H US005895062A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 5,895,062

Miles et al. 45) Date of Patent: *Apr. 20, 1999

(54) FOLDABLE CREEPER Primary Examiner-Richard M. Camby

Assistant Examiner-Faye M. Fleming
(75) Inventors: Joseph J. Miles, Plant City; Joseph B. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sam Silverberg
Miles, Okeechobee, both of Fla. 57 ABSTRACT
(73) Assignee: United Auto Systems, Inc., Tampa, Fla. A foldable creeper for supporting a person, the creeper
* Notice: This patent is subject to a terminal dis articulated along a line which extends transversely along the
claimer. approximate longitudinal centerline for movement between
an open position and a folded storage position, and com
prising articulating joints, a framework comprising longitu
(21) Appl. No.: 08/789,828 dinal and transverse frame members, the transverse frame
22 Filed: Jan. 28, 1997 members rigidly connecting left and right longitudinal frame
members, said transverse frame members including a central
Related U.S. Application Data lower segment for supporting a support panel, the central
lower segment positioned from one-half to four inches
63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/526,409, Sep. 11, below said longitudinal frame members when said creeper is
1995, Pat. No. 5,611,552. in the open position, support panels having top sides and
(51) Int. Cl." .......................................... B25H500 bottom sides and connected to said transverse frame
52 U.S. Cl. ............................................................ 2832 members, and casters connected to the frame members for
E. Field of Search 280/32.5, 32.6 supporting said frame members above the ground when said
280.639.6,0.65,791.403102 creeper is in the open position.
56 Ref Cited The creeper
per is
1s light
Ilg weight,
3. reduced in thickness,, easy
easy to
56 eerences manipulate, and in a preferred embodiment can be folded so
PUBLICATIONS that the cushioned sides can either be positioned inwards or
P. 74 of Sporty's Tool Shop; Unique Products for Home outwards when the creeper isis ffoldedo
Maintenance; Dec., 1995.
E-Z Red New Gear Brochure; 1997. 26 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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U.S. Patent 5,895,062
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1 2
FOLDABLE CREEPER of the homeowner, the backyard mechanic, and the recre
ational vehicle operator.
The present application is a continuation in part of One approach to addressing the problem of limited space
application Ser. No. 08/526,409 filed Sep. 11, 1995 now which homeowners and recreational vehicle owners have to
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,552 and allowed Nov. 13, 1996. store tools is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,352
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Chamberlain). Chamberlain teaches a hard foldable creeper
comprising two plastic panels hinged to each other.
1. Field of the Invention Although the Chamberlain creeper is foldable, the plastic
The present invention is directed to a mechanic's creeper panels are not sufficiently sturdy to bear up to continuous
10 daily use such as by commercial mechanics. Further, the
as conventionally used in maintenance of vehicles, and more
particularly, to a creeper which can be folded for storage in plastic panels are basically hollow, and will not provide
small storage areas such as a mechanic's tool chest or a sufficient strength for anchoring castors or wheels.
vehicle storage area. Furthermore, due to the design of the hinging mechanism,
2. Description of the Related Art the creeper can not be folded with the casters left in their
Creeper devices basically consist of a low-slung rectan
15 bosses. For folding, it is necessary to remove the casters
gular body-supporting platform with casters. Such devices from their respective bosses, and these casters must be
have long been popular among automobile mechanics to stored. This is an inconvenience to the user, increases the
allow them easy access to the underside of an automobile. wear of the caster sockets, and furthermore allows for the
Since creepers are conventionally used in garages where possibility that the casters can become misplaced. One lost
strength and wear resistance are required, creepers have
20 caster renders the creeper useless. Finally, as the creeper is
conventionally been sturdy, heavy, and expensive devices. A not padded, it can not be comfortably used for long periods
major draw-back to such creepers is that they can not be of time.
secured, for example, inside a conventional mechanic's tool Another foldable creeper is taught in U.S. Pat. No.
box. A creeper which is left unattended for days or weeks 25
4,580,799 (Quinonez). Quinonez teaches a foldable creeper
may disappear. Such tool boxes are conventionally provided with a collapsible seat. However, although the length of the
with drawers of 5 inches in depth and 8 inches in depth. creeper is reduced, the creeper is very thick and bulky when
There is thus a need for a sturdy mechanic's creeper which folded and, therefore, is difficult to store within the limited
can be made to fit inside a conventional mechanic's tool storage space available to a homeowner either in the home
chest. 30
or in a vehicle. Furthermore, the casters always face out
Due to their large size and expense, creepers have not wards when the creeper is folded. Therefore, if the creeper
been widely used outside of garages. There are, however, a casters come into contact with grease or dirt, which is likely
number of uses to which creepers could be put if the creepers due to the environment of use, there exists the potential of
did not require so much space. transmitting dirt and/or grease from the ground to the casters
For example, long-distance truckers are required to make 35
and from the casters to the area in which the creeper will be
pre-trip and daily visual undercarriage inspections of the stored. This is severely limiting to a homeowner who often
stores items of this sort in their clean home or vehicle. This
brakes and electrical systems of their vehicles. However, it creeper is also not padded.
is difficult to slide underneath a truck, particularly a truck
which is provided with an aerodynamic skirt. Further, the Yet another foldable creeper is taught in U.S. Pat. No.
tarmac of truck parking areas is frequently oily and dirty. A 40 3,984,116 (Bowers). The creeper comprises a tri-sectional
creeper would be a great asset to a trucker, but creepers are panel and a telescopic supporting rail section attached to one
difficult to carry along in a truck. of the three panels, such that when the panels are unfolded
There are other potential uses for creepers by noncom the rail can be extended to provide a backbone for support
mercial persons such as homeowners. For example, it would ing the panels. This creeper is bulky in its folded state which
be desirable to provide more comfortable access to confined 45 makes it difficult to store in small spaces. The tri-section
low spaces when doing plumbing, home repair, and a construction also raises the manufacturing costs of the
multitude of other homeowner tasks which require awkward creeper which will, in turn, raise the price with which the
positioning of the body. Further, backyard mechanics and creeper is sold. Furthermore, the casters are constrained to
owners of recreational vehicles require access to the under facing outwards in the creeper's folded state and this raises
carriage of automobiles or recreational vehicles when 50
the possibility of transmitting dirt or grease. Finally, the
changing oil or transmission fluid, or inspecting brakes or creeper is flat and hard and not comfortable.
mechanical components. However, homeowners and recre Given the public's need to utilize creepers for a variety of
ational vehicle operators have limited space to store tools. tasks requiring awkward positioning of the body, it is an
Thus, homeowners rarely have mechanic's creepers, and object of the present invention to provide a creeper that is
such operations are conventionally carried out by the home 55 compact, affordable, easy to use, and attenuates the amount
mechanic simply crawling under a vehicle while lying on his of dirt that is transferred from the used creeper to a storage
back. This can lead to oil, grease and dirt on the clothes, aca.
which dirt and grease can be transmitted to the home or SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
recreational vehicle if the operator does not have time to
change clothes. 60 In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in known
Another concern of the homeowner is the ease with which types of foldable creepers, it is an object of the present
the tool can be used. Tools which are not intuitively easy to invention to provide a creeper which can be compactly
use are frequently not purchased or, if purchased, are not folded so that it can be placed in the limited storage area
used. Other concerns include the cost and aesthetic appear available to homeowners.
ance of the tool. 65 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
With the above in mind, various attempts have been made creeper which can be inexpensively manufactured yet be
over time to provide a foldable creeper which meets the need comfortable, durable, and attractive.
 5,895,062
3 4
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Addi
a creeper which can be folded so as to hide the wheels, tional features of the invention will be described hereinafter
without requiring removal of the wheels, thus minimizing which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It
the amount of dirt and/or grease that can be transferred from should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
the creeper to its storage area or to the user's body. conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
foldable creeper which can be folded in two different ways, foldable creepers for carrying out the same punposes of the
i.e., in the wheels-in orientation and in the wheels-out present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled
orientation. in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a 10 the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the
creeper which provides padded support and thus can be used appended claims.
for extended periods of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a creeper
which provides superior comfort, ease of folding, and yet 5
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
can be folded to a thickness of 10 inches or less, preferably present invention reference should be made by the following
6.5 inches or less, most preferably 4.5 inches or less. detailed description taken in with the accompanying draw
These and other objects are accomplished by providing a ings in which:
foldable creeper with a unique framework, hinging means, FIG. 1 is an elevated oblique view of a first embodiment
and caster arrangement such that casters of the creeper can of the foldable creeper in its unfolded state.
be directed outwards when the creeper is in its folded state. FIG. 2 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 1 in
In a first folded state longitudinal frame members, to which its unfolded state.
the casters are preferably attached, are flush against each FIG. 3 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 1 in
other so that the casters are perpendicular and directed its folded state.
outwards in opposing directions. In such an arrangement, the 25 FIG. 4 is an elevated oblique view of a preferred hinging
minimum thickness of the folded creeper will correspond to mechanism for said first embodiment.
twice the thickness of the frame members to which the
casters are attached, plus twice the projection length of the FIG. 5 is an elevated oblique view of a second embodi
casters from the frame members. Generally this will allow ment of a foldable creeper in its unfolded state.
for a total minimal thickness of approximately 6.5 inches, 30 FIG. 6 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 4 in
more preferably about 6 inches. its unfolded state.
A yet more compact arrangement is made when the FIG. 7 is an end view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 4 in
creeper is folded with wheels facing inward and longitudinal its unfolded state.
frame members facing outwards. In this manner of folding, FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing the hinge mechanism
the total creeper thickness will correspond to twice the frame 35 and a locking mechanism.
thickness plus one times the projection length of the casters FIG. 9 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 4
from the frame members. That is, since the wheels face folded in a wheels-out state.
inwards all wheels are side-by-side. FIG. 10 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 4 in
The structure of the hinging means, however, also allows 40
a wheels-in state.
placement of casters proximal to the hinging mechanism, FIG. 11 is an elevated oblique view of a third embodiment
i.e., on the frame near the center of the creeper, while still of the foldable creeper in its unfolded state showing short
allowing the creeper to be properly folded. Therefore, the straight articulating hinges.
creeper can withstand large forces exerted against it's center
without collapsing. In addition, not only does the inward FIG. 12 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 11
positioning of the casters while the creeper is in its folded 45 in its unfolded state.
state attenuate transmission of dirt and/or grease but it FIG. 13 is a side view of the foldable creeper of FIG. 11
allows the present creeper to be more compact than other in its folded state.
foldable creepers. FIG. 14 is an elevated oblique view of the short straight
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the SO
hinging mechanism.
invention, the hinging mechanism, frame design, and caster
placement permits the creeper to be folded two different DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
ways, i.e., in a wheels-in orientation and in a wheels-out INVENTION
orientation.
After extensive investigation, the inventor has discovered
Further, the creeper should, in addition to all the above, be 55 that a creeper can be designed and constructed so as to be
provided with a headrest for increasing the comfort of the attractive and comfortable, durable, inexpensive, foldable to
mechanic. a compact state, and which is less likely to transmit dirt to
Furthermore, the frame is assembled from high-strength the user or storage area. In a preferred embodiment of the
frame members, preferably steel beams or tubes, and thus present invention, the two frame portions are connected via
the load bearing members are strong and long-lasting. The 60 a hinging means such that the creeper can be folded into
frame members may also be constructed of a lightweight either a wheels-in or a wheels-out arrangement, either
material such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, arrangement being a compact enough structure such that the
KEVLAR, carbon-fiber, or high strength plastic. creeper can be easily stored in the home or a vehicle.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more per The creeper is constructed around a framework comprised
tinent and important features of the present invention in 65 of longitudinal and transverse frame members. The term
order that the detailed description of the invention that “transverse' is intended to refer to frame members which
follows may be better understood and so that the present connect left and right sides of the frame. There is no
 5,895,062
S 6
requirement that they be perpendicular to the longitudinal frame member offset relative to the corresponding casters on
frame members-the transverse members may be perpen the opposing frame member so that the creeper can be
dicular or may diagonal so as to form a cross. Perpendicular properly folded without the casters coming into contact with
transverse members are preferred. The longitudinal mem each other and without coming into contact with the trans
bers extend lengthwise along the sides of the creeper. In a verse frame members, as clearly shown in FIG. 9.
first embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1-3 the The operation of the foldable creeper will now be
longitudinal members are separated into two segments at explained in greater detail. After removing the creeper from
approximately the center of the total creeper length, and its storage area, the creeper is transformed from its folded
connected to each other with a conventional hinge such as a state into its unfolded state. The two unhinged ends of the
flat tear-drop hinge. Each of the transverse frame members 10 frame portion are pulled apart until the frame portions are
extends from one longitudinal member to the other longi coplanar, and the creeper is placed on the ground in the
tudinal member, forming a rigid framework. The transverse unfolded state, with only the casters touching the ground.
frame members are positioned one or more inches, prefer The user of the creeper will then lie on the cushions which
ably about two to three inches, below the longitudinal frame rest on the U-shaped transverse rods of the frame piece,
members when the creeper is in the unfolded state. Thus, 15 usually with his/her head facing upwards but not necessarily
when viewed from the end of the creeper, the transverse so. The creeper can then be slid within close proximity of the
frame members form a “U” shape with a straight bottom or area to be worked on by the user while the user is lying on
cradle portion. Support panels are connected to the strait the cushions. Sliding of the creeper can be accomplished by
bottom part of the transverse frame members, and padding pushing or pulling the creeper with one's hands or legs while
is provided on the support panels. When the creeper with the 20 lying on its cushions. The area to be worked on will usually
conventional hinge is folded, the longitudinal frame mem be just above the creeper and fairly low to the ground.
bers face each other. The positioning of the transverse However, it is to be emphasized that the creeper can be
members several inches below the longitudinal members utilized for any task for which the user wishes. Once the task
permits the incorporation of the support panel and padding is complete and the user wishes to store the creeper for
and, optionally, a headrest, within a space defined by the 25 future use, the user grasps the frame portions at their
superposed “U” shaped members, i.e., a top “U” shape being unhinged ends and brings the two ends within close prox
upside down and provided on a right-side-up lower "U" imity of each other, whereby one frame portion describes an
shaped transverse frame member. arc of about 180 degrees. The creeper, in its folded state, is
then stored in a closet, tool box, recreational vehicle, trunk
The cushion attached to the support panel attached to the 30 of a car, etc.
transverse members is constructed so as to give a comfort A first preferred foldable creeper according to the inven
able surface on which the user of the creeper may lie. A tion will now be discussed in greater detail by reference to
headrest is attached to the cushion to further increase the
comfort with which the creeper can be used. FIGS. 1-3. There is shown in FIG. 1, a creeper 1 comprising
two hinged frame portions 2, 3. The first frame portion 2
The longitudinal frame members are provided with 35 comprises two longitudinal frame members 4, 5. The second
downward-facing casters such that the casters contact the frame portion 3 comprises two longitudinal frame members
ground and support the creeper above the ground when in 6, 7. Each longitudinal frame portion is preferably from 18
use. The casters are attached to the longitudinal frame to 28 inches, most preferably about 20 inches, in length.
members in conventional manner so as to both rotate and Each longitudinal frame member 4, 5, 6, 7 is provided with
swivel. Preferably each of the four longitudinal frame mem 40 one inner caster 8, 9 and one outer caster 10, 11, i.e., one
bers is provided with at least two casters, one near the hinge caster nearer the hinge and one caster further from the hinge.
and one away from the hinge, such that the creeper is Connecting the longitudinal frame members 4, 5, 6, 7 to
provided with a total of at least eight casters. This is the each other are transverse frame members 12, 13, 14, 15. The
minimum number of casters for providing the strongest transverse frame members are generally “U” shaped when
support for the creeper, such that the creeper can withstand 45 viewed from the ends of the creeper. More specifically, the
large forces placed on it, for example, forces generated by transverse frame members preferably comprise a main hori
the weight of a body plus the force of the mechanic working Zontal segment 16 and vertical segments 17, 29 connecting
on a vehicle, without collapse. A total of at least four casters the horizontal segment 16 to longitudinal segments 6, 7.
perfolding segment (half) of the creeper will ensure optimal For the comfort of the mechanic, cushions 18, 19 are
stability. 50 provided on each of the frame portions 2,3. The cushions are
The frame design allows the creeper to be easily generally provided on a rigid support (not shown) such as a
manipulated, compactly folded, conveniently stored, and section of plywood, plastic, or metal, in order to provide
inexpensively manufactured. planar support for the mechanic. The cushion may be made
In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 4–9, the of any material generally employed in the art for providing
hinging means is constructed such that when the creeper can 55 comfort for the mechanic. For example, the cushion may be
be folded with the wheel side out and cushion side in, as a foamed rubber (e.g., foamed neoprene, polyurethane, or
shown in FIG. 8, or with the cushion side in and wheel side polyethylene, preferably cross-linked polyethylene), or
out, as shown in FIG. 9. foamed plastic (e.g., foamed urea-formaldehyde, foamed
A means for connecting the longitudinal frame members polyvinyl-formaldehyde plastic, polyester resin reacted with
to permit pivoting in either direction is shown in FIG.7. The 60 aromatic diisocyanates to form a prepolymer which is then
longitudinal frame members are connected to each other by reacted with water to form a plastic urethane polymer which
means of a flat bar which is attached to the longitudinal is foamed by coevolved carbon dioxide, phenolformalde
frame members by means of hinge pins. Optionally, to make hyde resin foams, and polystyrene), natural sponge, or any
the creeper rigid and incapable of collapse, the hinge means other such natural or synthetic material known to those in the
is provided with a locking means such as locking pin. 65 art to have good stability, biocompatibility, resilience, and
An important consideration in the second embodiment of impact absorption abilities. The density of the foam layer
the invention is to provide the casters on each longitudinal may vary widely depending upon engineering preferences,
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7 8
but is preferably about 4-6 lbs. per cubic foot, most pref The main difference between the creeper of the first
erably about 5 lbs. per cubic foot. The layer thickness is not embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and the creeper of the
particularly limited, but the cushion has a preferred thick second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4-10 and the creeper
ness of about 4-2 inches. Acushion thicker than 2 inch does of the third embodiment as shown in FIGS. 11-14 is in the
not provide significant additional support or comfort, yet hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism of the second
increases manufacturing cost and may increase the overall embodiment permits the creeper to be folded not only in the
creeper thickness when folded. A cushion less than % inch cushion-to-cushion orientation as shown in FIG. 8, and as
in thickness is reduced in the amount of support and comfort was possible with the creeper of the first embodiment, but
afforded, and less than a will usually not give sufficient the creeper of the second embodiment may also be folded in
support for the desired level of comfort. The foam material 10 the wheel-to-wheel orientation as shown in FIG. 9, provided
of course that the casters and transverse frame members are
is preferably covered by a wear resistant material such as spaced so as not to interfere with each other in folding. The
cloth backed polyvinyl chloride. hinge mechanism of the third embodiment permits the
A headrest 20 may be provided for additional comfort. creeper to be folded without requiring a teardrop hinge.
The headrest is preferably made of the same material as the The hinge means according to the second embodiment
cushion part 18, 19, but is simply thicker, and is provided at S
one end of the creeper where the head is expected to rest. preferably comprises a bar 21 with at least two bore-holes
FIG. 2 shows the creeper in the open, unfolded position, near the respective ends of the bar, through which bore holes
bolts or studs 22, 23 secure the bar 21 to the longitudinal
with longitudinal frame members 4, 6 aligned. FIG.3 shows frame members 4, 6. The bolts or studs 22, 23 pass through
the same creeper as in FIG. 2, but in the closed, folded the bore holes in the bar and then through bore holes in the
position, with longitudinal frame members 4, 6 facing each bar longitudinal frame members 4, 6. The bar maintains a
other, specific spacing between these boreholes in the longitudinal
As shown in these figures, the frame members are roughly frame members 4, 6. When the creeper is open, the hinge
square in cross-sectional shape, but they may be any desired ends of longitudinal frame members 4, 6 abut as shown in
shape, including circular, oval, or “U” or "L' shaped, and 25 FIG. 7. When the creeper is folded in the wheel-to-wheel
they may be hollow or solid, so long as sufficient strength is orientation as shown in FIG. 9, the bar 21 maintains a proper
imparted. spacing of the longitudinal frame members 4, 6 such that the
The lengths and diameters of both the longitudinal and transverse frame members make flush contact with the backs
transverse frame members may vary widely depending upon of the cushions. When the creeper is folded in the cushion
the ultimate design selected by the manufacturer, and may be 30 to-cushion orientation as shown in FIG. 8, the bar 21 may
influenced by consideration such as the size of the person to permit a larger than necessary space between the the longi
be accommodated on the creeper, the strength desired for the tudinal frame members 4, 6, but the bar 21 may be skewed
frame piece, cost, and the ultimate thickness of the creeper as shown in FIG. 8 so that the longitudinal frame members
in its folded state. The longitudinal and transverse frame 4, 6 are flush against each other.
members may be welded to each other, bolted to each other, 35 The hinge means according to the third embodiment
or joined by any conventional means. preferably comprises a pair of short hinge bars 36a, 36b,
It should be apparent from FIGS. 1-3 that the cushion 18, 37a, 37b provided on either side of, and providing articu
19 and, optionally, headrest 20 are recessed below the lating connection between, the respective pairs of longitu
longitudinal frame members 4, 5, 6, 7 so that when the dinal frame members 4, 6. Each hinge bar is provided with
creeper is in the open state on the ground cushion 18, 19 is 40 at least two bore-holes near the respective ends of the bar,
supported by the transverse frame members 12, 13, 14, 15 through which bore holes bolts or studs 38, 39 secure the bar
slightly above the ground, yet so that the top of the cushion 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b to the longitudinal frame members 4, 6.
18, 19 is below the top of the longitudinal frame members The bolts or studs 38, 39 pass through the bore holes in the
4, 5, 6, 7. This has the advantage that the mechanic is bar and then through bore holes in the bar longitudinal frame
supported closer to the ground, such that the clearance 45 members 4, 6. The bar maintains a specific spacing between
between the mechanic and the underside of the vehicle on these boreholes in the longitudinal frame members 4., 6.
which he is working is greater. When the creeper is open, the hinge ends of longitudinal
If headrest 20 is provided, it may extend above the frame members 4, 6 abutor nearly abut as shown in FIG. 11.
longitudinal frame member 4 on one side of the creeper, but When the creeper is folded in the cushion-to-cushion ori
the top of the cushion 18 on the other side of the creeper SO entation as shown in FIG. 13, the bar 36a is relatively short
should be as far below the longitudinal frame member 6 on and permits the longitudinal frame members 4, 6 to rest flush
one side of the creeper as the headrest 20 extends above the against each other.
longitudinal frame member 4 on it's side of the creeper. A surprising advantage of a short bar hinge system
Only so will the creeper fold with longitudinal frame mem becomes apparent only during use. That is, on paper it would
bers 4, 6 flush against each other. 55 appear to be more advantageous to have a rigid hinge
The creeper as shown in FIGS. 1-4 may be provided with system, as in a tear-drop hinge system. However, when
any conventional hinge, such as a "piano' hinge, but it is riding a short bar hinged creeper over an obstacle, the short
preferably provided with a hinge which satisfies two con bar hinge system cooperates with the frame in a manner
ditions: (1) the longitudinal frame members abut when the which causes the frame to remain relatively linear, yet to flex
creeper is in the open position, and (2) the longitudinal 60 so that the creeper can ride over obstacles. This system
frame members are slightly spaced apart at the hinged end permits the creeper to adapt to obstacles rather than main
when the creeper is in the closed position, so as to provide taining a stiff, horizontal, non-flexible posture, which in the
room for any caster mounting hardware extending above the long run may lead to stress fractures and ultimately break
upper surface of the longitudinal frame members. That is, age.
without the provision of a small space at the hinge, any 65 It is important in the short bar hinge system that the short
hardware for mounting the casters is likely to break the bars are placed on each side of each longitudinal frame
hinges when the creeper is closed. member. It is also important that the hinge or pivot points of
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10
the short bars are not in the center of the longitudinal frame (d) casters connected to said frame members for support
member, since this causes the corners of the longitudinal ing said frame members above the ground when said
frame member to unnecessarily interfere with and restrict creeper is in the open position;
the flexibility of the folding motion. Rather, the pivot point (e) hinging means connecting the segments of a longitu
should be about half way between the longitudinal frame 5 dinal frame member for folding the creeper; wherein
member center and top. This reduces the amount of longi the hinge means provides a spacing between the lon
tudinal frame member corner projecting into the folding arc, gitudinal frame member segments in the folded posi
thereby allowing for use of shorter hinge bars, thereby tion and connects the longitudinal frame member seg
increasing stability. The above discussion is obviously based ments by a pivot hinge located on each of the connected
on the assumption that the short bar hinge is used in a 10 longitudinal frame member segments.
one-way foldable creeper. 2. A foldable creeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
Furthermore, a locking means such as locking pin(s) 26 hinging means are constructed to permit said creeper to be
can be utilized to secure the creeper 1 in its open state. This folded such that said top sides of said support panels face
may be preferred where the creeper is subject to heavy-duty each other when the creeper is in the folded position.
use, such as in a commercial garage. 15 3. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said hinging
Securing means such as straps may also be provided to means are constructed to permit said creeper to be folded
secure the creeper 1 is in its folded state, for example, for such that said bottom sides of said support panels face each
storage in a recreational vehicle. The straps can be releas other when said creeper is in the folded position.
ably attached to the sides of the creeper 1 through the use of 4. A foldable creeper as in claim 3 wherein the hinging
snaps or some other commonly used means. 20 means is constructed so that the casters do not interfere with
As to the manner of usage and operation of the two each other when the bottom sides of said support panels face
embodiments of the present invention described above, the each other in the folded position.
same should be apparent from the above description. 5. A foldable creeper as in claim 4, further comprising
With respect to the above description then, it is to be locking means for locking said creeper in an open position.
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the 25 6. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said left and
parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, right head-end longitudinal frame member segments are
connected to each other via at least two transverse frame
shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly member segments, and wherein said left and right foot-end
and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one longitudinal frame member segments are connected to each
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 30 other via at least two transverse frame member segments.
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification 7. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said longi
are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. tudinal and transverse frame members are hollow.
It is also readily obvious that the above creeper may have 8. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said longi
various frame structures and modifications, such as a "drop tudinal and transverse frame members are metal.
shoulder' frame design as shown in my co-pending appli 35 9. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, further including
cation Ser. No. 29/055,766, a tilting headrest modification as padding provided on the top side of said support panels.
shown in my co-pending application Ser. No. 29/055,721, a 10. A foldable creeper as in claim 9, further including a
wide body design wherein transverse members are longer headrest at said head end of said creeper.
than those shown in FIG. 1, or combinations of the above. 11. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said central
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only lower segment of each of said transverse frame members is
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous positioned from about% to four inches below the top of said
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled longitudinal frame members when said creeper is in the open
in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact position.
construction and operation shown and described, and 12. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein said central
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 45 lower segment of each of said transverse frame members is
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. positioned from two to three inches below said longitudinal
Now that the invention has been described, frame members when said creeper is in the open position.
What is claimed is: 13. A foldable creeper as in claim 2, wherein said left
1. A foldable creeper for supporting a person, said creeper head-end longitudinal frame member segment is flush
having a top side, a bottom side, left and right sides, and 50 against said left foot-end longitudinal frame member seg
head and foot ends, said creeper hinged along a line which ment and said right head-end longitudinal frame member
extends transversely along the approximate longitudinal segment is flush against said right foot-end longitudinal
centerline for movement between an open position and a frame member segment when said creeper is in the folded
folded storage position, and comprising: position.
(a) a framework comprising longitudinal and transverse 55 14. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein each of said
frame members, said longitudinal frame members head-end longitudinal frame member segments and foot-end
extending lengthwise along said left and right sides of longitudinal frame member segments is provided with at
the creeper, wherein said longitudinal frame members least two casters.
are divided into segments having a head end and a foot 15. A foldable creeper as in claim 1, wherein the spacing
end, 60 provided by the hinging means is a bar that is connected to
(b) said transverse frame members rigidly connecting left the pivot hinges so that each of the connected longitudinal
and right longitudinal frame members, said transverse frame member segments can pivot with respect to the bar.
frame members including at least one central segment 16. A foldable creeper as in claim 15, wherein two bars are
lower than the ends of said transverse frame members used to connected the longitudinal frame member segments
for supporting a support panel; are and wherein said bars are flat metal bars having first and
(c) support panels having top sides and bottom sides and second ends, wherein each of said first and second centerline
connected to said transverse frame members; and bar ends is provided with a through hole wherein said
 5,895,062
11 12
longitudinal frame members have a horizontal and are and head and foot ends, said creeper hinged along longitu
provided with horizontal through holes parallel to the axis of dinal frame members for the movement between an open
articulation above said horizontal centerline when said position and a folded storage position, and comprising:
creeper is in the open position, and wherein said first and (a) a framework comprising longitudinal and transverse
second bars are pivotably connected to said longitudinal frame members, said longitudinal frame members
frame members through said through holes. extending lengthwise along said left and right sides of
17. A foldable creeper for supporting a person, said the creeper, wherein said longitudinal frame members
creeper having a top side, a bottom side, left and right sides, are divided into segments having a head end and a foot
and head and foot ends, said creeper hinged along the end;
longitudinal frame members for the movement between an 10
(b) said transfer members rigidly connecting left and right
open position and a folded storage position, and comprising: longitudinal frame members said transverse frame
(a) a framework comprising longitudinal and transverse members including at least one central segment lower
frame members, said longitudinal frame members than the end of said transverse frame members for
extending lengthwise along said left and right sides of supporting a support panel;
the creeper, wherein said longitudinal frame members 15
(c) support panels having a top sides and bottom sides and
are divided into segments having a head end and a foot connected to said transverse frame members;
end;
(b) said transfer members rigidly connecting left and right (d) casters connected to said longitudinal frame members
for supporting said framework above the ground when
longitudinal frame members said transverse frame 20 said creeper is in the open position;
members including at least one central segment lower (e) hinge means connecting the segments of the longitu
than the end of said transverse frame members for
supporting a support panel, said central lower segment dinal frame member for folding the creeper so that the
of said transverse member oriented from one-half to casters do not interfere with each other when the
four inches below the top of said longitudinal frame bottom sides of said support panels face each other in
members when said creeper is the open position; 25 the folded position; wherein the hinge means provides
(c) support panels having a top sides and bottom sides and
a spacing between the longitudinal frame member
segments in the folded position and allows a longitu
connected to said transverse frame members; dinal frame member segment to move with a horizontal
(d) casters connected to said longitudinal frame members component with respect to the connected longitudinal
for supporting said framework above the ground when 30 frame member segment.
said creeper is in the open position, 22. A foldable creeper according to claim 21 wherein the
(e) hinging means connecting the segments of a longitu hinging means allows a caster on longitudinal frame seg
dinal frame member for folding the creeper so that the ment to be located in an offset position relative to a corre
casters do not interfere with each other when the sponding caster on the opposing longitudinal frame member
bottom sides of said support panels face each other in 35 segment when the creeper is in the folded position.
the folded position; wherein the hinge means provides 23. A foldable creeper according to claim 21 wherein said
a spacing between the longitudinal frame member central lower segment of said transverse member oriented
segments in the folded position and connects the lon from one-half to four inches below the top of said longitu
gitudinal frame member segments by a pivot hinge dinal frame member when said creeper is the open position.
located on each of the connected longitudinal frame 24. A foldable creeper according to claim 23 wherein
member segments. spacing includes a bar hinged to each longitudinal frame
18. A creeper as in claim 17, wherein said transverse member segments thereby allowing the casters to be placed
frame member is square, circular, oval, “U” shaped, "L' offset to each other.
shaped, or a bean. 25. A foldable creeper according to claim 24 wherein the
19. A creeper as in claim 1, wherein said transverse frame 45 bar is in a sloped position when the frame members are flush
member is square, circular, oval, “U” shaped, "L' shaped, or against each other.
a beam. 26. A foldable creeper according to claim 21 wherein the
20. A creeper as in claim 18, wherein said transverse creeper has a minimum thickness in the folded position of
frame member is square, circular, oval, “U” shaped, "L' twice the frame thickness plus the length of the casters from
shaped, or a beam. SO the frame segments.
21. A foldable creeper for supporting a person, said
creeper having a top side, a bottom side, left and right sides,