Baby changing mat

Abstract

A changing mat having securing features allows a caretaker to easily and conveniently change the infant's diaper when traveling, at home, or elsewhere. The changing mat may include one or more mounts or groups of mounts which allow the infant to be strapped and secured to the mat. The mounts may be positioned such that the straps do not obstruct the diaper changing process. A stiffening element within the changing mat helps ensure that the infant's movements are restricted during changing. One or more gripping elements prevent the changing mat from sliding or moving when in use. A support surface may be provided to support and/or cushion to the infant. The changing mat may have a variety of shapes used to appeal to caretakers and to properly support the infant during a diaper change.

1 . A baby changing mat comprising:
 a planar stiffening element having a top and a bottom;   a support surface having a least some cushioning, the support surface covering at least a portion of the top of the stiffening element;   a plurality of mounts configured to engage one or more straps, the one or more straps extending outward from the support surface; and   one or more couplers attached to one or more of the one or more straps, the to one or more couplers configured to connect the one or more of the one or more straps to secure an infant to the changing mat.   
     
     
         2 . The baby changing mat of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface forms a form fitting cover around the top and the bottom the stiffening element. 
     
     
         3 . The baby changing mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mounts are arranged in four sets of one or more mounts with a first two of the sets on a first side of the changing mat and a second two of the sets on a second side of the changing mat. 
     
     
         4 . The baby changing mat of  claim 3  wherein, pairs of the sets of the one or more mounts are aligned such that the one or more straps extend diagonally between the pairs of the sets. 
     
     
         5 . The baby changing mat of  claim 3 , wherein a first pair of the sets of the one or more mounts at the top of the changing mat are laterally spaced closer together than a lateral spacing of a second pair of the sets. 
     
     
         6 . The baby changing mat of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more straps extend between the sets of the one or more mounts in an “X” shape that is narrower at the top of the changing mat because of the lateral spacing of the first pair of the sets. 
     
     
         7 . The baby changing mat of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element comprises to at least one articulation line and is foldable along the at least one articulation line. 
     
     
         8 . A changing mat comprising:
 a stiffening element;   a support surface having a least some cushioning, the support surface at a top of the changing mat and adjacent the stiffening element;   a plurality of mounts arranged in one or more pairs with one or more first mounts of a pair on a first side of the support surface and one or more second mounts of the pair on a second side of the support surface;   one or more straps extending between the one or more pairs of mounts; and   a bottom surface having one or more gripping elements.   
     
     
         9 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more straps extend between the one or more pairs of mounts in an “X” shape. 
     
     
         10 . The changing mat of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of mounts of the one or more pairs of mounts are positioned to cause the “X” shape formed by the one or more straps to be narrower at a top end and wider at a bottom end. 
     
     
         11 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein individual mounts of the one or more pairs are aligned such that the one or more straps extend diagonally between the pairs of the sets. 
     
     
         12 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein a first pair of the sets of the one or more mounts at the top of the changing mat are laterally spaced closer together than a lateral spacing of a second pair of the sets. 
     
     
         13 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more straps comprise one or more couplers configured to releasably connect a first and a second portion of the one or more straps. 
     
     
         14 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein the changing mat has an outer peripheral shape corresponding to an animal. 
     
     
         15 . The changing mat of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more straps releasably engage one or more of the plurality mounts to permit the one or more straps to extend between various of the plurality of mounts. 
     
     
         16 . A method of changing a baby with a changing mat comprising:
 providing a changing mat comprising a support surface mounted to a first side of a stiffening element, and a plurality of pairs of mounts located diagonal from each other on a first side and a second side of the support surface;   attaching a plurality of straps in an “X” shape to the support surface via one or more of the pairs of mounts at the support surface; and   providing a bottom surface of the changing mat at a second side of the stiffening element.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising providing one or more couplers configured to releasably connect a first portion of at least one of the plurality straps to a second portion of the at least one of the plurality of straps. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising positioning at least two of the mounts to cause the “X” shape of the straps to be narrower at a top end of the changing mat and wider at a bottom end of the changing mat. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising placing the baby beneath a portion of the plurality of straps. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising positioning the baby such that the baby's head extends out at a top end of the “X” shape, the baby's arms extend out laterally from the “X” shape, and the baby's legs extend out at a bottom end of the “X” shape.