Bucket Lifting Device

The present application hereby claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entirety of the disclosures of the provisional application No. 63/574,590, filed on Apr. 4, 2024.

The present invention generally relates to bucket handles, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a bucket lifting device that automatically engages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is raised relative to the bucket and automatically disengages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is lowered relative to the bucket.

Buckets are generally used to store and transport fluids such as but not limited to: paints, chemicals, farm equipment, water, and so on. Buckets typically have a semi-circular shaped handle with a handle portion positioned in the center to allow a user to lift the bucket using his hands and grip force. Generally, the user can grip the handle portion of the semi-circular shaped handle using one arm and then lift and carry the bucket on either the left side or right side of his body according to his preference.

The traditional semi-circular-shaped handle has a few disadvantages. The user generally experiences asymmetrical force on his body while carrying the bucket using one arm on the semi-circular-shaped handle. Asymmetrical force on the body when lifting and carrying buckets with one arm often results in strain injuries to the back and arm as well as other injuries. Strong users can carry two buckets at a time to create an even load on their body, but doubling the weight can cause strain injuries. Further, the weight of a few buckets, such as but not limited to five-gallon buckets and so on, can sometimes exceed 60 pounds, which is a substantial weight for many people who are expected to handle them. Thus, the user often feels discomfort and fatigue while carrying the bucket using the traditional semi-circular-shaped handle.

Various solutions exist in the prior art that attempt to solve the drawbacks/disadvantages of the semi-circular-shaped handle. For instance, the product offered by Vestil on the e-commerce website Amazon using the product name “Vestil CYL-M-9 Steel Manual Cylinder Lifter 9 in. Maximum Cylinder Diameter 200 Lb. Capacity Yellow” is a device that safely lifts cylinders in order to be easy-to-use. The pivoting design of lifter allows the user to grab and squeeze cylinder when lifted. However, this solution cannot work with 5-gallon buckets as the bucket is wider at the top so the device offered by Vestil could not be placed over a bucket. Further, buckets have already existing semi-circular-shaped handles that would interfere with any device that goes all the way around the bucket.

Further, a product offered by Morse Manufacturing is available on their website “Below-Hook Pail Lifter-Bucket Lifter”. This product is designed to create an attachment point so that the bucket can be lifted with a hoist or forklift. The handles of the product are used to place the product on the bucket. The hook from the hoist or forklift is attached to the top of the product. However, the product is not designed to allow a person to lift and carry the bucket.

US20170043909A1 discloses a selectively attachable bucket handle for a bucket that is configured to detachably engage with, and accommodate, certain features of a bucket such that the bucket handle is rigidly secured to a bucket, and such that the bucket handle translates a lifting force, applied to the bucket handle, onto a bucket. The bucket handle is also configured to detachably engage with a bucket without preventing a bucket from receiving a lid. The bucket handle is configured to detachably engage with a bucket such that the rest of the bucket handle projects perpendicularly away from a side of a bucket. However, US20170043909A1 has a few design flaws that render the device ineffective.

The existing solutions related to bucket lifting devices are ineffective and inefficient, have design flaws, and are unsuitable for use in various types of bucket design. Considering the foregoing, there is a need for a bucket lifting device that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a bucket lifting device that automatically engages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is raised relative to the bucket and automatically disengages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is lowered relative to the bucket. The bucket lifting device of the present invention further enables a worker to carry the bucket with even loading between arms and close to the body to reduce strain on the lower back.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bucket lifting device that enables a worker to carry the bucket with even loading between arms and close to the body to reduce strain on the lower back.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bucket lifting device that does not functionally interfere with already existing semi-circular-shaped handles that are conventionally used to carry buckets.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide retaining clips that automatically engage and disengage relative to the bucket while creating an ergonomically effective bucket lifting and carrying operation. The retaining clips, when engaged to secure lifting device to the bucket, have two essential functions: to carry the weight of the bucket, and to secure the bucket so that the bucketdoes not fall off the bucket lifting device.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bucket lifting device that is fully detachable from the bucket.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a bucket lifting device that is' configured for facilitating lifting of a bucket having a rim portion, wherein the bucket lifting device is selectively positionable between a secured position and a resting position, wherein the bucket lifting device comprising: a transverse member having a pair of opposite ends; and a retaining clip disposed at each end of the transverse member, a rotating element connected to each end of the transverse member; wherein the rotating element is configured to allow rotation of the retaining clip relative to the rotating element; a handle connected to each retaining clip, wherein the handle is configured to be held by user; and wherein the bucket lifting device is configured to be selectively positioned in a secured position relative to the bucket when the bucket is being lifted and/or transported; wherein in the secured position, each retaining clip is configured to contact against an underside of the rim portion of the bucket.

In another embodiment, the transverse member is a curved loop that is substantially semi-circular in shape.

In another embodiment, a rotating element is connected to each end of the transverse member, wherein the rotating element is configured to allow rotation of the retaining clip relative to the rotating element. The rotating element could include but not limited to: cylindrical post, pin, screw, bolt and rivet and so on.

In another embodiment, the transverse member has a cross-section comprising a circle, square tubing, flat bar, taper shape, and triangle shape.

In another embodiment, the handle is pivotally (rotatably) connected to each retaining clip.

In another embodiment, an inclined plate is mounted at each end of the transverse member. The inclined plate is angled slightly outward positioning the retaining clip such as to allow clearance between the bucket and the retaining clip, when the bucket lifting device is placed around the bucket.

In another embodiment, the rotating element comprises a spring. The spring provides a resilient force such that the retaining clip is naturally held in resting position unless the handle is pulled relative to the bucket by a sufficient opposing force causing the retaining clip to be deployed in a secured position relative to the bucket.

In another embodiment, the bucket lifting device is configured to be automatically positioned in a resting position relative to the bucket when the bucket lifting device is lowered relative to the bucket after being placed on the ground surface. In the resting position, each retaining clip is configured to disengage from the underside of the rim portion of the bucket.

In another embodiment, the bucket lifting device is detachable from the bucket.

In another embodiment, a circular collar is mounted at each end of the transverse member.

Embodiments of the present invention further comprises method of lifting bucket manually by a user comprising the steps of: providing a bucket lifting device that includes a transverse member having a pair of opposite ends and a retaining clip disposed at each end of the transverse member; a handle rotatably connected to each retaining clip wherein the handle is configured to be held by user; positioning the bucket lifting device in proximity of the bucket to enable contact of the transverse member against a cylindrical portion of the bucket; manipulating the pair of handles relative to bucket to enable the pair of retaining clips to contact against an underside of the rim portion of the bucket; thereby positioning the bucket lifting device in a secured position; and lifting the bucket by pulling the pair of handles in an upward direction relative to the bucket such that the bucket is positioned in front of the body of the user.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.

Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components or processes, which constitutes a bucket lifting device. Accordingly, the components or processes have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present 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 component-level details and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “another example” and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

The bucket lifting device of various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly.

Referring initially tothat illustrate various views of a bucket lifting device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The bucket lifting deviceis configured for lifting conventional bucketof various shapes and sizes, such as but not limited to: 5-gallon bucket and so on, and various other shapes such as but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, square, and so on. Generally, the buckethas a rim portionarranged on the upper side of the bucketto support mounting of the conventional semi-circular shaped handle (not shown in figures) and/or provide structural reinforcement and/or provide hand gripping surface for lifting of the bucket. The bucket lifting devicecomprises a transverse member, a pair of retaining clips, a pair of plates, a pair of rotating elements, and a pair of handles, the entirety of which will be described in greater detail in the below description.

The bucket lifting deviceis configured for facilitating the lifting of a buckethaving a rim portion, wherein the bucket lifting deviceis selectively positionable between a secured position () and a resting position (). The transverse memberhas a pair of endsdisposed diametrically opposite to each other. The transverse memberis dimensioned to cover (overlie) a substantially cylindrical portion of bucketand further serves the purpose of effectively securing the bucketsuch that the bucketdoes not accidentally fall off while being lifted using the bucket lifting device. The transverse memberprevents the bucketfrom falling in the forward direction (ahead) of the body of the user. In an embodiment as seen in, the transverse memberis a curved loop that is substantially semi-circular in shape. In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the transverse membercould be a connection of bars connected at substantially right angles to each other.

A retaining clipis disposed of at each endof the transverse member. An inclined plateis mounted at each endof the transverse member. In an embodiment, the inclined plateis angled slightly outward positioning the retaining clipto allow clearance between the bucketand the retaining clipwhen the bucket lifting deviceis placed around the bucket. A rotating elementis connected to the inclined plate, wherein the rotating elementis configured to allow rotation of the retaining cliprelative to the rotating elementsuch that the retaining clipcould be pivoted relative to the rotating elementto selectively bring the retaining clipin either a secured position () or a resting position (). The connection arrangement of the rotating element, the transverse memberand the inclined platedefines a “static frame” of the bucket lifting deviceas seen in. The rotating elementcould include but not limited to: cylindrical post, pin, screw, bolt, rivet and so on.

A handleis connected to each retaining clipwherein the handleis configured to be held by the user. The bucket lifting deviceis configured to be automatically positioned in a secured position () relative to the bucketwhen the bucketis being lifted and/or transported; wherein in the secured position (), each retaining clipis configured to contact against an undersideof the rim portionof the bucket. Further, as seen in, the pair of handlesare positioned in a generally upward direction relative to the bucketwhen the bucket lifting deviceis positioned in a secured position due to the upward pulling of the pair of handles by the user, wherein the pair of handlesare positioned in a generally downward direction relative to the bucketwhen the bucket lifting deviceis positioned in a resting position as seen in. The retaining clips, when engaged, have two essential functions: to carry the weight of the bucket, and to secure the bucketso that the bucketdoes not fall off the bucket lifting device.

Referring to, an exemplary method of lifting a bucketby positioning the bucket lifting devicerelative to the bucketfrom a resting position to a secured position and vice-versa will be described in reference to the accompanying figures.

Initially as seen in, the user is holding the pair of handlesof the bucket lifting deviceusing his hands. Firstly, the user positions himself relative to the bucketby bending his legs in a manner as described insuch that the transverse memberof the bucket lifting deviceis positioned in a downward direction relative to the undersideof the rim portionof the bucket. Afterward, the user positions the bucket lifting deviceby using his hands in such a manner that the transverse membercontacts against the cylindrical portion of the bucket. The transverse memberis rotatable relative to the pair of handles. A pair of retaining clipsis disposed at each endof the transverse member. The contact of the transverse memberagainst the cylindrical portion of the bucketenables the user to manipulate (rotate) the pair of handlesrelative to bucketsuch that the pair of retaining clipscontacts against an undersideof the rim portionof the bucket, securing the bucketin the bucket lifting deviceand thereby positioning the bucket lifting devicein a secured position as seen inrelative to the bucket. Afterward, the user raises his body using his legs and/or pulling (holding) the pair of handlesof the bucket lifting devicein an upward direction using his hands as seen in. The shape of the transverse member, and the gravitation force of the bucketand the contact of the pair of retaining clipsagainst an undersideof the rim portionof the bucketcollectively ensure that the bucket does not accidentally fall off during holding and transport of the bucket, and thus, the bucketremains safely locked relative to the bucket lifting devicewhen the bucket lifting devicein a secured position. Referring toand, the user can carry the bucketusing his hands such that the bucketis positioned in front of his body with even loading between arms and close to the body, thereby reducing strain on the lower back.

The user can position the bucket lifting devicerelative to the bucketfrom a secured position to the resting position by merely repeating the above steps in reverse order with little to no variation. In an exemplary method, to release (remove) the bucketfrom the bucket lifting device, the user can simply place the bucketon a ground surface and manipulate (move) the pair of handlesof the bucket lifting deviceusing his hands such that the bucket lifting deviceis moved downwards relative to the bucket. The rotating elementcomprises a springwherein the springprovides a resilient force such that the retaining clipis naturally held in a resting position when no force is applied, thereby automatically bringing the bucket lifting devicein a resting position. Wherein in the resting position, each retaining clipis configured to disengage from the undersideof the rim portionof the bucket.

shows various views of a rotating elementconnected to a retaining clipof the bucket lifting deviceof. The rotating elementis substantially cylindrical and a springis wound around the outer circumference of the rotating element. The springprovides a resilient force such that the retaining clipis naturally held in resting position unless the handleis pulled relative to the bucketby a sufficient opposing force causing the retaining clipto be deployed in a secured position relative to the bucket. In various embodiments not shown in figures, the springcould include but not be limited to helical spring, torsion spring, etc. As seen in, the retaining clipis substantially L-shaped in design and includes a flat portionA that is configured to contact against an undersideof the rim portionof the bucket, when the bucket lifting deviceis positioned in a secured position. The retaining clipfurther includes two connecting portionsand. The connecting portionrotationally connects the retaining clipto the inclined plateand the transverse member. The connecting portionpivotably connects the retaining clipto a handle. The connecting portionand the connecting portioncould include any parts/components that are effective in providing connection to various parts/elements of the present invention such as but not limited to: screws, washer, rivet, and so on.

illustrates various views of a bucket lifting device′, according to another embodiment of the invention. The bucket lifting device′ is similar to the bucket lifting deviceofexcept for some geometrical modifications associated with the inclined plate and the retaining clip and overall “static frame”. The bucket lifting device′ does not include plate. Instead, the bucket lifting device′ includes a collar′ as seen inthat is circular in shape. The collar′ serves the same purpose of that of plate() with little to no variation in functionality and further, the collar′ serves the additional function of concealing the spring() and creating a mechanism without exposed pinch points, thereby eliminating pinch hazards for the user. The collar′ includes a rotating elementand a spring(). The bucket lifting devicefurther includes a pair of retaining clips′ () instead of a pair of retaining clips() wherein the pair of retaining clips′ serves the same purpose as that of a pair of retaining clips(). However, the pair of retaining clips′ is different in design as compared to the pair of retaining clips(). The retaining clip′ includes a connecting portionand. The connecting portionrotationally connects the retaining clip′ to the collar′ and the transverse member. The connecting portionpivotably connects the retaining clip′ to a handle. Broadly speaking, the “static frame” of the bucket lifting deviceincludes a transverse memberconnected to a pair of collarsthat are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the transverse member.

As seen inand, the bucket lifting device′ is positioned in a resting position and the pair of handlesis positioned in a general downward direction. To bring the bucket lifting device′ in a secured position, the user manipulates the pair of handlesusing his hands in such as manner as described in reference towith little to no variation. As seen in, the pair of retaining clips′ contacts against an undersideof the rim portionof the bucket, securing the bucketin the bucket lifting device′ and thereby positioning the bucket lifting device′ in a secured position. Wherein in the resting position as seen in, each retaining clipis configured to disengage from the undersideof the rim portionof the bucket.

Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the handle art to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.