Automotive tool tray and support assembly

• US 6,708,856 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Kiyoshi Yamamoto
• Original Assignee: Paul Kiyoshi Yamamoto
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Paul Kiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US10/243,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20040050891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 224/488, 224/523, 224/544, 280/727, 296/37.1, 108/44, 248/146, 248/151, 248/163.1
• US Class Current: 224/488
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 5/00 Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F

Abstract

An automotive tool tray and support assembly that can be removably engaged with and affixed to the hood-latch mechanisms of automobiles having rear-raising engine hoods. The support assembly comprises two hollow support members, with an extendable insert movably disposed within the support member. Both support members are substantially rigidly and removably affixed to their respective hood latch mechanisms by inserting the inserts in the hood latch mechanisms. The hood latch mechanisms engage with and retain the inserts, and the support members rest on the hood latch mechanism housings. An automotive tool tray is positioned over the exposed engine compartment by affixing the tray to the top ends of the support members.

Claims

1. A device that removably engages with first and second hood latch mechanisms in first and second hood latch mechanism housings on opposite sides of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle having a rear-raising hood, said device comprising:

a first support member having a foot end, a top end, and a leg extending from said foot end, said leg adapted to be engagable with and retained by said first hood latch mechanism, and said foot end being adapted to rest on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

a second support member having a foot end, a top end, and a leg extending from said foot end, said leg adapted to be engagable with and retained by said second hood latch mechanism, and said foot end being adapted to rest on said second hood latch mechanism housing;

a tool tray adapted to be supported by said top ends of said first and second support members;

whereby said first support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said first hood latch mechanism by inserting said leg in said first hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said leg with said first hood latch mechanism, whereby said foot end of said first support member rests on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

whereby said second support member is substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said second hood latch mechanism by inserting said leg in said second hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said leg with said second hood latch mechanism, whereby said foot end of said second support member rests on said second hood latch mechanism housing; and

whereby said tool tray may be positioned over said engine compartment by affixing said tray to said top ends of said first and second support members.

5. A support assembly according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said support member further comprises at least one bend defined by a bend angle intermediate between said top ends and said bottom ends of said first and second support members.

6. A support assembly according to claim 5, wherein said bend angle of each of said bends is between zero degrees (0°

) and ten degrees (10°

).

2. A device that removably engages with first and second hood latch mechanisms in first and second hood latch mechanism housings on opposite sides of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle having a rear-raising hood, said device comprising:

a hollow first support member having an open foot end, a top end, and an extendable first insert having a latch end portion adapted to be engagable with and retained by said first hood latch mechanism, said first insert being movably disposed within said first support member, whereby said latch end portion extends through said open foot end, said foot end being adapted to rest on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

a hollow second support member having an open foot end, a top end, and an extendable second insert having a latch end portion adapted to be engagable with and retained by said second hood latch mechanism, said second insert being movably disposed within said second support member wherein said latch end portion extends through said open foot end, said foot end being adapted to rest on said second hood latch mechanism housing;

a tool tray adapted to be supported by said top ends of said first and second support members;

whereby said first support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said first hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said first insert in said first hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said first hood latch mechanism, whereby said foot end of said first support member rests on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

whereby said second support member is substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said second hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said second insert in said second hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said second hood latch mechanism, whereby said foot end of said second support member rests on said second hood latch mechanism housing; and

whereby said tool tray may be positioned over said engine compartment by affixing said tray to said top ends of said first and second support members.

3. A device for removably engaging first and second hood latch mechanisms in first and second hood latch mechanism housings on opposite sides of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle having a rear-raising hood, said device comprising:

a tool tray;

a first support member having a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end of said first support member being adapted to rest on said first hood latch mechanism housing, said first support member having a substantially central, substantially vertical bore extending through said top and bottom ends;

a second support member having a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end of said second support member being adapted to rest on said second hood latch mechanism housing, said second support member having a substantially central, substantially vertical bore extending through said top and bottom ends;

a first insert longer than said first support member having a latch end portion and a top end portion, said first insert being movably disposed within said bore wherein said latch end portion extends through said bottom end of said first support member, and said top end portion extends through said top end of said first support member, said latch end portion being adapted to be engagable with and retained by said first hood latch mechanism, and said top end portion being adapted to receive said tool tray;

a second insert longer than said second support member having a latch end portion and a top end portion, said second insert being movably disposed within said bore wherein said latch end portion extends through said bottom end of said second support member, and said top end portion extends through said top end of said second support member, said latch end portion being adapted to be engagable with and retained by said second hood latch mechanism, and said top end portion being adapted to receive said tool tray;

whereby said first support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said first hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said first insert in said first hood latch mechanism, and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said first hood latch mechanism, whereby said bottom end of said first support member rests on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

whereby said second support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said second hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said second insert in said second hood latch mechanism, and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said second hood latch mechanism, whereby said bottom end of said second support member rests on said second hood latch mechanism housing; and

whereby said tool tray may be positioned over said engine compartment by affixing said tool tray to said top ends of said first and second support members and to said top end portions of said first and second inserts.

4. A device that removably engages with first and second hood latch mechanisms in first and second hood latch mechanism housings on opposite sides of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle having a rear-raising hood, said device comprising:

a tool tray;

a hollow first support member having an open top end and an open bottom end, said bottom end of said first support member being adapted to rest on said first hood latch mechanism housing, and said top end of said first support member being adapted to support said tool tray;

a first insert having a latch end portion and a top end portion, said first insert being movably disposed within said first support member wherein said latch end portion extends from said open bottom end of said first support member, and said top end portion extends from said open top end of said first support member, said latch end portion being adapted to be engagable with and retained by said first hood latch mechanism, and said top end portion being adapted to be engagable with and removably affixed to said tool tray;

a hollow second support member having an open top end and an open bottom end, said bottom end of said second support member being adapted to rest on said second hood latch mechanism housing, and said top end of said second support member being adapted to support said tool tray;

a second insert having a latch end portion and a top end portion, said second insert being movably disposed within said second support member wherein said latch end portion extends from said open bottom end of said second support member, said top end portion extends from said open top end of said second support member, said latch end portion being adapted to be engagable with and retained by said second hood latch mechanism, and said top end portion being adapted to be engagable with and removably affixed to said tool tray;

whereby said first support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said first hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said first insert in said first hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said first hood latch mechanism, whereby said bottom end of said first support member rests on said first hood latch mechanism housing;

whereby said second support member may be substantially rigidly and removably affixed to said second hood latch mechanism by inserting said latch end portion of said second insert in said second hood latch mechanism and engaging and retaining said latch end portion with said second hood latch mechanism, whereby said bottom end of said second support member resting on said second hood latch mechanism housing; and

whereby said tool tray may be positioned over said engine compartment by engaging and removably affixing said tray to said top end portions of said first and second inserts, and resting said tool tray on said top ends of said first and second support members.