TILER CADDY

Abstract

A simple, versatile tool and accessory caddy, temporarily attachable to a wall, rollable across a floor and securely providing easy access to a tile installer of all needed tile installation tools and accessories.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a lower shelf comprising a lower shelf underside and a lower shelf topside, the lower shelf underside configured to have mounted at least one support means and the lower shelf topside having at least outer sidewalls configured to contain items, and attached to a backwall; an at least one upper shelf comprising an upper shelf underside and an upper shelf topside, the upper shelf underside configured to mount onto and over the lower shelf topside, and the upper shelf topside having at least outer side walls configured to contain items, and attached to the same backwall at a position above the lower shelf; a plurality of attached, supporting but moveable nail-like fasteners housed through the backwall via a housing bracket such that a sharp end is deployable to protrude approximately ½ past an outer outward facing surface of the backwall and an opposite smooth or flat ends protrude a pre-defined amount past an outer inward facing surface of the backwall, wherein at least one such nail-like fastener is positioned above the upper shelf topside and generally oriented downward, and at least one such nail-like fastener is positioned below the upper shelf underside and above the lower shelf topside but not directly vertically beneath at least one of the nail-like fasteners positioned above the upper shelf topside and further wherein said at least one such nail-like fastener is positioned below the upper shelf underside and above the lower shelf topside is orientable to a user choosable direction.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of castors.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the castors are mounted with a spring attachment.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said one lower shelf and said at least one upper shelf are made from lightweight, durable, hard plastic.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein there are two nail-like fasteners positioned above the upper shelf topside and generally oriented downward.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein there is one nail-like fastener positioned below the upper shelf underside.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein all of the nail-like fasteners' housing brackets comprise a spring load mechanism such that until deployed, the nail-like fasteners are not protruding past the outer surface of the back wall at all.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein all of the nail-like fasteners contain sharp end threads to provide a screw like functionality.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a first level mounted to a top portion of the backwall and a second level mounted to a side portion of the backwall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from the front, showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), the device also comprising castors (3), a center tripod mount (4), legs (5) with a bottom stabilizer (6).

[0033] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from one side, showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2) with a setback, the device also comprising castors (3), a center tripod mount (4), legs (5) with a bottom stabilizer (6).

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from the top, showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), and one configuration of dividers (7).

[0035] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a perspective view, showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2) with a setback, the device also comprising castors (3), legs (5), and one configuration of dividers (7).

[0036] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from the front showing the back wall (9), showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), the device also comprising castors (3), a center tripod mount (4), legs (5) with a bottom stabilizer (6), and one configuration of a plurality of nail-like fasteners (8).

[0037] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from one side showing the back wall (9), showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), the device also comprising castors (3), a center tripod mount (4), legs (5) with a bottom stabilizer (6), and a plurality of nail-like fasteners (8).

[0038] FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from the top but showing the back wall (9), showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), the device also comprising a plurality of nail-like fasteners (8), in this embodiment, showing only two top nail-like fasteners (others not shown, being hidden below the upper shelf (2)).

[0039] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a perspective view showing the back wall (9), showing a basic lower shelf (1), an upper shelf (2), the device also comprising castors (3), a center tripod mount (4), legs (5) with a bottom stabilizer (6), and a plurality of nail-like fasteners (8), in this embodiment, showing only two top nail-like fasteners (others not shown, being hidden below the upper shelf (2)), and one configuration of dividers (7).

[0040] FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from underneath a second shelf looking down onto a basic lower shelf (1), showing a back wall (9), and, in this configuration, one of a plurality of nail-like fasteners (8) (others not shown, being hidden above the upper shelf), and one configuration of dividers (7).

[0041] FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of the tiler caddy device as described, with a view from the front showing the back wall (9) and depicting an alternate arrangement on nail-like fasteners (8), in this configuration, two such nail-like fasteners generally orienting downward positioned along the top of the device, and three such nail-like fasteners generally orienting in various left and right directions vis a vis each other, below the upper shelf. Also shown in this view is one embodiment of laser levels (11) being mounted on the back wall of the device, one in a horizontal and one in a vertical mount.

[0042] FIG. 11 depicts two alternative embodiments of nail-like fasteners, one with smooth nail points (12) and the other with screw-like points (13) and further depicting that they can achieve various angles of penetration through the back wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

[0044] “basic lower shelf” as used herein means a main support platform the underside of which may contain legs, castors or other support means, the topside of which may contain bins, dividers, sidewalls, and/or other organizing means, and the topside further comprising support for one or more upper shelves and a back wall.

[0045] “upper shelf” as used herein means any additional support platform configured to be supported by the basic lower shelf which may contain bins, dividers, sidewalls, and/or other organizing means.

[0046] “castors” as used herein means rolling members attached to a fixed or rotatable support configured to support at least a portion of the underside of a basic lower shelf

[0047] “legs” as used herein means rigid members attached to a fixed support configured to support at least a portion of the underside of a basic lower shelf

[0048] “nail-like fastener” as used herein means any elongated shard or spike with a sharp end at one end and a surface at its opposite end that may be smooth or flat configured to allow a user to apply a force with a hammer or push or pull the object to insert the first sharp end in or out of a wall. As used herein, nail-like fastener also includes an elongated shard or spike with threads of any gauge, thickness or spacing to provide a screw like function and wherein the fastener can turn or rotate to enable such functionality.

[0049] “back wall” as used herein means a connecting surface that connects a basic lower shelf to any number of upper shelves, has an inner surface from which extend the basic lower shelf and the any number of upper shelves, and an outer surface, and may be configured to mount a plurality of nail-like fasteners for mounting the entire device to a surface wall, the sharp end of the nail-like fasteners extending from the outer surface and the smooth or flat end extending from the inner surface.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

[0050] A typical tiler caddy device as described herein comprises a basic lower shelf supported by castors further comprising a spring mount, and further supported by a plurality of legs, further comprising a back wall, an at least one upper shelf, and a plurality of nail-like fasteners.

[0051] In one embodiment, the tiler caddy device may be constructed without legs and/or castors for use solely as a wall mounted device.

[0052] In one embodiment, the tiler caddy device may contain any number of shelf inserts or dividers to provide desired organizational compartments.

[0053] In one embodiment, the back wall may further comprise holes configured to contain hooks or other tool mounting capability means.

[0054] In one embodiment, a light may be configured to be mounted underneath one shelf.

[0055] In one embodiment, an electrical socket may be configured to be mounted on an outside wall, configured to received electrical current and in turn deliver that electrical current as desired.

[0056] In one embodiment, a drawer may be mounted to the back wall or underneath an upper shelf of the basic lower shelf.

[0057] In one embodiment, a center tripod mount may be constructed in the center of the underneath of the basic lower shelf configured to mount the entire device onto a tripod.

[0058] In one embodiment, the main components such as the shelves, sidewalls, backwall, etc, are all made from lightweight, durable hard plastic.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the device of the present disclosure appears to be a standard tool caddy, a system of shelves and compartments that can set next to a user to provide easy access to tools and supplies. It may contain shelves (2), compartments with dividers (7) for organization and it may sit firmly on a floor or other surface via its legs (5) and bottom supports (6), or it may wheel around via its wheels on castors (3). However, referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the device of present disclosure may also be temporarily and securely attached to a wall in progress via nail-like fasteners (8) that are mounted through the back wall (9) in a manner such that they can function as described above.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the top most nail-like fasteners orient in a generally downward direction such that they can support the device on a wall, gripping the wall somewhat like the nails of a picture hook. However, here, in one embodiment, there is a proprietary arrangement such that there may be two such fasteners at the top in a general downward direction for overall support, but at least one other such fastener at an underneath position and oriented in a left or right downward manner, that prevents any rotational torque and slippage of the device in its temporary location. This is also more clearly depicted in FIG. 9 where it is clear that the underneath nail-like fastener is oriented such that it penetrates more left. Nevertheless, the nail-like fasteners are moveable within a bracket mounting them through the backwall such that the user can manipulate the nail-like fasteners into any desired orientation when pushing them into the wall.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, there could be a plurality of underneath nail-like fasteners (8), each moveable in its bracket mounting through the back wall (9) so that the user may orient the direction of any one of them to penetrate in any desired direction. Referring to FIG. 10, the nail-like fasteners (8) may have smooth, sharp, penetrating nail ends (12) that simply push into place, or the ends could contain threads and be more screw-like (13) such that they rotate into place much like a screw by turning (and come out by counter-rotation). In one embodiment, in the screw function embodiment, the turn could be anywhere from quarter turn through a couple full revolutions.

EXAMPLES

[0062] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

[0063] A typical use of a tiler caddy device as described herein is by a tile installer actively installing tile either on a floor or on a wall or both. In this example, the tile installer will require the tile to be installed, mastic for adhering the tile to the to be tiled surface, tools for spreading the tile mastic, tile spacers, and tools for insuring the tile is adhered level and level with respect to each other, as well as square and true. Such additional tools may require commercial leveling supplies as described above, a rubber mallet, a level, a pencil, a tile cutter, among other things. Additionally, the tile installer may want to have things such as a cell phone or other convenience items. To have all of these things at the ready, and capable of moving along with the tiler as they progress through the installation, the tile installer would first load all of the foregoing supplies into the various compartments of the tiler caddy device. Besides the tile itself and the mastic, the tile installer would then have every installation tool and convenience item in one organized place.

[0064] The tile installer would then roll the tile caddy device alongside themself as they progress along a floor installation and be able to directly move up a wall installation by then lifting the device and inserting the nail-like fasteners into an unfinished area of the wall. As progress is made, the device can be easily repositioned by simply lifting it off the wall and replacing the fasteners in a new unfinished area.

[0065] Thus, the tile caddy device as described herein will have all of the tile installer's supplies at the ready through any tile installation setting and can follow the tile installer through any installation and adapt to any installation setting along the way without any need to transfer supplies to separately adapted supply caddies.

[0066] The forgoing allows the tile installer to work fully hands-free, pocket-free, and pouch-free, with his or her tools and parts always within easy reach for greater comfort, efficiency and safety.

[0067] Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

[0068] Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.