GB2274132A

GB2274132A - Improvements in or relating to the support of articles relative to a ladder.

Info

Publication number: GB2274132A
Application number: GB9300211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Malcolm Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-07
Filing date: 1993-01-07
Publication date: 1994-07-13
Also published as: GB9300211D0

Abstract

A support apparatus (10) for supporting a paint pot (30) on a ladder (2) comprises an elongate first bracket (12) engaged by hooks (14, 16) on adjacent rungs (4). A spring hook (6) holds the first bracket 12 in place. A second curved bracket (18) is fixed at one end to the first bracket (12) and swivably carries a circular ring (22). A substantially U-shaped support bar (26) is fastened at each of its ends to the ring (22) so that the ring (22) and the bar (26) together define a support in which the paint pot (30) is received. The position of the ring (22) is adjusted relative to the bracket (18) such that the paint pot extends, and is maintained, substantially vertically. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE SUPPORT OF ARTICLES RELATIVE TO A LADDER The present invention relates to support apparatus for supporting articles relative to a ladder.

When doing work which involves climbing a ladder, there are difficulties in carrying and using tools and other equipment. This is particularly the case where it is required to paint whilst standing on a ladder as there is a need to hold both the paint pot and a paint brush or other paint applying tool. It is known to hook or otherwise support the paint pot on the ladder but this is not generally particularly satisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support apparatus for supporting articles relative to a ladder.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus for supporting articles relative to a ladder, said support apparatus comprising a first bracket, connecting means for connecting said first bracket to a ladder such that it is supported thereby, and an article support, wherein said article support is connected to and supported by said first bracket by support means arranged to enable swivelling of said article support relative to said first bracket.

Because the article support can be swivelled relative to the bracket, the support can be arranged to extend substantially horizontal, for example, irrespective of the angle at which the ladder is arranged. This is particularly useful when the article supported is, for example, a paint pot.

In a preferred embodiment, the support means comprises a second bracket which is fixed to said first bracket, and said article support is swivably connected to said second bracket.

In a preferred embodiment, said article support comprises a substantially circular ring which is swivably connected to said second bracket by means of two opposed pivot pins which are arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other on said circular ring. In a preferred embodiment, each said pivot pin is arranged to allow pivoting of said circular ring about a pivot axis thereof, and wherein each pivot pin is additionally mounted to be swivable about an end thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, said second bracket is an elongate member shaped to provide a substantially semicircular portion along its length to which said pivot pins of said circular ring are connected. Said article support may, if required, constitute a substantially cylindrical container of which said substantially circular ring forms an upper rim. Alternatively, the article support may be comprised by one or more support bars or surfaces connected to said circular rim.

In a preferred embodiment, said connecting means for connecting said first bracket to a ladder are arranged to prevent movement of said first bracket longitudinally of said ladder. For example, said first bracket may comprise an elongate member having a length at least substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent rungs of a ladder and connecting means may be provided at each end of said first bracket to connect each end thereof to a respective rung of the ladder.

In a preferred embodiment, said first bracket is an elongate member having a hook formed at one end for connecting said one end to a ladder rung. The connecting means also comprises second means for connecting said first bracket to a different rung of the ladder. For example, said second connecting means may comprise a spring means connected to the first bracket and engageable with a ladder rung.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said first bracket is arranged to be supported by two adjacent rungs of a ladder and the connecting means comprises the hook at one end of the first bracket and a spring hook connected to the first bracket along its length and arranged to engage with the adjacent rung. At its end opposite to said hook, the first bracket is shaped to abut said adjacent rung.

Preferably, the support apparatus further comprises means for preventing movement thereof transversely of said ladder. For example, said transverse movement preventing means may comprise a third bracket connected to said first bracket and shaped to engage a side of the ladder.

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure shows a perspective view of support apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The figure shows a support apparatus used to support a pot of paint on a ladder. However, it will be appreciated that support apparatus of the invention may be used to support any required tool or other apparatus. For example, the support apparatus may be used to support a water bucket, for a window cleaner.

As is shown very clearly in the figure, the support apparatus, which is generally referenced 10, is supported on a ladder, part of which is shown at 2, by way of adjacent rungs 4 thereof. In this respect, for safety, the support apparatus 10 cannot move either longitudinally or transversely of the ladder once it has been engaged in position as illustrated.

The support apparatus 10 comprises an elongate first bracket 12 having a curved hook 14 at one end thereof. The hook 14 is shaped to be engageable around and over the top rung 4. At its other end, the first bracket 12 is provided with a second hook formation 16 which fits behind the adjacent rung 4. A spring hook 6 holds the first bracket 12 in place. In this respect, the spring hook 6 comprises a spring fastened at one end thereof to the first bracket 12 and provided at its other end with a metal hook 8.

A second elongate bracket 18 is fixed at one end to the first bracket 12 intermediate the ends of the first bracket 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the second bracket 18 is fixed to the first bracket 12 by way of rivets indicated at 20, but any appropriate fixing means may be used.

The second bracket 18 is an elongate member which is curved over part of its length to define a substantially semi-circular recess in which a circular ring 22 is swivably received. In this respect, at two diametrically opposed parts thereof, the ring 22 is fixed to the bracket 18 by way of a respective pivot pin 24. Preferably, as well as providing for pivoting movement of the ring 22 relative to the pivot axis of each pin 24, the pivot pins 24 are mounted to be swivable about one end thereof. This enables the ring 22 to be pivoted both upwardly and downwardly relative to the bracket 18 and also from side to side.

In the embodiment illustrated, a substantially Ushaped support bar 26 is fastened at each of its ends to the ring 22 whereby the ring 22 and the bar 26 together define a support in which a paint pot 30 may be received.

In use, the support apparatus 10 without the paint pot, is supported on the ladder 2. It will be appreciated that the first bracket 12 thereof is suitably positioned so that its hook 14 engages on a rung 4 at a selected height along the ladder 2. The extended hook formation 16 at the other end of the first bracket 12 is then positioned behind the next downwardly adjacent rung 4. The spring hook 6 is extended and its hook 8 engaged around said downwardly adjacent rung 4. The spring force of the spring hook 6 holds the hook 8 in position. In this position, the first bracket 12 cannot move longitudinally of the ladder 2 and the second bracket 18 protrudes substantially laterally of the ladder 2. The paint pot 30 may then be supported within the article support 22, 26 with the position of the ring 22 being adjusted relative to the bracket 18 such that the paint pot extends substantially vertically.

Preferably, and as shown, the support apparatus 10 is provided with a third bracket 32 arranged to prevent movement of the support apparatus transversely of the ladder 2. In this respect, in the embodiment illustrated, the third bracket 32 is an elongate bracket fixed at one end by way of rivets 34 to the first bracket 12. The third bracket 32 is bent along its length so that its free end engages against the outer side of the ladder 2 as illustrated.

The support apparatus may be made from any suitable material, for example, from wood, metal or a plastics material. In a preferred embodiment, the support apparatus is made entirely from aluminium which provides the necessary rigidity but is also sufficiently light to facilitate use.

It will be appreciated that other modifications and amendments may be made to the embodiment of the invention as described and illustrated above within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. Support apparatus for supporting articles relative to a ladder, said support apparatus comprising a first bracket, connecting means for connecting said first bracket to a ladder such that it is supported thereby, and an article support, wherein said article support is connected to and supported by said first bracket by support means arranged to enable swivelling of said article support relative to said first bracket.

2. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a second bracket which is fixed to said first bracket, and wherein said article support is swivably connected to said second bracket.

3. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said article support comprises a substantially circular ring which is swivably connected to said second bracket by means of two opposed pivot pins which are arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other on said circular ring.

4. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each said pivot pin is arranged to allow pivoting of said circular ring about a pivot axis thereof, and wherein each pivot pin is additionally mounted to be swivable about an end thereof.

5. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said second bracket is an elongate member shaped to provide a substantially semi-circular portion along its length to which said pivot pins of said circular ring are connected.

6. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said article support is constituted by a substantially cylindrical container of which said substantially circular ring forms an upper rim.

7. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said article support is comprised by one or more support bars or surfaces connected to said circular rim.

8. Support apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said connecting means for connecting said first bracket to a ladder are arranged to prevent movement of said first bracket longitudinally of said ladder.

9. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first bracket comprises an elongate member having a length at least substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent rungs of a ladder, and wherein connecting means are provided at each end of said first bracket to connect each end thereof to a respective rung of the ladder.

10. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein said first bracket is an elongate member having a hook formed at one end for connecting said one end to a ladder rung, and wherein said connecting means also comprise second means for connecting said first bracket to a different rung of the ladder.

11. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said second connecting means comprise a spring means connected to the first bracket and engageable with a ladder rung.

12. Support apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein said first bracket is an elongate member arranged to be supported by two adjacent rungs of a ladder, the connecting means comprises a hook at one end of the first bracket, and a spring hook connected to the first bracket along its length and arranged to engage with the adjacent rung and wherein, at its end opposite to said hook, the first bracket is shaped to abut said adjacent rung.

13. Support apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising means for preventing movement thereof transversely of said ladder.

14. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said transverse movement preventing means comprises a third bracket connected to said first bracket and shaped to engage a side of the ladder.

15. Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.