Abstract:
An apparatus for administrating infant care comprised of three flat members that create a rigid and lightweight surface sized to properly support an infant. The three flat members are connected to each other in a way that allows the three flat members to be stored inside each other reducing the size of the apparatus for storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for assisting with the various tasks of infant care wherein a portable surface would make said tasks easier to perform. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus that is rigid and lightweight having a design that allows said apparatus to be utilized, stored and transported without sacrificing durability, safety and ease of use. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There is an ever increasing need for a means by which childcare can be administered in remote or mobile situations absent designated locations and complicated devices. Currently there are three types of apparatus that can assist caregivers in the administration of such care to infants. There are stationary inventions specifically designed for administering care to infants at designated locations, such as bathrooms or playpens. There are also portable inventions designed for other purposes that some try to use when administering childcare such as pads and pillows. Finally, there are portable inventions designed for the administration of childcare. 
     Considering the aforementioned types of inventions various background art and the following patents were considered: U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,434 issued to Spies in 1973, U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,258 issued to Eves in 1987 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,973 issued to Berhman in 1989. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,434 issued to Spies in 1973 is an infant changing board. Spies allows for storage and portability in a traditional and common folding mechanism. Spies claims two rigid boards hinged together with fabric or a soft piece of material. This hinge mechanism while functional reduces the durability of the invention. In addition as claimed, Spies does not prevent the invention from opening along the hinged section and subsequently closing while the infant is placed on the board. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,258 issued to Eves in 1987 is a baby changing mat. Eves claims a baby changing mat that is flexible except along a middle stabilized section and as discussed in the issued patent is intended to be used on a substantially rigid horizontal surface that can support the infant. As claimed, in order for Eves to provide a rigid surface suitable for administering childcare it must be used in conjunction with a rigid surface. Eves does include a means for storage wherein the invention is folded along an axis creating a bag, but again this is accomplished using hinges as well as the use of straps and handles for carrying. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,973 issued to Berhman in 1989 is an infant changing board designed to be used in conjunction with an infant carrier. As claimed this invention requires the infant carrier (car seat) to provide the foundation by which the changing board is supported. Similarly to the other inventions, storage requires folding allowed by the inclusion of hinges and flaps. 
     In addition where Spies, Eves and Berhman teach that the use of straps to secure the infant to the respective inventions for safety the current invention goes against this teaching and does not include straps for safety. Taking into consideration the mobile nature and varied situations where this invention will be used it is in the best interest of the caregiver to be able to remove the child from the board quickly. An emergency situation requiring the caregiver to pick up or move the infant would be hindered if the infant were to be attached to a planar element at least as long as the child itself. 
     It is not in the scope of the background art to have an embodiment that can be stored and easily transported without the need for hinges, flaps or folding parts. None of which the present invention require or claim. Considering the need for an apparatus that is functionally independent, lightweight, easily concealed, easily accessible and safe, this inventor has created an apparatus that provides all of these attributes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus for administering care to an infant that is portable, easily accessible and safe. While ultimately comprised of two or more pieces the present invention functions as a single unit requiring no assembly. From its stored embodiment the present invention requires one step to reveal and create a surface that is rigid, sanitary and suitable for administering care to an infant, absent latches, hinges or removable parts. This invention allows for rapid utilization, as the administration of childcare often requires. 
     Containing no folding parts or hinges to wear out the current invention has increased structural integrity and durability over the background art. A further benefit of the current invention is that the method of collapsing the device can reduce the invention to half its size for easy storage and transport without sacrificing safety or ease of use. 
     In one embodiment the invention is comprised of three planar members that are joined together in a manner that allows them to form a single rigid surface for the administration of childcare. 
     As it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus that is portable and easily accessible the manner of connection allows the three planar members to be stored inside each other. The resulting stored invention is approximately one third of the size of the invention in the administration position, thereby allowing for easy storage and portability. 
     In other embodiments the tops of the three rectangular members can be individually lightly padded and/or contoured to create a more natural environment for the infant as opposed to a completely flat surface. Optionally all three rectangular members can be covered by a contoured pad. 
     Preferred embodiments of the apparatus are formed from a rigid, lightweight plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, other materials, such as metal, alloys, wood or composites materials may be used. 
     Other objects and advantages besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those experienced in the art from the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate one example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various alternative forms of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures. The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in accordance with a first embodiment; 
     FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front side anterior head-on view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a back side anterior head-on view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a top perspective view showing the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 after the inner planar member has been collapsed inside the hollow middle planar member, which in turn is collapsed inside the hollow outer planar member reducing the invention to its stored embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 after the inner planar member has been collapsed inside the hollow middle planar member, which in turn is collapsed inside the hollow outer planar member reducing the invention to its stored embodiment; 
     FIG. 8 is a front side anterior head-on view showing the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 after the inner planar member has been collapsed inside the hollow middle planar member, which in turn is collapsed inside the hollow outer planar member reducing the invention to its stored embodiment; 
     FIG. 9 is a back side anterior head-on view showing the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 after the inner planar member has been collapsed inside the hollow middle planar member, which in turn is collapsed inside the hollow outer planar member reducing the invention to its stored embodiment; 
     FIG. 10 is a view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a simulated infant resting on the invention to illustrate an envisioned use of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a view of the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 held in a hand to illustrate portability. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the drawings for the purposes of illustration the invention is embodied in an apparatus that creates a surface to aid a standard caregiver in the administration of care to an infant. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is adapted to enable the caregiver to change an infant in their lap. However it will be recognized that further embodiments may be used to allow the caregiver to administer care on various surfaces and in various situations. The apparatus may also be designed from as few as two rectangular members or more than three rectangular members so that it may be collapsible to varied sizes allowing for different degrees of mobility and storage. 
     The apparatus consists of an inner planar member  10 , a hollow middle planar member  20  and a hollow outer planar member  30 . The inner planar member  10  has a front border  40 , a back border  50  and a left border  60 . The outer face  41  of the front border  40  of the inner planar member  10  has a front tab  44 . The outer face  51  of the back border  50  of the inner planar member  10  has a back tab  54 . The hollow middle planar member  20  has a front border  70  and a back border  80 . The outer face  71  of the front border  70  of the hollow middle planar member  20  has an oval cutout  76 , and a front tab  74 . The outer face  81  of the back border  80  of the hollow middle planar member  20  has an oval cutout  86 , and a back tab  84 . The hollow outer planar member  30  has a front border  90 , a back border  100  and a right border  110 . The outer face  91  of the front border  90  of the hollow outer planar element  30  has an oval cutout  96 . The outer face  101  of the back border  100  of the hollow outer planar member  30  has an oval cutout  106 . 
     The apparatus provides a surface for the caregiver to administer care by connecting the inner planar member  10 , the hollow middle planar member  20  and the hollow outer planar member  30  in the following manner: the right edge  13  of the inner planar member  10  fits inside the left edge  24  of the hollow middle planar member  20 , the front tab  44  of the inner planar member  10  fits inside the oval cutout  76  of the outer face  71  of the front border  70  of the hollow middle planar member  20  and the back tab  54  of the inner planar member  10  fits inside the oval cutout  86  of the outer face  81  of the back border  80  of the hollow middle planar member  20 . The right edge  23  of the hollow middle planar member  20  fits inside the left edge  34  of the hollow planar outer member  30 , the front tab  74  of the hollow middle planar member  20  fits inside the oval cutout  96  of the outer face  91  of the front border  90  of the hollow outer planar member  30  and the back tab  84  of the hollow middle planar member  20  fits inside the oval cutout  106  of the outer face  101  of the back border  100  of the hollow outer planar member  30 . 
     The aforementioned method of connecting the inner planar element  10 , the hollow middle planar element  20  and the hollow outer planar element  30  allows the inner planar element  10  to be pushed inside the hollow middle planar element  20  and consequently the inner planar element  10  pushed inside the hollow middle planar element  20 , can be pushed inside the hollow outer planar element  30  allowing the size of the apparatus to be reduced allowing for mobility and storage. 
     In a preferred embodiment the top of the inner planar element  11 , the top of the hollow middle planar element  21  and the top of the hollow outer planar element  31  have a surface that allows for greater ergonomic comfort to the caregiver and the infant. To accomplish this the top of the planar elements can be padded. 
     The invention has now been fully described. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the invention should not be construed to be so limited. Various modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure without departing form the spirit of the invention. Therefore the invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments used to illustrate it but only by the scope of the appended claims.