US20140317853A1

US20140317853A1 - Vehicle changing station

Info

Publication number: US20140317853A1
Application number: US13/871,367
Authority: US
Inventors: Adam Mullins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2013-04-26
Publication date: 2014-10-30

Abstract

A diaper changing station for a vehicle comprising a mattress, where the mattress includes a pair of raised edges and a concaved center; a padded base positioned below the mattress; a pair of seatbelt holders attached at the pair of raised edges at a backside of the mattress, where the seatbelt holders threat a seatbelt to secure the mattress against a seat of the vehicle; and at least one storage compartment position on a side of the mattress, where the storage compartment houses a plurality of baby changing items.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a changing station that is adapted to rest upon a seat of a vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
A changing station is a surface upon which a parent or guardian changes their infant's diapers. Some changing stations may be free-standing and elevated to waist level so that the parent does not have to bend or strain themselves to change the diaper. Other changing stations may be portable to rest on another piece of furniture thereby allowing the user to transport the changing station as needed for use. Common materials to make the changing stations are hard plastic or molded foam. Due to the nature of the changing station's purpose, the surface is typically covered or waterproof to allow for easy cleanups after the surface is soiled.
Often a parent must take their babies on errand runs or to shopping centers. In times of need, when a changing station is not easily accessible, the parent must change their child in their vehicle. This may be awkward and difficult resting the baby on the seat and hoping they'll remain still while searching in the diaper bag for all the necessary items. Also, changing the baby in the vehicle may become messy causing soiled seats or flooring.
Therefore, it would be beneficial in the art to provide a changing station that is easily adaptable for a vehicle. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a changing station for a vehicle that includes storage to place the necessary items the parent needs while changing the baby's diaper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a changing station in a vehicle, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a changing station for a vehicle seat, where the station includes a padded mattress to support the baby.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle changing station that includes multiple storage compartments to allow diapers, wipes, lotions, creams and powder to be readily available as needed while changing.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a diaper changing station for a vehicle is described comprising a mattress, where the mattress includes a pair of raised edges and a concaved center; a padded base positioned below the mattress; a pair of seatbelt holders attached at the pair of raised edges at a backside of the mattress, where the seatbelt holders threat a seatbelt to secure the mattress against a seat of the vehicle; and at least one storage compartment position on a side of the mattress, where the storage compartment houses a plurality of baby changing items.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a vehicle changing station in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a changing station that is adapted to rest upon a seat of a vehicle. The present invention provides a vehicle changing station to facilitate changing diapers in an automobile. The vehicle changing station includes a concaved mattress that rests at an angle upon a padded base to provide a level changing surface for a baby. The mattress includes storage compartments to house items like diapers, wipes, lotions or powders, so that all the diaper changing necessities are readily available in the vehicle.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle changing station 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle changing station 100 includes a mattress 102 to encompass the main body portion of the changing station 100. The mattress 102 may comprise a generally rectangular shape with foam or gel padding. The mattress 102 is generally U-shaped which includes a pair of raised edges 104 and a concaved center 106. The raised edges 104 provide a barrier to prevent a baby resting on the concaved center 106 from rolling off the mattress 102. The mattress 102 may be covered with a waterproof cover to enable easy cleanup after use. The width of the mattress 102 may be as wide as a single seat so that it doesn't take up too much space next to one or more car seats.
Positioned beneath the mattress 102 is a base 110. The base 110 may be padded for adaptable fitting against the vehicle seat, and to prevent damage like tearing or scratching to the seat surface. The base 110 may include a rubberized layer to prevent the vehicle changing station 100 from sliding during use. The base 110 may be made from foam or another soft material. During use, the mattress 102 is pressed against the backrest of the seat with the base 110 coming to the edge of the seat. The mattress 102 may be removable from the base 110 to allow the user to clean the mattress 102 as needed.
Fastened to a back portion of the mattress 102 is a pair of seatbelt holders 112. The seatbelt holders 112 may be positioned adjacent to the raised edges 104. The seatbelt holders 112 may be circular openings (as shown), loops, hooks, latches or the like. The seatbelt threads through the seatbelt holders 112 to secure the mattress 102 against the seat and to prevent the mattress 102 from tipping during use.
On one or both sides of the mattress 102 are one or more storage compartments 114, 116, 118. The storage compartments 114, 116, 118 may be plastic baskets, boxes, pouches or a combination thereof to contain the items needed to properly change a baby's diaper. For example, the storage compartment 114 may house baby wipes, while the storage compartment 116 houses diapers and storage compartment 118 houses the trash disposed of after changing the baby. The storage compartments 114, 116, 118 may be airtight to prevent the wipes from drying out and to prevent the trash from making the vehicle cabin smell. Alternatively, the storage compartments 114, 116, 118 may be baskets or netted pouches to contain lotions, powder, creams and the like, and to enable the caretaker to see the items through the mesh.
The vehicle changing station 100 is a useful device that allows a caretaker to change their baby while on the go. The waterproof cover of the mattress 102 allows easy cleanup in case of messes. Additionally, the storage compartment 114, 116, 118 provide convenient access to the necessary items to change the baby.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A diaper changing station for a vehicle comprising:

a. a mattress, where the mattress includes a pair of raised edges and a concaved center;

b. a padded base positioned below the mattress;

c. a pair of seatbelt holders attached at the pair of raised edges at a backside of the mattress, where the seatbelt holders thread a seatbelt to secure the mattress against a seat of the vehicle and said seatbelt holders include circular openings extending from the mattress; and

d. at least one storage compartment position on a side of the mattress, where the storage compartment houses a plurality of baby changing items and each storage compartment includes an airtight seal.

2. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the mattress is covered with a waterproof material.

3. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the padded base includes a rubberized layer to prevent the mattress from sliding on the seat.

4. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the padded base is made from a foam material.

5. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the pair of seatbelt holders is one of at least circular openings, hooks, loops or latches.

6. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where three storage compartments are provided along the side of the mattress.

7. The diaper changing station according to claim 6, where three storage compartments are on each side of the mattress.

8. (canceled)

9. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the storage compartments are one of at least boxes, baskets or pouches.

10. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the plurality of baby changing items include one of at least wipes, diapers, powder, cream and lotion.

11. The diaper changing station according to claim 1, where the mattress is removable from the base.