US20120267922A1

US20120267922A1 - Highchair with attachable accessories

Info

Publication number: US20120267922A1
Application number: US13/452,666
Authority: US
Inventors: Naomi Broady Fleming
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-20
Filing date: 2012-04-20
Publication date: 2012-10-25

Abstract

A highchair tray system comprising a tray; a plurality of dishware, where the dishware attaches to the tray for use; a plurality of utensils, where each utensils includes an opening; and a plurality of cords, where each cord is attached to the tray at a first end and includes an attachment at a second end to engage the opening of one of the utensils. The cords may detach from the tray. Additionally, the dishware may be detachable from the tray, where the dishware screws on, attaches with magnets or snaps into place during use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/477,242 filed on Apr. 20, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a highchair that includes a feeding tray that provides attachable utensils and dishware. The utensils and dishware of the present invention are secured to the tray of the highchair to prevent the dropping of the utensils and dishware when the highchair is in use.
2. Description of Related Art
It's well known that many infants utilize highchairs for feeding purposes during their formative years. The use of the highchair allows the parent to securely place the infant in the chair and provide a small table or eating tray for the infant to consume their foods. Use of the highchair helps to limit the mobility of the infant during a meal and provides a separate table tray for the infant to consume their foods. Many times infants are provided with smaller bowls dishware and utensils that's suitable for their hands during the feeding. However many infants while consuming their meals in a highchair spill, drop or occasionally simply toss the dishware and/or utensils from the tray of the highchair. Such incidents are common and provide an extra chore for the caregiver in cleaning up the mess that results in the spillage that usually occurs due to the spilling of the dishware or utensils. Consequently, it would be advantageous to have utensils or dishware that could be secured to the highchair in a manner to avoid spillage.
Examples of prior art that discloses attachable dishware include U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,066 which discloses an approved feeding tray for a highchair which is provided with a bowl attached thereto that prevents the bowl from spilling or slipping off the tray during the meal. Another example of a child's highchair of the prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,628 that discloses a tray for a child's highchair that includes a section of interlocking elements that engage a complimentary surface on the eating utensils and toys that permits removably securing the eating utensil or toy to the tray surface. Yet another example of a prior art highchair is U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,800 that discloses a highchair tray that provides for a positive capture of food containers to preclude the tipping or spilling of the containers by the infant or small child within the high chair.
The highchairs of the prior art essentially provide a means to secure dishware. Many of the trays are configured to lock a bowl, dish or cup in a secure position on the child's tray to avoid spillage. However, limited options are available for both the dishware and the actual eating utensils that may be used by the infant in the highchair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a present invention relates to a highchair that includes a feeding tray with attached utensils and dishware, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a highchair system wherein the dishware and utensils are fastened to the highchair tray to prevent spills or messes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a highchair system wherein the dishware and utensils are detachable from the tray.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a highchair system wherein the dishware may be screwed onto, attached with magnets or snapped into place upon the tray.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a highchair tray system is described comprising a tray; a plurality of dishware, where the dishware attaches to the tray for use; a plurality of utensils, where each utensils includes an opening; and a plurality of cords, where each cord is attached to the tray at a first end and includes an attachment at a second end to engage the opening of one of the utensils. The cords may detach from the tray. Additionally, the dishware may be detachable from the tray, where the dishware screws on, attaches with magnets or snaps into place during use.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a highchair tray in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the top of the highchair tray according to the present invention depicting the means for securing dishware;

FIG. 3 depicts the bottom of the dishware used in conjunction with the highchair tray according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the highchair tray according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts an attachment means for utensils used in conjunction with the highchair tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the highchair and feeding tray according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a highchair that uses attachable accessories that interconnect to the tray of the highchair. The attachable accessories include dishware and eating utensils that are secured in place while the infant consumes their food. Use of the present invention helps to prevent spillage and waste that may be associated with infants consuming meals in the highchair. The present invention provides a means for securing dishware onto the tray of the highchair along with cords that interlock with eating utensils to secure the eating utensils in a suspended position if accidentally dropped from the tray by the infant.
With respect to FIG. 1, a top view of a highchair Eating Tray 100 is depicted. The Eating Tray 100 includes a Tray Surface 20 along with Dishware 22 and Utensils 21 a, 21 b. The dishware 22 is secured to the Tray Surface 20 as shown in the subsequent drawings. Eating Utensils 21 a, 21 b are secured to the Eating Tray 100 through the use of Cords 23 a, 23 b. The Cords 23 a, 23 b both include a first end attached to the Eating Tray 100 and a second end attached to the Utensils 21 a, 21 b. The second end includes an attachment means that attaches to Opening 27 in each respective utensil used by the infant. The Cords 23 a, 23 b may be made from elastic cord, string, nylon or the like. Additionally, the first end of the Cords 23 a, 23 b may be permanently fastened to the Eating Tray 100. Alternatively, the Cords 23 a, 23 b may be secured in a removable fashion wherein snaps, hook and loop fasteners (commonly known as Velcro®), or magnets are utilized.
FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the Tray 20 with the Dishware 22 removed and exposes a locking Means 30. FIG. 3 depicts the bottom of Dishware 22 used in conjunction with Tray 20 according to the present invention. Dishware 22 includes an attachment Means 26 along the bottom surface thereof. The attachment Means 26 engages the locking Means 30 of the Tray Surface 20. The attachment Means 26 and locking Means 30 may fasten together as a threaded device, wherein the threaded attachment Means 26 of the Dishware 22 screws onto place against a complementary threaded locking Means 30. Alternatively, the attachment means 26 and the locking Means 30 may be opposing magnets. Finally, the attachment Means 26 and the locking means 30 may snap and lock devices to attach the Dishware 22 to the Tray Surface 20.
FIG. 4 depicts a view of the bottom surface of the Tray 20 that includes a Release Means 32. The Release Means 32 provides a means to release the Dishware 22 from a locked position on the Tray 20. The Release Means 32 may be a lever that when presses lifts the Dishware 22 from the Tray Surface 20. Alternatively, the Release Means 32 may be a button that when pressed unlocks the Dishware from the Tray Surface 20.
FIG. 5 depicts Tray 20, which depicts the Cord 23 attached to the edge of the tray. The Cord 23 is secured to the tray at the first end and at the second end, the Attachment Means 33 is provided. The Attachment Means 33 includes two separated end points that engage with the Opening 29A or Opening 29B shown on Utensils 21A, 21B. These end points snap into the opening provided on the utensils and secure the respective utensil to the Cord 23. These end points may include snaps, magnets, Velcro® or the like to fasten the ends to each other. During use the utensils are secured to cords similar to Cord 23 and therefore are prevented from falling to the ground during use.
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a highchair in accordance with the present invention. It shows the highchair includes a Back Rest 42 and depicts the tray engaged onto the highchair. Dangling from the highchair is Cord Sets 44, 46 that provide for attachment of a plurality of utensils for use by the infant in the highchair. A dish may be engaged on the Tray 20 and any utensils provided are secured through the cord system of the highchair according to the present invention.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A highchair tray system comprising:

a. a tray, where the tray include a locking means and a release means;

b. a plurality of dishware, where the dishware engages the locking means for use;

c. a plurality of utensils, where each utensils includes an opening; and

d. a plurality of cords, where each cord is attached to the tray at a first end and includes an attachment means at a second end to engage the opening of one of the utensils.

2. The highchair tray system according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the plurality of cords is detachable.

3. The highchair tray system according to claim 2, wherein the detachable first end includes one of at least a snap, Velcro® and magnets.

4. The highchair tray system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of dishware includes an attachment means to secure the dishware to the locking means of the tray.

5. The highchair tray system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means and the locking means are complimentary threaded devices to screw the dishware to the tray.

6. The highchair tray system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means and the locking means are magnetic.

7. The highchair tray system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means and the locking means are snap and lock devices.

8. The highchair tray system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cords are made from one of at least elastic, nylon and string.

9. The highchair tray system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means of the plurality of cords includes a pair of end points, where the end points include one of at least a snap, Velcro® and magnet.