Portable diaper changing cot

Abstract

A portable diaper changing cot consisting of a light weight nested triple folding frame and integrally attached canvass or cloth cover which can easily be carried and utilized to provide a comfortable and sanitary surface on which a baby or child can be laid for diaper changing. The portable diaper changing cot comprises a nested triple folding frame consisting of two longitudinal and parallel main folding beams and two X shaped folding beams hinged on either side of the two main support beams. Advantageously, the inventive portable diaper changing cot is foldable into a very compact configuration and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to child care products, and more particularly to a portable diaper changing cot which may be easily carried in a diaper bag stroller or in a shoulder worn bag and unfolded when needed to provide a clean and sanitary surface to change a baby's diaper. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Changing a baby's diaper at home is a relatively benign task as the home is typically outfitted with baby changing furniture. Unfortunately, when traveling the need to change a diaper usually happens when one least expects it and finding a clean and convenient place to change a diaper is not always easy. While many public restrooms now are equipped with built in baby changing tables, these places are often unsanitary and leave the parent uneasy about using such a facility. To use these locations, parents often resort to bringing along a rolled up cloth or pad to change their baby's diaper on either the ground or on the public r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The frame accomplishes this ultra compaction through its nested (or triple folding) folding design whereby multiple hinged members fold within each other over three distinct nesting folds. The nested (or triple fold) folding design consists of two main support beams running lengthwise at the top of the diaper changing cot each hinged at their respective centers by a hinge bracket such that gravity and the weight of the baby pulls the beams down and inward, keeping the support members rigid and straight (and preventing downward collapsing) when in the fully open configuration, but collapsible if pulled in the upward direction when folding the unit up. On opposite ends of the main support beams is attached a pair of folding X members that fold open to form an “X”. Each pair of the folding X members consist of two equal Z shaped members, oppositely opposed and hinged at their centers (or near centers) such that when closed the two Z members nest together in a compact design but when open form an X member. The two identical X members in turn are hinged to either ends of the two main support beams. The above design presents a nested, triple folding frame. The three nested folds are 1) the X member legs collapse together bringing the two main support beams together; 2) the now collapsed X members hinge in toward the main support beams a nest along side the main support beams, and 3) the main support beams hinge toward the now nested (and collapsed) X members.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, Martin's proposed solution is unduly complex, and impractical for the average parent.

To manufacture this device is relatively expensive, and it is bulky and heavy to carry.

Unfortunately, Madole's proposed solution still does not provide a sufficiently portable device.

As such, the device is still overly large and not at all compact enough to be convenient to carry.

While Madole's proposed solution will transport over ones shoulder, it clearly will not fit into a diaper bag or a stroller and as such will be a burden for a parent to carry with them.

Again, this proposed solution is not sufficiently compact in its folded form to allow easy transport inside a stroller or diaper bag.

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