The present disclosure relates to a toolbox designed to be used in conjunction with existing extension ladders in the realm of tool use, protection, and transportation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a toolbox that can be easily attached to and detached from an existing extension ladder of the type commonly used by all sorts of workmen at any construction or other site where hand tools and extension ladders are used simultaneously with considerable frequency to accomplish a given task.
Typically, workmen use their hands, tool belts or other means to transport tools up and down a ladder so that the tools can be accessed to perform work while the workman is on a ladder. Transporting the tools by hand can be unsafe because the workman's ability to grasp the ladder with his hands can be impeded by the tools in his hands. Transporting tools up and down the ladder via a tool belt or other similar means can be fatiguing to a workman and/or dangerous.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in specific language contained herein. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
One embodiment of this invention could be a substantially rectangular toolbox, 1, as seen in
The disclosed form of the invention addresses several key issues faced by users of hand tools working on an extension ladder. Typically, workmen use their hands, tool belts or other means to transport tools up and down a ladder so that the tools can be accessed to perform work while the workman is on a ladder. Transporting the tools by hand can be unsafe because the workman's ability to grasp the ladder with his hands can be impeded by the tools in his hands, increasing the probability of a fall. Tool belts are also commonly used to transport tolls up and down ladders. Tool belts can also present a safety hazard by snagging on the ladder itself, increasing the risk of a fall. Transporting tools up and down the ladder via a tool belt or other similar means can be also be fatiguing to a workman, decreasing productivity and also increasing the probability of mistakes that could lead to a fall or other accident.
The disclosed toolbox addresses these issues by attaching the novel tool box containing tools to the ladder. The disclosed toolbox can be preloaded with the needed tools and attached to the ladder before the ladder is raised into position for the workman to access the work area. The ladder with the toolbox and enclosed tools is raised into place and the tools are awaiting the workman to make his hands-free ascent up the ladder. On multiple trips up and down the ladder, the workman is unburdened by the weight and inconvenience of a tool belt or other similar means of transporting tools up and down the ladder.
Once up the ladder at the work area, the workman needs to access his tools. An additional feature of the toolbox is the door for access to the tools. In the embodiment shown in
Another aspect of one embodiment could be a hinged half door on the top of the toolbox for access to the tools, as shown in
Another embodiment could also more firmly attach the toolbox to the ladder by using dual spring clips to clip the toolbox to the ladder, as shown in
Another embodiment of the toolbox could incorporate means for securing tools within the toolbox to inhibit tool movement within the toolbox as when the toolbox is attached to a ladder and the ladder is moved, such as when the ladder is being transported or raised into place to access a work area. In the embodiment shown in
Another embodiment of the toolbox could incorporate means for providing power to electrical tools, such as an outlet or power strip.
A further embodiment could employ two sections which both face toward the user whereby they close onto each other creating a closed and protected area.
A further embodiment could involve fixedly attaching the toolbox, once it a placed onto the ladder.
Another embodiment of the toolbox could incorporate wheels or casters, which could be attached to the ladder in which the toolbox is attached, to facilitate movement of the ladder and toolbox, so that the toolbox need not be removed from the ladder in order to move the ladder from one location to another.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Provisional Patent—61/759,562 Filed—Feb. 1, 2013 Inventor: Andrew Mikesell, Sr. The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/759,562 (filed Feb. 1, 2013) is claimed, and that provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61759562 | Feb 2013 | US |