Abstract:
A multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly provides an adjustable device that can be used to support the body while working with variously sized vehicles, compactly stored, and converted into a mechanic&#39;s creeper. The device includes a base frame and a pair of support assemblies each having a support member. A height adjustable tool support, expandable leg portions to broaden the base frame, and storage areas are also provided. The support members are removable and securable to each other to form a creeper or a seat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to body supports and creepers and more particularly pertains to a new multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly for providing an adjustable device that can be used to support the body while working variously sized vehicles, compactly stored, and converted into a mechanic&#39;s creeper. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of body supports and creepers is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,958 issued to Botello describes a body support device for a mechanic that can be adjusted to set the height of a single body supporting pad and knee pads to a comfortable position to support the entire body of a mechanic during work. Another type of body support is U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,955 issued to Holland et al. disclosing a number of steps and a removable tool tray. U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,392 issued to Hansen discloses a height adjustable creeper with an extendable tray. U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,719 issued to Lensing discloses a ladder type structure having a padded upper support portion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,374 issued to Rumage et al. discloses a body supporting apparatus having two support portions that are adjustable relative to each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,264 issued to Wiederrich et al. discloses a positionable bench assembly utilizing a crank and pulley system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,856 issued to Paskey et al. discloses a height adjustable vehicle tool tray. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,877 issued to Shockley discloses a transformable creeper that adjusts between a two level seat and a substantially planar body support. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,532 issued to Martin discloses a folding creeper that adjusts between a single level creeper and a raised support surface for tools and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,828 issued to Pool et al. discloses a molded plastic creeper structure. U.S. Reissued Pat. No. RE37,372 discloses a device adjustable between a creeper, a seat, and a platform. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 453,601 shows an ornamental design for a combination creeper and seat. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that provides an adjustable base width, multiple torso supporting cushions, a tool tray positionable to be accessible from a selectable side of the device, an adjustable seat/creeper, and compact storing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by addressing the following objectives. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a new multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly that has an adjustable base width. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly that provides multiple support pads that are adjustable into several positions with and without a main frame assembly such that the support pads can support a person on the main frame or work separately as a creeper or work bench. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a base frame and a pair of support assemblies each having a support member. A height adjustable tool support, expandable leg portions to broaden the base frame, and storage areas are also provided. The support members are removable and securable to each other to form a creeper. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention in a seat assembly configuration. 
     FIG. 6 is a back view of the backrest portion of the seat assembly configuration of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention in a creeper assembly configuration. 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the creeper assembly configuration of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the multipurpose adjustable mechanic support and creeper assembly  10  comprises a generally H-shaped tubular base frame  12  and a base support assembly  13 . The base support assembly comprises three tubular posts fixedly attached to each other. The posts are aligned and descend in height from a front of the base frame to a back of the base frame. The posts are pivotally coupled to the base frame such that the base support assembly is pivotable between a storage position and a use position in which the posts are substantially vertical. A securing means is provided to hold the posts in an upright position during use. 
     A first support assembly  20  is coupled to the base support assembly  13  by insertion of an elongated member  23  into one of the posts  15 . The first support assembly  20  has a first assembly support member  22  coupled to the elongated member  23 . A second support assembly  30  is also coupled to the base support assembly  13  using an elongated member  33 . The second support assembly  30  has a second assembly support member  32  couplable to the elongated member  33 . The elongated support members are coupled together and supported by a two sleeved collar  29 . 
     The first support assembly  20  is adjustable for positioning the first assembly support member  22  at a desired height above the base frame. Similarly, the second support assembly  30  is also adjustable for positioning the second assembly support member  32  at a desired height relative to the first assembly support member  22 . The first and second support assemblies form a telescoping arrangements and locking members are insertable through the posts to lock the telescoping parts in a static position for use. Thus, the first and second assembly support members  22  and  32  are positionable to support lower and upper parts of the user in a bent over position to facilitate suspending the user over a vehicle in a comfortable working position. 
     The base frame  12  has a pair of extendable L-shaped leg portions  16  secured by spring pins or a similar locking mechanism. The leg portions  16  are telescopically extendable outwardly to broaden the base frame  12  and another spring pin or similar device is used to prevent accidental separation of each leg portion from the main portion of the base frame. Base wheel means  66  are coupled to the base frame  12  for facilitating positioning of the base frame  12 . The base wheel means are also lockable to prevent unintended movement of the base frame during use. A deck plate  18  is coupled to the base frame  12  to permit a user to remove the first support assembly from the base frame  12  and be supported directly on the base frame  12  if desired. 
     A tool support assembly  40  is provided. The tool support assembly has an extension portion  42  and a substantially horizontal planar portion  44 . The tool support assembly  40  is couplable to the base frame  12  using a selectable one of a pair of tool support connection collars  14 . Each of the tool support connection collars  14  is positioned on a respective side of the base frame  12 . Each of the tool support connection collars  14  is designed for receiving a connection portion  46  of the tool support assembly  40 . Selection of which collar  14  is used determines which side of the base frame  12  the planar portion  44  is positioned on. Thus, the user may choose on which side a tool box is positioned while working. A tool support adjustment means  48  is provided for adjusting a height of the planar portion  44  of the tool support assembly  40  relative to the base frame  12 . Thus, a tool box can be supported at a desired height relative to the base frame  12  and the first and second assembly support members  22  and  32 . Typically, the posts of the base support assembly  13  are aligned with a middle of the base frame  12  and the collars  14  are coupled on each side of the posts. A turnbuckle assembly is couplable to extend between the base frame  12  and a rearmost one of the posts of the base support assembly to stabilize the base support assembly during use. 
     The first assembly support member  22  is attached to the elongated member  23  using a collar  70  having a connection arm  72 . The connection arm  72  is attachable to the first assembly support member  22  by sliding a tubular receiver  59  connected to a bottom of the support member  22  over the connection arm  72 . The tubular receiver  59  is slidable over the connection arm  72  and a suitable locking pin or locking screw is used to permit securable horizontal adjustment of the first assembly support member  22 . Cross members  73  extend orthogonally to the receiver  59  to support and strengthen the first assembly support member. One of the cross members  73  is offset from an edge of the support member  22  to permit placement of the locking pin or screw adjacent to the edge of the support member  22  to facilitate use of the locking pin or screw. 
     The support member  22  has a pad  24  hingably coupled to a bottom portion  26 . The bottom portion  26  has a relatively hard flat upper surface  27  that is exposable to permit standing on the hard flat surface. When desired for supporting parts of the user such as the shins or knees, the pad is positionable over the hard flat upper surface. A drawer  28  is slidably coupled to the bottom portion  26  of the first assembly support member  22 . The drawer  28  can be moved in and out from the bottom portion and used to store tools. 
     The planar portion  44  is slidably coupled to the extension portion  42  of the tool support assembly  40 . Typically, the extension portion  42  has a pair of spaced guides or tubular bars and the planar portion has a pair of rails that receive the guides or bars. Thus, the planar portion is slidable relative to the extension portion. 
     The second assembly support member  32  has a frame  52 , a first pad portion  34 , and a second pad portion  36 . The frame  52  has a generally rectangular portion  54  and a pair of protruding arms  56  that extend from the rectangular portion at approximately a 45 degree angle from the plane in which the rectangular portion  54  lies. The frame  52  is coupled to the elongated member  33  using a collar  55  attached to the frame  52 . The collar  55  is attached to extend orthogonally relative to the arms  56 : The first pad portion  34  is attachable to the rectangular portion  54  using brackets and fastening members positioned to engage outer or inner portions of the rectangular portion  54 . Again, locking pins or screws are used to facilitate removal of the pad portion  34  from the frame  52 . The second pad portion  36  is attachable to the arms  56  using two sleeves  57  attached to a bottom of the pad portion  36 . The sleeves  57  slide over the protruding arms  56 . Suitable means are provided to prevent the pad portion  36  from sliding out too far. Typically, the arms  56  are of such a length that the pad portion  36  is stable when extended out to but not past the leg extensions coupled to the base frame  12 . 
     The pad portion  36  has a hinged upper portion  37  that can be propped up relative to a bottom portion  39  of the pad portion  36 . A pivoted support arm is provided to extend down and engage a slot or other depression to hold the upper portion  37  in a stable propped position if desired. 
     The first assembly support member  22  and the second assembly support member  32  are each removable from the first and second support assemblies  20  and  30 . Wheel means  78  are coupled to the first assembly support member  22  and the second assembly support member  32 . The first assembly support member  22  is securable to the second assembly support member  32  to form a creeper assembly  50 . To form the creeper assembly  50 , the pad portion  36  is positioned at one end and either elongated member  23  or  33  is inserted into a centrally positioned tubular receiver  65  on the bottom of the pad portion  36 . A tubular receiver  64  coupled to pad portion  34  is slid over the elongated member  23  or  33  and first support member  22  is attached to the elongated member  23  or  33  to position pad portion  34  between pad portion  36  and first support member  22 . The upper portion  37  of pad portion  36  is positionable at an upward angle to support the head or upper back area of the user in an inclined position if desired. 
     To form a chair assembly  80 , first support member  22  is positioned on the ground and elongated member  23  or  33  is inserted into and secured to coller  13  such that the elongated member  23  or  33  extends up from the first support member  22 . Pad portion  34  is removed from frame  52  and collar  55  is attached and secured to elongated memeber  23  or  33  at a desired height. Pad portion  36  is attached to the frame  52  as described above to form a seat portion of the chair assembly. Pad portion  34  is then securable to the elongated memeber  23  or  33  at a height above pad portion  36  to form a back portion of chair assembly  80 . 
     Each of the parts is removable from the base frame, including the L-shaped extension legs. Thus, the entire device is collapsible into a compact unit to facilitate storage. 
     A draping sheet is couplable to the second assembly support member  32  such that the sheet is positioned between a vehicle being worked on and mechanic support and creeper assembly  10 . Thus, the sheet prevents marring or damaging of the vehicle during use. In an embodiment, the sheet is attached using hook and loop fastener to permit easy removal or replacement of the sheet. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.