U.S. patent application number 10/039742 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for revolving tool bucket.
Invention is credited to Ginder, William J. JR..
Application Number | 20040226841 10/039742 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33422386 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ginder, William J. JR. |
November 18, 2004 |
Revolving tool bucket
Abstract
A revolving tool bucket, comprises a standard 5 gallon bucket, a
low profile heavy duty lazy susan pivot, and three (3) or four (4)
low profile cushioned bumpers and optionally equipped with any of
the fabric fitting tool liners. The cushioned bumpers are affixed
to one side of the lazy susan, and the lazy susan pivot is then
attached to the bottom of the bucket. The bucket to which the susan
has been attached will now turn a continuous 360 degrees in either
direction, allowing for easy access of any item contained. Any
surface on which one might set the revolving bucket will be
protected via the attachment of the cushioned bumpers, now serving
as feet on the susan. All attachments can be made by use of
standard nuts and bolts, assuring strength, durability &
serviceability of design. As both the susan turntable and cushioned
bumpers are of a low profile, the overall increased height of the
bucket has been minimized so as to not create or contribute to an
unsteadiness.
Inventors: |
Ginder, William J. JR.;
(Emmaus, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cheryl R. Figlin
Attorney At Law
918 North Arch Street
Allentown
PA
18104
US
|
Family ID: |
33422386 |
Appl. No.: |
10/039742 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60259633 |
Jan 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/349 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1) A standard bucket, having a turntable attached to the outside
bottom, allowing for controlled continuous turning of the bucket in
either direction.
2) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket has a tool apron
organizer attached.
3) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is a lazy susan
turntable.
4) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable has cushioned
bumpers attached to the bottom of said turntable.
5) The bucket of claim 4, wherein there are a minimum of three
cushioned bumpers.
6) The bucket of claim 4, wherein there are four cushioned
bumpers
7) The bucket of claim 4, wherein the cushioned bumpers are made of
one of the following: rubber, plastic, or nylon.
8) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable and cushioned
bumpers can support a weight of up to about 150 pounds.
9) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket is a five-gallon
bucket
10) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket is of similar
diameter and/or circumference to a five-gallon bucket
11) The bucket of claim 2, wherein items stored inside said bucket
are one of the following: a) building; b) plumbing; c) gardening;
d) cleaner agents; e) fishing; f) electrical; or g) hunting.
12) The bucket of claim 3, wherein the lazy susan is made of steel,
and equipped with ball type bearings.
13) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is made or either
plastic or nylon.
14) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is affixed to the
outside bottom of said bucket with one of the following: nuts;
bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; or molded.
15) The bucket of claim 4. wherein the cushioned bumpers are
affixed to the outside bottom of said turntable with one of the
following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; or molded.
16) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket can rotate either
direction a full 360 degrees.
17) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket and the turntable are
both made of a material that can be molded or cast, such that the
bucket and turntable is one unit.
18) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket and turntable are one
piece.
19) The bucket of claim 4, wherein the bucket, turntable and
cushioned bumpers are all made of a material that can be molded or
cast, such that the bucket, cushioned bumpers, and turntable are
one unit.
20) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable has wheels
attached to the bottom of said turntable.
21) The bucket of claim 20, wherein there are a minimum of three
wheels.
22) The bucket of claim 20, wherein the turntable wheels are
casters.
23) Container for use inside a standard bucket, having a turntable
attached to the outside bottom of said container, allowing for
controlled continuous turning of the container in either
direction.
24) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable has cushioned
bumpers attached to the bottom of said turntable.
25) The container of claim 24, wherein the cushioned bumpers of
made of one of the following: rubber, plastic, or nylon.
26) The container of claim 23, wherein the standard bucket is a
five-gallon bucket.
27) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable is made or
either steel, plastic, or nylon.
28) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable is affixed to
the outside bottom of said container with one of the following:
nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; molding.
29) The container of claim 24, wherein the cushioned bumpers are
affixed to an outside bottom of said container with one of the
following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; molding.
30) The container of claim 23, wherein the container and the
turntable are both made of a material that can be molded or cast,
such that the container and turntable is one unit.
31) The container of claim 23, wherein the container and turntable
are one piece.
32) The container of claim 24, wherein the container, turntable and
cushioned bumpers are all made of a material that can be molded or
cast, such that the container, cushioned bumpers, and turntable are
one unit.
33) The container of claim 23, wherein the container is for use in
said bucket, and can turn 360 degrees independently of the bucket,
when inside or outside of said bucket.
34) The bucket of claim 20, wherein there are four wheels.
35) The container of claim 23, wherein the bucket is a bucket of
equal diameter and circumference to a standard five-gallon bucket.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of Provisional U.S.
Application Ser. No. 60/259,633 filed Jan. 4, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of tool
toting. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
plastic bucket used for carrying tools that may or may not be
equipped with a liner or apron. By securement of a lazy susan
turntable, equipped with cushioned feet, to the bottom of the
bucket, said bucket will now revolve a continuous 360 degrees in
either direction, allowing for easier access of any tool or item
contained.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art
[0005] Presently, many tradespeople, homeowners, and sportsmen
carry tools, garden supplies, hunting gear, cleaner agents and the
like using a standard plastic bucket. While there has been
development in the way of various liners & holders to help
organize the transportation of these items, there remains no
provision for easily accessing an item on the opposite side of the
bucket. This is important, when one finds themselves working in a
kneeling position, with the bucket merely close by, in terms of
reachability, but the tool or item needed is on the other side of
said bucket.
[0006] 3. Expressive Need
[0007] Buckets continue to emerge as a common tool carrier,
together with becoming the inevitable "catch all" for all items
during use, they tend to become weighted, and unable to be turned
smoothly for access to the side opposite the one the user
inevitably finds themselves on.
[0008] 4. Fulfillment of Need
[0009] With the ability to revolve a bucket smoothly, regardless of
weight, and by mere fingertip touch, all items contained, are now
easily reached. Any operation being performed while using an omni
directional revolving bucket, is simplified, and less physical than
ones requiring constant up and down.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
item-carrying bucket that is more user friendly. As buckets become
more popular to the tradesmen, homeowner, hunter, angler, and
public alike, for transportation of any desired item by user, the
ease of accessibility to the buckets contents has become an
obstacle. This obstacle becomes more apparent as the bucket becomes
weighted, congested, or simply within arm's length of the user.
This obstacle is simply overcome by the unique lazy susan turntable
secured to the bottom of the bucket.
[0011] Basically the invention is a standard bucket, having a
turntable attached to the outside bottom, allowing for controlled
continuous turning of the bucket in either direction.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lazy susan
turntable is constructed of steel and is equipped with ball type
bearings, which assure a smooth operation. This type of turntable
would be able to support the most weighted bucket, even one filled
with solid concrete. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the lazy susan turntable would have a minimum of four cushioned
feet attached to protect whatever surface the user may sit the
bucket upon. As the cushioned feet are attached to the lazy susan
turntable through the use of standard hardware known in the art, so
to is the turntable attached to the bottom of the bucket through
the use of this same hardware known in the art.
[0013] Another embodiment of the current invention would be caster
type legs to be used instead of cushioned bumpers, this would allow
for roll-about purposes. Any embodiment featuring a revolving
bucket, either stationary or able to be rolled about freely,
provides a wonderful ease for the user, at a low cost, to a wide
variety of operations that are assisted daily through the use of
standard five gallon buckets.
[0014] The use of standard hardware for securing, allows for user
serviceability, such as replacement, should the need ever
arise.
[0015] In another embodiment, the lazy susan turntable can be
molded either as a unitary article, or in part of a bucket
container. This embodiment could produce a lightweight,
water-resistant version that may be more suitable for gardening,
hunting, fishing, cleaning or the like uses, whereas water may come
in contact with said bucket. In this embodiment, the protecting
supporting legs could be made as an inclusive part of the casting
of the turntable. This type of casting manufacturing of the
turntable could also be applied to drop in containers that are
presently available for use inside the bucket, making them able to
rotate in either direction as well.
[0016] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of this invention, both as structure and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be
better understood from the enclosed description considered in
connection with the accompanying drawing in which the preferred
embodiment of the invention has been described. Upon review, it
should be expressly understood however, that the drawing submitted
is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not
intended as a definition of the limit to the invention or its
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this
description there is shown:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing drop in containers for
a bucket of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] As indicated in FIG. 1, a standard five gallon plastic
bucket (1) has become very popular for the transportation of things
such as; tradesmen tools, gardening utensils, and cleaner agents.
Many various carriers (4) are presently known in the art.
[0022] While some of these carriers are designed for specific use,
and some carriers are of different fabrics and offer different
pocket configurations, all carriers commonly use the standard
five-gallon bucket. With the development of these carriers and the
broadening approach to more numerous pockets, the tool bucket is
becoming increasingly weighted. In fact, the industry is offering
handcarts solely for the purpose of wheeling about a weighted
bucket.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 of the preferred embodiment, a turntable
(2) has been attached to the bottom of the plastic bucket (1). The
turntable (2) is preferably a low profile in height, and able to
support a weighted bucket ranging anywhere up to about 150 pounds.
Furthermore, the preferred turntable (2) is a lazy susan of steel
construction, and equipped with ball type bearings. However, the
turntable (2) can be made of a plastic or nylon.
[0024] The turntable (2) of the preferred embodiment, would have
attached a minimum of 3 cushioned bumpers in a triangular pattern
(3). The cushioned bumpers (3) can be made of any material well
known in the art that can support weight of up to about 150 pounds
without collapsing. The preferred cushioned bumpers (3) would be
made of rubber, and possess a density capable of supporting much
weight while resisting collapse or crush. A plastic or nylon
material could also be used as cushioned bumpers (3). The cushioned
bumpers (3) would be affixed to the turntable (2) through the use
of any standard fasteners known in the art, such as nuts, bolts,
and sheet metal type screws. The use of any standard hardware to
attach the bumpers to the turntable, would not only assure strength
of design, but would also allow for easy serviceability, such as
replacement, if required.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 of the preferred embodiment, the
turntable (2), with the attached cushioned bumpers (3) is affixed
to the bottom of the bucket (1). Once the turntable (2) is secured
to the bucket (1), the bucket (1) is now able to rotate in either
direction, a continuous 360 degrees, allowing for effortless access
to all items contained in the bucket.
[0026] The attachment of the turntable (2) to the bottom of the
bucket (1) would also be made through the use of any standard
hardware known in the art, such as nuts and bolts. As stated
before, through the use of standard hardware, overall durability is
achieved and easy serviceability is maintained. Moreover, if
manufactured from a plastic type material, the turntable (2), and
the cushioned bumpers (3), could be directly welded to the bottom
of the bucket.
[0027] In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of this invention is shown,
the turntable (2), and the cushioned bumpers (3) when made out of
plastic or other moldable material, could be made as part of the
bucket. In other words, the bucket could be cast or molded as a
bucket (1) turntable (2) and cushioned bumpers (3) as one unit.
Though not necessarily stronger than a steel turntable, this type
of revolving bucket could be used to produce a lighter weight
version to be used with regards to garden tools and other
lightweight tools, or a waterproof version to be used with regards
to fishing, hunting or cleaning buckets.
[0028] In a third embodiment of the current invention cushioned
bumpers (3) could be caster type legs, this would allow for the
rolling as well as the rotating of the tool bucket.
[0029] In a fourth embodiment of the invention a turntable (10) and
cushioned bumpers (12) can be attached to drop in containers (14)
that are presently available for use inside a bucket, making them
able to rotate in either direction as well. Any of the methods for
attaching the turntable and cushioned bumpers to the bucket can be
used to attach them to the drop in containers as well, including
the casting or molding of the turntable, cushioned bumpers and drop
in containers as one unit. Further, any of the materials used for
the turntable (2) and cushioned bumpers (3) could be used for the
drop in container's turntable (10) and cushioned bumpers (12). In
this way the drop in containers (14) can turn 360 degrees
independently of the bucket (1), either inside the bucket or when
taken out of the bucket and used independently.
[0030] This invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essentials characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *