U.S. patent application number 10/634207 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for self-inflating changing pad.
Invention is credited to McCarthy, Kevin D..
Application Number | 20040025254 10/634207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31498749 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040025254 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCarthy, Kevin D. |
February 12, 2004 |
Self-inflating changing pad
Abstract
A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad includes an open-cell
foam cushion unit; a flexible, airtight cover enclosing the cushion
unit; and a self-inflation valve situated in the cover and
communicating between the exterior and interior of the cover. The
valve is operable to inflate and deflate the cushion unit, whereby,
when the valve is open and the cushion unit is collapsed, the
cushion unit is expanded by the flow of air into the valve in
response to the pressure differential between the interior and the
exterior of the cover. To collapse the changing pad, the valve is
opened, allowing air to escape from the cushion unit as the
changing pad is rolled into a substantially cylindrical
configuration. The valve is then closed to maintain the changing
pad in this collapsed state. To restore the changing pad to its
inflated state, the valve is opened, whereby the elastic expansion
of the foam material creates a pressure differential with respect
to the atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow into the foam
material, until the cushion unit is fully expanded.
Inventors: |
McCarthy, Kevin D.; (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLEIN, O'NEILL & SINGH
Suite 510
2 Park Plaza
Irvine
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
31498749 |
Appl. No.: |
10/634207 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60402320 |
Aug 8, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ;
5/709 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/003 20130101;
A47D 5/006 20130101; A47C 27/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/655 ;
5/709 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: an
open-cell cushion unit; a flexible, airtight retaining cover
enclosing the cushion unit; and a self-inflation valve situated in
the cover and communicating between the exterior of the cover and
the interior of the cover, and selectively openable to allow the
inflation and deflation of the cushion unit, whereby, when the
valve is open, the cushion unit may be collapsed from an inflated
configuration into a collapsed configuration by the outflow of air
from the cushion unit through the valve, and whereby the cushion
unit may expanded from the collapsed configuration to the inflated
configuration by the inflow of air through the valve in response to
the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of
the cover.
2. The changing pad of claim 1, wherein the cushion unit comprises
a base element and a perimeter bolster.
3. The changing pad of claim 1, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further
comprises: a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a
second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom
surface sides; and a fastener on the second end of each of the
straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the
fasteners.
4. The changing pad of claim 1, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid
material on the bottom surface.
5. The changing pad of claim 1, wherein the pad, in its collapsed
configuration, may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical
shape.
6. The changing pad of claim 2, wherein the base element is
substantially rectangular with a pair of opposed sides, and wherein
the perimeter bolster comprises a side bolster extending along each
of the opposed sides.
7. A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: an
open-cell foam cushion unit comprising a base element having a pair
of opposed side bolsters, wherein the base element and the side
bolsters are formed as an integral structure; a flexible, airtight,
water-resistant retaining cover enclosing the cushion unit; and a
self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating
between the exterior of the cover and the interior of the cover,
and selectively openable to allow the inflation and deflation of
the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open, the cushion unti
may be collapsed from an inflated configuration into a collapsed
configuration by the outflow of air from the cushion unit through
the valve, and whereby the cushion unit may expanded from the
collapsed configuration to the inflated configuration by the inflow
of air through the valve in response to the pressure differential
between the interior and the exterior of the cover; whereby the
pad, in its collapsed configuration, may be rolled into a
substantially cylindrical shape.
8. The changing pad of claim 7, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further
comprises: a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a
second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom
surface sides; and a fastener on the second end of each of the
straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the
fasteners.
9. The changing pad of claim 7, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid
material on the bottom surface.
10. A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: an
open-cell foam cushion unit; a flexible, airtight retaining cover
enclosing the cushion unit; and a self-inflation valve situated in
the cover and communicating between the exterior of the cover and
the interior of the cover, and selectively openable to allow the
inflation and deflation of the cushion unit, whereby, when the
valve is open, the cushion unit may be collapsed from an inflated
configuration into a collapsed configuration by the outflow of air
from the cushion unit through the valve, and whereby the cushion
unit may expanded from the collapsed configuration to the inflated
configuration by the inflow of air through the valve in response to
the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of
the cover; wherein the valve comprises: a tubular body that extends
from an inner end inside the cover to an outer portion extending
beyond the surface of the cover, and defining a valve passage
having an outer opening; and a valve cover operably engaging the
outer portion of the valve body over the outer opening of the valve
passage, the valve cover including a plurality of vents that are
radially aligned with the outer end of the valve body; wherein the
valve cover is movable in a first direction relative to the valve
body to a closed position in which the vents are closed against the
outer end of the valve body, thereby closing the valve passage to
the atmosphere, and in a second direction relative to the valve
body to an open position in which the vents are spaced away from
the end of the valve body, thereby opening the valve passage to the
atmosphere through the vents.
11. The changing pad of claim 10, wherein the cushion unit
comprises a base element and a perimeter bolster.
12. The changing pad of claim 10, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further
comprises: a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a
second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom
surface sides; and a fastener on the second end of each of the
straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the
fasteners.
13. The changing pad of claim 10, wherein the cover has a bottom
surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid
material on the bottom surface.
14. The changing pad of claim 10, wherein the pad, in its collapsed
configuration, may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical
shape.
15. The changing pad of claim 11, wherein the base element is
substantially rectangular with a pair of opposed sides, and wherein
the perimeter bolster comprises a side bolster extending along each
of the opposed sides.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. Section
119(e), of co-pending provisional application No. 60/402,320; filed
Aug. 8, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a self-inflating changing pad for
infants that has the benefit of portability. In particular, it
relates to an inflatable pad on which an infant can be placed while
he or she is being attended to, for example, while the baby's
diapers are being changed.
[0004] Travel with infants is challenging, particularly infants who
must wear diapers. Provision must be made to change their diapers
whenever the need arises, which can be very inconvenient. To
accommodate such needs, restrooms in hotels, restaurants, airports,
and even airplanes are increasingly being fitted with changing
tables. Nevertheless, such changing tables typically offer a hard,
uncomfortable surface, with uncertain sanitary conditions.
Moreover, there can be no certainty of finding a suitable changing
table when the need arises for changing a diaper. Typically,
therefore, a baby's diapers must be changed while the baby is lying
on a hard floor or counter-top, at best with a blanket
underneath.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a device on
which an infant can be placed for diaper changing (or for other
care) that is easily portable, and that provides the baby with a
soft, comfortable surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Broadly, the present invention is a self-inflating,
collapsible changing pad, comprising an open-cell foam cushion
unit; a retaining cover enclosing the cushion unit; and a
self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating
between the exterior of the cover and the interior of the cover,
and selectively operable to allow the inflation and deflation of
the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open and the cushion
unit is collapsed, the cushion unit is expanded by the flow of air
into the valve in response to the pressure differential between the
interior and the exterior of the cover.
[0007] More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the cushion
unit includes a substantially rectangular base element having two
opposed sides. An open-cell foam side bolster, integral with the
base element, extends along each of the opposed sides of the base
element, and a flexible, airtight retaining cover encloses the base
element and the side bolsters.
[0008] In use, to collapse the changing pad from its inflated state
to its deflated or collapsed state, the valve is opened. This
allows air to escape from the open -celled foam material of the
base element and the side bolsters through the valve as the
changing pad is squeezed and rolled into a more or less cylindrical
configuration. The valve is then closed to maintain the changing
pad in this collapsed, deflated state. To restore the changing pad
to its inflated state by self-inflation, the valve is opened,
whereby the elastic expansion of the foam material creates a
pressure differential with respect to the atmospheric pressure,
causing air under atmospheric pressure to flow into the foam
material, until the base element and side bolsters are fully
expanded.
[0009] As will be more fully appreciated from the detailed
description below, the present invention provides a fully and
conveniently portable changing pad that includes a soft,
comfortable pad surface contained within an easily cleanable cover.
These and other advantages will be readily understood from the
following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-inflating changing
pad in accordance with the present invention, showing the pad in
its collapsed or deflated state and encased in a carrying sack;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the changing pad of FIG. 1,
showing the pad in its collapsed or deflated state and removed from
its carrying sack;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the self-inflating
changing pad of the present invention, showing the pad in its
inflated state;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the self-inflating
changing pad of the present invention, showing the pad in its
inflated state;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the
inflation/deflation valve of the present invention in its closed
position; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the
inflation/deflation valve of the present invention in its open
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a self-inflating
changing pad 10 in accordance with the present invention includes
cushion unit comprising a base element 12 and at least one
upwardly-extending perimeter rail or bolster 14. In the preferred
embodiment, the base element 12 is substantially rectangular, and
an upwardly-extending side rail or bolster 14 extends along the
entire length of each of the longer sides of the base element 12.
As best shown in FIG. 5, the base element 12 and the bolsters 14
are formed as an integral structure made of an open-celled foam
material. The cushion unit comprising the base element 12 and the
bolsters 14 is enclosed in an airtight retaining cover 16 that is
made of a soft, flexible, water-resistant material, preferably
nylon, although any suitable polymeric sheet material may be used.
The cover 16 protects the cushion unit and retains the base element
12 and the bolsters 14 in their proper spacial relationship to form
the configuration of the pad 10 shown in the drawings. Suitable
materials for the cushion unit are well-known in the art. It will
be appreciated that, while a rectangular configuration for the
changing pad 10 is preferred, the base element 12 can be made in
any other acceptable shape (e.g., elliptical), with the
configuration of the bolsters 14 being appropriately modified.
Alternatively, the base element may be circular, with a single
circumferential perimeter bolster.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a sheet 18 of non-skid material
is attached to the bottom surface of the cover 16. The sheet 18 may
be of any suitable fabric, such as felt, or it may be of a suitably
textured plastic. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first and second
straps 20a, 20b with mating fasteners 22a, 22b, respectively, may
advantageously be attached to opposite sides of the bottom surface
of the cover 16. Each of the straps 20, 20b has a first end and a
second end. The first end is attached to the bottom surface of the
cover 16, with the fasteners 22a, 22b being attached to the second
(free) end. The straps 20a, 20b are long enough to extend over the
top of the pad 10, so that they may be used to secure an infant
(not shown) gently but firmly onto the pad 10. The straps 20a, 20b
may advantageously be length-adjustable.
[0019] An inflation/deflation valve 24 is installed in the cover
16, preferably adjacent one of the bolsters 14, as shown in FIGS. 4
and 5. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve 24 is a
commercially-available type that comprises a tubular body 26 that
extends from an inner end inside the cover 16 to an outer portion
extending beyond the surface of the cover 16. The valve body 26
defines a valve passage 28 having an outer opening, and the outer
portion of the valve body is externally threaded. An
internally-threaded valve cover 30 is threaded onto the outer
portion of the valve body 26 over the exterior end of the valve
body 26, over the outer opening of the valve passage 28. The valve
cover 30 is provided with a plurality of slits or vents 32 that are
radially aligned with the outer end of the valve body 26. As shown
in FIG. 6, the valve cover 30 may be screwed inwardly (i.e., toward
the bolster 14) on the valve body 26 to a closed position in which
the vents 32 are closed against the outer end of the valve body 26,
thereby closing the valve passage 28 to the atmosphere. As shown in
FIG. 7, the valve cover 30 may be screwed outwardly (i.e., away
from the side bolster 14) on the valve body 26 to an open position
in which the vents 32 of the valve cover 30 are spaced away from
the end of the valve body, thereby opening the valve passage 28 to
the atmosphere through the vents 32.
[0020] A particular advantage of the valve 24 described above is
that by simply twisting or rotating the valve cover 30, the valve
24 is opened, and the pad 10 automatically self-inflates due to the
pressure differential between the interior and the exterior
(ambient atmosphere), as described below. While the particular type
of valve 24 described above is preferred, it is merely exemplary,
and a variety of other types of valves that are functionally
equivalent may be employed.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the changing pad 10 has a collapsed or
deflated state in which it is capable of being rolled into the
approximate form of a cylinder. In this collapsed state, the volume
of the pad 10 is substantially reduced, so that it can be easily
transported and stored. For example, once collapsed or deflated,
the pad 10 can be placed in a protective carrying sack 34 that may
optionally be provided with a pull cord 36 to close the sack
34.
[0022] The use of the inflation/deflation valve 24 to inflate and
deflate the changing pad 10 is as follows: To collapse the changing
pad 10 from its inflated or expanded configuration (FIGS. 3-5) to
its deflated or collapsed configuration (FIG. 2), the valve 24 is
opened, as described above. This allows an outflow of air to escape
from the open-celled foam material of the cushion unit through the
valve 24 as the changing pad 10 is squeezed and rolled into the
more or less cylindrical configuration shown in FIG. 2. The valve
24 is then closed to maintain the changing pad in this collapsed,
deflated state. To restore the changing pad 10 to its inflated or
expanded configuration by self-inflation, the valve 24 is opened,
whereby the elastic expansion of the foam material creates a
pressure differential with respect to the atmospheric pressure,
causing air under atmospheric pressure to flow into the foam
material, until the base element 12 and bolsters 14 are fully
expanded.
[0023] While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
described above, it will be appreciated that a number of
modifications and variations may suggest themselves to those
skilled in the pertinent arts. Such variations and modifications
may be considered be within the scope of the invention, as
determined by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
* * * * *