Patent Publication Number: US-8991639-B2

Title: Portable work bench paint tray with stair adaptor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The instant application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/541,952 filed Jul. 5, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,144, which claimed benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/521,427 filed Aug. 9, 2011, the disclosures of both of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates to organizational trays. In particular, described is a tray for holding paint and utensils. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various tools and brushes for exterior and interior painting are obviously known in the art. So too are different types of trays and roller pans for containing and rendering easily-accessible the paint used for the project, as well as the brushes, cans, and rollers. For instance U.S. Pat. No. D303,467 shows a paint tray having a recess for holding a paint can. The tray itself is recessed to hold various painting tools. U.S. Pat. No. D548,417 to Kohn shows a similar recess within a paint tray, further including a recess defined within the tray for holding a roller. FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,345 also shows a paint brush recess within a rolling tray. 
     Standard also are workbenches, designed typically as flat, sturdy tables. Design may be varied according to their inclusion of means for fixing workpieces, means for storing tools, or by including features which allow the bench&#39;s height to be varied, among others. Workbenches are also commonly used by painters to hold or support the aforementioned trays, cans, and brushes. 
     Furthermore, different types of trays perform various functions and are adapted to be used at various locations. U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0173849 to Rose et al. teaches a holder for a paint container which can be used on uneven surfaces. The holder includes a base and at least one leg selectively positionable for fixing the angle of the leg. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,193 to Drucker relates to a paint can holder for use on an angled roof 
     There is a need then for a tray which can be used at alternative locations such as within a stairwell or on a staircase and but which is still compatible with typical painting and repair equipment. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is the objective of the instant invention to provide a paint tray which is compatible with various workbenches. 
     It is further the objective to provide a paint tray which can be used within a stairwell or on unlevel stair surfaces. 
     It is further an objective of the instant invention to provide a paint tray which is multi-functional. 
     Accordingly, comprehended is a tray, comprising a tray body having a front, a back, a right side, a left side, and an underside of the tray body. A stair adaptor further comprises a first slidable arm and a second slidable arm; a first adaptor leg extending downward from the first slidable arm, and a second adaptor leg extending downward from the second slidable arm, wherein the first adaptor leg and the second adaptor leg are sized to be accommodated within a pair of parallel clamping members of a workbench. The first slidable arm and the second slidable arm include a mating member upstanding therefrom, the mating member shaped substantially similar to a shape of each of the slots and configured to slidably engage with at least one of the slots on the underside, wherein the first slidable arm penetrates the right side of the stair adaptor and the second slidable arm penetrates the left side of the stair adaptor to level and secure the tray body on a stairway or workbench. Multiple slots include a pair of front slots proximate to the front and a pair of central slots central to the tray body, wherein upon placement of the tray body on an upper step of the stairway the stair adaptor engages only the front slots and levels the tray while the adaptor base rests on an adjacent lower step, and wherein upon placement of the tray body on the workbench the stair adaptor engages only the central slots to prohibit the tray body from sliding off the workbench. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the instant tray. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the instant tray along with the system&#39;s additional components. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the instant tray in use on a workbench surface. 
         FIG. 4  shows another perspective view of the tray on a workbench with the stair adaptor aiding in its placement. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the instant tray in use along a staircase. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of one side of an alternative embodiment of the stair adaptor. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the other side of the alternative embodiment of the stair adaptor. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the locking arm used with the alternative stair adaptor two-leg configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention will now be described in detail in relation to a preferred embodiment and implementation thereof which is exemplary in nature and descriptively specific as disclosed. As is customary, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention encompasses such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated assembly, and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein, as would normally occur to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates. This detailed description of this invention is not meant to limit the invention, but is meant to provide a detailed disclosure of the best mode of practicing the invention. “A” or “an” as used in the disclosure and claims may mean one or more. 
     With reference then to  FIGS. 1-5 , shown is the instant tray. Tray has a tray body  1 , an outer perimeter  2 , an underside  3 , a left side  4 , a right side  5 , a front  6 , and a back  7 . Although the overall shape of the tray body  1  may vary, it preferably is formed generally as a rectangle in the preferred embodiment since it is well-suited to be situated on workbenches, as further described. A disposable tray liner  24  can be used which will conform to the shape of the tray body  1 . 
     Traveling around the outer perimeter  2  is raised edge  25 . Raised edge  25  is raised to upstand vertically around the edge so as to contain paint drips and spills. 
     Tray body  1  includes multiple recesses, which are preferably indentations defined downward into tray from its top, hereinafter defined collectively as “utility recesses  8 ”. Each utility recess  8  is defined within the tray body  1  and performs various functions. For one, defined within tray body  1  is a paint stirrer recess  26  formed as a shallow pocket wherein a wooden paint stirrer or similar can be situated. Paint stirrer recess  26  as shown is generally rectangular to conform or be similar to the typical size and shape of a paint stirrer. Another utility recess  8  is the paint can recess  27   a , generally circular to contain a container such as a paint can. A paint brush recess  28  is further defined within tray body  1  to, in one embodiment, hold a paint brush, but it can be used to secure any article if need be. Of note is that a brush grip  8   a  is formed adjacent to the top edge of the paint brush recess  28 . The brush grip  8   a  preferably includes a pair of opposing, raised tabs which are spaced to define a slot which can be used to contain the small handle affiliated with a paint brush. In this manner the brush end resides over the paint brush recess  28  to contain any drips. A trim tray recess  29  is also defined within the tray body  1 , which can contain small amounts of paint and is typically the larger recess relative to the paint brush recess  28 . Lastly, a roller tray  9  is defined within the tray body  1 , optionally angling downward from the front  6  to the back  7 , enabling the tray to be used with a roller. 
     Now to the front  6  of the tray body  1  with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , defined therein is a front cut-out  10 . Although not shown, an additional and identical cut-out is provided on the back  7  of the tray. Each cut-out  10  travels most of the length of the tray body  1  but not quite up to the raised edge  25  of tray body  1 . Front cut-out  10  is the area in which work bench swivel pegs  23  may abut, as will be further described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     A pair of side cut-outs  11  is defined within the right side  5  of tray body  1 , which will aid in the implementation of the stair adaptor  13 , namely serving as the receiver for the locking bar  19 . An additional pair of matching side cut-outs (not shown) can reside within the left side  4  of tray body  1 . Further in conjunction with the stair adaptor  13 , one or more a slots  12  is defined in the underside  3  of the tray body  1  traveling the entire length of the tray body  1 . More specifically, defined in the underside  3 , a pair of front slots  12   a  are proximate to the front  6  and a pair of central slots  12   b  are defined central to the tray body  1 . The front slots  12   a  terminate at one of the side cut-outs and the central slots terminate at the other of the side cut-outs  11 . As shown, each slot  12  in cross-section is generally of an inverted trapezoid shape but may vary depending on the shape of the stair adaptor  13 , as further described. 
       FIG. 2  details the stair adaptor  13  for use in conjunction with the tray body  1 . The stair adaptor  13  includes a base  14 , which is a flat platform dimensioned to fit a stair. A pair of tubular leg seats  15  upstand perpendicularly from the base  14 . An adaptor surface  16  longitudinal in nature forms the support for a variety of components. Namely, a mating member  17  is integrally attached to the adaptor surface  16 , the mating member  17  shaped substantially similar to a shape of the slot  12  on the underside  3  of the tray body  1 . “Substantially similar” in this context means the shape of the mating member  17  is identical to the shape of the slot  12  but for the portion of the mating member that would not reside in the slot and the slight dimensional variance of the mating member  17  to allow the mating member  17  to fit within the slot  12 . The mating member  17  therefore is configured to slidably engage with a respective one of the slots  12  on the underside  3 . Then a pair of adaptor legs  18  extends downward from the adaptor surface  16 . The adaptor legs  18  are configured to be received within the tubular leg seats  15  and be temporarily fixed into position using any type of pin such as a cotter pin. As a result, upon placement of one half of the tray body  1  on an upper step of a stairway, the stair adaptor  13  while engaged to and supporting the other half of the tray body  1 , levels the tray body  1  while the adaptor base  14  rests on an adjacent lower step (see  FIG. 5 ). “One-half” as herein defined means the underside  3  of the tray body  1  which extends away from the center most slot. The other half would therefore be the opposing half which includes the slots  12 . 
     A locking bar  19  is shaped with defined female hollow portions  20  to engage an end  21  of the mating member  17 . In this manner, upon engagement by the female hollow portion  20  member by friction to the mating member  17 , the stair adaptor  13  can be temporarily locked in place to secure the stair adaptor  13  underneath the tray body  1  as raised stopping edge  22  of adaptor surface  16  abuts the opposite side of tray body  1 , namely disposed within the opposing cut-outs which mirror the side cut-outs  11  but on the left side  4  as mentioned above. Shown herein the locking bar  19  is a rectangular plate, but this shape may vary as long as it conforms to the side cut-out  11  because the locking bar  19  embeds itself into the side cut-out  11 . The shape of female hollow portion  20  may also vary but match the shape of each end  21  of the mating member  17 . 
     As an additional feature and with further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , each adaptor leg  18  has formed integrally thereto an adaptor seat  30  formed as an extension at the top thereto. Each adaptor seat  30  has defined therein a cavity. A dowel rod  31  having two ends can therefore rest on the adaptor legs  18  spanning the distance between the adaptor legs  18  as each end sits within each respective cavity. As a result the dowel rod  31  can be used to hold towels, paper towels, or other similar draping articles. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tray body  1  is especially suited to be situated on a workbench  27  as desired. This is allowed by way of the flat underside  3 , the stair adaptor  13 , and/or the rear and front cut-out  10 . Each cut-out  10  is adapted to have abutted therein one or more swivels pegs  23 . As known, swivel pegs  23  are interchangeable projections which can be inserted into the workbench  27 . As such the dimensions of the workbench  27  are changed and therefore the instant tray can be located on the workbench  27  without sliding of its surface. 
     In the embodiment above, the slots  12  which are most proximate to the front  6  would typically be used when the tray is in use on a stair (see  FIG. 2 ) using the stair adaptor  13 . However, the stair adaptor  13  is also used in conjunction with a workbench  27  having small dimensions by utilizing the slots  12  which are most central to the tray body  1 . Some smaller work benches do not open wide enough for an object to fit between the swivel pegs  23 .  FIG. 4  shows the stair adaptor  13  (hidden from view) engaged with its mating members  17  to the underside  3  of the tray body  1  with its adaptor legs  18  disposed downward. In this manner the stair adaptor  13  provides a securement mechanism for the tray to be used on a workbench  27  where the workbench here is very narrow. Although the tray body  1  overhangs the small workbench  27 , the tray body  1  is made more secure on the surface of the workbench  27  because the stair adaptor  13  with its adaptor legs  18  prohibit the sliding of the tray body  1  as the stair adaptor  13  and adaptor legs  18  reside within and through the parallel clamping boards of the workbench  27 . Furthermore, stair adaptor  13  includes lower lip  32  formed as an oblong flange on the front and back (not shown) of the adaptor surface  16 . When the stair adaptor  13  is used to secure the tray body  1  on the workbench  27 , the lower lip  32  will abut against the underside of the parallel clamping board of the workbench  27 , thus preventing the tray body  1  from tilting or being lifted out of the workbench  27 . Thus, the stair adaptor  13  provides two functions, namely stability on a stairwell (see  FIG. 5 ) and stability on small workbench surfaces (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     Referencing now  FIGS. 6-8 , shown is an alternative embodiment of the stair adaptor  13  also with alternative locking bar  19 . The tray with tray body  1  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) used with this embodiment of the stair adaptor  13  is generally the same, along with all tray recesses and features, as is the base  14  with tubular leg seats  15 . But here, the stair adaptor  13  is formed of two components, namely a first slidable arm  13   a  and a second slidable arm  13   b  which are adapted to “sandwich” together into the tray body  1 , as follows. 
     A first adaptor leg  18   a  extends downward from the first slidable arm  13   a , and a second adaptor leg  18   b , identical to the first adaptor leg  18   a , extends downward from the second slidable arm  13   b . So here, much like the above, the first adaptor leg  18   a  and the second adaptor leg  18   b  are sized to be accommodated within a pair of parallel clamping members of a workbench, but a critical difference being the stair adaptor  13  in this embodiment is generally a two-piece system. 
     The first slidable arm  13   a  and the second slidable arm  13   b  each include the same mating members  17  upstanding therefrom, the mating members  17  shaped substantially similar to a shape of the slot of the tray underside and configured to slidably engage with at least one of the slots on the underside of the tray (as above). But here, different from the above, the first slidable arm  13   a  penetrates one side of the tray body and the second slidable arm  13   b  penetrates an opposing side of the tray body to level and secure the tray body on a stairway or workbench. The slots additionally do not need to travel the entire underside of the tray if desired. 
     In the instant embodiment, the first slidable arm  13   a  comprises a first stopping edge  22   a  upstanding from a first outermost end  40  and the second slidable arm  13   b  comprises a second stopping edge  22   b  upstanding from the second outermost end  41 , wherein each side-cut out ( 11  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the tray is shaped to receive the first stopping edge  22   a  or the second stopping edge  22   b.    
     In the instant alternative embodiment and with continued reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , the means for securing the tray using the locking bar  19  also takes an alternative form. The locking bar  19  here comprises a locking bar front  35 , a locking bar rear  36 , two locking bar ends  39 , and a pair of leg holes  34 , each leg hole  34  defined through the locking bar  19  proximate to each locking bar end  39  such that the locking bar  19  can be slid up and over the first adaptor leg  18   a  and the second adaptor leg  18   b  to secure the first slidable arm  13   a  and the second slidable arm  13   b  by prohibiting its laterally movement when in place. To “further” secure the stair adaptor  13 , i.e. additional securement other than by the prohibited movement resulting from the locking bar  19  itself being engaged to the legs  18   a ,  18   b , the first adaptor leg  18   a  and the second adaptor leg  18   b  have defined therein at least one groove  33  on one leg side  33   a  thereof. Each leg hole  34  has a leg hole edge  37  for engaging a respective one of the grooves  33  of the first adaptor leg  18   a  and the second adaptor leg  18   b  as shown such that now the locking bar  19  can be slid over the first adaptor leg  18   a  and the second adaptor leg  18   b  and pushed laterally into the grooves  33  to further secure and essentially lock the first slidable arm  13   a  and the second slidable arm  13   b . A handle  38  attached to the locking bar  19  at one of the locking bar ends  39  as shown is included to aid in this lateral pushing force. 
     In the preferred embodiment there is more than one groove  33  on each leg side  33   a  because different makes of workbenches have different thicknesses. Accordingly, a lower of set of grooves  33  might be utilized with a thicker workbench, whereas an uppermost of the grooves  33  would be used in the instance the tray is to be locked on a thinner workbench. Thus, a tight securement results even when the stair adaptor  13  with tray is used on a variety of workbenches. 
     Additionally, in the instant embodiment, the locking bar  19  has a front lower lip  32   a  projecting from the locking bar front  35  and rear lower lip  32   b  projecting from the locking bar rear  36 , “projecting” meaning planar relative to all surfaces of the locking bar  19  but extending outward as shown from the locking bar front  35  and locking bar rear  36 , parallel thereto. In this instance the projecting lips  32   a ,  32   b  provide additional surface area for the engagement with the underside of the workbench or stair adaptor  13  (when used on a stairway) and thus more stability.