Abstract:
The present document describes a paint tray comprising: a base for use in holding paint; a U-shaped arm having two arm ends pivotally coupled to the base; and a handle deployable from the U-shaped arm by sliding thereon. The handle is used in carrying the paint tray. The document also describes a paint tray comprising: an arm; a coupling means for attachment of the arm to the paint tray; and a handle deployable from the arm. The handle is used for carrying the paint tray. Finally, there is described a carrier for a drip pan for holding paint, the carrier comprising: an arm comprising a coupling means for engaging the drip pan; and a handle deployable from the arm. The handle is used for carrying the drip pan.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) as a continuation-in-part application. This application claims priority under 35 USC §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/125,036, filed May 21, 2008, and entitled “Paint tray with integrated transport handle”, which claims priority under 35 USC §119 of U.S. provisional application 60/931,009, filed May 21, 2007, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This description relates to the field of paint tools. More particularly, this description relates to devices for holding and carrying paint. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Painters who use paint trays often need to move their paint trays around while painting surfaces. In this process, the painters must bend down to pick up the paint tray and, at the same time, ensure the paint roller stays in the paint tray. Upon moving the paint tray to another location, painters must find a place (e.g., a corner) to rest the handle stick of the paint roller. The embodiments described herein aim to resolve the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a paint tray comprising: a base for use in holding paint; a U-shaped arm having two arm ends pivotally coupled to the base; and a handle deployable from the U-shaped arm by sliding thereon. The handle is used in carrying the paint tray. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a paint tray comprising: an arm; a coupling means for attachment of the arm to the paint tray; and a handle deployable from the arm. The handle is used for carrying the paint tray. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a carrier for a drip pan for holding paint, the carrier comprising: an arm comprising a coupling means for engaging the drip pan; and a handle deployable from the arm. The handle is used for carrying the drip pan. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1   a - d  are a top view, an elevation, a rear view and a detailed elevation of a paint tray in a storage position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2   a - c  are a side elevation, a detailed top view, and a front elevation of the paint tray of  FIGS. 1   a - d  in the “in use” position; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3   a - d  are side elevations of the paint tray of  FIGS. 1   a - d  detailing steps retracting to storage position; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4   a - b  are perspective views of a paint tray in a use position and in a storage position in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a paint tray in a use position in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a paint tray in a use position in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a carrier in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a carrier in an “in use” position in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a - d ,  2   a - c  and  3   a - d , there is shown a paint tray  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. A base  11  is for interfacing with the floor or with a step  42  of a stair, the base  11  comprises a drip pan for holding paint. 
         [0018]    A hide-away stand  40  is pivotally coupled to the base  11  and is used in staircases and other inclined surfaces. The hide-away stand  40  is “U” shaped to make it easy for deployment. A U-shaped arm  12  is pivotally coupled to the base  11  by a mechanical linkage, namely a coupling means. 
         [0019]    A blocking means  28  is fixed on the base  11  for limiting the range of movement of the U-shaped arm  12  with respect to the base  11 . The blocking means  28  defines a use position of the U-shaped arm  12  ( FIG. 2   a ) and a storing position of the U-shaped arm  12  ( FIG. 1   b ). 
         [0020]    From the center of the transversal portion of the U-shaped arm  12 , a handle  14  is deployable by sliding thereon. A locking means  13  permits adjustment of the deployment of the handle  14  with respect to the U-shaped arm  12 . The handle  14  consists of a shaft  16  that retracts and protracts from the U-shaped arm  12  and a grip section  18  with a built-in cradle  20 , namely a resting means for resting handle stick  22 . The U-shaped arm  12  also has a hook  24 , namely a holding means for hanging a trimming brush  26 . 
         [0021]    Starting from the paint tray  10  in an “in use” position, shown in  FIG. 3   a , a user folds the paint tray  10  in a storage position, shown in  FIG. 3   c , as follows. A first step consists of releasing the blocking means  28 , then pushing the grip section  18  of the handle  14  toward the opposite side of the base  11  with respect to the coupling means detailed in  FIG. 3   d . The U-shaped arm  12  pivots until it is along the base  11  as shown in  FIG. 3   b . A second step consists in unlocking the locking means  13 , then pushing the grip sections  18  toward the U-shaped arm  12 . The handle  14  slides along the U-shaped arm  12  and the shaft  16  lodges under the base  11 . In this storage position, the grip section  18  rests outside the base  11  for being moved as shown in  FIG. 3   c.    
         [0022]    Now referring to  FIG. 4   a , there is shown a paint tray  400  in an “in use” position according to another embodiment of the invention. A base  401  is settled on a surface which is generally the floor of the location to be painted. In this embodiment, the base  401  is molded with a drip pan  402  for holding paint. 
         [0023]    The base  401  has a first longitudinal side  403  and a second longitudinal side, not shown, opposite the first longitudinal side  403 . From the first longitudinal side  403  and the second longitudinal side, a U-shaped arm  404  is pivotally coupled to the base  401  by a mechanical linkage, namely a coupling means including a first pivot  405  located on the first longitudinal side  403  and a second pivot, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. 
         [0024]    The U-shaped arm  404  comprises a transversal member  406  having hooks  407   a - b , namely holding means for hanging paint tools such as brushes, rags, palette knives, spatulas or others. From the upper end of the U-shaped arm  404 , a U-shaped handle  408  is deployed sliding from the U-shaped arm  404 . The U-shaped handle  408  comprises a grip section  409  which is substantially parallel to the surface. At the middle of the grip section  409 , a curved form creates a cradle  410 , namely a resting means for receiving a handle of paint tools such as a roller. In this configuration, a user can easily move the paint tray  400 , gripping it with the grip sections  409  without undue bending. 
         [0025]    A blocking means for receiving the U-shaped arm  404  and then limiting the angular position of the U-shaped arm  404  with respect to the base  401  is arranged on the base  401 . The blocking means comprises a first stop  411  located on the first longitudinal side  403  and in the neighborhood of the pivot  405  and a second stop, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. In another embodiment, not shown, a U-shaped handle could slide directly from the transversal member of the U-shaped arm. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4   b  depicts the paint tray  400  of  FIG. 4   a  in a storage position. Starting from the paint tray  400  in use depicted in  FIG. 4   a , by pushing the grip sections  409  of the U-shaped handle toward the arm  404  and toward the opposite side of the base  401  with respect to the first pivots  405  and the second pivot, the U-shaped handle  408  slides along the U-shaped arm  404  which revolves around the first pivot  405  and the second pivot. In this storage position, the U-shaped handle  408  is retracted along the U-shaped arm  404 , the U-shaped arm  404  is positioned along the length of the base  401  and the grip sections  409  is positioned along the width of the base  401 . The grip section  409  and the transversal member  406  are designed for creating a passage  412  in the storage position. The passage  412  is for fingers of a user for gripping the paint tray  400  and moving it to the storage position. 
         [0027]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a paint tray  500  according to another embodiment of the invention. A base  501  is settled on a surface which is generally the floor of the location to be painted. In this embodiment, the base  501  is molded with a drip pan  502  for holding paint. 
         [0028]    The base  501  has a first longitudinal side  503  and a second longitudinal side, not shown, facing the first longitudinal side  503 . From the first longitudinal side  503  and the second longitudinal side, a U-shaped arm  504  is pivotally coupled to the base  501  by a mechanical linkage, namely a coupling means including a first pivot  505  located on the first longitudinal side  503  and a second pivot, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. 
         [0029]    The U-shaped arm  504  comprises a transversal member  506  having a first hook  507 , namely a holding means and a second hook, not shown, both for hanging paint tools such as brushes. From the upper end of the U-shaped arm  504 , a U-shaped handle  508  is deployed pivoting around a pivot axis  509  with respect to the U-shaped arm  504 . 
         [0030]    The U-shaped handle  508  comprises a grip section  510  which is substantially parallel to the surface. In the middle of the grip section  510 , a curved form creates a cradle  511 , namely a resting means for receiving the handle of a roller drawn with dashed lines. In this configuration, a user can easily move the paint tray  500 , gripping it by the grip sections  510  without undue bending. 
         [0031]    A blocking means for receiving the U-shaped arm  504  and then limiting the angular position of the U-shaped arm  504  with respect to the base  501  is arranged on the base  501 . The blocking means comprises a first stop  512  located on the first longitudinal side  503  and in the neighborhood of the pivot  505  and a second stop, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. In another embodiment, not shown, the arm could be a part of the base or of the drip pan or the arm could be demountably fastened on the base. 
         [0032]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a paint tray  600  according to another embodiment of the invention. A base  601  is settled on a surface which is generally the floor of the location to be painted. In this embodiment, the base  601  is molded with a tray portion  602  for receiving a drip pan for holding paint or for holding a paint container. 
         [0033]    The tray portion  602  comprises on its upper surface some protrusions  603   a - b - c - d  for preventing the drip pan or the paint container from sliding out of the tray portion  602 . In addition, the tray portion  602  comprises on the upper surface a depression  604  for engaging paint cans. The base  601  has a first longitudinal side  605  and a second longitudinal side, not shown, facing the first longitudinal side  605 . From the first longitudinal side  605  and the second longitudinal side, a U-shaped arm  606  is pivotally coupled to the base  601  by a mechanical linkage, namely a coupling means including a first pivot  607  located on the first longitudinal side  605  and a second pivot, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. 
         [0034]    The U-shaped arm  606  comprises a transversal member  608  having clamps  609   a - b , seen from the back, namely holding means for hanging paint tools such as brushes, rags, palette knives, spatulas or others. From the upper end of the U-shaped arm  606 , a U-shaped handle  610  is deployed sliding from the U-shaped arm  606 . 
         [0035]    The U-shaped handle  610  comprises a grip section  611  which is substantially parallel to the surface. At the middle of the grip section  611 , a curved form creates a cradle  612 , namely a resting means for receiving a handle of paint tools such as a roller. In this configuration, a user can easily move the paint tray  600 , gripping it by the grip sections  611  without undue bending. 
         [0036]    A blocking means for receiving the U-shaped arm  606  and then limiting the angular position of the U-shaped arm  606  with respect to the base  601  is arranged on the base  601 . The blocking means comprises a first stop  613  located on the first longitudinal side  605  and in the neighborhood of the pivot  607  and a second stop, not shown, located on the second longitudinal side. In another embodiment, not shown, the arm could be U-shaped in a plan and bent in another plan normal to the U-shape plan. 
         [0037]    Starting form the paint tray  600  described on  FIG. 6 , the coupling means in other embodiments of the invention, not shown, comprise one of a removable attachment for permitting assembling the arm to the paint tray and disassembling the arm from the paint tray; a permanent embedment of the arm with the paint tray; and a mechanical linkage for permitting movement of the arm with respect to the paint tray according to at least one degree of freedom. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a carrier  700  engaged on a drip pan  701  according to another embodiment of the invention. A U-shaped arm  702  comprises a first end  703   a  and a second end  703   b  for coupling the arm  702  to the drip pan  701 . The first end  703   a  and the second end  703   b  are symmetrical facing each other. The first end  703   a  comprises a first L-shaped base  704  fixed on a first branch  709  of the arm  702 , a first wing  705  of the first L-shaped base  704  for receiving a top edge  706  of the drip pan  701  and a second wing  707  of the first L-shaped base  704  for receiving a first internal side  708  of the drip pan  701 . The second end  703   b  comprises a second adjustable jaw  711  screwed on a second branch  710  of the U-shaped arms  702  with a thumbscrew  713 . The second adjustable jaw  711  presses the top edge  706  and a second internal side, not shown, against a second L-shaped base  712 . 
         [0039]    The second L-shaped base  712  is fixed on the second branch  710 . Symmetrically, a first adjustable jaw  714  presses the top edge  706  and the first internal side  708  against the first L-shaped base  704 . Then, the first adjustable jaw  714  and the second adjustable jaw  711  fasten the drip pan  701 . 
         [0040]    The U-shaped arm  702  is widely adjustable with a thumbscrew  715 . A hook  719 , namely a holding means is fixed on the U-shaped arm  702  for hanging paint tool above the drip pan  701 . A handle  716  is pivotally coupled to a transversal member  717  of the U-shaped arm  702  by a pivot  718 . The top of the handle  716  is folded forming a horizontal grip section  720 . The grip section  720  is notched, forming a cradle  721 , namely a resting means for receiving the handle of a paint tool such as a roller. In another embodiment, not shown, the grip section could be deployable from the handle by sliding thereon or pivoting therefrom. 
         [0041]    Ending with  FIG. 8 , there is shown a carrier  800  for engaging a drip pan according to another embodiment of the invention. A coupling means  801  comprises a shoe  802  for receiving a drip pan and a clamp  803  for attaching the drip pan to the shoe  802 . Other types of coupling means, such as those shown in the other Figures, may also be used. 
         [0042]    A tubular arm  804  is fixed to the shoe  802 . A handle  805  is deployed upwardly from the tubular arm  804 . A thumbscrew  806  screwed in the tubular arm  804  and presses on the handle  805 . This is also referred to as a locking means and is used in adjusting the position of the handle  805  with respect to the tubular arm  804 . The top of the handle  805  is bent forming a grip section  807  and includes a cradle  808 . The cradle  808 , namely a resting means, is for receiving the handle stick of a paint roller (not shown). In another embodiment, not shown, the handle  805  could be pivotally coupled to the top of the arm. 
         [0043]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this invention. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the invention.