US20110181081A1

US20110181081A1 - Bucket seat

Info

Publication number: US20110181081A1
Application number: US12/992,784
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew G. Williams; Terrence P. Kinskey
Original assignee: Union Rich USA LLC
Current assignee: LF Centennial Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-16
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: WO2009140531A3; WO2009140531A2

Abstract

A bucket seat (10) formed from a bucket body (12) that may be a generally cylindrical, self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered and forming at least one inner chamber (14) is disclosed. The bucket seat (10) is sized to be used as a seat by a worker and to contain all of the worker's tools either inside the bucket (10) or within pockets (34) on the outer surfaces (18) of the bucket body (12). The bucket seat (10) may also include a knee pad system (24) formed from two knee pads (23) that are coupled together and stored within a pocket (22) on an inner side (21) of a removable lid (20).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of bags, and more particularly to a multi-function bag that is useful outdoors for storing materials and functioning as a seat.

BACKGROUND

Bags are known to be useful for transporting a variety of items from one place to another. As such, bags are generally designed to be lightweight and flexible so that they can contain items having a variety of sizes while minimizing the weight the worker must carry during transport.
Tool belts are also known for transporting a variety of tools. However, because of the constraints of being worn on the worker's waist, tool belts are generally limited to smaller, lighter tools and associated hardware. In addition, the quantity and variety of tools and hardware that may be carried is significantly smaller than the quantity that can be carried using a bag. Finally, tool belts are configured to carry specific tools and it may be difficult or impossible to adapt a tool belt to carry some tools or hardware.
Although bags and tool belts are known, there exists a need for bags that are more useful for carrying a broader variety of items that provide additional benefits to workers carrying the bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is drawn to a bucket seat having a bucket body, a removable lid attached to the bucket body, and a bottom wall. The bucket body can form at least one inner chamber and be formed from a self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered. The removable lid can be attached to the bucket body such that the removable lid can be moved between open and closed positions. The bottom wall can be positioned opposite the removable lid. The removable lid can be fabric covered and closable with a zipper.
The bucket seat can also include a pocket containing knee pads and a removable strap for containing the knee pads that is attachable via a hook and loop connector. The knee pads can be formed from two fabric covered pads that are connected together to form a single knee pad system. The pocket can be positioned on an inner surface of the removable lid.
The bucket body can be generally cylindrical and completely covered with fabric on the inner and outer surfaces. The bucket seat body can be formed from at least one polyethylene board and reinforcement strips positioned vertically. The bucket seat can also include a plurality of pockets attached to an outer surface of the bucket body.
The bucket seat can include a plurality of handles attached to the bucket body for carrying the bucket. The bottom wall can be formed from fabric and include a plurality of drain holes.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the present invention and the features and benefits thereof will be obtained upon review of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garden seat bucket described herein.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the garden seat bucket.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the garden seat bucket.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the garden seat bucket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pocket containing a knee pad system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the knee pad system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the bucket seat 10 is configured to provide a worker with a seat while also acting as a container for containing tools in a readily accessible manner. The bucket seat 10 may be self-supporting and formed from materials that together form a lightweight structure that is capable of being picked up by a single worker.
As shown in FIG. 1, the bucket seat 10 may be formed from a bucket body 12 formed from a self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered and forms at least one inner chamber 14. The fabric may be any appropriate durable fabric, including, but not limited to, CORDURA. The bucket body 12 may generally cylindrical and completely covered with fabric on the inner and outer surfaces 16, 18. In at least one embodiment, the bucket body 12 may be formed from a rigid support member, such as, but not limited to, at least one polyethylene board, and may include reinforcement strips positioned generally vertically. The reinforcement strips may be positioned at intervals around the perimeter of the bucket body 12. The intervals between the reinforcement strips may be equal distances or varying distance, In at least one embodiment, the bucket body 12 may have a height of between about ten and about fifteen inches and may have a height of about twelve inches.
The bucket seat 10 may also include a removable lid 20 attached to the bucket body 12 such that the removable lid 20 may be moved between open and closed positions. The lid 20 may be formed from a fabric-covered rigid support member. The lid 20 may he generally cylindrical and generally match an upper opening of the bucket body 12. The lid 20 may include a zipper that may be positioned to releasably close the opening in the inner chamber 14 with the lid 20, The lid 20 may include a pocket 22 on an inner surface 21 of the lid 22, where the pocket 22 is configured to contain a knee pad system 24. The pocket 22 may include a strap 26 for retaining the knee pad system 24 within the pocket 22. The pocket 22 may be formed from fabric or other appropriate material. The strap 26 may be releasably attached to the lid 20 with any appropriate system, such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop connector.
As shown in FIG. 6, the knee pad system 24 may be formed from two fabric covered knee pads 23 that are connected together to form a single knee pad system 24. Each pad 23 may be formed from one or more padded materials, such as, but not limited to, foam. The one or more padded materials may be present as stacked layers of material. The knee pad system 24 may be formed from one continuous piece of padded material or from multiple pieces. A bridge member 28 may connect the two knee pads 23 together yet be flexible enough that the knee pads 23 may be positioned in a relatively flat position, referred to as the usable position, and in a stored position, in which the bridge is flexed so that the knee pads 23 touch each other. In one embodiment, the knee pad system 24, when in a storable position, may have an outer shape that is similar to the shape of the lid 20. In particular, the knee pad system 24 may be generally circular in shape when the knee pad system 24 is folded such that the knee pads 23 are touching each other. In the folded position, the knee pad system 24 may be easily stored in the pocket 22 within the inner chamber 14 when the lid 20 is closed.
The bucket seat 10 may also include a bottom wall 30 positioned opposite the removable lid 20. The bottom wall 30 may be formed from appropriate materials, such as, but not limited to, fabric. The bottom wall 30 may be flexible or rigid and may include one or more holes 32 for drainage. The holes 32 may be sized to facilitate drainage but prevent tools stored within the inner chamber 14 from passing through the holes 32. The holes 32 may be reinforced, such as with a metal ring, to prevent premature failure or fraying of the bottom wall 30.
The bucket seat 10 may include a plurality of pockets 34 attached to an outer surface 18 of the bucket body 12. The pockets 34 may be positioned such that a bottom of the pockets 34 may be positioned near an intersection between the bottom wall 30 and the bucket body 12 and may extend upwardly with openings of the pockets 34 directed upwardly. The pockets 34 may extend from the intersection between the bottom wall 30 and the bucket body 12 and terminate between about one-third and three-quarters of a height of the bucket body 12 from the intersection. The pockets 34 may extend around at least a portion of the circumference of the bucket body 12, and may extend around the entirety of the circumference of the bucket body 12. The pockets 34 may be attached via stitching, other mechanical connection means, or other appropriate ways.
The bucket seat 10 may also include a plurality of handles 36 attached to the bucket body 12 for carrying the bucket seat 10. The bucket seat 10 may include, in at least one embodiment, two handles 36, whereby each handle 36 is attached to the bucket body 12 opposite to each other. The handles 36 may be formed from any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, nylon webbing. The bucket seat 10 may be usable in a variety of places, such as with tradesman, gardeners and others.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A bucket seat (10), comprising:

a bucket body (12) formed from a self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered and forming at least one inner chamber (14);

a removable lid (20) attached to the bucket body (12) such the removable lid (20) may be moved between open and closed positions; and

a bottom wall (30) positioned opposite to the removable lid (20).

2. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, further comprising a pocket (22) containing knee pads (23).

3. The bucket seat (10) of claim 2, further comprising a removable strap (26) for containing the knee pads (23) that is attachable via a hook and loop connector.

4. The bucket seat (10) of claim 2, wherein the knee pads (23) are formed from two fabric covered pads that are connected together to form a single knee pad system (24).

5. The bucket seat (10) of claim 2, wherein the pocket (22) is positioned on an inner surface (21) of the removable lid (20).

6. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the removable lid (20) is fabric covered and closable with a zipper.

7. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the bucket body (12) is generally cylindrical and completely covered with fabric on the inner (16) and outer surfaces (18).

8. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pockets (34) attached to an outer surface (18) of the bucket body (12).

9. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the bucket seat body (12) is formed from at least one polyethylene board and reinforcement strips positioned vertically.

10. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of handles (36) attached to the bucket body (12) for carrying the bucket (10).

11. The bucket seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall (30) is formed from fabric and includes a plurality of drain holes (32).