Antirotation device

Abstract

An antirotation device for preventing undesired rotation of a barrel in which a viscous fluid is being mixed or stirred. The device includes a subsstantially-planar element of generally-rectangular shape. An internal aperture is provided for accommodating a barrel. A clip is provided at the end of a chain that is engaged to a minor side of the substantially-planar element for grasping the brim of the barrel and elevating that side while anti-skid tape is fixed to the substantially-planar element adjacent the other minor side to provide a region onto which the worker may step firmly and securely and thereby effectively apply force for counteracting the torque applied to the barrel by the stirred or mixed viscous fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the preparation and use of viscous building materials. More particularly, this invention pertains to a device for preventing undesired rotation of a bucket as viscous material within is stirred.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Many construction and repair tasks require the on-site preparation of a viscous building material. Such materials may include, for example, grout for tile, heavy paints, cement, drywall texture, fireproofing, roof coating and acoustic material such as gypsum.

[0005] Often such material is mixed or stirred in a bucket suitable for subsequent transport of the material to the work area. Buckets for such use are commonly of five gallon volume capacity.

[0006] Efficient and thorough axmixture of material is often facilitated by such automated means as an electric drill having a relatively-long drill bit. Unfortunately, experience has shown that viscous materials are generally transported in a vortex that emanates from the rotating drill bit or other stirrer. The presence of dynamic friction between the material and the inner wall of the bucket results in the imposition of a torsion force causing the bucket to spin. This can be quite annoying to the user and, in fact, can lead to significant spillage and spraying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention addresses the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art by providing apparatus for preventing rotation of a receptacle. Such apparatus includes a substantially-planar member. Such member has an internal aperture for receiving the receptacle. One end of a chain is engaged to the substantially-planar member. A clip is engaged to the other end of the chain.

[0008] The preceding and other features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the detailed description that follows. Such description is accompanied by a set of drawing figures. Numerals of the drawing figures, corresponding to those of the written description, point to the features of the invention with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the written description and the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top planar view of the anti-rotation device of the invention; and

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top planar view of the antirotation device 10 of the invention. The antirotation device 10 includes a planar member 12, preferably of aluminum or other metal or hard plastic, that is joined to a clip 14 (shown in perspective view) by means of a chain 16.

[0012] The planar member 12 has an internal aperture 18 for accommodating a standard receptacle of the type that is commonly employed for holding a viscous material as it is mixed or stirred for use. As mentioned above, such viscous material may be encountered in the processes of grouting, painting, drywall, fireproofing, roofing, soundproofing and the like while the material is commonly handled in a five gallon bucket.

[0013] The planar member 12 should have sufficient stiffness and resilience to withstand bending while bearing a sufficient force load to prevent spinning in the face of significant torque force. An example of such material is ⅛ inch thick aluminum sheeting.

[0014] The planar member 12 has an internal aperture 18. Such aperture 18 may be generally circular with its center 20 offset a distance “d” from the bisector 22 of the major length of the generally-rectangular planar member 12. The aperture 18 is provided for receiving a bucket when the device is in use. While it is generally-circular, the aperture 18 includes a straight segment 24 at its upper edge. The straight segment 24 will be seen to enhance the ability of the device 10 to grip, and thereby retain and stabilize, the sidewall of a bucket against rotation.

[0015] While the center 20 of the aperture 18 is offset above the bisector 22 of the major length of the planar member 12, strips 26, 28 of anti-skid tape are fixed to the region of the planar member 12 below the bisector 22. Such strips 26, 28 permit the user to transfer force efficiently to the member 12 to, in turn, prevent undesired rotation of a bucket.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the antirotation device 10 in use. The device 10 is employed in FIG. 2 to prevent rotation of a bucket 30 that holds a viscous material 32 as it is mixed. A workman presses with a foot 34 upon the planar member 12 while holding a power drill 36 having a relatively-long bit 38 engaged thereto.

[0017] The clip 14 engages the edge of the bucket 30 so that, in combination with the chain 16, it holds the planar member 12 so that the upper edge 40 is elevated above the lower edge 42. The tilted orientation of the planar member 12, in combination with its stiffness and resilience, allows the workman to exert considerable force (at the anti-skid strips 26 and 28) while pressing the straight edge segment 24 into the side of the bucket 30. The translation of the downward force of the foot 34 into such gripping of the side of the bucket 30, combined with the downward force exerted between the lower edge 42 of the planar member 12 and a floor 44, generates a strong antirotation force that serves to counteract the effect of torsion transferred from the stirred viscous material 32 to the retaining bucket 30.

[0018] While the invention has been described with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. Rather, this invention is limited only insofar as it is described by the following set of drawing g=figures and includes within its scope all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preventing rotation of a receptacle comprising, in combination:

a) a substantially-planar element;

b) said element having an internal aperture for receiving said receptacle;

c) said internal aperture being de-centered with respect to said substantially-planar element;

d) a chain, one end of said chain being engaged to said substantially-planar element; and

e) the opposed end of said chain being engaged to a clip.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said aperture is generally-circular.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said substantially-planar element is generally-rectangular having opposed minor sides and opposed major sides.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the center of said aperture lies within a region bounded by a minor side and the bisector of the major sides of said substantially-planar element.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said aperture includes a straight portion.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including:

a) anti-skid tape being fixed to a surface of said substantially-planar element; and

b) said anti-skid tape being fixed to said surface within a region bounded by the other minor side and the bisector of the major sides of said substantially-planar element.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein:

a) said aperture includes a straight segment; and

b) said straight segment is generally parallel to said minor sides of said substantially-planar element.