Abstract:
Apparatus for retaining a canister having an adjustable base and at least one swing member attached to the base and preferably two swing members attached to the base opposite each other. The base further has a spring member disposed thereupon and in contact with the swing member to keep the swing member in a first open position. The swing member has a first end that is rotatably attached to the base via a hinge member and a second end that has a semicircular recess formed therein. The base is adjustable to provide an adjustable range of motion of the swing member with respect to the base. In operation, the apparatus moves from a first open position to a second closed position upon application of a force upon the swing members to retain a canister placed between the swing members. Use of the apparatus results in no temporary movement or constricting of a worker&#39;s limbs which can cause imbalance or injury nor requires a second person to stabilize the canister.

Description:
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/132,786, filed Aug. 13, 1998, now abandoned, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/055,649, filed Aug. 14, 1997 the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is directed to apparatus for retaining cans and more specifically to a spring loaded clamp for retaining multi-gallon sized cans without restricting the movements of an operator of said clamp. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     In virtually every aspect of construction, from the building of skyscrapers to do-it-yourself home repairs, some type of liquid material is used to accomplish a specific project. For example, paints, wood stains, adhesives, caulking sealants, joint compounds and the like are all liquid (or semi-liquid) materials that are packaged in cans ranging in sizes from a few ounces to five gallons. Usually when opening such packaging, only a small portion of the material within is immediately required yet the entire package must be handled in preparation of application (i.e., stirring a can of adhesive, scooping a desired amount of sealant, compound or the like). 
     Handling the can is sometimes awkward as it tends to shift under forces caused by stirring or scooping. Compensating for these forces subsequently creates further awkwardness as the weight of the can has changed due to the decrease in material. As such, the can slides across a floor, tabletop or other support surface which causes spillage, waste, lost time and effort. A natural reaction by a worker acquiring the material in the can is to buttress the can against his hand, foot or other body part and a neighboring wall or heavy object. This condition requires that the worker constantly apply pressure to the can (i.e., pushing the can against a wall) while obtaining the material which can cause fatigue, cramp or loss of balance should he lose his footing. Such dangers cannot be tolerated in a construction environment or in the home for obvious reasons of serious personal injury and/or property damage. As such, there is a need in the art for securing liquid containing vessels in a repeatable and unconstricting manner to facilitate a worker&#39;s task. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that can retain a can without restricting use of limbs or causing an imbalance condition of a worker acquiring the material in said can. Said apparatus should be sturdy and capable of repeating retention many times without a reduction in expected results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages heretofor associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention of an apparatus for retaining a canister having an adjustable base and at least one moveable swing member attached to said base and at least one stationary swing members attached to said base opposite each other. The base further has a spring member disposed thereupon and in contact with said swing member to keep said swing member in a first open position. The swing member has a first end that is rotatably attached to the base via a hinge member and a second end that has a semicircular recess formed therein. The base is adjustable (e.g., having an expansion adjuster provided thereon to provide an adjustable range of motion of the swing member with respect to the base. The swing member may optionally have a textured surface such as a plate secured to the swing member or louvers formed thereon. In operation, the apparatus comes into a second closed position upon application of a force upon said swing members. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, one of the swing members is stationary and the other is rotatably affixed to the base and provided with a spring member. 
     With the invention as described above, a worker can prepare construction materials such as liquid or semi-liquid materials (adhesives, caulk, sealants and the like) from a large volume canister. The preparation can be carried out without temporary movement or constricting of limbs which can cause imbalance or injury or requiring a second person to stabilize the canister to complete the task. As such, worker safety is improved and the risk of spillage or waste of construction materials is greatly reduced. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canister clamp in accordance with subject invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of the subject invention in use; and 
     FIG. 6 is a partial front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the subject invention in use; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial front perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the subject invention in use; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the subject invention n an extended position; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of a third alternate embodiment of the subject invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is an elevation view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the subject invention. 
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject apparatus is a canister retainer or can clamp as depicted in FIG.  1 . FIG. 2 depicts a side elevation view of one embodiment of the apparatus  100  further showing the arrangement of the base  102  and one of the swing members  104 B and features of the same. For a complete description, the reader should refer to FIGS. 1-4 simultaneously. Specifically, the can clamp  100  comprises a base  102  for supporting a canister or similar vessel (not shown). Attached to the base  102  are one or more swing members (specifically first swing member  104 A and second swing member  104 B) for retaining the canister or similar vessel in a stationary position. The swing members  104 A and  104 B are rotatably attached to the base  102 . Specifically, one or more hinge members  106 A (obscured by swing member  104 A) and  106 B respectively are attached to the swing members  104 A and  104 B and base  102 . The base  102  further has one or more spring members  108 A and  108 B or other similar type of tensioning devices positioned under swing members  104 A and  104 B respectively for retaining the swing members in a first open position. Alternately, the spring members are incorporated into the hinge members to form a spring loaded hinge member. The base  102  and swing members  104 A and  104 B are fabricated from a durable material such as but not limited to wood (e.g., plywood) and sheet metal. 
     In greater detail, the base  102  has a first end and a second end  120  and  122  respectively. Swing member  104 A likewise has a first end  124 A and a second end  126 A. The first end  124 A of swing member  104 A is attached to the second end  122  of base member  102  via the hinge member  106 A. The second end  126 A of swing member  104 A has a semicircular cutout  110 A to accommodate a portion of a canister or similar vessel. In similar fashion swing member  104 B has a first end  124 B and a second end  126 B. First end  124 B of swing member  104 B is attached to the first end  120  of base  102  via hinge member  106 B. Second end  126 B of swing member  104 B is also provided with a semicircular cutout  110 B to further accommodate a canister or similar vessel. 
     FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of the subject apparatus  100  further comprising an alternate embodiment for the hinge members  106 A and  106 B. Specifically, hinge members  106 A and  106 B can be adjustable so as to allow movement along a plane  302 A defined by swing member  104 A. Likewise hinge member  106 B can provide movement upon a plane  302 B for hinge member  104 B. Adjustability of the swing members  104 A and  104 B along the direction of the arrows  302 A and  302 B respectively allow the swing members to accept various sizes of canisters or similar type vessels. 
     FIG. 4 shows a top view of the subject apparatus  100  showing the alternate embodiment of the hinge members  106 A and  106 B. Specifically, one or more first hinge plates  406  are disposed beneath swing member  104 A and  104 B (hinge plates  406  are shown in phantom). The swing members  104 A and  104 B are secured to the hinge plates  406  by any known means for securing including but not limited to screws, bolts, or the like that allow for temporary unfastening or adjusting of said fasteners  408  along a groove or slot  410  provided in the hinge plate  406 . That is, unfastening member  408  allows the swing members  104 A and  104 B to travel along the path of the slot  410  to alter the size of the recessed portion  110 A and  110 B respectively to accommodate various different size canisters. The dashed outline shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of swing members  104 A and  104 B show an example of a range of motion allowable along planes  302 A and  302 B respectively upon adjusting swing members  104 A and  104 B against hinge plates  406 . Additionally, second hinge plates  412  are disposed upon the base  102  and secured thereupon so as to restrict any unintended lateral movement of the swing members  104 A and  104 B. 
     An additional feature shown in FIG. 4 is a textured surface  402 A and  402 B of the swing members  104 A and  104 B respectively. Specifically, a textured surface may be applied to the swing members and secured to same via fasteners  404 A and  404 B. Such textured surface reduces the likelihood of slippage or loss of a footing when operating the apparatus as explained below. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 4, the textured surface extends from the second end  126 A and  126 B of swing members  104 A and  104 B respectively to approximately half way along said swing members. For example, a suitable surface texture treatment can include a grit treated resin applied to the swing members (for example applied over the plywood swing members) or louvers formed into the surface of the swing members (for example incorporated into the sheet metal swing members). Alternatively, the textured surface may fully cover swing members  104 A and  104 B to provide optimal footing surface when operating the apparatus  100 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts a partial front elevation view of the apparatus  100  in operation. Specifically, a canister  502  (i.e., a 2.5 gal can of caulking material) is inserted into the semicircular recessed portions  110 A and  110 B formed into members  104 A and  104 B respectively. That is, the two semicircular openings  110 A and  110 B form a circular opening that is suitable for accommodating the canister  502 . Next, a caulking gun operator  504  applies pressure to the swing members  104 A and  104 B by standing on the swing members with his feet  508 . The downward pressure applied by the operator  504  presses the swing members  104 A and  104 B into contact with the canister  502  thereby securing it both horizontally and vertically. With the can clamp in this second closed position, the operator  504  is able to easily accomplish tasks with the can (e.g., stirring it by way of a manual or electric stirrer  506  or refilling a bulk caulking gun). There is no need for stabilizing the can  502  with operator&#39;s hands or other limbs or body parts or for a second person that may otherwise compromise operator balance or safe operation during performance of the task. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the subject invention shown in FIG. 6, only one member is moveable (e.g., swing member  104 A), and the other member is stationary (e.g., stationary member  104 B is secured to the base and does not contain a spring member or other similar device for tensioning). In this second embodiment, the operator  504  needs only apply pressure to the tensioned swing member  104 A to secure the canister  502  against the stationary member  104 B. Although use of this invention has been discussed only in terms of holding a canister containing a caulking material and the stirring or refilling of same, this does not preclude the use of the subject apparatus for a variety of other applications which will become obvious to those in situations requiring a hands-free stabilization of a canister including but not limited to painting preparation, wallpapering or the like. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view and FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an additional embodiment. These figures should be viewed concurrently while referring to this written description. Specifically, in this embodiment, the base member  102  further comprises a first base part  702 A and a second base part  702 B. The first base part  702 A and a second base part  702 B overlap each other and are connected by an expansion adjuster  802 . The expansion adjuster  802  allows the first base part  702 A and a second base part  702 B to be slidably coupled to each other. In this way, vessels of various sizes (i.e. different diameter cans) can be accommodated by the apparatus  100 . Preferably, the expansion adjuster  802  further comprises a slot  804  in one of the base parts (i.e. the first base part  702 A) and a securing means  806  in the other base part (i.e., a bolt/wingnut combination passing through a bore (not shown) in the second base part  702 B. As such, the base  102  is adjustable so that the movable swing member  104 A will close upon various size vessels. Since the first base part  702 A and second base part  702 B overlap, there will be an unevenness when the apparatus  100  is place on the floor. To compensate, a leg  704  is provided under the second base part  702 B. Moveable swing member  104 A is also adjustable. That is, the spring loaded hinge  106 A imparts a certain force that keeps the moveable swing member  104 A open. However, an adjuster  706  is connected to the moveable swing member  104 A and the base  102 . In a preferred embodiment, a flexible wire is secured to a swing member anchor point  708  and to a base anchor point  710 . Excess wire  712  is provided so that the moveable swing member  104 A can swing further open if desired or necessary. 
     Yet another embodiment of the apparatus is depicted in FIG.  11 . Specifically, FIG. 11 depicts an elevation view of the apparatus  100  having adjustable flanges  1102 A and  1102 B on the ends of the moveable swing member  104 A and stationary swing member  104 B respectively. In such an embodiment the base  102  can be comprised of a single member (as in the embodiment of FIG. 1) or can be comprised of two members (as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 permanently affixed via securing means  806  or the like). At the end of the moveable swing member  104 A, the adjustable flange  1102 A has a range of motion depicted by arrows  1104 A that allows for a larger cutout  110 A (not seen in FIG.  11 ). Similarly, at the end of the stationary swing member  104 B, the adjustable flange  1102 B has a range of motion depicted by arrows  1104 B that allows for a larger cutout  110 B (not seen in FIG.  11 ). The flange can be made adjustable by any means known to those skilled in the art such as by sliding tracks and set screws, a single bolt and wingnut combination similar to that shown for the adjustability of the base  102  in FIGS. 7-10 or the like. A vessel  502  that is retained by the apparatus  100  is shown in phantom for increased understanding of the apparatus  100  and should not be construed as part of the invention here or in any of the previous FIGS displaying same vessel  502 . 
     In operation, for larger vessels, the expansion adjuster  802  is opened (see FIG. 9) and resecured to a more beneficial setting. That is, larger vessels will cause the moveable swing member  104 A to stop at an angle of incline that may cause the operator  504  to lose balance. Effectively widening the base  102  allows the moveable swing member  104 A to come to rest nearly level with the base  102  and pinch the vessel in place. This condition allows the operator  504  to apply more downward pressure on the apparatus  100  to more securely retain a vessel  502  and to do so more comfortably and reliably. 
     Returning to FIG. 8, the cutouts  110 A of moveable swing member  104 A and  110 B of stationary swing member  104 B are triangular in shape. In this manner, a vessel (not shown) is clamped at two tangential points (one on either side of the triangle) rather than being completely held about the vessel&#39;s circumference. The triangular openings also facilitates the clamping of various size vessels. This feature in conjunction with the adjustable base  102  provides for clamping of various size vessels with minimal disruption of operator&#39;s tasks and increased reliability and comfort of operation of the apparatus  100 . Although the cutouts  110 A and  110 B have been described as semicircular and triangular, this does not preclude other cutout shapes for retaining the vessel  502 . For example, another embodiment of the apparatus has reduced arc length cutouts. In other words, the cutouts are semicircular in shape, but are not fully semicircular. FIG. 10 depicts swing members  104 A and  104 B having such reduced arc length cutouts (e.g. approximately 30% reduced from fully semicircular. Also in the embodiments of FIGS. 8,  9  and  10 , the textured surface of the swing members are shown as louvers  402 A and  402 B that are stamped into the material (i.e., sheet metal) of the swing members  104 A and  104 B respectively. 
     Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.