Caddy for Use with Lift Cages

Abstract

An apparatus for containing tools and other work items including a box having a bottom, two sides, a front and a back. A rail is positioned along an inside face of the back of the box, the rail having an upper edge that is spaced from the inside face of the back of the box. At least one hanging bin is configured to be removably mounted on the rail and to be slideable along the rail. A plurality of hooks is attached to an outer surface of one of the front or the back of the box for mounting the box over a railing of a lift cage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/770,131, which was filed on Feb. 27, 2013 and which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to caddies or toolboxes for use with a cage on a lift.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lifts are used to elevate one or more persons for performing work in various environments. A lift cage is provided in which the worker is transported and is able to access the work area. Most lift cages have one or more railing along the top of the cage for safety. Tools, supplies, parts and other equipment are typically carried on the floor of the lift, either loose or in containers. Items carried on the floor can be in the way and can be difficult to access while performing work. It is desirable to develop alternate apparatuses for containing items while utilizing lift cages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes caddies or toolboxes having a box comprising a bottom panel, two side panels, a front panel and a back panel. A rail can be positioned along an inside face of the back panel of the box, the rail having an upper edge that is spaced from the inside face of the back panel of the box that allows positioning of one or more hanging bins upon the upper edge of the railing. At least one hanging bin is removably mounted on the rail and is configured to be slideable along the rail. Hooks are attached to an outer surface of one of the front panel or the back panel of the box for mounting the box over a railing of a lift cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional depiction of an open front view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an alternate view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing a closed front.

FIG. 3 depicts a closed top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative positioning of the closed top as compared to the positioning depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 in an alternative embodiment of the invention relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a rail that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 7 shows one configuration of a drill holder that can be utilized in conjunction with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a clevis pin assembly that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example hook that can be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1 in an example mounting position on a lift cage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The invention pertains to caddies or toolboxes for containment and carrying of items to be used at a worksite accessed using a lift. Example embodiments of the invention are generally described with reference to FIGS. 1-9.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a lift caddy 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Lift caddy 10 can comprise a box 11 having a bottom panel 12, a back panel 14, two side panels 16, 18 and a partial front panel 20. Fasteners such as, for example, screws can hold the bottom panel, the side panels, the partial front panel and the back panel together. In particular embodiments, stainless steel screws are used in combination with stainless steel nuts. Alternative methods of holding together the box are contemplated including bolts or welding.

Box 11 can have a width “w” of from 20 inches to 10 feet. The height “h” of box 11 can be from 9 inches to 15 inches and can, in particular embodiment, preferably be 15 inches. The depth “d” of the box from front to back can be 11.75 inches.

The box panels can be constructed of aluminum sheet in preferred embodiments. In particular aspects, the front panel, side panels, back panel, bottom panel and front panel can be fabricated from 0.10 inch aluminum sheet. Alternative materials include plastic or steel.

The caddy can have a plurality of hooks 22 mounted on a back side of back of the back panel the box as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the plurality of hooks can be attached to a front side of front panel 32 of the box (not shown). Hooks 22 can be configured to fit over an upper railing on a lift to mount the caddy onto the lift. The hooks can have spacing between the front of the hook and the back of the hook (mounted to the box) of, for example, 1 13/16 inches to fit over the railing of the lift.

The caddy can additionally comprise two or more legs 24 with angled supports 25. Preferably, two of the legs can be attached to box 11 on the same face as the plurality of hooks. An optional third leg (see FIG. 5) can be attached at the opposing face of the box. The legs can have a length of 11⅜ inches. The angled supports and the legs can be fabricated from 3/16 inches×1½ inches aluminum flat bar. The two legs can be configured to support the box by contacting the side of the lift when the box is mounted over the railing of the lift.

The two side panels of the box can be folded inward at the front of the box forming mounting strips 26 for mounting removable front panel 32 (see FIG. 2) onto the front of the box.

One or more hanging bins 28 can be provided along a rail attached along the back of the box (see FIG. 6). The bins can be, for example, 10⅞ inches×5½ inches×5 inches. Example bins can be Akrobins® (Myers Industries, Inc. P.O. Box 989 1293 S. Main Street Akron OHIO 44309).

A drill holder 30 can be provided mounted on the outside of either side of the box. The drill holder can have an opening (discussed below) into which a drill can be inserted.

Referring next to FIG. 2, such depicts box 11 having a removable front panel 32 mounted on the front of the box. Front panel 32 can have an upper tab 34 extending perpendicular to the panel. As shown in FIG. 3, panel 32 can be mounted within the box proximate the open top of the box with upper tab 34 being at the front of the box. Bolts can be provided through the sides of the box for positioning the panel for use as a shelf.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternate positioning of the removable front panel lower within the box.

Referring to FIG. 5, such illustrates an alternate embodiment of the caddy with hooks 22a mounted on the front of the box. Two legs 24a are also mounted on the front of the box with angled supports 25a extending from the back of the legs to the bottom of the box. An optional third leg 27 is shown located at the back of the box.

FIG. 6 depicts a rail 36 that is mounted along the inner side of the back of the box. A middle section 38 of the rail can contact the inside face of the back panel of the box and can attach the rail to the box utilizing screws. An upper portion 40 of the rail can be spaced from the back panel of the box to allow hanging bins to be hung over the rail. The space between the upper edge of the rail and the back of the box can be at least 0.10 inches.

FIG. 7 shows one configuration of drill holder 30. The drill holder can have an attachment plate 33 for attaching the holder to one side of the caddy box. An upper plate 31 is provided to be perpendicular to the attachment plate (parallel to the bottom of the box). The upper plate may be rounded as depicted in FIG. 7 or can alternatively be square or rectangular. An opening 35 is provided in the upper plate for insertion of a drill. Opening 35 is preferably oblong to fit the shape of the drill.

Referring to FIG. 8, a clevis pin assembly 42 is shown. Clevis pin 42 is configured to pass through the back panel (or front panel) of the box and through the back and front of one of the hooks. Two pins are utilized, one through each hook, to prevent the box from accidental falling from the lift. A first end 44 of the pin is on the inside of the box with the body 48 of the pin extending through the hook. A keeper 46 is disposed through the body 48 proximate a second end 50 of the pin which is located outside the hook.

FIG. 9 shows an example hook that can be utilized to hang the caddy over a rail of the lift. A back of the hook is configured to attach to the box utilizing screws through the mounting holes 29. The back of the hook can have a length of 5 1/16 inches. The width of the hook can be 1½ inches. The distance from a front face of the hook and a back face of the hook can be 2 5/16 inches. A front 17 of the hook can be 2⅞ inches in length. Openings 15 can be provided through the front and the back of the hook for passage of the clevis pin.

FIG. 10 depicts the caddy 10 mounted on an upper rail 102 of a lift cage 100. The caddy can be mounted on the inside of the lift cage as shown, or alternatively be mounted on the outside of the lift cage. Additionally, the caddy can optionally be mounted on a lower rail 104 of the lift cage.

The caddy of the invention can provide storage and easy access to tools, equipment and supplies to be utilized at the jobsite. The contents can be organized to avoid inadvertent mixing of items such as may occur if the items are carried on the floor of the lift. Additionally, having the contents up off the floor prevents items from being in the way while working in the lift. Accordingly, the caddy of the invention is advantageous for allowing ease of locating items and minimizing clutter on the floor of the lift cage.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a box comprising a bottom, two sides, a front and a back;

a rail along an inside face of the back of the box, the rail having an upper edge that is spaced from the inside face of the back of the box;

at least one hanging bin configured to be removably mounted on the rail and to be slideable along the rail; and

a plurality of hooks attached to an outer surface of one of the front or the back of the box for mounting the box over a railing of a lift cage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottom, sides, back and front of the box are fabricated from metallic material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the metallic material is aluminum sheet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the front of the box comprises a lower portion adjoining the box bottom and an upper portion that is removable.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the removable upper portion of the box front is insertable within the box and is able to be mounted within the box for use as a shelf.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the removable upper portion is mounted within the box by placement of the removable upper portion on bolts along the two sides of the box.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a drill holder extending from one side of the box, the drill holder comprising a flat plate that is parallel with the bottom of the box, the flat plate comprising an opening for insertion of a drill.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the opening is oblong.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plate is rounded.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more hanging bins are removably mounted over an upper edge of the box along one or more of the back and the two sides of the box.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of legs extending from the bottom of the box, wherein at least two of the legs contact a side of the lift cage when the box is mounted on the lift cage.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of hooks and at least two of the legs are located on the back of the box.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of hooks and at least two legs are located on the front of the box.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the box is mountable on the inside of the lift cage or alternatively on the outside of the lift cage.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of hooks are held in place over the rail of the lift cage utilizing clevis pins passing through a front and a back of the hook.