Bucket with lockable handle

Abstract

In an embodiment, a cleaning bucket assembly comprises a plurality of walls having a first and second end walls. The first and second end walls each having a first slot and a pair of projections on opposing sides of a plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the slot. The projections being spaced apart to define a second slot. A handle having a center portion with a pair of opposing arms, the center portion and pair of arms forming a u-shape. Each of the pair of opposing arms having a pin movably disposed in one of the first end wall slot and second end wall slot. Each pin having a leg member extending therefrom in a direction opposite the center portion, the leg member being positioned to slide into the slot when the handle is in a vertical position and the user releases the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning bucket assembly:
 a bucket a plurality walls that define an interior area, the plurality walls having a first end wall and a second end wall, at least one of the first end wall or the second end wall having a first slot and a pair of projections on opposing sides of a plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the slot, the projections being spaced apart to define a second slot; and   a handle having a center portion with a pair of opposing arms, at least one of the pair of opposing arms having a pin movably disposed in the first slot, the pin having a leg member extending therefrom in a direction opposite the center portion, the leg member being sized and positioned to slide into the second slot when the handle is in a first position and a user releases the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the pin further included an end and a post, wherein the post positioned within the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the post is rotationally and slidably connected to one of the pair of opposing arms. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 2 , wherein the end is larger than the post. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 2 , wherein the end is circular in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 4 , wherein the first end wall includes a u-shaped portion extending away from the interior area, the u-shaped portion spaced apart from the wall to define a region, the first slot being formed in the u-shaped portion. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 6 , wherein the end is positioned in the region such that the u-shaped portion is configured to retain the end in the region. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is fixed in the upright position when the leg member is positioned in the slot. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of projections may be shaped as a circular, an elongated circle, a square, or an elongated square. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first end wall includes the first slot and second end wall includes a third slot, the third slot having a second pair of projections on opposing sides of a plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the third slot, the projections being spaced apart to define a fourth slot. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a cleaning bucket, comprising:
 providing a cleaning bucket configured to receive a cleaning tool, the cleaning bucket comprising:
 a bucket a plurality walls that define an interior area, the plurality walls having a first end wall and a second end wall, each of the first end wall and second end wall having a first slot and a pair of projections on opposing sides of a plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the slot, the pair of projections being spaced apart to define a second slot; and 
 a handle having a center portion with a pair of opposing arms, the center portion and pair of arms forming a u-shape, each of the pair of opposing arms having a pin movably disposed in one of the first end wall slot and second end wall slot, each pin having a leg member extending therefrom in a direction opposite the center portion, the leg member being positioned to slide into the slot when the handle is in a vertical position and the user releases the handle, 
   raising the handle in a direction away from the floor to allow rotational movement of the handle; and   lowering the handle while the handle is in a vertical position to engage the leg member in the second slot.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the leg engages the second slot under the influence of gravity when the user releases the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is fixed in the upright position when the leg member is positioned in the slot. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning bucket assembly:
 a bucket a plurality walls that define an interior area, the plurality walls having a first end wall and a second end wall, the first end wall having a first slot and a first pair of projections adjacent the first slot, the first pair of projections being spaced apart and defining a second slot therebetween, the second end wall having a third slot and a second pair of projections adjacent the third slot, the second pair of projections being spaced apart and defining a fourth slot therebetween;   a handle having a center portion with a first arm and a second arm, the first arm having a first pin movably disposed in the first slot, the first pin having a first leg member, the second arm having a second pin movably disposed in the third slot, the second pin having a second leg member, the first pin and second pin being sized and positioned to slide into the second slot and fourth slot when the handle is in a first position and a user releases the handle.   
     
     
         15 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 14 , wherein the first pin further includes a first post positioned within the first slot, and the second pin includes a second post positioned within the third slot. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 15 , wherein the first post and second post are rotationally and slidably connected to the bucket. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 16 , wherein the first end wall includes a u-shaped portion extending away from the interior area, the u-shaped portion spaced apart from the wall to define a region, the first slot being formed in the u-shaped portion. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 17 , wherein the end is positioned in the region such that the u-shaped portion is configured to retain the end in the region. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 14 , wherein the arm is fixed in the upright position when at least one of the first leg member is positioned in the second slot or the second leg member is positioned in the second slot. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning bucket of  claim 19 , wherein the arm is selectively rotatable when in the first position.