Abstract:
A toolbox for use with a foldable stepladder has a housing and a top plate with a peripheral lip extending above the top plate for retaining objects placed on the top plate. The housing may have one enclosure or, a different embodiment, a pair of housing portions secured on opposite sides of the top plate. When the toolbox has two housing portions a central plate defining the top plate rests on a top step of a ladder. In the embodiment using one enclosure, the toolbox is hooked to an underside of an upper step and is positioned in a cantilevered fashion below the top step.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to ladder accessories, and more particularly to a toolbox configured for placing on a stepladder and adapted for holding auxiliary tools, implements, and working materials.  
         [0002]     The stepladders are excessively used in various industries for supporting a worker at an elevated position. A-frame foldable ladders are used by construction workers, painters, electricians, gardeners and a multitude of other individuals who work on tasks requiring access to the elevate locations. The stepladders usually contain the top platform, or top step that is used for providing structural integrity to the ladder and is not used for stepping. When a user works at the top of the ladder, the user often finds that picking up extra supplies or tools from the ground level is time consuming and inefficient. The waste of time and energy is somewhat minimized if the user has a helper who is standing by to reach up and provide the necessary tools, paint brushes, paint buckets and the like to the person standing on top of the ladder. However, when such helper is not available, the user has no other alternative but to keep on returning to the ground for picking up the materials as the job progresses.  
         [0003]     The present invention contemplates elimination of the drawbacks associated with using a conventional stepladder and providing a ladder accessory to hold tools, supplies, and other such materials easily accessible to a person working on the ladder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a toolbox for use with a stepladder and, if desired, to be used independently of the ladder.  
         [0005]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a toolbox, which can be easily transported to the location and installed on a stepladder in an easy and time efficient manner.  
         [0006]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toolbox with a recessed cover that forms a platform for retaining accessories in an easily accessible manner for the user.  
         [0007]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a toolbox that is configured for placing on a stepladder, either on the top step or between the top step and the upper step. The toolbox has a housing means with a top plate, which is provided with a foldable carrying handle. The top plate is recessed in relation to a top edge of the housing means. A peripheral lip, or ledge is formed about the top edge of the housing means so as to retain objects on the top plate during use of the toolbox and prevent these objects rolling off.  
         [0008]     In one of the embodiments, the housing means has a pair of open top housing portions secured to opposite sides of the top plate. The top plate in this embodiment is configured to rest on the top step of the ladder. The housing portions are suspended on both sides of the ladder providing compartment space for holding tools, brushes, paint cans, fasteners and the like.  
         [0009]     In the second embodiment, the housing forms a box-like enclosure, where the top plate serves as a cover. A pair of grooves are formed in opposing side walls of the enclosure below the top edge, and the cover is slidably detachably engages in within the grooves. The second embodiment of the instant invention can be position between the top step and the upper step and hooks onto the upper step by a securing bracket attached to a back wall of the enclosure. The enclosure is cantilevered on the ladder when in working position, and the front end of the enclosure is oriented below the back end  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals and wherein  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the toolbox in accordance with the present invention mounted on a stepladder.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the toolbox of the first embodiment of the present invention shown with an optional brush/tool tray.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the toolbox in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a left side view of the toolbox in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the toolbox of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the toolbox in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the toolbox in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention in the process of being positioned on the ladder.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the toolbox of the second embodiment of the present invention showing the toolbox in a working position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the toolbox in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, with the cover closed.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the toolbox in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, with the cover partially removed.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the toolbox in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a left side view of the toolbox of the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is front view of the toolbox of the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a right side view of the toolbox in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the toolbox in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The tool box  10  is configured to be coupled to a conventional stepladder  12  to provide easy access of the person working at an elevated position on the ladder. The ladder  12  does not form a part of the present invention. Conventional stepladder  12 , schematically shown in phantom lines in  FIGS. 1, 7 , and  8  comprises a pair of parallel spaced-apart front legs  14 ,  16  and a pair of parallel spaced-apart rear legs  18  and  20 . The legs form a conventional A-structure frame wherein the front legs  14  and  16  are separated by rungs, or steps  22 . The rear legs  18  and  20  are separated by stabilizing crossbars  24  spaced-apart along the length of the legs  18  and  20 . A pair of locking members  26 ,  28  extend between the legs  14 ,  18 , and  16 ,  20  respectively.  
         [0026]     The ladder  12  has a top step  30  that usually forms a platform for placing brushes, fasteners, hammers, and other small tools for easy access for the user. The manufactures of stepladders instruct the users that the top step is not strong enough to support the weight of person and should not be used in climbing the ladder. Additionally, the top step  30  is usually small; it is often inadequate for retaining all the tools and accessories necessary for performing a certain task. Small objects, such as nuts, fasteners, and the like tend to roll off the top step  30 , which will require the user or helper to bring them up again.  
         [0027]     The tool box  10  of the first embodiment of the present invention has a housing means comprising a first housing portion  40 , a second housing portion  42  and a central portion  44 . The portions  40  and  42  form open top housings which extend below the top shelf  30  and can be of any desired depth for retaining the tools and equipment necessary to perform the job in a particular environment. For instance, the vertical dimension of the housing portions  40  and  42  can be 5-10 inches, depending on the particular design. The length of the vertical walls  46  defining the housings  40  and  42  can be 5 to 10 inches in length. Of course, these dimensions can be easily modified if necessary. The horizontal dimensions of the housings  40  and  42  can also be adapted for a specific task. For instance, the length of the horizontal walls  48  can be 5-10 inches, depending on a particular design. The housings  40  and  42  can be formed as square housings, oblong, or in any desired shape to accommodate the manufacturing and job-specific requirements.  
         [0028]     The central portion  44  is configured to rest on the top shelf  30 . In many aspects, the size of the central portion  44  depends on the dimensions of the top shelf  30 . The central portion  44  comprises a flat top plate  50  provided with a peripheral lip, or upwardly extending flange  52 . The top plate  50  is recessed below a top edge of the central portion  44  to allow to form a barrier, which prevents small objects from rolling from the top plate  50  when the toolbox  10  is in use. A handle  54  is secured to the plate  50 . The handle  54  folds down and can be raised up by moving the handle  54  about hinged attachment members  56 ,  58 , which secure the handle  54  to the plate  50 .  
         [0029]     It is envisioned that the central portion  44  can be smaller than the width of the horizontal walls  48  of the housing portions  40  and  42 . The central portion  44  can be formed to closely approximate the dimensions of the top step  30  or extend slightly outside. It is sufficient that a large portion of the top plate  50  rests on the top step  30  for stability of positioning of the toolbox  10  on the ladder  12 .  
         [0030]     The housing portions  40  and  42  are each provided with a closed bottom  60 ,  62 , respectively. The closed bottoms facilitate retaining of the equipment and tools in an easily accessible manner. A rear side  64  of the central portion  44  can be formed in general alignment with the rear walls  68 ,  70  of the housing portions  40  and  42 , while the front wall  51  can be recessed in relation to the front walls  72 ,  74  of the housing portions  40  and  42  respectively.  
         [0031]     If desired, an optional brush/tool tray  80  can be provided for use with the ladder  12 . The tray  80  can be positioned adjacent the top step  30  and inserted between the top step  30  and the upper step in an easily accessible manner for the user. A roller brush or small object, nails, screws, etc. can be positioned in the tray to provide additional compartments for use of the worker on the ladder.  
         [0032]     Turning now to the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 14 , the tool box  100  of the second embodiment is shown in use with a foldable stepladder  112 . As can be seen in the drawings, the tool box  100  comprises a box-like enclosure having a closed bottom  114  and vertical walls  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and  122 . A top plate, or cover  124  is provided for covering the open top of the tool box  100 . A pair of sliding grooves  126  are formed adjacent the top edges of the side walls  116  and  120  allowing the cover  124  to slide within the grooves to completely enclose the interior chamber defined by the tool box  100  or when moved back—allow access to the interior of the enclosure. The cover  124  is provided with a foldable handle  130  which can be folded down or raised up along hinges  132  secured to the top of the cover surface  124 . A peripheral lip, or ledge  125  is formed about the walls  116 ,  118  and  120 . The lip  125  prevents the small objects placed on the cover  124  from rolling off the toolbox  100 .  
         [0033]     A hook shaped bracket  140  is secured along the wall  118 . The bracket  140  comprises a securing member having an L-shaped cross section and comprising a horizontal portion  142  and a vertically extending portion  144 . The height of the walls  116 ,  118 ,  120  and  122  can be adapted to allow the tool box  100  to fit between the ladder legs, and between an upper step  150  and a top step  152  of the ladder  112 . The bracket  144  is dimensioned to hook to the underside of the upper step  150  in a manner shown in  FIG. 8 . The horizontal dimensions of the walls,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and  122  can be selected to allow at least a portion of the tool box  100  to extend outwardly from the back legs  154  of the ladder  112 .  
         [0034]     When positioning the tool box  100 , the user moves the tool box to a position between the stabilizing members (not shown) secured to the back legs  154  towards the front legs  156 , above the level of the horizontal brace or cross bar  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . The toolbox  100  is dimensioned such that the securing bracket  140 , when hooked onto the step  150  of the ladder  112 , supports the weight of the toolbox  100  and retains it in a cantilevered position on the ladder  112 . When in a working position shown in  FIG. 8 , a front end  160  is oriented slightly below the back end  161 , sloping downwardly to keep the weight of the cantilevered toolbox  100  stable.  
         [0035]     Both tool boxes  10  and  100  can be easily transported to a desired job site by carrying them by handles  54  and  130 . If desired, the tool boxes  10  and  100  can be used separately without the ladders  12  and  112 . The tool boxes  10  and  100  can be simply positioned next to the job location, resting on their bottom surfaces  60 ,  62  and  114  while the user accesses the tools and accessories housed within the housing portions  40 ,  42  and within the tool box  100 . If desired, the tool boxes  10  and  100  can be divided into a plurality of separate compartments to facilitate organizing the objects placed in the compartment. The tool boxes  10  and  100  can be made from inexpensive materials, such as molded plastic, plywood, lightweight metal, and the like.  
         [0036]     Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without department from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.