Parts tray for use in an opened engine compartment

A parts tray for use in the area of an opened engine compartment of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, for holding working materials, especially for inspection, maintenance and repair work. When in use the support frame of the parts tray is positioned on the opened engine compartment such that at least one transverse bar extends with its longitudinal extension transversely or perpendicularly to the vehicle axis above the opened engine compartment. On the transverse bar there is at least one receiver or tray. Tools, measuring instruments, printed instructions, drawings, spare parts, etc. can be held by the tray. Several trays may be provided. The support frame has a transverse bar or crosspiece which has a bead-like depression on its periphery in the longitudinal direction. On the bottom of the tray there is then at least one bearing piece with which the tray can be placed on the transverse bar, such that a projection provided on the bearing piece, or elsewhere on the tray, fits into the longitudinal groove of the transverse bar and thus prevents the tray on the transverse bar from tipping.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a parts tray for use in the area of an opened 
engine compartment of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, for 
holding working materials, especially for inspection, maintenance and 
repair work. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In repair and maintenance work on motor vehicles, especially passenger 
cars, in the area of the engine compartment it is common that during this 
work the aids used, such as tools, measuring instruments, descriptions, 
plans, spare parts which have been replaced or which are to be replaced, 
etc. are temporarily placed on the motor or other surface of the engine 
compartment. This is on the one hand extremely dangerous, since aids 
forgotten in the engine compartment (for example, tools) can lead to 
serious damage under certain circumstances, furthermore, by placing aids 
in the engine compartment there is also the danger that they will fall 
onto inaccessible or poorly accessible engine locations, necessitating 
additional time-consuming and expensive work to retrieve them. 
Furthermore, visible damage cannot be precluded, especially damage to 
painted or otherwise enhanced surfaces, which is not acceptable in 
expensive motor vehicles and which dictates time-consuming and costly 
repairs or improvements. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantage and to devise 
an improved parts tray which can be located with at least one receiver on 
the engine compartment, in the respective work area, i.e., wherever work, 
for example inspection, maintenance, repair, etc. is performed. 
To achieve this object, a parts tray for use in the area of an opened 
engine compartment of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, for 
holding working materials, especially for inspection, maintenance and 
repair work, is designed. 
When in use the support frame of the parts tray is positioned on the opened 
engine compartment such that at least one transverse bar extends with its 
longitudinal extension transversely or perpendicularly to the vehicle axis 
above the opened engine compartment. Then, on this transverse bar there is 
at least one receiver or tray which is formed for example by a shell open 
on the top. Then the aids required for the respective job, for example, 
tools, measuring instruments, printed instructions, drawings, spare parts, 
etc. can be held by this receiver such that the aids can be easily reached 
by the individual performing the work in the working position. In 
particular, the worker need not leave the work position. Also the 
temporary placement of aids on the engine or other surfaces in the engine 
compartment is no longer necessary. 
In one embodiment of the invention the tray is made as such. Then even 
larger measuring instruments can be deposited on this tray. Furthermore, 
in this case a shell is provided which preferably forms several 
compartments which are open on the top and in which the tools, especially 
special tools, measuring instruments, etc., needed for certain work, 
together with spare parts, can be accommodated in an orderly manner. In 
doing so there is also especially the possibility of providing several 
such trays, of which then each is equipped beforehand with the tools, 
measuring instruments, spare parts, etc. needed for special work. 
Preferably the support frame has a transverse bar or crosspiece which has a 
bead-like depression on its periphery in the longitudinal direction. On 
the bottom of the receiver there is then at least one bearing piece with 
which the tray can be placed on the transverse bar, such that a projection 
provided on the bearing piece or elsewhere on the tray fits into the 
longitudinal groove of the transverse bar and thus prevents the tray on 
the transverse bar from tipping. In this way a very simple arrangement and 
placement of the receiver or tray on the support frame is possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The parts tray shown in the figures is used to deposit, hold etc. aids, for 
example tools, spare parts, drawings, descriptions or instructions, etc. 
which are necessary in repair and maintenance, especially in the area of 
engine compartment 2 of a passenger car shown in FIG. 1 only as body 3. 
The parts tray consists essentially of support frame 1 with transverse bar 
which is formed in the embodiment shown by single transverse crosspiece 4, 
with two stationary or bearing elements 5, one on each end of transverse 
bar or transverse crosspiece 4. In the embodiment shown bearing elements 5 
are each produced from a length of metal section by bending, in a bow- or 
U-shape with two legs 5' and 5" which to the bottom stand apart from yoke 
or bow section 5'" which join these legs to one another. Two bearing 
elements 5 are located with their planes defined by legs 5', 5" and yoke 
section 5'" when the parts tray is being used in the vertical direction or 
roughly in the vertical direction and thus transversely to the 
longitudinal extension of transverse crosspiece 4, such that in the 
direction parallel to transverse crosspiece 4 corresponding leg 5' and 5" 
of one bearing element 5 is opposite leg 5' and 5" of other bearing 
element 5. 
In this embodiment the longitudinal extensions of yoke sections 5'" and 
also the longitudinal extension of transverse crosspiece 4 are in a common 
plane which is essentially a horizontal plane when the parts tray is in 
use. 
In the same way as bearing elements 5, crosspiece 4 is also produced from 
one hollow metal section, and in this embodiment from several telescoping 
sections 4', 4", and 4'" which enable longitudinal adjustment of the 
transverse crosspiece, and of which center section 4" with the smaller 
outside cross section extends with its two ends into outside section 4' or 
4'". 
In the embodiment shown sections 4', 4" and 4'" each have a rectangular 
inside and outside cross section, the inside cross section of sections 4' 
and 4'" of course corresponding to the outer cross section of middle 
section 4". 
The respective longitudinal adjustment of transverse crosspiece 4 can be 
locked or interlocked by clamping or locking means 6. These clamping or 
locking means 6 are formed for example by at least one clamp screw or by 
spring or elastic clamping means. 
Outer sections 4' and 4'" are each welded to pertinent bearing element 5 or 
to yoke section 5'" such that the transition between respective section 4' 
or 4'" and yoke section 5'" is much nearer to rear leg 5" than to front 
leg 5'. 
Preferably transverse crosspiece 4 and bearing element 5 are made of 
lightweight metal, for example, an aluminum alloy. 
Legs 5' and 5" with their lower ends form stationary feet which consist at 
least on their outer surfaces of an elastic material which has a high 
friction coefficient, for example, of rubber or a rubber-like plastic. In 
this embodiment, for this reason sleeves 7 closed underneath and made of 
the aforementioned material are pushed onto the lower ends of legs 5' and 
5". 
When in use the parts tray or support frame 1 is placed over the opened 
engine compartment such that bearing elements 5 with their feet formed by 
sleeves 7 are inserted from overhead into gutters 8 which are 
conventionally provided on the two sides which border engine compartment 2 
on the longitudinal sides of the vehicle, such that transverse crosspiece 
4 in the horizontal direction is transverse to the vehicle axis, and is 
shifted preferably towards the vehicle interior so far that the repair and 
working area is located in front of crosspiece 4 when viewed from the 
front of the vehicle. The parts tray is inserted into the engine 
compartment especially such that bearing elements 5 point with their legs 
5' towards the front of the vehicle. 
A shell which consists for example of metal, for example aluminum, but 
preferably at least partially of plastic, is labelled 9. This tray which 
in an overhead view of its open top has a rectangular shape is provided on 
one of its narrow sides with shackle 10 which can be placed on middle 
section 4" of transverse crosspiece 4 such that this shackle 10 surrounds 
transverse crosspiece 4 by form-fit and in this way shell 9 is held on one 
side on crosspiece 4 such that this shell in use extends essentially 
horizontally away from transverse crosspiece 4, and in the same direction 
as also the greater lengths of yoke sections 5'" to the front of the 
vehicle. Shell 9 is used to hold and accommodate tools which are necessary 
for repair or maintenance. Shell 9 can also be used to hold spare parts 
and other aids necessary for repair and maintenance. 
Of course, there can also be several shells 9 which are used selectively or 
together on crosspiece 4. Here it is then especially also possible to 
equip the individual shells individually for different repair and 
maintenance purposes with tool sets or aids which are required for certain 
maintenance or repair activities. 
In FIG. 1, 11 labels a wall plate which can likewise be removably attached 
to transverse crosspiece 4 for illumination of the working field and with 
a shackle or holder corresponding to shackle 10. 
In the embodiment shown, the outside surfaces of transverse crosspiece 4 or 
of middle section 4" in use are in the horizontal plane or essentially in 
horizontal and vertical planes, i.e., the top and bottom of middle section 
4" lie in planes parallel to the aforementioned plane which includes the 
longitudinal extension of transverse crosspiece and yoke sections 5'". 
FIGS. 3-6 show another preferred embodiment of the parts tray according to 
the invention. In this embodiment it consists of support frame 12 which 
has rod-like crosspiece 13 which is formed by a tubular hollow section, 
and has two stationary elements 14 with which the parts tray or support 
frame 12 can be placed in the same manner as was described for support 
frame 1, in the area of opened engine compartment 2 transversely to the 
vehicle, in turn on the surfaces provided laterally from the engine 
compartment, for example, in the area of gutters 8 there. 
Two stationary elements 14 which are made mirror-symmetrically to an 
imaginary middle plane of support frame 12 which vertically intersects the 
longitudinal axis of this support frame each consist of head piece 15 with 
two molded-on legs 16 and 17 which stand apart obliquely to the bottom 
from head piece 15, and of which the arm located on the back of support 
frame 12 or on the back of the parts tray is shorter than leg 17 which is 
pointed to the front. Two legs 16 and 17 in turn form a stationary foot 
with which the support stands on the surface of the car body which is 
located laterally to the engine compartment. Longer leg 17 in the area of 
its end is extended in the manner of a shoe. Both legs each have flat 
lower stationary surface 16' and 17', stationary surface 17' in the view 
corresponding to FIG. 6 having a greater length. Legs 16 and 17 are 
normally in a common plane which runs vertically to the longitudinal 
extension of crosspiece 13 and they are made like flat levers such that 
the larger surface sides of these arms lie parallel to the aforementioned 
plane. 
On head piece 15 there is pipe section 18 which stands apart from this head 
piece and which is located with its longitudinal extension perpendicularly 
to the aforementioned plane of arms 16 and 17. 
Head piece 15 is made in one piece with legs 16 and 17 from load-bearing 
plastic by molding. Pipe section 18 consists of metal, preferably an 
aluminum alloy, and with its one end is extrusion- coated with the plastic 
which forms head piece 15 and legs 16 and 17. As especially FIGS. 5 and 6 
show, crosspiece 13 consists of a length of a pipe profile of metal, 
preferably likewise aluminum or an aluminum alloy, this profile of an 
essentially oval cross section being provided with groove-shaped molding 
or bead 19 which extends in the longitudinal direction and which extends 
in the longitudinal direction of crosspiece 13 over the entire length of 
this crosspiece, in the area of the largest cross section of the oval pipe 
profile which forms crosspiece 13, and symmetrically to an imaginary plane 
which includes the larger cross sectional axis and longitudinal axis of 
crosspiece 13, and which is open only to the outer surface of crosspiece 
13 and on both ends of this crosspiece. Pipe section 18 of each stationary 
element 14 has a cross section matched to the inner cross section of 
crosspiece 13 such that pipe sections 18 for attaching stationary elements 
15 are pushed into one end of crosspiece 13 at a time and are held there 
by a press fit or spring catch. For this reason, for example in the area 
of the free end in each pipe section 18 there is elastic catch 20 which 
can engage opening 22 of crosspiece 13 with catch element 21. As is shown 
in FIG. 7, catch element 21 consists of a rounded journal which is 
provided on leaf spring 23 and is arranged such that openings 22 are 
located in rectangular bead 19, therefore are essentially invisible. 
On the ends of crosspiece 13 openings 22 preferably form a series of holes 
so that by more or less deeply inserting pipe section 18 into crosspiece 
13 the length of support frame 12 can be adjusted and thus also this 
support frame can be matched to the width of engine compartment 2 of the 
pertinent motor vehicle. Since head piece 15 and legs 16 and 17 of each 
stationary element 14 consist of plastic which has a certain inherent 
elasticity, especially legs 16 and 17 can be easily bent by the user, such 
that the parts tray fits for vehicles of various types. 
Pipe sections 18 are held in respective head piece 15 such that the longer 
cross sectional axis of the oval cross sectional profile of these pipe 
sections is parallel to roughly parallel to an imaginary plane which runs 
parallel to the longitudinal extension of pipe sections 18 and which 
includes stationary surfaces 16' and 17'. In this way crosspiece 13 lies 
essentially in the horizontal direction with the larger cross sectional 
axis of its oval cross section when the parts tray is in use. 
A tray labelled 24 can be positioned anywhere along crosspiece 13 and in an 
overhead view has an upper, essentially rectangular support surface or top 
which is bounded by closed peripheral edge 25 which projects somewhat 
above the support surface. On the bottom, tray 24 has bearing piece 26 
which projects above the bottom and which is essentially a strip-like 
projection which extends parallel to one of the longer sides of tray 24 
and has a shorter distance from one of these longer sides which forms the 
back of tray 24 than from the other longitudinal side which forms the 
front of tray 24. The bearing element has gutter-like recess 27 which is 
open on both ends and to the bottom, which extends over the entire length 
of this bearing element, and which has a shape matched to the oval outside 
cross section of crosspiece 13 and accordingly forms a concavely arched 
bearing surface 27 with which tray 24 or its bearing element 26 is 
supported on the top of crosspiece 13. As FIG. 6 shows, this bearing 
surface 27 extends roughly over half the periphery of crosspiece 13 and 
above the overlying part of the outer surface of this crosspiece. Bearing 
element 26 furthermore has strip-like projection 28 which extends over the 
entire length of this bearing element and which projects over bearing 
surface 27 on its edge adjacent to the back of tray 24 and can be inserted 
into bead-like depression 19 of crosspiece 13. 
Since bearing piece 26 with which tray 24 can be seated on crosspiece 13 
like a slide is off-center, i.e., the rear longitudinal side of tray 24 is 
much nearer than the front longitudinal side and thus also the center of 
gravity of tray 24 is located between bearing piece 26 and front side 24' 
of tray 24, tray 24 is reliably secured after being seated on crosspiece 
13 by projection 28 which fits into groove 19, especially simple mounting 
and dismounting of tray 24 on or off crosspiece 13 being possible. 
Tools, measuring instruments, handbooks, etc. can be placed on tray 24 
during repair and maintenance activities. 
A shell labelled 29 can be inserted into tray 24 and forms several 
compartments which are open on the top of this shell, one larger 
compartment 30, one medium-sized compartment 31 and three smaller 
compartments 32, which latter are provided on one longitudinal side of 
rectangular shell 29 adjacent to one another and adjacent to compartment 
30, in the direction to the other longitudinal side of shell 29 behind 
larger compartment 30. 
Shell 29 is used for orderly accommodation and holding of tools, spare 
parts, measuring instruments, etc. which are needed for certain repairs or 
maintenance. Before starting this activity, shell 29 is prepared with the 
corresponding tools, measuring instruments, spare parts or replacement 
parts, etc; this is done in a larger shop by the tool and spare parts 
stockroom. After completion of repair and maintenance, shell 29 with the 
tools, measuring devices, replaced parts, etc. is removed from tray 24 and 
returned to the shop area provided for tool storage. For example, at that 
location there is a shelf or cabinet for holding several shells 29, of 
which each is equipped beforehand with the special tools or measuring 
devices necessary for this purpose. 
Tray 24 and also shell 29 with all their components are produced in one 
piece from plastic by injection. 
FIG. 8 shows in an enlarged sectional view like FIG. 6 another possible 
embodiment which differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 7 only in that 
bearing piece 26 is made on the side opposite projection 28 as clamp or 
elastic clip 33 which fits behind crosspiece 13 like a clamp or clip with 
the tray attached to this crosspiece, with which tray 24 is additionally 
secured. 
FIG. 9 shows a section through crosspiece 13 and pipe section 18. As is 
shown, plastic tube 34 is shrunk onto pipe section 18 and crosspiece 13 so 
that the transition between crosspiece 13 and pipe section 18 is covered 
and motion between crosspiece 13 and the pipe section is without play. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show one embodiment in which tray 24 can also be placed on 
crosspiece 13 turned, i.e., with rear edge 24" pointing forward, in a 
sloped position in which edge 24" which points forward is lower than edge 
24' which points to the rear. The tray is then used as a rest for 
operating instructions, etc. which can be especially easily read due to 
the inclined position. This inclined position is attained by bearing piece 
26 forming recess 35 into which crosspiece 13 or the profile which forms 
it fits exactly in the two positions. 
The invention was described above using embodiments. It goes without saying 
that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing 
from the inventive idea of the invention. 
Thus, for example, it is possible in particular to provide bearing elements 
5 adjustably on transverse crosspiece 4 or to make then inherently 
adjustable such that adaptation to the run of gutters 8 or another 
stationary surface is possible for different vehicle types. 
Furthermore, it is also possible to provide other operating elements, for 
example, connectors for connection of electrical devices, etc. on support 
frame 1 of the parts tray. 
Furthermore, it is possible to provide on the passage between crosspiece 4, 
13 and bearing element 5, 14 or pipe section 4'", 18 a covering there 
which optically covers the passage and protects against penetration of 
dirt and other foreign materials.