Abstract:
A portable workstation has an integrated container, hand truck, and easily removable ladder. Wheels or casters are provided to make the device easily portable. An integrated removable ladder is used to push and guide or steer the device. The combination yields a portable workstation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to tools generally, and is more specifically directed to a portable workstation, with the workstation in the form of a hand truck having an integrated ladder and storage container. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Persons working in building maintenance or construction commonly use ladders. These persons also need tools at the jobsite, and they frequently need a work surface that can be used on location at the jobsite. Carrying a toolbox, a ladder, and a work surface can mean multiple trips back and forth between the jobsite and a vehicle or other storage location. Further, the location of the jobsites may require transporting a ladder, toolbox and workstation up or down several flights of stairs. 
   A need exists for a portable device that facilitates the transportation of a ladder, tools, and other articles, such as parts, and which will minimize the number of trips that a worker must make to transport these articles. Further, there is a need for a portable device that will provide a base or work station once the required tools are transported to the jobsite. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A portable workstation has an integrated container, hand truck, and easily removable ladder. Wheels or casters are provided to make the device easily portable. An integrated removable ladder is used to push and guide or steer the device. The combination yields a portable workstation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device. 
       FIG. 2  is sectioned view of the device taken essentially along  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the device with the ladder removed. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the device as shown in  FIG. 3 , but rotated 90°. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1  shows the device as having a base  2  to which is mounted a first wheel  4  and a second wheel  6 . A blade extends  8  from the base forward of the base and the wheels. A removable ladder  10  is inserted into a first receptacle  12  and a second receptacle  14  that are formed in the base. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the base comprises a container box  16 , which has a hinged lid  18  thereon. The container box lid has a work-piece retainer  20  that may be used to carry articles or position articles for various work operations. 
   The container box is positioned between the first wheel  4  and the second wheel  6 . The blade extends  8  from a lower front portion of the container box. As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the container box extends forward of the wheels, but does not extend materially aft of the wheels. A bottom  22  of the container box slopes upwardly from a forward portion of the container box toward a rear container box.  FIG. 4 . The sloping bottom of the container box prevents the rear of the container box from striking the rolling surface when the device is used as a hand truck for transporting articles that are positioned on the blade, which is further facilitated by the rear of the box not extending materially aft of the wheels. 
   The container box permits objects, such as tools, building materials, parts and the like to placed within the container box and transported. The container box is preferred to have lid  16  thereon, and the lid is preferred to be hinged. A lock may be provided to secure the lid in position to secure the container box. 
   A work-piece retainer may extend upwardly from the lid. The work-piece retainer may take a form as desired, and may include a vise or a similar tooling. As shown, the work-piece retainer is a first generally V-shaped member  20  and a second generally V-shaped member  24 . The V-shaped members may be used for carrying elongated articles, such as lumber, pipes or rods. The V-shaped members are also useful for retaining these elongated members while operations, such as cutting, are performed on the elongated members. 
   Resilient members  26 ,  28  maybe affixed to the rear of the container box. Resilient members may be nylon strips that are attached to each side of the rear of the container box. 
   A first generally vertical receptacle  12  and a second generally vertical receptacle  14  are positioned forward of the wheels. The receptacles are positioned generally parallel to each other, and are sufficiently elongated to retain the ladder therein. The receptacles are preferred to have four sides to surround the legs of the ladder, so that the ladder is retained within the receptacles without the necessity of attachment devices. As shown, a first pin  30  and a second pin  32  are provided for securing the ladder. The pins engage a void in the receptacles and a void in the ladder. However, the ladder is retained in the receptacles by the length of the receptacles and the four sides of the receptacles, such that the pins are not absolutely necessary. If a retainer is used for added safety, pins or some other quick-release method must be used for maximum convenience of the device. Threaded retaining means would require substantially more time to engage and disengage the ladder. The structure of the receptacles indicates that the additional security provided by threaded means is not necessary to the desired performance of the device. 
   The ladder as shown is hinged about an upper portion. The legs of the ladder are generally parallel to each other. The use of a ladder having generally parallel legs provides proper engagement with the vertical and elongated receptacles. 
   In use, tools, parts, and other articles are stored and transported within the container box. Larger articles may be transported using the device as a hand truck, by means of the blade that extends from the container box. The first leg of the ladder is inserted in the first receptacle, and a second leg of the ladder is inserted in the second receptacle. The ladder is then useful as a handle for pushing the portable workstation about, and vertical support for the article to be carried when using the portable workstation as a hand truck. The operator pulls back on the ladder, as if using a hand truck, to elevate the blade and any contents on the blade above the rolling surface. The upward sloping rear of the container box permits the blade to be elevated, without the rear of the container striking the floor. The device may then be transported by pushing against the ladder to move the device about. When the work location is reached, materials may be removed from the blade. The workstation may be positioned as desired, pushing the device about by means of the ladder. After the workstation is in position, the ladder may be removed and used as a ladder. Tools, parts and other articles may be removed from the container box, and the work-piece retainer may be used to hold articles. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.