Abstract:
Described is a caddy that allows an individual to access equipment, tools and supplies. The caddy includes a front panel portion having a series of elongated slots adapted in one version to receive and maintain elongate fluorescent lights. The caddy is attachable to a ladder so that users do not have to continuously climb up and down the ladder.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to tool carriers, more specifically, to a caddy that allows an individual to access equipment, tools and other supplies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ladders are routinely used to access areas that are above standing height. At times, ladders can also serve as work platforms. Anyone who has used a ladder is well aware that even the slightest body movements can cause items placed on the ladder to tumble from the ladder to the ground. Not only can falling objects, such as heavy or sharp tools injure bystanders, but the person on the ladder can lose his or her balance in an attempt to catch such falling objects. 
     Thus, there exists a need for a ladder caddy that allows an individual to conveniently access various items such as equipment, tools and supplies while working on or proximate a ladder. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses a caddy comprising: a flat panel having a front and rear surface; a storage panel on a front surface of said flat panel; and means for mounting the caddy to a rigid object. The rigid object may be a ladder. The flat panel and storage panels can be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, PVC, metal or wood and be substantially rectangular, square, circular, triangular or trapezoidal. In one embodiment, the storage means comprises elongated slots. In one embodiment, the flat panel can incorporate a handle. The means for mounting the caddy to a rigid object, can include apertures and fastening means that can be passed through the apertures, the fastening means including Velcro straps, hooks or adjustable buckles. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a caddy; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the caddy; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the caddy; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a dual-sided caddy; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the caddy having apertures; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the caddy having a handle; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate the caddy connected to a ladder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
     Initial reference is made to  FIG. 1  illustrating a caddy  10  according to the embodiments of the presently disclosed invention. In one embodiment, the caddy  10  is constructed or molded (e.g., plastic injection) of plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass or PVC. Alternatively, the caddy  10  can also be made of metal, wood or any other suitable material. Although shown as substantially rectangular, the caddy  10  can take on any number of shapes and sizes. The caddy  10  includes a storage panel  12  having a plurality of elongated slots or pockets  14  formed thereon. In one embodiment, the slots  14  are adapted for retaining fluorescent light bulbs, tubes, starters and ballasts. Alternatively, the pockets  14  may be adapted for storing equipment, tools, supplies and other objects having elongated or extended bodies or handles. Although the openings of the pockets  14  are shown to be semi-cylindrical in cross-section, they can also be fabricated or molded in a variety of polygonal shapes and sizes. 
     In one instance, hooks (not shown) may be incorporated on the front surface  15  of the flat panel  16  through the apertures  22  to facilitate fastening of U-shaped fluorescent light bulbs within the pockets  14 . Alternatively, Velcro, straps, hooks or loop fasteners may be used to secure items that would otherwise ordinarily not fit within the slots  14  of the caddy  10 . In other instances, the Velcro, straps, hooks or loop fasteners may be used to couple to another caddy  10  to form the dual-sided caddy  20  as previously described. 
     The caddy  10  integrates a flat panel  16  that supports the storage panel  12 . In the alternative, the flat panel  16  is coupled to the storage panel  12  using known attachment means such as glue, adhesive and/or Velcro. The flat panel  16  can include additional slots, pockets or compartments (not shown) for added storage capability. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2-3  illustrating top and side views, respectively, of the caddy  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the flat panel  16  includes a front surface  15  and a rear surface  18 . The rear surface  18  is substantially planar to facilitate coupling of the caddy  10  to various rigid objects including ladders, carts, vehicles or to another caddy  10 . In other words, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a rear surface  18   a  of a first caddy  10   a  may be coupled to a rear surface  18   b  of a second caddy  10   b  to form a dual-sided caddy  20 . The coupling may comprise the use of glue, adhesive and/or Velcro. Alternatively, the dual-sided caddy  20  may be coupled using other releasable fastener elements such as straps, hooks or buckles (not shown). 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5  illustrating the caddy  10  having two apertures  22  in the flat panel  16 . Depending on the materials used to fabricate or mold the caddy  10 , the apertures  22  can be formed using known sawing, drilling. molding or milling techniques. The openings of the apertures  22  can vary to allow a finger or an entire hand to fit therethrough to facilitate carrying or moving the caddy  10 . Although only two apertures  22  are shown, there can be more or fewer apertures  22  as needed. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6  illustrating the caddy  10  having a handle  24  formed on the flat panel  16 . The handle  24  can be constructed or molded of plastic, metal or wooden material as that of the caddy  10  and integrated on the flat panel  16 . Alternatively, the handle  24  can be coupled to the flat panel  16  using known fastening means such as screws and rivets. The handle  24  allows a user to readily carry or move the caddy  10 . Although the handle  24  is shown adjacent to the storage panel  12 , the handle  24  can also be formed on the rear surface  18  so as to not interfere with items that are stored within the slots  14 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrating the caddy  10  attached to a ladder. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the rear surface  18  of the caddy  10  can be mounted flush against a portion of the ladder so that slots  14  on the storage panel  12  can be used for retaining equipment, tools and supplies. Velcro, straps, hooks or loops having adjustable buckles and other fastening means  26  may be incorporated on the caddy  10  to facilitate coupling the caddy  10  to the side rails  28 . Alternatively, the fastening means  26  may be used to couple the caddy  10  to the rungs  30  (not shown). In another instance, the caddy  10  may be coupled on two opposing side rails  28  using similar fastening means  26  as best shown in  FIG. 7B . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although a ladder is shown and described, the caddy  10  can be coupled to other rigid objects such as another caddy, a vehicle or a cart in similar fashion as described above. Also, although not shown, it is understood that the dual-sided caddy  20  can also be utilized with a ladder in a manner similar to that previously described for caddy  10 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.