Patent Application
20060192355
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. It is sometimes the case that the square or rectangular shaped end of the body portion prohibits the mechanic from maneuvering the creeper under certain areas of the automobile or mechanism being serviced. In these instances, the mechanic is prohibited from gaining access to the necessary location or is required to work at an undesirable distance from the location in question.
Creepers that include a frame that supports a padded body-supporting member are generally configured so that the frame surrounds the perimeter of the padded body-supporting member. The top of the frame generally extends at the same vertical height so that the portion of the frame proximate to the mechanic's upper body is at the same height as that part of the frame proximate his or her lower body. It is sometimes the case that when a mechanic lies on the padded body-supporting member his or her torso or legs compress the padded body-supporting member and therefore rest on the frame. Alternatively, the frame may be above or at the same level as the padded body-supporting member so as to cause a similar engagement. Such a situation is undesirable in that the frame does not provide sufficient padding and may bite into the mechanic's legs or make it otherwise uncomfortable during use of the creeper.
Some creepers may be designed so that the upper surface of the padded body-supporting member is at the same vertical height as the upper surface of the top of the frame. This design sometimes results in pinching of the mechanic's shoulders. For instance, the weight of the mechanic may compress the padded body-supporting member so that his or her shoulder becomes pinched between the compressed padded body-supporting member and the adjacent frame. Additionally, it is sometimes the case that the headrests in creepers have flat upper surfaces onto which the mechanic's head will lie. This type of configuration may be undesirable in that it does not fit the natural shape of the human head. The comfort level of a mechanic during the use of a creeper may be important in that the mechanic may spend extended amounts of time using the creeper while fixing a problem with an automobile or other mechanism.
The present invention provides for an improved creeper that allows a mechanic to access a greater area underneath an automobile or other mechanism during servicing. An improved creeper is also provided with an end that has a frame that extends away from a body-supporting member of the creeper so that contact between the mechanic's legs or lower torso is either reduced, minimized or eliminated from the frame at the end of the creeper. This feature improves the comfort level of the mechanic during use of the creeper since the frame does not bite into the mechanic's legs or lower torso. Additionally, a creeper is provided that includes a padded body-supporting member with an upper surface that extends above the top of the frame of the creeper. This configuration prevents or minimizes pinching of the mechanic's clothing, hair, shoulders, or other body parts between the frame and the body-supporting member. Additionally, a concave portion into which the mechanic's head may rest so as to provide greater comfort to the mechanic during use is also provided. The present invention includes various exemplary embodiments of an improved creeper apparatus that incorporates one, all, or any combination of the aforementioned features.
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 includes a body portion with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body portion has a first end with first and second angled portions. Each angled portion extends so as reduce the transverse length of the first end. The body portion also includes first and second side portions that extend from the first end. The first and second side portions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the side portions extend a greater distance in the longitudinal direction than the first end. A second end is present and extends from the first and second side portions. A plurality of casters is attached to the body portion so as to enable movement of the creeper over a surface.
Also provided for is a creeper as discussed above in which the body portion includes a frame and a padded body-supporting member supported by the frame.
The creeper may also be configured in a manner as discussed above in which the first and second angled portions extend from the first and second side portions at an angle from between 140° and 160°.
Also provided is a creeper as discussed above that further includes a hinge attached to the body-supporting member in the first end and to the body-supporting member at a location intermediate the first and second side portions. The body-supporting member in the first end is adjustable with respect to the body-supporting member that is located intermediate the first and second side portions. A pin is also provided and is in engagement with the frame. The pin is configured to hold the body-supporting member in the first end in place after adjustment.
Also provided in another exemplary embodiment is a creeper that includes a body portion with a first end, second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends. The body portion has a frame and a body-supporting member supported by the frame. The body-supporting member in the intermediate portion defines an intermediate upper surface. At least a portion of the frame in the second end extends away from the intermediate upper surface so as to be below at least a portion of the frame in the intermediate portion. A plurality of casters is also provided and is attached to the body portion.
A creeper may also be provided as previously discussed in which the body-supporting member in the second end defines a second end upper surface. At least a portion of the frame in the second end extends away from the second end upper surface.
Another exemplary embodiment of the creeper exists as previously discussed in which the body-supporting member is padded.
Also provided in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment is a creeper that has a body portion with a first end, second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends. The body portion includes a frame and a padded supporting member supported by the frame. The body-supporting member in the intermediate portion defines an intermediate upper surface that is non-adjustable and is configured for receiving the middle and lower part of the back of a user. The frame in the intermediate portion is located below the intermediate upper surface. Also, a plurality of casters is attached to the body portion.
Another exemplary embodiment exists as previously discussed in which the body-supporting member in the second end defines a second end upper surface. The frame in the second end is located below the second end upper surface.
Also provided is a creeper as immediately discussed in which the body-supporting member in the first end defines a first end upper surface. Further, the frame in the first end is located below the first end upper surface. Also, the first end upper surface is non-adjustable so as to be capable of being positioned at an angle to said intermediate upper surface.
Another exemplary embodiment of the creeper exists that includes a body portion with a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends. The body portion has a frame and a padded body-supporting member that is supported by the frame. The body-supporting member in the first end defines a first end upper surface that defines a concave portion. Again, a plurality of casters may be attached to the body portion.
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 this 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 Figs. in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent 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 intermediate portion 40 disposed between a first end 18 and a second end 20. Typically, the mechanic's head will be positioned at the first end 18 so that his or her torso or legs extend off the second end 20. The body-supporting member 34 may be padded so as to increase the comfort of the mechanic during use. Alternatively, the body-supporting member 34 need not be padded in other exemplary embodiments. For example, the body-supporting member 34 may be a sheet of metal or a surface made from plywood in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.
As shown in
Extending from the first side portion 26 is a first angled portion 22 of the frame 32. Likewise, extending from the second side portion 28 is a second angled portion 24 of the frame 32. As shown in
The second angled portion 24 extends at an angle ⊖2 from the second side portion 28 in a similar manner as the first angled portion 22 and the first side portion 26 as previously discussed. Likewise, the angle ⊖2 may be as that previously discussed with respect to ⊖1. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, ⊖1 and ⊖2 are at an angle from between about 140° and about 160°. Although shown as being equal to one another, it is to be understood that in accordance with other exemplary embodiments ⊖1 may be an angle that is different than ⊖2. For instance, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment ⊖1 may be 135° while ⊖2 is 160°. Likewise, ⊖1 may be 178° while ⊖2 is 148.5° in an alternative embodiment.
The first and second angled portions 22 and 24 are connected to a tip portion 36. The first and second angled portions 22 and 24 produce a resulting first end 18 that has a smaller footprint than if the first end 18 were square or rectangular shaped. As such, the creeper 10 will be able to be positioned into tighter spaces thus allowing the mechanic closer access to certain portions of the automobile or mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the creeper 10 will be able to provide the mechanic with closer access to an area being serviced. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the first and second angled portions 22 and 24 do not both need to be provided. For instance, the first angled portion 22 may be provided with an angled ⊖1 of 150° while the second angled portion 24 is provided with an angle ⊖2 of 180° so that essentially only one side of the first end 18 is angled. Here, the first end 18 will still have a reduced footprint in order to provide additional access for the creeper 10.
The body-supporting member 34 in the intermediate portion 40 defines an intermediate upper surface 38. Likewise, the body-supporting member 34 in the first and second ends 18 and 20 define a first end upper surface 48 and a second end upper surface 46. The mechanic lies on surfaces 38, 46 and 48 when using the creeper 10 to access the underside of an automobile or other mechanism.
The second end upper surface 46 is at the same elevation as the intermediate upper surface 38. Angling of the frame 32 in the second end 20 results in a distance being defined between the portion 64 of the frame 32 in the second end 20 and the second end upper surface 46. This positioning helps prevent or minimize contact between the mechanic's legs or torso and the portion 64 of the frame 32 in the second end 20. Reduction or elimination of contact with the mechanic's legs or torso provides increased comfort because the portion 64 of the frame 32 in the second end 20, that is shown as including a back portion 54, does not bite into the legs or torso of the mechanic. The mechanic's legs or torso will be supported primarily by the body-supporting member 34 that is typically padded and hence acts to support the mechanic and provide increased comfort as opposed to the situation where the mechanic's legs or torso rests onto the frame 32 in the second end.
The underside of the creeper 10 is shown in
The body-supporting member 34 is a padded component so as to provide both support and comfort to the mechanic. 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, 46 and 48 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, 46 and 48 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 first end 18. The body-supporting member 34 in the first end 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 to the tip portion 36. The longitudinally extending bars 56 aid in supporting the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 due to the fact the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 is hingedly attached to the body-supporting member 34 in the intermediate portion 40.
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 intermediate portion 40.
Additional mechanisms may be employed in order to lock the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18. For example, the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 may be adjusted upwards and the pin 42 can be inserted into apertures on either end of the upper portion of the frame 32. Release of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 will cause this component to rest onto the pin 42. The mechanic can remove the pin 42 once additional adjustment is desired. It is to be understood that various mechanisms commonly known to one having ordinary skill in the art may be employed in order to effect adjustment of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18. The configurations shown and described are for sake of example and various designs to adjust and/or hold various parts of the creeper 10 are possible in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Further, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 need not be adjustable.
Referring now to
The second end upper surface 46 may also be positioned above the frame 32 in the second end 20 in a similar manner as discussed with respect to the first end upper surface 48 and the intermediate upper surface 38. Any number of the surfaces 38, 46 or 48 may be above the frame 32 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. For instance, the first and second end upper surfaces 48 and 46 may extend above the frame 32 while the intermediate upper surface 38 is located at or below the frame 32 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Further, exemplary embodiments exist in which only a portion of the intermediate upper surface 38 extends above the frame 32 while the rest of the intermediate upper surface 38 is located below the frame 32.
The height of the frame 32 may be located below the height of the intermediate upper surface 38, and the frame 32 may contact the body-supporting member 34 in the intermediate portion 40. The same may also be true for these components in the first and second ends 18 and 20. Alternatively, the frame 32 may be spaced from the body-supporting member 34 so that contact does not occur.
The concave portion 50 may extend across substantially the entire transverse length of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18, or the concave portion 50 may extend across only a part of the transverse length of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For instance, the concave portion 50 may extend across one third of the transverse length of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 while the remainder of the body-supporting member 34 in the first end 18 in the transverse direction has a planar first end upper surface 48. The concave portion 50 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the creeper 10 at any desired distance. For instance, the concave portion 50 may extend the entire longitudinal length of the first end 18 or may extend only along half of the longitudinal length of the first end 18. The concave portion 50 may have a depth of from between 1″-2″, 0.5″-2.5″, or 2″-5″ in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Further, the maximum depth of the concave portion 50 may be up to 2″, up to 3″, or up to 5″ in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.
As shown in
Another exemplary embodiment of the creeper 10 is shown in
The concave portion 50 may be incorporated into the other exemplary embodiments of the creeper 10 as previously discussed with respect to
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.
