Ladder including storage compartments

• US 5,971,102 A
• Filed: 08/17/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Norma Brown
• Original Assignee: Norma Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Norma
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Hugh B.
• Application Number:
  US09/134,958
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 182/129, 182/108, 182/111, 248/210, 248/238, 206/372, 206/373, 340/323 R, 385/13
• US Class Current: 182/129
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/003 Indicating devices, e.g. user warnings or inclinators
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/081 Rungs or other treads comprising anti-slip features
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/084 Rungs comprising projecting tabs or flanges
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/14 Holders for pails or other equipment on or for ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/44 Means for mounting ladders on uneven ground

Abstract

A ladder including storage areas for allowing access to an area out of reach of a user. A tool box is removably connected at a top end of the ladder so as to be easily accesible to a user of the ladder. The ladder includes a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs extending at an adjustable angle to the first pair of legs. A plurality of steps extend between the legs of the first pair of legs and a storage compartments is positioned below each of the plurality of steps. The storage compartments are each movable between a first position completely contained beneath its respective step and a second position extending out from its respective step providing access to a storage area. Adjustable feet positioned on a base side of each leg of the ladder. The adjustable feet are both angularly adjustable and height adjustable to adapt the ladder to the terrain on which it is to sit. A pressure sensitive alarm is positioned to generate an audible alarm when a user applies pressure to the bottom step. A retaining device is also provided adjacent the work area for retaining a tool or supply necessary for the user in an easily accessible location. Alternatively, an alternate workpiece such as a paint tray may be releasably connected at the position of the toolbox.

Claims

1. A ladder including storage areas comprising:

a) a first pair of legs;

b) a second pair of legs extending at an adjustable angle to said first pair of legs;

c) a plurality of steps extending between said legs of said first pair of legs;

d) a plurality of storage compartments, each of said plurality of storage compartments positioned below a respective one of said plurality of steps and movable between a first position completely contained beneath its respective step and a second position extending out from its respective step providing access to a storage area,

e) a tool box including a tool retaining section, a top cover pivotally connected to said tool retaining section and a recess extending into a side of said tool retaining section on a base side of said toolbox providing a top step on which the user may step; and

f) means for releasably connecting said tool box in a work area of said ladder and easily accessible to a user, wherein each leg of said first and second pairs of legs include a connection nub extending therefrom, each connection nub including a recess extending therethrough and said tool box further includes at least two protrusions extending from an underside thereof, said at least two protrusions being removably received by a respective one of said recesses in said connection nub when said tool box is connected in the work area.

2. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of storage compartments include a latch for releasably locking said storage compartment in said first position.

3. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of storage compartments further include a plurality of dividers therein for providing a plurality of storage areas for separating tools and supplies.

4. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising adjustable feet connected to each leg of said first and second pair of legs.

5. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 4, wherein said adjustable feet are angularly adjustable to meet a slope of terrain on which said ladder is positioned.

6. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 5, wherein said adjustable feet are adjustable in height for matching an uneven terrain on which said ladder is positioned and providing added stability thereto.

7. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for securing said first and second pair of legs at a desired angle.

8. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for securing is removably connected to both said first and second pair of legs.

9. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor positioned within a bottom one of said plurality of steps.

10. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 9, wherein said pressure sensor generates an audible alarm signal when pressure is applied to said bottom one of said plurality of steps.

11. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining one of a tool and supply in an easily accessible position for a user connected to said ladder.

12. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining one of a tool and supply in an easily accessible position for a user connected to said ladder.

13. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 12, wherein said tool box includes a top cover pivotally connected thereto.

14. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 13, wherein said means for retaining is operable between a first position for retaining one of the tool and supply thereon and a second position defining a range of angles within which said top cover is pivotable.

15. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least two protrusions each include an enlarged head section with a beveled top side for receipt within its respective recess.

16. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, wherein said toolbox includes a base section, a top cover pivotally connected to the base section and forming a top step of said ladder, a face side and a storage compartment extending into said base section and movable between a first position completely contained within said toolbox and a second position extending out from said toolbox providing access to a storage area.

17. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 16, wherein said toolbox further includes a recess extending into a side of said storage compartment and on a side of said storage compartment opposite said top cover providing an additional step on which the user is able to climb.

18. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 17 further including a handle positioned on said top cover for removing said toolbox from a position atop the ladder and carrying said toolbox separately from said ladder.

19. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, wherein said toolbox includes:

a) a base section having a platform pivotally connected thereto for providing selective access to said base section; and

b) a cover section, said cover section including first and second side compartments, each side compartment being pivotally connected to opposing sides of said base section and including a first cover section pivotally connected thereto for providing selective access to said respective compartment, wherein said first and second side compartments are pivotable between a first position preventing access to said base section and a second position pivoted to provide access to said base section, said respective first cover sections extending parallel to said platform and providing an extended work area for the user when said first and second side compartments are in said second position.

20. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 19, wherein said first and second compartments each further include second cover sections pivotally connected to a side of said respective compartment, said second cover section pivotal in a direction opposite said first cover section and including at least one recess extending therethrough for receiving a tool therein and indicia printed thereon.

21. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 20, wherein said indicia identifies units of length.

22. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 21, wherein said second cover sections each include at least one stand pivotally connected to a side opposite said indicia for contacting said respective side compartment when said second cover section is in an open position, thereby retaining said second cover section in a position parallel to said platform providing an extended work area for the user.

23. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising a paint tray and means for releasably connecting said paint tray in a work area of said ladder and easily accessible to a user.

24. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 23, wherein said paint tray includes at least one clip positioned on an underside of said paint tray for releasably connecting said paint tray to said ladder.

25. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 24, wherein said paint tray further includes means for receiving a paintbrush positioned on a side of said paint tray and retaining the paint brush in a position readily accessible to a user.

26. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 1, further comprising a work surface and means for releasably connecting said work surface in a work area of said ladder and easily accessible to a user.

27. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 26, wherein said work surface includes at least one clip positioned on an underside of said work surface for engaging said means for releasably connecting and releasably connecting said work surface to said ladder.

28. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 27, wherein said work surface further includes at least one retaining device adapted to receive a light bulb therein and retaining the light bulb in a position readily accessible to a user.

29. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 28, wherein said work surface further includes at least one recess adapted to receive a light bulb therein and retaining the light bulb in a position readily accessible to a user.

30. The ladder including storage areas as recited in claim 28, wherein said at least one retaining device is adapted to receive a fluorescent light bulb therein.