Bucket coupler

Abstract

There is disclosed a bucket coupler ( 10 ) having tubular main portion ( 11 ) having an annular sidewall ( 12 ) with an interior surface ( 13 ) and an exterior surface ( 14 ). The interior surface has an upper portion ( 17 ) and a lower portion ( 18 ). The interior surface upper portion and lower portion are angled or tapered outwardly as they extends from a central location. The angling of the upper and lower portion's interior surfaces is intended to match or conform with the angling of the exterior surface of a bucket (B) intended to be co pled to the bucket coupler. The bucket coupler also includes a vent ( 26 ).

1 . A combination bucket and bucket coupler comprising,
 a first bucket having a bottom portion with an outwardly tapered exterior surface as said bottom portion extends from a bottom of said first bucket towards a top of said first bucket;   a second bucket having a bottom portion with an outwardly tapered exterior surface as said bottom portion extends from a bottom of said second bucket towards a top of said second bucket;   a bucket coupler having an annular sidewall having an upper portion with a tapered interior surface corresponding to and receiving said first bucket outwardly tapered exterior surface and a lower portion with a tapered interior surface corresponding to and receiving said second bucket outwardly tapered exterior surface.   
     
     
         2 . The combination bucket and bucket coupler of  claim 1  wherein said bucket coupler includes a vent extending through said annular side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The combination bucket and bucket coupler of  claim 1  wherein said bucket coupler includes a storage compartment coupled to said annular side wall positioned within an interior space of said bucket coupler. 
     
     
         4 . The combination bucket and bucket coupler of  claim 1  wherein said bucket coupler upper portion tapered interior surface extends directly from said bucket coupler lower portion tapered interior surface. 
     
     
         5 . A bucket coupler comprising an annular main portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, an interior surface extending between said top edge and said bottom edge, and an exterior surface extending between said top edge and said bottom edge, said interior surface being convex from said top edge to said bottom edge. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket coupler of  claim 5  further comprising a vent extending through said annular main portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket coupler of  claim 5  further comprising a storage compartment coupled to said annular main portion positioned within an interior space defined by said annular main portion. 
     
     
         8 . A bucket coupler comprising a cylindrical sidewall having an first portion joined to a second portion at a generally central location, said first portion having an interior surface which diverges as it extends in an upward direction from said central location, said second portion having an interior surface which diverges as it extends in a downward direction from said central location. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket coupler of  claim 8  further comprising a vent extending through said cylindrical side. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket coupler of  claim 8  further comprising a storage compartment coupled to said cylindrical sidewall and positioned within an interior space defined by said cylindrical sidewall.