Patent Publication Number: US-6220491-B1

Title: Auxiliary device for a paint barrel

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an auxiliary device for a paint barrel which comprises a supporting bar bridged at two opposite sides of a paint barrel body by means of a pivoting attachment structure, a supporting portion to lean on the abdomen of a user provided at the middle part of the supporting bar and a strap attached to the barrel body. In use, the barrel body suspends naturally in front of the user so that the user can easily take the paint from the paint barrel, thereby achieving the purpose of convenience in use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, there are two ways to take paint from the paint barrel. One is that rosin water or water is added into the paint barrel which is bought originally so that the paint is adjusted to a desired concentration by means of the additive. Then, the user carries the paint barrel by one hand and holds a brush to stain and smear the paint by the other hand. The other one is that other container is provided and an appropriate amount of the paint bought is added into the container. Rosin water or water is also added into the container so that the paint is adjusted to a desired concentration. Then, the user carries or holds the container by one hand and holds a brush to stain and smear the paint by the other hand. However, there are the following drawbacks when the paint is smeared by any one of said two ways: 
     a. It is very inconvenient to carry a paint barrel or a container by one hand and smear the paint by the other hand. A preferred auxiliary device is not generally provided on a paint barrel or a container so that the user has to carry a paint barrel or a container by one hand and smear the paint by the other hand. Because the user must carry a paint barrel or a container with a large weight by one hand and frequently pay attention to toppling of the paint barrel and flowing of the paint out of the barrel, it is very inconvenient for the user to move, thereby resulting in the handicap of elbow. 
     b. It is very strenuous for the user to carry a paint barrel or a container by one hand. The user has to carry a paint barrel or a container by one hand and the paint barrel or container together with the paint has a large weight so that the user bears a heavier load. 
     c. It is dangerous for the user to operate by two hands. Because the user has to carry a paint barrel or a container by one hand and smear the paint by the other hand, the user can not place a hand on a ladder or wall when climbing to a high position by a ladder to work, thereby resulting in worry about safety. 
     The invention provides an auxiliary device for a paint barrel to overcome these drawbacks in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary device for a paint barrel to enhance the flexibility of action, save effort and improve safety. The auxiliary device comprises a supporting bar bridged at two opposite sides of a paint barrel body by means of a pivoting attachment structure, a supporting portion to lean on the abdomen of a user provided at the middle part of the supporting bar and a strap to hang on the user&#39;s neck attached to the barrel body. In use, the barrel body suspends naturally in front of a user so that the user can easily take paint from the paint barrel, thereby achieving the purpose of convenience in use. 
     With the above-mentioned auxiliary device for a paint barrel, the invention has the following advantages: 
     a. It is very convenient for the user to smear the paint only by a single hand without carrying a paint barrel or a container by the other hand. The supporting bar having a supporting portion and the strap provided on the barrel body make the barrel body suspend naturally in front of the user and the user can work only by a single hand, thereby resulting in convenience and flexibility when the user works. 
     b. The above-mentioned design of suspension style can save effort. As described, the strap and the supporting bar cooperate with each other to cause the barrel body suspend naturally in front of the user. The way saves effort greatly to decrease the load which the user bears. 
     c. It is very safe for the user to work only by a single hand. The user works only by a single hand without carrying a paint barrel or a container by the other hand so that the user can place a hand on ladder or wall to enhance safety when climbing to a high position by a ladder to work. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the description of particular embodiments, with reference being made to the attached figures, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the assembled auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention in different positions. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention in use. 
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention. The auxiliary device comprises a supporting bar  20  bridged at two opposite sides of a paint barrel body  10  by means of a pivoting attachment structure. A supporting portion  21  to lean on the abdomen of a user is provided at the middle part of the supporting bar  20  and a strap  30  to hang on the user&#39;s neck is attached to the barrel body  10 . In use, the strap  30  hangs on the user&#39;s neck and the supporting portion  21  of the supporting bar  20  leans on the abdomen of the user so that the barrel body suspends naturally in front of the user. The pivoting attachment structure comprises a lip  11  provided on the outer wall of the barrel body  10 . The lip  11  has a bolt hole  12  at the center thereof and a plurality of acanthoid stopper portion  13  disposed radially on its end surface. A block  22  is provided at each end of the supporting bar  20 . The block  22  has a through hole  23  at the center thereof and a plurality of acanthoid mating portion  24  on one end surface thereof to engage with said stopper portion  13 . A bolt  25  screws into the bolt hole  12  of the lip  11  through the through hole  23  of the block  22  to form a snap-fitting between the mating portion  24  of the block  22  and the stopper portion  13  of the lip  11 , thereby the supporting bar  20  attached to the barrel body  10  at a fixed angle relative to the barrel body  10 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention is assembled with the barrel body  10 , the strap  30  is firstly attached to the barrel body  10  and the block  22  of the supporting bar  20  is also placed snugly on the lip  11  of the barrel body  10  with the through hole  23  of the block  22  aligned with the bolt hole  12  of the lip  11 . Then, the bolt  25  passes through the through hole  23  of the block  22  from the outer side thereof and screws into the bolt hole  12  of the lip  11 , thereby forming the assembled state of the invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the auxiliary device for a paint barrel according to the invention is used, the paint adjusted previously to a desired concentration is poured into the inside of the barrel body  10  and the bolt  25  is loosened suitably to rotate the block  22  together with the supporting bar  20  relative to the lip  11 . Then, the user may adjust the position of the supporting bar  20  to form a desired angle relative to the barrel body  10  and screws the bolt  25  again to form a snap-fitting between the mating portion  24  of the block  22  and the stopper portion  13  of the lip  11 , thereby the supporting bar  20  attached to the barrel body  10  at a fixed angle relative to the barrel body  10 . Thereafter, the strap  30  hangs on the user&#39;s neck and the supporting portion  21  of the supporting bar  20  leans on the abdomen of the user so that the barrel body suspends naturally in front of the user. In this way, the user can holds a brush to stain the paint from the inside of the barrel body  10  and smear the paint only by a single hand, thereby working in a simple and convenient way.