Portable reversibly beam-mounted work-tray

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a reversibly mountable or attachable, portable work-tray system, a method of making, and method of using the same, wherein the work tray is easily reversibly mountable onto and demountable from a beam-mounted position such as an external-arm or beam vehicle lift.

1 . A reversibly attachable work-tray, comprising;
 a sleeve section adapted to be reversibly mountable to a beam, an open tray section, the tray section depending from the sleeve section, wherein the open tray section further comprises a base-plate. and a pair of opoositely disposed stressable sidewalls depending from and connecting both the base-plate and the sleeve section. and wherein the lowest work-tray surface is no lower than the lowest surface of a beam on which the work-tray is mounted.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The work-tray of claim one, further comprising a raised lip or edge portion depending from the end of the open tray section opposite the sleeve section. 
   
   
       5 . The work-tray of claim one wherein the sleeve section is reversibly attachable on a beam by an interference or gravity force fit. 
   
   
       6 . The work-tray of claim five wherein the sleeve section is adapted to fit a square or substantially square or rectangular cross-section beam. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The work-tray of claim one wherein the work-tray base-plate has a length parallel to a beam on which the work-tray is mounted of 6 to 20 inches, and a width perpendicular to a beam on which the work-tray is mounted of 6 to 20 inches thereby forming a square or rectangular shaped base-plate. 
   
   
       9 . The work-tray of claim eight wherein the base-plate has a length of 17 inches parallel to a beam on which the work-tray is reversibly mounted and a width of 8.5 inches perpendicular to a beam on which the work-tray is reversibly mounted. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The work-tray of claim nine wherein the metal is galvanized steel having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.1 inches. 
   
   
       12 . The work-tray of claim eleven wherein the galvanized steel has a thickness of 0.065 inches. 
   
   
       13 . The work-tray of claim one wherein the pair of oppositely disposed, stressable sidewalls have a vertical dimension no greater than the vertical dimension of the second parallel vertical support member from which they depend and taper away from the sleeve section to a vertical dimension of no less than 0.25 inches. 
   
   
       14 . The work-tray of claim thirteen wherein the oppositely disposed, stressable sidewalls depending from the second vertical support member have a vertical dimension of 2.4 inches, the first and second vertical support members have a height of 3 inches, the horizontal support member disposed between the vertical support members has a horizontal width of four inches, the first, second vertical support members and the horizontal support member each have a length of 17 inches, the base-plate has a length of 17 inches and a width of 8.5 inches, the lip portion has a vertical height of 0.625 inches, and the construction material is galvanized steel having a thickness of 0.0625 inches. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . The method of claim three wherein the work-tray is fabricated from steel, aluminum, or brass (,polymer or a fiber-reinforced composite). 
   
   
       18 . A method of making a reversibly mountable work-tray according to  claim 17  from a single sheet of material, comprising the steps of: laying out a pattern of a work-tray on a single sheet of material, the pattern defining a pair of vertical support members, a horizontal support member disposed between the vertical support members, a pair of opposing stressable sidewalls, a tray portion further comprising a base plate depending from one of the vertical support members, a lip portion depending from the base plate and opposite the vertical support member from which the base plate depends; separating the laid-out pattern from the remainder of the sheet; and manipulating the laid out pattern into a work-tray. 
   
   
       19 . The method of claim eighteen wherein the manipulating step include the step of connecting the laid out pattern into the form of a work-tray by welding, adhering, bolting, riveting or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The work-tray of claim one wherein the work-tray (is reversibly mountable on an external arm vehicle hoist and can optionally 0  further comprises a releasably mountable U-hook accessory for retaining a power tool. 
   
   
       21 . The work-tray of  claim 3  wherein the work-tray is painted or coated in an optically bright coating which improves visibility or contrast of the work-tray in the work environment.