SHELF BRACKET, HOOK AND BUCKET HOLDER

A shelf bracket not only supports a standard shelf, but has additional support members underneath to support a five-gallon bucket, for example, so that the bucket could be used as a storage bin that can easily be removed with the contents still inside. Having the end of the bucket open and exposed like a bin allows for better visibility and access to its contents. The bucket is supported at an angle, sloping towards the bottom or closed end of the bucket to prevent the contents from inadvertently falling out. Removing the bucket from the rack requires raising the front or open end of the bucket to a steeper angle therefore preventing any of the contents from falling out in the process. The bucket can be used as a bin that can be removed and moved to a vehicle for transport without removing any of the stored material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to storage solutions. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a shelf bracket, hook and bucket holder for holding buckets, such as five-gallon buckets.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

Many homeowners and professional workers use inexpensive and easily accessible four and five gallon buckets for storage. Sometimes referred to as “spackle buckets”, they are very durable and extremely useful for storing and transporting a huge variety of items. Although there is an increasing need for storage in homes and businesses, commercially available shelf brackets, hooks, and bins do not adequately accommodate the increasing use of the five-gallon bucket. Stacking buckets on top of each other hinders visibility of the contents and hampers easy access. If the buckets are turned on the side and placed on a shelf like a bin, the items in the bucket tend to slide out. Also when laid on the side, the buckets take up a lot of shelf space and storing items on top of buckets would be problematic.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a unique shelf, hook and bin bracket system for supporting buckets, such as five-gallon buckets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a shelf bracket and bucket rack comprising a base member having a back surface operable for attachment to a surface; an upper arm extending from a top of the back surface, the upper arm extending generally perpendicularly from the base member, the upper arm having an upper surface configured to retain a shelf thereupon; a bent member formed at a distal end, relative to the base member, of the upper arm, the bend extending the upper arm back toward the base member; and first and second bucket support arms connected to a lower end of the base member, the first and second bucket support arms extending away from the base member, the first and second bucket support arms spaced apart from each other and configured to support a side of a bucket positioned thereupon.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a shelf bracket storage apparatus comprising a bucket and a shelf bracket and bucket rack comprising a base member having a back surface operable for attachment to a surface; an upper arm extending from a top of the back surface, the upper arm extending generally perpendicularly from the base member, the upper arm having an upper surface configured to retain a shelf thereupon; a bent member formed at a distal end, relative to the base member, of the upper arm, the bend extending the upper arm back toward the base member; and first and second bucket support arms connected to a lower end of the base member, the first and second bucket support arms extending away from the base member, the first and second bucket support arms spaced apart from each other and configured to support a side of the bucket positioned thereupon, wherein the bucket is removable from the shelf bracket and bucket rack; and the bucket is configured to rest the bent member inserted into an open end of the bucket, a bottom side of the bucket supported by the first and second bucket support arms, and a closed end of the bucket positioned against the base member.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a shelf bracket that not only supports a standard shelf on a top side thereof, but has additional support members underneath configured in such a way as to support additional items including, but not limited to, a five-gallon bucket so that the bucket could be used as a storage bin that can easily be removed with the contents still inside. Having the end of the bucket open and exposed like a bin allows for better visibility and access to its contents. Typically, the bucket is supported at an angle, sloping towards the bottom or closed end of the bucket. By storing the bucket on an angle and being sloped towards the bottom or closed end of the bucket, the configuration can prevent the contents from falling out. Removing the bucket from the rack requires raising the front or open end of the bucket to a steeper angle therefore preventing any of the contents from falling out in the process. The bucket can be used as a bin that can be removed and moved to a vehicle for transport without removing any of the stored material.

A wide variety of items and materials can be placed in the bucket bin such as, but not limited to, power tools, hand tools, caulking tubes, paint brushes, bolts, screws, nails, sports helmets, shoes, boots, bird seed, pet food or anything else that will fit in a bucket.

Each bracket could be individually attached to any vertical surface such as a wall framing member, a free standing post, a drywall covered wall, or a masonry wall. As an alternative attachment method, a horizontal track could be secured to a vertical surface and multiple brackets could be hung from the track. The brackets or track would be attached with screws, nails, hollow wall fasteners, masonry fasteners, steel fasteners or the like.

The system could be used by homeowners and hobbyists, including but not limited to, in garages, sheds, basements and workshops. Another use could be professional construction workers such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other trades. Some other uses would be for construction trailers, warehouses and vendors of various materials and supplies.

While two configurations with five different material types are described here and illustrated in the Figures, it should be understood that various configurations may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention. One configuration of the design would be that the bucket is partially supported at the bottom while the top of the bucket is supported by a hook with stepped cleat-like catches to prevent the different size buckets from sliding forward and falling while its contents are being accessed. Another configuration of the design would be that the bottom hooks support 100% of the weight and has a second turned-up hook at the end to prevent the bucket from sliding out while accessing its contents. These configurations as well as other aspects of the present invention are described in greater detail below, referencing the appropriate figures.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a shelf bracket and bucket rack10(also referred to as shelf bracket10or bucket rack10) can include a base member12for attachment to a wall (not shown) or other surface. A top surface14of the shelf bracket10can be flat and be configured for placement of a shelf member (not shown) thereupon. An upper arm16, that extends from the base member12, can form the top surface14. A diagonal support arm18can extend diagonally from the base member12(below the upper arm16) to connect to a distal end of the upper arm16(distal relative to the base member12). A distal end of the upper arm16may form a bent member20so that the distal end22of the bent member20extends back to point toward the base member12. A plurality of steps24may be formed in an interior surface of the bent member20, where the steps24face a bottom portion26of the diagonal support arm18. A space28can be formed between an upper surface30of the bent member20and the bottom portion26of the diagonal support arm18. Typically, the base member12, the upper arm16and the diagonal support arm18may be integrally formed, as best illustrated inFIG.2.

A support hook40can be disposed at a lower end of the base member18. The support hook may be formed in a generally C-shape, typically a squared C-shape as shown inFIG.2. The support hook40can include a base42that is attached to of formed integrally with the base member12. Support hook arms44can extend from opposite ends of the base42, extending away from the base member12.

A bucket50, having an open end52and a closed end54, can be placed on the bucket rack10by inserting the open end52into the space28and resting the side of the bucket50on the bent member20. The closed end54of the bucket50can rest against the base member12and the support hook arms44can support sides of the bucket50, as shown inFIG.1.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, a shelf bracket and bucket rack60can be formed similar to the shelf bracket and bucket rack10, described above, except that the buck rack60may be formed in a tubing style, typically with steel tubing and wire, for example. In the embodiment ofFIGS.3and4, there is no diagonal support arm, however, such a support arm may be used in the design. Further, in the embodiment ofFIGS.3and4, the base member62may split into two legs64that then have bucket support arms66that extend outward away from the base member62. The functionality of the shelf bracket and bucket rack60may be similar to that of the bucket rack10described above, where the hooked end68of the upper arm70can be inserted into an open end of a bucket and the bucket support arms66can retain the bucket on the rack, as shown inFIG.4. Steps72can be provided, similar to that described above, to prevent the bucket from sliding away from the base member62as items are removed from the bucket.

Referring toFIG.5, another wire-form of the shelf bracket and bucket rack80is shown. The operation of the embodiment ofFIG.5is similar to that described above.

FIG.6shows another embodiment of a wire-form shelf bracket and bucket rack82, where the bucket support arms84extend along a length of the bucket50. The bucket support arms84can bend inward with retaining arms86that extend over the open end of the bucket50. The retaining arms86can prevent pulling the bucket50out of the shelf bracket and bucket rack82. Such a support arm design may also be used in the shelf bracket10described above with respect toFIGS.1and2.

FIGS.7A through7Eillustrate an embodiment of the shelf bracket and bucket rack formed of two pieces, where the first piece92forms the base member, upper arm, diagonal support arm and hooked end as described above with respect toFIGS.1and2. The support hook40is shown inFIG.7B, where the support hook40may include a first connector94that fits into a second connector96formed in the first piece92.FIGS.7C through7Eshow various cross-sectional views. WhileFIGS.7A through7Eshow possible design configurations, it should be understood that such may vary depending on the particular application and use specifications.

The bracket, as described above, could be made from any of the following types of materials and methods, including but not limited to, plastic or similar materials through a standard injection molding process or a3D printer, round, square or rectangular metal tubing that is bent into shape by way of available tubing benders or a mechanical press, sheet metal that is cut & bent with a typical mechanical press, plywood or similar natural materials such as in oriented strand board (OSB), CDX or particle board cut with a computer numerical control (CNC) machine or standard carpentry tools such as saws and drills. These methods reflect the typical and standard processes currently in use but new technology, not yet developed, may also be a viable method of manufacture.