Patent Publication Number: US-2010123293-A1

Title: Mechanic&#39;s creeper with onboard lighting

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/199,558, filed on Nov. 18, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related generally to mechanical tools and, more particularly, to mechanic&#39;s creepers used, for example, while working under cars. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Even the best garage lighting throws shadows under the cars. Because of this, when a mechanic needs to work under a car, he brings a utility light with him. For a car raised on a lift, this is not a serious inconvenience. However, sometimes the mechanic must work under a car that is either not raised up at all or is only raised a little bit. In this case, the mechanic lies down on his creeper and rolls under the car to work, bringing with him the utility light trailing its long electrical cord. 
     That cord often gets in the way of the mechanic and his creeper, especially when the mechanic needs to roll from one position under the car to another. 
     The mechanic&#39;s utility light has other disadvantages. The utility light is often hooked underneath the car to free up both of the mechanic&#39;s hands for work, but that arrangement often shines too much light in the mechanic&#39;s eyes and not enough light where the mechanic needs it. In addition, a utility light hooked underneath the car casts annoying shadows when its light is blocked by pieces of the car. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The above considerations, and others, are addressed by the present invention, which can be understood by referring to the specification, drawings, and claims. According to aspects of the present invention, a mechanic&#39;s creeper is equipped with its own lighting system. In some embodiments, lights are placed on a light bar surrounding the mechanic&#39;s head like a halo. In this position, the lights illuminate the area where the mechanic needs to work without getting light in the mechanic&#39;s eyes or casting annoying shadows. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the creeper includes a battery to power the lights, thus eliminating problems with the traditional power cord. A rechargeable battery is preferred, with the battery recharging when the creeper is not in use. A “low charge” indicator can be included. 
     While many types of lighting fixtures are contemplated, a preferred embodiment includes a number of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”). LEDs are rugged and produce a good deal of even light without drawing too much power. When multiple LEDs are used, different LEDs can be aimed in slightly different directions to more evenly illuminate the work area under the automobile. 
     In some embodiments, the lighting fixture, along with the battery and controls, is constructed as a sealed unit to keep out dirt, water, and other automotive liquids. This unit can be made as an add-on to attach to an existing creeper. In a preferred embodiment, a creeper is built with an integral lighting fixture to save on manufacturing costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with its objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a top-down view of a creeper carrying its own lighting system, according to some aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side elevation of the creeper of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 1   c  is an end view of the creeper of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section through the light bar of the creeper of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 3   a  is a top-down view of a creeper with multiple LEDs, showing the lighting pattern produced by the LEDs; and 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the creeper of  FIG. 3   a , showing the direction of LED lighting. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, the invention is illustrated as being implemented in a suitable environment. The following description is based on embodiments of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the invention with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a top-down view of a creeper  100  with an onboard lighting system  102 . The basic creeper  104  (that is to say, the creeper  100  without the lighting system  102 ) can be of any known type and generally includes a frame  106 , a bed  108  for supporting the mechanic while he works, and several wheels  110  (seen better in the side elevation of  FIG. 1   b ). Attached (or made integrally with) the frame  106  of the creeper  100  is the lighting system  102 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1   a,  the lighting system  102  includes a light bar  112  that surrounds the head of mechanic like a halo when the mechanic is lying on the creeper  100 . The light bar  112  of  FIG. 1   a  includes a number of LEDs  114  to illuminate the underside of an automobile. The LEDs are powered by a battery contained in a control unit  116  of the creeper  100 . (An embodiment is contemplated that uses a traditional plug-in electrical cord to power the lights  114 . This embodiment might provide better lighting, but the cord is a major inconvenience, and it is expected that few, if any, corded creepers will ever be made.) The control system  116  (with, e.g., an on/off switch, a battery-charge-level indicator, a battery recharging port, and possibly an illumination level control) is used by the mechanic to adjust the level of illumination that he needs. 
     In  FIG. 1   a,  the lighting system  102  is shown bolted  118  to the frame  106  of the creeper  100 . It is possible to manufacture the frame  106  of the creeper  100  with the light bar  112  as an integral part, thus lowering manufacturing costs. In other embodiments, the lighting system  102  is made as an add-on kit to attach to an existing basic creeper  104 . In any case, it is contemplated that the light bar  112  is quite strong and is able to handle the inevitable hard contacts in the garage. 
       FIG. 1   b  shows the creeper  100  of  FIG. 1   a  from the side, and  FIG. 1   c  shows the creeper  100  from the head end. Note that the battery (contained in the control unit  116  of  FIG. 1   b  and expected to be somewhat heavy) is placed near the center of the creeper  100  (from front to back). Note also that the light bar  112  increases the height of the creeper  100  by only a small amount, making this creeper  100  as maneuverable under an automobile as a traditional, non-lighted creeper. The light bar  112  can be made lower than is shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c,  but if it is too low, then the light from the LEDs  114  might annoy the mechanic. 
     In  FIG. 2 , one of the LEDs  114  is shown held in place by a mounting clip  200  to the light bar  112 . It is expected that the wiring (not shown) for the LEDs  114  will run inside the hollow light bar  112 , although that is not a requirement. 
       FIG. 3   a  is similar to  FIG. 1   a,  but  FIG. 3   a  illustrates one possible pattern of illumination generated by the LEDs  114 . Each LED  114  is positioned in the light bar  112  so that the combination of light from all of the LEDs  114  illuminates the work area above the mechanic&#39;s head evenly and without annoying shadows. This even illumination is a preferred feature of the invention. A demonstration model has been built, and it provides illumination far better than any known utility light. 
     In  FIG. 3   b , the principle direction of illumination from two exemplary LEDs  114  is shown. By angling different LEDs  114  slightly differently, a large work area can be well illuminated. While other lighting systems are possible (fluorescent lighting in the light bar  112  is contemplated), it is expected that the benefits of the LEDs  114  will make this the most common embodiment. 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, the illumination patterns in the figures are only meant to illustrate the functions of the lighting system and are not meant to be definitive. Other arrangements of the lighting components shown in the figures are possible and may be called for in various environments.