Patent Application
20130192924
The present disclosure relates to a support or support device. The support finds particular application and is exemplified in a preferred embodiment for use in the construction or home improvement environment, and will be described with particular reference thereto. More particularly, the support device is configured for use with a ladder and holds various items or tools on the support in a manner that is secure, stable, and convenient for the construction worker/homeowner. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.
Ladders, including extendable or extension ladders, have first and second legs disposed in parallel relation and interconnected by rungs that serve as steps. In many ladders, the legs and/or rungs are formed of a lightweight material such as reinforced fiberglass, composite materials, or aluminum although these materials of construction are not deemed to be exhaustive or limiting. It is typical, for example, for each leg of the ladder to have a profile that is generally U-shaped in cross-section. Such a U-shaped profile provides desired rigidity and strength, and with respect to extension ladders, the second ladder section slides relative to the first ladder section to provide a wide array of extended lengths of the ladder in a manner well known in the art.
The rungs of the ladder are often hollow construction and each end of a rung is received through a respective opening formed in one of the legs. In cross-section, each rung has an irregular profile, described herein as a generally oval profile that has a generally planar region along one of the elongated surfaces of the oval shape to provide a step surface. Moreover, this generally planar step surface is slightly tilted or angled from perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis defined by each leg. This step surface angle is desirable since the ladder is typically oriented at an angle from true vertical when leaning against a support structure so that a base of each leg is spaced outwardly from the structure that supports the upper ends of the legs, i.e., the ladder leans at an angle against the support structure. When leaning against the structure at a slight angle, the generally planar portion of each step surface is then oriented at a substantially horizontal position.
Ladders are used for a wide variety of purposes such as construction, odd-jobs, painting, stringing lights, roofing, etc. Again, this list is not intended to be exhaustive. These various jobs often require the construction worker or homeowner to have access to various items, tools, scrapers, paintbrushes, paint cans, etc. Further, these items must be supported in a manner that can be altered (located at various positions on the ladder), stable, generally universal (used with a variety of ladders), and convenient. It would also be preferable if the support were easily manufactured, made from a minimum number of components, capable of holding a wide variety of items, and preferably formed of a material that is electrically non-conductive, durable, waterproof, and non-corrosive.
Consequently, a need exists for a support that holds items or tools on a ladder and that satisfies at least one or more of the identified needs.
A support is adapted for mounting on an associated ladder that includes at least one rung extending between the first and second legs and the rung has a hollow end. The support has a body with a mounting member extending therefrom where the mounting member is dimensioned for receipt in the hollow end of the associated rung.
The support body has at least one of an opening for receipt of an associated tool, a platform surface having at least a partial rim for receiving an associated can body end, or an arm for receiving a handle of an associated can body or tool.
The mounting member includes radially extending arms projecting from spaced, perimeter locations for engaging an inner surface of the hollow end of the associated rung.
A recess is formed in the support and configured to engage at least a portion of a perimeter of a leg of the associated ladder.
In a preferred arrangement, the recess includes first and second facing surfaces joined by an interconnecting surface forming a U-shaped recess where the surfaces are dimensioned for abutting engagement with the leg perimeter portion of the associated ladder.
The U-shaped recess extends from the platform surface at an angle.
In one embodiment, the body is a one-piece, molded polymer construction, i.e., a static structure without any moving components.
The mounting arm is preferably a horizontal first portion dimensioned for receipt in the hollow end of the rung, and the platform surface is located below the mounting arm.
A first support arm extends from the body and is dimensioned for receiving a wire handle of an associated container such as a can of paint, and a second arm may be provided adjacent the first arm for holding an associated paint brush in suspended relation over an open end of the associated paint can.
The platform surface may include spaced, first and second shoulders dimensioned to abut perimeter locations of a container body therebetween.
A primary benefit is the provision of a support that is easy to manufacture.
Another advantage resides in the ease with which the support can be mounted to the associated ladder, including the ability to alter the mounting location of the support.
Still another benefit resides in the stability provided by locating a center of gravity of the support below its mounting location.
Yet another advantage is associated with the abutting engagement over at least a portion of one of the legs of the associated ladder.
A further advantage is found in the non-corrosive, electrically non-conductive, durable, waterproof material from which the support is constructed.
Still other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.
A support or support device 200 (illustrated in mounted relation in
A second portion 210 of the mounting arm 204 interconnects the first portion 206 with the body 202. Preferably, the second portion 210 extends at an angle such that a platform surface 220 is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane when the first portion 206 of the mounting arm is in the hollow end 108 of the rung. The platform surface 220 forms a substantial portion of the body 202 and includes a number of different mounting means, such as different shaped openings 222 at spaced locations, or shoulders 224, 226 extending outwardly from the platform surface 220. In the preferred arrangement, shoulders 224, 226 extend upwardly from the platform surface a limited dimension and are spaced apart so that inner surfaces of the shoulders are adapted to receive an end of a container or can 230 (shown in
Still other mounting means are provided on the platform surface such as spaced arm(s) 240 that are configured to support an item, for example, the wire-shaped handle of a conventional container 250 (shown here as a one gallon paint can). Still another arm(s) 260 is (are) provided and dimensioned for extending through an opening in a tool handle such as paint brush 270. One of the arms 260 is preferably located, for example, so that a brush 270 can be suspended over the open can 250 (
Another feature of the support 200 is the provision of a recess 280 formed in the body by first and second facing surfaces 282, 284 joined by interconnecting surface 286. Together, the surfaces 282, 284, 286 define the generally U-shaped recess 280 that is dimensioned and configured to wrap and abuttingly engage at least a portion of a perimeter of a leg (e.g., first leg 102 or second leg 104) of the ladder 100. More specifically, the interconnecting surface 286 preferably extends at an angle that generally matches the expected angular orientation of the ladder when the ladder is generally supported upright against a structure.
One skilled in the art will also appreciate that one or more of the above-described features may be used individually, together, or in various combinations. For example, the angled mounting arm 204 is particularly useful in assuring that the weight of items carried by the support is below the mounting location of the support to the ladder and thus resulting in a low center of gravity. Another feature relates to the recess that abuts along at least a portion of the leg perimeter of the ladder. In the embodiment shown and described herein, the generally U-shaped recess encompasses a portion of the leg and adds stability to the support when mounted to the ladder. Moreover, in conjunction with the ability to easily mount the support to a hollow end of a rung, the platform surface is situated to one side of the ladder where items can be conveniently stored/accessed by the contractor or homeowner.
Further, by manufacturing the support as a one-piece component that has no moving parts, the support 200 can be easily molded from plastic or another electrically inert or non-conductive material. Further, the molded support will not corrode, is lightweight and waterproof, can be inexpensively manufactured, and used in a wide array of different ladders. The mounting arm, and particularly the first, horizontal portion received in the open end of the rung of the ladder is adapted to a wide array of irregular conformations of the open end of the rung.
The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
