GB2426783A

GB2426783A - Container for mounting on a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2426783A
Application number: GB0609232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor James Honor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2006-05-10
Publication date: 2006-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-10
Also published as: GB2426783B; GB0609232D0; GB0511390D0

Abstract

A container for mounting on a ladder comprises a receiving member (5) providing a space for receiving one or more items to be carried in the container, the receiving member being adapted to be positioned at one side of one or more rungs of a ladder. A first member (1), for example in the form of a hook, is adapted to pass over and behind a first rung of the ladder so as to retain the container in position on the ladder. A second member (3), for example in the form of a hook, a stepped configuration or a post, is adapted to engage with a second rung of the ladder so as to stabilise the container relative to the ladder. The container may be provided with a removable liner for the receiving member. The container may also include a plurality of substantially parallel transverse ridges 9 on an internal surface of the receiving member.

Description

CONTAINER FOR MOUNTING ON A LADDER

This invention relates to a container adapted to be mounted on a ladder.

It is often difficult to perform a task when standing on a ladder because it is necessary to hold on to the ladder with one hand and use the other hand for performing the task. This leaves no easy way of holding tools or other equipment, such as paint tins, electrical fittings, ironmongery orwindow cleaning equipment, required for the task to be performed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container adapted to be mounted on a ladder for conveniently holding tools or other equipment.

According to the present invention there is provided a container adapted to be mounted on a ladder, which container comprises: a receiving member providing a space for receiving one or more items to be carried in the container, the receiving member being adapted to be positioned at one side of one or more rungs of a ladder; a first member adapted to pass over and behind a first rung of the ladder so as to retain the container in position on the ladder; and a second member adapted to engage with a second rung of the ladder so as to stabilise the container relative to the ladder.

Two first members may be provided, one at each side of an upper region of the container. The or each first member may be substantially U-shaped. The free end of the or each first member may be in the form of a post, which post may be provided with one or more reinforcing flanges.

Two second members may be provided, one at each side of a lower region of the container. The or each second member may be adapted to pass over and behind the second rung of the ladder. The or each second member may be substantially U-shaped. Alternatively, the or each second member may comprise a stepped configuration adapted to engage with the second rung of the ladder. As a further alternative, the or each second member may comprise a post which extends downwardly from the receiving member to engage with the second rung of the ladder.

The receiving member may be formed with a rounded lower end. The receiving member may be tapered so as to narrow from an upper region thereof towards a lower region thereof in a plane substantially parallel to side walls of the rece;ving member. A removable shelf may be provided within the receiving member. Alternatively, the container may be provided with a removable liner for the receiving member. If desired, the removable liner may have a substantially planar base.

The container may include a plurality of substantially transverse ridges extending a cross an internal surface of the receiving member. The transverse ridges may be substantially parallel with each other.

Edges between side walls and front and rear walls of the receiving member may be rounded.

The container may include a substantially horizontal tray provided in the region of each side of the container. The trays may extend along a single edge of the container. The trays may be formed integrally with the first member. A slot, for example a substantially rectangular slot, may be provided between the trays so as to define a handle for lifting the container. The trays may be provided with a concave surface along one edge thereof to facilitate removal of items from the trays. The trays may be provided with raised upper edges along those sides thereof other than that with the concave surface. The container may include a raised lip extending between the trays and adjacent to the receiving member.

The container may include a handle member, for example pivotably mounted at each side of the container.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an upper region of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a container according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the container shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a container according to the present invention; and Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the container shown in Figure 7.

The container shown in Figures 1 to 3 is adapted to be supported on two rungs of a ladder, one rung generally being immediately above the other, with the container being arranged essentially at one side of the rungs. The container is moulded from a suitable plastics material. To this end the rear face of the container is provided integrally in the upper region of each side thereof with a first (inverted) generally U-shaped hook member I which is dimensioned to pass over and behind the upper rung of an adjacent pair of rungs of a ladder so as to retain the container in position on the ladder. The rear face of the container is also provided in the lower region of each side thereof with a second (inverted) generally U-shaped hook member 3 which is dimensioned to pass over and behind the lower rung of an adjacent pair of rungs of a ladder. Alternatively, the rungs could be the steps of a step ladder.

In practice, the first hook members 1 serve as the main supports for the container, while the second hook members 3 provide additional support and stabilise the container relative to the ladder. That is, the second hook members 3 prevent the container pivoting around the first hook members. In the event the spacing between the rungs of the ladder are less than the conventional spacing, the second hook members 3 and/or the rear of the container will simply bear (engage) against the outer surface of the ladder rung under the influence of gravity for stability while the weight of the container will be supported by the first hook members 1.

As can best be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the container includes a receiving member 5 providing a space for receiving or holding one or more tools or products, such as paint, mortar or the like. To this end, the receiving member has a rounded lower end 7 and a rounded junction between the front and rear surfaces and the side surfaces to ensure as far as possible that it is possible to clean any liquid product from the entire inner surface of the receiving member 5. The overall width of the container is such that conventional tools, such as a paint roller will fit within the receiving member 5.

To use the container for painting purposes, paint will be poured from a tin or other container into the receiving member 5 and can then be applied with a roller, brush or the like. The rounded lowerend 7ofthe receiving member 5 also allows a roller to reach all the paint that is poured into the receiving member 5.

Excess paint can be removed from the roller by means of a plurality of spaced parallel ridges 9 formed on the internal rear surface of the receiving member 5 by moving the roller upwards and downwards over the ridges.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the receiving member 5 is tapered such that it narrows towards the rounded lower end 7. Such tapering of the receiving member 5 reduces or eliminates the need for the user to have to bend his or her body around the container when it is in use.

The plan view of Figure 2 shows that the rear upper surface of the container is formed with two trays 11, one in the region of each side of the container. The trays 11 are for small items such as screws, washers, paint brushes and the like which are, or may be, required by the user, but which for various reasons cannot, or cannot conveniently, be placed in the receiving memberS. Each tray has an upright face on that side adjacent to the edge of the container, but has a concave surface on that side remote from the edge (i.e., adjacent to the receiving member 5) to facilitate the retrieval and removal of small items such as screws, nails and washers which can be moved with a sliding motion towards the concave surface and will ride up for the user to grasp. Around the three sides of the trays other than that associated with the concave surface the upper edge of the tray may extend above the upper edge of the receiving member 5.

A raised lip 27 extends between the two trays adjacent to the receiving member and provides a means for supporting a paint roller or the like within the receiving member, but above the bottom thereof.

A rectangular slot 13 is provided in a land area between the two trays 11 and is dimensions to allow the user to insert a hand through the slot and to grip the remaining portion of the land area which functions as a handle 15. The handle facilitates transportation of the container, especially up and down ladders.

Alternatively or additionally, the container may be provided with a separate pivotable handle, for example mounted at pivot points at each side of the container.

If desired the lower end of the receiving member 5 could be substantially planar rather than rounded and if desired the receiving member 5 could be made to be shallower. As a further alternative, a removable shelf can be provided for the receiving member 5 which provides both a substantially planar lower end and a shallower space, for example to receive a container for paint. Moreover, the receiving member 5 may be provided with a removable liner (not shown). The removable liner may be configured to the internal shape of the receiving member or may be provided with a planar base.

The container shown in Figures 5 and 6 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the same references are used to denote the same or similar components.

The container of Figures 5 and 6 differs from the container of Figures 1 to 4 in that there are no hook members 3 in the lower region of the container. Instead the container of Figures 5 and 6 is formed with a stepped configuration 17 in the lower region of each side thereof to enable the lower end of the containerto bear against a rung of a ladder, the spacing of the rungs determining which of the steps bears against the ladder. A further step is formed by a generally triangular protrusion 19 which is formed in the lower region of each side of the container above the stepped configuration 17.

The container shown in Figures 7 and 8 is also similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the same references are used to denote the same or similar components. The container of Figures 7 and 8 differs from the container of Figures 1 to 4 in that the first hook-shaped members are effectively in the form of posts (or pegs) 21 which are provided with reinforcing flanges 23, while the second hook-shaped members are in the form of posts (or pegs) 25 which extend downwardly to bear against the rung of a ladder.

Claims

1. A container for mounting on a ladder, which container comprises: a receiving member providing a space for receiving one or more items to be carried in the container, the receiving member being adapted to be positioned at one side of one or more rungs of a ladder; a first member adapted to pass over and behind a first rung of the ladder so as to retain the container in position on the ladder; and a second member adapted to engage with a second rung of the ladder so as to stabilise the container relative to the ladder.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein two first members are provided, one at each side of an upper region of the container.

3. A container as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the or each first member is substantially U-shaped.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the free end of the or each first member is in the form of a post. - 10-

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the post is provided with one or more reinforcing flanges.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two second members are provided, one at each side of a lower region of the container.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each second member is adapted to pass over and behind the second rung of the ladder.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the or each second member is substantially U-shaped.

9. A container as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein the or each second member comprises a stepped configuration adapted to engage with the second rung of the ladder.

10. A container as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein the or each second member comprises a post which extends downwardly from the receiving member to engage with the second rung of the ladder.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiving member is formed with a rounded lower end. -Il -

12. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiving member is tapered so as to narrow from an upper region thereof towards a lower region thereof in a plane substantially parallel to side walls of the receiving member.

13. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and including a removable shelf within the receiving member.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and including a removable liner for the receiving member.

15. A container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the removable liner has a substantially planar base.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and including a plurality of substantially transverse ridges extending a cross an internal surface of the receiving member.

17. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transverse ridges are substantially parallel with each other.

18. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein edges between side walls and front and rear walls of the receiving member are rounded. - 12-

19. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and including a substantially horizontal tray provided in the region of each side of the container.

20. A container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the trays extend along a single edge of the container.

21. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein the trays are formed integrally with the first member.

22. A container as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein a slot is provided between the trays so as to define a handle for lifting the container.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the slot is substantially rectangular.

24. A container as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the trays are provided with a concave surface along one edge thereof to facilitate removal of items from the trays.

25. A container as claimed in claim 24, wherein the trays are provided with raised upper edges along those sides thereof other than that with the concave surface. - 13-

26. A container as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23 and including a raised lip extending between the trays and adjacent to the receiving member.

27. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and including a handle member.

28. A container as claimed in claim 27, wherein the handle member is pivotably mounted at each side of the container.

29. A container for mounting on a ladder, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.