Abstract:
A portable dispenser of paper towels or other paper roll products. This device effectively dispenses paper towels in the work area at any place the user wishes to place the device. The device is made of PVC or similar tubing and suction cups to enable the base of the holder to be secured on any work surface. The paper towel roll is inserted and used as needed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to paper towel holders and, more particularly, to a portable paper towel holder with suction cups for mounting at the user&#39;s convenience. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Paper towels have found use in just about every household. Their convenience, low-cost and ability to clean up just about any mess or perform any cleaning task makes them valuable indeed. While usually found in kitchens, mounted to a permanent, dispensing holder, they do have uses elsewhere. However, when they are used elsewhere, they are often used loosely, without a dispenser. This often results in wasted product when more is removed than necessary or the entire roll is dropped and becomes contaminated by liquid or dirt along the edges. Also, many tasks are performed at the work site, rather than at a static location. These locations include boats, camping, motor vehicle work, garages, work shops, gardening tables and the like. It is not economically feasible to provide permanent paper towel holders at all of the locations. Even if it was, the paper towel holder would often get in the way of the work process itself. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which paper towels can be dispensed at many locations using a semipermanent dispenser that can be removed and reattached easily. The development of the Portable Paper Towel Holder with Suction Cup Mount fulfills this need. 
     In the related art, there exists patents for various portable paper towel holders/dispensers. Most notably are the type whereby a roll of conventional paper towels is slid over a vertically oriented shaft mounted on a base. One need to only pick up the entire assembly and carry it with them. This design has one major drawback in that it has no means to mount it to a surface. This can be very inconvenient. The present invention mounts a roll of conventional paper towels on a horizontally oriented spindle for dispensing as is customary. It also includes a suction cup means for temporarily attaching it to virtually any flat surface, and a spring loaded or similar bar across the top of the towels which then prevents the towels from unrolling prematurely all greatly increase the convenience to the user. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 5,490,625 
                 Myatt 
                 Feb. 13, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 5,172,966 
                 Myatt 
                 Dec. 22, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 5,104,054 
                 Latham 
                 Apr. 14, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 4,690,345 
                 Cotey 
                 Sep. 1, 1987 
               
               
                   
                 5,244,220 
                 Cortez 
                 Sep. 14, 1993 
               
               
                   
                 4,030,676 
                 Bardsley 
                 June 21, 1977 
               
               
                   
                 D 326,203 
                 Butler 
                 May 19, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 D 253,265 
                 Miller 
                 Oct. 30, 1979 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable paper towel holder. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide to allow paper towels to be used anywhere. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to keep paper towels clean and readily available. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a plastic mounting frame where one side opens to accept new rolls of paper towels. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a towel holder that has a unique tension bar across the roll to keep the towels from unrolling prematurely. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide suction cup mounts to securely mount the device on any smooth nonporous surface. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to accommodate any size roll of paper towels. 
     It is another feature of the present invention that it can be mounted in any position, even upside down or sideways. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention that it can be relocated to accommodate changing work tasks, but keeps paper towels handy. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the Portable Paper Towel Holder with Suction Cup Mount, as its name implies, is a portable paper towel holder and dispenser. A conventional roll of paper towels mount on the center portion of a general “H” shaped frame. Each of the four ends of the “H” shaped frame is provided with a leg that extends downward to provide the necessary clearance to the mounting surface. At the end of each of the four legs is a suction cup that allows for the attachment of the invention along with the associated roll of paper towels in a secure manner to any smooth, non-porous surfaces in any position. The invention provides for the dispensing of paper towels in a manner identical to that of a conventional paper towel holder. When the roll of towels is depleted, the invention slides apart at the end portion to allow for a new roll to be installed. The use of the Portable Paper Towel Holder with Suction Cup Mount allows one to use paper towels at the work site on a temporary basis such as mechanics benches, work stations, basements or similar locations. The holder can easily be removed when no longer required without leaving any marks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an end cap from a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 a  is a top view of a suction cup from a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and 
     FIG. 7 b  is a side view of a suction cup from a Portable Paper Towel Holder, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 Portable Paper Towel Holder 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 Spindle 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 Tee 
               
               
                   
                 17a 
                 “D” shaped aperture 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 Nipple 
               
               
                   
                 17a 
                 “D” shaped aperture 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 Elbow 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 Leg 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Leg Cap 
               
               
                   
                 20a 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 Suction Cup 
               
               
                   
                 21a 
                 Suction Cup Nipple 
               
               
                   
                 21b 
                 Release Tab 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Gripper Bar 
               
               
                   
                 22a 
                 Spring loaded “D” shaped pin 
               
               
                   
                 22b 
                 Tab 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a Portable Paper Tower Holder  10  is shown, according to the present invention, having a means whereby the device can be securely attached and then removed at the user&#39;s convenience. The device would have unlimited application in the home, garage, office, or wherever one may need to have a paper towel handy on a temporary or semi-permanent basis. One can easily take it with them while working under the hood of the car and then take it back into the house. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the portable Paper Towel Holder  10  comprised of a center spindle  15  having an elongated longitudinal axis and two ends, a plurality of two tee fittings  16  fitted one each on said ends, a plurality of four nipple sections  17  wherein two of said plurality of four nipple sections  17  are fitted into each of said plurality of two tee fittings  16  and oriented as shown, and a plurality of four elbows  18  wherein one of said plurality of four elbows  18  is fitted onto each of said nipple sections  17 . A specially designed gripper bar  22  is rotatably suspended between the two forward nipples  17  via spring loaded “D” shaped pins  22   a  which are received by a “D” shaped aperture  17   a  formed in said nipples  17 . Gripper bar  22  is spring loaded and biased so that a tab  22   b  is forced against the paper towel roll to keep it from turning and unrolling prematurely. This embodiment of gripper bar  22  is meant as only as a suggestion and other means for preventing the paper towel roll from unrolling may be employed according to the manufacturer&#39;s desire. Each of said plurality of four elbows  18  is oriented so that any section of piping fitted in the open end would be oriented 90° downward from the elongated longitudinal axis of spindle  15 . One end of a leg  19  from a plurality of four legs  19  is then inserted into an elbow  18  from the plurality of four elbows and oriented as described. An end cap  20  from a plurality of four end caps  20  is then fitted onto the other end of each of said leg  19 . A suction cup  21  from a plurality of four suction cups  21  is then attached to each one of said end cap  20  via means described hereinbelow. A special release tab  21   b  is integrally built into each suction cup  21  to break the suction seal between the suction cup  21  and a surface. 
     Spindle  15 , nipple  17 , and leg  19  are all made and cut to length from PVC tubing or equivalent. ¾″ diameter tubing is suggested but in no way is that meant to be limiting. Likewise, tee fitting  16 , elbow  18 , end cap  20  are made from the same material and sized to receive the ends of said tubing. All connections are made by sliding the tubing in the appropriate end into a fitting in a semi-interference fit. No glue is required or desired as the device can be broken down as desired for storage or transport. Upon assembly, a roll of conventional paper towels is slide over spindle  15  before the tee fittings  16  are slid onto spindle  15 . Then the remaining components are assembled. Spindle  15  is approximately 13″ in length, or slightly longer than a roll of conventional paper towels. Likewise, legs  19  can be any length but they must be at least as long as the diameter of a roll of conventional paper towels so that the roll will not contact the surface the device is mounted on. When assembled, the device is a portable, stand alone structure capable of supporting a roll of conventional paper towels thereon. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, various views a Portable Paper Towel Holder  10  is shown, detailing the structure of the device. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of end cap  20  with a small aperture  20   a  located in the center. Aperture  20   a  is for receiving a nipple  21   a  located on the upper surface of suction cup  21  as shown in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b.  Nipple  21   a  snaps into aperture  20   a  in a snug interference type fit. A release tab  21   b  is provided to release suction cup  21  from a surface. However, this means for attaching suction cup  21  is meant as only as a suggestion and other means may be employed depending on the means which the manufacturer of the suction cup selected has chosen. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, one simply slips a roll of conventional paper towels over the center spindle, and then slides the “T” fittings onto the spindle. Next, two “U” shaped feet sections are slid onto the “T” sections. The feet sections have suction cups attached to them for mounting on a surface. One need only select a suitable surface and gently push on the device to install. To release, a gentle tug on the release tabs extending from the cup base is all that is required to detach it from the surface. A spring loaded bar is provided to prevent the paper towel roll from unrolling prematurely. The entire device may also be disassembled for storage by simply pulling the sections of tubing from the fittings. 
     The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.