Method of supporting tools and supplies upon a sloped surface

Abstract

The invention is a method of supporting tools and supplies atop a sloped roof. The method includes (a) obtaining a caddy with a base and a shelf pivotally connected to one another, (b) placing the base of the caddy into supportive contact with a sloped roof, (c) pivoting the shelf of the caddy relative to the base about a laterally extending axis until the shelf is substantially horizontal, (d) supporting the shelf at the substantially horizontal position with a support member, and (e) placing a plurality of individual tools or supplies upon the substantially horizontal shelf.

1 . A method of supporting tools and supplies atop a sloped roof, comprising: 
 (i) obtaining a caddy, comprising: 
 (a) a shelf having a laterally extending proximal edge and a distal edge,  
 (b) a base having a laterally extending proximal edge and a distal edge,  
 (c) a hinge pivotable about a laterally extending axis connecting the shelf and the base proximate the proximal edge of the shelf and proximate the proximal edge of the base, and  
 (d) a support member for supporting the shelf at a selected and adjustable acute angle relative to the base,  
   (ii) placing the base into supportive contact with a sloped roof,    (iii) pivoting the shelf relative to the base about the laterally extending axis until the shelf is substantially horizontal,    (iv) supporting the shelf at the substantially horizontal position with the support member, and    (v) placing a plurality of individual tools or supplies upon the substantially horizontal shelf.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the caddy further comprises a releasable fastening mechanism for locking the angled position of the shelf relative to the base as between at least two different acute angles.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shelf may be supported at a plurality of different acute angles relative to the base and the caddy further comprising indicia indicating the value of the acute angle at each of the positions at which the shelf may be supported.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base has a bottom surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base is textured to provide an increased coefficient of static friction relative to a roof surface.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base is constructed from a material, the base has a bottom surface, and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base is coated with a material having an increased coefficient of static friction relative to the material from which the base is constructed.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support member includes at least two laterally spaced separate and distinct components.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support member is hingedly connected to the base for pivoting about a second laterally extending axis.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support member is hingedly connected to the base for pivoting about a longitudinally extending axis.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shelf, base and support member are pivotable relative to one another for pivoting as between a flat storage position with the shelf superimposed upon the base, and an erected use position with the shelf supported at an acute angle relative to the base.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hinge is a live-hinge.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the support member is hingedly connected to the base by a live-hinge.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the support member is hingedly connected to the base by a live-hinge.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the shelf, base and support member are constructed from a single unitary piece of material.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the shelf, base and support member are constructed from a single unitary piece of material.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the shelf, base and support member are constructed from a single unitary piece of material.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shelf includes at least one well for storage of items.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shelf is a tray.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tools or supplies placed upon the substantially horizontal shelf includes an open-top container of a liquid.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the liquid is paint.