Ladder accessories

• US 5,031,723 A
• Filed: 06/20/1989
• Issued: 07/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jack D. Hooten
• Original Assignee: Jack D. Hooten
• Inventors: Hooten, Jack D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chotkowski, Karen J.
• Application Number:
  US07/368,820
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 182/102, 182/129, 182/92, 182/116, 182/120, 248/210, 248/211, 248/236, 248/238, 248/200.1, 248/225.31, 248/219.1
• US Class Current: 182/129
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/38 Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/14 Holders for pails or other equipment on or for ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/165 specially adapted to be fixed to only one rung

Abstract

This invention relates to devices which adapt to and attach to ladders and step ladders to enhance the balance and stability of the user and to provide support for equipment, tools and supplies. Supporting means comprising a wide foot plate and supporting means comprising a rigid shaft utensil support constitute the basic elements of the invention. The foot plate support enhances the stability, balance and comfort of the user thereby permitting the user to work for longer periods of time and freeing the users'"'"' hands.

The rigid shaft utensil support is inserted through the rung of a ladder to support tools, equipment, supplies, etc., which may be placed thereon or suspended therefrom.

Claims

1. An accessory for use on ladders having spaced uprights with outer and inner edge surfaces and cross rungs therebetween which comprises:

(a) a support means to rest on a portion of a selected horizontal rung to receive support from said rung,

(b) first means to provide a clamp for said support means including a first clamp plate on said support means to overlie an edge surface of each said upright,

(c) vertically spaced adjustable screws on said plate to contact an outer surface of an edge of an upright to adjust the horizontal orientation of said support means with respect to the angle of inclination of said ladder,

(d) each said support means including a reaction means to bear on a portion of said ladder to provide a clamping resistance to the tightening of said adjustment screws, and

(e) rungs which are hollow and open at each end, and said support means comprising a rigid shaft passing through a selected rung and extending to beyond at least one side of said upright to support utensils, and said reaction means comprising the interior of said selected rung.

2. An accessory as defined in claim 1 in which a paint roller tray is mounted on said shaft to be disposed horizontally in relation to the angle of inclination of said ladder.

3. An accessory for use on a metal ladder having flanged uprights and hollow rungs mounted between said uprights open at each end which comprises:

(a) a stable, relatively wide, foot plate to mount on a rung between uprights,

(b) spaced relatively vertical clamp plates separate from one another and secured at each end of said foot plate, one to contact the rear side of an upright and one to overlie the front face of an upright,

(c) vertically spaced screw means on one of said clamp plates to clamp the upright at various angles to level said foot plate with respect to the angle of inclination of a ladder, and an accessory support for tools and buckets disposed on said ladder comprising;

(d) a rigid shaft passing through and supported in said rung which is hollow,

(e) means on an extending end of said shaft for supporting tools, paint brushes, paint buckets and the like,

(f) a bracket supported plate on said extending end of said shaft having a portion overlying a face of an upright, and

(g) vertically spaced screws on said bracket plate to contact an upright and adjust the orientation of a ladder.