Infant diaper changing system

Abstract

A reinforced infant changing system comprising an elongated flexible cushioned pad having a top surface, bottom surface and cushion therebetween. The system also includes a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members hingedly connected to the bottom surface of the changing system for extension in various directions to provide a reinforced cradling surface.

1 . A reinforced infant changing system, said system comprising:
 an elongated flexible cushioned pad having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cushion layer therebetween; and   a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members including a hinge member connected to adjoining edges of said flap members and to said bottom surface.   
   
   
       2 . The infant changing system according to  claim 1  wherein said pad has elevated lateral surfaces when said flap members are fully extended. 
   
   
       3 . The infant changing system of  claim 1  wherein said flap members form a unitary underlying support. 
   
   
       4 . The infant changing system of  claim 1  wherein said flap members include beveled edges. 
   
   
       5 . The infant changing system according to  claim 1  wherein said pad includes a storage pocket. 
   
   
       6 . The infant changing system according to  claim 4  wherein said pad is defined by a cradling surface when said pad is fully extended and said beveled edges of said flap members are aligned facing opposite directions. 
   
   
       7 . The infant changing system according to  claim 4  wherein said pad has a sloped lateral section when said beveled edges of said flap members are aligned in touching relation to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The infant changing system according to  claim 1  wherein said pad is adjustable between an expanded and folded orientation. 
   
   
       9 . The infant changing system according to  claim 1  wherein said pad includes at least one handle member. 
   
   
       10 . The infant changing system according to  claim 1  wherein said pad includes means for folding said pad into a compact unit. 
   
   
       11 . The infant changing system according to  claim 10  wherein said folding means includes reinforced fold lines. 
   
   
       12 . A flexible elongated changing pad comprising:
 a top, waterproof surface, a bottom surface;   a cushion layer between said top and bottom surfaces; and   means connected to said bottom surface for bending at least one side of said pad upwardly.   
   
   
       13 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 12  wherein said bending means includes a support member having dual wedge shaped pads. 
   
   
       14 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 13  wherein said dual pads have a trough shaped mid-section when said cushion member is in an extended position. 
   
   
       15 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 12  wherein said bending means forms a slightly raised surface along a side of said pad when said dual pads have opposing edges in adjoining relation to one another. 
   
   
       16 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 12  wherein said pad includes a storage pocket. 
   
   
       17 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 12  wherein said pad includes dual handle members located along opposite side edges of said pad. 
   
   
       18 . The infant changing pad according to  claim 12  wherein said pad includes outer reinforced edges. 
   
   
       19 . A method of changing an infant's diaper wherein an elongated, cushioned pad having a pair of wedge-shaped flaps is hingedly connected to a bottom surface of said pad, the method comprising the steps of:
 laying said pad on a surface;   spreading said pair of said wedge-shaped flaps so as to extend said flaps beneath said bottom surface transversely of the length of said pad;   placing said pad on a surface with said flaps disposed between said bottom surface and said support surface so as to form a generally trough-shaped top surface on said pad;   connecting opposite beveled edges of said flaps to said bottom surface of said pad;   placing an infant longitudinally along said cradled top surface; and   changing a diaper of the infant.   
   
   
       20 . A method of aligning an infant changing pad having a padded, substantially rectangular shaped cushion with flap members connected along a bottom surface of said cushion, the steps comprising:
 orienting said flap members with opposite beveled edges in touching relation;   attaching one of said beveled edges to said bottom surface of said cushion;   forming a slightly elevated top surface along a first lateral section of said cushion;   placing said cushion along a sloped surface; and   changing an infant's diaper on said slightly elevated top surface.