PORTABLE DIAPER-CHANGING RESTRAINT SYSTEM
A portable diaper-changing restraint system is provided that includes a resilient, substantially U-shaped body having two cantilever arms and a removable cover assembly configured to fully enclose the U-shaped body. The cover assembly includes a strap having a first end attached or attachable to one arm and having a second end configured with an attached fastening device for attaching to the opposing arm. In use, the infant is positioned on the strap with the U-shaped body brought over and onto the infant's waist; then the strap is attached. Thus the U-shaped body is positioned around the infant's torso with the ends of the cantilever arms resting on the surface upon which the baby is lying, reducing the ability of the infant to turn and holding the infant's hands away from the diaper area.
This invention relates generally to baby products, and, more particularly, to a portable diaper-changing restraint system with a resilient inner body for fitting around an infant's torso.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONChanging an infant's diaper is often challenging to parents or other caregivers. Holding the baby's legs with one hand while the other hand simultaneously cleans the baby and reaches for all of the items needed is taxing, but it is particularly difficult when changing a dirty diaper. Caregivers need the baby to remain still to efficiently and sanitarily change the diaper. Yet, babies enjoy freedom and movement. Thus, they are likely to resist being held still during the process. The uncooperative baby may attempt to roll over, to sit up, or to place his hands in the diaper area, risking contamination of additional surfaces.
To address this problem, a variety of diaper-changing aids have been developed. Many of the diaper-changing devices include a flat table, board or surface upon which the baby lies with a belt or harness of some type for restraining the baby to the flat board. Though these devices can be made sturdy enough to restrain a wiggling baby, the baby often resents the restriction and becomes distressed and agitated, fighting against the confinement and expressing his discomfort loudly. This does not lead to a happy diaper-changing experience for the baby or the caregiver.
Accordingly, there is a need for a diaper-changing system that comfortably limits the baby's movement and also shields the baby's hands from accessing the diaper area, while providing a distraction or diversion to occupy the baby's attention for the time required to change a diaper.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a portable diaper-changing restraint system that includes a resilient, substantially U-shaped body encased in a washable, removable cover. The body has a medial region and first and second cantilever arms extending from opposite ends of the medial region to define a central U-shaped opening sized to accommodate the infant's waist. Each of the cantilever arms terminate in a blunt end. The cover assembly includes a preferably adjustable strap having a first end attached or attachable to a first cantilever arm of the U-shaped body and having a second end configured with an affixed fastening device for attaching to a corresponding fastening device affixed to the second cantilever arm.
The cover-encased body of the diapering restraint is placed around the waist of the baby with the blunt ends positioned on the surface upon which the baby is lying. A strap extends under the baby from the first cantilever arm to the second cantilever arm to secure the baby within the central U-shaped opening. The diaper-changing restraint system retains the baby's hands on the front side of the diapering restraint, holding them away from the diaper area, while reducing the ability of the baby to turn.
Other aspects of the portable diaper-changing restraint system provide optional variations. These include a pocket allowing viewing of an item (such as a mobile phone) placed within the pocket; an attention-grabbing attachable or attached diversion device (such as toy, image, or learning aid); one or multiple connectors attached on an upper area of the front surface of the cover assembly configured to receive attachable diversion devices; and variations in bags for containing the diaper-changing restraint, including a bag incorporating a diaper-changing pad.
In use, the portable diaper-changing restraint system comfortably limits the baby's movement and shields the baby's hands from accessing the diaper area, while providing a distraction or diversion to occupy the baby's attention for the time required for changing a diaper.
An object of the present invention is to provide a diaper-changing restraint system that is comfortable for the baby.
An additional object is to provide a diaper-changing restraint system that retains the baby's hands on the forward side of the diaper-changing restraint system, preventing the hands from reaching the diaper area.
A further object is to provide a diaper-changing restraint system that limits the baby's movements.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONShown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a lightweight, portable diaper-changing restraint system. The diaper-changing restraint system is comfortable for the baby, yet restricts the baby's hands to the front side of the restraint while gently holding the baby in place. The flat ends resting on the diaper-changing surface limit the movement of the baby, thus allowing the caregiver to clean the diaper area and change the diaper more easily. Optional means to attach and to display various diversion devices to aid in entertaining and distracting the baby are also disclosed. Additionally, optional variations in carrying bags for receiving and transporting the restraint device are presented.
Referring to
As shown in
The substantially U-shaped body 20 is soft and resilient for the comfort of the baby. The body 20 may be made of a conventional pillow material, for example an open-cell or closed-cell manufactured foam (such as polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam or the like); or the body 20 may be a formed inflatable pillow. U-shaped body 20 includes a medial region 24 disposed between a first cantilever arm 22 and a second cantilever arm 23. The arms 22, 23 extend from opposite ends of the medial region 24 to define a central U-shaped opening sized to accommodate the infant's waist. Both arms 22, 23 end in blunt ends 26, 27. The blunt ends 26, 27 form a substantially horizontal plane, which, when the restraint 10 is in use, is positioned facing downward with the ends 26, 27 lying flat on the surface on which the baby is lying. The securing strap 40 holds the diapering restraint 10 onto the baby while the flat ends 26, 27 abut the flat surface, thus gently encouraging the baby to remain still, as it is more difficult for the baby to turn or roll. This is in direct contrast to most conventional diapering restraints which have a flat board upon which the baby lies to prevent the baby's movement and have a securing strap over the baby, instead of under the baby.
The U-shaped body 20 includes a front surface 21 (
The removable cover assembly 30 (
The removable cover assembly 30 is preferably formed of a washable natural or manufactured fabric, such as cotton, bamboo, rayon, polyester, or similar fibers or blends. Optionally, the cover assembly 3o may be quilted or fleeced for additional softness.
A diversion device 50 may be attached or attachable to the front surface 41 of cover 30. The diversion device 50 may be a toy, a learning aid, an image, or similar engaging apparatus suitable for the age of the baby. In one example, an embroidered animal may be sewn to the front surface 41 as a diversion device 50.
In the first embodiment of
In contrast, in the second embodiment of
In the fifth embodiment, the portable diaper-changing restraint system comprises both diapering restraint 10 and a restraint-receiving bag 60. As shown in
In the sixth embodiment, the portable diaper-changing restraint system also comprises both diapering restraint 10 and a restraint-receiving bag 60.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A diaper-changing restraint system for placing on a diaper-changing surface, comprising:
- a substantially U-shaped body formed of a resilient material including a medial region, first and second cantilever arms of equal length extending from opposite ends of said medial region, and a body inner bottom wall defining a central U-shaped interior region opening sized to accommodate the infant's waist; wherein said first and second body cantilever arms end in a first and second body blunt end, respectively, each forming a flat, horizontal plane for placing downward on said diaper-changing surface; wherein said body inner bottom wall extends from said first body blunt end to said second body blunt end and has a back edge and a front edge; wherein said U-shaped body further includes a body front surface, a body back surface, a body outer side/top wall that extends from said first body blunt end to said second body blunt end along the exterior of said U-shaped body and has a back edge and a front edge; wherein said body front surface extends from said front edge of said body outer side/top wall to said front edge of said body inner bottom wall, wherein said body outer side/top wall body has an approximately constant thickness which is equal to or greater than an approximately constant thickness of said body inner bottom wall; and
- a removable cover assembly configured to fully enclose said U-shaped body, wherein said removable cover assembly has a cover front surface, a cover back surface, a first cover blunt end, a second cover blunt end, a cover inner bottom wall, and a cover outer side/top wall positionable to cover said body front surface, said body back surface, said first body blunt end, said second body blunt end, said body inner bottom wall, and said body outer side/top wall, respectively; and wherein said removable cover assembly comprises a strap having a distal and proximal end with said proximal end attached to said first cover blunt end; wherein said distal end of said strap is configured with a first fastening device for removably attaching to a corresponding second fastening device attached to said second cover blunt end for securing the infant's torso within said central U-shaped interior region.
2. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said U-shaped body comprises a resilient formed cushion.
3. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said U-shaped body comprises an inflatable form.
4. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said U-shaped body is formed of a single piece of resilient solid foam-type material having substantially the same firmness throughout.
5. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein:
- said removable cover assembly further comprises a pocket fixedly attached to said cover front surface of said removable cover assembly;
- said pocket has a front opening allowing viewing of at least part of an article within said pocket; and
- said pocket is sized to contain a mobile phone.
6. The diaper-changing restraint of claim 1, wherein:
- said first fastening device of said strap comprises a section of hook and loop fastener; and
- said corresponding second fastening device of said removable cover assembly comprises a corresponding section of hook and loop fastener.
7. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said removable cover assembly includes at least one connector attached on an upper area of said front surface of said removable cover assembly.
8. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 7, wherein said removable cover assembly includes two connectors attached to an upper area of said cover front surface of said removable cover assembly; and wherein said diaper-changing restraint system further comprises a pocket attachable to said connectors of said removable cover assembly.
9. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said removable cover assembly includes a pocket configured with a transparent insert allowing viewing of at least part of an article placed within said pocket.
10. The diaper-changing restraint of claim 1, wherein said thickness of said body outer side/top wall is approximately equal to said thickness of said body inner bottom wall at said medial region and at said first and second body blunt ends.
11. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein said thickness of said body outer side/top wall is approximately equal to said thickness of said body inner bottom wall at said medial region and wherein said thickness of said body outer side/top wall is greater than said thickness of said body inner bottom wall at said first and second body blunt ends of said first and second cantilevered arms.
12. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a bag sized and configured to accommodate said U-shaped form.
13. The diaper-changing restraint of claim 12, wherein:
- said bag comprises a diaper-changing pad;
- said bag can be fully opened flat; and
- said bag comprises a padded or fleece material, whereby the comfort of the baby is increased when positioned on said bag that has been opened flat.
14. The diaper-changing restraint of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said strap is formed of a stretchable material.
15. The diaper-changing restraint system of claim 1, wherein
- said proximal end of said strap is removably attachable to said first cover blunt end of said removable cover assembly
16. A diaper-changing restraint system for placing on a diaper-changing surface, consisting of:
- a substantially U-shaped body formed of a single piece of a resilient material including a medial region, first and second cantilever arms of equal length extending from opposite ends of said medial region, and a body inner bottom wall defining a central U-shaped interior region opening sized to accommodate the infant's waist; wherein said first and second body cantilever arms end in a first and second body blunt end, respectively, each forming a flat, horizontal plane for placing downward on said diaper-changing surface; wherein said body inner bottom wall extends from said first body blunt end to said second body blunt end and has a back edge and a front edge; wherein said U-shaped body further includes a body front surface, a body back surface, a body outer side/top wall that extends from said first body blunt end to said second body blunt end along the exterior of said U-shaped body and has a back edge and a front edge; wherein said body front surface extends from said front edge of said body outer side/top wall to said front edge of said body inner bottom wall, wherein said body outer side/top wall has an approximately constant thickness which is equal to or greater than an approximately constant thickness of said body inner bottom wall; and
- a removable cover assembly configured to fully enclose said U-shaped body, wherein said removable cover assembly has a cover front surface, a cover back surface, a first cover blunt end, a second cover blunt end, a cover inner bottom wall, and a cover outer side/top wall positionable to cover said front body surface, said back body surface, said first body blunt end, said second body blunt end, said inner body bottom wall, and said body outer side/top wall; wherein said removable cover assembly comprises a pocket attached to said cover front surface; wherein said pocket has a front opening allowing viewing of at least part of an article within said pocket; wherein said pocket is sized to contain a mobile phone; wherein said removable cover assembly further comprises an adjustable strap having a distal and proximal end with said proximal end attached to said first cover blunt end; wherein said distal end of said strap is configured with a first hook-and-loop fastening device; wherein said removable cover assembly further comprises a corresponding hook-and-loop fastening device attached to said second cover blunt end; and said first hook-and-loop fastening device is removably attachable to said corresponding hook-and-loop fastening device.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 15, 2012
Publication Date: Apr 17, 2014
Inventor: Lisa Cash Hanson (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 13/652,397
International Classification: A47D 15/00 (20060101);