Abstract:
A ladder and equipment storage rack and method. In one form of the invention, a ladder and equipment rack is provided with mounts that connect to struts or other hanger devices to easily adapt to hold a ladder or other equipment. The storage rack can be used in vehicles, buildings or any other locations for storage.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to storage devices and more particularly to devices that can quickly store ladders and various equipment.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Ladder and equipment storage devices are known. Ladder storage devices are commonly used to securely hold and store a ladder in a convenient location for short or extended period of time. Such storage devices may be used in a variety of different places such as, for example, a vehicle or a building.  
         [0003]     One problem with existing devices that store ladders inside of or on vehicles is that mounting and removing the ladder can be difficult and time consuming when dealing with confined spaces such as in the back of a vehicle or where reaching storage hooks or other hanging devices may be impractical. Another problem with existing devices is that if a vehicle&#39;s storage space compartment is crowded with objects and materials, usage of such existing products is cumbersome and they typically don&#39;t provide both horizontal and vertical mounting options to make full use of the available cargo space. Another problem with existing devices is that many ladder mounts are for storing ladders outside of the vehicle thereby exposing them to the weather and increasing the likelihood of theft. Also, many existing devices require additional clamping or strapping to hold a ladder firmly in place and require excessive time to store or remove a ladder.  
         [0004]     The present invention overcomes the problems of existing devices, the sliding ladder and equipment rack substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus and method developed for the purpose of providing an adjustable sliding mount that connects to universally available hanger strut to easily slide and hold a ladder inside a vehicle without having to enter the vehicle or use additional means to hold the ladder securely in position.  
         [0005]     In one form of the invention, a sliding ladder and equipment rack is provided with an adjustable sliding mount that connects to universally available hanger strut to easily slide and hold a ladder or other equipment inside a vehicle without having to enter the vehicle or use additional straps or clamping devices to maintain a secure mount. In one embodiment, the ladder rack can be used on the interior ceiling of a vehicle which is the area typically least occupied on most vehicles when the cargo space is packed with items, but may also be mounted in many other environments and locations. For example, the present invention may be mounted in garages, basements, homes, warehouses or any other place where ladders or equipment are stored. In one embodiment, placing the ladder inside the vehicle and near the roof of the vehicle keeps the ladder clean, and avoids damage to the ladder by not being in contact with other items stored in the same cargo space.  
         [0006]     Other advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related advantages, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only of some embodiments, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention without a shock cord installed.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fixed mount, the catch head, catch, and the rear stop.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sliding front mount, the receiving head with peg section, and the front stop.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with the sliding mount positioned at the rear stop.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with the sliding mount between the front and rear stop.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with a ladder in the fully stowed horizontal position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with the sliding mount positioned at the rear stop.  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with the sliding mount between the front and rear stop.  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is an operational side view of one embodiment of the invention with a ladder in the fully stowed vertical position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification for the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. In this disclosure, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of the definite article or indefinite article is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.  
         [0018]     Shown in  FIGS. 1-10  is a sliding ladder and equipment rack  5 , which comprises in one embodiment, a sliding front mount  20 , an adjustable receiving head  22 , a peg section  26 , a fixed mount  30 , an adjustable catch head  32 , a catch  33 , a front stop  46 , and rear stop  40 . An elastic shock cord  60  is also provided as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The slidable mount  20  is designed to fit inside between the rails on a 1⅝″ hanger strut  10  and has a “H” cross section shape  24  that, when inserted between the rails  15  on strut  10 , the “H” shaped cross section portion  24  cannot fall out of strut  10  but remains free to easily slide linearly along strut rails  15 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , slidable mount  20  has a slot  25  for a bolt or other connector that connects the adjustable receiving head  22  at hole  23 , and having a grooved peg section  26  to prevent slippage of the ladder when it is mounted. There is also an attachment point  28  for a shock cord  60  to securely connect to mount  20 . The receiving head  22  may have a grooved peg-like section  26  that can be inserted into a hole in the ladder as shown in  FIGS. 5-10 . The grooves  28  aid in holding the ladder to the receiving head  22  during removal and insertion of the ladder. Receiving head  22  has slot or hole  23  for a bolt or other connector that attaches head  22  to the sliding mount  20 .  
         [0019]     In alternate embodiments, other types of strut  10  may be used, for example, a unistrut, a b-line strut and kindorf and any other type of strut or similar device.  
         [0020]     In one form of the invention, rack  5  can hold a variety of different types of ladders, such as for example, an “A” frame ladder. Other ladders such as extension ladders, step ladders, collapsible ladders and other types of ladders may be held by rack  5 . The ladders may be made of any type of material such as for example, fiberglass, wood, aluminum or any other material that a ladder is constructed of. Two racks  5  may be placed side-by-side and an extension ladder may be mounted on the two racks  5 . Extension ladders generally have two fixed ladders joined to create a longer ladder. Further two racks  5  may be used simultaneously to hold a collapsible ladder which has multiple pieces that nest together and lock into place when extended. In one embodiment, strut  10  may not be supplied with rack  5 . In these instances, strut  10  may be existing in the space in which racks will be installed. Further, strut  10  may be supplied separately.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment, the fixed mount  30  is designed to be attached firmly to strut  10  by means of bolting through holes  34  in the top portion of mount  30 . The lower portion has a grooved mating surface  36  to prevent slippage with the adjustable catch head  32 . Head  30  also has a slot  38  to accommodate a bolt or other connector that secures the adjustable catch head  32  to the mount  30 . The catch  33  has a “V” shape that physically mates with and holds the rung or rung support of the ladder notches to accommodate the ladder rungs when the ladder is stored with the sides vertical. Catch  33  is wide enough to firmly hold the ladder rung within the “V” and prevent the ladder from falling or twisting when the vehicle is in transit. The adjustable catch  33  could be made of a variety of materials. It could be made adjustable or non-adjustable for different types of ladders or other equipment. It could be built to look different but still perform the same task(s) and operate the same. It could be fastened to the catch hose  32  in a variety of ways. In alternate embodiment, the fixed mount  30 , catch head  32  and catch  33  can be made of a variety of materials. The can also have different attachment points for shock cord  60 . It can be made adjustable or non-adjustable for different types of ladders or other equipment. They can be constructed to look different but still perform the same task(s) and operate in substantially the same manner. They can be constructed to use a different type of strut.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, the rear stop  40  may be a large square washer 1⅝″ by 1⅝″ that attaches to strut  10  with standard mounting hardware and limits the backward motion of the front sliding mount  20 . In yet another embodiment, the fraont stop  46  may be a large square washer 1⅝″ by 1⅝″ that attaches to strut  20  with standard mounting hardware and limits the forward motion of sliding mount  20 . In still other embodiments, stop  40  and stop  46  may be constructed of any size, shape and material that will provide for the necessary operation of rack  5  as described herein.  
         [0023]     In one embodiment, connecting points  35  are provided for connecting shock cord  60  or other tension maintaining device that extends on either side of strut  10  and that serve to keep shock cord  60  up and away from the moving front mount  20  thereby allowing for the area to be clear of excess slack shock cord  60  when placing the ladder upon peg section  26  and sliding the ladder.  
         [0024]     Sliding mount  20  can be made from plastic, metal or various other materials. It can have different attachment points for shock cord  60 . It can be made adjustable or non-adjustable for different types of ladders or other equipment. It may be constructed to look different but still perform the same task(s) and operate substantially in the same manner. It could be designed to move using a different type of track. It may be designed to move using bearings or rollers. It can be designed to slide with applied coatings to the rail or to the mount itself. It could utilize something other than a shock cord to provide the holding tension.  
         [0025]     The receiving head  22 , in one embodiment, has a grooved peg  26  that can be inserted into the ladder as shown in  FIGS. 5-10 . The grooves  28  aid in holding the ladder to the receiving head  22  during removal and insertion of the ladder. Receiving head  22  has a hole  23  for a bolt that enables a connection to sliding mount  20  and a grooved mating surface to prevent slippage. The receiving head  22  can be made of a variety of materials, such as, for example, plastic, metal and a variety of other materials. It can be constructed so it is adjustable or non-adjustable for different types of ladders or other equipment. It can be built to look different but still perform the same task(s) and operate in substantially the same manner. It may also be fastened to the sliding mount  20  in a variety of different ways.  
         [0026]     In one embodiment, an elastic shock cord  60  provides the tension between the sliding mount  20  and the fixed mount  30  to hold a ladder or other equipment securely in place. Cord  60  could be made of varying size, strengths and material. There may be one or more cords  60 . It could be replaced entirely with any device that provides the holding/return force required to operate the present invention. In yet other embodiments, cord  60  may be removed and replaced by other devices capable of maintaining the applied tension, i.e., holding force, necessary to maintain a ladder in a secure fixed storage position as described herein. For example, some possible substitutes for cord  60  may be pneumatic devices or systems; hydraulic devices or systems; one or more springs; drawing cable(s); counter weights and pulleys; shock or bungee cords; electrically operated motors; magnets or a created magnet force; and/or screw type drive devices.  
         [0027]     In one form of the invention, sliding mount  20  is inserted into the strut  10  channel between rails  15  where it can easily move forward and backward with respect to strut  10 . The fixed mount  30  is securely attached to strut  10 . The front stop  46  and rear stop  40  are fastened to strut  10  according to the position necessary for proper operation which will vary with different sizes and types of ladders and different equipment. The shock cord  60  attaches between the sliding mount  20  and fixed mount  30  through holes  29  and  31  formed in each. In different embodiments, rack  5  can be built in various sizes. It can use different materials for all components. It may be altered to hold many different types of equipment aside from ladders. The illustrated embodiment illustrates the 1⅝″ strut standard, however, any rail or strut dimension could be used provided the components are sized accordingly. In one form of the invention, rack  5  can hold a variety of different types of ladders, such as for example, an “A” frame. Other ladders such as extension ladders, step ladders, collapsible ladders and other types of ladders may be held by rack  5 . The ladders may be made of any type of material such as for example, fiberglass, wood, aluminum or any other material that a ladder is made of. Two racks  5  may be placed side by side and an extension ladder may be mounted on the two racks  5 . Extension ladders generally have two fixed ladders joined to create a longer ladder. Further two racks  5  may be used simultaneously to hold a collapsible ladder which has multiple pieces that nest together and lock into place when extended.  
         [0028]     In yet other forms of the invention, the rack  5  is not limited to holding only ladders but may be easily modified to accept aternate attachments such as receiving head  22 , peg section  26 , sliding mount  20 , fixed mount  30 , catch head  32 , and catch  33 . One or more of these attachments may be changed out or substituted for by a variety of different shaped holding devices to enable storage of different equipment, such as for example, recreational equipment, fishing rods, snow and water skis, recreational equipment, fishing rods, snow and water skis, canoes, kayaks, guns, golf bags, bicycles, hiking and camping gear, contractor/homeowner equipment, storage shelves, bins, hooks, conduit vendors, power tools, blueprints, and multiple other items. Rack  5  has the ability to mount different items without changing the basic function of the system. It is a modular and adjustable system that may accomplish a multitude of storage tasks. During use, as shown in  FIGS. 5-10 , the hole commonly found in the top platform of an “A frame” ladder and other types of ladders, is aligned with receiving pin  26 . Without having to enter the vehicle, the operator moves the ladder away from himself/herself which causes the sliding mount  20  to move along rail  10  toward front stop  46 . At this point, shock cord  60  starts to expand and the tension in the cord increases. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the sliding mount  20  or almost contacts the front stop  46  at which point the operator lifts the ladder and aligns the rung or rung support with catch  33 . After alignment with catch  33 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the operator allows the tension of shock cord  60  to return the ladder to the fully stored and secure position. To remove the ladder from the stored position, the operator, simply reverses the process. The ladder is easily stored and removed from crowded and small storage spaces. In one embodiment, the user does not need to either enter the storage place and/or rearrange the other contents of the space to store or remove the ladder. The rack  5  accepts a wide variety of ladder brands and sizes by adjusting the mounting positions and/or providing alternate mounting positions. Further, in one embodiment, the various components as described above, such as for example, sliding front mount and fixed mount may be quickly and easily removed/detached from strut  10 .  
         [0029]     Specific embodiments of novel methods and apparatus for construction of novel sliding ladder racks according to the present invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.