Patent Publication Number: US-5836557-A

Title: Detachable utility tray for step ladder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to trays for ladders and the like, and more particularly to a portable utility tray and a strap that can be adjustably attached to the tray and used to clamp the tray to a shelf on a step ladder. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Typically, persons who use step ladders or extension ladders have difficulty storing and/or handling items they require for completing the tasks they set out to accomplish. The difficulty arises when there is a need for a particular tool that the person cannot carry on his person, and multiple trips up and down the ladders are necessary to retrieve or replace the requisite implements. 
     The prior art is replete with examples of assemblies for adjustably mounting containers on ladder shelves or steps. One class of assembly is used to secure paint containers on the shelving or step (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,308,180 (a strap), U.S. Pat. No. 2541434 (suspension) and U.S. Pat. No. 3961766 (a clamp)). 
     A second class of assembly is used to secure trays or containers on the shelving or steps of the ladders. Examples of such assemblies can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,333,823 to Joseph, 4,949,925 to Gorecki, 4,480,810 to Hall. 
     All of these prior art assemblies are complicated in structure and require much time and dexterity to tighten the fastening mechanisms so that the trays or containers can be secured on the step or platform. 
     Against this background, the applicants have developed a novel utility tray construction which includes a strap adjustably attachable to elongated openings in ends of the tray and capable of securing the tray to a step or shelf on a ladder by capturing and tightly holding the step or shelf between the strap and the underside of the tray. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel utility tray which can quickly and easily be secured to a shelf or step of a ladder, while overcoming many of the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tray assembly which includes a shelf-attaching strap that is adjustable to accommodate different thickness shelves or steps. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a utility tray and shelf attaching strap where the strap can be adjusted horizontally to allow the tray to be located at different positions on a ladder shelf or step, as well as vertically to accommodate shelves or steps of differing thicknesses. 
     These and other objects and advantages are attained through the tray and strap of the present invention in accordance with the construction as described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one configuration of a tray embodying the structural features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a strap to be used with the tray shown in FIG. 1 for holding the tray on a step or shelf of a ladder as shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the strap of FIG. 2, the view being taken along section lines 3--3 shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a strap showing reinforcing members on the underside of the strap; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the strap shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the tray showing the strap mounted thereon; and 
     FIG. 7, is a perspective view of the tray secured to a shelf or step of a ladder by a strap. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a utility tray of the type contemplated for use by the present invention. The tray includes end walls 12, 12&#39;, side walls 14, 14&#39;, and a bottom or floor 15. The floor of the tray is preferably rectangular, and is arranged substantially normal to the side and end walls. Each of the end walls includes a slot 18, 18&#39; located substantially centrally thereof. The slots extend in a direction that is substantially parallel with the plane of the tray floor 15. 
     The upper portions of the end walls 12, 12 may be of the same height as the height of the side walls, or they may be of greater height as shown in FIG. 1, in which case the upper region of each end wall will preferably be provided with a slot 16, 16&#39;. Each slot extends preferably in a direction that is parallel with the plane of the tray floor, and functions as finger grips to allow a user to grasp the tray for transporting it from one place to another. 
     FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a strap 20 used with the tray of the present invention. The strap includes a body portion 21 and two end portions 22, 22. Fold lines 23, 23 separate the body portion from the end portions. Disposed in each of the end portions are slots 24, 24. The slots have a length which extends along the longitudinal axis of the strap. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the strap shown in FIG. 2 taken along the section lines 3--3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows end portions 22, 22 turned 90° upwardly so as to extend normal to the body portion 21 of the strap. The purpose of these end portions will be described below in connection with the manner in which the strap is used with the tray. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of strap 100 which is essentially identical to the strap shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the exception of the reinforcing members 126, 126 that extend along the longitudinal axis of the strap. These reinforcing members 126, 126 are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the strap, and impart an extra degree of rigidity to the strap, especially where the strap is constructed of plastic. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the manner in which a strap is attached to the tray. As shown, the strap is used with the end portions folded at 90° to the body portion (as shown in FIG. 3 in phantom lines). The end portions of the strap are then placed adjacent the end walls of the tray with the openings 24, 24 adjacent the slots 18, 18. A fastener 32 is inserted through the slot in the end portion of the strap and the end wall, and is secured on the inside of the tray. Preferably, the fastener comprises a threaded shank with a head, such as a bolt B, and a threaded nut N. The strap, secured to the tray in this manner, will describe a volume &#34;V&#34; between its upper surface and the lower surface of the tray floor 15. In this volume, the thickness of a ladder shelf or step is tightly captured and secured. Volume &#34;V&#34; is adjustable insofar as it can be made smaller or larger by virtue of the ability to raise or lower the body of the strap relative to the underside of the tray floor. In addition, because the slots 18 are elongated in a direction that is parallel with the tray floor, the strap may be positioned to one side or the other of the tray when it is desired to position the tray on a shelf or step that is narrower or longer than another shelf or step. Thus, the position of the strap relative to the end walls may be changed to accommodate different thicknesses, as well as different lengths, of shelves or steps. 
     While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.