Abstract:
A multipurpose paint caddy comprises: a frame; a T-handle for moving and manipulating the frame; containment structure for positioning a paint bucket on the top side of the frame and for storing paint apparatus in juxtaposition with the paint bucket; and a wheel arrangement for facilitating rolling and tilting movement of the frame whereby to obviate obstacles encountered during movement of the frame on the ground. In a preferred wheel arrangement, two pairs of swivelable small diameter wheels extends below each end portion of the frame, and two pairs of non-swivelable large diameter wheels extends below the central portion of the frame. The handle and one pair of large diameter wheels enables the user to transmit a pivoting force to one end of the frame, whereupon the small diameter wheels adjacent thereto are driven into engagement with the ground and the large diameter wheels at the other frame end lifted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATIONS 
     This is a completion application and under 35 USC Section 119 (e) claims a priority date of Nov. 16, 2001 from co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/249,352, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a mobile caddy or cart for a painter, and more particularly, to a multipurpose cart useful for transporting and supporting paint buckets, paint supplies such as brushes and rollers, and facilitating access to a paint pan or an open paint can to facilitate the painting operation. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Mobile and stationary apparatus for facilitating the support and transporting of supplies are known. U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,220 to Orr illustrates a dolly for a vacuum cleaner or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 2,840,384 to Bard; U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,951 to Berfield et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,867 to Hampton; U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,128 to Stich et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,516 to Ottaway illustrate a cart for transporting one or more cylindrical cans or buckets, such as cleaning fluid or paint cans. Each of these carts is generally single purposed in that the cart generally provides the user with a means for transporting and/or supporting a specific object to and at a desired work area. 
     While suitable for their respective intended purposes, there is an ongoing need for improvements in mobile apparatus that enables a user to perform multiple tasks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome deficiencies in the carts of the class described by providing a mobile cart and an arrangement thereon wherein at least one large paint bucket and paint supplies, such as the paint brushes, rollers and pan, are placed in close operable relation to one another and transported to a work site whereat the bucket is opened for use by the painter with the paint supplies therewith. 
     Another object of the invention is provision of an elevated support on the caddy that positions the paint pan in juxtaposition with an open paint bucket (or cans) for operable use by the paint rollers and brushes. 
     An advantage of such a cart or caddy so arranged is that the painter may simultaneously use all of the requisite supplies from one cart, thereby providing a cost effective apparatus for completing a paint assignment remote from a supply truck. 
     Another object of the invention is the provision of a paint transporting caddy that includes an array of both swiveling and non-swiveling casters, the swiveling casters being disposed at the opposite ends of the caddy, and the non-swiveling casters being centrally disposed and spaced from the caddy somewhat further than the swiveling casters, the non-swiveling casters permitting rolling motion of the caddy and cooperate to permit the frame of the caddy to be tilted relative to the ground and the center of the caddy. 
     Advantageously, the non-swiveling casters provide directional stability and permit the frame of the caddy to be tilted relative to the center of the caddy to enable the forward (or rearward) end of the caddy frame to be tilted whereby to overcome small obstacles that are encountered on the floor. 
     In a first aspect according to this invention there is provided a multipurpose paint caddy, the caddy comprising: 
     a frame, the frame defining a forward end, a rearward end, a pair of sides, a bottom side, and a top side, 
     a grippable handle extending from the frame for pushing and manipulating the frame, the handle enabling the user to apply forces used to simultaneously lift up and push down the opposite ends of said frame; 
     means for supporting and positioning a paint bucket on the top side of the frame, 
     means for storing paint apparatus for use on the top side of the frame in juxtaposition with the paint bucket, and 
     means for supporting the frame for rolling movement on the ground. 
     Preferably and according to this invention, the means for supporting and positioning a paint bucket comprises a housing, the housing forming an upwardly open cradle or corral with at least one wall portion thereof being configured to encircle and position at least one paint bucket for vertical orientation above the top side of the frame. The wall portion may be rectangular or circular in shape, or comprise arcuate segments, and dimensioned to closely encircle the paint bucket. 
     In situations wherein the caddy is used to transport a single large and heavy bucket, additional support may be desirable. Accordingly, in an alternate preferred embodiment according to this invention, the frame includes a cylindrical recess to nestingly receive the bottom end portion of the bucket, and the housing includes a cylindrical wall portion (or opening) adapted to closely encircle the bucket. The cylindrical recess and opening are generally concentric, vertically spaced from one another, and cooperate to provide vertical stability to the bucket relative to the frame and inhibit the bucket from tipping over. 
     Further, the means for supporting paint apparatus preferably comprises a generally rectangular shaped enclosure having a pair of upwardly open chambers. 
     In one embodiment according to this invention, a paint roller is disassembled and the handle portions, or extenders, are separated from the roller portion. The first chamber of the enclosure forms a tray that is adapted to receive the paint roller and the second chamber forms an opening adapted to receive and vertically position the handle portions of the roller. 
     In another embodiment according to this invention, the first chamber is adapted to receive at least one paint pan, and the second chamber is adapted to store paint supplies. The first chamber may comprise an opening formed in a top wall of the enclosure and configured to nestingly receive the paint pan removably inserted therewithin. If desired, in some applications, the paint pan may be integrally formed as a part of the top wall of the enclosure and receive the paint directly. In a second embodiment, the first chamber is adapted to receive a paint roller and the second chamber 
     The frame, the housing, and the enclosure may be integrally formed or separately provided and secured to one another by appropriate means. Additionally, the enclosure and housing may be integrally formed as one-piece. Desirably, a one-piece construction would enable rapid removal by the user either for cleaning or to retrofit to the frame a housing having a different bucket configuration. 
     Finally, the means for supporting the frame for rolling movement is characterized by two pairs of swivelable wheels and a pair of non-swivelable wheels. The swivelable wheels are each spaced a first distance from the bottom side of the frame such that the ground engaging surfaces of the wheels are coplanar. One pair of the swivelable wheels is disposed at the forward end of the frame and the other pair of the swivelable wheels is disposed at the rearward end of the frame. The non-swivelable wheels are located at the center of the frame with each wheel thereof being spaced a second distance from the bottom side of the frame. The second distance is greater than the first distance such that the ground engaging surfaces of the non-swivelable wheels are further from the frame than are the swivelable wheels. 
     Also and according to this invention, the means for supporting is characterized by the above-noted first and second pairs of swivelable wheels that are disposed at the forward and rearward ends of the frame and extend downwardly therefrom by first distances, and further by first and second pairs of non-swivelable wheels. The two pairs of non-swivelable wheels project downwardly from the center of the frame by second distances and operate to normally maintain the frame so as to be generally parallel to the ground surface upon which the caddy is pushed. The second distance is greater than the first distance such that the ground engaging surfaces of the non-swivelable wheels are further from the frame than are the swivelable wheels. 
     The swivelable wheels may comprise rollers that simultaneously enable rolling movement as well as rotation about a vertical axis. 
     The arrangement of swivelable and non-swivelable casters enables the frame to normally move along the ground and also to tilt whereby to allow the opposite ends of the caddy to be rotated above and thereby obviate obstacles encountered during movement of the caddy. In this regard, the handle enables the user to push as well as to apply a torque to one or the other end of the frame, whereby to tilt the frame and lift the swivelable wheel from the path of the obstacle. 
     The above objects and features according to the invention are pointed out with specificity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the various figures, like reference numbers refer to like parts in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multipurpose mobile caddy for painters according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the caddy shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the caddy being moved along the ground to a work location and encountering an obstacle. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a multipurpose mobile caddy according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are side elevation views of an alternative preferred embodiment of a multipurpose mobile caddy according to the present invention showing, respectively, the normal movement of the cart along the ground and also in a tilted arrangement to the ground to avoid an obstacle encountered during such movement. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of the new and improved mobile, multipurpose caddy or cart for a painter according to the present invention, generally denoted by the number  10 , will be described. 
     The caddy  10  comprises a frame  12  that is generally rectangular in shape and adapted to transport one or more generally cylindrical paint buckets “B”, or cans, barrels and the like, such as the two shown in phantom in the Figures. The frame  12  is preferably comprised of a polymeric material to reduce the weight of the overall assembly, the cost of the assembly, and to enable the caddy to be configured and marketed for use by do-it-yourselfers. The material selected would preferably be generally resistant to attack from cleaning fluids to enable the user to clean the caddy after use. In some industrial applications, although more costly, the caddy may be comprised of a stainless steel inasmuch as it will last longer and be useful in harsher painting environments. 
     The frame  12  has a top end (or upper side)  14 , a bottom end (or lower side)  16 , a forward end  18 , a rearward end  20 , and a pair of lateral sides  22 . A T-shaped handle  24  is secured to the upper side  14  and proximate to the rearward end  20  of the frame to provide the user with a means for pushing, pulling, and/or otherwise maneuvering the caddy. The handle  24  is threadably fastened at one end thereof into a threaded socket (not shown as being conventional) formed into the frame  12 . Depending on the length of the caddy  10  and the need to improve maneuverability, such as rotation of the opposite ends of the frame, the handle could be U-shaped. 
     Four caster wheels  26  are disposed on the bottom end  16  of the frame and proximate to the four corners thereof. The casters  26  are alike and have their respective ground engaging surfaces spaced a first distance from the bottom end  16  of the frame  12  so as to be generally coplanar with one another, each caster being adapted to swivel and permit rotational motion as well as longitudinal movement of the caddy. The ground engaging end surfaces of the casters  26  are generally disposed in the plane “P” as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Preferably and according to this invention, two non-swivelable casters or rollers  28  are also disposed on the bottom end  16  of the frame, each caster  28  being proximate to a respective lateral side  22  and centrally of the frame between the opposite ends  18  and  20  thereof. The ground engaging surfaces of the non-swivelable casters  28  are spaced a like distance from the bottom end  16  of the frame, which distance is greater than that of the swivelable casters  26 . 
     In such arrangement, the non-swivelable casters  28  at the center of the frame enable the frame  12  to tilt in a “see-saw” manner relative to the ground “G”. As shown in FIG. 3, the caddy  10  has been positioned such that the swivelable casters  26  at the rearward end  20  and the non-swivelable casters  28  are engaging the ground surface “G”, the plane “P” is tilted at an angle “A” to the ground, and the swivelable casters at the forward end  18  of the frame are spaced from the ground whereby the caddy may be maneuvered over an obstacle, such as an electrical or pneumatic cable, represented by the letter “O”. 
     Preferably and according to the present invention there is provided a stepped support housing  30  on the upper side  14  of the frame  12 . The stepped support housing  30  is longitudinally elongated and defines an upwardly open cradle or corral  32  with at least one wall portion  34  thereof being configured to receive and position at least one paint bucket “B” so as to project upwardly from the upper side of the frame. As shown, the housing  30  includes a stepped abutment shoulder  31  proximate to the handle, the shoulder extending vertically upwardly from the frame and adapted to abut the exterior of the bucket whereby to inhibit the bucket from tipping over. The wall portion  34  defines a generally rectangular, upwardly open receptacle that extends longitudinally between the opposite ends  18  and  20  of the frame  12 . The wall portion  34  preferably abuts the exterior of the bucket(s) “B” and serves to position or otherwise prevent movement of the bucket(s) relative to the frame. 
     The arrangement for positioning the paint buckets could be otherwise. For example, in some applications, the wall portion could be circular, or comprise arcuate wall segments, and be dimensioned to closely encircle the outer circumference of a single paint bucket. Additionally, the housing could be configured to include a pair of vertically spaced wall portions that encircle vertically spaced portions of the paint bucket exterior whereby to inhibit the bucket from tipping over. Further, while two buckets are shown in the Figures, the number could be greater or fewer, depending on the application. 
     The support housing  30  may be fastened to the upper side  14  of the frame  12  by threaded fasteners, whereby the support housing may be removed, such as for cleaning or retrofitting the caddy with another paint bucket configuration. While not shown, the fastening is conventional and would be understood by one skilled in the art. 
     Additionally, in some applications, the frame  12  and the stepped support housing  30  may be integrally joined and formed as a one-piece assembly as by a molding process. 
     Further and according to this invention there is provided an arrangement for supporting a paint pan and related apparatus that the painter needs ease of access to in juxtaposition with the paint bucket(s). As shown, there is provided a generally rectangularly shaped support enclosure  36  having a horizontally disposed top wall  38 , four vertically disposed sidewalls  42 , at least one opening  44  formed in the top wall  38  for nestingly receiving a paint pan (or tray) removably inserted therewithin, or for storing paint supplies, such as paint brushes, paint stirrers, sand paper, masking tape and the like. Advantageously, the opening(s)  44  enables the painter to have paint ready for application by the roller and/or brush and the paint pan(s) to be removed for cleaning, or using in close proximity of the caddy. 
     If desired, and in some applications, a paint pan could be formed as an integral part of the enclosure  36 . For example, the top wall  38  of the enclosure  36  could be formed to include both a depression (or paint receiving area) that extends downwardly therefrom and the opening  44 . 
     While the enclosure  36  may be separately provided and secured by appropriate means to the stepped housing  30  and/or frame  12 , the enclosure  30  and the stepped housing  30  are preferably integrally formed as a one-piece. Desirably, a one-piece construction would enable rapid removal by the user either for cleaning or to retrofit to the frame a housing having a different bucket configuration. 
     The abutment  31  in combination with the sidewall  42  facing towards the handle  24  and proximate to the wall portion  34  cooperate to restrain the paint bucket from moving and/or tipping over during maneuvering operations of the frame, such as when the frame must be tipped to obviate an obstacle encountered on the ground. 
     An alternative preferred embodiment of a mobile multipurpose caddy for a painter is shown by reference to FIG. 4, the caddy generally being denoted by the number  110 . The caddy  110  is similar to the caddy  10  described hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 1-3 and includes the frame  12 , the handle  24 , and the swivelable and non-swivelable casters and rollers  26  and  28 . The caddy  110  is preferably intended to handle a single, large, generally cylindrical, and heavy paint bucket B. 
     The caddy  110  includes a generally rectangular-shaped housing  48  disposed medially of the frame  12 , and a generally rectangular shaped enclosure or tray  50  disposed at the rearward end of the frame, the housing and enclosure each projecting upwardly from the top side  14  of the frame. The connection of the housing and enclosure  48  and  50  to the frame are as described hereinabove in connection with the caddy  10 . 
     The housing  48  is adapted to receive and position the paint bucket (shown by the phantom lines) so that the bucket “B” is vertically supported relative to the frame  12 . The housing  48  includes a generally circular opening  52  formed in a top wall  54  thereof, the opening  52  defined by a wall portion  56  and communicating with an interior chamber  58  formed by the walls of the housing, and the circular wall portion  56  closely encircling and supporting the cylindrical outer surface of the paint bucket B. 
     Preferably and to enhance vertical stability of the bucket B relative to the frame, a recess or depression  60  having a generally cylindrical wall portion  62  is formed in the top side  14  of the frame. The recess  60  is superposed by and generally concentric to the circular opening  52  formed in the housing  48  and is configured to nestingly receive the bottom end portion of the bucket B. The circular wall portions  56  and  62  of the opening  58  and recess  60  are dimensioned to closely encircle the outer periphery of the paint bucket and to stabilize the bucket in such a manner that the bucket will not tip over during transportation of the bucket to a work site. 
     As is conventional, a paint roller comprises a roller portion  64  that is detachably connectable to one or more handle portions  66 . In some applications, the painter desires to transport the roller and handle portions  64  and  66  in disassembled form to the work site whereupon the portions are assembled. 
     To enable the ease of transport and assembly, the enclosure  50  includes a top surface  68  in juxtaposition with the bucket B, the top surface  68  communicating with a first chamber  70  for receiving the roller portion  64 , and a second chamber  72  for receiving and positioning the handle portions  68 . Preferably, the handle portions  68  are vertically disposed and extend, at least in part, above the top surface  68  of the housing  50 . Additionally, if desired, the enclosure  50  may be configured in a manner as described hereinabove with respect to the enclosure  36  to include a chamber for storing and transporting other supplies used in the painting operation, such as masking tape, cleaner, rags, and the like. 
     Although the housing  48  and enclosure  50  are shown as being formed by wall panels, an array of elongated rods or beams could be interconnected at their respective ends to form a frame-like structure above the frame  12 , which structure functions to captivate the bucket for transport and use. 
     Similarly, for making a four point engagement with the exterior of the bucket, the housing  30  could comprise a stepped abutment proximate the handle  24  for engaging one side of the bucket, the stepped abutment extending transversely and between the lateral sides  22 , a pair of longitudinally extending barriers for engaging two other sides of the bucket, the barriers extending in parallel juxtaposed relation along the sides  22 , and the enclosure  36  forming an abutment for engaging the fourth side of the bucket. 
     An advantage of such structures would be reduced costs of manufacture and reduction of weight. 
     Another preferred embodiment of a multipurpose caddy for a painter is shown by reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the caddy generally being denoted by the number  210 . The caddy  210  is similar to the caddy  10  and includes the frame  12 , the handle  24 , an array of casters and rollers  26  and  28  extending vertically downwardly from the bottom of the frame, and the structure  30  and  36  or  48  and  50  described hereinabove for supporting paint apparatus. 
     Importantly, two pairs of swivelable rollers  26  and two pairs of non-swivelable casters  28  are provided, including a first pair of rollers  26  at the forward end of the frame and a second pair of rollers  26  at the rearward end of the frame. The casters  28  are located centrally of the caddy, longitudinally spaced from one another, and positioned between the two respective pairs of rollers  26 . 
     Preferably, the rollers  26  are of a first diameter, and the casters are of a second diameter, the second diameter being greater that the first diameter. Generally the rollers and casters are positioned so as to be proximate a respective lateral side of the frame  12 . While the frame supports are referred to as rollers and casters, it is to be understood that the rollers and casters broadly include the term wheel. Further, the rollers are referred to as being “swivelable” in that the roller enables horizontal rolling as well simultaneously permitting rotation about a vertical axis. The casters are referred to as being “nonswivelable” in that the wheel rotates about an axis (or axle) extending laterally between the opposite sides of the frame. 
     As shown in FIG. 5A, during normal operation, the ground engagement points of the casters  28  maintain the frame  12  in generally parallel spaced apart relation from the ground, and the rollers  26  are spaced upwardly from contact with the ground. In general, the ground engagement points of the casters  28  are in a common first plane spaced from the frame by a first distance, and the engagement points of the rollers  26  are in a common second plane spaced from the frame by a second distance, the first distance being greater than the second distance. 
     Upon encountering an obstacle “O”, the frame  12  is tilted and the opposite ends of the frame are lifted and or lowered to enable the frame to pass over the obstacle. 
     As shown in FIG. 5B, a counterclockwise torque or turning force “T” is applied to the handle  24  and the rearward end of the frame adjacent to the handle  24  is forced downwardly. As a result, the rearward end of the frame proximate to the handle pivots relative to the rearward casters  28 , the rollers  26  adjacent to the handle are forced downwardly and into engagement with the ground, and the forward end of the frame distal to the handle and the forward casters  28  (and rollers  26 ) thereat are lifted from engagement with the ground. The first plane defined by the casters  28  is disposed at an angle “C” to the ground. 
     As viewed in FIG. 5B, the caddy  210  is moved to the right in the direction “D” and the forward rollers  26  and casters  28  past the obstacle, whereupon the forward end of the frame is lowered. The caddy is pushed further to the right until the rearward casters  28  (proximate to the handle) reach the obstacle. 
     At such time, a clockwise torque or turning force “T” is applied to the handle  24  and the rearward end of the frame (adjacent to the handle  24 ) is lifted upwardly. As a result, the frame  12  pivots relative to the forward casters  28 , the rollers  26  proximate to the handle are lifted upwardly, and the rollers  26  at the forward end of the frame (distal to the handle) are forced downwardly and into engagement with the ground. The caddy  210  is pushed past the obstacle and the rearward end of the frame then lowered, causing the rearward casters  28  to be brought into supporting relation with the ground.