Patent Publication Number: US-8973757-B2

Title: Accessory container and changing table

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to baby diaper bags and, more particularly, to a baby accessory container for holding baby related supplies and that includes an integrated changing platform that may be selectively hung from a door or side panel of a bathroom door or stall panel. 
     Changing tables have become more common in public restrooms than in the past. For instance, a table top structure suitable for supporting a baby may be selectively folded down out of a wall or inside a stall for privacy. However, accessible changing tables are still not frequently found in the men&#39;s restroom of all public places and are certainly not frequently found outside of major retail stores. Therefore, a man or a woman seeking to change the diaper of a baby from a location not having a changing table faces the undesirable situation of having to lay the baby on the floor or upon some other surface unintended for that purpose. The floor is often the best option in that the caregiver needs both hands free to change the diaper and cannot use them to steady the child on an unstable surface or no surface at all. 
     Various devices have been proposed for supporting an infant while changing a diaper in contexts other than the comfort of a home environment, such as diaper changing pads or even portable privacy booths. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices still do not provide the convenience of hands free operation nor at a height that does not require the caregiver to bend over or kneel down. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have an accessory carrying apparatus, such as in the form of a diaper bag, having an integrated diaper changing framework that may be suspended from a traditional door or a restroom stall panel. Further, it would be desirable to have an accessory carrying apparatus that may be suspended from a door or panel, adjusted to a comfortable height above a floor surface, and deployed to support an infant during a diaper changing procedure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An accessory container for containing baby accessories and for changing a baby&#39;s diaper when in proximity to a door or bathroom stall according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a container member having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a front wall opposite the rear wall, and opposed side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The walls define an interior area. A divider panel is positioned in the interior area of the container member so as to divide the interior area into first and second chambers. The front wall is movable between a closed configuration preventing access to the second chamber and an open configuration allowing access to the second chamber. A length adjustable frame assembly is mounted in the second chamber and that is selectively movable between a stowed configuration contained in the second chamber and a deployed configuration extending away from the second chamber. A covering is mounted to the frame assembly configured to support a baby on the frame assembly. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a baby accessory container configured for carrying baby accessories and integrally including a diaper changing platform. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a baby accessory container, as aforesaid, having a hook member that is selectively extensible from the container member and configured to suspend the container from a traditional door or from a door or panel of a public bathroom stall. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a baby accessory container, as aforesaid, having a length adjustable frame assembly is movable between a retracted and stowed configuration in a chamber of the container and an extended configuration extending away from the container. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a baby accessory container, as aforesaid, having a safety belt connected to the extensible frame assembly (changing table) to prevent a baby from rolling off. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a baby accessory container, as aforesaid, that is easy and efficient to suspend from a door or bathroom stall and to deploy the changing table. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an accessory container with integrated changing table according a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in a stowed configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the accessory container shown in a deployed configuration and suspended from a door or restroom stall panel; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the accessory container shown in a partially deployed configuration and with the frame assembly covering removed; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the accessory container shown in a deployed configuration and removed from the door or restroom stall panel; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a front view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 6   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 6   b;    
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the accessory container with an alternative embodiment of the frame assembly and shown in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a front view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a sectional view taken along line  8   b - 8   b  of  FIG. 8   a;    
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the accessory container with an alternative embodiment of the frame assembly and shown in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 9  in a partially deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the accessory container with an alternative embodiment of the frame assembly and shown in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 12   a  is a front view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12   b  is a sectional view taken along line  12   b - 12   b  of  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 13   a  is a perspective view from an underneath angle of the accessory container of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 13   a;    
         FIG. 14   a  is perspective view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 11  shown in a partially deployed configuration; and 
         FIG. 14   b  is a perspective view of the accessory container as in  FIG. 14   a  shown in a fully deployed configuration. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A portable accessory container for carrying baby accessories and for use in changing a baby&#39;s diaper by suspending the bag from a door or bathroom stall will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 13   b  of the accompanying drawings. In one embodiment, the accessory container  10  includes a container member  20 , a length adjustable frame assembly  40 , and a hook member  60 . 
     The container member  20  may be a generally soft-sided bag constructed of flexible material although other firm panel type cases would also be suitable. As will be further described below, the container member  20  may include an open top  32  although closed top diaper bags may also work. More particularly, the container member  20  may include a bottom wall  22 , a rear wall  24 , a front wall  26  opposite the rear wall  24  and opposed side walls  30  extending between front and rear walls. The rear wall  24 , front wall  26 , and side walls  30  extend upwardly from the bottom wall  22  so as to define an open interior area. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, respective walls include upper edges that define an open top  32 . However, in one embodiment, the respective walls may converge at upper edges or may be connected by a lid or top wall so as to enclose the interior area. 
     A divider panel  34  may be positioned in the interior area and extend substantially completely between the bottom wall  22  and either the open top  32  or closed top. The divider panel  34  divides the interior area into a first chamber  36  and a second chamber  38 . As described below, the second chamber  38  is the open area situated between the divider panel  34  and the front wall  26 . As will be described in more detail below, the first chamber  36  is configured and intended to receive baby accessories such as diapers, wipes, toys, clothing, and the like in the manner of a traditional diaper bag. The second chamber  38 , by contrast, contains the frame assembly  40  at a stowed configuration, as will be discussed in more detail later, and includes a closed top. 
     The hook member  60  includes a proximal end  62  operatively coupled to a rear wall  24  of the container member  20 . The hook member  60  is movable between a retracted configuration positioned substantially within the first chamber  36  of the interior area ( FIG. 1 ) and an extended configuration positioned substantially outside the interior area ( FIG. 3 ). Further, the rear wall  24  may include a channel  25  having a hollow configuration that is oriented vertically and sized to selectively receive the hook member  60  therein. The hook member  60  is slidably movable within the channel  25  so as to move between the retracted and extended configurations discussed above. The hook member  60  may also have a length adjustable construction that includes a plurality of telescopic portions  66  ( FIG. 2 ). The hook member  60  includes a distal end  64  having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration complementary to the configuration of the top of a traditional door or to an upper edge of a bathroom stall door or panel. In use, the distal end  64  of the hook member  60  may be coupled to a door  12  or stall panel so as to suspend the container member  20  therefrom prior to deploying the frame assembly  40  for use as a changing table ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The front wall  26  is movable between a closed configuration that precludes access to the second chamber  38  ( FIG. 1 ) and an open configuration that allows access to the second chamber  38  ( FIG. 2 ). More particularly, a lower edge of the front wall  26  may be fixedly attached to the container member  20  proximate the bottom wall  22  and the side and upper edges of the front wall  26  preferably are releasably coupled with a zipper  28 . Accordingly, the front wall  26  is held at the closed configuration when the zipper  28  is actuated and the front wall  26  is at an open configuration when the zipper  28  is released. 
     The frame assembly  40  includes a first end  44  mounted in the second chamber  38  such that the entire frame assembly  40  is situated therein when at a stowed configuration ( FIG. 6   b ) and extends outwardly from the second chamber  38  at an extended configuration ( FIG. 2 ). One embodiment of the frame assembly  40  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  where it is shown partially extended from the second chamber  38 . The frame assembly  40  in this embodiment includes generally tubular frame members separated from one another and defining respective voids therebetween that may be spanned with a covering  70  as described below. More particularly, the frame assembly  40  includes at least a first section  42  and a second section  50 . For purposes of the illustrations, the first end  44  of the frame assembly  40  is also a first end of the first section  42 . The first section  42  includes a second end  46  opposite the first end  44 . The second section  50  includes a first end  52  pivotally coupled to the second end  46  of the first section  42 . The second section  50  may include a second end  54  opposite the first end  52 . In one embodiment, the frame assembly  40  may include a third section  56 . The third section  56  may include a first end  58  pivotally coupled to the second end  54  of the second section  50 . The third section  56  may then include a second end  59  that is a terminal or distal end of the frame assembly  40 . 
     As shown, the third section  56  may fold inwardly onto the second section  50  and both the second  50  and third  56  sections may fold inwardly onto the first section  42  when the frame assembly  40  is moved to the stowed configuration situated in the second chamber  38  ( FIG. 6   b ). The sections are folded outwardly when the frame assembly  40  is moved to the deployed configuration ( FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, each section may include tubular frame members as opposed to full panels ( FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, a covering  70  having a flexible configuration may be coupled to the frame members so as to form a basket or hammock style surface suitable to hold or envelop an infant positioned thereon. The covering  70  may be a mesh type material. When fully deployed ( FIG. 2 ), the covering  70  forms a generally planar surface on which to support an infant whose diaper is to be changed. The covering  70  may be removably coupled to the frame assembly  40  such as be snaps or other fasteners  71  ( FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b ). When removed from the frame assembly  40 , the covering  70  may be stowed in the second chamber  38  ( FIG. 6   b ). 
     In another embodiment, each section may include respective panels extending between respective sides thereof ( FIG. 7 ). These panels may include a padded construction. The sections are also pivotally coupled to one another and are, therefore, foldable in a manner substantially similar to that described above. A protective rail member  72  may be coupled and extend about a peripheral edge of the frame assembly  40 . The rail member  72  may extend upwardly so as to inhibit a baby from rolling or scooting off of the panels when deployed and, as a result, falling to the floor. 
     In one embodiment, at least one tether  74  may extend from the container member  20  to the furthest section of the frame assembly  40  ( FIG. 1 ). More particularly, the tether  74  may include one end coupled to a wall of the container member  20  and another end coupled to a second end  59  of the third section  56  of the frame assembly  40 . The tether  74 , when fully extended, maintains the frame assembly  40  at the fully extended configuration such that the panels or covering  70  provide a planar surface to support an infant thereon for a diaper change. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the first end  52  of the second section  50  is pivotally coupled to a first side edge  48  of the first section  42  of the frame assembly  40  while the first end  58  of the third section  56  is pivotally coupled to a second side edge  49  of the first section  42  of the frame assembly  40  ( FIG. 9 ). The second section  50  may be folded inwardly atop the first section  42  and the third section  56  may be folded atop the second section  50  at the stowed configuration ( FIG. 10 ). It can be seen that this embodiment causes the frame assembly  40  to foldout side-to-side (laterally) as opposed to end-to-end (longitudinally) and may maintain better balance or less torque on the hook member  60  as will be described later. 
     In yet another embodiment, the frame assembly  40  may include slidable sections. As best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , the frame assembly  40  may include a first section  80  that includes opposed first  82  and second  84  ends as described previously. A second section  88  includes a first end  90  slidably coupled to the second end  84  of the first section  80  such as with wheel and rail combinations  86 . The frame assembly  40  may include a third section  94  having a first end  96  slidably coupled to the second end  92  of the second section  88  such as with wheel and rail combinations  86  and a second end  98 . It is understood that respective sections are configured to move slidably inwardly and outwardly between the stowed and deployed configurations, respectively, as discussed above. 
     The accessory container  10  includes a safety belt  76  having opposed ends coupled to opposed sides of the frame assembly  40 , respectively ( FIG. 2 ). The safety belt  76  is configured to selectively secure an infant to a respective area of the frame assembly  40  while the infant&#39;s diaper is being changed, such as securing the infant to the covering  70  or to the panels, as the case may be. Preferably, the safety belt  76  is coupled to opposite sides of the second section  50  of the frame assembly  40  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In another aspect, the accessory container  10  may include a carrying strap  78  or handle having opposite ends coupled to upper ends of respective side walls  30  of the container member  20  ( FIG. 1 ). The strap  78  is configured to enable a user to carry the accessory container  10 , such as over the shoulder or in a user&#39;s hand. 
     In use, a user may choose a location at which to utilize the changing table frame assembly  40  of the accessory container  10  to change an infant&#39;s diaper. Specifically, the container member  10  may be suspended from a traditional door  12  or from the side panel of a public restroom stall ( FIG. 2 ). The hook member  60  may be slidably extended upwardly so as to adjust the height of the container member  20  as desired. The front wall  26  may be moved to its open configuration to provide access to the frame assembly  40  and the frame assembly  40  may be moved to the deployed configuration as described above ( FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, the covering  70  may be positioned across the frame assembly  40  and coupled thereto ( FIG. 13   a ). The frame assembly  40  is now configured as a changing table and is prepared to receive an infant in a supine position whereby to change the infant&#39;s diaper. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.