Patent Publication Number: US-10328570-B1

Title: Creeper

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a creeper. More specifically, the invention is directed to a creeper having rotatable wheels and/or an adjustable headrest. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Creepers are often used to perform maintenance on vehicles. Occasionally, the maintenance must occur in a less-than-ideal location, such as the side of the road. Traditional creepers usually have small, metal wheels that are designed for use in a garage or hard surface, but do not easily roll over the rough terrain encountered outside of the garage. Increasing the size of the tires and/or the material of the tires may help to eliminate some of these problems. However, this also increases the footprint of the creeper, which can be problematic due to space constraints on a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere herein. 
     In one embodiment, a creeper has a frame with a first end and a second end spatially separated by first and second parallel members to form a generally rectangular configuration; a body cushion mounted at the first end of the frame; a head cushion mounted at the second end of the frame, the head cushion being hingedly connected to the frame; and a plurality of wheel assemblies rotatably mounted to the frame. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel with an attachment member; a bracket having a first opening and a second opening; and first and second fasteners. The first opening in the bracket corresponds to a first opening in the frame, and the first fastener is inserted through the respective first openings in the bracket and the frame to secure the bracket to the frame. The second opening in the bracket corresponds to one of a second opening and a third opening in the frame, and the second fastener is inserted through the second opening of the bracket and one of the second or third openings in the frame. When the second fastener is inserted through the second opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in an operating position; and when the second fastener is inserted through the third opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in a storage position. 
     In another embodiment, a creeper includes a frame having a first end and a second end to form a generally rectangular configuration; a body cushion mounted at the first end of the frame; a head cushion mounted at the second end of the frame and hingedly connected to the frame, and comprising a locking assembly attached to an underside thereof. The locking assembly has a latch rod with a middle portion and first and second end portions; first and second latch rod brackets secured to a bottom side of the head cushion, the first and second end portions being rotatably received into the respective first and second latch rod brackets; and a locking mechanism secured to an inner face of each of the parallel members, the middle portion of the latch rod being received into the respective locking mechanisms to secure the head cushion in an angled position. A plurality of wheel assemblies is rotatably mounted to the frame. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel with an attachment member; a bracket having a first opening and a second opening; and first and second fasteners. The first opening in the bracket corresponds to a first opening in the frame, and the first fastener is inserted through the respective first openings in the bracket and the frame to secure the bracket to the frame. The second opening in the bracket corresponds to one of a second opening and a third opening in the frame. The second fastener is inserted through the second opening of the bracket and one of the second or third openings in the frame. When the second fastener is inserted through the second opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in an operating position; and when the second fastener is inserted through the third opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in a storage position. 
     In still another embodiment, a creeper has a frame having a first end and a second end; a body cushion mounted at the first end of the frame; and a head cushion mounted at the second end of the frame, the head cushion being hingedly connected to the frame, and comprising a locking assembly attached to an underside thereof. The locking assembly has a latch rod; at least one latch rod bracket secured to a bottom side of the head cushion, a portion of the latch rod being rotatably received into the latch rod bracket; and a locking mechanism secured to an inner face of the frame, a portion of the latch rod being selectively received into the locking mechanism to secure the head cushion in an angled position. A plurality of rotatable wheel assemblies is rotatably mounted to the frame, each wheel assembly being configured to rotate between an operating position and a storage position, wherein, in the storage position, a bracket of the wheel assembly is horizontal relative to a ground surface. 
     In still yet another embodiment, a creeper includes a frame with a first end and a second end, a body cushion mounted at the first end of the frame, and a head cushion mounted at the second end of the frame; and a plurality of wheel assemblies rotatably mounted to the frame. Each wheel assembly has a wheel with an attachment member; a bracket having a first opening and a second opening; and first and second fasteners. The first opening in the bracket corresponds to a first opening in the frame, and the first fastener is inserted through the respective first openings in the bracket and the frame to secure the bracket to the frame. The second opening in the bracket corresponds to one of a second opening and a third opening in the frame. The second fastener is inserted through the second opening of the bracket and one of the second or third openings in the frame. When the second fastener is inserted through the second opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in an operating position; and when the second fastener is inserted through the third opening in the frame, the wheel assembly is in a storage position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a creeper according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded close-up view of a wheel assembly of the creeper of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 1  with the wheel assembly in a storage position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the creeper as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 1  with the headrest in a raised position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the creeper as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the headrest and headrest latch mechanism of the creeper of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a creeper according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the creeper of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of creepers are described herein. Beginning with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a creeper  100  is generally formed of a frame  105  having a first end  107 A and a second end  107 B, and cushions  109 A and  109 B respectively disposed on the frame  105 . Wheel assemblies  120 , described in greater detail below, are rotatably attached to the frame  105  to allow the creeper  100  to freely move about a surface. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view further illustrating the creeper  100 . The frame  105  has a plurality of cross members  106  extending transversely across the frame  105 . The cross members  106  provide support for the respective cushions  109 A and  109 B, as well as support for the frame  105  itself. As is described below, the head cushion  109 B may be pivotally connected to the body cushion  109 A or the frame  105  via a hinge  130 , and a latch rod  135  allows the cushion  109 B to rotate between a lowered, substantially horizontal position and an angled, raised position. 
     Shown in  FIG. 3 , and in an exploded close-up in  FIG. 5 , the wheel assembly  120  includes a bracket  122  and a wheel  124  with an attachment member  123  for engaging with the bracket  122 . The bracket  122  includes first and second openings  125 A and  125 B which correspond to a respective first opening  108 A and second and third openings  108 B and  108 C in the frame  105 . Sleeves  126  engage with the openings  108 A and  108 B and are configured to receive fasteners to secure the bracket  122  to the frame  105 . A first fastener  128  secures the bracket  122  to the frame  105 . The fastener  128  may pass through the sleeve  126  in the opening  108 A, and has a first end with threading to engage with a nut (not shown), and a second end without threading to allow the fastener  128  to rotate in the sleeve  126 . A second fastener  129  may be, for example, a detent pin or other locking mechanism. The fastener  129  is inserted first through the opening  125 B in the bracket  122 , and then through the second or third opening  108 B or  108 C in the frame  105 , depending on the desired configuration of the wheel  124 . 
     When the fastener  129  is inserted through the third opening  108 B, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the wheel  124  is in an upright and engaged position, allowing the wheel  124  to function for the purpose of moving the creeper  100 . However, when the fastener  129  is inserted through the second opening  108 C, the wheel  124  is in a sideways and disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the creeper  100  is essentially flat, and can therefore be stored more easily.  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the creeper  100  with the wheel assembly  120  in a storage configuration, wherein the wheel  124  is in the disengaged position as described above. 
     This ability to rotate the wheels  124  to a storage position allows the wheels  124  to be larger than those previously used. Where the wheels  124  were previously limited in size based on concerns for the storage footprint, the wheels  124  can now be larger and therefore more conveniently sized for a non-level, non-hard terrain. Those of skill in the art shall also appreciate that the wheels  124  may be interchangeable such that the creeper  100  may be utilized on many different terrains. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4  and to  FIGS. 8-10 , one side of a hinge  130  is fastened to the underside of the cushion  109 B. The other side of the hinge  130  may be fastened to the frame  105  (e.g., via a cross member  106 ), or to the underside of cushion  109 A. The hinge  130  allows the cushion  109 B to rotate relative to the frame  105  (or the cushion  109 A, as the case may be), which remains stationary and substantially flat. A latch rod  135  has a U-shaped portion  135 A and respective ends  135 B and  135 C. The ends  135 B and  135 C extend inwardly from the U-shaped portion  135 A, and engage with respective latch rod brackets  132  secured to the underside of the cushion  109 B. The ends  135 B and  135 C are allowed to freely rotate within the latch rod brackets  132 . A handle  136  extends upwardly from one side of the U-shaped portion  135 A such that it is accessible by a user. 
     Locking members  140  are attached to either side the frame  105 . A single locking member  140  may be attached to each side of the frame  105 . Alternately, and as shown in  FIG. 10 , a pair of locking members  140  may be attached to each side of the frame  105 . The locking members  140  forming each pair may be held together via a connection plate. The locking members  140  have a plurality of teeth  142  formed along a length thereof. 
     The U-shaped portion  135 A of the latch rod  135  engaged with the teeth  142  in the respective locking members  140  to hold the headrest cushion  109 B at a desired angle. To move the headrest cushion  109 B to the desired position, a user pulls up on the handle  136  and rotates the cushion  109 B upwards. The user then rotates the latch rod  135  such that the U-shaped portion  135 A engages with the teeth  142  of the locking member  140  at the desired location. The headrest  109 B can thus rotate between a lowered position (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) and an angled position (shown in  FIGS. 8-10 ). As multiple teeth  142  may be formed along the length of the locking members  140 , the headrest  109 B may be situated in one of several angled positions according to the preferences of a user. 
     Optional attachments may be provided separate from, or as part of, the frame  105 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate two exemplary attachments. In one embodiment, an attachment includes a tool tray  150 . The tray  150  may be permanently attached to the frame  105  (e.g., via a weld, adhesive, etc.). Alternately, the tray  150  may be temporarily attached to the frame  105  (e.g., via brackets, magnets, etc.). In another embodiment, a beverage container  160  is attached to the frame  105 . It shall be understood that the tool tray  150  and the beverage container  160  can both be attached to the frame  105  at the same time. Other attachments may additionally, or alternately, be attached to the frame  105 . For example, speakers, light strips, or other auxiliary attachments may provide even further functionality over prior art creepers. 
     Any suitable materials may be used in the manufacture of the creeper  100 , as is known to those of skill in the art. 
     Many different arrangements of the described invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the disclosed improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures and description need to be carried out in the specific order described. The description should not be restricted to the specific described embodiments.