Patent Publication Number: US-2011049822-A1

Title: Plumber&#39;s unibody creeper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     Priority and benefit of earlier filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 61/275,287 filed Aug. 27, 2009 and provisional application Ser. No. 61/281,633 filed Nov. 19, 2009 are claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a movable worker platform commonly referred to as a creeper or crawler on which a person lies on his back in order to maneuver into or underneath low and confined spaces. More particularly, the present invention creeper is designed for plumbers and alike to facilitate working underneath kitchen sinks and similar confined and raised spaces relative to the floor level. The plumbers field has developed several devices to address the particular nuances of a worker lying on his back and trying to navigate into the cabinet while supporting his upper torso weight over the varying transitional height represented by the floor surface and the elevated inside cabinet floor caused by the cabinet toe kickboard which typically ranges from 3½ to 5½ inches high. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Brief Description of the Related Art 
     While many tools and devices have been developed in attempt to improve the plumber&#39;s access, support, comfort and maneuverability while working inside a cabinet such as with kitchen sink plumbing; each has unique limitations and disadvantages when compared to that of the instant creeper invention. Practitioners have generally referred to the plumber lying on his back and facing upward as working in the supine position. The essence of most of the focus of these other designs is the transition from the floor surface to that of the slightly elevated cabinet floor typically some 3½ to 5½ inches higher and in particular, the sharp edge or corner where the elevated cabinet door opening floor meets the vertical cabinet toe kickboard. This raised right angle obstruction has given plumbers fits and indeed physical pain since its inception as it generally serves as a painful pressure point while working underneath the sink. Plumbers and homeowners alike have traditionally attempted to soften the raised toe kickboard corner by placing a blanket, pillow or rubber mats adjacent to and/or on top of the sharp corner. 
     Traditional automotive style floor creeper designs, while offering maneuverability, lack vertical height adjustment to accommodate varying toe kickboard heights and by design, stop at the cabinet door entrance, thus offering no body support or head and torso strain relief once the person is inside the confined cabinet. One commonly employed device configuration is that of the “wedge”, e.g., a triangular cross-section or ramp positioned in attempt to provide a gradual transition from the floor to the raised cabinet floor. These designs however, whether constructed of substantially structural materials or foam, are generally also not adjustable in height to accommodate varying toe kickboard heights, and offer no maneuverability to the worker as the wedge rests on the exterior floor without the aid of swiveling wheels for instance. 
     Beck&#39;s U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0200909 attempts improvement to this basic ramp design by incorporating a horizontal “back support platform” which is supported at the top of the ramp and a horizontal portion thereof enters the cabinet. However, this claimed improvement does nothing to improve mobility or maneuverability of the plumber and by design still incorporates a 20 degree angle between the ramp and back support section. Schlieps&#39; U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,728 joins two identical foam wedges together whereby one wedge remains on the floor while the other wedge is flipped up an into the cabinet opening to rest on the cabinet floor, again offering nothing to improve worker maneuverability nor adjustable toe kickboard height accommodation. In fact, the wedge plus wedge geometry raises the worker up off the cabinet floor to a height which may jeopardize his ability to move his arms freely. There are also ample instances and scenarios when it is not desirable for the device of choice to be in contact with a potentially contaminated cabinet floor for instance. Similarly the Bailey twin wedge design in U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,328 suffers the same limitations as already noted but further compounds the loss of worker maneuverability by compounding the two corresponding wedge angles to significantly raise the worker off of the cabinet floor. 
     Correspondingly, other devices have been developed in attempt to garnish the fundamental maneuverability virtues of the automotive style creeper for plumber application. A common approach has been to incorporate an extendable, slide-able, pivot-able and some times adjustable headrest type device which can be deployed from the head end of the creeper platform such as with Nicholson&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,211, Chamberlin&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,352 and Smith&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,067. None of these devices, however, is aimed at accomplishing much more than supporting the worker&#39;s head and do not substantially improve the worker&#39;s lateral transition into the cabinet door opening as the wheeled platform is still restricted at the toe kickboard. The overall reach of these headrests are limited, offering no upper torso or back support within the confines of the cabinet and the platforms incorporate no height adjustment capabilities. 
     The Larson style creeper device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,569, while again not incorporating a height adjustment capability, does incorporate a hinged or folding extender section intended to enter the confines of the cabinet enclosure in order to better support the worker. However, the extender section is the same width as the wheeled platform, and thus has not been tailored to allow entry into cabinet door openings narrower than the wheeled platform such as with the present invention, nor does it teach height adjustment of the platform. 
     In addition, the Larson extender is fitted with yet another wheel which is intended to rest on the cabinet interior floor surface to support the weight of the worker as opposed to the instant device&#39;s ability to support the weight of the worker in cantilever fashion and thereby not requiring contact with the cabinet floor. The cantilever support of the head end section of the present invention allows for more worker clearance as the platform height can be adjusted for only minimal clearance of the head end over the cabinet floor. This “non-contact” feature of the present invention also ensures that the creeper is not contaminated by residual products and chemicals that may be on the cabinet floor surface. The Larson creeper requires the extender wheel to be supported by the cabinet floor as opposed to being independently supported like the instant device head end and thus the Larson device poses an instability concern and potentially a safety issue as the worker exits the cabinet in the supine position and the extender wheel rolls off of the elevated toe kickboard. Contrarily, the worker can lie upon the instant device completely outside of the cabinet even perpendicular to the line of axis to the cabinet entry and easily pivot and maneuver into the cabinet opening, thus offering a significant maneuverability advantage. 
     The Parks crawler disclosed under U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,744 provides for an angular adjustable support similar to a seat back which can be adjusted down to a near prone position. It, however, does not teach height adjustment to accommodate varying height toe kickboards, tends to compromise the space remaining for the worker to maneuver once inside the cabinet similar to the wedge designs, does not teach the narrowing cut-outs and is not of the unibody construction. 
     It is there an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art described above and otherwise known in the art. It also is an object of the present invention to provide a highly maneuverable creeper which allows navigation and traversal over the toe kickboard height of a typical sink cabinet while supporting the upper torso and head of the person in the supine position. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a height adjustable means to raise or lower the creeper platform to accommodate varying sink cabinet toe kickboard heights. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable creeper for easy transport and storage comprising all of the features and benefits of the one piece creeper. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying handle, tool storage drawer and flexible accessory lamp for improved lighting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a floor-maneuverable platform commonly referred to as a creeper or crawler on which the person lies on his back in order to maneuver into or underneath low and confined spaces. More particularly, the present invention creeper is designed for plumbers to facilitate working underneath kitchen sinks and similar confined and slightly raised spaces relative to the floor level. The device is utilized by plumbers to navigate into the cabinet while supporting the person&#39;s upper torso weight over the varying transitional height represented by the elevated inside cabinet floor caused by the cabinet toe kickboard which typically ranges from 3½ to 5½ inches high, relative to the room floor. 
     One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a one-piece unibody style platform. The creeper platform comprises a bottom side having four wheels or casters mounted thereon and a top side which may include a foam pad or cushion to support the user comfortably. The wheels are attached to the underside of the support platform and allow the device to be readily moved by the user. The wheels are affixed and positioned such that the head end of the creeper is cantilever supported beyond the forward most wheels to enable a person to enter the opening of a sink type cabinet door and navigate above the raised toe kickboard and cabinet floor while the creeper wheels remain on the floor outside of the cabinet. The wheel attaching means further include provisions to adjust the height of the platform to accommodate varying cabinet toe kickboard heights while maximizing the workers clearance and maneuverability within the cabinet interior. 
     The unibody platform head end supports the person&#39;s head and upper torso while working within the confined cabinet space to prevent head, neck and torso strain. The unibody platform head end further comprises two substantially semi-circle cutouts provided within the cantilevered portion of the platform such that the device can be moved or placed into cabinets exhibiting a smaller entry port than the full width of the device. These semi-circle cutouts also facilitate improved range of motion of the person&#39;s arms and shoulders while remaining supported by the head end. The creeper device may further comprise a drawer for storing easily accessible tools, tool caddy, a carrying handle and a lighting lamp on the head end. The lamp is mounted on a flexible neck which attaches to the underside of the platform so that the lamp may also be stored out of the way or directed as desired. 
     In an alternate preferred embodiment, the unibody platform is split into two sections which are hingeably attached perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform. The foot end of the platform comprises the height adjustable wheeled section and the head end is cantilever supported by the foot end and comprises the two substantially semi-circle cutouts described above. The hinged unibody version can be folded and latched closed for convenient transport and storage, likewise comprises a handle, and may also comprise a drawer for storing easily accessible tools, tool caddy and a lighting lamp on the head end. A slide-bolt mechanism is utilized to support and lock the head end juxtaposed to and co-planer with the foot end during use to form one aggregate surface. 
     In further detail, the present invention comprises a creeper to provide a substantially flat, rollable working surface capable of supporting a person in a supine position. The present device includes a rigid planar platform that defines a top surface, a bottom surface, perimeter edge surfaces, a first end and a second end. It also includes a plurality of wheels mounted on the bottom surface to provide for rollably engaging a floor or ground surface. The wheels are attached to the rigid planar platform in a spatial relationship relative to the first end of the platform. In this manner, the device will support a person&#39;s upper torso weight that is applied to the second end of the platform and also provide entry into a confined workspace. The second end of the platform extends in an elevated cantilever fashion into the confined workspace and is not supported by any wheels. A preferred embodiment of the present device may further comprise a plurality of height adjustment mechanisms to change the distance of the wheels from the bottom surface of the platform in order to change the height of the platform relative to the floor or ground surface on which the wheels will be placed. 
     The cantilevered platform extension may define a narrower lateral width than the portion of the platform supported by the wheels to enable the creeper cantilevered extension to enter door openings of lesser width than that of the portion of the platform supported by the wheels. In this embodiment, the cantilevered platform extension defines a lateral narrowing geometric shape localized to the area of the platform extension immediately adjacent to the wheel(s) closest to the point of the cantilever fulcrum to enable the creeper cantilevered extension to negotiate door openings of lesser width than that of the portion of the platform supported by the wheels while providing a laterally wider work surface beyond the localized narrowing region. The cantilevered platform extension lateral narrowing geometric shapes are typically in the form of two semi-circle cutouts with the corresponding radii facing each other. 
     Alternatively, the present invention may comprise a foldable creeper that provides the substantially flat, rollable working surface capable of supporting a person in a supine position. The rigid planar platform further comprises two movable platform segments hingeably attached to one another, each having a top surface, a bottom surface and perimeter edge surfaces. The device includes a plurality of wheels mounted to the bottom surface of one of the platform segments for rollably engaging a floor or ground surface. The wheels are attached to the rigid planar platform segment in a spatial relationship substantially about the perimeter of the platform segment so as to support weight applied to the top surface of both or either platform segments. The second platform segment may be locked and supported in a position adjacent, juxtaposed to and co-planer with the platform segment comprising the wheels to form a cantilevered platform. The cantilevered platform segment is supported and locked into the co-planer position by at least one moveable structural support member mechanism which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the hinge system and bridges the two movable platform segments. 
     The foldable creeper similarly may include a plurality of height adjustment mechanisms to change the distance of the wheels from the bottom surface of the platform in order to change the height of the platform relative to the floor or ground surface on which the wheels will be placed. Again, the cantilevered platform segment may define a narrower width than the platform segment supported by the wheels to enable the creeper cantilevered extension to enter door openings of lesser width than that of the portion of the platform supported by the wheels. The cantilevered platform segment defines a lateral narrowing cross-section generally localized to the area of the platform extension starting immediately adjacent to the hinge system and the point of the cantilever fulcrum to enable the creeper cantilevered extension to negotiate door openings of lesser width than that of the platform segment supported by the wheels while providing a laterally wider work surface beyond the localized narrowing region. Again, the cantilevered platform segment lateral narrowing geometric shapes are typically in the form of two semi-circle cutouts with the corresponding radii facing each other. 
     One embodiment of the moveable structural support member mechanism defines at least one moveable slide bolt and at least one slide bolt receiving receptacle mechanism affixed to each platform segment. The structural support member mechanism provides the means to independently support and retain the moveable disengaged slide bolt to one of the platform segments in the fully retracted and disengaged position such that the moveable slide bolt lineal length does not cross the plane of the hinge system. This embodiment provides the device with the ca foldable creeper capability to fold the cantileverable platform segment approximately 180 degrees about the hinge system axis until the bottom surface of the cantilevered platform is substantially in contact with the bottom surface of the wheeled platform segment. A latch mechanism secures the two platform segments together for ease of transport and storage. 
     As stated hereinabove, additional embodiments of the present invention may further define any combination or plurality of carrying handles, storage drawers, platform cushions, wheel support bumpers or lighting lamps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of the one piece unibody creeper. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of the one piece unibody creeper with optional platform cushioning, drawer, carrying handle and flexible directional lamp. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the two piece foldable unibody creeper forming a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of the two piece foldable unibody creeper in the extended and locked position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective bottom view of the two piece foldable unibody creeper with the head end of the platform folded near the storage position. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective bottom view of the wheels, wheel mounting bracket and height adjustment means. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the unibody creeper cantilevered head end extending over the toe kickboard and into a wide cabinet door opening. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the unibody creeper cantilevered head end extending over the toe kickboard and into a narrow cabinet door opening as facilitated by the head end semi-circle cutouts. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of the unibody creeper cantilevered head end extending over the toe kickboard and horizontally positioned just above the cabinet floor. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the unibody creeper with the front and rear wheel heights being correspondingly adjusted so as to raise the cantilevered head end slightly higher than a position parallel to the cabinet floor. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments therein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the disclosed preferred embodiments have been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like referenced characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, the preferred embodiments of the invention include both a one piece unibody creeper  10  embodiment and a folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . For the purpose of clarity, all of the features, elements and attributes of the one piece unibody creeper  10  are likewise applicable to the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  unless otherwise specified. Those features, elements and attributes applicable only to the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  are so indicated. 
       FIG. 1  depicts the one piece unibody creeper  10  comprising a body-carrying platform  11 . In use, the individual lies on his back with his head positioned at the head end  14  and his hips and upper legs upon the foot end  13 . While many construction techniques are possible for the platform, the depicted preferred embodiment of the device comprises a metal frame  12 , preferably of light weight aluminum, however, any suitably rigid material will suffice, and a plywood, plastic or other synthetic sheet stock to form the platform  20 . The frame  12  may be of machined, stamped, extruded or otherwise formed by any number of known means to form the body-carrying platform  11  dual purpose edge protector and structural frame. The platform  20  may be mechanically attached to the frame  12  via conventional fastener techniques such as but not limited to screws, bolts, welding, adhesive and rivets. The entire body-carrying platform  11  may alternatively be fabricated or otherwise molded from suitably strong and rigid plastic, resin or other synthetic material, thereby obviating the need for separate frame  12  and platform  20  elements. 
     Each the one piece unibody creeper  10  embodiment and the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  preferred embodiment comprise four integrated roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  as further depicted in  FIG. 6 . A preferable embodiment for engaging the floor or other working surface comprises rotatable wheel assemblies or swivel casters  54 . Such independently swiveling assemblies provide the worker with the capability to lie on the unibody creeper  10 / 30  in the supine position in virtually any orientation relative to the cabinet opening as space permits, and then easily pivot and rotate the unibody creeper  10 / 30  into position in order to slide the unibody creeper device  10 / 30  head end  14  forward into the cabinet opening  74 , manipulate the unibody creeper  10 / 30  orientation once in the cabinet  74  while working, and backward out of the cabinet opening  74  with ease. 
     Two roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  are positioned on the bottom surface of the platform  40  at the approximate longitudinal midway point  21  of the platform  11 , and define the point of the maximum platform head end  14  cantilever extension over the cabinet floor  72 ; and two roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  are positioned near the back edge  22  of the foot end  13  of the platform  11 . 
     All four of the roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  are mechanically affixed to either the frame  12  or the bottom surface of the platform  11  via a suitably strong bracket  51  and are intended to remain on the floor to provide a stable base for the cantilevered head end  14 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments of the invention are foreseeable that may comprise additional or fewer roller and height adjustment assemblies  16 , and are so anticipated hereunder. The roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  comprise any of a wide variety of swiveling, pivoting, gliding, sliding, rolling, revolving, rotating  54  or otherwise suitable casters, wheels or rollers  53  configured to provide maximum maneuverability. The rollers are likewise comprised of suitable material such as rubber, plastic, resin, polyurethane, synthetic, wood or metal which will provide low friction maneuverability without damaging, marring or other deleterious effect to the floor material  75 . The forward vertical surfaces of the bracket  51  are formed to receive a bumper pad  24  to protect the cabinet face  73  or toe kick board  71  of the cabinet that may contact the bracket otherwise. The bumper pad  24  may be fabricated from any number of cushioning materials such as but not limited to cellular foam or rubber, and is mechanically affixed to the bracket  51  by any conventional fastener or adhesive, or can be removeably affixed such as with Velco. 
     The height adjustment assemblies  55  should be fabricated such that the height of the deck platform  11  is adjustable up or down as required whereby the cantilevered portion of the platform  14  is elevated high enough to: (i) clear the toe kick board  71 ; (ii) exceed the elevation of the cabinet floor  72 ; and (iii) achieve unobstructed entry into the cabinet core  74 . 
     Such height adjustment means may be fabricated from any number of suitable materials and techniques such as but not limited to threaded rods, spring clip and notch, and sprung loaded captive detent pins, among others, and constructed of suitable material to carry the load while being removeably fastened or adjusted to provide for a variety of heights. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a preferable embodiment for providing a convenient adjustable height assembly  55  comprises wheel assemblies  54  with vertical support rods  56  or posts connecting the wheel swivel assembly  54  to the mounting bracket  51  wherein the mounting bracket  51  further comprises a receptacle  52  to accept the vertical support rod  56  and provides for vertical movement of the vertical support rod  56  relative to and through the receptacle  52 . 
     The receptacle  52  further comprises at least one aperture  58  oriented substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis and centerline of the vertical support rods  56 . The vertical support rod  56  comprises a plurality of apertures  57  spaced along its axial length which are likewise oriented substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis and centerline of the vertical support rods  56 . The apertures  57  in the vertical support rods  56  are of substantially the same size and shape as the apertures  58  in the receptacle  52  and aperture  58   a  in frame  12  and are intended to accept and engage a pin  59  (not shown) placed substantially parallel to the plane of the platform  11 , through one side of the receptacle  52  aperture  58 , through the support rods  56  aperture  57  and on through the opposite side second receptacle  52  aperture  58 , thereby securing the vertical support rods  56  at a particular wheel height. The pin  59  may be of any number of removeably configured fasteners including but not limited to bolt and nut, pin and clevis, pin and snap ring, or a pin with sprung loaded detent button or other protrusion, or any other similar means for height adjustment of the wheel assemblies when engaging the mounting bracket. 
     It is foreseen that those skilled in the art will recognize that the wheel and height adjustment means may be accomplished in a wide variety of means and combinations, all of which are anticipated by the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the wheel assembly  54  vertical support rods  56  are each raised or lowered relative to the platform  11  until the appropriate and desired platform  11  height is achieved. As depicted in  FIG. 9A , the platform  11  may be adjusted to a substantially level position relative to the floor  75  and elevated above the height of the cabinet floor  72  to negotiate over the toe kickboard  71 . Alternatively, the technician may prefer to raise the head end  14  of the device platform  11  to a slightly higher elevation than the foot end  13  of the device platform  11  in order to provide a desirable inclined working position within the core of the cabinet  74  as depicted in  FIG. 9B . 
     The body-carrying platform  11  further comprises two substantially semi-circle cutouts  15  provided within the cantilevered portion of the platform  11  at the head end  14  positioned along the longitudinal sides at substantially the same position along the longitudinal axis of the platform head end  14 . The size and geometry of the two opposing semi-circle cutouts  15  is optional and are anticipated by the present invention, such that the one piece unibody creeper  10  embodiment and the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment can each be moved or placed into cabinets openings  74  exhibiting a smaller entry port  70  than the full width of the device as depicted  FIG. 8 . These semi-circle cutouts  15  also facilitate improved range of motion of the person&#39;s arms and shoulders while the head and upper torso remain supported by the head end  14 . 
     The creeper device preferred embodiments  10  and  30  may further comprise one or more drawers  18  provided underneath the body of the device such that a technician may conveniently carry tools into the cabinet, locate such tools in the dark, return the tools to their proper place within the drawer, and avoid placing the tools in any dirt or grime that may be present on the cabinet floor. The preferred embodiments may further comprise a lighting lamp  19  on the head end  14 . The lamps  19  is mounted on a flexible positional neck which attaches to the platform  11  or frame  12  so that the lamp  19  may also be stored out of the way or directed as desired. The preferred embodiments may further comprise a handle  17  attached to one or more of the longitudinal side edges of the platform  11  or frame  12  at a longitudinal position along the side of the device approximating the center of gravity so as to provide a balanced load distribution when the device is carried with the platform  11  surface in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground when the longitudinal axis is parallel to the ground. The handle  17  may also comprise a strap, knobs, or similar carrying means including being integrally formed via a cutout, aperture or passage through the platform  11 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a cushion  23  or combination of cushions may be placed, mechanically attached or removeably attached to the platform  11  surface to provide a comfortable working surface and eliminate pressure points applied to the body. It is foreseen that those skilled in the art will recognize that the cushion  23  materials, coverings and attaching means may be accomplished in a wide variety of means and combinations, all of which are anticipated by the present invention. 
     The folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . It comprises all of the advantages, features and elements disclosed for the one piece unibody creeper  10  embodiment while also facilitating the ability to collapse or fold the device substantially in half for convenient storage and transport. The device platform  31  still has a head end  14  and foot end  13  however, the platform is divided into two discrete sections via a sectional break  34  located immediately adjacent to the front edge of the forward pair of roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform  31 . The head end  14  platform section  33  and the foot end  13  platform section  32  are positioned together in juxtaposed substantially coplanar fashion along the sectional break  34  to form a single body support surface. 
     A bottom view of the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4 . The two platform sections or segments are mechanically attached to one another with one or more hinges  35  spanning the sectional break  34 . The preferred embodiment comprises two pinned hinges however those skilled in the art will recognize that a multitude of other hinge-type fasteners may be utilized such as piano hinges, strap hinges, off-set hinges, etc. all of which are anticipated in the present invention. The hinges  35  may be mechanically attached to two platform sections via conventional fastener techniques such as but not limited to screws, bolts, welding, adhesive and rivets. While the preferred embodiment has the hinges  35  located and affixed to the bottom surface of the platform segments  32  and  33 , the hinges  35  may alternatively be positioned and mechanically affixed to vertical edges of each of the opposing platform segments within the sectional break  34  area. Still further, the hinges  35  may be affixed to the top surfaces of the two platform segments  32  and  33  to facilitate folding the two top surfaces together. Likewise, the hinge  35  means may be integrally formed or comprised within a fabricated or molded platform segment half and then pinned or otherwise interlocked together. The dual function hinge  35  means serves to structurally bridge and align the two platform segments together when in use, and then allow the two platform segments to collapse or fold onto each other when so desired. 
       FIG. 4  also depicts a slide bolt mechanism  41  which is utilized to lock and support the extended head end  14  platform segment  33  substantially co-planer with the foot end  13  platform  32  when in use. The foot end  13  platform segment  32  comprises at least one support bracket  38  which is mechanically attached to either the underside of the foot end  13  platform segment  32  or the frame  12  at location  39 . Correspondingly, the head end  14  platform segment  33  comprises at least one receptacle bracket  36  which is mechanically attached to either the underside of the head end  14  platform segment  33  or the frame  12  at location  37 . Each the support bracket  38  and the receptacle bracket  36  comprise a receptacle device  43  through which a slide bolt  42  is engaged. The preferred embodiment utilizes a slide bolt  42  with a square tubular cross-section made of light weight aluminum or steel and having the structural integrity and strength to support approximately a 300 pound body weight applied across the platform break  34 . It is foreseen that those skilled in the art will recognize that a broad variety of slide bolt  42  and corresponding receptacle device  43  configurations and quantities may be utilized to lock and support the extended head end  14  platform segment  33  substantially co-planer with the foot end  13  platform  32  when in use, all of which are anticipated by the present invention. The slide bolt  42  further comprises a knob  44 , loop, post, tab or similar convention to enable the technician to safely and firmly grasp the slide bolt  42  to apply the longitudinal force required to either extend or retract the slide bolt  42 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a bottom view of the folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment with the locking bolt  42  disengaged from the receptacle  43  of the head end  14  platform segment  33  receptacle bracket  36  and with the slide bolt  42  retracted and positioned back toward the rear edge  60  of the foot end  13  platform segment  32 .  FIG. 5  also depicts the head end  14  platform segment  33  rotated about the hinges  35  and folded down and backwards to position  61  in which the forward roller and height adjustment assemblies  16  pass through the two substantially semi-circle cutouts  15  in the head end  14  platform segment  33 , enabling the two platform segments to achieve a substantially parallel position. For the purposes of clarity, in  FIG. 5  the orientation of the head end  14  platform segment  33  is shown during rotation and in an intermediate position  61  short of a complete 180 degree rotation for storage. 
     One or more conventional latch mechanisms  62  are mechanically affixed to or otherwise integrated with the bottom side of the frame  12  or foot end  13  platform segment  32  to receive and retain a corresponding latch keeper  63  mechanically affixed to or otherwise integrated with the bottom side of the head end  14  platform segment  33  to lock the two respective platform segments together for convenient transport and storage. The latch mechanism  62  and latch keeper  63  respective positions can be reversed in alternative embodiments. The latch mechanism is released when it is desired to unfold the two platform segments for use. When the head end  14  platform segment  33  has been rotated approximately 180 degrees to the substantially a co-planer position with the foot end  13  platform segment  32 , the slide bar  42  can be pushed forward to engage the receptacle  43  of the head end  14  platform segment  33  receptacle bracket  36  to support and lock the head end  14  into the horizontal position. As with the one piece unibody creeper  10  embodiment, a handle  17  can be affixed to or otherwise integrated with the longitudinal side of the foot end  13  platform segment  32 . The handle  17  is positioned in a location approximating the center of gravity so as to provide a balanced load distribution when the device is carried with the two latched platform segment surfaces in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground when the longitudinal axis is parallel to the ground. The folding two piece unibody creeper  30  embodiment can likewise be equipped with platform cushions  23 , drawers  18  and lighting lamps  19 . 
     Although the device according to the present invention has been described in some detail, it is capable of numerous modifications by substituting now known or after-developed items that perform the same function as the parts described herein or depicted in  FIGS. 1-9  without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.