U.S. patent application number 10/941701 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for apparatus for single handed can holding.
Invention is credited to Lance Liljeqvist, Robert Tiedemann, Keith Whitaker.
Application Number | 20060065668 10/941701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36097864 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060065668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitaker; Keith ; et
al. |
March 30, 2006 |
Apparatus for single handed can holding
Abstract
An apparatus for single-handedly holding a relatively small can
(e.g., a quart-sized can) is provided. The apparatus includes a
flexible can gripping arms that snap onto the upper portion of the
can, which arms are attached to a handle suitably sized for small
or large sized hands. A supporting member attached to the handle
holds the can from the bottom, thereby more strongly retaining the
can onto the present single-handed can holder. A storing area is
also provided in the handle to store small tools.
Inventors: |
Whitaker; Keith; (Sandy
Hook, CT) ; Tiedemann; Robert; (Stamford, CT)
; Liljeqvist; Lance; (Road Wilton, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAY AREA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP, LLC
PO BOX 210459
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94121-0459
US
|
Family ID: |
36097864 |
Appl. No.: |
10/941701 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44D 3/123 20130101;
B44D 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for single-handed can holding, the apparatus
comprising: mean for gripping the upper portion of a can; and means
for a hand to hold said can gripping means.
2. The apparatus for single-handed can holding of claim 1 further
comprising means for vertically supporting the can from the
bottom.
3. The apparatus for single-handed can holding of claim 2 further
comprising means for horizontally retaining the can from the
bottom.
4. The apparatus for single-handed can holding of claim 1 further
comprising means for storing small items.
5. An apparatus for single-handed can holding, the apparatus
comprising: mean for gripping the upper portion of a can; means for
a hand to hold said can gripping means; and means for supporting
the can from the bottom.
6. The apparatus for single-handed can holding of claim 5 further
comprising means for storing small items.
7. An apparatus for single-handed can holding, the apparatus
comprising: mean for gripping the upper portion of a can; means for
a hand to hold said can gripping means; means for supporting the
can from the bottom; and means for storing small items.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to can holding
devices. More particularly, the invention relates to single-handed
can holders used in the brush application of liquids contained
therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The quart sized can is a very convenient size container for
a variety of common products. The most common product sold in
quart-sized containers is paint. Unlike gallon-sized cans, which
have handles to aid the user, quart cans do not have handles. When
working with quart-sized can of paint it is difficult for most
individuals with normal size hands to hold a quart can, especially
for long periods with out risking spillage. Cans are also become
slippery when outside of the can gets wet from their contents
spilling thereon during use. These problems tend to make holding a
can very difficult and unpleasant. It is possible to transfer the
contents in the quart-sized can to a more convenient container;
however, such transfers are often messy and wastes paint. It is
furthermore advantageous to keep the paint in the original can for
storage. The foregoing issues apply to a wide variety of containers
that are not too heavy to be easily carried by one hand, and
contain substances that are applied by hand.
[0003] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved
techniques for holding small containers with a single hand while
applying the contents in the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary
can holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder
of FIG. 1 just prior to mating with an exemplary can;
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder
of FIG. 1 after snapping onto the exemplary can;
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of an exemplary brush into
the can holder of FIG. 1 while snapped onto the exemplary can;
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a hand gripping a first
gripping position of the can holder of FIG. 1 while it is snapped
onto the exemplary can; and
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of a hand
gripping a second gripping position of the can holder of FIG. 1
while it is snapped onto the exemplary can.
[0011] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, a variety of techniques for
single-handedly holding a can are described. One embodiment, of
which comprises a means for gripping the upper portion of the can
and means for a small or large sized hand to hold the can gripping
means. A preferred embodiment, further includes means for
supporting the can from the bottom, thereby more strongly retaining
the can onto the present single-handed can holder. Alternative
embodiments may also include a means for storing small items.
[0013] Other features, advantages, and object of the present
invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood
from the following detailed description, which should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0015] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
[0016] A small can handle is herein presented by way of example
that facilitates the holding of small containers with a single hand
while applying the contents within the container to a work piece
with the other hand. FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of
an exemplary can holder 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The embodiment show has a relatively flexible
can grip 110 that is designed to flex around and onto a certain
range of can sizes that are within the elastic limit of the
gripping arms, thereby being capable of removably attaching the can
to can holder 100, especially in the horizontal direction. By way
of example, and not limitation, flexible can grip 110 could be made
of plastic and be sized to snap onto a standard round quart can.
Can holder 100 further comprises a bottom can support member 120
that supports the weight of the can in the vertical direction. A
lower can retainer lip 125 is preferably provided at the distal end
of bottom can support member 120 to retain the lower portion of the
can against horizontal forces. However, some alternative
embodiments do not include bottom can support member 120, which is
suitable in applications that do not require the additional
vertical support because flexible can grip 110 is adequate.
Similarly, alternative embodiments may not include lower can
retainer lip 125 depending on the application. Can holder handle
130 is provided and is suitably designed for gripping by a hand to
firmly hold can holder 100 during use. An optional storage area 140
may be recessed into the top of can holder handle 130; however,
alternative embodiment of the present invention may not storage
area 140 depending on the needs of the particular application. By
way of known techniques, storage area 140 may be configured for
suitably storing a multiplicity of small articles, including, but
not limited to, tools, blades, rags, or small parts while still
providing a secure grip for the can. Likewise, can holder 100 may
be manufactured by any suitable technique, including, by way
example, and not limitation, injection molding.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder
100 just prior to mating with an exemplary can 200. FIG. 3
illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder of FIG. 1
after snapping onto can 200. FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of an
exemplary paintbrush 400 into storage area 140.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a hand gripping a first
gripping position of the can holder 100 while it is snapped onto
can 200. The portion between can holder handle 130 and flexible can
grip 110 should be preferably formed to allow holding of can holder
100 by the hand cupping over can 200 as shown.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of a hand
gripping the can holder handle, a second gripping position, of the
can holder 100 while it is snapped onto can 200. As shown in the
Figure, can holder 100 enables a user to hold small containers
relatively easily and safely with one hand while freeing the other
hand to apply the contents within the container to a work piece. By
way of example, and not limitation, can holder 100 could facilitate
the holding of a quart sized paint container with one hand while
painting with the other. Moreover, the flexible can grip snaps on
to and off the can so that changing colors or switching to a full
quart is relatively easy and safe.
[0020] Can holder 100 is preferably designed to fit both metal and
plastic cans by gripping around the top portion of the can and
cradling the cans from the bottom for maximum stability. As can be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, a can holder made
according to the foregoing teachings may be designed to fit both
small hands and large hands thereby making it easy to work with the
present can holder and retained can in one hand and a tool in the
other. Moreover, can holder 100 permits the retained can to put
down on a flat surface without obstruction. It should be noted that
it is not necessary to remove can holder 100 to place the can lid
back on the can when it is desired to seal the contents in the
can.
[0021] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the
present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of
holding a can single handedly according to the present invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has
been described above by way of illustration, and the specific
embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to
the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular
implementation of the flexible can grip, bottom can support member,
and can holder handle may vary depending upon the needs of the
particular application; however, such necessary structural
variations, if any, are contemplated as within the scope of the
present invention. The invention is thus to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *