Patent Publication Number: US-2017368677-A1

Title: Light fixture assembly for creeper assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit from Provisional Patent Application No. 62/354,390 entitled “CREEPER ASSEMBLY” filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a light fixture assembly that includes an attachment assembly for a creeper device, and more particularly, to a light fixture assembly for connection to work surfaces to display light away from the work surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Creeper assemblies have been known to greatly facilitate access beneath a motor vehicle or other low-slung mechanical device, for work beneath the machine. Creepers are conventionally constructed as relatively small, thin, generally rectangular platforms having sufficient size to support the back, hips, and head of a supine person lying thereon, with a small roller, caster, or wheel at each corner to minimize ground clearance. 
     The reason conventional creepers may be impractical is that there exists relatively bad lighting directed beneath the machine storage. As a result, some known creeper assemblies have incorporated light assemblies attached to the body of the creepers. These embodiments are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,378; 7,032,908, and 9,126,326 as well as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0227303. However, each of these creeper assemblies include light assemblies that are rigidly attached to a portion of the creeper body. These light assemblies include relatively rigid or bulky armatures or otherwise require impractical power sources, such as being plugged into a power receptacle. These design flaws obviate much of the advantage of providing a light assembly attached to the creeper body. Moreover, the configuration of such creeper light assemblies do not allow room for modifying the position of the supplemental work light source while having practical access and storage to tools, equipment, accessories while maintaining a work position under the machine being maintained. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a creeper assembly and light fixture assembly that can be easily attached. Further, it may be beneficial to provide a light fixture assembly that may provide ease of use, as well as, overcome the ergonomic and functional deficits of known assemblies. There is also a need for providing a light fixture assembly that is easily removable from a work surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes a creeper assembly with a light assembly that is removably attachable to a creeper assembly or other work surface. In one embodiment, provided is a creeper assembly that includes a body and a plurality of wheels attached to the body. At least one pad member may be attached to the body, the at least one pad member including at least one attachment member and a light assembly selectively attachable with the at least one pad member. The body may include a plurality of pad members such as four or six. The pad member may include a plurality of attachment members and the light assembly may includes a plurality of lugs wherein the lugs selectively attach to the attachment members. Each attachment member may include an arm and an overhang portion wherein at least one of the attachment members may include a biasing member. The biasing member may be generally continuous with the attachment member. At least one of the pad member and the base may include a magnet to selectively attach the base to the pad member. 
     In another embodiment, provided is a light assembly to be selectively attached to a pad member. The light assembly may include a dome shaped housing and at least one light disposed within the dome shaped housing. A base may be attached to the dome shaped housing wherein the base may be selectively attachable to a pad member. The base may include a plurality of lugs extending from a perimeter of the base and the plurality of lugs may be selectively attachable with a plurality of attachment members that extend from the pad member. At least one of the attachment members may include a biasing member, wherein the biasing member includes a self-locating detent configured to engage with a self-locating recess thereby generally aligning the pad member and the light assembly. The pad member may include a shaped protrusion configured to be received within an annular recessed portion of the light assembly. At least one of the pad member and the base includes a magnet such that the base may be magnetically attachable to the pad member. The base may include a swivel hook configured to pivot relative the base and be stowed within an annular recessed portion of the base. The pad member may be attachable to a work surface, such as a surface of a creeper assembly or another surface. 
     In one embodiment, the dome shaped housing includes a lens cover for a hazard warning light wherein the hazard warning light includes a light array positioned along a portion of the perimeter of the dome shaped housing in alignment with the lens cover. The light array includes a viewing angle between about 5 to 20 degrees and more particularly between about 8 to 15 degrees. Further, the at least one light may be positioned along a top of the dome-shaped housing, the dome shaped housing may include a depression that surrounds the at least one light. The at least one light includes a viewing angle between about 120 to 160 degrees and more particularly about 140 degrees from the top of the dome shaped housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Operation of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations. These appended drawings form part of this specification, and any written information in the drawings should be treated as part of this disclosure. In the same manner, the relative positioning and relationship of the components as shown in these drawings, as well as their function, shape, dimensions, and appearance, may all further inform certain aspects of the present disclosure as if fully rewritten herein. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a creeper assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of the creeper assembly of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the creeper assembly of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a creeper assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the creeper assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the creeper assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a light assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of the light assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the light assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the light assembly of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a rear perspective view the light assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the creeper assembly and the light assembly of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of embodiments of the light assembly attached to a pad member of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the pad member of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view of the pad member of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the pad member of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7D  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the pad member of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7E  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the pad member of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  is a partial perspective view of embodiments of an attachment portion of the pad member in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is a partial cross sectional view of the light assembly attached to the pad member in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery compartment in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a printed circuit board (PCB) in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the light assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a top view of the light assembly of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is a side view of the light assembly of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the light assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top view of the light assembly of  FIG. 11A ; and 
         FIG. 11C  is a side view of the light assembly of  FIG. 11A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  illustrate an embodiment of a creeper assembly  10  in accordance with the instant disclosure.  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  illustrate another embodiment of the creeper assembly  10  in accordance with the instant disclosure. The creeper assembly  10  includes a body  12 . The body  12  may be made of various materials including metal, alloy, polymer, wood or any other material. The creeper assembly  10  may also include various contoured portions along the body  12  including a body support portion  18  and a head support portion  20 . In one embodiment, these portions may include a cushion such as a foam or polymer member for added support. 
     The creeper assembly  10  includes a plurality of wheels  30  such as caster wheels. In one embodiment there are four (4) wheels  30  and in another embodiment there are six (6) wheels. However, this disclosure is not limited to the number or location of the wheels  30  positioned on the creeper  10 . The wheels  30  may be attached to the body  12  of the creeper assembly  10  by any suitable means such as fasteners extending through the body  12 . 
     The creeper assembly  10  may include at least one pad member  40  or cradle. In one embodiment, the creeper assembly  10  includes a plurality of pad members  40 . The pad member  40  may be positioned along the body  12  of the creeper assembly  10  in alignment with the wheels  30 . However, any number and position of pad members  40  are contemplated by this disclosure. 
     Additionally, the creeper assembly  10  may include one or more tool carriers  42 . The tool carriers  42  may extend from the sides of the body  12  of the creeper assembly  10 . The tool carriers  42  may be recessed within the body  12 . 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 11A, 11B, and 11C  illustrate various embodiments of a light assembly  50  in accordance with the instant disclosure. The light assembly  50  may be selectively attached to the pad member  40  as illustrated by  FIG. 5 . The light assembly  50  may include a housing  52  and a base  60 . The dome shaped housing  52  may include at least one light  54 , at least one lens cover  56 , a power supply  102  (shown in  FIG. 9A ) for powering the light assembly and a switch  58  for toggling power to the light assembly  50 . 
     The housing  52  may be dome shaped. By way of a non-limiting example, the housing may be a solid shell with a texture and/or a color. The housing  52  may be made of a weather, ultra violet (UV) and/or shatter resistant polymer such as ABS and polycarbonate and/or with IP-67 rating. The housing  52  may have a gripping surface  55  thereon having an ornamental shape made with precision molding contours thereon. The gripping surface of the housing  52  may be externally facing to allow a user to grasp the dome shaped housing and rotate it relative to the pad member  40 . The gripping surface may be made by over molding including insert molding, double shot molding, co-injection molding as well as hot stamping for a decorative finish and sonic welding for attachment of various features. However, the housing  52  may be made of any appropriate materials and colors and this disclosure is not limited in this regard. The switch  58  may be positioned along a ledge or a shoulder  53  positioned along the perimeter of the dome shaped housing and be generally adjacent to the light  54 . In one embodiment, the housing  52  includes opposite facing ledges wherein one of the ledges includes the switch  58 . The ledges  53  may be recessed from the gripping surface  55  to ensure that the switch is not toggled by accident. 
     The light  54  may be positioned along the top of the housing  52  and have a viewing angle that distributes light upwardly away from the base  60 . In another embodiment, the light  54  may be positioned along a depression  61  along a top of the housing. The depression  61  may be generally slight and have a generally oblong or oval shape and allow for the viewing angle of the light to be directed upwardly and with a desired angle away from the base  60  of the housing  52 . The shape of the depression  61  includes a perimeter that surrounds the lens cover  56  along the top of the housing  50  and includes a reflective layer or color that provides reflection or illumination of the light. The light  54  may be positioned along the top of the housing  52  and within the depression  61  may have a viewing angle VA 1  that distributes light between about 100 to 160 degrees and more particularly about 140 degrees directed upwardly and away from the base  60 . This viewing angle VA 1  may be measured from the base of the depression as illustrated by  FIGS. 10C and 11C . The remaining surface of the light assembly  50  may be opaque or translucent and have various ornamental features along the surface of the dome shaped housing. The surface may be easily gripped by a user to rotate the light assembly to attach or detach the light as will be discussed below. 
     The light  54  may be an LED type light, but other light types may be used. By way of non-limiting example, the light may include a chip-on-board (COB) LED type light. The COB LED may be round and include a viewing angle of 140 degrees, light-emitting area of 16 mm in diameter, 3 watt in power, 0.1 ampere in current, 4.5 Volt, 220-240 lm in luminous flux, and with a cool white color. While the specific specifications are provided for the light source above, these are merely exemplary embodiments and that the present system may utilize any appropriate configuration of a light source or any lighting device for that matter. Further, depending upon the application of the present system, specific capabilities of the light source may be required. These various configurations are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , the base  60  may include a shape that corresponds with the shape of the pad member  40 . In one embodiment, the base  60  may be a generally circular shape. However, this disclosure is not limited as the shape of the base may be generally complementary to the shape of the pad member  40 . The light assembly  50  may be selectively attached to the pad members  40  as they are positioned along the body  12  of the creeper assembly  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , the base  60  may further include at least one magnet  62  positioned on the underside of the light assembly  50 . The at least one magnet  62  may include various magnetic types and may be a neodymium disc magnet  63  (shown in  FIG. 9C ) with ⅜ inch diameter, ¼ inch thick. A recessed portion  64  may generally surround the magnet  62  within the base  60 . The recessed portion  64  may be generally annular. 
     A hook member  66  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  may extend from the base  60  of the light assembly  50  and be configured to be stowed within the recessed portion  64  when not in use. The recessed portion  64  may have various shapes and is not limited to being generally annular. The hook member  66  may allow a user to place the light assembly  50  along various articles for support thereon. In particular, the hook member  66  may be placed along portions of the underside of a machine/vehicle or as needed by the user. The hook member  66  may further pivot about a swivel end  67 . The magnet  62  may allow the user to also magnetically attach the light assembly  50  along various portions of the machine/vehicle or also to be selectively engaged with the at least one pad member  40  as will be described more fully below. 
     The light assembly  50  maybe be selectively attached to the pad member  40 . The selective attachment of the base  60  to the pad member  40  may provide the user tactile feedback to ensure that the light assembly  50  has been secured to the creeper assembly  10  in the desired position. In one embodiment, as illustrated by  FIG. 5-8B , the base  60  may include a plurality of perimeter lugs  68  that extend from a perimeter of the base  60  that may be selectively attached with an engagement member  70  that extends from a top surface of the pad member  40 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the light assembly  50  may be attachable to a work surface such as, for example, on the creeper assembly  10 . The pad member  40  may be attached to the work surface  12  with conventional fasteners  72 . 
     As illustrated by  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the pad member  40  may include a perimeter portion  80  and an interior portion  90 . The perimeter portion  80  may include the at least one attachment member  70  extending therefrom. The perimeter portion  80  generally surrounds the interior portion  90 . The pad member  40  may further include at least one slot  96 . The slot may be positioned along the interior portion  90  for allowing a fastening strap (not shown) to pass there through. The fastening strap may be made of a rubber, a leather and hook and loop fastener material allowing for convenient engagement to the work surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7C and 7D , the interior portion  90  may include a generally magnetic surface  92 . However, the interior portion may also include a generally non-magnetic surface  94 . 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of attachment members  70  may generally align with the a plurality of perimeter lugs  68  that extend from the base  60  of the light assembly  50 . As illustrated by  FIGS. 7C, 7D and 7E , the attachment member  70  may include an arm  74  and an overhang  76 . The arm  74  may extend upwardly from a top surface of the pad member  40  and the overhang  76  may extend inwardly from the arm  74 . The profile of the arm  74  and overhang  76  may allow each of the lugs  68  of the light assembly  50  to be placed within spaces between the plurality of attachment members  70  and rotated such that the lugs  68  become positioned in alignment with the arms  74  and overhangs  76 . In one embodiment, one of the attachment members  70  may include a biasing member  78 . The biasing member  78  may be generally continuous with the arm  74  and overhang  76 . The biasing member  78  may include a self-locating detent  79  and the lug  68  may include a self-locating recess  69  (See  FIG. 8B ). The biasing member  78  may engage with the lug  68  such that it may provide tactile feedback when the light assembly  50  is selectively attached or detached from the pad member  40 . See  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The tactile feedback may be audible in the form of a click or snap sound as well as providing a subtle click or snap that may be felt by the user as the light assembly is secured to the pad member. 
     In one embodiment, there may be five (5) lugs  68  positioned about the perimeter of the base  60  and there may be five (5) attachment members  70  positioned about the perimeter of the pad member  40 . The lugs  68  may be sized to be aligned with the spaces between the attachment members  50  and to slidably rotate relative to the pad member  40  to position a top surface of each of the lugs  68  within the arm  74  and overhang  76  simultaneously. 
     Further, the magnet  62  positioned on the underside of the light assembly  50  may engage with the interior portion  90  of the at least one pad member. As the magnet  62  engages with the interior portion of the pad member, the user may feel a tactical feedback identifying that the light assembly has magnetically attached to the pad member  40 . This configuration may be used with or without attachment members  70 . 
     Alternatively, the attachment member  70  of the pad member  40  may include a shaped protrusion  100  (See  FIG. 1B ). The shaped protrusion  100  may generally surround the perimeter of the at least one pad member  40  and be configured to be received within the recessed portion  64  of the light assembly  50 . The shaped protrusion  100  may have a generally continuous annular shape that is raised from the at least one pad member  40  such that a user could position the light assembly  50  upon the pad member  40  to allow the shaped protrusion  100  be received within the recessed portion  64  ( FIG. 4B ) while the magnet  62  magnetically attaches to the interior portion  90  of the pad member  40 . Notably, this configuration could also provide tactile feedback and easily allow a user to position the light assembly at various pad members  40  positioned along the creeper assembly  10 . 
     With respect to  FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C , the light assembly  50  may include the power supply  102 . The power supply  102  for the light assembly  50  may include at least one battery  104  housed within a battery compartment  106 . The battery  104  may be preferably of “AAA” type that provides a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts. However, by increasing the diameter of the battery compartment, another type/size may be used. The light assembly  50  may further include a printed circuit board (PCB)  110 . The PCB  110  may be preferably of a design to provide 100% ON light output up to 3 hours and 50% ON light output up to 6 hours. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C , provided is another embodiment of the light assembly  150 . This embodiment may further include a hazard warning housing  152  that includes a lens cover  157  and a light array  158 . The light array  158  may be in addition to the light  54  and may be positioned about the perimeter of the housing and be generally aligned with the lens cover  157  to provide light therethrough. The light array  158  may include various light sources including a 5 mm red LED-630 nm-T1 ¾ LED type light. By way of a non-limiting example, the 5 mm red LED may include a viewing angle of 8-15 degree through the lens  160  and have a light-emitting area of 16 mm in diameter. These are merely exemplary embodiments and that the present assembly may utilize any appropriate configuration of a light source or any lighting device for that matter. Further, depending upon the application of the present system, specific capabilities of the light source may be required. These various configurations may be contemplated by the present disclosure. As illustrated by  FIG. 10B , the light array  158  includes first light array  158 A and second light array  158 B. The first light array  158 A is positioned about a perimeter of the PCB  110  such that the hazard warning housing  152  includes a first facing hazard warning light distributed by the first light array  158 A and a second facing hazard waring light distributed by the second light array  158 B. The second light array  158 B directed opposite from the first light array  158 A while the light  54  may be directed upwardly. The first and second light arrays  158 A,  158 B being positioned along opposite sides of the perimeter of the housing  152  and includes a generally curved shaped. Spaced between the light arrays  158 A,  158 B include surfaces having shoulders or ledges  153  thereon wherein one of the ledges includes the light switch  58  for toggling power to the light assembly  150 . As illustrated by  FIG. 10B , the light arrays  158 A and  158 B may extend about a portion of opposing sides of the perimeter of the dome shaped housing  152 . The light arrays may extend a similar viewing angle VA 2  extending outwardly from the perimeter in relation to a central axis as viewed from above. The viewing angle VA 2  may be between about 80 degrees to about 120 degrees from a central axis and more particularly may be about 100 degrees. As illustrated by  FIG. 10C , the light arrays  158 A and  158 B may extend along a common plane from one another directed in opposing sides of the perimeter of the dome shaped housing  152 . The light arrays may extend a similar viewing angle VA 3  extending outwardly from the perimeter in relation to a plane generally parallel to the base or ground wherein the viewing angle VA 3  relative to a base plane may be between about 5 degrees to about 20 degrees and more particularly may be about 8 to 15 degrees. 
     The hazard warning housing  152  may further include the PCB  110  and circuitry that may support following operating modes in which the light  54  and/or light array  158  of the light assemblies may be toggled with various manners. These modes include:
         ON-100% (COB LED) up to 3 hrs.   ON-50% (COB LED) up to 5 hrs.   OFF everything   Red Double-Blink up to 9 hrs.   Red Double-Pulse up to 9 hrs.   Red Single-Blink up to 36 hrs.   Red Rotate-Beacon up to 9 hrs.   SOS rescue (Morse code) up to 15 hrs.   Red Alternate up to 9 hrs.   2 Red LED single blink up to 40 hrs.       

     This disclosure provides a compact, adjustable, easily attachable/detachable light assembly to a work surface such as on the body of the creeper assembly. However, other assemblies could also be utilized to attach to the creeper body and this disclosure is not limited to just light assemblies. Containers or tools may be adapted to fit the disclosed pad members to provide a convenient work environment for a user, and in particular, when the work environment is under a machine or vehicle or around the shop or garage. The light assembly may provide sufficient work lighting directed at the work area without being in the way of the user while allowing the user to move freely. Further, the light arrays may provide sufficient lighting to others signaling that a worker is under a vehicle or within a confined work space while also providing work lighting for the worker. Additional flexibility is provided due to the particular configuration of the light assembly. The light assembly may be attached to any ferrous surface via the magnet or any other member via the folding hook. The pad member may also provide a magnet for the retention of small tools and work pieces as well as the selectively engaging of the light assembly. The at least one pad member may also allow the light assembly to be rotated 360 degrees to redirect light in a particular manner. The pad member may be constructed from durable plastic, but this disclosure is not limited to the materials. 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the present disclosure described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof. 
     Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.