GB2427238A

GB2427238A - Tray assembly for attachment to a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2427238A
Application number: GB0511634A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Hanby
Original assignee: JACQUELINE MARIE HANBY
Current assignee: JACQUELINE MARIE HANBY
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-20
Also published as: GB0511634D0

Abstract

A tray assembly 1, for attachment to a stepladder comprises a tray 2 having a pair of adjustably-spaced universal joint members on its underside. Each universal joint member comprises jaws 4 for connecting to respective portions 11,13 of the ladder. In use the universal joint members can be adjusted to position the tray 2 in a horizontal configuration regardless of the orientation and spacing of the respective portions 11,13 of the ladder to which the assembly 1 is connected.

Description

Stepladders and Tray Assemblies Therefor The present invention relates to

stepladders and tray assemblies therefor.

For years, people have been designing devices to hang paint pots, brushes, tools, etc from ladders.

The need is self-evident. Most people's hands are full from the sheer challenge of climbing up a ladder, avoiding falling off it and, if all goes well, actually doing the job that they climbed it for in the first place. As to the tools needed for the job, a ladder offers little in the way of accommodation for those.

So various hooks, buckets, trays with clamps, etc have been proposed. They tend to fit at one side of a ladder - which is not a very stable configuration.

Relatively little attention has been paid to the stepladder. However, the average do-it-yourself (DIY) worker is much more likely to use this than a normal ladder - particularly for indoor work.

Most proposals for stepladders have attachments, once again, at the side of the stepladder, and therefore not very stable. There are some proposals for centrally located tool trays, etc, but they tend to be integrated into the stepladder design.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a tray assembly that can be clamped to a wide range of stepladders and provide a level and stable support surface that can take some weight, thereby providing a stable structure to support articles that are being used by persons using the stepladder.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tray assembly for attachment to a ladder, wherein the tray assembly comprises: a tray; first and second universal joint members, each being provided with locking means to allow locking of the respective universal joint members in a desired position; a first support member supported in the first universal joint member; a second support member supported in the second universal joint member; a first clamping means connected to the first universal joint member and adapted to clamp to one part of the ladder; a second clamping means connected to the second universal joint member and adapted to clamp to a second part of the ladder; first securing means for securing the tray to the first support member; and second securing means for securing the tray to the second support member; the assembly being such that when the first and second clamping means are secured to the ladder, the universal joint members may be adjusted and locked with the support members being set in substantially upright positions with the tray being secured to the support members and the position of the tray being adjustable with respect to at least one of the securing means that is attached to the tray.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tray assembly for attachment to a step ladder having a pair of front stiles supporting treads or rungs, and a pair of rear stiles forming a self-supporting frame with the front stiles, wherein the tray assembly comprises: a tray; first and second universal joint members, each being provided with locking means to allow locking of the respective universal joint member in a desired position; a first pole supported in the first universal joint member; a second pole supported in the second universal joint member; a first clamping means connected to the first universal joint member and adapted to clamp to one of said rear stiles; a second clamping means connected to the second universal joint member and adapted to clamp to the other of said rear stiles; first securing means for securing the tray to the first pole; and second securing means for securing the tray to the second pole: the arrangement being such that, with the clamping means clamped to the rear stiles, the universal joint members may be adjusted and then locked with the poles set in substantially upright positions and the tray secured at the tops of the poles, and the position of the tray with respect to at least one of the securing means may be adjusted.

Preferably, said poles are permanently fixed to said universal joint members.

Preferably, the position of said tray is fixed with respect to said first securing means and the position of said tray is adjustable with respect to said second securing means.

Preferably, said second securing means comprises interengaging hook-andeye tape, of which a first part is provided at the top of said second pole and a second part is provided underneath said tray.

Preferably, each said clamping means comprises a pair of jaws with a bolt and hand wheel to allow tightening and loosening of the jaws by hand.

Preferably, each said universal joint member comprises a ball joint retained between clamping jaws, and each said locking means comprises means for tightening said clamping jaws.

Preferably, each said means for tightening said clamping jaws comprises a bolt and hand wheel to allow tightening and loosening of the jaws by hand Preferably, said tray is of open mesh construction.

However, the tray can include defined areas, with some areas being of a mesh construction, while other areas of the tray have a solid base so that material can be prevented from falling from the tray. Said tray may comprise or carry a paint roller tray.

The invention extends to a stepladder provided with a tray assembly according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of components of a tray assembly comprising one example of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of components of a tray assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows the tray assembly of Figure 1 attached to one side of a stepladder.

In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

The illustrated tray assembly generally shown as 1 in Figure 1 comprises a tray 2 of open mesh design. A pair of universal joint members each comprises a ball 3 retained between a respective pair of clamping jaws 4. A respective bolt 51 passes through each pair of jaws 4 and is engaged by a hand wheel 52, in order to clamp the jaws 4 about the respective ball 3. A respective short pole 6 engages with each ball 3.

As more clearly shown in Figure 2, sharing the same pivot points 41 with each set of jaws 4 is another set of jaws 7 that extend in an opposite direction and serve as a clamping means. A respective bolt 71 and hand wheel 72 is provided to clamp each set of jaws 7 together.

First and second discs 8 and 9 support the tray 2 in use and serve to secure the tray 2 to the two poles 6.

To this end, each of the discs 8 and 9 is formed with a central socket 81, 91 to receive a respective one of the poles 6 as a close, sliding, friction fit The disc 8 is secured to the tray 2 in a permanent manner, for example, by means of adhesive, fixing screws or any other suitable means.

The disc 9 is secured to the tray 2 in a removable manner. For example, a length of interengaging hook-and- eye tape (e.g. Velcro ) is secured to the underside of the tray 2 and extends longitudinally of the tray. A complementary patch of hook-and-eye tape is secured to the opposing face of the disc 9 and engages the matching tape on the underside of the tray 2 to secure the tray to the disc. The relative positions of the disc 9 and tray 2 can be adjusted within a range determined by the dimensions of the interengaging hook-and-eye tape.

Figure 3 shows the tray assembly 1 assembled for use on a stepladder 10 that has a pair of front stiles 11 that support treads or rungs 12, and a pair of rear stiles 13 that form a self-supporting frame with the front stiles 11. As may be seen in Figure 3, the rear stiles 13 are pivotally connected to the front stiles 11 at pivot points 14, and a top platform 15 serves to secure the front stiles 11 and rear stiles 13 in an open position.

Returning to Figure 1, the assembly method is as follows.

Firstly, the balls 3 are held lightly within the jaws 4 with the poles 6 extending substantially upright.

The jaws 7 are then clamped lightly around the rear stiles 13 of the stepladder 10. The two discs 8 and 9 are then engaged on their respective poles 8. The position of the disc 9 with the respective to the tray 2 is adjustable at this stage, to accommodate stepladders of differing widths. The tray 2 is levelled up and, when in the desired position, the hand wheels 52 and 72 are easily tightened to lock the tray assembly 1 in the desired position.

As may be seen in Figure 3, the tray 2 can hold a paint tray and roller, with room for other tools as well.

The paint tray may hold liquid paint or solid paint. It may be appreciated that the paint tray may be at a very convenient height and position for use, when disposed relatively close to a ceiling or wall that is to be painted.

The tray 2 need not be exactly at right angles to the stepladder 10. Due to the adjustable fixing provided by the hook-and-eye tape, the tray 2 may be pivoted somewhat around the pole 6 and disc 8, to afford a better angle for right-handed or left-handed use.

It will be appreciated that, with the illustrated construction, the tray assembly 1 may readily be used with ladders and stepladders of varying construction and widths. When fitted as shown in Figure 3, it is disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the stepladder 10. Thus, when pressure is applied to the tray 2, for example as with a paint roller, there is no tendency for the stepladder 10 to overbalance. However, the tray assembly may also be used with a conventional ladder comprising a single run of rungs.

In addition to supporting paint trays, paint pots, brushes, rollers, etc, the tray assembly 1 may support any tools or materials that may be required.

Although fitting of the tray assembly 1 as illustrated in Figure 3 is particularly advantageous, the tray assembly 1 can nevertheless be fitted to the side of the stepladder 10 if desired, and such an option is illustrated in Figure 3, where one of the pairs of jaws 7 is clamped to one of the rear stiles 13 and the other pair of jaws 7 is clamped to one of the front stiles 11.

Thus, the tray assembly 1 is particularly versatile in use.

Although the various components of the tray assembly 1 are shown disassembled in Figure 1, in practice they will usually be joined together, with the poles 6 a friction fit within their respective sockets 81 and 91.

Thus, the tray assembly 1 can be stored and transported, with all of the components connected, and therefore a reduced risk of losing any component.

The poles 6 may be permanently fixed to the balls 3, for example, by means of adhesive or by means of fixings that require the use of tools for release.

In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its

normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A tray assembly for attachment to a ladder, wherein the tray

assembly comprises: a tray; first and second universal joint members, each being provided with locking means to allow locking of the respective universal joint members in a desired position; a first support member supported in the first universal joint member; a second support member Supported in the second universal joint member; a first clamping means connected to the first universal joint member and adapted to clamp to one part of the ladder; a second clamping means connected to the second universal joint member and adapted to clamp to a second part of the ladder; first securing means for securing the tray to the first support member; and second securing means for securing the tray to the second support member; the assembly being such that when the first and second clamping means are secured to the ladder, the universal joint members may be adjusted and locked with the support members being set in substantially upright positions with the tray being secured to the support members and the position of the tray being adjustable with respect to at least one of the securing means that is attached to the tray.
2. A tray assembly for attachment to a step ladder having a pair of front stiles supporting treads or rungs, and a pair of rear stiles forming a self supporting frame with the front stiles, wherein the tray assembly comprises: a tray; first and second universal joint members, each being provided with locking means to allow locking of the respective universal joint member in a desired position; a first pole supported in the first universal joint member; a second pole supported in the second universal joint member; a first clamping means connected to the first universal joint member and adapted to clamp to one of said rear stiles; a second clamping means connected to the second universal joint member and adapted to clamp to the other of said rear stiles; first securing means for securing the tray to the first pole; and second securing means for securing the tray to the second pole: the arrangement being such that, with the clamping means clamped to the rear stiles, the universal joint members may be adjusted and then locked with the poles set in substantially upright positions and the tray secured at the tops of the poles, and the position of the tray with respect to at least one of the securing means may be adjusted.
3. A tray assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said poles are permanently fixed to said universal joint members.
4. A tray assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the Position of said tray is fixed with respect to said first securing means and the position of said tray 5 adjustable with respect to said second securing means.
5. A tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein said second securing means comprises interengaging hook- and-eye tape, of which a first part is provided at the top of said second pole and a second part is provided underneath said tray.
6. A tray assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each said clamping means comprises a pair of jaws with a bolt and hand wheel to allow tightening and loosening of the jaws by hand.
7. A tray assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each said universal joint member comprises a ball joint retained between clamping jaws, and each said locking means comprises means for tightening said clamping jaws.
8. A tray assembly according to claim 7, wherein each said means for tightening said clamping jaws comprises a bolt and hand wheel to allow tightening and loosening of the jaws by hand.
9. A tray assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said tray is of open mesh construction.
10. A tray assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said tray comprises or carries a paint roller tray.
11. A tray assembly for attachment to a step ladder, the tray assembly being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A stepladder provided with a tray assembly according to any of the preceding claims.