Shelf apparatus for use with a ladder and scaffold

• US 8,925,685 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Dufour
• Original Assignee: Donald Dufour
• Inventors: Dufour, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US13/768,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20130220951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 211/86.01, 211/13.1, 211/70.6, 211/126.1, 211/90.01, 211/90.02, 211/187, 211/134, 211/135, 211/150, 248/210, 248/211, 248/238, 108/42, 108/152, 108/25, 108/26, 108/149, 182/129, 182/121, 182/115, 182/107, 294/28, D25/68
• US Class Current: 182/129
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 5/003 Devices for storing material on the scaffold
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/14 Holders for pails or other equipment on or for ladders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A shelf apparatus for use with a ladder or scaffold structure is provided. The shelf apparatus includes a substantially planar shelf structure having a plurality of holes positioned on a first side, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is formed about a first axis positioned substantially perpendicular to the shelf structure. A cross-member engagement support is positioned on a second side of the shelf structure, the second side of the shelf structure opposite the first side, wherein the cross-member engagement support is formed about a second axis running from a first edge to a second edge of the shelf structure, and wherein the second axis intersects the first axis. A ladder-attachment structure is affixed to the shelf structure.

Claims

1. A shelf apparatus comprising:

a substantially planar shelf structure having a plurality of holes positioned on a first side, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is formed about a first axis positioned substantially perpendicular to the shelf structure;

a cross-member engagement support positioned on a second side of the shelf structure, the second side of the shelf structure opposite the first side, wherein the cross-member engagement support is formed about a second axis running from a first edge to a second edge of the shelf structure, wherein the second axis intersects the first axis and the second axis is oriented substantially parallel to a plane defined by a plurality of rungs on a ladder when the shelf structure is mounted on the ladder; and

an attachment structure affixed to the shelf structure for removably mounting said shelf structure on said ladder.

2. The shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachment structure is configured for use with at least one of a ladder or a scaffold system, and said attachment structure is aligned along a third axis substantially parallel to said second axis.

3. The shelf apparatus of claim 2, wherein said attachment structure is adapted to engage the top platform that hinges the apex of a triangulated free-standing ladder.

4. The shelf apparatus of claim 3, wherein said attachment structure is configured to allow the first side of the shelf structure to be substantially level with the ground, when said apparatus is affixed to said ladder.

5. The shelf apparatus of claim 4, wherein said attachment structure includes a plurality of fastening structures, including at least a hole or aperture in which a fastener can be inserted.

6. The shelf apparatus of claim 3, wherein said attachment structure includes a moveably mountable clip adapted to attach said shelf apparatus to said top platform on said ladder.

7. The shelf apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a second attachment structure positioned on said first side, said second attachment structure being positioned opposite said second side and aligned along a fourth axis substantially parallel to said second axis;

wherein said second attachment structure is adapted to engage against legs of said ladder to hold said apparatus in place on said ladder.

8. The shelf apparatus of claim 7, wherein said second attachment structure is connected to said shelf structure at an angle.

9. The shelf apparatus of claim 8, wherein said angle of the attachment structure is configured to be an angle to allow the first side of the shelf structure to be substantially level with the ground, when said apparatus is affixed to said ladder.

10. The shelf apparatus of claim 9, wherein said second attachment structure includes a plurality of fastening structures, including at least one of a hole or aperture in which a fastener can be inserted and a slideably movable connector clip.

11. The shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cross-member engagement support is adapted to engage a horizontal cross-member of a scaffold system, when a vertical member of said scaffold system is positioned through the at least one hole formed about said first axis, where said hole is sized to receive said vertical member.

12. The shelf apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one hole among said plurality of holes is positioned on at least one of said first edge and said second edge.

13. The shelf apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one hole among said plurality of holes is positioned on at least one of a third edge and a forth edge.

14. The shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of holes are positioned substantially around the perimeter edges of said shelf structure and at least two holes are aligned with said cross-member engagement support along said second axis.

15. A shelf apparatus comprising:

a substantially planar shelf structure having a plurality of holes adapted to engage at least tools and positioned on a first side proximate to edges of the shelf structure, wherein a first hole of the plurality of holes is formed about a first axis and a second hole of the plurality of holes is formed about a second axis, and both the first axis and the second axis are positioned substantially perpendicular to the shelf structure;

a cross-member engagement support positioned on a second side of the shelf structure, the second side of the shelf structure opposite the first side, wherein the cross-member engagement support is formed about a third axis running from a first edge to a second edge of the shelf structure, wherein the third axis intersects the first axis and the second axis, and the third axis is oriented substantially parallel to a plane defined by a plurality of rungs on a ladder when the shelf structure is mounted on the ladder; and

an attachment structure affixed to the shelf structure for removably mounting said shelf structure, wherein the attachment structure is adapted for use with at least one of a ladder or a scaffold-system, and said attachment structure is aligned along a fourth axis substantially parallel to said third axis.

16. The shelf apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one moveably mountable clip adapted to engage a lower edge of a top platform hinging the apex of a triangulated free-standing ladder.

17. The shelf apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first hole and the second hole are each adapted to engage a vertical member of a scaffold-system.

18. The shelf apparatus of claim 15, wherein said attachment structure includes a plurality of fastening structures, including at least a hole or aperture in which a fastener can be inserted.

19. The shelf apparatus of claim 15, wherein said attachment structure is adapted to engage said ladder on a front side mountable by a user and position said shelf structure extending substantially toward the backside of said ladder.