Stepladder Having a Ladder Top with Conduit Holder Slot and Method

• US 20160369562A1
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Published: 12/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Werner Company (New Werner Holding Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Werner Company (New Werner Holding Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tiber, Robert C., Dangrow, Joseph C., Leonardson, Tracee A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,458,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/01 Means for holding or positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/14 Holders for pails or other equipment on or for ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/46 Non-skid equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a stepladder. The stepladder includes a ladder top having a plane having a front side and a rear side and a left side and a right side and a front side flange and a rear side flange and a left side flange and a right side flange. The stepladder includes a conduit holder slot for holding tubing, pipe and conduit. The conduit holder slot extends along the entire length of the top and in the right side and the left side. The conduit holder slot has a cross-section in the ladder top which is non-symmetrical. The stepladder includes a front section. The stepladder includes a rear section. A method for cutting a tube.

Claims

1. A method for cutting a tube comprising the steps of:

placing the tube onto a conduit holder slot on a ladder top of a stepladder, the conduit holder slot for holding tubing, pipe or conduit, the conduit holder slot extending along the entire length of the top and in the top'"'"'s right side and left side, the conduit holder slot having a cross section in the ladder top which is non-symmetrical; and

cutting the tube while it is disposed in the conduit holder slot.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the conduit holder slot has a first side with a flat portion.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the conduit holder slot has a second side with a flat portion, the second side has a shallower lead-in angle relative to the plane and relative to the first side which has a steeper angle than the lead-in angle relative to the plane.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second side is closer to the front of the top than the first side, and the conduit holder slot is essentially in parallel with the front of the top.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ladder top has an underside with a plurality of snaps, and a magnet held in place to the underside by the plurality of snaps.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the ladder top has a parts tray for holding parts in the plane that is configured to hold a quart paint can.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the plane has a periphery and a bungee tool holding slot having an opening in the periphery and a circular region that extends into the plane from the opening.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the conduit holder is disposed adjacent the rear of the plane adjacent the rear side of the top.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the top has at least one screwdriver hole for holding a screwdriver;

and a plier'"'"'s hole.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the rear side flange has a top and a bottom, and the bungee tool holding slot is wider at the top than the bottom.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the bungee slot is disposed at the rear of the plane.

12. The method of claim 11 including a first brace attached to the first front rail and the step to support the step.

13. The method of claim 13 including a first foot which fits on the first front rail'"'"'s bottom to cover and protect the bottom, the first foot is a separate piece from the first brace.

14. A stepladder comprising:

a ladder top having a plane having a front side and a rear side and a left side and a right side and a front side flange and a rear side flange and a left side flange and a right side flange;

a conduit holder slot for holding tubing, pipe and conduit and, the conduit holder slot extending along the entire length of the top and in the right side and the left side, the conduit holder slot having a cross-section in the ladder top which is non-symmetrical;

a front section having a first front rail and a second front rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first front rail and a step attached to the first and second front rail, the first front rail and the second front rail extending from the top and permanently attached to a respective side flange; and

a rear section having a first rear rail and a second rear rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first rear rail, the first rear rail and the second rear rail extending from the top and permanently attached to a respective side flange, wherein said ladder top and the front and rear sections form the stepladder.