Integrated storage bin and ladder system

Abstract

A storage bin is integrated into a ladder, providing secure storage for tools or other items used when working on a ladder. The storage bin is attached to the top step of the ladder. On the upper surface of the ladder is a storage bin lid which opens to reveal the contents of the storage bin. The storage bin lid is securely held in the closed position by a latching mechanism. The storage bin may also include pockets or storage trays for tools or fasteners.

1 . A ladder having an integrated storage compartment, comprising: 
 at least one step, securely attached to support legs;    a storage bin, securely attached to one of the steps;    wherein the storage bin is located below the attached step.    
   
   
       2 . The ladder of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a storage compartment lid, movably attached to the step of the ladder attached to the storage bin, said lid movably attached to allow opening and closing of the storage bin.    
   
   
       3 . The ladder of  claim 2 , wherein the storage compartment lid is movably attached to the step with a hinge.  
   
   
       4 . The ladder of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a latch tab attached to the lid;    a sliding latch slidably attached to the step such that when the sliding latch is in an open position the lid may be raised from, or lower to, the closed position, and such that when the sliding latch is in a closed position the sliding latch blocks the lid latch tab preventing the lid from being opened.    
   
   
       5 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the storage compartment is formed from a flexible material to form a storage pouch.  
   
   
       6 . The ladder of  claim 5 , wherein the storage pouch is supported by clamming the upper portion of the flexible material with a support clamp securely fixed to the step of the ladder.  
   
   
       7 . The ladder of  claim 6 , wherein the support clamp is formed as an integral part of the step.  
   
   
       8 . The ladder of  claim 5 , wherein the storage pouch is supported by a rail support system.  
   
   
       9 . The ladder of  claim 8 , wherein the rail support system is formed from a rail loop, the rail loop supported by rail loop supports, said rail loop supports securely fixed to the step.  
   
   
       10 . The ladder of  claim 8 , therein the rail support is formed from flat rails, and wherein the flat rails are attached to the step by rivets.  
   
   
       11 . The ladder of  claim 8 , wherein the rail support system consists of at least two support rails, the support rails being securely attached to the ladder by a rail support on either end of the support rail.  
   
   
       12 . The ladder of  claim 5 , further including at least one storage pocket attached to the storage pouch such that the storage pocket is in the interior of the storage pouch.  
   
   
       13 . The ladder of  claim 3 , further comprising a holder attached to the underside lid in such manner that the holder is on the inside of storage bin when the lid is in the closed position.  
   
   
       14 . The ladder of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one divider, said divider attached to the storage bin such that the storage bin is segregated into two or more separate bins.  
   
   
       15 . The ladder of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin.  
   
   
       16 . The ladder of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin; and    at least one storage tray support attached to the ladder;    wherein the storage tray support is attached to the storage tray.    
   
   
       17 . The ladder of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first storage tray,    at least one additional storage tray, formed to fit inside the storage bin; and    at least one storage tray support attached to the first storage tray;    wherein the storage tray support is attached to the first storage tray.    
   
   
       18 . A ladder for use with a removable storage bin, comprising: 
 at least one step for supporting the foot of a person;    a plurality of legs attached to the at least one step, the attached legs proving support for the at least one step;    wherein at least one of the steps forms a storage bin support such that a removable storage bin may be placed within the support formed by the step and securely supported by the storage bin support step.    
   
   
       19 . The ladder of  claim 18 , wherein at the at least one storage bin step is the top step of the ladder.  
   
   
       20 . The ladder of  claim 18 , wherein the support step is formed such that when a storage bin is placed in the support step the upper surface of the support step and the upper surface of the storage bin form a step suitable for use by a person using the ladder.  
   
   
       21 . The ladder of  claim 19 , wherein the support step is formed such that when a storage bin is placed in the support step the upper surface of the support step and the upper surface of the storage bin form a step suitable for use by a person using the ladder.  
   
   
       22 . The ladder of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a removable storage bin,    wherein the removable storage bin includes at least one divider, said divider attached to the storage bin such that the storage bin is segregated into two or more separate bins.    
   
   
       23 . The ladder of  claim 18 , further comprising 
 a removable storage bin, wherein the removable storage bin includes a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin.    
   
   
       24 . The ladder of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a removable storage bin,    wherein the removable storage bin includes, 
 a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin; and  
 at least one storage tray support attached to the ladder;  
 wherein the storage tray support is attached to the storage tray.  
   
   
   
       25 . The ladder of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a removable storage bin,    wherein the removable storage bin includes, 
 a first storage tray,  
 at least one additional storage tray, formed to fit inside the storage bin; and  
 at least one storage tray support attached to the first storage tray;  
 wherein the storage tray support is attached to the first storage tray.  
   
   
   
       26 . A removable storage compartment for use with a ladder, the ladder having at least one step securely attached to a plurality of legs, the legs of the ladder attached to the step in a manner to provide support to a foot of a person, the step having at least one storage bin support, comprising: 
 a container shed to hold items, wherein the container ha an opening to provide access to the interior of the container, and    a support flange attached to said container, the support flange extending from said container,    wherein the support flange is formed to rest on a storage bin support to securely support the removable storage bin, the storage bin support attached to the step of the ladder to contact the support flange and provide support to the removalbe storage bin.    
   
   
       27 . The removable storage bin of  claim 26 , wherein the removable storage bin includes a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin.  
   
   
       28 . The removable storage bin of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a storage tray formed to fit inside the storage bin; and    at least one storage tray support attached to the ladder;    wherein the storage tray support is attached to the storage tray.    
   
   
       29 . The removable storage bin of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a storage compartment lid, movably attached to the container, said lid movably attached to allow opening and closing of the storage bin.    
   
   
       30 . The removable storage bin of  claim 29 , wherein the storage compartment lid is movably attached to the container with a hinge.  
   
   
       31 . The removable storage bin of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a latch tab attached to the lid;    a sliding latch slidably attached to the container such that when the sliding latch is in an open position the lid may be raised from, or lower to, the closed position, and such that when the sliding latch is in a closed position the sliding latch blocks the lid latch tab preventing the lid from being opened.