Patent Application
20060226310
The present invention relates generally to caddies configured and arranged for use atop a pitched roof.
The prior art contains a number of examples of devices used for storage or support on sloped surfaces such as a pitched roof.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,227 to Rom teaches an apparatus for holding a paint bucket on an inclined surface. The device includes a sleeve which can be clamped around the bucket, a circular support for contacting the sloped surface, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the support.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,913,782 and 5,249,397 to Monaco et al. describe a knockdown platform. The platform has adjustable legs for creating a level surface when the platform is positioned on an inclined surface. The platform, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,782, also could have a tray with a variety of indentations for containment of objects.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,306 to Binford et al. reveals an inclined surface support. The support consists of vertical and horizontal surfaces secured at right angles to one another. A mechanism secured by bolts permits the adjustment of the height of the horizontal surface in relation to the vertical surface. A paint bucket could be inserted in an opening in the horizontal surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,906 to Fatool et al. describes a paint can holder for supporting a paint can on a sloped surface. The device consists of two u-shaped members attached at a pivot point to each other near the ends of the u-shaped members. The angle of the u-shaped members could be adjusted. Spiked protrusions could hold the device on a sloped surface such as a roof.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,423,726 to Mohr et al. teaches a cylindrical paint bucket holder with legs two of which are adjustable. Adjustment screws could hold the adjustable legs in the desired position.
These devices, however, have certain shortcomings. The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings in the prior art.
The invention is a method of supporting tools and supplies atop a sloped roof. The method includes an initial step of obtaining a caddy with (i) a shelf having a laterally extending proximal edge and a distal edge, (ii) a base having a laterally extending proximal edge and a distal edge, (iii) a hinge pivotable about a laterally extending axis connecting the shelf and the base proximate the proximal edge of the shelf and proximate the proximal edge of the base, and (iv) a support member for supporting the shelf at a selected and adjustable acute angle relative to the base. After obtaining the caddy the method includes the steps of (a) placing the base into supportive contact with a sloped roof, (b) pivoting the shelf relative to the base about the laterally extending axis until the shelf is substantially horizontal, (c) supporting the shelf at the substantially horizontal position with the support member, and (d) placing a plurality of individual tools or supplies upon the substantially horizontal shelf.
This invention encompasses embodiments with one or more of the following objects or advantages. Some of the advantages and objects of this invention are set forth below.
An adjustable caddy to create a level surface for storage on sloped surfaces such as a pitched roof.
An adjustable caddy that is safe and convenient for the user to use, economical to manufacture, and convenient for shipping and storage.
An adjustable caddy that could provide a level shelf for storage of various items including paint buckets and tools on sloped surfaces such as pitched roofs.
An adjustable caddy that could have a gripping surface for contacting the surface of the roof or other sloped surface in order to prevent slippage of the device off the sloped surface.
An adjustable caddy with a gripping surface that would not damage the sloped surface such as shingles or other roofing material on a pitched roof.
An adjustable caddy that could have an adjustment mechanism that could allow the shelf to be made level on surfaces with different slopes.
An adjustable caddy that could have an adjustment indicator showing the slope for which the various adjustments could be used.
An adjustable caddy that could be made to collapse to a compact state when not in use.
An adjustable caddy that could be made from a unitary piece of material to create any shelf surfaces, support elements, and hinges or other features used in creation of the caddy.
An adjustable caddy comprising a base for resting on a sloped surface and a shelf which on its proximate end is connected to the base by a hinge, and which on its distal end can be fixed by an adjustment mechanism at different angles in relation to the base and the sloped surface.
Devices contemplated by this invention could be suitable for many purposes. The devices contemplated by this invention eliminate most of the disadvantages identified in the prior art.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment, object, advantage, or use of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
Nomenclature
The shelf 102 could provide a surface on which objects could rest.
The adjustment mechanism 109 could consist of a series of holes 110 in the support members 104 and 105, and a spring-activated pin 111 attached to the shelf 102. By squeezing the U-shaped handle 112 on the pin 111, the ends (unnumbered) of the pin 111 can be pulled inward 113 such that the ends of the pin 111 no longer reach the holes 110 in the support members 104 and 105 and the shelf 102 may be repositioned relative to the base 103. By releasing the handle 112, the ends of the pin 111 will expand outward and may be reintroduction into a pair of aligned holes 110 in each of the support members 104 and 105.
The base 103 could have a gripping material (unnumbered) on its bottom surface 107 as shown in
The adjustable caddy 101 could be made of different materials or combinations of materials, including metals, plastics, foams, cellulose-based materials, ceramics, non-natural fiber-based materials, etc. Generally, the structure of the adjustable caddy 101 should preferably be sufficiently stiff to prevent sagging or unintentional collapse.
The gripping material on the bottom surface 107 of the base 103 could also be made of different materials. A foam or rubber material may be suitable for most applications. However, other materials that could create a non-slip surface such as sand or sand-like materials could also be suitable. Alternatively, a gripping surface could be created on the base 103 by, for example, roughening the surface, molding treads, or otherwise creating a surface that would not slide easily on a sloped surface.
The shelf 202, the base 203, and the support members 204 and 205 could be positioned for use as shown in
The rigidity of the hinges 208a, 208b and 208c could be selected based upon the intended application. For example, it may be desirable to have the first hinge 208a between the shelf 202 and the base 203 to move freely. However, it may be desirable to have the second and third hinges 208b and 208c move less freely in such a way as to cause the support members 204 and 205 to be biased in an inward direction 213. This inwardly directed force may be desirable to hold tabs 216a and 216b in the holes 210 and prevent unintended collapse of the caddy 201.
The caddy 201 could be folded into the storage position shown in
An advantage of a caddy 201 according to the second embodiment could be economy of manufacture. The device could be made by die-cutting or molding a piece of plastic. The hinges 208a, 208b and 208c could be formed by a secondary folding operation or in a molding process.
A first hinge 308a could connect the shelf 302 and the base 303. The second hinge 308b could connect the support member 304 and the base 303. The hinges 308a and 308b could be created by creasing the material either in a molding process or in a secondary folding operation. Thus, the shelf 302 and the base 303 could move in relation to one another along a first axis (unnumbered) created by the first hinge 308a. The support member 304 could move in relation to the base 303 along a second axes (unnumbered) created by the second hinge 308b.
Similar to the adjustable caddy 201 of the second embodiment, the caddy 301 shown in
The shelf 302 could have a tab 316. The adjustment mechanism 309 could consist of a tab 316 for insertion into one of several slots 310 on the support member 304 to support the shelf 302 at the desired angle. The tab 316 could be hooked to prevent the unintended collapse of the shelf 302.
The shelf 402, the base 403 and the support member 404 could be connected by a flexible tape to form the hinges 408a and 408b. The tape could have adhesive to fasten securely. The tape could be sufficiently flexible to allow the hinges 408a and 408b to flex to the desired extent.
An advantage of the adjustable caddy 401 shown in
Modifications
The invention described in this specification encompasses numerous modifications including caddies of different sizes, shapes, and materials, and caddies configured and arranged in different ways than discussed above.
Many factors may influence the size and shape of the caddy and its features. For some applications it may be desirable to have a caddy of different sizes and shapes than described above. Such changes would be within the scope of the invention.
The caddies 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 and 601 discussed above could be made of many different materials. For example, the caddy could be made of various materials including plastic, metal, cellulose based materials, glass or ceramic, non-natural fiber or combinations of these materials. The caddy could be created using many techniques such as molding, forming, or cutting. Such changes would be within the scope of the invention.
Finally, the various aspects of the caddy described above could be combined in different ways than described above. Such changes would be within the scope of the invention.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the claims arising from this application. For example, while suitable sizes, materials, packaging and the like have been disclosed in the above discussion, it should be appreciated that these are provided by way of example and not of limitation as a number of other sizes, materials, fasteners, and so forth may be used without departing from the invention. Various modifications as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specifications. The claims which arise from this application are intended to cover such modifications and structures.
This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/091,211, filed Mar. 28, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/556,951 filed Mar. 29, 2004.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60556951 | Mar 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11091211 | Mar 2005 | US |
| Child | 11435960 | May 2006 | US |
