Abstract:
A tool storage tray assembly includes a bracket assembly enabling attachment of the tray assembly to a hoist arm of a vehicle hoist at the upper end of a depending vertical tube of the tray assembly. A separate tray bracket attached to a tray is slidably mounted on the lower end of the tube. The tray bracket enables vertical movement of the tray along the length of the tube and rotation of the tray about the axis of the tube. Thus, the tray is adjustable vertically as well as about the axis of the vertical tube or shaft.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     In a principal aspect the present invention relates to an adjustable tool storage tray, particularly adapted for utilization in combination with vehicle hoists of the type that are used for vehicle servicing and vehicle repair.  
         [0002]     Auto mechanics, technicians and the like typically may need to position a motor vehicle upon a hoist in order to efficiently undertake repair of the vehicle. Generally, such hoists include a track mounted on a vertical support shaft or a series of projecting arms extending from a center support shaft. In versions having multiple arms, the arms are appropriately positioned against the vehicle undercarriage and then the central shaft is hydraulically or otherwise vertically driven to raise the vehicle to an appropriate height for servicing. The appropriate height may be only a few feet inasmuch as the servicing is directed to brake repair, for example. Alternatively, the vehicle may be raised to a height of 4, 5, or 6 feet in order to access the undercarriage of the vehicle, for example, to repair the emission system or otherwise repair vehicle component parts accessible only from the bottom or undercarriage.  
         [0003]     Typically, it is necessary to have a variety of tools available when servicing a vehicle either from its undercarriage or otherwise positioned on a hoist. Thus, a tool cabinet, chest or tray is deemed desirable for positioning and storage of available tools. Heretofore, there have been obtained various patents directed to tool tray constructions used in combination with a hoist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,821 entitled “Mechanic&#39;s Tray Assembly” issued Oct. 5, 1976 discloses a typical tray into which tools may be placed. The tray assembly is attached to the center pivot construction or shaft assembly of the vehicle service rack or hoist. The tray assembly includes an articulated arm to support a tool tray.  
         [0004]     While such a prior art construction is deemed useful and beneficial, nonetheless there has remained the need for improved or alternative tool tray designs that will be especially useful in combination with a hoist. Such needs inspired the development of the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Briefly, the present invention comprises a storage tray assembly wherein a tray is constructed for attachment to a tray bracket assembly. Any one of a number of tray styles, shapes and designs may thus be attached to the tray bracket assembly. The tray bracket assembly is, in turn, slidably mounted on a generally vertical cylindrical tube so that the bracket assembly and attached tray may be moved vertically along the length of the tube. Additionally, the bracket assembly and attached tray may be pivoted around the tube to alter the position of the tray and thus enhance accessibility and utility. A locking mechanism or support mechanism is provided to maintain the tray bracket assembly and tray at a fixed position along the generally vertical tube or shaft upon which the tray bracket assembly and tray are positioned. At the top end of the generally vertical shaft or tube, a second adjustable bracket assembly is provided.  
         [0006]     This second bracket assembly is designed and constructed to attach to a projecting arm of a hoist.  
         [0007]     Thus, the second or hoist attachment bracket assembly includes a clamping mechanism and associated support members to insure appropriate balance of the second bracket assembly as it supports the attached tube, tray bracket assembly and tray.  
         [0008]     In use, the upper or hoist attachment bracket assembly is tightly attached to the arm of a vehicle hoist. The vertical tube, which is positioned laterally with respect to the hoist bracket assembly, may then be positioned so as to provide for easy access to the tray. The tray, by virtue of the tray bracket assembly, may be adjusted in relative height or vertically as well as rotated about the axis of the tube or shaft. Thus, when a mechanic is working on the vehicle, for example, on wheels or brakes, it may be appropriate to raise the tool storage tray to access the tools. However, when the vehicle hoist is raised above the head of the mechanic or technician, the tool tray may be lowered and pivoted to a position where it is easy for the mechanic or serviceman to access the contents of the tool tray. The tray assembly, thus, has a wide range of applicability with respect to the various kinds of hoists available and with respect to the use and repair job which is being undertaken by a technician or auto mechanic.  
         [0009]     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved tool storage tray assembly, particularly useful in combination with or as an adjunct to a vehicle hoist assembly.  
         [0010]     A further object of the invention is to provide a tool storage tray assembly which provides for a tool tray which may be adjusted vertically in height as well as rotated about a generally vertical axis to enhance accessibility.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a tool tray assembly for storage of tools wherein a variety of storage trays of different shape, size and configuration may be utilized.  
         [0012]     A further object of the invention is to provide a tool storage tray assembly which is easily adjusted, rugged, and economical.  
         [0013]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the tray assembly of the invention wherein the tray is positioned on a hoist in a generally partially lowered position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view wherein the tool tray assembly of the invention is attached to an arm of a vehicle hoist and the tool tray is positioned in a raised position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front side elevation of the tool tray assembly of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is an side view of the tool tray assembly of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the tool tray assembly which is partially exploded and wherein the tray is separated from the bracket assemblies.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to the figures, the tool storage tray assembly of the invention comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a generally cylindrical tube  10  in the range of 12-18 inches in length and having a diameter in the range of ⅜-¾ inch. Preferably the tube  10  is a hollow metal cylindrical tube. The tube  10  includes a vinyl cap  12  at its top end and defines a generally vertical axis  14 .  
         [0021]     An upper or hoist attachment bracket assembly  16  is welded to the upper end of the tube  10 . A tray bracket assembly  18  is slidably mounted on the lower end of the tube  10  by sliding upwardly from the lower end to a desired or adjusted position. The tray bracket assembly  18  is provided for attachment to and support of a tray  20 . The upper bracket assembly  16  is for attachment of the entire tool storage tray assembly to the arm of a vehicle hoist such as attachment to an arm  22  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0022]     The upper bracket assembly  16  and the tray bracket assembly or lower bracket assembly  18  are each fabricated from plate or sheet metal in the preferred embodiment. However, the components may be fabricated from other materials such as molded plastic materials or composites. The upper bracket assembly  16  includes a first generally horizontal arm  24  which is welded to the tube  10  and projects laterally from the axis  14 . A second L-shaped upper bracket member  26  includes an arm  28  which, when assembled with the bracket arm  24 , comprises an extension of that arm  24 . The bracket member  26  further includes a downwardly pending run or section  30 . A cross bracket member  32  is aligned at a substantially right angle to the bracket member  24  and bracket member  26 . A bolt  34  and bracket tightening nut  36  cooperate to engage and hold the bracket members  26 ,  24  and  32  tightly together in a desired fixed position. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , the bracket members are tightened to fit along the side edges as well as top of a hoist arm  22 . Note that the transverse bracket member  32  provides stability so that the tube  10 , which is held by that upper bracket assembly  16 , will be held in a generally fixed position and not swing from side to side in an undesirable fashion.  
         [0023]     Other configurations of the upper bracket assembly  16  may be utilized in order to maintain the stability and attachment to the tube  10 . That is, the bracket design for the upper bracket assembly  16  may be varied to accomplish the goal or objective and function of maintaining the tube  10  spaced slightly laterally from the hoist arm  22  and generally rigidly positioned with respect thereto and to maintain a desired generally vertical orientation of tube or shaft  10 .  
         [0024]     The tray bracket assembly  18  is comprised of, a generally horizontal upper bracket member element  40  and a downwardly depending member or element  42  connected to a second spaced generally horizontal bracket member or element  44 . The bracket elements  40  and  44  are generally parallel in the embodiment depicted and each includes an aligned passage or opening  46  and  48 , respectively, therethrough sized so that the bracket  18  may be slidably mounted on the tube  10 . Lower bracket element  44  extends horizontally, in the preferred embodiment, for a greater distance than the upper bracket element  40 . A transverse or cross bracket element  50  is affixed, for example, by rivets or welding to the extended lower bracket element  44 . The upper bracket element  40  includes a second outer passage or opening for receipt of a pin; namely, an opening  52  for receipt of a pin  54  therethrough. Pin  54  fits through the opening  52  and into a passage or opening  58  in the top rim of tray  20 . The upper element  40  is spaced from the lower element  44  so that the bracket assembly  18  will appropriately bridge the thickness of the tray  20  with the lower element  44  and cross member  50  positioned snuggly against the bottom section of the tray  20  and the upper element  40  positioned snuggly against a top face of the tray  20  fasteners  51  fit through passages in the bottom of tray  20  and serve to attach tray  20  to cross bracket  50 . The tray  20  is thus maintained in a stable condition by the bridging elements  40  and  44  with the pin  54  fitted in the opening  58  through the passage  52  to retain the tray  20  in the tray bracket assembly  18 . The tray  20  is maintained at a desired or fixed distance from the generally vertical axis through the openings  46  and  48 .  
         [0025]     Various types of trays  20  may be utilized. That is, the tray  20  may include various troughs, such as a trough  60 , for holding tools. The size, shape, color and the like of the tray  20  may be varied according to the tools and other desired functions to be performed by the tray  20 . Importantly, the tray  20  is affixed to a bracket assembly  18 ; namely, tray bracket assembly  18  and may be easily removed and replaced.  
         [0026]     Further, the tray bracket assembly  18  is mountable on the tube  10  in a slidable fashion so that the height of the tray  20  may be adjusted to accommodate the needs of the user of the tool storage tray assembly. Once the height is adjusted, a locking pin  70  may be inserted through one of a series of lateral passages  72  and  74  provided in the tube  10  to hold the tray bracket assembly  18  and associated tray  20  in a fixed position. That is, the pin  70  will be positioned so as to be beneath the tray bracket assembly  18  and thus hold the tray bracket assembly  18  at a fixed elevated position on the tube  10 . When in this elevated position, the tray bracket assembly  18  is still pivotal about the axis  14  of the tube  10 . Of course, the pin  70  may be removed and the vertical height of the tray  20  adjusted according to needs.  
         [0027]     For example, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the tray  20  is at a lower position on the tube  10 . Such a lower position may be desirable when the hoist to which the tool storage tray assembly is attached is raised to a highest or higher level and the mechanic necessarily needs to have ease of access to tools within the tray  20 . Thus, the tray  20  may be lowered relative to a hoist arm  22  to facilitate access to tools within the tray  20 .  
         [0028]     On the other hand, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , when the hoist is raised partially upward, for example, to service the brake system of a wheel, the tray  20  can be maintained at a level upwardly along the tube  10  as depicted for ease of access again, for example, at waist level or an equivalent level as desired by the mechanic. Thus, adjustability of the tray  20  to a desired level along the axis of the tube  10  is maintained. Additionally, the tray  20  may be rotated about the axis  14  to a desired orientation or position.  
         [0029]     The adjustability of the upper bracket assembly  16  permits attachment of the device to any of a series of various types of hoists having various types and sizes of hoist arms.  
         [0030]     Additionally, the tool storage assembly of the invention may be utilized in other environments wherein it can be easily attached and held on an arm or other member and wherein adjustability of the tray  20  in terms of its height can be obtained. The tray  20 , as previously mentioned, may be altered or changed merely by removing the pin  54  and the two bolts or fasteners  51  through the tray  20  and cross member  50  and then substituting a new tray in place thereof.  
         [0031]     Various other modifications and changes may be undertaken while not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The orientation of the tube  10  may be altered but the function of preserving the ability to adjust the relative position of a tray  20  along the length of the tube  10  as sell as to rotate the tray  10  about the axis of a tube  10  is a desired functional aspect of the invention to be maintained. Various types of bracket assemblies may also be utilized to accomplish the goals and objectives of the invention. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.