Abstract:
A vertically adjustable work bucket apparatus includes a shell and a container, wherein the container is vertically adjustable within the shell. The shell includes a plurality of furrow series, wherein the furrows series each have a plurality of furrows, along the interior sidewall of the shell. The furrows are provided to receive, house and support corresponding ribs that are affixed to the exterior sidewall of the container. The container is radially rotated so that the ribs are aligned within the furrows to match a desired profile setting, including at least a maximum and minimum profile. The shell includes a plurality of rollers affixed to the bottom of the shell to allow for easy transportation and positioning of the apparatus.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/676,596, filed on Sep. 29, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,627, claiming the benefit of priority therefrom. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a work bucket and, more particularly, to such a vertically extendable work bucket apparatus.  
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There are a great deal of cleaning tasks that are performed with a bucket of water, detergent or other cleaning liquid. These tasks range from the cleaning of small spills, to window washing, to the washing of automobiles and large trucks. A common trait with all of these cleaning tasks is the requirement of the user to bend over to reach the bucket while rinsing sponges, rags and the like. This repeated bending over places strains on the user&#39;s back muscles. Also, when the bucket requires moving such as when moving to the next window or the other side of the car, the user is forced to lift the bucket and carry it. This action once again places stress and strain on not only the user&#39;s back muscles but their leg and arm muscles as well. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
   The following patents disclose a multi-purpose fishing bucket with a nesting member.
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,651, issued in the name of Torkilsen et al.;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,877, issued in the name of Hagan; and   U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,148, issued in the name of Love   U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,367, issued in the name of Erickson et al., describes a nestable container for hauling materials.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,357, issued in the name of Wenner et al., discloses a  nestable bucket and caddy; and   U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,571, issued in the name of Wolff et al., describes a nestable bucket having lockable bails; and   U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,460, issued in the name of Thornton, discloses a collapsible bucket with telescopic erecting members; and   U.S. Pat. No. D 355,735, issued in the name of Shaffer et al., describes the ornamental design for a combined bucket with nested containers and lid therefor.       

   Consequently, there exists a continuous need for new product ideas and enhancements for work bucket related products. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vertically adjustable work bucket apparatus. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having an external shell housing a container, thereby providing potentially two means of storage. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that includes a plurality of furrows and furrow series to permit the vertical adjustment of the container within the shell. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that includes a plurality of ribs along the exterior sidewall of the container, wherein  the ribs are inserted into and supported by the furrows, thereby setting the vertical profile of the container within the shell. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a vertically adjustable work bucket apparatus includes a shell and a container, wherein the container is vertically adjustable within the shell. The shell includes a plurality of furrows and furrow series along the interior sidewall of the shell. The furrows are provided to receive, house and support corresponding ribs that are affixed to the exterior sidewall of the container. The container is radially rotated so that the ribs are aligned within the furrows to match a desired profile setting, including at least a maximum and minimum profile. The shell includes a plurality of rollers affixed to the bottom of the shell to allow for easy transportation and positioning of the apparatus. 
   A feature of the present invention includes the use of durable materials, including metal, plastics or treated wood, that is manufactured in a cost efficient manner and is capable of withstanding repeated usage and providing a long useful life to the apparatus.  

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the vertically extendable work bucket apparatus, wherein the container is resting within the shell at a minimum profile; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vertically extendable work bucket apparatus, wherein the container is vertically adjusted within the shell to a maximum profile; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vertically extendable work bucket apparatus, wherein the bottom of the shell is viewed and illustrating the plurality of rollers provided for maneuvering and positioning the apparatus; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view the shell, wherein a furrow series is shown along the internal circumference of the lumen formed in the shell; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the container, illustrating the annular lip at the top of the container and the ribs provided substantially adjacent to the junction of the base and the sidewall of the container; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a furrow within a furrow series housing and supporting a rib, wherein the view is taken along the line VI—VI of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the shell to illustrate the alignment of the individual  furrows within a particular furrow series in comparison to the furrow series opposite, wherein maximum, intermediate and minimum profile furrows are approximately 180° opposite one another; and 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the shell and container so as to illustrate the radial rotation (along directional arrows “R”) necessary to vertically adjust the container. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1–8 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 , a vertically extendable work bucket apparatus  10  is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a shell  12  and a container  14  housed therein. The shell  12  and container  14  may be of the same general geometric configuration, such as the tubular forms depicted in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , although it is envisioned other forms (such as triangulated or orthogonal configurations) may be provided. The shell  12  comprises a handle  16  and a plurality of rollers (wheels, casters)  18  affixed to the bottom of the shell  12 , provided to allow the apparatus  10  to roll in a variety of directions. The container  14  comprises a separate handle  20 .  
   Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , the container  14  is removed from the shell  12  to expose the furrows  22  formed along the interior wall of the shell  12  and within the lumen  38  (the lumen  38  formed from a cylindrical sidewall and base of shell  12 ). The furrows  22  are grouped as a series that permit vertical adjustment of the profile of the container  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the furrows  22  are grouped as a series of three furrows (hereinafter “furrow series  22 ”), although the grouping of three furrows is only an example of several embodiments envisioned, wherein the furrow series  22  may include as few as two furrows and up to a five or six furrows, or more if desired, depending upon the flexibility desired by the user in vertically adjusting the container  14 . The furrow series  22  comprises at least a maximum profile furrow  22   a  and a minimum profile furrow  22   b . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , an intermediate profile furrow  22   c  is provided to permit vertical adjustment to a position intermediate to the maximum and minimum profiles provided by furrows  22   a  and  22   b , respectively. It is envisioned that a plurality of intermediate profile furrows (not shown) may also be provided in a furrow series  22  having more than three furrows. The individual furrows  22  (referred to generically to encompass the particular furrow series  22   a ,  22   b  and  22   c  as provided, regardless of the actual number of furrows) are provided to receive a rib  40  that is affixed to the container  14  (further described below). It is envisioned that one embodiment of the present invention includes at least two furrow series (identified as  22  and  24 ), wherein the two furrow series   22  and  24  are aligned opposite (approximately 180° opposite) to one another within the internal circumference or perimeter of the shell  12 . It is also envisioned that four furrow series  22  are provided (identified as  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 ), wherein each of the four furrow series  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  are positioned approximately 90° to the preceding series  22 ,  24 ,  26  or  28 . Other similar configurations are envisioned, provided that the cost effectiveness of the apparatus  10  is not compromised and the complexity or difficulty in operating the apparatus  10  is not increased. A plurality of rollers  18  are provided along the bottom of the shell  12 , either permanently or removably affixed, and provided to allow for maneuvering the apparatus  10  from one position to another desired position. Each roller  18  may include locking means for impinging the movement of each roller  18 , thereby preventing the rollers  18  from unnecessarily moving the apparatus  10 . Opposing furrow series  22  and  24  (for example) are not mirror images of one another. Instead, opposing furrow series  22  and  24  (for example) and the individual furrows ascend and/or descend so that the minimum profile furrow  22   b  of one series is approximately 180° opposite to the minimum profile furrow  22   b  of the opposing furrow series. 
   Referring specifically to  FIG. 5 , the container  14  comprises a cylindrical sidewall  30  (although other geometric configurations are also envisioned, such as triangulated or orthogonal forms), a solid base  32  at the base of the sidewall  30 , and an opening  34  in the top of the sidewall  30  (opposite to the base  32 ) with  an annular lip  36  circumscribing the top of the sidewall  30 . The container  14  is dimensioned so as to slidably insert within the lumen  38  of the shell  12  and so that the annular lip  36  abuts the top of the shell  12 . A plurality of ribs  40  are positioned substantially adjacent to the junction of the base  32  and the sidewall  30  along the exterior portion of the container  14 . The number of ribs  40  correspond to the number of furrow series  22  that are provided, thus if four furrow series  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  are provided, four ribs  40  will be provided to physically and mechanically communicate with the furrow series  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . 
   Referring specifically to  FIG. 6 , a sectional view of one of the ribs  40  inserted into a furrow  22   a ,  22   b  or  22   c  (or other additional furrows provided). The base of the furrow  22   a ,  22   b  or  22   c  includes a horizontal ledge  42  on which the rib  40  abuts against and is supported by.  FIG. 6 , and the explanation thereof, serves as a representative model of each rib  40  as it is inserted into a particular furrow  22   a ,  22   b  or  22   c .  FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the shell  12  and the furrows  22   a ,  22   b  and  22   c  and the approximate 180° alignment of the respective maximum, intermediate and minimum profile furrows formed along the interior walls of the shell  12 . 
   The shell  12  and container  14 , respectively, are envisioned to be manufactured from materials that are durable and capable of withstanding repeated usage. Such materials include metal, plastic and treated wood or  wood-like materials. It is envisioned that the shell  12  and container  14  may operate independently of one another, wherein the container  14  may be extracted from the shell  12  and the shell  12  and container  14  filled with liquids or solids as required. The container  14 , having a substantially flat base  32 , is capable of resting on a flat or substantially flat surface when extracted from the shell  12 . 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   As assembled, a user will use the apparatus  10  in a manner similar to the accustomed use of a work bucket. A user will place the desired material within the container  14 , and using the provided rollers  18 , the user may transport the apparatus  10  to another location without having to strain or lift the apparatus  10 . To adjust the vertical profile of the apparatus  10 , a user (either before or after filling the container  14 ) will grasp the annular lip  36 , raise the container  14  and then radially rotate (indicated as directional arrows “R” in  FIG. 8 ) the container  14  in the desired direction to insert a rib  40  into a corresponding furrow  22   a ,  22   b  or  22   c  (or additional furrows if provided), wherein the radial rotation of the container  14  is dependent upon the resting position of the container  14  and the vertical adjustment that is required for the user&#39;s needs. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the ribs  40  are initially aligned approximately 180° in opposing furrows  22  (shown as a darkened rib  40 ) and is then radially rotated about directional arrows “R” until the  ribs  40  are aligned in different furrows  22  (ribs  40  shown in phantom lines to indicate different alignment than original alignment). 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.