Portable baby changing station for use in automobiles

Abstract

A portable baby changing station fabricated from a soft, flexible material such as vinyl or nylon for changing diapers in automobiles. It is primarily designed to be used in the hatch back section of an SUV, minivan or station wagon. However, it can also be used in a sedan. When fully extended, it provides a soft surface to rest a baby while changing a diaper. In this mode, the head end is affixed to the rear portion of the back seat by a fastener such as Velcro. One or more netted pockets are positioned at the head end to hold diapers and changing supplies. Once the baby has a new diaper, the changing station folds up into a compact shape while remaining fastened to the back seat. It is held in the closed position by fasteners such as Velcro or snaps. It is always affixed to the automobile, and always ready to unfold. In a sedan, when not in use, the changing station is compact enough to be placed in the rear seat pocket or under a seat. A parent can leave the house without a diaper bag, knowing that if a baby needs a change, the supplies are already in the car.

1 . A portable device for changing the diaper of a baby in an automobile or other vehicle, said device comprising:
 a) a surface of substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width of dimensions larger than required to accommodate a baby resting thereon, and having two substantially parallel edges along the length and two substantially parallel edges along the width, wherein said surface is fabricated from a soft, flexible material, and wherein said surface further comprises at least one fold line forming a transversal to the length edges;   b) at least one first fastener comprising two parts that fit together such that when the surface is folded along the at least one fold line into a folded position, and the two parts of the at least one first fastener are engaged, the surface is neither exposed nor visible, and the folded position is retained; and,   c) at least one second fastener comprising two parts that fit together wherein one part of the at least one second fastener is permanently affixed to the device and the at least one second fastener is affixed to a component of the automobile or other vehicle, such that when the two parts of the at least one second fastener are engaged, the device is affixed to the component of the automobile or other vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one fold line is substantially perpendicular to the length edges. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one fold line comprises two fold lines. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one part of the at least one first fastener is fabricated as a fabric having hooks and the second part of the at least one first fastener is fabricated as a fabric having loops, such that when the two parts are engaged, the hooks engage the loops so that the two parts are affixed to each other, but also such that the two parts can be separated by a force that disengages the hooks from the loops. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one part of the at least one second fastener is fabricated as a fabric having hooks and the second part of the at least one second fastener is fabricated as a fabric having loops, such that when the two parts are engaged, the hooks engage the loops so that the two parts are affixed to each other, but also such that the two parts can be separated by a force that disengages the hooks from the loops. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device may remain affixed to the component of the automobile or other vehicle either in the folded position or in an unfolded position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one pocket located on the surface at a width edge that may hold diapers or changing supplies. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the at least one pocket is a plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of pockets are all located on the surface at the same width edge.