Adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices

Abstract

Adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices, characterized in that it is attached as an intermediate structure on a support object (3) and provides a support surface for a winding attachment (1), wherein the height of the winding device can be ergonomically adjusted by means of the adapter element (2).

Description

[0001] This invention provides an adapter element that serves as a height-adjusting device between a support object and a winding device. This allows commercially available winding devices, such as winding attachments, to be mounted on various support objects, such as dressers. In this way, an ergonomically usable and stable winding surface is created. The solution is intended to be easy to use, cost-effective to manufacture, and versatile in its application. All of this is achieved with the proposed adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices.

[0002] The adapter element preferably consists of a structure with few components, resembling a C-profile with an open end facing downwards. It comprises a horizontally arranged adapter plate and two downward-facing side pieces attached at right angles. Depending on the material thickness and design, the structure can be reinforced with additional bracing or a back panel, resulting in a torsionally stable, structurally effective frame or box. The adapter element can be manufactured in different heights and is therefore adaptable to various support structures. This makes it universally applicable and suitable for both low bathtubs and chests of drawers of varying heights.

[0003] The connection between the adapter element, the support object, and the changing unit can be either positive-locking or friction-locking. In preferred embodiments, clamping strips, mounting brackets, guides, suction cups, or other fastening elements are attached between the adapter element, the support object, and the changing unit. These enable the positioning and fixing of the adapter element on the support object and the changing unit to the adapter element. This creates a stable overall construction, which is essential for its function as a changing unit or changing table. The adapter element can also be equipped with anti-slip elements to ensure secure fixation on smooth surfaces such as bathtubs. Additionally, pads can be attached to the underside of the adapter elements to prevent slippage and simultaneously protect sensitive surfaces.

[0004] Current technology primarily offers changing units as changing dressers, changing tables, or similar solutions. However, these are expensive to purchase. Therefore, many users opt for more cost-effective alternatives, such as combining an existing piece of furniture, like a dresser, with a retrofittable changing unit, such as a changing mat. The problem with this is that the resulting working height of the changing surface is often not ergonomic. For example, very low furniture or other supporting structures can create a working height that is unsuitable for people of average height. This can lead to poor posture and physical strain during diaper changes.

[0005] The changing unit described above, in the form of a changing table attachment, is in most cases dimensioned to accommodate standard padded changing mats. A frame width of 80 cm has become standard for such retrofittable changing table attachments. A changing table attachment typically consists of two vertically oriented side panels connected by a similarly vertical back panel, creating a rectangular frame open at the bottom when viewed from above. Shelves are attached to the underside of this frame at the front and back, positioned at right angles to the frame. The rear shelf stabilizes the frame-like structure of the changing table attachment. The front shelf closes off the structure and is usually adjustable, allowing the changing table attachment to fit dressers of varying depths.Viewed from above, the winding attachment represents a frame-shaped construction which only becomes a usable winding device when placed on a closed support surface.

[0006] As previously described, a standard changing table attachment for a washing machine is rather unsuitable, as the dimensions of the washing machine's surface do not match those of retrofittable changing tables. To address this situation, special, expensive designs are used. The same applies to the use of changing tables on bathtubs. The solutions available on the market for this purpose are complex constructions, priced similarly to a fully equipped changing table. A universally applicable, modular solution is therefore not currently known.

[0007] The object of this invention is to provide an adapter element that serves as a height-adjusting intermediate structure and enables the mounting of commercially available winding devices on various support objects. This creates an ergonomically usable and stable winding surface. The solution should simultaneously be easy to use, cost-effective to manufacture, and versatile in its application. All of this is achieved with the proposed adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices.

[0008] The adapter element can be offered in various designs, allowing it to be flexibly adapted to the specific combination of support object and changing device. A particular advantage of the invention is that existing furniture or support objects, such as dressers, washing machines, or bathtubs, can continue to be used. This avoids the need to purchase a new, expensive piece of furniture for the diaper-changing phase. Instead, existing resources can be utilized, resulting in not only economic but also ecological benefits.

[0009] The adapter element preferably consists of an adapter plate with two downward-facing side panels mounted at right angles on each side. Optionally, the two side panels and the adapter plate can be connected with a brace or a back panel to form a structurally effective frame or box. The width of the adapter plate corresponds to the adjustable inner dimension of standard changing table tops, allowing virtually any changing table top to be attached. An alternative design can be equipped with clamping or screw connections to ensure particularly secure fixation. Other variations include magnetic or suction cup-based holding mechanisms for smooth surfaces, such as bathtubs. The adapter element is preferably made of the same material as most changing table tops, primarily coated wood-based materials.Provided it is economically or technically feasible, or depends on the design and construction of the support objects or winding devices, the adapter element can also be manufactured from other materials suitable for its intended use. The choice of material influences both stability and visual appearance. A lightweight, manageable design that simultaneously ensures high load-bearing capacity is advantageous.

[0010] In summary, the present invention provides an adapter element that enables easy, ergonomic height adjustment of winding devices. Due to its modular design, broad applicability to various support objects, and the possibility of a stable, secure connection, the invention represents a significant improvement over the known prior art.

[0011] An adapter element for adjusting the height of winding devices consists of an adapter plate to which side panels are attached at right angles. The adapter plate and side panels are connected by a back panel, so that the construction forms a box open at the bottom and front.

[0012] The adapter element is mounted on a chest of drawers of similar width and depth and secured to suitable points on the chest of drawers using form-fitting, detachable fasteners. The resulting construction resembles a chest of drawers with a raised top panel, the top panel corresponding to the adapter plate of the adapter element.

[0013] A standard changing unit, in the form of a changing mat attachment, is mounted onto the adapter element using form-fitting fasteners. The adapter plate of the adapter element completely encloses the open interior space of the changing mat attachment. The connection between the changing mat attachment and the adapter element mounted on the changing table creates a height-adjustable changing table.

[0014] In other embodiments, the two side parts of the adapter element can be connected by a cross brace instead of a back panel to ensure a structurally effective design. Depending on the design and constraints, the adapter element can also be manufactured without a back panel.

[0015] Another option involves using suction cup mounts, which are particularly suitable for smooth surfaces such as bathtubs. A further possibility is mounting using magnetic connections.

[0016] The adapter element can also be made of various materials, such as wood-based materials, metal profiles, or plastic. The choice of material depends on the intended use and affects the load-bearing capacity and weight. Optionally, the space created by the increased height can be used for storage.

[0017] A standard winding device is to be mounted on a support object so that the resulting winding surface assumes an ergonomically usable working height for the user, regardless of the height of the support object. The invention presented here solves this problem with an adapter element. This is attached as a link between the support element and the winding device, thus enabling height adjustment.

[0018] The invention described in claim 1 solves the problem of combining a changing unit with a standard chest of drawers, resulting in a changing unit with a more ergonomically advantageous changing surface. This is achieved by an adapter element for height adjustment, which is attached between the changing unit and the chest of drawers.

[0019] This problem is solved by the features listed in the claims.

[0020] An adapter element consists of an adapter plate to which side panels are attached on both sides, oriented downwards at right angles. These are connected to each other via a back panel, creating a box-shaped structure with sides open at the bottom and front.

[0021] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 explained.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 the perspective representation of an adapter element for height regulation of winding devices in the applied state, wherein winding device (1), adapter element (2) and support object (3) are connected to each other in such a way that they together form a winding surface with regulated height. Fig.2 the perspective view of an adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices, consisting of an adapter plate (4) to which side parts (5) are attached on both sides at right angles downwards and are connected to each other via a back wall (6).

Claims

[1] Adapter element for height adjustment of winding devices, characterized by , that it is attached as an intermediate structure on a support object (3) and provides a support surface for a winding attachment (1), whereby the height of the winding device can be ergonomically adjusted by means of the adapter element (2). [2] Adapter element according to claim 1, characterized by , that it consists of an adapter plate (4) and two side parts (5) oriented at right angles downwards. [3] Adapter element according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the side parts (5) are connected to each other by a back wall (6) or a strut, so that a torsionally stable frame or box is formed. [4] Adapter element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the adapter element (2) can be connected to the carrier object (3) by means of a form-fit, force-fit or friction-fit connection, in particular by screw connections, clamping elements, magnetic elements or suction cups. [5] Adapter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that anti-slip elements are provided on the undersides to prevent slippage and protect sensitive surfaces of the carrier object (3). [6] Adapter element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the space created by the adapter element (2) can be used as storage space, especially for changing supplies. [7] Adapter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that it is made of wood-based materials, metal, plastic or a mix of materials, with a light, handy design with high load-bearing capacity being preferred.

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