Abstract:
Disclosed is a device and method for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of toilet paper. The present invention comprises a weighted base with an elongated vertical body, onto which several rolls of toilet paper can be placed. The top portion of the elongated body pivots, and can lock in a vertical position, allowing for storage of additional rolls of toilet paper. The top portion can also lock into a horizontal position for use of a toilet paper roll mounted thereon. Once a roll of toilet paper is depleted, a user slides a replacement roll up the vertical body, and over the pivot, where it rests on the top portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 
     No. 61/452,689 filed on Mar. 15 th , 2011, entitled “TP Holder.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a toilet paper roll holder. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved toilet paper roll dispenser and holder for residential use that stores multiple rolls of toilet paper and allows for easy replacement of toilet paper rolls when a new roll is required. 
     Toilet paper is a soft type of paper product used to maintain personal hygiene. It is distinguishable from facial tissue because toilet paper is designed to decompose in a septic tank. Toilet paper comes in a wide variety of plys, colors, and scents. Regardless of type, virtually all toilet paper is wrapped on a cardboard tube. 
     Toilet paper holders are found in virtually every home in the United States. A traditional toilet paper dispenser is designed to hold only one roll of toilet paper. This requires a storage location for additional rolls, and requires checking to make sure there is sufficient toilet paper in the dispenser prior to use. In addition, traditional toilet paper dispensers are constructed with retractable sides and spring-loaded mechanisms in their center. This design causes problems for users who have difficulty grasping and controlling the sides. Such individuals may need assistance in replacing toilet paper rolls. 
     The present invention is designed to give consumers an easily accessible place to store multiple rolls of toilet paper for when their current roll is emptied, and allows consumers to easily replace a new roll. The design contains a toilet paper dispenser with a weighted base and an elongated vertical body, onto which several rolls of toilet paper can be placed. The top portion of the elongated body pivots, and may be locked at a vertical position, allowing for storage of new rolls of toilet paper, or may be locked at a horizontal position for dispensation of the toilet paper for use. Once a roll of toilet paper is depleted, users slide a replacement roll up the vertical body, over the pivot, where it rests on the horizontal body. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are several toilet paper holders in the prior art that are designed to hold more than one roll of toilet paper. For example, Grunerud, U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,912 discloses a dispenser for toilet paper. The dispenser has a storage container which allows a plurality of rolls to be stored in an end-to-end stack arrangement. The lowest roll can be dispensed by a user through a side opening in the storage container. When the lowest roll is completely used, the user can discharge the roll core by pulling a slide plate outwardly to align an aperture in the slide plate with the used core. Devices such as this are intended for use in public bathrooms, where theft of toilet paper rolls is of greater concern than ease of use. These designs are not suitable for residential settings. 
     Other devices disclosed in the prior art are designed only to store extra rolls of toilet paper. Hooser, U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,451 discloses a bathroom accessory in the form of a canister for convenient storage of extra rolls of toilet paper and a suction type device. Such devices are not intended to dispense toilet paper, therefore requiring a separate dispenser. 
     Several devices designed for the home function both as storage containers and as toilet paper dispensers. Kelley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,818 discloses a device and method for dispensing and storing multiple rolls toilet paper, which has a storage frame configured to hold multiple rolls on a generally vertical shaft. The shaft extends upward from the bottom of the frame with the uppermost roll of material being freely accessible for use on the shaft. A lifting assembly is slideably secured to the shaft and positioned below the bottom roll of rolled material. Kaysserian, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,475 discloses a container for storing and dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue stacked vertically adjacent to one another and includes tubular side walls. Sineni, U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,809 discloses a toilet paper holder and roll dispenser for residential use that includes an enclosed, vertically tubular body that receives the rolls, with a bracket adapted to fit over the top rim of a conventional residential toilet tank under the tank cover without the need for any special fasteners or wall damage. An actuator rod is slideable in axial slots in the body to shift the rolls upwardly so that the top roll may be easily removed, and the rod may be locked in any desired position by simply rotating the rod 90 degrees. While these devices are designed for the home, they store extra rolls of toilet paper inside a canister, and use complicated mechanisms to remove toilet paper rolls. This can cause difficulty for some users when accessing additional rolls. 
     The devices in the prior art are designed for commercial applications, and are not suitable for use by those who have difficulty replacing toilet paper rolls on traditional dispensers. The present invention is designed for use by all individuals, particularly children, elderly persons, and other individuals who may have difficulty replacing toilet paper rolls on traditional dispensers. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing toilet paper holders and dispensers. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet paper holders and dispensers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toilet paper holder and dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when dispensing and using toilet paper. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toilet paper holder and dispenser device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that provides convenient storage and use of multiple rolls of toilet paper. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, free standing toilet paper holder and dispenser that can be positioned by an individual user as desired. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy removal of the cardboard tube that remains after a roll of toilet paper is used. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy replacement of a roll of toilet paper with one that is stored on the dispenser for those who have difficulty with conventional toilet paper dispensers. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits accessibility to the toilet paper roll being used. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy detection of the number of rolls of toilet paper remaining. 
     A final object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser that provides a low cost, simple and reliable solution to the known problems of toilet paper dispensers and holders. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention in a horizontal position, including a vertical elongated body, base, pivoting means, horizontal upper portion, inner roll retainer and outer roll retainer. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the present invention in a vertical position including a vertical elongated body, base, pivoting means, vertical upper portion, inner roll retainer and outer roll retainer. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the present invention in a vertical position with a roll of toilet paper mounted to the upper portion and three rolls of toilet paper in the storage position. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the present invention in a horizontal position with a roll of toilet paper in a working position along the upper portion and three rolls of toilet paper in the storage position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the toilet paper roll holder. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for removably retaining toilet paper rolls in use and in storage. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention, comprising a vertical elongated body  11 , a base  12 , a pivoting means  13 , a horizontal upper portion  14 , an inner roll retainer  15  and an outer roll retainer  16 . The base  12  is attached to the vertical elongated body  11  and provides a weighted platform to support the device, associated toilet paper rolls and further attachments. The overall height of the vertical body  11  makes the design susceptible to tipping over. To prevent this, the base  12  must be sufficiently weighted avoid movement of the vertical body  11  when in use and lifting of the base  12  from a flat, prone position. The vertical body  11  comprises a round structure, and has a diameter that is less than that of a standard cardboard tube toilet paper roll. The vertical body  11  is ideally suited to allow multiple rolls of toilet paper to be stored thereon, therefore the vertical body  11  must be of sufficient length to accommodate a number of rolls desired by the user, while still providing a working position that is suited for use while in a seated position. 
     The top of the vertical body  11  comprises a pivoting means  13  and a pivoting upper portion  14 . The upper portion  14  is adapted to hold a single roll of toilet paper that is ready for use. The pivoting means  13  is a hinged joint that allows the upper portion  14  to be placed in a vertical position as seen in  FIG. 2 , or a horizontal position as seen in  FIG. 1 . The hinged portion of the pivoting means  13  comprises a revolute joint that allows the upper portion  14  to pivot 180 degrees, from one horizontal position to an opposing horizontal. 
     The inner roll retainer  15  and outer roll retainer  16  are both flexible, cantilevered structures that can fold towards the upper portion  14  terminal end or away from its terminal end under shearing load exerted by a toilet paper roll. The inner roll retainer  15  and outer roll retainer  16  positionally hold the toilet paper in a working position, and fold to allow a roll of toilet paper to pass over them when a sufficient force is applied thereto. The inner roll retainer  15  prevents the roll of toilet paper from sliding down the vertical body  11 , while the outer roll retainer  16  prevents the roll of toilet paper from sliding off the end of the upper portion while in use. When a roll of toilet paper is depleted, the empty cardboard tube slides over the upper portion  14  and makes contact with the outer roll retainer  16 . The outer roll retainer  16  folds towards the end of the upper portion and the tube passes over the outer roll retainer  16 , allowing removal of the tube from the upper portion  14 . The flexibility of the retainers allows their use when in an extended position, while also allowing a roll of toilet paper to pass thereover via retainer deflection and without requiring their removal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in the vertical position. In this orientation, the pivoting means  13  is positioned vertically, placing the upper portion  14  in alignment with the vertical body  13 . From the vertical position, the outer roll retainer  16  and inner roll retainer  15  fold, allowing storage or removal of toilet paper rolls from the vertical body  11 . The hinge portion of the pivoting means  13  may further provide a locking detent for locking the upper portion  14  in a vertical or horizontal position, keeping the upper portion  14  in a static position to allow for ease of use when storing, removing or utilizing the toilet paper. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in the vertical position with three rolls of toilet paper  18  in a storage position and one roll of toilet paper  17  in a working position. To store toilet paper on the device, the outer  16  and inner  15  roll retainers fold, and the pivoting means  13  locks in the vertical position. Toilet paper rolls  18  are then slid over the upper portion  14 , over the pivoting means  13 , down the length of the vertical body  11 . The toilet paper rolls then rest on top of the base  12  and are stacked accordingly. 
     There are two methods of replacing a roll of toilet paper and placing a roll in a working position  17 . To move a roll from the storage position  18  to the working position  17 , a user locks the pivoting means  13  in the vertical position. The cardboard tube from the previously used roll of toilet paper is removed from the upper portion  14 . A roll from the storage position is moved up the vertical body  11 , over the pivoting means  13  and comes to rest on the upper portion  14 , directly under the outer roll retainer  16 . Finally, the pivoting means  13  is placed in the working position as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     An alternative method of placing a roll of toilet paper in a working position  17  is to add a new roll from an external source. A user locks the pivoting means  13  in the vertical position, and the cardboard tube from the previously used roll of toilet paper is removed from the upper portion  14 . A new roll slides over the upper portion  14  and rests at the inner roll retainer  15 . The pivoting means  13  is placed in a horizontal working position as shown in  FIG. 4 . A further option is for the user to leave the pivoting means  13  in the horizontal working position, and slide a new roll onto the upper portion  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in a horizontal position, wherein three rolls of toilet paper  18  are placed in a storage position and one roll of toilet paper  17  is placed in the working position. The roll in the working position  17  spins on the upper portion  14 , allowing a user to remove toilet paper from the roll. The pivoting means  13  locks the upper portion  14  in the horizontal position detent, allowing access to the roll  17 . When the working roll  17  is empty, the cardboard tube is removed, and a new roll is replaced by either of the previously mentioned methods for replacing a new roll. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is constructed of a metallic material for improved weight of the base and easy cleaning. In an alternative embodiment, the device can be constructed from plastic, wood, or a similar material. A further alternative embodiment encompasses a magazine holder or sanitizing wipe holder being positioned into the base of the device, wherein a rack is provided that functions to hold either product for a user occupying a nearby space. The holder may encompass any rectangularly flanged holder that can support upright magazines or a wipe container in a position adjacent to stowed rollers along the vertical body  11 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the inner roll retainer  15  and outer roll retainer  16  may also be removable. The means for removing the retainers include tapped holes and threaded engagement of the retainers, a simple through hole and singular retainer that is pushed therethrough, or finally a depressible retainer that is spring loaded within the upper portion  14  body. 
     To this point, the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.