Abstract:
A method and apparatus for repairing a hard to reach vehicle comprising a movable base with an elevated platform with a central support means connected to a platform that is powered by a screw jack that is used to adjust the angle and height of the rotating platform wherein the user can easily reach formerly hard to access locations to facilitate repairs thus also relieving stress, fatigue, and back pain for the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention pertains to the field of creepers, scooter boards and/or other tools or supports as may be used by mechanic in the field of automotive repair. When a mechanic works under a car he would typically use a creeper for positioning himself in the proper position to do the repair. However, many mechanics when working over an engine compartment have to lean over the vehicle to position them selves for facilitating the repair thus causing stress, fatigue, and back pain.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A mechanics can be faced with various obstacles when working on a vehicle&#39;s engine compartment. Off road trucks with lift kits and large tires can even be more troubling because they are much higher off the ground. A common obstacle for a mechanic is leaning over the engine and reaching all of the necessary parts of the engine to facilitate repairs.  
         [0005]     There have been numerous patents that have attempted to solve the problems associated with placing a mechanic in the proper position to effectively do his work. However, many inventions are designed for under vehicle access and do not assist the mechanic in over the engine repair. Examples of these inventions include U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,877, “Transformable mechanics creeper”, Shockley (2001) disclosing a transformable mechanics creeper.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,532, “Folding creeper”, Martin (2000) furthermore details a creeper that has telescopic braces or extensions or U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,298 “Foldable creeper”, Tucker (2000), showing a foldable creeper having caster wheels and two rectangular platform sections with padded cushions. These creepers are all designed for under vehicle access and do not assist a mechanic working on top of an engine compartment.  
         [0007]     There have also been numerous patents designed to raise a mechanic above the engine compartment, but these patents are limited in there attempt to solve the problem of proper placement of the mechanic. Examples of such patents include U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,146 “Creeper with an elevated platform”, Reese (2003) detailing a modified engine hoist structure with an adjustable platform or U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,297 “Adjustable Workman&#39;s Bed System” Clark (1999) detailing an adjustable bed that is extended over an engine compartment.  
         [0008]     Some other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,487 “Device for Supporting a Mechanic” Webb (1990) describing a lifting platform with a jackscrew lifting element or U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,719 entitled “User Configurable Mechanics Tool”, Lensing (2000) describing an elevated platform with an extendable ladder.  
         [0009]     Furthermore U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,392 “Height Adjustable Universal Creeper Apparatus” Hansen (1995) is typical of many of these inventions in that they typically provide for an elevated platform with a climbing means to reach the platform. U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,029 “Adjustable Apparatus and Method for Assisting in Motor Vehicle Engine Repair”, Lowey (1986) Also describes a similar elevated platform with a ladder for reaching the platform.  
         [0010]     One main obstacle every mechanics faces when working on a larger vehicle is obtaining the correct positioning over the engine. There have been many patents issued in the past to try and solve this problem, but their height adjustment is generally difficult to accomplish and many times requires manually reconfiguring the apparatus for height adjustment.  
         [0011]     Another problem with prior art is that all past art typically allows for a flat vertical support and does not allow for angled adjustments wherein a mechanic may require a particular degree or angle in order to reach a specific repair site. Many elevated creepers require that you climb up on a platform and lay down thus hindering a mechanic less mobile to do the repairs and to access tools.  
         [0012]     Prior art shows that most elevated mechanic&#39;s creepers and supports require difficult adjustments adding additional time to the repair and are typically difficult to use. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an easy to use adjustable mechanic&#39;s elevated support with easy adjustments for height, angle and extension.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of mechanic&#39;s creepers and supports of various designs and configurations demonstrated within the prior art, the present invention provides an improved and novel means for an easy to use, elevated apparatus for repairing larger or high vehicles.  
         [0014]     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new, improved, and easily adjustable method and apparatus for a mechanic to facilitate repairs on difficult to reach vehicles such as, but not limited to large trucks or the like. Said invention shall provide many advantages not currently seen in the field and shall provide for new and novel advantages over the prior art  
         [0015]     The present invention is a new and improved adjustable elevated and angled mechanic&#39;s creeper and can otherwise be known as a workman&#39;s support bed system or work platform and provides a support surface for a mechanic to be selectively positioned over engine compartment and to facilitate his convenient positioning easily with the use of a single powered control means.  
         [0016]     Said invention comprising a platform with an extended bed formed of a rigid material in a generally planar configuration with said platform having a central pivoted connection means in a rectilinear configuration extending downwardly from a central support plate and a second connection means wherein a electric powered cylindrical screw jack or like power means may be attached to said connection means and support means affixed on the mast wherein extension of jack allows for angle and height adjustment by a single power control means. The mast structure being height adjustable by the electric powered cylindrical screw jack and in direct communication with a base structure formed with a rigid material such as tubular steel or like with said base having a plurality of rolling castors wherein said base shall support a central mast support means extending upwardly and adjustable from a central extent of the base horizontally positioned thereon for receiving supporting adjustable support base wherein bed structure may be powered by a electric powered cylindrical screw jack or similar lift power means.  
         [0017]     The invention is preferably used to repair but is not limited to cars, pickup trucks, medium and heavy duty trucks, tractor trailer trucks, boats, farm equipment, farm tractors, buses, planes, trains, and construction or like equipment.  
         [0018]     From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides for a novel mechanics tool and whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawing attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein may be made within the scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of the mechanical components of the invention in a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a partial elevation view of the invention in a preferred embodiment of the invention showing mechanical and electrical components.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an elevation view of the invention and height adjustment tool before height adjustment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an elevation view of the invention and height adjustment tool after height adjustment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  references an exploded perspective view showing the invention in detail wherein the invention  5  comprises a movable base structure  10  built preferably with a rigid construction of steel, aluminum or like tubular material welded or otherwise formed to construct a movable base preferably in an a-frame configuration with a central brace means  15 .  
         [0024]     Central brace means  15  welded or otherwise mounted to base structure  10  configuration complementary for supporting a central mast  35  as will hereinafter be described. Furthermore central brace means  15  may be formed with any suitable tubular, plate, or channel material complementary with the construction of movable base structure  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and  3 .  
         [0025]     Said movable base structure  10  constructed of a plurality of substantially identical support member legs  20  comprising elongated longitudinal members furthermore having attached therein a plurality of commercially available wheel  25  or other suitable rolling caster means mounted on the outer periphery of the movable base structure  10  in a configuration complementary to rolling a large structure.  
         [0026]     Identical support member legs  20  preferably forming an A-framed structure as required fitting under vehicle or around tires as required. Additional support members generally horizontally arranged and interconnected by weld or other fastening means may additionally be utilized to strengthen and form base structure  10  as required.  
         [0027]     Central brace member  15  shall have a centrally mounted sleeve  30  with a stop means in the bottom of said sleeve  30  for holding and engaging the central mast  35  wherein the perpendicularly attached and longitudinally extending centrally mounted sleeve  30  may have a set screw  32  or other suitable fastening means for the purpose of holding firm and in a fixed position the central mast  35 .  
         [0028]     Mast support  35  shall have a series of holes  39  diametrically opposed and spaced in equal segments along two sides of the mast  35  for the insertion of a height adjustment pin  41  designed for sliding within the diametrically opposed holes  39  Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 .  
         [0029]     Central mast support beam  35  shall have a complementary sliding sleeve companion  37  sliding over and mounted upon central mast support  35  for the designed purpose of height adjustment wherein central mast  35  for the desired adjustment of the desired height.  
         [0030]     Complementary sliding sleeve companion  37  shall sit upon a height adjustment pin  41  that is inserted into diametrically opposed holes  39  in central mast  35  for desired height adjustment positioning.  
         [0031]     Sliding sleeve companion  37  shall furthermore have a plurality or pair of tangs  40  with diametrically opposed holes  42  complementary for receiving an electrically powered cylindrical screw jack  45  ( FIG. 2 ) or like power means as may be commercially available. Sliding sleeve companion  37  shall also have a stop extension  43  welded or otherwise affixed to the upper portion of the structures for leveling adjustment of the movable platform base  75  via an adjustable bolt  44  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 .  
         [0032]     Said central Sliding sleeve companion  37  furthermore having attached to its lower portion a support tray  50  for placement of a twelve or six volt battery  55  ( FIG. 2 ) or like electrical power source for electrical power to electric powered cylindrical screw jack  45  via power switch  60  mounted as will hereinafter be defined.  
         [0033]     Central sliding sleeve companion  37  shall have a coupling means  65  at the upper most portion wherein coupling means  65  wherein coupling means shall pivotally connect to movable platform  75  by means of a connection pin means  72  which may be inserted through a complementary bushing or sleeve means  70  for the purpose of facilitating a connection of the movable base structure  10  to movable platform  75 .  
         [0034]     Coupling means  65  may also include a configuration including but not limited to thread mounting such as bolts, screws, nut, or like construction means not shown herein shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0035]     Sliding sleeve companion  37  shall have an extension piece  46  attached for facilitating a connection to a vertical sleeve attachment means  47  for receiving a primary tool arm  48  for rotating engagement into vertical sleeve  47 . Said primary tool arm  48  having at the opposite end or the extended arm member a pivoting connection means  49  for the connection of a secondary tool arm  51  best shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]     Said secondary tool arm  51  having engagement means for rotating connection to primary tool arm  48  and having at the opposite end a connection means for attachment to a complementary connection means centrally disposed on a tool tray  52 . Tool tray  52  preferably made of a rigid steel construction.  
         [0037]     Tool tray  52  shall be horizontally aligned with the movable platform  75  when platform is in its horizontal and working mode thus serving the additional function of acting as a height guide wherein the tool tray may be extended to determine if the movable platform  75  can clear the engine compartment when making height adjustments.  
         [0038]     Movable platform  75  shall comprise a frame constructed from two elongated tubular or channeled side members  85  generally horizontally arranged and interconnected by a series of transverse support members  90  fixedly attached and preferably welded to bottom of channeled side members  85  spaced in an arrangement shown for the purpose as will herein after be described. Movable platform  75  furthermore having a centrally mounted platform pivot connection  80  affixed to its centered lower portion for performing movement through out its arc or range of motion.  
         [0039]     A second series of transverse support members  92  shall be equally spaced at the lowering end of the movable platform opposite sliding extension support  95  wherein transverse support members  92  may be constructed from square, round, channeled, or angled steel or like material and shall also serve as climbing rungs for gaining entry upon the movable platform  75 .  
         [0040]     Transverse support members  92  shall be vertically and evenly spaced apart and fixedly attached to the elongated side support members  85  in any suitable commercial construction means.  
         [0041]     The transverse support member  90  on the lowering side of the movable platform  75  shall have a centrally placed connection means  82  comprising a pair of tangs  83  with diametrically opposed holes  84  for the purpose of pivotally connecting to the top connection means of the electric powered cylindrical screw jack  45  by means of a connection pin  81  or other suitable engagement means including but not limited to threaded connection means.  
         [0042]     A secondary sliding frame  95  shall be mounted upon movable platform  75  in a complementary manner wherein the sliding frame  95  utilizes long extending members  100  extending through an open top end of or riding upon the top of side members  85  wherein a secondary sliding frame shall slide on wheels  97  or similar sliding device.  
         [0043]     Secondary sliding frame  95  shall be comprised of cushioned platform  105  on a rigid board or squared structure and shall be securely mounted upon the extending members  100  wherein secondary extending members  100 , wheels  97 , and cushioned platform  105  comprise the extendable sliding frame  95 .  
         [0044]     A mechanic may adjust his extended length by pushing or pulling himself and making adjustments between the two platforms comprised of movable platform  75  and secondary sliding platform  95  by means of a pair of hand grips  102 . Stop bolts  115  shall be mounted to side members  85  to control extension length of secondary sliding frame  95 .  
         [0045]     To work upon the platform the user climbs upon the transverse support members  92  acting as ladder rungs while the movable platform  75  is in a near vertical position causing the cushioned platform  105  affixed to the secondary platform  100  to retract over the movable platform  75  so that the user can comfortably lay up against the invention  5 .  
         [0046]     Upon climbing upon the inclined combined platforms  75  and  95  the user simply pushes the power switch  60  centrally located at the top portion of platform to adjust the inclined position of the platform. Upon reaching a horizontal or near horizontal position the user can easily adjust and extend the cushioned platform to reach the desired work area utilizing either hand grips  102  or by using his feet to press against support members  92  also utilized as rungs.  
         [0047]     Height adjustment is facilitated by a height adjustment tool  120  wherein the movable platform  75  is powered to a level horizontal plain and the height adjustment tool  120  is placed in the socket  125  and connected to the uppermost support rung  92  by a saddle connection.  
         [0048]     The power switch  60  may now be used to adjust the height of the invention  5  wherein the rung  92  facilitates a new pivot point wherein the electric power cylindrical screw jack  45  raises and lowers the sliding sleeve companion  37  my means of the power switch  60  and height adjustment pin  41  may be moved to desired hole  39  of setting proper height adjustment.  
         [0049]     The height adjustment tool  120  is easily removed once the sliding sleeve companion  37  rests upon the height adjustment pin  41  inserted or otherwise engage in diametrically opposed holes  39 .  
         [0050]     In addition to providing the user an improved means for facilitating repairs upon high and large vehicles the invention  5  offers a safer means to reach hard to reach repair site and offers a stress free way to do repairs without straining the users back and other muscles.  
         [0051]     Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein may be made within the scope of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which are recited and those features regarded as essential to the invention are included within the claims.  
       NUMBER SPECIFICATIONS  
       [0000]    
       
           5 —Invention  
           10 —Base Structure  
           15 —Central Cross Member  
           20 —Outer Support Member  
           25 —Wheels  
           30 —Sleeve  
           32 —Set Screw  
           35 —Central Mast  
           37 —Sliding Sleeve Companion  
           39 —Aligning Holes  
           40 —Tangs  
           41 —Height Adjustment Pin  
           42 —Holes in tangs  
           43 —Stop extension  
           44 —adjustable bolt  
           45 —Electric powered cylindrical screw jack  
           46 —extension connection  
           47 —vertical sleeve  
           48 —primary tool arm  
           49 —pivot connection  
           50 —Support Tray  
           51 —Secondary tool arm  
           52 —Tool tray  
           55 —Battery  
           60 —Power Switch  
           65 —Coupling Means  
           70 —Sleeve Bushing  
           72 —Connection Pin  
           75 —Movable platform  
           80 —Platform Pivot Connection  
           81 —Connection Pin  
           82 —Connection Means  
           83 —Tangs  
           84 —Holes  
           85 —Side Members  
           90 —Transverse Support Members  
           92 —Rung Support Member  
           95 —Secondary Sliding Frame  
           97 —Wheels  
           100 —Extending Members  
           102 —Hand Grips  
           105 —Cushioned Platform  
           110 —Roller assembly  
           115 —Stop Bolt  
           120 —Height Adjustable tool  
           125 —Socket