RECEPTACLE ATTACHMENT

Abstract

Provided is an attachment for attaching to a receptacle, the attachment having a curved body, rails extending upward from sides of the curved body, and an attachment member extending from an underside of the curved body for engaging an outer lip of the receptacle. The attachment provides an ergonomically efficient way to sweep debris into the receptacle and is designed such that debris in the attachment will fall into the receptacle when the bucket is lifted up by its handle.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a receptacle attachment, and more particularly to an attachment for a bucket.

BACKGROUND

A bucket, such as a five gallon bucket, can be used as a trash pail, for example on a construction site. A user can sweep debris into a dust pan, and then empty the debris into the bucket, which results in repeated bending over by the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present application provides an attachment for attaching to a receptacle, the attachment having a curved body, rails extending upward from sides of the curved body, and an attachment member extending from an underside of the curved body for engaging an outer lip of the receptacle. The attachment provides an ergonomically efficient way to sweep debris into the receptacle and is designed such that debris in the attachment will fall into the receptacle when the bucket is lifted up by its handle.

In an embodiment, an attachment for attaching to a receptacle is provided that includes a curved body having a longitudinal axis, a material receiving edge at a front of the body and a material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body configured to abut an inner surface of the receptacle and having a contour at the material exiting edge configured to match a contour of the inner surface of the receptacle along an entire width in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the curved body at the material exiting edge, a first rail extending upward from a first side of the curved body, a second rail extending upward from a second side of the curved body, and an attachment member extending from an underside of the curved body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge and opening towards the material exiting edge, the attachment member being configured to engage an outer lip of the receptacle.

In another embodiment, an attachment for attaching to a receptacle is provided that includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a material receiving edge at a front of the body, and a material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body at the material exiting edge having a contour configured to match a contour to of an inner surface of the receptacle, and an attachment member configured to engage an outer lip of the receptacle, the attachment member extending from an underside of the body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge.

In still another embodiment, a dust pan assembly is provided that includes a receptacle, and an attachment attached to the receptacle. The attachment includes a longitudinally extending body having a material receiving edge at a front of the body and a curved material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body at the material exiting edge abutting an inner surface of the receptacle and having a contour that matches a contour of the inner surface of the receptacle, and a curved attachment member engaging an outer lip of the receptacle, the attachment member extending from an underside of the body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge, wherein a width of the body at the curved material exiting edge covers less than half of a circumference of the receptacle, and wherein the curved attachment member has a length that is less than the width of the body at the material exiting edge.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle attachment attached to a bucket.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken about line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the receptacle attachment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary receptacle attachment attached to a bucket.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the receptacle attachment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the receptacle attachment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the receptacle attachment of FIG. 10

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the receptacle attachment of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of the present application relate to a receptacle attachment, such as a dust pan attachment for a bucket, and thus will be described below in this context. It will be appreciated that the principles of the application may be applicable to attachments for other receptacles, such as trash cans, containers, etc.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary receptacle attachment is shown at reference numeral 10. The receptacle attachment 10 is removably attached to a lip 12 of a receptacle 14, such as a conventional five gallon bucket. When the receptacle 14 and attachment 10 are placed on a surface, a material receiving edge 16 of the attachment 10 contacts the surface and inclines the receptacle 14 such that the lip 12 does not contact the surface while an opposite end of the receptacle 14 contacts the surface to allow a user to sweep debris up the attachment 10 and into the receptacle 14. The attachment 10 provides an ergonomically efficient way to sweep debris into the receptacle 14, and is designed such that debris in the attachment 10 will fall into the receptacle 14 when the bucket is lifted up by its handle.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2-9 and the receptacle attachment 10 in detail, the receptacle attachment 10 includes a curved main body 30, first and second rails 32 and 34 extending upward form first and second sides of the body to contain debris as it is moved up the body 30, and an attachment member 36 or clip extending from an underside of the curved body 30 to engage the lip 12 of the receptacle 14 to rigidly and securely retain the receptacle attachment 10 on the receptacle 14. The body 30, rails 32 and 34, and attachment member 36 may be unitarily formed in any suitable manner, such as by molding. The body 30 slopes inward from the first and second rails 32 and 34 towards a center of the body to direct debris towards the center of the body 30 and reduce effort required by the user to move the debris uphill. In an embodiment, the attachment 10 may have a molded in foot plate that allows the user to step on the foot plate to keep the attachment 10 in place while the user is sweeping debris onto the attachment.

The curved body 30 has a length extending along a longitudinal axis and has the material receiving edge 16 at a front of the body and a material exiting edge 38 at a rear of the body. The material receiving edge 16 defines a front most portion of the attachment 10 and the material exiting edge 38 defines a rearmost portion of the attachment 10. The body 30 at the material exiting edge 38 has a contour configured to abut an inner surface 40 of the receptacle 14 and to match a contour of the inner surface 40 of the receptacle 14 along an entire width in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the curved main body at the material exiting edge 38 such that the body 30 at the material exiting edge 38 is substantially flush with the inner surface 40. In an embodiment, the width of the body at the material exiting edge 38 covers less than half of a circumference of the receptacle 10, and the width at the material receiving edge 16 is greater than the width of the curved body 30 at the material exiting edge 38.

The curved body 30 is formed by a front portion 50 having an incline starting at the material receiving edge 16, and a main portion 52 separated from the front portion 50 by a wall 54 that blocks debris in the main portion 52 from exiting the attachment 10 at the front portion 50. As shown, the front portion 50, beginning at the material receiving edge 16, has an incline portion 56 and a substantially flat portion 58 that ends at a top of the wall 54. A front of the main portion 52 starts at a base of the wall 54 and is below the substantially flat portion 58.

The main portion 52 may include one or more openings 60 extending therethrough, and in the illustrated embodiment two openings 60 proximate the material exiting edge 38 and proximate the sides of the main portion 52 for receiving respective fasteners to secure the attachment to the receptacle. For example, after attaching the attachment 10 to the receptacle 14 via the attachment member 36, fasteners, such as screws, can be inserted through the openings 60 and into the receptacle 14 to create a more permanent attachment between the receptacle attachment 10 and the receptacle 14.

Referring now to the attachment member 36 in detail, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the attachment member 36 extends from the underside of the curved body 30 proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge 38 and opening towards the material exiting edge 38 to define an area 62 or slot for receiving the lip 12 of the receptacle 14. The attachment member 36 extends substantially along the width of the material exiting edge 38 and has a length in the direction transverse the longitudinal axis that is less than the width of the material exiting edge 38. As shown, the attachment member 36 is continuous and uniform along its length. The attachment member 36 also has a contour that matches the contour of an outer surface of the lip 12 along the entire length of the attachment member 36 such that the attachment member abuts the lip 12 along the entire length.

In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member 36 is substantially J-shaped in cross-section, with a top 70 integral with the underside of the body 30 and a free end 72 or edge radially outwardly spaced from the body 30. The free end 72 is also axially spaced from the material exiting edge 38 along a length of the curved body such that the attachment member 36 engages the lip 12 while a portion of the body 30 extends into and abuts the inner surface 40 of the receptacle 14 providing a secure engagement between the attachment 10 and the receptacle 14.

The attachment also includes one or more standoffs 74, and in the illustrated embodiment four standoffs 74 shown in FIG. 7 extending from the underside of the body 30 into the area 62 and spaced from one another along the length of the attachment member 36. The attachment member 36 is sized to have sufficient flex to attach to the receptacle 14, and the standoffs 74 prevent over insertion of the attachment member 36 and eliminate play between the attachment 10 and receptacle 14 when installed.

To attach the attachment 10 to the receptacle 14, The attachment 10 is advanced longitudinally toward the bucket until the body 30 at the material exiting edge 38 abuts the inner surface 40 of the receptacle 14. The attachment 10 is further advanced longitudinally causing the attachment member 36 to deflect and snap onto the lip 12 of the receptacle 14. When secured, the lip 12 is disposed in the area 62 where a bottom of the lip 12 abuts the free end 72 and a top of the receptacle 14 abuts the standoffs 74.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-14, an exemplary embodiment of the receptacle attachment is shown at 110. The receptacle attachment 110 is substantially the same as the above-referenced receptacle attachment 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 100 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the receptacle attachments. In addition, the foregoing description of the receptacle attachment 10 is equally applicable to the receptacle attachment 110 except as noted below.

The receptacle attachment 110 is removably attached to a lip 112 of a receptacle 114, such as a bucket. The receptacle attachment 110 includes a curved main body 130, first and second rails 132 and 134 extending upward form first and second sides of the body to contain debris as it is moved up the body 130, and a plurality of attachment members 136 or clips extending from an underside of the curved body 130 to engage the lip 112 of the receptacle. The curved body 130 has a material receiving edge 116 at a front of the body and a material exiting edge 138 at a rear of the body.

The plurality of attachment members 136 extend from the underside of the curved body 130 proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge 138 and opening towards the material exiting edge 138 and each define an area 162 or slot for receiving the lip 112 of the receptacle 114. The attachment members 136 are spaced apart from one another along the width of the body and each are substantially J-shaped with a top 170 integral with the underside of the body 130 and a free end 172 or edge radially outwardly spaced from the body 130. The free ends 172 are also axially spaced from the material exiting edge 138 along a length of the curved body 130 such that the attachment members 136 engage the lip 112 while a portion of the body 130 extends into and abuts an inner surface 140 of the receptacle 14.

The attachment 110 also includes one or more standoffs 174, and in the illustrated embodiment a plurality of standoffs 174 shown in FIG. 13 extending from the underside of the body 130 and spaced from one another along the width of the body 130. The attachment members 136 are sized to have sufficient flex to attach to the receptacle 114, and the standoffs 174 prevent over insertion of the attachment members 136 and eliminate play between the attachment 110 and receptacle 114 when installed.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.

Claims

1. An attachment for attaching to a receptacle, the attachment including: a curved body having a longitudinal axis, a material receiving edge at a front of the body and a material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body configured to abut an inner surface of the receptacle and having a contour at the material exiting edge configured to match a contour of the inner surface of the receptacle along an entire width in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the curved body at the material exiting edge;a first rail extending upward from a first side of the curved body;a second rail extending upward from a second side of the curved body; andan attachment member extending from an underside of the curved body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge and opening towards the material exiting edge, the attachment member being configured to engage an outer lip of the receptacle.

2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the curved body slopes inward from the first and second sides towards a central portion of the curved body to direct debris towards the central portion.

3. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the curved body includes a front portion having an incline from the material receiving edge toward the material exiting edge and a main portion separated from the front portion by a wall that blocks debris in the main portion from moving to the front portion.

4. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein a width of the curved body at the material receiving edge is greater than the width of the curved body at the material exiting edge.

5. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the curved body includes a pair of openings extending therethrough proximate the material exiting edge for receiving respective fasteners to secure the attachment to the receptacle.

6. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the material exiting edge defines a rearmost portion of the attachment.

7. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment to member has a length in the direction transverse the longitudinal axis that is less than the width of the body at the material exiting edge.

8. The attachment according to claim 7, wherein the attachment member is continuous and uniform along its length.

9. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member extends substantially along the width of the body at the material exiting edge.

10. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member is substantially J-shaped in cross-section.

11. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member includes a plurality of attachment members spaced along the width of the body.

12. The attachment according to claim 1, further including one or more standoffs for abutting a top of the receptacle, the one or more standoffs extending from the underside of the body into a space in the attachment member for the outer lip.

13. The attachment according to claim 1 in combination with the receptacle, wherein the width of the curved body at the material exiting edge covers less than half of a circumference of the receptacle.

14. An attachment for attaching to a receptacle, the attachment including: a body having a longitudinal axis, a material receiving edge at a front of the body, and a material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body at the material exiting edge having a contour configured to match a contour of an inner to surface of the receptacle; andan attachment member configured to engage an outer lip of the receptacle, the attachment member extending from an underside of the body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge.

15. The attachment according to claim 14, wherein the body at the material exiting edge has a width in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis, and wherein the attachment member has a length in the direction transverse the longitudinal axis that is less than the width of the body at the material exiting edge.

16. The attachment according to claim 15, wherein the attachment member is continuous and uniform along its length.

17. The attachment according to claim 14, wherein the body at the material receiving edge has a first width and the body at the material exiting edge has a second width less than the first width.

18. A dust pan assembly including: a receptacle; andan attachment attached to the receptacle, the attachment including: a longitudinally extending body having a material receiving edge at a front of the body and a curved material exiting edge at a rear of the body, the body at the material exiting edge abutting an inner surface of the receptacle and having a contour that matches a contour of the inner surface of the receptacle; anda curved attachment member engaging an outer lip of the receptacle, the attachment member extending from an underside of the body proximate to and axially spaced from the material exiting edge,wherein a width of the body at the curved material exiting edge covers less than half of a circumference of the receptacle, andwherein the curved attachment member has a length that is less than the width of the body at the material exiting edge.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the attachment member is continuous and uniform along its length.

20. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the attachment member is substantially J-shaped in cross-section, and wherein an edge of the attachment member closest to the material exiting edge is axially spaced from the material exiting edge along a length of the curved body.