HUTTUNEN, Pekka (Kiinanmuuri 1 A 20, Toijala, FI-37800, FI)
Claims
1. A multi-function handle for a paint can or the like, comprising at least a bail member (1) for holding a paint can (M) , engagement elements (2) for a substantially- stationary attachment of the multi-function handle to the peripheral edges of a paint can, most conveniently by snap fastening or the like, and an edge surface (3) for wiping excess paint off a paint brush or the like, and said multi-function handle enabling holding a paint brush in the engagement therewith while the paint can is in an opened condition, characterized in that the elements included in the multi-function handle for temporarily holding a paint brush or the like comprise a retainer arrangement (4) for holding a paint brush (P) in a substantially stationary position with bristles pointing downwards above the open top of a paint can.
2. A multi-function handle as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the retainer arrangement (4) comprises a magnet-action (4a) support surface (4b) , including one or more protrusions (4c) one below the other in its vertical direction (h) and extending most conveniently in a substantially lateral direction (s) of the multi-function handle for preventing a paint brush or the like from moving.
3. A multi-function handle as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engagement elements (2) included therein comprise arcuate engagement assemblies (2a) , which are elongate in a view from above, matching substantially the shape of a paint can or the like, and by which the multi-function handle is engageable with the peripheral top edges of a paint can opposite to each other in a cross-sectional view.
4. A multi-function handle as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the engagement assembly (2; 2a) included therein comprises a guide face (2al) , flaring cuneately upwards from its bottom edge, and terminating in a retaining slot (2a2) which has its height matching substantially a rim height (u) of the paint can or the like and above which is an arrester (2a3) matching most preferably a length (L) of the engagement assembly.
5. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that it is provided with elements (5), such as one or more lever-bracket assemblies, for opening a lid (K) of a paint can or the like.
6. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that it is provided with elements (6) , such as one or more suspension assemblies, for temporarily holding the lid (K) of a paint can or the like.
7. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that it includes a further gripping surface (7) for facilitating a detachment of the multi-function handle by pulling on the gripping surface .
8. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that it has been implemented as a laterally (z) bent structure.
9. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-8, characterized in that it has been implemented as a frame structure, wherein the bail member (1) is connected by way of intermediate members (Ia) to a support member (Ib) present for the holding elements (4) and the edge surface (3) of a paint brush or the like, said frame structure having connected therewith lower engagement arms (Ic) for the engagement elements (2).
10. A multi-function handle as set forth in any of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized in that it is manufactured in a plastic-based material, such as PP-, ABS-plastics or the like. |
Multi-function handle for a paint can or like
The invention relates to a multi-function handle for a paint can or the like, comprising at least a bail member for holding a paint can, engagement elements for a substantially stationary attachment of the multi-function handle to the peripheral edges of a paint can, most conveniently by snap fastening or the like, and an edge surface for wiping excess paint off a paint brush or the like. The multi-function handle further enables holding a paint brush in the engagement therewith while the paint can is in an opened condition.
For example, it is prior known from patents US 5,203,471 and US 6,102,458 to provide a paint can or the like container with a detachable handle element for manually holding the paint can. The former publication contains a solution, in which a multi-purpose handle is engageable by snap fitting vertically on the side of a paint can as engaging fingers included therein are opened up by pressing a camming lever present in the handle. The discussed handle is further provided with an edge platform, which extends above an open top of the paint can and which can be used for wiping the paint brush to remove excess paint. The discussed edge can also be used for scraping a surface to be painted. In addition, this publication has described holding a paint brush in a flat position on top of the mentioned edge platform and a part of the paint can rim opposite thereto.
The discussed solution is awkward in the sense that, due to an asymmetric way of attaching the handle, it does not enable suspending the paint can from the handle. Consequently, the discussed solution is inconvenient to utilize, e.g. when painting work is carried out from a
ladder. In addition, holding the paint brush in a flat position on top of the paint can is undesirable because, when holding a paint brush in such position, paint is liable to trickle into the thicket of paint brush bristles, resulting in a tedious job of cleaning the paint brush afterwards .
The latter publication, on the other hand, discloses a handle structure which is attachable by means of a two-member engagement mechanism along the side of a paint can or the like in a vertical direction as in the above-discussed solution. The construction used in this solution does not in itself provide other functions for the handle .
Furthermore, patent publications GB 653,986, US 2,577,001 and GB 788,128 have described so-called bail handles engageable with an open top of a paint can, the first-mentioned publication, in particular, describes also the use of a cross bar in connection with the handle, which can be utilized in the process of wiping excess paint from a paint brush. The implementations shown in these solutions are beneficial as such, especially in terms of performing the actual painting, by enabling suspension of a paint can from the handle. A common downside in all these solutions is that these handles cannot be engaged immovably in connection with a paint can, but instead the paint can is able to swing freely while hung by the handle. Publication NL 7903983 further discloses a handle, which is likewise engageable by a quick coupling principle with opposite rim sections at the open top of a paint can and which has its engagement edges provided with lips that can be bent inside the double-folded rims at the open top of a paint can. In addition to suspending a paint can, however,
the discussed solution does not provide any further functions for the handle.
A multi-function handle according to the present invention has an objective of providing a decisive improvement regarding the foregoing problems and thereby raising substantially the available prior art. In order to accomplish this objective, a multi-function handle of the invention for a paint can or the like is principally characterized in that the elements included therein for temporarily holding a paint brush or the like comprise a retainer arrangement for holding a paint brush in a substantially stationary position with bristles pointing downwards above the open top of a paint can.
The most important benefits offered by a multi-function handle of the invention should be mentioned to include the simplicity of its construction and use, as well as the assistance provided by additional functions made possible thereby in performing the actual painting. Since the retainer arrangement included in a multi-function handle of the invention enables holding a paint brush in a substantially vertical position above the open top of a paint can, there is no chance for paint to accumulate within the bristles of a paint brush while resting the paint brush temporarily on the multi-functional handle as the paint is dripping downwards into the paint can. This is why the multi-function handle according to the invention enables an efficient performance in carrying out especially smaller-scale painting operations which only require a light dipping of the tip of a paint brush.
Moreover, a multi-function handle of the invention is very easily engageable e.g. with a standard-sized paint can by pressing from above to utilize snap fastening for locking
the same to the opposing peripheral top edges of a paint can above an open top of the paint can. The multi-function handle has its attachment arms formed with preferably cuneate faces, which, upon pressing the handle downward, distend the flexible engagement arms of the multi-function handle. The tops of these cuneate faces are further provided with slots, pressing against lips present at the top rim of a paint can. By virtue of the flexible engagement arms, the slots lock themselves onto the lip, holding the handle securely in position during use. The detachment of a multi-function handle from a paint can is preferably effected by means of a further gripping surface formed e.g. on one of the engagement arms, the detachment of a multi-function handle from a paint can being enabled by pulling on this surface outward with one hand while stabilizing the paint can with the other hand.
Thus, in practice, the advantage provided by a multi-function handle according to the invention is that the paint can is easy to handle, it stays always in an upright position and is firmly in the hand even when working hard-to-reach locations, because the handle is positioned above the open top of a paint can. Thus, there is a further advantage in that during the working process it is possible to hang a paint can by the handle e.g. from a nail, a hook or the like, the painter thus having both hands free for the actual work or for supporting the painter in difficult positions .
In the following specification, the invention shall be described in detail while making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
fig. l shows in a perspective view one preferred multi-function handle of the invention as seen from its forward side,
fig. 2 shows an embodiment similar to fig. 1 in a perspective view seen from its rear side,
fig. 3 shows the multi-function handle of figs. 1 and 2 in a side view,
fig. 4 shows in a front-side view an implementation different from that shown in figs. 1-3,
fig. 5 shows the implementation of fig. 4 in an overhead view, and
figs . 6a and 6b show, respectively, the implementation of fig. 4 in a side view and one preferred detail of a multi-function handle attachment arm in a front-side view.
The invention relates to a multi-function handle for a paint can or the like, comprising at least a bail member 1 for holding a paint can M, engagement elements 2 for a substantially stationary attachment of the multi-function handle to the peripheral edges of a paint can preferably by snap fastening or the like, and an edge surface 3 for wiping excess paint off a paint brush or the like. The multi-function handle further enables holding a paint
brush in the engagement therewith while the paint can is in an opened condition The elements included in the multi-function handle for temporarily holding a paint brush or the like comprise, e.g. in reference to figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6a, a retainer arrangement 4 for holding a paint brush P in a substantially stationary position with bristles pointing downwards above the open top of a paint can, as shown in dash-and-dot lines in fig. 3.
In a preferred embodiment, referring to the embodiments depicted in the above figures, the retainer arrangement 4 comprises a magnet-action 4a support surface 4b, including one or more protrusions 4c one below the other in its vertical direction h and extending most conveniently in a substantially lateral direction s of the multi-function handle for preventing a paint brush or the like from moving. These protrusions 4c, together with corresponding protrusions included in the ferrule of a paint brush, prevent the paint brush e.g. from rotating or sliding downward. According to the embodiment shown in figs. 1-3, the retainer arrangement 4 can be an integral part of the body of a multi-functional handle or, as in the embodiment shown in figs. 4-6a, it can detachably mounted to the body of a multi-function handle.
In a further preferred embodiment, the engagement elements 2 included in a multi-function handle comprise elongated, arcuate engagement assemblies 2a matching substantially the shape of a paint can or the like as shown e.g. in figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6a, by which the multi-function handle is engageable with the peripheral top edges of a paint can opposite to each other, as shown e.g. in figs. 4 and 5. The engagement assembly 2; 2a, integrally included in or detachably mounted to the body of a multi-function handle, preferably comprises, in reference e . g. to the detail shown
in fig , - 6b, a guide face 2al, flaring cuneately upwards from its bottom edge, and terminating in a retaining slot 2a2 which has its height matching substantially a rim height u of the paint can or the like. In addition, above the retaining slot is an arrester 2a3 matching preferably a length L of the engagement assembly.
In a further preferred embodiment, the multi-function handle is provided with elements 5, such as a lever-bracket assembly on one or both sides of the multi-function handle for opening a lid (K) of a paint can or the like.
In a still further preferred embodiment, the multi-function handle 6. A multi-function handle is provided with elements 6, such as one or more suspension assemblies, for temporarily holding the lid (K) of a paint can or the like, as shown e.g. in figs. 4 and 5 in dash-and-dot lines.
In a further preferred embodiment, the multi-function handle 7. A multi-function handle also includes e.g. a two-sided (figs. 1 and 2) or one-sided (figs. 4 and 5) further gripping surface 7 for facilitating a detachment of the multi-function handle by pulling on the gripping surface.
In a yet further preferred embodiment, especially in reference to fig. 3, the multi-function handle has been implemented as a laterally z bent structure. This provides more space for a paint brush at the open top of a paint can.
In particular reference to figs. 1 and 4, the multi-function handle has been implemented as a frame structure, wherein the bail member 1 is connected by way of intermediate members Ia to a support member Ib present
for the holding elements 4 and the edge surface 3 of the paint brush P, said frame structure having connected therewith lower engagement arms Ic for the engagement elements 2.
The multi-function handle is manufactured preferably in a plastic-based material, such as PP-, ABS-plastics or the like.
It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the above-described or -explained embodiments, but it can be varied within the scope of the basic inventive concept as best appropriate in each particular case. Thus, for example the squeezing force needed for the engagement arms of a multi-function handle body can be provided by making the body from a pliable material or by using a separate elastic element. Likewise the retainer arrangement can be implemented, instead of and/or in addition to a magnetic arrangement, by way of mechanical or spring-operated arrangements. Likewise the assemblies, intended for temporary holding and cleaning a paint brush, may consist of replaceable parts . Neither does the cuneate surface, the slot and/or the arrester included in the engagement elements need to be continuous over the entire length of the engagement assembly, but can be set to cover just a portion of the discussed length.
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