Bucket tipping apparatus

• US 9,901,837 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2015
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willis Henslee
• Original Assignee: Willis Henslee
• Inventors: Henslee, Willis
• Primary Examiner(s): DENNIS, MICHAEL DAVID
• Application Number:
  US14/863,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20160089611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/144 Means for facilitating access, e.g. step units or slides invalid-lifting devices for swimming pools A61G7/1005

Abstract

A bucket tipping apparatus is provided. The bucket tipping apparatus includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the frame includes at least one fastener thereon for removably securing the apparatus to a support surface, such as the ladder of a pool, among other supports. The upper end of the frame includes a receptacle pivotally affixed thereto, wherein the receptacle is suited for use in holding a volume of fluid. A fluid dispensing device having an elongated tube is secured to the frame and is configured to fill the receptacle with fluid. The receptacle is configured to support fluid therein until a tipping point, wherein the receptacle is actuated downwardly to dump the fluid and returned to a substantially upright position to repeat the process.

Claims

1. A bucket tipping apparatus, comprising:

a frame comprising a pair of parallel rods having an upper end and a lower end;

the pair of rods forming a gap, the gap configured to allow a user to pass therebetween;

a receptacle pivotally attached to said upper end of said frame via a spring-biased pivot rod;

wherein the pair of rods extend at an angle from a support surface such that the receptacle is vertically offset from the lower end;

the lower end pivotally affixed to the support surface;

at least one fastener removably affixed to the support surface and disposed on the lower end, the fastener configured to secure the angle of the pair of rods relative to the support surface;

an elongated tube adapted to be connected to a fluid pump, wherein said elongated tube is adapted to dispense fluid into said receptacle.

2. The bucket apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a lower end, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume adapted to hold a volume of fluid therein.

3. The bucket apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tube of said elongated tube is affixed along a portion of said frame.

4. The bucket tipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated tube comprises a nozzle on an end thereof adapted to dispense fluid into said receptacle.

5. The bucket tipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper end of said elongated tube is disposed adjacent to an open end of said receptacle.

6. The bucket tipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is adapted to tip once said receptacle has been filled with fluid so as to spill said fluid therefrom, and wherein said receptacle is adapted to return to an upright position once said fluid has been spilled.

7. The bucket tipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring-biased pivot rod extends through the interior volume of the receptacle.