WO1998001060A1

WO1998001060A1 - Highchair-stepstool

Info

Publication number: WO1998001060A1
Application number: PCT/FI1997/000439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tapio Turpeinen
Original assignee: Tapio Turpeinen
Priority date: 1996-07-08
Filing date: 1997-07-04
Publication date: 1998-01-15
Also published as: FI962780A; FI103947B1; FI962780A0; FI103947B

Abstract

The subject of this invention is a highchair-stepstool consisting of a steps section formed by side panels (1) with steps (2) attached to them, a highchair section with a back support (3) and attached seat (4), and a locking device (5) to secure the highchair section to the steps section. The highchair section is attached to the top of the steps section such that it can swing up and down. In the stool according to the invention the highchair section is attached from the back support (3) of the seat (4) to the side panels (1) of the steps section so that it swings up and down and the locking device (5) is positioned to the equivalent part of the seat so that the highchair section can be swung from the highchair position, where the front edge of the seat is locked to the side panels of the steps section, to the stool position, in which the back support of the highchair section functions as the top step of the stool.

Description

HIGHCHAIR-STEPSTOOL

The subject of this invention is a highchair-stepstool consisting of a steps section formed by side panels with steps attached to them, a highchair section with a back support and attached seat, and a locking device to secure the highchair section to the steps section. The highchair section is attached to the top of the steps section such that it can swing up and down.

There are currently various other types of highchair-stepstool combinations in use. In some variations the highchair forms a separate unit which is attached to the stool with screws, or an equivalent fastening method, whenever the highchair is required. This variation is inconvenient since the separate high chair unit has to be stored elsewhere and is not ready for use whenever required, it has to be fetched and put into position with nuts and bolts or some equally clumsy locking device. In addition, there are other variations in which the steps of the stool can be swung around such that the high chair can be obtained from the stool and vice versa. These structures are also complicated and require a number of operations to convert the highchair into a stool and vice versa.

The purpose of this invention is to introduce a highchair-stepstool which removes the drawbacks found with present highchairs and stools. In particular, the purpose of the invention is to introduce a highchair/step stool combination which is easy to use and can be easily converted from a highchair to a stool and vice versa. In addition, the purpose of the invention is to introduce a highchair- stepstooi which has a durable and sturdy construction.

The purpose of the invention is achieved with a highchair-stepstool which possesses the characteristics presented in the appended patent claims.

According to the invention, the seat is attached to the side panels of the steps section close to the back support such that it can swing up and down. The locking device is positioned on the opposite side ofthe seat so that the highchair section can be turned from the highchair position, in which the front edge of the seat part is locked to the side panels ofthe step section, to the stool position in which the back support of the highchair section forms the top step of the stool. When the seat is attached close to the back support it can be turned easily and naturally around this attachment point into the steps section. Respectively, it can be easily and simply turned back into the highchair position with the attachment point functioning as the pivot point. The structure is simple but functional.

In the advantageous arrangement of the invention the width ofthe back support is greater than the distance between the side panels ofthe steps section so that when in the stool position the edges ofthe back support rest on the upper edges of the side panels. In this way the top step is sturdy.

In the additional advantageous arrangement of the invention the locking device is formed by spring bolts attached to the seat and holes formed in the panels of the steps section. In this way the locking device can be easily opened by pushing the spring bolts inwards from the holes and turning the seat. Respectively, this kind of locking device locks automatically when the spring bolts come in line with the holes.

In the following, the invention is defined in more detail with reference to the attached illustrations, in which:

Figure 1 shows an arrangement of the highchair-stepstool in the highchair position, viewed from the side, figure 2 shows the highchair-stepstool according to figure 1 in the stool position, viewed from the side, figure 3 shows the highchair-stepstool according to figure 1 with the highchair section and the steps section separated and viewed in perspective, and figure 4 shows the detail section A in figure 3 and an arrangement of the locking device, viewed on a larger scale. In the arrangements shown in the figures, the highchair-stepstool consists of a steps section comprising the side panels 1, the steps attached to these 2 and the back support panel 8. In addition, the highchair-stepstool also includes a highchair section comprising the back support 3, the seat attached to it 4, the side supports attached to these 9 and the safety frame 10 located between the side supports and the seat on the front edge of the seat, which prevents the child falling from the highchair.

The seat 4 is attached to the side panels using fulcrum pins or bolts 1 1 which pass through them and which, at the same time, function as hinge pins so that the seat can swing up and down. The attachment point is located right at the back of the side panels ofthe steps section, in the immediate vicinity of the back support and, at the same time, on the joint between the side supports and the seat. The locking devices are positioned on the front part of the seat 4 and, in this arrangement, are spring bolts 6. Holes or hollows 7 are formed in the corresponding point on the front part of the side panels. In addition, holes or hollows 12 are formed in the rear part of the side panels which are located at the equivalent distance away from the fulcrum pins as the aforementioned holes or hollows 7 in the front part, but these holes or hollows 12 are on the back part of the side panels.

When the highchair-stepstool is in the highchair position according to figure 1 the spring bolts 6 are in the holes or hollows 7 formed in the front part of the side panels 1 ofthe steps section and lock the seat part into this position. When the spring bolts are pressed simultaneously from both sides they move inwards and then the seat can swing around the fulcrum pins 11 to the position shown in figure 2. In this position the spring bolts 6 push through the holes 12 or into the hollows in the lower position and lock the seat into the stool position. Additional locking security can be provided by the locking screw 13 which locks the spring bolt into position. In this position the rear side of the back support ofthe seat is uppermost and the back support functions as the top step of the stool. The back support is somewhat wider than the distance between the side panels so that the edges of the back support are resting on the upper edges of the side panels. The invention is not limited to the advantageous arrangements shown but can vary within the framework of the invention concept formed by the patent claims.

Claims

1. A highchair-stepstool combination which consists of a steps section formed from side panels (1) and steps (2) attached to them, a highchair section which is connected to the upper part ofthe steps section part so that it can swing up and down. This highchair section includes a back support (3) with a seat (4) attached to it as well as a locking device (5) for fixing the highchair section to the steps section, characterised in that the highchair section is attached from the back support (3) ofthe seat(4) to the side panels (1) ofthe steps section so that it swings up and down and the locking device (5) is positioned to the equivalent part ofthe seat so that the highchair section can be swung from the highchair position, where the front edge ofthe seat is locked to the side panels of the steps section, to the stool position, in which the back support of the highchair section functions as the top step ofthe stool.

2. The highchair-stepstool according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the width ofthe back support (3) is greater than the distance between the side panels (1) ofthe steps section, so that in the stool position the edges ofthe back support are resting on the upper edges ofthe side panels.

3. A highchair-stepstool according to patent claim lor2, characterised in that the locking devices (5) are spring bolts (6) attached to the seat with holes or hollows (7, 12) formed in the side panels ofthe steps section.