Patent Publication Number: US-2005133526-A1

Title: Mounting structure for viscous liquid dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Various configurations and models of liquid dispensers, particularly liquid soap dispensers, are well known in the art. Some conventional dispensers typically employed in public restrooms and the like are wall mounted units that typically include a housing or structure that is not permanently affixed to a wall. This may be because it may be advantageous for maintenance personnel to fully replace an empty dispenser housing with a new housing that contains both the replacement liquid as well as a self-contained dispensing pump. However, these disposable dispensers can be susceptible to being stolen. Therefore, there is a need for a wall-mounted dispenser that is difficult to remove for unauthorized persons, but easily removed by maintenance personnel.  
      The present invention is an improvement over existing systems in that it provides a mounting bracket for a disposable self-contained dispenser that provides protection against removal by unauthorized persons, but allows easy removal by maintenance personnel.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting bracket for mounting a liquid dispenser housing to a wall is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes a plate member that includes a first substantially vertical side wall and a second substantially vertical side wall. Each substantially vertical side wall includes at least one angled surface for engaging against complementary angled surfaces on the liquid dispenser housing. The bracket further includes a two-position locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking member slidingly engaged within at least one opening defined within the plate member. The locking member is capable of sliding to a first position at which an end portion of the locking member extends beyond the first vertical side wall to interfere with removal of the liquid dispenser housing from the mounting bracket. Additionally, the locking member is capable of sliding to a second position at which the liquid dispenser housing may be removed from the mounting bracket. Optionally, the end portion of the locking member may include a chamfered surface. The chamfered surface is angled to allow the locking member to slide to the second position during installation of the dispenser.  
      In one aspect, the locking member may include a pin. The pin may include a first portion extending substantially parallel to the second vertical side wall. Further, the pin may include a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the second vertical side wall. Alternatively, the pin may include a second portion extending at an angle with respect to the second vertical side wall.  
      In a further aspect, the locking member may, for example, include a ferrous material or a magnet, or may be magnetically activated.  
      In an even further aspect, the mounting bracket may include a means for urging the locking member towards the first position. As one example, the means for urging may include a spring.  
      In another aspect, the mounting bracket may include a pinion rotatably attached to a surface of the plate member. The pinion includes a first end having a first set of circumferential angled threads engaged to at least one tooth on a surface of the locking member. Rotation of the pinion in a first direction slides the locking member toward the first position, while rotation of the pinion in a second direction slides the locking member toward the second position. The pinion may be rotatably supported within a bushing attached to a surface of the plate member.  
      Optionally, the mounting bracket may include a second locking member. The second locking member may include at least one tooth engaged to a second set of circumferential angled threads upon a second end of the pinion. Rotation of the pinion in the first direction slides the locking members away from one another to lock the dispenser housing to the mounting bracket. Rotation of the pinion in the second opposite direction slides the locking members towards each other to unlock the dispenser housing from the mounting bracket.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a self contained viscous liquid dispenser is disclosed that includes a housing, an internal liquid reservoir defined by the housing, a dispensing pump mechanism disposed at least partially within the reservoir and having a delivery end extending out of the reservoir, and a mounting mechanism configured as an integral component of the housing. The mounting mechanism includes angled surfaces detachably connectable with a complementary mounting structure on a wall surface. The complementary mounting structure includes a plate member and a two-position locking mechanism including a locking member slidingly engaged within at least one opening defined within the plate member. The plate member includes a first substantially vertical side wall and a second substantially vertical side wall. Each substantially vertical side wall includes at least one angled surface for engaging against the complementary angled surfaces on the liquid dispenser housing. The locking member is capable of sliding to a first position at which an end portion of the locking member extends beyond the first vertical side wall to interfere with removal of the liquid dispenser housing from the mounting structure. Additionally, the locking member is capable of sliding to a second position at which the liquid dispenser housing may be removed from the mounting structure.  
      In one aspect, the housing is slidable in a generally vertical direction onto the mounting structure. The angled surfaces slide into engagement with the complementary angled surfaces on the mounting structure such that the housing cannot be pulled away from the mounting structure.  
      In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a disposable viscous liquid dispenser is disclosed that includes a housing defining an internal integral liquid reservoir, a dispensing pump mechanism disposed at least partially within the reservoir and including an operable delivery end for dispensing the viscous liquid from the housing, and a back side configured for placement against a supporting wall surface. The back side includes a mounting mechanism formed integral therewith. The mounting mechanism includes engagement surfaces configured to releasably interlock with complementary structure of a wall mounting member provided on a supporting wall so that the housing cannot be pulled away from the supporting wall. The wall mounting member includes a locking member slidingly positioned within at least one track defined within the wall mounting member, a means for resiliently biasing the sliding locking member towards a locking position at which the locking member substantially prevents removal of the housing from the wall mounting member, and a means for moving the sliding locking member towards a position at which the sliding locking member will not prevent the removal or installation of the housing.  
      In accordance with an even further embodiment of the present invention a disposable liquid soap dispenser is disclosed that includes a housing defining an internal integral liquid soap reservoir and a back side configured for placement against a supporting wall surface, a dispensing pump mechanism disposed at least partially within the reservoir and comprising an operable delivery end for dispensing liquid soap from the housing, and a mounting mechanism formed integral with the back side. The mounting mechanism includes engagement surfaces configured to releasably interlock with complementary structure of a wall mounting member provided on a supporting wall so that the housing cannot be pulled away from the supporting wall. The mounting mechanism further includes a recess defined in the back side. The recess includes at least two vertical side walls having at least one angled surface disposed on each of the vertical side walls. The housing is slidable in a generally vertical direction onto the wall mounting member, the angled surfaces sliding into engagement with complementary angled surfaces on the wall mounting member.  
      The dispenser further includes a mounting bracket locking mechanism that includes a locking member slidingly engaged by the mounting structure. The locking member is capable of sliding to a locking position at which a portion of the locking member is positioned so as to interfere with removal of the housing from the mounting structure. Additionally, the locking member is capable of sliding to an unlocked position to enable removal of the housing from the mounting structure. In a further aspect, the dispenser may include a protrusion disposed on the back side of the housing. The protrusion is engageable in a complementary divot defined in the wall mounting structure.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of attaching a liquid dispenser to a wall mounting structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a magnet adjacent a locking mechanism attached to the wall mounting structure to slide a locking member to a central location within the wall mounting structure, engaging the dispenser to the wall mounting structure, and removing the magnet to allow the locking member to slide to a locking location where the locking member restricts removal of the dispenser from the wall mounting structure.  
      In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention a method of removing a liquid dispenser from a wall mounting structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a magnet adjacent a locking mechanism inside the wall mounting structure to deactivate the locking mechanism, and disengaging the dispenser from the wall mounting structure.  
      The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to particular embodiments illustrated in the figures.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the back side of the dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an alternative perspective view of the dispenser according to  FIG. 1  and complementary wall mounting structure;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser taken along the lines indicated in  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pump mechanism of the dispenser taken along the lines indicated in  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional operational view of the pump mechanism;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional operational view of the pump mechanism;  
       FIG. 8   a  is a partial perspective and cut-away view of the pump mechanism particularly illustrating the locking feature thereof;  
       FIG. 8   b  is a partial perspective and cut-away view of the pump mechanism particularly illustrating the locking feature thereof;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective partial operational view of a wall mounting bracket having an internal, two-position locking mechanism;  
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the wall mounting bracket taken along the lines indicated in  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of another embodiment of the internal, two-position locking mechanism;  
       FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of a further embodiment of the internal, two-position locking mechanism;  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall mounting bracket for mounting the dispenser;  
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a pinion for use with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a slidable gear rack for use with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of another embodiment of the internal, two-position locking mechanism;  
       FIG. 19  is a partial cross-sectional, partial cut-away, operational view of the internal, two-position locking mechanism of  FIG. 18 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used with another embodiment, to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.  
      The present invention relates to a locking mounting bracket or wall structure having a two-position locking mechanism for use with any manner of liquid dispenser. The locking mounting bracket is particularly well suited for use with any manner of viscous liquid dispenser, for example soap dispensers, lotion dispensers, and the like. The present invention also encompasses a dispenser utilizing the locking mounting bracket according to the invention. Examples of dispensers that may benefit from the mounting bracket of the present invention are described in WO 02/49490 A1 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,976 to Lewis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,145 to Lewis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,651 to Lewis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,334 to Lewis et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,335 to Lewis et al., and U.S. patent application publications 2002/0074354A1 and 2002/0074355A1, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
      A viscous liquid dispenser  10  according to the invention is illustrated generally in the figures. The dispenser  10  is illustrated and described herein as a liquid soap dispenser, which is a particularly useful embodiment of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a dispenser for liquid soap, but has application in any environment wherein it is desired to dispense a metered amount of a viscous liquid from a dispensing unit.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the dispenser  10  includes a housing, generally  14 . The housing  14  may contain side walls or members  16 , a back side  18 , and a front side  20 . The housing  14  can take on any desired configuration and be formed from any number of components. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  14  includes a front component  24  and a back component  22 . The front and back components are separately manufactured and are permanently joined. It should be appreciated that the components may be manufactured from any desired material. In a desirable embodiment, the dispenser  10  is a disposable item and the housing  14  is molded from a relatively inexpensive plastic material. Referring particularly to  FIG. 4 , the back component  22  may be molded from a clear or translucent plastic and includes side edges  26 . The back component  22  is aligned relative to the front component  24  and the side edges  26  fit into correspondingly sized recesses  28  defined in the side walls  16  of the front component  24 . The back component  22  is permanently joined to the front component  24  by adhesives, welding, or any other relatively permanent attaching means.  
      It may be desired to provide means for a maintenance technician to determine the level of viscous liquid within the dispenser. In this regard, a portion of the housing  14  may be formed from a translucent or clear material. The entire back component  22  may be formed from a translucent or clear material so that the service or maintenance technician can view the remaining liquid level from the side of the dispenser. In an alternative embodiment, a window (not shown) of clear or translucent material may be provide anywhere in the housing  14 , desirably near the bottom portion of the housing, to provide the maintenance technician with the capability of viewing inside the reservoir to determine the remaining amount of liquid therein.  
      The housing  14  defines an internal liquid reservoir  68  ( FIG. 5 ) within the internal volume thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid reservoir  68  includes essentially the entire volume defined by the front component  24  and back component  22 . Although not illustrated, it should be understood that any number of internal structural members, such as baffles or the like, may be included within the reservoir  68 . It should be understood that the housing  14  thus also serves as a closed or sealed reservoir and the dispenser  10  cannot be opened by the maintenance technician. A desired amount of viscous liquid, for example soap, is preloaded into the dispenser  10  prior to the dispenser being delivered to its point of use.  
      The back component  22  of the housing  14  is desirably more rigid than the front component  24 . One way of achieving this feature is to simply mold the back component  22  with a thickness greater than that of the front component  24 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the dispenser  10  is mounted onto a supporting wall surface by means of an internal mounting mechanism configured on the back side  18  of the housing  14 . A more rigid back component  22  aids in mounting the dispenser  10 . It has also been found that, if the front and back components are molded from a resilient plastic material, once the dispenser is empty, the back component  22  has enough “give” to enable the dispenser  10  to be easily removed from the supporting wall structure.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , a dispensing pump mechanism, generally  88 , is disposed at least partially within the reservoir  68 . The pump mechanism  88  has a delivery end  90  that extends out of the housing  14  or reservoir  68 . The pump mechanism  88  is configured to dispense a metered amount of the viscous fluid upon a user actuating the pump mechanism. It should be appreciated that any number of conventional and well known pump devices may be utilized in the dispenser  10 . The pump mechanism  88  illustrated in the drawings is one embodiment of a particularly well suited mechanism. Other desirable pump mechanisms, for example, are disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/675,034, filed Sep. 30, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the pump mechanism  88  includes a cylinder  92  that is slidable within a chamber  70 . The volume of chamber  70  determines the metered dose of liquid dispensed upon each actuation of the pump. The chamber  70  may be formed by any internal structure of the housing  14 . It may be desirable that the chamber is defined by structure integrally molded with the front component  24  of the housing  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber  70  is defined by chamber walls  72  as a generally cylindrical chamber. The cylinder  92  includes a channel  94  defined longitudinally therethrough. The channel  94  is in communication with the interior of the pump chamber  70  through an end wall of the cylinder. The delivery channel  94  terminates at a dispensing orifice  96  defined in the front end of the cylinder  92 .  
      The cylinder  92  sealingly engages against the chamber walls  72  by any conventional means. For example, a flange or piston  101  may be disposed at the rear end of the cylinder  92  for sealing engagement against chamber wall  72 . In an alternative embodiment, O-rings  116  ( FIG. 8   a ) may be provided around the piston  101 . The piston  101  pressurizes the chamber  70  and ensures that the viscous liquid contained within the chamber is dispensed through the delivery channel  94  upon actuation of the cylinder  92  and does not simply move from one end of the pump chamber  70  to the other upon movement of the cylinder.  
      The pump cylinder  92  is biased within the chamber  70  by way of, for example, a spring  98 . Other resilient devices, including a leaf spring, spring washer, and the like, may be utilized for this purpose. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring  92  is seated within a recess  102  defined by a flared flange  100 , as particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 7 . The opposite end of the spring  98  is fitted around a cylindrical extension  76  of an end cap  74 . The end cap  74  is permanently fixed to the structure defining the pump chamber  70  after the cylinder  92  has been inserted into the pump chamber.  
      Structure is also provided to ensure that the cylinder  92  cannot be pulled from the front end of the chamber  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, this structure corresponds to a flange portion of the front wall  86  of the chamber  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the flange portion  86  of the wall engages against the piston  101  of the pump cylinder  92 .  
      A check valve device  104  is configured with the pump mechanism  88  to ensure that the viscous liquid within the pump chamber  70  is not pushed out of the chamber  70  upon movement of the cylinder  92  within the chamber  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the check valve device  104  is a shuttle type check valve having radially extending arms  106 . The shuttle valve is slidably disposed within an opening defined through the end cap  74 . The space between the radial arms  106  is open to the reservoir  68  so that the liquid can flow from the reservoir  68  into the pump chamber  70  upon movement of the cylinder to the forward end of the pump chamber  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A cap  108  is provided on the forward end of the shuttle valve  104  disposed within the pump chamber  70  to ensure that the opening in the end cap  74  is sealed upon actuation of the pump. The cap  108  seals against the end face of the end cap  74 .  
      Operation of the pump mechanism  88  is particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . To dispense a metered amount of the viscous liquid contained within the reservoir  68 , a user actuates the pump mechanism  88  by way of an actuator  30 . The actuator  30  may be any member configured to move the pump cylinder  92 . The actuator  30  may be defined by a panel member  32  that includes side walls  34  having inwardly disposed protrusions  36  that engage within recesses  38  provided in the sides  16  of the housing  14 . A channel member  40  ( FIG. 3 ) may be provided on the inner face of panel member  32  to positively engage against the front end of the pump cylinder  92 . A depression  33  ( FIG. 1 ) may be defined in the front face of the panel member  32  to indicate to a user the proper location for depressing the actuator  30 . Upon depressing the actuator  30 , the pump cylinder  92  is moved rearward within the pump chamber  70 . Pressure of the viscous liquid within the chamber  70  forces the shuttle valve  104  to close and the viscous liquid contained within the chamber  70  is directed into the delivery channel  94  defined longitudinally within the pump cylinder  92 . The viscous liquid is expelled through the dispensing orifice  96 , as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Upon release of the actuator  30 , the spring  98  forces the pump cylinder to return to the position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This action unseats the shuttle valve  104  and draws viscous liquid back into the pump chamber  70 , as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7 .  
      So as not to draw a vacuum within the reservoir  68 , the reservoir is vented. This venting may be accomplished by various means. For example, the reservoir  68  could be vented directly through or around the cylinder  92 . However, this may not be a desired embodiment since fluid would tend to leak out from around the cylinder. One desirable venting method as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is to vent the top of the housing  14 , for example by way of a conventional vent valve  130  disposed through the top surface of the housing  14 . Other desirable vent mechanisms, for example, are disclosed in concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Express Mail Number EL 955701965 US, docket number 19372, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate a locking characteristic of the pump cylinder  92  that is particularly useful during shipment of the dispensers  10 . The pump cylinder  92  may include a longitudinal channel  118  defined in the top thereof. A tab portion  87  of the pump chamber front wall member  86  is disposed within the longitudinal channel  118 . In this way, the pump cylinder  92  is prevented from rotating upon actuation and release thereof. A partial circumferential channel  120  is defined in the pump cylinder  92 , as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 8   a.  The circumferential channel  120  is defined along the pump cylinder  92  at a location corresponding to the completely depressed or actuated position of the cylinder  92  within the chamber  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . For shipment of the dispensers  10 , the pump cylinder  92  may be depressed and then rotated so that the tab  87  is engaged within the circumferential channel  120 , as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 8   b.  In this configuration, the pump cylinder  92  is locked in position and cannot move within the chamber  70  until the pump cylinder is rotated back into the position illustrated in  FIG. 8   a.  This procedure would be accomplished by the maintenance technician prior to mounting the dispenser  10  onto a supporting wall surface. Other lockout devices may be useful for substantially preventing leakage during shipment of the pump. Desirable lockout devices, for example, are disclosed in concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Express Mail Number EL 955701815 US, docket number 19371, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the dispenser  10  according to the invention also includes an integrally formed mounting mechanism configured as an integral component of the housing  14 . This mounting mechanism allows the dispenser  10  to be detachably connected with a complementary mounting structure, generally  58 , provided on a wall surface  12 . As generally shown, the mounting mechanism is defined as an integrally molded feature of the back side  18  of the dispenser  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, a recess  50  is molded into the back side  18 . The recess  50  is defined by generally vertical side walls  52 . Engaging structure is provided along the side walls  52  for engaging against or with complementary structure provided on the wall mounting structure  58 , as discussed in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging structure is defined by angled surfaces  56  defined along the vertical walls  52 . The angled surfaces  56  engage against complementary angled surfaces  62  defined on the wall mounting structure  58 , as can be generally seen in  FIGS. 3 and 10 . In the illustrated embodiment, at least two angled surfaces  56  are provided and are separated by a section of the vertical wall  52 . The two angled surfaces  56  engage against angled surfaces  62  of the wall mounting structure  58 . In order to attach the dispenser  10  to the wall mounting structure  58 , the maintenance technician simply positions the dispenser  10  against the wall mounting structure  58  such that the angled surfaces  56  are vertically disposed between the corresponding angled surfaces  62  of the wall mounting structure. Then, the maintenance technician simply slides the dispenser  10  in a vertical direction so that the angled surfaces  56 ,  62  engage, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this interlocking configuration, the dispenser cannot be pulled away from the wall mounting structure  58 . The double angled surface  56  configuration provided on each vertical wall  52  is particularly useful in that it provides an increased interlocking surface area of angled surfaces with relatively little vertical movement required between the dispenser  10  and the wall mounting structure  58  as compared to a single angled surface  56  having the same longitudinal surface area.  
      The wall mounting structure  58  may comprise any manner of suitable attaching structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall mounting structure  58  is defined by a plate member  64  that is attached to the wall surface  12 , for example by screws, adhesives, or the like. The wall mounting structure  58  serves simply to provide an interlocking engagement device for the dispenser  10 . It should be appreciated that any manner of interlocking engaging configurations may be provided for detachably connecting the dispenser  10  to complementary wall structure provided on a supporting wall. A desirable feature of the invention is that the entire dispenser  10  is disposable and, thus, relatively simple yet reliable engagement devices are preferred. It has been found that the double angled surface configuration as illustrated and described herein is particularly useful in this regard.  
      Once the dispenser  10  has been properly located on the wall mounting structure  58 , it is desirable to include a positioning device to indicate to the technician that the dispenser  10  has been properly positioned. The positioning device may comprise a protrusion  126  extending from the back side  18  of the housing within the recess  50 . The protrusion  126  slides up a ramp surface  129  defined in the mounting structure  58  and snaps into a correspondingly sized divot  128  disposed adjacent to the ramp surface  129 .  
      It should be appreciated that dispensers according to the invention are not limited in their size so long as the mounting mechanism between the housing and wall mounting structure is structurally sufficient to support the weight of the filled housing.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , the wall mounting structure  58  has an internal, two-position locking mechanism  140  that is capable of resisting or preventing removal of the housing by unauthorized persons. By “internal” is meant that the locking mechanism  140  and its method of activation are not obviously visible after installation of the dispenser housing  14 . By “two-position” is meant that the locking mechanism  140  can be moved through proper activation between an “open” position which allows removal of the housing and a “locked” position which prevents removal of the dispenser housing  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism  140  comprises a slidable pin  142  positioned within one or more openings  144  defined by the wall mounting structure  58 . Desirably, the one or more openings  144  are defined by at least one vertical wall member  66  of the wall mounting structure  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pin  142  comprises a ferrous metal so that the pin is generally attracted to magnets. The pin  142  has a first end  146  having a chamfered surface  148 .  FIG. 11  depicts the “open” position of the pin  142 , i.e., the position of the pin at which the dispenser housing  14  can be moved into or out of its final mounting position.  
      During installation of the dispenser housing  14 , i.e., as the dispenser housing is lowered toward the final installed position, the chamfered surface  148  of the pin  142  may contact a chamfered surface  152  below a protrusion  154 . Contact between the two chamfered surfaces  148 , 152  causes the pin  142  to slide upwardly within the openings  144  towards the “open” position where the pin does not impede the installation of the dispenser housing  14  onto the wall mounting structure  58 . When the dispenser housing  14  reaches the final installed position, the pin  142  slides downwardly within the openings  144  to the “locked” position depicted in  FIG. 12 . In the “locked” position, the first end  146  of the pin  142  is positioned above the protrusion  154 . The position of the openings  144  is desirably selected such that the force of gravity will cause the pin  142  to fall to its most downward and outward position, i.e., the “locked” position, after the first end  146  clears the protrusion  154 . The pin  142  is now in position to prevent the removal of the dispenser housing  14  from the wall mounting structure  58 . Any unauthorized and/or uninformed attempt to remove the dispenser housing  14  from the wall mounting structure  58  will be impeded by the contact between the first end  146  of the pin  142  and the protrusion  154 .  
      To remove the dispenser housing  14  from the wall mounting structure  58 , a magnet  156  is placed adjacent a side wall  150  of the dispenser housing  14  near a second end  158  of the pin  142 . The magnetic attraction between the magnet  156  and the pin  142  causes the pin to slide away from the protrusion  154  and towards the “open” position. The pin  142  has a bend  160  that prevents the pin from sliding out of the openings  144 . To increase the magnetic attraction between the magnet  156  and the pin  142 , a segment  162  of the pin is provided adjacent the bend  160 , the segment extending adjacent the wall mounting structure  58 . The size of the magnet  156  required to generate enough magnetic force necessary to move the pin is readily determined by one skilled in the art.  
      Desirably, the pin  142  further comprises a projection  145 . The projection  145  serves to prevent the pin  142  from being pulled too far by the magnet  158  in the direction opposite the first end  146 , and thus remain securely within the openings  144 . Additionally, the magnet may be used to slide the pin towards the “open” position during the installation of the dispenser housing. Thus is provided a simple apparatus and easy method for locking the dispenser housing  14  to the wall mounting structure  58  while providing maintenance personnel simple and easy removal of the dispenser housing.  
       FIG. 13  depicts another embodiment of a two-position locking mechanism. The two-position locking mechanism  240  includes a pin  242  slidingly positioned horizontally within first and second openings  244  defined within the wall mounting structure  58 . The pin  242  is resiliently biased towards a “locked” position. While many configurations for biasing the pin  242  may be envisioned, as one example a spring  270  is compressed between an inside surface  272  of the wall mounting structure  58  and a projection  245  attached to a side surface  274  of the pin.  FIG. 13  depicts a coil spring being used to resiliently bias the pin  242  towards the locking position. However, other types of springs may be utilized as well, such as, for example, leaf springs attached to the wall mounting structure  58 , and so forth. As described above, a magnet  156  can be used to overcome the force of the spring  270  and move the pin  242  towards an “unlocked” position to allow the dispenser housing  14  to be mounted to or removed from the wall mounting structure  58 .  
       FIG. 14  depicts a further embodiment of a two-position locking mechanism. The two-position locking mechanism  340  includes a magnetic locking pin  342  slidingly positioned within at least one opening  344  defined within the wall mounting structure  58 . The pin  342  is resiliently biased towards a “locked” position. While many configurations for biasing the pin  342  may be envisioned, as one example a leaf spring  370  urges the pin towards the “locked” position. A first end  371  of the leaf spring  370  is attached to an inside surface  372  of the wall mounting structure  58  and a second end  373  of the leaf spring  370  contacts and urges the pin  342 . Desirably, the second end  373  of the leaf spring  370  is attached to the surface  374  of the pin  342 . Even more desirably the second end  373  of the leaf spring  370  is attached to the first end  376  of the pin  342 . Other types of springs and spring arrangements may be utilized as well, such as, for example, the coil spring arrangement depicted in  FIG. 13  and described above, and so forth. Similar to as described above, a magnet  156  can be used to overcome the force of the spring  370  and move the pin  342  towards an “unlocked” position to allow the dispenser housing  14  to be mounted to or removed from the wall mounting structure  58 . However, because the pin  342  is magnetized, a magnet  156  having a first end  378  of opposite polarity to the second end  377  of the pin is used to overcome the force of the spring  370  against the pin. Simply placing the first end  378  of the magnet  156  of opposite polarity adjacent the side of the dispenser near the pin  342  will repel the pin to the “unlocked” position and allow installation or removal of the dispenser.  
       FIGS. 15-19  depict an even further embodiment of a two-position locking mechanism. The two-position locking mechanism  440  comprises at least one slidable gear rack  442 . Desirably, the two-position locking mechanism  440  comprises two opposed slidable gear racks  442  as depicted in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . The slidable gear racks  442  are positioned within openings  444  defined within the wall mounting structure  58 . Desirably, the slidable gear racks  442  are supported by a surface  446  on the wall mounting structure  58 . The slidable gear rack is capable of sliding upon the surface  446  and through the openings  444  between a “locked” position as depicted in  FIG. 18  and an “unlocked” position depicted in  FIG. 19 . At the locked position, a first end  448  of the slidable gear rack  442  extends past the protrusion  154  on the dispenser housing  14  such that any attempt to remove the dispenser housing from the wall mounting structure  58  will cause the first end  448  of the slidable gear rack  442  to contact the protrusion  154  on the dispenser housing  14  and prevent removal of the dispenser housing. At the unlocked position, the first end  448  of the slidable gear rack  442  is retracted within the wall mounting structure  58  and does not impeded removal of the dispenser housing  14 .  
      A surface  450  of the slidable gear rack  442  comprises one or more gear teeth  452 . Desirably, the surface  450  of the slidable gear rack  442  comprises at least three gear teeth  452 . The spacing of the gear teeth  452  complements the spacing of threads  454  on a pinion  456  having first and second ends  457 . The pinion  456  is rotatably mounted to a surface  458  on the wall mounting structure  58 . As one example, the pinion  456  may be mounted to a partial bushing  460  attached to the surface  458  on the wall mounting structure  58 . If only one slidable gear rack  442  is used, then only the first end  457  of the pinion need be threaded. If two slidable gear racks  442  are used, then both the first end and second ends  457  are threaded, however, the thread handedness or direction at the first end is reversed compared to the handedness at the second end such that the slidable gear racks  442  will travel in opposite directions when the pinion  456  is rotated. For example, when the pinion  456  is rotated in one direction, both slidable gear racks  442  will slide away from each other and towards the “locked” position. When the pinion  456  is rotated in the other direction, both slidable gear racks  442  will slide towards each other and towards the “unlocked” position. Desirably, the pitch of the threads  454  is such that an about one quarter turn of the pinion  456  results in the slidable gear racks  442  moving from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position and vice versa.  
      One end  457  of the pinion  456  defines an opening  459  for engagement with a tool (not shown) that can be used to rotate the pinion. The opening  459  may have one of many different shapes depending upon the type of tool used. For example, the opening  459  may be shaped to accept a screwdriver, a hexagonal wrench, and so forth. Access to the end  457  is provided through an opening  462  defined within the wall mounting structure  58 . A corresponding opening (not shown) may be defined within the dispenser housing  14  to allow access of the tool to the shaped end  457  of the pinion  456 .  
      It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modification or variations can be made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is intended that the invention include such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.