Free-standing very-large-capacity flexible modular tool and material holder selectively mountable atop a step ladder

Abstract

A tool and material holder fitting to the top of a step ladder has selectable detachable panels having and presenting an extremely large number of variously selectable pockets, cavities, loops, clips, hangers, hooks and the like which securely hold a great variety of power and hand tools, caulking guns, paint brushes and paint pads. The holder is stiffened by internal tubes and sheet preferably made from strong shape-retentive plastic, and will stand upright upon the floor. A major loop maintained open by an insert with a shape memory holds a large paint pail, bucket or can, and is optionally re-sizable to hold one or two smaller cans. A shallow reservoir on a top panel overlying the top step of the step ladder has a magnetic bottom for conveniently holding small ferrous items. A detachable strap and shoulder harness permits great loaded weight to be conveniently and safely carried.

Description

RELATION TO A RELATED PATENT APPLICATION[0001] The present patent application is related as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 735,029 filed on Dec. 11, 2000 for a FLEXIBLE TRUNCATED-PYRAMIDALLY-SHAPED TOOL AND MATERIAL HOLDER WITH A DISTENDED PAINT PAIL POUCH FOR REMOVABLE USE ATOP A STEP LADDER to the same inventor as the present application. The contents of the related patent application are incorporated herein by reference.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention generally concerns holders, removably mountable to ladders and step ladders, of paint cans and tools and like implements for use by painters and electricians and other individuals when, in the course of their work, these persons stand on ladders and step ladders. The present invention is directed at a convenient means for carrying and organizing and holding various work supplies and work implements in proximity to work conducted by a tradesman from a ladder or step ladder.[...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0076] An unexpected advantage of the present invention is that the hood contributes to the structural strength of the ladder, which is strengthened against failure by disconnection at and of its top pivot joint.

[0077] A further unexpected advantage of the present invention is that the center of gravity of the ladder to which the instant device is attached is reduced by virtue of the locations of the tools and implements held being lower than they would be if within a tool box resting on the top step of the ladder. This increased stability contributes to safety.

[0078] 2. Basic Structure and Theory of the Tool and Material Holder of the Present Invention

[0079] The tool and material holder removably fits to the top of a step ladder or stands upright upon a level surface including the floor. In either position it presents (i) a large distended pouch suitable to receive and hold a paint can, (ii) a walled tray upon the top step of the step ladder, and removable / detachable and reattachable units, or panels, having receptacles, hooks, hangers, clips and the like from which various tools and materials may conveniently be stored or hung.

[0080] The step ladder tool and material holder is preferably made from canvas or cotton duck, nominally of 24 oz. weight, or from polyurethane coated cloth, by processes of sewing and / or gluing. It has stiffening interior panels that are preferably made of shape-retentive sheet plastic. So constructed with the five major surfaces of its main body in the shape of a truncated four-sided pyramid, the tool and material holder has adequate stability so that it (i) may be set upon a floor without collapsing, and (ii) may be picked up with but one hand to be set atop a step ladder.

[0081] The preferred tool and material holder as is variously popularly called a "ladder caddy" or "ladder mate", has numerous attributes. It is characterized for permissively attaching an extremely large number of various owner / user-selectable pockets, cavities, loops, clips, hangers, hooks and the like which securely hold a great variety of power and hand tools, caulking guns, paint brushes and paint pads. Importantly, the holder has in particular a major loop--maintained open by an insert with a shape memory--for holding a paint bucket, most preferably of the two gallon size. A paint bucket--even when full--may be entered into, or withdrawn from, this supporting loop by use of but one hand. The bucket is held securely within the loop with its lip exposed--exactly as desired for painting.

Problems solved by technology

One of the problems individuals who find themselves on ladders regularly encounter is that they must prevent themselves from falling from the ladder while performing the task at hand.

However, while the prior art contains many different types of devices aimed at this end, none has been successful in design both so as to be (i) ergonomically effective, and (ii) sufficiently cost-effective of manufacture so as to be widely adopted.

Flexible and removable, fabric-type, holders seemingly offer a large holding capacity, but these holders tend not to maintain a defined volume, and are subject to collapsing inward.

This is adverse in that even a loaded holder should be capable of being slipped into position on or atop a step ladder by use of but one hand, making that the holder must maintain itself open and ready to receive mounting upon the step ladder.

Use of the substantially flat top surface to the step ladder is immediately problematic.

Finally, the retention of paint cans and pails both large and small is potentially challenging to flexible fabric holders, especially as these containers and their contents would desirably be held level.

For example, pouches of the toll and material holder that hold nails may become dirty and contaminated with debris, and, with suitably small top openings so as to permit ready access to bunched nails within, difficult and demanding to clean and fill atop the ladder.

A user / owner and especially a skilled tradesman using the holder during work will, however, usually not mount receptacles and / or hooks for which he / she has no use, but will configure the modular tool holder optimally for the task(s) at hand.

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