FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for hanging in a bathroom or other area for changing the diapers of an infant or toddler.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Apparatuses for changing the diapers of a baby, or for “changing a baby”, and other small children not yet toilet trained, have become widely used, such as in public restrooms, to assist a parent or other child supervisor when changing a baby's diapers. Such baby diaper changing apparatuses, often times referred to as simply baby changing stations, have taken various forms as evidenced by patents in the field. One conventional form has a base that is mounted vertically onto a surface of a wall and a support platform or surface which is hingedly mounted to the base to hinge down from the base and lie generally horizontal to support a baby. While available baby changing apparatuses may operate sufficiently for the primary purpose of offering a generally horizontal surface on which to rest a baby during a diaper change, it is still desirable to improve upon the currently available apparatuses.
One particular concern is aesthetics. Contractors, architects and the owners of public facilities often go to great lengths to present a clean and efficient restroom area with a pleasing design and decor. Therefore the overall look of the baby changing station is important. When the baby-supporting platform is in an up and closed position, a large amount of exposed surface area against the wall of the restroom must present a desirable appearance with respect to the decor and other restroom apparatuses and surfaces.
Existing baby changing stations are also particularly subject to defacement since they are located on the walls of public restroom facilities. As noted, when the baby changing station is in the closed position, it presents a large outer surface area which somewhat invites vandalism. Vandals generally mark the outer surface with graffiti and scrape and abrade the exposed surfaces. The exposed soft plastic of a molded changing station is particularly susceptible to such abrasion and other damage. As may be appreciated, such vandalism discourages use of the changing station by protective parents and further degrades the overall appearance of cleanliness within the restroom facility sending a message of neglect to users of the facility.
In addition to vandalism concerns, the surfaces of the baby changing station must be easy to clean and must present an overall sanitary environment to a caregiver. As may be appreciated, a baby will be laid upon a surface of the changing station.
Existing baby changing stations, such as those available from Brocar Products of Cincinnati, Ohio, and other companies have addressed some of the issues of aesthetic appeal, cleanability, and vandalism by providing a changing station that utilizes a protective and decorative stainless steel cladding or coating on the platform of the station. The cladding covers the bottom or outside surface of the plastic support platform that holds a baby when the changing station is in use. When the station is in a closed position, the clad surfaces are exposed on the large bottom surface and around the sides of the support platform. The stainless steel cladding is aesthetically pleasing, durable and may be cleaned in a satisfactory manner. Furthermore, because the stainless steel is a cladding or decorative cover and does not provide significant structural support, the cost of such a changing station can be significantly lower than the cost of an all stainless steel unit, which is also offered by Brocar Products in their line of products.
However, while such stainless clad changing stations provide all of the benefits noted, they are also somewhat cumbersome and difficult to fabricate and manufacture. As such, this adds to their overall cost. One particular problem is the manipulation of the stainless steel itself into the necessary shapes and dimensions to provide the cladding for a plastic changing station. Particularly, the cladding that covers the support platform for the changing station, on which a baby rests, is formed in a box-like manner and thus presents corners that must be properly fabricated. In existing stations, the sides of the cladding are stopped short of the corners. Then, a separate, radiused piece of stainless steel is fabricated and welded to the sides to form the corner. The welded corner must then be ground down and polished to present a visually acceptable corner on the outside of the cladding and the outside of the support platform.
The corner fabrication, as may be appreciated, includes additional steps and significant manual work that may reflect finishing inconsistencies, and thus this increases the overall cost of the changing station. Therefore, there is still a need to improve upon the existing changing stations with respect to their manufacture, fabrication and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A baby diaper changing station includes a base configured for being mounted to a wall surface and a support platform rotatably mounted to the base to move between a closed and open position. The support platform includes a molded three-dimensional body with top, bottom and side surfaces and is configured, in the open position, to cooperate with the base and support a baby. A metal cladding structure having side and bottom surfaces nests on the bottom and side surfaces of the three-dimensional body of the support platform. The cladding structure forms open areas proximate the forward corners of the support platform body. A plastic piece engages the outside metal cladding structure proximate a forward corner thereof to complete a forward corner for the metal cladding structure. In some embodiments, a metal inner bracket might be used on the inside of the metal cladding structure proximate the open areas of the cladding structure to assist in forming the corner and securing the plastic piece. Other embodiments do not use an inner bracket. In one embodiment, the plastic piece includes a slot configured to engage an edge of the cladding structure to form the forward corner of the cladding structure. In another embodiment, inner bracket and plastic piece each include side wings which overlap and sandwich a side surface of the metal cladding structure therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing a baby diaper changing station in the open position.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a non-clad support platform showing a 3-dimensional support platform body.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner bracket for one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment of an inner bracket for an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plastic corner piece for use in the invention.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plastic piece for use in the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an installation of one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4A is another perspective view of an installation of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention incorporated with a support platform body.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention without use of an inner bracket.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plastic corner piece of the invention incorporating a cap for covering a hook structure platform for the body.
FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a plastic corner piece forming a hook structure to be positioned with a support platform body.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an installation of one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a baby diaper changing station 10 incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. Baby diaper changing station 10 is mounted to or insert into a wall surface 12, as is conventional. The changing station 10 includes a base 14 and a support platform 16. The base 14 is configured to be mounted to the wall surface 12 with bolts, adhesives, or other suitable fasteners (not shown). The support platform 16 is rotatably mounted to the base 14 to move between a closed position and an open position. The open position is shown in FIG. 1. As may be appreciated, the closed position presents the support platform 16 up against or nested into the base 14 so it is generally flushed against or within the wall surface 12. The support platform 16 might be hingedly or rotatably coupled with base 14 such as with a suitable hinge structure 18 that defines a hinge axis at the back of the support platform. Mechanically, stop structures (not shown) are incorporated within or between the base 14 and support platform 16, such that when the support platform is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the support platform generally stops in a plane parallel to a floor surface or generally perpendicular to the wall surface 12. The support platform 16 is able to support the weight of a baby or child in the open position as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown if FIG. 1A, the base 14 and support platform 16 are molded of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene, and are formed in an appropriate fashion to form respective 3-dimensional bodies 14a, 16a. The 3-dimensional bodies 14a, 16a are then rotatably or hingedly coupled together such as with a hinge structure 18 and other elements (not shown) so that the support platform may be rotated between a closed position and an open position as is known in the art of diaper changing stations. The support platform body 16a and/or base body 14a may be suitably molded to provide desired structural integrity. For example, the bodies might be roto-molded, injection molded, vacuum formed or blow molded. FIG. 1A illustrates a support platform 3-dimensional bodies 14a, 16a without the outer metal cladding structure 22.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, both the base 14 and support platform 16, and more specifically, the 3-dimensional bodies 14a, 16a of those elements have a metal cladding structure surrounding the 3-dimensional bodies. Referring again to FIG. 1, the metal cladding 20 is coupled to surround or encase the base body 14a. Similarly, a metal cladding structure 22 encases or partially encloses the support platform body 16a. Generally, the structural integrity of the changing station 10 is provided by the molded 3-dimensional base body 14a and support platform body 16a. The metal cladding structure or structures 20, 22 are generally merely aesthetic, but also provide a durable outer surface which may be readily cleaned and which is also resistant to damage to vandisalm. The support platform body 16a, in one embodiment, includes a formed upper edge 17 that interfaces with and overlaps an upper edge 23 of the metal cladding structure 22 to cover edge 23 and present a clean line at the interface between the two elements. The upper edge also covers the seam between the body 16a and the cladding structure 22 and prevents dirt and other undesired waste from being trapped in the seam or getting between the cladding structure and body 16a. Further details of such an edge and its features are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,966, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The metal cladding structure, in one preferred embodiment is stainless steel, however another suitable cladding structures and other metals might be utilized without deviating from the invention. Support platform body 16a has a top surface 24 that is generally configured for receiving and holding a baby or toddler. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the top surface 24 might be suitably indented to form a bed for the baby. Body 16a also includes a bottom surface 26 and side surfaces 28.
Returning to FIG. 1, the metal cladding structure 22 has a bottom 30 and sides 32. The sides 32 and bottom 30 of the metal cladding structure nest on or encase the bottom and sides of the 3-dimensional body 16a of the support platform 16. The cladding structure 22 forms open areas 34 proximate the corners or corner open areas that coincide with forward corners 36 of the support platform body 16a (see FIG. 1A). The open areas do not have to be exactly at the corners but are proximate thereto and are shown as and referred to herein also as corner areas or corner open areas. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the metal cladding structure 22 that encases the 3-dimensional body 16a of support platform 16 is formed, the sides 32 are short of the corner and the sides 32 do not meet. In the past, radiused pieces or corners made of metal, such as stainless steel, had to be welded and polished in place to form the corners. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the plastic piece 40 is configured to engage the outside of the metal cladding structure 22 proximate the forward corner areas 34. The plastic piece 40 is also referred to herein as a plastic corner piece; however, it does not have to be exactly in the corner. Therefore, the plastic piece might also be offset from the corner but is generally proximate the corner. As is seen in FIG. 1, the plastic piece or plastic corner piece 40 engages the respective sides 32 that converge at the corner area 34. A plastic piece 40 thus forms a forward corner for the metal cladding structure. Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the plastic piece eliminates the need to weld and polish a radiused metal corner.
In one embodiment, an inner bracket might be utilized and is configured to engage the inner surface of the cladding structure 22 at the forward corner area 34. In other embodiments, the inner bracket may be eliminated and the plastic piece 40 might interface directly with the cladding structure 22. The plastic corner may then be affixed to or with the inner bracket or may be affixed directly to the cladding structure 22. Therefore, the present invention may of may not incorporate an inner bracket.
Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of an inner bracket 50 that may be used in the invention is shown. The inner bracket 50 may have a spanning section 52 flanked on either side by wing sections 54. The wing structures 54 generally coincide with and overlap portions of the sides 32 of the cladding structure 22 (See FIGS. 4, 4A, 6, 6A). The embodiment of the inner bracket 50 might also include a bottom section 56 which overlaps or overlays the bottom 30 of the cladding structure 22 on an inside surface thereof. Inner bracket 50 might include apertures 58 formed in the wing sections or apertures 59 formed in the spanning section. The apertures 58, 59 allow the passage of screws, bolts, or other fasteners for securing a plastic piece of the invention to the inner bracket 50 or securing the inner bracket 50 with the cladding structure 22. Alternatively, the inner bracket might be welded, such as spot welded, to the cladding structure 22 or might adhered to the cladding structure with suitable adhesive. The inner bracket of the invention may be formed of any suitable material, in one embodiment, the bracket 50 is made of a metal such as stainless steel.
FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of an inner bracket 50a which might be used. Inner bracket 50a also includes a spanning section 52 and wing sections 54. Inner bracket 50a does not included a bottom section. Inner bracket 50a also may include apertures 58 and 59. Alternatively, one or more sets of apertures such as apertures 58 shown in phantom in FIG. 2A, might be deleted depending upon the attachment method as noted further hereinbelow.
FIGS. 3, 3A and 9 illustrate various embodiments of plastic pieces in accordance with the principles of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a plastic piece 60 while FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of the plastic piece 60a and FIG. 9 illustrates a plastic piece 60b. Plastic piece 60 includes a solid corner 62 flanked by wings 64 on either side. Plastic piece 60 also includes a bottom 66 or hood, although the bottom 66 may be left off of the plastic piece 60. The bottom can be configured or dimensioned so that it overlaps the bottom 30 of the cladding structure 22 or is overlapped itself by the bottom of the cladding structure. FIG. 4 illustrates the plastic piece 60 installed in a corner of a cladding structure 22 to form a forward corner for the metal cladding structure 22. In one embodiment, as shown if FIG. 4, the plastic piece 60 might be secured directly to the sides 32 of the cladding structure 22, such as with appropriate fasteners (not shown in FIG. 4) through apertures 68, or with adhesive, for example. The plastic piece then forms the corner for cladding structure 22 and brings the sides together. Alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 4, an inner bracket 50a might be positioned on the inside of the cladding structure 22 proximate to the forward corner area or open area 34 as shown by the arrows. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6B, the wings 64 overlap a portion of the sides 32 of metal cladding structure 22 on the outside thereof. The bracket 60 might be secured to the cladding structure 22 using fasteners 65 or and adhesive or other suitable fastening element.
In FIG. 6, an inner bracket 50a is used and is positioned on the inside surface of the cladding structure 22. The plastic piece 60 is positioned on the outside of the cladding structure in the corner areas such that the solid corner 62 of the plastic piece forms the forward corner of the metal cladding structure. The wings 64 of plastic piece 60 also overlap the sides of the metal cladding structure 22, except on the outside surface thereof as shown in FIG. 6. The wings 64 and wing sections 54 overlap and generally sandwich the respective sides of the metal cladding structure 22 therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 6. Suitable fasteners 65, such as bolts or screws might pass through appropriate openings 68 formed in the plastic piece 60, passing through the sides 32 of the cladding structure, and then through appropriate openings 58 formed in the inner bracket 50a.
FIG. 6B illustrates the plastic piece 60 secured without an inner bracket 50a wherein the plastic piece is secured directly to the cladding structure 22.
Although variously illustrated embodiments show screw fasteners or fastening structures, a suitable adhesive might also be utilized to secure the plastic piece 60 to the cladding structure and also to secure the inner bracket 50a to the cladding structure. Therefore, the present invention is not limited utilizing physical fasteners, such as screws or bolts. Furthermore, the fasteners 65 illustrated in FIG. 6 might also simply pass into the cladding structure side 32 to secure plastic piece 60 without going into or through the inner bracket 50a. For example, sheet metal screws might be utilized to secure the plastic piece directly into the sides 32 of the cladding structure by biting into the metal forming the sides 32.
FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a plastic corner piece and assembly. Plastic piece 60b does not have wings to overlap the sides 32 of the cladding structure 22, but rather has side edges 61 that abut against the ends 63 of the sides 32 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The cornerpiece 60b might be secured using an inner bracket 50a similar to that shown in FIG. 6A using suitable fastening structures. Alternatively, the plastic piece 60b might be secured or adhered directly to the support platform, thus eliminating the need for the bracket 50a as shown in FIG. 9.
Turning now to FIG. 3A, an alternative embodiment of the plastic corner piece 60a is illustrated. Plastic piece 60a includes a solid corner 72 and a bottom 74. On either side of the solid corner of plastic piece 60a, a slot 76 is formed. Referring to FIG. 4A, the slots 76 are configured to engage respective edges 78 of the sides of the cladding structure 22 when the plastic piece is positioned and secured with the cladding structure. The bottom 74 also forms a portion of slot 76 along the bottom of the cornerpiece that is configured, in one embodiment to capture a portion of the bottom of the cladding structure when the plastic piece is in position. Alternatively, the bottom might be eliminated in the cornerpiece. The plastic piece 60a might be secured directly to the cladding structure as shown in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 6A, an inner bracket, such as inner bracket 50a might be utilized to secure the plastic piece in place. Referring to FIG. 6A, fasteners 80, such as sheet metal screws, might extend through the apertures 59 and inner bracket 50a to extend into the plastic piece 60a. Alternatively, an adhesive might be utilized between the solid plastic piece 72 and the spanning section 52 of inner bracket 50a. In still another alternative embodiment, just the plastic piece 60a might be secured to the sides 32 without a bracket 50a, to form the corner for the cladding structure 22 as noted above.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a corner in accordance with the principles of the present invention wherein the sides of the cladding structure 22 have a corner formed using a plastic corner piece 60a as illustrated. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the molded 3-dimensional body 16a of the support platform has one or more hook structures 84, generally positioned at the forward corners of the support platform body 16a. The hook structure 84 may take the form of an upstruck molded portion of the support platform body, such as the rectangular upstruck portion illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. Alternatively, the hook structure might take other forms. Generally, the hook structure is utilized to hold the straps or handles of a purse, diaper bag or other device while a baby is being changed on the changing station 10.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate further embodiments of the plastic corner piece. In FIG. 7, the plastic corner piece 86 includes a solid corner portion 88 and wings 90 on either side thereof. Of course, as noted above, the wings might be eliminated for plastic piece 86. Plastic piece 86 also includes a cap 92 which is configured to cover a portion of the hook structure 84 when the plastic piece 86 is secured in position to form the corner of the metal cladding structure. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the plastic piece 94 might include the actual hook structure 96 as part of the plastic piece. For example, the hook structure 96 might be formed, molded, or otherwise fabricated with the plastic piece 94. Plastic piece 94 may include a similar solid corner portion 88 and wings 90 on either side (or no wings). The plastic pieces 86, 94 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, might be secured in various ways as discussed herein with respect to other embodiments of the plastic pieces.
The plastic corner pieces of the invention might be formed of a suitable plastic material. The plastic pieces might be molded, for example injection-molded or otherwise suitably fabricated.
The present invention eliminates the need to weld separate metal corners into place with the cladding structure and also eliminates the various steps associated with polishing and finishing the corner structures to provide an aesthetically pleasing diaper changing station. As such, the present invention reduces the overall costs of the fabrication of the changing station while maintaining the fit and finish thereof.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
Patent Application
20070157380
