Patent Publication Number: US-11655676-B2

Title: Ladder tray locking mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/779,633, filed Dec. 14, 2018, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a ladder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a ladder tray that provides a more secure locking of the ladder tray when in the open position and a more rigid tray while also simplifying operation of the locking mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ladders and step stools are generally known in the art. Because of their desired portability, foldable step ladders often include handles and other features that make them easier to transport. Lucci, U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,591, discloses a portable, folding step ladder. 
     When working on a ladder or step stool, it is often desirable to have tools, paint, and other necessary objects within easy reach. For example, it is known to removably attach a paint roller tray to the rung of a ladder to more easily paint a ceiling or other area requiring a ladder or step stool. Golden, U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,388, discloses a paint tray particularly useful with an upright ladder. 
     Utility trays for use with ladders and step stools are also known in the art. Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,885, discloses a paint tray for a step ladder for storing work materials, tools and a paint bucket that is held onto the ladder by retaining means. Melanson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,574, discloses a ladder mounted tool holster and parts tray that removably clamps onto the top step of a step ladder. Katz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,260, discloses a step ladder tray pivotally attached to the top cap of a step ladder for supporting tools and the like. Christ et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,581, discloses a detachable ladder support tray for supporting tools and 5 paint containers. 
     It is often inconvenient, however, to use a removable tool or paint tray with a ladder or step stool. In some instances, the tray may be difficult to attach or remove from the ladder or step stool depending on the configuration of the top cap of the ladder or step stool. The removable tray and ladder or step stool usually must be stored separately, taking up additional space. Additionally, to move a ladder or step stool from place to place, the tray may need to be removed and carried separately because of weight or awkward transport configuration. 
     Existing hinged ladder trays typically use links to provide both locking of the tray in the use position and to provide Astor, U.S. Patent Publication No. US20140054112, discloses a tray utilizing link mechanisms for locking the tray in the use position and providing support to the tray. However, the use of links, such as in Astor, requires two hands to simultaneously release the tray lock mechanism. Further, the use of links allows for potential pinching and takes up space beneath the tray. 
     There is a need in the industry to have a ladder tray locking mechanism that can simplify the operation of the tray while providing increased strength to both the lock and the tray. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an improved locking mechanism for a ladder tray. The locking mechanism provides a more secure locking of the tray when in the in use position. The mechanism also results in a more rigid tray when in the in use position. The locking mechanism provides dual locking of the tray to the frame or handle of the ladder with single-handed operation. Metal strike plates may also be provided to improve the alignment of the locking pins and protects the frame or handle from wear caused by repeated locking and unlocking of the tray. The design eliminates the need for hinges. The locking pins of the invention are located above the pivot, which eliminates the need for links to provide required strength. Other improvements include springs to bias the locking pins in the locked position and the stored position of the tray is below the handle of the ladder. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view depicting a stepladder in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure with the ladder tray in a use orientation. 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view depicting the stepladder of  FIG.  1    with the ladder tray in a stored orientation. 
         FIG.  3    is a front elevation view of the stepladder of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a right orthogonal view of the stepladder of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a right perspective view of the stepladder of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevation view of the stepladder of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a front elevation view of the stepladder of  FIG.  1    without the ladder tray. 
         FIG.  8    is a front elevation view of the stepladder of  FIG.  1    without the ladder tray and the ladder tray locking mechanism in the unlocked position. 
         FIG.  9    is a right perspective view of the stepladder of  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof shown by way of example in the drawings will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A stepladder according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 9    by reference numeral  100 . Stepladder  100  has a handle  110  that extends above a ladder tray  200  that may be used to hold tools and materials while using stepladder  100 . It is understood that in place of handle  110 , the frame of stepladder  100  may simply extend above the ladder tray  200  and act as handle  110 . Stepladder includes rails  120  and steps  130 . Ladder tray  200  is pivotable between an open position as shown in  FIG.  1    and a stored position as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     The stepladder  100  of the present invention utilizes a novel locking mechanism  300  to keep ladder tray  200  in the open position. Locking mechanism  300  preferably has two sliding rods  320  that are biased by springs  330  to a locked position as shown in  FIG.  7   . Other means of biasing the rods in the locked position known in the art may also be used. Rod ends  325  are configured to slide into and out of handle orifices  350  on the handle  110 . To improve performance of the locking mechanism  300  and prevent wear on the handle  110 , locking mechanism may include strike plates  340 . If strike plates  340  are used, it is understood that handle orifices would extend through the strike plates  340  to allow rod ends  325  to slide into and out of locking position. 
     Finger grips  310  are connected to rods  320  distal the rod ends  325 . A user can press the finger grips  310  together to cause rod ends  325  to withdraw from handle orifices  350 , and allow ladder tray  200  to be pivoted from the open position of  FIG.  1    to the stored position of  FIG.  2   . Ladder tray  200  includes ribs  220  to provide strength and stiffness. Pivot pins  210 , located below the handle orifices  350  connect the ladder tray  200  to the handle  110 . Rods  320  run through rib orifices  230  to provide proper alignment of rods  320 . Tray side orifices  240  allow rod ends  325  to extend outside of ladder tray  200  and traverse the handle orifices  350 . Ladder tray  200  also provides a cutout  250  on the side facing a user to allow access to the finger grips  310 . 
     Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. 
     Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. 
     Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.