Abstract:
A can holder is disclosed which is designed and constructed to provide the convenience of attaching the can holder to the belt or trousers of a user. The can holder structure consists of a primarily longitudinal, hollow cylinder having an open channel running lengthwise along the cylinder wall. The channel edges further are characterized by a left flare-out of the channel material and a parallel right flare-out of the channel. Each flare-out is further defined by upper and lower sections to which horizontal upper and lower supports are fastened. The means of attachment to a user&#39;s belt may be two looped straps attached to the upper support, or a semi-rigid belt clip affixed to the upper support. The axis of the can or other carried object will generally be aligned with the axis of the cy tinder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to holders which can temporarily store objects and which can be attached to or mounted on the clothing of a user or proximate the body of the user. In particular, this invention relates to a spray-paint can holder that can be attached to a belt or other part of a painter&#39;s clothing. The structure of the inventive concept also lends itself to the storage and/or carriage of compatibly-sized objects other than paint cans. 
         [0006]    (2) Description of the Related Art, including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
         [0007]    US 2014/0217256 (Aug. 7, 2014); A cup-carrying device is provided. The device may include a cup ring that is made of either a rigid or semi-rigid material. A basket may extend from the cup ring so that the cup ring forms an opening to the basket. The basket is sized to fit a beverage container within. The cup carrying device may further include an attachment component that is configured to attach to a support structure. Therefore, a user may secure the cup carrying device either to their person or a motorcycle for use with the beverage container. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,121 (Jun. 4, 2011) An adjustable cup holder incorporates an elongated clamp assembly and cup support assembly. The clamp assembly has a proximal end and a distal clamping end. The cup support assembly is connected at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, and comprises a body portion and a pair of arcuate cup-encircling arms having respective spaced-apart free ends. A pivot pin enables pivot adjustment of the cup support assembly at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, such that the cup support assembly is movable between a desired in-use position depending from the clamp assembly, and a folded stowed position beside the clamp assembly. In the stowed position, the clamp assembly passes between the spaced-apart free ends of the cup-encircling arms and into an area defined between the cup-encircling arms. 
         [0009]    US published patent application 2010/0096521 A1 (Apr. 22, 2010) A clip-on container holder is provided to hold beverages in which the clip includes a flexible retracting coil and a coil supporting rigid spine. The container holder may have a container supporting ring, flexible supporting prongs to accommodate smaller or larger diameter containers, beverage supporting ribs and a lower supporting disk. The clip-on container holder can be easily attached and detached to many surfaces allowing a person&#39;s hands to be free for other uses. 
         [0010]    US published patent application 2010/0084531 A1 (Apr. 8, 2010) An attachment (A) coupled to a belt clip (B) including a rigid beverage holder frame, and a catch and catch release belt or appliance clip device. The beverage holder comprising a free swinging. rigid, cylindrical frame to perpendicularly harbor a beverage container (C) contained within or not an insulated drink container sleeve (E) attaching to belt clip device (B), providing the wearer convenient mobile storage while minimizing tipping spills and further providing the user freedom of either or both hands for other activities or tasks. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,534 B1 (Jul. 29, 2008) A bottle holder includes a first flexible strap that is clamped around a bottle, with an end of the strap being clamped by pivoting a locking lever in a locking block. A first version of the bottle holder has a clip for attachment to the belt or waistband of the user&#39;s clothing. A second version has a second belt for attachment to a stationary member, such as the rail of an exercise machine. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,659 (Aug. 3, 2004) A bracket for securing an object such as a bottle within a vehicle, the bracket including a body that attaches to the vehicle and one or more straps associated with the body to secure the bottle to the bracket body. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,691 (Oct. 1, 2002) A bicycle water bottle clip assembly, The assembly includes a front grip and a water bottle clip with a fixing device formed by two insertion holes before the front grip is fastened to the stem of the handle of the bicycle. Two insertion sections extend from the water bottle clip to connect the grip and the clip to receive the water bottle provided with a straw at the front end of the stern of the bicycle so that the rider may drink the water as desired, simply by slightly bending forwards without having to remove either of his hands from the handle, thus improving riding safety. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,172 (Mar. 15, 2005) A painters belt-mounted paint and brush holder especially adapted for stability relative to the painter. It includes an open topped bucket with a rim that drains into the bucket cavity, and a stabilizer integral with the wall of the bucket that rises above the bucket with a substantial area that is drawn against the body of the painter. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,921 (Mar. 12, 1996) A holder for a paint can or other object having a handle is shown that is worn on the belt of a user. The holder comprises a base having a top and a bottom portion. the top portion being folded over the bottom portion and affixed thereto to form a loop which receives the belt of the user. A bracing means is attached to the top portion to hold the handle so that the object will always be in a vertical position. A swiveling means and a strapping means is attached to the bottom portion of said base for enclosing said object therein. 
         [0016]    U.S. Published Patent Application 2003/0024959 (Feb. 6, 2003) A paint can holder provides an attachment plate with hook, and an attachment device for attaching the paint can holder to a painter&#39;s body or fastening the paint can holder to a painter&#39;s clothing. e.g. a belt. The hook may be provided with a movable retaining device that closes the hook to retain the handle of the paint can. The attachment plate is preferably contoured to the shape of the painter&#39;s body and may be provided with ridges that reinforce the plate and help to stabilize the paint can. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    It is a concern of workers or technicians who must continually carry a can of spray paint or similarly-shaped container in the everyday course of their job that they have free mobility and movement of both hands to contend with situations requiring manual manipulation. For instance, painters, while painting will often carry a can of spray paint in one hand while frequently needing the ability, to use both hands to support themselves, make written notations, or grasp nearby articles. This inability to use both hands can lead to accidents and substantially reduced efficiency of a worker that is required to move about and utilize a spray paint can on a frequent basis. 
         [0018]    The inventive concept disclosed is intended to remedy these types of situations. A belt-mounted can holder is disclosed which is designed and constructed to provide the convenience of attaching the can holder to the belt of a user. The basic structure of the can holder consists of a primarily longitudinal, hollow cylinder. The cylinder is constructed with the modification of having an open channel running lengthwise along the cylinder wall. The edges of the channel further are characterized by a left flare-out of the channel material and a parallel right flare-out of the channel. The two flare-outs are further defined by a left upper flare section and a left lower flare section, a right upper flare section and right lower flare section. The can holder, in its intended use, functions with the axis of the cylinder oriented generally vertical. When a can or other cylindrical object is inserted into the can holder, the axis of the can or other cylindrical object will be aligned with the axis of the cylinder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  presents a general three-dimensional view of the inventive concept. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts a belt clip that may be used to form a different embodiment of the inventive concept. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a left belt retainer. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates the right belt retainer. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4(A)  is a sectional side view of the right belt retainer, along with 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates the bottom support. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows the top support for the can holder. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a downward-looking edgewise view of the top support. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side profile view of the belt clip. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the can holder. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a top view and profile view of the binding post used in the can holder. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a view of the outer surface and “mouth” of either of two snap buttons used to fasten the right and left belt retainers to the can holder. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a view typifying the tubular rivets used in the can holder. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13 -A is an exterior view of a screw post; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13 -B is a top view of the screw post. showing section lines x-x: 
           [0034]      FIG. 13 -C is a cross-sectional view of the screw post. as seen from section lines x-x. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a view of the Phillips head screw used in conjunction with the screw posts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The objects, features, and advantages of the concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling eleven figures, show the basic components and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures. 
         [0037]    The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a three-dimensional view of the can holder  1 . The basic structure of the can holder consists of a primarily longitudinal, hollow cylinder  2 . The cylinder  2  features an open channel  9  running lengthwise along the cylinder  2 . The channel  9 , by its orientation, creates a flare-out of a first section of the outer wall of the cylinder  2 , terminating in a lengthwise flare having a left upper flare  3  and a left lower flare  5 . Similarly, the open channel  9  creates a flare-out of a second section of the outer wall of the cylinder  2  terminates in a lengthwise flare having a right upper flare  4  and a right lower flare  6 , The can holder  1 , in its intended use, functions with the axis  10  of the cylinder  2  oriented generally vertical, as is shown in  FIG. 1 . When a can or other cylindrical object is inserted into the can holder  1 , the axis of the can will be aligned with the axis  10  of the cylinder  2 . 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment the cylinder  2  is constructed from a semi-rigid material and has an inner diameter of the cylinder  2  is 2 &amp; ⅝ inches. A range of dimensions of the inner diameter of the can holder  1  is between 2.0 inches and 3.5 inches. The length  48  of the cylinder  2  is optimally 5.0 inches but may be longer or shorter, depending on the type of can to be holstered within the cylinder  2 . The open channel  9  of the cylinder  2  has a width equal to approximately twenty-five percent (25.0%) of the circumference of the cylinder  2 . Preferably, the flexibility of the cylinder  2  is such as to require some degree of force to place a can or other cylindrical container lengthwise within the cylinder  2  and consequently have a grasping effect on the outer walls of the can. 
         [0039]    Again, viewing  FIG. 1 , the left upper flare  3  and the right upper flare  4  are connected proximate the upper edge  11  of the cylinder  2  by a cross-member, referred to as an upper support  40 , which is of rectangular shape and outwardly bent in two places: a left bend  44  and a right bend  45 . Each of the two bends  44 ,  45  are at respective angles of approximately twenty degrees each. thereby forming three integral surfaces: a main tab  41 , a left tab  42 , and a right tab  43 , which are more clearly shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . The left bend  44  and right bend  45  are bent at such angles as to correspond to the flare-out angles of the left upper flare  3  and right upper flare  4  of the cylinder  2 , respectively. The upper support  40  is fastened to the cylinder  2  by means of two tubular rivets  17 , one which connects the left tab  42  of the upper support  40  to the left upper flare  3  of the cylinder  2  and a second tubular rivet  17 , which connects the right tab  43  of the upper support  40  to the right upper flare  4  of the cylinder  2 . 
         [0040]    The two tubular rivets  17  are not visible in  FIG. 1 . This is due to the depiction of both the left loop  22  and right loop  32  being fastened, by means of a left upper fastening system  13  and a right upper fastening system  14  to the can holder  1 . A detailed view of the tubular rivet  17 , showing before and after assembly, is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0041]    In a similar manner, in viewing  FIG. 1 , it is seen that the left lower flare  5  and the right lower flare  6  are connected proximate the bottom edge  12  of the cylinder  2  by a cross-member, referred to as a bottom support  50 . The bottom support  50  is of rectangular shape, being bent outwardly in two places at respective angles of approximately twenty degrees, the two places forming a left bend  54  and a right bend  55 . The two bends  54 ,  55  thereby form three surfaces, a center tab  51 , a left tab  52 , and a right tab  53 , which are more clearly shown in  FIG. 5 . The center tab  51  also consists of a protrusion, referred to as a bottom tab  58 . The bottom support  50  is fastened to the cylinder  2  also by means of tubular rivets  17  previously described. The left bend  54  and right bend  55  are bent at such angles as to correspond to the flare-out angles of the lower left flare and lower right flare of the cylinder  2 , respectively. A first tubular rivet  17  connects the left tab  52  of the bottom support  50  to the left lower flare  2  of the cylinder, while a second tubular rivet  17  connects the right tab  53  of the bottom support  50  to the lower right flare  6  of the cylinder  2 . 
         [0042]    The can holder  1  utilizes a plurality of rivets  17 , Phillips-head machine screws, and other fastening means to attach the upper support  40  and the bottom support  50  to the flared segments  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  of the can holder  1 .  FIG. 1  depicts an upper left fastening system  13  attaching the left tab  42  of the upper support  40  and the left belt retainer  20  to the left upper flare  3 . Also shown is the right upper fastening system  14 , attaching the right tab  43  of the upper support  40  and the right belt retainer  30  to the right upper flare  4 . Further shown is the lower left fastening system  15  and the lower right fastening system  16 , each of which consists of a tubular rivet  17  fastening the bottom support  50  to the left lower flare  5  and the right lower flare  6 , respectively. 
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, a left belt retainer  20  and a right belt retainer  30  are attached to the left upper flare  3  and the right upper flare  4 . respectively, of the can holder  1 . The attachments are shown in  FIG. 1  and details of these attachments are explained in greater detail below in this disclosure. 
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment of the inventive concept, a belt clip  60 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be used in conjunction with the can holder  1  and thereby provide an alternative means for a user to mount the can holder  1  to the user&#39;s belt. The belt clip  60  comprises an irregularly bent plate, the profile of which is depicted in  FIG. 8 . The belt clip  60  comprises an upper brace  61 , an angled retainer  62 , a vertical retainer  63 , a lower brace  64 , and a hook portion  65 . The belt clip  60  is constructed and dimensioned so as to fasten the upper brace  61  to the upper support  50  of the can holder  1 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , two holes  68 ,  69  in the upper brace  61  permit the insertion of two machine screws which may then be fastened directly into two correspondingly-threaded holes  78 ,  79  machined into the upper support.  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  show the relative location of the two holes  78 ,  79 . When a user wears the can holder  1  with the belt clip  60  attached, the user&#39;s belt is retained between the angled retainer  62  and the hook  65 . Owing to the semi-rigid nature of the can holder  1 , the belt clip  60  may be bent slightly in the vicinity of the angled retainer  62  so as to allow the belt clip  60  to also fit in a gripping manner over the waistline of trousers. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  illustrates the left belt retainer  20 . Preferably, the left belt retainer  20  is constructed from an elastomeric material, with dimensions approximately 5.5 inches in length and 0.75 inches in width. In actual use, the left belt retainer  20  is attached. by the left upper fastening system  13  to the can holder  1  to form a left loop  22  for insertion of a user&#39;s belt. The top half of the left belt retainer  20  functions as a left front strap  21 , while the lower half of the left belt retainer  20  functions as a left rear strap  23 . Three lower apertures  25  are centered axially and equally spaced along the left belt retainer  20  to allow for adjustment of the size of the left loop  22  formed by the left belt retainer  20 . A top aperture  24  is utilized for the insertion of a left snap button  27 , which then comprises part of the components of the left upper fastening system  13 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  illustrates the right belt retainer  30 . The right left belt retainer  30  is also constructed from an elastomeric material, with dimensions approximately 5.5 inches in length and 0.75 inches in width, in the preferred embodiment. The right belt retainer  30  is attached, by the right upper fastening system  14  to the can holder  1  thereby forming a loop for insertion of a user&#39;s belt through the right belt retainer  30 . The top half of the right belt retainer  30  also functions as a right front strap  31 , while the lower half of the right belt retainer  30  functions as a right rear strap  33 . Three lower apertures  35  are centered axially and equally spaced along the right belt retainer  30  to allow for adjustment of the size of the right loop  32  that may be formed. A right top aperture  34  is utilized for the affixing of a right snap button  37 , which then comprises part of the components of the right upper fastening system  14 . 
         [0048]    For illustrative purposes,  FIG. 4(A)  shows a cross-sectional view of the right belt retainer  30  as seen from section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4(A)  illustrates the relationship of the components of the right upper fastening system  14 . Also illustrated, in the upper portion of  FIG. 4(A) , is a right snap-button  37  and the mouth  37 ( a ) of the right snap-button, both of which are permanently fastened, through the right top aperture  34  and a tubular rivet  17  (not visible), to the right front strap  31 . 
         [0049]    The tubular rivets  17 , as explained earlier, connect the right tab  43  of the upper support  40  to the right upper flare  4  and also connect the left tab  42  of the upper support  40  to the left upper flare  3 . Viewing the lower portion of  FIG. 4(A) , it is seen that an internally-threaded Phillips-head screw post  38  is placed, in succession, through the tubular rivet  17  attached to the right upper flare  4 , through the right tab  43  of the upper support  40  (which is also bound by the same tubular rivet  17  by means of the left aperture  7 ), and through the lower aperture  35  of the right rear strap  33 . 
         [0050]    After the Phillips-head screw post  38  is arranged so as to protrude through the lower aperture  35 , a binding post  36  is placed over the shaft of the screw post  38 . Next. a Phillips-head machine screw  39  is inserted through the binding post  36  and rotated into the corresponding internal threads of the Phillips-head screw post  38 . A user, by means of pressing the mouth  37 ( a ) of the right snap button  37  against the right binding post  36 , thereby completes the functioning of the right upper fastening system  14  and provides a securely fastened loop  32 . In like manner, the left upper fastening system  13  comprises a left snap button  27  attached to the top aperture  24  of the left belt retainer  20  and a left Phillips-head screw post  28 , left binding post  26  and left Phillips-head machine screw  29 . 
         [0051]    Once both snap buttons  27 ,  37  are pressed onto their respective binding posts  26 .  27 , the left front strap  21  and right front strap  31  thereby form respective left and right loops  22 .  32  through which a wearer of the can holder  1  inserts his/her belt. The left belt retainer  20  is constructed and functions identically to the right belt retainer  30 , and further manifests the same relationship of the components of the left upper fastening system  13 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  depicts a three-dimensional view of the bottom support  50 . The bottom support  50  is seen to comprise a primarily rectangular panel having a left bend  54  and a right bend  55 , both bends  54 ,  55  causing the formation of a right tab  53 , a center tab  51 , and a left tab  52 . Further, the center tab  51  is characterized by a protruding section of material bent orthogonally to the center tab  51  which material forms a bottom tab  58 . The bottom tab  58  functions to accommodate and provide support for the bottom surface of a can, bottle, spray can, or other similarly-sized container inserted into the cylinder  2 . The bottom tab  58  is intentionally designed to provide open areas at the bottom of the cylinder  2 . The open areas allow a user&#39;s finger or fingers to be inserted into the open areas and prod a temporarily stored container upward for ease of removal from the cylinder  2 . 
         [0053]    Again, viewing  FIG. 1 , it is seen that the bottom support  50  is fastened to the can holder  1  by a third fastening system  15  and a fourth fastening system  16 . The third and fourth fastening systems  15 .  16  each comprise a tubular rivet  17 . The tubular rivet  17  is simultaneously fastened through the first hole  56  (not shown) of the bottom support  50  and a corresponding hole in the left lower flare  5 . Likewise a tubular rivet  17  is simultaneously fastened through the second hole  57  (not shown) of the bottom support  50  and a corresponding hole in the right lower flare  6 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  illustrates an upper support  40 , which is essentially of rectangular shape, having three continuous surfaces formed by two bends perpendicular to the long edge of the rectangle: a left bend  44  and a right bend  45 . Each of the two bends  44 ,  45  is at a respective angle of approximately twenty degrees, thereby causing the formation of three surfaces: a mid tab  41 , a left tab  42 , and a right tab  43 . A first hole  46  is centered proximate the outer end of the left tab  42 , while a second hole  47  is centered proximate the outer end of the right tab  43 .  FIG. 7  depicts an edgewise view of the upper support  40 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  presents a plan view of the can holder  1 . showing the circumferential perimeter of the cylinder  2  and the upper support  40 . being superimposed over the lower support  50 . The bottom tab  58  of the lower support  50  protrudes through the longitudinal channel  9  into the open area of the can holder  1 . Tubular rivets  17  are shown, which provide fastening of the upper support  40  onto the left upper left flare  3  right upper right flare  4 . 
         [0056]    Illustrating other details of the inventive concept,  FIG. 10  shows a side view and a front view of the binding posts  26 ,  36  used.  FIG 11  depicts a side view and top view common to both of the left and right snap buttons  27 ,  37 . respectively.  FIG. 12  shows the general structure of tubular rivets  17  utilized in the inventive concept.  FIG. 13  depicts a top view of both of the left and right Phillips-head screw posts  28 .  38 , a cutaway view of the screw posts  28 ,  38 , illustrating the internal threading, and aside view of the exterior of the screw posts  28 ,  38 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the Phillips-head machine screw  29 , 39 , utilized in the upper left and upper right fastening systems  13 ,  14  of the can holder. 
         [0057]    While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, chorales, and substitutions may occur or he suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead a in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions. and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.