Patent Application
20250091195
None.
The present invention relates generally to a mechanic's creeper and more specifically to a mechanic's creeper with enhanced features such as bright moveable LED lights, a powered upper body inclining feature, and a large variety of rechargeable battery adapters.
Everyone who does a lot of work with their hands will relate to the fact that having the right tool for the job is absolutely essential. The appropriate tool can save time, money, produce a higher quality job, decrease damage to equipment, and provide for the greater safety of the worker. These benefits all come from the same source: increased productivity. The mechanic's creeper is an example of an instrument that is put to good use in the field of automobile repair. The mechanic's creeper enables personnel to do inspections or repairs underneath a vehicle while lying on their backs and moving over its underside. Even in working conditions that are lit throughout the day, the underside of a vehicle is often not brightly illuminated. This necessitates the user making use of some form of supplemental lighting for the task at hand, such as a flashlight.
However, attempting to hold a flashlight while working underneath a vehicle is an incredibly challenging task, particularly if one is also attempting to grasp other instruments. Even if another person is available to carry a flashlight, it is practically impossible to get the light in the appropriate position due to the restricted space under a vehicle. Accordingly, there is a need for a system by which supplementary light can be delivered under a motor vehicle while using a mechanic's creeper in a manner that addresses the concerns described above. This need has been satisfied by the creation of the mechanic's creeper with lights.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a creeper apparatus including a frame made of square metal tubing including a frame top. Embodiments may also include a frame bottom, and. Embodiments may also include four offset extensions each having an offset extension lower side. Embodiments may also include a 360-degree rotating caster secured upon the offset extension lower side of each four offset extensions.
Embodiments may also include a fixed seat cushion positioned on the frame top. Embodiments may also include an inclining back cushion, aligned with the fixed seat cushion, configured to allow for a flat configuration or an inclination angle from one to sixty degrees. Embodiments may also include a pair of fixed seat cushion padded side bolsters attached to a right side of the fixed seat cushion and a left side of the fixed seat cushion.
Embodiments may also include a pair of inclining back cushion padded side bolsters attached to a right side of the inclining back cushion and a left side of the inclining back cushion. Embodiments may also include a headrest secured adjacent to the inclining back cushion and between the pair of inclining back cushion padded side bolsters. Embodiments may also include a pair of light-emitting diode bar lights, each including a swivel mount.
Embodiments may also include a power source and lifting motor in electrical communication with the pair of light-emitting diode bar lights. Embodiments may also include a power switch configured to selectively actuate electrical communication between the power source and pair of light-emitting diode bar lights. In some embodiments, each swivel mount permits 180 degree clockwise or counter-clockwise rotational movement of each light-emitting diode bar lights. In some embodiments led lights may be attached to the inclining upper section on both sides of the head support
In some embodiments, each swivel mount may be secured upon an opposite side of the frame top and positioned on either side of the pair of inclining back cushion padded side bolsters and headrest. In some embodiments, each light-emitting diode bar light may be configured to illuminate a selectable area about a head of a user.
In some embodiments, the power source may include a removable rechargeable battery pack in electrical communication with the pair of light-emitting diode bar lights, a powered seat back lifting mechanism, and a direct current motor. In some embodiments, the removable battery pack may be located on the underside of the frame adjacent the headrest.
In some embodiments, the removable battery pack may be compatible with battery packs from different manufacturers through the use of an adapter plate. In some embodiments, the four offset extensions permit the fixed seat cushion and the inclining back cushion to be lowered to a level at or beneath a top surface of each four offset extensions. In some embodiments, at least one offset extension of the frame may be equipped with a double-pole double-throw switch for changes in an angular displacement of the inclining back cushion.
In some embodiments, the inclining back cushion may be raised or lowered using a corkscrew-type lifting mechanism operated by the direct current motor. In some embodiments, the corkscrew-type lifting mechanism supports the upper body weight of the user.
In some embodiments, the inclining back cushion can be elevated along an inclination angle of up to sixty degrees. In some embodiments, the power switch controls the operation of the light-emitting diode bar lights. Embodiments may also include a wiring harness for electrical connections to the removable battery pack, the double-pole double-throw switch, the power switch, the direct current motor, and the light-emitting diode bar lights.
In some embodiments, the wiring harness routes within a hollow confines of the frame and the offset extensions. In some embodiments, the electrical power for the creeper may be derived solely from the removable battery pack. Embodiments may also include a battery port and an adapter plate for electrical and physical interconnection of the removable battery pack, allowing the use of different manufacturer's batteries.
Embodiments may also include the inclining back cushion which may be attached to the creeper using a pivoting hinge and a support backplate. In some embodiments, the support backplate may be driven along an extension arm travel path, corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclining back cushion. In some embodiments, the double-pole double-throw switch may be an on-off-on style switch, deactivating the direct current motor when not held in a specific position.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
Referring now to
The top of the frame 15 is provided with a fixed seat cushion 30, while the top of the frame 15 is provided with an inclining back cushion 35. Both the fixed seat cushion 30 and the inclining back cushion 35 are provided with padded side bolsters 40, while the inclining back cushion 35 is provided with a headrest 45. Located immediately to either side of the headrest 45 are two (2) light-emitting diode (LED) bar lights 50, each equipped with a swivel mount 55. The swivel mount 55 allows the light-emitting diode (LED) bar lights 50 to be adjusted such that they illuminate areas above the user's head while their head is resting on the headrest 45. The adjustment feature is common swivel mount 55 capable of 180 degree clockwise or counter-clockwise rotational movement of each light-emitting diode bar lights 50.
Referring next to
Referring now to
The corkscrew-type lifting mechanism 90 operates in a conventional expected manner to raise and lower the inclining back cushion 35 while being able to support the upper body weight of the user. It is envisioned that the inclination angle “a” 85 is capable of a maximum angle of approximately sixty-degrees (60°). This feature is envisioned as being used to raise or lower one's body while underneath the vehicle. Finally, the feature may be used with the seat in the upper position when mounting the invention, and then lowering the inclining back cushion 35 to a flat position for ease and comfort.
Referring next to
Referring finally to
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the creeper 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
After procurement and prior to utilization, a fully charged removable battery pack 65, using the proper adapter plate 70, would be installed on the battery port 125, and the creeper 10 placed near the vehicle upon which it is to be used. At this point in time, the creeper 10 is ready for use.
During utilization of the creeper 10, the inclining back cushion 35 would be raised to its maximum incline using the double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch 75. The user would then sit on the fixed seat cushion 30 with their back against the inclining back cushion 35. The inclining back cushion 35 would then be lowered to a flat position (as shown in
After use of the creeper 10, the user would fully lower the inclining back cushion 35 and propel themselves out from underneath the vehicle. The light-emitting diode (LED) bar lights 50 would be extinguished using the power switch 80. The inclining back cushion 35 would be fully raised, placing the user in a seated position rather than a supine position, thus making it easier to stand up. Should the physical work last for a long period of time, envisioned to be many hours, the removable battery pack 65 may be replaced as needed. Work then continues as described above in a cyclical and repeating process.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
