Baby changing table

Abstract

A baby changing table having a base and a first platform connected to the base. The first platform is suitable for placing a baby thereon in a first position with the baby oriented generally across the field of view of a caregiver such that the baby's head is toward one side of the caregiver and the baby's feet are toward the other. The first platform may rotate relative to the base such that the baby may be oriented in a second position with its feet generally toward the caregiver and its head generally away from the caregiver. In certain embodiments, the first platform may be slid toward the caregiver as well as rotated. In other embodiments, there may also be provided a second platform where the second platform may slide relative to the base and the first platform may rotate relative to the second platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the advent of diapers, individuals charged with the care of infants and toddlers have been searching for the most convenient and safe method of changing them. Indeed, furniture designers have even adapted furniture specifically for this purpose. Such furniture, often referred to as baby changing tables, are typically dresser-like structures that have a work surface positioned at a height particularly suitable for placement of the baby in a comfortable position for the caregiver while changing a soiled diaper. They are particularly useful because they provide a centrally located and accessible storage area for items necessary to assist with the changing, such as spare diapers, wipes, and creams. Moreover, conventional baby changing tables are typically relatively long and narrow, such that the baby may be placed across the field of view of the caregiver, for example with the baby's head to the left and the feet to the right or vice versa. This allows the baby changing table to be located against a wall such that the caregiver can utilize the wall to help limit movement of the baby.

Some caregivers, however, find that placing the conventional baby changing table against the wall may be a detriment, as such placement only offers limited access to the side of the baby which is opposite the caregiver, as this side would be very closely adjacent to a wall. Moreover, many baby changing tables include a pedestal or raised portion, often including drawers, which further blocks access to the baby.

Because of the limited access associated with baby changing tables, caregivers may resort to changing diapers on a generally flat surface that is expansive, such as a bed or the floor. These types of expansive surfaces permit uninhibited 360° access to the baby, and make changing diapers much easier. However, there are drawbacks.

A first downside occurs when changing a diaper with the baby on the floor. In order to change a baby lying on the floor, a caregiver must lower his or herself to the level of the baby, often sitting directly with his or her buttocks on the floor or resting on his or her knees. Some caregivers simply cannot comfortably get into these positions, cannot comfortably remain in these positions long enough to change a diaper, or cannot repeatedly get into such positions throughout a long day of multiple diaper changes. For these individuals, changing a baby resting on the floor is unsuitable.

Instead, some caregivers resort to resting the baby on a bed. However, this presents its own set of drawbacks. For one, most beds are soft and as a caregiver sits adjacent to a baby, the baby tends to roll toward the depression caused by the caregiver. It does not take much imagination to understand why a rolling and soiled baby could be problematic. In addition, and in particular for very young infants, there are safety concerns associated with rolling. Moreover, many people spend considerable effort “making” their beds in the morning and prefer not to have to use the bed for changing a baby, as doing so leaves the bed looking less than presentable unless “re-made.”

It would therefore be advantageous to provide an apparatus and method for changing a baby's diaper that incorporates the benefits of a table, namely locating the baby at a convenient height, with the benefits of a floor or bed, namely near 360° access to the baby and soiled diaper.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention addresses these and other needs by providing a baby changing table that incorporates a moveable platform adapted to shift a baby from a conventional baby-changing first position to an accessible second position. Methods of changing a diaper associated with the baby changing table are also disclosed.

As with the conventional baby changing table, the first position is where the baby lays across the field of view of the caregiver, typically with the baby's head toward the left of the view and the baby's feet toward the right. The second position is (a) where the baby is rotated from approximately 45° to approximately −45° (and typically)90° from the first position, such that the feet of the baby generally face the caregiver and the head of the baby is generally away from the caregiver, (b) where the baby is shifted linearly toward the caregiver and away from the front surface of the baby changing table, or as in preferred embodiments, (c) both.

In accordance with such preferred embodiments, a baby changing table may comprise a base, a first platform rotatably associated with the base, the first platform configurable to a first position to support a baby where the baby lays across the field of view of a caregiver such that the head of the baby is toward one side of the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the other side of the caregiver. The first platform may be rotated to a second position whereby the head of the baby is generally away from the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the caregiver.

The first platform may be rotated approximately 90° from the first position to the second position.

The baby changing table may further comprise a turntable to facilitate the rotatable association of the first platform and the base. The turntable may also include detents to temporarily impede rotation at predetermined increments.

The baby changing table may further comprise a sliding mechanism, wherein the first platform may slide toward the caregiver. The baby changing table may also comprise a rotation mechanism to facilitate the rotatable association, wherein the sliding mechanism is independent of the rotation mechanism.

The baby changing table may further comprise a second platform associated with the base, the second platform is adapted to slide relative to the base, and the first platform is mounted to the second platform.

In a further preferred embodiment, a baby changing table may comprise a base, a first platform having a top surface and an underside, the underside slidingly engaged with the base, and a second platform having a second top surface and a second underside, the second underside rotatably engaged with the top surface of the first platform. In such case, the first platform may be slid relative to the base toward a caregiver and the second platform may be rotated relative to the fist platform such that a baby placed upon the second platform in a first position may be rotated to a second position.

The baby may lay across the field of view of a caregiver in the first position. The feet of the baby may face the caregiver in the second position.

The baby changing table may further comprise a slide mechanism between the base and the underside of the first platform. The slide mechanism may comprise an elongate first member and an elongate second member, the first member having a longitudinal detent and the second member having a finger adapted to fit within the longitudinal detent.

Where the baby changing table further comprises a slide mechanism between the base and the underside of the first platform, the slide mechanism may be a pair of slides.

The baby changing table may further comprise a rotation mechanism between the top surface of the first platform and the underside of the second platform. The rotation mechanism may be a turntable with ball bearings.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of changing a diaper of a baby using a baby changing table having a base and a platform at least rotatable relative to the base. The method comprises resting the baby on the platform of the baby changing table such that the baby is positioned in a first position, rotating the platform relative to the base such that the baby is positioned in a second position, and changing the soiled diaper.

The method may further comprise rotating the platform back to the first position.

The method may further comprise sliding the platform toward the caregiver.

The baby may be oriented across the field of view of the caregiver in the first position. The baby may be oriented generally with its feet toward the caregiver in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with the features, objects, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a frontal diagrammatic view of a baby changing table in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the baby changing table being arranged in a first condition;

FIG. 2 depicts a top diagrammatic view of the baby changing table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a partially exploded diagrammatic view of portions of the baby changing table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a frontal enlarged diagrammatic view of a slide arrangement detail of the baby changing table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a top diagrammatic view of certain portions of the baby changing table of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 6 depicts a top diagrammatic view of the baby changing table of FIG. 1, the baby changing table being arranged in a second condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the baby changing table and methods of changing a diaper with such table are disclosed below in accordance with the present invention. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, like reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.

As shown in FIG. 1, a frontal diagrammatic view of a baby changing table in accordance with certain aspects of the invention, and shown in the first condition, the exemplary baby changing table 100 includes a base portion 102 and a pedestal portion 104. In this particular instance, the pedestal portion 104 is positioned on the caregiver's right-hand side. However, the pedestal portion 104 may be configured in other locations, particularly the extreme left-hand side. Also in this instance the base portion includes three drawers, 106a-c, although other configurations of drawers, openings, or simply a blank face may be provided. Lastly, the base 102 is elevated above the floor by feet, two of which are shown 108a-b. Typically there will be four such feet. There may also be no feet provided.

The feet 108a-b and base 102 are preferably configured such that the base includes a top surface 110 which has a height H, typically between 30″ and 45″ above the floor surface. Optimally the height is approximately 33″ above the floor surface so as to place the baby to be changed at a comfortable level for a majority of potential caregivers, as is conventional. In certain embodiments, the feet may be replaceable with feet of different heights to provide a range of adjustment of the height H. Other adjustability mechanisms may also be provided.

The overall width of the base, W1, is typically between 45″ and 50″, again as is conventional. The width is governed typically by design considerations of placement within a room, transport of the base, and aesthetics, more than a strict requirement of the functional design. Particularly, so long as the width W2 of the top surface 110 is approximately 32″ to 40″ to allow a baby to fit comfortably thereon with an orientation across the caregiver's field of view, the overall width W1 is functionally sufficient. For completeness, it is noted that a preferred overall width W1 is approximately 50″ and a preferred top surface width W2 is approximately 34″.

The depth of the table 100, D, is shown in FIG. 2, a top diagrammatical view of the baby changing table of FIG. 1 shown in the first condition. As is conventional, the depth is preferably approximately 17″ with an acceptable range of between approximately 15″ and 20″. Like the W2 dimension, the functional importance of depth D is that the baby fit comfortably on the top surface 110. In this case, the design consideration is the width of the baby across the shoulders. Of course, overall aesthetics and other considerations may be factored in.

Moving back to FIG. 1, it is noted that there is also placed a first platform 112 and a second platform 114 upon top surface 110. Although specific arrangements for the relationships will be discussed in greater detail below, it is noted herein that the first platform 112 is generally arranged to be slidable relative to top surface 110 and the second platform 114 is generally arranged to be rotatable with respect to the first platform. In this regard, the first platform 112 may slide toward the caregiver, so as to protrude beyond the front surface 116 of the table 100. The second platform 114 may then rotate relative to the first platform 112. Preferably, the platforms 112, 114 are of approximately equal size and are sized just smaller than the top surface 110 so as to maximize the area a baby may rest on. Of concern, however, is that the second platform 114 entirely clears the pedestal 104 upon rotation.

FIG. 3 depicts a partially exploded top diagrammatic view of the table of FIG. 1. In this view, the first platform is shown detached from the table's top surface 110, and also flipped over to reveal the platform's underside 118. Like in FIG. 2, the pedestal 104 of the table is visible. Next to the pedestal, and attached to top surface 110, are a pair of spaced apart first slide portions 120a-b and a first stop member 122. The first slide portions 120a-b are arranged in an elongate direction toward the caregiver while the stop member 122 is perpendicular thereto and situated between the first slide portions. On the underside 118 of the first platform 112 are corresponding second slide portions 124a-b and second stop member 126, which also run parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the caregiver. It will be appreciated that the first slide portions 120a-b mate with the respective second slide portions 124a-b when the platform 112 is flipped into its finished orientation and associated with the top surface 110. This enables the first platform 112 to slide relative to the top surface 110, much like a drawer.

The stop members 122, 126 are provided to prevent the first platform 112 from sliding completely to a point where the first slide portions 120a-b and second slide portions 124a-b, respectively, are no longer mated, which would result in the first platform 112 becoming detached from the top surface 110. In this regard, the second stop member 126, fixed to the underside 118 of the first platform 112, will abut the first stop member 112, fixed to the top surface 110 of the table 100, when the first platform is slid toward the caregiver a prescribed distance. The amount of travel of the first platform 112 may vary depending on design considerations, but it is typical that the first platform extend such that approximately 10% to 70% of the first platform overhangs the front surface 116 of the table 100, with 20% being typical. Other arrangements may also be provided in lieu of or in addition to the stop members. For example, a locking apparatus may be provided to lock the first platform 112 in any desired position between the extremes of its travel.

Such a locking mechanism may comprise platform screw lock 158. The platform screw lock 158 may be comprised of an elongate bar 160 having an externally threaded first end 162 with a rubber bumper 164 at the extreme first end. The bar 160 may also have a handle 166 at the second end 168, closest to the caregiver. The externally threaded first end 162 may be screwed into an internally threaded aperture 170 provided through a portion of the second slide 124a. With such an arrangement, the handle 166 may be rotated to advance the rubber bumper 164 into frictional engagement with the first slide 120a. This serves to prevent movement of the first slide 120a relative to the second slide 120b, and thus prevents movement of the platform 112 relative to the base 102. If movement is desired, the handle 166 may be rotated in the opposite direction to remove friction or completely separate the rubber bumper 164 from the first slide 120a. Other arrangements may also be provided. For example, the second slide 124a may be provided with a spring loaded bar that may be engaged with any one of a series of apertures provided in the first slide 120b. When movement is desired, the bar may be withdrawn from within the particular aperture it is in, the first platform 112 may be slide relative to the base 102, and the spring loaded bar caused to return to a different aperture to thereby prevent further movement.

FIG. 4 depicts a frontal enlarged diagrammatic view of an exemplary slide arrangement detail. As shown and previously addressed, the first platform 112 is arranged upon the top surface 110 via slide members. In this regard, first slide portions 120a-b may be affixed to the top surface 110. It will be appreciated that the first slide portions 120a-b may each include a pair of elongate depressions 126 running along the length of the first slide portions and which extend into the slide portions' upstanding walls 128. In the meantime, second slide members 124a-b may be affixed to the underside 118 of first platform 112. The second slide members 124a-b may each be configured to include opposed fingers 130 sized and configured to fit snugly within the depressions 126. When mated, the combination of fingers 130 and depressions 126 permit the first platform 112 to slide relative to the top surface 110 in a direction toward the caregiver and away from the caregiver, but not slide in the side-to-side direction or lift upwardly. Of course, other suitable configurations to achieve the same purpose may be provided in lieu of the particular arrangement described herein. Such arrangements include generally those which may be appropriate for sliding drawers, particularly heavy duty type drawers. These arrangements may also include more complex designs, such as those including ball-bearing slides.

As previously discussed, second platform 114 rotates relative to first platform 112. FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary arrangement to provide for such rotation, although other arrangements may also be effective. As shown in FIG. 5, the table 100 includes pedestal 104 and top surface 110, as well as first platform 112 slidingly engaged with the top surface.

Mounted to the top surface 132 of the first platform 112 is a 360° turntable 134. The mounting may be by fasteners, such as screws 140, by adhesives, or by other means. Such turntables 134 are well known in the furniture making industry, and also may be referred to commonly by the nickname “lazy Susan.” Typically configured with ball bearings, the turntable 134 may include various detent stops to permit temporary fixing at intervals of rotation. In embodiments herein, such detents may be provided every 10°, 30°, or 45° of rotation. Other detent increments are also possible. Although other sizes may be suitable, it has been found that a standard 12″-diameter turntable 134 is suitable for use in the present invention.

Functionally, the turntable 134 includes a first portion 136 and a second portion 138, which may rotate relative to the first portion. The first portion 136 of the turntable may therefore be fixedly engaged to the top surface 132 of the first platform 112, as shown in FIG. 5, for example by screws 140. The second portion 138 of the turntable 134 is fixedly engaged to the underside 142 of second platform 114 (see FIG. 1), such that the second platform may rotate relative to the first platform 112 as the second portion 138 of the turntable 134 rotates relative to the first portion 136.

A stop member 142 is optionally provided on the first platform 112 to prevent the second platform 114 from rotating past 90°, the position shown in FIG. 6. The stop member 142 operates by interfering with first platform 112 when second platform 114 rotates to the 90° position. Other configurations for stopping rotation may also be provided, or there may be no such arrangement. One such stop member may be a turntable screw lock 144. The turntable screw lock 144 may be comprised of an elongate bar 146 having an externally threaded first end 148 with a rubber bumper 150 at the extreme first end. The bar may also have a handle 152 at the second end, closest to the caregiver. The externally threaded first end 148 may be screwed into an internally threaded aperture 154 provided through the first portion 136 of the turntable 134. With such an arrangement, the handle 152 may be rotated to advance the rubber bumper 150 into frictional engagement with the second portion 138 of the turntable 134. This serves to prevent rotation of the turntable 134. If rotation is desired, the handle 152 may be rotated in the opposite direction to remove friction or completely separate the rubber bumper 150 from the second portion 138 of the turntable 134.

Referring still to FIG. 6, note is taken at the movement indications arrows A, B. Arrow A depicts the sliding movement direction of the first platform 112 utilized to move the first platform from the first position to the second position while arrow B depicts the rotation direction of the second platform 114 utilized to move the second platform from the first position the second position. To return the respective platforms, 112, 114, one may more or rotate them in the opposite direction, as appropriate.

It will be appreciated that one effect of sliding the first platform 112 beyond the limits of the base 102 is that the center of gravity of the table 100, particularly with a baby positioned on platform 114, is shifted outward toward the caregiver. It is anticipated that the base 102 be designed from materials, such as wood, plastics, metals, or the like, that are sufficiently weighted to prevent the table 100 from tipping toward the caregiver. Although not typically necessary, if need be weight may be added in the lower rear region of the table to help ballast the weight of the sliding first platform 112.

Although the table 100 has been shown and described with the first platform 112 sliding and the second platform 114 rotating, other arrangements are possible. For example, the first platform 112 could rotate and the second platform 114 could slide. Alternatively, only a single platform that slides, such as platform 112, may be provided. In such case, there would be no rotation provided. Alternatively, the table may be provided with only a rotating platform where sliding would not be provided.

A single sliding platform may also be configured with an arrangement that permits both sliding and rotating, such that both functions may be achieved with a single platform. In such case it is anticipated that a single slide mechanism may be provided where the attachment of the slide mechanism to the platform also permits rotation. Alternatively, two slide mechanisms may be provided but the platform may be capable of detachment from one of the slide mechanisms to enable rotation around the other.

In essence, and as may be appreciated from the discussion herein, it is preferred that the table incorporate both sliding and rotating. However, either one may be the sole function provided.

One way to use the exemplary baby changing table, is for a caregiver to first rest the baby on platform 114. In some embodiments, platform 114 may include padding, such as shaped padding that cradles the baby. The baby should be rested across the field of view of the caregiver with its head to one side and its feet to the other. The caregiver may then slide platform 112 relative to base 102 to draw the baby closer to the caregiver. The caregiver may then rotate platform 114 to orient the baby's feet and soiled buttocks toward the caregiver, whereafter the caregiver may change the soiled diaper.

In embodiments where the platforms are reversed in function, or where there is a single platform controlling the sliding and rotating function, or one of the two, the method may be adjusted accordingly to provide enhanced access to the baby and particularly to the soiled diaper.

It will also be appreciated that the platform, or platforms as the case may be, may be provided without the baby changing table base. In this regard, the platform(s) may be utilized with existing bases, such as a standard dresser, crib, portable play yards, and the like, buy having means for attaching the platform(s) thereto. Such means may include mechanical fixtures such as clamps or bolts, adhesives, or the like. Alternatively, the platform(s) may be configured to be sufficiently sturdy that such attachment means are unnecessary.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A baby changing table comprising:

a base;

a first platform rotatably associated with said base, the first platform configurable to a first position to support a baby where the baby lays across the field of view of a caregiver such that the head of the baby is toward one side of the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the other side of the caregiver;

wherein the first platform may be rotated to a second position whereby the head of the baby is generally away from the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the caregiver.

2. The baby changing table of claim 1, wherein the first platform may be rotated approximately 90° from said first position to said second position.

3. The baby changing table of claim 1, further comprising a turntable to facilitate said rotatable association of said first platform and said base.

4. The baby changing table of claim 3, wherein said turntable includes detents to temporarily impede rotation at predetermined increments.

5. The baby changing table of claim 1, further comprising a sliding mechanism, wherein said first platform may slide toward the caregiver.

6. The baby changing table of claim 5, further comprising a rotation mechanism to facilitate said rotatable association, wherein said sliding mechanism is independent of said rotation mechanism.

7. The baby changing table of claim 1, further comprising a second platform associated with said base, the second platform adapted to slide relative to said base, wherein said first platform is mounted to said second platform.

8. A baby changing table comprising:

a base;

a first platform having a top surface and an underside, the underside slidingly engaged with said base;

a second platform having a second top surface and a second underside, the second underside rotatably engaged with said top surface of said first platform;

whereby said first platform may be slid relative to said base toward a caregiver and said second platform may be rotated relative to said fist platform such that a baby placed upon said second platform in a first position may be rotated to a second position.

9. The baby changing table of claim 8, wherein said baby lays across the field of view of a caregiver in said first position.

10. The baby changing table of claim 9, wherein the feet of the baby face the caregiver in said second position.

11. The baby changing table of claim 1, further comprising a slide mechanism between said base and said underside of said first platform.

12. The baby changing table of claim 11, wherein said slide mechanism comprises an elongate first member and an elongate second member, said first member having a longitudinal detent and said second member having a finger adapted to fit within said longitudinal detent.

13. The baby changing table of claim 11, wherein said slide mechanism is a pair of slides.

14. The baby changing table of claim 8, further comprising a rotation mechanism between said top surface of said first platform and said underside of said second platform.

15. The baby changing table of claim 14, wherein said rotation mechanism is a turntable with ball bearings.

16. A method of changing a diaper of a baby using a baby changing table having a base and a platform at least rotatable relative to the base, the method comprising:

resting the baby on the platform of the baby changing table such that the baby is positioned in a first position;

rotating the platform relative to the base such that the baby is positioned in a second position;

changing the soiled diaper.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising rotating the platform back to said first position.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising sliding said platform toward the caregiver.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said baby is oriented across the field of view of the caregiver in said first position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said baby is oriented generally with its feet toward the caregiver in said second position.