Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-06-12
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244548
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to paint container holders for use in conjunction with ladders, and, more particularly, to an adapter that permits the paint container holder to be used in conjunction with a scaffolding or other aerial support.
An exemplary paint container holder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,363. This device includes an arcuate support for a paint bucket and work tray, and a bracket portion that is adapted to engage a horizontal step of a typical step ladder or the like. Although this device provides great utility in aiding painters, plasterers, and other skilled trades workers, it is somewhat limited to its intended use with ladders that have steps or similar lateral members to be engaged by the bracket portion.
There is an unmet need in the prior art for a paint container holder that is usable with other worker support structures, such as tubular scaffolding or the basket of mechanical lift systems commonly used for painting and similar craft work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises an adapter for a ladder bracket support for a paint container and work tray. The adapter enables a ladder bracket support to be employed in conjunction with tubular scaffolding and other support structures.
The ladder bracket support adapter includes a longitudinally extending channel portion having a central web portion flanked by a pair of side web portions, all extending longitudinally. The central web portion is raised slightly with respect to the side web portions, and a curved tongue extends from a proximal end of the central web portion. A rectangular tube is secured adjacent to the tongue to the bottom surface of the central web portion, extending generally perpendicularly downwardly. A reinforcing member extends obliquely from the bottom surface of the central web portion to the rectangular tube. A locking pin is also provided, extending laterally through aligned holes in the side walls of the channel portion.
The components enumerated above are arranged in particular to support the bracket portion of the ladder bracket disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,363. The curved tongue is disposed to extend about a tubular member or rail of a scaffolding or other worker support structure, with the channel portion extending outwardly and generally horizontally therefrom. The rectangular tube extends downwardly from the channel portion to engage a lower tubular member or other structural component of the scaffolding, whereby the adapter is maintained with the channel portion extending generally horizontally.
The ladder bracket support includes a pair of hook-end members that are generally intended to engage a step of a ladder. The lateral portions of the hook-end members are received in supporting relationship by the side web portions of the channel, and the hook ends extend adjacent to the curved tongue and about the laterally extending tubular scaffolding member on which the curved tongue rests. This engagement provides a synergistic result, as the channel provides horizontal support for the ladder bracket and its paint bucket or work tray, while the hook-ends of the ladder bracket retain the adapter on the tubular scaffolding member. The locking pin may be secured to the side panels of the channel member to retain the lateral portions of the hook-end member of the ladder bracket in the channel member. Thus the ladder bracket cannot be removed from the adapter, and the engagement of the hook-end members of the ladder bracket prevents removal of the assembly from the scaffolding.
With the ladder bracket thus supported on a lateral tubular member of the scaffolding, the arcuate distal end of the ladder bracket may be used to support a bucket for paint, spackling, or other filling/surfacing compounds, or to support a work tray for tools, hardware, and paint.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4139173 (1979-02-01), Kahn
patent: 4515242 (1985-05-01), LaChance
patent: 5797571 (1998-08-01), Brophy
patent: 5816363 (1998-10-01), Searcy
patent: 6105911 (2000-08-01), Olexson
Ramirez Ramon O.
Searcy Enterprises
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