Patent Publication Number: US-2007120337-A1

Title: Lawn and garden implement caddy

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/802,122 filed Mar. 13, 2004, patented as U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,714 issued Jan. 30, 2007, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,377 filed Apr. 10, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A. Field of the Invention  
      The field of the present invention relates generally to manually propelled lawn and garden caddies that are configured for hauling and storing implements useful for lawn and garden care, including long and short handled tools, refuse containers and other equipment and materials useful for working on lawns and gardens. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved lawn and garden caddy that is easy to move, able to carry multiple refuse containers and which carry the tools in an efficient and easy to use manner. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such a lawn and garden tool caddy that can safely and effectively carry an assortment of tools for working on lawns and gardens.  
      B. Background  
      Many people desire to have attractive and healthy lawns and gardens and, as a result, much time, effort and money is spent to obtain the desired lawn and/or garden. Although many home or business owners take care of their own lawns and gardens, a significant number of people hire lawn maintenance workers to take care of all or at least a portion of their lawns and/or gardens (hereinafter, collectively professional and non-professional persons who work on lawns and gardens are referred to as “lawn care workers”). It is well known that many different types of tools and other implements are available and necessary to allow the lawn care worker to properly and efficiently take care of the lawn or garden. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “implements” includes various long and short handled tools, various containers, gloves, water jugs and other equipment and materials used in lawn and garden care. More specifically, the term “implements” includes, but is not limited to, long handled tools such as rakes, shovels, hoes, edgers, picks and the like, short handled tools such as pruning shears, hand trowels, hand cultivators, small shovels and the like, and containers such as trash cans and the like which are used for hauling soil, plants and other materials to the work site and refuse and trash away from the work site. In addition to implements, the typical lawn care worker will often utilize seeds, fertilizers, various chemicals and other materials to assist him or her with taking care of the lawn or garden (collectively, these and other such materials are referred to generally as “lawn care materials”).  
      Although most people obtain significant enjoyment from working on lawns and gardens, a well known problem with such work is the need to store and transport the implements and materials needed to properly and efficiently work on the lawn or garden. The variety of shapes and sizes of the implements needed or useful for working on lawns and gardens makes them difficult to store and carry. Although many people have areas of the garage or a storage shed set aside or adapted for storing their lawn and garden implements, these implements still tend to be haphazardly stored. For instance, it is common to merely store the long and short handled tools in one of the open containers and/or a wheel barrow or to hang them on various hooks placed on walls in the storage area. These storage “solutions” for lawn and garden care implements have problems with being able to safely and effectively (meaning keeping them relatively accessible) store without damaging the implements and/or other items in the storage area. In addition, once they are carried to the work site the long and short handled tools must be emptied onto the ground so that the container can be used, which then makes the container unuseable for moving the implements to a new location. On the other hand, loosely carrying a number of different sized and shaped lawn and garden care implements to the work site where they are needed or may be needed presents significant difficulty for most people. As a result, the typical lawn care worker will only carry a few selected implements at one time and either make an educated guess which implements will be needed or make several trips to carry all those that may be needed. Needless to say, lawn and garden work is generally not done in a single, fixed location. For instance, the typical lawn care worker will at least need to move around the lawn or garden of a single home, business or other location and, in the case of professional lawn care workers, will need to move from one lawn to another.  
      A number of yard carts and caddies exist for assisting the lawn care worker with the storage and transport of the implements necessary to properly take care of a lawn or garden. One such lawn cart is known as the Garden Rover. The Garden Rover has an upstanding portion with multiple slots for inserting the handle end of long handled tools, two rear-mounted wheels for mobility, a forward rack portion having a vinyl/fabric pouch for holding short handled tools and loose materials and a platform for carrying a container. A handle portion allows the user to tilt the Garden Rover on its wheels, like a hand truck, so that it may be rolled from one place to another. One particular problem with the Garden Rover, and like apparatuses, is that the ends of the long handled tools that are the most dangerous (i.e., the ends having the rake tines, hoe blade, shovel blade and etc.) are facing upwards and, as a result, are tilted toward the user when moving the Garden Rover. In addition, the tools in the slots tend to move around relatively freely and the platform is suited for carrying only one container, which for many lawn care workers is insufficient to meet their needs.  
      Various lawn and garden tool carts and caddies are also described in several United States patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,865 to Yacobi describes a tool holder that is also configured like a hand truck but has a tool holder compartment with multiple gripping devices suitable for gripping the handle of long handled tools so that the working end is down on the cart base. This tool holder does not have room for refuse containers or a mechanism to conveniently store small hand tools. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,467 to Becca describes a hand truck type of trash can caddy for carrying a trash can. This caddy has a relatively complicated spring-loaded hook assembly for grasping the peripheral rim of a trash can container and trash can lid. U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,366 to Helms describes a lawn and garden cart having a bottom storage box, a tool holder mechanism comprised of multiple holes for inserting the handle end of long handled tools and a trash bag bracket for removably holding a trash bag. U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,748 to Ratcliff describes a lawn and garden cart that has a platform mounted on four wheels, an upstanding portion having multiple holes for holding the handle ends of long handled tools and a circular bracket for holding trash bags. Like the Garden Rover, the Helms and Ratcliff patents carry the long handled tools in a manner that could cause the sharp and relatively dangerous ends of the tools to hit the lawn care worker in the upper body and/or face.  
      Although the above-mentioned carts and caddies do provide apparatuses for storing and carrying lawn and garden implements, at least to some degree, the limitations and drawbacks associated with these carts/caddies have somewhat limited their full acceptance and use. What is needed, therefore, is an improved lawn and garden implement caddy that is configured to store and carry a variety of different sized and shaped lawn implements, including long and short handled tools, refuse containers and other equipment and materials needed or useful for lawn and garden care. The preferred lawn and garden implement caddy should be relatively inexpensive to make, easy to use, adaptable for many different types of implements and able to store and transport the implements in a manner that does not endanger the lawn care worker. Ideally, the components for the lawn and garden caddy should facilitate easy movement of the implements and not be easily damaged by regular use or susceptible to corrosion and other problems associated with lawn and garden care.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a new and improved lawn and garden implement caddy that makes it relatively easy to safely store and transport a variety of different shaped and sized lawn implements, including long and short handled tools and refuse containers. The lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention is made out of materials that resist damage and corrosion during normal usage and is configured to be relatively easy to move over different types of surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, grass and earth. The lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention allows the lawn care worker to carry two refuse containers and most tools useful or necessary for proper lawn and garden care.  
      In one aspect of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention, the caddy primarily comprises a base, a center support and a top support. In the preferred embodiment, the base has a wheel section with three wheels, the front one of which is a pivoting castor-type wheel, that are mounted to a base frame to allow easy and stable movement of the caddy, a front section with a baseplate on the base frame forming a container platform, and a back section configured to receive the head portions of the long handled tools. The center support has a lower end connected to the base and an upper end that connects to the top support. The center support comprises a support post which provides the structural support for the caddy and supports an articulating container holding mechanism for holding a container. A plurality of shaped support members attached to the support post forms two container enclosures to at least partially enclose the containers stored/transported on the caddy. The top support has a top frame forming a top front section and a top rear section. The top front section is configured to support and at least partially enclose one of the containers. The top rear section has a plurality of support openings to receive the handle portions of the long handled tools and, if desired, one or more hand tools.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the back section of the base has a lower storage area with an opening allowing access to a support tray that is useful for storing/transporting a dustpan. Also in the preferred embodiment, the front section has a base storage compartment substantially disposed under the container platform that can be used for storing small hand tools and other equipment or materials. The base storage compartment can have a compartment door that closes flush with the container platform and opens to allow access to the base storage compartment through a compartment opening in the container platform. A pair of triangular storage trays in the base are configured to receive the head portion of a hoe, hooped hoe or similar long handled tools. The back section of the base has a spline support and a stabilizer bar for supporting two kinds of rakes on the caddy, in conjunction with rake handle supports attached to the top support. One of the containers is supported on a container support connected to the top front section of the caddy. Another container is supported on a bracket attached to the support post interconnecting the top support with the base or, preferably, on a generally H-shaped articulating securing mechanism. Several baskets are provided in the top support for holding a water bottle and various small items useful for lawn and garden care.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the implement caddy of the present invention comprises a base having a wheel section with one or more wheels mounted to the base frame, a front section defining a container platform and a rear section configured to receive the head portion of one or more long handled tools. One or more storage trays on the base can be provided to receive the head portion of the long handled tools. A center support extends upwardly from the base to interconnect the base frame with a top section configured to receive and support the handle portion of the one or more long handled tools. A plurality of shaped support members extend outward from the center support to define a container enclosure above the container platform so as to at least partially enclose one or more containers placed on the container platform. The top support member has a top frame member and a rearwardly extending handle support member, which preferably attaches to and extends reward from the top frame member, that is disposed above the back section of the base. One or more handle support brackets, which are configured to receive and support the handle portion of the long handled tools, are provided on one or both of the top frame member and handle support member. In a preferred embodiment, each of the top frame member and handle support member have a plurality of handle support brackets. The handle support brackets can comprises a U-shaped bracket member having an open first end and a closed second end. A closing mechanism, which can comprise a support arm pivotally attached to the bracket member with a hinge, is utilized to secure the handle portion of the long handled tools in the handle support brackets.  
      Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a lawn and garden implement caddy that provides the advantages described herein and which overcomes the disadvantages and/or limitations associated with presently available lawn and garden implement caddies.  
      It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a lawn and garden caddy that allows implements to be stored and transported in a manner that is safe for the lawn care worker using the lawn and garden caddy.  
      It is also an object of the present invention to provide a lawn and garden caddy that is configured to store and transport long handled tools, short handled tools, containers and other materials or equipment.  
      It is also an object of the present invention to provide a lawn and garden caddy that is configured to hold lawn and garden care implements in an efficient and organized manner, to be easily moved without risk of harm to the lawn care worker and adaptable for carrying multiple containers and/or various lawn care materials.  
      The above and other objectives of the present invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
       FIG. 1  is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a left side view of an alternative embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of  FIGS. 1 and 2  showing the use of a storage compartment in the base;  
       FIG. 4  is a right side view of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention illustrating various implements being stored and/or carried thereon;  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a left side view of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention showing various implements being stored or carried thereon;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention showing an alternative mechanism to support the second container on the center support;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a removable tray apparatus configured for use with the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention showing use of a handle support member and a plurality of handle support brackets; and  
       FIG. 12  is a rearward perspective view of the top support of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, and particularly with reference to the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments and represent several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses of the present invention are illustrated and set forth in this disclosure, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein.  
      A preferred embodiment of the lawn and garden implement caddy of the present invention, identified generally as  10  in the figures, is configured to assist the lawn care person, whether professional lawn care worker or not, who utilizes various lawn implements to care for the lawn. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the lawn and garden implement caddy  10  primarily comprises three functionally separate, but interrelated, areas, the base  12 , a main center support  14  and top support  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the lawn and garden caddy  10  is generally made of ½″ and ¾″ galvanized metal and channel iron that is shaped and welded as shown in the figures to accommodate the implements to be carried. Alternatively, caddy  10  can be made out of various other metals, plastics, composites or other materials that are suitably strong to carry the various implements, durable for the intended use (i.e., which may be different for the professional or homeowner) and sufficiently corrosion resistant for use in outdoor locations. As known to those skilled in the art, caddy  10  of the present invention can also be manufactured out of a combination of materials, with those components of the caddy  10  requiring higher strength or durability being made out of lightweight but strong metals, such as aluminum and the like, and the components that are not subjected to high loading demands being made out less expensive and lighter materials, such as plastic and the like.  
      Each of the three main areas, base  12 , center support  14  and top support  16  each have their own function. Base  12  carries and supports all other necessary components of caddy  10  and, in the preferred embodiment, connects to a pair of rear wheels  18 , a single front wheel  20  and container/carrier platform  22  and, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , supports the head portions of the long handled tools. The center support  14  primarily comprises a substantially vertical support post  24 , which interconnects base  12  and top support  16 . The lower end  25  of center support  14  is connected to base  12 . Top support  16 , made up of top frame  26 , compartmentalizes and supports the upper portion of the long tool handles, supports a trash or refuse-type container (described in more detail below) and provides support for handles  28 , shown as right handle  28   a  and left handle  28   b , best shown in  FIG. 5 . The upper end  29  of center support  14  connects to top support  16  to form an integral unit comprised of base  12 , center support  14  and top support  16 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , these main areas  12 ,  14  and  16  function together to hold a variety of implements on caddy  10  to allow the lawn care worker to efficiently and safely store and transport the implements to and from the lawn and/or garden where needed. For purposes of discussion herein, caddy  10  is shown in use with a first container  30 , a second container  32 , certain long handled implements, shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , namely a rake  34 , a ‘D’ handle shovel or scoop  36 , a flat or pointed shovel  38 , a straight-type or push-type broom  40 , hoe  42  and hooped hoe  44 . As known to those skilled in the art, various other long and short handled implements can be utilized with caddy  10 , in addition and/or alternatively to those shown in the enclosed figures. For instance, caddy  10  is also configured to carry a long-handled cultivator and shrub rake.  
      Base  12  is divided into three general areas, wheel section  46 , front section  48  and rear section  50 , separated from front section  48  by support post  24 . As stated above, in the preferred embodiment wheel section  46  comprises a three-wheeled system having a pair of rear wheels  18  and a front wheel  20 . In this embodiment, rear wheels  18  are standard wheels (i.e., eight inch rubber wheels) rotatably attached to an axle member  52  attached to base frame  54  and front wheel  20  is a castor-type wheel that is pivotally disposed below base frame  54 . The three-wheeled system provides improved support for caddy  10 , particularly needed when loaded with implements and when first  30  and second  32  containers are full of refuse, such as grass, leaves, weeds, trash and other materials. Front section  48  comprises container platform  22  on which second container  32  is supported or, when second container  32  is not used, on which miscellaneous lawn and garden materials can be carried, such as soil, fertilizer and other bulky and/or heavy materials. An upwardly extending lip  56  is utilized on the forward edge of container platform  22  to prevent second container  32  or the miscellaneous materials from easily sliding off container platform  22 . In one embodiment, lip  56  is approximately one inch high. The rear side of container platform  22  comprises a pair of storage trays  58  and  60  that are used, in one configuration, to support the head of hoe  42  and hooped hoe  44  together in one tray and a shrub rake and long-handled cultivator in the other tray. As shown in the figures, such as  FIGS. 1 and 2 , storage trays  58  and  60  are formed by shaped frames above container platform  22  so that the heads of the implements placed therein will be generally prevented from falling out of storage trays  58  and  60  while caddy  10  is being moved. Rear section  50  is shaped and configured to support the heads of various implements. The preferred configuration of rear section  50  is set forth below in the discussion regarding the placement of the various rake  34 , shovels  36  and  38 , and broom  40  implements, as well as a second rake, long-handled cultivator or other long-handled lawn implements, in caddy  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , on the underside of rear section  50  is located a lower storage area  62  that has a rearward facing opening  64  that opens into a support tray  66  for supporting a dustpan (not shown) or like implement. The dustpan can be easily slid into and out of lower storage area  62  as needed. If desired, rear section  50  can also comprise a pair of splash guards  68  positioned above rear wheels  18  to prevent water, mud and other materials from splashing upward onto the user of caddy  10  while it is being moved from one location to another.  
      In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , base  12  also comprises a base storage compartment  70  located under container platform  22  for storing small hand tools, such as the three-prong fork, hand trowel/shovel (shown as  45  in  FIG. 7 ) and the like. Base storage compartment  70  can also be utilized to store other lawn materials, such as sprinkler heads and other equipment. In this embodiment, access to base storage compartment  70  is gained through a compartment door  72  that, when closed, is supported in a generally flush position with container platform  22  by door frame  74  forming the compartment opening  76  through which the tools and other materials are placed into base storage compartment  70 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, base storage compartment  70  substantially extends from near the front side of rear wheels  18  to front wheel  20  and the width of container platform  22 . Opening  76  is configured to be within container platform  22  in front of storage trays  58  and  60 . As known to those skilled in the art, various other configurations are possible for base storage compartment  70 . Due to its location under container platform  22 , base storage compartment  70  should be configured to be durable (i.e., not easily damaged by contact with the ground, curbs or other objects).  
      In the preferred embodiment, center support  14  primarily comprises a support post  24 , which is shown in the figures as being formed from eight ½″ pipes welded together in a row, and a plurality of shaped support members, such as arch supports  78  and congruent arms  80 , used to provide support to support post  24  and top support  16 . Support post  24  gives caddy  10  its holding ability and symmetry. The lower end  25  of support post  24  is welded to base  12  and the bifurcating arch supports  78 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , both bifurcating arch supports  78  and congruent arms  80  extend out towards the front of caddy  10  to form a container enclosure  82  for first  30  and second  32  container when placed on container platform  22 . Bifurcating arch supports  78  extend down to the container platform  22  and congruent arms  80  extend up to top frame  26 . In addition to enclosing containers  30  and  32 , arch supports  78  and congruent arms  80  adds stability and strength to the vertical post  24 . Two of the inner pipes in center support  14  arch upward and outward to form top support congruent arms  80 , which support first container  30  and support and connect to the top support  16 . Two bifurcating pipe spars  84  are used to provide additional support for top support  16 . The next two inner pipes, which arch up and away from each other, also carry the top support  16  and form the hedge trimmer opening  86 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Mounted onto support post  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , are broom support member  88 , loper blade support  90  and a bracket  92 , such as an L-shaped bracket, to help hold second container  32 , which can be a 32 gallon container, in container platform  22 . As set forth below, support post  24  can include an adjustable securing mechanism having a holding tongue to secure second container  30 . Container supports  94  at the ends of congruent arms  80  support first container  30  above container platform  22 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 , so that second container  32  or various lawn and garden supplies can be placed on container platform  22  underneath first container  30 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , lawn and garden caddy  10  can carry two thirty-two gallon trash containers  30  and  32 , which is the most commonly used size, one above the other. Containers  30  and  32  can be easily lifted off of caddy  10  and replaced at any time. As stated above, when container  32  is removed, container platform  22  becomes an area for carrying lawn care materials.  
      In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, particularly  FIG. 5 , top support  16  is a generally open U-shaped area that is divided into two sections, a top front section  96  that has a large opening which forms the support area for first container  30  and a top rear section  98  that is compartmentalized to hold small hand tools, baskets and the handles for the long handled tools. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , caddy handles  28 , shown as  28   a  and  28   b , are built into the corners of top support  16  and are used to move caddy  10  around on wheels  18  and  20 . A water bottle holder support  100 , best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , formed from a basket-type of configuration that is welded to top frame  26  of top support  16 , is sized and shaped to hold a standard water bottle, shown as  101  in  FIG. 4 . Additional baskets  102  and  104 , formed from expanded metal to have openings accessible from above top support  16  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), are located on the top support  16  and are useful for storing various small items to be utilized in lawn and garden care. The other compartment areas in top support  16 , useful for receiving the handle ends of various implements, are explained below in relation to those implements.  
      First  30  and second  32  containers are loaded onto caddy  10  from the front thereof. Second container  32  is place above the baseplate  106  forming container platform  22  by making sure top peripheral lip of second container  32  slides over the L-shaped bracket  92  on main support post  24  so as to prevent second container  32  from falling forward off of caddy  10 . The front lip  56  on baseplate  106 , which can be 1″ high, prevents the bottom of second container  32  from sliding out of the front of caddy  10 . First container  30  is set on caddy  10  by placing the handles of first container  30  over container supports  94  at the ends of top support congruent arms  80  mounted on support post  24 . Container supports  94  and top section frame  108  of top front section  96  prevents shuttling of first container  30 .  
      Hoe  42  and hooped or hula-hoe cultivator  44  can be grouped together and a shrub rake and long-handled cultivator, or other like tools, can be grouped together to stand with their head portions in triangular storage trays  58  and  60  of container/carrier platform  22 , with the handles directed generally upward. These tools can be placed on storage trays  58  and  60  by lifting the handle portions of the tools into upper tray openings  110  and  112  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ), and then dropping the head portions of the tools into the storage trays  58  and  60 , respectively. The use of small (i.e., ½″) flat generally perpendicular metal posts positioned approximately ¾″ apart in storage trays  58  and  60  can prevent shuttling of the tools in storage trays  58  and  60 . In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, storage trays  58  and  60  are approximately the same size. Storage trays  58  and  60  exploit the syncline shape of the standard 32 gallon containers (i.e., containers  30  and  32 ) to productively utilize the void spaces along the sides to hold the heads of smaller headed, long handled yard and garden tools, such as hoe  42  and hooped hoe  44 .  
      As stated above, lawn and garden caddy  10  also has separate areas configured to accept a hedge trimmer and a loper. In the preferred embodiment, hedge trimmer opening  86  is located between the bifurcating pipes forming arch supports  78  and congruent arms  80  and the center of support post  24 . The blade of the hedge trimmer is dropped into hedge trimmer opening  86  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ) into the center of support post  24 . Trimmer opening  86  is created by eliminating the two center most support posts at the proper depth to securely accommodate the hedge trimmer blade. Rectilinear cover plates  113 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , on either side of support post  24  to secure hedge trimmer blade and for improved aesthetics. The loper storage area, formed by loper support  90 , is located behind the support post  24  and is, in a preferred embodiment, formed by a 1″ wide metal band bisecting support post  24  (as best shown in  FIG. 1 ). The loper is let down blade first through the loper handle support opening  114  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) into loper support  90  on the rearward facing side of support post  25 . With the handle of the loper directed upward, the user is protected from harm.  
      Lawn and garden caddy  10  also has areas configured to store broom  40 , such as the straight or push broom type. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , broom support member  88  is located behind and near the bottom of main support post  24 . In one configuration, broom support member  88  is a folded piece of sheet metal (i.e., 6½″ by 11½″) with a bent out flat area, as best shown in  FIG. 2 . A straight broom is slid or pushed into the fold area partially formed by broom support member  88 . Push brooms are placed onto the extended flat area of broom support member  88 . A push broom notched head support  116  is used to support the head of a push broom. For either type of broom, the broom handle is lifted through the broom handle top support opening  118  in top support  16 , best shown in  FIG. 5 , and the head portion of the broom is placed in broom support member  88  or push broom notched head support  116 . The lawn and garden implement caddy  10  of the present invention is shown with a straight broom in  FIGS. 4 and 7 .  
      The lawn and garden caddy  10  also has areas configured to store one or more rakes  34 , such as a steel rake and spring rake, “D” handled scoops (or spades)  36  and a straight or pointed shovel  38 . The shovel storage area is located directly under broom support member  88  behind support post  24 . The shovel handle of shovel  38  is lifted up through the shovel handle top support opening  120  in top support  16  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and the shovel head is set into either of the shovel head supports  122 , configured to accept the shovel head, in the shovel area of rear section  50 . The head of the “D” handled scoop  36  is placed directly behind the shovel head of shovel  38  in the shovel area and its handle is lifted through the “D” handle support opening  124  in top support  16 . A holding trough  125  can be welded into the rear section  50  of base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to hold the head of “D” handled shovel  36 . The steel rake area for a steel rake (not shown) is located behind the “D” handled scoop head in rear section  50  of base  12 . A steel rake support post  126 , such as a ½″ by 1″ post shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the center of stabilizer bar  132  prevents shuttling of the head of steel rake. The head of the steel rake is set onto stabilizer bar  132  using the stabilizer bar  132  as a steel rake head holding platform. The spring rake handle support  128 , which can be the single clip shown in  FIG. 5  or the dual clip assembly shown in  FIG. 8 , for spring rake  34  is located on top support  16  behind the “D” handle scoop support opening  124 . The dual clip assembly shown in  FIG. 8  allows use of both a steel rake and spring rake  34 . In use, spring rake  34  is tilted forward to enter the opening in the “C” shaped gib forming spring rake handle support  128  and then the rake is aligned vertically and dropped into rake spline support  130 , which is located substantially vertically below rake handle support  128 , on baseplate  106 . Steel rake can be placed in first, in front of spring rake  34 . Use of a spring rake spline stabilizer bar  132 , also substantially vertically displaced from rake handle support  128 , prevents shuttling of the rake head of spring rake  34 .  
      As set forth above, lawn and garden caddy  10  of the present invention also has areas configured to accept a number of small implements, such as dust pans, trowels, hand cultivators and hand pruners. Caddy  10  also has areas to accept water bottle  101  and a basket. Lower storage area  62  for the dustpan is under baseplate  106  of container platform  22  and is configured for the dustpan to slide under baseplate  106  from the rear of caddy  10 . A hand trowel slot  134  in top support  16 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is configured to receive the head of hand trowel  45 , which is placed downwardly into slot  134 . A hand cultivator opening  136  is provided in top support  16  for the handle of a typical hand cultivator. The handle of the hand cultivator is dropped into opening  136  and it is held in place by the diagonal shaped head of the hand cultivator. Top support  16  also has a hand pruner opening  138  for receiving the blade end of a hand pruner. A “U’ shaped metal band  140 , shown in  FIG. 2 , with a slot cut at the bottom is welded to the top support frame  26  under top support  16 . The hand pruner blade is placed downward through the hand pruner opening  138  and into the slot in metal band  140 , where it is held in place by the blade and support post  24 . Alternatively, or in addition to, the various small implements, including hand tools, can be stored in base storage compartment  70  and covered by compartment door  72 . A water bottle holder  100 , best shown in  FIG. 5 , is formed from a basket-type of configuration that is welded to the frame of top support  16  along with baskets  102  and  104 . Water bottle holder  100  is sized and shaped to securely hold standard water bottle  101 . Baskets  102  and  104  are useful for storing various small tools or other items useful for lawn and garden care.  
      If desired, caddy  10  can be configured with an adjustable container securing mechanism  142  that adjusts for the height of second container  32  and supports second container  32  on caddy  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , one such configuration for securing mechanism  142  is to utilize the generally H-shaped container support handles  144  supported by two opposing outer tubes  146  vertically disposed above base  12  on center post  24 . A smaller diameter inner support tube (not shown) interconnects the lower open ends of each of the support handles  144  to the open upper end of an outer tube  146 . A pin connects the inner support tube to the outer tube  146  in a manner that allows the inner support tube to pivot forward and rearward relative to outer tube  146  to allow for the forward and rearward movement of support handles  144 , which freely rest on the hinged inner support tubes. The downward facing tubes of support handles  144  fit over the small hinged inner support tubes to allow the H-shaped container support handles to move back and forth and up and down. A forward stop is built into the center post  24  to prevent excessive forward movement of securing mechanism  142 . A tongue member  148  on adjustable securing mechanism  142  protrudes generally downward to engage the upper peripheral lip of second container  32  to help secure it on caddy  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , tongue member  148  is attached to or integral with cross-member  150  that forms part of the H-shaped container support handles  144 . In use, container support handles  144  are raised when second container  32  is placed on caddy  10 , pivoted forward and then lowered such that tongue member  148  engages the upper peripheral lip of second container  32  to effectively secure second container  32  on caddy  10 . A small notched metal protrusion can be utilized to keep support handles  144  in place when not being used to hold second container  32 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, caddy  10  also includes tray apparatus  152 , shown in  FIG. 10 , that is configured to be utilized with caddy  10 . In a preferred embodiment, tray apparatus  152  comprises three tray sections, first tray section  154 , second tray section  156  and third tray section  158  that are interconnected and configured to cooperate with top support  16  to provide additional storage, carrying and display for implements and other lawn and garden materials. In this embodiment, first tray section  154  has a generally flat first bottom surface  160  and upstanding side walls  162  along three side so of the periphery thereof, leaving one side open for access to bottom surface  160 . The user can place various lawn and garden materials directly on bottom surface  160  or, preferably, a removable tray  164  can be slid on and off of flat bottom surface  160  in the compartment formed by side walls  162 . Removable tray  164  can be utilized to hold and carry a flat of plants, various loose plant materials (i.e., bulbs, etc.) or other lawn and garden materials. Preferably, removable tray  164  has a mesh configured bottom and sides to allow dirt, water and other materials to fall through removable tray  164 . One or more first tray posts  166  are used to spatially dispose second tray section  156  above first tray section  154 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In the preferred embodiment, second tray section  156  has side walls  168  along at least part of the periphery of second tray bottom  170  to provide a partially enclosed surface on wish to place various lawn and garden materials, including lawn implements, plant materials and laws improvement materials (i.e., fertilizer, weed killer and etc.). Extending generally from side walls  168  of second tray section  156  are a pair of tray support arms  172  that are used to support tray apparatus  152  on top support  16 . In one embodiment, tray support arms  172  cooperate with top section frame  108 . Although tray apparatus  152  can be configured to be removably attached to caddy  10 , in the preferred embodiment tray support arms  172  are fixedly connected, by welding or other means, to top section frame  108 . Also in the preferred embodiment, second tray section  16  includes a small compartment  173  for storing small items, such as keys, glasses, and bolts/screws. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , small compartment  173  is a cup holder shaped compartment affixed to second tray bottom  170 . If desired, a lid or other covering (i.e., a decorative flower or the like) can be used to cover small compartment  173  to reduce detection of items therein and help keep those items from falling out. One or more second tray posts  174  are used to spatially dispose third tray section  158  above second tray section  156 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, third tray section  158  comprises a third tray bottom  176  with upstanding side walls  178  along its entire periphery to form an enclosed tray for the user to place lawn and garden materials thereon when storing or using caddy  10  of the present invention. As with caddy  10 , tray apparatus  152  can be made out of a variety of materials suitable for use with the lawn and garden materials likely to be stored or carried on caddy  10 .  
      In use, the lawn and garden caddy  10  is loaded with various yard and garden implements, such as the tools and containers discussed above, making it a compact mobile storage area. The implements can be stored on caddy  10  until needed, at which time caddy  10  is either pushed or pulled on its three wheels  18  and  20  or pulled back on its rear wheels  18  like a hand truck to the work site. The three-wheeled configuration of caddy  10  provides a more stable and, therefore, safe apparatus relative to other available caddies. If desired, only first container  30  can be used, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so that a storage/carrier area is available for storing and carrying a variety of loose lawn care materials, such as hoses, seed, fertilizer and plants. One benefit of caddy  10  of the present invention is that this storage/carrier area is achieved while still being able to carry a standard 32 gallon refuse container. At the work site, caddy  10  is a mobile staging area for necessary yard and garden tools and containers. With the containers  30  and  32  off of caddy  10 , caddy  10  can also be used as a carrier for moving materials and debris to and from the work site. After the yard work is completed, the various implements are placed on caddy  10  and it is put away, ready for use the next time lawn and/or garden work needs to be done. In one configuration, caddy  10  can be made to be approximately 48″ tall, 30″ long and 22 inches wide, weighing approximately 25 to 55 pounds empty and 50 to 85 pounds when loaded with the tools described above (depending on the materials used for caddy  10  and the weight of the various implements).  
      The improved safety of caddy  10  of the present invention, relative to presently available lawn and garden implement caddies, also results from the long handled tools being placed face down, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , so as not to hit the lawn worker&#39;s face or chest or to bang against each other. Lawn and garden caddy  10  is configured such that most tools have their own fitted sections making caddy  10  substantially balanced and very difficult for the implements to fall off. Caddy  10  is configured so that the tools can be removed with a simple lift up and pull down and out of top support  16  with one hand. Because lawn and garden caddy  10  holds all major lawn and garden hand tools and two 32 gallon trash containers  30  and  32 , it acts as a mobile compact all-in-one place storage apparatus. For instance, if a broom  40  and dustpan are needed just lift them out, use them, replace on caddy  10  when done. Missing implements can be readily spotted because the majority of such implements have a specific area on caddy  10  that makes the missing implements conspicuous by their absence.  
      An alternative embodiment of the caddy  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . As with the previously described embodiments, this embodiment has a base  12 , a center support  14  with a lower end  25  attached to base  12  and an upper end  29  attached to a top support  16  (with the lower  25  and upper  29  ends of center support  14  best shown in  FIG. 1 ). The base  12  has a pair of rear wheels  18  and a front wheel  20  that allow the caddy  10  to be moved to transport a plurality of implements, such as the long handled tools, hand tools and containers discussed above. As shown in  FIG. 12 , center support  14  comprises one or more support posts  24 , such as first support post  24   a  and second support post  24   b . Base  12  also defines a container platform  22  for receiving a container, such as second container  32 , thereon. A pair of arch supports  78  extend forward of the center support  14  to generally define the container enclosure  82 . In this embodiment, arch supports  78  attach to at least one of the support posts  24  and to the pipe spars  84  that interconnect top support  16  and base  12 . In addition, this embodiment has a handle support member  180  which extends generally rearwardly from top frame member  181  of top frame  26  (which comprises just top frame member  181  in this embodiment) of top support  16 , one or more handle support brackets  182  that are attached to either or both of the handle support member  180  and top frame member  181 , and a container platform  22  which is comprised of a plurality of spaced apart base frame members  184 . In addition to storage trays  58  and  60 , the present embodiment also includes a rear storage tray  186 , with each of the storage trays  58 ,  60  and  186  being configured to receive the head portion of one or more of the long handled tools. Other features of the previously described embodiments may also be incorporated into the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  
      Preferably, the rearwardly extending handle support member  180  defines a caddy handle  188  that is configured to assist the user in moving caddy  10  from one place to another. If desired, a lower handle support member  190 , which as shown interconnects handle support member  180  and center support  14 , can be utilized to support and provide additional stability to handle support member  180 . A variety of different configurations for handle support member  180  and lower handle support member  190 , other than the generally d-shape shown, can be utilized with the present invention.  
      As stated above, handle support brackets  182 , of which five are shown in  FIG. 12 , are configured to receive and support the handle portion of the long handled tools. One or more of the handle support brackets  182  can be utilized with caddy  10 , with one or more on each of handle support member  180  and/or top frame member  181 . In the preferred embodiment, such as that shown, each of the handle support member  180  and top frame member  181  have a plurality of the handle support brackets  182 . Each of handle support brackets  182  has a bracket member  192  attached, directly or indirectly, to either handle support member  180  or top frame member  181  so as to define an open first end  194  and a closed second end  196 . As shown, this can be achieved utilizing a generally U-shaped bracket member  192 , although other configurations are equally suitable for handle support brackets  182 .  
      In the preferred configuration of this embodiment, caddy  10  also comprises a closing mechanism  198  that is associated with each of the handle support brackets  182 . Closing mechanism  198  is configured to substantially close the open first end  194  of bracket member  192  so as to releasably secure the handle portion of one or more long handled tools inside the handle support brackets  182 . As best shown in  FIG. 12 , which shows closing mechanism  198  open on the left and closed on the right, closing mechanism  198  can comprise a support arm  200  that is configured to pivotally open to allow handle portions to be placed in or removed from handle support bracket  182  and pivotally close to secure the handle portions therein. In a preferred embodiment, a hinge  202  interconnects bracket member  192  and support arm  200  to facilitate the desired pivoting action. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, various other configurations of handle support bracket  182  can also be utilized with the present invention, including those that utilize a support arm  200  that does not pivot, which is not attached by hinge  202  and/or which does not attach to bracket member  192 .  
      While there are shown and described herein certain specific alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For example, while certain lawn and garden care implements have been referenced herein with regard to the present caddy, other such implements and various lawn and garden materials could also be used. Therefore, it is contemplated that the appended claims will cover any modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.