AU2010101411A4 - Magnobucket - Google Patents

Description

MAGNOBUCKET The present invention relates to a receptacle with a magnetic base that has applications in the building industry in particular. Difficulties may be encountered working on roofs, especially sloping roofs, 5 when the worker wants access to a portable receptacle. In particular, receptacles, such as buckets, have been known to slide off sloping roofs. It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of the problems associated with the prior art. Accordingly, the present invention provides a receptacle including a magnetic 10 base. The receptacle may be made from a variety of materials including plastic, metal, rubber or rubber compound. In an environmentally preferred embodiment it is constructed out of recycled tyres. By a 'magnetic base' is meant that the base of the receptacle includes a material or object that produces a magnetic field. Preferably the base of the 15 receptacle includes a built-in magnet, such that, in use, the magnetic field attracts metals such as roofing materials, thereby holding the base of the receptacle to the metal roofing material, for example. In a preferred embodiment a pot magnet (magnet that is encased such that it gives a directional magnetic field - in this case through the base of the 20 receptacle) is used. In a more preferred embodiment the base of the receptacle has a recess in which to sit the magnet and in an even more preferred embodiment the base has a receptacle in which a steel plate is, or plates are, screwed such as to provide attachment then the pot magnet is attached to the steel plate(s) (via its magnetism). Yet another embodiment 25 "sandwiches" the magnet between the base of the receptacle and another layer, preferably of the material the receptacle is made of, effectively encasing it. In one embodiment, the base of the receptacle may be configured to fit neatly on corrugated roofing, in particular standard corrugated roofing. Accordingly, the base of the receptacle may include a series of parallel grooves and ridges, or corrugations, such that it mates neatly with corrugated roofing. Preferably, the receptacle is a carry all such as a bucket. Preferably, the receptacle includes one or more handles or other carrying 5 means. In use, the receptacle of the present invention may be placed on a sloping metal roof, the magnetic base holding the receptacle to the roof. Where the roof is a sloping roof comprising standard corrugated roofing material, the base of the receptacle may include a series of parallel grooves and ridges 10 which, in use, are aligned with the corrugations of the roofing material, so that the receptacle fits snugly on the roof with any gaps between the receptacle and the roofing material being reduced or minimized. Applicant has surprisingly found that use of a receptacle including a magnetic base according to the present invention stabilizes or holds the receptacle on 15 sloping metal roofs, especially sloping roof comprising standard corrugated roofing material. In the later case, where the receptacle also includes a corrugated base which is aligned with the corrugations of the roof, the empty receptacle may be retained approximately in position on roofs with a slope of up to approximately 40*, compared with standard buckets which are likely to 20 slide off a sloping roof with a slope of around only 250. The ability of the receptacle to be retained on sloping roofs provides for a significant advancement in the industry whereby the tradesperson or handyman can carry out work on a sloping roof with a portable receptacle, with a reduced risk of the receptacle sliding off the sloping roof. 25 The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of its embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the following description is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as a restriction on the generality of the invention described above. 5 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the receptacle Figure 2 shows an end on view of the receptacle with a view of the corrugated base. Figure 3 shows the internal construction of the receptacle. 10 Figure 4 shows the receptacle in use on a sloping corrugated roof. Figures 5 & 6 show further views of the receptacle in use Figure 7 demonstrates how the receptacle stays put on a sloping corrugated roof compared with a standard receptacle.

Claims (5)

1. A receptacle including a magnetic base.

2. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein the base includes a series of parallel grooves and ridges, or corrugations, such that it mates neatly with 5 corrugated roofing.

3. A receptacle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a pot magnet is recessed into the base of the receptacle.

4. A receptacle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the receptacle is a carry all or bucket.

105. A receptacle according to Claim 4, wherein the carry all or bucket includes one or more handles or other carrying means.