A creeper (10) includes a frame (11) having spaced side rails (12) and cross rails (13) extending between the side rails (12). A pad (28) is carried by the cross rails (13) and is spaced from each side rail (12). Each side rail (12) has end portions (14, 15) which carry a caster assembly (17), and the cross rails (13) are positioned closer to each other than the caster assemblies (17) are from each other. Each side rail (12) also includes a raised portion (26) which is higher than the end portions (14, 15) when the caster assemblies (17) are on a surface, and a lower portion (23) which is lower than the end portions (14, 15) when the caster assemblies are on a surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a creeper as used by mechanics when servicing vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to a creeper which is sturdy and easy to maneuver.

BACKGROUND ART

Most all creepers include side rails with cross rails extending between them at the end thereof and at the center thereof. Most often the side rails are flat in side profile. A pad is positioned on top of the side rails and cross rails, and the side rails carry a plurality of caster assemblies to render the creeper mobile.

Such creepers often lack stability in that the caster assemblies are generally under the edges of the pad and at the intersection of the side rails and cross rails. In addition, such creepers often lack maneuverability in that no portion of the creeper assists the user in moving the creeper. Rather, the user must engage the floor and push with his feet or hands to move the creeper. Moreover, such creep with at least front, rear, and center cross rails require unnecessary material adding to the expense thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a creeper which can more stabably be moved on a surface.

It is an object of another aspect of the invention to provide a creeper, as above, which is more easily maneuvered on a surface.

It is an object of an additional aspect of the present invention to provide a creeper, as above, which is more economically manufactured.

These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.

In general, a creeper made in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes a frame and a pad carried by the frame. The frame includes longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side rails. Caster assemblies are carried near the longitudinal ends of each side rail. The frame includes two cross rails extending laterally between the side rails adjacent to the caster assemblies. The cross rails are longitudinally spaced a distance less than the longitudinal distance between the caster assemblies.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a creeper includes a frame and a pad carried by the frame. The frame includes longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side rails, each side rail having a longitudinal end portion. A caster assembly is carried by each end portion such that when the caster assemblies are engaging a surface, the end portions are at a first height. Each side rail also includes a raised portion such that when the caster assemblies are engaging a surface, the raised portions are at a second height which is at a greater distance from the surface than the first height.

A creeper made according to yet another aspect of the invention includes longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side rails. Caster assemblies are carried by the side rails. Longitudinally spaced cross rails extend laterally between the side rails and a longitudinally extending pad is carried by the cross rails. The pad is laterally spaced from each of the side rails.

A creeper having all features of these aspects of the present invention includes a frame having longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side rails and cross rails extending laterally between the side rails. A longitudinally extending pad is carried by the cross rails and is laterally spaced from each side rail. Each side rail has longitudinal end portions and a caster assembly is carried by the end portions such that when the caster assemblies are engaging a surface, the end portions are at a first height. The cross rails are positioned adjacent to the caster assemblies but spaced from each other a distance less than the longitudinal distance between the caster assemblies. Each side rail also includes a raised portion such that when the caster assemblies are engaging a surface, the raised portions are at a second height which is at a greater distance from the surface than the first height.

A mechanic's creeper made according to the concepts of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A creeper intended to be used primarily by a mechanic or the like is generally indicated by the numeral10. Creeper10includes a frame, generally indicated by the numeral11, which includes longitudinally extending, lateral spaced side rails, generally indicated by the numeral12, and longitudinally spaced cross rails13, extending laterally between, and attached to, as by welding or the like, side rails12.

Each side rail12includes portions14and15at the longitudinal ends thereof, and a generally medial portion16located between, and on the same place as, end portions14and15. Portions14,15and16of each side rail12each carry a conventional caster assembly generally indicated by the numeral17. Each caster assembly17includes a stem18attached to side rail12, a bracket19rotatably carried by stem18, and a wheel20rotatably carried by bracket10. When the wheels20of caster assemblies17are positioned on a surface, such as a floor or the like, portions14,15and16at each side rail are thus at the same height.

Each side rail12extends downwardly from end portion14, as a shoulder21, and downwardly from medial portion16, as at shoulder22, to form a lower rail portion23. When the wheels20of caster assemblies17are positioned on a surface, portion23is thus at a height less than the height of portions14,15and16. As will become more evident, portion23tends to accommodate the shoulders of a person laying on creeper10.

Each side rail12extends upwardly from medial portion16, as at shoulder24, and upwardly from end portion15, as at shoulder25, to form a raised or upper rail portion26. Thus, when the wheels20of caster assemblies17are positioned on a surface, portion26is at a height which is at a greater distance from the surface than the height of portions14,15and16. Such is advantageous in that shoulders24may be conveniently engaged by the hands of the user to assist in the maneuvering of creeper10.

As shown inFIG. 3, frame11also includes laterally spaced support rails27longitudinally extending between cross rails13. Together, cross rails13and rails27support a pad generally indicated by the numeral28. Pad28can include a body portion29and a head rest30, and is attached to rails13and12as by fasteners31located at any desired position along rails13and12. Side rails12are spaced a relatively substantial distance from the lateral edges32of pad28thus positioning caster assemblies17further laterally apart than the lateral extent of pad30and thereby providing more stability to creeper10. This distance, indicated by the numeral33, is preferably approximately twenty-five percent of the lateral width of pad28.

As is also best seen inFIG. 3, cross rails13connect to side rails12at a point on end portions14and15close to shoulders21and25. As such, cross rails13are longitudinally spaced closer to each other than are the caster assemblies17located at each end of side rails12. Such inner location of cross rails13increases the stability of creeper10and contributes to the elimination of a central cross rail found in most conventional creepers. It should also be noted that pad28extends longitudinally outward of cross rails13which provides more support to pad28than conventional creepers having the cross rails under the longitudinally ends of the pad and aligned with the casters.

In light of the foregoing, it should thus be evident that a creeper constructed as described herein substantially improves the art and otherwise accomplishes the objects of the present invention.