CHANGING TABLE

Abstract

The invention provides a changing table for supporting an infant or child. The changing table may include a frame having a plurality of pivotally coupled tubes, the frame being expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation. The changing table may also include a mat detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for the infant or child upon which the infant or child may be placed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/438,746 filed Feb. 2, 2011, entitled “Changing Table,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to foldable structures, and more specifically to foldable structures having a mat or surface upon which an infant or child may be placed for various purposes.

Young children have various needs that parents or guardians must fulfill. For example, young children often need their clothing changed one or more times per day due to the child not being potty trained or due to the child spilling food and/or drink on their clothes, or otherwise soiling their clothes during play time. Children, especially young children like infants and toddlers, often take one or more naps per day and need a comfortable place to lay down.

Providing for or fulfilling these need may be challenging in public places due to a lack of, or otherwise insufficient, facilities. For example, some public structures (commonly public restrooms) provide facilities for changing a child's diaper. Not all public structures or locations, however, provide such facilities and/or some of these facilities may be dirty, unsanitary, broken, and the like. Further, public structures or locations rarely offer satisfactory facilities for a child to lay down and take a nap. In some instances, children may placed on the floor or the ground for diaper/clothing changing and/or to take a nap. The floor or ground, however, may be dirty or unsanitary and/or may not be comfortable for the child. In addition, placing the child on the floor or ground normally requires the parent or guardian to bend over, which may stress the parent/guardian's body, such as the back.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a table configured to support an infant or child placed atop a mat of the table, preferably at an elevated position above the ground. The table may allow a parent or guardian of the infant or child to quickly and easily change a diaper and/or other clothing of the infant or child, or may provide a comfortable surface atop which the infant or child can rest or nap. The table may be expandable from a collapsed state or configuration that allows easy transport and/or storage to an expanded position having a wide base that supports the child.

In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a changing table for supporting an infant or child that may include a frame having a plurality of pivotally coupled tubes. The pivoting tube may allow the frame to be expanded between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage and/or transportation. The changing table may also include a mat that may be detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for the infant or child. The infant or child can be placed atop the mat when the frame is in the expanded state.

The changing table may also include a top sheet that may be detachably coupled with the mat. In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes may each crisscross at least one other tube. Put another way, in one embodiment, the frame may not include any substantially vertical tubes or any substantially horizontal tubes. In a specific embodiment, each of the plurality of tubes may crisscrosses only one other tube. In one embodiment, the mat may not include any rigid members, or in other words the mat may be unframed so that the mat does not have any rigid members attached to its periphery.

The mat may be foldable and securable around the collapsed frame for storage and/or transportation. Put another way, the mat may be secured and coupled around the collapsed frame. To facilitate transportation, the mat may include a handle that may be grasped by a user.

In one embodiment, the frame includes six base members and six top members where each base member and each top member are coupled with two tubes and where each tube crisscrosses with only one other tube. One or more of the top members may be pivotally coupled with two tubes so that the top member is able to pivot with respect to the frame.

The frame may include a front face having three top members and three bottom members and a back face also having three top members and three bottom members. The front face and back face may be coupled together on opposing ends with crisscrossing tubes so that a middle top and bottom member of the front face and a middle top and bottom member of the back face are not coupled with crisscrossing tubes. The mat may include at least one pocket or strap throughwhich a top member of the frame is inserted to secure the mat with respect to the frame. In some embodiments, this pocket or strap may constitute an additional securing structure for the changing table. The mat may also include a pair of straps that are configured to be placed around the infant or child to secure the infant or child with respect to the mat. In the expanded state, the supportive surface may be between about 16 inches and about 24 inches above the ground. The frame may be configured to be biased toward the expanded state when an infant or child is placed atop the mat.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for providing a changing table for supporting an infant or child. The method may include providing a plurality of tubular members and pivotally coupling each of the tubular members with at least one other tubular member to form a frame that is expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation. The method may also include providing a mat that is configured to be detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for the infant or child.

In one embodiment, each of the tubular members may include a longitudinal length and each of the tubular members may be coupled with another tubular member near a central portion of the longitudinal length and coupled at opposing ends with a respective top member and bottom member. In one embodiment, the changing table may include six top members that are each coupled with two of the tubular members and are also coupled with the mat. At least one of the top members may be pivotally coupled with respective tubular members.

The method may further include inserting at least one top member of the frame into a pocket or strap of the mat to couple the mat with the frame. The method may additionally include placing a first strap over an infant or child placed atop the mat, the first strap being coupled near a first edge of the mat; placing a second strap over the infant or child, the second strap being coupled near a second edge of the mat opposite the first edge; and coupling the first strap with the second strap to secure the child to the mat.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention may provide a changing table for supporting an infant or child. The changing table may include a frame having a plurality of pivotally coupled crisscrossing tubes so that the frame is expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation. The changing table may also include a mat detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for an infant or child placed upon the mat where the supportive surface is elevated above the ground. The changing table may further include a top sheet detachably coupled with the mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the appended figures:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of a changing table in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of an assembled changing table in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A-B illustrate the frame of the changing table with the legs folded or contracted in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate the changing table with the mat folded and/or secured around the folded or contracted frame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the frame in an expanded condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a collapsed changing table having the mat folded and secured around the frame, wherein the changing table comprises a handle for easy transportation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate perspective view of a mat including features that couple the mat with the frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the mats of FIGS. 6A and/or 6B being coupled with a top member of the frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a brace that may be coupled with the frame to limit the expansion of the frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention provide a table configured to support an infant or child, preferably at an elevated position above the ground, placed atop a mat of the table. The table may allow a parent or guardian of the infant or child to quickly and easily change a diaper and/or other clothing of the infant or child, or may provide a comfortable surface atop which the infant or child can rest or nap. The table may be expandable from a collapsed state or configuration that allows easy transport and/or storage to an expanded position having a wide base that supports the child.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a changing table 100 that may be used to support and secure a child for various purposes such as changing a child's clothing and/or diaper, taking a nap, etc. Changing table 100 may include a frame 110 that expands to provide a stable base for changing table 100 and that contracts or folds to provide easy storage and/or transportation. FIG. 4 provides another illustration of frame 100. Expandable frame 110 includes a plurality of tubing or pipes arranged and coupled together to be foldable in an accordion like manner. For example, the tubing may be arranged so that each of the tubes crisscross with another tube. The tubes or pipes may be pivotally coupled at crisscross locations by one or more coupling element 116, such as pins, rivots, buttons, flexible or resilient housing, etc.

The tubes may hollow and made of a various materials, including metals and/or plastics such as, but not limited to: aluminum, titanium, steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and the like. In one embodiment, the tubing is made of a strong and lightweight material, such as aluminum. One or more of the tubes may be coupled with one or more base members 112a-f (referred to generally herein as base members 112) and/or top members 114a-f (referred to generally herein as top members 114). In one embodiment, each of the base members 112 and/or top members 114 may be coupled with two of the tubes. In an exemplary embodiment, frame 110 includes six base members 112 and six top members 114. The tubes, base members 112, and top members 114 may be arranged so that frame 110 includes a front face and a back face. The front face may include three laterally spaced apart base members 112a-c and three laterally spaced apart top members 114a-c disposed approximately vertically above base members 112a-c. The back face may be positioned distally of front face and include three laterally spaced apart base members 112d-f three laterally spaced apart top members 114d-f arranged similar to the front face. The three base members 112 and three top members 114 of the front face and/or back face may be coupled together via four crisscrossing tubes. The middle base member, 112b and 112e, and middle top member, 114b and 114e, of the front and back faces, respectively, may each be coupled with two front or back face tubes while the left and right bottom and top members are only coupled with one front or back face tube. Each of the top members 114 may be vertically disposed above one of the base members 112 or may be offset therefrom. The crisscrossing front face tubes may be collapsed or folded to longitudinally collapse or contract the front face of the frame 110.

In one embodiment, the front face and back face are coupled together by coupling, via crisscrossing tubes, the left and right base members, 112a and 112c, of the front face with the left and right top members, 114d and 114f, of the back face, respectively, and by coupling the left and right top members, 114a and 114c, of the front face with the left and right base members, 112d and 112f, of the back face, respectively. In another embodiment, the middle top members, 114b and 114e, of the front and back face may be coupled with the respective base members, 112e and 112b, of the front and back face to further couple the front and back face.

The tubes coupling the front and back faces may crisscross and be pivotally coupled as described above so that the tubes may be collapsed and the front and back faces collapsed or contracted together. In this manner, frame 110 may be collapsed, contracted, and/or compressed both in a longitudinal and transverse direction as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In other words, frame 110 may be expanded or contracted bi-directionally in an accordion like manner. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 4, the middle top and base members, 114 and 112, of the front face are not coupled with the middle top and base members, 114 and 112, of the back face. In other embodiments, the middle top and base members of the front face may be coupled with the middle top and base members of the back face so that the front and back faces are coupled together at three locations (i.e., left edge, middle, and right edge).

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the top members 114 and/or base members 112 may not be directly coupled together (i.e., the frame 110 may not include horizontal tubes that directly couple the top members together and/or the bottom members together). Rather, each base member 112 and/or top member 114 may be coupled with the other base members and top members through the crisscrossing tubes. For example, in one embodiment, the frame 110 only includes diagonally extending crisscrossing tubes (i.e., does not include vertically or horizontally extending tubes). In other embodiments, the frame 110 may include a combination of diagonally, vertically, and/or horizontally extending tubes.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, one or more of the top members 114 and/or base members 112 may be coupled with the tubes so that top members 114 and/or base members 112 pivot with respect to the tubes (middle top member 114b is illustrated pivoting). Pivoting of top members 114 and/or base members 112 may facilitate in folding of a mat 130 within frame 110. This design may provide a lightweight structure that combines stability and portability.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, changing table 100 also includes mat 130. Mat 130 may be rectangularly shaped and may be detachably coupled with frame 110 via one or more attachment mechanisms so that mat 130 may be easily removed from frame 110 for cleaning, changing, replacement, or any other reason. The attachment mechanism may include buttons or snaps 118 that are disposed on one or more top members 114 of frame 110. Mat 130 may include corresponding buttons or snaps 132 (hereinafter snaps 132) that correspond with buttons or snaps 118 (hereinafter snaps 118) on frame 110. Snaps 132 may snap onto buttons 118 to detachably couple mat 130 to frame 110. In other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include other means of detachably coupling mat 130 and frame 110, such as pins, clips, apertures, straps, screws, bolts, and the like. For example, elements 132 may comprise holes that fit over pins 118 positioned on the top members 114. When attached to frame 110, mat 130 may limit the expansion of frame 110. In other words, when coupled with frame 110, mat 130 may limit the expansion of the frame 110.

Mat 130 may be composed of a flexible material, or combination of materials, that cradle a child or infant placed or laid on changing table 100. Mat 130 may include one or more layers of material, although in one embodiment mat 130 includes only a single layer. In one embodiment, one or more of the layers may be impermeable to fluids. Additionally or alternatively, mat 130 may be composed of a canvas material that provides flexibility and durability. The flexible material may allow mat 130 to be folded along with and/or inside frame 110 when changing table 100 is collapsed for transportation and/or storage. In some embodiments, mat 130 may be folded around frame 110 when the frame is collapsed or folded (shown in FIGS. 3A-B).

Mat 130 may be unframed, meaning that mat 130 does not include tubing or another rigid material attached to the periphery of the mat. In other embodiments, mat 130 may include a frame, such as tubing or another rigid material, extending around and/or attached to its periphery.

Mat 130 may further include a pair of straps 138 that couple together to secure a child or infant placed on mat 130. For example, a child or infant may be placed on mat 130 and straps 138 may be placed over or around the child and coupled together to secure the child on the mat, thereby ensuring that the child or infant does not slip off the mat during changing of the child or infant's clothes and/or diaper or during any other use of the changing table. The straps may be attached together using clips, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (i.e., Velcro Brand®), ties, and the like. Mat 130 may further include a second pair of straps 136 that secure mat 130 around frame 110 when the frame is collapsed or folded (see FIGS. 3A-B) and/or that provide an additional means of securing a child placed on mat 130. In one embodiment, straps, 136 and 138, may be positioned around mat 130 so that each edge of the mat include one of the straps. In another embodiment, mat 130 includes only one pair of straps that are used to both secure an infant or child placed on the mat and to secure the mat around the collapsed frame 110. The second pair of straps 136 may include buttons, clips, hook and loop fasteners, and the like, that couple with each other. As shown in FIG. 5, mat 130 may include a handle 160 so that when mat 130 is secured around the collapsed frame 110, changing table 100 is easily transportable. Handle 160 may be formed from a portion of straps 138 that is not attached to a backside of mat 130 or may be formed of a material separate from the straps.

Mat 130 may further include a second attachment mechanism that detachably couples a top material or blanket 150 to the mat 130. The second attachment mechanism may include one or more buttons 132 attached to mat 130 and one or more slots 152 cut into blanket 150 that receive buttons 132. Blanket 150 may be rectangularly shaped and may include a slot 152 in each corner. The second attachment mechanism may include other means of securing blanket 150 to mat 130, such as loop and hook fasteners placed respectively on mat 130 and blanket 150, and/or respective clips, snaps, ties, and the like. Blanket 150 may be detached for cleaning purposes (e.g., placing blanket 150 in a washing machine), replacement, repair, and the like. For example, a first blanket comprising a specific design (i.e., a pink blanket for a girl) may be readily changed for a second blanket comprising a different design (i.e., a blue blanket for a boy). Alternatively, blanket 150 may be changed depending on the use of changing table 100. For example, a relatively thin blanket may be used to change an infants clothes or diaper and a relatively thick and insulating blanket may be used to allow an infant or child to take a nap. Blanket 150 may also include a pouch (not shown) so that the infant or child may be placed inside the blanket, such as for a nap. In one embodiment, blanket 150 comprises a water resistant material so that any fluid leaked onto blanket 150, such as during a diaper change, does not penetrate through blanket 150 to mat 130 and/or other objects below blanket. Blanket 150 may also be made of a microbial resistant material. In other embodiments, blanket 150 may be made of fleece or other warm materials to comfort a child placed on or within blanket 150.

Blanket or top material 150 may be composed of a variety of different materials or fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, fleece, etc. In one embodiment, blanket 150 is composed of 100% cotton. Because mat 130 and/or blanket 150 may be removed from frame 110, blanket 150, mat 130, and/or frame 110 may be cleaned independent of one another and/or replaced without replacing the entire structure.

Mat 130 and/or blanket 150 may be attached to frame 110 so that the weight of a child forces frame 110 (i.e., top members 114, base members 112, and tubing) apart. In other words, the weight of a child or infant placed upon changing table 100 may facilitate in expanding frame 110 and thereby prevent or hinder frame 110, and thus changing table 100, from collapsing or folding up. When attached to frame 110, mat 130 may limit how far frame 110 is able to open, or in other words, prevent frame 110 from opening up further. The coupled mat 130 and weight of the child may provide a natural tension between frame expansion and make the structure more stable. Further, changing table 100 may be configured so that the vertical height of the fully assembled and expanded changing table is approximately equivalent to the height of the seat of a chair. This may allow a person, such as a parent, to comfortably sit on a chair or couch and change the clothes or diaper of an infant supported by the changing table. Although changing table 100 may be configured to virtually any size, in one embodiment, the dimensions of the assembled and expanded changing table are roughly between 14 and 20 inches wide, between 20 and 36 inches long, and between 12 and 28 inches high. In a specific embodiment, the dimensions of the assembled and expanded changing table are roughly 14 to 18 inches wide (e.g., roughly 17 inches), 24 to 20 inches long (e.g., roughly 28 inches), and 18 to 22 inches high (e.g., roughly 20 inches). Likewise, in one embodiment, the dimensions of the collapsed changing table are roughly between 20 and 30 inches high, while in a specific embodiment the dimensions are roughly 22 to 26 inches and more commonly about 24 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrated is an additional feature for securing mat 130 to frame 110. Specifically, mat 130 may include pockets or straps positioned on a undersurface of the mat that are designed to fit around a lip or other feature of one or more top members 114 of frame 110 to prevent the mat from detaching from frame 110. FIG. 6A illustrates mat 130 including pockets 160 positioned on the undersurface of mat 130 (i.e., on the surface directly adjacent top members 114) near the corners of mat 130 and pockets 162 positioned near the middle of mat 130. Pockets 160 and 162 may include material that is stitched or sewn to mat 130 to form a cavity into which top member 114 and/or a feature of the top member (e.g., a lip or protrusion) may be inserted. In one embodiment, mat 130 may include four pockets 160 positioned in each corner of mat 130, while in other embodiment, mat 130 may include the four pockets 160 and two or more middle pockets 162.

FIG. 6B illustrates mat 130 includes straps 170 and 172 throughwhich top member 114 or a feature thereof (e.g., a lip or protrusion) may be inserted. Mat 130 may include four straps 170 positioned in each corner of the mat and, in some embodiments, may also include straps 172 positioned centrally along one or more edges of mat 130. Straps 170 and 172 may include a thin piece of material stitched or sewn to mat 130 so that each strap fits around a respective top member 114, or a feature thereof, that is inserted through the straps. The pockets and/or straps shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may fit over top members 114, or a feature thereof, to secure mat 130 to frame 110 and provide additional protection against the mat decoupling from frame 110 and thereby allowing a child placed upon mat 130 to fall and possibly injure themselves.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, illustrated is a method of coupling the pockets or straps illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B with frame 110. FIG. 7A shows a mat 130 including a pocket 160. Positioned vertically above pocket 160 is the attachment mechanism, such as snap 132 described above. The arrow indicates that mat 130 is positioned with respect to frame 110 so that top member 114, and specifically a lip 115 of top member 114, is inserted within pocket 160. In one embodiment, lip 115 includes a member (e.g., rod, beam, strut, and the like) that laterally extends from top member 114, while in other embodiments, lip 115 includes a corner or edge of top member 114. Snap 118 of top member 114 is then snapped together with snap 132 of mat 130 to couple mat 130 to frame 110. If straps are used instead of pockets, lip 115 of top member 114 would be inserted through the strap so that the strap fits securely around top member 114.

FIG. 7B shows mat 130 coupled with frame 110 so that snaps 118 and 132 are coupled together and top member 114 is inserted securely within pocket 160. FIG. 7C illustrates that in the unlikely event that snaps 118 and 132 become uncoupled, or possibly in the event that a user forgets to couple snaps 118 and 132 together, pocket 160 keeps mat 130 securely coupled with top member 114 and, therefore, frame 110, thereby preventing a child from falling off mat 130 and out of changing table 100.

Using pockets 160 and 162, or straps 170 and 172, ensures that a child placed upon mat 130 will remain supported by changing table 100 and upon mat 130 even in the event that all snaps (or other securing mechanism) become uncoupled, or in the event that a user completely forgets to couple any of the snaps. In one embodiment, changing table 100 only includes pockets or straps and does not include another securing mechanism, such as snaps 118 and 132.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, illustrated is an embodiment of a brace 800 that may be placed on the joints of frame 110 to prevent frame 110 from opening or expanding beyond a defined point. FIG. 8B shows a close up view of brace 800. In some embodiments, brace 800 may be a square or rectangular member having two closed ends on opposing sides and two open ends on opposing sides. The open ends may form an opening or chamber 802 within which the tubular members of frame 110 are positioned so that brace 800 is positioned over the tubular members at the joints of frame 110. Brace 800 also includes opposing stopper members 804 positioned within opening or chamber 802 that limit the pivotal motion of the tubular members and thereby limit the expansion of frame 110. Stopper members 804 may be triangular shaped to correspond with the shape of the pivotally coupled tubular members when frame 110 is expanded.

As shown in FIG. 8A, brace 800 may be designed so that frame 110 is able to expand to or near a size required to couple mat 130 atop frame 110. Put another way, brace 800 may limit the expansion of frame 110 to a size near that allowed by mat 130 when mat 130 is coupled to frame 110. In one embodiment, brace 800 allows frame 110 to expanded to a size slightly beyond that allowed by mat 130 so that mat 130 may be tautly coupled with frame 110. FIG. 8C shows a cross section view of brace 800 coupled with frame 110. Specifically, FIG. 8C shows the tubular members of frame 110 within opening 802 and resting against opposing stopper members 804 to limit the expansion of frame 110. Limiting the expansion of frame 110 with brace 800 may advantageously allow mat 130 to be easily coupled with frame 110 since frame 110 will not expand as a user couples mat 130 with frame 110. Further, brace 800 does not limit the contraction of frame 110 and, thus, does not hinder the storability or transportability of changing table 100.

In describing the invention, certain embodiments have been used to illustrate the invention and the practices thereof. However, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments as other embodiments and modifications within the spirit of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art on reading this specification. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes a plurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includes reference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and “includes” when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.

Claims

1. A changing table for supporting an infant or child comprising:

a frame including a plurality of pivotally coupled tubes, the frame being expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation; and

a mat detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for the infant or child.

2. The changing table of claim 1, further comprising a top sheet detachably coupled with the mat.

3. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubes each crisscross at least one other tube.

4. The changing table of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of tubes crisscrosses only one other tube.

5. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the mat does not include any rigid members.

6. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the mat is foldable and securable around the collapsed frame for storage or transportation.

7. The changing table of claim 6, wherein the mat includes a handle for transportation.

8. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises six base members and six top members, each base member and each top member being coupled with two tubes, and wherein each tube crisscrosses with one other tube.

9. The changing table of claim 8, wherein at least one of the top members is pivotally coupled with the two tubes.

10. The changing table of claim 8, wherein the frame comprises a front face comprising three top members and three bottom members and a back face comprising three top members and three bottom members, and wherein the front face and back face are coupled together on opposing ends with crisscrossing tubes such that a middle top and bottom member of the front face and a middle top and bottom member of the back face are not coupled with crisscrossing tubes.

11. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises at least one pocket or strap throughwhich a top member of the frame is inserted to secure the mat with respect to the frame.

12. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the mat further comprises a pair of straps placeable around the infant or child to secure the infant or child with respect to the mat.

13. The changing table of claim 1, wherein in the expanded state the supportive surface is between about 16 inches and about 24 inches above the ground.

14. The changing table of claim 1, wherein the frame is biased toward the expanded state when an infant or child is placed atop the mat.

15. A method for providing a changing table for supporting an infant or child, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of tubular members;

pivotally coupling each of the tubular members with at least one other tubular member to form a frame that is expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation; and

providing a mat configured to be detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for the infant or child.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the tubular members comprises a longitudinal length, and wherein each of the tubular members are coupled with another tubular member near a central portion of the longitudinal length and coupled at opposing ends with a respective top member and bottom member.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the changing table comprises six top members that are each coupled with two tubular members and also coupled with the mat, and wherein at least one of the top members is pivotally coupled with respective tubular members.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting at least one top member of the frame into a pocket or strap of the mat to couple the mat with the frame.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

placing a first strap over an infant or child placed atop the mat, the first strap being coupled near a first edge of the mat;

placing a second strap over the infant or child, the second strap being coupled near a second edge of the mat opposite the first edge; and

coupling the first strap with the second strap to secure the child to the mat.

20. A changing table for supporting an infant or child comprising:

a frame including a plurality of pivotally coupled crisscrossing tubes such that the frame is expandable between an expanded state for supporting the infant or child and a collapsed state for storage or transportation;

a mat detachably coupled with the frame to provide a supportive surface for an infant or child placed upon the mat, the supportive surface being elevated above the ground; and

a top sheet detachably coupled with the mat.