Tableware-Securing High Chair Tray Device

Abstract

A tableware-securing high chair tray device is provided. The device is designed to prevent children from spilling or knocking over tableware during meals. The device comprises a body with a top surface and an insert that can be secured via reciprocating fasteners, allowing the tableware to attach securely to the tray. The body may feature recessed areas to contain spills. The insert can either be detachable or fixedly attached to the top surface, and the fasteners can include common mechanisms such as male-and-female or tongue-and-groove.

Claims

1. A tableware-securing high chair tray device comprising: a body comprised of a top surface comprised of an opening comprised of a first fastener; an insert comprised of a second fastener, the insert removably attached to opening via the second fastener engaging the first fastener; and a third fastener positioned on the insert, wherein the third fastener secures a piece of tableware to the insert via engaging a fourth fastener of the piece of tableware.

2. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of an anti-microbial plastic.

3. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the piece of tableware is comprised of a plate, a dish, a bowl, a cup, or a mug.

4. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

5. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the second fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

6. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the third fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

7. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the fourth fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

8. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 1, wherein the top surface is comprised of a recessed area.

9. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 8, wherein the opening is positioned within the recessed area.

10. A tableware-securing high chair tray device comprising: a body comprised of a top surface comprised of an opening; an insert fixedly attached within the opening of the top surface; and a first fastener positioned on the insert, wherein the third fastener secures a piece of tableware to the insert via engaging a second fastener of the piece of tableware.

11. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 10, wherein the body is comprised of an anti-microbial plastic.

12. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 10, wherein the first fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

13. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 10, wherein the second fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

14. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 10, wherein the top surface is comprised of a recessed area.

15. The tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 14, wherein the top surface is comprised of a recessed area.

16. A method of using a tableware-securing high chair tray device, the method comprising: providing a tableware-securing high chair tray device comprised of a body comprised of a top surface, an insert, and a piece of tableware; securing the insert to an opening of the top surface via a first fastener position on the opening and a second fastener positioned on the insert; and securing the piece of tableware to a top surface of the insert via a third fastener positioned on the top surface of the insert and a fourth fastener positioned on the piece of tableware.

17. The method of using a tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 16, wherein the first fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

18. The method of using a tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 16, wherein the second fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

19. The method of using a tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 16, wherein the second fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

20. The method of using a tableware-securing high chair tray device of claim 16, wherein the fourth fastener is comprised of a male fastener, a female fastener, a tongue fastener, a groove fastener, or a magnet fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body and an insert of one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body and an insert attached to a piece of tableware of one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an insert attached to a piece of tableware of one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0022] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that secures bowls or plates to the tray of a highchair. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a tableware-securing highchair tray device that prevents children eating in a highchair from removing tableware from the tray of the highchair and thus spilling the contents of the tableware. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a tableware-securing highchair tray device that can easily attach any commonly used tableware to assist children how to properly eat from tableware without spilling or knocking over the items.

[0023] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a tableware-securing high chair tray device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, a top surface, and an insert. The device is designed to allow any tableware to be secured to the device preventing any child that is eating from the device from spilling or knocking over the items on the device.

[0024] More specifically, the device is comprised of a body that is preferably made from a plastic or wood material. The body could be any existing configuration of a highchair tray that may be known in the art in addition to the other features that may be fully described below. The body may be further comprised of at least one recessed area such that food or drink may not spill over the edge of the device if spilled onto a top surface of the body.

[0025] The body is also be comprised of a top surface. The top surface of the body may be further comprised of at least one opening. The opening of the top surface of the body may be further comprised of at least one fastener that may receive a fastener of an insert, allowing the insert to be secured to the opening of the top surface of the body. The fasteners connecting the opening of the top surface of the body and the insert may be any reciprocating fasteners known in the art, such as male-and-female, tongue-and-groove, etc.

[0026] The insert may further be comprised of a top surface that is further comprised of at least one fastener. The fastener of the top surface of the insert may receive a fastener of a tableware, allowing the tableware to be secured to the insert. The fasteners connecting the tableware and the top surface of the insert may be any reciprocating fasteners known in the art, such as male-and-female, tongue-and-groove, etc. By securing the tableware to the insert and the insert to the opening of the body, the tableware may be secured to the device. In one potential embodiment, the insert may be fixedly attached to the top surface of the body of the device. In this embodiment, the tableware may only need to be attached to the insert to be fully secured to the body of the device.

[0027] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided primarily comprised of a body, a top surface, and an insert. Then, the insert may be secured to the opening of the body via the reciprocating fasteners. Then, the tableware may be secured to the top surface of the insert via the reciprocating fasteners. Next, a child may eat from the device and the secured tableware without knocking over or spilling from the tableware.

[0028] The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided primarily comprised of a body, a top surface, and an insert. Then, the tableware may be secured to the top surface of the insert, which is fixedly attached to the top surface of the body, via the reciprocating fasteners. Next, a child may eat from the device and the secured tableware without knocking over or spilling from the tableware.

[0029] Accordingly, the tableware-securing high chair tray device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that secures bowls or plates to the tray of a highchair. More specifically, the tableware-securing highchair tray device may prevent children who are eating in a highchair from removing tableware from the tray of the highchair, thus preventing the child from spilling food or drink by knocking over any cups, plates, or bowls. Furthermore, the tableware-securing highchair tray device allows any tableware, such as plates, bowls, or cups to be easily secured to a highchair tray, assisting in the teaching of dinner etiquette to children. In this manner, the tableware-securing highchair tray device overcomes the limitations of existing highchairs known in the art.

[0030] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body 110 and an insert 130 of one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110, a top surface 120, and an insert 130. The device 100 is designed to allow any tableware 140 to be secured to the top surface 120, preventing any child that is eating from the tableware 140 from spilling or knocking over the tableware 140 on the device 100.

[0031] The device 100 is comprised of a body 110 that may be made from any material commonly used to make high chairs and/or eating surfaces but is preferably made from a wood or plastic material. In one embodiment, the plastic is comprised of an anti-microbial plastic. The body 110 may further resemble any configuration of a highchair tray that may be known in the art in addition to the other features that may be fully described below. The body 110 may also be comprised of at least one recessed area 112 such that any food or drink spilled on a top surface 120 of the body 110 may not spill over the edge of the body 110 and onto the floor or other surface or nearby person.

[0032] The body 110 is also comprised of a top surface 120. The top surface 120 of the body 110 may be further comprised of at least one opening 122 and/or a recessed area. The opening 122 of the top surface 120 of the body 110 may be further comprised of a fastener 124. The fastener 124 of the opening 122 may be a reciprocating fastener with at least one fastener 136 of an insert 130. This allows the insert 130 to be secured to the body 110 of the device 100. The fastener 124 of the opening 122 of the top surface 120 of the body 110 and the fastener 136 of the insert 130 may be any reciprocating fasteners known in the art such as but not limited to: male-and-female, tongue-and-groove, magnets, etc.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body 110 and an insert 130 attached to a piece of tableware 140 of one potential embodiment of a tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The insert 130 may be made from any material but is preferably made from the same material as the body 110 of the device 100. The insert 130 may further be comprised of a top surface 132 that is further comprised of at least one fastener 134. The fastener 134 of the top surface 132 of the insert 130 may be a reciprocating fastener such that the fastener 134 may receive a fastener 142 of a piece of tableware 140, as best seen in FIG. 3, allowing the tableware 140 to be secured to the insert 130. The fastener 134 of the top surface 132 of the insert 130 and the fastener 142 of the tableware 140 may be any reciprocating fasteners known in the art such as but not limited to male-and-female, tongue-and-groove, magnet, etc. The tableware 140 may be any tableware commonly used to eat or drink from, such as a plate, a dish, a bowl, a cup, a mug, etc.

[0034] In one potential embodiment of the device 100, the insert 130 may be fixedly attached to the top surface 120 of the body 110 of the device 100. In this embodiment, the fastener 142 of the tableware 140 and the fastener 134 of the top surface 132 of the insert 130 may be the only reciprocating fasteners that need to be connected when setting the device 100 up for use, as the insert 130 is already fixedly attached to the body 110 of the device 100.

[0035] The present invention is also comprised of a method 200 of using the device 100, as seen in FIG. 4. First, a device 100 is provided primarily comprised of a body 110, a top surface 120, an insert 130, and a piece of tableware 140 [Step 202]. Then, the insert 130 may be secured to the opening 122 of the body 110 via a pair of reciprocating fasteners 124,136 located within the opening 122 and on the insert 130 [Step 204]. Then, a tableware 140 may be secured to a top surface 132 of the insert 130 via the reciprocating fasteners 134,142 located on the tableware 140 and the insert 130 [Step 206]. Next, a child may eat from the tableware 140 as the tableware 140 is secured without the possibility of being knocked over or spilled [Step 208].

[0036] The present invention is also comprised of a second method 300 of using the device 100, as seen in FIG. 5. First, a device 100 is provided primarily comprised of a body 110, a top surface 120, and an insert 130 [Step 302]. Then, the tableware 140 may be secured to the top surface 132 of the insert 130, wherein the insert 130 is fixedly attached to the top surface 120 of the body 110, via the reciprocating fasteners 134,142 located on the insert 130 and the tableware 140 [Step 304]. Next, a child may eat from the tableware 140 as it is secured to the top surface 120 without knocking over or spilling from the tableware 140 [Step 306].

[0037] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein tableware-securing high chair tray device and device are interchangeable and refer to the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 of the present invention.

[0038] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the tableware-securing high chair tray device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0039] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0040] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.