Abstract:
A bucket with one or more handles on the side or bottom of the bucket that may be gripped to stabilize the bucket when pouring the contents out of the bucket. The one or more handles in combination with the bail provide the user with a balanced design to controllably pour the contents from the bucket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending applications Ser. No. 29/493,587, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE; Ser. No. 29/494,120, filed on Jun. 17, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE; and Ser. No. 29/494,494, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to buckets and, more particularly, to a bucket with one or more additional handles to aid in pouring the contents from the bucket. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Buckets or pails are well known in the prior art. A bucket or pail is typically a water tight, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a flat bottom and open top, and having a semi-circular handle or bail attached to the rim around the open top. The bottom of the bucket is offset from the lower edge of the wall of the bucket presenting a lower lip or rim. A common volume for a bucket in the United States is five gallons, which is roughly equivalent to a 20-liter bucket used in Europe. 
         [0004]    These buckets may be filed with paint, tar, various solvents, or any number of liquids for storage, transportation and use. These buckets are also used to carry water. A common problem with these buckets is that when full the bucket with its contents may weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Pouring the contents from the bucket is difficult because of the weight of the bucket and contents, the location and geometry of the bail, and the lack of a handle or grip point on the side or bottom of the bucket. By tipping the bucket slightly, one is able to slip one&#39;s fingers under the lower rim to lift the bottom of the bucket to pour the contents from the bucket. However, because the lower rim is narrow only accommodating one&#39;s finger tips and provides no way to positively grip the bucket, pouring the contents from the bucket is often haphazard resulting in an uncontrolled pour or spill. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention includes a bucket with one or more handles on the side or bottom of the bucket that may be gripped to stabilize the bucket when pouring the contents out of the bucket. The one or more handles in combination with the bail provide the user with a balanced design to controllably pour the contents from the bucket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a prior art bucket. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the prior art bucket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the prior art bucket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the prior art bucket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bucket of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a bottom view of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 24  is a top plan view of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 25  is a bottom View of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 26  is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention lifted above a surface. 
           [0032]      FIG. 27  is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention slightly tipped to pour the contents from the bucket by the user while grasping the bail and a second handle. 
           [0033]      FIG. 28  is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention further tipped to pour the contents from the bucket by the user while grasping the bail and a second handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0035]    Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description and in the claims are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this invention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for a given purpose in connection with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or more members of the group or class may be equally suitable or preferred. 
         [0036]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , a prior art bucket is generally indicated by reference numeral  30 . Bucket  30  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  31 , a flat bottom  32 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  30  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. The side  31  surrounds the bottom  32  to form an enclosure. Bucket  30  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  30 . 
         [0037]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  30 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket. The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  30  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  30 . 
         [0038]    The bottom  32  of the bucket  30  may be flat or include a narrow rim  48 , which is an extension of the cylinder  31 . Because the narrow rim  48  is only the thickness of the side  31  of the bucket  30 , and has a depth of approximately 0.5 inch, it is difficult for a user to grasp the narrow rim  48  in order to tip the bucket  30  to pour the contents from the bucket  30 . Additionally, because a full bucket  30  may be quite heavy and the force necessary to tip the bucket  30  with only one&#39;s finger tips grasping the narrow rim  48  may be great, pouring the contents from the bucket  30  may be painful or difficult for the user. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  50 . The elements common to the prior art bucket  30  are indicated by the same reference numbers used above. 
         [0040]    Bucket  50  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  52 , flat bottom  32 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  50  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket  50  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  50 . 
         [0041]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  50 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  50 . The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  50  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  50 . 
         [0042]    A handle  54  may be included and formed in the side  52  proximal the bottom  32  of the bucket  50 . Handle  54  may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation  56  in the side  52  with a grip  58  attached to opposite sides of the ellipsoid  56  along the major axis. The ellipsoid  56  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid  56  under the grip  58  to grasp the grip  58  of the handle  54  as desired. The handle  54  may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid  56  generally parallel to the axis of the cylindrical side  52 . The handle  54  may also be located along the periphery of side  52  in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  52  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  50 . The ellipsoid  56  protrudes into the interior of the bucket  50 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-14 , an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  60 . The elements common to the prior art bucket  30  are indicated by the same reference numbers used above. 
         [0044]    Bucket  60  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  62 , flat bottom  32 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  60  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket  60  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  60 . 
         [0045]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  60 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  60 . The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  60  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  60 . 
         [0046]    A handle  64  may be included and formed in the side  62  proximal the bottom  32  of the bucket  60 . Handle  64  may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation  66  in the side  62  with a grip  68  attached to opposite sides of the ellipsoid  66  along the major axis. The ellipsoid  66  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid  66  under the grip  68  to grasp the grip  68  of the handle  64  as desired. The handle  64  may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid  66  generally along an arc of the cylindrical side  62  and perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical side. The handle  44  may also be located along the periphery of side  62  in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  62  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  60 . The ellipsoid  66  protrudes into the interior of the bucket  60 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  70 . The elements common to the prior art bucket  30  are indicated by the same reference numbers used above. 
         [0048]    Bucket  70  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  31 , flat bottom  72 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  70  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket  70  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  70 . 
         [0049]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  70 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  70 . The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  70  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  70 . 
         [0050]    A handle  74  may be included and formed in the bottom  72  of the bucket  70 . Handle  74  may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation  76  flattened on one side in the bottom  72 . The flattened ellipsoid  76  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into the flattened ellipsoid  76  under the lower rim  78  of the bucket  70  to grasp the handle  74  as desired. The handle  74  may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid  76  generally coextensive with a chord of the circular bottom  72 , and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  31  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  70 . The handle  74  protrudes into the interior of the bucket  70 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  80 . The elements common to the prior art bucket  30  are indicated by the same reference numbers used above. 
         [0052]    Bucket  80  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  31 , flat bottom  82 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  80  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket  80  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  80 . 
         [0053]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  80 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  80 . The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  80  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  80 . 
         [0054]    Handles  84  and  85  may be included and formed in the bottom  82  of the bucket  80 . Handles  84  and  85  may include generally semi-ellipsoid shaped voids or indentations  86  and  87 , respectively, flattened on one side in the bottom  82 . The flattened ellipsoids  86  and  87  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into either flattened ellipsoid  86  or  87  under the lower rim  88  of the bucket  80  to grasp either handle  84  or  85  as desired. The handles  84  and  85  may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoids  86  and  87 , respectively, generally coextensive with chords of the circular bottom  82  and on opposite sides, and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  31  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  80 . The handles  84  and  85  protrude into the interior of the bucket  80 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-25 , an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  100 . The elements common to the prior art bucket  30  are indicated by the same reference numbers used above. 
         [0056]    Bucket  100  is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side  102 , flat bottom  103 , an open top  34 , and a semi-circular handle or bail  36 . Bucket  100  is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket  100  is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top  34  the bucket includes a flange  38  to strengthen the open top  34  and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket  100 . 
         [0057]    One or more circumferential ribs  40 ,  42  and  44 , near the top of the bucket  100 , provide strength to the bucket  30  and to the bail attachment blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  100 . The bail  36  hooks into the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  100  and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket  30  and pouring the contents from the bucket  100 . 
         [0058]    Handles  104  and  105  may be included and formed in the bottom  103  of the bucket  100 . Handles  104  and  105  may include generally semi-ellipsoid shaped voids or indentations  106  and  107 , respectively, flattened on one side in the bottom  103 . The flattened ellipsoids  106  and  107  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into either flattened ellipsoid  106  or  107  under the lower rim  108  of the bucket  100  to grasp either handle  104  or  105  as desired. The handles  104  and  105  may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoids  106  and  107 , respectively, generally coextensive with chords of the circular bottom  103  and on opposite sides, and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  31  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  100 . The handles  104  and  105  protrude into the interior of the bucket  100 . With the handles  104  and  105  on opposite sides of the bucket  100 , the contents of the bucket  100  may be poured from either side. 
         [0059]    Optionally a handle  110  may be included and formed in the side  102  proximal the bottom  103  of the bucket  100 . Handle  110  may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation  112  in the side  102  with a grip  114  extending from opposite sides of the ellipsoid  112  along the minor axis. The ellipsoid  112  may be sized to accommodate a person&#39;s fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid  112  under the grip  114  to grasp the grip  114  of the handle  110  as desired. The handle  110  may be oriented with the minor axis of the ellipsoid  112  generally parallel to the axis of the cylindrical side  102 . The handle  110  may also be located along the periphery of side  102  in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side  102  and passing through the bail  36  attachment points with the blocks  46  on opposite sides of the bucket  100 . The ellipsoid  112  protrudes into the interior of the bucket  100 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 26-28 , use of an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to the bucket  100  shown in  FIGS. 21-25 . A person may lift the bucket  100  by grasping the bail. To pour the contents from the bucket  100 , the user may grasp the side handle  110  to tip the bucket  100 . Alternatively, the user may grasp one of the bottom handles  104  or  105  to pour the contents from the bucket  100  (see  FIG. 21 ). 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the side and bottom handles may be combined in any manner desired for a particular design. The additional handle or handles provide a comfortable and advantageous grip for pouring the contents from a bucket. Although the drawings and descriptions illustrate a cylindrical bucket and generally depict a 5-gallon bucket, other bucket configurations, shapes, sizes and capacities may be included. 
         [0062]    It is to be understood that while certain now preferred forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.