US3661351A - Ladder mounted paint pail support - Google Patents

Abstract

An inclined panel member including a hook at its upper end for embracingly engaging and canting relative to the side rail of a ladder for support of the panel member from the ladder side rail with the panel member inclined downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the ladder side rail. The lower marginal edge portion of the panel member includes outwardly projecting extensions for underlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can and the inclined side edges of the panel member include notches therein for embracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of the cam rim assembly spaced slightly closer together than the first pair of rim assembly peripheral portions. In addition, the lower edge portion of the panel member includes a centrally disposed laterally outwardly struck tongue which projects from the undersurface side of the panel member and includes a free end portion for underlying still another portion of the peripheral rim assembly of the paint can spaced centrally intermediate both the first and second pairs of peripherally spaced portions of the rim assembly of the can. In addition to providing a means for suspending a paint can from a ladder side rail, the panel member also functions as an inclined drain surface for draining paint clinging to a brush may be wiped to remove excess paint and the horizontally opening upper hook portion of the panel member defines a support from which a paint brush may be supported when the can is not being supported from a ladder, the handle portion of the paint brush being received through the hook and canted relative thereto with the bristles of the brush disposed over the top of the associated can.

Description

United States Patent Olsen n51 3,661,351 [4 1 May 9, 1972 [s41 LADDER MOUNTED PAINT PAIL SUPPORT,

Olaf L. Olsen, 5325 116th Avenue, NE, Kirkland, Wash. 98033 [22] Filed: Dec.23,l969

[21] Appl.No.: 887,633

[72] Inventor:

[52] U.S.Cl

..248/2l0, 248/1 10, 248/31 1 [51] lnt.Cl. ..E06c 7/14 [58] FieldofSearch ..248/ll0,ll3,2l0,2ll,2l5, 248/300, 301, 31 l, 312, 313, 316 R, 316 D, 317,

Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT An inclined panel member including a hook at its upper end for embracingly engaging and canting relative to the side rail of a ladder for support of the panel member from the ladder side rail with the panel member inclined downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the ladder side rail. The lower marginal edge portion of the panel member includes outwardly projecting extensions for underlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can and the inclined side edges of the panel member include notches therein for embracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of the cam rim assembly spaced slightly closer together than the first pair of rim assembly peripheral portions. In addition, the lower edge portion of the panel member includes a centrally disposed laterally outwardly struck tongue which projects from the undersurface side of the panel member and includes a free end portion for underlying still another portion of the peripheral rim assembly of the paint can spaced centrally intermediate both the first and second pairs of peripherally spaced portions of the rim assembly of the can. In addition to providing a means for suspending a paint can from a ladder side rail, the panel member also functions as an inclined drain surface for draining paint clinging to a brush may be wiped to remove excess paint and the horizontally opening upper hook portion of the panel member defines a support from which a paint brush may be supported when the can is not being supported from a ladder, the handle portion of the paint brush being received through the hook and canted relative thereto with the bristles of the brush disposed over the top of the associated can.

i 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9 me Fig .5

Olaf L Olsen 1 LADDER MOUNTED PAINT PAIL SUPPORT The paint pail or bucket support of the instant invention has been designed to provide a means whereby a paint pail or bucket may be readily removably supported in stationary position relative to an associated ladder side rail. In addition, the support functions as a drain surface for draining paint back into the associated pail or bucket, as a wiping edge by which excess paint may be wiped from the bristles of an associated brush and as a support for the brush when the pail support is not supported from an associated ladder.

The pail or bucket support is unique in construction in that it is constructed of a single panel of sheet'material such as sheet aluminum or othernon-corrosive material. The support has no moving parts and may thus be constructed so economically as to be utilized as an advertising give-away or as a no cost incentive for buying a particular brand of paint or paint from a particular paint outlet.

The construction of the support is such that only the size of the various components of its lower marginal edge portion need be altered in order to adapt-the support for use in conjunction with different size paint cans or buckets. However, inasmuch as most painting done from a ladder involves the use of a one gallon paint can, it is believed that the pail or can support will be utilized most often in conjunction with a 1 gallon can.

The main object of this invention is to provide a means whereby an open can or pail of paint may be readily removably supported in stationary position from a ladder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a demountable structure for supporting an open paint can or pail from ladders of various sizes and styles with only slight modifications being required during the manufacture of the demountable structure so as to adapt it for use in conjunction with various size and style ladders.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure in accordance with the preceding objects and which is capable of supporting a bail-type paint can or pail from an associated ladder independent of the bail handle of the can, whereby the bail may be pivoted downwardly along side the can to expose substantially the full open top of the can for access thereinto by a paint brush.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a demountable structure for supporting a paint can or pail from a ladder and which is snapped into removable engagement with the associated paint can or pail without connection or interference with the bail handle of the can, thereby enabling the latter to be carried in the usual manner by the bail-handle provided for such purpose.

Yet another object of this invention isto provide a. device that may be readily stamped from a single sheet of material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support in accordance with the immediately preceding object andconstructed in a manner whereby the support may be releasably engaged with an associated ladder side rail at substantially any pointspaced longitudinally along the side rail.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a support in accordance with the preceding objects and which will also function as an inclined drain plate for draining-paintfrom an associated brush back into the associated paint pail.

A- further important object of this invention is to provide a pail support which will also function as a wiper blade by which excess paint on an associated therefrom.

A still further'object of this invention is to provide a support in accordance with the preceding objects and which'may also be utilized to support an associated paint brush in generally horizontal position with the bristles of the brush over the associated paint pail when the support is not being utilized to support the pail from a ladder.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a paint pail support which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will paint brush may be wiped.

be economically-feasible, long lasting and relatively troublefree in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ladder with the pail support of the instant invention operatively associated with the ladder and being utilized to support a 1 gallon paint pail from the ladder;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIG. 1;-

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of a paint pail with which the support of the instant invention is operatively associated;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a paint pail illustrating the manner in which the support may be utilized to support a paint brush with its bristles disposed over the open top of the associated paint pail; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support of the instant invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the nume'rall0 generally designates a conventional form of ladder including a pair'of opposite side rails 12 (one of which is not shown) interconnected by means of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed ladder rungs 14. The side rails and rungs may be interconnected in any conventional manner and it is therefore to be noted that the ladder 10 may be considered as conventional.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings there may be seen a conventional form of paint pail or can referred to in general by the reference numeral l6 and which is of 1 gallon capacity. The pail or can 16 includes an upper inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 and it may be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings that the rim assembly 18- includes an outer rolled bead portion 20 rolled over the upper marginal edge portions of the side wall 22 of the pail or can 16, a generally horizontal annular central flange portion 24 and an integral annular channel portion 26 whose inner periphery is defined by an inner rolled bead portion 28. The pail or can 16 and rim assembly 18 may also be considered as conventional.

The support of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 30' and includes a body 32 constructed ofasingle piece of panel material such as sheet material or plastic. The body 32 includes upper and lower marginal edge portions 34 and 36 as well as opposite side marginal edge portions 38 and 40.

The upper marginal edge portion 34 of the body 32 has a horizontally opening notch 42 formed therein so as to define a hook v44 at the upper extremity of the body 32. From FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings it may be seen that the notch 42 may receive one of the side rails 12 therein with the body 32 canted so as to frictionally engage the opposing surfaces 46 and 48 of the notch 42'with opposite side surfaces of the side rail 12.

The lower marginal edge portion 36 of the body 32 includes opposite side outwardly projectingextensions 50 and 52 for underlying peripherally spaced portions 54 and 56 of the rim assembly 18,- see FIG. 3. Further, the side marginal edge portions 38 and 40 of the body 32 include outwardly and downwardly opening notches 58 and 60 for embracingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions 62 and 64 of the rim assembly 18 spaced'intermediate the portions 54 and 56. The notches 58 define blunt tongues 66 and 68 for downward snap receptionin the channel portion 26 and the central portion of the lower marginal edge portion 36 of the body 32 includes a laterally struck tongue 70 having an angulated free terminal end 72. The tongue 70 is receivable beneath the portion 74 of the rim assembly 18 and it may be seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings that the portion 74 is spaced centrally intermediate both the portions 62 and 64 and the portions 54 and 56.

It is believed readily apparent that the body 32 may be readily provided with any suitable advertising indicia (not shown) in addition to the instructional indicia 76. Further, the body 32 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic or aluminum and its cost of manufacture is therefore maintained at a minimum enabling the support 30 to be utilized as a give-away" advertising item or as a no cost sales incentive.

In operation, after the paint pail or can 16 has had its top (not shown) removed, the support 30 may be engaged with the rim assembly 18 of the pail or can 16 in a manner which is believed to be obvious from the drawings and the above description. With the support 30 thus engaged with the rim assembly 18 of the pail or can 16, the latter may be readily supported and carried by the hook 44 inasmuch as the tongues 66 and 68 of the body 32 must be flexed so as to be passed over the rolled bead 28 on the inner periphery of the channel portion 26 of the rim assembly 18. Thus, the support 30, when properly installed on the paint pail or can 16, is frictionally engaged therewith and will not become disengaged from the rim assembly 18 until the marginal portion of the body 32 defining the surface 48 is pulled inward toward the center line of the can 16.

After the support 30 has been engaged with the rim assembly 18, the hook 44 may be readily engaged with the side rail 12 of the ladder in a manner which is also believed to be obvious. Further, the lower marginal edge portion 36 may be utilized as a wiping edge for wiping excess paint from the bristles of an associated brush and the hook 44 may be utilized to support an associated brush with its bristles disposed over the open top of the associated can 16 when the support 30 is not engaged with a ladder, see FIG. 4.

As an added bonus, when the lower marginal edge portion 36 of the body 32 is utilized as a wiping edge for wiping excess paint from an associated brush, the channel portion 26 of the rim assembly 18 does not become filled with paint by the usual method of wiping excess paint from a brush involving drawing the bristles of the brush over the rolled bead 28 of the rim assembly 18. Accordingly, the lid (not shown) of the pail or can 16 may be readily replaced in a manner ensuring an airtight seal and thus preserving whatever paint remains within the pail or can 16.

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 as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows: v

l. A generally planar inclined plate including upper, lower and opposite side marginal edge portions, the opposite ends of said lower marginal edge portion including endwise outwardly projecting extensions for underlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can, the lower extremities of said side edge portions including outwardly opening notches for embracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of said rim assembly disposed between and spaced slightly closer together than the first pair of peripherally spaced rim assembly portions, said plate defining a generally horizontal notch opening outwardly through one of said side edge portions above the corresponding notch of said pair of notches, said horizontal notch being adapted to embracingly receive one side rail of an associated ladder therein with said plate being inclined downwardly and outwardly from the corresponding side of said ladder.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a centrally disposed downwardly and outwardly struck tongue portion whose free end is adapted to be received beneath the portion of sard rrm assembly disposed centrally mtermedlate said first pair of peripherally spaced rim assembly positions, said tongue portion being disposed below the last-mentioned notch.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the portions of said plate defining the upper extremities of said notches comprise downwardly and outwardly inclined tongues for snap engagement in an upwardly opening groove defined by and extending about said rim assembly.

Claims (3)

1. A generally planar inclined plate including upper, lower and opposite side marginal edge portions, the opposite ends of said lower marginal edge portion including endwise outwardly projecting extensions for underlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can, the lower extremities of said side edge portions including outwardly opening notches for embracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of said rim assembly disposed between and spaced slightly closer together than the first pair of peripherally spaced rim assembly portions, said plate defining a generally horizontal notch opening outwardly through one of said side edge portions above the corresponding notch of said pair of notches, said horizontal notch being adapted to embracingly receive one side rail of an associated ladder therein with said plate being inclined downwardly and outwardly from the corresponding side of said ladder.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a centrally disposed downwardly and outwardly struck tongue portion whose free end is adapted to be received beneath the portion of said rim assembly disposed centrally intermediate said first pair of peripherally spaced rim assembly positions, said tongue portion being disposed below the last-mentioned notch.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the portions of said plate defining the upper extremities of said notches comprise downwardly and outwardly inclined tongues for snap engagement in an upwardly opening groove defined by and extending about said rim assembly.

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