Baby diaper changing station

Abstract

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. 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 forward corners of the support platform body. A plastic piece is configured to engage the metal cladding structure proximate a forward corner area thereof and to generally form a forward corner for the metal cladding structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] 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 [0002] 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 res...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

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