Abstract:
A portable, stable and rigid baby changing station which can be easily collapsed for storage or expanded for use and which can be safely and securely worn by a user, to form a firm bed for changing a baby when no other clean or useable surfaces are available.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention deals broadly with the field of baby changing stations. More specifically, it relates to a stable, portable platform which can be safely and securely worn by a user, which forms a firm bed for changing a baby when no other clean or useable surfaces are available. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Parents and caregivers of infants and young children that wear diapers are frequently obliged to perform diaper changes away from home. Although public restrooms are often the most convenient place to perform a diaper change, many bathrooms, particularly men&#39;s restrooms, do not provide a diaper changing station. Further, many public restrooms lack any diaper changing facilities and such public restrooms are frequently unkept and soiled or broken. 
         [0003]    As such, when a change of diaper for an infant is required, many parents and caregivers are presented with a dilemma. They may either change the diaper in public on any surface they may find adapted to the task, or to ensure the safety and privacy of their child, they may be forced to employ restroom counters or floors, in less than desirable conditions, to create improvised changing tables. 
         [0004]    U.S. publication 20100138995 of Smith teaches a door mountable infant change table. The device as taught by Smith is capable of engaging to a door such as that in a restroom stall and securely supporting a baby during a diaper change. However, the device as taught in Smith is unportable in a primary state of use. Further, the device is non-collapsible and therefor lacking in the ability for easy transportation and non-home use. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,335 of A. Gant attempts to improve upon the patent to Smith by teaching a collapsible and portable baby changing device which can be temporarily installed onto and hang from a bathroom door or stall divider. This device, however, can only fasten to doors or board structures with an accommodating and mating height and width. Consequently, as taught it could not, for example, be employed in many park restrooms with thick brick walls and dividers or in single-room restrooms without a divider or a gap above the door to engage. 
         [0006]    As such there is a current unmet need for a diaper changing table that is highly portable and extremely compact so as to provide a safe and sanitary surface for performing diaper changes on the go. Such a compact and secure diaper changing device should be configured for easy deployment and easy storage and and should be engageable to a support such as the user, and therefor not reliant on the specific geometry of restroom or private enclosure. 
         [0007]    Still further, such a portable baby changing station should be light in weight to easy transport by a user and should be composed of a durable material to allow for constant transport and usage without becoming easily damaged. Additionally, such a changing station device should easily contract to a very small linear configuration for storage and transport, but easily expand and ensure safety and comfort during use. 
         [0008]    The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable, rigid, portable baby changing station. 
         [0010]    It is an additional object of this invention to easily collapsible and expandible changing platform without the need of specialized or generic tools or fasteners. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a durable changing station which can be worn by the parent or caretaker who is changing the baby which does not have to adhere to any structure. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a means for a safe, collapsible and easily transportable baby changing table. The device is comprised of a platform assembly adapted for support on the body of a user. The device preferably includes a baby waist strap, to secure the baby during changing. Further, the device includes a user waist strap and user neck strap, which allow the user to securely wear the device during use with the weight of a child supported thereon. 
         [0014]    The platform assembly includes a collapsible platform frame, which is easily configurable from a collapsed and compact configuration, to a temporarily substantially rigid planar structure. The planar structure in a deployed configuration includes a fabric bed adapted to support a baby during use. 
         [0015]    The collapsible platform frame is easily configured between a collapsed configuration and deployed configuration through the inclusion of four pairs engaged male 90-degree hinge components and female 90-degree hinge components, and two pairs of operatively engaged male 180-degree hinge components and female 180-degree hinge components. Operatively engaged hinge pins engage the hinges which are engaged with two primary members and four secondary members forming the platform frame when deployed. 
         [0016]    The collapsible platform frame is assembled such that both ends of each primary member connect to a male 90-degree hinge component and so the distal end of each secondary member connects with a female 90-degree hinge component. 
         [0017]    The proximal end of both rightmost secondary members connects to a female 180-degree hinge components while the proximal end of both leftmost secondary members connects to a male 180-degree hinge components. 
         [0018]    A hinge pin constrains each set of hinges to move in only one rotational direction of freedom with respect to each other. One or more platform fasteners are additionally employed on each hinge for rigid connection with the primary and secondary members, the fabric bed, and the straps. 
         [0019]    The device is worn by looping the user neck strap over the head and around the neck of the user and tightening the waist strap about the abdomen or hip of the user. Once properly supported in front of the body of the user, the user then places the infant on a top surface of the collapsible platform. Thereafter the user may secure the baby in place with a provided baby waist strap. 
         [0020]    In an alternative method of device use, the user can first lay the baby onto the top surface of the deployed platform while it is supported on a surface. Thereafter they may employ the baby waist strap for safety prior to donning the device by placing the neck strap over their head and tightening the waist strap about their hip or midriff. 
         [0021]    In all modes of the device, to minimize the size of the device in a collapsed configuration, first and second folding stages are employed. This allows for an easy change of the device to a highly collapsed configuration which allows for easy transportation and storage in a minimal amount of shortage space. 
         [0022]    In moving the device from a deployed configuration of the platform, to the collapsed configuration, the user maneuvers the device into its first folding stage by rotating the leftmost primary member under the rightmost primary member, per the indicated arrow, which rotates both sets of engaged male and female 180-degree hinges about their respective hinge pin and folds the collapsible platform in half. 
         [0023]    In the second folding stage of the device which significantly reduces the volume and size of the device to the collapsed configuration, each set of 180-degree hinges and their respective engaged primary members are collapsed inward until they contact the primary or secondary members. 
         [0024]    In the preferred mode of the device operative engagement of the 180-degree hinges respectively, is provided by a hollow pin adapted to rotationally engage with a hollow socket are designed to accept the hinge pin. This results in a smooth rotation between both parts. 
         [0025]    The male and female 180-degree hinge components engaged to form hinges, additionally include a mating stop pin and stop slot respectively. These operated to prevent the hinges from rotating beyond a relative angle of 180 degrees. 
         [0026]    Both sets of 180-degree hinges should be installed within the collapsible platform frame, underneath the engaged fabric platform in a configuration to only fold downwards and away from the top of the fabric bed. This prevents the weight of the baby positioned upon the fabric platform from collapsing the device. 
         [0027]    The male and female 90-degree hinge components are operatively engaged using the same pin and hollow socket engagement as the 180-degree hinges. These 90-degree hinges however include a mating stop pin and stop slot which only allows the hinges to rotate up to a relative angle of 90 degrees. Finally, all hinges should contain a mating fastening feature to accommodate the platform fasteners and allow for permanent or temporary adhesion of the fabric bed and the rigidity of the collapsible platform frame. 
         [0028]    Although the orientation of the hinge installation in the first preferred mode of the device prevents the collapsible platform from folding under the weight of the baby, a second preferred mode of the device could contain a locking mechanism within the hinges or hinge pin for additional safety. 
         [0029]    Alternately designed or currently available hinges with only a fixed range of bidirectional rotation of 90 or 180 degrees, which do or do not contain a locking mechanism can be employed instead of the hinges or hinge pin described in the first preferred mode of the device herein. 
         [0030]    The mating fastening feature and platform fasteners within the hinges and platform frame assembly respectively can be any durable and permanent means of attachment including but not limited to: threaded fasteners, rivets, overmolding, bands, ties, buttons or pins. Further, the fabric platform may be sewn in a configuration to hold it operatively upon the formed frame. 
         [0031]    Additionally, each member and its respective fixed hinge component can be formed from as a single part. 
         [0032]    Alternatively, the fabric bed and the platform frame assembly can contain temporary fasteners to allow for easy cleaning, stowage and transportation. 
         [0033]    Additionally, the straps should contain tightening component to maintain a secure connection to the user and baby. Such a tightening component may include but should not limited to any of a group including, cinches, slides, straps, buckles, buttons, clasps, ties, elastics or bands. 
         [0034]    The hinges, hinge pins and operatively engaged members in the preferred mode of the device, are preferably formed from a durable water resistant material including but not limited to: plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber or other materials as would occur to those skilled in the art. 
         [0035]    With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The device herein described and disclosed in the various modes and combinations is also capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Any such alternative configuration as would occur to those skilled in the art is considered within the scope of this patent. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0036]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other portable, collapsible stands for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0037]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. In the drawings: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  depicts an front view of the device in a deployed configuration and operatively supported on the user. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  displays a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the deployed configuration of the collapsible platform having a fabric support thereon without the straps for clarity. 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  depicts an isometric view of the collapsible platform frame in the deployed configuration with the fabric support removed. 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of a first folded stage of the collapsible platform frame when reconfiguration from the deployed configuration of  FIG. 4  to the collapsed configuration of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  depicts an isometric view of the second folded stage of the collapsible platform frame whereby the frame is configured to a collapsed configuration. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7 . shows the male component for a 180 degree hinge per the preferred mode of the device. 
           [0045]      FIG. 8 . displays the female component for a 180 degree hinge per the preferred mode of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    Now referring to drawings in  FIGS. 1-8 , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1 , the device  10 , displayed in its deployed state, operatively supported upon the body of a user  12 . As depicted the device  10  includes all of the preferred components required for operation the device  10  in any of the preferred modes described herein, and is adapted to support an infant upon the deployed platform. 
         [0047]    The device  10 , per  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a platform assembly  16  which is adapted for support upon the body of the user with a baby or infant supported on a flexible textile or fabric bed  28 . A flexible member or waist strap  13  is engageable around the waist of a baby helps to support and maintain the baby  14  on the fabric bed  28  during use. Another flexible member or second waist strap  17  engages the body of the user and another flexible member in the form of a user neck strap  18 , both combine to adapt the device  10  for a hanging support upon the body of a user during use such as in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the device  10  in the deployed configuration forms the platform assembly  16 . This platform assembly  16  is comprised of a collapsible platform frame  16  which when the device is in the deployed configuration forms a temporarily rigid planar structure to support an engaged flexible fabric bed  28 . This fabric bed  28  so supported is adapted to support the baby  14  during use. The device  10  in the deployed configuration of  FIG. 3 , is collapsible to the collapsed configuration of  FIG. 6 , as described herein making it easily stored and transported. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 4  is shown the platform frame  16  which has a preferred configuration and positioning of engaged hinges enabling it to be moved to the collapsed position of  FIG. 6 . The platform frame  16  includes four 90-degree rotatable hinges or first hinges  15 , with one each positioned at each corner. The first hinges  15  are formed of pairs of first hinge components or male 90-degree hinges  20 , and second hinge components or female 90-degree hinges  22 , which are in operative rotational engagement to form each first hinge  15  which is configured to allow a 90 degree rotation of the first and second hinge components. 
         [0050]    Positioned at central positions on opposing sides of the platform frame  16 , are two 180-degree hinges or secondary hinges  17 . Each of these secondary hinges  17  are formed by first hinge components or male 180-degree hinges  24 , and second hinge components or female 180-degree hinges  26 , which are operatively engaged for rotation such as with hinge pins  30  or other means of engagement. The secondary hinges  17  rotate from the deployed configuration in  FIG. 4 , to a rotated position of  FIG. 5 , and are engaged to the platform frame  16  in a manner to preferably only rotate away from the fabric bed  28  situated above them such as shown in  FIG. 3 . This protects the device  10  from collapsing with an infant supported thereon. These secondary hinges  17  are configured for 180 degrees or relative rotation. 
         [0051]    Connecting each pair of first hinges  15  which are located at the corners of the platform frame  16 , are primary members  32 . One side of each first hinge  15  in each pair, is connected to one end of the primary members or members  32 . 
         [0052]    Connecting each pair of first hinges  15  to the opposing centrally located secondary hinges  17 , is a secondary member  34 . Each secondary member  34  is connected to one of first or second hinge component on a first hinge  15 , and to one of the first or second hinge components of a secondary hinge  17  on an opposite respective end. All connections of the primary members  32  and secondary members  34  to any of the first or secondary hinges may be accomplished with fasteners appropriate to the task. Such fasteners can be any from a group in including pins, screws, rods, adhesive, collared engagements, or other fasteners adapted to the task as would occur to those skilled in the art. 
         [0053]    The collapsible platform frame  16  is assembled such that both ends of each primary member  32  connect between two one end of opposing first hinges  15  located on two corners of the platform frame  16  at one end thereof. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 4  a hinge pin  30  may be employed to constrain the first and secondary hinge components, and constrain each of the hinges to move in only one rotational direction of freedom with respect to each other. The fabric bed  28  may be sewn with sleeves otherwise engaged to the collapsible platform  16  such as is done with a cot or awning. For example, one or more platform fasteners  36  may be included on one or both sides of each of the first and secondary hinges for connection with the primary and secondary members  32   34 , the fabric bed  28 , and the straps  17   18 . 
         [0055]    In operation in the deployed configuration of the device  10  as shown  1  and  2 , the device  10  is adapted for support on the body of the user by looping the user neck strap  18  around the neck, and tightening the waist strap  17  about their hip or midriff. The user  12  then places the baby  14  on top of the fabric bed engaged on the collapsible platform  16  and secures the baby in place with the baby waist strap  13 . 
         [0056]    In an alternative method of device  10  use, the user can first lay the baby  14  onto the collapsible platform frame assembly  16  and employ the baby waist strap  13  for safety before donning the device by placing the neck strap  18  over their head and tightening the waist strap  17  about their hip or midriff. 
         [0057]    As noted, the device  10  is moved from the deployed configuration using first and second folding stages enabled by the unique positioning of the hinges as displayed in  FIGS. 5 and 6  respectively. By positioning the secondary hinges  17  in opposing positions in a center of the platform and first hinges  15  at all corners, the device  10  is easily moved to the collapsed configuration of  FIG. 6  for easy transportation and storage. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the user  12  maneuvers the device  10  into its first folding stage by rotating the primary member  32  engaged on one end of the platform  16  to a position abutting and the primary member  32  connected between the first hinges  15  at the corners of the opposing side of the platform  16 , by rotating both secondary hinges  17  concurrently and thereby folding the collapsible platform  16  in equal halves. 
         [0059]    Shown in  FIG. 6 , is the collapsed configuration of the device  10  achieved in the second folding stage of the device  10 , wherein all four of the first hinges  15 , are concurrently rotated, thereby collapsing both of the secondary hinges  17  and their engaged respective primary members  34  inward until they abut each other and the primary members  32 , and where all of the primary members  32  and secondary members  34  have their respective axis running substantially parallel. By substantially parallel is meant that the axis of the primary members  32  and secondary members  34  are running along lines which are parallel or less than ten degrees off parallel, where the device  10  in the collapsed configuration of  FIG. 6 , is highly compact. 
         [0060]    Shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  display the preferred configuration of the first or male and second or female 180-degree hinge components shown as  24   26  respectively. As shown, a projection or male pin  48  and recess or female hollow socket  50 , are adapted to rotationally engaged and accept a hinge pin  30  to maintain operative engagement and allow for smooth rotation between both parts. 
         [0061]    The first or male, and second or female 180-degree hinge components  24 - 26 , preferably additionally include a rotation angle limiter formed by a mating stop pin  40  and stop slot  46  and stop  47 . As shown, this stop slot  46  engages with the translating stop pin  40  during rotation of the two hinge components. A stop  47  is positioned within the stop slot  46  to cease translation of the stop pin  40  within the stop slot  46  during rotation of the two hinge components and thereby prevent the hinges from rotating beyond a relative angle of 180 degrees. 
         [0062]    As noted, preferably both of the secondary hinges  17  should be installed onto the platform frame  16 , to fold only in a direction away from the planar fabric bed  28 . This configuration prevents the weight of the baby  14  from collapsing the device  10  during use. 
         [0063]    The male and female components of the first hinges  15  located at the corners of the platform frame  16  should preferably include the same projection or male pin  48  and a recess or female hollow socket  50 . Additionally they should preferably be configured with a mating stop pin  40  and stop slot  46  which has the stop  47  positioned to only allow the 90-degree hinges  15  to rotate up to a relative angle of 90 degrees. Of course the first hinges  15  are self restrained during use from over rotating by the engaged members and will work without inclusion of a rotation angle limiter, however inclusion of such a rotation limiting mechanism is preferred. 
         [0064]    Further, all first and secondary hinges in the device  10 , may include a mating fastener  42  to accommodate the platform fasteners  36  and allow for permanent or temporary engagement of the fabric bed  28  and the rigidity of the collapsible platform frame  16 . 
         [0065]    Although the orientation of the first hinges  15  and secondary hinges  17  in the first preferred mode of the device  10  prevents the collapsible platform  16  from folding under the weight of the baby  14 , a second preferred mode of the device  10 , could include a locking mechanism within the first hinges  15 , and secondary hinges  17 , or hinge pin  30  for additional safety. Such for example might include a spring loaded hinge pin  30  having a circumference edge on one end, which is adapted to engage both halves of the hinge unless disengaged by depressing the hinge pin  30 . 
         [0066]    Alternately designed or currently available hinges with only a fixed range of bidirectional rotation of 90 or 180 degrees, which do or do not contain a locking mechanism can be employed instead of the first hinges  15 , and secondary hinges  17 , or hinge pin  30  described in the first preferred mode of the device  10  herein. However the configuration herein of the first hinges  15  and secondary hinges  17  and their rotation limitations and engagement to members is preferred. 
         [0067]    The cooperative engagement between mating fasteners such as with the fastening feature  42  and platform fasteners  36  on the hinges  15  and  17 , and platform frame assembly  16  respectively can be any durable and permanent means of attachment including but not limited to those from a group including threadably engaged fasteners, rivets, over molding, bands, ties, buttons or pins. 
         [0068]    Additionally, each of the members  32  or  43  and its respective first hinge  15  or secondary hinge  17 , can be formed from as a single part. 
         [0069]    Alternatively, the fabric bed  28  and the platform frame assembly  16  can contain temporary fasteners to allow for easy cleaning, stowage and transportation. Such might include rings through grommets, sleeves on the fabric bed  28  engageable with the frame, or other means for removable engagement. 
         [0070]    Additionally, it is preferred that all of the flexible members forming the straps  13   17  and  18  should be adapted with a tightener to adjust and maintain a secure connection to the user  12  and to the baby  14 . Such tighteners can include one or a combination of tighteners from a group including cinches, slides, straps, buckles, buttons, clasps, ties, elastic and bands. All components of the first hinges  15  and secondary hinges  17  and hinge pins  30  and members  32  and  34  in the preferred mode of the device  10 , should be made from a durable water resistant material including but not limited to: plastic, metal, wood or carbon fiber. 
         [0071]    As noted, any of the different configurations and components can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
         [0072]    Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.