Height adjustable diaper changing station

1 . Apparatus comprising:

height adjustable diaper changing station including

a footer, wherein the footer is configured

to extend horizontally adjacent to an intersection of a horizontally extending floor and a vertically extending building wall,

to be vertically supported through operative engagement with the floor,

to be fixed in operative connection with at least one of the floor and the building wall through at least one first fastener,

a header, wherein the header is configured

to extend horizontally adjacent to the building wall and in vertically overlying relation of the footer,

to be fixed in operative connection with the building wall through at least one second fastener,

a pair of guide rods, wherein each guide rod

extends vertically and in parallel horizontally spaced relation from the other guide rod of the pair, wherein the guide rods are horizontally spaced apart a guide space distance,

includes a first guide rod end that is in fixed operative connection with the footer and a second guide rod end that is in fixed operative connection with the header,

a carriage, wherein the carriage is selectively vertically movable relative to the guide rods, wherein the carriage includes

a pair of guide sleeves, wherein each guide sleeve

extends in surrounding movable operatively engaged relation of a respective guide rod,

is in operatively engaged relation with the respective guide rod over a vertical span distance that exceeds the guide space distance,

a top member, wherein the top member

extends horizontally, linearly, and intermediate of the guide sleeves, and

is in fixed operative connection with each of the guide sleeves,

a bottom member, wherein the bottom member

extends horizontally,

is positioned vertically below the top member,

is in fixed operative connection with each of the guide sleeves,

a table, wherein the table

includes a substantially planar changing surface,

is movably rotatably mounted in operative connection with the carriage,

wherein the table is rotatable between

a use position in which the table extends substantially horizontally and outward in a direction normal to the wall and in which use position the changing surface faces substantially upward, and

a stored position in which the changing surface extends substantially vertically and parallel to the building wall,

a drive strut, wherein the drive strut

is selectively variable in length,

extends vertically intermediate and in operative connection with each of the footer and the top member,

is positioned in horizontally centered relation between the guide rods,

wherein the changing table is selectively vertically positionable by varying the length of the drive strut.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein each guide sleeve includes a top end and a bottom end,

wherein the top member is in fixed connection with the respective top end of each guide sleeve, and

wherein the bottom member is in fixed connection with the respective bottom end of each guide sleeve.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein in transverse cross-section a rod center of each guide rod and a strut center of the drive strut are linearly aligned.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of opposed horizontally transverse member sides, wherein each transverse member side extends horizontally outward beyond the respective immediately horizontally adjacent guide sleeve,

wherein each transverse member side includes a mounting arm, wherein each mounting arm extends normal of the building wall,

wherein the table is movably operatively attached to each mounting arm.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of opposed horizontally transverse member sides, wherein each transverse member side extends horizontally outward beyond the respective immediately horizontally adjacent guide sleeve,

wherein each transverse member side includes a mounting arm, wherein each mounting arm extends normal of the building wall,

a pair of brackets, wherein each respective mounting arm is in rotatably attached connection with a respective bracket, wherein each bracket is rotatable relative to the respective mounting arm about a respective pivot,

a pair of springs, wherein one respective spring is operatively attached to a respective bracket on a first radial side of a respective pivot and the table is operatively attached to the respective bracket on second radial side of the respective pivot opposed of the first side, wherein the table is biased by the respective spring toward the stored position.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of opposed horizontally transverse member sides, wherein each transverse member side extends horizontally outward beyond the respective immediately horizontally adjacent guide sleeve,

wherein each transverse member side includes a mounting arm, wherein each mounting arm extends normal of the building wall,

a pair of J shape brackets, wherein each respective mounting arm is in rotatably attached connection with a respective J shape bracket, wherein each J shape bracket

is rotatable relative to the respective mounting arm about a respective pivot, and

extends vertically below the table when the table is in the use position,

a pair of springs, wherein one respective spring is operatively attached to a respective J shape bracket on a first radial side of a respective pivot and the table is operatively attached to the respective J shape bracket on second radial side of the respective pivot opposed of the first side, wherein the table is biased by the respective spring toward the stored position.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of opposed horizontally transverse member sides, wherein each transverse member side extends horizontally outward beyond the respective immediately horizontally adjacent guide sleeve,

wherein each transverse member side includes a mounting arm, wherein each mounting arm extends normal of the building wall,

a pair of J shape brackets, wherein each respective mounting arm is in rotatably attached connection with a respective J shape bracket, wherein each J shape bracket

is rotatable relative to the respective mounting arm about a respective pivot, and

includes a separable base portion and distal portion, wherein the pivot extends on the base portion and the distal portion extends vertically below the table when the table is in the use position,

wherein the distal portion is in fixed connection with the table,

a pair of springs, wherein one respective spring is operatively attached to a respective J shape bracket on a first radial side of a respective pivot and the table is operatively attached to the respective J shape bracket on a second radial side of the respective pivot opposed of the first side, wherein the table is biased by the respective spring toward the stored position.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the footer includes a pair of horizontally disposed leveling feet,

wherein each leveling foot

is configured to be engaged with the floor, and

is selectively vertically positionable relative to the footer.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member is attached at an outer circumference of each of the guide sleeves,

whereby the bottom member is horizontally disposed from the drive strut.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the header comprises a C-shaped channel including a back channel wall,

wherein the back channel wall is configured to be fixed in abutting relation with the building wall by the at least one second fastener.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the header comprises a C-shaped channel including a back channel wall,

wherein the back channel wall

is configured to be fixed in abutting relation with the building wall,

extends horizontally beyond each of the guide rods,

includes a plurality of fastener accepting openings therethrough,

wherein the back channel wall is configured to be held in abutting engagement with the building wall by respective second fasteners extending through a respective fastener accepting openings.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 and further including

a safety barrier, wherein the safety barrier is movably mounted in operative connection with the table,

wherein the safety barrier is selectively manually movable to extend above the changing surface of the table when the table is in the use position.

13 . The apparatus according to claim 1 and further including

a safety barrier, wherein the safety barrier is manually rotatably movably mounted in operative connection with the table,

wherein the safety barrier is selectively manually rotatably movable to extend above or be below the changing surface of the table when the table is in the use position.

14 . The apparatus according to claim 1 and further including

a safety barrier, wherein the safety barrier is manually rotatably movably mounted in operative connection with the table,

wherein the safety barrier is selectively manually rotatably movable to be in an extended position such that the barrier extends above the changing surface or in a retracted position in which the barrier is below the changing surface when the table is in the use position,

at least one detent, wherein the at least one detent is operative to releasably hold the safety barrier in at least one of the extended position and the retracted position.

15 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the drive strut includes

a feed screw, and

a motor in operative connection with the feed screw, wherein the motor is

operative to selectively rotate the feed screw,

wherein the rotation of the feed screw by the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered.

16 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the bottom member includes a vertically extending central recess,

wherein the drive strut includes

a feed screw, and

a motor in operative connection with the feed screw, wherein the motor is operative to selectively rotate the feed screw,

wherein the rotation of the feed screw by the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered,

wherein in a lowered position of the table the motor extends in the central recess.

17 . The apparatus according to claim 1

and further including an electric motor,

wherein the electric motor is in operative connection with the drive strut,

wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered,

at least one control circuit, wherein the at least one control circuit

is in operative connection with the motor,

includes at least one rechargeable battery, and

includes an alternating current (AC) connector,

wherein the at least one control circuit is operative to cause motor operation using power from the at least one rechargeable battery when power is unavailable through the AC connector.

18 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the changing station further includes

a stationary outer cover, and

an electric motor,

wherein the electric motor is in operative connection with the drive strut,

wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered,

at least one control circuit, wherein the at least one control circuit

is in operative connection with the motor,

includes at least one input device in attached connection with the table, and at least one further input device in operative connection with the stationary outer cover,

wherein the at least one control circuit is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered responsive to inputs through the at least one input device and the at least one further input device.

19 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the changing station further includes

an electric motor,

wherein the electric motor is in operative connection with the drive strut,

wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered,

at least one control circuit, wherein the at least one control circuit

is in operative connection with the motor,

includes at least one manual input device in attached connection with the changing station, and

at least one wireless transceiver,

wherein the at least one control circuit is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered responsive to manual inputs through the at least one manual input device and wireless signals received through the at least one wireless transceiver.

20 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the changing station further includes

an electric motor,

wherein the electric motor is in operative connection with the drive strut,

wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative to cause the table to be raised and lowered,

at least one control circuit, wherein the at least one control circuit

is in operative connection with the motor,

includes at least one manual input device in attached connection with the changing station,

wherein the at least one control circuit is selectively operative to cause the table to move upward and downward responsive to manual inputs through the at least one manual input device,

wherein the at least one control circuit is operative to determine that a level of resistance to at least one of upward or downward table movement is above a threshold, and to cause at least one of movement to stop or a reversal in movement direction responsive to the determination.

21 . Apparatus comprising:

a height adjustable diaper changing station including

a footer configured to be in supported connection with a horizontal floor and positioned adjacent to a vertically extending building wall,

wherein the footer is configured to be held in attached engagement with at least one of the floor and building wall through at least one lower fastener,

a header configured to be positioned vertically above the footer and to be held in attached engagement with the building wall through at least one upper fastener,

a pair of guide rods, wherein the guide rods

extend in parallel horizontally spaced relation and vertically intermediate of the header and the footer,

wherein each of the header and the footer extend horizontally outward beyond each guide rod on each respective lateral side,

a carriage, wherein the carriage includes

a pair of guide sleeves, wherein each of the guide sleeves

extends in movable operatively engaged relation with a respective guide rod,

a top member, wherein the top member extends horizontally, linearly, and is in fixed operative engagement with a top portion of each of the guide sleeves,

a bottom member, wherein the bottom member extends horizontally and in fixed operative engagement with a bottom portion of each of the guide sleeves,

a drive strut, wherein the drive strut

is selectively variable in length,

extends vertically intermediate of and in attached operative connection with the footer and at least one of the top member and the bottom member,

extends horizontally intermediate of the guide sleeves,

a table, wherein the table

includes a substantially planar changing surface,

is movably mounted in operative connection with the carriage, wherein the table is rotatable between

a use position in which the table extends substantially horizontally and outward in a direction normal to the wall and in which use position the changing surface faces substantially upward, and

a stored position in which the changing surface extends substantially vertically and parallel to the building wall.

22 . The apparatus according to claim 21

wherein each guide sleeve extends

in surrounding movable operatively engaged relation with the respective guide rod, and

is in operatively engaged relation with the respective guide rod over a vertical span distance that exceeds the distance between the guide rods.

23 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of horizontally disposed mounting arms,

wherein each mounting arm

extends horizontally outward away from the immediately adjacent guide sleeve, and extends normal of the building wall,

wherein the changing station further includes a pair of J shape mounting brackets,

wherein each J shape mounting bracket

is in operative rotatable connection with a respective mounting arm through a respective pivot,

includes a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is in fixed connection with the table and extends below the changing surface when the table is in the use position.

24 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the bottom member includes a pair of horizontally disposed mounting arms,

wherein each mounting arm

extends horizontally outward away from the immediately adjacent guide sleeve, and extends normal of the building wall,

wherein the changing station further includes a pair of J shape mounting brackets,

wherein each J shape mounting bracket

is in operative rotatable connection with a respective mounting arm through a respective pivot,

includes a distal portion and a base portion,

wherein the pivot extends on the base portion, and

wherein the distal portion

is releasably fixed connection with the base portion,

is in fixed operative connection with the table, and

extends below the table when the table is in the use position.

25 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the header comprises a C-shape channel including a back channel wall,

wherein the back channel wall includes a plurality of fastener accepting openings,

wherein the back channel wall is fixed in abutting engagement with the building wall through respective fasteners extending through the fastener accepting openings.

26 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein in transverse cross-section each of the guide rods includes a respective rod center, and the drive strut includes a respective strut center,

wherein each of the rod centers and the strut center are linearly aligned.

27 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the drive strut is in operative connection with a motor,

wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative to increase and decrease the length of the drive strut,

wherein the bottom member includes a vertically extending central recess,

wherein the motor extends in the vertically extending central recess.

28 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the drive strut is in operative connection with a motor, wherein operation of the motor is selectively operative the increase and decrease the length of the drive strut,

at least one control circuit, wherein the at least one control circuit

is in operative connection with the motor,

includes at least one rechargeable battery, and

includes at least one alternating current (AC) connector,

wherein the at least one control circuit is operative to cause the motor to operate responsive to power from the at least one rechargeable battery when power from the AC connector is unavailable.