Patent Application
20080016623
Referring to
The cushioned pad 11 is of generally rectangular configuration, the top surface typically having a waterproof surface, such as, plastic or vinyl providing a surface that is easily cleaned. The bottom surface 15, in one embodiment, may be made of a nylon material but may also be of cotton, polyester or other type of similar material. The cushioned layer 17 is foam or any other type of cushioning material. The padding provides slight cushioning for the infant when placing an infant on the cushioned pad such as during a diaper change, the thickness of the pad may be on the order of ⅛ to ¼ of an inch. The pad 11 should also be easily foldable, requiring the thickness of the pad to optimally be less than 1 inch. In one embodiment, again the cushioned layer 17 is approximately 1/4 inches thick. The top surface 13, bottom surface 15 and cushioned layer 17 are joined together with reinforced sewn edges 41. The pad 11 is also defined by folding guide members 25. The guide members 25 in one embodiment are reinforced fold lines which are lines of stitching sewn through the top surface 13, the cushioned layer 17 and the bottom surface 15 and aid in folding of the changing pad into a compact unit for easy portability and storage. The location of the guide members 25 is shown by example only and the pad 11 may have additional lines in different locations to aid in the folding. See
Referring now to the bottom surface of the changing pad 11,
Cushioned end members 31, 31′ of the flaps 19, 19′ which in one embodiment are beveled, may be extended in opposite directions to one another as shown in
The trough-shaped depression 33 cradles and lends lateral stability to an infant when placed on the changing pad 11 by raising or slightly elevating lateral surfaces 35, 35′ of the changing pad 11. In one embodiment, the support pad 18 is connected along the length of the changing pad 11, providing uniform support beneath an infant and enabling easy folding of the pad 11 when not in use. The flap members 19, 19′ are fully extended as shown in
In an alternate position as shown in
The changing system also includes a pocket member 53 which is secured along the reinforced edge 41 of the side 35′ of the changing pad 11. The pocket member 53 is designed to carry or hold miscellaneous items helpful to changing an infant's diaper such as creams, wipes, or an extra diaper. Handle members 55, 55′ are attached near the reinforced edge 41 of the opposite sides 35, 35′ to allow for easy portability of the changing system when in a folded orientation. The flap member 19′ has a closure member 51 located near the outside edge 31′. The closure member 51 has a hook and loop fastener (not shown) which corresponds to a hook and loop fastener 49 located on the flap 19.
The method of using the auxiliary diaper changing pad is as follows: laying the pad 11 on a surface, spreading the hinged flaps 19, 19′ so as to extend the flaps beneath the bottom surface 15 of the pad 11 so as to be foldable transversely of the length of the pad 11. The pad 11 is then placed on a surface, releasing the hook-and-loop fastener of the closure member 51, positioning the flap members 19, 19′ in a desired position along the bottom surface 15 and securing the end members 31, 31′ of the pad to outer edges 26, 26′, repositioning the pocket member 53 along a side edge of the changing pad 11 and finally, placing an infant along the top surface 13 and changing the infant's diaper. If the pad 11 is placed on a surface having a side edge, the pocket member 53 may be positioned so that it dangles or hangs over the side edge for easy accessibility to items placed therein.
If the pad is placed on an uneven or sloped surface, such as a car seat, the flap members 19, 19′ may be folded so that a wedge is formed along one side of the pad, slightly elevating the lateral surface 35. This prevents the infant from rolling towards the chair seat back while still creating a cradling surface for the infant. When not in use, the pad 11 may be folded as follows: the pocket member 53 is positioned so that it is placed along the top surface 13 of the pad 11. Side sections 59, 59′ are folded inwardly along the folding guide members 25. The pad 11 is then folded in half along the guideline 27 and the closure member 51 is threaded through both handle members 55, 55′ and attached to the hook and loop fastener 49 on the flap 19 as shown in
It is therefore to be understood that while different embodiments are herein set forth and described, the above and other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the article of manufacture as defined by the appended claims and reasonable equivalents thereof.
