Abstract:
Provided is a utility support. The utility support may include a bottom base with a tapering side wall extending therefrom towards a top base. Additionally, the utility support may be hollow. Further, at least one of the side wall, the bottom base and the top base may be configured with at least one utility portion.

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The presently disclosed subject matter is generally in the field of DIY (do it yourself) tools, and more particularly it is concerned with a support structure for serving at different utility configurations. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:
       US2004079587   US2006103176   US2013105338       
 
         [0006]    Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0007]    Various types of DYI support structures are known in the art. Some of these are acknowledged herein as follows: 
         [0008]    The US2004079587A is directed to a raised platform which includes at least two pails, a board, and two brackets for securing a bottom of the top pails to opposing ends of the board. The buckets and board are commonly found at construction sites. The brackets are particularly low-cost and easily transported such that they are basically a throwaway item that can easily be carried to job sites by a construction worker. With minimal effort and using self-tapping screws or other mechanical fasteners, the raised platform can be easily quickly constructed, used, and disposed of without consuming worker time in an inefficient manner. 
         [0009]    The US2006103176A is directed to a portable seating device is provided in the form of at least two horizontal planks having respective coupling ends along which such members may be joined. The underside surfaces of these planks are provided with vertical support containment means. Such vertical support containment means serve to contain and localize the upper end of a central vertical support placed against the underside surfaces of the two horizontal seating members, overlapping their connected coupling ends. A preferred central vertical support is a tapered pail or bucket which may or may not have its carrying handle removed. Additional vertical supports may be provided to underlie further portions of the underside surfaces of the horizontal planks, deployed symmetrically on either side of the central vertical support and similarly localized against the underside surfaces. 
         [0010]    The US2013105338A is directed to a container having a dual use as a receptacle for debris that can accommodate a sawhorse application. Square or U-shaped recesses are located in the rim of the container for securing a sawhorse support, such as a board, Sawhorse supports are friction fit, or securely mounted to the container by pin, screw, nail, or bolt attachment. A lid having a slotted structure for receiving a sawhorse support may be used to transform a common household container into a sawhorse. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The present disclosure is directed to a utility support comprising a bottom base with a tapering side wall extending therefrom towards a top base, wherein said utility support is hollow and configured for nestable stacking over like utility supports, and further wherein at least one of said side wall, said bottom base and said top base is configured with at least one utility portion. 
         [0012]    According to a one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the utility support can be configured for use in conjunction with a container, said utility support having a bottom base with side walls extending therefrom, whereby the bottom base of the utility support is configured for mounting over the top edge of said container. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the utility support is a configured for use at a stand-alone configuration, with the bottom base supported on a ground surface. 
         [0014]    Any one or more of the following designs, features and configurations can be applied with the utility support of the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:
       A bottom face of the bottom base can be configured with a container mounting portion;   The bottom base and the top base can be coaxial along a longitudinal axis of the utility support;   The bottom base can be configured with a mounting portion for mounting over a top edge of a container;   The bottom base can be polygonal or circular;   The top base can be polygonal or circular;   The utility support can be of a variety of polyhedron shapes;   The tapering side wall can be continues or interrupted, with one or more aperture;   The tapering side wall can be solid or can be defined by side posts extending between said bottom base and said top base;   The side walls and the side posts can be configured with reinforcing ribs or longitudinally extending bends, thus increasing yield strength of the utility support, at least in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis;   The side walls and the side posts can be configured with longitudinally extending bends having a bottom end and an open top end, said top end being wider than said bottom end;   The utility support can be made of molded plastic material;   The bottom base can be continuous or it can be interrupted;   The utility portion can be any one or more of the following:
           A notch configured to hold an object therein (in any desired cross section, e.g. a v-notch, a U-notch or other cross section);   A saw horse with a V-notch (or other cross-section);   A beam support, whereby one or more beams or rods can be connected to or extend from the utility support. Said beam support can be on the top base and/or through side walls;   A beam support can have side walls configured for supporting a rectangular beam at an upright orientation;   Fence or barrier supports;   Table or other surface support;   Work bench;   Scaffold support;   Pole support (e.g. as a road sign, flag, etc.);   Traffic cone with or without signs;   The utility portion can be configured for articulation thereto of one or more beams by fasteners;   The utility portion can be configured with a clamp coupling portion for clamping articles thereto;   The utility portion can be configured with hooks, e.g. for articulating a chain thereto or hanging articles thereon;   The utility portion can be configured with one or more tying ports;   The utility portion can a seating surface configured at the top base;   The top base can be configured with an anti slip portion;   The utility support can be configured with illumination and/or light reflective material;   The utility portion can be configured with one or more compartments, optionally closable, e.g. for use as an organizer;   The utility support can be configured with a fixation arrangement for fixing to a ground surface;   The bottom base of the utility support can be configured with a fixing arrangement for securing same to a top edge of a container;   The utility support can be used in conjunction with a 5 gallon container/bucket, wherein said bottom base is configured for mounting over a top rim of said 5 gallon container;   The utility support can be configured with a carrying arrangement such as a gripping portion, aperture, hook etc.;   
           When used in conjunction with a container, i.e. when the bottom base is mounted over the top edge of the container, openings at the side wall of the utility support facilitate accessibility into the interior of the container/bucket;   The bottom base can be configured with a dual position mounting portion, configured for mounting the utility support over a top edge of a container at an upright position, i.e. with the top base extending above the bottom base, or at a bottoms-up position, i.e. with the top base extending into the interior of the container (below the bottom base);   The dual position mounting portion of the bottom base can have a T-like cross-section;   When disposed at the bottoms-up position a cover can be articulated over a bottom edge of the bottom base, thereby serving as a cover for the container and optionally as a seat;   The bottom edge of the bottom base can be configured with notches (e.g. V-like or otherwise shaped notches) there facilitating it for use as a saw horse.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0055]    In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0056]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utility support according to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
           [0057]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of a top base of the utility support of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 2B  is perspective view of a utility support fitted with reflective portions; 
           [0059]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of several utility supports as of  FIG. 1 , nestably stacked; 
           [0060]      FIG. 3B  is a longitudinal section along line III-III in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective bottom view of a portion of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0062]      FIGS. 4A to 4F  illustrate different modes of use of the utility support of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of several nestably stacked utility supports, according to a different design of the first aspect; 
           [0064]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a utility support according to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
           [0065]      FIG. 6B  is a longitudinal section along line VI-VI in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of several utility supports as of  FIG. 6A  nestably stacked; 
           [0067]      FIG. 8  is a side view of several utility supports as of  FIG. 6  nestably stacked, and corresponding 5-gallon containers for use in conjunction therewith; 
           [0068]      FIG. 9A  illustrates mounting a utility support over a container; 
           [0069]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 9C  is a longitudinal section along line IX-IX in  FIG. 9B ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 9D  is an enlargement of the portion marked ‘A’ in  FIG. 9C ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 9E  is a longitudinal planer section of the utility support of  FIG. 6A  mounted over an inverted 5-gallon container; 
           [0073]      FIG. 10  illustrates different modes of use of the utility support of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a utility support according to another example of the disclosure; 
           [0075]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of several utility supports as of  FIG. 11 , nestably stacked; 
           [0076]      FIG. 12B  is a longitudinal section along line XI-XI in  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the utility support of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0078]      FIGS. 14A to 14E  are several enlarged portions of the utility support of  FIG. 111 ; 
           [0079]      FIGS. 15A to 15D  illustrate different modes of use of the utility support of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0080]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of a utility support according to a modification of the second aspect of the present disclosure; 
           [0081]      FIG. 16B  is a section along line XV-XV in  FIG. 16A ; 
           [0082]      FIG. 16C  is an enlargement of the portion marked ‘B’ in  FIG. 16B ; 
           [0083]      FIG. 17  illustrates mounting the utility support of  FIG. 16A  over a container, at an upright position; 
           [0084]      FIG. 18  illustrates mounting the utility support of  FIG. 15A  at a bottoms-up position; 
           [0085]      FIG. 19A  is a longitudinal section of a three-level assembly comprising two utility supports and an intermediate 5-gallon container; and 
           [0086]      FIG. 19B  is an enlargement of the portion marked ‘C’ in  FIG. 19A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0087]    Attention is first directed to  FIGS. 1 to 5  directed to a utility support according a first aspect of the present disclosure. 
         [0088]    The utility support illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  is generally designated  20  and is typically made of molded plastic material. Optionally different additives can be added such as UV repellant, reinforcing fibers, light reflecting additives and the like. The utility support can comprises one or more portions of composite material, e.g. anti-slip portions, reflective material, etc. 
         [0089]    The structure of the utility support  20  is rigid, i.e. non-deformable and durable, designed to bear loads, in particular loads applied in an axial (vertical) direction, as will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0090]    The utility support  20  has a general shape of a hollow frustum rectangle pyramid, extending between a bottom base  22  and a top base  24 , with enveloping, tapering side walls  26 , extending coaxial about a longitudinal axis X. The structure of the utility support  20  is reinforced by the provision of reinforcing corner ribs  30  and a thickened wall at a bottom portion  32  (narrowing at line  34 ). It is appreciated that whilst in the present example the utility support has a rectangle cross-section, other designs can be utilized, e.g. circular, polygonal or complex (combined) designs. 
         [0091]    However, it is noted that the utility support  20 , is nestable stackable over like utility supports  20 , as will be illustrated herein after with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , thereby occupying a minimal footprint and minimal space. 
         [0092]    As can further be seen, the utility support  20  comprises at the corners of the bottom base  22  holes  38  for securing the utility support  20  to a support surface, such as a ground surface, by bolts screws, etc. (not shown). Furthermore, the bottom base is configured with foot step portions  40  for supporting the utility support  20  and preventing its tilting e.g. during assembly of a beams thereto, as will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0093]    The top base  24  is configured with a first utility portion in the form of a substantially horizontally extending beam-support recess  44 , intersecting the longitudinal axis X, and configured with substantially upright side walls  46  to thereby support a workpiece or a beam ( FIG. 4 ) at an upright orientation. The top base  24  is further formed with another utility portions being a bore  50  ( FIG. 2A ) for vertically supporting a post such as a flag post, sign post, projector, hazard light, etc, (not shown). Also extending at the top base  24  are two tie loops  54  used for example for securing rods thereto, or hanging articles. As can be seen, top surfaces  56  of the top base are knurled or roughened, for improved grip of articles mounted thereon, and for anti-slip. 
         [0094]    Further seen, the utility support  20  is configured with other utility portions in the form of four apertures  60 , at the four respective faces of the utility support  20 , each aperture  60  extending normal to the respective bearing side wall, and in the illustrated example also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, such that each two opposite apertures  60  coextend, whereby a bar can easily be introduced therein and supported at a substantially upright position, as will be exemplified hereinafter. It is appreciated that one or more apertures can be configured at different locations over the side walls. 
         [0095]    In  FIG. 2B  there is illustrated a utility support  20 ′ similar to utility support  20  of  FIG. 1 , however with reflective portions  66  applied over side walls of the utility support, and a hazard light unit  68  fitted into the bore  50  at the top base  24 . Such a utility support  20 ′ can serve as a traffic cone or hazard cone. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a stack  65  of several utility supports (three in the present example, designated  20 A,  20 B and  20 C), nestable stackable over like utility supports  20 , thereby occupying a minimal footprint and minimal space. It is seen that the stack occupies minimal height owing to the compact design facilitating that the utility supports practically adjoin each other. 
         [0097]    According to a particular example, illustrated in  FIG. 3C , an inside, bottom face of the bottom base  22 C is configured with a container mounting portion designated  70 , in the shape of a circular depression. This circular container mounting portion (actually an inscribed circle) is configured for mounting over a top edge, or a bottom edge, of a container, such as a utility 5-gallon container/bucket. This feature will become further apparent with reference to the further examples. 
         [0098]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A to 4F , several examples of use of a utility support of the herein before discussed example are provided. 
         [0099]      FIG. 4A  shows four utility supports  20 ″, principally similar to utility supports  20 , though with some differences. For example, utility supports  20 ″ are configured with carrying apertures  72  at a top portion thereof. Further, the utility supports  20 ″ are configured with utility portions, namely two pairs of opposite apertures  60 A and  60 B, the latter disposed lower that the former, such that bars can extend through the utility support at an intersecting orientation. This figure illustrates how the four utility supports  20 ″ are disposed in alignment such that a rectangular bar  78  is supported at the beam-support recess  44 ′. At a next position, illustrated in  FIG. 4B , intersecting bars  80  and  82  are introduced into the apertures  60 B and  60 A, respectively, such that a closed ‘pen’ is defined, e.g. serving as a barrier surrounding an obstacle, etc. 
         [0100]      FIGS. 4C, 4C and 4E  illustrate how four are configured to erect together a base for a table ( FIG. 4C ) or work surface ( FIG. 4D ) and a low scaffold or bench ( FIG. 4E ). If required, the structure can be reinforced by fastening the table top board  86  or the bottom surface  88  to the beams  78 ′  82 ′, respectively, and the beams can be secured to the utility support by tie bands secured to the loops  54  (see  FIG. 1 ) or by screw fasteners and the like. 
         [0101]    In  FIG. 4F  a series of utility supports  20 , are disposed along a path with top bars  78  and bottom bars  82  extending between each two neighboring utility supports  20   i , establishing a fence or barrier-like configuration. 
         [0102]      FIG. 5  illustrates how a stack of four utility supports  20 ″, of the design illustrated in  FIGS. 4A to 4F , are nestably stacked. 
         [0103]    A second aspect of the present disclosure will now be described, with reference to the remaining drawings. 
         [0104]    In  FIGS. 6A and 6B  there is illustrated a utility support generally designated  120  is configured with a bottom base  122  and a coaxially disposed top base  124  extending about a longitudinal axis X, with a tapering side wall imparting the utility support a frustoconical shape. It is noted that the side wall is configured with three substantially large openings  128 , which on the one hand reduce weight of the utility support  120  and on the other hand function to admit access to a container, when used in conjunction therewith, as will be discussed herein after. 
         [0105]    The structure of the utility support  120  is rigidified by reinforcing ribs  132  extending at least around portions of the openings  128 , however not obstructing compact nestable stacking of the utility support  120  over like utility supports  120 ″, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0106]    As can be seen, best in  FIG. 6B , the bottom base  122  is configured at a bottom face thereof with a circular container mounting portion  134 , which in the present example is sized for mounting over a conventional 5-gallon container/bucket  150  (a stack  150 ′ of such containers in  FIG. 8 ), of the type being in common use (at either an upright or a bottom-up orientation) and as will be discussed herein after in greater detail. As seen, downward extending portions  136  of side wall portions  133  extend into the container mounting portion  134 , thereby providing for better grip over an edge of the container. 
         [0107]    The top base  124  of the utility support  120  is configured with a utility portion in the form of a substantially horizontally extending beam-support recess  140  intersecting the longitudinal axis X, and configured with substantially upright side walls  142  to thereby support a workpiece or a beam ( FIG. 9C ) at an upright orientation. The top base  124  is further formed with fastener openings  144  e.g. for securing the beam to the utility support  120 . Furthermore, top wall surfaces  148  of the top base and side wall surfaces of the beam-support recess  140  are knurled or roughened, for improved grip of articles mounted thereon, and for anti-slip. 
         [0108]    With particular reference made to  FIGS. 9A to 9D  there is illustrated a 5-gallon container  150  configured with a base (best noted in  FIG. 9C ) and a side wall  154  extending to the top open edge  156 . Whilst the description and drawings refer to a conventional 5-gallon container/bucket, it is understandable that any suitable container can be used in conjunction with the utility support subject of the present disclosure, as far as dimensions and shape, with corresponding changes in shape of the container mounting portion of the utility support, mutatis mutandis. 
         [0109]    It is seen, best in  FIGS. 9C and 9D  that once the utility support  120  is mounted over the container  150 , the container mounting portion  134  engages the top edge  156  of the container, where a bottom surface  160  of the container mounting portion  134  rests over the top edge  156  of the container, and wherein the downward extending portions  136  of side wall portions  133  bear against a top inside surface  162  of the container, whereby the utility support is stably mounted over the container  150 . 
         [0110]    The large openings  128  of the utility support  120  facilitate accessibility into the container  150  also upon assembly of the utility support over the container, thus maintain functionality of the container has a bucket, storage utility, etc, for keeping any goods, gear, fish or bate when fishing, etc. 
         [0111]    As can be noted in  FIG. 9C , the container  150  has an annular rim  166  projecting downwards from the base  152 . This rim facilitates mounting of the utility support  120  over the container  150  also when the later is at an upside down position, i.e. with its opening facing downwards, as shown in  FIG. 9E . It is noted however, that also at the absence of the annular rim  166  the utility support  120  can be mounted over an upside down positioned container. 
         [0112]      FIG. 10  illustrates several ways of employing a utility support of the type disclosed in connection with  FIG. 6A . For example, a scaffold or low bench  170  is established by positioning two pairs of utility supports  120  in alignment, with a connecting beam  172  extending between each pair and applying a plywood board  174  thereover. A high work bench/table or scaffold  180  is erected by four assembled utility supports over buckets  182  (as in the example of  FIGS. 9A to 9D ) are positioned with connecting beams  184  extending between aligned assemblies  182  and a plywood board  186  mounted thereover. 
         [0113]    The drawings of  FIGS. 11 to 15  are directed to a modification of the utility support disclosed in connection with the previous example, wherein like reference numbers are used for identifying like elements, however shifted by  100 . 
         [0114]    The utility support generally designated  220  is configured with a bottom base  222  and a coaxially disposed top base  224  extending about a longitudinal axis X, with a slightly tapering side wall  233 . It is noted that the side wall  233  is configured with three substantially large openings  228 , which on the one hand reduce weight of the utility support  220  and on the other hand function to admit access to a container, when used in conjunction therewith, as will be discussed herein after. 
         [0115]    The structure of the utility support  220  is rigidified by reinforcing ribs  232  extending at least around portions of the openings  228 , however not obstructing compact nestable stacking of the utility support  220  over like utility supports  220 ″, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
         [0116]    As can be seen, best in  FIG. 12B , the bottom base  222  is configured at a bottom face thereof with a circular container mounting portion  234 , which in the present example is sized for mounting over a conventional 5-gallon container/buck of either the utility support and the container/bucket, as will be exemplified herein after. As explained in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 6B , downward extending portions  236  of side wall portions  233  extend into the container mounting portion  134 , thereby providing for better grip over an edge of the container. 
         [0117]    The top base  224  of the utility support  220  is configured with a utility portion in the form of a substantially horizontally extending beam-support recess  240  intersecting the longitudinal axis X, and configured with substantially upright side walls  242  to thereby support a beam  239  at an upright orientation ( FIG. 14E ). According to a particular example, the top base  224  is further configured with a V-notch  241  (intersecting beam-support recess  240 ) for supporting a round workpiece  243  ( FIGS. 14E and 15A ). 
         [0118]    The top base  224  is further formed with a top opening  244  for carrying the utility support  220 . Furthermore, top wall surfaces  248  of the top base and side wall surfaces of the beam-support recess  240  are knurled or roughened, for improved grip of articles mounted thereon, and for anti-slip. The size of the top base  224  renders it useful as a seating surface, so it can serve as a stool. 
         [0119]    As previously explained herein, once the utility support  220  is mounted over a container  250 , the container mounting portion  234  engages the top edge of the container, where a bottom surface  260  of the container mounting portion  234  rests over the top edge  156  of the container (see  FIG. 9D ), and wherein the downward extending portions  236  of side wall portions  233  bear against a top inside surface of the container, whereby the utility support is stably mounted over the container  250 . 
         [0120]    The large openings  228  of the utility support  220  facilitate accessibility into the container  250  also upon assembly of the utility support over the container, thus maintain functionality of the container has a bucket, storage utility, etc, for keeping any goods, gear, fish or bate when fishing, etc. 
         [0121]    Similar to the previous example, the utility support  220  can be mounted over a container also when the later is at an upside down position, i.e. with its opening facing downwards. 
         [0122]    With particular reference made to  FIGS. 15A to 15D  there are illustrated several ways of use if the utility support  220  in conjunction with a container (5-gallon containers  250  used in the examples). 
         [0123]    In  FIG. 15A  a pair of utility supports  220  are each mounted over a container  250  with the V-notches  241  aligned, thus serving as a saw horse or work bench for a pipe  243 . 
         [0124]    In  FIG. 15B  four utility supports  220  are positioned on the ground, each pair with its respective beam-support recess  240  in alignment and supporting a rectangular wood beam  239 , and a plywood board  247  mounted thereon, serving as a work bench, scaffold, etc. 
         [0125]    In  FIG. 15C  four utility support 2   220  are assembled over four corresponding containers, as explained herein above, assembling an elevated support structure, wherein the beam-support recess  240  are in alignment, supporting rectangular wood beams  239 , and a plywood board  247  mounted thereon, serving as an elevated work bench, scaffold, etc. 
         [0126]      FIG. 15D  represents a work arena, illustrating a low scaffold assembly generally designated  257  (similar to the construction of  FIG. 15B ), and an elevated scaffold, or elevated work surface generally designated  259 . Also illustrated is a utility support  220 ′ serving as a seat/stool, and a pair of elevated utility supports  261  serving as a saw horse or work bench for a pipe  243  (as in  FIG. 15A ). The assembly generally designated  263  is bucket disposed over a utility support at an elevated position, and the assembly designated  265  is a three-level assembly with the bucket disposed at the top. A of utility supports is designated  269 . 
         [0127]    A further example of a utility support according to the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 16 to 19 . 
         [0128]    The utility support generally designated  300  is identical to utility support  220  of the previous example and reference is made back thereto, whereby like elements are designated with like reference numbers, however shifted by  100 . 
         [0129]    The utility supports  220  and  300  are similar however with the exception that the utility support  300  is further configured at the bottom base thereof  322  with an upwardly extending annular rim  323  giving rise to an annular groove  329  constituting an alternative container mounting portion. 
         [0130]    It is further seen that the bottom edge  321  of the bottom base  322  is configured with two V-notches  335  extending opposite one another. These are useful in a second mounting position as will be shown with reference to  FIG. 18 . 
         [0131]    The alternative container mounting portion renders the utility support  300  suitable for mounting over a container  250  at either an upright position as illustrated in  FIG. 17  and as described herein before in connection with the previous example, or at an inverted, bottom-up position, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . At the bottom-up position the utility support  300  is mounted with its top base  324  facing downwards and further wherein a majority of the utility support  300  is received within the container  250 , with the bottom edge  331  facing upwards. At this position the top edge  356  of the container  250  bears within the annular groove  329  of the utility support  300 , and wherein the V-notch  335  projects above the top edge of the container  259 , rendering for use as a pipe cutting grip etc. 
         [0132]    It is further noted that the diameter of the bottom edge  331  and the shape of the bottom rim are suited for engaging with a cover  380  ( FIG. 18 ) whereby the contents of the container is secure and where the cover  380  can serve as a seat. 
         [0133]    The assembly  386  illustrated in  FIGS. 19A and 19B  presents two utility supports  220 A and  220 B (of the kind disclosed herein before, for example with reference to  FIG. 11 ) and a container  250  (e.g. a 5-gallon bucket), whereby the container  250  is mounted over the bottom utility support  220 B, the later at its upright position such that a bottom face  253  of the container  250  rests over a top base  224  of the bottom utility support  220 B, wherein a downward annular rim  166  of the container  250  envelopes a top portion of the top base  224 . The top utility support  220 A is also mounted at its upright position such that its bottom base  222  rests over the top edge of the container  250  (similar to the arrangement disclosed in  FIGS. 9C and 9D ). This arrangement gives rise to a three-level utility support useful in a variety of ways as exemplified herein before.