US20020125385A1

US20020125385A1 - Paint can holder system

Info

Publication number: US20020125385A1
Application number: US09/801,546
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Tweed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-07
Filing date: 2001-03-07
Publication date: 2002-09-12

Abstract

A paint can holder system for reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can. The paint can holder system includes an elongate support member, a lower gripping attached to a lower end of the support member, a handle member attached to an upper end of the support member, a rear member extending from the support member, and a front member extending from the support member opposite of the rear member. The front member is formed to engage the rim of the paint container. The rear member is formed to receive the U-shaped handle of a paint container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to paint can holders and more specifically it relates to a paint can holder system for reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Paint cans have been in use for years. Typically, a paint can is comprised of a tubular container having an upper opening and a handle pivotally attached to the container. The handle is typically attached about the side portions of the container and is typically U-shaped in structure. The handle further is typically comprised of a narrow metal wire member.

The main problem with conventional paint cans is that they are difficult to hold for extended periods of time. Another problem with conventional paint cans is that the narrow handle structure causes pain to the hand of the user over a period of time. A further problem with conventional paint cans is that they are difficult to support when filled with paint or other liquid. A further problem with conventional paint cans is that they are difficult to balance and prevent movement which can cause spillage of paint. A further problem with conventional paint cans is that when the user grasps the handle to support the container, the handle partially blocks the upper opening of the container making it difficult for the user to insert a paint brush into the container.

Examples of patented paint can related devices which are illustrative of such prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,131 to Francis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,767 to Song; U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,339 to Chishko, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,520 to Niemeier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,034 to Unkefer; U.S. Pat. No. 395,825 to Freitas; U.S. Pat. No. 312,158 to Lund.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can. Conventional paint cans do not allow for convenient holding during painting or transporting.

In these respects, the paint can holder system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of paint cans and paint can holders now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new paint can holder system construction wherein the same can be utilized for reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new paint can holder system that has many of the advantages of the paint cans mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new paint can holder system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art paint can holders, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an elongate support member, a lower gripping attached to a lower end of the support member, a handle member attached to an upper end of the support member, a rear member extending from the support member, and a front member extending from the support member opposite of the rear member. The front member is formed to engage the rim of the paint container. The rear member is formed to receive the U-shaped handle of a paint container.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a paint can holder system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a paint can holder system for reducing physical strain upon the hand and wrist of an individual holding a paint can.

Another object is to provide a paint can holder system that reduces fatigue upon the hand and writs while supporting a paint can.

An additional object is to provide a paint can holder system that is attachable to various sizes and designs of paint cans.

A further object is to provide a paint can holder system that allows insertion of a paintbrush into the paint can while being supported without interference.

Another object is to provide a paint can holder system that reduces spillage of paint within the paint can.

A further object is to provide a paint can holder system that is easily attached to a conventional paint can.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0023]
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention. [0024]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention being positioned within the handle of the paint container. [0025]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention positioned within the handle and against the outer surface of the paint container. [0026]
FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention. [0028]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention. [0029]
FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention. [0030]
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line [0031] 8-8 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line [0032] 9-9 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a paint can holder [0033] system 10, which comprises an elongate support member 20, a lower gripping 30 attached to a lower end of the support member 20, a handle member 60 attached to an upper end of the support member 20, a rear member 40 extending from the support member 20, and a front member 50 extending from the support member 20 opposite of the rear member 40. The front member 50 is formed to engage the upper rim of the paint container 12. The rear member 40 is formed to receive the U-shaped handle 14 of a paint container 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings, the [0034] support member 20 is an elongate structure. The support member 20 may be constructed of various sizes, shapes, materials and structures as can be appreciated. The support member 20 is constructed of a rigid material that is resistant to significant bending such as but not limited to metal or plastic.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings, the [0035] lower gripping 30 extends from the lower end of the support member 20. The lower gripping 30 has an inner curved surface 32 formed for receiving the outer surface of the paint container 12 as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The lower gripping 30 preferably is relatively broad in a winged manner to facilitate stable receiving of the paint container 12 during usage by an individual as best shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 of the drawings. The lower gripping 30 also reduces the movement of the support member during usage. It is possible to utilize the present invention without the lower gripping 30 attached to the support member 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 of the drawings, a [0036] rear member 40 extends from a rear surface of the support member 20 that is formed for receiving the U-shaped handle 14 of the paint container 12. The rear member 40 includes an upper edge 42 that catchably receives the U-shaped handle 14 as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The rear member 40 may have various shapes including but not limited to tapered or curved.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, a [0037] front member 50 extends from a front surface of the support member 20 opposite of the rear member 40. The front member 50 has a lower edge 52 for engaging the upper rim of the paint container 12 for preventing the paint can holder system 10 from sliding downwardly when positioned upon a paint container 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, the [0038] handle member 60 is attached to an upper end of the support member 20. The handle member 60 preferably extends horizontally away from the front member 50 as best illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. When grasped by a user, the handle member 60 provides a counterbalance to the weight of the paint container 12 thereby maintaining the paint container 12 in an upright and stable position. The handle member 60 preferably includes a plurality of ergonomic grips 62 for assisting in the gripping of the handle member 60 by the hand of a user.
In use, the user elevates the [0039] U-shaped handle 14 of the paint container 12 in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. As further shown in FIG. 2, the user positions the support member 20 and the rear member 40 adjacent to the U-shaped handle 14. The user then lowers the U-shaped handle 14 along with the paint can holder system 10 until the front member 50 is in engagement with the upper rim of the paint container 12 and the lower gripping 30 is in engagement with the outer portion of the paint container 12 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The user then grasps the handle member 60 lifting upwardly which causes the handle to rotate upwardly slightly attempting to draw the support member 20 inwardly. However, the upwardly force upon the handle member 60 counterbalances the force applied to the support member 20 by the U-shaped handle 14 thereby maintaining a stable vertical position for the paint container 12 for preventing spillage. The handle member 60 is positioned so as to allow the insertion of a paintbrush 16 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0040]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0041]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0042]

Claims

I claim:

1. A paint can holder system, comprising:

a support member having an elongate structure;

a handle member attached to an upper end of said support member; and

a rear member attached to a rear surface of said support member for catchably receiving a handle from a paint container.

2. The paint can holder system of claim 1, including a front member attached to a front surface of said support member for engaging an upper rim of said paint container.

3. The paint can holder system of claim 2, wherein said front member is positioned so that said rear member supports said handle of said paint container at an upward angle.

4. The paint can holder system of claim 3, wherein said rear member includes a rear edge.

5. The paint can holder system of claim 4, wherein said front member includes a lower edge.

6. The paint can holder system of claim 5, wherein said handle member includes a plurality of ergonomic grips.

7. The paint can holder system of claim 6, wherein said handle extends outwardly away from said front member.

8. The paint can holder system of claim 7, wherein said lower edge and said upper edge are parallel to one another.

9. The paint can holder system of claim 8, wherein said lower edge and said upper edge are aligned with one another.

10. The paint can holder system of claim 9, wherein said support member is comprised of a rigid material.

11. A paint can holder system, comprising:

a support member having an elongate structure;

a handle member attached to an upper end of said support member;

a rear member attached to a rear surface of said support member for catchably receiving a handle from a paint container; and

a lower gripping attached to a lower portion of said support member, wherein said lower gripping is formed for engaging a side of said paint container.

12. The paint can holder system of claim 11, including a front member attached to a front surface of said support member for engaging an upper rim of said paint container.

13. The paint can holder system of claim 12, wherein said front member is positioned so that said rear member supports said handle of said paint container at an upward angle.

14. The paint can holder system of claim 13, wherein said rear member includes a rear edge.

15. The paint can holder system of claim 14, wherein said front member includes a lower edge.

16. The paint can holder system of claim 15, wherein said handle member includes a plurality of ergonomic grips.

17. The paint can holder system of claim 16, wherein said handle extends outwardly away from said front member.

18. The paint can holder system of claim 17, wherein said lower edge and said upper edge are aligned with one another.

19. The paint can holder system of claim 18, wherein said lower gripping has a winged structure extending from opposing sides of said support member.

20. The paint can holder system of claim 19, wherein said lower gripping has an inner curved surface.