This invention relates generally to a removable ladder attachment for holding a container, wherein the ladder attachment is configured to fit within the hollow rung of a ladder.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises a ladder attachment with a rigid supporting arm and an associated mechanism for holding a container. The present invention also comprises a method of using the ladder attachment.
The supporting arm may be any length and width or radius suitable for use as described herein. Embodiments may comprise an elongated, rigid supporting arm that is between about 6 inches to about 6 feet in length, inclusive. In several exemplary embodiments, the supporting arm is about 15 inches to about 36 inches in length. In one embodiment, the supporting arm is about 4 feet in length.
In embodiments, the rigid supporting arm is configured to slide into a hollow rung of a ladder. When inserted into the hollow rung of a ladder, the arm rests gravitationally against the interior of the rung to support an associated container. The supporting arm may contain a coating that is designed to prevent the ladder attachment from sliding out of the ladder's hollow rung while the ladder attachment is in use. In several embodiments, the coating begins at one end of the arm and extends along a portion of the arm. The coating also may extend around the perimeter of the arm, or a portion thereof. Alternatively, the coating may extend across the entire length of the arm. The coating may be comprised of an anti-slip material. In non-limiting embodiments, the anti-slip material may be comprised of silicone, foam, plastic, or rubber.
The supporting arm may be cylindrical, rectilinear, or polygonal, or combinations there. For example, certain embodiments may comprise an arm that is triangular or square-shaped in cross-section. In other embodiments, the supporting arm is comprised of a tubular member in whole or in part.
The supporting arm comprises attachment means, such as an opening, gap, notch, or hole, at or proximate the end extending from the ladder (i.e., the end opposite the coating). The opening extends through at least a single face of the arm and is configured to allow a hook or other container-holding mechanism to pass through at least one face of the arm. In various embodiments, the supporting arm may comprise one or more additional openings, gaps, notches, or holes that are proximal to the first opening. Such proximal openings allow for the container-holding mechanism to be moved to a more medial location, if required. Embodiments with multiple openings may contain a plug or bolt that covers alternate openings when not in use. In tubular embodiments, an end cap is used to cover openings at one or both ends of the tube.
In several exemplary embodiments, the supporting arm is unitary and fixed in length. In alternative embodiments, the supporting arm may comprise multiple parts, or be adjustable in length (such as by telescoping components, or by moving a container-holding piece slidingly over the ladder insertion piece).
In various embodiments, a container-holding mechanism is attached to the elongated supporting arm of the ladder attachment. The container-holding mechanism may comprise a hook, strap, clamp, ring, clasp, buckle, chain, or any other mechanism or combination of mechanisms suitable for supporting a container by a handle of the container. In some embodiments, the container-holding mechanism comprises a hook with a spring-loaded gate, such as a carabiner.
Embodiments also comprise a method of securing a container to a ladder through the use of a ladder attachment. In embodiments, a container is secured to the ladder attachment via a hook, strap, loop, clamp, ring, clasp, buckle, chain, or other similar mechanism or combination of mechanisms suitable for supporting a container by a handle of the container. In certain embodiments, the container is secured to the ladder attachment via a hook with a spring-loaded gate, such as a carabiner. In embodiments, a supporting arm of the ladder attachment is inserted into the hollow rung of an aluminum ladder. So inserted, the arm rests gravitationally on the interior of the ladder rung such that the inserted portion of the arm becomes leveraged in and wedged within the hollow rung due to the gravitational pull exerted on the attached container. In this manner, the ladder attachment secures the container to the ladder while keeping the ladder rungs free from obstruction, allowing the user to safely climb the ladder while the ladder attachment is in use.
Embodiments allow for easy installation and removal of the ladder attachment and may be inserted into either the left or right-hand side of the ladder.
Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate manner.
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The supporting arm may be cylindrical, rectilinear, or polygonal, or combinations there. For example, certain embodiments may comprise an arm that is triangular or square-shaped in cross-section, as seen in
It should be noted that the present invention thus allows the user to select a desired length of the apparatus to be inserted, thereby allowing variable insertion lengths for the same ladder rung. More specifically, the insertion length is not fixed or determined by the diameter of the rung opening, thereby allowing the user to determine how closely the paint can or container should be positioned next to the ladder. The amount of insertion changes the distance between the respective lever arms, i.e., the distance between the first and second points of contact, and the distance between the second point of contact and the attachment hole. As can be seen in the figures, the width or diameter of the insertion end at the first point of contact also can affect the angle of the arm respective to the axis of the rung (i.e., a greater width or diameter of the insert end at the first point of contact will reduce this angle, assuming the insertion length remains constant). Further, the points of contact are limited; at no point does a continuous circumferential section of the inserted arm contact all or substantially of the corresponding section of the rung interior. That is, no portion of the inserted arm contacts all or substantially all of the inner circumference of any portion of the interior of the hollow rung into which it is inserted. In several embodiments, no portion of the arm is greater in width, diameter or circumference than the inner width, diameter or circumference of the hollow rung.
Accordingly, for removal, the user simply pulls upward on or proximate to the exterior end of the arm, thereby releasing the leverage effect holding the apparatus in place. The apparatus can then be removed from the rung without substantial pulling force, such as that needed by prior art devices to dislodge the device from the ladder. The easy insertion and removal of the present invention thus provides a safety benefit to the user, as the use of substantial lateral forces for insertion or removal can unbalance the user while on the ladder, or cause the paint can or container to fall or move excessively.
The supporting arm comprises attachment means, such as an opening, gap, notch, or hole 40, at or proximate the exterior end extending from the ladder (i.e., the end opposite the coating). The opening 40 extends through at least a single face of the arm and is configured to allow a hook or other container-holding mechanism 10 to pass through at least one face of the arm.
In various embodiments, the supporting arm may comprise one or more additional openings, gaps, notches, or holes 50 that are proximal to the first opening. Such proximal openings allow for the container-holding mechanism to be moved to a more medial location, if required. Embodiments with multiple openings may contain a plug or bolt that covers alternate openings when not in use. In several embodiments, an end cap 30 be used to cover all or part of the openings at one or both ends of the tube.
In several exemplary embodiments, the supporting arm is unitary and fixed in length. In alternative embodiments, the supporting arm may comprise multiple parts, or be adjustable in length (such as by telescoping components, or by moving a container-holding piece slidingly over the ladder insertion piece).
The present invention may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, steel, aluminum, wood, or combinations thereof. It also may be provided in a variety of colors or textures, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the supporting arm is comprised of a steel or aluminum tubular member.
In one exemplary embodiment, the arm is around 11 inches long, which allows for the apparatus and the attached paint can or container to be easily carried by a user up and down the ladder. Depending on the item being carried, the user can hold the apparatus at either end, and thus can hold the handle of a full paint can and the apparatus at the same time for added security. The arm is rigid, and thus can hold more weight securely. The apparatus of this length is sufficiently long to provide adequate leverage during use, while also being short enough to fit inside most toolboxes, boxes or bags. Further, the apparatus of this length also can be stored inside most containers while the arm remains attached to the container handle.
Embodiments also comprise a method of securing a container to a ladder through the use of a ladder attachment. In embodiments, a container is secured to the ladder attachment via a hook, strap, loop, clamp, ring, clasp, buckle, chain, or other similar mechanism or combination of mechanisms suitable for supporting a container by a handle of the container. In certain embodiments, the container is secured to the ladder attachment via a hook with a spring-loaded gate, such as a carabiner. In embodiments, a supporting arm of the ladder attachment is inserted into the hollow rung of an aluminum ladder. So inserted, the arm rests gravitationally on the interior of the ladder rung such that the inserted portion of the arm becomes wedged via leverage at two points of contact within the hollow rung due to the gravitational pull exerted on the attached container. In this manner, the ladder attachment secures the container to the ladder while keeping the ladder rungs free from obstruction, allowing the user to safely climb the ladder while the ladder attachment is in use. Embodiments allow for easy installation and removal of the ladder attachment and may be inserted into either the left or right-hand side of the ladder.
Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/897,253, filed Feb. 15, 2018, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/459,104, filed Feb. 15, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5031723 | Hooten | Jul 1991 | A |
9732558 | Ayala | Aug 2017 | B2 |
20130140423 | Taylor | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130256481 | Saucier | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20140263897 | Saucier | Sep 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62459104 | Feb 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15897253 | Feb 2018 | US |
Child | 16503536 | US |