US20110233241A1

US20110233241A1 - Carrying assembly for holding and transporting containers containing a liquid

Info

Publication number: US20110233241A1
Application number: US12/732,485
Authority: US
Inventors: James Ammons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-26
Filing date: 2010-03-26
Publication date: 2011-09-29

Abstract

One or more embodiments of a carrying assembly for holding and transporting one or more containers containing a liquid are provided. The carrying assembly can include a handle that secures with the ground, secures the containers within the carrying assembly and provides easy gripping. The carrying assembly can also include a base.

Description

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a carrying assembly for holding and transporting one or more containers containing a liquid.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for an a carrying assembly that can secure one or more solvent containers disposed on or within the carrying assembly to prevent spills of the solvent in the containers; thereby, reducing waste of solvents and protecting the environment.
A further need exists for a carrying assembly that allows a user to keep solvent products next to him while installing pipes.
Yet another need exists for a carrying assembly that has a flat surface that can be selectively secured to the ground and resist tipping.
The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative carrying assembly according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the carrying assembly of FIG. 1 with a handle removed.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second illustrative carrying assembly according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a third illustrative carrying assembly according to one or more embodiments.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present embodiments relate to a carrying assembly for holding and transporting one or more containers, such as cans, containing a liquid. The carrying assembly can have a handle that secures with the ground, secures the containers within the carrying assembly, and provides easy gripping.
In one or more embodiments the carrying assembly can include a base. The base can have a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface.
A wall can extend from the top surface. The wall can be a single segment or a plurality of segments. For example, the wall can have from 1 segment to 12 segments. The segments can have a space or gap formed between them reducing the raw material needed to make or form the wall.
The wall can be integral with the top surface. For example, the base can be molded using a single cast. In another embodiment, one or more portions of the base can be made using individual casts or molds and can be affixed to one another. Accordingly, the wall can be affixed to the top surface using an adhesive, epoxy, weld, or similar joining substances.
A base hole can be formed through the top surface and the bottom surface of the base. The base hole can have a diameter of about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch.
A guide can be connected to the top surface for guiding and supporting the handle. In one or more embodiments, the top surface can be configured to receive one or more containers. For example, the top surface can have one or more seats formed into it. Each seat can receive a container and the walls can horizontally secure the container within the seat.
In one or more embodiments, the guide can be formed or affixed to the top surface between two seats formed into the top surface. The seats can be used for receiving a bottom of a container, such as a can, and aligning the container within the carrying assembly.
In one or more embodiments a magnet can be secured to the top surface. For example, one or more magnets can be disposed on the top surface within the seat. The base can have a bottom surface, which is configured to sit on the ground.
The handle can include a stem slidably disposed within the base hole. The stem can be any length and can be adapted to slide within the base hole. The stem can have a friction reducing coating, such as a graphite powder coating, disposed on it. The stem can have one or more bushings or other devices disposed about it for aiding in the moving of the stem within the base hole, the guide, or both.
A grip can be formed on the stem at a first end. The grip can be partially U-shaped, triangular shaped, or a strait bar extending perpendicularly from the stem. In one or more embodiments, the grip can be shaped like a hook. As such the grip can be used to hang the containers and keep them upright so the contents of the containers do not spill out of the containers. The grip can be configured to hang off a workbench, a truck rack, or a storage rack to allow for storage of one or more containers.
In one or more embodiments, the handle can have a first side at an angle of about 93 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to a horizontal axis of the stem, a second side connected to the first side wherein the second side is at an angle of about 0 degrees to about 260 degrees relative to the horizontal axis of the stem, and a third side connected to the second side at an angle of about 330 degrees to about 270 degrees relative to the second side. The angles are all referenced based on the Unit Circle.
In one or more embodiments, the grip can be a T-grip, a U-grip, or other conventional grip. Accordingly, the grip can have a T-shape or U-shape. In one or more embodiments, the grip can have a slanted portion connected to the stem.
An insertion point can be formed at a second end of the stem. The insertion point can be adjacent the bottom surface of the base. The insertion point can be tapered to a point. Accordingly, the insertion point can be wide or flat at the top, which is adjacent to the bottom surface, and can tapper to a point at the bottom, which is the end of the insertion point that is distal from the bottom surface. The insertion point can have numerous shapes.
In one or more embodiments, the insertion point can have flaps that squeeze through the opening and spring back once pushed therethrough. Once the flaps spring back the stem can not pass back out of the base. In one or more embodiments, the insertion point can have one or more locks that prevent the insertion point from passing through the base hole when the grip is moved up or away from the base.
In one or more embodiments, the insertion point can be removably connected to the stem. For example, the insertion point can be threaded to the steam. In one or more embodiments, the insertion point can connect to the stem using a snap latch connector.
A plate can be located on the stem between the handle and the insertion point. In one or more embodiments, the plate can be a one piece construction with the stem. Accordingly, the plate can be fixed at a location on the stem. In another embodiment, the plate can be separate or independent of the stem and can be configured to move about the stem. In one or more embodiments, the plate can be configured to engage one or more container tops when the insertion point is inserted into the ground. For example, the plate can be fixed about a location of the stem and when the handle is moved to push the insertion point into the ground the plate will move and engage a top portion of one or more containers placed on the top surface of the base.
The handle can be moved from a first position to a second position. When the handle is in the second position the insertion point sticks into the ground securing the base to the ground. In addition, the plate can engage a top of one or more containers positioned on the top surface.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative carrying assembly holding two containers according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the carrying assembly of FIG. 1 with a handle removed. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrying assembly 100 can have a base 110 and a handle 130.
The base 110 can have a top surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a guide 120 secured to the top surface 112, one or more wall segments 116 secured to the top surface 112, a base hole 115 formed through the top surface 112 and bottom surface 114, one or more seats (two are shown 160 and 162) formed into the top surface, and one or more magnets 164 disposed in one or more of the seats 160 and 162.
The guide 120 can be located between the seats 160 and 162. The guide 120 can be concentrically aligned with the base hole 115. The guide 120 and base hole 115 can have any shape. The shape of the guide 120 can be the same as the shape of the base hole 115 or the shape of the guide 120 can be different from the shape of the base hole 115. For example, the guide 120 can be circular and the base hole 115 can be square. In another example, the guide 120 can be circular and the base hole 115 can be circular.
The handle 130 can include a grip 132, a stem 134, a plate 138, and an insertion point 136.
The stem 134 can be at least partially disposed within the guide 120 and can pass through the base hole 115. Accordingly, the grip 132 can be adjacent the guide 120 and the insertion point 136 can be adjacent the bottom surface 114.
The insertion point 136 can be configured such that it does not pass through the base hole 115 to the top surface 112. For example, the insertion point 136 can have a top portion 138 that has a large enough diameter or width to prevent it from passing through the base hole 115 and can tapper to a point towards a bottom portion 137 of the insertion point 136.
The stem 134 can be selectively moved from a first position to a second position. In the second position the plate 138 can engage containers, which are not shown, sitting on the seats 160 and 162 and the insertion point can penetrate or engage the ground, which is also not shown.
In one or more embodiments, the plate 138 can be moved independent of the stem 134. For example, the plate 138 can have a locking mechanism that can releasably secure the plate 138 to the stem 134. As such, the locking mechanism, which is not depicted, can be released and the plate 134 can be moved about the stem 134 until the plate 138 engages containers sitting on the seats 160 and 162. After the plate engages or abuts the containers, the plate 138 can be locked in position using the locking mechanism.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second illustrative carrying assembly 300 according to one or more embodiments. The illustrative carrying assembly 300 can include the handle 130, the guide 120, two wall segment 345 and 340 and the base 110.
The first wall segment 340 can hold a first container 320 sitting on the base 110. The second wall segment 345 can hold a second container 330. The plate 138 can engage the containers 320 and 330 when the handle 130 is in the second position.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a third illustrative carrying assembly 400 according to one or more embodiments. The carrying assembly 400 can include a base 410 and the handle 130. The base 410 can have a top surface 412 and a bottom surface 414.
Two containers, a first container 420 and a second container 430 can be formed on the base 410. The base 410 can be similar to the base 110. Accordingly, a portion of the containers 420 and 430 can include one or more wall segments.
A guide 440 can be disposed on the top surface 412 between the containers 420 and 430. The stem 134 of the handle 130 can be disposed through the guide 440 and a base hole, not shown. The base hole can be similar to base hole 115 depicted in FIG. 2. The handle 130 can be operated as discussed above.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A carrying assembly for holding and transporting one or more containers containing a liquid, wherein the carrying assembly comprises a handle that secures with the ground, secures the containers within the carrying assembly and provides easy gripping, and wherein the carrying assembly comprises:

a. a base comprising:

(i) a top surface;

(ii) a wall extending from the top surface;

(iii) a base hole formed through the top surface and a bottom surface of the base; and

(iv) a guide disposed on the top surface, wherein the guide is configured to support and guide the handle as it moves form a first position to a second position;

b. the handle comprising:

(i) a stem slidably disposed within the base hole;

(ii) a grip formed on the stem at a first end;

(iii) an insertion point formed at a second end of the stem; and

(iv) a plate located on the stem between the handle and the insertion point.

2. The carrying assembly of claim 1, further comprising a seat formed into the top surface for receiving a bottom of a container.

3. The carrying assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magnet secured to the top surface.

4. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the plate is movable about the stem.

5. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is a one piece construction.

6. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is a one piece construction.

7. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the base is configured to sit on the ground.

8. The carrying assembly of claim 7, wherein the handle is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein when the handle is in the second position, the insertion point sticks into the ground securing the base to the ground and the plate engages a top of the container positioned on the top surface.

9. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall comprises from 1 segment to 12 segments.

10. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of segments.

11. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall is integral with the top surface.

12. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall is affixed to the top surface.

13. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion point comprises a tapered shape.

14. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip has a U-shape.

15. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip has a slanted portion connected to the stem.

16. The carrying assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface is configured to support two containers.

17. The carrying assembly of claim 16, wherein the plate selectively engages the two containers.

18. The carrying assembly of claim 1, further comprising two containers formed on the top surface.

19. The carrying assembly of claim 18, wherein the walls form a portion of the containers.