Mechanic's tool trays and support assembly

A tool tray support assembly for fitting between opposed edge surfaces of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle comprising:

• at least one extensible lateral support member, comprising spaced parallel rails and an end section connecting distal ends of said parallel rails;
• a center member comprising a set of spaced bearing members for receiving proximal ends of said spaced parallel rails, such that said at least one lateral support member is slidably received within said set of spaced bearing members;
• first and second end supports, for mating with the opposed edge surfaces of said engine compartment, one of said end supports being attachable to said end section of said lateral support member, comprises a foot member for engaging one of said opposed edge surfaces, a mounting means for engaging said lateral support member, and a vertical spacing member extending between said foot member and said mounting means;
• and the other of said end support members being attachable to an opposite lateral end of said tool tray support assembly;
• said mounting means comprising lockable pivot means whereby said lateral support member is permitted to be pivoted with respect to said vertical spacing member through a range of angles about a generally horizontal axis, and wherein said lateral support member may be secured to said vertical spacing member at any desired angle of said range of angles, whereby said tool tray support assembly may be secured in a desired horizontal position while said assembly is fitted between opposed edge surfaces that may be disposed at an angle to the horizontal;
• said lockable pivot means comprising a locking member having a first radially keyed surface, means for selectively urging said first radially keyed surface axially into non-rotating engagement with a corresponding second radially keyed surface fixed with respect to said vertical spacing member, and means for preventing rotation of said lateral support member with respect to said locking member about said generally horizontal axis;
• and
• at least one tool tray adapted to be supported on said spaced parallel rails of said at least one lateral support member, between said end section thereof and said center member.

A tool tray support assembly for fitting between opposed edge surfaces of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle comprising:

• at least one extensible lateral support member, comprising spaced parallel rails and an end section connecting distal ends of said parallel rails;
• a center member comprising a set of spaced bearing members for receiving proximal ends of said spaced parallel rails, such that said at least one lateral support member is slidably received within said set of spaced bearing members;
• first and second end supports, for mating with the opposed edge surfaces of said engine compartment, one of said end supports being attachable to said end section of said lateral support member, and the other of said end support members being attachable to an opposite lateral end of said tool tray support assembly;
• at least one tool tray adapted to be supported on said spaced parallel rails of said at least one lateral support member, between said end section thereof and said center member;
• and;
• wherein each of said one or more tool trays comprises laterally spaced generally T-shaped end members including lower central wall portions and opposed upper projections, a central floor section joining the lower extremities of said T-shaped end members, and spaced opposed lateral wall sections, whereby each tray includes a relatively deep center section for fitting between said parallel rails of said at least one lateral support member, and whereby said tool trays may be supported upon said parallel rails by said opposed upper projections resting thereon.

A tool tray assembly for being supported at opposite lateral ends on opposed edges of a vehicle engine compartment, comprising:

• two lateral support members, each comprising two spaced parallel elongated rails joined at their distal ends by end sections;
• a central member comprising a work shelf and spaced bearing channels for slidably receiving proximal ends of said parallel rails of said support members;
• two end support means each comprising a foot member for engaging one of said edges and a vertical spacing section lockably pivotally joined to the corresponding one of said lateral support members at the end sections thereof;
• one or more tool trays each comprising a central relatively deep section for fitting between said rails of said lateral support members and overhanging portions on either side of said center section for supporting said trays on said rails;
• and
• wherein said lateral support members are substantially identical, said end support means are substantially identical, and said central member comprises two pairs of said spaced bearing channels for slidably receiving said parallel rails of said lateral support members.

A tool tray assembly for being supported at opposite lateral ends on opposed edges of a vehicle engine compartment, comprising:

• two lateral support members, each comprising two spaced parallel elongated rails joined at their distal ends by end sections;
• a central member comprising a work shelf and spaced bearing channels for slidably receiving proximal ends of said parallel rails of said support members;
• two end support means each comprising a foot member for engaging one of said edges and a vertical spacing section lockably pivotally joined to the corresponding one of said lateral support members at the end sections thereof;
• one or more tool trays each comprising a central relatively deep section for fitting between said rails of said lateral support members and overhanging portions on either side of said center section for supporting said trays on said rails;
• and
• further comprising two additional end support members for supporting the assembly of said lateral support members and said central member beneath an automotive service lift.