Abstract:
A vented wire mesh basket having pivotally mounted u-shaped bail rod handles for installing atop a step ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other work materials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality of elongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into a substantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern is substantially flattened and the opposing sides of the u-shaped pattern are canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise and width wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their base interconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of the basket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of u-shaped wires form a vented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim or frame portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality of sides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed in an endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of the u-shaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect to the top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair of u-shaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top frame rod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/977,567 filed on Oct. 29, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for holding or carrying tools, materials, supplies and other work items and, more particularly, to a tool and work material caddy for a step ladder.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Many work projects are performed at heights above the height of a worker, which may require the individual worker to utilize a ladder to complete the work project at the elevated height. It is common to utilize a step ladder to aid in performing various overhead work projects. Step ladders are a common apparatus for any operation requiring a worker to perform a work project at an elevation that is overhead including such work projects involving painting, plumbing, electrical work, wood work and various other like work projects. One common problem associated with utilizing a step ladder to perform a work project is the problem of inaccessibility of the tools required for performing the particular project. Further, it may require that a ladder be moved to various locations in order to complete the work project at the elevated height, which will require moving the necessary tools to the new location approximate the ladder thereby requiring some sort of tool carrying means to avoid multiple trips from location to location to retrieve and move tools.  
         [0006]     Virtually all forms of working on a ladder require some type of tool or part to complete the related project. Retrieving tools or parts or materials while on a step ladder has been an ongoing problem because most work projects require multiple tools as well as multiple material items in order to complete the project. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the person performing the elevated work project on the ladder to make repeated trips tip and down a ladder in order to access the appropriate tool to complete or perform a portion of the elevated work project. Repeated climbing up and down the ladder will result in unnecessary fatigue for the worker.  
         [0007]     Various trays, caddys and other holding devices have been adapted for ladders and are known in the art for attaching to a step ladder such that the worker can readily access tools contained therein. There are trays that are permanently attached to ladders that can pivotally fold out or retract within the legs of the ladder. There are other various trays that are removably attached to a step ladder for holding and supporting tools and various other items. There are also various caddy devices that are removably attached to a step ladder including utility baskets having a u-shaped bail rod handle that fits atop a step ladder for holding tools such as the utility basket with a carrying handle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819.  
         [0008]     The bail rod handle design of U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819 allows the utility basket to be quickly removed and installed atop a step ladder rather than requiring other types of brackets for positioning the basket atop the step ladder. However, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819, the bail rod handle design being pivotable and centrally connected prevents the bail rod handle from being used as a basket carrying handle such that the basket has another handle positioned in the container area of the basket. However, this single bail rod design that is centrally and pivotally attached to the basket thus requiring a separate handle for carrying is not an optimal design for such a ladder caddy.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0009]     One embodiment of the present invention is a vented wire mesh basket having pivotally mounted unshaped bail rod handles for installing atop a step ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other work materials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality of elongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into a substantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern is substantially flattened and the opposing sides of the unshaped pattern are canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise and width wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their base interconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of the basket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of u-shaped wires form a vented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim or frame portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality of sides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed in an endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of the u-shaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect to the top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair of unshaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top frame rod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.  
         [0010]     Also, one embodiment of the invention can include a wire locking system for an extension cord or electrical cord for a power tool and a spool rod for mounting a spool of wire.  
         [0011]     These and other advantageous features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a caddy;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a caddy installed atop a step ladder;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C are the top, front and side plan views of the caddy;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are the front and side plan views of the bail rod handle;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4C  is a plan view of the locking wire;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the spool rod;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of the baskets nested;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and front plan views of the basket liner;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the alternative bail rod handle; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the alternative locking wire.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0023]     According to the embodiment(s) of the present invention, various views are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9  and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the invention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the invention should correspond to the FIG. number in which the item or part is first identified.  
         [0024]     One embodiment of the present invention comprising a formed top frame and center frame connected around the periphery of interconnected unshaped wires teaches a novel apparatus for a ladder caddy.  
         [0025]     The details of the invention and various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to  FIG. 1 , Item  106  is a steel top frame which can preferably be about approximately ¼″ and is a formed frame with two loops,  112  and  122 , incorporated in the body; one loop on each side of the caddy. The loops extend beyond the rectangular line of the top frame and can be open ended loops having a gap wire that bridges the open end. This frame is for stability and is used to install the two handles, Items  110  and  111 , to the caddy which makes carrying tools and supplies painless. This frame and handle attachment is used to secure the caddy to the ladder  200 , see  FIG. 200 .  
         [0026]     The importance of this top frame  106  become critical after the caddy has been installed on the stepladder. As down load force is put inside the caddy, this frame will experience an outward horizontal force. If the steel top formed frame becomes bent or deformed, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The result may be that the caddy will not hang in a level manner or hang at the appropriate height.  
         [0027]     The two loops incorporated in the body of the formed top frame  106 , along with Items  114  and  120  referred to as hooks or locking pins, secure electrical cords away from the steps  208  of the stepladder  200 , see  FIG. 2 . By making a loop in the electrical cord and inserting that loop in the electrical cord through the bottom of the loops found in the formed top frame, then placing hooks or locking pins through the loop in the electrical cord, this now serves as a locking device securing electrical cords away from the steps of the stepladder for safety. It also keeps electrical extension cords attached to the cords of power tools that are being used. This also eliminates the desire to tie knots from the extension cord and the cord from the power tools so that the two cords don&#39;t become separated.  
         [0028]     A center frame  108  is preferably made of steel and can be preferably about approximately ¼″. The importance of this frame becomes critical after the caddy has been installed on the stepladder. As down load force is put inside the caddy, this frame will experience an inward horizontal force against the legs of the stepladder. This frame keeps the spacing of the wire basket from separating. If the spacing between wire in the caddy should separate, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction.  
         [0029]     Items  102  and  104  of the caddy can be referred to as the long  104  and short  102  substantially u-shaped wires that are interconnected along the length of the base of the unshaped wires to form a meshed crossing pattern thereby forming the bottom of a basket. The opposing upright sides of the u-shaped wires form the walls of the basket. The long wires are interconnected to the short wires along the lengths of the bases of the u-shaped wires in one embodiment such that all the bases and sides of the long wires are in parallel with respect to each other and the same for the short wires. Number ten (10) gauge wire can be used for the long and short wires. Ten (10) gauge wire builds strength in the caddy so that the caddy will not be deformed.  
         [0030]     Two (2) handles  110  and  111  or bail rods can be used for the caddy. Each handle or bail rod can be made of about approximately ¼″ steel wire. The length of each bail rod can be about approximately 17 ⅛″ wide plus or minus as shown. The importance of the length dimension is that either handle on the caddy will swing around and over the top of most stepladders, holding the caddy securely in place. The handle over the top of the stepladder applies horizontal force to the legs of the stepladder. However, the length of the handle can vary depending on the dimensions of the step ladder for which it is to be used.  
         [0031]     Specially, one embodiment of the present invention can be used with a double approach ladder, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  the length M′ of the bail rod  800  can be designed to be placed over a double approach ladder (not shown), for example one embodiment could be about approximately 21 ⅜″ to fit over some typical double approach ladders. This embodiment shows the length longer than the width of the basket A, thus the opposing sides  802  and  804 , of the bail rod which defines the bail rods width are space apart a greater distance than the sides of the basket and greater than the distance between the points where the bail rod attaches to the basket. The length of each bail rod can be reduced or narrowed on the attachment side of the bail rod to fit the top frame of a basket so that the distance between two sides of each bail rod is narrowed towards its centre line where the bail rod is bent inward, presenting a like narrowed throat when viewed in cross-section. Both sides can be inwardly bent at a sharp point in a lateral direction or can be inwardly curved as a blunt point. The bail rod is shown having a width designated as N′ where one embodiment can be about approximately 10 ⅛″ and the narrowed length of each bail rod on the attachment side of the bail rod to the top frame, designated as MM, can be about approximately 17″. Alternatively, the length of each bail rod can be narrowed continuously to the top frame. The length of the bail rod can be adjustable to fit various types of ladders in various manners. An example of adjustment would be a telescoping rod (not shown). Other means for adjusting the length of the bail rod will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0032]     The width of the handle can be about approximately 8 3/16″ as shown. It is a critical point that the short dimension N be maintained consistent with the type of ladder for which it will be used. This holds the caddy near the top of the stepladder. If this dimension was made shorter, the handle may not go over the top of most stepladders which, at this point, the unit could not be used as a ladder caddy.  
         [0033]     As discussed above, one embodiment of the present invention is used with the double approach ladder, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the width N′ of each bail rod can be sized to fit a double approach ladder, for example, where one embodiment can be about approximately 10⅛″. Again, it is a critical point that the short dimension N be maintained consistent with the type of ladder for which it will be used. The width of the bail rod can be adjustable to fit various types of ladders in various manners. An example of adjustment would be a telescoping rod (not shown). Other means for adjusting the width of the bail rod will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0034]     Two handles or bail rods can be used for the caddy or basket. The length of each bail rod can be longer than the width of the basket for example the length can be about approximately 21 ⅜″ wide, plus or minus 1 inch. The importance of the length dimension is that either handle of the caddy will swing around and over the top of most double approach stepladders and also the folding extension ladders, holding the caddy securely in place. The handle over the top of the double approach stepladder and most folding extension ladders applies horizontal force to the legs of the ladder.  
         [0035]     The width of the handle can be designed for the type of ladder for example a handle can be designed with a width needed for double approach step ladder for example about approximately 8 ⅜″ as shown. It is a critical point that the short dimension be maintained consistent with the type of ladder for which it will be used. This short dimension holds the caddy near the top of the double approach stepladder and most folding extension ladders. If this dimension was made shorter, the handle may not go over top of most double approach stepladders and folding extensions ladders, which at this point, the unit could not be used as a ladder caddy.  
         [0036]     By increasing this N′ dimension to something greater, the fulcrum point of the caddy or basket would change a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The caddy would also drop lower on the double approach stepladder and the folding extension ladder, which would limit its usefulness by making it more difficult to reach materials and supplies inside the caddy. It would also increase tipping of the ladder which is a large safety issue.  
         [0037]     The off sets MM′, MM, and V in the handle drawing that shows, where one embodiment can be for example about approximately 2 ¼″× 13/4″×17″ respectively are so that this handle fits the basket caddy for a stepladder. Any change in these dimensions would change the fulcrum point of the caddy, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction.  
         [0038]     In the standard embodiment by increasing this 8 3/16″ dimension N to something greater, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The caddy would also drop lower on the stepladder which would limit its usefulness by making it more difficult to reach materials and supplies inside the caddy, and would increase tipping of the stepladder which is a large safety issue. The dimension N can be optimized for ladders for which the present invention will be utilized; however, based on the typical step ladder one embodiment is about approximately 8 3/16″.  
         [0039]     Hooks and or locking pins can be made of about approximately ¼″ wire. Two for each caddy is shown for example as one embodiment. They are pivotally connected in the top frame in the loop area of the top frame of the caddy. By making a loop in an electrical cord, and inserting that loop through the bottom of the loops found in the formed frame, then placing the hooks or locking pins through the loop in the electrical cord, this now serves as a locking device securing electrical cords away from the steps of the stepladder for safety.  
         [0040]     The wire locking system can be made up of ten (10) gauge support wire that can be 4 ⅜″ long and two can be used for each caddy. Wires  118  and  125  can be used as a paint roller handle lock  118  or  125 . When a person is using the caddy to hold a paint pan, paint and a paint roller, a need arose to develop a locking system to keep the paint roller handle from falling into the paint. These wires  118  and  125  located on each side of the caddy serve as the locking device for most paint roller handles. The dimensions of the caddy can be optimally designed to allow a standard sized paint pan to fit on the bottom of the caddy or dimension such that the paint pan can be securely nested on the top frame.  
         [0041]     Item  126  can be made of eighteen (18) gauge sheet metal which can be about approximately  7 ½″×3 3/8 ″. Its function is to offer a place on the caddy to support labels.  
         [0042]     Items  116  and  124  are two gap wires that can be about approximately ¼″ welded to the top formed frame. The function of the gap wires is to support an accessory referred to in  FIG. 5  as item  500  of the drawings and can be referred to as a spooler.  
         [0043]     The spooler shown on  FIG. 5  can be about approximately ¼″ steel rod that can be about approximately 20 ⅜″ long with about approximately ¾″ bend on one end and about approximately 1″ bend on the other end and about approximately 1 ¼″ return bend. The return bend is for pivotally connecting the spooler or spool rod to one of the gap wires and the opposing end of the spooler is removably hooked on the opposing gap wire. A drawing of this unit can be found on  FIG. 5  of the drawing. The function of the spooler is to allow a person to install rolls of wire or cable on the spooler, and then insert the spooler inside the caddy. This allows a person to install wire or cable from the top of a stepladder. The importance of having a bend on one end of about approximately 1″ with about approximately 1 ¼″ return bend is to hold the spooler in place.  
         [0044]     Item Z is referred to as the side wall angle and that can be seen in  FIG. 3C  of the drawings. The importance of this angle is to help to hold the caddy on a level horizontal plane with the stepladder. The angle can be about approximately 80°. Should the horizontal plane change, the fulcrum point would also change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The angle also aids in the nesting of the units. This detail can be found on  FIGS. 6A and 6B  of the drawings.  
         [0045]     As seen in  FIG. 7 , tray liner can be about approximately 15.4″ long by 10.5″ wide by 2″ deep. Its function is to keep small items such as screws and nails from falling through the bottom. The size of the tray liner can vary depending on the dimensions of the caddy. The liner can also be utilized as a paint pan and can be removably disposed in the bottom of the caddy.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the caddy  100  is shown installed over the top portion  202  of the step ladder  200  utilizing the bail rod  111 . The opposing bail rod  110  is shown retracted downward such that items can be hung therefrom. The center frame  108  is shown resting against the rear legs  204  and  205  of the step ladder. The center frame  108  reinforces the vented caddy basket such that the spacing between the wires or the basket are maintained thereby preventing deformation of the basket. The bail rod  111  is secured about the legs  204 ,  205 ,  206  and  207  of the step ladder. A worker can stand on the steps  208  of the step ladder while accessing items contained within the caddy.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C, a top front and side view of the caddy is shown. The top plan view designates the length dimension as A and the width dimension as B. The gage of the wire for mounting the spool rod is designated as G. The diameter of the wire locking loop is designated as D and the outer dimensions are designated as E and F. The spacing between the unshaped wires is designated as C. One embodiment of the invention can be such that the dimensions can be about approximately 18.75″ for A, 13.8125″ for B, 1.375″ for C, 2.875″ for D, 2.875″ for E, 2.875″ for F, and 0.25″ for G. The overall length is designated as H and one embodiment of the invention is such that H can be about approximately 24″, the height is designated as I and can be about approximately 7.5″ and the outward cant of the sides can be about approximately 80° from horizontal. The identification plate  126  is designated as having dimensions K×L and one embodiment of the invention is such that K and L are about approximately 7.5″ and 3.375″ respectively.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the front and side plan views of the bail rod handle is shown. The bail rod handle is shown having a length M and width N. One embodiment of the invention is such that the length M can be about approximately 17.125″ and the width N can be about approximately 8 3/16″. The fold back portion  406  of the bail rod handle is described by dimensions S and T where one embodiment of the invention can be about approximately 1 13/16″ for S and about approximately ⅜″ for T.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 4C , a plan view of the locking wire member  408  is shown. The locking member is shown having a length designated as O which can be about approximately 4 ½″. The fold back portion of the locking member is described by dimensions designated at P, Q and R where one embodiment of the invention can be such that P can be about approximately ⅜″, Q can be about approximately 1 ⅛″ and R can be about approximately 35°. One embodiment of the locking member as shown in  FIG. 9  can have different dimension. The locking member is shown having a length designated as O′ where one embodiment can be about approximately 1 ¾″. The fold back portion of the locking member is described by dimensions designated at P′ where one embodiment of the invention can be such that P′ can be about approximately ⅜″.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the basket caddys are shown in a nested arrangement. Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a top and front plan view is shown of an optional accessory for the caddy basket which is a liner pan which is designed to be removably installed in the bottom of the caddy. The dimension AA can be about approximately 15.4″ and dimension BB can be about approximately 10.5″ and dimension CC can be about approximately 2.0″.  
         [0051]     The various ladder caddy examples shown above illustrate a novel ladder caddy apparatus. A user of the present invention may choose any of the above ladder caddy embodiments, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject ladder caddy could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0052]     As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0053]     Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.