Patent Publication Number: US-8990967-B2

Title: Portable collapsible changing station

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is related in general to collapsible cubicle devices for providing privacy when changing clothes outdoors and in public. The invention lies in the field of portable enclosures for changing clothes and is directed to a device which may be opened and closed quickly for storage and transportation. It is more particularly directed to portable changing tent which may be opened and closed very quickly with no need for special skills or manual dexterity and which is sufficiently rigid for general use at beaches and other public places. 
     Many of the portable changing enclosures currently in the art are designed for changing in public in warm weather, are open on the bottom, and have a plurality of members which must be secured together with many fasteners requiring more time and dexterity to assemble. The use of neoprene rubber suits to sustain normal body temperature while submerged in cold water during water activities in cooler climates or during winter months is common, yet, there is no device that traps and recycles body heat released when a wetsuit is removed to protect a user from air and wind chill in low temperatures, or to provide a comfortable and safe surface upon which to stand while changing into and out of a wetsuit. 
     SUMMARY 
     The principal object of the invention is to provide a safe and comfortable surface and enclosure in which to change into and out of a wetsuit while preventing damage and soiling of sports gear, and that conveniently collapses into a carrying bag when zipped closed. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a temporary, wearable, and collapsible privacy shelter that provides thermal, wind, and rain protection in cold climates while changing in public. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a waterproof pocket inside of a pedestal to separate dry clothing from wet gear. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to make a temporary wearable privacy shelter which is detachable so that a pedestal portion may be used independently. 
     It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an enclosure that accommodates the physical movements required by a user to disrobe from a wetsuit. 
     In addition to the forgoing general description of the invention, another important objective of the invention is to create a range of sizes, each size large enough to allow a user to change freely and safely. 
     The forgoing objectives can be accomplished by providing a device that combines a triangular shaped pedestal consisting a durable rubber bottom, a side panel consisting of a thin structural material adding support sandwiched between a waterproof interior panel and a durable exterior fabric, and a triangular shaped waterproof fabric pocket separating wet and dry gear. 
     A waterproof abrasion resistant foam pad resting upon a pedestal adds comfort and protects gear, while a zipper along a top interior pedestal wall zips to a partially insulated enclosure that rests upon a users shoulders and conveniently collapses into a pedestal. A second zipper along the top exterior pedestal wall transforms the pedestal into a carrying bag when zipped closed, a shoulder belt fixed to one end of a carrying bag and attachable and detachable at a opposite end through a slider buckle. 
     One preferred embodiment is of non see-through, water resistant, translucent textile, which may be insulated, trapezoidal in shape, open at the top, with a draw cord insulated hood. The changing station rests upon a user&#39;s shoulders and is entered through a covered zippered opening running vertically down a front upper insulated panel, openings on either side of the enclosure are covered by wind flaps open on one side secured by hook and loop fastener. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the portable and collapsible changing station includes a collapsible enclosure having an open top adapted to surround a user&#39;s neck, and an open bottom having a circumference larger than the open top. The enclosure includes an opaque upper section and a translucent lower section and has a base corresponding in circumference to the open bottom, wherein the base is removably attachable to the lower section and folds to form a releasably sealable pocket structure adapted to contain the enclosure. 
     To provide a separation between wet sports gear and dry clothing, a lid is hingedly attached to the base and is adapted to cover the base, independent of the attachment between the open bottom and the base, and may be detachable. Preferably the lid has a closeable opening on both surfaces, allowing access to contents held behind the lid, and also includes a connector, allowing a user to releasably attach to a connector on the upper section, thereby forming a pocket which allows a user to reach clothing in the pocket. 
     The base may include a vertical wall extending upward from a pedestal for stability, and preferably includes a shoulder strap which extends from the base at one end. Preferably the shoulder strap is designed to releasably connect to the base at the other end, forming a wearable loop when the base is folded up, containing the enclosure and sports gear in an envelope-like carrying bag. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure includes arm openings on opposite sides of the upper section, allowing a user access to the exterior of the enclosure when worn. Sealable flaps may cover the arm openings when not in use. In addition to the arm openings, a slot extending downward from the open top, preferably including a fastening means such as a zipper, allows a user to open the enclosure, step into the base, and raise the enclosure around the user&#39;s body. 
     For cold climates, a hood may be included, adapted to engage the open top. Preferably the hood includes a draw cord, and may include a wind flap incorporated into a slot extending downward from the open top, to help seal the slot in windy conditions. 
     Another embodiment contemplates omitting the enclosing privacy screen altogether. In this embodiment, the privacy screen may be removed from the pedestal by a user, or omitted during manufacturing. In this embodiment, it is anticipated the pedestal or base will have a side wall and an open top, with the open top adapted to close along the top to form a carrying bag. In this embodiment, a single zipper or other attachment for closing the open top would be disposed along the top. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an axonometric projection of an enclosure attached to a closed base according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded axonometric projection of an enclosure detached from a pedestal base according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partial exploded axonometric projection of an enclosure and in its functional condition; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an axonometric projection of a collapsible enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an axonometric projection of a pedestal base transformed into a carrying bag according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a section detail of a pedestal base according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the functional condition of an enclosure as it interacts with the physical movements of a user according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the functional condition of a pedestal base according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES 
     
         
         
           
               1 . an enclosure 
               2 . a front wall 
               3 . a rear wall 
               4 . an open top 
               5 . an open bottom 
               6 . a closed base 
               7 . a pedestal or base 
               8 . a pedestal wall 
               9 . a flexible rubber pedestal base 
               10 . a lower front translucent panel of a translucent lower section 
               11 . a lower rear translucent panel of a translucent lower section 
               12 . an upper front insulated panel of an opaque upper section 
               13 . an upper rear insulated panel of an opaque upper section 
               14 . a front panel of a vertical wall 
               15 . a rear panel of a vertical wall 
               16 . an arm opening in panel seam 
               17 . open side of a wind flap 
               18 . a wind flap 
               19 . a draw cord insulated hood 
               20 . a foam rubber matt 
               21 . a durable exterior textile 
               22 . a waterproof interior textile 
               23 . a stiffening material 
               24 . a resealable pocket structure 
               25 . a top panel 
               26 . a bottom panel 
               27 . apex of a pocket 
               28 . a shoulder belt or strap 
               29 . a rubber material 
               30 . a textured bottom 
               31 . insulation 
               32 . a zipper 
               33 . a hook and loop fastener 
               34 . a slider buckle 
               35 . a slider clip 
               36 . an envelope-like carrying bag 
               37 . sewn stitch 
               38 . structural textile 
               39 . an interactive base 
               40 . a user 
               41 . a user&#39;s foot 
               42 . physical positions required in the art of changing out of a wetsuit.
           a. user balancing on leg inside embodiment of invention.   b. user inside embodiment of invention kicking opposite leg to release gear from lower leg.   c. user inside embodiment of invention releasing arms for safety and to exchange gear.   d. user kneeling safely inside pedestal upon foam rubber matt removing gear from foot.     
           
         
       
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principals of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , an enclosure  1  that may be portable and collapsible as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be of generally trapezoidal form having a front wall  2 , a rear wall  3 , an open top  4  with an attached draw cord insulated hood  19 , and a closed base  6 . A front wall  2  may be made of lightweight, non see through, water resistant textile cut into two panels; an upper front insulated panel  12  with a zippered opening  32 , which may be sewn  37  to a lower front translucent panel  10 , which may be sewn  37  to a rear wall  3 , which may be made of lightweight, non see through, water resistant textile cut into two panels; an upper rear insulated panel  13  which may be sewn  37  to a lower rear translucent panel  11 . 
     There may be an opening  16  between an upper front insulated panel  12 , and an upper rear insulated panel  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , over which may be a wind flap  18  which may be sewn  37  to an upper front insulated panel  12  on three sides and which may be open down a side  17  at rear of an enclosure  1  which may be closed by a hook and loop fastener  33 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there may be a zipper  32 , which may be sewn  37  to an upper front insulated panel  12 , which may be entered through a top opening  5 , which may be opened and closed from both inside and outside of an enclosure  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there may be a draw cord insulated hood  19  which may be sewn  37  to an open top  4 . Extending down from one side of a draw cord insulated hood  19  may be a wind flap  18  which may be sewn  37  to an upper front insulated panel  12  adjacent a zipper  32 , which may be opened and closed by a hook and loop fastener  33 , which may be sewn  37  adjacent open side of a wind flap  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there may be one half a one way separating zipper  32 , which may be sewn  37  inside along an open bottom  5  of an enclosure  1  which may be attached and detached from inside and outside of an enclosure  1 , to a remaining half of a one way separating zipper  32 , which may be sewn  37  inside along an open top  4  of a pedestal  7  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  6  and  8 , there may be a pedestal  7 , which may consist of a top opening  4 , a wall  8  cut into two panels; a front panel  14  and a rear panel  15 , which may be comprised of a durable exterior textile  21  and a durable waterproof interior textile  22  between which may be a stiffening material  23  which may be sewn  37  to a flexible rubber pedestal base  9 , having a textured bottom  30  upon which may be a waterproof, abrasion resistant, foam rubber matt  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there may be a zipper  32 , which may be sewn  37  outside along an open top  4  that when zipped closed may transform a pedestal  7  into a carrying bag  36 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  6  and  8  there may be a triangular shaped pocket  24 , which may consist of two light weight, waterproof, textile panels; a top panel  25 , and a bottom panel  26  which may be sewn  37  along outside edge, which may incorporate a zipper  32  which may be sewn  37  along a top panel  25  and a bottom panel  26 , which may consist of a slider buckle  34  sewn  37  to apex of the triangular shaped pocket  24 , which may be attached to a slider clip  35  sewn  37  inside an upper rear insulated panel  13 , which may be attached inside an open top  4  of a rear panel wall  15  by hook and loop fastener  33 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , there may be a shoulder belt  28  which may be comprised of two durable rubber panels; a top panel  25  and a bottom panel  26 , between which may be sewn  37  a structural textile  38  of which an end may be sewn  37  to a pedestal wall  8  and an opposite end which may consist of a slider buckle  34  attachable and detachable to a slider clip  35  which may be sewn  37  to a pedestal wall  8 . 
       FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  show embodiment of the invention interacting  39  with a users  40  physical movements  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c , &amp;  42   d  required to disrobe. 
       FIG. 8  shows a user  40  kneeling safely upon a padded triangular shaped pedestal  7  allowing the best possible leverage to release gear from foot  41 .