Portable devices for detachably securing cans and other objects

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for detachably securing cans for use in plumbing, painting, construction, and home improvement. The devices are configured for mounting a structure such as a ladder, scaffold, bench, tool box, saw horse, table, railing, pipe, wood, lumber, metal, or plastic support or other object and further configured for detachably securing cans, such as cans containing PVC glue or primer for a plumber's use. In one device, the securing members have two arms configured to be arranged in an open state for receiving the can with substantially zero insertion force. In that device, the arms have end portions with latching members configured to join together in a first engagement position with the can. In a closed state, the latching members are in a partially overlapping configuration that pulls the arms tightly around the circumference of the can and thereby supplies a compression fit with high pull-apart strength.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 680,717, filed May 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to carrying devices for use in fields including plumbing, painting, construction, and home improvement in general. More particularly, this invention provides devices configured to be mounted onto a desired object, such as a ladder rung, and using securing members for detachably securing cans and other objects, such as cans containing polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) glue or primer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Carrying and balancing two or more cans while working in plumbing, painting, construction, or simply around the house, yard, or garage sometimes present a real chore and at other times lead to accidents, spilling, or dropping the cans or their contents. These concern...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The device provides a stable and secure way to carry cans, reducing accidents and inefficiencies by ensuring even weight distribution and high pull-apart strength, while allowing for easy mounting and dismounting without compromising on flexibility or safety.

Problems solved by technology

These concerns also give rise to inefficient downtime, costly extra helpers, and increased aggravation for the user.

The original partially used can will invariably deplete before the new can, however, thereby requiring the plumber to repeat these cumbersome taping and un-taping steps with yet another new can, and so on.

To be flexible, however, decreases the pull-out strength between the pair of clasps.

As otherwise stated, increasing the clasp strength may increase the holding property but results in decreased flexibility and, therefore, increased difficulty in spreading the clasps apart for inserting the containers.

In addition, a clasp having increased rigidity may, during insertion through the aperture, sustain plastic deformation, damage the container, or risk injuring the user.

These clips give rise to the problems already described in connection with the clasps in the '688 application.

Turning to another problem with the devices illustrated in the '624 patent and the '688 application, the '624 patent, for instance, fails to teach any feature for securing the horizontal position of the cans.

Furthermore, overhead suspended devices present safety concerns to the user and other workers at a work site.

In addition, one fastener bears the entire weight of both cans.

Furthermore, because the vertical arm in the '688 application is offset to one side relative to the adjacent clasps, the weight of the cans is not evenly distributed when the device hangs from a structure, and the device thereby becomes unstable.

Images