The disclosure relates generally to equipment and tools for use by mechanics, technicians, and others in the maintenance of aircraft, automobiles, or other machines having little ground clearance. In particular, this disclosure relates to low, wheeled creepers to facilitate access beneath aircraft, automobiles, or other machines.
Creeper devices are widely used in repair shops and factories to allow a mechanic or technician to work underneath aircraft, automobiles, or other machines having little ground clearance. Creepers generally comprise rolling horizontal platforms close to the ground that workers rest upon to work on equipment overhead. Creepers typically have a plurality of wheels that allow worker to move in a horizontal position to different locations under an aircraft, automobile, or machine by rolling the creeper in order to work on equipment overhead. However, during the repair process, the worker may need to reach higher than arm length alone would allow. In these cases, the worker may prop themselves up or, if there is enough room, attempt to sit or stand up. This, however, is not convenient, and may be tiresome, especially if the worker is required to maintain that position of an extended period.
There are several creepers that convert between two positions. For example, the following United States patents and applications describe creepers that convert from flat to chair-like and are expressly incorporated herein by reference: RE35,732, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,707,067, 6,199,877, 6,425,590, 6,834,868, 6,969,077, 7,481,438, 9,193,064, and US 2018/0222037.
These creepers can be helpful, but they are not designed to be used in intermediate positions. Rather they are designed to be used as a creeper, or as a chair. In addition, many of these creepers require substantial time and/or effort to convert from creeper to chair. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,193,064 to Dall′Armi et al., discloses a creeper that converts to a chair via hydraulic actuation and requires a worker to use a hand pump to manually provide hydraulic pressure.
US 2018/0222037 to Hendrickson may be used as a creeper or a chair and has several intermediate positions between creeper and chair. However, it is not possible to adjust the height of Hendrickson's creeper for a user in the horizontal position. Furthermore, Hendrickson's creeper does not allow for independent adjustment of the backrest with respect to the seat.
In light of the foregoing, disclosed herein are systems, and devices for an improved creeper that allows the worker to adjust the height of the creeper for elevated work in the horizontal position and also allows the worker to independently adjust the backrest.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
Disclosed herein are systems and devices for use in working on aircraft, automobiles, or other machines. Before the systems and devices for use in working on aircraft, automobiles or other machines are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein, is used for describing implementations only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
In describing and claiming the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).
As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
A detailed description of systems, methods, and devices consistent with embodiments of the disclosure is provided below. While several embodiments are described, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment, but instead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for clarity, certain technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.
Referring now to the figures,
The bottom frame 102 may comprise a plurality of frame rails 116 and a plurality of frame cross members 117. As illustrated, the bottom frame 102 may comprise a first frame rail 116 and a second frame rail 116 and may further comprise one or more bottom frame cross members 117.
The top frame 104 may comprise at least the seat 106, the backrest 108, and a hinge 109. The hinge 109 may be located between the seat 106 and the backrest 108. The seat 106 and the backrest 108 may be connected at the hinge 109 and the backrest 108 is able to rotate about the hinge 109 and with respect to the seat 106. Rotating (or raising) the backrest 108 transforms the creeper 100 and configures it to function as a chair. The top frame 104 is shown without padding or any covering to better illustrate the various components and features of the top frame 104 and the creeper 100. It will be appreciated that the creeper 100 may include padding on the seat 106 and the backrest 108 for added comfort for the user.
A first end 115a of a first set 115 of the crisscross supports 112 may be attached to the top frame 104 with one or more pins 113 or another attachment mechanism, while a second end 115b of the first set 115 of crisscross supports 112 of the adjustment mechanism 110 may be attached to the bottom frame rails 116 of the bottom frame 102 with one or more pins 113 or another attachment mechanism.
A first end 114a of a second set 114 of crisscross supports 112 of the adjustment mechanism 110 may be attached to the top frame 104 with one or more pins 113 or another attachment mechanism, while a second end 114b of the second set 114 of the crisscross supports 112 may be attached to the bottom frame rails 116 of the bottom frame 102 via one or more slider mechanisms 118. The one or more slider mechanisms 118 allow the adjustment mechanism 110 to function by allowing the second set 114 of crisscross supports 112 to move or slide to various positions with respect to the top frame 104 and the bottom frame 102. In particular, when the mechanic's creeper 100 is collapsed, the slider mechanisms 118 will be positioned at a distal end 116a along each of bottom frame rails 116. As the top frame 104 is raised, the one or more slider mechanisms 118 slide along the bottom frame rail 116 away from the distal end 116a of the bottom frame rails 116 towards the center of the bottom frame rails 116.
In the exemplary implementation of
The top frame 104 may be raised from a flat position by grasping the top frame 104 and pulling it upward or in a manner such that the connecting bar 122 may be removed from a corresponding set of grooves 124. As the top frame 104 moves upward, the connecting bar 122 slides out of the groove 124 and over the ratchet teeth 126 thereby permitting the connecting bar 122 to freely move to another position within the first ratcheting locking device 120 until the desired location and height is reached. At that point, the top frame 104 is released and the connecting bar 122 slides into one of the sets of grooves 124 of the first ratcheting locking device 120 and is locked in place by the ratchet teeth 126 of first ratcheting locking device 120. To lower the top frame 104 from a raised or seated position to another position, the connecting bar 122 may be raised and removed from the groove 124 that locks it into place, and the top frame 104 is lowered to a new location and desired height, or fully collapsed such that the top frame 104 is adjacent to the bottom frame 102 and the mechanic's creeper 100 is once again flat.
In the exemplary implementation, the first ratcheting locking device 120 has a plurality of locking positions, ten locking positions as illustrated best in
It should be appreciated that in this exemplary implementation, at least two of the casters 132 are disposed on the bottom frame 102 at an angle of at least about thirty degrees to about forty-five degrees outward from a longitudinal axis of the bottom frame rails 116. The positioning of the casters 132 in this way creates a wider stance and greater stability when the top frame 104 and/or the backrest 108 are raised and provides required clearance in the horizontal position. This allows a mechanic or technician to reach farther and move more without having to worry about the mechanic's creeper 100 becoming unstable and/or tipping over.
This exemplary implementation is further illustrated in
Furthermore, the mechanic's creeper 100 is very easy to adjust. Height adjustments are made simply by lifting the top frame 104 to a desired height, while the backrest 108 is independently adjusted by simply actuating, manipulating, or rotating the one or more levers 121 to move the spring guided frame 123 and the linkage 125 pushes the connecting bar 130 forward and out of the grooves 124 of the second ratcheting locking device 128 to a desired position, height, and/or angle. The mechanic's creeper 100 has eighty different configurations, but it can be adjusted from a fully collapsed configuration to any suitable configuration and back to the fully collapsed configuration in just a few seconds. This adjustment ability is significant because it is not very useful for a creeper to have many different configurations if that creeper is difficult and cumbersome to transform from one configuration to a different configuration. A mechanic at work is less likely to transform the creeper if the adjustments are time consuming or difficult to execute. Thus, the inventiveness of the mechanic's creeper 100 is not only in its versatility and flexibility, but also in its utility and ease of use.
It should be appreciated that the exemplary implementation of the mechanic's creeper 100 is small enough and simple enough that it can be conveniently stored and transported to any location where it is needed. Furthermore, the exemplary implementation of the mechanic's creeper 100 has eighty different configurations thereby providing maximum flexibility for a worker to find a comfortable position as work is done. Finally, adjustments to the mechanic's creeper 100 are simple and easy, taking only a few seconds.
The following examples pertain to further embodiments of the disclosure.
Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Example 1 is a mechanic's creeper comprising: a bottom frame; a top frame; a plurality of rolling members disposed proximate the bottom frame; a seat disposed proximate the top frame, and a backrest disposed proximate the top frame; wherein the top frame is height adjustable; and wherein the angle of the backrest is independently adjustable relative to the seat.
Example 2 is a mechanic's creeper as in Example 1, wherein the bottom frame is wider than the top frame.
Example 3 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 1-2, wherein at least two of the plurality of rolling members are disposed proximate the bottom frame at an angle of at least about thirty degrees to about forty-five degrees outward from a longitudinal axis of a rail of the bottom frame.
Example 4 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-3, wherein the mechanic's creeper further comprises an adjustment mechanism.
Example 5 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 1-4, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a first ratcheting mechanism.
Example 6 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 1-5, wherein the first ratcheting mechanism comprises at least ten ratchet settings.
Example 7 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 1-6, wherein the backrest comprises a second ratcheting mechanism.
Example 8 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 1-7, wherein the second ratcheting mechanism comprises at least eight ratchet settings.
Example 9 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-8, wherein the mechanic's creeper further comprises at least two ratcheting mechanisms.
Example 10 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-9, wherein each of the first and second ratcheting mechanisms include at least five ratchet settings.
Example 11 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-10, wherein each of the first and second ratcheting mechanisms include at least eight ratchet settings.
Example 12 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-11, wherein the mechanic's creeper takes less than five seconds to configure to a new height and/or backrest configuration.
Example 13 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 1-12, wherein the mechanic's creeper takes about two-three seconds to configure to a new height and/or backrest configuration.
Example 14 is a mechanic's creeper comprising: a bottom frame; a plurality of rolling members disposed proximate the bottom frame; a top frame; a seat disposed proximate the top frame; a backrest disposed proximate the top frame; and an disposed between the bottom frame and the top frame; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to raise the top frame; wherein the top frame further comprises a first ratcheting mechanism configured to lock the adjustment mechanism at a chosen height; and wherein the backrest further comprises a second ratcheting mechanism that operates independent of the first ratcheting mechanism and is configured to lock the backrest at a chosen angle.
Example 15 is a mechanic's creeper as in Example 14, wherein the top frame may be adjustable to ten or more discrete settings.
Example 16 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-15, wherein the backrest may be adjustable to eight or more discrete settings.
Example 17 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-16, wherein the mechanic's creeper may be configured in 20 or more different ways.
Example 18 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-17, wherein the mechanic's creeper may be configured in 50 or more different ways.
Example 19 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-18, wherein the mechanic's creeper may be configured in 80 or more different ways.
Example 20 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-19 wherein the top frame and the backrest are padded.
Example 21 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-20, wherein the plurality of rolling members includes four or more rolling members.
Example 22 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-21, wherein the plurality of rolling members comprises casters.
Example 23 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of Examples 14-22, wherein the plurality of rolling members include a brake.
Example 24 is a mechanic's creeper as in any of examples 14-23, wherein the top frame, bottom frame, and adjustment mechanism comprise a metal.
Example 25 is a system for an adjustable seat, an adjustable backrest, and a rolling means for a mechanical creeper. The system includes a mechanic's creeper that comprises a bottom frame; a plurality of rolling members disposed proximate the bottom frame; a top frame; a seat disposed proximate the top frame; a backrest disposed proximate the top frame; and an adjustment mechanism disposed between the bottom frame and the top frame; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to raise the top frame; wherein the top frame further comprises a first ratcheting mechanism configured to lock the adjustment mechanism at a chosen height; and wherein the backrest further comprises a second ratcheting mechanism configured to lock the backrest at a chosen angle. The mechanic's creeper includes any of the features described in connection with the mechanic's creepers of Examples 1-24.
Example 26 is a creeper device that includes a bottom frame and a top frame attached to the bottom frame; wherein the top frame includes a first ratcheting locking device; a backrest is disposed proximate and attached to the top frame; a seat is disposed proximate and attached to the top frame; wherein the first ratcheting locking device provides height adjustment of the top frame such that a height position of the seat is adjustable; and an angle of the backrest is independently adjustable relative to the height position of the seat.
Example 27 is a creeper device as in example 26, wherein the bottom frame comprises a first frame rail and a second frame rail and one or more bottom frame cross members that connects the first frame rail and the second frame rail; and wherein the bottom frame is wider than the top frame.
Example 28 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-27, wherein the device further comprises a plurality of rolling members disposed proximate to the bottom frame; wherein at least two of the plurality of rolling members are disposed proximate the bottom frame at an angle of at least about thirty degrees to about forty-five degrees outward from a longitudinal axis of a rail of the bottom frame.
Example 29 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-28, wherein the device further comprises an adjustment mechanism that comprises a first set of crisscross supports and a second set of crisscross supports that allow the top frame to move relative to the bottom frame thereby raising and lowering the top frame relative to the bottom frame.
Example 30 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-29, wherein the first ratcheting locking device comprises a plurality of ratchet lock positions.
Example 31 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-30, wherein the first ratcheting locking device comprises at least ten ratchet settings.
Example 32 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-31, wherein the backrest comprises a second ratcheting locking device, wherein the second ratcheting locking device comprises a plurality of ratchet lock positions.
Example 33 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-32, wherein the second ratcheting locking device comprises at least eight ratchet settings.
Example 34 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-33, wherein the device further comprises at least two independent ratchet locking devices comprising the first ratcheting locking device and a second ratcheting locking device.
Example 35 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-34, wherein each of the first ratcheting locking device and the second ratcheting locking device include at least five ratchet settings.
Example 36 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-35, wherein each of the first ratcheting locking device and the second ratcheting locking device include at least eight ratchet settings.
Example 37 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-36, wherein the backrest comprises the second ratcheting locking device, wherein the second ratcheting locking device comprises one or more levers attached to a spring guided frame and a linkage with a first connecting bar running through a part of the linkage.
Example 38 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-37, wherein the linkage comprises a second connecting bar that connects to one or more the levers, such that rotational movement of the levers results in rotational movement of the second connecting bar.
Example 39 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-38, wherein the linkage comprises two support members that are connected by the first connecting bar, wherein the two support members are attached and secured to the spring guided frame and the top frame.
Example 40 is a creeper device as in any of examples 26-39, wherein the backrest is adjusted by linkage by actuating at least one or more of the levers, such that the spring guided frame and the linkage pushes the first connecting bar forward and out of the second ratcheting locking device to a desired position, height, or angle.
Example 41 is a creeper device that includes a top frame; a bottom frame; an adjustable seat attached to the top frame; an adjustable backrest attached to the top frame; and an adjustment mechanism disposed between the bottom frame and the top frame; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to raise and lower the top frame; wherein the top frame comprises a first ratcheting locking device configured to lock the adjustment mechanism at a chosen height; and wherein the backrest comprises a second ratcheting locking device that is independent from the first ratcheting locking device and configured to lock the backrest at a chosen angle.
Example 42 is a creeper device as in example 41, wherein the top frame may be adjustable to ten or more discrete settings.
Example 43 is a creeper device as in any of examples 41-42, wherein the backrest may be adjustable to eight or more discrete settings.
Example 44 is a creeper device as in any of examples 41-43, wherein the mechanic's creeper may be configured in 20 or more different ways.
Example 45 is a creeper device as in any of examples 41-44, wherein the device further comprises a plurality of rolling members attached to the bottom frame, wherein the plurality of rolling members include a brake.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on its presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the disclosure may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the disclosure.
Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63287407 | Dec 2021 | US |