Suspension assemblies for suspending containers and methods of use

Inventor: Tom Cleland (Portage, IN)

E06C7/14

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12662877
App. No.: 18/633,230
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Suspension methods and assemblies for suspending a container in a manner that places the container in a convenient location to a user, such as on a ladder, and is safe to use in a workplace environment. Such a suspension assembly includes a suspension unit that has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion therebetween. The central portion has a first channel closer to the upper portion than to the lower portion. The first channel faces downward and is configured to receive a load-bearing member through an opening in the central portion. Clasps are disposed on the lower portion for receiving and securing a portion of the container to thereby suspend the container from the suspension unit.

Claims (28)

1 . A suspension assembly for suspending a container from a load-bearing member, the suspension assembly comprising:

a suspension unit having a lateral width and comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion therebetween;

the central portion comprising a rear wall portion, an upper wall portion extending from the rear wall portion in a forward direction of the suspension unit, a lower wall portion extending from the rear wall portion in the forward direction of the suspension unit, and a front wall portion spaced apart from the rear wall portion in the forward direction of the suspension unit and extending from the upper wall portion in a downward direction of the suspension unit;

the central portion having a first channel closer to the upper portion than to the lower portion, the first channel being defined by and between the rear, upper, and front wall portions, the first channel being disposed in the forward direction from the rear wall portion, facing in a downward direction of the suspension unit, and being configured to receive the load-bearing member through an opening in the central portion and through an entrance to the first channel defined by and between the rear and front wall portions, the first channel having a length spanning the lateral width of the suspension unit that is greater than a width of the entrance to the first channel in the forward direction of the suspension unit;

the central portion having a second channel that is closer to the lower portion than to the upper portion, the second channel being defined by and between the rear and lower wall portions, the second channel facing upward and being configured to receive a portion of the container through the opening in the central portion and through an entrance to the second channel defined by and between the rear and lower wall portions, the second channel having a length spanning the lateral width of the suspension unit that is greater than a width of the entrance to the second channel in the forward direction of the suspension unit; and

clasps disposed on the lower portion;

wherein the entrances of the first and second channels face each other, the width of the entrance to the first channel is greater than the width of the entrance to the second channel, and the opening is between the first and second channels and the entrances thereof.

2 . A method of securing the container from a load-bearing member of a ladder using the suspension assembly of claim 1 , the method comprising:

securing the container to the suspension unit with the clasps;

inserting the load-bearing member through the opening of the central portion to thereby suspend the suspension unit from the load-bearing member; and

positioning the load-bearing member within the first channel of the central portion such that the container is suspended from the load-bearing member by the suspension unit.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the container is a bucket.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the load-bearing member is a rung of a ladder.

5 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion, the lower portion, and the central portion of the suspension unit are each rigid and rigidly adjoin each other.

6 . The suspension assembly of claim 5 , wherein the rear, front, upper, and lower wall portions define an approximately C-shaped cross section.

7 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least the rear, upper, and front wall portions are formed by one continuous rigid unitary member.

8 . The suspension assembly of claim 7 , wherein the lower wall portion has an arcuate shape extending across at least a portion of the lateral width of the suspension unit such that the lower wall portion defines a curved support surface within the second channel.

9 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clasps are disposed on the lower portion of the suspension unit beneath the second channel.

10 . A suspension assembly for suspending a container from a load-bearing member, the suspension assembly comprising:

a suspension unit having a lateral width and comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion therebetween;

wherein the upper portion, the lower portion, and the central portion of the suspension unit are each rigid and rigidly adjoin each other; and

wherein the rear, front, upper, and lower wall portions define an approximately C-shaped cross section; and

wherein the upper portion of the suspension unit defines a handle adjoining the upper wall portion of the central portion.

11 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the suspension unit defines a handle.