Child wiping assist apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting with wiping a child includes a stabilized base configured to sit on a horizontal surface and a first handle coupled to the stabilized base. The first handle is positioned such that a child bending over and grabbing the first handle with both hands opens the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean, such as during a diaper change. The apparatus may also include a second handle extending upwardly from the stabilized base higher than the first handle so that the second handle may be grabbed by the child in a standing position or during movement to and from the bent over position. A method for assisting with wiping a child while using the apparatus is also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for assisting with wiping a child, comprising:
 a base configured to sit on a horizontal surface, the base including a handle receptacle; and   a first handle coupled to the base at a single stationary location defined by the handle receptacle, the first handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central gripping portion, wherein the first end portion extends generally vertically upward from the base, the second end portion extends generally vertically upward from the base, and the central gripping portion extends generally horizontally between the first and second end portions,   wherein the first handle is positioned such that the central gripping portion is located adjacent to the base with the first handle out of reach for a standing child until the child bends over, and wherein a child bending over while standing and grabbing the central gripping portion of the first handle with both hands opens the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a platform for the child to stand upon when bending over and grabbing the first handle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the platform includes an outer periphery having raised edges such that the platform catches and contains any fecal matter that falls off the child during cleaning of the child. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the platform includes footprint indicia to indicate where the child is to stand when bending over and grabbing the first handle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the platform includes elevated blocks configured to support one of the feet of the child while bending over to more fully open the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the base includes a stationary lower support portion adapted to sit on a horizontal surface and an upper platform portion coupled to the stationary lower support portion such that the upper support portion freely rotates with respect to the stationary lower support portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the stabilized base includes a locking mechanism operable to prevent rotation of the upper platform portion with respect to the stationary lower support portion when the locking mechanism is actuated. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the platform is configured to be folded into a compact orientation for storage or travel during non-use. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first handle is removable from the stabilized base during storage or travel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second handle coupled to the base and extending upwardly from the stabilizing base higher than the first handle, the second handle configured to be grabbed by the child when the child is in a standing position or when the child transitions between bending over and standing up.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second handle includes a central vertical portion extending upwardly from the base and a horizontal gripping portion coupled to the central vertical portion to define a T-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second handle includes first and second end portions extending generally vertically upward from the stabilized base and a U-shaped handle portion projecting forwardly and upwardly from the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second handles includes at least one of a toy or steering wheel to distract the child during cleaning. 
     
     
         15 . A method for cleaning and wiping a child during diapering and potty training while using an assist apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning the child in a standing position adjacent to or on top of a base of the assist apparatus sitting on a horizontal surface;   bending the child at the torso into a bent over position by instructing the child to grab and hold a first handle coupled to the base, thereby opening up the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean;   wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean of any urine or excrement while the child continues to hold the first handle for stability; and   repositioning the child back to the standing position to enable the child to put a new diaper or underwear on over the child's anal and/or private areas.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the assist apparatus includes a second handle extending from the base, and the method further comprises:
 instructing the child to grab and hold the second handle while positioning the child in the standing position adjacent to or on top of the base; and   moving the child between the standing position and the bent over position while the child grabs one or both of the first and second handles for stability during the movement between positions.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes a platform for the child to stand on, the platform including raised edges, and the method further comprises:
 removing a soiled diaper or underwear from the child while the child is in the standing position; and   catching and retrieving any urine or excrement that may fall from the child within the raised edges of the platform while removing the soiled diaper or underwear and while wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes a platform for the child to stand on, and the method further comprises:
 folding the platform into a compact orientation after repositioning the child back to the standing position such that the platform is made smaller for storage.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes an upper platform portion for the child to stand on and a lower platform portion configured to sit on the horizontal surface, and the method further comprises:
 rotating the child after positioning the child in the standing position on top of the upper platform portion of the base such that the child's anal and/or private areas face towards a caregiver; and   locking the upper platform portion from further rotation with respect to the lower platform portion to stabilize the child during movement to the bent over position and during wiping.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes elevated blocks on a platform for the child to stand on, and the method further comprises:
 moving one or both of the child's feet onto the elevated blocks while the child is in the bent over position to provide further access to wipe clean the child's anal and/or private areas.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle consists only of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the central gripping portion such that no additional structures extend away from the first handle other than the handle receptacle and the base.