Patent Publication Number: US-2011067181-A1

Title: Baby changing table

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Since the advent of diapers, individuals charged with the care of infants and toddlers have been searching for the most convenient and safe method of changing them. Indeed, furniture designers have even adapted furniture specifically for this purpose. Such furniture, often referred to as baby changing tables, are typically dresser-like structures that have a work surface positioned at a height particularly suitable for placement of the baby in a comfortable position for the caregiver while changing a soiled diaper. They are particularly useful because they provide a centrally located and accessible storage area for items necessary to assist with the changing, such as spare diapers, wipes, and creams. Moreover, conventional baby changing tables are typically relatively long and narrow, such that the baby may be placed across the field of view of the caregiver, for example with the baby&#39;s head to the left and the feet to the right or vice versa. This allows the baby changing table to be located against a wall such that the caregiver can utilize the wall to help limit movement of the baby. 
     Some caregivers, however, find that placing the conventional baby changing table against the wall may be a detriment, as such placement only offers limited access to the side of the baby which is opposite the caregiver, as this side would be very closely adjacent to a wall. Moreover, many baby changing tables include a pedestal or raised portion, often including drawers, which further blocks access to the baby. 
     Because of the limited access associated with baby changing tables, caregivers may resort to changing diapers on a generally flat surface that is expansive, such as a bed or the floor. These types of expansive surfaces permit uninhibited 360° access to the baby, and make changing diapers much easier. However, there are drawbacks. 
     A first downside occurs when changing a diaper with the baby on the floor. In order to change a baby lying on the floor, a caregiver must lower his or herself to the level of the baby, often sitting directly with his or her buttocks on the floor or resting on his or her knees. Some caregivers simply cannot comfortably get into these positions, cannot comfortably remain in these positions long enough to change a diaper, or cannot repeatedly get into such positions throughout a long day of multiple diaper changes. For these individuals, changing a baby resting on the floor is unsuitable. 
     Instead, some caregivers resort to resting the baby on a bed. However, this presents its own set of drawbacks. For one, most beds are soft and as a caregiver sits adjacent to a baby, the baby tends to roll toward the depression caused by the caregiver. It does not take much imagination to understand why a rolling and soiled baby could be problematic. In addition, and in particular for very young infants, there are safety concerns associated with rolling. Moreover, many people spend considerable effort “making” their beds in the morning and prefer not to have to use the bed for changing a baby, as doing so leaves the bed looking less than presentable unless “re-made.” 
     It would therefore be advantageous to provide an apparatus and method for changing a baby&#39;s diaper that incorporates the benefits of a table, namely locating the baby at a convenient height, with the benefits of a floor or bed, namely near 360° access to the baby and soiled diaper. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention addresses these and other needs by providing a baby changing table that incorporates a moveable platform adapted to shift a baby from a conventional baby-changing first position to an accessible second position. Methods of changing a diaper associated with the baby changing table are also disclosed. 
     As with the conventional baby changing table, the first position is where the baby lays across the field of view of the caregiver, typically with the baby&#39;s head toward the left of the view and the baby&#39;s feet toward the right. The second position is (a) where the baby is rotated from approximately 45° to approximately −45° (and typically)90° from the first position, such that the feet of the baby generally face the caregiver and the head of the baby is generally away from the caregiver, (b) where the baby is shifted linearly toward the caregiver and away from the front surface of the baby changing table, or as in preferred embodiments, (c) both. 
     In accordance with such preferred embodiments, a baby changing table may comprise a base, a first platform rotatably associated with the base, the first platform configurable to a first position to support a baby where the baby lays across the field of view of a caregiver such that the head of the baby is toward one side of the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the other side of the caregiver. The first platform may be rotated to a second position whereby the head of the baby is generally away from the caregiver and the feet of the baby are toward the caregiver. 
     The first platform may be rotated approximately 90° from the first position to the second position. 
     The baby changing table may further comprise a turntable to facilitate the rotatable association of the first platform and the base. The turntable may also include detents to temporarily impede rotation at predetermined increments. 
     The baby changing table may further comprise a sliding mechanism, wherein the first platform may slide toward the caregiver. The baby changing table may also comprise a rotation mechanism to facilitate the rotatable association, wherein the sliding mechanism is independent of the rotation mechanism. 
     The baby changing table may further comprise a second platform associated with the base, the second platform is adapted to slide relative to the base, and the first platform is mounted to the second platform. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, a baby changing table may comprise a base, a first platform having a top surface and an underside, the underside slidingly engaged with the base, and a second platform having a second top surface and a second underside, the second underside rotatably engaged with the top surface of the first platform. In such case, the first platform may be slid relative to the base toward a caregiver and the second platform may be rotated relative to the fist platform such that a baby placed upon the second platform in a first position may be rotated to a second position. 
     The baby may lay across the field of view of a caregiver in the first position. The feet of the baby may face the caregiver in the second position. 
     The baby changing table may further comprise a slide mechanism between the base and the underside of the first platform. The slide mechanism may comprise an elongate first member and an elongate second member, the first member having a longitudinal detent and the second member having a finger adapted to fit within the longitudinal detent. 
     Where the baby changing table further comprises a slide mechanism between the base and the underside of the first platform, the slide mechanism may be a pair of slides. 
     The baby changing table may further comprise a rotation mechanism between the top surface of the first platform and the underside of the second platform. The rotation mechanism may be a turntable with ball bearings. 
     In a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of changing a diaper of a baby using a baby changing table having a base and a platform at least rotatable relative to the base. The method comprises resting the baby on the platform of the baby changing table such that the baby is positioned in a first position, rotating the platform relative to the base such that the baby is positioned in a second position, and changing the soiled diaper. 
     The method may further comprise rotating the platform back to the first position. 
     The method may further comprise sliding the platform toward the caregiver. 
     The baby may be oriented across the field of view of the caregiver in the first position. The baby may be oriented generally with its feet toward the caregiver in the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with the features, objects, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a frontal diagrammatic view of a baby changing table in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the baby changing table being arranged in a first condition; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top diagrammatic view of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a partially exploded diagrammatic view of portions of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a frontal enlarged diagrammatic view of a slide arrangement detail of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a top diagrammatic view of certain portions of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  depicts a top diagrammatic view of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1 , the baby changing table being arranged in a second condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the baby changing table and methods of changing a diaper with such table are disclosed below in accordance with the present invention. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, like reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a frontal diagrammatic view of a baby changing table in accordance with certain aspects of the invention, and shown in the first condition, the exemplary baby changing table  100  includes a base portion  102  and a pedestal portion  104 . In this particular instance, the pedestal portion  104  is positioned on the caregiver&#39;s right-hand side. However, the pedestal portion  104  may be configured in other locations, particularly the extreme left-hand side. Also in this instance the base portion includes three drawers,  106   a - c , although other configurations of drawers, openings, or simply a blank face may be provided. Lastly, the base  102  is elevated above the floor by feet, two of which are shown  108   a - b . Typically there will be four such feet. There may also be no feet provided. 
     The feet  108   a - b  and base  102  are preferably configured such that the base includes a top surface  110  which has a height H, typically between 30″ and 45″ above the floor surface. Optimally the height is approximately 33″ above the floor surface so as to place the baby to be changed at a comfortable level for a majority of potential caregivers, as is conventional. In certain embodiments, the feet may be replaceable with feet of different heights to provide a range of adjustment of the height H. Other adjustability mechanisms may also be provided. 
     The overall width of the base, W 1 , is typically between 45″ and 50″, again as is conventional. The width is governed typically by design considerations of placement within a room, transport of the base, and aesthetics, more than a strict requirement of the functional design. Particularly, so long as the width W 2  of the top surface  110  is approximately 32″ to 40″ to allow a baby to fit comfortably thereon with an orientation across the caregiver&#39;s field of view, the overall width W 1  is functionally sufficient. For completeness, it is noted that a preferred overall width W 1  is approximately 50″ and a preferred top surface width W 2  is approximately 34″. 
     The depth of the table  100 , D, is shown in  FIG. 2 , a top diagrammatical view of the baby changing table of  FIG. 1  shown in the first condition. As is conventional, the depth is preferably approximately 17″ with an acceptable range of between approximately 15″ and 20″. Like the W 2  dimension, the functional importance of depth D is that the baby fit comfortably on the top surface  110 . In this case, the design consideration is the width of the baby across the shoulders. Of course, overall aesthetics and other considerations may be factored in. 
     Moving back to  FIG. 1 , it is noted that there is also placed a first platform  112  and a second platform  114  upon top surface  110 . Although specific arrangements for the relationships will be discussed in greater detail below, it is noted herein that the first platform  112  is generally arranged to be slidable relative to top surface  110  and the second platform  114  is generally arranged to be rotatable with respect to the first platform. In this regard, the first platform  112  may slide toward the caregiver, so as to protrude beyond the front surface  116  of the table  100 . The second platform  114  may then rotate relative to the first platform  112 . Preferably, the platforms  112 ,  114  are of approximately equal size and are sized just smaller than the top surface  110  so as to maximize the area a baby may rest on. Of concern, however, is that the second platform  114  entirely clears the pedestal  104  upon rotation. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a partially exploded top diagrammatic view of the table of  FIG. 1 . In this view, the first platform is shown detached from the table&#39;s top surface  110 , and also flipped over to reveal the platform&#39;s underside  118 . Like in  FIG. 2 , the pedestal  104  of the table is visible. Next to the pedestal, and attached to top surface  110 , are a pair of spaced apart first slide portions  120   a - b  and a first stop member  122 . The first slide portions  120   a - b  are arranged in an elongate direction toward the caregiver while the stop member  122  is perpendicular thereto and situated between the first slide portions. On the underside  118  of the first platform  112  are corresponding second slide portions  124   a - b  and second stop member  126 , which also run parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the caregiver. It will be appreciated that the first slide portions  120   a - b  mate with the respective second slide portions  124   a - b  when the platform  112  is flipped into its finished orientation and associated with the top surface  110 . This enables the first platform  112  to slide relative to the top surface  110 , much like a drawer. 
     The stop members  122 ,  126  are provided to prevent the first platform  112  from sliding completely to a point where the first slide portions  120   a - b  and second slide portions  124   a - b , respectively, are no longer mated, which would result in the first platform  112  becoming detached from the top surface  110 . In this regard, the second stop member  126 , fixed to the underside  118  of the first platform  112 , will abut the first stop member  112 , fixed to the top surface  110  of the table  100 , when the first platform is slid toward the caregiver a prescribed distance. The amount of travel of the first platform  112  may vary depending on design considerations, but it is typical that the first platform extend such that approximately 10% to 70% of the first platform overhangs the front surface  116  of the table  100 , with 20% being typical. Other arrangements may also be provided in lieu of or in addition to the stop members. For example, a locking apparatus may be provided to lock the first platform  112  in any desired position between the extremes of its travel. 
     Such a locking mechanism may comprise platform screw lock  158 . The platform screw lock  158  may be comprised of an elongate bar  160  having an externally threaded first end  162  with a rubber bumper  164  at the extreme first end. The bar  160  may also have a handle  166  at the second end  168 , closest to the caregiver. The externally threaded first end  162  may be screwed into an internally threaded aperture  170  provided through a portion of the second slide  124   a . With such an arrangement, the handle  166  may be rotated to advance the rubber bumper  164  into frictional engagement with the first slide  120   a . This serves to prevent movement of the first slide  120   a  relative to the second slide  120   b , and thus prevents movement of the platform  112  relative to the base  102 . If movement is desired, the handle  166  may be rotated in the opposite direction to remove friction or completely separate the rubber bumper  164  from the first slide  120   a . Other arrangements may also be provided. For example, the second slide  124   a  may be provided with a spring loaded bar that may be engaged with any one of a series of apertures provided in the first slide  120   b . When movement is desired, the bar may be withdrawn from within the particular aperture it is in, the first platform  112  may be slide relative to the base  102 , and the spring loaded bar caused to return to a different aperture to thereby prevent further movement. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a frontal enlarged diagrammatic view of an exemplary slide arrangement detail. As shown and previously addressed, the first platform  112  is arranged upon the top surface  110  via slide members. In this regard, first slide portions  120   a - b  may be affixed to the top surface  110 . It will be appreciated that the first slide portions  120   a - b  may each include a pair of elongate depressions  126  running along the length of the first slide portions and which extend into the slide portions&#39; upstanding walls  128 . In the meantime, second slide members  124   a - b  may be affixed to the underside  118  of first platform  112 . The second slide members  124   a - b  may each be configured to include opposed fingers  130  sized and configured to fit snugly within the depressions  126 . When mated, the combination of fingers  130  and depressions  126  permit the first platform  112  to slide relative to the top surface  110  in a direction toward the caregiver and away from the caregiver, but not slide in the side-to-side direction or lift upwardly. Of course, other suitable configurations to achieve the same purpose may be provided in lieu of the particular arrangement described herein. Such arrangements include generally those which may be appropriate for sliding drawers, particularly heavy duty type drawers. These arrangements may also include more complex designs, such as those including ball-bearing slides. 
     As previously discussed, second platform  114  rotates relative to first platform  112 .  FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary arrangement to provide for such rotation, although other arrangements may also be effective. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the table  100  includes pedestal  104  and top surface  110 , as well as first platform  112  slidingly engaged with the top surface. 
     Mounted to the top surface  132  of the first platform  112  is a 360° turntable  134 . The mounting may be by fasteners, such as screws  140 , by adhesives, or by other means. Such turntables  134  are well known in the furniture making industry, and also may be referred to commonly by the nickname “lazy Susan.” Typically configured with ball bearings, the turntable  134  may include various detent stops to permit temporary fixing at intervals of rotation. In embodiments herein, such detents may be provided every 10°, 30°, or 45° of rotation. Other detent increments are also possible. Although other sizes may be suitable, it has been found that a standard 12″-diameter turntable  134  is suitable for use in the present invention. 
     Functionally, the turntable  134  includes a first portion  136  and a second portion  138 , which may rotate relative to the first portion. The first portion  136  of the turntable may therefore be fixedly engaged to the top surface  132  of the first platform  112 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , for example by screws  140 . The second portion  138  of the turntable  134  is fixedly engaged to the underside  142  of second platform  114  (see  FIG. 1 ), such that the second platform may rotate relative to the first platform  112  as the second portion  138  of the turntable  134  rotates relative to the first portion  136 . 
     A stop member  142  is optionally provided on the first platform  112  to prevent the second platform  114  from rotating past 90°, the position shown in  FIG. 6 . The stop member  142  operates by interfering with first platform  112  when second platform  114  rotates to the 90° position. Other configurations for stopping rotation may also be provided, or there may be no such arrangement. One such stop member may be a turntable screw lock  144 . The turntable screw lock  144  may be comprised of an elongate bar  146  having an externally threaded first end  148  with a rubber bumper  150  at the extreme first end. The bar may also have a handle  152  at the second end, closest to the caregiver. The externally threaded first end  148  may be screwed into an internally threaded aperture  154  provided through the first portion  136  of the turntable  134 . With such an arrangement, the handle  152  may be rotated to advance the rubber bumper  150  into frictional engagement with the second portion  138  of the turntable  134 . This serves to prevent rotation of the turntable  134 . If rotation is desired, the handle  152  may be rotated in the opposite direction to remove friction or completely separate the rubber bumper  150  from the second portion  138  of the turntable  134 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 6 , note is taken at the movement indications arrows A, B. Arrow A depicts the sliding movement direction of the first platform  112  utilized to move the first platform from the first position to the second position while arrow B depicts the rotation direction of the second platform  114  utilized to move the second platform from the first position the second position. To return the respective platforms,  112 ,  114 , one may more or rotate them in the opposite direction, as appropriate. 
     It will be appreciated that one effect of sliding the first platform  112  beyond the limits of the base  102  is that the center of gravity of the table  100 , particularly with a baby positioned on platform  114 , is shifted outward toward the caregiver. It is anticipated that the base  102  be designed from materials, such as wood, plastics, metals, or the like, that are sufficiently weighted to prevent the table  100  from tipping toward the caregiver. Although not typically necessary, if need be weight may be added in the lower rear region of the table to help ballast the weight of the sliding first platform  112 . 
     Although the table  100  has been shown and described with the first platform  112  sliding and the second platform  114  rotating, other arrangements are possible. For example, the first platform  112  could rotate and the second platform  114  could slide. Alternatively, only a single platform that slides, such as platform  112 , may be provided. In such case, there would be no rotation provided. Alternatively, the table may be provided with only a rotating platform where sliding would not be provided. 
     A single sliding platform may also be configured with an arrangement that permits both sliding and rotating, such that both functions may be achieved with a single platform. In such case it is anticipated that a single slide mechanism may be provided where the attachment of the slide mechanism to the platform also permits rotation. Alternatively, two slide mechanisms may be provided but the platform may be capable of detachment from one of the slide mechanisms to enable rotation around the other. 
     In essence, and as may be appreciated from the discussion herein, it is preferred that the table incorporate both sliding and rotating. However, either one may be the sole function provided. 
     One way to use the exemplary baby changing table, is for a caregiver to first rest the baby on platform  114 . In some embodiments, platform  114  may include padding, such as shaped padding that cradles the baby. The baby should be rested across the field of view of the caregiver with its head to one side and its feet to the other. The caregiver may then slide platform  112  relative to base  102  to draw the baby closer to the caregiver. The caregiver may then rotate platform  114  to orient the baby&#39;s feet and soiled buttocks toward the caregiver, whereafter the caregiver may change the soiled diaper. 
     In embodiments where the platforms are reversed in function, or where there is a single platform controlling the sliding and rotating function, or one of the two, the method may be adjusted accordingly to provide enhanced access to the baby and particularly to the soiled diaper. 
     It will also be appreciated that the platform, or platforms as the case may be, may be provided without the baby changing table base. In this regard, the platform(s) may be utilized with existing bases, such as a standard dresser, crib, portable play yards, and the like, buy having means for attaching the platform(s) thereto. Such means may include mechanical fixtures such as clamps or bolts, adhesives, or the like. Alternatively, the platform(s) may be configured to be sufficiently sturdy that such attachment means are unnecessary. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.