Patent Application
20060070806
The present invention relates generally to ladders. More particularly, the present invention relates to ladders with storage compartments.
Ladders are used in a variety of applications to assist with accessing objects that are located beyond the reach of a person. Ladders are available in a variety of configurations and sizes so that a ladder may be selected that is most appropriate for a particular task.
For example, extension ladders generally include two ladder sections that are slidably mounted with respect to each other. Step ladders generally include two ladder sections that are pivotally mounted with respect to each other.
In many applications it is necessary to hold objects while standing on the ladder. These objects are carried by the person using the ladder either in the person's hands or on in a tool pouch or similar device worn on the person's body. Carrying the items in the user's hands reduces the ability of the user to perform tasks on the ladder and potentially impacts the user's ability to safely use the ladder.
There are various patents that address the issue of assisting person to hold objects while using ladders. Charlebois, U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,577, describes a storage device for attachment to a ladder. The storage device includes a toolbox and a cover that is pivotally attached to the toolbox. The cover hooks over the top of the ladder.
Caron, U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,862, discusses a modular storage device for use with a ladder. The modular storage device includes a central region that extends over the ladder top. Slots are formed along the sides of the central region for attaching additional storage modules to the central region.
Katz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,260, and Katz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,443, both disclose a tray that is attached to the top of a ladder. The tray includes a lower section and an upper section that are pivotally attached to each other. The lower section is placed on the ladder top. The upper section pivots away from the lower section to provide a horizontal surface on which objects can be stored.
Ryszkiewicz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,509, describes a caddy for use with a ladder. The caddy includes a center section that is placed over the ladder top. Containers for holding objects are mounted on opposite sides of the center section.
Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,102, teaches a ladder having storage compartments in the top and steps. The storage compartment in the top includes a lid that pivots to an open position for storing objects.
Ferley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,302, describes a toolbox that is suited for attachment to the top of a ladder. A lower surface of the toolbox includes a recess that is adapted to receive the top of the ladder. The top of the toolbox includes a cover to retain objects in the toolbox.
McGee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,854, and Carty, U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,881, both disclose flexible tool pouches that are designed to be placed over the top of a ladder.
Schopp et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,134, teaches a utility box that is attachable to the top of a ladder. A pair of resilient clips extends from the bottom of the toolbox for attaching the utility box to the ladder top.
A ladder having a first ladder section, a second ladder section and a storage compartment. The second ladder section is operably attached to the first ladder section. The storage compartment is attached to at least one of the first ladder section and the second ladder section.
The storage compartment comprises a storage section having a partially enclosed region formed therein. The storage compartment further comprises a closure section that is operably connected to the storage section. The closure section is movable between a closed position where the closure section substantially encloses the partially enclosed region and an open position where the closure section has a support surface that is capable of supporting at least one object.
The present invention is a ladder with storage compartment, as illustrated at 10 in
The ladder with storage compartment 10 enables objects such as screwdrivers and screws that are used in conjunction with the ladder 12 to be readily stored and accessed in the storage compartment 14. The ladder with storage compartment 10 thereby eliminates the need for the person using the ladder 12 to hold these objects in his/her hands or on tool belts or similar objects that are worn by the user. The storage compartment 14 also acts as a handle that a person may use while either walking up the ladder 12 or standing on the ladder 12.
The ladder 12 preferably includes two ladder sections 20, 22 that are pivotally attached to each other to move between a use position where the ladder sections 20, 22 are pivoted apart from each other and a storage position where the ladder sections 20, 22 are pivoted towards each other.
While the concepts of the present invention are described with respect to using the storage compartment 14 with the stepladder 12, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the concepts of the present invention are suitable for use with a variety of types of ladders.
The ladder 12 includes at least one step 24 that is operably attached to at least one of the ladder sections 20, 22. As the ladder sections 20, 22 are pivoted between the use position and the storage position, the at least one step 24 may pivot with respect to at least one of the ladder sections 20, 22 to reduce an overall thickness of the ladder 12. The ladder 12 can include two steps 24 that are operably attached to each other to pivot in unison with respect to at least one of the ladder sections 20, 22.
The front ladder section 20 is preferably defined by a pair of side rails 30. The storage compartment 14 is attached to upper ends of the side rails 30 so that the storage compartment 14 extends between the side rails 30.
The storage compartment 14 generally includes a storage section 40 to which a closure section 42 is pivotally attached. The storage section 40 has a front panel 44, a bottom panel 46, a back panel 48 and a pair of side panels 50 that define a partially enclosed region 52, as illustrated in
The front panel 44 preferably includes at least one closure mechanism 54 such as a resilient tab that is capable of engaging the closure section 42 to maintain the closure section 42 in a closed configuration with respect to the storage section 40.
The closure section 42 preferably includes a two-part configuration with a first closure portion 60 and a second closure portion 62, as illustrated in
The first closure portion 60 preferably has a length and a width that are similar to a length and width of the back panel 48. While the first closure portion 60 may be formed from a single piece, the first closure portion 60 is preferably fabricated from an inner panel 70 and an outer panel 72, as illustrated in
The second closure portion 62 preferably has a length and a width that are similar to a length and a width of an upper opening of the partially enclosed region 52. While the second closure portion 62 may be formed from a single piece, the second closure portion 62 is preferably fabricated from an inner panel 74 and an outer panel 76, as illustrated in
The closure section 42 is preferably pivotally attached to the ladder section 20 using a pair of fastening mechanisms 43. Each of the fastening mechanisms preferably extends through the closure section 42 into the main section 40 and then through the side rail 30.
The closure section 42 is pivotable between a closed configuration (
When the closure section 42 is in the extended configuration, the second closure portion 62 is pivoted to a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the first closure portion 60 and the bottom panel 46 such that the closure section 42 provides a substantially flat surface on which objects such as screwdrivers and pain cans may be placed.
The inner surfaces of at least one of the first closure portion 60 and the second closure portion 62 preferably include at least one recess 80 to maintain objects in a desired position with respect to the closure section 42. The inner surfaces of the first closure portion 60 and the second closure portion 62 may also include at least one extension and at least one aperture for maintaining objects in a stationary position with respect to the closure section 42.
The components of the ladder 12 and the storage compartment 14 are preferably either fabricated from metallic materials or plastic materials to provide the ladder 12 with a relatively light weight yet durable construction.
In operation, the ladder 12 is moved a desired use location with the first and second ladder sections 20, 22 in a closed position where they are substantially adjacent to each other. The first and second ladder sections 20, 22 are then pivoted apart from each other and the ladder 12 is placed in a standing orientation on a surface where the ladder 12 is to be used.
The storage compartment 14 is initially in a closed position where the first closure portion 60 is adjacent the back panel 48 and the second closure portion 62 substantially covers the partially enclosed region 52.
When it is desired to access objects stored in the storage compartment 14 or when it is desired to rest on the storage compartment 14, the second closure section 62 is pivoted with respect to the first closure portion 60 and the first closure portion 60 is pivoted with respect to the storage section 40 until the first and second closure portion 60, 62 are in a substantially horizontal orientation.
Once done using the ladder 12, objects may be placed in the partially enclosed region 52 for storage. The first and second closure portions 60, 62 are then pivoted to the closed position and the first and second ladder sections 20, 22 are pivoted towards each other.
In an alternative configuration of the storage compartment 114, as illustrated in
In another configuration of the storage compartment 214, as illustrated in
In still another configuration of the storage compartment 314, as illustrated in
In yet another configuration of the storage compartment 414, as illustrated in
It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
