Patent Publication Number: US-8534681-B2

Title: Bucket cart system and bucket cart

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of wheeled cart and more specifically to a five gallon bucket cart. Five gallon buckets are frequently used to store and carry a variety of items including paint, tools, soil, water or any variety of items. The buckets have evolved into a standard size and shape. 
     It obviously would be a good idea to develop a rolling cart to help carry these buckets from one place to another, especially if filled with heavy items. To this end some manufacturers have designed and sold a wheeled five gallon bucket carrier. One such carrier is manufactured by Broil Tools.com. It is designed to carry a single bucket and has a feature that helps the user tip the bucket even while it is retained in the carrier. 
     However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that none of the prior designs can accommodate the transport of a plurality of five gallon buckets at the same time. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a cart for five gallon buckets that allows the user to easily transport a plurality of buckets at one time. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a cart for five gallon buckets that is easy and economical to manufacture. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a cart for five gallon buckets that allows the user to add or subtract bucket carts from a chain of carts as is needed. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a first bucket cart comprising: a central rigid horizontal elongate support member, a downwardly facing support member, an axle member, an upwardly facing vertical support member, a first hoop member , a second hoop member, an elongate handle member, a pair of wheels, said axle member perpendicularly disposed and centrally attached to said central rigid horizontal elongate support member, said pair of wheels attached to either end of said axle member, said upwardly facing vertical support member fixedly attached to said central rigid horizontal elongate support member, said elongate handle member fixedly attached to the forward most end of said central rigid horizontal elongate support member, said first and second hoop members each attached at one point in a horizontal position aligned with said central elongate support member to the top of said vertical support member, and said downwardly facing support member fixedly attached at one end in a vertical orientation to the forward portion of said central rigid horizontal elongate support member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention with secondary carts attached 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  we see a perspective view of the invention  100 . A central rigid horizontal elongate support member  16  acts as a bottom support for the two five gallon buckets  2 ,  4  An axle member  22  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is fixedly attached to the central support member  16  and terminates in wheels  10 ,  12 . An upwardly directed vertical support member  18  is attached at its bottom end to central support member  16  and at its top to hoop members  6 ,  8  which slidably retain buckets  2 ,  4 . A downwardly facing support member  26  contacts the ground when the invention  100  is at rest. An elongate handle member  20  attaches at one end to central support member  16  and at the opposite end terminates in a hand grip  28 . During use, the user lifts handle  28  and pulls the entire unit  100  forward or whatever direction is needed. A loop member  14  is attached to the distal end of central support member  16  and is used to attach additional bucket carts as will be described when discussing  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan top view of the invention  100 . Central support member  16  can be clearly seen as well as the location of hoops  2 ,  4  and wheels  10 ,  12 . Hoops  2 , 4  are attached to each other  24  at the point where vertical support member, shown by dotted lines  18 , terminates. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention  100  and an additional bucket cart  200 . The construction of bucket cart  200  is similar to the invention  100  except that it only holds one bucket and it does not have an elongate handle member. Additional cart  200  includes a second horizontal elongate support member  214 , a second axle  216 , a second vertical support member  212 , a second hoop member  202  and a second pair of wheels  204 ,  206 . Hook member  210  is attached to the front end of central support member  214  and is capable of engaging loop member  14 . Central second support member  213  terminates at its distal end in a loop member  208 . This enables additional second cart units  200  to be attached to each other creating a train of carts  200 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.