Paint can receiving wrist sleeve with additional attachment points

Abstract

A device and method for one-handed securing and controlling of a container with decreased stress and pressure upon the thumb, wrist, forearm and hand of the user. The device utilizes an attached spring-activated swivel gate hook to engage the semi-circular bale handle of a can in various positions that allow for maximum control and flexibility in the manipulation of the container combined with the freedom to adjust the grip of the can without giving up the option to work with both hands. The weight of the can, is in all situations, is equally distributed and centered at the point of flexion of the wrist. Ease of movement is accomplished while supporting the hand, wrist and lower forearm of the user.

Claims

1. A device in the form an adjustable wrist sleeve designed to receive and attach to a cylindrical container with a semi-circular bale handle that allows for painless, one-handed control and manipulation of the container, said device comprising: a primary u-shaped body, a circular opening for the insertion of a thumb bisected by the vertical axis of the u-shaped body toward the distal end of the u-shaped body in an area corresponding to the anatomical placement of the thumb, an elastic arm-fixing inner sleeve attached to either side of the u-shaped body at a point approximately one-half the distance between the u-shaped body vertical axis and the u-shaped body's outer edges which is made to run parallel to the u-shaped body's vertical axis, a plurality of securing tabs for the reversible opening and closure of the wrist sleeve, and a freely rotatable, reversibly opening and closable gate snap hook that is the point of attachment between the device and a cylindrical container exhibiting a semi-circle bale handle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein: said primary u-shaped body exhibits 2 halves composed of Neoprene® or a similarly acting material where the lateral top side, corresponding to the dorsal side of the hand, is a naked material and the bottom side, corresponding to the bottom/palmer hand, wrist and medial forearm side is covered in a loop-type fastener material.

3. The device of claim 1, where: said securing tabs consist of 2 tabs that are constructed of hook type fasters stationed and attached to the outermost edges of the wrist sleeve side that is made to cover the top of the operator's hand, wrist, and lateral forearm, run transverse to the operator's arm, and move out and away from the operator's midline to communicate with the corresponding loop type material covering the bottom half of the u-shaped wrist sleeve facilitating wrist sleeve closure.

4. The device of claim 1, where: the area between the 2 securing tabs on the outermost edges of the wrist sleeve side that is made to cover the top of the operator's hand, wrist, and lateral forearm displays a recession in the form of an absence of material or crevasse that is made to facilitate the reception of an opposing securing tab.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein: a securing tab displaying hook type fasteners which is attached to an elastic extension connected to the opposite medial wrist sleeve side and runs in between and in opposition to the 2 top attached tabs and is made to reversibly adhere to the loop type material of the bottom half of the u-shaped wrist sleeve facilitating wrist sleeve closure.

6. The device of claim 1, where: a securing tab constructed of an elastic extension and a hook type fasteners tab is attached to the most proximal, upper portion of the wrist sleeve, is made to run transverse to the operator's upper arm and across the forearm of the operator for securing of a media and/or communication device to said wrist sleeve.

7. The device of claim 1, where: a metal attracting magnet is sewn onto the wrist sleeve device atop the sleeve and in a position that most closely approximates the back of the hand of the operator and is made to receive the magnetic ferrule of a paint brush or other metallic objects for hands free brush or other metal object deposition.

8. The device of claim 1, where: a padded comfort strip insert is sewn into the wrist sleeve device that runs parallel to the operator's wrist along the palmer, midline of the forearm, is tapered at either end of the wrist sleeve device, runs under said gate snap hook, and extends above and below the plain of the wrist sleeve serving the dual purpose of operator wrist support and a barrier between container base externally and operator's wrist and forearm internally.

9. A method of single-handed, fixed controlling and manipulation of a container by an operator comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising a primary u-shaped body, a circular opening for the insertion of a thumb bisected by the vertical axis of the u-shaped body toward the distal end of the u-shaped body in an area corresponding to the anatomical placement of the thumb, an elastic arm-fixing inner sleeve attached to either side of the u-shaped body at a point approximately one-half the distance between the u-shaped body vertical axis and the u-shaped body's outer edges which is made to run parallel to the u-shaped body's vertical axis, a plurality of securing tabs for the reversible opening and closure of the wrist sleeve, and a freely rotatable, reversibly opening and closable gate snap hook that is the point of attachment between the device and a cylindrical container exhibiting a semi-circle bale handle inserting the operator's hand and arm into the device; rotating the semi-circle shaped bale handle into a downwardly positioned location toward a bale handled container's side; clasping the freely rotatable, reversibly closable gate snap hook to the apex of the bale handle at an area corresponding to the operator's wrist; positioning operator's thumb on the lower side of the container; and placing operators fingers on the container bottom thereby supporting container weight.

10. The method of single-handed, fixed control of a paint container, as claimed in claim 9 wherein: the semi-circle shaped bale handle is downwardly positioned toward the bale handled container's side; the freely rotatable, reversible closable gate snap hook is engaged at the point of attachment and pivot of the bale handle at an area corresponding to the operator's wrist; and the operator's thumb, palm, and fingers are placed on the side of the container to support and manipulate the container.

11. A method of single-handed controlling and manipulation of a container by an operator comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising a primary u-shaped body, a circular opening for the insertion of a thumb located at the vertical axis of the u-shaped body toward the distal end of the u-shaped body, an elastic arm-fixing inner sleeve affixed to either side of the u-shaped body at a point approximately one-half the distance between the u-shaped body vertical axis and the u-shaped body's outer edges which is made to run parallel to the u-shaped body's midline, securing tabs for the reversible closure of the wrist sleeve, and a freely rotatable, reversibly closable gate snap hook that is the point of attachment between the device and a cylindrical container exhibiting a paint can bale handle positioning the semi-circle shaped bale handle in an upwardly position; clasping the freely rotatable, reversibly closable gate snap hook to the apex of the bale handle and making the clasp receive the balanced weight distribution of the container from the area of operator's wrist while allowing the operator unlimited access to the container through 360 degree rotation, and unrestricted and unencumbered use of operator's hand, thumb and fingers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the wrist sleeve in an open orientation.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention in an open orientation.

(3) FIG. 3 is an bottom view of the present invention illustrating the engaging means, brush attracting magnet, an means for media device/communication device attachment, and paint can attachment means.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention in an open orientation.

(5) FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention in an open orientation.

(6) FIG. 6 is a right side view of the present invention in an open orientation.

(7) FIG. 7 is a left side view of the present invention in an open orientation.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the present invention where the means for wrist sleeve attachment is secured to the apex of the bale handle, the bale handle is made to rest alongside of the paint can, the thumb is on the side of the paint can, and the fingers support the base of the paint can.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side perspective view where the means for wrist sleeve attachment is linked to the point of connection of semi-circular bale handle to paint can and both thumb and fingers are on the side of the paint can.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side perspective view where the swivel gate hook is attached to the apex of the semi-circular bale handle of the paint can, the bale handle is engaged in an upright position, and the container is allowed to hang by its own weight and rotate 360 degrees.

(11) FIG. 11 is a side view depicting brush attachment.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side view depicting communication/media device attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims and diagrams.

(14) Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention, as detailed in FIGS. 1-10, provides a device 5 for one-handed attachment, securing, and controlling of a container 50 exhibiting a u-shaped bale handle 55 where the invention is designed and engineered to facilitate decreased stress and pressure upon the thumb 56, wrist 58, and fingers 57 of the operator. Specifically, the manipulation of the container 50 can be achieved through 1 of 3 variations: palm up, thumb 56 alongside the container 50, fingers 57 beneath container 50, and swivel gate hook 59 attached to the container's 50 u-shaped bale handle 55 at the bale handle apex 67 which is made to rest in downward position close to the container 50 side 60 (as evidenced in FIG. 8), thumb 56 alongside the container 50, fingers 57 resting on the side 60 of the container, and the swivel gate hook 59 connected to the point of attachment and pivot 63 of u-shaped bale handle 55 to container 50 (as depicted in FIG. 9), and thumb 56 and fingers 57 freely moveable, swivel gate hook 59 attached to the u-shaped bale handle 55 at the bale handle apex 67 where the u-shaped bale handle 55 is fully extended upward across the container 50 top 65 and gravitational pull exerting all supporting force on the wrist 58 of the invention operator. As opposed to the traditional expedient but strain inducing method of supporting the container base 68 with the fingers 57 on the base of the container 68 and hooking the thumb 56 about the u-shaped bale handle 55 (not shown), FIGS. 8 and 9 provide an improved container 50 manipulation with painless, secure control of the container 50 while allowing free access to the containers opening 65 and the paint contained within. Additionally, as represented in FIG. 10, the invention operator has the ability and option to attach the swivel gate hook 59 to the u-shaped bale handle apex 67 in its most extended position upward (with thumb 56 and fingers 57 freely moveable) to accomplish other tasks without releasing the container 50. Too, the operator is allowed ease of access to the container opening 65 with a paint brush due to the 360 degree rotation of the swivel gate hook 59.

(15) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the device 5 in an open orientation where tabs 25, 30, and 35 are pointing out and away from midline 41 where elastic webbing material 11 is tethered to each side of the wrist sleeve 5 and the present invention 5 is made to receive the operator's hand 54, fingers 57 and thumb 56 where the thumb 56 is placed through the orifice 12 that is positioned toward the distal end of the present invention and is bisected by the midline 41 where the orifice 12 is made to appreciate the anatomical configuration an physiological placement of the operator's thumb 56 and the fingers 57 are unrestricted. At the terminal end of tabs 25 and 30 lie hook type fasteners 10 and 15 respectfully where a hook fastener strip 10 is affixed to the outer surface 40 of tab 25 and hook fastener strip 15 is attached to the outer surface 40 of tab 30 at the most distal portion of tabs 25 and 30. As in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tabs 25 and 30 are separated by indention 27 where tab 25 and hook fastener strip 10 extends out and away from the invention midline further than tab 30 and hook fastener strip 15. Opposing tabs 25 and 30 is tab 35 elastic extension 37 and hook fastener strip 20. When side 40 is made to communicate with side 45, hook fastener strip 10 is made to adhere to the exterior loop material portion 43 of side 45, loop fastener strip 30 is made to adhere to the exterior loop material portion 44 of side 45, and hook fastener strip 20 is made to traverse indention 27 and connect to the exterior loop material portion 42 of side 40 via elastic extension 37 creating a circular device 5 that encircles the operator's proximal hand 54, wrist 58, and distal forearm (see FIGS. 8-12).

(16) A key component to the present invention is the position and placement of the loop type material 45 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. While the interior surface material 9 and the exterior portion material 40 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7) can be of varying materials that provide flexible, supportive, and durable qualities (e.g. neoprene), the exterior loop material portion 45 has a unique function in that it is designed to receive each hook fastener strip 10, 15 and 20, releasably and in a number of varying positions and orientations that are user specific. Accordingly, to increase comfort and to allow for adjustment of the present invention hook fastener strips 10 and 15 may be applied and reapplied to outer loop surface 45 at positions 43 and 44 and hook fastener strip 20 may be applied and reapplied to side 40 at loop surface area 42 via elongation of elastic extension 37 innumerable times to accommodate differing wrist 58 and hand 54 dimensions, comfort levels, and duration of use.

(17) Of paramount importance to the functionality of the device 5, too, is the primary functioning member of the present invention that makes up the point of attachment of the wrist sleeve 5 to the container 50 and attached bale handle 55 by the attached swivel gate hook 59 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. The attached swivel gate hook 59 draws importance from not only its ability to close securely, but also from the specific position and placement and centering on the center or midline and point of flexion of the wrist 58 which allows the operator the utmost control and ergonomic thumb 56 and finger 57 placement (see FIGS. 8 and 9) and greatest freedom for unencumbered use of the hand 54, thumb 56, and fingers 57 when needed for full two-handed dexterity in painting operations (see FIG. 10).

(18) The point of attachment itself is an egg-shaped push gate swivel snap hook 59 that is securely fastened to the area corresponding with the wrist center and midline 61 but is designed to maintain the ability to move fore and aft along a ¾ inch semicircle strip 76. The ¾ inch semicircle strip 76 itself is securely adhered to the area corresponding to the center and midline of the wrist 58, is sewn onto the “palmer” portion 77 of the device 5 in such a manner that it allows the swivel gate hook's 59 circular eye 72 to move along the entire length of the ¾ inch semicircle strip's 76 length. The circular eye 72 harbors a circular opening (not shown) that bisects the circular eye 72 and is made to receive the egg-shaped push gate swivel snap hook post (not numbered) thus allowing for freely moveable and independent rotation (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 6).

(19) In addition to those components that are germane to the functionality of the present invention, there are several features that add either comfort or usefulness. In the area of comfort, a comfort strip 79 (as depicted in FIGS. 3, 6, 8, and 9) is sewn into the device 5 along the palmer, midline of the forearm and wrist that runs the length of the device 5, tapers at either end, and rises above and below the plain of the both the outer and inner portions of the device 5 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Structurally, this comfort strip 79 serves the dual function of operators wrist support internally 83 and container bottom 68 support externally 84. Turning to utility, the device 5 that is the present invention displays 2 innovative improvements on the external portion 84 that aid in the attachment of devices used by virtually each and every painter: a brush and a media/communication device. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9, a magnet 90 is located on the dorsal region 91 of the device 5 in an area distally fixed and most closely associated with the back of the hand 58. The magnet 90 can be made to attract and reversibly adhere to metal objects up to and including a painter's brush (as shown in FIG. 11). Additionally, the present invention exhibits an elongated elastic strip 94 that is made to run perpendicular to the operators forearm. This elongated elastic strip 94 has to it attached a terminal tab 96 with a hook fastener strip placed underneath (not shown) that is made to attach to loop fastener portion 45 of the device 5. The elongated strip 94, demonstrates a novel utility of fastening to the device 5 a media and/or communication device (as demonstrated in FIG. 12) with which the wrist sleeve operator can have ready access to a wide array of multi-media while experiencing hands-free communication.

(20) It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing description is illustrative only and is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement as displayed and described and that the present invention representation relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, modifications as to position and placement up to and including a mirror image, reconfiguration of tabs and hook and loop type fasteners, attachment placement, magnetic holder position and placement or media and/or communication device position and placement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is best described and defined as set forth in the following claims.