Paint Roller Tray with Foot-Pivoting Bail Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paint roller trays lack a convenient handle that can be easily lifted with one hand, require stooping to pick up, are not stackable or nestable, and often lack features like paint brush holders and robust mounting options.
Innovation Solution
A paint roller tray with a pivoting bail handle that can be raised by foot, allowing one-handed lifting, and includes features like a paint brush holder, scraper, pour spout, and engaging legs for ladder mounting, enabling stackability and nesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional handle is used on the paint roller tray, then the tray can be carried, but the user must stoop down low to pick up the handle when the tray is on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a horizontal position when the tray is on the floor and a vertical position for easy lifting. The bail handle pivots on a fulcrum point, enabling dynamic repositioning from a low stooping position to an ergonomic lifting height, thus improving ease of operation without requiring complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is designed with features for one-handed lifting and stacking, then usability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bail handle serves multiple functions: it provides a gripping surface for one-handed lifting, acts as a mounting mechanism for ladder engagement, and enables stacking when positioned horizontally. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation across different scenarios without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component achieves multiple objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is designed to nest within itself when stacked, with the bail handle and engaging legs configured to allow compact stacking. Multiple trays can be nested one on top of another, improving space efficiency and ease of storage while maintaining structural integrity through the robust engaging legs supported by the skirt flange.
3Strength
If the tray legs are attached outwardly with single-side support, then manufacturing is simpler, but the tray lacks robustness
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging legs are integrated with the skirt flange structure, merging the support function with the existing tray body. The legs are supported by the skirt flange along the full periphery of their U-shaped cross section, combining structural support and attachment functions into a unified design that enhances robustness while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integral forming.
Data Source
AI summary
A paint roller tray (20) includes a pivoting bail handle (21) attached thereto. The bail handle (21) is horizontally disposed in a default position while the tray (20) is being used for painting. The handle pivots with respect to the tray (20) to move a handle portion upward for easy one hand grasping by a user. The bail handle includes foot extensions (72) and (73) that extend outboard of the tray (20) that a user can step on to pivot the bail handle (21) to a lift position for easier grasping. The tray (20) includes a paint brush rest surface (35) and one or more brush handle holders (36) and (37) to secure the brush handle and prevent the brush from falling as the tray is moved. The tray (20) further includes elements (44-49) for cantilevering the tray from the rung of a step ladder and is configured for nesting one tray inside another.