초록 ▼

A protector device for connection to and transport with a paint bucket includes a flexible protector sheet having an interior, a stiffener member disposed in the interior to resist flexing of the protector sheet and a connector for releasably connecting the protector sheet and stiffener member to th

A protector device for connection to and transport with a paint bucket includes a flexible protector sheet having an interior, a stiffener member disposed in the interior to resist flexing of the protector sheet and a connector for releasably connecting the protector sheet and stiffener member to the bucket.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In combination:a bucket having an upper rim, a pivoted handle and a bucket bottom; anda protector device attached to the bucket to protect a surface from accidental contact from spillage from the bucket, said protector device including a flexible protector sheet positioned under the bucket, said

1. In combination:a bucket having an upper rim, a pivoted handle and a bucket bottom; anda protector device attached to the bucket to protect a surface from accidental contact from spillage from the bucket, said protector device including a flexible protector sheet positioned under the bucket, said protector sheet having a protector sheet upper surface, a stiffener sheet parallel to said protector sheet and disposed under the protector sheet upper surface, said stiffener sheet resisting flexing of said protector sheet under the bucket, and a connector releasably connecting said protector sheet and stiffener sheet to the bucket with the protector device in engagement with the bucket bottom and said stiffener sheet and said protector sheet both disposed under said bucket and extending radially outwardly from said bucket to surround and project outwardly away from the bucket bottom whereby the protector sheet and stiffener sheet can be transported as a unit with the bucket when the bucket is carried by an individual, said protector sheet including an upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion forming a flattened sleeve defining a protector sheet interior accommodating said stiffener sheet. 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said connector comprises at least one resilient cord connected to said protector sheet, extending to the upper rim and releasably secured to said upper rim, said resilient cord continuously biasing said protector sheet and stiffener sheet toward said upper rim. 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said protector sheet includes two spaced end flaps formed by at least one of said sheet portions, said end flaps projecting away from opposite ends of said stiffener sheet, and said connector comprising at least one resilient elongated element connected to each of said end flaps and extending to said upper rim. 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said protector sheet defines an elongated opening adjacent to and extending along an end flap communicating with said protector sheet interior for selectively allowing placement of said stiffener sheet in said protector sheet interior or removal of said stiffener sheet from said protector sheet interior, said end flap adjacent to said elongated opening extending upwardly and inwardly under the urging of the resilient elongated element connected thereto to block egress of said stiffener sheet from said protector sheet interior through said elongated opening. 5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein each of said end flaps has spaced holes formed therein, said connector comprising a plurality of bungee cords having end hooks, some of the hooks of the bungee cords located in the spaced holes formed in said end flaps and other of the hooks in engagement with the upper rim. 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said protector sheet is formed of fabric and wherein said spaced holes are defined by grommets affixed to said fabric. 7. The combination according to claim 5 wherein at least some of said bungee cords are engageable by said pivoted handle to maintain the pivoted handle out of engagement with a side of the bucket to facilitate manual access to the pivoted handle. 8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the protector device additionally comprises a pouch for holding objects releasably attached to a protector sheet portion. 9. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said protector device is convertible when separated from the bucket into a unitary flat structure wherein said end flaps are disposed face-to-face with a protector sheet portion and generally oriented toward one another, said bungee cords extending between said end flaps with the hooks of the bungee cords disposed in the holes formed in said end flaps to exert continuous pulling forces on said flaps.