IMPROVED ROLL HOLDING FIXTURE

Abstract: A pair of support arms extend from a base adapted to be attached to a selected surface. The arms are spaced apart to receive a roll of coiled sheet material, such as toilet tissue or paper towels therebetween. A pair of opposed support elements, carried by the support arms rotatabiy support the roll. The fingers, which are biased to enter the hollow core of the roll are deflectively movable in separable directions in response to urging of the roll to receive the roll therebe­ tween.

Description: IMPROVED ROLL HOLDING FIXTURE This invention relates to holding and dispensing fixtures. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to devices for rotatably supporting a cylindrical roll of coiled sheet material, such as paper towels, toilet tissue and the like. More particularly, the instant invention concerns a holding and dispensing device having improved means for mounting the roll. Various commercially available products are commonly packaged and disributed as rolls of sheet material. The material, which is coiled about a hollow core, usually a cardboard tube, is frequently perforated to define read ily separable sheets. Toilet tissue and paper towels are well known exemplary products. Wrapping paper, wax paper, metal foil and plastic sheets are other representative materials. The prior art is replete with various types of devices for holding the roll and dispensing the material as a continuous sheet. Commonly, the devices are in the form of a fixture notably located in residential and commercial bathrooms and kitchens. The fixtures are usually attached to any conveniently suitable surface such as a wall, the underside of a shelf or the backside of a door. Several prior art configurations have achieved commercial success. Particularly prevalent is a fixture having a base with a pair of projecting arms or support members. The base, which is attached to the supporting surface by various means including adhesives and mechanical fasteners, may be substantially flat or, optionally, be formed with a recess for partially receiving the roll. The arms are spaced apart an appropriate distance to receive the ends of the roll therebetween. Roll holding means are carried by the arms. Two types of roll holding means are especially well known. The first type is in the form of an elongate cylindircal element having a pair of telescoping components normally urged apart in response to an enclosed spring. The ends of the element are received within appropriately sized sockets located near the free ends of the respective arms. The arms are rigid and the spring-loaded telescoping member is removed and replaced during mounting of the roll. The second style includes a stub shaft or bearing element rigidly affixed proximate the free end of each arm. The arms are movable, usually resiliently deflective, for the purpose of removing the empty core and mounting a replacement roll. The foregoing types of fixtures, in wtiich the roll is freeiy removable, are especially adapted for private use. To provide for public accommodation, various ztheft-proor" fixtures are commercially available. In general, such fixtures encase the roll within a locking cabinet having an opening or slot through which the sheet projects. Fixtures of the immediate type are noticeably found in public restrooms. It is immediately apparent that mounting a roll upon the above types of fixtures requires considerable manual dexterity and the cooperative use of both hands. The removal of the telescoping element, in connection with the first type of holder, requires that the user insert a finger between the end of the roll and the arm in order to shorten the telescoping element against the force of the spring sufficiently to be removed from the retaining sockets. A laborious task for any, the operation may become impossible for those with impaired hand use. The resilient arm type of unit is substantially easier to load, however, there is the ever present threat that the roll will become dislodged as the material is withdrawn and separated. The mounting of a roll upon a theft-proof type device requries the necessity of carrying a key or special loading tool and the expenditure of consideirabl.i time. Further, such devices tend to be relatively expensive. Numerous other configurations, although not necessarily achieving commercial success, have been proposed by the prior art. Like the above described roll holding and dispensing fixtures, none have provided an entirely satisfactory solution. It would, therefore, be exceedingly advantageous to remedy the deficiencies inherent of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fixture for holding a roll of coiled sheet material. Another object of the invention is the provision of a roll holding fixture having improved means for mounting the roll. And another object of the invention is to provide a roll holding fixture in which a spent roll can be easily and conveniently replaced. Still another object of the invention is the provision of a fixture which is readily manipulated by an unencumbered one-handed operation. Yet still another object of the instant invention is the provision of a fixture which can be variously oriented, such as for right-handed or left-handed use upon vertical or horizontal surfaces. A further object of the invention is to provide a roll holding fixture adapted for private or commercial use. Still a further object of the immediate invention is the provision of a fixture having structure suitable for holding rolls or various lengths. Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which will firmly and securely support a roll for rotatable dispensing of the sheet material. Yet still a further object of the invention is the provision of a fixture, according to the above, having improved simplified design for economical manufacture and maintenance-free use. According to the present invention we provide a fixture for attachment to a surface for rotatably holding a roll having a hollow core, an outer cylindrical surface and spaced apart ends, the fixture including a base securable to the surface, comprising: a pair of opposed support members each having a fixed end carried by the base and a free end, said free end having a recess formed therein and a centrally aligned bore which communicates between said recess and an outer surface of said support member, said support members be lng spaced apart to receive the ends of the roll therebetween; and a pair of opposed support elements for rotatably supporting the roll between said pair of support members, each one of said support elements being deflectively carried within a respective support member and being normally biased to extend inwardly between said support members to be received within the core of the roll, said support elements being deflected in opposite directions inward of said respective support member in response to the urging of the roll which overcomes said bias to allow the roll to be received therebetween, each of said support elememts including: : a pedestal member disposed within said recess of said respective support member and having an end extending through said bore; an end portion fitted to be received within said recess and being attached to the other end of said pedestal member; biasing means as disposed within said recess for causing at least some portion of said end porto to es- tend from said recess in opposite alignment to said other supporting element; and an attachment member formed with said end of said pedestal member extending through said bore for maintaining said respective supporting element deflectively disposed within said recess. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of roll holding fixture embodying the principles of the instant invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the support members shown in Figure 1; Figures 3, 4, 5 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the displacement of the support elements during mountina of a roll; Figure 6 is an elevation view illustrating the directions of movement of a roll for installation and removal; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating in more detail the interrelationship of the components of each of the mounting elements; Figure 8 is a perspective view of yet another roll holding fixture embodying the principles of the instant invention; ; Figure 9 is a top cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 8 illustrating how a roll may be inserted into the apparatus; Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 8 again illustrating the insertion of a roll into the apparatus; and Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating displacement of the components of the support element during insertion of a roll. Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to Figures 1 7 which illustrates a roll holding and dispensing fixture of the instant invention, generally designated by the reference character 140 including a base 142 which is securable to a mounting surface 144. Base 140 includes a rear surface (herein not specifically illustrated) which abuts surface 144 basis of the immediate type, being well known in the prior art, are readily attached to any selected surface, such as a wall, door or shelf in accordance with conventional fastening techniques such as adhesives or mechanical devices. The configuration of base 140 and the means of attachment to the selected surface are not germane to the instant invention. A pair of spaced apart support members 150 extent from base 140. Each support member 150 comprises a rigid arm 152 having a fixed end 154 secured to surface 148, a free end 156 and an inner surface 158. Inner surfaces 158 are opposed and spaced apart a distance to receive the ends of a roll of coiled sheet material therebetween. By way of illustration but not limitation, roll, as used herein, refers to various commercially available products such as toilet tissue, paper towels, metal foil and plastic sheet commonly found in residential and commercial bathrooms and kitchens. Such rolls are commercially available in various lengths and diameters. A typical roll, generally designated by the reference character 33, seen in Figures 6, 9 and 10. Roll 33 includes an elongate hollow core 34, conventionally fabricated of cardboard, having bore 35 therethrough. Sheet material 37, coiled about core 34, terminates with out cylindrical surface 38. Roll 33 further includes spaced apart ends 39. As the roll is rotated the sheet material is continuously dispensed. Certain types of sheet mater ial, notably toilet tissue and paper towels art peri'd- ically perforated for ease of separation by the user. Each of the pair of support members 150 carry reC pective and substantially identical support elements 160. Each support element 160 extends inwardly from inner surface 158 of its respective support member 150 and are spaced oppositely apart to form an axis therebetween to support a roll 33 generally parallel to the plane of base 142. The individual support elements 160 are separably and deflectively movable in opposite directions as a roll 33 is urged against convex surfaces 162 so that a roll 33 is received therebetween. Support elements 160 each comprise a finger 164 integrally coupled to a stem 166. Finger 164 along with stem 166 are fitted into a recess 168 (shown in Figure 3). A bore is formed through end wall 170 so as to permit passage of stem 166 therethrough against the force of torsion spring 172. A cap 174 having a longitudinal section 176 is telescopically received within stem 166 and is keyed thereto as for example by means of a threaded member 178. Cap 174 also includes a flange-like head 180 which is normally held against wall 170 by means of spring 172 which may be attached at one end to wall 170. Thus, the force of spring 172 will normally cause fingers 164 to extend beyond inner surface 158. Mounting of a roll 33 is accomplished by urging the outer surface of the roll against surface 162 of fingers 164 in the direction of, for example, arrow G as is shown in Figure 3. Thus, during the initial movement of roll 33, the outer cylindrical surface 38 will abut fingers 164. By continuing urging roll 33 against fingers 164, each respective finger 164 is deflectively moved in separable directions such that the fingers are depressed into recesses 168 in the direction of arrow line H while spring 172 is compressed. Movement of roll 33 terminates when bore 35 moves into alignment with fingers 164. In this case, spring 172 will urge or snap its respective finger 164 into hollow core 34 as is shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5. It illustrates the telescope relationship between stem 166, cap portion 176 and spring 172. Figure 6 illustrates that roll 33 may be inserted into the apparatus shown in Figure 1 by urging it against members 164 in the generally inclined direction indicated by arrow J. Due to the specific curvature of surface 162, the roll may be removed by simply urging or lifting it upward in the direction of arrow K. Movement in both these directions will cause finger 164 to be recessed since in each case, curved surface 162 will be engaged. It is important to not however, that roll 33 may also be installed by urging it horizontally against support elements 160 as is shown by arrow L or vertically as is shown by arrow M. It should therefore be clear that roll 33 may be installed by urging it against support elements 160 at any angle between the angles represented by arrows L and M. While some difficulty may be encountered if a purely horizontal entry is attempted, installation will be greatly facilitated by only the slightest upward component of movement of the roll against support elements 160. Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment 182 of the subject invention. It includes a base 184 and a curved recess 186 formed in front surface 188 of base 184 for receiving roll 33 partially therein. Support members 150 and support elements 160 are identical to those shown and described in connection with Figures 1 - 7 and therefore further discussion is not deemed necessary here. Suffice that to say that roll 33 may be installed by simply urging it against support elements 160 and moving roll 33 in direction of arrow P. This will cause these support ele ments to retract until core 35 of roll 33 comes into alignment with support elements 160. These support fingers of support elements 160 will then snap back into place within bore 35 to support roll 33. In this position roll 33 is partially received by curved surface 186. Roll 33 may be removed as simply as it was installed. In this case, however, the roll is merely urged in a direction opposite that of arrow P. The convex nature of the support finger will again cause it to be retracted as roll 33 is pulled out. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 10, each of the support element fingers includes a flat surface 190 which resides in a plane perpendicular to the plane of surface 192 on which the apparatus is mounted. Thus, roll 33 may be easily installed and removed as described previously since either operation will not result in pressure being exerted against flat surface 190. Only convex surface 162 will be contacted resulting in retraction of the fingers of support element 160. If, however, the fingers could be rotated 900 such that flat surface 190 would reside at a plane parallel to the plane of support surface 192, the apparatus will be suited for use in the commercial environment wherein theft of the roll or sheet material is of concern. This arrangement is shown in Figures 9 and 11 where flat surfaces 190 of support elements 160 reside in the plane parallel to that of support surface 192. As can be seen roll 33 is simply installed by moving the roll in the direction of arrow Q. However, any attempt to remove 33 will result in the wall of hollow core 34 bearing against flat surfaces 190. Retraction of the support elements 160 will not occur and therefore the roll may not be removed. This situation is shown in more detail in Figure 11. As can be seen, when roll 33 is inserted, pressure is brought to bear against convex surface 162 causing it to retract within recess 168 as is shown by the dotted lines. It will snap back into position when this falls into alignment with bore 35. Any attempt to remove the roll will cause the wall of hollow core 34 to bear against the flat surface 190. However, this will not cause retraction of the support elements and therefore roll 33 will be locked into position and cannot be removed until substantially all of the sheet material has been consumed. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, two specific bases have been illustrated. It is within the scope of the invention that any illustrated base may be used in connection with any selected combination of support members and support arms. It is contemplated that the embodiments described herein may be used in an industrial application for holding rolls of toilet paper or paper towels in public restrooms, for example.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fixture for attachment to a surface for rotatably holding a roll having a hollow core, an outer cylindrical surface and spaced apart ends, the fixture including a base securable to the surface, comprising: a pair of opposed support members each having a fixed end carried by the base and a free end, said free end having a recess formed therein and a centrally aligned bore which communicates between said recess and an outer surface of said support member, said support members being spaced apart to receive the ends of the roll therebetween; and a pair of opposed support elements for rotatably supporting the roll between said pair of support members, each one of said support elements being deflectively carried within a respective support member and being normally biased to extend inwardly between said support members to be received within the core of the roll, said support elements being deflected in opposite directions inward of said respective support member in response to the urging of the roll which overcomes said bias to allow the roll to be received therebetween, each of said support elememts including: : a pedestal member disposed within said recess of said respective support member and having an end extending through said bore; an end portion fitted to be received within said recess and being attached to the other end of said pedestal member; biasing means as disposed within said recess for causing at least some portion of said end portion to extend from said recess in opposite alignment to said other supporting element; and an attachment member formed with said end of said pedestal member extending through said bore for maintaining said respective supporting element deflectively disposed within said recess. 2. A fixture according to Claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a spring disposed about said pedestal member between said end portion and the inner end wall formed by said recess, said spring normally biasing said support element inwardly of said respective support member and being compressable to allow such support element to be deflected within said recess in response to the urging of the roll. 3. A fixture according to Claim 2 wherein said end portion of each one of said support elements is dimensioned to be fitted within said recess of said respective supporting member and has a flat surface portion along the length thereof with the end thereof extending inwardly of said respective support member being generally convex.

Inventors: POOL, DANIEL L.
Applicants: PC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A47K10
IPC codes: A47K10