Abstract:
A tray for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like is pivotally held in a selected position by an elongated frame removably attached to a ladder rail. The ladder tray includes a folding shelf, a shelf support, a rail embracing frame, a hinge means connecting the shelf and support to the frame, and hooks for engaging the rungs of the ladder. A variety of apertures, depressions and/or raised areas exist on the tray in various sizes and shapes and are adapted for holding tools or for temporary placement of cans, bottles, jugs, tools and the like on shelf. When mounted, the ladder tray extends out from one side of the ladder and does not prevent a user from climbing up or down the ladder. It may be folded down alongside the rail of the ladder to a space saving transport or storage position or may be folded and removed from the ladder to store.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to the field of detachable trays or shelves for use on a ladder to support tools, buckets, and the like as needed. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Movable utility storage racks and brackets have been fabricated to provide support for holding paint and tools on a ladder extending in a horizontal plane independent of the inclination of the ladder to which it is attached. In this way containers containing paint or other liquids can be kept level and slipping and sliding of such containers and other materials supported by the attachment can be avoided. Many of these devices are not adjustable at all, are sometimes, heavy and difficult to attach and remove, or are bulky and cumbersome to use or store. Many of these conventional ladder trays are difficult to mount and awkward to use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,829,051 by Emmons for DETACHABLE SUPPORT TRAY FOR LADDERS issued on Aug. 13, 1974 teaches a shelf with adjustable brackets shaped to loop over and around a ladder rail and to embrace a rung for stability. Emmons&#39; tray is supported on a ladder by four adjustable brackets which must be moved into position whenever the tray is moved. These adjustments are cumbersome and time consuming. Also, Emmons does not provide tool holding apertures in the shelf. 
     Shelves and boxes are supported on a ladder in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,984 by Garret for STORAGE RACK issued on Oct. 16, 1984. Garret&#39;s assembly is held between the rails of a ladder. This places the assembly in the way if a user needs to climb to or above the level of the tray for some reason. Garret also does not provide tool holders in his shelving. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,808 by LaChance for MOVABLE UTILITY BRACKET FOR LADDERS issued on Feb. 12, 1991 teaches a ladder rail and rung embracing bracket onto which shelves, hangers, buckets and the like may be hung. LaChance teaches a rail and rung embracing bracket but does not provide a tray surface or shelf. A safety handle or rail is provided on the utility bracket, but these are in the way and are unnecessary because the user has rungs and rails to be used as a safety grip. 
     A ladder tray is needed which is easy to install and remove, is light, folds up into a small area for storage while on or off the ladder, and has plenty of storage room and holes for securely holding tools, brushes and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a ladder tray for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like which can be quickly installed onto or removed from a typical ladder or extension ladder. It includes a folding shelf, a shelf support, a rail embracing frame and hinges connecting the three. The frame hooks over two rungs as it slides down into a grasping attitude over a rail on the ladder. It is made from structural foam material, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic or combinations thereof, or any appropriately strong and light material. When mounted, the shelf extends out from one side of the ladder and does not prevent a user from climbing above or beside the ladder tray, if desired. The shelf may be folded down alongside the rail of the ladder to a space saving transport or storage position. Due to the it&#39;s light weight and foldability, the ladder may easily be moved, carried, or even stored with the ladder tray in place. Further, the shelf has several holes for holding tools when desired. 
     Presented herein is a ladder tray removably mountable to a ladder rail and rung assembly. The ladder tray includes an elongated frame secured to the ladder and a foldable shelf pivotally secured to the elongated frame, and having a shelf support pivotally secured to the elongated frame extending outwardly for supporting the shelf from beneath. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which may be quickly and securely installed onto the rail of a typical ladder. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which is light, folds down to a space saving configuration whereupon it maybe removed form the ladder or remain on the ladder and is easy to adjust, move or transport. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which contains plenty of shelf space and integrated tool holders in the form of holes in the shelf. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which contains a major rim around the outside of the shelf and minor rimmed areas and/or depressions in the upper surface of the shelf to help hold tools, containers and the like in position on the shelf during use. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a tray for supporting paint cans, buckets, tools and the like is quickly and easily removably attachable to or removable from the side rail of a ladder. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a tray including a latch assembly which can be manually manipulated by one hand to secure it to or change it from selected points of attachment on a ladder as may be desired for convenient access. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a tray having a foldable shelf extending laterally outwardly from the ladder so as to not interfere with the normal use of the ladder. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a tray which is foldable into a compact unit for storage or transportation. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a ladder tray which includes an elongated frame extending at an angle of from between 10 to 20 degrees, and more preferably about 15 degrees, and most preferably about 15.6 degrees from a horizontal plane which represents the manufacturer&#39;s recommended angle between a ladder and the vertical support upon which the ladder rests. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a tray which is adjustable for accommodation to ladder side rails of different thicknesses. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an elongated frame having a foldable shelf attached thereto supported by a pivoting support member in order that the ladder tray can be folded up in a flat package for transport or storage. 
     In another embodiment, a ladder tray consists of an apparatus for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like is held in an extended position by an elongated frame removably attached to a ladder rail with at least a pair of hooks fitting over at least two rungs of the ladder enabling quick installation and removal from a straight ladder or extension ladder. The ladder tray includes a folding shelf which can be pivotally connected to a rotatable joint providing for a level shelf regardless of the angle of the ladder with respect to the ground, a shelf support, a rail embracing frame and hinge means connecting the shelf and support to the frame. The ladder tray frame is attached to the ladder by hooks engaging the rungs, whereby the elongated frame includes means for holding extending from its sides forming an elongated slot or groove cooperatively engaging a selected side rail of the ladder providing lateral support therefor. The ladder tray components are composed of plastic, structural foam material, aluminum, fiberglass, graphite material, wood, laminated or corrugated paper, or combinations thereof, or any other appropriately strong and light material. When mounted, the shelf extends out from one side of the ladder and does not prevent a user from climbing up or down the ladder. It may be folded down alongside the rail of the ladder to a space saving transport or storage position or may be folded and removed form the ladder to store. Due to the tray&#39;s light weight and foldability, the ladder may easily be moved, carried, or even stored with the tray in place. A variety of apertures in various sizes and shapes are adapted for holding tools and a plurality of depressions or raised areas forming grooves or ridges in the surface of the shelf provide safe movement resisting areas for temporary placement of cans, bottles, jugs, tools and the like on shelf areas. 
     Thus, a preferred embodiment of a ladder tray consists essentially of a foldable shelf for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like is held in a selected position by an elongated frame removably attached to a ladder rail with at least a pair of hooks fitting over at least two rungs of the ladder enabling quick installation and removal from a straight ladder or extension ladder. The ladder tray includes a folding shelf, a shelf support, a rail embracing frame and hinge means connecting the shelf and support to the frame. The ladder tray frame is attached to the ladder by hooks engaging the rungs, whereby the elongated frame includes means for holding extending from its sides forming an elongated slot or groove cooperatively engaging a selected side rail of the ladder providing lateral support therefor. The ladder tray components are composed of plastic, structural foam material, aluminum, fiberglass, graphite material, wood, laminated or corrugated paper, or combinations thereof, or any other appropriately strong and light material. When mounted, the shelf extends out from one side of the ladder and does not prevent a user from climbing up or down the ladder. It may be folded down alongside the rail of the ladder to a space saving transport or storage position or may be folded and removed form the ladder to store. Due to the tray&#39;s light weight and foldability, the ladder may easily be moved, carried, or even stored with the tray in place. A variety of apertures in various sizes and shapes are adapted for holding tools and a plurality of depressions or raised areas forming grooves or ridges in the surface of the shelf provide safe movement resisting areas for temporary placement of cans, bottles, jugs, tools and the like on shelf areas. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the ladder tray comprises an apparatus for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like is held in a selected position by an elongated frame removably attached to a ladder rail with at least a pair of hooks fitting over at least two rungs of the ladder enabling quick installation and removal from a straight ladder or extension ladder. The ladder tray includes a folding shelf, a shelf support, a rail embracing frame and hinge means connecting the shelf and support to the frame. The ladder tray frame is attached to the ladder by hooks engaging the rungs, whereby the elongated frame includes means for holding extending from its sides forming an elongated slot or groove cooperatively engaging a selected side rail of the ladder providing lateral support therefor. The ladder tray components are composed of plastic, structural foam material, aluminum, fiberglass, graphite material, wood, laminated or corrugated paper, or combinations thereof, or any other appropriately strong and light material. When mounted, the shelf extends out from one side of the ladder and does not prevent a user from climbing up or down the ladder. It may be folded down alongside the rail of the ladder to a space saving transport or storage position or may be folded and removed form the ladder to store. Due to the tray&#39;s light weight and foldability, the ladder may easily be moved, carried, or even stored with the tray in place. A variety of apertures in various sizes and shapes are adapted for holding tools and a plurality of depressions or raised areas forming grooves or ridges in the surface of the shelf provide safe movement resisting areas for temporary placement of cans, bottles, jugs, tools and the like on shelf areas. The ladder tray can include a folding shelf which can be pivotally connected to a rotatable joint providing for a level shelf regardless of the angle of the ladder with respect to the ground. Moreover, removable shims may be used as an adjustable spacing means disposed between the slot formed in the elongated frame and the ladder rail to provide a tight fit for ladders having a smaller rail size as for instance the difference between a fiberglass ladder rail and an aluminum or wood ladder rail member. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ladder tray showing the longitudinal frame having a foldable shelf extending therefrom supported by a support member; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the ladder tray; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the ladder tray; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of the ladder tray; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the ladder tray; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the ladder tray attached to a side rail of a ladder showing the hooks engaging the rungs; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a ladder tray folded to its storage configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a ladder tray with it shelf extended but with its support member still folded; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a ladder tray shown in  FIG. 1 , including a shim disposed in the channel of the elongated frame; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a ladder tray showing the peripheral rim extending around the shelf and apertures formed within the shelf; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view of a ladder tray mounted upon the rungs of a ladder; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a locking mechanism for pivoting the shelf at a selected angle with respect to the elongated frame and ladder; 
         FIG. 13  is a right side view of a ladder tray showing the shelf supported by a shelf support member pivotally supported on the elongated frame; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear view of a ladder tray; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of a ladder tray showing the posts extending from the elongated frame lug for attachment to the shelf lugs (not shown); 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the ladder tray shown utilizing the pivot adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a right side view of the ladder tray and the pivot adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a isometric bottom view of the ladder tray; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric bottom view of the folding shelf; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view of the ladder tray in the folded position; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the ladder tray in the folded storage position; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the ladder tray in the folded position; and 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the ladder tray in the folded position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ladder tray for supporting tools, paint cans, painting supplies and the like which can be quickly installed onto or removed from a typical ladder or extension ladder. 
     The entire ladder tray may be made from structural foam material, sheet metal, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic or combinations thereof, or any appropriately strong and light material. The hinges may also be metal, plastic or any appropriately strong material. 
       FIGS. 1-18  show various embodiments of a ladder tray  10  including a folding shelf  40 , a shelf support  18  and a rail  56  and rung  52 ,  54  embracing elongated frame  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , rail embracing elongated frame  16  has an elongated cavity or channel  44  which can receive ladder rail  56  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The portion of the elongated frame  16  which receives the inside surface of the ladder rail is formed to define downward oriented“C-shaped” hooks  12  having a generally flat interior surface  22 ,  24  to support the elongated frame on a ladder rung and having a distal end define fingers  34 , and  36  respectively, extending downward over the ladder rung preventing and/or limiting lateral movement of the elongated frame on the ladder rungs. The interior portion of the hooks  12  forming voids to receive consecutive ladder rungs  52  and  54 , whereupon the elongated frame  16  securely embraces ladder  50 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, a shelf  40  is foldably attached to elongated frame  16  by a pin  42  which protrudes through lugs  13  and  14  of shelf  40  and through a frame lug  41  extending from the top right edge of frame  16  as shown. As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a pair of spaced apart and aligned frame lugs  30  extend on frame  16  through which pin  32  passes. Pin  32  also passes through the vertical edge of shelf support  18  mounting onto the lugs  30  forming a hinge  31  by which a longitudinal support member  18  can pivot to a flat storage position as shown in  FIG. 7  or extend to a shelf supporting position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 4  shows a right end view of ladder tray  10  in a shelf usable configuration whereas.  FIG. 8  shows support  18  folded in against frame  16  and shelf  40  still folded outwardly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  9 ,  10 , and  18 , foldable shelf  40  comprises a peripheral rim  22  and includes a plurality of tool holding apertures  20  and tool holding edges  24  forming divided areas with depressions or raised areas for resisting movement of paint cans and other objects held therein. Tools such as paint brushes, scrapers, drills, screw drivers, hammers and the like may be held within these apertures. Raised edge  22  forms a fence around the upper surface of the entire shelf area of shelf  40 . Raised edge  24  divides minor shelf areas  26  and  28 . These edges help to secure tools and the like from sliding around or off the edge of shelf  40 . 
     In another preferred embodiment of the ladder tray  10  for ladders comprises or consists essentially of an elongated frame  16  including a channel  44  for receiving and conforming to a side rail  56  of a ladder. The elongated frame  16  extends over a length of the side rail  56  equal to a distance between at least two ladder rungs  52  and  54  respectively. The elongated frame  16  defines a channel  44  including a narrow elongated top section  61  covering a top edge  62  of the side rail  56  of the ladder, a wide elongated outside section  63  covering an outside or external side  64  of the side rail  56  extending orthogonally from the narrow elongated section  61 , and a narrow elongated inside section  65  covering an internal side  66  of the side rail  56  extending orthogonally from the narrow elongated section  61 . A least two hooks  12  are formed near the top and bottom of the narrow elongated inside section  65  in alignment one above the other at selected spacing extending from the front portion of the narrow elongated inside section toward the rear. Each hook  12  defines a top horizontal member  22 , 24 , with a distal end member defining a finger  34 , 36  extending downward vertically therefrom. Each one of the hooks  12  rests upon a top surface  67  of a selected rung  52 , 54  with the distal end member or finger  34 , 36  partially encircling the selected rung  52 , 54  thereby providing means for supporting and removably holding the elongated frame  16  to the ladder side rail  56  and rungs  52 ,  54 . Each of the hooks  12  formed from the narrow elongated inside section  65  of the channel  44  being spaced apart from the wide elongated section  63  of the channel  44  a selected distance slightly wider than the side rail  56  of the ladder to provide a snug fit therewith. The hooks  12  project away from the narrow elongated inside section  65  spaced apart from one another a selected distance conforming to the distance between adjacent rungs  52  and  54  of the ladder. 
     The ladder tray may include means for adjusting the width of the channel  44  such as a shim  94  inserted into the channel  44  at a selected position. 
     A foldable shelf  40  extends from the elongated bracket  16 . A hinge means  68  for foldably holding and pivoting the shelf  40  is mounted to or formed integrally with the elongated frame  16 . The foldable shelf  40  can include means for retaining an object on a top surface of the shelf selected from the group consisting of an aperture, a groove, a depression, a ridge, and a textured surface. The shelf  40  includes a pair of spaced apart shelf lugs  13  and  14  extending from an edge  69  adjacent the elongated frame  16 . The elongated frame  16  includes at least one frame lug  41  extending therefrom at an angle horizontal to the ground correspondingly engaging the pair of spaced apart lugs  14  and  16  of the shelf  40  aligned therewith. A connecting means such as a rod, pin  42 , or posts and indention or slot provides pivoting support for connecting the shelf lugs  14  and  16  to the at least one the frame lug  41 . 
     As illustrated in the drawings, a generally longitudinal shelf support member  18  is supported by and extends outwardly from a wide elongated outside section the shelf support member  18  including a top end edge  70  for cooperatively engaging and supporting a bottom surface  71  of the foldable shelf  40 . The shelf support  18  includes means for pivoting from the storage position outwardly away from the elongated frame  16  nearly perpendicular thereto providing maximum structural support and stability to the shelf  40  resting thereon. The means for pivoting can be a hinge connecting the shelf support  18  to the elongated outside section of the elongated frame  16  whereby the hinge is oriented approximately in the vertical axis. It is contemplated that the hinge may comprise a piano hinge  72  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The means for pivoting the structural member may also comprise a bore or groove extending along the outer edge  74  of the support member  18  adjacent to the elongated frame  16  including a pair of spaced apart aligned support lugs  30  pivotally connected by a rod or pin  73 . Thus, the hinge may comprise a pair of spaced apart aligned shelf support lugs  30  extending from the elongated outside section  63  pivotally engaging a distal end  74  of the shelf support  18  extending there between. The lower side edge  74  of the shelf support  18  and at least a portion of the shelf  40  pivotally engage support lugs  30  including a bore there through and a pin  32  extending through the bore of the shelf support and the at least a portion of the lugs  30  pivotally connecting same. It is contemplated that the shelf support  18  can be formed having pegs extending from the top and bottom of the distal end  74  which cooperatively engage detents formed in the lugs  30  of the elongated frame  16  providing pivotal movement thereof. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 , in at least one preferred embodiment, the foldable shelf  40  includes pivoting holding means comprising a hinge  76  including at least one pair of spaced apart lugs  77 ,  78  extending from the edge  79  of the shelf  40  adjacent the elongated frame  16 , wherein each lug  77 ,  78  includes a “C-shaped” notch  80  formed in the bottom interior portion of the lugs opposing one another for cooperative pivoting engagement with a pair of opposing posts  81 ,  82  extending from a center lug or flange  83  extending outwardly from the top edge of the wide elongated outside section  63  of the elongated frame  16 . 
     Moreover, it as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 21 , the foldable shelf  40  may include a bottom surface  71  having a pair of spaced apart projections or lugs  90 ,  91  forming a notch  92  thereinbetween sized for cooperatively and detachably engaging the top end edge  70  the shelf support  18 . 
     The ladder tray of claim  1 , may also include a means for pivoting the folding shelf  40  with respect to the elongated frame  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the means for pivoting comprises means for hinging comprising a pair of interconnecting and adjustable disc  95 ,  96  disposed between the foldable shelf  40  and frame for foldably holding and pivoting the shelf  40  with respect to the elongated frame  16 . 
     It is possible to provide means for pivoting with a single first disc  96  wherein disc  96  is rotatably supported by an axle, peg or other member extending from a pivoting hinge  99  affixed to the shelf  40 . Means for biasing the disc  96  against the exterior surface of the wide elongated section  63  of the elongated frame  16  may comprise a threaded member which threadably engages a threaded bore formed at a selected location within the disc  96 . 
     Preferably a second disc  98  or other friction enhancing holding surface attaches to the wide elongated section  63  for cooperative rotational engagement with the first disc  96 . It is contemplated that either the interior surface of the first disc  96 , the external surface of the second disc  98 , or the mating surfaces of both disc  96  and  98  may include a friction enhancing means such as abrasive surface, teeth, knurled surface, sand paper or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , a threaded bore  100  is formed through the first disc  96  in threaded engagement with the threads of a threaded bolt  101  disposed through the first disc  96  to biases the shelf  40  against the elongated frame  16  at a selected angle. Providing an axle  111  with a threaded distal end  102  can also be utilized to tighten the first disc  96  to the second disc  98  or alternatively the frame  16  with a wing nut  103  or the like. 
       FIGS. 20-23  show the ladder tray  10  of the present invention in various views after folding same to a substantially flat configuration. 
     The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.