Changing device for the luggage compartment of a vehicle

Abstract

Changing device for a vehicle, which in a working position of the changing device provides a surface for placing a baby, as well as vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a changing device for a vehicle which, in a working position of the changing device, provides a surface for placing a baby on. The invention further relates to a vehicle.

[0002] Changing units for vehicles, available in various designs, represent the state of the art and serve to simplify changing a baby's diaper while traveling in a vehicle. Here, "vehicle" primarily refers to a passenger car.

[0003] In addition to the working position in which a winding device is used, the winding device usually has a different resting position in which it is not used. In the resting position, the winding device takes up less space and is therefore easier to transport in the vehicle.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2017 115 052 A1 discloses a backrest of a rear seat of a vehicle. The backrest includes a changing unit that provides a surface for placing a baby on, is pivotably mounted on the back of the backrest between a resting position and a working position, and includes support elements that rest on a floor surface of a luggage compartment of the vehicle in the working position.

[0005] In contrast, DE 10 2020 116 483 A1 describes a luggage compartment for a vehicle that includes a changing unit. The changing unit comprises a floor element integrated into the floor of the luggage compartment, providing a surface for placing a baby, and in some embodiments, a radiant heater located in the luggage compartment, suspended from the roof of the vehicle, and directed towards the floor element.

[0006] From US 6,327,726 B1, another changing device is known, comprising a flexible, elongated mat. The mat includes fastening elements arranged at opposite free ends for attaching the mat to the headrests of a front seat and a rear seat, such that a changing pad held by the mat rests on the seat surface of the rear seat. The mat also includes a plurality of retaining elements designed to hold various changing accessories.

[0007] Cargo area covers for vehicles are known from DE 10 2009 010 967 A1, DE 10 2024 113 811 A1, DE 10 2017 218 088 B4, DE 10 2019 214 475 A1, DE 10 2019 208 215 A1, DE 10 2016 015 397 A1, DE 88 16 633 U1, DE 78 03 392 U1, DE 75 00 822 U, DE 40 16 707 A1 and DE 38 19 766 C1, which include a folding construction that is folded in a rest position of the cargo area cover and stretched out in a working position.

[0008] One object of the invention is to provide a changing device for a vehicle that is easy to use and allows for ergonomic diaper changing of a baby while on the go. Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle.

[0009] One aspect of the invention is a changing device for a vehicle which, in a working position of the changing device, provides a surface for placing a baby. The changing device is intended to be installed inside the vehicle. In its intended installed state, the surface preferably extends perpendicular to a direction of gravity, i.e., a baby placed on the surface is not subjected to a downward force.

[0010] According to the invention, the winding device comprises an elongated housing and a folding structure, which is held on an inner side of the housing and extends through a slot in the housing, providing the support surface in the working position. The length of the elongated housing defines the width of the provided support surface. An elongated housing is understood to be a housing whose dimensions in one spatial direction are significantly larger than their dimensions in two other spatial directions perpendicular to that direction. The folding structure allows for a variable space requirement of the winding device such that the space requirement in the working position is significantly larger than in a rest position of the winding device that differs from the working position.

[0011] Furthermore, the folding mechanism comprises a number of elongated plates connected by hinges. These hinged plates allow the mechanism to be either unfolded or folded like an accordion. Each plate can be made of or comprise a plastic and possess a predetermined rigidity. This rigidity is predetermined such that a baby placed on the surface of the changing device does not deform, i.e., bend, the surface, at least to a substantial extent.

[0012] Preferably, the elongated housing has locking elements arranged on opposite end faces of the housing and / or has at least one elongated plate with engagement elements arranged on opposite end faces of the at least one elongated plate. The locking elements serve to secure the winding device in the luggage compartment and ideally correspond to locking elements of a luggage compartment cover available for the vehicle. The locking elements may comprise or be made of a plastic. Furthermore, the length of the winding device housing, i.e., the distance between opposing locking elements, should correspond to the length of the available luggage compartment cover.

[0013] The engagement elements act as sliders and ideally correspond to the engagement elements of the luggage compartment cover available for the vehicle. The engagement elements can be made of or comprise a plastic component. Alternatively, the locking elements and / or the engagement elements can be made of or comprise a metal component. Furthermore, the length of each elongated plate, i.e., the distance between opposing engagement elements, should correspond to the width of the available luggage compartment cover. In this way, the winding mechanism can be installed and operated in the vehicle in the same way as the available luggage compartment cover.

[0014] For periods when a baby needs to be changed while traveling in the vehicle, the available luggage compartment cover can be removed and stored separately from the vehicle, for example, in a garage. After this period, the luggage compartment cover can be reinstalled in place of the changing unit, and the changing unit can then be stored separately from the vehicle. This way, no additional item needs to be carried in the vehicle to ensure a changing surface is always available.

[0015] The folding mechanism can be folded inside the housing when the winding device is in its resting position. In this way, the space required by the winding device in its resting position is at least not significantly greater than the space required by the luggage compartment cover in its resting position.

[0016] According to the invention, the folding structure is arranged in its extended working position outside the housing, and a first main surface of the extended folding structure defines the contact surface. In the extended working position, the several elongated plates extend parallel and, in particular, coplanarly, i.e., the adjacent elongated plates meet flush and smoothly. The first main surface formed in this way is flat and planar.

[0017] According to the invention, adjacent elongated plates lock together in the working position. As a result of this locking action, the extended folding structure is protected against accidental folding. Furthermore, the locking action increases the rigidity of the extended folding structure.

[0018] Advantageously, the changing device includes a flexible strap held to an inner surface of the housing. Extending from this inner surface, along a second main surface of the folding structure (facing away from the first), the strap reaches a free end of the structure and protrudes from it. The strap may be made of a woven material and incorporate a plastic component, or it may be entirely plastic. The flexible strap enhances the stability of the extended folding structure and can further reduce bending of the structure caused by a baby positioned on the support surface. The strap may have a loop, ring, or hook at its free end for securing it to the vehicle's roof.

[0019] Another object of the invention is a vehicle comprising a luggage compartment, two locking receptacles arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment with respect to a y-direction of the vehicle for locking elements of a luggage compartment cover housing, and two guide rails for the luggage compartment cover arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment with respect to the y-direction and extending in an x-direction of the vehicle. The x-direction, as is customary, denotes a front-to-rear direction, i.e., a longitudinal direction, and the y-direction, as is customary, denotes a left-to-right direction of the vehicle. The locking receptacles and guide rails provided for the luggage compartment cover can readily be used for mounting and operating a winding device according to the invention.

[0020] According to the invention, the vehicle includes a winding device according to one embodiment of the invention. The winding device is an accessory of the vehicle and can optionally be mounted in the luggage compartment of the vehicle or arranged separately from the vehicle, either inside or outside the vehicle.

[0021] The locking elements of the changing unit can be engaged in the locking slots, and the engagement elements can be connected to the guide rails. This corresponds to the intended installation of the changing unit. When installed correctly, the changing unit provides a surface that is ergonomically positioned at a distance from the vehicle's floor. Consequently, a person standing behind the vehicle with the tailgate open does not need to bend over while changing a baby on the provided surface. Furthermore, the provided surface offers ample space next to the baby for arranging changing supplies during the process. Finally, the tailgate protects the person from rain, ensuring they remain dry even in wet conditions.

[0022] If the changing device includes a flexible strap, this strap can be detachably attached to the vehicle's roof when extended. The flexible strap suspends a rearward-facing edge of the extended folding structure (relative to the y-direction) from the roof. This allows the roof to support the weight of a baby positioned on the changing surface.

[0023] A significant advantage of the changing device according to the invention is that it is easy to handle and allows for ergonomic diaper changes while traveling. Furthermore, it is advantageous that a vehicle's luggage compartment cover can be repeatedly and reversibly replaced with the changing device, thus avoiding the need to carry an additional item in the vehicle during periods when a baby needs to be changed while the vehicle is in motion.

[0024] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings with reference to one embodiment and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 in a schematic representation a perspective partial view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a luggage compartment 10, two locking receptacles for locking elements of a housing of a luggage compartment cover (not shown) arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment 10 with respect to a y-direction 14 of the vehicle 1, two guide rails 11 for the luggage compartment cover arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment 10 with respect to the y-direction 14 and extending in an x-direction 15 of the vehicle 1, and a winding device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] The winding device 2 can be installed in the luggage compartment 10 in place of a luggage compartment cover. In particular, the locking elements of the winding device 2 are engaged in the locking receptacles and the engagement elements of the winding device 2 engage in the guide rails 11.

[0027] The winding device 2 preferably comprises a flexible belt 22 which is detachably attached to a roof 12 of the vehicle 1 in a stretched state of the winding device 2.

[0028] The changing device 2 is suitable for the vehicle 1 and, in a working position, provides a support surface 210 for placing a baby on it. The changing device 2 comprises an elongated housing 20. The elongated housing 20 advantageously has locking elements arranged on opposite end faces of the housing 20.

[0029] Furthermore, the winding device 2 comprises a folding structure 21, which is held on an inner side of the housing 20 and provides the support surface 210 in the working position, and extends through a slot in the housing 20. Advantageously, in a rest position of the winding device 2, the folding structure 21 is arranged folded within the housing 20. In the working position, the folding structure 21 is extended outside the housing 20, and a first principal surface of the extended folding structure 21 defines the support surface 210.

[0030] The folding structure 21 comprises a plurality of elongated plates 211 connected by hinges. Adjacent elongated plates 211 lock together in the working position. At least one elongated plate 211 may have engagement elements arranged on opposite end faces of the at least one elongated plate 211.

[0031] The winding device 2 comprises the flexible belt 22 held on an inner side of the housing 20, which extends from the inner side to a free end of the folding structure 21 on a second main surface of the folding structure 21 facing away from the first main surface and projects from the folding structure 21. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 vehicle 10 Luggage compartment 11 Guide rail 12 Roof 13 Tailgate 14 y-direction 15 x-direction 2 winding device 20 cases 21 Folding construction 210 contact area 211 plate 22 belt

Claims

[1] Changing device (2) for a vehicle (1), which in a working position of the changing device (2) provides a support surface (210) for placing a baby on it and comprises an elongated housing (20) and a folding structure (21) held on an inside of the housing (20) and in the working position providing the support surface (210) and extending through a slot of the housing (20), which comprises a plurality of elongated plates (211) articulated to one another, is arranged in the working position extended outside the housing (20) and a first principal surface of the extended folding structure (21) defines the support surface (210), characterized by , that adjacent elongated plates (211) lock together in the working position. [2] Winding device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated housing (20) has locking elements arranged on opposite end faces of the housing (20) and / or at least one elongated plate (211) has engagement elements arranged on opposite end faces of the at least one elongated plate (211). [3] Winding device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding structure (21) is arranged folded in the housing (20) in a rest position of the winding device (2). [4] Winding device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a flexible belt (22) held on an inside of the housing (20), which extends from the inside on a second main surface of the folding structure (21) facing away from the first main surface to a free end of the folding structure (21) and projects from the folding structure (21). [5] Vehicle (1) comprising a luggage compartment (10), two locking receptacles arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment (10) with respect to a y-direction (14) of the vehicle (1), for locking elements of a housing of a luggage compartment cover, two guide rails (11) for the luggage compartment cover arranged opposite each other in the luggage compartment (10) with respect to the y-direction (14) and extending in an x-direction (15) of the vehicle (1), and a winding device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4. [6] Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein locking elements of the winding device (2) are engaged in the locking receptacles and the engagement elements engage in the guide rails (11). [7] Vehicle (1) according to claim 5 or 6, comprising a winding device (2) according to claim 4, the flexible belt (22) of which is detachably attached to a roof (12) of the vehicle (1) in the stretched state.

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