# US 9,751,546 B2 · Wheeled ladder caddy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,546 B2 - Document ID: US9751546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/223,470 - Filed: 2016-07-29 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-02 - Applicants: Michael Paul Spruth; Dan Allen - Inventors: Michael Paul Spruth; Dan Allen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751546B2 ## CPC - B62B 1/262: {the objects being of elongated shape, e.g. fishing rods, golf clubs} - B62B 5/0093: {Flat dollys without hand moving equipment} - E06C 7/00: Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories - E06C 1/397: characterised by having wheels, rollers, or runners - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) - 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 wheeled ladder caddy is provided. The caddy can transport one or more long and slender items thereon. The caddy has a base and a mount coupled to the base and extending away therefrom. The mount defines a cavity therein. The caddy may also include a securing mechanism coupled to the base, the securing mechanism including an engagement member and a fastener, wherein the fastener can transition between a first position and a second position to position the engagement member with respect to the base. The item may be placed in the caddy such that the cavity receives a part of the item and the securing mechanism receives a second part. The fastener can transition from the first position to the second position to translate the engagement member toward the base to retain the item between the engagement member and the base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A caddy for transporting one or more long and slender items, the caddy comprising: a base having a first face and a second face; a tray coupled to the first face and extending away therefrom, the tray defining a tray opening; a substantially rigid clamping mechanism functionally coupled to the base, the clamping mechanism configured to transition toward the first face; and a wheel assembly coupled to the base on the second face; wherein the tray opening receives a first portion of an item and the clamping mechanism engages a second portion of the item, wherein as the clamping mechanism transitions toward the first face the clamping mechanism retains the item between the clamping mechanism and the first face by friction fit, and wherein the item is a ladder and the first portion is a foot of each of a front rail and a corresponding back rail of the ladder, and wherein the second portion is a leg of each of the front rail and the corresponding back rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The caddy of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to pivot about the wheel assembly to transition the caddy between an upright position and a prone position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The caddy of claim 2, wherein with the item coupled to the caddy, a force on the item transitions the caddy between the upright and prone positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The caddy of claim 2, wherein in the prone position a length of the item is closer to horizontal than vertical. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The caddy of claim 2, wherein in the prone position the item is oriented on its side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The caddy of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises an engagement member, a fastener, and a support, wherein the support is in communication with the base and functionally couples the fastener to the engagement member with the engagement member and the fastener positioned on opposing sides of the base, wherein with the ladder coupled to the caddy the engagement member contacts the front rail and the corresponding back rail, the fastener maintains the engagement member in contact with the front rail and the corresponding back rail, and the support is configured between the front rail and the corresponding back rail. ### Claim 7 A caddy for transporting a ladder, the caddy comprising: a substantially rigid base; a mount coupled to the base and extending therefrom, the mount defining a cavity; an engagement member operatively coupled to the base and configured to transition with respect to the base; and a wheel assembly comprising an axle coupled to the base and a pair of wheels coupled to opposing ends of the axle; wherein the cavity receives a foot of each of a front rail and a corresponding back rail of the ladder and the engagement member transitions toward the base to contact each of the front rail and the corresponding back rail to engage by friction fit the ladder between the engagement member and the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The caddy of claim 7, further comprising a fastener in operative communication with the engagement member and configured to transition and secure the engagement member in position with respect to the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The caddy of claim 7, further comprising ridges on the mount, wherein the ridges define the cavity and are configured to prevent the ladder from slipping out of the cavity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The caddy of claim 7, wherein a width between the wheels is less than 13.5 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The caddy of claim 7, further comprising wings on the engagement member, wherein the wings protrude from distal ends of the engagement member toward the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The caddy of claim 7, wherein the base is configured to pivot about the axle to transition the caddy between an upright position and a prone position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The caddy of claim 12, wherein with the ladder coupled to the caddy, a force on the ladder transitions the caddy between the upright and prone positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The caddy of claim 12, wherein in the prone position a length of the ladder is closer to horizontal than vertical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The caddy of claim 12, wherein with the ladder coupled to the caddy and the caddy in the prone position the ladder is oriented on its side. ### Claim 16 A method of transporting a ladder on a caddy, the method comprising: providing a caddy with a first face and a second face, the caddy having a mount coupled to the first face and a wheel assembly coupled to the second face; inserting a foot of each of a front rail of the ladder and a corresponding back rail of the ladder into a cavity of the mount protruding from the base; coupling by press fit each of the front rail and the corresponding back rail between the first face of the base and a securing mechanism in communication with the base; applying force to the ladder to transition the caddy from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position the ladder is less vertical than in the first position; transporting the ladder on the caddy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the ladder is oriented on its side during the transportation of the ladder on the caddy.