Oval Profile Creeper Frame for Stable Caster Mounting

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing creeper frames face challenges in securely mounting caster assemblies, leading to instability and discomfort for users due to the difficulty in attaching casters to round profiles and the potential discomfort caused by square profiles.

Innovation Solution

The creeper frame features spaced side rails with a generally oval profile, including flat top and bottom surfaces connected by arcuate surfaces, allowing for easy and secure mounting of caster assemblies with shorter fasteners and providing a comfortable surface for users, while crossrails with apertures facilitate the attachment of a creeper pad.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If round profile rails are used, then user comfort is improved, but caster mounting becomes difficult and unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidcaster mounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side rails have different cross-sectional shapes at different locations: oval with flat surfaces at the top and bottom for user comfort, and square with flat surfaces at the ends for secure caster mounting. This local variation in geometry allows each section to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The side rail is segmented into different functional zones along its length, with the oval profile section providing comfort where users make contact and the square profile section providing secure mounting surfaces for casters. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If square profile rails are used, then caster mounting becomes easier and more secure, but user comfort deteriorates due to corner contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaster mounting stabilityVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side rails have different cross-sectional shapes at different locations: oval with flat surfaces at the top and bottom for user comfort, and square with flat surfaces at the ends for secure caster mounting. This local variation in geometry allows each section to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If round profile rails are used, then user comfort is improved, but manufacturing and mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidcaster mounting ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The side rails have different cross-sectional shapes at different locations: oval with flat surfaces at the top and bottom for user comfort, and square with flat surfaces at the ends for secure caster mounting. This local variation in geometry allows each section to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9969215B1Frame for a creeper

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 WHITESIDE MANUFACTURING CO

AI summary

A frame (10) for a creeper includes spaced side rails (11) having a generally flat top surface (12) and a generally flat bottom surface (13). Opposed arcuate surfaces (14) extend between the ends of the top (12) and bottom (13) surfaces to form a generally oval profile for the side rails (11). A plurality of caster assemblies (15, 16, 17) each include a generally flat mounting plate (36) which is positioned adjacent to, and attached to, the flat bottom surface (13) of the side rails (11). A plurality of crossrails (23, 24, 25, 26) extend between the side rails (11) and are adapted to receive a pad.