GB2481977A

GB2481977A - Baby changing platform

Info

Publication number: GB2481977A
Application number: GB201011664A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Isabelle Mccrossan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-12
Filing date: 2010-07-12
Publication date: 2012-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-12
Also published as: GB2481977B; GB2481977B8; GB201011664D0

Abstract

A baby changing platform 101 adapted to rest on a bathtub, comprising: a rigid platform body larger than the width of a bath; curved ribs 201 positioned on the underside of the platform and shaped to fit inside a bathtub; and non-slip feet 301. The user positions the baby changing platform on top of a bathtub, providing a rigid surface on which to change the nappy of a baby.

Description

A baby changing platform adapted to rest on a bathtub

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a baby changing platform, more specifically, a platform adapted to rest on a bathtub.

[2] Changing nappies is a necessity when caring for a young baby. To aid nappy changing, many carers use a changing station. These changing stations are tables designed to raise the baby to waist-height, making changing more comfortable for the carer whilst holding all the supplies required for changing. Changing stations are widely commercially available.

[3] However, changing stations require a great deal of space and are perhaps better suited to public toilets and changing facilities. A large number of homes simply cannot find the required space. Particularly now, with more people living in cities than the countryside and space at a premium, carers require a space-efficient means of changing their baby's nappies.

[4] Changing mats have been devised in response to this need and are also commercially available. These are small, flexible mats that are simply rolled out onto a floor or other surface and rolled away for storage after use. There are health and safety considerations when using these. Changing mats require carers to lean over to the floor to change their baby's nappy, potentially causing back pain and injuries. Some carers have taken to using the mats on top of a bed, as this is the correct height, but such use may lead to unsanitary conditions on the bed. Furthermore baby changing supplies are not typically stored in bedroom areas but in bathrooms. If a product is left in the bathroom the carer must go and get it, but leaving a baby unattended is potentially very dangerous.

[5] It would therefore be advantageous to change the baby in the room already holding nappy changing supplies, the bathroom, so that all necessary products are within easy reach. Bathtubs are at a height suitable for nappy changing and would be an ideal item on which to change a baby, but changing mats cannot be used on top of a bath due to their lack of flexibility.

[6] Methods of changing nappies on top of a bathtub are known in the art. GB2280366 to Drew discloses a baby changing mat with a plywood base and collapsible legs, adapted to fit onto the top of a bathtub. Though this does represent an improvement on traditional changing mats, it is much more difficult to assemble. The legs must be collapsed and fitted properly, and then positioned correctly on the bathtub to ensure the safety of the baby. When looking after a young baby, there is no time to assemble and install complicated equipment and so this product places parents at a significant disadvantage.

[7] Furthermore, it is important that all equipment with which the baby will come into contact is kept clean and disinfected. With so many parts that must join together, this product could harbor pathogens and dirt in small gaps that are impossible to clean.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[8] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a baby changing platform that may be rested on a bath, without complicated mechanisms for installation that is also easy to clean and disinfect. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a platform.

[9] To this end, disclosed is a baby changing platform adapted to rest on a bathtub, comprising: a rigid platform body larger than the width of a bath; curved ribs shaped and positioned to fit inside a bathtub; non-slip feet.

[10] The user simply positions the baby changing platform on top of a bathtub, providing a rigid surface on which to change the nappy of a baby.

[11] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows the carer to change the nappy of a baby at the correct height, preventing back pain, whilst surrounded by baby changing supplies.

[12] A further advantage is that the baby changing platform may simply be stored away when not in use, saving space.

[13] A yet further advantage is that it requires no assembly or installation, and so may be simply used when caring for a baby.

[14] A yet further advantage is that it may be full cleaned and disinfected, with no small gaps to harbor pathogens or dirt.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [15] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [16] Figure one shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[17] Figure two shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[18] Figure three shows the underside of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[19] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figures one to three in which like numerals refer to like components, a baby changing platform adapted to rest on a bathtub is disclosed, comprising: a rigid platform body 101 larger than the width of a bath; curved ribs 201 shaped and positioned to fit inside a bathtub; non-slip feet 301.

[20] The rigid platform body 101 is ideally rectangular in shape, and of a size sufficient to cover the width of a standard bathtub with some amount of over-hang. It should also be wide enough to hold a baby.

[21] The platform body 101 may have up-turned sides, to ensure the baby cannot fall from the platform.

[22] The platform body 101 is ideally formed of a rigid plastic, such as polyethylene. It should be easy to clean, and stain and odor resistant. This plastic may be formed into a platform body using rotational moulding, to form a single part with no small gaps in which pathogens or dirt may be held.

Alternatively, any other method known in the art may be used.

[23] The platform body 101 may comprise a handle, or a number of handles, for easy use and transportation by a carer.

[24] The ribs 201 are essentially extended protrusions along the underside of the platform body 101. The ribs 201 are curved and shaped to fit inside a standard bathtub, next to the walls of the bathtub, when the platform body is placed upon a bathtub. There is ideally at least one rib 201 on each edge of the platform to fit along both side walls of a bathtub.

[25] The non-slip feet 301 are pads of non-slip material positioned on the underside of the platform body 101 to keep the platform in place on the bathtub. The non-slip feet may be formed of rubber for its non-slip properties, or any other material that may prevent slippage or create friction known in the art. On the drawings, four such non-slip feet are shown though any number may be used as required.

[261 The user positions the platform body 101 on top of the bathtub. The curved ribs 201 on the underside of the platform body slide into position on the inside of the bath, against the bathtub walls, preventing the platform body 101 from slipping off of the bathtub. The non-slip feet 301 on the underside of the pLatforrn body 101 are pushed against the top of the bathtub, further preventing slippage.

Claims

Claims 1. A baby changing platform adapted to rest on a bathtub comprising: a rigid platform body larger than the width of a bath; ribs shaped and positioned to fit inside a bathtub; a plurality of non-slip feet.
2. The baby changing platform of claim 1 where said rigid platform body is rectangular in shape.
3. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said rigid platform body comprises up-turned sides.
4. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said rigid platform body comprises a plastic.
5. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said rigid platform body comprises polyethylene.
6. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said rigid platform body is rotationally moulded.
7. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said ribs are positioned on the underside of said rigid platform body.
8. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim with two ribs.
9. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said ribs are spaced and positioned to slide against walls of a bathtub.
10. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim where said non-slip feet comprise rubber.
11. The baby changing platform of any preceding claim with four non-slip feet, one positioned at each corner of said platform body.