Bucket lid

A combination bucket lid and seat permits a user to access contents of the bucket while the user is seated. The lid has a lip for engaging the bucket, and an opening configured to receive a hand of a user for removing the bucket contents. The opening may be selectively covered by a door that is attached to the lid. The door is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The door is configured to cover the opening of the lid in the closed position and uncover the opening of the lid in the open position. The door also may have a pad that allows the user to be comfortable while sitting. More specifically, the door may be attached to the lid by a hinge, or rotatable about an axis of rotation, to selectively cover and uncover the opening.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a combination seat and lid and, more specifically, a combination seat and lid for placement a bucket.

BACKGROUND

Buckets are commonly used for recreational purposes. For example, athletes, gardeners, fisherman, hunters, and campers commonly use buckets to carry items such as such as baseballs, spades and planters, bait and fishing tackle, bullets, and food.

Conventional buckets may be five- or six-gallons in volume, and approximately two-feet tall and one-foot in diameter. These buckets are also generally made of plastic and may be provided with an inexpensive wire or plastic handle that pivotally attaches across a top of the bucket. Such buckets can also be provided with molded plastic lids that are selectively snapped on top of the bucket to seal the bucket and secure the contents.

It is known to use these conventional bucket lids as a seat. For example, in baseball, an athlete or coach will often sit on a baseball bucket in the dugout. A gardener may also sit upon the bucket as he or she plants bulbs or pulls weeds. However, there are problems with using conventional bucket lids as a seat. Often, the bucket lid is not padded, and may become uncomfortable to sit on after extended periods of time. Additionally, a person sitting on the bucket lid may not be able to access the contents without standing and removing the lid.

Bucket lids that have a cushion are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D439,022 to Brandeis discloses a cushioned bucket lid that has a hinged door and an integral storage area. The Brandeis lid allows a user to open the door and access a storage area of the lid but not an underlying bucket with which the lid is used. In a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,845 to van Leeuwen, discloses a fishing bucket with a rotatably mounted closure and seat means. The van Leeuwen fishing bucket provides access an integral storage area of the closure and seat means but not access to the underlying bucket while the person is seated.

There is a continuing need for a bucket lid and seat combination that allows a user to access the contents of the bucket while in a seated position. Desirably, the bucket lid and seat combination is padded for the comfort of the user while in the seated position.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a bucket lid and seat combination that allows a user to access the contents of the bucket while in a seated position, and which is padded for the comfort of the user while in the seat position, has been surprisingly discovered.

In a first embodiment, a combination seat and bucket lid has a main body with an opening formed therein. A door is selectively attached to the main body. The door has a first pad. The door is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The door covers the opening where the door is in the closed position. The door is disposed between the first pad and the main body where the door is in the opened position.

In another embodiment, a combination seat and bucket lid has a main body with an opening formed therein. A door is hingedly attached to the main body. The door has a first side and a second side. Attached to the first side of the door is a first pad. The door is selectively movable between an opened position and a closed position. The door covers the opening of the main body in the closed position. The first pad is disposed within the opening, where the door is in the closed position. The door is disposed between the first pad and the main body where the door is in the opened position.

In a further embodiment, a combination seat and bucket lid has a main body with an opening formed therein. A door is movably attached to the main body and selectively rotatable about an axis of rotation that is transverse to the main body. The door has a first side and a second side. A first pad is disposed on the second side of the door. The door is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The door covers the opening of the main body in the closed position, and the first pad is not disposed within the opening where the door is in the closed position. The door is disposed between the first pad and the main body where the door is in the opened position and in the closed position. The door is also disposed entirely within the lip of the lid where the door is in the closed position. However, a portion of the door is disposed outside of the lip where the door is in the opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-16show various embodiments of a combination seat and bucket lid2according to the present disclosure. The bucket lid2permits a user3to access contents of a bucket4while seated, for example, as shown inFIG. 16. Although the lid2is illustrated herein as being attachable to a conventional five-or-six-gallon bucket4, it should be appreciated that the lid2may also be configured to attach to any other suitable container, such as a tote, a cup, a box, etc., as desired.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-16, the lid2may have a main body6with a lip8. The lip8may be configured to receive or otherwise connect with a top of the bucket4. The lip8surrounds the main body6of the lid2and defines an outermost perimeter10of the main body6. Within the perimeter10of the main body6is a center area12. An opening14is formed in the center area12of the main body6.

A door16is moveably attached to the main body6and configured to selectively seal and unseal the opening14. In particular embodiments, the door16may be attached to the center area12of the main body6. The door16may be movable between an opened position (shown inFIGS. 4, 7-8, 10-11, 13-14, and 16) and a closed position (shown inFIGS. 1-3, 5, 9, and 12).

In the closed position, the door16is adapted to cover the opening14formed through the main body6, and to protect the contents of the bucket4from the surrounding environment. In the opened position, the door16is configured to permit access to the contents of the bucket4by a user3reaching through the opening14while the user3is in a seated position, for example, as shown inFIG. 16. As used herein, and unless otherwise stated, the term “opened position” is defined as including both fully opened and partly opened positions of the door16, and the term “closed position” is defined to be the fully closed position of the door16.

As non-limiting examples, the bucket lid2and the associated door16may be formed from a suitable thermoplastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or a suitable metal such as aluminum or steel. It is contemplated that the bucket lid2and the door16may also be formed from wood or composite materials in certain examples. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable materials for the bucket lid2and door16, within the scope of the present disclosure.

Advantageously, as shown inFIGS. 2-3,4, 7-8, and 10-14, the door16may have a first pad22affixed to the door16to support and provide comfort to the user3while in the seated position. The first pad22may have a suitable thickness that facilitates a cushioning of the user3when seated, for example, between about one tenth of an inch ( 1/10″) and about one inch (1″) in thickness. Other suitable thicknesses for the first pad22may also be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As non-limiting examples, the first pad22may be formed from foam or sponge rubber material such as polyurethane or a polyester fiber. The material selected for the first pad22may provide both comfort and be resilient to minimize degradation with exposure to the environment. The first pad22may also be affixed to the door16with a thin adhesion layer18of a chemical adhesive, for example, an acrylic adhesive. The adhesion layer18may be provided as a full layer between the door16and the first pad22, or by a matrix or pattern of adhesive beads between the door16and the first pad22. Mechanical fastening means for affixing the first pad22to the door16are also contemplated. However, a skilled artisan may select any other suitable material for the adhesion layer18and the first pad22, or other means for affixing the first pad22to the door16, as desired.

The door16may have a first side24and a second side26, and the first pad22may be secured to either the first side24or the second side26of the door16, as desired. In certain examples, as shown inFIGS. 4, 8, and 11, the first pad22may be attached to the first side24of the door16and configured to support the user3while in the seated position where the door16is in the opened position. In other examples, as shown inFIG. 14, the first pad22may be attached to the second side26of the door16and configured to support the user3while in the seated position where the door16is in the opened position. In either case, it should be appreciated that the selective moving of the door16to the opened position by the user allows the user3to access the contents of the bucket4through the opening14while also seated on the combination seat and bucket lid2.

In further embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4-8, the door16may have a grip tab29that facilitates the movement of the door16by the user3. The grip tab29may extend outwardly from a primary body of the door16. For example, the grip tab29may extend outwardly from a rim30of the door16. In particular, the grip tab16may be disposed at a front portion of the rim30of the door16, opposite a rear portion of the rim30of the door16that is movably attached to the main body6of the lid2. Other locations and configurations for the grip tab29may also be selected, as desired.

In particular embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, at least one of the first side24and the second side26of the door16may also have a surface area that is greater than an area of the opening14. In particular, the greater surface area of the door16may result in the rim30of the door16extending laterally past an edge34of the opening14, and in turn causing the rim30to rest upon an upper surface32of the main body6where the door16is in the closed position. It should also be appreciated that the relative arrangement of the rim30and the edge34of the opening14militates against the door16collapsing into an interior of the bucket4in operation.

In further embodiments, as shown inFIG. 3, the edge34of the opening14and the rim30of the door16may each have complementary beveled surfaces36,38. The beveled surfaces36,38of the rim30and the edge34also militate against the door16collapsing into the interior of the bucket4in operation. The beveled surfaces36,38of the rim30and the edge34also allow the door16and the center area12of the main body6to be co-planar where the door16is in the closed position.

With reference toFIGS. 1-12, the door16may be movably attached to the lid2via a hinge40. One skilled in the art may select any suitable type of the hinge40, such as a living hinge (shown inFIGS. 1 and 4) and a butterfly hinge (shown inFIGS. 5 and 7-11), as non-limiting examples. The living hinge40may be a thin and flexible plastic that is co-formed with the lid2and the door16, and which may be easily flexed to permit for the hinged movement of the door16in operation. The butterfly hinge40may be separately formed and affixed to each of the lid2and the door16with mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, or the like. Other suitable types of the hinge40are also contemplated and may be employed, as desired.

The door16is configured to alternate between the opened position where the front portion of the rim30is hingedly rotated upwardly and away from the opening14, and the closed position where the front portion of the rim30is hingedly rotated downwardly and toward the opening14. Where the first pad22is affixed to the first side24of the door16, as shown inFIGS. 1-2, 5, and 9, the first pad22may be disposed in the opening14where the door16is hingedly rotated downwardly to the fully closed position. In such a configuration of the first pad22, where the door16is hingedly rotated all the way to the fully opened position, as shown inFIGS. 4, 8, and 11, it should be appreciated that the second side26of the door16may then be disposed between the main body6of the lid2and the first pad22.

With renewed reference toFIG. 2, a peripheral edge the first pad22may be spaced apart from an outermost edge of the rim30of the door16in order to fit within the opening14, where the door16is hingedly rotated to the fully closed position. The spacing of the first pad22relative to the rim30of the door16defines a distance or gap area42of the door16between the peripheral edge of the first pad22and the outermost edge of the rim30. The rim30of the door16may be adapted to abut the upper surface32of the main body6and cover the edge34of the opening14in the gap area42. Likewise, a portion of the main body6adjacent the edge34of the opening14may abut the gap area42of the door16where the door16is in the closed position.

It should be appreciated that the first pad22is likewise configured to be disposed in the opening14, where the door16is in the closed position. This configuration advantageously protects the first pad22from the environmental exposure and the elements where the door16is in the closed position. Additionally, the disposition of the first pad22within the interior of the bucket4where the door16is closed will provide the user3with a dry seat where the door16is subsequently opened, even if the lid2and bucket4have otherwise been exposed to a wet environment or conditions.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 7-8, and in particular embodiments, the lid2may have a recess41that is formed in the center area12of the main body6. The hinge40may be disposed within the recess41and attached to the center area12of the lid2at the recess41. It should be appreciated that the disposing of the hinge40in the recess41may allow the door16to be oriented more parallel with the center area12of the lid2where the door16is in the closed position. This arrangement likewise permits for the provision of a more level seat for the user3where the lid2is in the opened position.

With reference toFIG. 6, and in alternative embodiments, the hinge40may be an integral hinge40defined by an integrally molded hinge portion of at least one of the main body6of the lid2and the door16. For example, the main body6of the lid2may have at least one indentation44formed therein, which is configured to receive at least one hinge rod46of the door16. The cooperation of the at least one indentation44with the at least one hinge rod46permits for a hinge-like attachment of the door16to the main body6of the lid2. The at least one indentation44and the at least one hinge rod46may also be sized and shaped appropriate to provide a snap or friction-fit that permits the door116to be hingedly moved but otherwise secures the door16to the main body6of the lid2.

The at least one hinge rod46may also be oriented substantially parallel with the rear edge of the rim30the door16. In a particular embodiment, shown inFIG. 6, the door16may have two hinge rods46disposed on a hinge rod body45connected to the door16, which are configured to be received by two indentations44, where the indentations44are disposed on opposite sides of an aperture47formed in the main body6of the lid2. Other integrally molded structures for forming the hinge40may also be selected by a skilled artisan within the scope of the present disclosure.

In another embodiment (not shown), the door16and the opening14may be sized and shaped appropriately to provide a snap or friction-fit between the door16and the opening14of the lid2, where the door16is in the closed position. Additionally, in a further embodiment (not shown), the edge34of the opening14may have a sealing bead formed adjacent thereto. The sealing bead may be configured to form a fluid-tight seal between the door16and the opening14of the lid2where the door16is in the closed position. For example, the sealing bead may be provided by a ridge of a polymeric sealing material placed around at least one of the edge34of the opening14and the rim30of the door16, in order to facilitate the formation of the fluid-tight seal in operation.

With reference toFIGS. 9-11, the lid2may be provided with at least one additional or second pad48, which is configured to provide added comfort for the user3in the seated position. The second pad48may be formed from the same or different materials as the first pad22, and may have the same or different thicknesses as the first pad22, described hereinabove. The second pad48may also be affixed to the lid2with an adhesion layer (not shown), formed by the same or different chemical adhesives or mechanical fasteners as used for the first pad22, also described hereinabove.

The second pad48may be disposed between the opening14and the lip8of the main body6, for example. In certain embodiments, the second pad48may be disposed on a peripheral area50of the main body6. The peripheral area50of the main body6may be located adjacent to the lip8and, more particularly, between the lip8and the central area12of the main body6. The second pad48may also be absent from an area of the main body6where the second side26of the door16will normally abut the main body6where the door16is in the opened position. The abutting of the center area12of the main body6by the door16may allow an outer surface of the first pad22on the door16to be substantially coplanar with an exterior surface of the second48on the lid2where the door is in the fully opened position, for example, as shown inFIG. 11. It should be appreciated that the outer surface of the first pad22being substantially coplanar with the exterior surface on the second pad48may facilitate the formation of a more comfortable surface for the user3to sit upon, in operation.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated inFIGS. 12-15, the door16may be rotatably attached to main body6of the lid2about an axis of rotation (R) that is oriented transverse to a plane upon which the main body6of the lid2is disposed. In a particular embodiment, the axis of rotation (R) is orthogonal to the plane of the main body6.

As shown inFIG. 14, the door16may be secured to the center area12of the lid2by a mechanical fastener52such as a screw, bolt, pin, rivet, or the like. Other suitable fastening arrangements may be chosen by one skilled in the art, including a nut and a bolt arrangement, swivels, or a ball and joint arrangement. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may choose from any other type of suitable fasteners permitting a rotating movement while securing the door16to the lid2, as desired.

With reference toFIG. 15, the fastener52may be disposed underneath the first pad22, which advantageously militates against the fastener52causing the user3discomfort in the seated position. Advantageously, the fastener52allows the door16to rotate around axis of rotation (R) oriented traverse to the bucket lid2, thereby allowing the user3to selectively cover and uncover the opening14by rotation of the lid to either the closed position or the opened position, respectively. In particular, and in contrast to the hinged embodiment described hereinabove, the door16in this embodiment may be rotatable between the closed position, where the door16covers the opening14, and the opened position, where the door16uncovers the opening14.

With continued reference toFIGS. 12-15, the first pad22may be secured to the second side26of the door16where the door16is intended to be rotated to the closed and opened position about the axis of rotation (R). The first side24of the door16may therefore be disposed between the main body6and the first pad22where the door16is in both the opened position and the closed position.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 14, the door16may be adapted to be disposed within entirely within the outermost perimeter10of the lid2where the door16is in the closed position (shown inFIG. 12), and also may be adapted to be disposed partly outside of the outermost perimeter10of the lid where the door16is in the opened position (shown inFIG. 14).

With continued reference toFIGS. 12-15, and in particular embodiments, the lid2of the main body6may have a first end54and a second end56. The door16may be secured closer to the first end54than the second end56. For example, as shown inFIG. 13, a distance D1, as measured from the axis of rotation (R) to the first end54of the lid2, may be less than a distance D2, as measured from the axis of rotation (R) to the second end56of the lid2. It should be appreciated that, where the door16is secured at the axis of rotation (R) being offset from an exact center of the lid2, the door16may fit within the perimeter10of the lid2in the closed position (shown inFIG. 12), but a portion of the door16will be outside of the outermost perimeter10of the lid2in the opened position (shown inFIG. 14). Advantageously, this allows the first pad22to have a larger surface area than it might otherwise be able to have, which in turn provides a greater comfort to the user3in the seated position.

In operation, the user3may first attach the lid2to the bucket4. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-15, the user3may then move the door16, either hingedly or by rotation about the axis of rotation (R), from the closed position to the opened position before sitting upon the lid2. This allows the user3to access the contents of the bucket4while subsequently seated on at least one of the first pad22and the second pad48. After the user3is finished using the bucket4as a seat, the user3may stand up from the bucket4and move the door16to the closed position. In the closed position, the door16operates to cover or seal the opening14in the lid2and protect the contents of the bucket4from the surrounding environment.

In a most particular example, the combination seat and bucket lid2of the present disclosure is used in the context of a baseball practice or game, where the most coveted seat in any dugout is the baseball bucket4. The opening14in the bucket lid2therefore allows the user3such as a player or coach to access baseballs in the bucket4without the hassle of having to stand up and remove the lid2each time a ball is to be retrieved from the bucket4. Other uses for the lid2are also contemplated and may include, as non-limiting examples, hunting, fishing, camping, chlorine tablet storage for pools, gardening purposes, construction, and other sports or athletic events.

Advantageously, the combination seat and bucket lid2of the present allows the user to access the contents of the bucket4, while remaining in a seated position. The combination seat and bucket lid2also provides superior comfort for the user3relative to conventional unpadded bucket lids known in the art.