Bucket Handle Attachment Ring for Even Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5-gallon buckets containing liquid-applied building materials are bulky and heavy, posing safety concerns and inefficiencies when hoisted to overhead scaffolding, as the weight is borne at two points, leading to potential dislodgment and increased leverage issues.
Innovation Solution
A bucket design featuring a collar with axially opposed upstanding slots, a ring engaged with a channel defined by the bucket body and collar, and a pivotably attached handle with ends inserted into the slots, distributing the lifting force more evenly and providing stability during lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle is inserted into two points at the top of the plastic collar, then the bucket can be lifted, but the handle can be easily dislodged and movement at the bottom is amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a 2D attachment plane at the top rim to a 3D distributed attachment system using a ring that contacts the bucket body at multiple points around its circumference. This dimensional change allows the handle to be supported by the entire perimeter rather than two isolated points, preventing dislodgment while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting force is segmented and distributed to multiple attachment points around the bucket's circumference through the ring structure. Instead of concentrating force at two points, the ring divides the load across numerous contact points with the bucket body, enhancing attachment stability while preserving lifting functionality.
2Device complexity
If the points of attachment are near the top of the bucket, then the handle can be attached, but movement at the bottom is amplified due to greater leverage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the attachment from a single plane at the top to a three-dimensional distribution around the bucket's upper circumference. The ring structure engages with the bucket body at multiple locations, creating a stable geometric configuration that resists rotational and lateral movements while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring is pre-positioned to engage with the bucket body at optimally located points around the circumference before lifting occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the attachment geometry is already configured to minimize leverage effects and maximize stability from the start of the lifting operation.
3Device complexity
If the weight is borne entirely at two points of attachment, then the handle structure is simple, but safety concerns increase due to potential dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The single load-bearing path through two attachment points is segmented into multiple parallel load paths around the bucket's circumference. The ring structure creates numerous contact points that collectively bear the weight, eliminating the single-point failure mode while keeping the handle structure itself relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple attachment points around the bucket's circumference are merged into a unified ring structure that acts as a single integrated load-bearing element. This merging distributes the safety-critical load across multiple locations while presenting a cohesive attachment interface to the handle.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a bucket including a bucket body with an improved handle attachment. The bucket body includes a reinforcing collar extending about the perimeter of the bucket body. A ring is engaged to the bucket body by locating the ring within a channel defined on the exterior surface of the bucket body. The ring extends about the perimeter of the bucket body and engages a pivotable arcuate handle. The engagement of the ring in an annular channel and the handle to the ring results in the even distribution of a lifting force across the ring and reinforcing collar.