Foldable Diaper Changing Station

Abstract

A foldable diaper changing station basically comprising a main frame, a substantially “π” shaped primary supporting assembly, a secondary supporting assembly, a substantially “” shaped restraint assembly, and a pad/membrane. The primary supporting assembly pivotally connects with the main frame at its feet and the secondary supporting assembly at a position on its legs. The restraint assembly connects with the primary or secondary supporting assembly in a way that enables it to rotate to and then stay at certain angles. A pad or membrane attaches to the main frame to form a supporting platform.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. provisional patent application with U.S. APPLICATION NUMBER of 61/833,711, filed on Jun. 11, 2013. The NAME OF APPLICANT is Chunguang Kong, the TITLE OF INVENTION is Foldable Diaper Changing Station. The current application is for the nonprovisional patent for the same invention.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable diaper changing station which provides a convenient means for changing diapers and related cleaning process.

Babies usually don't know how to co-operate during diaper changing. They will not lie on pads stilly, and particularly, they won't raise their legs to let their guardians or babysitters to do the cleaning work on them. Usual diaper changing pads/stations only restrain babies' bodies on pads but not support their legs. This invention provides a convenient means to restrain babies' body as well as support/restrain their legs during the diaper changing and cleaning process. It is also structurally simple and foldable and therefore easy to be carried.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is about a diaper changing station comprising a substantially flat main frame that has at least two opposite side frames with pluralities of connecting or fixing elements on each of them, two sets of supporting assemblies pivotally connected with each other and one of them pivotally connected with the main frame, a constraint assembly rotationally connected with the one of the supporting assemblies, a pad or membrane attached to the main frame to support the person who needs diaper changing, a safety belt attached on the main frame or the membrane/pad to restrain the person on the station and a packing belt to secure the station in unfolding status.

The primary supporting assembly has two opposite legs that connected by a beam at up ends. One or two rollers may rotationally attach on the beam. The secondary supporting assembly also has two opposite legs connected by a beam. A basically “” shaped restraint assembly connects the two legs of the primary or secondary supporting assembly and may rotate to and stay at several different positions. A pair of rollers may rotationally attach to the bottom beam of aforesaid restraint assembly. The primary and secondary supporting assemblies are pivotally connected together for moving between folding and unfolding positions. The primary supporting assemblies is also pivotally connected with the main frame by one pair of feet. In the folding position, the two supporting assemblies and the restrain assembly are folded towards the main frame to form a substantially flat structure, while in the unfolding position, all those components are unfolded away from each other and the bottom of the secondary supporting assembly is positioned on the connection/fixing elements on aforesaid side frames of the main frame to stabilize the unfolding structure.

A method has been developed for using this invention: first, the foldable diaper station may be adjusted according to the size of the person who needs diaper changing, including the connecting positions between different components and the length of the legs of the primary and secondary supporting assembly, if applicable, and then put on a safe surface in folding status. Next, the baby may be laid on the membrane/pad with his/her legs resting on the rollers (or beam if no roller attached) on the restraint assembly and the primary supporting assembly, with his/her body secured by the safety belt. After the diaper released, the restraint assembly may be rotated upwards to separate the legs of the baby on the station, and then the primary supporting assembly may be raised up and the bottom of the secondary supporting assembly may be positioned in the right connecting/fixing elements on the side frames of the main frame to stabilize the unfolding status. Now the legs of the baby have been raised and separated and the diaper changing and cleaning work can be conducted easily. After the changing and cleaning work completed, the aforesaid procedure may be reversed to release the baby from the foldable diaper changing station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be clear that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the description herein and it is also important to understand that the drawing, phraseology and terminology used herein is only for the purpose of description but not of limitation. Modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the following description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invention in unfolding status;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the invention in folding status;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the invention in unfolding status;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the invention in folding status;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section diagram illustrating the structure of the primary supporting assembly and its connection with the main frame;

FIG. 6 is a front (or back) view illustrating the structure of the restraint assembly and its connection with the primary supporting assembly;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of one connection element may be used for the connection of the restraint assembly and the primary assembly;

FIG. 8 is a front (or back) view illustrating the structure of the secondary supporting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the diaper changing station 10 generally comprises a main frame 100, a primary supporting assembly 200, a restraint assembly 300, a second supporting assembly 400 and a membrane/pad 500. The primary supporting assembly 200 pivotally connects with the side frame 110 of the main frame 100 by one pair of its ends. The restraint assembly 300 rotationally connects to the corresponding legs of the primary supporting assembly 200 by its bottom portion (in another embodiment of this design, the restraint assembly 300 rotationally connects to the corresponding legs of the secondary supporting assembly 400 by its bottom portion). The secondary supporting assembly 400 pivotally connects to the corresponding legs of the primary supporting assembly 200 by its up ends. The membrane/pad 500 attaches to the main frame 100 to form a supporting platform. A safety belt 510 attached on the membrane/pad 500 to help to restrain the person on the aforesaid membrane/pad 500. A packing belt 600 may also be included to connect the bottom of the main frame 100 and the beam of either primary supporting assembly 200 or the restraint assembly 300 in folding status to stabilize the compact structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the shape of the main frame 100 is preferably rectangular (FIG. 2), but can also be oval, triangle and other shapes, in which at least two opposite side beams 110 can be defined. At least one pivotal connection element 111 is mounted on each side frame 110, which connects with the primary supporting assembly 200 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The pivotal connection element 111 may be relocated on multi-positions on side frame 110. There are also plurality of reception elements 112 (a slot, for example) on each side beam 110 of the main frame 100 (FIGS. 3 and 4), which are able to hold the bottom of the secondary assembly 400 in unfolding status (FIG. 3). There may also be a holding element 113 on side frame 110 that can hold the legs of secondary supporting assembly 400 in folding status (FIGS. 3 and 4). In unfolding status, the primary supporting assembly 200, the restraint assembly 300, the secondary supporting assembly 400 and the side frame 110 of the main frame 100 form an extended structure with the bottom of the secondary supporting assembly 400 positioned in the reception elements 112 (FIG. 3). In folding status, the primary supporting assembly 200, the secondary supporting assembly 400, the restraint assembly 300 and the main frame 100 are roughly parallel to each other to form a compact structure (FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of one embodiment of the primary supporting assembly 200 and its connection with the aforesaid side frame 110. The primary supporting assembly 200 comprises two opposite legs 201 that have two segments 210 and 220 each. Segment 210 and segment 220 are sliding connected together. There are plurality of pinholes 211 and 221 on leg 210 and 220 so that the two parts can be fixed on each other by the fixing element, such as a pin 260, at different positions. One pair of ends of segments 210 pivotally connect with side beams 110 of the main frame via the pivotal connection element 111. One pair of ends of segments 220 are connected by the beam 230. One or two rollers 240 with soft surface rotationally attach to the beam 230. There may be a connection element 212 on each of either parts 210 or parts 220 for connection with the secondary supporting assembly. The primary supporting assembly 200 may also has a pair of connection elements 270 attached on its leg parts 210 or 220, which connect the restraint assembly. There may be multiple attaching positions for element 270 on parts 210 or 220 so that the restraint assembly can be connected at different positions. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top portion of leg 201 may be bent downwards to facilitate the diaper changing process and packing of this station. In alternative embodiments of this invention, each of the legs 201 of this first supporting assembly can be a single segmental structure, and/or the beam 230 together with the rollers 240 can be omitted (not shown in drawings).

Referring to FIG. 6, the frame of the restrain assembly 300 is a substantially “” shaped structure. It has a bottom beam 310, a central protruding portion 320 with certain width and height, and a pair of restraint side bars 330 connected on the bottom beam 310 at positions close to ends. A pair of rollers 340 with soft surface rotationally attach on or above the bottom beam 310 between the restraint side bar 330 and the central protruding portion 320. The size of the two concaves formed by the restraint side bar 330, the central protruding portion 320 and the roller 340 should be big enough to hold the leg of the person who needs diaper changing.

The restraint assembly 300 rotationally connects to the aforesaid primary supporting assembly 200 on its legs 201 through a specified connection element 270, which enable as well as restrain the rotation of the restraint assembly 300. Many mature designs can satisfy this requirement and FIG. 7 illustrates one suitable design for the aforesaid connection.

Now referring to FIG. 7, one embodiment of the element 270 mainly consists of two parts, the regular pivotal connection part 274 and the restraint part 271, which substantially formed by springs 273 and cushions 272. The connection portion of beam 310 has round axis portions that match to the aforesaid pivotal connection part 274, and hexagonal portions that match to the restraint part 271. Pivotal connection part 274 stand the weight comes from the restraint assembly 300 and enable its rotation, while the restraint part 271 enable the restraint assembly 300 to relatively stably stay at several positions.

The foldable diaper changing station further includes a belt 600 attached on the foot end of the main frame 100. It may tie or hook on beams of aforesaid supporting assemblies or restraint assembly to secure the folded structure of the invention.

For safety purpose, all ends, corners and hard portions of the aforesaid diaper changing station may be covered by soft materials. To further protect the person from hurting by the movement of assemblies, other protection means may be applies. In the embodiment of this invention showed in these drawings, the connection of leg 201 and side beam 110 was designed to accomplish via connection element 111, which raise the junction point to a certain height and also keep the leg 201 at a certain distance horizontally from the side beam 110 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5). In the case of the connection of leg 201 and leg 410 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 8), the element 212 lowers the junction point to a certain height but still keeps the secondary supporting assembly 400 a certain height above the side beam 110. The aforesaid heights and distances and the size of the aforesaid holding element 113 may be determined by the size of the person's arms, legs/feet as well as the size of related components in the real products of this invention to ensure that the person won't be hurt during the movement of the assemblies and when the assemblies are being laid down towards the main frame. The shape of the element 111 and 212 may also be designed not to form sharp angels with the legs of those assemblies during their movement, and the gap between two moving parts within this junction area should be small enough to keep person's fingers out. More over, it is preferable to position the holding element 113 out of the person's reach when he/she is in position on the pad/membrane 500. Other safety means may also be applied to this invention if necessary.

Claims

1. A foldable diaper changing station, comprising:

(a) a main frame for connecting and supporting other components, comprising at least two opposite side frames with pluralities of connecting and fixing elements, which may be positioned at different places on said side frames, or whose positions may be adjustable;

(b) a primary supporting assembly, basically comprising a pair of opposite legs with pluralities of connecting elements on and with one pair of ends pivotally connecting to said side frames of said main frame, and a beam connecting the other pair of ends of said legs;

(c) a secondary supporting assembly, basically comprising a pair of opposite legs with pluralities of connecting elements on and with one pair of ends pivotally connecting to said primary supporting assembly's corresponding legs, and a beam connecting the other pair of ends of said legs;

(d) a restraint assembly basically comprising a bottom beam, a protruding central portion on said bottom beam, and a pair of side bars at both end portions of said beam to form a substantially “” shaped structure, which may connect to plurality positions on said corresponding legs of said primary or secondary supporting assembly through its bottom portion, and which may rotate between at least two positions and also relatively stably stay at said positions;

(e) a pad or membrane attached to said main frame to support the person who needs diaper changing;

(f) a safety belt that may be fixed on said main frame/pad/membrane to restrain the person lying on said diaper changing station; and

(g) a packing belt that may be fixed on the foot end of said main frame by one end and hooked or tied on beams of said primary supporting assembly or said restraint assembly in folding status to stabilize the compact structure.

2. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1 may move between a folding position and a unfolding position: to move to said folding position, said primary supporting assembly and secondary supporting assembly are pivotally folded towards to each other and both assemblies are pivotally folded towards to said main frame to form a substantially flat structure, and then said restraint assembly is folded towards to said primary supporting assembly; to move to said unfolding position, said restraint assembly is unfolded away from said primary supporting assembly and then stay at desired position, then said primary supporting assembly and secondary supporting assembly are rotated away from said main frame and from each other, with the bottom of said secondary supporting assembly temporarily fixed on said main frame by said connecting/fixing elements to form a stable structure.

3. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1, wherein said legs of said primary and secondary supporting assemblies may adopt a single segmental structure as well as multiple segmental telescoping structures with fixing elements so that said legs can be extended to different length.

4. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1, wherein said beam on primary supporting assembly may be omitted.

5. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1, wherein said primary supporting assembly may also have one or two rollers rotationally attaching on said beam to act as a supporting means for person's legs/feet.

6. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1, wherein said restraint assembly may also have a pair of rollers rotationally attached to said bottom beam between said protruding central portion and said side bars or rotationally connected to a position above said bottom beam between said protruding central portion and said side bars.

7. The foldable diaper changing station of claim 1 may also have protection means to protect the person lying on it from hurting by the movement of said assemblies.

8. A method for changing diaper and/or cleaning process, comprising the following steps:

(a) Adjust said supporting and restraint assemblies' positions and/or length according to the size of the person who needs care and put said foldable diaper changing station into folding status;

(b) Laid the person on said station and put her/his legs on said rollers/beams on said supporting and restraint assemblies, tie said belt on and then loose the diaper;

(c) Pivotally push/pull said restraint assembly up to desired position, meanwhile keep the person's legs in different concaves, then pivotally raise said primary supporting assembly to desired position and put the bottom of said secondary supporting assembly in desired said connecting/fixing elements on said side frames of said main frame;

(d) Change diaper and clean;

(e) Reverse aforesaid procedure to release the person.