Bucket lifting device

Abstract

A bucket lifting device is provided for facilitating the lifting of a bucket having a rim portion. The bucket lifting device is selectively positionable between a secured position and a resting position. The bucket lifting device includes a transverse member, a pair of retaining clips, and a pair of handles. A rotating element is connected to each end of the transverse member. The rotating element is configured to allow rotation of the retaining clip relative to the rotating element. The bucket lifting device automatically engages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is raised relative to the bucket and automatically disengages the bucket when the bucket lifting device is lowered relative to the bucket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) configured for facilitating the lifting of a bucket ( 200 ) having a rim portion ( 210 ), wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) is selectively positionable between a secured position and a resting position, wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) comprising:
 a transverse member ( 120 ) having a pair of opposite ends ( 122 ), and a retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) disposed at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ); 
 a handle ( 160 ) rotatably connected to each retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′), wherein the handle ( 160 ) is configured to be held by a user, and; 
 wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) is configured to be selectively positioned in a secured position relative to the bucket ( 200 ) when the bucket ( 200 ) is being lifted and/or transported; wherein in the secured position, each retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) is configured to contact against an underside ( 212 ) of the rim portion ( 210 ) of the bucket ( 200 ). 
 
     
     
         2 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein the transverse member ( 120 ) is a curved loop that is substantially semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein the transverse member ( 120 ) includes a cross-section comprising a circle, square tubing, flat bar, taper shape, or triangle shape. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein a rotating element ( 150 ) is connected to each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ), wherein the rotating element ( 150 ) is configured to allow rotation of the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) relative to the rotating element ( 150 ), wherein the rotating element ( 150 ) is selected from a group comprising of: cylindrical post, pin, screw, bolt and rivet. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 4 , wherein the rotating element ( 150 ) comprises a spring ( 152 ) that provides a resilient force such that the retaining clip ( 130 ) is naturally held in resting position unless the handle ( 160 ) is pulled relative to the bucket ( 200 ) by a sufficient opposing force causing the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) to be deployed in a secured position relative to the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         6 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein an inclined plate ( 140 ) is mounted at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ), and wherein the inclined plate ( 140 ) is angled outward positioning the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) to allow clearance between the bucket ( 200 ) and the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) when the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is placed around the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         7 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is configured to be automatically positioned in a resting position relative to the bucket ( 200 ) when the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is lowered relative to the bucket ( 200 ) after being placed on the ground surface; wherein in the resting position, each retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) is configured to disengage from the underside ( 212 ) of the rim portion ( 210 ) of the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         8 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is detachable from the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         9 . The bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) according to  claim 1 , wherein a circular collar ( 140 ′) is mounted at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ). 
     
     
         10 . A method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) having a rim portion ( 210 ) manually by a user comprising the steps of:
 providing a bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) that includes
 a transverse member ( 120 ) having a pair of opposite ends ( 122 ); 
 a retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) disposed at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ); and 
 a handle ( 160 ) rotatably connected to each retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) wherein the handle ( 160 ) is configured to be held by a user; 
   positioning the bucket lifting device ( 100 ,  100 ′) in proximity to the bucket ( 200 ) to enable contact of the transverse member ( 120 ) against a cylindrical portion of the bucket ( 200 );   manipulating the pair of handles ( 160 ) relative to the bucket ( 200 ) to enable the pair of retaining clips ( 130 ) to contact against an underside ( 212 ) of the rim portion ( 210 ) of the bucket ( 200 ), thereby positioning the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) in a secured position; and;   lifting the bucket ( 200 ) by pulling the pair of handles ( 160 ) in an upward direction relative to the bucket ( 200 ) such that the bucket ( 200 ) is positioned in front of the body of the user.   
     
     
         11 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the transverse member ( 120 ) is a curved loop that is substantially semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the transverse member ( 120 ) has a cross-section comprising a circle, square tubing, flat bar, taper shape, or triangle shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein a rotating element ( 150 ) is connected to each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ), wherein the rotating element ( 150 ) is configured to allow rotation of the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) relative to the rotating element ( 150 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein the rotating element ( 150 ) comprises a spring ( 152 ) that provides a resilient force such that the retaining clip ( 130 ) is naturally held in resting position unless the handle ( 160 ) is pulled relative to the bucket ( 200 ) by a sufficient opposing force causing the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) to be deployed in a secured position relative to the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein an inclined plate ( 140 ) is mounted at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ); and is angled outward positioning the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) to allow clearance between the bucket ( 200 ) and the retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) when the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is placed around the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is configured to be automatically positioned in a resting position relative to the bucket ( 200 ) when the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is lowered relative to the bucket ( 200 ) after being placed on the ground surface; wherein in the resting position, each retaining clip ( 130 ,  130 ′) is configured to disengage from the underside ( 212 ) of the rim portion ( 210 ) of the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         17 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the bucket lifting device ( 100 ) is detachable from the bucket ( 200 ). 
     
     
         18 . The method of lifting a bucket ( 200 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein a circular collar ( 140 ′) is mounted at each end ( 122 ) of the transverse member ( 120 ).