Abstract:
A ladder accessory device useful in combination with a ladder to supportably hold one or two container holders in a convenient and easy to reach position for a person working on the ladder. A pair of container holders are removably mounted in laterally spaced, longitudinally aligned position along the length of the ladder. The container holders may include arms which pass through laterally spaced holes provided in aligned relationship to one another along the length of the legs of the ladder. Means are included to releasably fix the arm and the container holders in selected positions along the length of said legs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/636,644 filed Dec. 16, 2004. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     (Not Applicable)  
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX  
       [0003]     (Not Applicable)  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     This invention relates generally to accessory items useful for performing maintenance work in and around residential homes requiring the use of a ladder.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Maintenance in and about residences often require the use of a ladder of the extension type or the common stepladder. In many instances, particularly painting the inside or outside of homes, the use of a ladder is required. However, while many forms for providing means to hold a paint container have been used in the past, each has shown to have limitations which either are inconvenient in some circumstances or fail to possess characteristics or features which would solve other problems associated with such work.  
         [0008]     Prior to the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art have not satisfactorily produced a ladder accessory item which satisfactorily addresses such maintenance work to provide more convenience and efficiency to the user.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is directed to accessory apparatus particularly useful with many conventional ladders of the type commonly used for painting and other maintenance work around buildings and particularly around residences.  
         [0010]     It is one aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a container holder device which easily and simply may be removably mounted to a ladder wherein containers for paint or tools may be mounted in an easily reached and convenient position.  
         [0011]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a pair of container holders adapted to be removably mounted in aligned relationship along the outside of and along the longitudinal extent of the legs of a ladder in a position convenient to the user.  
         [0012]     It is another aspect of the present invention in a preferred embodiment to provide a pair of open basket-like container holders, each having an outwardly extending arm extendable through openings in the legs of the ladder toward one another to join in a removably fixed telescoping relationship.  
         [0013]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a mounting means adopted to be removably mounted on a step of a conventional step ladder to removably receive the container holders particularly useful for conventional step ladders without providing openings along the legs of the step ladder.  
         [0014]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an accessory for use with ladders wherein paint and/or tool containers may be adjustably mounted to a ladder in an easy manner to facilitate maintenance work in an improved manner.  
         [0015]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described for use in cooperation with a ladder which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and therefore highly affordable to the potential users. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ladder accessory device constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view drawing each one of a pair of container holders shown in  FIG. 1 , the view illustrating each one of the pair in a separated relationship prior to being mounted to a ladder;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an end elevational embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in combination with one form of ladder;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the embodiment in an operational combination with one form of ladder.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of a mounting means suitable for use on a conventional step ladder to provide another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting means shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  in combination with the container holders as may be typically mounted on a conventional step ladder; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a partial side sectional view of the combination of the mounting means and container holders illustrating their relationship in the mounted condition shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
       [0026]     In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     A ladder accessory device constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in the form of one preferred embodiment in  FIG. 1  and includes a pair of similar container holders indicated generally at  20 . Container holders  20  comprise an open type construction which herein means a form having side and bottom supports which do not form continuous enclosed sidewalls or a closed bottom wall. However, while preferred, continuously closed sidewalls and/or bottom wall may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0028]     Each container holder  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a top opening surrounded by an upper rim formed by a hollow rod-like or tubular elements  22 . The ends of each element  22  may be joined to an adjacent element  22  by an elbow like joint such as at  24  which may be fixed in any conventional manner to the adjacent end of an adjoining element as  22  to form the closed upper rim as shown in the preferred embodiment. The joint formed at  24  may be fixed by soldering or welding, for example. The elbow joint may be a separate body or one or both ends of adjoining elements  22  may be bent to form the arcuate joint.  
         [0029]     A bottom wall support is formed by two hollow rod-like elements  26 , generally similar to elements  22 , which are extended across one another at approximately a right angle and may be joined in their center to one another in any conventionally suitable manner. In  FIG. 1 , bottom elements  26  are shown flattened in the center and fixed with a rivet  29 . However, other means such as soldering, welding or use of a suitable adhesive, for example, may be used as deemed suitable.  
         [0030]     The outwardly extending ends of elements  26  may be fixed at  30  to the lower ends of four side support elements  28 . Elements  28  preferably are similar to the hollow rod elements  22  and  26 . The lower ends of side support elements  28  and the outward ends of elements  26  may be joined by an elbow shaped configuration such as employed at  24 , or in any other conventional well-known suitable manner to form an enclosure capable of holding a container which generally fits within the top opening of a holder  20 .  
         [0031]     The upper ends of each side element  28  may be fixed in any suitable conventional manner to a respective one of elements  22 . One preferred form may comprise flattening an upper end portion of each element  28  and bending it into a generally U-shape which fits around the element  22  and fixing the joinder by soldering, welding or by other suitable fastening means.  
         [0032]     It should be pointed out that while an open or frame-like construction is preferred to reduce manufacturing costs and the weight of the holder  20 , other forms having equivalent functionality may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, including a holder having closed side and bottom walls and a top opening. Further, elements such as  24 ,  26  and  29  may comprise metal or plastic tubing of sufficient strength to support the intended containers disposed in the holders  20 .  
         [0033]     Each container holder  20  is provided with an outwardly extending arm, such as  32  and  34 . The inner ends of such arm  32  and  34  may be joined to one of rim elements  22  by butt welding, for example, and supported by diagonal members  36 , one of which is fixed to a respective arm  32  or  34  as seen in the Figures.  
         [0034]     A similar flattening of the end portions of hollow rod-like elements  36  and bending to a generally U-shaped configuration may be usefully employed such as shown at  38  and  40 . The joinder at  38  and  40  may be similarly fixed by soldering, welding or other suitable conventional means.  
         [0035]     Arms  32  and  34  preferably have a hollow tube configuration wherein the diameters permit one arm to be telescoped within the other arm for purposes as described below herein.  
         [0036]     Now specifically referring to  FIG. 6  and a portion of a conventional aluminum extension ladder, indicated generally at  44 , which comprises laterally spaced legs  46  and longitudinally spaced, fixed, rungs or steps  48 . In the ladder of well-known conventional construction, the rungs  48  are tubular, having an open passage extending to an open end  50  at opposing ends of each rung  48 .  
         [0037]     Container holders  20  may be removably mounted to ladder  44  by inserting a respective one of arms  32  and  34  into the opposing open ends  50  of a rung  48  at a selected position along the length of ladder  44  usually dependent upon a user&#39;s position on ladder  44  relative to the work intended to be performed.  
         [0038]     Either before or after mounting holders  20  as shown, a container, such as  52  and  54 , may be disposed within each one of open basket type holders  20  to securely support the containers  52  and  54  in a convenient and easy to reach position for the user.  
         [0039]     For illustration purposes, container  52  represents a paint can or the like. Container  54  represents a suitable closed wall container, a plastic bucket for example, of a suitable size to fit within a container holder  20 . Container  54  may be used to store extra tools helpful for the particular maintenance work being performed, such as scrapers, brushes, wiping cloths, putty knives or the like, useful when doing a painting or other task. However, other tools may also be so stored in a ready-to-use position in container  54  as described and two containers such as  54  may be employed for maintenance work other than painting that require the use of a ladder, such as  44 .  
         [0040]     As shown and described herein, it should be readily understood that the apparatus of the present invention represents a markedly convenient improvement aid to many maintenance chores, yet is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and significantly facilitates the work being done in a more efficient manner.  
         [0041]     When the user needs to move up or down ladder  44 , each container holder  20  may be readily moved to a different rung  48  as needed. One merely needs to release the means for fixing arms  32  and  34  from within a given rung  48  and move each holder  20  accordingly to a different rung  48 .  
         [0042]     In the preferred embodiment shown, a simple pin and hole arrangement in arms  32  and  34  may be employed to releasably fix arms  32  and  34  in their telescoped relationship. However, other suitable conventional methods and means well-known to those of ordinary skill may also be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention to provide an equivalent function.  
         [0043]     It should also be pointed out that the container holders  20  may also be employed with a conventional stepladder. However, with an extension ladder or a stepladder wherein the rungs or steps are solid or have no end open hollow construction, one merely has to provide suitable holes laterally aligned along the length of parallel extending legs of the ladder to provide openings capable of receiving arms  32  and  34  in essentially the same manner as described herein. Such holes may be drilled using readily available tools. In this configuration, the present invention is utilized in an equivalent manner to provide equivalent results of convenience and expediting a given maintenance chore.  
         [0044]     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8-11  which is particularly useful for most conventional step ladders and does not require drilling openings in the legs of the step ladder to mount the container holders  20 .  
         [0045]     A mounting means indicated generally at  56  preferably comprises a one piece construction of a metal or plastic material, for example, having a pair of openings, such as generally C-shaped ends  58 , spaced from one another and adapted to be received under and over a step portion  60  of a conventional step ladder, generally indicated at  62  in  FIG. 10 . The longer leg  64  of the C-shaped ends  58  fits over the top of the step  60  and the shorter leg  66  slides under the step  60  to support the spaced loops or openings  70  and  72  formed at the opposite ends of mounting means  56  as best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Mounting means  56  may be constructed from a single heavy gauge metal wire and bent into the shape shown or of any other suitable material molded, bent or otherwise constructed to a suitable functionally equivalent shape, or a combination of materials capable of constructing a similar functional shape using well-known manufacturing methods. The C-shaped shown wherein the C-shaped ends are formed at generally a right angle, may be formed with a more U-shape if deemed desirable and functionally suitable.  
         [0046]     With specific reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a partial view of a conventional step ladder indicated generally at  62  with the container holders  20  and mounting means  56  operatively mounted on the ladder  62  with containers  52  and  54  positioned within holders  20  illustrate a typical functional position for use of the present invention.  
         [0047]     Step ladder  62  typically includes spaced, parallel legs  61  and a plurality of steps  60  longitudinally spaced along the length of legs  61 .  
         [0048]     To use the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , one merely mounts mounting means  56  to a step  60  by placing the C-shaped ends  58  under and over step  60  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  with the longer legs  64  resting on and engaging the upper surface  80  and the shorter legs  66  engaging an underside of step  60 . The opposing end of mounting means  56  with openings  70  and  72  are then removably fixed beyond the rear end of step  60 . Then the outwardly extending arms  32  and  34  may be extended through the openings  70  and  72  in a similarly functional manner as described earlier herein with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7  to mount container holders  20  in a stable position outside the width between legs  61  of step ladder  62 . Then suitable containers such as  52  and  54  may be removably mounted within container holders  20 .  
         [0049]     While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.