AU2015246064A1

AU2015246064A1 - A container

Info

Publication number: AU2015246064A1
Application number: AU2015246064A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Ernest Stafford
Original assignee: Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-21
Filing date: 2015-10-20
Publication date: 2016-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-20
Also published as: AU2015246064B2

Abstract

A CONTAINER A container (bucket) (10) having a body (16) with an upper rim (15). A handle (11) is attached to the body (12) by defamation of resilient arms (18) that provide for location of the handle (11) in an opening (23) with the arms (24) aiding in retaining the handle (11) in the opening (23).

Description

1 A CONTAINER FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to containers and more particularly but not exclusively to buckets having a handle. BACKGROUND [0002] Many containers, including buckets, include a hollow body to which there is attached a handle. The handle can pivot between a carrying position projecting upwardly from the body of the bucket, to a folded position at which the handle lays adjacent the rim. Typically the handle will have axles at opposite ends that snap engage within apertures in the rim. [0003] Current designs can become difficult to snap engage the handle axles in the "key hole" apertures of the rim because the "key hole" apertures often become narrow due to plastic flash. [0004] A further disadvantage of known bucket constructions is that operators are required to provide substantial force to snap engage the handle in position. This repetitive action can result in injuries. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. SUMMARY [0006] There is disclosed herein a container to receive a handle having a length to be gripped, with the length having opposite end axles, the axles having a common longitudinal axis above which the handle can pivot when attached to the container, the container including: a hollow body providing a hollow to receive material to be contained in the container, the body having an open top surrounded by a rim, and wherein: the rim has a first and a second axle engaging portion located on opposite sides of the body, with at least one of the engaging portions including a recess extending from an edge of the 2 rim, the recess including a neck and an axle receiving opening, the neck being at least partly defined by a resilient projection that is resiliently deformed by movement from a first position to a second position, with the projection in the second position providing for passage of a respective one of the axles through the neck to be located in the opening, with the projection in the first position inhibiting removal of the axle from the opening. [0007] Preferably, the resilient projection deforms so as to move angularly about an axle generally parallel to said common longitudinal axis. [0008] Preferably, said resilient projection moves in a plane generally perpendicular to said common longitudinal axis. [0009] Preferably, said resilient projection is a first resilient projection, with the said one engaging portion including a second resilient projection, the resilient projections being located on opposite sides of the neck so that the axle can pass therebetween, with the second resilient projection being resiliently deformable so as to be movable between a first and second position, with the second resilient projection when in the second position thereof providing for passage of the respective axle through the neck, while in the first position of the second resilient projection inhibiting movement of the axle from the opening. [0010] Preferably, the resilient projections are generally upwardly extending when the container is resting on a supporting surface so that the top opening is located in a generally horizontal plane. [0011] Preferably, each resilient projection includes an upper part that projects laterally towards the other resilient projections. [0012] Preferably, a recess is located behind each resilient projection into which the respective resilient projection moves when resiliently deflected from the first position to the second position. [0013] Preferably, each resilient projection is resiliently urged to the first position. [0014] Preferably, each of the projections is an arm.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0016] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a container (such as a bucket); [0017] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of the rim of the bucket of Figure 1; and [0018] Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the axle engaging portion employed in the bucket of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a container (bucket) 10. The bucket 10 includes a handle 11, with the handle 11 having a central length 12 terminating at opposite ends with axles 13. The axles 13 are aligned so that they have a common longitudinal axis 14 (shown in Figure 2) about which the handle 11 pivots between a generally upright position, and a position adjacent the rim 15 of the bucket 10. [0020] The bucket 10 includes a hollow body 16 that provides a hollow 17 that is to receive material to be conveyed by the bucket 10. The body 16 adjacent its upper portions is provided with the rim 15, with the rim 15 surrounding a top opening 18 that is located in a generally horizontal plane when the bucket 10 is resting on a horizontal surface. [0021] The rim 15 is provided with a pair of axle engaging portions 19 that are located on opposite sides of the body 16. [0022] Each axle engaging portion 19 includes an aperture 20 that extends upwardly and inwardly of the rim 15 from a lower edge 21 of the rim 15. [0023] Each aperture 20 includes a neck 22 and an axle receiving opening 23. [0024] The neck 22 is located between a pair of resilient arms (projections) 24 that extend upwardly from the edge 21 and that are resiliently deformable from the first position (shown in Figure 3) to a second position further spaced apart so as to increase the width of the neck 22.

4 [0025] In the second position of the arms 24, the axles 13 can pass upwardly through the neck 22 to be located in the opening 23. Once the axles 13 are located in the openings 23, the arms 24 resiliently return to the first position (as depicted) inhibiting removal (downward movement) of the axles 13 from the openings 23. [0026] Behind each of the arms 24 is a recess 25 into which the arms 24 move to provide for passage of the axles 13 through the necks 22. [0027] The arms 24 pivot about axes 26 (shown in Figure 2) that are generally parallel to the axis 14. Preferably the arms 24 resiliently move between the first and second positions so as to move in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis 14. [0028] Each of the arms 24 is provided at its upper part 27 having a laterally projecting portion 28 that extend towards each other transverse of the neck 22. [0029] In assembling the abovementioned handle 11 and body 16, each of the axles 13 is located adjacent a respective one of the necks 22. A force is then applied to the axles 13 to move the axles 13 upward through the neck 22 to resiliently deform the arms 24. The arms 24 separate to provide for passage of the axles 13 to enter the openings 22. Thereafter, the arms 24 resiliently move back to the first positions so as to inhibit removal of the axles 13 from within the openings 23.

Claims

1. A container to receive a handle having a length to be gripped, with the length having opposite end axles, the axles having a common longitudinal axis above which the handle can pivot when attached to the container, the container including: a hollow body providing a hollow to receive material to be contained in the container, the body having an open top surrounded by a rim, and wherein: the rim has a first and a second axle engaging portion located on opposite sides of the body, with at least one of the engaging portions including a recess extending from an edge of the rim, the recess including a neck and an axle receiving opening, the neck being at least partly defined by a resilient projection that is resiliently deformed by movement from a first position to a second position, with the projection in the second position providing for passage of a respective one of the axles through the neck to be located in the opening, with the projection in the first position inhibiting removal of the axle from the opening.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the resilient projection deforms so as to move angularly about an axle generally parallel to said common longitudinal axis.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein said resilient projection moves in a plane generally perpendicular to said common longitudinal axis.

4. The container of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said resilient projection is a first resilient projection, with the said one engaging portion including a second resilient projection, the resilient projections being located on opposite sides of the neck so that the axle can pass therebetween, with the second resilient projection being resiliently deformable so as to be movable between a first and second position, with the second resilient projection when in the second position thereof providing for passage of the respective axle through the neck, while in the first position of the second resilient projection inhibiting movement of the axle from the opening.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the resilient projections are generally upwardly extending when the container is resting on a supporting surface so that the top opening is located in a generally horizontal plane. 6

6. The container of claim 5, wherein each resilient projection includes an upper part that projects laterally towards the other resilient projections.

7. The container of claim 5 or 6, wherein a recess is located behind each resilient projection into which the respective resilient projection moves when resiliently deflected from the first position to the second position.

8. The container of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein each resilient projection is resiliently urged to the first position.

9. The container of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein each of the projections is an arm. Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON