Patent Publication Number: US-2013240660-A1

Title: Safety Toilet Paper Roll Holder

Description:
This application claims priority on a U.S. provisional patent application filed on Mar. 14, 2012, and assigned Ser. No. 61/685,314. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toilet paper holders may be utilized in institutional settings where individuals may wish to harm them self. It may be desirable, therefore, to provide a toilet paper roll holder that hinders an individual from using the holder to harm themselves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a toilet paper roll holder that provides safety features for use in an institutional setting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a back view of one example embodiment of a base and rod mechanism of a toilet paper roll holder. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of one example embodiment of a toilet paper roll holder. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the holder of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the holder of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of one example embodiment of a spindle of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the spindle of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the spindle of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view taken along lines A-A of the spindle of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is cross-sectional bottom view of the spindle of  FIG. 9  taken along lines B-B of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of one example embodiment of paper holder rod of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the rod of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the rod of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side cross sectional view of the rod of  FIG. 14  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a holder including enclosed sides. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of one embodiment of a rod retaining detent screw of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 18A  is an end top view of the screw of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 18B  is an end bottom view of the screw of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of one example embodiment of a detent spring of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of the detent spring of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of one example embodiment of a bearing sleeve of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the sleeve of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a side cross sectional view of a base taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of one example embodiment of a base of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 25  is a bottom view of the base of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the base of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 27  is a side view showing internal components of the base of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 28  is an end view aligned along a spindle receiving recess in the base of  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a back view of one example embodiment of a base and rod mechanism of a toilet paper roll holder  10 . Holder  10  includes a base  20  that pivotally supports an arm or rod  24  such that the rod  24  may rotate in a direction, such as a downward direction  52 , about a pivot axis  54  when a force is applied in a direction, such as a downward direction  56 , on rod  24 . Rod may be biased to pivot upwardly in a direction  58  when force in downwardly direction  56  is removed, such that the rod  24  returns to its unbiased horizontal position shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments the rod  24  may be returned to its unbiased position by application of a manual force in an upward direction  58 . Holder  10  may be manufactured such that the amount of force in downward direction  56  that will result in pivoting movement of rod  24  will be slightly greater than the weight of a roll of toilet paper  26  ( FIG. 4 ). In this manner holder  10  will hold a roll of toilet paper  26  on rod  24  but when a greater force is applied to rod  24  the rod will “give way” or pivot downwardly such that rod  24  may not be utilized to secure a ligature thereto. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1 . Base  20  includes a top surface  20   a  that is positioned at an angle  20   b  in a range of approximately five to twenty degrees, and more particularly, 15 degrees, with respect to a bottom surface  20   c  of base  20 , wherein bottom surface  20   c  of base  20  may be mounted on a mounting plate of a housing  12  ( FIG. 4 ) or may be mounted directly to a mounting surface such as a wall. The inclined position of top surface  20   a  with respect to bottom surface  20   c  allows for a streamlined profile of top surface  34  or head of spindle  22  and also provides for a smooth downward pivoting motion of spindle  22  about its pivot axis  54  ( FIG. 2 ), which is positioned perpendicular to top surface  20   a  of base  20 . 
     Base  20  also defines an angle  20   d  that is approximately fifty to seventy degrees, and more particularly, fifty nine degrees. This angle  20   d  will cause a ligature to slip over the tapered base and down onto the rod, and thereafter to slide off the rod by triggering the breakaway function, i.e., pivoting, of the rod. In other words, this angle  20   d  will hinder a ligature from becoming secured to the taped base. 
       FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of one example embodiment of a toilet paper roll holder  10  wherein rod  24  supports roll of paper  26 . Roll  26  is covered on its upper surface by an upper portion  12   a  of housing  12  and a wall mounting region  12   b  of housing  12  including a mounting plate  90  that supports base  20  thereon. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the holder  10  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the holder  10  of  FIG. 4 . Holder  10  includes a housing  12 , a spindle retaining detent screw  14 , a fastener  16 , a detent spring  18 , a base  20 , a spindle  22 , a detent  23 , and a rod  24 . A standard roll of toilet paper  26  may be placed on rod  24 . Holder  10  includes many safety features. For example, the sloped upper surface  28  of upper region  12   a  of solid housing  12  hinders securement of a ligature thereto and also hinders access to base  20  and rod  24  for securement of a ligature thereto. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , the housing  12  includes enclosed side regions  30  that further inhibit securement of a ligature to the housing  12 , to base  20  or to rod  24  of the holder  10 . Base  20  may be mounted on a mounting plate  90  wherein fasteners  92  may extend through the mounting plate  90  and housing  12  to secure holder  10  to a mounting surface such as a wall. Spindle  22  may be manufactured of aluminum whereas detent  23  may be manufactured of steel to increase the durability of the system as spring  18  rides on detent  23 . 
     Holder  10  also includes the safety feature of a base  20  that includes a smooth, sloped side surface  32  in the general shape of a truncated cone such that a ligature, such as a rope, a wire, hair, a bed sheet or the like, may not be secured thereto. Spindle  22  includes a rounded top surface  34  that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto. An outer surface  36  of rod  24  defines a tapered truncated cone such that the outer diameter  36   a  of rod  24  decreases as the diameter measurement point moves away from spindle  22  such that the tapered outer shape  36  of rod  24  inhibits securement of a ligature thereto. In other words, a person could not tie a ligature around rod  24  and pull downwardly without the ligature slipping off rod  24  due to the tapered, sloping outer surface  36  of rod  24 , and due to the pivoting structure of rod  24  mounted on base  20 , which will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Holder  10  further includes a safety feature wherein rod  24  “drops”, i.e., will not support a load having a weight significantly greater than the weight of a roll of toilet paper. For example, in one embodiment, the rod will not support a weight of approximately twenty pounds applied to the rod near the base and a weight of approximately two pounds applied to the rod near the tip of the rod. However, in other embodiments the rod will not support a much smaller weight such as approximately half a pound. The structure of spring  18  and detent  23  may determine the exact weight at which the rod rotates in each particular embodiment, wherein spindle  22  with rod  24  secured therein, will rotate within base  20  when a load is applied to the rod  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in operation, fastener  16  secures detent spring  18  to base  20 . An end  38  of spindle  22  the detent  23  is positioned between first and second arms  40  and  42  of spring  18 . End  38  of spindle  22 , namely, detent  23 , includes two flat regions  44  and  46  ( FIG. 11 ) and two rounded regions  48  and  50  ( FIG. 11 ). The flat regions  44  and  46  define a distance  45  there between that is less than a distance  49  between two rounded regions  48  and  50 . In an unbiased condition, with the rod  24  in a horizontal position, the flat regions  44  and  46  of spindle  22  will contact spring  18 . As a downward force is brought into contact with rod  24 , detent spring will hold spindle  22  in place by contact at flat regions  44  and  46  of detent  23 . However, as the force on rod  24  increases, such as to five pounds of force or more applied at the end of rod  24  or approximately twenty pounds of force applied to the rod  24  near base  20 , the biasing force of spring  18  will be overcome by the force on rod  24  and arms  40  and  42  of spring  18  will spread apart, thereby allowing spindle  22  to rotate such that curved or rounded regions  48  and  50  will be in contact with arms  40  and  42  of spring  18 . In other words, spindle  22 , and attached detent  23 , is retained in place, with rod  24  in the horizontal position, until an outside force of approximately five pounds or more is brought into contact with rod  24 . If for example, a ligature is secured around rod  24 , once five pounds of force is applied to the rod  24  by the ligature, the rod will move downwardly as spindle  22  spreads arms  40  and  42  of spring  18 , and any ligature on rod  24  will fall or be pulled off the end of rod  24 . In this manner, holder  10  incorporates many safety features which allow the holder  10  to be used in institutional settings where individuals may be a threat to themselves. 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of one example embodiment of a spindle  22  of the holder of  FIG. 5 . Spindle  22  includes detent  23  secured thereto, wherein detent  23  includes a recess  60  that includes flat surfaces  44  and  46  and rounded surfaces  48  and  50 . Detent spring  18  is received within recess  60  and rides on surfaces  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50 . Spindle  22  also includes a recess  62  for receiving an end of rod  24  therein. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the spindle  22  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the spindle  22  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view taken along lines A-A of the spindle  22  of  FIG. 9 . Spindle  22  includes recess  62  for receiving rod  24  therein and an elongate recess  64  for receiving retaining detent screw  14  ( FIG. 6 ) therein. Recess  62  is angled with respect to surface  22   a  of spindle  22  at an angle  66  of approximately five to forty five degrees, and more particularly, at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees. Accordingly, recess  62  is angled with respect to axis  54  at an angle of approximately seventy five degrees. 
       FIG. 11  is cross-sectional bottom view of the spindle  22  of  FIG. 9  taken along lines B-B of  FIG. 9  showing flat surface  44  and  46  and rounded surfaces  48  and  50  of recess  60  of the detent  23  secured on spindle  22 . 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of one example embodiment of paper holder rod  24  of the holder  10  of  FIG. 5 . Rod  24  includes an aperture  68  that receives an end of retaining detent screw  14  ( FIG. 6 ) therein so as to retain an end  24   a  of rod  24  within spindle  22  ( FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the rod  24  of  FIG. 12  showing aperture  68  positioned coaxial to pivot axis  54  and positioned at an angle  70  of approximately seventy five degrees with respect a centerline of rod  24 . The centerline of rod  24  and the mounting surface of mounting plate  90  of housing  12  ( FIG. 6 ) may be positioned parallel to one another in an unbiased position of the rod. Accordingly, pivot axis  54  of spindle  22  is positioned at an angle  67  ( FIG. 10 ) in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees, and approximately 75 degrees, with respect to a surface plane  94  of mounting plate  90  ( FIGS. 6 and 10 ) and positioned at an angle  69  of five to twenty five degrees, and approximately fifteen degrees, with respect to an axis  96  perpendicular to surface plane  94  of mounting plate  90 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the rod  24  of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a side cross sectional view of the rod  24  of  FIG. 14  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a holder  10  including enclosed side walls  30  included within housing  12 . Side walls  30  inhibit a person from tying a ligature around upper region  12   a  of housing  12 . 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of one embodiment of a rod retaining detent screw  14  of the holder  10  of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 18A  is an end top view of the detent screw  14  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 18B  is an end bottom view of the detent screw  14  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is an end view of one example embodiment of a detent spring  18  of the holder of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 20  is a plan view of the detent spring  18  of  FIG. 19 . Spring  18  includes a small looped region  72  for receiving fastener  16  ( FIG. 6 ) therein and a larger looped region  74  for receiving recess  60  of detent  23  secured on spindle  22  ( FIG. 7 ). Larger looped region  74  is defined by a section of spring  18  that defines first and second arms  40  and  42  of spring  18 . Spring  18  may be manufactured of a somewhat rigid and resilient material that has a memory in that the material of spring  18  will return to its original shape after the removal of an outside force that moves spring  18  into a biased shape. For example, arms  40  and  42  ( FIG. 1 ) may be slightly spread apart when spindle  22  is turned such that rounded surfaces  48  and  50  ( FIG. 11 ) of detent  23  secured on spindle  22  force arms  40  and  42  apart. When spindle  22  is returned to its nominal horizontal position with flat surfaces  44  and  46  ( FIG. 11 ) positioned adjacent and in contact with arms  40  and  42  of spring  18 , spring arms  40  and  42  will return to their unbiased nominal position as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of one example embodiment of a bearing sleeve  76  of the holder of  FIG. 5 . The sleeve  76  is press fit into recess  82  to provide a smooth, self lubricating bearing surface for the rotation of spindle  22 . 
       FIG. 22  is a top view of the sleeve  76  of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 23 . is a side cross sectional view of a base  20  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 26 . 
       FIG. 24  is a side view of one example embodiment of a base  20  of the holder  10  of  FIG. 5 . Base  20  includes top surface  20   a  and bottom surface  20   c.  Bottom surface  20   c  includes a recess or a cutout region  78  having a lower surface  80  that is positioned parallel to top surface  20   a  of base  20 . Base  20  further includes a recess  82  for receiving bearing sleeve  76  and spindle  22  therein and a recess  84  for receiving fastener  16  therein. 
       FIG. 25 . is a bottom view of the base  20  of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the base  20  of  FIG. 24 . Base  20  further includes two apertures  86  and  88  positioned on opposing sides of aperture  82 , wherein apertures  86  and  88  are sized for each receiving a fastener  98  ( FIG. 6 ) therein to secure base  20  to mounting plate  90  ( FIG. 4 ) from a backside of mounting plate  90 . Apertures  86  and  88  may not extend completely through base  20  such that the fasteners  98  may not be accessible to a user of holder  20  when holder  10  is assembled with mounting plate  90  secured on housing  12  and on a mounting surface, such as a wall. 
       FIG. 27  is a side view showing internal components of the base  20  of  FIG. 23 . 
       FIG. 28  is an end view aligned along a spindle receiving recess  82  in the base  20  of  FIG. 23 .