BAIL RETAINER FOR PAINT MIXERS

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSt)RE

Technical Field

[0001] The piesent disclosure generally i elates to paint mixing apparatus, and more particularly relates to mechanisms foi retaining and holding the paint can bail or handle in place during a mixing operation.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] A variety of motorized paint misers are generally known in the art A typical motorized paint mixer includes a base structure having a motor, belt and other components used to rapidly shake a can or pail of paint so that the paint can be sold to a customer in a thoroughly mixed condition Most retail paint stores or hardware stores utilize one oi more of these devices

[0003] Despite the long use of motorized paint mixers, they suffer fiom a number of deficiencies related to the bail oi handle attached to the paint can or pail , Specifically, paint mixers shake a paint can in a rapid and extremely violent manner The bail is typically pivotably attached to the can so that it can be oriented with a middle portion above a top of the can to provide a convenient handle foi transporting the can . When not in use as a handle, the bail may pivot fiom the top position in either direction so that the middle portion rests against a side of the can . Because the bail is fiee to move or pivot relative to the can, shaking of the paint can during mixing results in violent movement of the bail. The bail may strike the can or mixer structure with sufficient force to create significant noise in addition to that already generated by the paint mixer, and may also damage the clamping members between which the paint can is disposed during the shaking process . An unrestrained bail may also damage or mar the can and/or any labels applied to the can, much to the dismay of the manufacturer, trademark owner, and retailer Still further, the bail may be damaged by forceful and repeated impacts with the can oi mixer structure

[0004] In one type of mixer, known as a vibratory-type paint mixei, the paint can is sandwiched between upper and lower ¹ clamping members . The clamping member s are driven in a rapid reciprocating motion that is substantially along a linear path, which

imposes a violent movement on the paint can resulting in a iapid and forceful up and down movement of the pivoting bail The violent movement of the bail can cause damage to the clamping members, the paint mixer machine parts, the paint can label, and the bail The same is ttue with iespect to paint mixers that aie not of the vibratory type The uniestiained bail causes excessive noise and damage to the mixer machine as well as the paint containei.

[0005] Retention of the bail is made more difficult with the recent increase in the variety of can shapes, sizes, and types Previous bail retaineis are knows that aie suited foi a particulai can size or shape, such as a five gallon, generally cylindrical bucket To increase brand recognition and meet consumei demands, however, paint manufacturers aie using a wider variety of containei styles and shapes As a result, it would be advantageous for the paint mixer, and any bail retainer apparatus provided therewith, to be suited for use with a variety of can shapes, sizes, and styles.

[0006] It will be noted that this disclosure is not limited to paint mixers but to mixing machines of all types where a container is equipped with a pivoting bail or handle Accordingly, this disclosure addresses the problem of how to adequately restrain or immobilize the bail during any shaking oi mixing operation

SUMMAJRY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In satisfaction of the afoienoted needs, an improved bail retainer is disclosed for use with a fluid mixer having a clamping area adapted to receive at least one containei having a pivoting bail. The bail retainer includes an elastic member having a first fixed portion retained by the fluid mixer and a first free portion, and a fastener is coupled to the elastic member first free portion The elastic member is sufficiently elastic to move from a retracted position, in which the elastic member first free portion is outside of the clamping area, and an extended position, in which the elastic member first free portion is disposed within the clamping aiea so that the fastener ¹ may be coupled to the at least one containei bail

[0008] According to additional aspects, a fluid mixer is provided for use with at least one containei having a pivoting bail , The fluid mixer includes a clamp assembly with a clamp base having an uppei suiface adapted to support a bottom of the container and a top plate adapted to engage a top of the container Ihe top plate is movable to adjust an

axial spacing between the clamp base and the top plate and to provide a clamping foice on the container when disposed therebetween A clamping aiea is defined between the clamp base and the top plate The mixer further includes a drive opeiably coupled to the clamp assembly and a bail retainer including an elastic member having a first fixed portion retained by the fluid mixer and a first free portion, and a fastener coupled to the elastic member first fiee portion The elastic member is sufficiently elastic to move from a retracted position, in which the elastic member first free portion is outside of the clamping area, and an extended position, in which the elastic member first free portion is disposed within the clamping area so that the fastener may be coupled to the at least one container bail

[0009] Accordingly to still further aspects, a fluid mixer is provided for use with at least one container having a pivoting bail The fluid mixer includes a clamp base having an upper surface adapted to support a bottom of the at least one container and opposed first and second side walls depending fiom the upper surface, each of the fiist and second side walls including an aperture A top plate is adapted to engage a top of the at least one container, wherein the top plate is movable to adjust an axial spacing between the clamp base and the top plate and provide a clamping force on the container when disposed therebetween, a clamping area being defined between the clamp base and the top plate A drive is opeiably coupled to the clamp assembly, and an elastic member is sized for insertion through the side wall apertures, whereby engagement between the elastic member and the apertures in the fiist and second side walls define first and second fixed portions of the elastic member The elastic member further includes at least one free portion, and a fastener is coupled to the elastic member first free portion The elastic member is sufficiently elastic to move fiom a retracted position, in which the elastic member first free portion is outside of the clamping area, and an extended position, in which the elastic member fiist fiee portion is disposed within the clamping area so that the fastener may be coupled to the at least one container bail

[0010] Other advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments and methods will be best understood upon reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description that follows

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF IHE DRAWINGS

[0011] The disclosed bail retainer, mixing apparatus and method of mixing are described more oi less diagiammatically in the accompanying diawings, wherein:

[0012] Fig 1 is an isomettic view of a fluid mixei according to the present disclosure

[0013] Fig 2 is a perspective view of the fluid mixer of Fig 1, with the outer frame and panels removed foi clarity

[0014] Fig 3 is a side elevation view of the fluid mixei of Fig 1, with the outet fiame and panels removed for clarity

[0015] Fig 4 is an isometric view of an agitator frame assembly of the fluid mixei of Fig 1

[0016] Fig 5 is a front view of the agitator frame assembly of Fig 4

[0017] Fig 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a clamp base of the fluid mixei of Fig 1, showing a bail retainer according to the present disclosure

[0018] Figs 7 A and 7B are isometric views of the clamp base shown in Fig 6, with the bail retainer in the retracted and extended positions, respectively

[0019] Figs 8A and 8B are isometric views of a clamp base showing an alternative embodiment of the bail retainer according to the present disclosure

[0020] Fig 9 is a bottom perspective view showing another alternative embodiment of the bail retainer according to the present disclosure

[0021] Figs 1 OA and 1 OB are isometric views of a clamp base used in the bail retainer shown in Fig 9, with the bail retainer in the retracted and extended positions, respectively

[0022] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are illustrated using diagrammatic representations and fiagmentaiy views In certain instances, details may have been omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed embodiments oi which render other details difficult to perceive It should be understood, of course, that the disclosed bail retainers, paint mixers and methods of mixing are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A bail ietalner is disclosed for maintaining the bail oi handle of a containei in a substantially fixed position relative to the containei' during mixing. The bail retainei is desciibed herein in conjunction with a vibiatoiy paint mixei having an adjustable clamp fojt holding the containei duiing operation. It will be appreciated, howevei, that the bail retainer disclosed and claimed herein is not limited to this specific application, but instead may be used with any mixing apparatus foi any type of fluid that may benefit fiom the advantages disclosed herein

[0024] Referring first to Jig. I ₅ a mixing apparatus 10 is shown having an outer enclosure 12 attached to an outer frame 13, The outer enclosure 12 includes a fiont panel 14 having a controls area 16 in which may be provided input devices (such as switches and knobs) and output devices (such as a timer) for ¹ controlling and monitoring operation of the mixei . The fiont panel also includes an access window 18 through which a user ¹ may access an inteiior of the enclosure 12.

[0025] An inner Same assembly 15 is coupled to the outei flame 13, as best shown in Figs. 1-3., The inner fiame assembly 15 includes a base plate 17, two rear vertical supports 19, two fiont vertical supports 21, two side horizontal supports 23, and a cross support 25 , Two biackets 27 extend outwardly fiom each side horizontal support 23. As best shown in fig. 1, the outer frame 13 includes foui base brackets 29, each base biacket 29 being associated with a side support bracket 27, A strut 31 is positioned between each base bracket/side support bracket pair for a total of four struts in the illustrated embodiment The struts 31 minimize vibrations imparted to the surrounding area during operation of the mixer 10, as understood more fully below

[0026] An agitator fiame assembly 20 is coupled to the inner frame assembly 15 and disposed inside the enclosure 12 for securing one or more containers and for generating a reciprocating force that agitates the contents of the container(s) . The containers may have a cylindrical, rectangular, square, or other known shape, and may be provided in any size, such as pint, quart, gallon, five gallon, or other known sizes Furthermore, the containers may be formed of metal, plastic, a combination of metal and plastic, or other known material or combination of materials. As best illustrated in Figs.4 and 5, the agitator fiame assembly 20 includes spaced pairs of side supports 22, the top ends of which are connected by a cross member 24. Furthermore, while the agitator fiame assembly 20 is

illustmted in Figs.2 and 3 as being oriented at an angle with iespect to the innei fiame 15, it will be appreciated that the agitator fiame assembly 20 may be oriented at angles othei than that specifically shown, including in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the vertical members of the inner ¹ fiame 15.

(0027] A stationary clamp base 26 is attached to and extends between bottom portions of the side supports 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp base 26 has a top plate 28 defining an upper surface 30 with a generally rectangular shape, and includes two side panels 32, a fiont wall 34, and a reai wall 36 depending therefiom. Biaces 38 are attached to a bottom suiface 40 of the top plate 28 and extend between the side panels 32 (Fig 6).

[0028] An upper clamp assembly 42 is disposed above the clamp base 26 and is movable in a vertical direction to adjust the spacing between the clamp base 26 and 42, thereby to accommodate containers of various sizes and to exert the desired clamping force on the container Hd As best shown in Figs . 4 and 5, the uppei clamp membei 42 includes a plate 44 having a generally rectangular shape and a channel 46 attached to a top face of the plate 44. A threaded coupling 48 is attached to each end of the channel 46 and is sized to receive a threaded rod 49, A motoi 50 is opeiably coupled to the threaded rods 49 for rotating the rods in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, thereby raising or lowering the uppei clamp member 42 with iespect to the clamp base 26. The upper clamp member 42 may also include a fiont Hp 52 attached to the plate 44

[0029] The clamp base 26 and upper clamp member 42 foim an adjustable clamp foi secuiely holding containers during operation of the mixer 10, A clamping area 54 is defined between the clamp base 26 and upper clamp member 42 , Accordingly, a height of the clamping area 54 will vaiy with the position of the upper clamp membei 42 with respect to the clamp base 26, thereby allowing the adjustable clamp to accommodate containeis of various heights. In addition, the open frame construction of the agitatoi frame assembly 20 accommodates various containei sizes and shapes,

[0030] An eccentric drive 56 is coupled to a bottom of the agitator fiame assembly 20 for driving the agitator' frame assembly in a reciprocating motion. As illustrated in Figs, 4 and 5, the eccentiic drive 56 includes a diive shaft 58 supported foi rotation by two bearings 60, The bearings 60 may be pillow block bearings that are coupled to the bottom plate 17 of the inner frame assembly 15 , A counterweight 62 is coupled to the

drive shaft 58. A pulley 64 is attached to one end oϊ the drive shaft 58 adapted to be rotatably driven, such as be a belt coupled to a motoi (not shown) . A coupling 66 is coupled to the end of the drive shaft 58 opposite the pulley 64., First and second stub shafts 68, 70 are coupled to the pulley 64 and coupling 66, respectively The stub shafts 68, 70 ate aligned to have substantially the same axis, but are offset from an axis of the drive shaft 58, so that the stub shafts 68, 70 are eccentrically mounted with respect to the drive shaft 58.. Outei ends of the stub shafts 68, 70 are rotatably received by bearings, such as pillow block bearings 72, coupled to the bottom ends of the side supports 22. As a result, rotation of the drive shaft 58 causes the stub shafts 68, 70 to revolve about an axis of the drive shaft 58, thereby driving the agitator frame assembly 20 in a reciprocating motion . The maximum displacement, oi stroke, of the eccentric drive is determined by the distance between the drive shaft axis and the stub shaft axis .

[0031] The top of the agitator frame assembly 20 is secured to the innei fiame assembly 15 by a flexible link For example, a slat 74 may have a first end attached to the cross member 24 of the agitator fiame assembly 20 and a second end coupled to the cross member 25 of the innei fiame assembly 15. The slat 74 may be flexible to act like a leaf spring, thereby to accommodate movement of the agitato, frame assembly 20 during operation of the mixer 10. Accordingly, the bottom end of the agitatoi fiame assembly 20 is secured to the innei frame assembly 15 by the bearings 60 which receive the drive axis 58 and the top end of the agitator fiame assembly 20 is secured to the inner frame assembly 15 by the slat 74, thereby maintaining the agitator frame assembly 20 in an upright orientation.

[0032] A bail retainer is provided for securing the bail or handle of a container placed in the adjustable clamp. As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7A-B, the upper surface 30 of the clamp base 26 supports a container 76. A bail or handle 78 is pivotably attached to the container 76, and therefore is free to move during operation of the mixer 10 if unrestrained . The bail retainer, however, secures the bail 78 in a substantially fixed position with respect to the container ¹ 76 during mixing. In general, the bail retainer includes an elastic member having at least one fixed portion coupled to the mixing apparatus 10 and a free portion, to which a fastener ¹ is attached.

[0033] The elastic member ¹ is movable between a retracted position, in which the elastic member free portion is outside of the clamping area 54, and an extended position, in which the elastic member free portion is disposed within the clamping area 54.. When

in the reti-acted position, the elastic membei preferably has sufficient tension to maintain a substantially fixed point of contact with the mixing appaiatus 10. The extended position of the elastic membei allows the fastenei to be coupled to the containei bail 78 In the extended position, the elastic membei geneiates a tension foice sufficient to hold the bail 78 in a restrained position, such that the orientation of the bail 78 with iespect to the containei 76 iemains substantially constant dm ing operation of the mixing appaiatus 10 I he tension force should not be so large, howevei, that it is oveily difficult to move the elastic member ¹ to the extended position oi that it pulls oi displaces the container 16 when the fastenei is attached to the bail 78. When the bail is in the restrained position, it may engage the container ¹ 76 oi may be held away fiom the containei. Whether the bail 78 contacts or is spaced fiom the containei 76 is dependent laigely on the geometry of the mixing apparatus structure and the location of the containei within that structure, as will be more fully understood below

[0034] One embodiment of a bail retainer 80 is illustrated in Figs 6, and 7A-B The bail ietainei 80 includes an elastic member 82 and a fastener 84. The elastic member 82 has a fixed end 86 that is coupled to the rear wall 56 of the clamp base 26 (Fig 6) The fixed end 86 may be secured to the rear wall 36 in any known manner, such as by thieading the fixed end 86 through an aperture 88 formed in the ieai wall and tying a knot so that the fixed end does not slide back through the apeiture 88 Wheie biaces 38 are provided on the bottom surface 40 of the plate 28, as illustrated in Fig. 6, each brace 38 may be formed with an aperture 92 to allow the elastic membei 82 to pass therethrough The front wall 34 of the clamp base 26 also includes an aperture 94 sized to receive the elastic member ¹ 82 The fastenei 84 is coupled to a free end 96 of the elastic member 82 and has a profile that pievents it from passing through the fiont wall apeiture 94

[0035] The elastic member 82 is selected so that it is sufficiently elastic to extend fiom the retracted position, in which the elastic membei fiee portion is outside of the clamping aiea 54, to an extended position, in which the elastic membei fiee portion is disposed within the clamping aiea 54 so that the fastenei may be coupled to the container bail . In the retracted position (Fig, 7A), the elastic member ¹ 82 withdraws through the front wall aperture 94 until the fastenei 84 contacts the fiont wall 34 adjacent the aperture 94. In this position, the elastic membei 82 pieferably generates a sufficient tension force to hold the fastenei 84 in substantially the same position during opeiation of the mixei, should the user elect not to use the ietainei The elastic member 82 is sufficiently elastic to

extend from the relaxed position to the extended position illustrated in Fig:. 7B, in which the fastener- 84 is disposed within the clamping atea 54 and may be coupled to the containei bail 78. In the extended position, the elastic member 82 has sufficient tension to maintain the bail 78 in a substantially fixed position relative to the containei 76 In the illustrated embodiment, the bail 78 is maintained in a position such that it does not contact the containei ¹ 76.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, a bail retainer 100 includes an elastic member 102 and a fastener 104. The elastic member 102 is formed as a loop that is threaded through two eyebolts 106 connected to the front wall 34 of the clamp base 26, thereby to form a double-stranded elastic member ¹ Accordingly, the elastic member 102 includes two fixed portions, namely the end portions of the elastic member 102 that are secured by the eyebolts 106., A middle portion 108 of the elastic member 102 is defined between the two fixed portions, and is free to move relative to the fixed end portions . The fastener 104 is coupled to the middle portion 108.

[0037] In a retracted position., the elastic member 102 and fastener 104 are withdrawn from the clamping area 54 and preferably overlie the base clamp front wall 34, as illustrated in Fig. 8A. In the extended position, the middle portion 108 and fastener 104 are extended into the clamping area 54 to allow the fastener 104 to be attached to the bail 78 of the container 76

[0038] A third embodiment of the bail retainer is illustrated in Figs . 9, 1OA, and 1 OB . In this embodiment, a clamp base 136 includes side walls 138, each side wall 138 including an aperture 140. The bail retainer 150 includes an elastic member 152 sized for insertion through the apertures 140. A first end of the elastic member 152 is fixed to the clamp base 136 by inserting the end through a side wall 140 and tying a knot that is large enough so that knotted first end cannot pass through the aperture 140 An opposite end of the elastic member defines a free portion, and a fastener 154 is attached to the free end. The free end of the elastic member 152 is movable between a retracted position (Fig. 10A) and an extended position (Fig. 10B). In the retracted position, the fiee end is positioned outside of the clamping area In the extended position, the free end is disposed within a clamping area so that the fastener 154 may be attached to a container ¹ bails 158

[0039] While a single bail is retained in the foregoing embodiments, it may be possible o secure more than one bail with a single elastic member, to accommodate multiple

containeis simultaneously placed on the clamp base Foi example, the embodiment illustrated in Figs 9, 1OA, and 1OB may be modified so that the fiist end of the elastic member 152 is not knotted but instead is also movable to define a second free portion of the elastic membei A second fastenei may then be coupled to the second fiee portion, which is also movable between the retracted and extended positions In the extended position, the second fiee poition is disposed with the clamping aiea to allow the second fastenei to be attached to a bail of a second container placed on the clamp base 136 As used herein, the term "fixed portion" includes a portion of the elastic member that is generally secured or held in place Accordingly, in this modified, two fastenei embodiment, the elastic member has two fixed portions when in the extended position even though both ends are slidable through the apertures when in the ieti acted position Specifically, the fixed portions aie the portions of the elastic member 152 that engage the apertures 140 when the elastic member is in the extended position, as best shown in Fig 1 OB The elastic member may be selected so that sufficient tension is created to secure the elastic membei in position

[0040] In the embodiments disclosed heiein, the material, size, and length of the elastic member ate selected to display the desired chaiacteiistics noted above Currently preferred materials foi the elastic member include, but are not limited to, bungee cord, shock cord, and polyur ethane cord

[0041] While the foregoing was written with reference to specific examples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure is not to be limited thereby Instead, the detailed description is provided to satisfy best mode and enablement requirements while providing support foi any and all claims which may issue herefrom