Container retaining device

A bucket holder is provided with a handle portion for ergonomically carrying and holding a bucket during transportation and use. The body portion is comprised of a surface pressed up against the can, while a hook opposite from the surface holds the bail in tension, using gravity and distance between the surface and the hook to maintain tension. The holder has at least one surface that can be pressed up against the can, allowing more than one position for the handle to be located.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This present disclosure relates to devices to ergonomically hold buckets with handles, specifically a paint bucket with a wire bail. Painting frequently requires the user to twist and hold their bodies in many positions, while at the same time, hold a bucket full of paint along with a wet paint brush. Frequently, the holding and carrying a bucket in various positions can cause fatigue, especially when the bail provided on the bucket is a relatively thin metal wire. Professional painters can suffer anywhere from various levels of discomfort to repetitive stress injuries. There are devices currently on the market that are designed to improve the ergonomics of painting by connecting to the bail and the bucket in some fashion and providing some sort of handle, but these do not allow the flexibility of putting the handle in more than one position. Most standard paint container bails are only designed for use in tension. These bails, when put in compression, can unexpectedly disengage from one or both pivots. Not only can this create an unwanted mess, but bail failure can be very dangerous if a painter is working on a ladder. The holding device solves this problem by keeping the bail in sufficient tension to safely function when gripping upward, downward, or somewhere in between. In addition, devices currently available do not have the flexibility to be used with multiple styles of cans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes a device for securely holding a common paint bucket using the outside surface of the can and the bail, but can apply to other storage vessels and containers that have a handle and an outside surface. By keeping one surface of the holder against the outside surface of the bucket on one side of the holder and keeping the bucket bail in tension by the opposite side of the holder, it is possible to use a more easily gripped device to hold the bucket. The present invention allows the holding device to be installed in various positions that allow easier access to the bucket's opening. It is also possible to securely hold the device to a ladder in several positions, allowing the user flexibility not present in anything currently available. The holding device provides comfort and control when painters are using the lower thumb web gripping area. Unlike other container gripping devices for use with the thumb, the device's lower gripping area does not force the thumb to be crushed against the side of the can. The device is uniquely able to offer both upper and lower gripping options at the same time which is useful for switching hands. The user can also attach the device to multiple bucket styles. Other marketed handles cannot be installed on cans with exterior lips and even a slight motion of the handle toward the container opening will result in disengagement of these marketed handles from the adjacent installed position. The holding device solves this dangerous limitation by providing a surface that can snap under an exterior lip which creates a strong device attachment by holding the bail at a specific distance below the lip and adjacent to the can creating a strong tension in the bail and compressing the device strongly against the can. Additional features of the device allow buckets with an external lip to be held in various positions. The device can be rotated so the bucket can be held at different angles, thereby increasing the painter's comfort. By attaching a magnet to part of the device, it makes it easier to temporarily but securely store a paint brush or paint scraper over the bucket while the user is moving from one area to another, taking a break, or doing something that requires a free hand. The device can be used with alternate bucket designs, such as buckets with an external lip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A traditional paint can10as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3has a bail12and a container16with an outside surface18. The bail12pivots about the pivot points14. The bail12commonly made from metal wire bent to fit into the bail pivot points14, which are typically near the top, as is commonly known in the art. The container16typically is round but other shapes are possible. The bail pivot points14are usually opposite on the can10such that the bail12pivots symmetrically and can be placed on either side of the container. A lipped can8as shown inFIG. 1contains a bail12, a container16, and an outside surface18, but has a lip102at or near the top surface26.

The holding device20inFIG. 2is made up of a handle portion30and a body32. The handle portion30is designed such that it can comfortably fit into a human hand. In the preferred embodiment, many surfaces above and below the bail12are contoured to facilitate multiple holding positions. The handle portion30, body32, and other surfaces can be rounded or smoothed to allow comfortable holding by the user. Grippable surfaces may have varying degrees of softness, resilience, and tactility. Some portions may be gel-filled or elastomeric rubber while other areas may be smooth polypropylene or another relatively strong and durable plastic. The handle portion30can be hook shaped as is shown inFIG. 1or a continuous loop, spheroidal, or “T”-shaped but is not limited to the forms as described. The device20can have additional features such as slots110,112,114, as shown inFIG. 1for carrying a paint can in different orientations or multiple paint cans at the same time. A catch surface106on the inside of the handle allows the device to be hung from a rung or side rail of a ladder. The catch surface106is defined by interior surfaces of the handle portion30such that the device can be tilted, the side rail fits inside, and compression between the surfaces of the side rail and the catch surface106keep the handle portion30securely engaged while handle portion30rests on a horizontal ladder rung.

The body32has a first notch22and a first can facing surface24that are on opposite sides of the device20. The notch is designed to receive the bail12. The opening of the first notch22can also have a lead-in36to guide the bail into the notch. The notch is defined as having an upper surface58, a lower surface66, and an internal cavity68. The upper surface58and the lower surface66can be made up of surfaces of a specific width and thickness to limit the travel of the bail when the device20is installed on a can10as is shown inFIG. 8. The upper surface58and lower surface66can have a restricted area38. The restricted area38is located between a lead-in36and the cavity68of the first notch22. The restricted area38may be slightly smaller than the cavity. The restricted area38could also be sized such that it causes an interference with the bail. When the restricted area38is sized for interference, the bail12passes from the lead-in36into the cavity68, a small amount of pressure is required to push the bail12through the restricted area38into the cavity68. The same would apply as the bail12is removed from the first notch22. The shape of the first notch22and a restricted area38helps to retain the bail12. The distance between the inside of the notch and the can facing surface are specific to the size and type of can. The holding device20can have a second can facing surface42,FIG. 5with a similarly designed opposing second notch44. The distance between the second can facing surface42and the opposing second notch44is specific. It is also possible to have a third can facing surface46with an opposing third notch48and similar features to the first and second surfaces. The facing surfaces24,42,46do not need to be continuous. A surface can be a number of points to define a flat or curved contact area that will mate with the outside surface18of the container16when devise20is installed. The surfaces can have holes for alternate holding and installation arrangements. In the preferred embodiment, the second and third can facing surfaces42and46have a hole40,FIG. 6between the two surfaces such that the user can hold the device20in alternate orientations.

It is also possible to position the holding device20at various angles as shown inFIG. 8to the central axis of the can10by defining the first notch22as shown in the preferred embodiment. The first notch22has a defined width that allows rotating the holding device20relative to the central axis of the can16within a certain range without disengaging the bail12from the first notch22, second notch44and the third notch48. The sides of the notch can be angled such that the angle of the can to first can facing surface24, second can facing surface42, and third can facing surface46, relative to the axis of the can16; is limited in either direction as is shown inFIG. 8. Through addition of protrusions82to the internal cavity of the first notch22as is shown inFIGS. 1-8, it is possible to capture the bail12at various angles as is shown inFIG. 8. By capturing a length of the bail between protrusions82, it is possible to fix the angle of the can facing surface relative to the central axis of the can16. With a can8that has an external lip102as is shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 6, the stop100adjacent to the upper portion of the can facing surface24on the device20allows positioning of the holding device relative to the axis of the can.

The holding device20is installed on the can10by placing it between the bail and the can. The user selects the one of the possible orientations of the holding device20and placing the corresponding facing surface above the can opening and towards the can below. The bail is placed in the first notch22and first can facing surface24and is held near or on the top of the can26. Then the holding device20is pivoted and slid about the top edge26of the container16until the first can facing surface24is between the bail12and the outside surface18of the container. An alternate installation involves using an alternate second can facing surface42and third can facing surface46and their respective second notch44and third notch48. By using an alternate surface, it is possible to locate the handle portion30in different orientations to the can10as is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. When two generally opposite surfaces are disposed for attachment, a handle then becomes reversible for use with either the left or the right hand, and the handle portion30can be designed for maximum comfort and ergonomic gripping angles. In the preferred embodiment, there are three can facing surfaces; first can facing surface24, second can facing surface42, and third can facing surface46that can attach to a can16. When the can10is held and suspended by the holding device20as is shown inFIGS. 2,3,7, and8, the bail is held in tension, maintaining contact between the can facing surface and the outside surface18of the can.

When the user sits the device20, as attached to the can, down and it is no longer held by the holding device20, the tension in the bail12is released to an extent. Then the holding device20may be allowed to slide down the can16as is shown inFIG. 2. For the purposes of simplicity, the can10is shown as the movable object inFIG. 2. When the device20is used in the down position50as is shown inFIG. 2, the hole40, located adjacent to the body32, would allow the user to support the can on the bottom with one portion of their hand and stabilize it by putting another portion of their hand through the hole40. In the preferred embodiment, the body32has a hole40for insertion of a thumb such that the lower loop created by the hole40fits comfortably within the thumb web adjacent to the thumb. A painter may then place one or more fingers under the container16for support. A painter may also choose not to support the bottom of the can16with fingers and instead place a palm and fingers on the lower side surface of can16. By utilizing the thumb web, the thumb is not strained thereby providing comfort and avoiding possible injury. In the released position50, the shape of the sides of the notch still allows the first can facing surface24to pivot relative to the can10. This pivoting gives the painter better ergonomic grasping opportunities. The device's sliding action up and down within the allowed range of motion as shown inFIG. 2combines with the bail12flexibility and the notch resilience to create a springy, shock absorbing quality. This springy nature increases comfort.

Other can designs such as the can8shown inFIG. 1have an external lip or ledge102comprised of a surface that extends out from and is attached to the outside surface18. InFIG. 1, the outside surface18is shown angled forward approximately twenty degrees from vertical to shift the center of gravity of thereby provide better balance to the device and can assembly. The can opening is angled downward away from the handle to provide a larger opening for accessing the contents. The ledge102is usually near or at the top of the can. The ledge102can have a depth where a cavity formed between the inside diameter of the ledge and the outside surface18. The depth of the cavity can vary based on can design and shape. The holding device has a stop100that abuts or fits inside the cavity created by the overhanging ledge102on the can as is shown inFIG. 1. Injection molded buckets8as shown inFIG. 1have the ledge102at the top and the bail pivot points14are located in the external face of the ledge cavity. This alignment of the pivots with the top of the container results in a very different set of forces than those created by the bail geometry of a standard gallon can10. As noted, a standard gallon can10with pivot points14set about two inches below the top surface26creates a maximum bail tension point when the bail is adjacent to the container and slightly above the opening plane. In contrast, when pivots are aligned with a ledge102, there is no tension point above the ledge to maintain contact between the first can facing surface24and the outside surface18. The stop100has a top surface120and can also have a wall122and a depression124as shown inFIG. 6. The top surface120is adjacent to the first can facing surface24and the wall122is adjacent to the top surface120. The wall122is substantially parallel to or sloping away from the first can facing surface24. Where the wall122meets the body32there is a depression124. The wall122or top surface120is designed to mate with or abut an external ledge102that extends out from the outside surface8of the can. When the device20is used with a can with an external ledge102, the top surface120or the depression124supports the weight of the can10and the wall122maintains contact between the uppermost portion of the first can facing surface24and the outside surface18of the can. For a can that has a cavity too deep for the top surface to provide support, the depression124supports the can. The bail12installed in the first notch22stabilizes the can. In this installation, the bail12is held below the top surface of the can8. The shape of the top surface120and depression124is such that the first can facing surface24can be rotated relative to the axis of the can8. One purpose of the top surface122is to serve as a support for the can8in conjunction with the first notch22keeping the bail12in tension to maintain contact between the outside surface18and the first can facing surface24when the user holds the can at an angle for pouring or tilting. The profile of the depression124can follow the shape of the top surface120to allow pivoting of the first can facing surface24relative to the outside surface18. In order to remove the device from a lipped container, one must simply separate the device from its connection to the container lip and then much of the tension on the bail is released.

The body32or first notch22can be formed from a flexible material. A flexible notch or body allows the first can facing surface24and first notch22to move closer together while the user installs the device on traditional paint can10or a lipped can8. The flexibility of the body32or first notch22prevents excessive tension in the bail12during installation or removal. Excessive tension in the bail12could damage the bail, rendering it useless or causing unexpected failure during use. Excessive bail tension can occur when a lipped can8has a large ledge102. Standard gallon paint containers have bail pivot points that are set almost two inches below the top of the can, and this offset bail geometry creates excessive bail tension when the bail is near a ledge102and slightly above the container. By flexing during installation, the device20not only reduces the chances of damaging the bail12, but it also retains better contact between the first can facing surface24and the outside surface18when the device20is installed

The bail retention feature can also be made from several grooves instead of a notch, the user places the bail in one of the grooves or between the protrusions82based on the desired handle orientation. As with the first notch22, second notch44, and third notch48, the grooves are a specific distance from the opposing can facing surface such that the bail is held in tension, and the holding device is restrained between the bail on one side and the outside surface of the container18. The protrusions82or grooves prevent the axis of the can from rotating relative to the first can facing surface24.

Other features on the holding device can include additional handle features. These include but are not limited to holes, can opener, notch110, slots112,114,FIG. 6, and protruding arms. The device20can also include other useful features, such as loops or a catch surface106that can be used for hanging the device on a ladder, either by a rung using the handle portion30or by inserting the ladder side rail into the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the device is pivoted in relation to the can and then hooked around ladder side rail from the rear or underside. Once the device comes to rest on a rung, the handle is compressed against the interior of the side rail by gravity acting on the container. On a standard gallon can10, a secure attachment to the ladder occurs when the container16is adjacent to the ladder and disposed at a slight angle toward the painter. This provides a painter with a better view of the contents of the can10. Since the device pivots both left and right, it can be attached on either side of the ladder as the painter chooses. Optionally, a magnet90can be attached to the handle of the device to hold a paint brush by the ferrule.

The device can be installed on the can10in positions that allow the user to have free and clear access to the opening of the can at certain installed positions. In other positions, a portion of the handle may minimally extend over the can opening to adjust to the center of gravity of the combined device and can assembly or to optimize use of the magnet.

It is understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects. No specific limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Modifications may be made to the disclosed subject matter as set forth in the following claims.