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

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a portable apparatus for changing the diapers or other soiled clothing items of an infant or toddler.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     During traveling, the inventor of the present invention found that some restaurant and clothing store restrooms did not have changing tables. The inventor was inconvenienced by this and realized that a person in need of a changing table was forced to either stoop down on the floor and lay their child across their lap or lay their child on a countertop. However, neither of these surfaces is satisfactory for hygienic reasons and also for the comfort of the child.  
         [0003]     In the conventional portable baby changing apparatuses, the surface on which the child is to be laid is rigid, which is uncomfortable for the child. These surfaces are also of a material that is designed to be substantially impenetrable to whatever fluids may be discharged thereon.  
         [0004]     A problem with such a surface is that it is difficult to clean and the material used for these surfaces is often very dense, which makes tables of this type relatively heavy.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An object of the invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, or alleviate the shortcomings of the prior art at least in part.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to have a simple changing table that is easy to transport and that is more hygienic than the prior art changing tables.  
         [0007]     Yet another object of the invention is for the invention to take the place of a person having to fashion a changing table using their lap, non-sterile counter, or the uncomfortable quarters of a car. This table can be used on any sturdy structure, including the floor, and easily stored in a baby&#39;s diaper bag. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view showing a first embodiment of a changing table of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the first embodiment;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view with the changing table of  FIG. 1  having a work surface attached thereto;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is and end view of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is side view with the table folded onto itself. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]      FIGS. 1-6  show a table  10  having first and second frames  15 ,  20 . The term “frame” as used in the invention is “an open structure for encasing or bordering”.  
         [0016]     The frame can be made from aluminum or any other metal, wood or plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene, but is not limited to the type of material and any substantially rigid material could be used.  
         [0017]     The first frame  15  has first and second sides  16 ,  17  and first and second ends  18 ,  19 . The second frame  20  has first and second sides  21 ,  22  and first and second ends  23 ,  24 . In an open, ready for use embodiment, the table is between about 25 and 35 inches long, preferably about 29 inches long. In addition, the table is between about 12 and 20 inches wide, preferably about 15 inches wide and between about 5 and 20 inches high, preferably between about 7 and 12 inches high and more preferably about 7 inches high in an embodiment with legs unfolded.  
         [0018]     In a preferred embodiment, the first and second frames  15 ,  20  are pivotally connected to each other. The connection may be a hinge  25  as seen in  FIG. 2  or any other hinge structure that allows the first frame to be pivotally connected to the second frame.  
         [0019]     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a textile layer  30  is connectable to the first side  16  of the first frame  15  and the first side  21  of the second frame  20 . The textile layer  30  extends over the frame and is then connectable to the second side  17  of the first frame  15  and the second side  22  of the second frame  20  as a work surface of the table  10 . The textile layer  30  is any machine washable fabric that is formed by weaving, felting, knitting, crocheting, or otherwise manufacturing natural or synthetic fibers, including but not limited to cotton, linen, polyester, rayon, silk or any combination of these or other known textile materials.  
         [0020]     A machine washable support  32  may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the textile layer. The support  32  may also be a textile layer and is preferably a sufficient thickness or a semi-rigid material that has sufficient rigidity to support the baby, while still being substantially flexible. The terms “baby” and “infant” are used through the specification and are not limited to any particular age of child and include any age child that is still in diapers or needs soiled clothing changed by a parent or other person.  
         [0021]     In the presently preferred embodiment, the textile layer  30  and/or support  32  is releasably connected to the frames  15 ,  20  in any know manner including snaps, buttons, double-sided tape or by rings that connect to hooks on the frames. Preferably, the connection is made using hook and loop type fasteners. The textile layer  30  and/or support extends over an entirety or substantially an entirety of the top surface of the frames  15 ,  20 .  
         [0022]     In the presently preferred embodiment as seen in  FIG. 4 , the table  10  includes legs  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55  that are detachable from the frames  15 ,  20 . Leg  40  connects to the first end  17  of the first frame  15  and leg  45  connects to the second end  18  of the first frame  15 . Leg  50  connects to the first end  23  of the second frame  20  and leg  55  connects to the second end  24  of the second frame  20 .  
         [0023]     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the legs  40 ,  45 ,  50 ,  55  each comprise two leg portions that are pivotally connected to each other, but a single leg portion is contemplated by the invention. Leg  40  comprises leg portions  41  and  42 . Leg  45  comprises leg portions  46  and  47 . Leg  50  comprises leg portions  51  and  52 . Leg  55  comprises leg portions  56  and  57 . In a preferred embodiment, the respective leg portions  41 ,  42 ;  46 ,  47 ;  51 ,  52 ;  56 ,  57  are connected at their midpoints. The legs are movable between a folded position as seen in  FIG. 1  to an unfolded position as seen in  FIG. 4   
         [0024]     In use, the table  10  is foldable from a first, open position where the first ends of the frames are contacting each other and the frames are coplanar, as seen in  FIG. 1 , to a second, closed position wherein substantially an entirety of each of the frames are contacting each other, as seen in  FIG. 6 . To move from the open to the closed position, the unhinged ends (second ends) of the frames are rotated towards each other until they are touching.  
         [0025]     In a preferred embodiment, the legs will fold up and be within the boundary of the frames  15 ,  20  so the table can fit across a sink or other raised surface that does not require the legs. A locking device  60  may be used to allow the legs to lock in place. The same locking device  60  may be used to lock the legs in the folded or unfolded positions and may be a pin or peg as seen in  FIG. 2  that goes through openings (unnumbered in  FIG. 5 ) in the legs and into aligned openings (unnumbered in  FIG. 5 ) on the side of the frame. A chain may be connected to the pin to prevent the pin from being lost. The locking device may also be a pivot-type locking device connected to one leg portion and that attaches to or presses against another leg portion of a leg or any other mechanical means for locking the legs in either a folded or unfolded position including, but not limited to, the legs remaining in place due to friction between the legs and/or an interference fit between the ends of the legs and the inside walls of the frame.  
         [0026]     In conjunction with the table, the present invention also contemplates a cover that may be used to store the table when the table is not in use. In addition, straps and handles can be placed on the table and/or the cover for convenient and easy carrying.  
         [0027]     While the present invention has been described in connection with various preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that those embodiments are provided merely to illustrate the invention, and should not be used as a pretext to limit the scope of protection conferred by the true scope and spirit of the appended claims.