SHELF APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A LADDER AND SCAFFOLD

• US 20130220951A1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Dufour
• Original Assignee: Donald Dufour
• Inventors: DUFOUR, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,925,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/13.1
• 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 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; and

an attachment structure affixed to the shelf structure for removably mounting said shelf structure on at least one of a ladder and a scaffold system.

2. The shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured for use with one of a ladder or a scaffold system to hold and support at least building supplies and tools for workers that require the use of said ladder or scaffold system.

3. The shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachment structure is connectable to said shelf structure at an angle.

4. The shelf apparatus of claim 3, wherein said angle of the ladder-attachment structure is configurable to be any angle to allow the first surface 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 1, wherein said apparatus is configured for use with a scaffold system, a vertical member of said scaffold system positionable through one of said holes in said plurality of holes having the first axis, where said hole is sized to receive said vertical member with a specific tolerance thereby providing a tight fit between the structures.

7. The shelf apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus is configured with at east one hole positioned on at least one of said first edge and said second edge.

8. The shelf apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus is positionable onto said vertical member and said cross-member engagement support is positionable to engage said horizontal member of said scaffold system.

9. The shelf apparatus of claim 8, wherein both the connection between the vertical member, and the cross-member engagement support on said horizontal member support said apparatus.

10. The shelf apparatus of claim 9, wherein, said horizontal member of said scaffold system engages with the interior surface of said cross-member engagement support, where said second axis of said cross-member engagement support extends linearly from said first edge to said second edge.

11. The shelf apparatus of claim 10, wherein said hole on said shelf structure is alignable with said cross-member engagement support such that said first axis intersects said second axis.

12. A shelf apparatus comprising:

a first ladder-attachment structure affixed to a shelf structure on a second side, and a second ladder-attachment structure positioned on a first side, said second ladder-attachment being positioned opposite said second side;

wherein said first and second ladder-attachment structures are useable to retain said apparatus on a ladder;

wherein said first ladder-attachment structure is configured to engage with a rung of said ladder, where said rung fits said first ladder-attachment structure;

wherein said second ladder-attachment structure is positionable against legs of said ladder to hold said apparatus in place on said ladder, and

wherein said apparatus is secured stably to support placement of tools and other items on said shelf structure, and within said holes.

13. The shelf apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a substantially planar shelf structure having a plurality of holes positioned on a first side and a cross-member engagement support positioned on a second side of said shelf structure.

14. The shelf apparatus of claim 12, wherein said attachment structure is connectable to said shelf structure at an angle.

15. The shelf apparatus of claim 14, wherein said angle of said ladder-attachment structure is configurable to be any angle to allow the first surface of said shelf structure to be substantially level with the ground, when said apparatus is affixed to said ladder.

16. The shelf apparatus of claim 15, wherein said 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 universal connector clip.

17. A method for removably mounting a shelf structure on a east one of a ladder and a scaffold system, the method comprising:

providing a shelf structure configured with a first ladder-attachment structure affixed to said shelf structure on a second side, and a second ladder-attachment structure positioned on a first side, said second ladder-attachment being positioned opposite said second side;

wherein said first and second ladder-attachment structures are useable to retain said apparatus on a ladder;

wherein said first ladder-attachment structure is configured to engage with a rung of said ladder, where said rung fits said first ladder-attachment structure;

wherein said second ladder-attachment structure is positionable against legs of said ladder to hold said apparatus in place on said ladder, and

wherein said shelf structure is secured stably to support placement of tools and other items on said shelf structure, and within said holes.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a substantially planar shelf structure having a plurality of holes positioned on a first side and a cross-member engagement support positioned on a second side of said shelf structure.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said first ladder-attachment structure and said second ladder-attachment structure includes a moveably mountable clip that allows said shelf apparatus to be universally affixed to and used on said ladder.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first ladder-attachment structure and said second ladder-attachment structure includes a plurality of fastening structures, including at least a hole or aperture in which a fastener can be inserted.