FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to containers and more specifically to a container that has a rotatable attachment for holding an object (e.g., paint brush) at least partially within or above the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various containers exist to hold, for example, paint, stain or the like. At least some of these containers include structures to hold an object at a fixed position within the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,604, for example, discloses a container designed to house paint therein that includes at least one magnet fixed to an inner wall of the container. The patent is designed for the ferrule of a paint brush to be releasably connected to the magnet to allow paint to drip from the bristles of the brush into the container. However, the scope of use of the magnet in connection with the container is limited. For example, depending on the depth of paint in the container, if desired, the brush may be submerged in paint and therefore be precluded from allowing paint to drip from the brush into the container. Additionally, a user may not wish to releasably fix a brush only in a substantially vertical position in relation to the container sidewall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a container that includes a handle that is fixable to the container base and a bracket that is rotatably fixed to and can extend into the container and allows for an object (e.g., a paint brush) to be connectable thereto.
The container includes a base, a sidewall extending from the periphery of the base, a handle that is fixed at one end to the container and fixable at a second end to the base of the container and a bracket that is rotatably fixed to the container, near the second end of the handle.
In an embodiment, the bracket includes a first bracket member, a second bracket member that extends from a first end of the first bracket member at an angle, connecting elements that extend from a second end of the first member and at least one component that is configured to create a connection with another object fixed to the second member of the bracket. In an embodiment, the at least one component fixed to the second bracket member are magnetic.
The bracket is configured such that the second member can be orientated to be arranged substantially parallel to the sidewall of the bucket and within an upper region of the bucket or at an angle above the upper periphery of the sidewall of the bucket. The bracket is designed for the ferrule of a paint brush to be releasably fixed to the magnets. By configuring the bracket to be rotatable, a user can fix a paint brush to be substantially vertical to the bracket or at an angle in relation to the bucket as desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a first perspective of an embodiment of the container of the present invention;
FIG. 1B shows a paint brush spaced from and attachable to a bracket of the container;
FIG. 1C shows the paint brush attached to a bracket such that the paint brush is substantially perpendicular to the interior of the container;
FIG. 2A is a second perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the bracket articulated into the interior of the container;
FIG. 2B is the perspective view of FIG. 2A with a paint brush attached to the bracket such that at least the bristles of the paint brush extends into the container;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B showing the connection between the bracket and handle to the container body;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the container showing the features connecting the bracket and handle to the container body;
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the container;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the container;
FIG. 7 is a first side view of the container;
FIG. 8 is a second side view of the container;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the container; and
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the container;
FIGS. 11A-11C are perspective views of a second embodiment of a container of the present invention with a bracket that includes magnets fixed thereto rotated at least partially out of the interior of the container;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the second embodiment of the container of the present invention with a bracket that includes magnets fixed thereto rotated into the container body;
FIG. 13 shows a paint brush attached to the bracket of the second embodiment such that the paint brush is substantially perpendicular to the interior of the container;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the second embodiment showing the connection between the bracket and handle to the container body;
FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the bracket of the second embodiment showing the inclusion of three magnets;
FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the bracket of the second embodiment showing projections in which magnets are arranged;
FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of the container of the second embodiment showing the features connecting the bracket and handle to the container body;
FIG. 17 is a rear view of the container of the second embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a front view of the container of the second embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a first side view of the container of the second embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a second side view of the container of the second embodiment; and
FIG. 21 is a top view of the container of the second embodiment; and
FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the container of the second embodiment.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A through 22, embodiments of a container embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-10, the container 10 includes a base 12, a sidewall 14 that extends at a first end from the base 12, a rim 16 that extends from and delimits a second end of the sidewall 14, a handle 18 rotatably fixed to the container 10 and a bracket 20 that includes magnets 22 fixed thereto rotatably fixed to the container 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the bracket 20 is substantially L-shaped and includes a first bracket member 24, a first flange 26 and a second flange 28 that extend from the first bracket member 24 and are configured to rotatably fix the bracket 20 to the container 10, a second bracket member 30 that extends at an angle (about 90 degrees) from a second end of the first bracket member 24, a first housing 32 and a second housing 34 that both extend from a first surface 36 of the second bracket member 30 and are configured to receive the magnets 22. The flanges 26, 28 include openings 27, 29, respectively, that interact with projections 31, 33, respectively, which extend from the container 10 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The interaction of the flanges 26, 28/openings 27, 29 with the projections 31, 33 allows the bracket 20 to rotate at a plurality of angles about the container 10. Similarly, the handle 18 is rotatable about projections 35, 37 that are spaced from the projections 31, 33 on which the bracket 20 is rotatably fixed. In addition to allowing for multiple positions of the handle 18 during use of the container 10, by pivoting the handle 18 a plurality of containers 10 can be stacked in one plane on top of each other to reduce the footprint needed during shipping and to allow for less space to be required at a retail location to display the container 10.
FIG. 1A shows the bracket 20 rotated such that the second bracket member 30 and housings 34, 36 and magnets 22 that are arranged within the housings 34, 36 are arranged above the rim 16 of the container 10. In this configuration, an object, for example a paint brush 11 as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, can be releasably fixed to the bracket 20 by a ferrule 13 of the paint brush 11 entirely outside of the interior of the container 10. As shown in FIG. 1C, the paint brush 11 is orientated substantially transverse to the interior of the container 10. In this configuration, a user may, for example, fix the paint brush 11 to the bracket 20 to allow paint to drip off of the brush and into the container 10 or may fix the paint brush 11 to the bracket 20 after cleaning the paint brush 11 to dry. Regardless of orientation of the bracket 20, the ferrule 13 of the paint brush 11 is in direct contact with at least the magnets 22 such that the paint brush 11 is releasably fixed to the container 10 and spaced from the bracket 20 by the length or depth of the magnets 22.
FIGS. 2A-9 show the bracket 20 rotated such that the second bracket member 30 and magnets 22 extend into the interior of the container 10. As shown, the second bracket member 30 and magnets 22 are orientated substantially parallel to the sidewall 14 of the container 10. In this configuration, for example as shown in FIG. 2B, a user could releasably attach the paint brush 11 by the ferrule 13 of the brush 11 to the magnets 22 to allow the bristles 15 of the brush 11 to be at least partially submerged within paint in the container 10 or if the level of paint in the container 10 is low enough, the brush 11 can be attached to the bracket 20 to allow paint to drip off of the bristles 15 and into the container 10.
Although the bracket 20 is shown as substantially L-shaped, the bracket 20 can take on any shape that allows for the bracket 20 to be configured at various positions or angles of orientation within and above the container 10. Also, as shown in the figures, the bracket 20 includes two magnets 22. However, any number of magnets 22 can be fixed to the bracket 20. Alternatively, another element can be fixed to the bracket 20 to allow an object to be releasably fixed thereto.
Additionally, can be seen, for example, in the rear view of FIG. 5, the container 10 includes a plurality of linearly extending strips 38 that extend outwardly from the sidewall 14 of the container 10 at a first location to the right of the handle 18 and at a second location to the left of the handle 18. Should a user slide their hand between the handle and container 10 instead of gripping the handle 18, the strips 38 aid the user in gripping the container 10. This is particularly helpful when a liquid may be drip onto the exterior of the container 10 and cause the container 10 to be slippery.
FIGS. 11A-22 depict a second embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in, a container 100 includes a base 112, a sidewall 114 that extends at a first end from the base 112, a rim 116 that extends from and delimits a second end of the sidewall 114, a handle 118 rotatably fixed to the container 100 and a bracket 120 that includes a plurality of magnets 122 fixed thereto rotatably fixed to the container 100.
The bracket 120 is substantially L-shaped and includes a first bracket member 124, a first flange 126 and a second flange 128 that extend from the first bracket member 124 and are configured to rotatably fix the bracket 120 to the container 100, a second bracket member 130 that extends at an angle (about 90 degrees) from a second end of the first bracket member 124, a first housing 132 and a second housing 134 that both extend from a first surface 136 of the second bracket member 130 and are configured to receive the magnets 122. The flanges 126, 128 include openings 127, 129, respectively, that interact with projections 131, 133, respectively, which extend from the container 100 (see FIGS. 14 and 16). The interaction of the flanges 126, 128/openings 127, 129 with the projections 131, 133 allows the bracket 120 to rotate at a plurality of angles about the container 100. Similarly, the handle 118 is rotatable about projections 135, 137 that are spaced from the projections 131, 133 on which the bracket 120 is rotatably fixed. In addition to allowing for multiple positions of the handle 118 during use of the container 100, by pivoting the handle 118 a plurality of containers 100 can be stacked in one plane on top of each other to reduce the footprint needed during shipping and to allow for less space to be required at a retail location to display the container 100.
FIGS. 11A-11C shows the bracket 120 rotated such that the second bracket member 130 and in turn magnets 122 are arranged above the rim 116 of the container 100. In this configuration, an object, for example a paint brush 11 as shown in FIG. 13, can be releasably fixed to the bracket 120 by a ferrule 13 of the paint brush 11 entirely outside of the interior of the container 100. As shown in FIG. 13, the paint brush 11 is orientated substantially transverse to the interior of the container 100. In this configuration, a user may, for example, fix the paint brush 11 to the bracket 120 to allow paint to drip off of the brush and into the container 100 or may fix the paint brush 11 to the bracket 120 after cleaning the paint brush 11 to dry. Regardless of orientation of the bracket 120, the ferrule 13 of the paint brush 11 is in direct contact with at least the magnets 122 such that the paint brush 11 is releasably fixed to the container 100 and spaced from the bracket 120 by the length or depth of the magnets 122.
FIGS. 12A-12B and 17-21 show the bracket 120 rotated such that the second bracket member 130 and magnets 122 extend into the interior of the container 100. As shown, the second bracket member 130 and magnets 122 are orientated substantially parallel to the sidewall 114 of the container 100. In this configuration, a user could releasably attach the paint brush 11 by the ferrule 13 of the brush 11 to the magnets 122 to allow the bristles 15 of the brush 11 to be at least partially submerged within paint in the container 100 or if the level of paint in the container 100 is low enough, the brush 11 can be attached to the bracket 120 to allow paint to drip off of the bristles 15 and into the container 100.
FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket 120 rotatably fixed via the openings 127, 129 within the flanges 126, 128 thereof with projections 131, 133, respectively, which extend from the container 100.
FIG. 15A depicts the bracket 120 with a plurality of magnets 122 fixed thereto and FIG. 15B shows the bracket 120 with the first housing 132, the second housing 134 and third housing 135 that are configured to receive the magnets 122 extending from the first surface 136 of the second bracket member 130. As shown, the second bracket member 130 is triangular with the housings 132, 134, 135 and magnets 122 spaced to be located at the apexes of the triangle. By spacing the magnets 122 as shown, the polarity of the magnets extends across the entire surface area of the second bracket member 130.
Although the bracket 120 is shown as substantially L-shaped and the second bracket member 130 is substantially triangular, the bracket 120 can take on any shape that allows for the bracket 120 to be configured at various positions or angles of orientation within and above the container 100 and/or the second bracket member 130 can take on any shape that can accommodate a plurality of magnets. Although three magnets 122 are shown, any number of magnets 122 can be fixed to the bracket 120. Alternatively, another element can be fixed to the bracket 120 instead of or in addition to magnets to allow an object to be releasably fixed thereto.
Additionally, can be seen, for example, in the rear view of FIGS. 17 and 22, the container 100 includes a plurality of linearly extending strips 138 that extend outwardly from the sidewall 114 of the container 100 at a first location to the right of the handle 118 and at a second location to the left of the handle 18. Should a user slide their hand between the handle and container 100 instead of gripping the handle 118, the strips 138 aid the user in gripping the container 100. This is particularly helpful when a liquid may be drip onto the exterior of the container 100 and cause the container 100 to be slippery.
Although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments, but merely as describing some of the features of the embodiments. The description and figures should not to be taken as restrictive and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the embodiments have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including, but not limited to, the substitutions of equivalent features and terminology may be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Grant
10124624
