Patent Publication Number: US-5897021-A

Title: Bucket

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a bucket and, more particularly, to an improved bucket/container designed for one-handed transport and manipulation. 
     The common bucket is well known in the art for transporting materials, particularly fluids, between locations. One problem with past buckets is that the dispensation of the materials therefrom is awkward and in some cases difficult particularly if the user cannot use both hands for manipulation of the bucket at the dispensation site. 
     In response thereto I have invented an improved container, which can take the form of a bucket or other vessel, having first and second handle assemblies thereon. Each handle assembly is pivotally mounted to opposed sides of the bucket, the handles presenting spaced-apart central grips. The pivot mounting points of each handle assembly are spaced apart in relative vertical and horizontal displacements. For transport of the bucket the grip of the second handle assembly is grasped. For pouring the contents from the bucket both first and second grips are grasped and urged one towards the other. Upon such grip movement the bucket is pivoted around the pivotal mounting points of the handle assemblies such as to move the bucket between a first transport position and a second position for dispensing the material contents therefrom. Accordingly, only one hand need be used for transport and manipulation of the bucket. The handle design is adaptable for use with various vessels, containers and the like. 
     It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a container designed for one-handed transport and dispensation of contents therefrom. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide container, as aforesaid, which is adaptable for use in various forms, including buckets, paint material containers, vessels and the like. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a container, as aforesaid, presenting first and second handle assemblies, each assembly having spaced-apart pivot points mounted on the opposed sides of the container. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a container, as aforesaid, wherein the first and second handle assemblies present central grips displaced one from the other in a container transport position. 
     Still a further object of this invention is to provide a container, as aforesaid, having structure coupling the grips of the handles in back and forth movement therebetween. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a container, as aforesaid, the first and second grips being urged one towards the other so as to pivot the bucket from a first transport position towards a second position for dispensing the contents therefrom. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide handle assemblies, as aforesaid, which are adaptable for use with various containers. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved container in the form of a bucket at a transport position; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the bucket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the bucket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the bucket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 3 shown in a second position for dispensation of material therefrom; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the bucket of FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the improved container in the form of a bucket 100 comprising a vessel 200 with spout 210, a first handle assembly 300 and a second handle assembly 400. 
     The vessel 200 may take the form of various containers with or without the spout 210, it being understood that the principles of my invention disclosed herein are adaptable for use with variously configured vessels. 
     The first handle assembly 300 comprises a configured wire band 310 having first 320 and second 321 laterally spaced-apart end portions. Each end portion 320, 321 is pivotally mounted at its respective terminus to opposed sides of the vessel 200. The mounting points are preferably forward of a vertical plane which symmetrically bisects the vessel 200 and includes the vertical central axis of the vessel. Each wire end 320, 321 extends into a housing 302, 303 located on opposed sides of the vessel 200 such that the wire ends 320, 321 are free to rotate therein. Of course, it is understood that other ways may be used to mount the ends 320, 321 to the walls of the vessel 200 so as to allow for rotation of the vessel 200 about such ends 320, 321. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the wire band 310 then upwardly extends from each end portion 320, 321 so as to present straight course portions 324, 326. A pair of arcuate course portions 328, 338 extend from an end of each straight course portion 324, 326 and one towards the other. At the terminus 329, 339 of each arcuate course 328, 338 an offset occurs such that the band presents straight courses or legs 330, 340. Normally extending between legs 330, 340 is a straight course 336 presenting a user grip 336. A cushioning sleeve 370 may encompass this grip 336. 
     A second handle assembly 400 presents a wire band having end portions 420, 430 pivotally mounted to the opposed side walls of the vessel 200 in a manner similar to wire ends 320, 321 as above described. These pivot points 402, 403 are preferably aligned with the above described vertical bisector plane which includes the central vertical axis of the vessel 200, these pivot points 402, 403 being displaced below pivot points 302, 303. Upwardly extending from the end portions 420, 430 are straight course portions 424, 426 with arcuate portions 428, 438 extending therefrom. At the terminus 429, 439 of these arcuate portions 428, 438 wire band loops 431, 441 are wound about the legs 330, 340 of the offset of the first handle assembly 300. A straight course 436 then extends between the legs 330, 340 so as to present a second grip 436 which may be surrounded by a cushioning sleeve 470. The loops 431, 441 couple the grip 436 of the handle assembly 400 to the legs 330, 340 of the offset of the handle assembly 300. As such, a constrained back and forth movement of the grips 336, 436 is defined by the loop 431, 441/leg 330, 340 interface. 
     Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the handle assemblies 300, 400 present first and second handle grips 336, 436 displaced one from the other when the bucket is in its normal FIG. 1 transport position. 
     In use to transport the bucket 100 between locations, the user grasps the lower grip 436. Upon a desire to dispense the contents of the vessel 200, the user urges the lower grip 436 towards the upper grip 336, the movement therebetween being guided by the loops 431, 441 surrounding the legs 330, 340 of handle assembly 300. The movement of grips 336, 436 one towards the other causes the bucket to swing about the pivot points 302, 303, 402, 403 such that the vessel 200 swings from the FIG. 1 transport position to the FIG. 5 pouring position. 
     It is understood that the initial displacement between the grips 336, 436 will govern the degree of pivotal movement of the vessel 200. It is understood that the figures show the limits of the pivotal movement and that the movement of the vessel may cease between these two limits upon the user stopping the movement of the grips 336, 436 one towards the other. Upon releasing grip 436 the weight of the vessel 200 will cause the vessel 200 and grips to return to their FIG. 1 transport position. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that the above handle assemblies 300, 400 allow for one-handed transport and pouring of the contents from the vessel 200. 
     It is to be understood that while a now preferred form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.