Abstract:
This invention pertains to a multi-function tool that when assembled in different configurations would meet many needs of the home or commercial mechanic. One configuration is height adjustable allowing users to work safely in an elevated position over the engine compartment of a light truck (i.e. half-ton to one-ton vehicle) even if that vehicle is lifted or taller than factory normal. Another configuration is an engine stand to hold a small engine block so the mechanic may repair it. Yet another configuration is a crane or hoist to assist in lifting engines or parts of engines (e.g. heads) out of the engine compartment to prevent injury to the mechanic. This hoist could also aid in lifting the engine or engine parts onto the engine stand or onto another conveyance (i.e. onto a truck).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,370 filed on Jun. 14, 2007, which will issue on Mar. 30, 2010, as U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,310, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to support platforms, commonly referred to as a mechanic&#39;s “creeper”. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elevated creeper which also provides a multi-function work stand, crane, or hoist or a combination of these. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Creepers help mechanics and others work under, around, or even above vehicles. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,877 (Shockley) is directed to a transformable mechanic&#39;s creeper having a base assembly and a seat assembly, in pivotal connection. With the base assembly and the seat assembly positioned in general horizontal alignment, a creeper position is defined. With the base assembly and the seat assembly in general vertical alignment, a seating position is defined. 
         [0005]    There have been a number of patents directed to inventions that attempt to solve the problems of reaching elevated or awkwardly situated vehicle components, for example the top or back of an engine of a truck. 
         [0006]    U.S. Des. Pat. No. D271,717 (Linn) is directed to an ornamental design for an elevated creeper for automotive mechanics. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,146 (Reese) is directed to a creeper with an elevated platform. A chest board is pivotable with respect to a body board to provide comfort and accessibility to the work area. The creeper of Reese is preferably sold in combination with or as an add-on conversion for an engine hoist commonly know as a “cherry picker”. 
         [0008]    There are a wide variety of devices, tools, work stands, cranes, hoists, and support structures which may assist a person in accessing, maintaining, or repairing vehicle components. However, due to the practicalities of cost and physical space, not every mechanic or every shop can have every piece of equipment. 
         [0009]    It is, therefore, desirable to provide an elevated creeper which also provides a multi-function work stand, crane, or hoist or a combination of these. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous elevated work platforms. 
         [0011]    In a first aspect, the present invention provides a multi-function platform creeper having a base, a fixed mast member having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section connected to the base, and the mast member adapted to receive a tool section. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the multi-function platform creeper includes a standing platform on the base. The tool section may include an elevated work platform, the platform having a body section, a leg section, the leg section pivotable between a non-working position and a working position, and locking means for selectively locking the leg section in the working position. 
         [0013]    The tool section may be a crane, a hoist, an engine mount, or a combination, such as an engine mount and a crane or an engine mount and a hoist. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect, the present invention provides an elevated platform creeper having a base, a mast member having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section connected to the base, and an elevated work platform connected to the mast, the elevated work platform having a body section, a leg section, the leg section pivotable between a non-working position and a working position, and locking means for selectively locking the leg section in the working position. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the base includes a standing platform. Preferably, the mast includes a tube. Preferably, the tube is adapted to receive a tool section within the tube. Preferably the body section is cantilevered. Preferably, the leg section is cantilevered. Preferably, the leg section is substantially horizontal when in the working position. Preferably, the mast and the standing platform are connected. 
         [0016]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic of a multi-function base of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is the multi-function base of  FIG. 1 , with a simplified schematic of an elevated work platform of the present invention (pre-assembly); 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is the multi-function base and elevated work platform of  FIG. 2  (assembled) with leg section in working position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is the multi-function base and elevated work platform of  FIG. 2  (assembled) with leg section in non-working position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is the multi-function base of  FIG. 1 , with a multi-head and an engine mount of the present invention (pre-assembly); 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is the multi-function base, the multi-function utility head, and the engine mount of the present invention (assembled); 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is the multi-function base of  FIG. 1 , with a crane; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is the multi-function base of  FIG. 1 , a multi-head, an engine mount, and a crane. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for servicing vehicles, particularly the engine compartment of vehicles. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a multi-function platform creeper  10  of the present invention includes a base section  15 . An elongate multi-function base  20 , having a working end  30  and a free end  40 . The free end  40  adapted to extend beneath a vehicle, to allow the working end  30  to be moved in closer proximity to the vehicle. 
         [0028]    A standing platform  50  rests on the multi-function base  20 . Depending on the height of the standing platform  50 , one or more steps  60  provide a safe ascent/descent to the standing platform. Handrails (not shown) may also be included. 
         [0029]    A vertical member in the form of a mast member  70  protrudes from the multi-function base  20 . A lower section  80  of the mast member  70  is attached to the multi-function base  20 , for example by bolting, welding, or other attachment means. An upper section  90  of the mast member  70   0 has a connector  100  for receiving a tool section  110 . While the lower section  80  is shown attached to the multi-function base  20 , one skilled in the art would recognize that the lower section  80  may be attached to the standing platform  50 , or both. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the base section  15  is shown receiving a tool section  110 , in this case, an elevated work platform  120 . The elevated work platform  120  is received by the mast member  70 . 
         [0031]    The elevated work platform  120  includes a body section  130  and a leg section  140 . The body section  130  is fixed in a generally horizontal position. The angle of the body section  130  is preferably between about −15° (15° downward) and about +15° (15° upward). However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of angles are included in the present invention, to suit a wide variety of operating conditions. The body section  130  and/or the leg section  140  may be padded to increase comfort. 
         [0032]    The elevated work platform  120  may be height adjustable. The member  200  of the elevated work platform  120  and the mast member  70  of the base section  15  may be selectively vertically adjustable. For example, as shown, the member  200  may be received in the mast member  70  and fixed in place. Because member  200  as shown is received and selectively adjustable within the mast member  70 , it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the mechanical art that the member  200  is considered telescopically received in the mast member  70 . It is known that the term telescoping in mechanics describes the movement of one part sliding out from another, lengthening or shortening an object from one position to another. The elevation of the elevated work platform  120  may be selected by the degree that the member  200  is received in the mast member  70  prior to fixing the member  200  in place. 
         [0033]    The leg section  140  is selectively pivotable about pivot  150  between a non-working position  180  ( FIG. 4 ) and a working position  190  ( FIG. 3 ). The non-working position  180  describes the leg section  140  when it is pivoted down, out of the working position  190 . The leg section  140  may be locked into the working position  190  through the selective use of locking means  170 . A lever or handle  160  may be used to allow the user to move the leg section  140  between the non-working position  180  and the working position  190 , and/or to activate the locking means  170 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, the lever or handle  160  is axially extendable from the leg section  140 . The lever or handle  160  may extend from the leg section  140  to engage a stop  145  to form a locking means  170  to lock the leg section  140  in the working position  190 . The stop  145  may extend or be extendible from the side of the elevated work platform  120 , and the lever or handle  160  may extend to engage the underside of the stop  145 , thereby locking the leg section  140  into the working position  190 . The stop  145  is preferably a shaft  147  slidably received in a guide, preferably in the form of a tube  148 , the tube  148  extending laterally across the elevated work platform  120 . Preferably, to lock the leg section  140  into the working position  190 , the lever or handle  160  is extended and the shaft  147  is extended (within tube  148 ) such that there is engagement between the shaft  147  and the lever or handle  160  (with the shaft  147  below the lever or handle  160 ) such that the leg section  140  is held in the working position  190 . 
         [0035]    A plurality of wheels and/or casters  210  may be provided to facilitate movement of the multi-function platform creeper  10 , either when being used or not being used. A tool tray  220  as shown in  FIG. 3  may be provided proximate the body section  130  to keep parts and tools organized as well as keeping these items from falling from the elevated work platform  120 . The tool tray  220  may be a relatively flat or concave tray having an outer perimeter lip to retain tools. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-6  the base section  15  is shown receiving a tool section  110 , in this case, an engine mount  230  associated with a multi-head  240 . The multi-head  240  is received by the mast member  70  and the engine mount  230  is received by the multi-head  240 . As shown, a shaft  270  of the multi-head  240  is inserted into the upper section  90  of the mast member  70 . The engine mount  230  has a plurality of connectors  280  adapted to connect with an engine or other automotive component, and a shaft  290  which is received into an opening  250  in the multi-head  240 . An additional opening  260  is available for connecting to or receiving other devices. When an engine is mounted to connectors  280 , an operator is provided with a convenient means of working on all sides of the engine. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the base section  15  is shown receiving a tool section  110 , in this case, a crane  300 . The crane  300  has an elongate boom  310 , a pully system  320 , a hoisting means  330 , and a hook  340 . While shown as a manual hoist, the hoisting means  330  may be powered (not shown), for example by electricity, pneumatic (e.g. air), or otherwise. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the base section  15  is shown receiving a tool section  110 , in this case, a crane  300  and an engine mount  230 , both received in the multi-head  240 . The boom  310  has been adjusted to allow the hook  340  to be generally aligned with an engine (shown in outline). 
         [0039]    In operation, the operator may select a tool section  110 , for example an elevated work platform  120  and attach it to the base section  15  to form a multi-function platform creeper  10 . The operator may select the elevation of the elevated work platform  120  by adjustment relative to the base section  15 . The multi-function platform creeper  10  is then positioned as desired, for example, to work on a vehicle. The operator may climb onto the standing platform  50  and bend forward and reach as desired to perform a wide variety of tasks. If the operator wishes to lay forward, the operator can rest upon the body section  130  while continuing to stand on the standing platform  50 . 
         [0040]    To accommodate working bent over in a face down position, the operator may move the leg section  140  from the non-working position  180  into the working position  190  and lock the leg section  140  into the working position  190  by locking means  170 . This reduces strain to the operator&#39;s knees and/or back, allowing the operator to work longer and more comfortably. When the operator wishes, the operator can release the locking means  170  and allow the leg section  140  to move back into the non-working position  180 , and step down from the standing platform  50 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the leg section  140  in the working position  190  forms an angle  380  relative to the body section  130 . The angle  380  is preferably in the range between about 135 degrees and about 225 degrees. More preferably, the angle  380  is in the range between 180 +/−15 degrees. Preferably, the angle  380  is less than or equal to 180 degrees to accommodate working in the face down position. Preferably, the angle  380  is greater than or equal to 180 degrees to accommodate working in a face up position. Preferably, the angle   380  is selectable between 0 and 360 degrees. 
         [0042]    When not being used as a creeper, the base section  15 , having mast member  70 , is capable of receiving one or more tool sections  110  as described above, thereby adding to the versatility of the multi-function platform creeper  10 . 
         [0043]    In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. 
         [0044]    The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.