Multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities

Abstract

A multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities includes a base member having a bottom side and side member extending upward from said bottom side, a storage member pivotally connected to the side member to enable the storage member to have at least a limited range of movement with respect to the base member and to permit a range of inclined positions respectively between the base member and the storage member; and a removable connector interconnecting the base member and the storage member for maintaining the storage member in a selectable fixed incline position with respect to the base.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities, including: 
 a base member having a bottom side and side member extending upward from said bottom side;    a storage member pivotally connected to said side member to enable said storage member to have at least a limited range of movement with respect to said base member and to permit a range of inclined positions respectively between said base member and said storage member; and    means interconnecting said base member and said storage member for maintaining said storage member in a selectable fixed incline position with respect to said base.    
     
     
         2 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said storage member includes a substantially rectangular storage compartment.  
     
     
         3 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said storage member includes a first substantially circular storage compartment.  
     
     
         4 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 3 , wherein said storage member includes a second substantially circular storage compartment.  
     
     
         5 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 4 , wherein said storage member includes a substantially rectangular storage compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said storage member includes an open utility surface.  
     
     
         7 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said storage member includes a hook for retaining a conventional roller paint tray.  
     
     
         8 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said maintaining means includes a movable flange and slotted surface which operably interconnect said storage member and said base member such that said flange removably seats in a slot of said slotted surface to maintain a selected incline between said base member and said storage member.  
     
     
         9 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , which includes a handle connected to said side member.  
     
     
         10 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , which includes a pair of opposing side members.  
     
     
         11 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 10 , which includes a first generally U-shaped handle having a transverse member and two opposing parallel side arms extending therefrom in a first direction, wherein each said side arm is pivotally connected to one said side member.  
     
     
         12 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 11 , wherein said transverse member includes a hooked arm extending therefrom in another direction from said first direction to enable said receptacle to hang from a rung of a ladder.  
     
     
         13 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 11 , which includes a second generally U-shaped handle having a transverse member and two opposing parallel side arms extending therefrom in a common direction, wherein each said side arm is pivotally connected to one said side member.  
     
     
         14 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 13 , wherein said transverse member of said first U-shaped handle includes a retaining hook extending therefrom which is configured to removably retain said second U-shaped handle.  
     
     
         15 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 14 , wherein said transverse member includes a hooked arm extending therefrom in another direction from said first direction to enable said receptacle to hang from a rung of a ladder.  
     
     
         16 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 14 , wherein said retaining hook is configured to removably retain said transverse member of said second U-shaped handle.  
     
     
         17 . The multifunctional receptacle with load-leveling capabilities of  claim 1 , wherein said storage member includes a tab to seat on a rung of a ladder and aid in support thereof.