Hook for paint can and paint brush

Abstract

An inventive elongated, generally horizontally oriented hook that is used to simultaneously carry a paint can and a paint brush at the waist of a user in order to liberate one or more of the hands, to alleviate fatigue and/or to prevent accidents. In a preferred embodiment, the hook has a clip portion which allows the hook to be removably attached to the belt or directly to the pants of a user. The hook further comprises a proximal bend and a distal bend, the former of which can be removably engaged to the bail of a paint can, while the latter can removably engage a paint brush. In one preferred embodiment, the elongated hook is made with a single piece of cylindrical wire.

1 . An elongated hook for use by a worker wearing a garment, for simultaneously carrying a paint brush and a paint can, the hook being oriented generally horizontally outwardly with respect to said worker, said hook comprising:
 a clip portion to removably engage said hook to said garment;   a proximal bend attached to said clip portion, said proximal bend adapted to engage a bail of the paint can; and   a distal bend attached to said proximal bend, said distal bend adapted to engage a paint brush.   
   
   
       2 . The elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said hook is formed of a single piece of wire, said wire having a thickness enabling said hook to be resistant to deformation during use of said hook. 
   
   
       3 . The elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said hook is formed at least in part of a plastic material. 
   
   
       4 . The elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate bar, said intermediate bar connecting said proximal bend and said distal bend such that said proximal bend is positioned between said distal end and said clip portion. 
   
   
       5 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said garment is either a belt or a pair of pants, each of said belt and pair of pants having an inner face and an outer face, and further wherein the clip portion includes at least two sets of vertical elements, one of said set being in configured to engage the inner face of said belt or said pair of pants and the other set of vertical elements being configured to engage the outer face of said belt or said pair of pants. 
   
   
       6 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal bend and the distal bend are on an axis essentially perpendicular to the clip portion. 
   
   
       7 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal bend and the distal bend  16  are in line with one another. 
   
   
       8 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal bend has a depth greater than that the distal bend. 
   
   
       9 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the clip portion includes a pair of diagonally oriented elements which combine to form a loop. 
   
   
       10 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said garment has an interior, and further wherein the clip portion has a flat rear face, said face engaging said interior of said garment. 
   
   
       11 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said garment is a belt. 
   
   
       12 . An elongated hook as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said garment is a belt having a lower edge, and wherein the clip portion has a lower angled portion intended to push against a body of a user below said lower edge of said belt. 
   
   
       13 . An elongated hook for use by a worker wearing a garment, for simultaneously carrying a paint brush and a paint can, the hook being oriented generally horizontally outwardly with respect to said worker, said hook comprising:
 a clip, for attaching said hook to said garment of said worker, said clip having a first vertical panel, a second vertical panel and a first upper bend, wherein said first vertical panel is connected to said second vertical panel at said first upper bend;   a proximal bend;   a third vertical panel, said proximal bend positioned between said second panel and said third panel;   a second upper bend;   an intermediate portion, said second upper bend connecting said intermediate portion and said third vertical panel;   a distal bend; and   a tip, said distal bend positioned between said intermediate portion and said tip.   
   
   
       14 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a brace, said brace positioned between said intermediate portion and said third vertical panel. 
   
   
       15 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said hook is formed at least in part of plastic. 
   
   
       16 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising an outwardly angled portion, said outwardly angled portion connected to said first vertical panel. 
   
   
       17 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , said proximal bend having a first depth and said distal end having a second depth, wherein said first depth is greater than said second depth. 
   
   
       18 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said proximal bend is lower than said distal bend. 
   
   
       19 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said first upper bend is higher than said second upper bend. 
   
   
       20 . A hook as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said distal bend connects and is formed by two diagonal segments. 
   
   
       21 . A hook comprising:
 a clip portion;   a proximal bend attached to said clip;   an intermediate horizontal bar;   a distal bend, said distal bend attached to said proximal bend with said intermediate bar, and said distal bend positioned at a height greater than said proximal bend;   wherein said clip portion, proximal bend, intermediate horizontal bar and said distal bend are formed of a single piece of wire.   
   
   
       22 . A hook as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said clip portion comprises a loop. 
   
   
       23 . A hook as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said loop comprises an outward angled portion. 
   
   
       24 . A hook as set forth in  claim 21 , said clip portion comprising two vertical elements that cooperate with one another to engage a belt or pants of a user. 
   
   
       25 . A hook as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said proximal bend connects and is formed by two generally vertical segments. 
   
   
       26 . A hook as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said distal bend connects and is formed by two diagonal segments.