JPH07204111A - Connectable bucket - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a pair of buckets to be connected or separated without using an extra assembling tool, by forming the pair of buckets by providing an almost D-shaped wall member and a finger member extending outwards from its even wall part and being engaged with the upper edge part of a counter bucket. CONSTITUTION: Each of buckets 10, 10a is provided with a base surface 12 and an almost D-shaped wall member. The D-shaped wall member comprises an almost even wall part 16 and an almost C-shaped wall part 18, and the even wall part 16 and the C-shaped wall part 18 are in the shape of a taper so as to be able to put one bucket into the inside of another bucket. A finger 32 is adjustably arranged at the upper edge 24 of the even wall part 16, and the two buckets are connected by connecting the finger 32 with the part of the upper edge 24a of the counter bucket 10a. The buckets have an almost U-shaped handle, which comprises both side rod parts 44 parallel to each other and a grip mounting part 46 facing in the side direction against the both side rod parts 44 and forming the top of the handle, and each end of both side rod parts 44 is fitted into a pivotally supported socket 52.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to buckets for containing water and other liquids, and more particularly, can be coupled with buckets of similar construction to provide extra tools and The present invention relates to a bucket that can provide twin buckets that can be easily combined and separated without using a device. Furthermore, the connection means according to the invention allow the buckets to be nested one on top of the other for transport or display purposes.

[0002]

Buckets with connecting means are known in the related art. In particular, US Pat. Nos. 2,738,893 and 2
No. 470432, No. 2674389, No. 2649.
No. 223, No. 2362331, No. 2711845
In each of the specifications of the publications, the first bucket is connected to the second bucket. However, while these buckets and containers are available on the market, the unavoidable drawbacks impede the optimal solution to the demands of consumers and manufacturers.

For example, some conventional bucket-to-bucket connecting means require extra tools and assembly tools to connect and separate the buckets. Further, in some conventional connecting buckets, the pair of buckets are provided with connecting means different from each other, and therefore the buckets cannot be stacked in a nested manner. Also, the connecting means in some conventional connecting buckets is not strong enough for the user to easily carry the connecting bucket containing water etc. without damaging the connection. Finally, none of the conventional connecting buckets has a handle for tilting the bucket.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to connect the first bucket to the second bucket without the need for an extra assembly tool, and to connect and separate the buckets easily. It is to provide a bucket.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bucket which can be easily combined with the second bucket or used alone.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bucket which is economical and easy to manufacture, transport and assemble.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bucket provided with a handle means for use in tilting the bucket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bucket that can be transported in nested stacks without exposing the coupling means to expected damage.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A connecting bucket according to the basic aspect of the present invention comprises a bottom surface and a flat wall portion extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form an opening at the top surrounded by an upper edge and A substantially D-shaped wall member composed of a curved wall portion, a halve pivotally attached to the curved wall portion, and a mating bucket of the same construction that projects outward from the flat wall portion adjacent to the upper edge. At least one finger that engages with the upper edge of the mating bucket, the finger of the mating bucket engages with the upper edge of the flat wall that is adjacent to the finger, and the curved wall has a substantially opposite position to the finger. A trough is provided.

In such a bucket, a handle means for tilting the bucket is preferably further provided on the flat wall portion, and the handle means is formed in a substantially L-shape in the flat wall portion and is recessed. Is good.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper edge of the bucket includes a substantially horizontal shelf surface extending outwardly from said wall member,
This horizontal shelf surface ends with a vertical lip. In this case, more preferably, the finger also includes a substantially horizontal shelf surface that extends outward from the lip portion of the upper edge,
The horizontal shelf surface of this finger terminates in a generally vertical lip, the lip of this finger being greater than the lip of the upper edge.

In another preferred aspect of the present invention, a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the connection with the mating bucket is further provided near the finger. The reinforcement may include at least one rib that spans approximately the width of the horizontal shelf surface of the finger.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of buckets each having a bottom wall joined to the flat wall portion and the curved wall portion and an upper edge extending along the peripheral edge of the opening. , A finger is provided on the flat wall portion of each bucket near the upper edge, the fingers of each bucket are substantially adjacent to each other when the buckets are connected to each other, and each bucket is provided with a pivotable hook. There is.

In this case, preferably, the curved wall portion is approximately C.
It is shaped like a letter and has a trough adjacent to the upper edge. Further, the fingers of each bucket may be provided with a reinforcing portion, which is a reinforcement when they are engaged with the upper edge portion of the other bucket, between the upper edge and the finger outer edge. Further, the flat wall portion of each bucket may include a handle means used for inclining the bucket, and preferably the handle means of each bucket is formed in the flat wall portion by recessing in a substantially L-shape.
This allows one bucket to be telescopically inserted into the other bucket. Further, it is preferable that each bucket is further provided with a grip portion attached to each of the halves for carrying.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a bottom surface,
And a wall member extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form an opening at the top surrounded by an upper edge, the wall member including a flat wall portion and a C-shaped wall portion, The C-shaped wall portion includes a curved portion and two facing portions, and the flat wall portion is provided with a finger that is adjacent to the upper edge and engages with the upper edge portion of a mating bucket of the same construction. An edge engages with a finger of the mating bucket, a curved portion of the C-shaped wall portion is provided with a trough adjacent to the upper edge, and a hook is pivoted on the facing portion of the C-shaped wall portion. It is movably attached.

In this case as well, the flat wall portion may be provided with a gripping means for tilting the bucket, and more preferably, the C-shaped wall portion is composed of two sections, the first section and the second section. , The first section rises from the bottom surface at a substantially right angle, and the second section tapers outwardly from the first section in a tapered manner, thereby allowing a similarly configured bucket to be telescopically inserted. Further, it may further include a grip portion attached to the halberd.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a bottom surface,
A bucket having a wall member extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form an opening surrounded by an upper edge at the top, the wall member including a flat sidewall portion and a C-shaped sidewall portion, The C-shaped side wall portion includes a curved portion and two facing portions, and the flat side wall portion is provided with a finger that is adjacent to the upper edge and engages with the upper edge portion of a mating bucket having the same structure. The fingers are engaged with the fingers of the mating bucket, the fingers extend vertically downward from a position beyond the upper edge, and the fingers also include a reinforcing means for reinforcing the connection with the mating bucket, and the flat The side wall portion has a concave gripping means used for tilting the bucket, and the curved portion of the C-shaped side wall portion is provided with a trough adjacent to the upper edge thereof. A hook is pivotally attached to the facing portion and a bucket is held on the hook. Butame and grip to be subjected is attached to, and is further insertable telescopically within said mating bucket.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite unit bucket having a first bucket and a second bucket which are detachably interconnected at an interconnecting portion by a connecting means. The connecting means comprises at least one finger extending outwardly from the upper edge of the first bucket and the upper edge of the second bucket respectively, the finger of the first bucket being connected to the upper edge of the second bucket. The fingers of the second bucket are connected to the upper edge portion of the first bucket, and when the first bucket and the second bucket are connected, the fingers of both buckets are substantially adjacent to each other. Also in this case, it is preferable that at least one of the flat walls of the bucket be formed with a recessed gripping means used for an operation for tilting the bucket.

[0019]

The present invention meets the aforementioned market requirements by providing a pair of bucket containers formed of conventional plastic material, the bucket having a similar construction without the need for extra tools or assembly tools. Can be connected to the opponent's bucket. Furthermore, the buckets can be efficiently transported in a nested state. Are the buckets the same as each other?
Alternatively, it may have slightly different shapes and dimensions depending on the application of the bucket. The connecting means between the two buckets may include additional supporting means for firmly connecting the buckets together. Further, each bucket is provided with a handle means for use in tilting the bucket in a recessed state in the wall portion of the bucket.

In the present invention, the substantially D-shaped bucket is
It has a flat wall portion, a curved wall portion and a bottom surface. The upper edge (rim) is provided around the entire circumference of the top of the wall member. Further, the curved wall portion includes a trough, and the trough is located substantially opposite to the fingers of the flat wall portion. The barb is pivotally attached to the curved wall. The handle means located in the flat wall portion is used by the user to tilt the bucket when the bucket is in the unconnected state.

A finger extending outward from the upper edge of the flat wall portion connects the two buckets to each other. Additional stiffening means are provided near the fingers to better integrate the two buckets. Both buckets can also include fingers, which provide a strong connection between the buckets. When the fingers of both buckets are engaged with the upper edges of the mating buckets, both fingers are substantially adjacent to each other.

The bucket according to the present invention can be easily connected to the mating bucket by lifting the finger and placing it on the upper edge of the mating bucket. The connected buckets can be easily separated by lifting both fingers and twisting them away from the upper edge of the mating bucket.

The above and other objects apparent to those skilled in the art are achieved by the preferred embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A bucket according to a preferred embodiment incorporating the idea of the present invention is as shown in the accompanying drawings, but this does not show all the forms and modifications belonging to the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is claimed. And is not limited by the detailed description.

[0024]

1 through 3, a bucket according to the principles of the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first bucket 10 a is connected to the second bucket 10.
The bucket 10 includes a bottom surface 12 and a substantially D-shaped wall member. The D-shaped wall member consists of a substantially flat flat wall portion 16 and a substantially C-shaped wall portion 18. Bucket 10 is preferably molded of a suitable durable plastic material. Both buckets can be sized according to their respective required applications.

The flat wall portion 16 and the C-shaped wall portion 18 vertically extend upward from the bottom surface 12. These walls are preferably tapered such that the buckets gradually widen from the bottom of the bucket to the top so that the buckets can be telescopically stacked on top of each other during transport or on a product display shelf. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the C-shaped wall portion 18 is composed of a larger upper portion 20 and a smaller lower portion 22. The outward taper of the C-shaped wall 18 begins near the boundary between these upper and lower portions. The lower portion 22 of the C-shaped wall portion 18 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 12 of the bucket. Due to the arrangement of the C-shaped wall portions 18 as described above, the strength and stability of the buckets are sufficient, and the buckets can be stacked in a nested manner.

The upper edge 24 has a flat wall portion 16 and a C-shaped wall portion 18.
Extends all around the bucket 10 including. This upper edge 24
Includes a generally horizontal shelf surface 26 extending outwardly from each wall, which horizontal shelf surface, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4.
It terminates in a generally vertical lip 28 extending downwards. The top edge 24 defines the top opening perimeter of the bucket 10. Reference numeral 30 indicates a trough, which is a curved portion of the C-shaped wall portion 18 and is arranged adjacent to the upper edge.

Also shown in FIGS. 1-4 are fingers 32 located adjacent the upper edge 24 of the flat wall 16. Similar fingers 32a are shown for the mating bucket 10a in FIGS. Finger 32 connects with a portion of upper edge 24a of bucket 10a, thereby connecting the two buckets. When the two buckets are connected, the fingers 32 and 32a are substantially adjacent to each other. Typically, fingers 32 and 32a project outwardly from their respective upper edges 24 and 24a, and they also include a generally horizontal shelf surface 34 which extends downwardly in a generally vertical orientation. It ends with the lip part 36.

Normally, the vertical lip portion 3 of the finger 32 is provided.
6, the height dimension is larger than that of the vertically oriented lip portion 28 at the upper edge, as clearly shown in FIG. Thus, the lip 36 of the taller finger 32 allows the finger to cover a portion of the upper edge 24a of the mating bucket 10a to achieve the connection. Two fingers 3
2 and 32a engage each other's buckets to provide a strong connection between the two buckets.

FIG. 5 shows a rib portion 38 which is located substantially at the center of the finger 32 in the lengthwise direction and extends over the entire width of the finger. The rib portion 38 is for reinforcing the finger 32 when the two buckets are connected. Additional ribs across the width of the finger may be placed anywhere on the finger length to reinforce the connection of the two buckets.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the flat wall portion 16
A recessed handle 40 is provided in the vicinity of the lower central portion of the so that the user can easily perform the operation of tilting the bucket. In this way, the user
The bucket 10 can be easily tilted using a combination of the above and the halves 42, or using only the recessed handle 40 arranged on the flat wall portion 16. The handle 40 is formed by providing a substantially L-shaped recess near the center of the flat wall 16. This handle is recessed in the flat wall 16 so that the nesting of the buckets together still remains unimpeded.

The bucket is provided with a conventional, generally U-shaped barb, generally designated 42. The barb 42 is preferably made of a metallic material and is generally parallel to each other, two sided rod portions 44, a grip attachment portion 46 oriented laterally with respect to the two sided rod portions 44 to form the top of the barb 42, and two sided rod portions. It includes a tilted rod portion 48 connecting between 44 and the grip attachment portion 46. A plastic gripping member 50 can be attached to the grip attachment portion 46, and the gripping member 50 can be fixedly or rotatably attached to the attachment portion 46 so that the user can turn the hook 42 onto the bucket 10. The movable attachment allows the weight of the bucket to be supported by the halves 42 so that the grip 50 can be gripped to easily carry the bucket 10.
When the buckets are connected together, both halves and grips can easily fit together, so that the two buckets can be lifted simultaneously with perfect load balance.

One end of each of the two-sided rod portions 44 is fitted in the pivot socket 52. The pivot socket 52 is arranged near the upper edge 24 of each facing portion of the C-shaped wall portion 18.
Since the pivot socket 52 is arranged near the upper edge 24, stability of the pivot socket 52 portion is ensured when the user lifts and carries the bucket 10. The pivot socket 52 has a keyhole-shaped opening 54, and the opening 54 is located substantially in the center of the socket 52. Both side rod part 4
The end of No. 4 can be easily inserted into this keyhole-shaped opening 54. When the rod portions 44 on both sides are in a vertically upward state, the halves 42 are held in a braking state by the keyhole-shaped openings 54. However, if the user needs it,
By pulling downward, the ends of the rod portions 44 on both sides can be removed from the keyhole-shaped opening 54.

In this way, the two buckets 10 and 10
When "a" is connected, the flat wall portions 16 and 16a of each other face substantially parallel to each other. The flat walls 16 and 16a are not in direct contact with each other because the upper edges 24 and 24a of each flat wall project horizontally from the respective flat wall 16 and 16a at a distance. . Therefore, the vertical lip portions 28 and 28a of both flat wall portions are substantially adjacent to each other. Buckets 10 and 10a are buckets 1
It can be easily connected by slightly lifting the finger 32 of 0 and placing it on the upper edge 24a of the second bucket 10a. As a result, the vertical lip portion 36 of the finger of the first bucket 10 overlaps and is connected to the upper edge 24a of the second bucket 10a.
Further, when the finger 36a of the second bucket 10a is slightly lifted and placed so as to cover the upper edge 24 of the first bucket 10, the vertically oriented lip portion 3 of the finger of the second bucket 10a is placed.
6a is overlapped and connected to the upper edge 24 of the first bucket 10. The finger rack surface 26 of the first bucket 10 will be oriented close to the inner wall of the second bucket 10a, and the finger rack surface 26a of the second bucket 10a will also be oriented toward the first bucket 1.
It will be oriented close to the inner wall of zero.

When the buckets are joined together, the fingers 32 and 32a of both buckets are substantially adjacent to each other. These buckets can be easily separated by lifting the fingers of the first and second buckets and twisting them slightly, and it is also easy to separate each finger from the upper edge of the other party. In this way, the buckets described above can be easily connected and disconnected without the need for extra tools or tools.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that obvious variations of embodiments utilizing the teachings of the present invention are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a connecting bucket that can be easily connected and separated without the need for extra assembly tools.This bucket can be used in combination with the opponent bucket or alone, and it can be used for tilting the bucket Even if the handle means is provided, it is possible to obtain the effect that the connection means can be stacked in a nested manner without fear of being damaged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connecting bucket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a connected state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one of the connection buckets in a separated state according to the embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a bottom view of the connecting bucket of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a: Bucket 12: Bottom surface 16: Flat wall portion 18: C-shaped wall portion (curved wall portion) 24: Upper edge 30: Mouth opening 32: Finger 38: Rib portion (reinforcing portion) 40: Handle 42: Hook 50: Grip member

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A substantially D-shaped wall member including a bottom surface, a flat wall portion extending upward from the bottom surface and forming an opening surrounded by an upper edge at a top portion, and a curved wall portion, and the curved portion. A hanger pivotally attached to the wall portion, and at least one finger that extends outward from the flat wall portion adjacent to the upper edge and engages with the upper edge portion of a mating bucket of similar construction, A finger for the mating bucket is engaged with the upper edge of the flat wall portion adjacent to the finger, and a bucket is provided on the curved wall portion at a position substantially opposite to the finger, for connection. . 2. The bucket according to claim 1, further comprising a grip means for tilting the bucket on the flat wall portion. 3. The bucket according to claim 2, wherein the handle means is formed in a flat wall portion in a substantially L shape and is recessed. 4. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge includes a substantially horizontal shelf surface extending outwardly from the wall member, the horizontal shelf surface ending with a substantially vertical lip. 5. The finger includes a generally horizontal ledge surface extending outwardly from the lip portion of the upper edge, the horizontal ledge surface of the finger ending in a generally vertically oriented lip portion, the lip portion of the finger. The bucket according to claim 4, wherein the height is higher than the lip portion of the upper edge. 6. The bucket according to claim 5, further comprising a reinforcing portion near the finger for reinforcing the connection with the mating bucket. 7. The bucket according to claim 6, wherein the reinforcing portion includes at least one rib portion that extends substantially the width of the horizontal shelf surface of the finger. 8. A bottom wall joined to the flat wall portion and the curved wall portion,
A pair of buckets each having an upper edge extending along the opening peripheral edge, wherein a finger is provided in the flat wall portion of each bucket near the upper edge, and the fingers of each bucket are connected to each other. A pair of buckets, which are almost adjacent to each other, and each bucket is provided with a pivotable hook. 9. The pair of buckets according to claim 8, wherein the curved wall portion is formed in a substantially C-shape, and has a trough adjacent to an upper edge thereof. 10. The finger of each bucket is provided with a reinforcing portion between the upper edge and the finger outer edge, which is a reinforcement when the fingers of the respective buckets are engaged with each other at the upper edge portions of the other buckets. Pair of buckets. 11. The pair of buckets according to claim 8, further comprising a handle means provided on the flat wall portion of each bucket for tilting the bucket. 12. The handle means for each bucket is formed in a substantially L-shape in the flat wall portion and is recessed so that one bucket can be telescopically inserted into the other bucket. Pair of buckets. 13. The pair of buckets according to claim 12, wherein each bucket further comprises a grip attached to each of the halves for carrying. 14. A bucket having a bottom surface and a wall member extending upward from the bottom surface to form an opening surrounded by an upper edge at the top, the wall member being a flat wall portion and a C-shape. A wall portion, the C-shaped wall portion includes a curved portion and two facing portions, and the flat wall portion includes a finger that is adjacent to the upper edge and that engages with the upper edge portion of a mating bucket of the same configuration; An upper edge of the flat wall portion engages with a finger of the mating bucket, a curved portion of the C-shaped wall portion is provided with a trough adjacent to the upper edge, and the facing portion of the C-shaped wall portion is provided. A bucket characterized in that a barb is pivotally attached to the. 15. The bucket according to claim 14, wherein the flat wall portion is provided with a gripping means used for inclining the bucket. 16. The C-shaped wall portion comprises a first section and a second section, the first section rising from the bottom surface at a substantially right angle, and the second section gradually tapering outward from the first section. The bucket according to claim 14, wherein a bucket having a similar structure can be inserted in a nested manner. 17. The bucket of claim 14, further comprising a grip attached to the halves. 18. A bucket having a bottom surface and a wall member extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form an opening surrounded by an upper edge at a top portion, the wall member having a flat side wall portion and a C-shape. A sidewall portion, the C-shaped sidewall portion includes a curved portion and two facing portions,
The flat sidewall has a finger adjacent to the upper edge that engages the upper edge of a mating bucket of similar construction, the bucket upper edge engaging the finger of the mating bucket, and the finger engaging the upper edge. Extending vertically downward from the passing portion, the finger also includes a reinforcing means for reinforcing the connection with the mating bucket, and the flat side wall portion has a concave gripping means used for tilting the bucket. Then, a trough is provided adjacent to the upper edge of the curved portion of the C-shaped side wall portion, and a hook is pivotally attached to the facing portion of the C-shaped side wall portion and the hook is provided. A grip provided for carrying the bucket is attached to the bucket, and the bucket can be inserted into the mating bucket in a nesting manner. 19. A composite unit bucket comprising a first bucket and a second bucket that are detachably interconnected at an interconnecting portion of the connecting means, wherein the connecting means comprises an upper edge of the first bucket and a first bucket. Two buckets each having at least one finger extending outwardly from the upper edge, the first
The bucket fingers are connected to the upper edge of the second bucket,
A finger of the second bucket is connected to an upper edge portion of the first bucket, and when the first bucket and the second bucket are connected, the fingers of both buckets are substantially adjacent to each other. 20. The flat wall portion of at least one of the buckets,
20. The composite unit bucket according to claim 19, wherein the handle means used for the operation of tilting the bucket is formed to be recessed.