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Tray system for stepladders or the like, and method therefore

Tray system for stepladders or the like, and method therefore description/claims

None.

No funds were provided by the Federal Government for research or development of the present invention.

The present invention relates to horizontally situated, planar support surfaces, and in particular to a portable tray, table or shelf support surface formed to readily engage the upper portion of a stepladder or the like.

A stepladder is generally formed of front and rear sets of stiles hingedly attached to a top step so as to, when opened, form a generally inverted “V” configuration, with the front set of stiles having a series of evenly spaced rungs or steps mounted thereto for use as steps by the user. Pivotal stays are provided generally medially between the front and rear stiles to retain the opened ladder in an open position.

Stepladders are a necessary tool for many craftsman such as painters, carpenters or the like. During such operations, there often exists a need to have on hand, while on the ladder, a variety of materials, tools, and or implements. The prior art has contemplated various brackets and support surfaces which may engage the ladder to provide to the user a means of readily supporting, mounting, or holding the necessary item(s).

However, these types of devices are believed to suffer from various shortcomings. Many of the devices fail to provide a truly stable support surface, while others are very specialized in the type of items being supported. Still other devices are only made for certain types of operations, or require a custom configured ladder in order to work.

It is therefore believed that the prior art has failed to contemplate a table or shelf-type horizontal support system which readily mounts to a standard step ladder and provides a stable and generally reliable support.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a support surface which is generally rectilinear in configuration, and has an opening formed generally medially therethrough for receiving the upper portion of the stepladder. A receiver is formed generally through the support surface at the opening, the receiver having walls emanating from the underside of the support surface, the walls having an interior surface formed at an angle commensurate with the angle of the exterior edges of the front and rear stiles forming the open stepladder, so that the inner sidewalls of the receiver directly engage and are supported by said stiles.

To stabilize the support surface, an expansion clamp, spreader bar, or the like is provided to engage the underside of the upper portion of the stiles and/or the underside of the top step of the latter, said spreader bar having first and second ends having laterally emanating therefrom first and second threaded members formed to have an adjustable length to engage the upper portion of the surface mounted about the ladder, the threaded members having foot pads formed to apply pressure upon the support surface, so as to anchor and stabilize same.

The present invention thereby provides a table or shelf-type horizontal support system which readily mounts to a standard step ladder, while and providing a more stable and reliable support than prior art systems.

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, isometric view of the support surface of the present invention installed upon a step ladder, with the spreader bar situated for anchoring the unit in place.

FIG. 2 is an upper, isometric view of the support surface of the invention of FIG. 1, illustrating the generally rectilinear configuration and the placement of the receiver.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, exploded view of FIG. 1 illustrating the installation of the support surface upon the ladder, as well as the installation of the spreader bar between the top step of the step ladder and the upper surface of the support surface.

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