Patent Application
20170058602
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to ladder attachment device and, more particularly, to a mountable ladder caddy having a plurality of discrete trays and/or work areas.
Description of the Prior Art
The use and design of conventional step ladders for investigating, working on, or otherwise reaching items located in an elevated position is well known. Indeed, the use of conventional step ladders is very common not just for laborers such as electricians and handymen, but also for homeowners performing tasks around their dwelling. Despite the advantages conferred by such step ladders in reaching elevated areas, a problem which still exists is there is typically very little space for a user of a step ladder to store a plurality of tools for use while on the ladder. As a result, it is common for a user to have to repeatedly climb down their ladder to retrieve tools from a tool box or other location around the base of the ladder in order to perform tasks requiring the use of more than one tool. Thus, there remains a need for a mountable ladder caddy having a multi-section storage tray positioned to be easily accessible to one at the top of the ladder. It would be helpful if such a mountable ladder caddy included a hook attachment mechanism which enabled it to be selectively secured to the top portion of a ladder. It would be additionally desirable for such a mountable ladder caddy to have an angled design operative to not obstruct ladder steps when deployed.
The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a mountable ladder caddy adapted to allow a user to take a plurality of tools to the top of a ladder so as to be readily accessible without climbing down the ladder. The primary components in Applicant's mountable ladder caddy are a caddy base and a hook attachment mechanism. When in operation, the mountable ladder caddy enables more effective and efficient work at the top of a ladder by eliminating the need for a user to repeatedly climb down a ladder to retrieve different tools for use while on the ladder. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.
A mountable ladder caddy for securing to the top of a conventional step ladder in order to provide storage space for tools and other items to be used while on the ladder. The mountable ladder caddy includes a caddy base having top shelf with an open top and a plurality of dividers which is connected to a base assembly having a support base and a lower extension and which includes a hook attachment mechanism operative to enable the mountable ladder caddy to be selectively secured to the top of the ladder. The hook attachment mechanism includes a first spring loaded hook attached to the support base and operative to swing in a first direction and a second spring loaded hook attached to the lower extension and operative to swing in a second, opposing direction relative to the first direction. The mountable ladder caddy additionally includes a leveling feet attachment which can be attached to the top shelf so as to allow the mountable ladder caddy to be stood upright when not in place on a ladder.
It is an object of this invention to provide a mountable ladder caddy having a multi-section storage tray positioned to be easily accessible to one at the top of the ladder.
It is another object of this invention to provide a mountable ladder caddy which includes a hook attachment mechanism which enables it to be selectively secured to the top portion of a ladder.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a mountable ladder caddy having an angled design operative to not obstruct ladder steps when deployed.
These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
The base assembly defines a support base 30 and a lower extension 40 and includes a hook attachment mechanism operative to enable the mountable ladder caddy 10 to be secured to the top of a conventional step ladder 11. The support base 30 includes a flat bottom 31 from which the lower extension 40 extends and to which a first hook 32 of the hook attachment mechanism is attached. The lower extension 40 includes an angled attachment surface 41 to which a second hook 42 of the hook attachment mechanism is attached. The first hook 32 and the second hook 42 each define spring loaded hooks, biased toward the respective surface to which they are attached. The first hook 32 and second hook 42 are oriented on the flat bottom 31 and attachment surface 41, respectively, such that they open and close in opposing directions, thereby configuring the hook attachment mechanism to provide securing pressure 33, 43 on a ladder 11 from opposing directions.
The top side of the support base 30 defines a planar support tray 34 which is surrounded by 1½″ side walls 35.
Referring now to
It is appreciated that due to the round shape of the attachment slot 25 and attachment rod 53, the leveling feet attachment 50 can be extended from the top shelf at an angle (other than vertically from the flat bottom of the top shelf 20) if it is desired to stand the mountable ladder caddy 10 on a surface which is not substantially flat or level (i.e. on angled or stepped).
It is contemplated that the top shelf 20 may include a plurality of attachment slots 25 in its sides so as to increase the range of angles (relative to the flat bottom of the top shelf 20) at which the leveling feet attachment 50 may be placed.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
