Body support for automotive mechanics

This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/140,668, filed on Jun. 24, 1999, and claims priority to that provisional application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a body support for mechanics. While the preferred embodiments disclosed herein are of body supports for providing support to mechanics as they repair motor vehicles, the body support of the present invention could clearly be used in any environment where an individual finds it necessary to lean over the equipment, object or project upon which the individual is working, including those involving the provision of medical or veterinary services. Although the vehicle referred to throughout this application is a motor vehicle, it is understood that the invention relates as well to other types of vehicles or equipment including but not limited to airplanes, boats, or other heavy machinery.

In many instances, an automotive mechanic working in an automotive repair shop requires an apparatus to lean against or kneel upon which provides more physical support as he leans over engine compartment of a motor vehicle to inspect and/or repair the components located therein. Using an such an apparatus not only enhances the overall comfort of the mechanic as he works, but ultimately increases his productivity. In addition, without sufficient lumbar and thoracic support, an automotive mechanic who repeatedly bends over an engine compartment is also at increased risk for spinal injuries, which are often accompanied by neurological and orthopedic complications. While body supports for mechanics are available, such supports lack features for maximizing the comfort of the mechanic while maintaining the stability of the support. Such supports also do not provide proper leverage to the mechanic when the support is used in both front-of-vehicle and side-of-vehicle positions.

The invention of the present application provides an effective solution for providing increased comfort to mechanics, improving overall productivity and decreasing the risk of injuries resulting from working over an engine compartment without using adequate supplementary support. The mechanic's body support takes advantage of a chest pad and knee pad which provide enhanced support to the chest and knees of a mechanic as he works on the engine of a motor vehicle. Additional embodiments of the invention provide not only means for adjusting the chest and knee pads, but also for adjusting the rails upon which these pads are attached, which further enhances the overall support provided to the mechanic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that maximizes the physical comfort of a mechanic as he leans over the engine compartment of a vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that maximizes the leverage available to a mechanic as he leans over the engine compartment of a vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that can be adjusted for increased stability as necessary.

It is another object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that may be used either in front of a vehicle or to the side of a vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that can be conveniently adapted for use with vehicles of various sizes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a body support for automotive mechanics that allows for the attachment of accessories such as a tool tray or a magnetic bolt table.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a mechanic's body support for providing support to a mechanic during repair of a motor vehicle comprising first and second horizontally-oriented and spaced-apart base rails, and first and second spaced-apart support rails. Each of the support rails has one end connected to a respective one of the first and second base rails and diverges upwardly from and along the length of the base rails for supporting the mechanic in an elevated position over the engine compartment of the motor vehicle. The mechanic's body support also includes a chest pad and a knee pad mounted in spaced-apart relation between the support rails for securing the support rails in a fixed, spaced-apart relation, and for supporting the chest and knees of the mechanic.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanic's body support includes height adjustment means adapted for selectively mounting the knee pad in one of at least two vertical positions relative to the support rails.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height adjustment means comprises first and second vertically-spaced notches, and the knee pad includes a complementary tooth thereon for cooperating with a respective one of the first and second notches.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the notch and complementary tooth are each shaped whereby the tooth is wedged into the notch in response to downward pressure on the knee pad.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the support rails is formed of two separable support rail segments and includes length adjusting means for permitting the length the support rail to be adjusted by movement of respective support rail segments relative to each other.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the length adjusting means comprise a keyway on one of the support rail segments, and a complementary post on the other of the support rail segments for cooperating with the keyway for releasably locking the two support rail segments together.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the support rails includes an upper rail segment and a lower rail segment. The upper rail segment is rotatably connected to the lower rail segment by rotatable locking means for permitting limited movement of the upper rail segment through an arc for adjusting the pitch of the chest pad.

The rotatable locking means preferably comprises a pair of releasably-locking hub gears.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height adjustment means comprises a plurality of vertically-spaced openings defined by each support rail. Each of the openings is adapted for receiving and releasably locking a complementary slide on the knee pad therein. The knee pad includes a complementary slide thereon for being received into a selected one of the openings.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height adjustment means comprises a vertically-oriented slot extending through each of the support rails and adapted for receiving a pin inserted therethrough, and a complementary hole defined in a side of the knee pad adapted for receiving the pin therein for releasably locking the knee pad into a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower rail segment comprises first and second elongate tubular rails. Each of the tubular rails has respective first and second ends, and the respective first ends of the first and second tubular rails are connected to a respective one of the first and second base rails. The respective second ends of the first and second tubular rails are connected together by and integrally formed with a U-shaped tubular member.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the chest pad includes a U-shaped channel adapted for receiving a U-shaped tubular rail therein, and the upper rail segment comprises a complementary U-shaped tubular rail for cooperating with the U-shaped channel for attaching the knee pad to the upper rail segment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotatable locking means comprises a first plate connected between the first and second tubular rails and having a first hole defined therethrough, and a second plate connected to the upper rail segment and having a series of second holes defined therethrough at spaced-apart intervals to form an arc. A locking pin is adapted for being inserted through the first hole, through a selected one of said second holes and into a opening defined in an end of the U-shaped tubular rail.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height adjusting means includes pivot means comprising a third plate connected between the first and second tubular rails. The third plate is adapted for permitting limited pivotal movement of the knee pad through an arc and locking the knee pad in a limited number of predetermined positions, thereby adjusting the angle of the knee pad relative to the support rails.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanic's body support includes first and second wheels positioned on the respective first and second base rails for permitting the body support to roll as it is being moved.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a mechanic's body support for providing support to a mechanic during repair of a motor vehicle is provided. The body support includes a curved beam having a longitudinally-oriented upper end and a horizontally-oriented lower end. A pair of floor-engaging, laterally-extending feet are attached in spaced-apart relation along the lower end for supporting said body support in an upright position. A chest pad is mounted on the upper end for supporting the chest and upper torso of the mechanic, and a knee pad is mounted intermediate with the chest pad and the pair of feet for supporting the knees of the mechanic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3

is a side view of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 2

;

FIG. 4

is a cut-away side view of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

;

FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6

is a side view elevation of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 5

;

FIG. 7

is an exploded perspective view of the chest support adjustment arm assembly of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

;

FIG. 8

is a perspective view of the underside of one of the adjustment arms shown in

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 9

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10

is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanic's body support shown in FIG.

9

and including flashlight and magnetic bolt tray attachments;

FIG. 11

perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12

is a elevation of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 11

;

FIG. 13

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the chest support of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 13

;

FIG. 15

is a rear perspective view of a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 16

is an exploded perspective view of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 16

;

FIG. 17

is a perspective view of a mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 16

with the chest and knee pads removed for clarity;

FIG. 18

is a front perspective view of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIG. 16

; and

FIG. 19

is a side elevation of the mechanic's body support shown in

FIGS. 16

,

17

and

18

.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a mechanic's body support according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.

1

and shown generally at reference numeral

10

. The body support

10

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

11

, having respective ends

12

integrally formed with respective first and second support rails

15

. Connecting each of the support rails

15

to a respective base rail

11

in this manner permits each support rail

15

to diverge upwardly away from the base rail

11

for permitting the body support

10

to be conveniently positioned either in front or to the side of the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. This allows a mechanic using the body support

10

to lean against the body support

10

for support and position himself over the engine compartment. A cross bar

11

A is mounted between the base rails

11

for providing supplemental reinforcement to the body support

10

.

As is shown in

FIG. 1

, the body support

10

also includes a cushioned chest pad

17

and a cushioned knee pad

18

, which are mounted between the support rails

15

. The chest pad

17

is for supporting and cushioning the chest of the mechanic, and the knee pad

18

is for supporting the knees of the mechanic. While the chest pad

17

and knee pad

18

may be mounted at any point along the support rails

15

, the chest pad

17

and knee pad

18

are preferably spaced apart along the support rails

15

at a distance sufficient to permit a mechanic to comfortably lean his chest against the chest pad

17

and kneel upon the knee pad

18

without having the chest pad

17

extend past his shoulders and into his neck region. Together, the chest pad

17

and knee pad

18

provide comfort to the mechanic and secure the support rails

15

in spaced-apart relation, thereby helping to reduce the incidence of back pain or other injuries the mechanic might otherwise experience if he were to work using inadequate supplemental body support, or no supplemental body support at all.

The base rails

11

and support rails

15

are preferably formed from a durable metal such as aluminum or a high density plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Although the chest pad

17

may be any shape or size, the chest pad

17

preferably has a flat, padded surface. The knee pad

18

may likewise be any shape or size; however the knee pad

18

preferably has a flat, padded surface. Although any suitable material may be used, the chest pad

17

and knee pad

18

are each preferably cushioned by a layer of high density, closed-cell foam padding.

Referring now to

FIG. 2

, a mechanic's support according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral

20

. The body support

20

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

21

and

22

connected to respective first and second support rails

25

and

26

. A cross bar

26

A is mounted between the base rails

21

and

22

for providing supplemental reinforcement to the body support

20

. The body support

20

also includes a chest pad

27

mounted between the respective support rails

25

and

26

for providing support and cushioning to the chest of a mechanic as he leans thereon. A knee pad

28

is mounted between respective support rails

25

and

26

below the chest pad

27

for supporting the knees of the mechanic thereon.

Unlike the support rails

15

of the body support

10

shown in

FIG. 1

, the length of respective support rails

25

and

26

is adjustable. Each support rail

25

and

26

is formed from two support rail segments

27

A and

27

B, each of which includes a first end

29

having a post

30

thereon adapted for cooperating with a complementary keyway

31

, which is integrally formed with a second end

32

. The complementary post

30

and keyway

31

cooperate with one another for permitting respective first and second ends

29

and

32

to be releasably locked together.

FIG. 3

shows a side view of the base support

20

.

As is shown in

FIGS. 2 and 4

, the vertical height of the knee pad

28

may also be adjusted. Support rails

25

and

26

include respective lower ends

25

A and

26

B, each of which includes two vertically-spaced notches

33

integrally formed therein.

FIG. 2

shows two notches

33

positioned along lower end

26

B: the two notches

33

positioned along lower end

25

A are not shown. As is shown in

FIG. 4

, the knee pad

28

includes a bottom

28

A having a complementary tooth

34

positioned thereon, which is adapted for cooperating with any one of the notches

33

. While the notches

33

and tooth

34

may be of any shape or size, the notches

33

and the tooth

34

are preferably shaped such that when the tooth

34

is placed in one of the notches

33

, the tooth

34

becomes wedged into the notch

33

in response to the mechanic placing his knees on the knee pad

20

, which in turn places downward pressure on the tooth

34

. Should the mechanic wish to change the height of the knee pad

28

, the tooth

34

is lifted from the corresponding pair of notches

33

, and the tooth

34

is repositioned in a second pair of notches

33

along the lower ends

25

A and

26

B of respective support rails

25

and

26

.

Referring now to

FIG. 5

, a mechanic's body support according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral

40

. The body support

40

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

41

and

42

connected to respective first and second support rails

50

and

60

. A cross bar

43

is mounted between the base rails

21

and

22

for providing supplemental reinforcement to the body support

20

. The respective support rails

50

and

60

each include respective upper support rail segments

51

and

61

rotatably connected by a pivot

70

to respective lower support rail segments

52

and

62

for permitting upper support rail segments

51

and

61

to pivotally move through an arc, thereby giving the support rails

50

and

60

a range of adjustment. The body support

40

also includes a chest pad

63

mounted between the respective upper rail segments

50

and

60

for providing support and cushioning to the chest of a mechanic as he leans thereon.

As is shown in

FIG. 5

, the body support

40

also includes a knee pad

64

mounted between respective lower support rail segments

52

and

62

for supporting the knees of the mechanic thereon. Like the knee pad

28

of body support

20

, the vertical height of the knee pad

64

may also be adjusted, however, a different adjustment mechanism is employed. Each of the lower support rail segments

52

and

62

includes a series of spaced-apart, notched openings

65

formed therein. Each opening

65

is adapted for receiving one of a pair of complementary slides

66

therein. Each slide

66

is attached to opposite sides of the knee pad

64

, thereby positioning the slide

66

for cooperating with any one of the paired openings

65

for changing the height of the knee pad

64

.

FIG. 5

shows one slide

66

attached to a side of the knee pad

64

and acting in cooperation with an opening

65

defined in lower support rail segment

62

. The slide

66

attached to the other side of the knee pad

64

is not shown.

FIG. 6

shows a side view of the body support

40

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 7 and 8

, a detailed view of pivot

70

is shown prior to assembly. As is shown in

FIG. 7

, pivot

70

includes complementary locking hubs

71

and

72

, which are formed in the ends of upper support rail segment

61

and lower support rail segment

62

, respectively. Hubs

71

and

72

have respective holes

73

and

74

extending therethrough for receiving a screw

75

a nut

76

respectively. Respective radially-extending teeth

77

and

78

are formed on facing surfaces of hubs

71

and

72

around the periphery of holes

73

and

74

. Teeth

77

and

78

interlock when the screw

75

and nut

76

are tightened together, thereby releasably locking the upper support rail segment

61

and lower support rail segment

62

together at a desired relative position. Screw

75

and nut

76

each include an enlarged head

79

for increasing the torque applied on the pivot

70

during assembly. The head

79

of screw

75

is shown in FIG.

6

. Lower support rail segment

51

and upper support rail segment

52

are likewise releasably locked together by a pivot

70

, which includes components identical to those shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, but is not shown.

Referring now to

FIG. 9

, a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral

80

. The body support

80

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

81

and

82

, respectively, connected to respective lower support rail segments

83

and

84

, which are attached to respective upper support rails

85

and

86

. A chest pad

87

is mounted between respective upper support rails

85

and

86

for supporting the chest of a mechanic as he leans thereon to work on the engine of a motor vehicle. The body support

80

also includes a knee pad

88

, which is attached between respective lower support rail segments

83

and

84

by a height-adjusting mechanism

90

. Each height adjusting mechanism

90

includes a vertically-oriented slot

91

which extends through lower support rail segments

83

and

84

, respectively. Each slot

91

is adapted for receiving a complementary pin

92

therethrough, which extends through the respective lower support rail segment

83

or

84

and into a complementary hole

93

(shown drawn in phantom) defined in the side of the knee pad

88

.

As is shown in

FIG. 10

, respective upper support rails

85

and

86

include respective grooves

95

and

96

(groove

96

is not shown) formed therein and extending along respective upper support rails

85

and

86

, thereby permitting a bolt tray

97

and/or a flashlight

98

attached thereto to be moved up or down along the length of upper support rails

85

and

86

, respectively.

Referring now to

FIG. 11

, a mechanic's body support according to another preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral

100

. The body support

100

includes a curved support beam

101

, which has an upper end

102

to which a chest pad

103

is attached for providing support to a mechanic's chest as he leans against the body support

100

to work on the engine of a motor vehicle, and a lower end

104

having an underside

105

. A pair of laterally-extending feet

106

are positioned on underside

105

and extend therethrough for supporting the body support

100

in an upright position. Feet

105

include ends

107

, each of which has a skid to proof handle

108

positioned thereon for preventing the support beam

101

from slipping or moving once it is positioned for use. An additional skid-proof foot

108

A is attached to the underside

105

. The body support

100

also includes a knee pad

109

positioned intermediate with the lower end

104

and knee pad

108

for supporting the knees of a mechanic kneeling thereon. A side view of the body support

100

is shown in FIG.

12

.

Referring now to

FIG. 13

, a mechanic's body support according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral

110

. Body support

110

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

111

and

112

connected respective lower support rail sections

113

and

114

. Two spaced-apart cross bars

111

A and

112

B are mounted between base rails

111

and

112

for providing supplemental reinforcement to the base support

110

. Lower support rail sections

111

and

112

are attached to respective ends

115

and

116

of an upper support rail

117

by a pivot

130

, which is discussed more fully below. Each respective lower support rail section

113

and

114

comprises respective first and second tubular rails

118

and

119

. Each respective tubular rail

118

and

119

has respective first and second ends

120

and

121

. The respective first ends

121

are connected to a respective one of the first and second base rails

111

and

112

. The respective second ends

120

of the tubular rails

118

and

119

are connected together by one of two U-shaped tubular members

122

.

As shown in

FIG. 13

, each pivot

130

includes a plate

131

which is attached to the second ends

120

of one of the tubular support rails

118

and

119

. The plate

131

includes a hole

132

therethrough (not shown), which is adapted for receiving a complementary locking pin

133

. As is shown in

FIG. 14

, respective ends

115

and

116

each include an attached bracket

134

which includes holes

135

therein positioned at spaced-apart intervals along the edge of bracket

134

. Each hole

135

is adapted for receiving the complementary locking pin

133

therethrough after the pin

133

has been inserted through the hole

132

. Positioning the pin

133

through the holes

132

and

135

in this manner permits the upper support rail

117

to be moved through an arc for adjusting the pitch of a chest pad

140

, which is positioned on upper support rail

117

, as discussed more fully below.

Upper support rail

117

preferably comprises a U-shaped tubular rail section

141

upon which the chest pad

140

is mounted for supporting the chest of a mechanic as he leans thereon to work on the engine of a motor vehicle. Chest pad

140

is preferably mounted to the U-shaped tubular rail section

141

by three brackets

142

. Each bracket

142

is attached to the inside of rail section

141

by a welded seam

144

(not shown) and is adapted for receiving a complementary screw

143

therethrough.

FIG. 14

shows the brackets

142

and complementary screws

143

drawn in phantom. Each bracket

142

is preferably formed from a 7 gauge steel.sheet

Referring again to

FIG. 13

, the body support

110

also includes a knee pad

145

, which is attached between respective lower support rail segments

113

and

114

by two height-adjusting mechanisms

150

. Each height adjusting mechanism

150

includes a rectangularly-shaped plate

151

connected between the first and second tubular rails

118

and

119

, respectively. The plate

151

includes four holes

152

therethrough which are adapted for receiving complementary pins

153

for adjusting the vertical height of the knee pad

145

. The height adjusting mechanisms

150

are for permitting pivotal movement of the knee pad

145

through an arc, and for locking the knee pad

145

in a limited number of predetermined angles relative to the lower support rail segments

113

and

114

, respectively.

Referring now to

FIG. 15

, a mechanic's body support according to the present invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral

160

. Body support

160

includes first and second horizontally-oriented base rails

161

and

162

, which are connected to respective lower support rail sections

163

and

164

. Lower support rail sections

163

and

164

are attached to respective ends

165

and

166

of an upper support rail

167

by a pivot

180

, which is discussed more fully below. Lower support rail sections

163

and

164

each comprise respective first and second tubular rails

169

and

170

. Tubular rails

169

and

170

each include respective first and second ends

171

and

172

. Base rails

161

and

162

each comprise first and second base rail segments

173

and

174

, each of which has respective ends

175

and

176

. Each first end

171

is connected to a respective one of the ends

175

and

166

by a curved tube

177

. Second ends

172

are connected together with one of two U-shaped tubular members

179

.

As shown in

FIGS. 16 and 17

, each pivot

180

includes a plate

181

which is attached to the second ends

172

of one of the respective pairs of tubular support rails

169

and

170

. The plate

181

includes a hole

182

defined therethrough, which is adapted for receiving a complementary locking pin

183

therethrough. A bracket

184

is attached to respective ends

185

and

186

. The bracket

184

includes holes

187

positioned at spaced-apart intervals along the edge of bracket

184

. Each hole

187

is adapted for receiving the complementary locking pin

183

therethrough after the pin

183

has been inserted through the first hole

182

. Positioning the pin

153

through the respective holes

182

and

187

in this manner permits the upper support rail

167

to be moved through an arc for adjusting the pitch of a chest pad

190

, which is positioned on the support rail

167

for supporting the chest of a mechanic as he leans thereon to work on the engine of a motor vehicle.

Referring now to

FIG. 17

, upper support rail

167

preferably comprises a U-shaped tubular rail section

187

. Chest pad

190

is preferably mounted to the U-shaped tubular rail section

187

by three brackets

192

, each of which is attached to the inside of rail section

187

and is adapted for receiving a complementary screw

194

therethrough (not shown).

FIG. 17

shows the brackets

192

attached to the rail section

187

. Each bracket

192

is preferably formed from a 7 gauge steel sheet. As is shown in

FIG. 18

, chest pad

190

also includes a U-shaped channel

195

adapted for receiving rail section

187

.

Referring again to

FIG. 16

, the body support

160

also includes a knee pad

200

, which is attached between lower support rail segments

163

and

164

by two height-adjusting mechanisms

205

. Each height-adjusting mechanism

205

includes a rectangularly-shaped plate

206

connected between each of the first and second tubular rails

169

and

170

, respectively. As is shown in

FIG. 20

, the plate

206

includes twelve holes

207

therethrough which are adapted for receiving complementary pins

208

. Height-adjusting mechanisms

205

are for adjusting the vertical height of the knee pad

200

, for permitting pivotal movement of the knee pad

200

through an arc, and for locking the knee pad

200

in a limited number of predetermined angles relative to the lower support rail segments

163

and

164

, respectively.

Body support

160

also includes first and second respective wheels

210

and

211

, which are attached by respective brackets

212

and

213

to respective base rails

161

and

162

. Two cross bars

214

are connected between the brackets

212

and

213

for providing reinforcement to the body support

160

.

A body support for automotive mechanics is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.