Abstract:
A container for containing an amount material or another container. The container includes a support for engaging an arm of a user. The container also includes a handle. The apparatus also can employ an adjustable handle, adjustable from a first position to a second position. The container is particularly suited for drywall administrators and builders.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/344,361 filed on Jan. 4, 2002, entitled Ergonomic Material Container/Holder, 60/361,723 filed on Mar. 6, 2002, entitled Ergonomic Material Container/Holder With Adjustable Handle, and 60/389,540 filed on Jun. 19, 2002, entitled Ergonomic Pan Holder. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus for holding a material. More particularly, the invention is directed to an ergonomically designed container for lessening the effort required to hold and carry material thereby reducing the potential for injury and fatigue. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rectangular stainless steel or plastic mud pans of various sizes are used to hold joint compound during the drywall finishing process. Joint compound or mud pans are generally 10, 12, or 14 inches in length and 4½ inches wide at the top, and 3½ inches deep, having flat bottoms. These pans are used primarily during the drywall finishing process to hold joint compound while working. 
   There are many problems associated in working with these pans. For one, the pans are typically held for hours at a time during the work day which can be extremely uncomfortable to the holder. The pans are generally rectangular pans with no modifications for holding them other than holding the base of the container in the palm of a user&#39;s hand or by gripping one end of the pan while resting the remaining pan on the forearm. Accordingly, there is stress placed on the hand, wrist, and arm due to the unnatural position needed to hold and balance the pan. The resulting fatigue on the arm often causes cramping and could lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome by the user. 
   Therefore, an ergonomic container is needed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention operates to reduce fatigue, cramping and chance of injury on the arm while utilizing the disclosed apparatus. The apparatus enables one to work more efficiently and comfortably for longer periods of time by decreasing the stress placed on the arm during use. Accordingly, an ergonomically designed apparatus for use in the application of a material includes a container having a base including upper and lower base surfaces. Walls attach to the upper surface of the base, wherein the walls and base define a receiving space. The apparatus includes a handle for providing support to a user&#39;s hand attached to the lower base surface. The apparatus further includes a support having upper and lower surfaces, wherein a portion of the support&#39;s upper surface is attached to the lower surface of the base, the support being sized and dimensioned to rest upon a user&#39;s arm providing an ergonomic orientation of a user&#39;s arm in relation to the apparatus. The handle and support enable a user to orient the apparatus. In another aspect, the handle is adjustable, providing for individual comfort and balance. Accordingly, a user can maintain his hand, wrist and arm in a more straight and natural position while using the apparatus. For added convenience measurement levels may be indicated within the pan. 
   In another aspect, an apparatus is designed to contain a pan or other container having predetermined dimensions for containing a material. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings, which are not to scale, wherein like reference characters designate like or similar elements throughout the several drawings as follows: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side-view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  depicting an adjustable handle in various positions; 
       FIG. 3  is a front-view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side-view of a user holding the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front-view of a user holding the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side-view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front-end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side-view depicting a user holding the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a front-view depicting a user holding the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus having a handle adjustable along a grooved track; 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus having a handle adjustable along an orifice-laden track; 
       FIG. 13  is a side-view of the apparatus of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a front-end view the ergonomic container of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus having a handle adjustable along another embodiment of an orifice-laden track; 
       FIG. 16  is a side-view the apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a front-end view the apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18  is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of an ergonomic material holding apparatus; 
       FIG. 19  is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of an ergonomic material holding apparatus; 
       FIG. 20  is an isometric view depicting the insertion of a mud pan into the apparatus of  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 21  is an isometric view depicting a mud pan seated in the apparatus of  FIG. 18 ; and 
       FIG. 22  is an isometric view of another embodiment of an ergonomic material holding apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 ,  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an ergonomic material holding apparatus  10 , according to an embodiment of the invention. A user  12  ( FIG. 4 ) uses the ergonomic material holding apparatus  10  to contain a material  14 , such as concrete, drywall material, and other material types typically applied manually during building and other similar projects. The apparatus  10  is particularly useful to individuals who work in the building industry wherein various types of materials must be supported for prolonged time periods by a user  12 . The apparatus  10  is particularly useful for material mixing applications, such as drywall applications and the like. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the apparatus  10  includes a container  16  for containing a material  14  or for receiving and supporting another container, such as a mixing pan, etc. The container  16  includes a base  18  having upper and lower surfaces  20  and  22 , respectively. Preferably the container  16  has a length LC of between about nine and about fifteen inches, a width WC of between about two and about five inches, and a depth DC of between about two and about four inches. The container  16  includes four walls  24   a - 24   d  which extend from the upper surface  20  of the base  18 , defining a space  26  for receiving a material or another material pan which can hold the material. Each wall  24   a - 24   d  defines an angle with respect to the base  18 , which corresponds to the wall angles of a standard mud pan. Preferably, the angles range from about ninety degrees to about one hundred and thirty degrees. 
   With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the apparatus  10  includes a support  28  attached to the lower surface  22  of the base  18 . As shown for this embodiment, the support  28  has a substantially concave shape enabling users having various arm sizes to use the apparatus  10 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other support shapes may be used and the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific embodiment or examples as disclosed herein. For example, the support  28  could have a substantially rectangular or segmented shape. 
   Preferably, a pad  30  is attached to the lower surface  32  of the support  28 . The pad  30  may be fabricated from any pliable material, such as foam, rubber, and the like. The pad  30  can be glued to or releasably affixed to the support  28 , such as by tape, Velcro, and other adhesive means. When a user  12  uses the apparatus  10 , the pad  30  provides a pliable support between the lower support surface  32  and the user&#39;s arm, providing additional ergonomic properties to the apparatus  10 . The pad  30  prevents the lower support surface  32  from uncomfortably impinging upon or irritating the user&#39;s arm. Preferably, the pad  30  has a thickness of between about ⅛ inch and about ¾ inches. The pad  32  can cover the entire lower surface  32  of the support  28  or a portion thereof. 
   According to this embodiment, the apparatus  10  further includes a handle  34 . Most preferably, the handle  34  is operable to adjust through a plurality of positions relative to the support  28 . The handle  34  adjusts through a plurality of positions depending upon the user&#39;s size and particular application when using the apparatus  10 . The handle is shown in a first handle position A in FIG.  1 .  FIG. 2  depicts the apparatus  10  wherein the handle  34  is in a second handle position B as well as the first handle position A. 
   For this embodiment, the handle  34  attaches and rotates about a protrusion  36  extending from the front of the support  28  or the container  16 . A pin  38  or other fastener fastens the handle  34  to the protrusion  36  via through-hole  40 . Once the handle  34  is attached to the protrusion  36 , the handle can rotate through a plurality of positions about the pin  38 . 
   The apparatus  10  ergonomically orients and positions a user&#39;s hand, wrist, and arm in the natural and comfortable position as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . When using the apparatus  10 , the user&#39;s wrist is maintained in a substantially unsupinated position, relieving the stress and discomfort which can accrue while holding the wrist in a supinated position for extended periods of time. A spacer  42  can be manufactured separately and located between the container  16  and the support  28  or can be formed as one unit with the container  16  or the support  28 , according to a desired implementation. The apparatus  10  can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate users having different physical sizes, as well as accommodating different materials and material holders. 
   The apparatus  10  can be made from different materials, such as metallic and nonmetallic materials, like plastic polystyrene or stainless-steel. The container and support can be one-piece molded or two piece joined with a type of adhesive. Also, the apparatus  10  can be made from a combination of both plastic and metallic components. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6-10 , a most preferred embodiment of an ergonomic material holding apparatus  100  is shown.  FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a material holding apparatus  100 , according to the most preferred embodiment A user  12  ( FIG. 9 ) uses the material holder  100  to contain a material, such as concrete, drywall material, and other material types typically applied manually during building and other similar projects. The apparatus  100  is particularly useful to individuals who work in the building industry wherein various types of materials must be supported for prolonged time periods by a user  12 . The apparatus  100  is particularly useful for material mixing applications. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , the apparatus  100  includes a container  102  for containing a material or for supporting another container, such as a mixing pan, etc. which holds a material. The container  102  includes a base  104  having upper and lower surfaces  106  and  108 , respectively. Four walls  110   a - 110   d  extend from the upper surface  106  of the base  104 , defining a space  112  for receiving a material or another material pan which can hold a material. Preferably, the container  102  includes measurement levels or markings  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  14 , and  17 . 
   The apparatus  100  includes a support  116  attached to the lower surface  108  of the base  104 . The support  116  has a shape which enables users having various arm sizes to use the apparatus  100 . Preferably, the support has a length SL of between about five and about eight inches, and a radius RS of between about one and one-half (1½) to about three inches (FIG.  8 ). 
   A pad  118  is attached to the lower surface  120  of the support  116  and provides additional comforting and ergonomic properties to the apparatus  10 . The pad  118  can be fabricated from any pliable material, such as foam, rubber, and the like. The pad  118  can be glued to or releasably affixed to the support  116 , such as by tape, Velcro, and other adhesive means. When a user  12  uses the apparatus  100 , the pad  118  provides a pliable support between the lower support surface  120  and the user&#39;s arm, providing additional ergonomic properties to the apparatus  100 . The pad  118  prevents the lower support surface  120  from uncomfortably impinging upon or irritating the user&#39;s arm. Preferably, the pad  118  has a thickness of between about ⅛ inch and about ¾ inches. The pad  118  can cover the entire lower surface  120  of the support  116  or a portion thereof. 
   According to this embodiment, the apparatus  100  further includes a handle  122 . The handle  122  most preferably operates to adjust through a plurality of positions depending upon the user&#39;s size and particular application when using the apparatus  100 . As described below, for this embodiment, the handle  122  can adjust both linearly and rotationally. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the handle  122  is shown in a first handle position A and a second handle position B. The handle  122  rotates through a plurality of angular positions including positions A and B. 
   For this embodiment, the handle  122  is attached to a track  124  and adjusts along its length (FIGS.  7  and  9 ). The track  124  is preferably located proximate the lower surface  108  of the base  104 . Most preferably, the track  124  is centered upon the lower surface  108  of the base  104 , between the front edge  126  of the container  102  and the front edge  128  of the support  116 . The track  124  allows the handle  122  to be adjusted and locked into place between the front edge  126  of the container  102  and the front edge  128  of the support  116 . The precise construction of the track  124  and handle  122  can be accomplished in a variety of ways which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the handle  122  can be located in a track  130  having at least one groove  134 . The handle  122  includes a positioning member  132 , such as a pin or threaded bolt and the like. The handle  122  is coupled to the grooved track  130  via coupling member  136  which slides upon the grooved track and is locked into place using the positioning member  132 , such as by twisting the handle  122  that presses the positioning member  132  against the track locking the handle in the adjusted position relative to the track  130 . 
   As another example, as shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , the handle  122  is attached to a telescoping track  138  via a fastening member  140 , such as a pin, rivet and the like. The telescoping track  138  includes a plurality of holes or indentations  142  along the outside edges or underside of the telescoping track  138  at set intervals. The telescoping track  138  slides into and out of a larger track  144 . A spring-loaded pin  146  operates to lock the handle  122  in an adjusted location via the holes  142 . Alternatively, the handle  122  can slide along a hole-laden track, wherein the handle  122  incorporates a spring-loaded pin  140  for locating the handle  122  along the track when the pin is inserted into a hole  142 . 
   As yet another example, and referring now to  FIGS. 15-17 , the handle  122  contains a spring-loaded pin  150 . The pin  150  can be locked into a track  152  having holes  154  or indentations along the underside of the track  152  at set intervals. In this way the track  152  remains stationary and the handle can move and be located along the track  152 . As shown in these examples, the handle  122  can then be positioned at any point between the front edge  128  of the support  116  and the front edge  126  of the container  102 . 
   The handle  122  allows for adjustments based on the length of the users arm as well as individual preferences based on their comfort, allowing the user  12  to keep his hand, wrist and arm in a more straight and natural position. 
   The apparatus  100  ergonomically orients and positions a user&#39;s hand, wrist, and arm in the natural and comfortable position as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . When using the apparatus  100 , the user&#39;s wrist is maintained in a substantially unsupinated position, relieving the stress and discomfort which can accrue while holding the wrist in a supinated position for extended periods of time. The apparatus  10  can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate users having different physical sizes, as well as accommodating different materials and material holders. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 18-21 , yet another embodiment of an ergonomic material holding apparatus  200  is shown. The apparatus  200  includes three walls  202   a - 202   c  and a base  204 . The open-end  206  of the apparatus is for receiving standard mixing pans having standard dimensions, such as  10 ,  12  and  14  inch pans, and the like. The inner surfaces of the walls can be coated with a non-slip rubber or similar non-slip coating  207 . The support  208 , pad  209 , and adjustable handle  210  are similar to the embodiments described above. 
   According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the support  211  can be formed by one or more support members  212  and  214 , strategically located along the base allowing air flow between the user&#39;s arm and the apparatus. This arrangement also allows a reduction in the material required to manufacture the apparatus  200 . The lower surfaces  216  and  218  of the support members  212  and  214 , preferably include pad members  220  and  222 . The multi-member support can be utilized in the four-wall material holding apparatus as well. 
     FIGS. 20 and 21  depict the insertion and holding of a material pan  224  by the apparatus  200 . 
   Another embodiment of the open-ended material holding apparatus  200  is shown in FIG.  22 . For this embodiment, the apparatus  200  includes a strap  230  which is operable to secure a pan in the receiving space  232  of the apparatus  200 . The strap  230  can be made of any elastic or non-elastic material, such as rubber or nylon and can include various mechanisms to secure the strap to the apparatus  200 , securely holding the separate pan and material contained therein in the receiving space  232 . 
   It is contemplated, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the preceding description and the accompanying drawings that modifications and/or changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention. For example, the handle  34 ,  122  can be implemented as a strap or other non-rigid structure, cooperating with the support  28 ,  116  enabling the user to control the orientation of the apparatus  10 ,  100 . Accordingly, it is expressly intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiments only, not limiting thereto, and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention be determined by reference to the appended claims.