초록 ▼

A creeper is disclosed for protecting a user in a supine position when manoeuvring under a raised object. The creeper comprises a user support surface and a safety structure. The safety structure comprises at least one upwardly projecting rigid element defining a protective space above at least a po

A creeper is disclosed for protecting a user in a supine position when manoeuvring under a raised object. The creeper comprises a user support surface and a safety structure. The safety structure comprises at least one upwardly projecting rigid element defining a protective space above at least a portion of the support surface. A foldable creeper which folds into a work bench and comprises a similar safety structure is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A creeper for protecting a user in a supine position when maneuvering under a motor vehicle raised on a support, the motor vehicle capable of causing injury to the user when the support is removed, the creeper comprising: a support structure comprising a frame and a user supp

What is claimed is: 1. A creeper for protecting a user in a supine position when maneuvering under a motor vehicle raised on a support, the motor vehicle capable of causing injury to the user when the support is removed, the creeper comprising: a support structure comprising a frame and a user support surface; and a safety structure coupled to said frame; said safety structure comprising at least three upwardly projecting rigid elements defining a protective space above at least a portion of said support surface in which the user in the supine position is protected, since the safety structure is capable of supporting the a weight of the motor vehicle when the support is removed; wherein the at least three upwardly projecting rigid elements comprises at least one head protective element disposed directly adjacent a first longitudinal end of said support structure, said at least one head protective element defining a head protective space above said first longitudinal end; wherein said at least three upwardly projecting rigid elements further comprises at least two body protective elements disposed directly adjacent a second longitudinal end of said support structure and cooperating with said at least one head protective element to define said protective space. 2. The creeper of claim 1, the creeper further comprising a set of casters coupled to said support structure for facilitating a displacement of the creeper under the raised object. 3. The creeper of claim 1, wherein said at least one rigid element is adapted to intercept the object when falling toward the creeper while substantially maintaining an integrity of said protective space. 4. The creeper of claim 3, the creeper further comprising displacement means and load-absorbing means, said displacement means being structurally coupled to said safety structure via said load-absorbing means, said load-absorbing means being adapted to retract said displacement means relative to said support structure when said at least one rigid element is subjected to the weight of the object. 5. The creeper of claim 1, said support surface comprising an inclinable headrest disposed towards said first longitudinal end, said at least one head protective element projecting sufficiently upwards to define said head protective space above said headrest when said headrest is inclined. 6. The creeper of claim 1, wherein said at least one head protective element comprises a roll bar disposed above said first longitudinal end. 7. The creeper of claim 6, wherein said roll bar comprises an at least three-point roll bar. 8. The creeper of claim 1, wherein said at least two body protective elements are disposed on opposed lateral edges of said support structure. 9. The creeper of claim 1, wherein said at least two body protective elements and said at least one head protective element are longitudinally spaced apart and define a longitudinal space therebetween, thereby providing the user substantially unobstructed access to the object from said surface within said longitudinal space. 10. The creeper of claim 1, the creeper further for providing an elevated sitting surface, said support structure comprising a body support portion, a head support portion and, a pivot intermediate said head support portion and said body support portion, the creeper being foldable about said pivot into a folded position solidly resting said head support portion above said body support portion such that, when in said folded position, said head support portion provides the elevated sitting surface. 11. The creeper of claim 10, said head support portion comprising a head support frame and a headrest, said headrest being adjustable relative to said head support frame to provide the elevated sitting surface. 12. A creeper for protecting a user in a supine position when maneuvering under a motor vehicle raised on a support, the motor vehicle capable of injuring the user when the support is removed, the creeper comprising: a user support surface; and a safety structure; said safety structure comprising at least one upwardly projecting head protective element disposed directly adjacent a first longitudinal end of said surface and at least two upwardly projecting body protective element disposed directly adjacent a second longitudinal end and on either side of said surface, said protective elements together defining a three point protective structure defining a protective space above at least a portion of said surface in which the user in the supine position is protected since the safety structure is capable of supporting a weight of the motor vehicle when the support is removed and; wherein said at least one head protective element and said at least two body protective elements are longitudinally spaced apart and define a longitudinal space therebetween, thereby providing the user substantially unobstructed access to the object from said surface within said longitudinal space. 13. The creeper of claim 12, wherein said at least one head protective element comprises a roll bar. 14. The creeper of claim 13, wherein said roll bar comprises an at least three-point roll bar. 15. The creeper of claim 13, wherein said at least one head protective element and said at least two body protective elements are adapted to cooperatively intercept the object when falling toward the creeper while substantially maintaining an integrity of said protective space. 16. The creeper of claim 12, wherein the at least two body protective elements respectively disposed towards opposed lateral edges of said surface, thereby defining a lateral space therebetween and providing substantially unobstructed user body access to said surface from above said surface. 17. The creeper of claim 16, wherein each of said body protective elements comprise a roll bar respectively disposed along said opposed lateral edges.