Protective bucket handle guard

Abstract

A guard is disclosed which aids in protecting animals and / or humans from contacting a body part or clothing on the handle of a bucket which could potentially cause injury. The guard is flexible and relatively puncture and tear resistant. The guard is wrapped around the region of the handle which is attached to the bucket, thereby covering that region. In another version, the handle guard is permanently engaged with the handle prior to attachment of the handle to the bucket. After attachment, the guard can then be positioned and secured directly over an end of the handle, thereby covering that end.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to a protective member for covering the ends of handles used with buckets, pails, and other items typically used in association with horses and other animals. The members cover the handle ends to thereby prevent the ends from contacting the animal or handler, and potentially causing injury. [0002] Animals such as livestock or horses can have significant monetary value, particularly if used for show, racing, or breeding purposes. Accordingly, great measures are frequently undertaken to ensure the animal's safety and to guard against hazards that may impact the animal's value, such as injuries. Even relatively minor cuts or lacerations to the animal can result in dramatic reductions in the market value of the animal, particularly if the cut or laceration leads to infection or disease. [0003] Nearly all buckets, pails, or other similar containers include a handle, typically in the form of a semi-circle and attached along its ends to oppos...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flexible and removable handle guard adapted and sized to prevent or reduce the potential for injuries resulting from a closed end region of a handle and bucket assembly. The handle guard comprises a covering member having a first face and an oppositely directed second face. The handle guard also comprises at least one fastener secured to the covering member. The fastener is adapted to engage itself, the covering member, or both, upon disposing the covering member about the closed end region of the handle thereby preventing or reducing injuries resulting from the closed end region of the handle and bucket assembly.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a handle and pail assembly protected from imparting damage or injury resulting from a region of the handle at which the handle attaches to the pail. The assembly comprises a pail defining a bottom and a sidewall. The sidewall defines a pair of oppositely located apertures. The assembly also comprises a handle defining two distal ends. The distal ends are disposed through the corresponding apertures. Each distal end of the handle is configured in a closed shape so as to retain the handle and the respective aperture and sidewall, yet provide for pivotal movement of the handle with respect to the pail. The assembly also comprises two handle guards, each disposed about the distal end of the handle such that the handle ends are covered by the handle guards.

[0010] The present invention also provides in another aspect, a method of protecting against injury or damage resulting from an end region of a handle of a bucket and handle assembly. The method comprises providing a handle guard including a covering member and a least one fastener secured to the covering member. The fastener is adapted to engage itself, the covering member, or both. The method also comprises positioning the covering member around the end region of the handle. And, the method comprises engaging the at least one fastener with itself, the covering member, or both to thereby retain the covering member around the end region of the handle.

[0011] The present invention also provides, in yet another aspect, a handle and pail assembly comprising a pail defining a bottom and a side wall, the pail including a pair of oppositely located attachment members. The assembly also comprises a handle having two distal ends. The distal ends are movably engaged with the pair of attachment members. The assembly also comprises at least one generally non-removable handle guard disposed about one of the distal ends of the handle. Generally, two guards are used. The handle guard serves to prevent or reduce the potential for injuries resulting from the distal end of the handle.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a handle and pail assembly adapted to prevent or reduce the potential for injuries otherwise resulting from a closed end region of a handle of the handle and pail assembly. The method comprises providing a handle having two distal ends. The method also comprises providing a pail having a pair of oppositely located regions adapted for engaging respective distal ends of the handle. The method further comprises providing at least one handle guard in the shape of a closed ring or loop. The method further comprises inserting one of the distal ends of the handle through the handle guard such that the guard is slidably disposed on the handle. The method further comprises engaging each of the distal ends of the handle to the respective oppositely located regions of the pail. And, the method comprises positioning the slidable handle guard about a distal end of the handle engaged to the pail.

Problems solved by technology

The members cover the handle ends to thereby prevent the ends from contacting the animal or handler, and potentially causing injury.

Even relatively minor cuts or lacerations to the animal can result in dramatic reductions in the market value of the animal, particularly if the cut or laceration leads to infection or disease.

Handle ends that project outward or which are hooked, particularly if formed from metal and especially if such metal subsequently rusts, can present a danger to not only animals which may contact the bucket, but also to people, and particularly when carrying such buckets that may contain water or animal feed.

When buckets are heavily loaded, it is difficult to carry the bucket away from the person's body such that no contact occurs between the bucket and / or handle and the person.

Thus, the bucket and often the projecting ends of the handle may contact, scrape, or otherwise injure the person.

Another hazard associated with buckets having handles, can occur if the bucket is left in a stall or other feeding area for an animal.

Injury or other unwanted contact between the handle ends and the animal can occur.

In addition, bored or curious animals may rub against the bucket, thereby increasing the chances of contacting the handle ends.

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