Reversible Ladder Tray Mount With Locking Rail-and-Rung Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder-mounted tray systems lack reversibility and secure, adjustable attachment mechanisms, limiting their versatility and stability.
Innovation Solution
A reversible ladder-mounted support system featuring a bracket with fittings for attachment to either rail and rung, an elongated rod with a split tube and locking mechanism, and a limit stop for adjustable tray orientation, allowing lateral and angular positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate detachable tray is mounted on the ladder using openings within rungs or side rails, then the tray can be removed and repositioned, but the mounting mechanism lacks reversibility and secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is divided into separate components: a bracket with C-shaped fittings for rung engagement, a J-shaped fitting for rail attachment, and a locking mechanism with split tube and cam. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling easy assembly and disassembly, achieving both reversibility and secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position through the locking mechanism. The cam and split tube allow the tray to be locked at various positions along the rail, providing both stability when locked and flexibility when adjusted, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and reversibility.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed mounting mechanism is used for the tray, then the tray remains stable, but the position and orientation cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism allows the tray to be dynamically adjusted to various positions and orientations along the ladder rail, then locked in place. The cam mechanism enables smooth movement and secure locking, providing both adjustability and stability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides tactile feedback through the cam engagement, allowing the user to know when the tray is securely locked in position. This feedback ensures that the tray remains stable during use while still being easily adjustable when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple attachment mechanism is used for the tray, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the attachment is not secure or adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into simple, manufacturable components including C-shaped fittings, a J-shaped fitting, a split tube, and a cam. Each component can be manufactured using standard processes, yet together they provide secure and adjustable attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket acts as an intermediary component between the ladder structure and the tray, providing the complex locking and adjustment functionality while keeping the tray and ladder themselves simple. This intermediary absorbs the manufacturing complexity while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible ladder-mounted support and tray has a bracket designed to be removably affixed to the combination of a rail of a ladder and over a rung just adjacent to the rail. A first fitting is provided that overlies the rail and a second fitting overlies the rung. Concerning the second fitting overlying the rung, in fact, two such fittings are also provided that are essentially back-to-back. In this way, the support may be removably installed on either of the opposed rails of the ladder so that the support can extend laterally to either side of the ladder. Attached to the first fitting designed to overlie the rail is an elongated rod to which is mounted an elongated tube or sleeve having a split and a locking mechanism. The split allows the tube to slide freely over the rod and the locking mechanism may be engaged to narrow the split to lock the position and orientation of the tube thereon. A limit stop mechanism may be employed between the rod and tube or sleeve to limit the degree of rotation of the tube with respect to the rod.