LADDER TOP FOR SUPPORTING A LADDER AGAINST FLAT AND NON-FLAT SURFACES

Abstract

A ladder top has a top panel and a front side in which the front side has a generally V-shaped indentation formed therein. The front side extends downwardly from one side of the top panel. The ladder top has a back side extending downwardly from an opposite side of the top panel. The top panel has at least one recessed pan and a plurality of holes formed thereon. The front side has a plurality of ribs extending thereacross in spaced parallel relation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a top view of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front side of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing the back side of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention mounted to the side rails of a ladder.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the underside of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention mounted to the rails of a ladder and resting on a corner.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention mounted to the rails of a ladder and resting on a pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows top view of the ladder top contemplated by the present invention. The ladder top has a top panel 10 that has a combination of holes, slots, and recessed areas that enable the ladder top to hold tools and accessories. The top panel 10 is divided into three sections: a first recessed pan 12a, a second recessed pan 12b, and a third recessed pan 12c. The first recessed pan 12a of the top panel 10 has a rim 11 extending therearound and a slot 13 for holding tools and accessories. The first recessed pan 12 has a plurality of holds. Two smaller holes 14a and two larger holes 14b are aligned in series along the rim 11 of the first recessed pan 12a near the edge of the top panel 10. A large hole 14c with a raised lip 14e is positioned inwardly from the two smaller holes 14a and two larger holes 14b. A small hole 14d is positioned in the corner of the first recessed pan 12a near the second recessed pan 12b. The second recessed pan 12b of the top panel 10 is formed adjacent to the first recessed pan 12a and is positioned centrally of the top panel 10. The second recessed pan 12b also has a rim 11 extending therearound. A V-shaped indentation 18 extends into this second recessed pan 12b from the front side 16 of the ladder top. Two small holes 14d are positioned in the corners of the second recessed pan 12b opposing the V-shaped indentation 18 from the front side 16. The third recessed pan 12c is formed adjacent the second recessed pan 12b on a side of the top panel 10 opposite the first recessed pan 12a. The third recessed pan 12c has a rim 11 extending therearound and a slot 15 generally adjacent to the front side wall 16 for holding tools and accessories.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ladder top of the present invention has a front side 16 having a first portion 24 and a second portion 25 extending in generally coplanar relation on respective opposite sides of the V-shaped indentation 18. The front side 16 has ribs 21 extending transversely thereto in generally parallel spaced relation to each other. A first side wall 20 extends perpendicular between the front side 16 and the back 22 of the ladder top. First side wall 20 has a portion 23 near the back 22 that extends downwardly further than the rest of the first side wall 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ladder top of the present invention has a back side 30 and a second side wall 32. The back side 30 extends downwardly from the top panel 10 for a distance greater than the distance that the front side 16 extends downwardly from the top panel 10. The back side 30 has a space 31 suitable for display of indicia thereon such as advertising, marketing, and safety information. The second side wall 32 extends perpendicular between the front side 16 and the back side 30 of the ladder top. The second side wall 32 has a portion 33 adjacent the back side 30 that extends downwardly further than the rest of the second side wall 32. The back side 30 also tapers outwardly at an angle greater than ninety degrees with respect to the top panel 10.

FIG. 4 shows the ladder top of the present invention mounted to the upper end of a first side rail 40 and to the upper end of a second side rail 41 of a ladder. The ladder has rungs 42 extending between the first side rail 40 and second side rail 41.

FIG. 5 shows the underside 52 of the ladder top of the present invention. Interior portions 50 near the side walls 20 and 32 of the ladder top are suitable for receiving the upper ends of the side rails 40 and 41 of the ladder therein. A plurality of criss-crossing ribs 51 are formed on the underside 52 so as to enhance the structural integrity of the ladder top.

FIG. 6 shows the ladder top of the present invention mounted to the side rails 40 and 41 of a ladder. The ladder top is resting against a corner 60 of a building. In particular it can be seen that the V-shaped indentation of the top panel receives the corner 60. The ribs 21 on the front side 16 create a gripping force against this corner 60 in order to enhance the capacity of the ladder top to retain itself against the corner 60. Because the ladder top is flexible, the front side will tend to “mold” itself around the corner 60 so as to enhance the security and safety of the ladder when it is in such a position.

FIG. 7 shows the ladder top of the present invention mounted to the side rails 40 and 41 of a ladder. The ladder top is resting against a round pole 70. In particular it can be seen that the V-shaped indentation of the top panel receives the pole 70. The ribs 21 on the front side 16 create a gripping force against this pole 70 in order to enhance the capacity of the ladder top to retain itself against the pole 70. Because the ladder top is flexible, the front side will tend to “mold” itself around the pole 70 so as to enhance the security and safety of the ladder when it is in such a position.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A ladder top comprising: a top panel; anda front side extending downwardly from one side of said top panel, said front side having a generally V-shaped indentation formed therein.

2. The ladder top of claim 1, further comprising: a back side extending downwardly from an opposite side of said top panel.

3. The ladder top of claim 2, said back side extending angularly outwardly of said top panel, said back side extending downwardly from said top panel for a distance greater than a distance that said front side extends downwardly from said top panel.

4. The ladder top of claim 3, said back side having indicia formed on a surface thereof opposite said front side.

5. The ladder top of claim 1, said top panel having at least one recessed pan formed therein.

6. The ladder top of claim 2, said top panel having a plurality of holes formed therethrough.

7. The ladder top of claim 1, said plurality of holes comprising: an aligned series of multi-sized holes extending between said front side of said back side, said aligned series of multi-sized holes formed adjacent one end of said top panel.

8. The ladder top of claim 7, said plurality of holes further comprising: a large diameter hole formed in said top panel inwardly from said aligned series of multi-sized holes, said large diameter hole having a rim extending therearound.

9. The ladder top of claim 7, said plurality of holes further comprising: an elongated slot formed in said top panel adjacent said front side.

10. The ladder top of claim 5, said at least one recessed pan comprising: a first pan;a second pan; anda third pan, said second pan positioned between said first and third pans, said V-shaped indentation extending into said second pan.

11. The ladder top of claim 1, said front side having a first portion and a second portion in generally coplanar relationship, said V-shaped indentation positioned between said first portion and said second portion.

12. The ladder top of claim 11, said V-shaped indentation having a first generally arcuate section extending to said first portion and a second generally arcuate section extending to said second portion.

13. The ladder top of claim 1, said first side having a plurality of ribs extending transversely thereacross in generally spaced parallel relationships.

14. The ladder top of claim 1, said top panel having a plurality of criss-crossed ribs extending along an underside of said top panel.

15. A ladder comprising: a first side rail;a second side rail extending in spaced relation to said first side rail;a plurality of rungs extending in spaced relation to each other and extending between said first and second side rails; anda ladder top affixed over an upper end of said first and second side rails, said ladder top having a top panel and a front side, said front side having a generally V-shaped indentation formed therein.

16. The ladder of claim 15, said ladder top having a back side extending downwardly from an upper side of said top panel from said front side, said back side overlying an upper portion of each of said first and second side rails.

17. The ladder of claim 15, said top panel having a plurality of holes formed therethrough.

18. The ladder of claim 15, said top panel having at least one recessed pan formed therein.

19. The ladder of claim 15, said front side having a first portion and a second portion in generally coplanar relationship, said V-shaped indentation positioned between said first portion and said second portion.

20. The ladder of claim 15, said first side having a plurality of ribs extending transversely thereacross in generally spaced parallel relationships.