Restraint for changing an infant

A restraint for changing an infant (10) has a major band (20) and a restricting band (40). The ends of the major band (20) are adapted to wrap around a surface (11) upon which an infant (13) will be changed and connect to one another. A second band, a restricting band, (40) has two ends (41, 44) and attaches to the top surface of the major band (20). One end (41) of the restricting band (40) may be permanently affixed to the major band (20) while the second end, or free end, (44) of the restricting band (40) attaches to the major band (20) by means of a detachable fastener (46). The points of attachment of the restricting band (40) to the major band (20) define an infant securement area (30) which holds the infant (13) to be changed. Each end of the major band (20) may be split (22, 23) so as to accommodate obstructions associated with a changing surface (11) with which the restraint (10) will be used.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for restricting movement of an 
infant while the infant is being changed. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Infants generally are prone to quick, sudden squirmy movements while they 
are being changed. It is important in changing infants that movement of 
the infant be restricted so that diapers and clothing may be properly 
applied, so that medication may be properly applied and to prevent the 
infant from falling from the surface upon which it is being changed or 
otherwise become injured due to unexpected movements. It is particularly 
important that movement of an infant be restricted when the infant is 
being changed upon a changing table because changing tables are normally 
narrow and elevated well above the floor. An infant is very likely to be 
injured if it falls from a changing table. In restricting the movement of 
an infant during changing, if a restraining device is used, it is also 
important that the infant not be injured by the restraining device. 
Restricting movement while minimizing the chance for injury to an infant 
is a problem because infants are generally small and delicate. It is also 
desirable that the infant be kept as comfortable as possible during 
changing so that the infant's discomfort does not promote undesirable 
movement. Comfort is also desirable in the best interest of the child. 
Thus, it would be useful to have a device for restricting movement of an 
infant during changing that enhances the changing process, that minimizes 
the chance for injury to the infant and that maximizes comfort for the 
infant. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a means for restricting 
movement of an infant during changing. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for restricting 
movement of an infant during changing that enhances the changing process, 
that prevents the child for falling from the changing surface and that is 
comfortable for the infant. 
In the present invention, a restraint for changing an infant has a major 
band and a restricting band. The ends of the major band are adapted to 
wrap around a surface upon which an infant will be changed and connect to 
one another. A second band, a restricting band, has two ends and attaches 
to the top surface of the major band. One end of the restricting band may 
be permanently affixed to the major band while the second end of the 
restricting band attaches to the major band by means of a detachable 
fastener. The points of attachment of the restricting band to the major 
band define an infant securement area which holds the infant to be 
changed. Each end of the major band may be split so as to accommodate 
obstructions associated with a changing with which it will be used. 
Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention 
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed 
description of preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and 
distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the present 
invention, the invention will now be described with reference to the 
following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings the same numerals refer to 
like features. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention two bands form the essential 
components of a restraint for changing an infant. Referring first to FIG. 
1, therein is shown a restraint for changing an infant 10 according to a 
preferred embodiment of the invention. The restraint 10 has a major band 
20 which engages the surface upon which an infant 13 is changed. In the 
depiction of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the changing 
surface is a changing table 11. A second band, that is, the restricting 
band 40, is shown engaging the midsection of the infant 13. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, more details of the restraint 10 are illustrated. 
As previously mentioned, the main components of the restraint 10 are the 
major band 20 and the restricting band 40. The major band 20 attaches the 
restraint 10 to the changing table 11, and the restricting band 40 
immobilizes the infant 13. 
The width of the major band 20 and the restricting band 40 is important to 
obtain optimum results from the restraint 10. The width of the restricting 
band 40 must be sufficient to prevent the infant 13 from moving laterally 
on the changing surface and also to prevent the infant 13 from moving 
laterally in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. A wide restricting 
band 40 also helps prevent the infant 13 from easily turning over. 
However, if the width is too great too much of the infant is covered to 
facilitate changing. To allow access to the full trunk area and lower 
torso of the infant, the width of the restricting band 40 should be less 
than the length of the midsection of the infant 13. Additionally, if the 
width of the restricting band 40 is too great unnecessary materials are 
used to construct the restraint 10, unnecessarily increasing its cost. The 
restricting band 40 cannot be too narrow because it may be inefficient as 
far as restricting movement. A band which is too narrow is also likely to 
abrade the skin of the infant 13, pinch body parts or cause undue pressure 
to be placed upon body parts as the infant attempts to move. Although any 
width which adequately covers the midsection of the infant 13 while still 
allowing access for changing is sufficient, a suitable width is about six 
inches. 
The major band 20 must be wide enough to firmly encircle the changing 
surface, that is, changing table 11. The major band 20 must also be wide 
enough to provide adequate support for the attachment of the restricting 
band 40. Optimum support of the restricting band 40 is achieved when where 
it attaches to the major band 20 is at least as wide as the restricting 
band 40. If the area of attachment on the major band 20 is substantially 
less than the width of the restricting band 20, the major band 20 will be 
subject to greater torque or leverage by the restricting band 40 as the 
infant 13 attempts to move about. 
Although in FIG. 1 the changing surface is depicted as a changing table 11, 
the restraint 10 is adapted for use upon any structure which the major 
band 20 may encircle. For example, the major band 20 may be wrapped and 
secured around the thighs of a seated individual or a bench. 
The split ends, or appendages, 22, 23 of the major band 20 enable the 
restraint 10 to accommodate many variations in structure of changing 
surfaces because although the major band 20 itself is wide the joining 
ends 22, 23 are narrow enough to fit through small openings to pass under 
and through the supports of a changing surface. For example, although the 
changing table 11 depicted in FIG. 1 only has support legs at the corners, 
some changing tables have support legs at the center or at other points 
where it is desirable to pass the major band 20 under the changing 
surface. The split ends 22, 23 can easily be maneuvered to accommodate 
obstructions such as support legs. The ends 22, 23 of the major band 20 
are joined by any suitable adjustable means. A hook and loop type fastener 
such as Velcro.RTM. strips work well in the invention because such a 
fastener provides a means for rapid securement and infinite incremental 
adjustment. The Velcro strips 24 form a part of the hook and loop 
fastener. Corresponding Velcro strips 26 on the opposite end of the major 
band 20 are discussed further below. Referring now momentarily to the 
partial sectional view of FIG. 5, the major band 20 may be 5 constructed 
from combinations of many materials, however, a combination which works 
well in the preferred embodiment is a top surface 21 of fabric and a 
bottom surface 31 of fabric (not seen in the view of FIG. 2) which 
sandwiches between them a layer of padding 34 such as bonded polyester. 
The result is a major band 20 which is comfortably quilted. 
The restricting band 40 is essentially an elasticized belt-like portion 42 
with one end affixed to the major band and the other end, a free end 
attachable to the major band. In the preferred embodiment of the restraint 
10 illustrated, one end 41 of the restricting band 40 is shown permanently 
affixed to the major band 20 while the free end 44 is attachable to the 
major band 20 by Velcro material 46 which engages a corresponding portion 
of Velcro material 28 on the major band 20. The two pieces of Velcro 
material 28, 46 form a Velcro fastener. It is possible to have both ends 
attachable by fasteners but it is easier to secure an infant 13 when an 
attached end 41 is fixed in place and only a free end 44 need be secured. 
By placing the fastening portions 28, 46 so that the free end, or 
fastening end, 44 of the restricting band fastens to the side of an infant 
13 placed in the restraint 10, the attention of the infant 13 is not 
easily directed to the fastener and thus the infant 13 will not easily 
attempt to undue the fastening portion. As similarly mentioned in the 
description of a fastening mechanism for the major band 20, the use of a 
hook and loop fastener such as Velcro enables the restricting band 40 to 
be quickly attached to the major band 20 and adjusted in infinite 
increments. Referring now momentarily to the partial sectional view of 
FIG. 6, the restricting band 40 may be constructed from many combinations 
of materials, however, a combination which works well in the preferred 
embodiment of the restraint 10 is a top surface 48 of fabric and an 
under-surface 50 of fabric which sandwiches between them elastic strips 52 
of the type commonly used in clothing, a polyester inner liner 54 such as 
non-woven, fused fabric used in the clothing industry and a padding 
material 56 such as bonded polyester next to the outer layer of fabric, 48 
all of which generally run the length of the elasticized belt 42. The 
purpose of the elastic strips 52 is to produce elasticity in the 
restricting band 40 to help secure the infant 13. The polyester inner 
lining 54 provides reinforcement that helps alleviate bunching or 
widthwise deformation of the restricting band 40, particularly as the 
infant 13 attempts to move. The bonded polyester 56 is padding added for 
comfort. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, a plan view of the top surface of the restraint 
10, in addition to the features discussed immediately above, therein is 
illustrated a reinforcing strip 32 embedded widthwise in the major band 20 
adjacent each side of the restricting band 20. The reinforcing strips 32 
prevent widthwise deformation and bunching of the major band 20. A 
suitable material for the reinforcing strips 32 is known in the fabric 
industry as "boning." The Velcro material 24 on the split ends 22, or 
appendages, are located thereon to engage fasteners on the opposite end of 
the major band 20 of the restraint 10. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the view of the bottom surface 31 of major band 20 
shows the Velcro material 26 on the split ends 23 that connects with the 
corresponding Velcro material 24 on the top surface of the split ends 22 
at the opposing end of the major band 20. Single-fold or double-ply fabric 
is suitable for the surfaces 21, 31, 48, 50 of the respective bands 20, 
40. Adherence of the major band 20 with respect to a table 11 or other 
changing surface is desirable to prevent the major band 20 of the 
restraint 10 from slippling with respect to the table 11 when a child 13 
is being held by the restraint 10. Adherence, or non-slippage, may be 
achieved by providing an area on the bottom, or rear, surface 31 of the 
major band 20 that deters slippage of the major band 20 with respect to a 
changing surface 11 by gripping the changing surface 11. The gripping 
ability of the back 31 of the major band 20 may be achieved by providing 
areas which have raised or furrowed surfaces which are less likely to slip 
with respect to a surface which is engaged. Raised or furrowed areas are 
simply achieved by providing a surface having alternating raised or 
protruding areas extending from the surface. The bottom, or back, surface 
31 of the major band 20 has areas which enhance adherence of the major 
band 20 to the changing surface. Adherence is enhanced through the use of 
friction-enhancing material such as raised, ribbed, noduled or otherwise 
corrugated areas. These corrugated areas grip the changing surface upon 
which the major band 20 rests. A suitable material for the corrugated 
strips 36, 38 shown is vinyl-dotted fabric. Vinyl-dotted fabric 
essentially has rubberized dots, or nodules, protruding from fabric. The 
corrugated areas of protruding dots 36 near either end 22, 23 of the major 
band 20 help prevent sliding of the major band 20 with respect to the 
changing surface 11. The middle area of protruding dots 38 helps prevent 
slipping of the portion of the major band 20 under the infant 13. 
To use the restrain 10, the ends 22, 23 of the major band 20 are wrapped 
around the changing surface 11. If the changing surface has an 
obstruction, the split ends 24, 26 may be placed on either side of the 
obstruction or otherwise maneuvered around the obstruction. The major band 
20 is secured by joining Velcro material 24, 26 the ends 22, 23. The 
infant 13 is placed upon the major band 20 over the infant securement area 
30. The restricting band 40 is gently placed over the mid-section of the 
infant 13 and the restricting band 40 is secured by fastening Velcro 
material 46 at the free end 44 of the restricting band 40 to the Velcro 
material 28 on major band. 
The restraint 10 not only prevents an infant 13 from falling from the 
changing surface but also facilitates changing by restricting movement of 
the infant 13 due to the wide restricting band 40. The infant 13 generally 
cannot roll over or twist. The elasticity 42 employed in the restricting 
band 40 helps make the infant 13 more comfortable while its movement is 
restricted and also helps to firmly restrict the infant's 13 movements 
that might otherwise allow the infant 13 to remove itself from within the 
restricting band 40. 
As should be apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is 
susceptible of being modified with various alterations and modifications 
which may differ from those which have been described in the preceding 
specification and description. Accordingly, the following claims are 
intended to cover all alterations and modifications which do not depart 
from the spirit and scope of the invention.