Paint can holder

Abstract

A container holder for use in holding a container, such as a paint can, having a body with an upper and lower end, a bail retainer positioned on the body to retain the bail or handle of the container, a flexible strap attached to the body for wrapping around and securing the container, and a flange disposed on the upper end on the body. The shape of the body and the presence of a flange allows a user with either a disability or an injury to the digits, to conveniently hold and manoeuver the container using only the thumb and forefinger.

1 . A container holder for use with a cylindrical container having a bottom, a side wall and an arcuate bail attached to the top of the side wall, the container holder comprising: 
 an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion and a lower portion;    a bail retainer mounted on said body for retaining the bail and suspending the container;    a restraint attached to the elongated body intermediate said upper portion and said lower portion for holding the container against the elongated body;    a bracket at a lower end of the body for engaging and supporting the bottom of the container when the bail is engaged with said bail retainer; and    a flange disposed at an upper end of the upper portion of the elongated body and extending around a substantially entire periphery of the upper end, the flange dimensioned to locate a user's hand when the elongated body is grasped in a vicinity of the upper end by the user's hand.    
     
     
         2 . The holder according to  claim 1  wherein said restraint comprises a flexible strap having two ends and a fastener for releasable fastening of the two ends together.  
     
     
         3 . The holder according to  claim 2  wherein the fastener comprises hook and loop fasteners, snaps or buttons.  
     
     
         4 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the restraint comprises one or more magnets for releasable attachment of the container to the elongated body.  
     
     
         5 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the restraint comprises detachable flexible arms for frictionally engaging the container.  
     
     
         6 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the restraint comprise more than one of flexible straps, magnets and flexible arms.  
     
     
         7 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the body is dimensioned for grasping with a human hand.  
     
     
         8 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a rib for engaging a bottom lip provided in a typical paint can.  
     
     
         9 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange is circular in shape.  
     
     
         10 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the bail retainer is selected from the group consisting of a hook, a depression provided on the elongated body and a magnet.