Patent Publication Number: US-10767417-B2

Title: Accessory tray for attachment to a folding step ladder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/366,401 filed Jul. 25, 2016. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to accessory devices for ladders, and more particularly, to a device for holding a tray, bag or other container at the top of a folding step ladder for holding tools, hardware and other items when using the ladder. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Folding step ladders are used for all types of jobs and in many different trades, including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, painting, carpentry and landscaping. When using a ladder, it is often necessary to carry various tools, hardware, parts and/or other objects up the ladder for performing the particular task at hand. However, it can be difficult to segregate the various items needed when standing on a ladder, and, in most cases, these items are placed either loosely on the top of the ladder or held by the person standing on the ladder as they attempt to perform a particular job. Sometimes, tools, hardware and other items are dropped or roll off the top of the ladder and fall to the ground. Dropping items causes not only inconvenience, but can present a safety issue for the person standing on the ladder when trying to catch items that are dropped or fall from the ladder. Moreover, tools and other heavy or sharp objects that are dropped from the ladder can cause damage to floor surfaces (e.g., wood, marble and ceramic tile floors). The person must then climb down the ladder and retrieve any dropped items before climbing back up the ladder to continue the job. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for a device that can be easily attached to existing step ladders for supporting a tray, bag or other container at the top of the ladder for holding various tools, hardware and other items needed when using the ladder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an accessory device for attachment to a folding step ladder. The accessory device includes a square or rectangular receiver frame that hingedly attaches to the top end of the ladder and a tray that is removably supported within the receiver frame. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver frame is attached to the ladder with two or more hinges and includes collapsible pivoting support arms on opposite sides that extend at an angle between the sides of the receiver frame and the ladder. The ends of the support arms connect to the receiver frame and to the ladder below the top end of the ladder. The tray may include one or more compartments to accommodate tools, parts, hardware, supplies and other items and may be specifically designed and compartmentalized to accommodate specific uses and/or trades (e.g., painters, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, homeowners, etc.). In use, the receiver frame is supported horizontally, extending out from the top of the ladder, and is held by the support arms that lock into an extended position. The tray is then received within the receiver frame and held in the horizontal position at the top of the ladder. When not in use, the receiver frame is folded down and collapsed against the side of the ladder for transport and storage. The tray can be removed or remain in the receiver frame when collapsed against the ladder. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder which promotes greater speed and efficiency when using the ladder. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder, as shown and described herein, which reduces the amount of time it takes to go up and down the ladder to get supplies. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder that gives the user of the ladder the option of when it is needed to be used, and which is adapted to be folded to a collapsed state against the ladder when not in use. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder that is adapted for various purposes, and which allows the user to support any of a variety of trays, containers or bags for holding items while using the ladder. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder, as shown and described herein, and which is universal and practical for use with any conventional folding step ladder. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a ladder which eliminates property damage to due lack of space for tools, once climbed on the ladder, and wherein the device prevents tools, hardware and other objects from falling off the ladder and onto wood, marble or ceramic floors which may cause damage. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a folding ladder that is easy to assemble and install on any conventional folding ladder. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a folding ladder that makes convenient use of otherwise dead space between the ladder and a vertical wall surface when using the ladder. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device that is adapted to hold various trays on the top of a ladder in a horizontal, supported position, and wherein the trays are removable and specifically designed for various purposes and tasks. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for a folding ladder which accommodates various trays that are compartmentalized for holding hardware, parts, tools and other items. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory device for attachment to an existing folding step ladder and wherein the accessory device is specifically adapted for supporting a bag or other container to hold Christmas ornaments, decorations and the like. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view showing the accessory device of the present invention installed on the top of a step ladder and supported in the extended, operable position to receive a tray, bag or other container; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view showing the accessory device of the present invention installed on the top of a folding step ladder, and wherein the accessory device supports a compartmentalized tray that is removably received within the receiver frame of the device; and 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view showing the accessory device of the present invention being moved between a folded, stowed position and an extended, operable position on the top of a folding step ladder. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The ladder accessory device of the present invention is shown throughout the several views of the drawings and is generally indicated as  10 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the ladder accessory device  10  includes a receiver frame  12  that is either square or rectangular in configuration and includes a front end  14 , a rear end  16  and opposite sides  17  and  18 . The square or rectangular receiver frame  10  may be formed of aluminum, plastic (e.g., recyclable plastic), or other suitable rigid material that provides sufficient strength to hold the weight of tools, equipment, hardware and other items. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the front and rear ends  14 ,  16  and opposite sides  17 ,  18  of the receiver frame  12  are generally constructed as a unitary structure and each have a thickness of approximately 0.25 inch and a height or width of approximately 1.5 inches. In the embodiment shown throughout the several views of the drawings, the front and rear ends  14 ,  16  are slightly shorter than the opposite sides  17 ,  18 . In one preferred embodiment, the front and rear ends  14 , 16  of the receiver frame  12  have a length of approximately 13 inches, while the opposite sides  17 ,  18  have a length of approximately 13.75 inches. Holes are provided in the rear end  16  of the receiver frame  12  for accommodating screws or other fastening hardware of hinges  20  that hingedly attach the receiver frame  12  to the top of a folding ladder  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Specifically, one leaf or plate of the hinge  20  is secured to the front face  104  of the top  102  of the ladder  100  while the other leaf or face of the hinge  20  attaches to the rear end  16  of the receiver frame  12  via the holes formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, two hinges  20  are used to hingedly attach the receiver frame  12  to the ladder  100 . 
     The ladder accessory device  10  of the present invention further includes collapsible pivoting support arms  30  that connect to the opposite sides  17 ,  18  of the receiver frame  12  and to the side of a leg  106  of the ladder  100 . Specifically, one pivoting support arm  30  connects between the side  17  of the receiver frame  12  and to one side leg  106  of the ladder, while another one of the pivoting support arms  30  connects between the side  18  of the receiver frame  12  and an opposite side leg  106  of the ladder  100 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . Each pivoting support arm  30  includes a first arm member  32  and a second arm member  34  that are joined together at a pivoting locking member  36  that allows the arm members  32 ,  34  to pivot and collapse, as seen in  FIG. 3  and to be then extended to a linear support position, wherein the pivoting locking member  36  holds the arm members  32 ,  34  in the extended, operable locked position, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to thereby support the receiver frame  12  in an outwardly extended, horizontal position, defining an operable position. 
     The receiver frame  12  is particularly suited for supporting a removable tray  40  therein, as seen in  FIG. 2 . The tray  40  may have one large compartment or, alternatively, multiple compartments of the same or different sizes. In  FIG. 2 , an example of a tray  40 , is shown wherein multiple compartments of various size are provided in the tray for holding different items, such as screws, nails and other hardware, as well as tools or other items. The tray includes a peripheral lip that engages with the top edges of the receiver frame  12 , and possibly extending over the outer sides of the frame  12 . Different trays may be configured and designed to accommodate various purposes, such as for painting, carpentry, electrical work, landscaping, plumbing and the like. The tray may also be suited to accommodate support of power tools and other equipment, such as a small circular saw or drill press, as well as handheld power tools. 
     The receiver frame  12  may further accommodate other size and configured containers, such as a bucket that is shaped to fit and be supported within the receiver frame  12 , or a bag that can be clipped to the sides  17 ,  18  as well as the front end  14  and rear end  16  of the receiver frame, for placement of items such as Christmas lights or ornaments therein when decorating a tree or house. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.