Patent Application
20070013154
N/A
N/A
Creepers are used by mechanics in order to assist in providing access to the undercarriage of an automobile or other mechanism for purposes of repair or maintenance. Creepers usually include a body portion onto which a mechanic will lay. A headrest for the head of a mechanic is often provided as well. The mechanic typically lies on his or her back on a body portion of the creeper and positions the creeper to a desired location under the automobile or mechanism. Casters are attached to the body portion in order to allow the creeper to be easily moved in various directions by the mechanic.
The body portion is generally rectangular shaped and may be made, for instance, out of plywood or may be a structure that includes a metal frame that supports a padded body-supporting member onto which the mechanic lies. A rectangular shaped body portion is generally desirable because this shape accommodates the body of the mechanic and provides an advantageous wheelbase for the casters. The upper surface of the body portion is typically flat. The body portion could also be a molded member so as to be shaped in order to receive the torso, legs and/or head of the mechanic.
Creepers have been designed so that the headrest portion may be adjusted with respect to the body portion. In this manner, the upper surface of the headrest portion may be angularly adjusted with respect to the upper surface of the body portion and subsequently locked into a desired angular position through the use of a locking mechanism. Angular adjustment of the headrest allows for a great degree of mechanic comfort when using the creeper. This type of adjustment may be desirable in that the mechanic may spend extended amounts of time using the creeper while fixing a problem with an automobile or other mechanism.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes the case that portions of the locking mechanism, such as a handle, interfere with the mechanic as they are located next to the headrest and consequently the head and shoulders of the mechanic. These portions of the locking mechanism may prevent the mechanic from accessing certain areas during use of the creeper and may impair his or her view. Additionally, these portions of the locking mechanism may actually pinch or otherwise undesirably contact the mechanic during use.
The present invention provides for an improved creeper that incorporates a locking mechanism to limit the adjustability between an end portion of the creeper and a body portion of the creeper. A handle of the locking mechanism is located away from the end portion of the creeper to prevent or minimize interference with the user of the creeper.
Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practice of the invention.
A creeper is provided that has a body portion with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An end portion is also included and is adjustable with respect to the body portion. The creeper has a locking mechanism that engages both the body and the end portions. The locking mechanism is configured for limiting the adjustability between the body portion and the end portion. An actuator is present and is configured to allow manual operation of the locking mechanism. The actuator has a first end connected to the locking mechanism and a handle that is disposed opposite from the first end and longitudinally from the end portion.
Also provided is a creeper as discussed above that further includes a plurality of casters that are attached to the body portion. At least two of the casters may be located longitudinally between the end portion and the handle.
A further exemplary embodiment exists in a creeper as previously discussed in which the handle is located away from a side of the body portion in the transverse direction.
An additional embodiment of the creeper exists as previously discussed in which the locking mechanism is configured for locking the position of the end portion with respect to the body portion.
Also provided is a creeper as discussed above in which the heart of a user is located between the handle and the end portion in the longitudinal direction when the user lays on the body portion and rests his or her head on the end portion.
The present invention also provides for a creeper as previously discussed where the end portion is adjustable so that an upper surface of the end portion is in substantially the same plane as an upper surface of the body portion. The handle may be longitudinally disposed from the end portion a length that is as least as great or greater than the longitudinal length of the upper surface of the end portion when in substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the body portion.
The present invention also provides for a creeper that has a body portion with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body portion has an upper surface. A plurality of casters and a hinge are attached to the body portion. An end portion with an upper surface is attached to the hinge and is adjustable with respect to the body portion. Adjustment of the end portion includes changing the angular orientation of the upper surface of the end portion with respect to the upper surface of the body portion. A locking mechanism is provided and engages both the body portion and the end portion. The locking mechanism is configured for limiting the angular orientation of the upper surface of the end portion with respect to the upper surface of the body portion in at least one direction. An actuator is also provided and is configured to allow manual operation of the locking mechanism. The actuator has a first end connected to the locking mechanism and a handle disposed opposite from the first end.
The present invention also provides for a creeper as previously discussed in which the locking mechanism is configured for locking the angular orientation of the upper surface of the end portion with respect to the upper surface of the body portion.
The present invention also provides for creeper as previously discussed in which at least two of the casters are located longitudinally between the end portion and the handle.
Also provided for is a creeper as previously discussed in which the handle is longitudinally disposed from the hinge a length that is at least as great or greater than the longitudinal length of the end portion.
Also provided for in accordance with one exemplary embodiment is a creeper as previously discussed in which the heart of a user is located between the handle and the end portion in the longitudinal direction when a user lays on the upper surface of the body portion and rests his or her head on the upper surface of the end portion.
Also provided for in accordance with one exemplary embodiment is a creeper that includes a body portion with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body portion has an upper surface. A plurality of casters and a hinge are attached to the body portion. An end portion is provided and is attached to the hinge and is adjustable with respect to the body portion. The end portion has an upper surface and adjustment of the end portion includes changing the angular orientation of the upper surface of the end portion with respect to the upper surface of the body portion. A locking mechanism is included that engages both the body portion and the end portion. The locking mechanism is configured for locking the angular orientation of the upper surface of the end portion with respect to the upper surface of the body portion. An actuator is present and allows for manual operation of the locking mechanism. The actuator has a first end connected to the locking mechanism and a handle that is longitudinally disposed away from the end portion and transversely disposed from the upper surface of the body portion. At least two casters are locaters longitudinally between the end portion and the handle.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.
It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to about 7 also includes a limit of to about 5, up to about 3, and up to about 4.5.
Referring to
The body portion 12 includes an upper surface 38. Likewise, the end portion 18 includes an upper surface 46. As shown in
The rod 60 is provided with a pivot point on an end opposite from the actuator 23. In this regard, a pivot member 68 may extend from one of the cross bars 44 of the frame 32 in the body portion 12. The pivot member 68 is shown as being a U-shaped member that is attached to both the upper and lower portions of the cross bar 44. The end of the first rod 60 lies against and is urged against the inside of the pivot member 68. When the user 36 manipulates the handle 22 the first rod 60 pivots on the pivot member 68. As such, the pivot member 68 provides for stability in the locking mechanism 20 during adjustment with the handle 22. The pivot member 68 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the pivot member 68 may be made of steel in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Although shown as a U-shaped member, the pivot member 68 may be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, the pivot member 68 may be configured as a ball and socket type joint. In this manner, the end of the first rod 60 may be dome shaped and may be received within a cup that extends from either the cross bar 44 or bottom of the body supporting member 34. It is to be understood that the pivot member 68 shown and described is but one exemplary embodiment that may be employed in the present invention and that others are possible.
An end of a second rod 62 is pivotably attached to the first rod 60 at a location along the length of the first rod 60. The pivotable attachment between the first rod 60 and the second rod 62 may be effected through a pin that is inserted through the first rod 60 and is received in a hole at the end of the second rod 62. A bushing may be employed in the connection in order to provide for a desired degree of pivotability between these two members. It is to be understood, however, that other pivoting arrangements between the first and second rods 60 and 62 may be used.
The second rod 62 extends generally in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10. Holes may be drilled through the cross bars 44, if necessary, in order to accommodate passage of the second rod 62 therethrough. The second rod 62 extends from the first rod 60 and is positioned across body portion 12 and ends at the end portion 18 some distance past the hinge 52. A coil spring 70 is provided and has one end that engages the cross bar 44 that is proximate to the end portion 18 and has an opposite end that engages a pin 72 that is disposed through the second rod 62. The coil spring 70 provides a force to the second rod 62 that urges the second rod 62 in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 away from the end portion 18. The force provided by the coil spring 70 is transferred through the second rod 62 and into the first rod 60 to urge the first rod 60 to pivot about the pivot member 68. As such, if the handle 22 of the locking mechanism 20 was not engaged the force of the coil spring 70 would act to pivot the first rod 60 so that the handle 22 was moved generally in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 away from the end portion 18. The coil spring 70 acts to provide a desired stabilizing force in the locking mechanism 20. The coil spring 70 may be selected to have any desired spring tension so that any desired force is provided.
The locking mechanism 20 also includes a third rod 64 that is pivotably attached to an end of the second rod 62. The pivotable attachment between the second and third rods 62 and 64 may be accomplished by any mechanism. For example, a pin may be disposed through both the second and third rods 62 and 64 in order to provide for the desired pivoting. Additionally, the pivotable connection between the second and third rods 62 and 64 may be made to have any desired degree of tightness. An end of the third rod 64 may have a clevis that receives an end of the second rod 62 and also the pin or bolt that is used to attach these two components and provide the desired pivoting.
The first and second rods 60 and 62 may be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For instance, the rods 60 and 62 may be solid elongated objects that have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the rods 60 and 62 may be hollow members or may have U-shaped or square cross-sections in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.
The third rod 64 may be configured as a hollow U-shaped member in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. On an end opposite the second rod 62, the third rod 64 may be pivotably mounted to a mounting member 74. In this regard, the third rod 64 may have a clevis on one end that receives a pin that is attached to the mounting member 74. Although shown as being capable of pivoting with respect to the mounting member 74, it is to be understood that the third rod 64 may be rigidly attached to the mounting member 74 in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. The mounting member 74 is rigidly attached to the bottom of the end portion 18 by a pair of bolts 76. The bottom of the end portion 18 defines a recess 78 that receives a portion of the mounting member 74 and also accommodates pivoting of the third rod 64 with respect to the mounting member 74. As the end portion 18 pivots with respect to the body portion 12, the third rod 64 will likewise pivot about the mounting member 74. As such, the recess 78 is sized to accommodate any possible degree of movement of the third rod 64.
During use, a user 36 may grasp the handle 22 and move the handle 22 in a longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 towards the end portion 18. Doing so will cause the actuator 23 and first rod 60 to pivot about the pivot member 68 and move generally in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 towards the end portion 18. The second rod 62 will likewise be forced towards the end portion 18 in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 thus compressing the coil spring 70. Resistive force by the coil spring 70 to compression will provide a controlled adjustment of the locking mechanism 20. Movement of the second rod 62 in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 towards the end portion 18 will likewise cause the third rod 64 to be moved in a similar direction. Force transmitted through the third rod 64 will be imparted into the end portion 18 through the mounting members 74 thus causing the end portion 18 to pivot about the hinge 52 in an upward direction.
The locking mechanism 20 may be locked at a desired position as will be momentarily discussed so as to cause the end portion 18 to be positioned at a desired angular orientation with respect to the body portion 12. Although described as completely locking the angular orientation of the end portion 18 with respect to the body portion 12, it is to be understood that in accordance with other exemplary embodiments that the locking mechanism 20 may be configured so as to only limit angular orientation of the end portion 18 in a particular direction. For instance, the locking mechanism 20 may be constructed so as to prevent the end portion 18 from pivoting about the hinge 52 in one direction but not the other.
In order to orient the end portion 18 in an opposite direction, the handle 22 may be released or may be moved in a longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 away from the end portion 18. Doing so will essentially reverse all of the previously described movements of the locking mechanism 20. In this regard, potential energy built up in the coil spring 70 may be released so as to “push” the locking mechanism 20 so that the end portion 18 will be angled downwards with respect to the body portion 12.
Referring now to
It is to be understood that the locking mechanism 20 may be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, the locking mechanism 20 need not include the first rod 60, second rod 62, third rod 64, coil spring 70 and/or mounting member 74 along with other associated components in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that the particular configurations of the locking mechanism 20, that are shown as incorporating a linkage, are provided only by way of example and that other configurations are possible in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, the locking mechanism 20 may simply be a pin with a handle 22 that engages a slot so as to limit the position of the end portion 18 with respect to the body portion 12. As such, it should be understood that the locking mechanism 20 may be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments and that the configuration shown and described are only examples.
As shown in
The handle 22 may be located in the longitudinal direction so that a pair of casters 30 are located between the handle 22 and the end portion 18 in the longitudinal direction. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 22 may be positioned a longitudinal distance 48 from the end portion 18. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, the longitudinal distance 48 may be up to 6 inches, up to 12 inches, up to 18 inches, up to 24 inches, or up to 30 inches in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. As shown in
Other features of the creeper 10 will now be described in greater detail.
As shown in
The underside of the creeper 10 is shown in
The body-supporting member 34 is a padded component to provide both support and comfort to the user 36. The body-supporting member 34 may be made from several different layers of different material. For instance, the outer layer of the body-supporting member 34 that forms the surfaces 38 and 46 may be made from any suitable type of material such as vinyl or cloth. Next, a foam material may be provided so as to provide for padding properties of the body-supporting member 34. Any suitable type of foam may be used. For example, the foam may be a neoprene, polyethylene, or EVA foam manufactured by Reed Rubber and Foam Products, 1615 North 25th Street, Saint Louis, Mo. 63106. Beneath the foam, the body-supporting member 34 may include a piece of wood, such as plywood, so as to provide for structural support of the foam. Instead of wood, a flat piece of metal such as steel or aluminum may be used. The vinyl material or cloth material making up the surfaces 38 and 46 may be wrapped around the wood layer and attached thereon.
A series of crossbars 44 are included in the frame 32 so as to help support the body-supporting member 34. The crossbars 44 can be bolted onto the body-supporting member 34 through the skirt 58. Although shown as employing three crossbars 44, it is to be understood that any number of, or zero, crossbars 44 may be used in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Additionally, although shown as being substantially parallel to the transverse direction, the crossbars 44 may be angled in other exemplary embodiments so as to extend in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.
A pair of longitudinally extending bars 56 are also included and are attached to the frame 32 in the end portion 18. The body-supporting member 34 in the end portion 18 rests and is supported upon the longitudinally extending bars 56. The longitudinally extending bars 56 can be connected to one end of the crossbars 44 and the other ends of the bars 56 can be connected a tip portion 24 of the end portion 18. The longitudinally extending bars 56 aid in supporting the body-supporting member 34 in the end portion 18 due to the fact the body-supporting member 34 in the end portion 18 is hingedly attached to the body-supporting member 34 in the body portion 12.
Referring to
The hinge 52 may be attached proximate to the first end upper surface 48 and the intermediate upper surface 38 so as to allow the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 to pivot upwards with respect to the body-supporting member 34 in the body portion 12.
It should be understood that the present invention includes various modifications that can be made to the embodiments of the creeper 10 described herein as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
