US6199877B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transformable mechanic's creeper
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-08-07
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Granted: 2001-03-13
•
Expires: 2020-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A transformable mechanics creeper is disclosed having an elongated creeper frame which includes a base assembly and a seat assembly interconnected by an interlinking connector frame pivotally connected to the base assembly and the seat assembly. The interlinking connector frame has a first pivot position in which the seat assembly is positioned generally in horizontal alignment with the base assembly for defining a creeper position, and a second pivot position in which the seat assembly is positioned generally in vertical alignment with the base assembly to define a seating position wherein the seat assembly and the base assembly support a worker in an upright seating position. A slidable roller frame supports the seat assembly and provides mobility in the creeper position. In the seat position, the roller frame may be retracted for a small footprint or extended for increased support or a utility shelf. An extendable roller frame assembly slidably carried by said creeper frame having a retracted position when the interlinking connector is in said first pivotal position defining said seat position. The roller frame assembly has an extended position when said interlinking connector is in said second pivotal position for supporting said seat assembly in said creeper position. At least one wheel is carried by said roller frame assembly providing mobility for said creeper in said creeper position. The roller frame assembly may also be maintained in the extended configuration to provide a shelf for a tool tray and the like when the creeper is in the seat position.
Inventors
- 👤 Troy E. Shockley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25H; B25H5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
A transformable mechanic's creeper for use by a worker, said creeper transforming between a horizontal position for supporting said worker working underneath said automobile in a supine position and a seat position for supporting said worker working in an upright seating position, said creeper comprising: an elongated creeper frame; a base assembly included in said elongated creeper frame; a seat assembly interconnected in said elongated creeper frame with said base assembly; a plurality of castors carried by said creeper frame, said castors supporting said elongated creeper frame on a work floor providing said elongated creeper frame with mobility; at least one interlinking connector interconnecting said seat assembly and base assembly on opposing sides thereof; each said interlinking connector having a first end pivotally connected to said base assembly, and a second end pivotally connected to said seat assembly; said interlinking connector having a first pivot position in which said seat assembly is positioned generally in horizontal alignment with said base assembly to define a creeper position; said interlinking connector having a second pivot position in which said seat assembly is positioned generally in vertical alignment with said base assembly to define a seat position wherein said seat assembly and said base assembly support said worker seated; and an extendable roller frame assembly slidably carried by said frame, said roller frame assembly having a retracted configuration when said interlinking connector is in said first pivotal position defining said seat position, said roller frame assembly having an extended configuration when said interlinking connector is in said second pivotal position defining said creeper position wherein said roller frame assembly supports said seat assembly in said creeper position, and at least one wheel carried by said roller frame assembly providing mobility for said creeper in said creeper position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
A transformable mechanic's creeper for use by a worker, said creeper transforming between a horizontal position for supporting said worker working underneath said automobile in a supine position and a seat position for supporting said worker working in an upright seating position, said creeper comprising: an elongated creeper frame; a base assembly included in said elongated creeper frame; a seat assembly interconnected in said elongated creeper frame with said base assembly; a plurality of castors carried by said creeper frame, said castors supporting said elongated creeper frame on a work floor providing said elongated creeper frame with mobility; at least one interlinking connector interconnecting said seat assembly and base assembly on opposing sides thereof; each said interlinking connector having a first end pivotally connected to said base assembly, and a second end pivotally connected to said seat assembly; said interlinking connector having a first pivot position in which said seat assembly is positioned generally in horizontal alignment with said base assembly to define a creeper position; said interlinking connector having a second pivot position in which said seat assembly is positioned generally in vertical alignment with said base assembly to define a seat position wherein said seat assembly and said base assembly support said worker seated; and an extendable roller frame assembly slidably carried by said frame, said roller frame assembly having a retracted configuration when said interlinking connector is in said first pivotal position defining said seat position, said roller frame assembly having an extended configuration when said interlinking connector is in said second pivotal position defining said creeper position wherein said roller frame assembly supports said seat assembly in said creeper position, and at least one wheel carried by said roller frame assembly providing mobility for said creeper in said creeper position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said seat assembly is longitudinally spaced from said base assembly when said interlinking connector is in said first pivot position providing said elongated creeper frame with sufficient length to support said worker lying in a supine position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said roller frame assembly includes horizontal slide elements which form a utility shelf when said seat assembly is in said seat position and said roller frame is maintained in said extended configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said roller frame assembly includes at least one support carried by said frame, and a slide element which slides relative to said support on which at least one castor is carried.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 4 wherein said roller frame assembly includes a plurality of supports carried by a base assembly, and a plurality of said slide element slidably carried by said supports wherein said slide elements define a support for a tool tray and the like when said roller frame assembly is in said configuration and said creeper is in said seat position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said interlinking connector includes a pair of interlinking connectors pivotally connected to said seat assembly and base assembly on each opposing side of said creeper frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 including at least one retention element carried by said elongated creeper frame retaining said seat and base assembly vertical in said second pivot position to maintain said seating position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 including a connector retention element, and a seat retention element maintaining said seat assembly generally parallel above said base assembly when said interlinking connector is in said second pivot position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said elongated creeper frame includes a first plurality of stops carried by one of said interlinking connector and said base assembly, said first plurality of stops engaging the other of said base assembly and interlinking connector to maintain said interlinking connector above said base assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 1 wherein said elongated creeper frame includes a second plurality of stops carried by one of said interlinking connector and said seat assembly, said second plurality of stops engaging the other of said seat assembly and interlinking connector to maintain said seat assembly above said base assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
253 words
A transformable mechanic's creeper for use by a worker working on an automobile or the like, said mechanic's creeper transforming between a horizontal position for supporting said worker working underneath said automobile in a supine position and transforming into a seat position for supporting said worker working in an upright position, said mechanic's creeper comprising: an elongated creeper frame; a base assembly included in said creeper frame; a seat assembly interconnected in said creeper frame with said base assembly; a connector frame assembly interconnecting said base assembly and seat assembly; a creeper position defined by said base assembly and seat assembly being positioned by said connector frame assembly generally in horizontal alignment to support a mechanic in a supine position; a seat position defined by said seat assembly being positioned by said connector frame assembly generally in vertical alignment with said base assembly wherein said seat assembly coextends generally over said base assembly to support said worker seated on said seat assembly; a plurality of castors depending from said elongated creeper frame for mobility; and an extendable roller frame assembly slidably carried by said creeper frame, said roller frame assembly having a retracted configuration when said connector frame is in said seat position, said roller frame assembly having an extended configuration when said connector frame is in said creeper position wherein said roller frame assembly supports said seat assembly in said creeper position, and at least one wheel carried by said roller frame assembly providing mobility for said creeper in said creeper position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
253 words
A transformable mechanic's creeper for use by a worker working on an automobile or the like, said mechanic's creeper transforming between a horizontal position for supporting said worker working underneath said automobile in a supine position and transforming into a seat position for supporting said worker working in an upright position, said mechanic's creeper comprising: an elongated creeper frame; a base assembly included in said creeper frame; a seat assembly interconnected in said creeper frame with said base assembly; a connector frame assembly interconnecting said base assembly and seat assembly; a creeper position defined by said base assembly and seat assembly being positioned by said connector frame assembly generally in horizontal alignment to support a mechanic in a supine position; a seat position defined by said seat assembly being positioned by said connector frame assembly generally in vertical alignment with said base assembly wherein said seat assembly coextends generally over said base assembly to support said worker seated on said seat assembly; a plurality of castors depending from said elongated creeper frame for mobility; and an extendable roller frame assembly slidably carried by said creeper frame, said roller frame assembly having a retracted configuration when said connector frame is in said seat position, said roller frame assembly having an extended configuration when said connector frame is in said creeper position wherein said roller frame assembly supports said seat assembly in said creeper position, and at least one wheel carried by said roller frame assembly providing mobility for said creeper in said creeper position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 11 wherein said seat assembly is longitudinally spaced from said base assembly when said interlinking connector is in said first pivot position providing said elongated creeper frame with sufficient length to support said worker lying in a supine position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 11 wherein said roller frame assembly includes horizontal slide elements which form a utility shelf when said seat assembly is in said seat position and said roller frame is maintained in said extended configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 11 wherein said roller frame assembly includes at least one support carried by said frame, and at least one slide element which slides relative to said support on which said at least one castor is carried.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 14 wherein said roller frame assembly includes a plurality of supports carried by a base assembly, and a plurality of said slide element slidably carried by said supports wherein said slide elements may define a support for a tool tray and the like when said roller frame assembly is in said extended configuration and said creeper is in said seat position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 11 wherein said connector frame includes a pair of interlinking connectors pivotally connected to said seat assembly and base assembly on each opposing side of said creeper frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanic's creeper of claim 11 including at least one retention element carried by said elongated creeper frame retaining said seat and base assembly vertical in said second pivot position to maintain said seating position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |