GB2211236A - Device for holding a container, such as a paint tin, to enable its contents to be used - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for holding an open container such as a paint tin. The device comprises a platform 1 on which the container rests and is located. The platform is supported by a hanger 4, 5, 8 having at its upper end a hook 10 which can be hooked over, for example, a rung of a ladder. The hanger includes two upright portions 4 and 8 and a cranked portion 5 between the upright portions 4 and 8. The cranked portion 5 enables the hook 10 to be positioned vertically above the platform 1 so that when the platform 1 is suspended freely by the hook 10 the platform will be supported substantially horizontal. The lower upright portion 4 carries a vertically-slidable clamp pin 11 which can be hooked over the upper rim or lip of the container to hold the container firmly to the hanger. The upper portion 8 of the hanger carries one or more clips 24 by which a paint brush or other applicator may be carried with its head downwards above the open container. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR HOLDING A CONTAINER, SUCH AS A PAINT TIN, TO ENABLE ITS CONTENTS TO BE USED.

The invention relates to a device for holding a container, such as a paint tin, pot or can, to enable its contents to be used. The device is particularly, but not exclusively, intended to hold an open paint tin, pot or can, in a position such that a person wishing to use the contents of the containers is able to have access to the container without having to hold the container with one hand while holding a brush or other applicator in the other hand.

According to the invention, a device for holding a container, such as a paint tin, pot or can, comprises a platform on which the base of the container is to be placed, the platform having upstanding locating means thereon to be engaged by the base of the container to restrain the container from excessive sideways movement on the platform; an upwardly-directed member extending rigidly at its lower end from the platform adjacent a portion of the edge thereof and having means at a position thereon above the platform by which the device can be suspended , said suspension means being so offset, as viewed in plan, from the lower end of the member as to be positioned vertically above the platform.

The upwardly-directed member preferably comprises a lower upright portion adjacent the platform and which in use extends parallel to an upright wall of the container, a cranked portion extending inwardly with respect to the platform from said lower upright portion at a height above the upper end of the tallest container to be held in the device, an upper upright portion extending parallel to said lower upright portion and having its upper end shaped to define a downwardly-facing hook forming said suspension means.

The lower upright portion may carry a vertically-adjustable clamping means engageable with the rim or upper edge of the container, thereby to clamp the container to said upright member.

The upstanding locating means on the platform may comprise a step positioned eccentrically on the platform and engageable within a recessed base of an appropriately-shaped container, for example a container having a downwardly-protruding rim at its base.

The upper upright portion may carry one or more clips or equivalent means in which, for example, the handle of a paint brush may be held, whereby a paint brush can be supported upright above the open top of the container.

By way of example, an embodiment of the device according to the invention for holding an open container, such as a paint tin, pot or can, is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of the whole device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an upper part of the device viewed in the direction of arrow X in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container-securing clip shown in Figure 1 and being the aforesaid clamping means, and Figure 4 is an exploded view of the clip shown in Figure 3 viewed in the direction of arrow Y in Figure 1.

The illustrated device is intended to support an open cylindrical container such as a paint tin, and having a downwardly-protruding rim at its base to define a circular recessed bottom surface and an inwardly extending rim at its upper end. Although the container is referred to as being a paint tin, it may be any tin, can or pot having a recessed bottom surface. For example the container may be made of a plastics material.

The device comprises a circular platform 1 having a diameter sufficiently great as to accommodate the largest diameter container of a range to be accommodated. A smaller diameter circular plate 2 is secured on or is formed integrally with the platform 1 adjacent a rear portion of the periphery of the platform 1 and positioned eccentrically with respect to the platform 1. The diameter of the plate 2 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recessed bottom surface of the smallest container of the range to be accommodated. Thus the smallest diameter container is locatable with substantially no laterial movement on the platform 1 by the plate 2 whereas containers of larger diameter are able to be moved laterally on the platform 1 until the inside of the base rim of the container is stopped by abutment against an abutting edge of the plate 2.In the illustrated example the platform 1 and the plate 2 are each made from a metal plate and are secured together, for example, by screws at 3, but the plate 2 could be a machined integral part of the platform 1 or the platform 1 and the plate 2 could be an integral plastics moulding or metal casting.

The platform is supported by the aforesaid upright member. This, in the example illustrated, comprises an integral lower upright portion 4 and a cranked portion 5. The lower end of the upright portion 4 is securely fixed by, for example, screws 6 to a bracket 7 integral with the platform 1. The upright portion 4 extends perpendicularly to the platform 1 and parallel and adjacent the side wall of the container to be held on the platform. The plate 3 is spaced from the upright portion 4 by a sufficient distance to receive the base rim of the container therebetween. The upright portion 4 is of sufficient length to extend beyond the height of the tallest container of the range to be accommodated. Alternatively the upright portion 4 may have a construction whereby it is adjustable in length to accommodate different heights of container.

The upper end of the cranked portion 5 has an upper upright portion 8 rigidly fixed to it, for example by screws 9. The upper end of the portion 8 is curved at 10 to a hook shape of sufficient curvature to enable the device to be suspended on, for example, a rung of a ladder. The cranked portion 5 extends, as viewed in plan, away from the bracket 7 towards a central part of the platform 1 so that the point of suspension by the curved end 10 is vertically above the platform 1, whereby when the device carrying a container is suspended and hanging freely, the portions 4 and 8 will be substantially upright and the platform 1 will be substantially horizontal.

The upright portion 4 carries a vertically-adjustable clamp for engagement with the upper end of the container. In this example, the clamp comprises a right-angled shaped pin 11 which has an integral shank 12 slidable along an upright slot 13 in the portion 4 and which can be clamped to the portion 4 by a wing-nut 14. The clamp is shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4. The pin 11 has a downwardly-extending end limb 15 having flat side faces of which one face 16 facing the upright portion 4 is to be engaged with the inside of an upper rim or lip of a tin to be clamped.

The other limb of the pin 11 has an integral cylindrical portion 17 which in use is intended to rest on the top of the rim of the tin, as indicated in Figure 3. The cylindrical portion 17 is integral with a square-section portion 18 of the shank 12. The square-section portion 18 fits in the slot 13 and guides the clamp for sliding along the slot 13. The portion 18 receives a square washer 19 which abuts the front face of the upright portion 4 and bridges across the slot 13. This prevents the pin 11 from being pulled into the slot 13 on tightening the wing nut 14.

The shank 12 which is screw-threaded carries a pair of washers 20,21 separated by a spring 22. The washer 20 abuts against the rear face of the portion 4 and is clamped to hold the clamp at a required height along the slot 13 by tightening the wing nut 14 onto the shank 12. The purpose of the spring 22 between the washers 20,21 is to ensure easy loosening of the clamp on unscrewing the wing nut 14 so that the clamp can quickly be disengaged from the tin being held. To use the clamp, a tin is located on the plate 2 and on the platform 1 and the loosened clamp is slid upwardly along the slot 13 until the clamp is above the open tin. Then the clamp is moved downwardly to locate the limb 15 against the upper rim or lip of the tin and to rest the cylindrical portion 17 on the top of the rim as indicated in Figure 4.Then the wing nut 14 is tightened to clamp the upright portion 4 between the washers 19 and 20. The tin is therefore firmly held on the platform 1 and by the clamp. As aforesaid when the hook 10 is supported on, for example, a rung of bladder, the hook 10 being vertically above the platform 1 due to the cranked portion 5 will ensure that the platform 1 and the tin are suspended with the platform substantially horizontal and the tin upright.

In the example illustrated, the upright portion 8 of the hanger n3er carries a plate 23 on which are mounted one or more spring clips 24, in which a paint brush can be held by its handle with the head of the brush hanging downwardly above the open top of the tin so that the brush can drip into the tin. In this example, there is a pair of clips of different sizes so that two brushes of different head widths can be accommodated. The clips 24 may be made removable so that different sizes of clips can replace the illustrated clip or clips.

The range of paint tins which the illustrated embodiment can accommodate are, for example, 250 ML, 500 ML and 1 Litre.

Although the hanger is of a fabricated construction, the hanger may be formed in one piece and may be of metal or, for example, a plastics material. Although the hanger is secured at its lower end to a bracket 7 extending from the platform 1, the hanger may be integral with the platform 1. For example, the whole structure may be a plastics moulding.

The device provided by this invention is particularly useful for holding a paint tin when painting at an elevated position.

For example, when painting from a ladder or elevated platform or scaffolding. However, the device can be used at a lower or ground level and the hook 10 can be used as a carrying handle as well as a suspension means.

Claims (6)

1. A device for holding a container, such as a paint tin, pot or can, comprising a platform on which the base of the container is to be placed, the platform having upstanding locating means thereon to be engaged by the base of the container to restrain the container from excessive sideways movement on the platform; an upwardly directed member extending rigidly at its lower end from the platform adjacent a portion of the edge thereof and having-means at a position thereon above the-platform by which the device can be suspended, said suspension means being so offset, as viewed in plan, from the lower end of the member as to be positioned vertically above the platform.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the upwardly directed member comprises a lower upright portion adjacent the platform and which in use extends parallel to an upright wall of the container, a cranked portion extending inwardly with respect to the platform from said lower upright portion at a height above the upper end of the tallest container to be held in the device, an upper upright portion extending parallel to said lower upright portion and having its upper end shaped to define a downwardly-facing hook forming said suspension means.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the lower upright portion carries a vertically-adjustable clamping means engageable with the rim or upper edge of the container, thereby to clamp the container to said upright member.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upstanding locating means on the platform comprises a step positioned eccentrically on the platform and engageable within a recessed base of an appropriately shaped container, for example a container having a downwardly-protruding rim at its base.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the upper upright portion carries one or more clips or. equivalent means in which, for example, the handle of a paint brush may be held, whereby a paint brush can be supported-pright above the open top of the container.

6. A device constructed and arranged substantially as described herein and shown in the accompanying drawing.