Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
ATTACHABLE CADDY
CROSS REFERENCE
The present application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S.
Provisional
Application No. 62/747,451, having a filing date of October 18, 2018, U.S.
Provisional
Application No. 62/767,027 having a filing date of November 14, 2018, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/797,019 having a filing date of January 25,
2019, the
entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a caddy device that is configured for
attachment
.. to another structure to support various items (e.g., tools) relative to
that structure. In an
embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a semi-annular caddy that
attaches to an
outside surface of a bucket to allow for securing items externally to the
bucket while
permitting continued use of an interior of the bucket to hold, for example,
liquids or other
materials.
BACKGROUND
Bucket tool organizers or caddies are well known devices for transporting and
storing tools, utensils, or other useful implements. Such devices typically
include a
bucket mounted fabric tool carrier having a shape that conforms generally to
the surfaces
of an empty bucket. A number of individual pockets or dividers arranged about
both the
interior and/or exterior portions of the container can be used to quickly
store and organize
variously sized objects for later access.
1
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
Numerous designs have been developed to convert existing buckets into tool
organizers. Such designs include a fabric insert that drape over the top edge
of the bucket
such that tools may be arranged in pockets about both an interior periphery of
the bucket
and an exterior periphery of the bucket. Other designs include dividers and or
trays
configured for receipt within the interior of the bucket.
SUMMARY
The inventors have designed a caddy device for attachment to an external
surface
of a bucket. The device permits holding items relative to the external surface
of the
bucket while permitting continued use of the interior of the bucket (e.g., to
hold liquids)
as well as attachment of the bucket lid during use of the device. That is,
aspects of the
present disclosure are based on the recognition by the inventors that while
numerous
bucket organizers exist, such organizer are typically based on the premise
that the interior
bucket will not be used to carry or otherwise hold liquids or other materials
once the
organizer is attached. Further, the inventors have recognized that such a
caddy device
may be beneficially applied to other structures. Accordingly, provided herein
is a caddy
device that attaches about a portion another structure such as a bucket or
backpack to
allow for securing items relative to an external surface of that structure.
In an aspect, an attachable caddy is provided that includes a semi-annular
body
that may be disposed about a portion of an outside peripheral surface of a
bucket. In this
arrangement, an interior periphery of the semi-annular body may be sized for
disposition
around a portion of an external periphery of the bucket. A tensile element,
e.g., strap,
extends around the remainder of the outside periphery of the bucket and
attaches to first
2
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
and second ends of the semi-annular body. By tightening the tensile element,
the interior
periphery of the semi-annular body may be conformed to the exterior periphery
of the
bucket. This allows conforming the semi-annular body to different sized
buckets (e.g.,
diameters). That is, the semi-annular body may be flexible enough to permit
deflection
around differently sized bucket. Accordingly, a single device may be
configured for use
with different sized buckets (e.g., four, five and/or six gallons buckets). In
other
arrangements, the device may be substantially rigid and configured for use
with a bucket
of predetermined size. In any arrangement, when applied to the exterior of the
bucket,
the semi-annular body may be disposed below the top edge and/or an annular
peripheral
rim of the bucket and secured in place using the tensile element.
In an arrangement, the semi-annular body includes an arcuate sidewall that is
configured for disposition against a portion of an outside periphery of a
bucket. Such an
arcuate sidewall includes a concave interior face between an upper edge and a
lower edge
that is configured (e.g., sized) to engage the outside surface of the bucket.
The arcuate
sidewall may, but need not, extend the entire length of the semi-annular body
between its
first and second ends. A rim or brim attached to the arcuate sidewall extends
radially
outward from the sidewall to an external or exterior edge. That is, the brim
may extend
away from the concave interior face of the sidewall (e.g., radially from a
centerline axis
of a bucket to which the device attaches). Stated otherwise, the brim
cantilevers from the
annular sidewall. In an arrangement, the brim and sidewall are substantially
transverse.
The brim includes a plurality of apertures that extend though its surface
(e.g., between an
interior edge attached to the arcuate sidewall and the exterior edge). Such
apertures may
3
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
support various items (e.g., tools, fishing gear, etc.) when the device is
attached to a
bucket.
In a further arrangement, the concave interior surface of the arcuate sidewall
includes a compressible material disposed over at least a portion of its
surface. The
compressible material provides improved engagement between the exterior
surface of the
bucket and the caddy device. Such compressible materials may include
rubberized
materials, fabrics and/or foams. In any arrangement, the compressible material
may be
compressed when the tensile element is tightened.
In a further arrangement, the arcuate sidewall has a substantially constant
radius.
That is, the arcuate sidewall may be semi-circular sidewall though not being
limited to
being a half circle. In an embodiment, the semi-circular sidewall may have a
radius (e.g.,
constant radius) of between about five inches and about six and one-half
inches.
The brim may attach to the arcuate sidewall at any location along the height
of the
arcuate sidewall. However, it may be preferred that the brim attach at or near
the upper
edge of the sidewall such that when the brim is loaded (e.g., supporting
tools) the lower
portion of the sidewall is compressed against the outer peripheral surface of
the bucket
improving the connection between the caddy device and the bucket. The brim may
extend over all or a portion of the length of the arcuate sidewall. Further,
the brim may
have a width that varies along its length between its interior edge (e.g.,
connection point
to the arcuate sidewall) and its exterior edge. In an arrangement, an upper
surface of the
brim is a planar surface.
The plurality of apertures form openings extending through the brim between
its
top and bottom surfaces. The apertures may have differing sizes and shapes. In
an
4
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
arrangement, at least one of the apertures may be a large aperture having a
cross-
dimension (e.g., diameter) that is at least thirty percent (30%) of a radius
of the arcuate
sidewall. In a further arrangement, the large aperture may have a cross-
dimension (e.g.,
diameter) that is at least fifty percent (50%) of a radius of the arcuate
sidewall. In such
an arrangement, one or more of the large apertures may be sized to receive
water bottles,
other drink containers, lanterns etc.. In a further arrangement, one or more
of the
apertures may have an insert (e.g., mesh, webbing etc.) that extends below the
aperture.
Such an insert may be a flexible bag having an open mouth attached about the
periphery
of the aperture.
The semi-annular body may be formed of any material including, without
limitation, polymers (e.g., plastics) metals and composites. In an
arrangement, the semi-
annular body (e.g., arcuate sidewall and brim) are integrally formed. In one
specific
arrangement, the semi-annular body is injection molded. When formed of a
polymeric
material, the thickness of the arcuate sidewall and brim are typically at
least 0.08 in and
more preferably at least 0.10 in to provide rigidity for the device. To
provide further
rigidity for the brim (which typically cantilevers from the arcuate sidewall),
one or more
braces may extend between a bottom surface of the brim and an outside surface
of the
arcuate sidewall. In a further arrangement, the material has a specific
gravity of less than
one such that the annular body will float if it becomes disconnected from a
bucket in a
marine application.
In another aspect, a combined bucket and caddy device is provided. That is, a
bucket and external organizer/caddy may be integrally formed (e.g., in an
injection
molding process). In one arrangement, a bucket is provided having a tubular
sidewall
5
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
within an open upper end and a closed bottom end. A brim connects to an
outside surface
of the tubular sidewall proximate to the open upper end. The brim extends
radially
outward from the tubular sidewall to an external or exterior edge. That is,
the brim may
extend radially away from a centerline axis of the bucket. The brim extends
around half
or less of the periphery of the bucket such that it does not interfere with
the movement of
a bail (e.g., handle) attached to opposing points on the outside surface of
the tubular
sidewall of the bucket. The brim includes a plurality of apertures that extend
though its
surface (e.g., between an interior edge attached to the tubular sidewall and
the exterior
edge). Such apertures may support various items (e.g., tools, fishing gear,
etc.).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of caddy device attached to bucket.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show first and second perspective views of the caddy device.
FIG. 3A shows a top view of the caddy device.
FIG. 3B shows a side view of the caddy device.
FIG. 4 shows a caddy device integrated with a bucket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist
in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions.
The following
description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is
not intended to
6
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations
and
modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and
knowledge of
the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The
embodiments
described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of
practicing the
inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions
in such, or other
embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular
application(s) or
use(s) of the presented inventions.
Bucket organizers are typically fabric inserts that drape over the top
peripheral
edge of a bucket to provide various pockets on the exterior and/or interior
periphery of
the bucket. Such organizes are impractical for buckets that will continue
being used to
hold liquids or buckets that require a lid in a closed position. Accordingly,
provided
herein is a bucket organizer or caddy (hereafter caddy device or device) that
is adapted to
engage an exterior of a bucket to allow for supporting items on an exterior of
the bucket.
The device may be entirely free of connection or intrusion into an interior of
the bucket to
permit continued use of the interior of the bucket to hold liquids or other
materials and/or
to allow a lid to attach to the bucket while using the device. Though
discussed in
conjunction with its primary use with a bucket, the caddy may be attached to
the exterior
of other structures to provide a means for supporting items on an exterior of
the structure.
FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of an attachable caddy or device
10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes semi-annular body 20 that
is
configured to engage a portion of outside periphery of a bucket 50. The device
10 further
includes a tensile element or tensile strap 40 that connects to first and
second ends of
semi-annular body. The tensile strap 40 may be extended around the remainder
of the
7
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
outside periphery of the bucket 50 and may be tensioned to secure the semi-
annular body
in place.
The semi-annular body 20 includes an arcuate sidewall 22 and a rim or brim 30
that extends substantially transverse to the arcuate sidewall 22. The arcuate
sidewall 22
has a concave interior face, which generally defines an inner periphery of the
semi-
annular body 20. This inner periphery of the semi-annular body 20 is, in the
present
embodiment, configured to engage the outside surface of a bucket. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the arcuate sidewall extends continuously from a first end 24A to
a second
end 24B and between a lower edge 26A and an upper edge 26B. However, it will
be
appreciated that the arcuate sidewall may have other configurations. What is
important
is that the sidewall curves along its length such that is may substantially
conform to an
outside surface of a bucket or be deformed (e.g., via the tensile element) to
the outside
surface of a bucket. As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, the arcuate sidewall may,
in an
embodiment, be semi-circular. In such an embodiment, the inside periphery of
the
arcuate sidewall may have a constant radius 'R'. In such an arrangement, the
radius may
be selected (e.g., during design and manufacture) to correspond to a
particular bucket. In
one embodiment, the radius is between about five inches and about six and one-
half
inches. Other sizes are possible.
In the illustrated embodiment, first and second apertures 28A, 28B (hereafter
28
unless specifically referenced) are formed through the sidewall proximate to
the first and
second ends 24A, 24B. These apertures 28 provide a location to attach the
strap 40 to the
annular body 20. As shown, the apertures 28 are elongated to receive the width
of the
generally flat strap and a first end of the strap 40 is attached to the first
aperture 28A and
8
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
a second end of the strap 40 is attached to the second aperture 28B. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the strap 40 includes an adjuster 42 (e.g., buckle) that allows
adjusting the
length of the strap 40.
The brim 30 extends outward or away relative to the inner surface (e.g.,
concave
surface) of the arcuate sidewall 22 forming cantilevered surface (See., e.g.,
FIG. 3B)
when the device 10 is attached to a bucket. In this regard, an interior edge
of the brim 30
is connected to and/or defined by the arcuate sidewall 22. The brim 30 extends
from the
interior edge to an exterior edge 33 forming a surface that is substantially
transverse to
the sidewall (e.g., at each radial point of connection). As illustrated, the
width of the
brim (e.g., between the interior edge and exterior edge) may vary over the
length of the
semi-annular body 20. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the brim 30
extends from
arcuate sidewall over its entire length. However, it will be appreciated that
the brim 30
need not be continuous over the length of the arcuate sidewall. In an
embodiment,
various braces 25 are formed between an outer surface of the arcuate sidewall
22 and the
bottom surface of the brim 30. The braces 25 provide rigidity for the brim 30,
which
cantilevers away from the sidewall. That is, the braces provide structural
rigidity that
allows the brim 30 to support various items without significant deflection,
when the
device is attached to a bucket.
A plurality of apertures 32 are formed through the surface of the brim 20
between
its interior and exterior edges. The size, shape, number and location of these
apertures 32
may vary and the illustrated apertures 32 are presented by way of example
only. These
apertures 32 define receptacles for holding various items when the device 10
is attached
to a structure/bucket. In the present embodiment, two of the apertures are
large apertures
9
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
32A having increased cross-dimensions (e.g,. diameters) and which are formed
in
corresponding projections or wider portions of the brim 30. By way of example,
the
large apertures 32A may have a cross-dimension 'CD' that allows one or both of
the
large apertures to receive, for example, a drink container/water bottle or
other larger item.
See, e.g., FIG 3A. In an embodiment, the cross-dimension of the large
apertures may be
at least thirty percent (30%) of the radius of the arcuate sidewall. In
further
embodiments, the cross-dimension may be 40%, 50% or even 60% of the radius of
the
arcuate sidewall.
To facilitate use of the large apertures 32A to hold various items, each large
aperture may include an insert. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, one
embodiment
of such an insert is a bag 34 (e.g., mesh bag) having its opening/mouth
attached about the
periphery of one of the apertures 32A with a closed end of the bag extending
below the
brim 30. When attached to the periphery of the aperture 32A, the interior of
the bag is
accessible through the top surface of the brim. As will be appreciated, the
insert allows
this large aperture 32A to be utilized to hold various larger items (e.g., a
water bottle) or,
for example loose items.
The insert may, in an embodiment, fixedly attach to the large aperture. In
another
embodiment, the insert is removably connected to the large aperture. As best
shown in
FIG. 2B, the large aperture includes an annular recess 36 formed in the top
surface of the
brim 30 about its periphery. This recess is configured to receive an annular
ring 38.
More specifically, the annular ring 38 is sized for receipt on a top surface
of the annular
recess. To maintain the annular ring 38 within the annular recess 36, the
recess may have
one or more retention tabs 44 disposed about its periphery. In such an
embodiment, the
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
annular ring 38 may be slightly deformed and positioned beneath the tab(s) 44.
The
annular ring may be made of any appropriate material. Further, the annular
ring 38 may
be continuous or discontinuous (e.g., a split ring). When utilized to secure a
fabric insert
(e.g., bag 34) relative to a large aperture, the annular ring 38 may be
disposed through a
sleeve 35 formed about the top edge of the fabric insert.
To improve the connection between the caddy device 10 and the bucket, the
concave interior surface of the arcuate sidewall 22, may further include a
liner or other
coating over all or a portion of its surface. The liner or coating typically
provides a
compressible material that provides improved engagement between the exterior
surface
of the bucket and the caddy device. As will be appreciated, most buckets are
made of a
hard plastic or metal. In various embodiments, the caddy device is likewise
made of a
rigid plastic resulting in a low coefficient of friction between the arcuate
sidewall and the
outside surface of the bucket. The coefficient of friction between these hard
surfaces
may be improved with the insertion of a coating, liner and/or compressible
surface
therebetween. Such materials may include rubberized materials, fabrics and/or
foams
that are applied (e.g., adheres) to the interior surface of the caddy device
10. Such a liner
48 may be applied to all or a portion of the interior surface of the arcuate
sidewall. See
FIG. 2B. When utilizing a compressible material, the material may be
compressed
against the outside surface of a bucket when the tensile element is tightened.
As previously noted, FIG. 1 illustrates application of the device 10 to the
bucket
50. Though not illustrated, it will be appreciated that the bucket 50
typically incudes an
external annular rim that extends about its outer periphery at or near the top
edge of the
bucket. Such an annular rim is commonly utilized to, for example, attach a lid
to the
11
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
bucket. The bucket may also include one or more lower annular rim(s) that
is/are spaced
a distance below the upper annular rim. The current device may be attached at
any
location along the height of the sidewall of the bucket. Accordingly, the
device may be
attached such that it does not interfere with attachment of a lid to the
bucket. To attach
the device 10 to the bucket, the inner periphery of the arcuate sidewall 22 of
the semi-
annular body 20 is positioned against the outer periphery of the sidewall of
the bucket.
The strap 40 is then position around the remainder of the periphery of the
bucket 40. At
this time, the strap 40 may be tensioned (e.g., tightened) to draw the semi-
annular body
into conformance with the outer periphery of the bucket 50. Along these lines,
the semi-
annular body 20 may be flexible such that it deforms to mate with the outer
surface of the
bucket. Such conformance may permit the device to engage different sized
buckets.
Such tensioning may also compress a liner on the interior surface of the
arcuate sidewall
against the exterior sidewall of the bucket. Further, the strap may be used to
support
other items that are configured for attachment to, for example, a belt (e.g.,
knife
scabbards, etc.)
In an embodiment, the body of the caddy device is integrally formed. In a
specific
embodiment, the caddy device is made from a polymeric material that may be
formed in
an injection molding process. However, it will be appreciated that other
materials and
means of forming the device are considered within the scope of the present
disclosure.
When utilizing a polymeric material, it is generally desirable that the
material provide
sufficient resistance to bending that the brim is minimally deflected under a
load of a few
pounds. In an embodiment, it is desirable that a stiffness of the polymeric
material
comply with ASTM D-790 and/or ISO 178, which each specify guidelines for
12
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
determining the flexural properties of rigid and semi-rigid plastics under
defined
conditions. In an embodiment, the material chosen may have at least a 100,000
PSI
under ASTM D-790 and more preferably at least 200,000 PIS under ASTM D-790 to
provide sufficient stiffness. Further, the thickness and material selected may
be altered to
achieve desired deflection under load. In one embodiment, a thickness of an
injected
molded sidewall and brim is at least 0.08 inches. In a further embodiment, the
thickness
is at least 0.10 for the sidewall and at least 0.16 for the brim. In one
embodiment, the
material forming the arcuate sidewall and brim (e.g., semi-annular body) will
have a
specific gravity of less than one such that the device will float. In one
particular
embodiment, high density polyethylene (HDPE) was selected based on all of the
above
noted factors.
FIG. 4 illustrates another aspect of the present disclosure where an external
bucket caddy (e.g., generally in accordance with the above-disclosed
embodiment) is
integrally formed with an exterior of a bucket to allow for supporting items
on an exterior
of the bucket. As will be appreciated, many buckets are produced in an
injection molding
process. By modifying the mold utilized to produce an injection molded bucket,
a
resulting bucket may be made with an integrally formed brim extending around a
portion
of its outside surface.
As shown in FIG. 4. the bucket 150 and brim 130 are integrally formed. In this
embodiment, the brim extends outward from the tubular sidewall 152 of the from
a
location proximate to the open upper end/ top edge 154 of the bucket 150.
Though not
illustrated, the brim 130 will typically be disposed a spaced distance below
the top edge
154 to permit attachment of a lid to the bucket. The brim 130 may include any
of the
13
CA 03116697 2021-04-15
WO 2020/081325
PCT/US2019/055390
attributes discussed above in relation to the caddy device. For instance, the
brim may
include a plurality of apertures, large apertures, fabric inserts. Further,
bracing may
extend between the bottom surface of the brim 130 and an outside surface of
the tubular
sidewall 154. Most typically, the integral brim 130 will extend around on-
half or less
.. of the periphery of the bucket 150. Along these lines, it will be noted
that many buckets
include a bail 156 (e.g., handle) that is pivotally connected to first and
second opposing
points 158 (only one shown) on an outside surface of the bucket. The bail is
generally
configured to rest against the side of the bucket when not in use and pivot to
a position
above the bucket when utilized to carry or lift the bucket. Accordingly,
limiting the
length of the brim to one-half or less around the periphery of the bucket
and/or forming
the brim 130 between the connection points of the bail, the radially extending
brim does
not interfere with the movement of the bail relative to one side of the
bucket.
The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the
inventions and/or
aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently,
variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge
of the
relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The
embodiments
described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of
practicing the
inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions
in such, or other
embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular
application(s) or
use(s) of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended claims be
construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
14
