Storage ladder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ladder with a design such that storage is incorporated into the ladder body, most notably the rails, by providing for a storage area for tools and other things, which will be incorporated into the manufacture of the ladder. An alternative version is a storage unit approximately the width of the rails of existing ladders, which can be fixedly attached thereto, providing a storage area for tools and other things.

Claims

1. A storage ladder, comprising: a first rail; a second rail having an interior surface and a pair of sidewalls extending from opposite ends of the interior surface and away from said first rail, wherein the pair of sidewalls extend further outward from said interior surface in the direction away from said first rail than the pair of sidewalls extend inward in the direction toward said first rail such that the interior surface and the pair of sidewalls define a storage recess within said second rail on the side of said interior surface which is opposite of said first rail, wherein the second rail further comprises a door connected to the pair of sidewalls at the ends of the sidewalls opposite from the first rail such that the storage recess is accessible by opening the door; a plurality of parallel steps fixedly attached to the first rail and the interior surface of said second rail; a tool attachment device secured to the interior surface of said second rail or one of said sidewalls and wholly contained within the storage recess, wherein the tool attachment device is configured to removably hold a tool within the storage recess.

2. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the door is formed from a transparent material.

3. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein the second rail has a U shaped cross-sectional profile formed by the interior surface and the pair of sidewalls.

4. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein the second rail has a boxed cross-sectional profile formed by the interior surface, the pair of sidewalls and the exterior surface.

5. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein said tool attaching device comprises a clamp.

6. The storage ladder of claim 1, further comprising a third rail and a fourth rail each having a longitudinal axis, wherein the first rail is rotatably coupled at one end to the third rail and the second rail is rotatably coupled at one end to the fourth rail such that the ladder can form a V configuration.

7. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein the first rail has a first interior surface and a first pair of sidewalls extending from opposite ends of the first interior surface and away from the second rail, wherein the first interior surface and the first pair of sidewalls define a second storage recess within said second rail and wherein a plurality of tool attachment devices are secured to the first interior surface of said first rail, wherein the plurality of tool attachment devices are each configured to removably hold a tool within said second storage recess.

8. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tool attachment devices are secured to the interior surface of said second rail and wholly contained within the storage recess, wherein the plurality of tool attachment devices are each configured to removably hold a tool within the storage recess.

9. The storage ladder of claim 1, wherein at least one of the parallel steps does not extend beyond the interior surface in a direction away from the first rail.

10. A storage ladder with a removable container, comprising: a first rail; a second rail having an interior surface and a pair of sidewalls extending from opposite ends of the interior surface only in the direction away from said first rail, wherein the interior surface and the pair of sidewalls define a storage recess within said second rail and wherein the second rail further comprises a door connected to the pair of sidewalls at the ends of the sidewalls opposite from the first rail such that the storage recess is accessible by opening the door; a plurality of parallel steps fixedly attached to the first rail and the interior surface of said second rail; a storage container sized to fit securely within at least a portion of the storage recess, wherein the storage container is configured to enable removable coupling of the storage container to the interior of the storage recess.

11. The storage ladder of claim 10, further comprising: a tool attachment device configured to removably hold a tool; wherein the tool attachment device is attached to the interior of the storage container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1, shows a drawing of the storage ladder in three-dimensional view with tools affixed thereto.

(2) FIG. 2, shows a drawing of one version of the storage ladder from a side view with tools being held in the storage area.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a side, top and front view of one version of the storage ladder.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the cross-section of one end of the rail showing the step attached thereto with a storage area insert.

(5) FIG. 5, shows a drawing of one version of the retrofit version of the storage ladder, from a side view, with tools being held in the storage area and a cover.

(6) FIG. 6, shows another top view of the cross-section of one end of the rail, similar to FIG. 4, but the door to the storage area being closed and locked.

DESCRIPTION

(7) For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in specific language contained herein. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

(8) One form of the present invention is a storage ladder whereby the rails, which form the vertical elements of a ladder are of a U shape with the open part of the U pointing outward from the steps. The steps 1 are attached to the inside portion of two rails 2, which are running parallel, as seen in the Figures. This new design for the rails creates an open space 3 which can be used to store tools and other equipment. This rail would be of sufficient width and depth to facilitate the storage of common tools 4, such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers but not of a width or depth which would make grabbing or holding the rail (such as when the ladder was being moved or someone was climbing the ladder) difficult or troublesome. An attachment means 5 would also be included within the rails to fixedly hold the tools in place when they are not being used. Another potential option with regard to holding tools, could be a small rectangular removable box 6 as shown in FIG. 4, which can then placed between the newly designed rails, being just slightly smaller than the width of the rail, to facilitate a snug fit, and held in place with clips or rivets. There is also the possibility to incorporate small trays or containers for tools or pieces which are small or numerous. Another potential element of the present invention would be a door or cover 7, as seen in FIG. 4, that would enclose the storage area and could, optionally, be locked. This will help maintain a clean look for the ladder and will further prevent theft of the tools contained therein. Alternatively, the cover could be clear to facilitate viewing of the tools and equipment contained therein. Another potential element of the present invention would be the means to move the ladder without lifting it of the ground. This would be accomplished by incorporating into the manufacturer or attaching thereafter, wheels or casters onto two or more of the end of the rails that are nearest the ground. The wheels or casters would be such that they could be moved out of the way, when not needed.

(9) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the ladder of FIG. 1. The side view illustrates a first longitudinal axis 8 of a rail 2 and a second longitudinal axis 9 of a second rail. The rails are illustrates as being rotatably coupled 12 near the longitudinal ends of the rails to form a Vconfiguration. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a rail of the ladder. The top view includes the exterior walls 10 of the rail 2. The exterior walls, as illustrated, form a U shape with the opening 11 of the U shape substantially facing the same direction (the direction illustrated being towards the viewer). If the step is attached to two separate rails on both ends, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, the opening 11 of the U shape also faces away from the other rail. FIG. 3 also illustrates a tool attachment device 5 attached to the rail 3, the tool attachment device configured for holding a tool 4. The tool attachment device 5 is illustrated as holding the tool by gripping it on opposing sides.

(10) An additional variation of the invention, as applied to step-ladders, would be to not only have storage capability along the rails which incorporate the steps, but also on the second set of rails, which are the rails that do not include steps and are generally held together with cross-bracing or other supports, and connect with the first set of rails at the top, which creates the ability of the ladder to stand on its own.

(11) Often when someone is employing the use of a ladder it is because there is a need to fix or repair something that is only accessible via a ladder. Traditionally, someone tasked with such a repair would employ the use of a tool-belt or toolbox in which to carry the necessary tools or supplies. The obvious shortcomings with this method is that you would be required to carry more than just the ladder, thus causing additional effort and time in which to make the repair. There is also the possibility of theft of tools or equipment. For example, if one would need to carry a ladder to a location of repair, thus leaving behind tools and equipment, these could be the subject of a theft. A more efficient means would be if only one trip were necessary based upon the fact the ladder incorporated a means to store the tools and equipment. In this way, one would only need to load the ladder with the tools and equipment needed for the job, and then could carry the ladder, along with the tools and equipment, as one unit. Additionally, unlike a tool box, having storage in the ladder means the tools and equipment are within easy reach of the user versus having to go down the ladder to retrieve the necessary equipment. This increases the speed in which the job can be completed and also increases safety by eliminating unnecessary trips up and down a ladder.

(12) A second version of this invention would incorporate two U shaped elements on the rails, back to back, so that each rail, in cross-view, would resemble an I beam. On one side of the rail, the steps would be attached to the first U-shaped section, wrapping slightly around the steps. The second U-shaped section would provide the storage area as described in the first version of the invention. This same area could also be used to put the removable rectangular boxes disclosed in the first version of the invention.

(13) An additional version of this invention could also include a means to plug in electric tools by incorporating into the storage area an electrical outlet or strip. This outlet or strip would be connected to an electrical power source via a cord that is incorporated into the rails and exits such near the bottom thereof. An additional element could be a means for attaching a personal electronic device (phone, Ipod portable music player, mp3 player, etc.), with or without external speakers, such that the device and/or speakers are included within the storage area or attached externally to the ladder.

(14) While this invention would be most effective if incorporated into the initial manufacturing process for a ladder, it is possible that such a storage unit can be incorporated into existing ladders as shown in FIG. 5, by simply attaching the U-shaped storage to the existing rails for a ladder. In this case, the size of the storage unit can mimic the width of the rail but it can also be slightly larger, as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, a U-shaped storage channel can also be attached, which would then accept the removable rectangular storage units within the channel, as described in the first version of this invention. Additionally, while this invention would prove most helpful for professionals in the trades (plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry) there would be similar benefits seen by homeowners or other casual users of the invention.

(15) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that while the preferred embodiment has been described, that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.