GB2460051A

GB2460051A - A fold down baby changing table

Info

Publication number: GB2460051A
Application number: GB0808706A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Grainger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2008-05-13
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Also published as: WO2009140292A1; GB0808706D0; US20090288257A1

Abstract

A baby change table which is to be mounted on a wall so that it can be folded up against the wall when not in use comprises a baby supporting platform 12 which can be orientated to extend either parallel to the wall (Fig, 6), or at right angles to the wall (Fig. 4). The platform 12 is supported by a support member 14 which is hinged to a bracket 10 that is adapted to be secured to a fixed structure, e.g. a wall. The platform 12 may be secured to the support member 14 by screws or bolts 26 with security heads that require special tools to unscrew them. Alternatively, the platform 12 and the support member 14 have inter-engaging formations, e.g. bayonet type joint, to secure the platform in the desired position.

Description

Baby Change Table

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to baby change tables.

Baby change tables are commonly provided in locations such as public toilets and changing rooms, to enable a baby to be changed safely, when away from the home. For reasons of space, such tables are often mounted on a hinged mount, so that they can be folded up against a wall, when not in use, but can be easily lowered when required.

* According to the invention, there is provided a baby change table for mounting to a fixed structure, the table comprising a bracket adapted to be attached to a fixed structure, a platform supporting member hinged to the bracket, and a baby change :.:::. platform mounted on the supporting member, wherein the platform can be mounted on and secured to the supporting member in more than one position. *. ..

Preferably the platform can be secured with its longer dimension either parallel to the bracket hinge axis, or at right angles to the axis. Th ffet of th:s is that the table can be set up so that, when mounted on a fixed structure (typically a wall), it either lies parallel to the wall, or extends out from the wall.

Installers of baby change tables sometimes need to locate the platform one way, sometimes the other way. This may depend on available space in the changing room, or the preference of the owner of the premises where the table is being installed. By allowing the platform to be installed either way round, installers only need to use one table, knowing that it can be fitted with the platform either "vertical" or "horizontal". This means that manufacturers only have to offer one product, instead of the two currently avaiiabie.

The means for securing the platform to the supporting member preferably are of a form which allows the installer to attach the platform in either position, but which are thereafter inaccessible to users of the table. The securing means may be a series of bolts, with security heads which require a special tool. to unscrew them, or a bayonet or clip type joint with interengaging formations on the platform and the supporting member, possibly with a final locking member to prevent the joint being opened again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a baby change table according to the invention, in the lowered position; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing the table in the folded position; S... * ..

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the table, from below; S..

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Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but viewed from above; S..

Figures 5 & 6 are views corresponding to Figures 3 and 4 but showing the table installed in a different orientation. -

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows the table in the folded down position when it is ready to support a baby, typically when a baby's nappy needs to be changed. The table has a bracket 10 which will be fixed to a waIl or other supporting structure, a platform 12 on which the baby will be laid and a platform supporting member 14 hinged to the bracket 10 on an axis 16, and on which the platform 12 is supported. Also shown in Figure 1 is a safety strap 18 which can be fastened over the baby on the table to prevent the baby rolling off.

The platform 12 will typically be a plastics moulding with rounded edges and a wipe-clean surface. It may be formed by injection moulding, roto moulding or another appropriate manufacturing method.

Figure 2 shows the table folded up against a wall. It will be seen from this figure that the supporting member 14 has an arm 20 extending from the hinges 16, and a circular collar 22 into which a circular boss 24 of the platform 12 can be fitted.

The exploded view of Figure 3 shows the platform 12 with the circular boss 24 on its underside, and the bracket 14 with the circular collar 22. As will be apparent from Figure 3, the boss 24 fits into the collar 22, and the two parts are then secured together by four screws 26 which will pass through holes 28 in the collar 22 and into corresponding sockets 30 in the platform 12. Also seen in Figure 3 is a cover plate 32 which encloses a part of the supporting member 14 between the S...

hinge axis 16 and the collar22.

It will be seen from Figures 3 and 4 (in particular Figure 4), that the lengthwise * :* dimension of the platform 12 is at right angles to the wall to which it will be secured by the bracket 10. In this case the person attending the baby can work from either side of the table as the table extends away from the waD at right angles.

Figures 5 and 6 are substantially the same as Figures 3 and 4, but they show the table (see in particular Figure 6) assembled on the supporting member 14 with its length dimension parallel to the wall.

The positions of the holes 28 in the collar 22 and the sockets 30 in the platform 12 are arranged so that the platform and supporting member can be secured together in either of those two positions, and the orientation of the table (either the Figure 4 orientation or the Figure 6 orientation) will be set at the time that the platform is mounded on the supporting member.

It is intended that the platform 12 and supporting member 14 will be assembled together by whoever installs the table and that the screws 26 (or whatever fastenings are used) will in some way be protected from unauthorised removal.

However if for any reason it is subsequently desired to change the orientation, then by using a suitable tool, the screws 26 can be removed, the platform rotated through 90 degrees, and the screws then reinserted.

Although the figures all show the platform and supporting member being connected by means of threaded fasteners, it is also envisaged that other methods of connecting the platform and the supporting member may be provided, to avoid the use of multiple threaded fasteners. For example the outer rim of the boss 24 and the inner rim of the collar 22 may be provided with interengaging formations which allow the platform to be initially engaged in the supporting member at a position (say) 450 from its final position and then rotated to its final position where the interengaging formations ensure that the table remains connected. In this type of arrangement, it may be necessary to include a grub screw or similar to prevent unauthorised subsequent rotation of the table.

S

In this embodiment, the interengaging formations will be provided to enable the * platform to be mounted in the two alternative positions shown in Figures 4 and 6. S..

The interengaging formations can be similar to a bayonet joint.

It is expected that the supporting member 14 will be made of metal, possibly a sintered metal component.

The invention thus allows a manufacturer to manufacture just one baby change table to satisfy requirements of customers who wish to have the table mounted parallel and the requirements of customers who wish to have the table at right angles to the wall, with the installer being in a position to install the platform on the support in either of these two positions. This is of significant benefit to the manufacturer in terms of parts stocking and support costs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A baby change table for mounting to a fixed structure, the table comprising a bracket adapted to be attached to a fixed structure, a platform supporting member hinged to the bracket, and a baby change platform mounted on the supporting member, wherein the platform can be mounted on and secured to the supporting member in more than one position.
2. A table as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the platform can be secured with its longer dimension either parallel to the bracket hinge axis, or at right angles to the axis.
3. A table as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the platform can be mounted on and secured to the supporting membe.r in more than one position by S...securing means. S...
4. A table as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises a series of screws or bolts, with security heads which require a special tool to : unscrew them. S..
5. A table as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises interengaging formations on the platforms and the supporting member to enable the platform to be mounted on the supporting member in different positions, without requiring the use of tools.
6. A table as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the interengaging formations form a bayonet type joint.
7. A table as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bracket and the platform supporting member are made of metal and the piatform is made of a plastics material.
8. A baby change table substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing. * *. * S S * S. * . S... * S. * . .SS *. ..SS SS SS *5S *