Patent Grant
7128187
The present invention relates generally to a stepladder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stepladder with a pivoting utility tray.
Stepladders are generally known in the art. Kummerlin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,564, discloses a foldable stepladder. Because of their desired portability, foldable stepladders often include handles and other features that make them easier to transport. Lucci, U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,591, discloses a portable, folding stepladder.
When working on a stepladder, it is often desirable to have tools, paint and other necessary objects within easy reach. For example, it is known to removably attach a paint roller tray to the rung of a ladder to more easily paint a ceiling or other area requiring a ladder or step stool. Golden, U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,388, discloses a paint tray particularly useful with an upright ladder.
Utility trays for use with stepladders are also known in the art. Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,885, discloses a paint tray for a stepladder for storing work materials, tools and a paint bucket that is held onto the ladder by retaining means. Melanson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,574, discloses a ladder mounted tool holster and parts tray that removably clamps onto the top step of a stepladder. Katz et. al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,260, discloses a stepladder tray pivotally attached to the top cap of a stepladder for supporting tools and the like. Christ et. al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,581, discloses a detachable ladder support tray for supporting tools and paint containers.
It is often inconvenient, however, to use a removable tool or paint tray with a stepladder. In some instances, the tray may be difficult to attach or remove from the stepladder. The removable tray and stepladder usually must be stored separately, taking up additional space. Additionally, to move a stepladder from place to place, the tray may need to be removed and carried separately because of weight or awkward transport configuration.
The present invention makes more convenient the use of tool and utility trays with stepladders by incorporating a pivoting utility tray onto the stepladder frame and a locking mechanism for enhanced stability.
The problems outlined above are addressed and overcome by the present invention. The present invention is directed to a stepladder having a first frame, a second frame, a step, a utility tray and a support arm.
The second frame is pivotally attached to the first frame. The step is operably connected to the first frame and the second frame. The step pivots with respect to at least one of the first frame and the second frame as the first frame is pivoted with respect to the second frame
The utility tray is pivotally connected to the second frame. The utility tray includes a top panel and a side panel. The top panel has a first end and a second end. The side panel extends from the top panel along a side of the top panel that extends between the first end and the second end. The side panel has a slot formed therein. The side panel has a detent formed therein. The detent is in communication with the slot.
The support arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the second frame. The second end of the support arm is slidable with respect to the slot to pivot the utility tray from a raised position to a lowered position.
The present invention is a stepladder 10 having a ladder portion 12 and a utility tray 14, as illustrated in
With the utility tray 14 in the extended position, tools and other objects placed on the utility tray 14 may be easily and conveniently reached when the stepladder 10 is in use without interfering with the ability of a person to access the ladder portion 12. Alternatively, when the utility tray 14 is pivoted to the storage position, the stepladder 10 may be placed adjacent a wall or other similar structure.
The second frame 18 has a pair of side posts 20 and an upper handle section 22 that extends between the pair of side posts 20. The upper handle section 22 extends sufficiently above steps on the ladder portion 12 so that the upper handle section 22 may by used to steady a person using the stepladder 10.
A first step 24 is operably connected to the first frame 16 and the second frame 18. The first step 24 pivots between an extended position and a retracted position as the stepladder 10 is moved from an open position, as illustrated in
Each of the steps 24, 25 has a pair of opposed side surfaces 30. Proximate a front end of the side surfaces 30, each of the steps 24, 25 is pivotally attached to the side posts 20. Proximate a back end of the side surfaces 30, each of the steps 24, 25 is interconnected with a tie bar 32. This configuration permits each of the steps 24, 25 to pivot in unison.
A support bar (not shown) is provided at an intermediate location on the first frame 16. When the stepladder 10 is in the extended position, the first step 24 rests on the support bar to thereby maintain the first step 24 in a substantially horizontal position.
A linkage bar 36 preferably extends between the first frame 16 and the tie bar 32. The linkage bar 36 is preferably attached to a lower portion of the first frame 16. The linkage bar 36 is preferably attached to an intermediate location on the tie bar 32.
The linkage bar 36 causes the first frame 16 to pivot towards the second frame 18 as the first step 24 is pivoted from a substantially horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. The linkage bar 36 is preferably pivotally attached to the tie bar 32 proximate to where the tie bar 32 attaches to the second step 25.
A lock mechanism 44 is preferably attached to the first step 24. The lock mechanism 44 is preferably an L shaped piece that is pivotally mounted to the first step 24. An end of the lock mechanism 44 engages the support bar 36 and thereby retains the stepladder 10 in the opened position.
The lock mechanism 44 increases the stability of the stepladder 10 by preventing premature folding from the opened position to the closed position. The lock mechanism 44 operates to easily lock the stepladder 10 in the opened position while providing a valuable safety feature that reduces the likelihood of injury to the stepladder user.
The utility tray 14 has a front end 50 and a rear end 52, as mostly clearly illustrated in
Each side panel 55 of the utility tray 14 preferably has a slot 56 formed therein, as most clearly illustrated in
When it is desired to move the utility tray 14 from the extended position to the storage position, the rear end 52 is raised slightly so that the support arms 54 move out of the detent 60. Thereafter, the support arms 54 slide in the slots 56 as the rear end 52 is lowered. Knobs 58 are preferably provided at upper ends of the support arms 54 to facilitate operation of the support arms 54.
A first end 61 is proximate to where the support arms 54 pivotally attach to the second frame 18. An inwardly directed extension 62 is preferably provided proximate the first end 61. The inwardly directed extension 62 is located at a second end 63 of the support arms 54. The inwardly directed extension 62 is designed to snugly sit in a recess 64 formed in a side panel 56. Seating of the inwardly directed extension 62 in the recess 64 facilitates maintaining the utility tray 14 in the storage position.
An upper surface 70 of the utility tray 14 is preferably configured to receive paint cans, tools and other items, as illustrated in
The ladder portion may be folded into a closed position for transport or storage, as illustrated in
To move the utility tray 14 from its generally horizontal extended position to its upright position, upward pressure 100 is applied to the utility tray 14 to disengage the sliding knobs 58 from the detents 60. Continuous downward pressure on the sliding knobs 58 causes them to slide within the slots 56 and lowers the utility tray 14 until securing knobs 58 are fit securely into the recesses 64.
In an alternative embodiment, extensions may be operably connected to the first frame 16 and the second frame 18.
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.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applic. No. 60/364,893, filed on Mar. 15, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 749670 | Gardner | Jan 1904 | A |
| 3625388 | Golden | Dec 1971 | A |
| 3744591 | Lucci | Jul 1973 | A |
| 4276955 | Hickman | Jul 1981 | A |
| 4502564 | Kummerlin et al. | Mar 1985 | A |
| 5052581 | Christ | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5137240 | Van Meter | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5613574 | Melanson | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5673885 | Pham | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5722507 | Kain | Mar 1998 | A |
| 6443260 | Katz | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6622340 | Rosa | Sep 2003 | B1 |
| 20020017430 | Rosko | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3320315 | Dec 1984 | DE |
| 2554501 | May 1985 | FR |
| 2175948 | Dec 1986 | GB |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040007424 A1 | Jan 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60364893 | Mar 2002 | US |
