Abstract:
An apparatus for containing tools and other work items including a box having a bottom, two sides, a front and a back. A rail is positioned along an inside face of the back of the box, the rail having an upper edge that is spaced from the inside face of the back of the box. At least one hanging bin is configured to be removably mounted on the rail and to be slideable along the rail. A plurality of hooks is attached to an outer surface of one of the front or the back of the box for mounting the box over a railing of a lift cage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/770,131, which was filed on Feb. 27, 2013 and which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention pertains to caddies or toolboxes for use with a cage on a lift. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Lifts are used to elevate one or more persons for performing work in various environments. A lift cage is provided in which the worker is transported and is able to access the work area. Most lift cages have one or more railing along the top of the cage for safety. Tools, supplies, parts and other equipment are typically carried on the floor of the lift, either loose or in containers. Items carried on the floor can be in the way and can be difficult to access while performing work. It is desirable to develop alternate apparatuses for containing items while utilizing lift cages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention includes caddies or toolboxes having a box comprising a bottom panel, two side panels, a front panel and a back panel. A rail can be positioned along an inside face of the back panel of the box, the rail having an upper edge that is spaced from the inside face of the back panel of the box that allows positioning of one or more hanging bins upon the upper edge of the railing. At least one hanging bin is removably mounted on the rail and is configured to be slideable along the rail. Hooks are attached to an outer surface of one of the front panel or the back panel of the box for mounting the box over a railing of a lift cage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional depiction of an open front view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an alternate view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  showing a closed front. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts a closed top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative positioning of the closed top as compared to the positioning depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  in an alternative embodiment of the invention relative to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a rail that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows one configuration of a drill holder that can be utilized in conjunction with the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a clevis pin assembly that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example hook that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1  in an example mounting position on a lift cage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
         [0017]    The invention pertains to caddies or toolboxes for containment and carrying of items to be used at a worksite accessed using a lift. Example embodiments of the invention are generally described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . 
         [0018]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a lift caddy  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Lift caddy  10  can comprise a box  11  having a bottom panel  12 , a back panel  14 , two side panels  16 ,  18  and a partial front panel  20 . Fasteners such as, for example, screws can hold the bottom panel, the side panels, the partial front panel and the back panel together. In particular embodiments, stainless steel screws are used in combination with stainless steel nuts. Alternative methods of holding together the box are contemplated including bolts or welding. 
         [0019]    Box  11  can have a width “w” of from 20 inches to 10 feet. The height “h” of box  11  can be from 9 inches to 15 inches and can, in particular embodiment, preferably be 15 inches. The depth “d” of the box from front to back can be 11.75 inches. 
         [0020]    The box panels can be constructed of aluminum sheet in preferred embodiments. In particular aspects, the front panel, side panels, back panel, bottom panel and front panel can be fabricated from 0.10 inch aluminum sheet. Alternative materials include plastic or steel. 
         [0021]    The caddy can have a plurality of hooks  22  mounted on a back side of back of the back panel the box as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the plurality of hooks can be attached to a front side of front panel  32  of the box (not shown). Hooks  22  can be configured to fit over an upper railing on a lift to mount the caddy onto the lift. The hooks can have spacing between the front of the hook and the back of the hook (mounted to the box) of, for example, 1 13/16 inches to fit over the railing of the lift. 
         [0022]    The caddy can additionally comprise two or more legs  24  with angled supports  25 . Preferably, two of the legs can be attached to box  11  on the same face as the plurality of hooks. An optional third leg (see  FIG. 5 ) can be attached at the opposing face of the box. The legs can have a length of 11⅜ inches. The angled supports and the legs can be fabricated from 3/16 inches×1½ inches aluminum flat bar. The two legs can be configured to support the box by contacting the side of the lift when the box is mounted over the railing of the lift. 
         [0023]    The two side panels of the box can be folded inward at the front of the box forming mounting strips  26  for mounting removable front panel  32  (see  FIG. 2 ) onto the front of the box. 
         [0024]    One or more hanging bins  28  can be provided along a rail attached along the back of the box (see  FIG. 6 ). The bins can be, for example, 10⅞ inches×5½ inches×5 inches. Example bins can be Akrobins® (Myers Industries, Inc. P.O. Box 989 1293 S. Main Street Akron OHIO 44309). 
         [0025]    A drill holder  30  can be provided mounted on the outside of either side of the box. The drill holder can have an opening (discussed below) into which a drill can be inserted. 
         [0026]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , such depicts box  11  having a removable front panel  32  mounted on the front of the box. Front panel  32  can have an upper tab  34  extending perpendicular to the panel. As shown in  FIG. 3 , panel  32  can be mounted within the box proximate the open top of the box with upper tab  34  being at the front of the box. Bolts can be provided through the sides of the box for positioning the panel for use as a shelf. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate positioning of the removable front panel lower within the box. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , such illustrates an alternate embodiment of the caddy with hooks  22   a  mounted on the front of the box. Two legs  24   a  are also mounted on the front of the box with angled supports  25   a  extending from the back of the legs to the bottom of the box. An optional third leg  27  is shown located at the back of the box. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  depicts a rail  36  that is mounted along the inner side of the back of the box. A middle section  38  of the rail can contact the inside face of the back panel of the box and can attach the rail to the box utilizing screws. An upper portion  40  of the rail can be spaced from the back panel of the box to allow hanging bins to be hung over the rail. The space between the upper edge of the rail and the back of the box can be at least 0.10 inches. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows one configuration of drill holder  30 . The drill holder can have an attachment plate  33  for attaching the holder to one side of the caddy box. An upper plate  31  is provided to be perpendicular to the attachment plate (parallel to the bottom of the box). The upper plate may be rounded as depicted in  FIG. 7  or can alternatively be square or rectangular. An opening  35  is provided in the upper plate for insertion of a drill. Opening  35  is preferably oblong to fit the shape of the drill. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a clevis pin assembly  42  is shown. Clevis pin  42  is configured to pass through the back panel (or front panel) of the box and through the back and front of one of the hooks. Two pins are utilized, one through each hook, to prevent the box from accidental falling from the lift. A first end  44  of the pin is on the inside of the box with the body  48  of the pin extending through the hook. A keeper  46  is disposed through the body  48  proximate a second end  50  of the pin which is located outside the hook. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  shows an example hook that can be utilized to hang the caddy over a rail of the lift. A back of the hook is configured to attach to the box utilizing screws through the mounting holes  29 . The back of the hook can have a length of 5 1/16 inches. The width of the hook can be 1½ inches. The distance from a front face of the hook and a back face of the hook can be 2 5/16 inches. A front  17  of the hook can be 2⅞ inches in length. Openings  15  can be provided through the front and the back of the hook for passage of the clevis pin. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  depicts the caddy  10  mounted on an upper rail  102  of a lift cage  100 . The caddy can be mounted on the inside of the lift cage as shown, or alternatively be mounted on the outside of the lift cage. Additionally, the caddy can optionally be mounted on a lower rail  104  of the lift cage. 
         [0034]    The caddy of the invention can provide storage and easy access to tools, equipment and supplies to be utilized at the jobsite. The contents can be organized to avoid inadvertent mixing of items such as may occur if the items are carried on the floor of the lift. Additionally, having the contents up off the floor prevents items from being in the way while working in the lift. Accordingly, the caddy of the invention is advantageous for allowing ease of locating items and minimizing clutter on the floor of the lift cage. 
         [0035]    In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.