Ladder supported holding tray which extends outwardly from a ladder

• US 6,148,958 A
• Filed: 12/17/1996
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ladder Buckets, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian E. Ahl, Frank E. Ahl
• Inventors: Ahl, Frank E., Ahl, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN SHUE, ALVIN C
• Application Number:
  US08/768,864
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 182/129, 182/122, 182/121, 248/210, 248/211, 248/238, 220/570
• US Class Current: 182/129
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/14 Holders for pails or other equipment on or for ladders

Abstract

The ladder supported holding tray assembly for releasable attachment to a ladder includes a generally horizontal container including opposing side panels, a front, a back, and a bottom. The tray assembly also includes a ladder attachment bracket including a connecting wall attaching the bracket to a side panel of the tray. Step engagement means are disposed on the bracket, wherein the step engagement means comprises an upward sloping surface to releasably engage and securely hook onto a step from underneath the step. The tray when mounted on a ladder extends laterally outwardly from the ladder so as to not interfere with the normal use of the ladder.

Claims

1. In combination, a step ladder and a tray for releasable attachment to the step ladder comprising:

a step ladder including opposing side rails, a ladder top panel disposed between the opposing side rails, and a plurality of steps disposed between the opposing side rails at positions beneath the ladder top panel;

wherein each step includes a flat top surface having a front and back edge, a front side comprising a surface attached to the flat top front edge and extending downwardly therefrom, a back side comprising a surface attached to the flat top back edge and extending downwardly therefrom, and wherein the front side and the back side each include a bottom edge; and

wherein each step includes a width defined by the distance from the front side to the back side; and

,

wherein the area between the front side and the back side of each step is disposed in front of the back side of the step;

a tray attached to a selected step of the step ladder, the tray comprising;

a tray body;

wherein the tray body extends laterally outwardly from the ladder from a position proximate to a first side rail of the ladder;

at least one step engagement means disposed on the tray body to permit secure temporary attachment of the tray to the ladder through secure temporary engagement to a single selected step of the step ladder;

wherein the step engagement means comprises a first section disposed substantially in front of the front side of the selected step;

a second section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section above the top surface of the selected step;

the second section including a distal free end;

the second section further having a length such that the second section at least partially extends above the top surface of the selected step; and

a third section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section underneath the selected step;

the third section including a distal free end;

the third section further having a length longer than the width of the selected step, such that the distal free end of the third section is disposed at a position behind the back side of the selected step;

wherein the third section further includes an upward sloping surface;

wherein the upward sloping surface begins at a location in front of the bottom edge of the back side of the selected step and wherein the upward sloping surface engages the bottom of the back side of the selected step;

wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the top of the selected step; and

, wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the distal free end of the second section; and

, wherein the upward sloping surface slopes upwardly in relation to the flat top of the selected step; and

wherein the tray body extends laterally outwardly from the ladder; and

, wherein the tray body is substantially disposed on the opposite side of the first ladder side rail than the step engagement means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the upward sloping surface is concave.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tray body includes a container.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tray body includes a platform.

5. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a ladder attachment bracket and wherein the step engagement means is disposed on the ladder attachment bracket.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the tray further includes means for attaching the ladder attachment bracket to the tray body;

wherein the means for attaching the ladder attachment bracket to the tray body extends in front of the first ladder side rail.

7. In combination, an extension ladder having multiple sections and a tray for releasable attachment to the extension ladder comprising:

an extension ladder having at least front and back sections; and

wherein at least a portion of the front and back sections are in an overlapping orientation;

each ladder section including opposing side rails and a plurality of substantially round rungs disposed between the opposing side rails;

wherein each rung includes a top for foot support, a bottom, a front and a back;

wherein the overlapping front and back sections of the ladder include a plurality of adjacent side by side pairs of front and back rungs; and

wherein each pair of adjacent side by side rungs defines a single step having a width defined by the distance from the front of the front rung to the back of the back rung;

a tray attached to the extension ladder, the tray comprising;

a tray body; and

at least one step engagement means disposed on the tray body to permit secure temporary attachment of the tray to the ladder through secure temporary engagement to a single selected step of the extension ladder;

wherein the step engagement means comprises a first section disposed substantially in front of the front rung of the selected step;

a second section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section above the selected step;

the second section including a distal free end;

the second section further having a length such that the second section at least partially extends above the front rung of the selected step; and

a third section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section underneath the selected step;

the third section including a distal free end;

the third section further having a length longer than the width of the selected step, such that the distal free end of the third section is disposed at a position behind the back rung of the selected step;

wherein the third section further includes an upward sloping surface;

wherein the upward sloping surface begins at a location in front of the back rung of the selected step, and wherein the upward sloping surface engages the bottom of the back rung of the selected step;

wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the top of the back rung of the selected step; and

, wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the distal free end of the second section; and

, wherein the upward sloping surface slopes upwardly in relation to a plane connecting the tops of the front and back rungs of the selected step; and

,

wherein the tray body extends laterally outwardly from the ladder; and

, wherein the tray body is substantially disposed on the opposite side of the first ladder side rail than the step engagement means.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the upward sloping surface is concave.

9. The combination of claim 7, wherein the tray body includes a container.

10. The combination of claim 7, wherein the tray body includes a platform.

11. The combination of claim 7, further comprising a ladder attachment bracket and wherein the step engagement means is disposed on the ladder attachment bracket.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the tray further includes means for attaching the ladder attachment bracket to the tray body;

wherein the means for attaching the ladder attachment bracket to the tray body extends in front of the first ladder side rail.