US20060225216A1

US20060225216A1 - Portable changing table

Info

Publication number: US20060225216A1
Application number: US11/398,539
Authority: US
Inventors: Marguerite Thibodeaux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-08
Filing date: 2006-04-06
Publication date: 2006-10-12

Abstract

A portable apparatus for changing a baby includes two frames pivotally connected together. The frames may have legs extending therefrom to support the frames. A textile layer extends over the frames as a work surface for changing the baby. The frames are folded toward each other for storage and transport.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable apparatus for changing the diapers or other soiled clothing items of an infant or toddler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During traveling, the inventor of the present invention found that some restaurant and clothing store restrooms did not have changing tables. The inventor was inconvenienced by this and realized that a person in need of a changing table was forced to either stoop down on the floor and lay their child across their lap or lay their child on a countertop. However, neither of these surfaces is satisfactory for hygienic reasons and also for the comfort of the child.
In the conventional portable baby changing apparatuses, the surface on which the child is to be laid is rigid, which is uncomfortable for the child. These surfaces are also of a material that is designed to be substantially impenetrable to whatever fluids may be discharged thereon.
A problem with such a surface is that it is difficult to clean and the material used for these surfaces is often very dense, which makes tables of this type relatively heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, or alleviate the shortcomings of the prior art at least in part.
Another object of the invention is to have a simple changing table that is easy to transport and that is more hygienic than the prior art changing tables.
Yet another object of the invention is for the invention to take the place of a person having to fashion a changing table using their lap, non-sterile counter, or the uncomfortable quarters of a car. This table can be used on any sturdy structure, including the floor, and easily stored in a baby's diaper bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view showing a first embodiment of a changing table of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a top view with the changing table of FIG. 1 having a work surface attached thereto;
FIG. 4 is side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is and end view of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is side view with the table folded onto itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 show a table 10 having first and second frames 15, 20. The term “frame” as used in the invention is “an open structure for encasing or bordering”.
The frame can be made from aluminum or any other metal, wood or plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene, but is not limited to the type of material and any substantially rigid material could be used.
The first frame 15 has first and second sides 16, 17 and first and second ends 18, 19. The second frame 20 has first and second sides 21, 22 and first and second ends 23, 24. In an open, ready for use embodiment, the table is between about 25 and 35 inches long, preferably about 29 inches long. In addition, the table is between about 12 and 20 inches wide, preferably about 15 inches wide and between about 5 and 20 inches high, preferably between about 7 and 12 inches high and more preferably about 7 inches high in an embodiment with legs unfolded.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second frames 15, 20 are pivotally connected to each other. The connection may be a hinge 25 as seen in FIG. 2 or any other hinge structure that allows the first frame to be pivotally connected to the second frame.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a textile layer 30 is connectable to the first side 16 of the first frame 15 and the first side 21 of the second frame 20. The textile layer 30 extends over the frame and is then connectable to the second side 17 of the first frame 15 and the second side 22 of the second frame 20 as a work surface of the table 10. The textile layer 30 is any machine washable fabric that is formed by weaving, felting, knitting, crocheting, or otherwise manufacturing natural or synthetic fibers, including but not limited to cotton, linen, polyester, rayon, silk or any combination of these or other known textile materials.
A machine washable support 32 may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the textile layer. The support 32 may also be a textile layer and is preferably a sufficient thickness or a semi-rigid material that has sufficient rigidity to support the baby, while still being substantially flexible. The terms “baby” and “infant” are used through the specification and are not limited to any particular age of child and include any age child that is still in diapers or needs soiled clothing changed by a parent or other person.
In the presently preferred embodiment, the textile layer 30 and/or support 32 is releasably connected to the frames 15, 20 in any know manner including snaps, buttons, double-sided tape or by rings that connect to hooks on the frames. Preferably, the connection is made using hook and loop type fasteners. The textile layer 30 and/or support extends over an entirety or substantially an entirety of the top surface of the frames 15, 20.
In the presently preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, the table 10 includes legs 40, 45, 50 and 55 that are detachable from the frames 15, 20. Leg 40 connects to the first end 17 of the first frame 15 and leg 45 connects to the second end 18 of the first frame 15. Leg 50 connects to the first end 23 of the second frame 20 and leg 55 connects to the second end 24 of the second frame 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the legs 40, 45, 50, 55 each comprise two leg portions that are pivotally connected to each other, but a single leg portion is contemplated by the invention. Leg 40 comprises leg portions 41 and 42. Leg 45 comprises leg portions 46 and 47. Leg 50 comprises leg portions 51 and 52. Leg 55 comprises leg portions 56 and 57. In a preferred embodiment, the respective leg portions 41, 42; 46, 47; 51, 52; 56, 57 are connected at their midpoints. The legs are movable between a folded position as seen in FIG. 1 to an unfolded position as seen in FIG. 4
In use, the table 10 is foldable from a first, open position where the first ends of the frames are contacting each other and the frames are coplanar, as seen in FIG. 1, to a second, closed position wherein substantially an entirety of each of the frames are contacting each other, as seen in FIG. 6. To move from the open to the closed position, the unhinged ends (second ends) of the frames are rotated towards each other until they are touching.
In a preferred embodiment, the legs will fold up and be within the boundary of the frames 15, 20 so the table can fit across a sink or other raised surface that does not require the legs. A locking device 60 may be used to allow the legs to lock in place. The same locking device 60 may be used to lock the legs in the folded or unfolded positions and may be a pin or peg as seen in FIG. 2 that goes through openings (unnumbered in FIG. 5) in the legs and into aligned openings (unnumbered in FIG. 5) on the side of the frame. A chain may be connected to the pin to prevent the pin from being lost. The locking device may also be a pivot-type locking device connected to one leg portion and that attaches to or presses against another leg portion of a leg or any other mechanical means for locking the legs in either a folded or unfolded position including, but not limited to, the legs remaining in place due to friction between the legs and/or an interference fit between the ends of the legs and the inside walls of the frame.
In conjunction with the table, the present invention also contemplates a cover that may be used to store the table when the table is not in use. In addition, straps and handles can be placed on the table and/or the cover for convenient and easy carrying.
While the present invention has been described in connection with various preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that those embodiments are provided merely to illustrate the invention, and should not be used as a pretext to limit the scope of protection conferred by the true scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for use in changing an infant, said apparatus comprising:

a first frame having first and second sides and first and second ends;

a second frame having first and second sides and first and second ends, said first end of said second frame being pivotally connected to a first end of said first frame; and

a textile layer removably connectable to said first side of said first frame and said first side of said second frame, and extending across said first and second frames and removably connectable to respective said second sides of said first and second frames.

2. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising hooks and loops for connecting said material layer to said frames.

3. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising legs connectable to said first and second ends of both said first and second frames.

4. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said legs comprises first and second leg portions pivotally connected together.

5. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a locking device to lock respective ones of said legs in an unfolded position.

6. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking device locks said respective ones of said legs in a folded position.

7. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is movable between a first open position, wherein said first and second frames are substantially coplanar and a second closed position, wherein said first and second frames are stacked on top of one another.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said apparatus is between about 25 and 35 inches long, and between about 12 and 20 inches wide, in said open position.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said apparatus is about 15 inches wide and about 29 inches long in the open position.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said apparatus is about 14.5 inches long in said closed position.

11. A portable apparatus for use in changing an infant, said apparatus comprising:

at least one frame having first and second sides and first and second ends; and

a textile layer releasably connected to said first side and extending across said frame and releasably connected to said second side of said frame.

12. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a first pair of legs pivotally connectable to said first end and a second pair of legs pivotally connectable to said second end.

13. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first pair of legs comprises first and second leg portions that are pivotally connected to each other and said second pair of legs comprises first and second leg portions that are pivotally connected to each other.

14. A portable apparatus for use in changing an infant, said apparatus comprising:

a first frame having first and second sides and first and second ends;

a second frame having first and second sides and first and second ends, said first end of said second frame being pivotally connected to a first end of said first frame;

a textile layer connectable to said first side of said first frame and said first side of said second frame using hook and loop fasteners, and extending across said first and second frames and connectable to respective said second sides of said first and second frames using hook and loop fasteners; and

plural pairs of legs pivotally connected to respective said first and second ends of both said first and second frames, each of said pairs of legs comprises first and second leg portions pivotally connected together,

said pairs of legs being movable between a first, folded position within a respective one of said first and second frames and a second, extended position for resting on a support surface.

15. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a locking device to lock respective pairs of said legs in at least one of said folded position and said unfolded position.

16. The portable device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the locking device is a pin extending through a slot in a respective one of said legs and mating with a corresponding slot in one of said first and second frames.

17. The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means for locking at least one of said legs in at least one of said folded position and said unfolded position.