Abstract:
An improved infant changing board utilizes a shaped support board enclosed in a washable cover and a safety strap in order to provide a relatively rigid surface upon which a caregiver can place an infant in order to change his or her diaper. The infant changing board is shaped so as to fit within most infant carriers and can transition from a folded configuration to an expanded infant changing configuration. In the expanded infant changing configuration, the apparatus can be placed in a car carrier and rests in an approximately horizontal position, yet is securely braced within the carrier. In this configuration, the caregiver can place the infant on the changing board and have easy access to the diaper and the infant&#39;s groin area for changing. When not needed, the infant changing board can be folded and put away.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Design Application No. 29468333 entitled “INFANT CHANGING BOARD” and filed on Sep. 27, 2013, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of infant care, and more particularly to a universal, improved infant changing board that can be used with most infant carriers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The field of infant carriers for motor vehicles has changed dramatically over the years. Relatively recently, there has been a large push towards carriers that secure the infant via shoulder belts in addition to a lap belt/leg belts and groin belt. With wrap-around sides, multiple belts, and deep cushioning, changing a baby in such a carrier can be extremely difficult; what is needed is a rigid changing board that folds out of the way when not needed and yet can be expanded and placed in the carrier to facilitate changing the baby thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant changing board in an infant changing configuration; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a shaped support board component of an infant changing board in an expanded configuration; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a shaped support board component of an infant changing board in a folded configuration; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant changing board in an upright configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples. 
         [0009]    Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawings in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
         [0010]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant changing board  100  in an infant changing configuration. The infant changing board  100  is illustrated in position within an infant carrier/car seat  200 . There are many different varieties of infant carriers, and, to the extent possible, the infant changing board  100  is designed to fit universally within them. While in the infant changing configuration, the infant changing board  100  spans what is normally the lower seat portion of the carrier, effectively raising the infant  900  up and partially out of the carrier so that a caregiver can easily access the infant  900  and his or her diaper so it can be changed. The infant changing board  100  rests securely in the infant changing configuration so the caregiver has a sturdy work area without having to fear for the child under his or her care during the changing process. 
         [0011]    The infant changing board  100 , has a number of components which provide the improved functionality of the invention, including: a shaped support board  110 , a washable cover  120 , and an adjustment handle  150 . Additionally, an infant changing board  100  can also fold in half and be tucked out of the way when not in use. 
         [0012]    The shaped support board  110  is a generally flat board that is shaped so as to fit within a child carrier. It has special side cut-outs to allow direct access for the ubiquitous infant carrier shoulder straps to clear the shaped support board  110  and secure the infant  900  in the carrier  200 . Above and below the cut-outs, the shaped support board  110  flares outwards to provide extra support for the infant&#39;s  900  head and bottom, respectively. The shaped support board  110  can be made from plastic, metal, plywood, or any other sufficiently light and yet rigid material that will adequately support the infant 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the infant changing board  100  incorporates a plurality of hinges (see later FIGS.) so that the infant changing board  100  can be folded and tucked out of the way when it is not needed. The infant changing board  100  is designed to fold with or without the washable cover  120  attached. 
         [0014]    The washable cover  120  is shaped so as to fit over the shaped support board  110  and provide a more comfortable, and multi-function surface than that provided by the shaped support board  110  itself. The cover  120  can include a pattern, design, color(s), etc. on its surface for aesthetics. Additionally, the washable cover  120  is easily removed and reattached to allow it to be quickly washed as needed. The cover can incorporate padding or other similar cushioning material so that the infant isn&#39;t resting directly against a rigid surface. The washable cover  120  further cushions the corners and edges of the shaped support board  110  in order to keep the infant safe. As the shaped support board  110  is relatively rigid, the washable cover  120  should be made from relatively stretchy material(s) so that it can be slipped on and off the shaped support board  110 . In one embodiment, an access port extends down the back of the washable cover  120 , to the rear of the infant changing board  100 . In this embodiment, the access port can be opened and the shaped support board  110  can be easily extracted therethrough. Alternatively, an access port can be incorporated in the side of the washable cover  120  which would then be shut via a zipper, snaps, hook and loop material, or some other securing means. In yet another embodiment, the access port can be on the top surface of the washable cover  120 . 
         [0015]    Extending from the bottom of the washable cover  120  is an adjustment handle  150 . The adjustment handle  150  comprises a strap or similar device which extends out from the cover and provides the caregiver with a means of adjusting the position of the infant changing board  100 . The adjustment handle  150  can also be used to secure the infant changing board  100  in location when needed. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a shaped support board component of an infant changing board  100  in an expanded configuration. The infant changing board  100  is displayed with the washable cover  120  removed so as to better illustrate the shaped support board  110  portion. The shaped support board  110  is configured with an infant support head board  112  and an infant support bottom board  114 . The head and bottom boards  112  and  114  are attached to one another at a hinge area  300 . The hinge area comprises a plurality of hinges  310  attached to both the infant support head board  112  and the infant support bottom board  114 . When the two boards  112  and  114  are expanded, they stretch outwards from one another in the same plane. See  FIG. 3  for a view of the boards in a folded configuration. The hinges  310  hold the two boards  112  and  114  securely in position against one another to form a single support surface that can easily support an infant during a changing procedure. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a shaped support board  110  component of an infant changing board in a partially folded configuration. The infant changing board  100  is displayed with the washable cover  120  removed so as to better illustrate the shaped support board  110  portion. The shaped support board  110  is configured with an infant support head board  112  and an infant support bottom board  114 . The head and bottom boards  112  and  114  are attached to one another at a hinge area  300 . The hinge area comprises a plurality of hinges  310  attached to both the infant support head board  112  and the infant support bottom board  114 . When the two boards  112  and  114  are folded, they collapse towards one another. See  FIG. 2  for a view of the boards in an expanded configuration. The infant changing board  100  can be folded with or without the washable cover  120  in place. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant changing board  100  in an upright configuration. The infant changing board  100  is shown outside of the infant carrier in  FIG. 4 . The washable cover  120  is visible in  FIG. 4  as is the adjustment handle  150 . It is important to note the clipped lower corners of the infant changing board visible in  FIG. 4 . The cover  120  and, inside thereof, the shaped support board  110  are clipped and rounded on the outside corners to allow the infant changing board  100  to slide in and out of the carrier easily, not getting tangled in the harness straps that feed up through the bottom of the carriers, where the harness straps buckle into a center point between the infant&#39;s legs. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the washable cover  120  has an access port  122  running down the bottom side of the infant changing board  100 . There is a plurality of washable cover closures  124  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the closures  124  are illustrated as snaps, in other embodiments, other closure devices are contemplates such as zippers, magnets, buttons, hook-and-loop material, etc. 
         [0020]    While particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in the present application, it is clear that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0021]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter. 
         [0022]    The above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0023]    Any patents, applications and other references that may be listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
         [0024]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0025]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
         [0026]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.