# US 2002/0100848 A1 · Bracket assembly for attaching a container to a ladder > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2002/0100848 A1 - Document ID: US20020100848A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/108,060 - Filed: 2002-03-26 - Published: 2002-08-01 - Earliest claimed: 2000-03-28 - Assignees: Ahl, Inc. - Inventors: Frank E. Ahl; Brian E. Ahl; Leonard B. Eckel; William Rapagnani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20020100848A1 ## CPC - E06C 7/146: {made from wire (E06C7/143 takes precedence)} - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) ## Abstract A bracket pivotally mounted on a bracket support is used to removably attach a container to the side of a ladder. The bracket and bracket support are affixed to the container by attachment means. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket support is integral to the container and is a lip disposed on an upstanding peripheral wall. The container includes a bottom panel and an upstanding peripheral wall defining the interior of the container. The lip is disposed on the upstanding peripheral wall proximate to the top portion of the upstanding peripheral wall. The lip extends laterally outward from the upstanding peripheral wall and includes an outward facing rail contact surface. Pivot supports disposed at a position intermediate the rail contact surface of the lip and the first wall section of the container attach a bracket to the lip. The U-shaped bracket includes a rail engaging section disposed outwardly from the rail contact surface of the lip at a spaced apart lateral distance from the rail contact surface of the lip. The spaced apart distance defines a ladder rail receiving gap. The bracket is freely rotatable within the pivot supports from at least a first position where the bracket is supported by the lip to a second position where the bracket has rotated upwardly from the lip and the lateral distance between the bracket rail engaging section and the rail contact surface has shortened. In the second position, the bracket is able to pinch a ladder rail between the bracket rail engaging section and the rail contact surface of the lip. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bracket assembly for attaching a container to a ladder, the bracket assembly comprising: a bracket support, the support comprising a rail contact surface, and at least one pivot support; a bracket disposed within the at least one pivot support on the bracket support, the bracket including, a first section disposed within the pivot support and freely rotatable within the pivot support, a second section extending from the first section, and a third section extending rearwardly from the second section in a direction substantially parallel to the first section, the third section disposed outwardly from the rail contact surface of the bracket support at a spaced apart lateral distance from the rail contact surface of the bracket support, the spaced apart distance defining a ladder rail receiving gap, a fourth section disposed at the distal end of the bracket and extending from the third section at substantially a right angle to the third section; and container attachment means to attach a container to the bracket support, wherein the bracket freely rotatable within the pivot support from at least a first position, to a second position where the second section has rotated upwardly, and the lateral distance between the third section and the rail contact surface has shortened, and wherein upon disposal of the container attached to the bracket assembly on the ladder the ladder rail is disposed within the rail receiving gap and the bracket is rotated to a second position wherein the ladder rail is pinched between the rail contact surface of the support and the bracket third section, and the bracket third section rests atop a step of the ladder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket is permanently disposed within the pivot support of the bracket support. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein each pivot support comprises a loop within which the bracket first section is disposed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket first, second, and third sections define a “U” shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the ladder rail includes a front and a back, and wherein the bracket second section is disposed in front of the front of the rail. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket support is a yoke having downwardly extending walls which form a channel to capture a rim of said container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket support is a horizontal shelf with a downwardly extending wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket support is a cross. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket support is an L-bracket with vertical member on which said bracket is disposed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket support is a yoke. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said container attachment means include a clip to engage a rim of said container, non-elastic straps, elasticized straps, tape and turnbuckles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a shelf to support a bottom of said container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said rail contact surface is a spacer and wherein the spacer levels said container with the ground when said container is in place on said ladder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein said container attachment means include turnbuckles to attach said container to said bracket support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein said container attachment means include a strap encircling said downwardly extending walls and said container to attach said container to said bracket support. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein said container attachment means include a strap encircling said downwardly extending wall and said container to attach said container to said bracket support. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein said bracket is disposed on a cross-piece of said cross; and wherein said bracket support further comprises a clip to hold said bracket support to a rim of said container, a shelf to support a bottom of said container and wherein said container attachment means is a strap encircling said bracket supported said container to attach said container to said bracket support. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein said container attachment means includes a clip to hold said bracket support to a rim of said container, and wherein the foot of said L-bracket supports a bottom of said container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein said container attachment means include an L-bracket to support a bottom of said container, a turnbuckle connecting said yoke to a bottom of said container and at least one clip attaching said yoke to a rim of said container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said container is a five gallon bucket.