTER SEAT NEAR FRONT EDGE OF ADULT CHAIR

Abstract

A booster seat includes a horizontal strap that passes beneath the seat of the chair and a backrest strap that passes around the backrest of the chair to inhibit forward movement. A front edge strap is secured to the forward edge of the booster seat and passes beneath the chair seat to be secured to one of the straps or the booster seat to inhibit rearward movement and maintain the booster seat aligned with the forward edge of the chair.

Claims

1. A harness to secure a booster seat on a chair to support an infant, said booster seat comprising a seat surface to support the infant, said harness comprising at least one of a horizontal strap secured at opposite ends to said booster seat to locate said seat laterally on a chair, and a backrest strap secured to the booster seat and extending rearwardly to pass around a backrest of the chair and inhibit forward movement of said booster seat on said chair, said harness further comprising a forward edge strap secured adjacent a forward edge of said booster seat and passing beneath said chair, said forward edge strap connected to at least one of said horizontal strap and said backrest strap and thereby inhibit rearward movement of said booster seat on said chair, whereby said booster seat is located laterally and longitudinally on said chair.

2. The harness of claim 1 wherein said straps are adjustable in length.

3. The harness of claim 2 wherein said harness includes a horizontal strap and said forward strap is connected to said horizontal strap.

4. The harness of claim 3 wherein said horizontal strap is formed in two sections connected by a releasable fastener.

5. The harness of claim 4 wherein said releasable fastener includes a male component secured to one of said sections and a female component secured to another of said sections.

6. The harness of claim 4 wherein said forward edge strap terminates in a loop and one of said sections passes through said loop to secure said forward edge strap to said horizontal strap.

7. The harness of claim 3 wherein said forward edge strap is secured to said releasable fastener.

8. The harness of claim 7 wherein said releasable component includes a pair of male components, each secured to a respective one of said sections and a pair of sockets to receive respective ones of said male components.

9. The harness of claim 1 wherein said forward edge strap passes through an aperture in said seat surface of said booster seat to secure said forward edge strap to said seat.

10. The harness of claim 1 wherein said harness includes a backrest strap.

11. The harness of claim 3 wherein said harness includes a backrest strap.

12. A booster seat incorporating the harness of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of one a typical prior art booster seat and strap arrangement.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention on an alternative adult chair.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the underside of the booster seat shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a typical booster seat 1, that is supported on an adults chair C to elevate an infant, has a base with an upwardly directed surface to support an infant. A harness generally indicate H includes a backrest strap BK secured to the booster seat 1 by, for example, passing through openings in the sides of the booster seat 1 and extends rearwardly from either side of the booster seat 1. The back rest strap BK passes around the backrest B of the chair C to inhibit forward movement relative to a backrest, B of the adult chair C.

[0016] The harness H also includes a horizontal strap HZ that extends to either side of the booster seat 1 and passes beneath the seat of the chair C.

[0017] Typically the straps BK, HZ are adjustable in length and opposite ends are connected by a releasable fastener to accommodate different dimensions of chair C. To provide stability for the booster seat 1, the backrest strap BK is adjusted to pull the booster seat 1 firmly against the stationary backrest B of the adult chair C, and the horizontal strap HZ adjusted to inhibit movement of the booster laterally and vertically. By tensioning the backrest strap BK, the front edge of the booster seat 1 is recessed back from the adult chair's front edge E. The arrangement and use of the booster seat in FIG. 1 is well known, as exemplified by the Upseat Boost Toddler Boost seat available from Nuvate Inc., Stoney Creek, Canada, and described and shown at https://theupseat.com/products/upseat-boost-seat-for-children, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and need not be described further.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the harness H includes an additional strap FS, referred to for clarity as the forward edge strap FS, that is used to permit the front of the booster seat 1 to be aligned with the edge E of the chair C whilst maintaining the stability of the booster seat 1.

[0019] As can be seen in FIG. 3 the proximal end of forward edge strap FS is fixed to the booster seat 1 near the front of the booster seat 1. As best seen in FIG. 5, the booster seat 1 may conveniently have an orifice O in the base of 1. The proximal end of the forward edge strap FS features stopper ST which can be angled along a suitable profile to fit through the orifice O. As tension is placed on forward edge strap FS, the stopper ST is angled such that its largest profile is opposed by the frame F around the orifice O. This prevents the stopper ST from being pulled through O, fixing it in place.

[0020] Referring again to FIG. 3, the horizontal seat strap HZ has two sections, H1 and H2, each secured to, and originating from opposite sides of the booster seat. The terminal ends of sections H1 and H2 both incorporate a male buckle component, M1 and M2 respectively. The forward edge strap FS extends from the front face of the booster seat 1, and the distal end of the forward edge strap FS is connected to a releasable fastener in the form of a 3-point harness connector 3P. The connector 3P has dual female sockets, F1 and F2. The connector 3P is positioned beneath the adult chair's base, and buckle components M1 and M2 can be inserted into female sockets F1 and F2, thereby securing the two sections H1 and H2 of the strap HZ and the forward edge strap FS together around the seat of the adult chair C.

[0021] All straps are fabricated from a pliable material such as nylon, and can be adjusted in length using industry-standard adjusters X. When the sections H1, and/or H2, are tightened, and the forward extending strap FS is also pulled tight and adjusted to the appropriate length, it locates the booster seat 1 on the chair C with the front of the booster seat aligned with the front edge E. The backrest strap BK may then be tightened around the backrest B of the chair to firmly fix the position of the booster seat 1. The forward edge strap counteracts any backward slippage caused by the tension in the backrest strap BK, and allows the booster seat 1 to be positioned towards the front edge E of the adult chair, C.

[0022] As can be seen in FIG. 4 the arrangement of the straps BK, HZ and FS can be adjusted to accommodate different size and styles of chair C. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, booster seat 1 is positioned towards the front edge E of the adult chair, C. The straps HZ and FS are adjusted, and backrest straps BK tightened to counter pull from the forward edge strap FS to avert forward slippage of the booster seat. The harness H formed by straps HZ, BK and FS cooperate to secure the booster seat in place on the adult chair C, preventing horizontal and front/back slippage.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment is shown in which the horizontal seat strap HZ has two sections, H1 and H2, each fastened to, and originating from opposite sides of the booster seat 1. The terminal end of section H1 incorporates a male buckle component M1 of a releasable fastener and the terminal end of section H2 incorporates a female buckle component F1 of the releasable fastener. The distal end of forward edge strap FS incorporates loop L which can be positioned underneath the seat of the chair C.

[0024] In use, the section H1 is threaded through the loop L, and the male buckle component M1 is inserted into and secured to the female buckle component F2, securing the sections H1 and H2 and the forward extending strap FS together and around the base of the seat of C. When the length of sections H1, and/or H2, is adjusted the strap HZ is tightened around the seat of the chair C. The forward edge strap FS may be adjusted in length by the adjusters X to the appropriate length to align the booster seat 1 with the front edge E of the chair C. The backrest strap BK is then tightened and the forward edge strap FS counteracts any backward slippage, and maintains the booster seat 1 in position towards the front edge E of the adult chair, C.

[0025] It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the harness depending on the circumstances of its use. In one alternative embodiment, the horizontal strap may be deleted and lateral stability provided by the interaction of the front strap and backrest strap. As a further alternative the backrest strap may be omitted and the horizontal strap utilized to provide both lateral stability and fore and aft stability by engaging the substructure of the chair.

[0026] In each embodiment, the straps may be directly connected to one another or may be connected through the intermediary of the booster seat so that forces in one strap are transferred to other straps through the seat structure.

[0027] Although the foregoing has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims.