Revolving tool bucket

Abstract

A revolving tool bucket, comprises a standard 5 gallon bucket, a low profile heavy duty lazy susan pivot, and three (3) or four (4) low profile cushioned bumpers and optionally equipped with any of the fabric fitting tool liners. The cushioned bumpers are affixed to one side of the lazy susan, and the lazy susan pivot is then attached to the bottom of the bucket. The bucket to which the susan has been attached will now turn a continuous 360 degrees in either direction, allowing for easy access of any item contained. Any surface on which one might set the revolving bucket will be protected via the attachment of the cushioned bumpers, now serving as feet on the susan. All attachments can be made by use of standard nuts and bolts, assuring strength, durability & serviceability of design. As both the susan turntable and cushioned bumpers are of a low profile, the overall increased height of the bucket has been minimized so as to not create or contribute to an unsteadiness.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/259,633 filed Jan. 4, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of tool toting. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plastic bucket used for carrying tools that may or may not be equipped with a liner or apron. By securement of a lazy susan turntable, equipped with cushioned feet, to the bottom of the bucket, said bucket will now revolve a continuous 360 degrees in either direction, allowing for easier access of any tool or item contained.

[0004] 2. The Prior Art

[0005] Presently, many tradespeople, homeowners, and sportsmen carry tools, garden supplies, hunting gear, cleaner agents and the like using a standard plastic bucket. While there has been development in the way of various liners & holders to help organize the transportation of these items, there remains no provision for easily accessing an item on the opposite side of the bucket. This is important, when one finds themselves working in a kneeling position, with the bucket merely close by, in terms of reachability, but the tool or item needed is on the other side of said bucket.

[0006] 3. Expressive Need

[0007] Buckets continue to emerge as a common tool carrier, together with becoming the inevitable “catch all” for all items during use, they tend to become weighted, and unable to be turned smoothly for access to the side opposite the one the user inevitably finds themselves on.

[0008] 4. Fulfillment of Need

[0009] With the ability to revolve a bucket smoothly, regardless of weight, and by mere fingertip touch, all items contained, are now easily reached. Any operation being performed while using an omni directional revolving bucket, is simplified, and less physical than ones requiring constant up and down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an item-carrying bucket that is more user friendly. As buckets become more popular to the tradesmen, homeowner, hunter, angler, and public alike, for transportation of any desired item by user, the ease of accessibility to the buckets contents has become an obstacle. This obstacle becomes more apparent as the bucket becomes weighted, congested, or simply within arm's length of the user. This obstacle is simply overcome by the unique lazy susan turntable secured to the bottom of the bucket.

[0011] Basically the invention is a standard bucket, having a turntable attached to the outside bottom, allowing for controlled continuous turning of the bucket in either direction.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lazy susan turntable is constructed of steel and is equipped with ball type bearings, which assure a smooth operation. This type of turntable would be able to support the most weighted bucket, even one filled with solid concrete. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lazy susan turntable would have a minimum of four cushioned feet attached to protect whatever surface the user may sit the bucket upon. As the cushioned feet are attached to the lazy susan turntable through the use of standard hardware known in the art, so to is the turntable attached to the bottom of the bucket through the use of this same hardware known in the art.

[0013] Another embodiment of the current invention would be caster type legs to be used instead of cushioned bumpers, this would allow for roll-about purposes. Any embodiment featuring a revolving bucket, either stationary or able to be rolled about freely, provides a wonderful ease for the user, at a low cost, to a wide variety of operations that are assisted daily through the use of standard five gallon buckets.

[0014] The use of standard hardware for securing, allows for user serviceability, such as replacement, should the need ever arise.

[0015] In another embodiment, the lazy susan turntable can be molded either as a unitary article, or in part of a bucket container. This embodiment could produce a lightweight, water-resistant version that may be more suitable for gardening, hunting, fishing, cleaning or the like uses, whereas water may come in contact with said bucket. In this embodiment, the protecting supporting legs could be made as an inclusive part of the casting of the turntable. This type of casting manufacturing of the turntable could also be applied to drop in containers that are presently available for use inside the bucket, making them able to rotate in either direction as well.

[0016] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention, both as structure and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the enclosed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. Upon review, it should be expressly understood however, that the drawing submitted is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limit to the invention or its application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this description there is shown:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing drop in containers for a bucket of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] As indicated in FIG. 1, a standard five gallon plastic bucket (1) has become very popular for the transportation of things such as; tradesmen tools, gardening utensils, and cleaner agents. Many various carriers (4) are presently known in the art.

[0022] While some of these carriers are designed for specific use, and some carriers are of different fabrics and offer different pocket configurations, all carriers commonly use the standard five-gallon bucket. With the development of these carriers and the broadening approach to more numerous pockets, the tool bucket is becoming increasingly weighted. In fact, the industry is offering handcarts solely for the purpose of wheeling about a weighted bucket.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 of the preferred embodiment, a turntable (2) has been attached to the bottom of the plastic bucket (1). The turntable (2) is preferably a low profile in height, and able to support a weighted bucket ranging anywhere up to about 150 pounds. Furthermore, the preferred turntable (2) is a lazy susan of steel construction, and equipped with ball type bearings. However, the turntable (2) can be made of a plastic or nylon.

[0024] The turntable (2) of the preferred embodiment, would have attached a minimum of 3 cushioned bumpers in a triangular pattern (3). The cushioned bumpers (3) can be made of any material well known in the art that can support weight of up to about 150 pounds without collapsing. The preferred cushioned bumpers (3) would be made of rubber, and possess a density capable of supporting much weight while resisting collapse or crush. A plastic or nylon material could also be used as cushioned bumpers (3). The cushioned bumpers (3) would be affixed to the turntable (2) through the use of any standard fasteners known in the art, such as nuts, bolts, and sheet metal type screws. The use of any standard hardware to attach the bumpers to the turntable, would not only assure strength of design, but would also allow for easy serviceability, such as replacement, if required.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 of the preferred embodiment, the turntable (2), with the attached cushioned bumpers (3) is affixed to the bottom of the bucket (1). Once the turntable (2) is secured to the bucket (1), the bucket (1) is now able to rotate in either direction, a continuous 360 degrees, allowing for effortless access to all items contained in the bucket.

[0026] The attachment of the turntable (2) to the bottom of the bucket (1) would also be made through the use of any standard hardware known in the art, such as nuts and bolts. As stated before, through the use of standard hardware, overall durability is achieved and easy serviceability is maintained. Moreover, if manufactured from a plastic type material, the turntable (2), and the cushioned bumpers (3), could be directly welded to the bottom of the bucket.

[0027] In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of this invention is shown, the turntable (2), and the cushioned bumpers (3) when made out of plastic or other moldable material, could be made as part of the bucket. In other words, the bucket could be cast or molded as a bucket (1) turntable (2) and cushioned bumpers (3) as one unit. Though not necessarily stronger than a steel turntable, this type of revolving bucket could be used to produce a lighter weight version to be used with regards to garden tools and other lightweight tools, or a waterproof version to be used with regards to fishing, hunting or cleaning buckets.

[0028] In a third embodiment of the current invention cushioned bumpers (3) could be caster type legs, this would allow for the rolling as well as the rotating of the tool bucket.

[0029] In a fourth embodiment of the invention a turntable (10) and cushioned bumpers (12) can be attached to drop in containers (14) that are presently available for use inside a bucket, making them able to rotate in either direction as well. Any of the methods for attaching the turntable and cushioned bumpers to the bucket can be used to attach them to the drop in containers as well, including the casting or molding of the turntable, cushioned bumpers and drop in containers as one unit. Further, any of the materials used for the turntable (2) and cushioned bumpers (3) could be used for the drop in container's turntable (10) and cushioned bumpers (12). In this way the drop in containers (14) can turn 360 degrees independently of the bucket (1), either inside the bucket or when taken out of the bucket and used independently.

[0030] This invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentials characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1) A standard bucket, having a turntable attached to the outside bottom, allowing for controlled continuous turning of the bucket in either direction.

2) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket has a tool apron organizer attached.

3) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is a lazy susan turntable.

4) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable has cushioned bumpers attached to the bottom of said turntable.

5) The bucket of claim 4, wherein there are a minimum of three cushioned bumpers.

6) The bucket of claim 4, wherein there are four cushioned bumpers

7) The bucket of claim 4, wherein the cushioned bumpers are made of one of the following: rubber, plastic, or nylon.

8) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable and cushioned bumpers can support a weight of up to about 150 pounds.

9) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket is a five-gallon bucket

10) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket is of similar diameter and/or circumference to a five-gallon bucket

11) The bucket of claim 2, wherein items stored inside said bucket are one of the following:

a) building;

b) plumbing;

c) gardening;

d) cleaner agents;

e) fishing;

f) electrical; or

g) hunting.

12) The bucket of claim 3, wherein the lazy susan is made of steel, and equipped with ball type bearings.

13) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is made or either plastic or nylon.

14) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable is affixed to the outside bottom of said bucket with one of the following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; or molded.

15) The bucket of claim 4. wherein the cushioned bumpers are affixed to the outside bottom of said turntable with one of the following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; or molded.

16) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket can rotate either direction a full 360 degrees.

17) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket and the turntable are both made of a material that can be molded or cast, such that the bucket and turntable is one unit.

18) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket and turntable are one piece.

19) The bucket of claim 4, wherein the bucket, turntable and cushioned bumpers are all made of a material that can be molded or cast, such that the bucket, cushioned bumpers, and turntable are one unit.

20) The bucket of claim 1, wherein the turntable has wheels attached to the bottom of said turntable.

21) The bucket of claim 20, wherein there are a minimum of three wheels.

22) The bucket of claim 20, wherein the turntable wheels are casters.

23) Container for use inside a standard bucket, having a turntable attached to the outside bottom of said container, allowing for controlled continuous turning of the container in either direction.

24) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable has cushioned bumpers attached to the bottom of said turntable.

25) The container of claim 24, wherein the cushioned bumpers of made of one of the following: rubber, plastic, or nylon.

26) The container of claim 23, wherein the standard bucket is a five-gallon bucket.

27) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable is made or either steel, plastic, or nylon.

28) The container of claim 23, wherein the turntable is affixed to the outside bottom of said container with one of the following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; molding.

29) The container of claim 24, wherein the cushioned bumpers are affixed to an outside bottom of said container with one of the following: nuts; bolts; sheet metal screws; rivets; molding.

30) The container of claim 23, wherein the container and the turntable are both made of a material that can be molded or cast, such that the container and turntable is one unit.

31) The container of claim 23, wherein the container and turntable are one piece.

32) The container of claim 24, wherein the container, turntable and cushioned bumpers are all made of a material that can be molded or cast, such that the container, cushioned bumpers, and turntable are one unit.

33) The container of claim 23, wherein the container is for use in said bucket, and can turn 360 degrees independently of the bucket, when inside or outside of said bucket.

34) The bucket of claim 20, wherein there are four wheels.

35) The container of claim 23, wherein the bucket is a bucket of equal diameter and circumference to a standard five-gallon bucket.