Height adjustable children's seating apparatus

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a height-adjustable, suspended child seating apparatus. According to various embodiments, the child seating apparatus includes a child support suspended from a support frame by a plurality of flexible members. In various embodiments, each flexible member includes a retaining member disposed proximate one of its ends that is configured for being inserted into one of a plurality of slots provided on the child support. By adjusting the position of the retaining members in the various slots, the effective length of the resilient members—and thereby the height of the child seat relative to the support frame—may be adjusted to accommodate children of different sizes.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A height adjustable children's seating apparatus comprising:
 a support frame configured for resting on a support surface;   a first flexible member having a first end portion attached to the support frame and a second end portion attached to a first retaining member;   a second flexible member having first end portion attached to the support frame and a second end portion attached to a second retaining member; and   a child support suspended from the support frame by at least the first flexible member and the second flexible member, wherein the child support includes:
 a first slot and a second slot each configured for receiving the first retaining member and securing the second end portion of the first flexible member to the child support; and 
 a third slot and a fourth slot each configured for receiving the second retaining member and securing the second end portion of the second flexible member to the child support; 
   wherein, when the first retaining member is inserted within the first slot and the second retaining member is inserted into the third slot, the first flexible member and second flexible member suspend the child support at a first height relative to the support frame; and   wherein, when the first retaining member is inserted within the second slot and the second retaining member is inserted within the fourth slot, the first flexible member and the second flexible member suspend the child support at a second height relative to the support frame, the second height being different from the first height.   
     
     
         2 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the effective length of the first flexible member between the child support and the support frame is greater when the first retaining member is engaged within the first slot than when the first retaining member is engaged within the second slot. 
     
     
         3 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the effective length of the second flexible member between the child support and the support frame is greater when the second retaining member is engaged within the third slot than when the second retaining member is engaged within the fourth slot. 
     
     
         4 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first retaining member comprises a substantially rigid member dimensioned to be inserted within the first slot and the second slot. 
     
     
         5 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot, second slot, third slot, and fourth slot are defined on an underside of the child support. 
     
     
         6 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first retaining member is configured for being inserted substantially upwardly into the first slot and the second slot, and the second retaining member is configured for being inserted substantially upwardly into the third slot and the fourth slot. 
     
     
         7 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the first retaining member is disposed within the first slot and the second retaining member is disposed with in the third slot, the weight of the child support causes the first retaining member to securely engage the first slot, and thereby secure the first flexible member to the child support, and the second retaining member to securely engage the third slot, and thereby secure the second flexible member to the child support. 
     
     
         8 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the first retaining member is disposed within the first slot, the first flexible member extends beneath at least a portion of the child support; and
 wherein, when the second retaining member is disposed within the third slot, the second flexible member extends beneath at least a portion of the child support.   
     
     
         9 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the child support defines a first opening extending through a portion of the child support and a second opening extending through a portion of the child support;
 wherein the first flexible member is configured to extend through the first opening and the first slot is positioned nearer to the first opening than the second slot is; and   wherein the second flexible member is configured to extend through the second opening and the third slot is positioned nearer to the second opening than the fourth slot is.   
     
     
         10 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first flexible member is configured to engage the child support at a first location and the second flexible member is configured to engage the child support at a second location; and
 wherein the first slot is positioned nearer to the first location than the second slot is and the third slot is positioned nearer to the second location than the fourth slot is.   
     
     
         11 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the child support includes a first redundant safety feature positioned proximate to the first slot and configured for engaging the retaining member in instances where the retaining member is dislodged from the first slot while the first flexible member is supporting the child support; and
 and a second redundant safety feature positioned proximate to the second slot and configured for engaging the retaining member in instances where the retaining member is dislodged from the second slot while the first flexible member is supporting the child support.   
     
     
         12 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the child support includes a channel, the first slot and second slot being positioned in a spaced apart relationship along the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the child support further includes a first redundant safety feature positioned proximate the first slot and extending at least partially over the channel, and a second redundant safety feature positioned proximate the second slot and extending at least partially over the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first redundant safety feature comprises a first pair of tabs extending toward one another and inwardly over the channel;
 wherein the second redundant safety feature comprises a second pair of tabs extending toward one another and inwardly over the channel.   
     
     
         15 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first pair of tabs are configured for engaging the retaining member in instances where the retaining member is dislodged from the first slot while the first flexible member is supporting the child support; and
 wherein the second pair of tabs are configured for engaging the retaining member in instances where the retaining member is dislodged from the second slot while the first flexible member is supporting the child support.   
     
     
         16 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and second flexible member are substantially resilient. 
     
     
         17 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the child support comprises a child seat operatively connected to a platform. 
     
     
         18 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first slot, second slot, third slot, and fourth slot are defined on an underside of the platform. 
     
     
         19 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame comprises a base frame portion and one or more upper frame portions; and
 wherein the first end portion of the first flexible member and the first end portion of the second flexible member are attached to the one or more upper frame portions at positions above the child support.   
     
     
         20 . A height adjustable children's seating apparatus comprising:
 a support frame configured for resting on a support surface; and   a child support suspended from the support frame by at least one flexible member having a first end portion attached to the support frame and a second end portion attached to a retaining member;   wherein the child support defines at least a first slot and a second slot configured for receiving the first retaining member; and   wherein, when the retaining member is disposed within the first slot, the effective length of the at least one flexible member between the child support and the support frame is lesser than the effective length of the at least one flexible member when the retaining member is disposed within the second slot.   
     
     
         21 . The height adjustable children's seating apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein, when the retaining member is inserted within the first slot, the first flexible member at least partially suspends the child support at a first height relative to the support frame; and
 wherein, when the retaining member is inserted within the second slot, the first flexible member at least partially suspends the child support at a second height relative to the support frame, the second height being different from the first height.