Privacy screen for changing tables

Abstract

A privacy screen (1) for a changing table (2) that covers a gap between the back of the chest of drawers (2) or a changing unit attached to it and a wall (3), characterized in that the privacy screen (1) is designed as a plate-shaped component and is attached at right angles to a rear component of the changing table (2) or to a projecting rear baseboard (6) of the changing unit.

Description

[0001] Technical field: The present invention relates to a privacy screen for changing tables, i.e., for furniture equipped with a changing unit for baby care. The privacy screen serves to cover the gap that exists in almost all commercially available changing tables between the back of the table and a wall to which the table is attached for safety reasons.

[0002] State of the art: Various types of furniture can be used to change a baby or toddler's diaper. These include, for example, changing tables, changing stands, changing chests of drawers, or wall-mounted, foldable changing units.

[0003] Changing tables are frequently used in private settings. A changing table provides a stable surface for changing a baby. A frame-shaped element, often called a changing unit, is mounted on the surface of such a changing table and acts as a border for a soft mat, also known as a changing pad or changing mat.

[0004] A chest of drawers with a mounted changing unit is called a changing unit and represents a changing device with storage space.

[0005] The changing unit mounted on the dresser typically consists of two vertically oriented side panels connected at a right angle to a similarly vertical back panel, creating a rectangular frame open at the bottom when viewed from above. Shelves are attached to the front and back of this frame, positioned at right angles to it. These two shelves stabilize the frame-like structure and, together with the top of the dresser, form the surface for the changing mat. The overhang of the front shelf on this type of dresser has a positive effect, providing more legroom for the person standing in front of the dresser.

[0006] Due to the overhang of the rear base panel, a gap is created between the changing table and the wall for structural reasons. To prevent the changing table from tipping over, especially if it has drawers, it must be secured to the wall. Therefore, this gap is unavoidable when using the previously described changing table design, as it is not possible to place the changing table completely flush against the wall due to its construction.

[0007] The resulting gap between the chest of drawers and the wall leads to several disadvantages in practice: Small objects can fall behind the chest of drawers, dirt or debris accumulates, and the overall appearance is visually uneven.

[0008] Object of the invention: To close the gap between a changing table and a wall in order to achieve a better overall aesthetic appearance and to prevent soiling of an inaccessible area. The solution should be easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and retrofittable.

[0009] Solution: The problem described above is solved by a retrofittable privacy screen attached to the changing table, which covers the gap between the back of the changing table and the wall. The invention presented here can close the gap described above on one or both sides.

[0010] Depending on the design of the changing table and the size of the gap to be closed, the privacy screen can be provided in various designs. It consists of a panel-shaped element, preferably made of the same material as the changing table. Suitable materials include solid wood, plywood, laminated wood, coated chipboard, lacquered MDF, or another suitable material. The privacy screen is attached to one of the rear components of the changing table, preferably the back panel and / or the projecting rear base of the changing unit mounted on top of the table. The screen and base are preferably connected at a right angle. The attachment of the privacy screen to the changing table can be implemented in various ways.

[0011] The front panel and base of the changing unit can be screwed directly together using screws or cabinet connectors. The same connection can be achieved using brackets. Alternatively, the front panel and base can be connected using a connecting bar, which is then attached to the elements being joined using screws or cabinet connectors. The front panel can also be attached to the back of the changing unit using only fasteners, such as mounting brackets.

[0012] Depending on the design of the changing table, the panel can be made long enough to allow sufficient height for a baseboard. If the panel is intended to cover the entire height of the gap, a notch, similar to those found on standard bookshelves, can also be incorporated to accommodate a baseboard.

[0013] Examples: A cover panel for changing tables consists of a plate-shaped element which, when attached to the side of the back of a chest of drawers, covers the gap between the chest and the wall. The panel is attached at a right angle to the rear base of a changing unit mounted on the chest of drawers via a screw connection and is additionally connected to the back of the chest of drawers by a connecting bracket located at the bottom of the panel. Instead of the externally visible screw connection, cabinet connectors can also be used to mount the base and panel.

[0014] Another way to attach the privacy screen is to connect the screen to the chest of drawers exclusively using connecting brackets, with at least one bracket mounted between the baseboard and the screen and another between the screen and the back.

[0015] In another embodiment, the privacy panel is connected to the baseboard via an additional strut, which is mounted to the other components using a screw or cabinet connector connection. This enables a self-supporting construction, eliminating the need for any further fastening between the chest of drawers and the privacy panel.

[0016] Furthermore, it is possible to mount the privacy screen exclusively to the back of the chest of drawers using the connecting elements described above.

[0017] The embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 explained.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1 the perspective representation of a screen (1) covering the space between a changing table (2) and a wall (3) up to the top of a possible baseboard (4) running along the wall. Fig. 2 the perspective view of a screen (1) covering the space between a changing table (2) and a wall (3) and having a notch at the rear lower corner of the screen to provide space for a possible baseboard (4) running along the wall. Fig. 3 the perspective rear view of a screen (1) which is attached to the protruding rear baseboard (6) of a changing unit mounted on a chest of drawers via at least one screw connection (5) and to a chest of drawers back panel (8) via a connecting angle (7). Fig. 4 the perspective rear view of a screen (1) which is attached via at least one connecting angle (7) to the protruding rear baseboard (6) of a changing table attachment on a chest of drawers and to a chest of drawers back panel (8). Fig. 5 the perspective rear view of a privacy screen (1) which is attached to a chest of drawers back panel (8) via at least one connecting angle (7). Fig. 6 the perspective rear view of a screen (1) which is connected via a strut (9) to the protruding rear baseboard (6) of a changing table attachment mounted on a chest of drawers via at least one screw connection (5).

Claims

[1] A privacy screen (1) for a changing unit (2) that covers a gap between the back of the unit (2) or a changing attachment mounted on it and a wall (3), characterized by , that the privacy screen (1) is designed as a plate-shaped component and is attached at right angles to a rear component of the changing unit (2) or to a projecting rear baseboard (6) of the changing unit attachment. [2] Viewing screen according to claim 1, characterized by , that it ends above a baseboard (4) running along the wall (3) without touching it (cf. Fig. 1). [3] Viewing screen according to claim 1, characterized by , that it has a notch in the lower area to accommodate a baseboard (4) running along the wall (3) (see Fig. 2). [4] Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that it is connected to the protruding rear baseboard (6) of the changing table attachment via at least one screw connection (5) (see Fig. 3). [5] Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is additionally connected to a chest of drawers back panel (8) in the lower area via at least one connecting angle (7) (cf. Fig. 3). [6] Viewing screen according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that it is attached exclusively via at least two connecting brackets (7) - one each for connection to the baseboard (6) and one for connection to the back of the chest of drawers (8) (cf. Fig. 4). [7] Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is connected exclusively to the back of the chest of drawers (8) via at least one connecting angle (7) (cf. Fig. 5). [8] Viewing screen according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that it is connected to the projecting rear floorboard (6) via a strut (9), wherein the strut (9) is mounted to the cover plate and floorboard via at least one screw connection (5) (cf. Fig. 6). [9] Screen according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the panel (1) is made of solid wood, plywood or glued wood, coated chipboard, lacquered MDF panels or a comparable furniture construction material

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