Bucket handle

Abstract

A handle for attachment to a bail member of a bucket is disclosed. The handle includes a base formed from two interlocking members, a first member frictionally engages a second member, locking the two members together without tools. Upon the interlocking of the first member and second member, a base structure is formed providing a receptacle constructed in a range for receipt of the bail member along an upper section. A centrally disposed cavity may be included in the upper section for receipt of a tubular sleeve commonly found on buckets and employing bail members for carrying heavy weights. The base structure is positioned beneath the bail member wherein a portion of the bail member is insertable into the receptacle. A cover member is secured to the top section of the base structure to conceal the receptacle and secure the bail member within the handle.

Claims

1. A handle for attachment to a bail member of a bucket comprising: a base formed from a first member securable to a second member, said first member having an inside and an outside bounded by a top edge and a bottom edge with a first end having a first indentation spaced apart from a second end having a second indentation, said first member including a centrally disposed cavity positioned along the top edge, a first bail member wire groove positioned between said cavity and said first end, a second bail member wire groove positioned between said cavity and said second end, and a first engagement section positioned between said cavity and said first bail member wire groove and said first end and a second engagement section positioned between said cavity and said second bail member wire groove and said second end, said second member interchangeable with said first member; a plurality of fasteners placed in said first and second engagement sections; a cover member having an enlarged first end constructed and arranged to provide snap fit securement to said base first indentation and an enlarged second end constructed an arranged to provide snap fit securement to said base second indentation, said cover extending from said first end over the top of said cavity to said second end, a lower surface of said cover member including spacing tabs constructed and arranged to fit between an upper edge of said first and second member, wherein lifting of said first and second member pinches said spacing tabs therebetween securing said bail wire within said cavity; wherein the inside of said first member is aligned with the inside of said second member and pressed together whereby the fasteners in said first and second engagement section of said first member secure to the fasteners in said first and second engagement section of said second member; wherein said centrally disposed cavities of said first and second member form a cavity for receipt of a bail wire sleeve and said first and second bail member wire groove are available for receipt of bail wire and said cover member frictionally engages said first member and said second member to secure said bail member wire within said cavity.

2. The handle according to claim 1 wherein said fasteners are further defined as a plurality of protrusions extending from said first engagement section located on said first member constructed and arranged to frictionally engage reciprocal sockets formed in said second engagement section located on said second member.

3. The handle according to claim 1 wherein said fasteners are further defined as a plurality of protrusions extending from said second engagement section located on one member constructed and arranged to frictionally engage reciprocal sockets formed in said first engagement section located on said first member.

4. The handle according to claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said first member and second member includes an ergonomic shape.

5. The handle according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and cover elements are constructed from plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle;

(2) FIG. 2 is side view thereof;

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of a member;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top cover; and

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base with the top cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(10) Now referring to the figures, set forth is a handle 10 for attachment to a wire bail member 100 of a bucket, paint can, or the like container. The handle 10 is formed from a base 12 comprising a first member 14 securable to a second member 16. The first member 14 and the second member 16 form a mirror image which allows a single mold to be used in the manufacturing of either member. For simplicity, the details of the first member 14 will be detailed with the understanding that the second member 16 is a duplicate member. The first member 14 has an inside 18 and an outside surface 20. The first member 14 is bounded by a top edge 22 and a bottom edge 24 with a first end 26 spaced apart from a second end 28. The first member 14 includes a centrally disposed cavity 30 positioned along the top edge 22 of the member 14.

(11) A first bail member wire groove 32 is positioned between said cavity 30 and the first end 26. A second bail member wire groove 34 is positioned between the cavity 30 and the second end 28. A first engagement section 36 is positioned between the cavity 30 and the first bail member wire groove 32 and said first end 26. In the preferred embodiment, the engagement section employs fasteners to interlock one member to another. The first engagement section 36 includes two large receptacles 40 and two smaller receptacles 42. A second engagement section 46 is positioned between the cavity 30 and the second bail member wire groove 34 and the second end 28. The second engagement section 46 also includes two large protrusions 48 and two smaller protrusions 50. Because the second member 16 forms a mirror image of the first member 14, when the inner surfaces of the two members are interlocked, the larger protrusions 48 are inserted into the receptacles 40 of the adjoining member. Similarly the smaller protrusions 50 are inserted into the smaller receptacles 42 thereby locking a first member 14 to a second member 16. The protrusions and receptacles are constructed and arranged to frictionally lock together, the tolerances between the protrusions and receptacles is in the form of a taper so that once the members are interlocked, it is nearly impossible to separate them without damaging the members. The two members can be assembled at the factory, or by the consumer to create a base for support of the bail element. Once assembled, the mirrored cavity 30 becomes a receptacle sized to receive a bail wire 100 together with the plastic sleeve found on conventional buckets 103 that employ a bail wire. Similarly the grooves 32 and 34 form a mirror image for receipt of the bail wire 100 with or without the sleeve. It is understood that the size, type and configuration of the fasteners may vary and any arrangement will be deemed within the scope of this invention.

(12) In operation, the two members forming the base provide a receptacle that can be placed beneath the sleeve on a bail wire and, upon lifting, place the sleeve within the cavity 30 and grooves 32, 34 to capture the bail, wherein the outer surface of the members provide a comfortable and expanded surface area for ease of lifting. The two members are interlocked but can be easily removed from the current bail wire and attached to another bail wire without tools or the need to disassemble the members. In this manner the handle formed by the two members can be moved from container to container quickly, like a portable handle. This is useful when moving multiple containers.

(13) When a single container is used, the handle can be secured to the wire bail without tools. A cover member 60 constructed and arranged to extend from the first end 26 over the top edge 22 of the cavity 30 to the second end 28 for securing the bail wire within the cavity 30. The cover member 60 has an upper surface 62 and a lower surface 64 with a first spacing tab 66 placed at one end 68 and a second spacing tab 70 placed at the opposite end 72. The tabs 66 and 70 are constructed and arranged to fit between the upper edge 22 of the members 14 and 16. When the members 14 and 16 are being lifted, the tabs 66 and 70 are pinched therebetween. The end 68 is enlarged and constructed to fit within an indentation 74, and end 72 is also enlarged along the inner surface and constructed to fit within indentation 76 through a snap-fit arrangement. In particular, the cover member 60 is made of a memory material, such as plastic that can bent into a shape that conforms to the top edge 22 of the members 14 and 16. Upon extension, the cover member 60 snaps into the indentations 74, 76 securing the bail wire within the receptacle. It is noted that no pressure is placed upon the cover member during the lifting process that could force the cover member to become detached. Rather, the cover member tabs 66, 70 are squeezed to further hold the cover in place during lifting and no pressure on the cover member when the container is not in use. During the lifting procedure, the tabs 66, 70 provide proper spacing of the top edge 22 between the first 14 and second member 16.

(14) The outer surface of the handle according to claim 1 wherein said outer surface 20 of said first and second member includes an ergonomic shape for the comfort of the individual. The members can be made of most any material including wood and steel, but the preferred embodiment is plastic.

(15) All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

(16) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.