Patent Publication Number: US-8123000-B2

Title: Ladder rack

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/751,888 filed Dec. 20, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to ladder accessories and, more particularly, this invention relates to an extension ladder rack for holding accessories, such as at least one of a paint can, a paint brush, a paint scraper, etc. and, still more specifically, the invention relates to an extension ladder rack that can be used of either side of such extension ladder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, step ladders and extension ladders have been commercially available and in widespread use for many years. As is equally well known, most of these step ladders are equipped with a foldable type platform for holding a paint can in a generally horizontal plane when using such step ladder in painting objects which cannot be reached from the floor and/or ground level. Further, other tools and/or painting accessories can be placed on this foldable type platform if required. 
     However, because extension ladders may have different heights and can easily be placed at many different angles with respect to a wall or other object that they are being leaned against. Consequently, the prior art type platform useful for step ladders is not suitable for use with an extension type ladder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus for use on an extension type ladder for at least one of holding a paint can in a substantially horizontal plane, a paint brush, a paint scraper, a wire brush and a cloth. Such apparatus includes a platform member, which when in use, is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. The platform member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness which is at least sufficient to hold a one gallon can full of paint. There is a first elongated rod like support member secured to such platform member in a rotatable manner closely adjacent a first predetermined outer edge thereof. Such first elongated rod like support member having a first predetermined length which is at least sufficient to extend outwardly from each of a second predetermined outer edge and a third predetermined outer edge of said platform member. A first ladder insert having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined length is engageable with a predetermined end of the first elongated rod like member and a first aperture formed through a leg of such extension ladder. There is a first leg member secured at a first end thereof to the platform member closely adjacent such second predetermined outer edge of the platform member. The first leg member is pivotable adjacent the first end thereof. A second leg member is secured at a first end thereof to such platform member closely adjacent the third predetermined outer edge of such platform member. The second leg member is also pivotable adjacent a first end thereof. A first adjustable leg member engages at a first end thereof a second end of such first leg member for adjusting the length in order to provide a substantially horizontally disposed upper surface of such platform member during use of the apparatus. A second adjustable leg member is engageable at a first end thereof to a second end of such second leg member for adjusting the length in order to assist in providing the substantially horizontally disposed upper surface of such platform member during use of the apparatus. Further, there is a second elongated rod like support member secured to such platform member in a rotatable manner closely adjacent a fourth predetermined outer edge thereof disposed radially opposite such first outer edge of the platform member. The second elongated rod like support member has a second predetermined length which is at least sufficient to extend outwardly from each of the second predetermined outer edge and such third predetermined outer edge of the platform member. The final essential element of the apparatus is a second ladder insert having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined length engageable with a predetermined end of such second elongated rod like member and a second aperture formed through a leg of such extension ladder. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a ladder rack that can be used with present day extension type ladders. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a ladder rack that can be attached to an extension ladder on either side of such extension ladder for ease of use by either a left handed person or a right handed person. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ladder rack for use with an extension ladder that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ladder rack that is capable of holding several tools that are required while painting. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a ladder rack for use with an extension ladder which is relatively light weight. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of the ladder rack according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the ladder rack illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the platform portion of the rack as indicated on  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated  10 , for use on an extension type ladder  12  for at least one of holding a paint can  14  or paint pan (not shown) for use with a roller (not shown) in a substantially horizontal plane, a paint brush  16 , a paint scraper  18 , a wire or other stiff bristle brush  20  and a cloth  22 . 
     Such apparatus  10  includes a platform member  24 , which when in use, is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. The platform member  24  is formed from a first predetermined material and has each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness. The predetermined thickness is at least sufficient to hold a one gallon paint can  14  full of paint. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention such first predetermined material for manufacturing the platform member  24  from will be selected from the group consisting of wood and plastic. Additionally, the presently preferred predetermined shape of such platform member  24  will be substantially rectangular. The most preferred predetermined shape of the platform member  24  is square. 
     Apparatus  10  further includes a first elongated rod like support member  26  that is secured to such platform member  24  in a rotateable manner closely adjacent a first predetermined outer edge thereof  28 . The first elongated rod like support member  26  has a first predetermined length which predetermined length will be at least sufficient to extend outwardly for a predetermined distance from each of a second predetermined outer edge  30  and a third predetermined outer edge  32  of the platform member  24 . 
     There is a first ladder insert  34  provided which has each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined length engageable with a predetermined end  36  of the first elongated rod like member  26  and a first aperture  38  formed through a leg member  40  of such extension ladder  12 . 
     Apparatus  10  has a first leg member  42  secured at a first end  44  thereof to such platform member  24  closely adjacent the second predetermined outer edge  30  of such platform member  24 . The first leg member  42  of apparatus  10  being pivotable adjacent such first end  44  thereof. 
     Additionally, apparatus  10  has a second leg member  46  secured at a first end  48  thereof to such platform member  24  closely adjacent such third predetermined outer edge  32  of such platform member  24 . The second leg member  46  also being pivotable adjacent such first end  48  thereof. 
     There is a first adjustable leg member  50 , in apparatus  10 , engageable at a first end  52  thereof to a second end  54  of such first leg member  42  for adjusting the length between a second end  54  of first adjustable leg member  50  and such first end  44  of the first leg member  42  in order to assist in providing a substantially horizontally disposed upper surface  56  of such platform member  24  during use of the apparatus  10 . 
     Further, there is a second adjustable leg member  58  engageable at a first end  60  thereof to a second end  62  of such second leg member  46  for adjusting the length between a second end  64  of such second adjustable leg member  58  and such first end  48  of the second leg member  46  to assist in providing the substantially horizontally disposed upper surface  56  of such platform member  24  during use of the apparatus  10 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first leg member  42  and-such second leg member  46  includes at least one aperture  66  formed therethrough and each of such first adjustable leg member  50  and the second adjustable leg member  58  includes a predetermined plurality of apertures  68  formed therethrough. One of such predetermined plurality of apertures  68  formed through the first adjustable leg member  50  and such second leg member  46  being aligned with such at least one aperture  66  formed through a respective one of such first leg member  42  and the second leg member  46  and the apparatus  10  further includes a pair of pull type pins  70 . One of such pair of pull type pins  70  engageable through the aligned apertures  66  and  68  of such first leg member  42  and the first adjustable leg member  50  and a second one of such pair of pull type pins  70  engageable through aligned apertures  66  and  68  of such second leg member  46  and such second adjustable leg member  58 . 
     Apparatus  10  includes a second elongated rod like support member  72  secured to such platform member  24  in a rotateable manner closely adjacent a fourth predetermined outer edge  74 . Such fourth predetermined outer edge  74  is disposed radially opposite such first outer edge  28  of platform member  24 . The second elongated rod like support member  72  has a second predetermined length which is also at least sufficient to extend outwardly from each of the second predetermined outer edge  30  and the third predetermined outer edge  32  of such platform member  24 . Apparatus  10  further includes a third elongated rod like support member  43  secured to distal ends of leg extensions  54  and  64 . 
     The final essential component of apparatus  10  is a second ladder insert  81  having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined length engageable with a predetermined end of such third elongated rod like member  72  and a second aperture  78  formed through a leg member  40  of such extension ladder  12 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each of such first insert member  34  and such second insert member  81  is engageable with either end of a respective one of the first rod like member  26  and the third rod like member  43 . The predetermined shape of each of the first insert member  26  and such second insert member  81  includes a substantially flat surface  80  and an arcuate surface  82 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention, such apparatus  10  will further includes at least one hook like member  84  disposed adjacent such fourth outer edge  74  of the platform member  24  for holding at least one of a paint brush, a paint scraper, a wire or other stiff bristle brush and a cloth. Preferably, such apparatus  10  will include a plurality of such hook like members  84 . 
     Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment, apparatus  10 , which has one edge thereof abutting an exterior surface of one of the ladder side rails, will also have a lip member  86  formed from a second predetermined material, preferably wood or plastic, extending each of above an upper surface  56  of the platform member  24  and around a perimeter of such platform member  24  for a predetermined distance to prevent an article disposed on the upper surface  56  of platform member  24  from sliding off. Preferably, the lip member  86  will extend above the upper surface  56  of platform member  24  at least about 0.25 inch. 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.