Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2001-11-27
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C182S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322028
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an improved container supporting device that allows attachment of a container to a ladder having improved features including ease of attachment to a ladder and further having the geometry enabling the container supporting device to continuously maintain the container in a level horizontal position with respect to the ground to prevent liquid from spilling out of the container.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
When painting in places elevated enough to warrant the use of a ladder, difficulties have arisen as to where the paint container can be placed for ease of access while standing on the ladder. The majority of ladders, especially extension ladders, do not provide a location to place a paint container while painting on a ladder which makes it inefficient and dangerous to paint. Furthermore as the painter moves up or down the ladder the location of the can needs to be changed. Without a paint container holder, the painter has two options. They can either step down off the ladder to reapply paint to their brush, which takes a considerable amount of time, or physically hold the paint can in one hand and paint with the other which is dangerous because the painter no longer has a free hand to grasp the ladder. A number of prior art devices have addressed this problem by providing a variety of paint container holders that can be movably attached to ladders.
While these prior art devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, these devices do not provide a simple, inexpensive device which is movably attachable to a ladder and can automatically support the container in a level position regardless of the angle of the ladder. When the ladder is moved to a higher elevation or the base is moved to a different location, the paint container holder will automatically adjust the position of the container to prevent the paint or other liquid in the container from spilling. The mechanism by which the paint container holder is attached to a ladder is adaptable to fit most, if not all types and sizes of ladders commonly in use such as wood, aluminum or fiberglass by means of a simple adjustment.
Although numerous prior art paint container holders have been developed to solve certain of the aforementioned problems, none have adequately resolved all of the problems and provide an easy to use, cost effective self-leveling container holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention may be described as a self-leveling container supporting device adapted to be adjustably attached to a ladder for supporting a container. The device includes an offset support arm having a clamping mechanism on each end of the arm. One clamp can be attached to a ladder and the other clamp attaches to and supports a container, both clamps being pivotally attached to the offset support arm. The container clamp consists of several components including a C-shaped member, a fastener with an adjustment knob and an elongated support member. The C-shaped member fits around the lip at the opening of the paint can. The elongated support arm is positioned between the offset support arm and the C-shaped member and vertically contacts the outside surface of the paint container. When the C-shaped member is properly positioned over the lip of the paint container, the knob is tightened to clamp the member to the paint container.
The ladder clamp assembly consists of several components including a first ladder clamp jaw, a second ladder clamp jaw, a fastener and an adjustment knob. The first and second clamp member are positioned to engage a vertical side support of a ladder. When the first and second ladder clamp jaws are properly positioned around the ladder side support, the adjustment knob is tightened to compress the first and second ladder clamp jaws to create a firm grip on the ladder to provide solid attachment for supporting a paint container.
The pivot points located at each clamp end of the support arm allow rotational movement about an axis perpendicular to the other pivot point, thereby allowing the paint container to swivel about both axes. The primary function of the swivel device is to maintain the paint container in a level position with respect to the ladder position. When the ladder is adjusted or moved, the pivot points on the device will automatically adjust the position of the paint container so that it remains level with the ground and does not spill its contents. With this device, the paint container does not need to be removed from its position on the ladder when the ladder is moved to another location by the painter but can be adjusted up or down on the ladder as the painter moves up or down.
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Lee, Mann, Smith McWilliams, Sweeney and Ohlson
Ramirez Ramon O.
Wujciak A. Joseph
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