LOAD SECURING HOD TRAY

Abstract

A load securing hod tray for safely and securely lifting a load to an elevated working platform is provided. The load securing hod tray may have a generally U-shaped tray design or an open-topped receptacle design to lift masonry and construction materials, such as a concrete masonry unit (CMU). The load securing hod tray includes dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles designed to provide the load securing hod tray with stability and to prevent a load from falling out of the load securing hod tray even if the tray is turned upside down. The dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles may be lockingly engaged by a hoist hook or similar device. Additionally, the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles may be further lockingly engaged by a locking member. The load securing hod tray may also include dextral and sinistral brick securement devices to further secure the load.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to devices used in the construction and masonry industry, and more particularly, to a load securing hod tray designed to prevent a load from falling out when lifted to an elevated working platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction industry, materials and equipment must often be elevated from ground level to an elevated working area. Various types of machines, such as cranes, hoists and elevators have been utilized to accomplish these tasks.

Elevated working platforms, typically in the form of temporary scaffolding, are commonly used in construction to provide elevated staging areas for materials, workers and equipment. The elevated working platforms are generally available in rectangular frames, which are set up in pairs interconnected by diagonal bracing to form relatively rigid frameworks. The frames are often stackable so that the elevated working platforms can be assembled to various heights. Typically, planks are extended between the spaced frames to provide staging areas for the materials, workers and equipment.

A masonry construction job typically requires elevating relatively large amounts of materials from ground level. As the work progresses upward, tools, mortar and the masonry units (e.g. bricks, blocks, stones, etc.) have to be lifted to staging areas located on the elevated working platforms at various heights.

On many masonry construction jobs, the materials are lifted to the elevated working platforms by manual laborers known in the industry as “hod carriers.” However, manually stocking an elevated work staging area with masonry materials tends to be relatively time-consuming and expensive, especially since hod carriers normally lift only ten bricks or so at a time. Naturally, the time and expense of manually stocking a staging area increases with the height to which the materials must be elevated. To reach a staging area atop multiple scaffolding levels, the materials must be lifted and set down through a series of intermediate staging areas, the vertical separation of which is limited by the height that a hod carrier can elevate the materials in one motion. A hod carrier lifting construction materials in this manner faces a substantial risk of falling off the scaffolding and other injuries associated with heavy lifting, i.e., back injuries, muscle strains, etc. Additionally, there is always a risk that the hod carrier will drop the materials he is lifting, which compromises the safety of other workers at lower levels.

There remains an unfulfilled need to provide an inexpensive device that is safe and effective for lifting construction materials to an elevated work platform. The present invention fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its most general configuration, the present invention advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. In its most general sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effective configurations. The instant invention demonstrates such capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior methods in new and novel ways.

The present invention is a load securing hod tray for safely and securely lifting a load to an elevated working platform. The load securing hod tray is designed to retain and secure various masonry and construction materials. A load may be safely and securely lifted to an elevated working platform utilizing a simple pulley and a cable having a hoist hook by joining the hoist hook to the load securing hod tray.

In one embodiment, the load securing hod tray includes a dextral sidewall having a dextral sidewall top edge height and a dextral sidewall length, as well as a sinistral sidewall having a sinistral sidewall top edge height and a sinistral sidewall length. The dextral sidewall and the sinistral sidewall are aligned in a generally parallel orientation and are joined to a load bearing wall to form a generally U-shaped tray configured to receive the load. The load securing hod tray also includes a dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handle with each handle pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray.

The dextral load locking pivot handle includes a dextral proximal projection arm and a dextral distal projection arm, which are joined together by a dextral connecting arm having a primary dextral locking eye. Similarly, the sinistral load locking pivot handle includes a sinistral proximal projection arm and a sinistral distal projection arm, which are joined together by a sinistral connecting arm having a primary sinistral locking eye. The dextral load locking pivot handle and the sinistral load locking pivot handle may be lockingly engaged by joining the primary dextral locking eye and the primary sinistral locking eye with a device such as a hoist hook. Additionally, the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles may be designed such that the primary dextral locking eye and the primary sinistral locking eye are substantially aligned with one another when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles are pivoted to a substantially vertical position.

The dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles also serve as barriers to prevent loads from sliding out or tipping out of the load securing hod tray. In one embodiment, the dextral and sinistral connecting are designed to be approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the dextral and sinistral sidewall top edge heights, respectively, to ensure that the load will remain secure even if the load securing hod tray is turned upside down. Furthermore, the positioning of the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles help contribute to the overall stability of the load securing hod tray.

In another embodiment, the load securing hod tray may further include at least one secondary dextral locking eye, at least one secondary sinistral locking eye, and at least one locking member. These components allow the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles to be further lockingly engaged by passing the at least one locking member through the at least one secondary dextral locking eye and the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye.

In yet another embodiment, the load securing hod tray may include a proximal sidewall having a proximal sidewall top edge height and a proximal sidewall length, as well as a distal sidewall having a distal sidewall top edge height and a distal sidewall length. The proximal sidewall is joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall and the sinistral sidewall, and is further joined to the load bearing wall. The distal sidewall is aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the proximal sidewall and is joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall and the sinistral sidewall. Additionally, the distal sidewall is joined to the load bearing wall such that the dextral sidewall, sinistral sidewall, proximal sidewall, distal sidewall, and load bearing wall form an open-topped receptacle having a receptacle length, a receptacle width, and a receptacle top edge height.

In one embodiment, the dextral load locking pivot handle and the sinistral load locking pivot handle may be pivotally joined to the proximal and distal sidewalls. In this particular embodiment, when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles are pivoted to a substantially vertical position, the dextral and sinistral connecting arms are approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the receptacle top edge height. This height ensures that the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles will pivot without obstruction to a substantially vertical position when the load comprises a standard concrete masonry unit (CMU). Additionally, the above-specified position of the dextral and sinistral connecting arms with respect to the receptacle top edge height ensures that a standard CMU will not fall out of the load securing hod tray even if the load securing hod tray is turned upside down while being lifted.

In still another embodiment, the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles may be spaced apart a distance equal to at least ten percent of the receptacle width. Such spacing provides the load securing hod tray with more stability when it is lifted.

Another embodiment of the load securing hod tray may feature a proximal sidewall tong access region and a distal sidewall tong access region. The proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions may be preferably located between the dextral load locking pivot handle and the sinistral load locking pivot handle. Additionally, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions may be approximately 4 inches to approximately 6 inches, which would be sufficient to receive the gripping ends of a standard set of bricks tongs.

In still another embodiment, the load securing hod tray may include a dextral stabilizing handle and a sinistral stabilizing handle. The stabilizing handles may be used by a worker to securely take hold of the load securing hod tray and to help guide the load securing hod tray to its destination.

In yet another embodiment, the load securing hod tray may include a dextral brick securement device and a sinistral brick securement device. The dextral and sinistral brick securement devices may be pivotally joined to the dextral and sinistral sidewalls, respectively. The dextral and sinistral brick securement devices are configured to extend over the dextral and sinistral sidewalls to provide an additional barrier to prevent the load from falling out of the load securing hod tray.

The instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The instant invention is, in addition, widely applicable to a large number of applications. Variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of the various embodiments may be used alone or in combination with one another, as will become more readily apparent to those with skill in the art with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention in use, not to scale; and

FIG. 11 a top plan view of an embodiment of the load securing hod tray of the present invention, not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A load securing hod tray (100) for safely and securely lifting a load (10) to an elevated working platform (20) enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the apparatus accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 11, the present invention is a load securing hod tray (100) for safely and securely lifting a load (10) to an elevated working platform (20). The load securing hod tray (100) is designed to retain and secure various masonry and construction materials, including, but not limited to, concrete masonry units (CMU), modular bricks, non-modular bricks, stones, blocks, and other materials. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the load (10) may be safely and securely lifted to an elevated working platform (20) with a pulley (30) and a cable (40) having a hoist hook (50), by joining the hoist hook (50) to the load securing hod tray (100).

One embodiment of the load securing hod tray (100) is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the load securing hod tray (100) includes a dextral sidewall (110) having a dextral sidewall top edge height (112) and a dextral sidewall length (114), as well as a sinistral sidewall (120) having a sinistral sidewall top edge height (122) and a sinistral sidewall length (124). The dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120) are aligned in a generally parallel orientation and are joined to a load bearing wall (130) to form a generally U-shaped tray configured to receive the load (10). The dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120) may be joined to the load bearing wall (130) by any number of methods, including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives. Additionally, the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), and the load bearing wall (130) may be formed from a variety of materials such as steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, high strength plastics, and other lightweight and durable materials.

In this embodiment, the load securing hod tray (100) features a dextral stabilizing handle (140) and a sinistral stabilizing handle (150) joined to the load securing hod tray (100), as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dextral and sinistral stabilizing handles (140, 150) may be used by a worker to securely take hold of the load securing hod tray (100) and to help guide the load securing hod tray (100) to its destination.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, this embodiment includes a dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and a sinistral load locking pivot handle (170), wherein the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) are both pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100). The dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) may be fabricated from various materials, including, but not limited to, steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, high strength plastics, and other lightweight and durable materials.

As seen in FIG. 1, the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) includes a dextral proximal projection arm (162) and a dextral distal projection arm (164). The dextral proximal projection arm (162) and the dextral distal projection arm (164) are joined together by a dextral connecting arm (166) that includes a primary dextral locking eye (168). Similarly, and also shown in FIG. 1, the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) includes a sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and a sinistral distal projection arm (174), wherein the sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and the sinistral distal projection arm (174) are joined by a sinistral connecting arm (176) having a primary sinistral locking eye (178).

In use, the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) may be lockingly engaged by joining the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178). Such locking engagement may be accomplished with a device such as a hoist hook (50), as seen in FIG. 1. To aid in lockingly engaging the primary dextral locking eye (168) with the primary sinistral locking eye (178), the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) may be designed such that the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178) are substantially aligned with one another when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are pivoted to a substantially vertical position. Thus, when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are lockingly engaged, the load securing hod tray (100) may be safely lifted while securing the load (10).

The dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) also serve to prevent loads (10) from sliding out of the load securing hod tray (100). Specifically, the dextral proximal and dextral distal projection arms (162, 164) and the sinistral proximal and sinistral distal projection arms (172, 174), when pivoted to a substantially vertical position, act as barriers to keep loads (10) within the confines of the load securing hod tray (100). Additionally, when the dextral proximal and dextral distal projection arms (162, 164) and the sinistral proximal and sinistral distal projection arms (172, 174) are pivoted to a substantially horizontal position, full access to the load securing hod tray (100) is permitted.

Furthermore, the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) contribute to the stability of the load securing hod tray (100). For example, by pivotally joining the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) closer to the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120), there is less opportunity for the load securing hod tray (100) to tip or tilt. This is because the force required to upset the balance of the load securing hod tray (100) will be much greater than when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are located close together towards the center of the load securing hod tray (100).

In another embodiment, the load securing hod tray (100) may further include at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169), at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179), and at least one locking member (300), as seen in FIGS. 5 and 11. The at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) may be disposed on the dextral load locking pivot handle (160), while the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) may be disposed on the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170). As with the primary dextral and primary sinistral locking eyes (168, 178), the at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) and the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) may be substantially aligned with one another when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are pivoted to a substantially vertical position.

The dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) may be further lockingly engaged by passing the at least one locking member (300) through the at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) and the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179). The at least one locking member (300) may be any type of locking fastener, including, but not limited to, a lynchpin, a wire lock pin, a tab lock pin, a bolt and nut, and a spring-gate clip. Although FIGS. 5 and 11 illustrate embodiments having two secondary dextral locking eyes (169), two secondary sinistral locking eyes (179), and two locking members (300), one with skill in the art will appreciate that any number of dextral and sinistral secondary locking eyes (169, 179) and locking members (300) may be successfully utilized to further lockingly engage the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170).

In still another embodiment, the load securing hod tray (100) may include a proximal sidewall (180) and a distal sidewall (190), as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The proximal sidewall (180) has a proximal sidewall top edge height (182) and a proximal sidewall length (184). Similarly, the distal sidewall (190) includes a distal sidewall top edge height (192) and a distal sidewall length (194). The proximal sidewall (180) may be joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120), and may be further joined to the load bearing wall (130). The distal sidewall (190) may be aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the proximal sidewall (180) and may be joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120). Additionally, the distal sidewall (190) may be joined to the load bearing wall (130) such that the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), proximal sidewall (180), distal sidewall (190), and load bearing wall (130) form an open-topped receptacle (200) having a receptacle length (210), a receptacle width (220), and a receptacle top edge height (230), as best seen in FIG. 4.

Similar to the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120) and the load bearing wall (130), the proximal and distal sidewalls (180, 190) may be formed from a variety of materials such as steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, high strength plastics, and other lightweight and durable materials. Additionally, the proximal and distal sidewalls (180, 190) may be joined to the load bearing wall (130) by the same methods discussed for joining the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120) to the load bearing wall (130).

Generally, the open-topped receptacle (200) may be designed to secure a standard CMU having dimensions of 8 in.×8 in.×16 in. (w×h×l). Thus, the receptacle length (210) may be in the range of approximately 17 inches to approximately 19 inches, the receptacle width (220) may be in the range of approximately 9 inches to approximately 11 inches, and the top edge height (230) may be in the range of approximately 3.5 inches to approximately 5 inches.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) may be pivotally joined to the proximal sidewall (180) and to the distal sidewall (190). Similarly, the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) may be pivotally joined to the proximal sidewall (180) and to the distal sidewall (190). In this particular embodiment, when the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are pivoted to a substantially vertical position, the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) are approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the receptacle top edge height (230).

Having the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) at such a height ensures that the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) may pivot without obstruction to a substantially vertical position when the load (10) comprises a standard CMU. Additionally, the position of the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) with respect to the receptacle top edge height (230) ensures that a load (10) comprising a standard CMU will not fall out of the load securing hod tray (100), even if the load securing hod tray (100) is somehow turned upside down while being lifted.

For example, if the receptacle width (220) is 9 inches and the receptacle top edge height (230) is 4 inches, then half the height, or 4 inches, of a standard CMU would be exposed and there would be about half an inch of space between the CMU and the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120). Now, if the load securing hod tray (100) or the CMU tilts to the point at which one corner of the bottom of the CMU becomes level with the receptacle top edge height (230), as seen in FIG. 9, the highest point of the CMU above the receptacle top edge height (230) would be approximately 7⅛ inches. However, it would not be desirable to let the CMU achieve this configuration in the load securing hod tray (100). Thus, the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) should be approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the receptacle top edge height (230) to maintain the bottom edge of the CMU entirely below the receptacle top edge height (230). Such a design will allow the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) to act as a barrier to prevent the CMU from escaping the load securing hod tray (100), and thus will provide a safer piece of equipment and an overall safer working environment.

Additionally, the positioning of the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) can impact the safety of the load securing hod tray (100). By positioning the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) too close together, only a slight force applied at the dextral or sinistral sidewall (110, 120) would be required to tip or tilt the load securing hod tray (100). However, as the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are spaced farther apart, the load securing hod tray (100) will become more stable because a much greater force would be required to tip or tilt the load securing hod tray (100). Thus, it has been determined that the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) may be spaced apart a distance equal to at least ten percent of the receptacle width (220) to provide sufficient stability.

The design principles discussed above for the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170) are equally applicable for embodiments of the load securing hod tray (100) having a generally U-shaped tray design, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 7. However, in these embodiments, the dextral and sinistral connecting arms (166, 176) should be approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the dextral and sinistral top edge heights (162, 172), respectively. This will ensure that a standard CMU will not fall out of the load securing hod tray (100), even if it is tilted or turned completely upside down.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of the load securing hod tray (100) may include a dextral brick securement device (116) and a sinistral brick securement device (126). In this embodiment, the dextral brick securement device (116) may be pivotally joined to the dextral sidewall (110), while the sinistral brick securement device (126) may be pivotally joined to the sinistral sidewall (120). The dextral and sinistral brick securement devices (116, 126) are configured to extend over the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120) to provide an additional barrier to prevent the load (10) from falling out of the load securing hod tray (100). This embodiment is particularly well suited for securing bricks and other masonry materials that have a height that does not extend above the dextral and sinistral sidewall top edge heights (112, 122) for a U-shaped tray embodiment, and a height that does not extend above the receptacle top edge height (230) for an open-topped receptacle embodiment.

The dextral and sinistral brick securement devices (116, 126) may be a length of angle iron that corresponds to the dextral and sinistral sidewall lengths (114, 124). One with skill in the art will appreciate that the dextral and sinistral brick securement devices (116, 126) may be fabricated from virtually any material and configured in virtually any shape so long as a portion of the dextral and sinistral brick securement devices (116, 126) extend over the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120). Additionally, the pivotal joining of the dextral and sinistral brick securement devices (116, 126) may be accomplished by virtually any pivoting connector, such as a simple hinge or a locking hinge, just to name a couple.

In yet another embodiment, the load securing hod tray (100) may be formed with a proximal sidewall tong access region (186) and a distal sidewall tong access region (196), as seen in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the proximal and distal sidewalls (180, 190) are formed with proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196), respectively. The proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) are preferably located between the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170). Additionally, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) may be approximately 4 inches to approximately 6 inches, which would be sufficient to receive the gripping ends of a standard set of bricks tongs.

This embodiment is ideal for applications that require elevating bricks to a staging area, and then having to transport the bricks to an installation area. Typically, a hod carrier might use a set of standard brick tongs to transfer a load of bricks from one location to another. A standard set of brick tongs, such as those manufactured by Kraft Tool Co., Stanley Tools, and Marshalltown, can handle a load of six to eleven bricks. Needless to say, a load of eleven bricks can be quite heavy, and potentially dangerous if the hod carrier were to try to climb scaffolding while toting the loaded brick tongs. Thus, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) are designed to allow a hod carrier to utilize a standard set of brick tongs to quickly pick up the load (10) from the load securing hod tray (100) after it is elevated to the staging area and to then transport the load (10) to the installation area.

In addition to serving as a recess for receiving brick tongs, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) are designed to further secure the load (10), even when the load (10) comprises standard bricks. Generally, a standard brick has dimensions of 4 in.×2¼ in.×8 in. (w×h×l). Such a brick would typically be placed in the load securing hod tray (100) with its height dimension contacting the load bearing wall (130) and its length dimension generally perpendicular to the dextral and sinistral sidewalls (110, 120). As noted above, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) may be approximately 4 inches to approximately 6 inches. Thus, when a load of standard bricks is placed in the load securing hod tray (100), the dimensions of the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) will be less than the length dimension of the bricks such that the load of bricks will be prevented from escaping from the load securing hod tray (100).

The positioning of the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) further serves to ensure that the load (10) does not escape from the load securing hod tray (100). As previously mentioned, the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) may be disposed between the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170). If the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) were located close to the dextral or sinistral sidewall (110, 120), and maintained the above-specified dimensions, there would be a greater likelihood that a load of bricks could fall out of the load securing hod tray (100). However, by locating the proximal and distal sidewall tong access regions (186, 196) between the dextral and sinistral load locking pivot handles (160, 170), a portion of each end of the brick would be supported, and thus would be less likely to escape.

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A load securing hod tray (100) for safely lifting a load (10) to an elevated working platform (20) having a pulley (30) and a cable (40) with a hoist hook (50) attached thereto, the load securing hod tray (100) comprising:

(a) a dextral sidewall (110) having a dextral sidewall top edge height (112) and a dextral sidewall length (114);

(b) a sinistral sidewall (120) having a sinistral sidewall top edge height (122) and a sinistral sidewall length (124), wherein the sinistral sidewall (120) is aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the dextral sidewall (110);

(c) a load bearing wall (130) joined to the dextral sidewall (110) and sinistral sidewall (120) such that the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), and load bearing wall (130) form a generally U-shaped tray configured to receive the load (10);

(d) a dextral stabilizing handle (140) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(e) a sinistral stabilizing handle (150) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(f) a dextral load locking pivot handle (160) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) including a dextral proximal projection arm (162) and a dextral distal projection arm (164), wherein the dextral proximal projection arm (162) and the dextral distal projection arm (164) are joined by a dextral connecting arm (166) having a primary dextral locking eye (168);

(g) a sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) including a sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and a sinistral distal projection arm (174), wherein the sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and the sinistral distal projection arm (174) are joined by a sinistral connecting arm (176) having a primary sinistral locking eye (178); and

wherein the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) may be lockingly engaged by joining the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178) such that when the load securing hod tray (100) is lifted to the elevated working platform (20) the load (10) is secured.

2. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 1, further including:

(a) a proximal sidewall (180) having a proximal sidewall top edge height (182) and a proximal sidewall length (184), wherein the proximal sidewall (180) is joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120) and is further joined to the load bearing wall (130); and

(b) a distal sidewall (190) having a distal sidewall top edge height (192) and a distal sidewall length (194), wherein the distal sidewall (190) is aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the proximal sidewall (180), and wherein the distal sidewall (190) is joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120) and is further joined to the load bearing wall (130) such that the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), proximal sidewall (180), distal sidewall (190), and load bearing wall (130) form an open-topped receptacle (200) having a receptacle length (210), a receptacle width (220), and a receptacle top edge height (230) configured to receive the load (10).

3. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 1, wherein the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178) are substantially aligned with one another when the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) are pivoted to a substantially vertical position.

4. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 1, further including:

(i) at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) disposed on the dextral load locking pivot handle (160);

(ii) at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) disposed on the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170); and

(iii) at least one locking member (300), wherein the at least one locking member (300) is configured to pass through the at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) and the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) to further lockingly engage the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170).

5. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 1, further including:

(a) a dextral brick securement device (116) pivotally joined to the dextral sidewall (110); and

(b) a sinistral brick securement device (126) pivotally joined to the sinistral sidewall (120), wherein the dextral brick securement device (116) is configured to extend over the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral brick securement device (126) is configured to extend over the sinistral sidewall (120) to further secure the load (10).

6. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 2, wherein:

(a) the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) is pivotally joined to the proximal sidewall (180) and to the distal sidewall (190) such that when the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) is pivoted to a substantially vertical position the dextral connecting arm (166) is approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the receptacle top edge height (230);

(b) the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) is pivotally joined to the proximal sidewall (180) and to the distal sidewall (190) such that when the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) is pivoted to a substantially vertical position the sinistral connecting arm (176) is approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the receptacle top edge height (230); and

(c) the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) are spaced apart a distance equal to at least ten percent of the receptacle width (220).

7. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 2, further including:

(a) a dextral brick securement device (116) pivotally joined to the dextral sidewall (110); and

(b) a sinistral brick securement device (126) pivotally joined to the sinistral sidewall (120), wherein the dextral brick securement device (116) is configured to extend over the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral brick securement device (126) is configured to extend over the sinistral sidewall (120) to further secure the load (10).

8. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 2, wherein the proximal sidewall (180) is formed with a proximal sidewall tong access region (186), and the distal sidewall (190) is formed with a distal sidewall tong access region (196), wherein the proximal sidewall tong access region (186) and the distal sidewall tong access region (196) are located between the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170).

9. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 8, wherein the proximal sidewall tong access region (186) is approximately 4 inches to approximately 6 inches and the distal sidewall tong access region (196) is approximately 4 inches to approximately 6 inches.

10. A load securing hod tray (100) for safely lifting a load (10) to an elevated working platform (20) having a pulley (30) and a cable (40) with a hoist hook (50) attached thereto, the load securing hod tray (100) comprising:

(a) a dextral sidewall (110) having a dextral sidewall top edge height (112) and a dextral sidewall length (114);

(b) a sinistral sidewall (120) having a sinistral sidewall top edge height (122) and a sinistral sidewall length (124), wherein the sinistral sidewall (120) is aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the dextral sidewall (110);

(c) a load bearing wall (130) joined to the dextral sidewall (110) and sinistral sidewall (120) such that the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), and load bearing wall (130) form a generally U-shaped tray configured to receive the load (10);

(d) a dextral stabilizing handle (140) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(e) a sinistral stabilizing handle (150) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(f) a dextral load locking pivot handle (160) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) including a dextral proximal projection arm (162) and a dextral distal projection arm (164), wherein the dextral proximal projection arm (162) and the dextral distal projection arm (164) are joined by a dextral connecting arm (166) having a primary dextral locking eye (168) such that when the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) is pivoted to a substantially vertical position the dextral connecting arm (166) is approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the dextral sidewall top edge height (112);

(g) a sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) including a sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and a sinistral distal projection arm (174), wherein the sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and the sinistral distal projection arm (174) are joined by a sinistral connecting arm (176) having a primary sinistral locking eye (178) such that when the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) is pivoted to a substantially vertical position the sinistral connecting arm (176) is approximately 5 inches to approximately 7 inches above the sinistral sidewall top edge height (122); and

wherein the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) may be lockingly engaged by joining the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178) such that when the load securing hod tray (100) is lifted to the elevated working platform (20) the load (10) is secured.

11. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 10, wherein the primary dextral locking eye (168) and the primary sinistral locking eye (178) are substantially aligned with one another when the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) are pivoted to a substantially vertical position.

12. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 10, further including:

(i) at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) disposed on the dextral load locking pivot handle (160);

(ii) at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) disposed on the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170); and

(iii) at least one locking member (300), wherein the at least one locking member (300) is configured to pass through the at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) and the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179) to further lockingly engage the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170).

13. The load securing hod tray (100) according to claim 10, further including:

(a) a dextral brick securement device (116) pivotally joined to the dextral sidewall (110); and

(b) a sinistral brick securement device (126) pivotally joined to the sinistral sidewall (120), wherein the dextral brick securement device (116) is configured to extend over the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral brick securement device (126) is configured to extend over the sinistral sidewall (120) to further secure the load (10).

14. A load securing hod tray (100) for safely lifting a load (10) to an elevated working platform (20) having a pulley (30) and a cable (40) with a hoist hook (50) attached thereto, the load securing hod tray (100) comprising:

(a) a dextral sidewall (110) and a sinistral sidewall (120), wherein the sinistral sidewall (120) is aligned in a generally parallel orientation to the dextral sidewall (110);

(b) a proximal sidewall (180) and a distal sidewall (190), wherein the proximal sidewall (180) and the distal sidewall (190) are aligned in a generally parallel orientation to one another, and wherein the proximal sidewall (180) and the distal sidewall (190) are joined in a generally perpendicular orientation to opposing ends of the dextral sidewall (110) and the sinistral sidewall (120);

(c) load bearing wall (130) joined to the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), proximal sidewall (180), and distal sidewall (190) such that the dextral sidewall (110), sinistral sidewall (120), proximal sidewall (180), distal sidewall (190), and load bearing wall (130) form an open-topped receptacle (200) configured to receive the load (10);

(d) a dextral stabilizing handle (140) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(e) a sinistral stabilizing handle (150) joined to the load securing hod tray (100);

(f) a dextral load locking pivot handle (160) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) including a dextral proximal projection arm (162) and a dextral distal projection arm (164), wherein the dextral proximal projection arm (162) and the dextral distal projection arm (164) are joined by a dextral connecting arm (166) having a primary dextral locking eye (168) and at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169);

(g) a sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) pivotally joined to the load securing hod tray (100), the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) including a sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and a sinistral distal projection arm (174), wherein the sinistral proximal projection arm (172) and the sinistral distal projection arm (174) are joined by a sinistral connecting arm (176) having a primary sinistral locking eye (178) and at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179); and

wherein the dextral load locking pivot handle (160) and the sinistral load locking pivot handle (170) may be lockingly engaged by joining the primary dextral locking eye (168) to the primary sinistral locking eye (178) and by joining the at least one secondary dextral locking eye (169) to the at least one secondary sinistral locking eye (179), such that when the load securing hod tray (100) is lifted to the elevated working platform (20) the load (10) is secured.