Ladder Tray Assembly With Extendable Pole Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder storage devices lack an efficient and versatile solution for securely mounting a tray with storage units to a ladder, particularly for storing painting tools, as they often require complex setups or do not accommodate various paint can sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tray device with a recessed case, hinged lid, and extendable pole for mounting on a ladder rung, featuring adjustable wedges and panels for accommodating different paint can sizes, along with attachable storage units for easy tool access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional ladder storage device with a single hook and tray is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot securely accommodate various paint can sizes and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The tray device is divided into multiple adjustable components: a mounting bracket with adjustable arms, individual wedge-shaped support blocks, and separate storage compartments. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted to accommodate different paint can sizes while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates adjustable arms that can be repositioned along the ladder rung, and the wedge-shaped support blocks can be moved to different positions within the tray. This dynamic adjustability enables the device to adapt to various paint can dimensions without requiring a completely different mounting structure for each size.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed tray structure is used on the ladder, then the mounting is simple, but tool accessibility is poor and storage efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into multiple independent storage compartments and adjustable sections. This allows tools to be organized in specific compartments that can be accessed independently, improving tool accessibility while the modular nature keeps the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure incorporates vertical stacking capabilities and multi-level organization, transitioning from a single-plane flat tray to a three-dimensional storage system. This dimensional expansion increases storage capacity and improves accessibility by allowing users to reach different tools at different heights without moving the entire tray.
3Reliability
If a complex mounting mechanism is used to secure the tray, then the tray is securely mounted, but the ease of installation and removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into separate components: a bracket assembly, adjustable arms, and securing fasteners. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and adjusted, making the overall process simpler while maintaining secure mounting through the distributed fastening points.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates movable and adjustable components that can be easily repositioned during installation and removed when needed. The dynamic nature of the adjustable arms and movable fasteners allows for quick setup and teardown while maintaining secure attachment during use, avoiding the need for complex fixed mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder tray assembly includes a case that has a recess integrated therein. A lid is hingedly coupled to the case for opening and closing the case. A pole is extendable through the case and the pole is inserted into a rung of a ladder thereby mounting the case to the ladder. A case member is coupled to and extends away from the case and a grip is coupled to the case member. The grip extends around the pole when the pole is extended through the case and the grip extends around the rung through which the pole is extended. A pair of storage units is each attachable to the lid when the lid is in an open position to facilitate tools stored in the storage units to be accessible to a user.