Adjustable booster seat

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable children's booster seat. In various embodiments, the booster seat includes a child support (e.g., a child seat) having a user-adjustable height and tilt angle. In particular, various embodiments of the booster seat include one or more improved tilt control devices and height control devices configured to enable a user to easily adjust the child support's height and tilt angle. In certain embodiments, the booster seat's frame is also configured to have a narrow profile enabling the booster seat to fit on a wide variety of chairs.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable children's booster seat comprising:
 a child support configured for supporting a child;   a frame configured for resting on a support surface and suspending the child support above the support surface, wherein the frame comprises one or more vertically adjustable arms operatively connected to lateral sides of the child support such that the child support can rotate about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation;   at least one tilt control device configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration, wherein the tilt control device permits the child support to be rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation when in the adjustable configuration and prevents the child support from being rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation when in the secured configuration; and   one or more height control devices configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration, wherein the one or more height control devices permit the vertically adjustable arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame when in the adjustable configuration and prevent the vertically adjustable arms from moving downwardly with respect to the frame when in the secured configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the tilt control device comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the child support at two or more predefined tilt angles with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 2 , wherein the tilt control device comprises:
 a fixed member operatively connected to one of the one or more vertically adjustable arms, wherein the fixed member defines one or more teeth; and   a rotating member operatively connected to the seat and rotatably connected to the fixed member, wherein the rotating member includes a trigger member configured to be actuated by a user to selectively engage the fixed member's teeth;   wherein the tilt control device is in the secured configuration when the trigger member is engaged with the fixed member's teeth and wherein the tilt control device is in the adjustable configuration when the trigger member is disengaged from the fixed member's teeth.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the height control device comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the child support at two or more predefined heights with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises one or more upright members, at least one of the upright members defining a vertical channel dimensioned for receiving at least one of the vertically adjustable arms; and
 wherein the height control device comprises:
 a plurality of teeth defined within the vertical channel of the at least one upright member; and 
 one or more retractable fingers positioned on the at least one vertically adjustable arm, wherein the one or more retractable fingers can be selectively retracted and extended via a movable handle disposed on the at least one vertically adjustable arm, and wherein the one or more retractable fingers are configured for selectively engaging the plurality of teeth defined within the vertical channel when the at least one vertically adjustable arm is inserted within the vertical channel; and 
   wherein the height control device is in the secured configuration when the one or more fingers are engaged with the vertical channel's teeth and wherein the height control device is in the adjustable configuration when the one or more fingers are disengaged from the vertical channel's teeth.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tilt control device comprises a single tilt control device attached to the child support and rotatably connected to one of the one or more vertically adjustable arms. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a pair of upright members, each upright member defining a vertical channel;
 wherein the one or more vertically adjustable arms comprise a pair of vertically adjustable arms, each of the vertically adjustable arms being operatively connected to a lateral side of the child support and positioned at least partially within one of the upright members; and   wherein the one or more height control devices comprise a pair of height control devices, each height control device being configured to selectively secure one of the vertically adjustable arms at a user preferred height within one of the upright members.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 7 , wherein the upright members have a length greater than their width, and wherein the upright members are positioned proximate lateral edges of the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein child support comprises a seat having a rigid shell defining a seating surface. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a removable backrest. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable tray configured to be removably secured to the one or more vertically adjustable arms such that, when the tray is secured, the child support can rotate independent of the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a base configured for resting on the seating surface of a chair. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more securing straps operatively connected to the frame and configured for being releasably attached to the chair in order to secure the booster seat to the chair. 
     
     
         14 . An adjustable children's booster seat comprising:
 a child support configured for supporting a child;   a frame configured for resting on a support surface and suspending the child support above the support surface, wherein the frame comprises one or more vertically adjustable arms operatively connected to lateral sides of the child support; and   one or more height control devices configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration, wherein the one or more height control devices permit the vertically adjustable arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame when in the adjustable configuration and prevent the vertically adjustable arms from moving downwardly with respect to the frame when in the secured configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 14 , wherein the height control device comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the child support at two or more predefined heights with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable children's booster seat of  claim 15 , wherein the frame comprises one or more upright members, at least one of the upright members defining a vertical channel dimensioned for receiving at least one of the vertically adjustable arms; and
 wherein the height control device comprises:
 a plurality of teeth defined within the vertical channel of the at least one upright member; and 
 one or more retractable fingers positioned on the at least one vertically adjustable arm, wherein the one or more retractable fingers can be selectively retracted and extended via a movable handle disposed on the at least one vertically adjustable arm, and wherein the one or more retractable fingers are configured for selectively engaging the plurality of teeth defined within the vertical channel when the at least one vertically adjustable arm is inserted within the vertical channel; and 
   wherein the height control device is in the secured configuration when the one or more fingers are engaged with the vertical channel's teeth and wherein the height control device is in the adjustable configuration when the one or more fingers are disengaged from the vertical channel's teeth.   
     
     
         17 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 14 , wherein the frame further comprises a pair of upright members, each upright member defining a vertical channel;
 wherein the one or more vertically adjustable arms comprise a pair of vertically adjustable arms, each of the vertically adjustable arms being operatively connected to a lateral side of the child support and positioned at least partially within one of the upright members; and   wherein the one or more height control devices comprise a pair of height control devices, each height control device being configured to selectively secure one of the vertically adjustable arms at a user preferred height within one of the upright members.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 17 , wherein the upright members have a length greater than their width, and wherein the upright members are positioned proximate lateral edges of the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 14 , wherein the seat includes a removable backrest. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable booster seat of  claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises a base configured for resting on the seating surface of a chair.