Patent Description:
Sheet material dispensers (e.g., for paper products, such as tissue, paper towels, etc.) are commonly used throughout various facilities, including restrooms or other area in hospitals, airports, bus stations, schools, etc. Such dispensers can include multiple supplies of sheet material and can be configured so that after one of the supplies of sheet material has been substantially exhausted or dispensed, an additional supply of the supplies of sheet material can be made available for further dispensing. <CIT> shows an example of such a dispenser having a carriage assembly for dispensing multiple rolls of paper according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Unfortunately, attempts are often made to improperly access or steal the supplies of sheet material from these dispensers or to otherwise tamper with or vandalize the dispensers. This can lead to increased paper supply costs and, in many instances, result in significant damage to the dispensers or components thereof. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a sheet material dispensing assembly that allows for selective dispensing of one or more supplies of sheet material, while also being substantially resistant to damage due to tampering or vandalism. The present disclosure addresses these and other related, and unrelated, problems or issues in the art.

Briefly described, in one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispensing assembly for dispensing a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material dispensing assembly can include a dispenser housing that supports the supplies of sheet material and that defines one or more compartments configured to receive and house the supplies of sheet material. The supplies of sheet material can include rolled paper products, such as rolled tissue paper, paper towel rolls, etc. or other suitable supplies of sheet material.

The dispenser housing also includes one or more discharge openings sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to provide or otherwise allow access to one or more of the plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material (e.g., access that allows users to pull or otherwise engage sheet material from one of the supplies for dispensing thereof).

The dispenser assembly further includes one or more brackets or carriers having a plurality of spindles or supports (e.g., a pair of spaced apart spindles) that receive and support a corresponding supply of sheet material within the one or more compartments of the dispenser housing.

In one aspect, the dispenser assembly can include a plurality of carriers that can be arranged in a spaced and/or segmented series along the dispenser housing.

The carriers generally are received along tracks (e.g., slots, grooves, or similar features) defined along the dispenser housing, with the carriers being moveable from a first dispensing position that provides access to a first supply of sheet material, but generally reduces, inhibits, or prevents access to a second supply of sheet material, and a second dispensing position that can provide access to the second supply of sheet material.

For example, when the first supply of sheet material has been substantially dispensed, the carriers can shift/move along the carrier tracks from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position to allow user access to the second supply of rolled sheet material through the discharge opening(s) in the dispenser housing.

In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a carrier pivoting assembly rotatably connected to its carrier. Each pivoting assembly has a pivotable lever or frame moveably mounted to its associated carrier, enabling rotation or pivoting movement, and configured to engage one of the supplies of sheet material, e.g., the first supply supported by the carrier, such that the frame rotates/pivots as the first supply of sheet material is dispensed. For example, as the diameter of the first supply of sheet material diminishes or reduces due to dispensing thereof, the lever engaging the first supply of sheet material pivots, rotates, or otherwise moves therewith.

The pivoting assembly also includes pins or rods that are extensible and retractable from corresponding openings in the carriers. In a first or extended position, the pins can engage corresponding locking features (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the carrier tracks to hold and/or support the carriers in the first dispensing position. The pins further can be retractable to a second or retracted position upon rotation of the frame, in which the pins can move out of engagement with the locking features to cause or otherwise allow the carrier to move along the carrier tracks under its weight and the weight of the second/next supply of sheet material, to move the second supply of sheet material into a position for dispensing.

The pins can be connected to one end of the lever, and the pins can be positioned so as to be substantially coaxial in a spaced, opposing orientation or relationship and further can be biased by one or more biasing members (e.g., a tension spring or other suitable biasing member) that are attached to opposing ends of the pins.

The pins also can include one or more guidance features configured to engage or interact with one or more corresponding guidance features along the frame to guide or allow movement of the pins between their extended and retracted positions as the lever rotates or pivots. Thus, as the frame rotate in response to dispensing of the first supply of sheet material, the guidance features of the frame interact with the corresponding guidance features of the pins to cause or otherwise allow the pins to be retracted under the urging of the biasing member to the retracted position in which the pins no longer engage the corresponding locking features defined along the tracks, allowing the carrier to move to its second position for dispensing the second supply of sheet material.

In one construction, the guidance features can include corresponding guide surfaces provided along at least a portion of the frame and a body of the pins. The guide surfaces can be angled and generally complementary to one another such that as the lever is rotated the guide surfaces move in relation to each other to enable the biased pins to retract under the urging of the biasing member.

In an alternative construction, the guidance features can include a helical groove or slot defined along the body of the pins and a corresponding tab or other projecting portion configured to be received within the helical groove provided on at least a portion of the frame.

The lever or frame further can include a roller rotatably attached thereto that is configured to engage the first supply of sheet material, with the carrier in that first dispensing position.

In one construction, the locking features can include a base portion that is secured to the dispenser housing along the track, a flexible elongated portion connected to the base portion at one end of the elongated portion, and a tab portion connected to the elongated portion at an opposing end of the elongated portion. The tab portion can be configured to engage a corresponding biased pin of the plurality of biased pins.

In an alternative construction, the locking features can include a flexible elongated portion that is integrally formed with a wall of the track and positioned within an opening defined there include, and a tab potion connected to the elongated portion that is configured to engage a corresponding biased pin.

The track can include a track offset that moves the second supply of sheet material towards the one or more discharge openings when the carrier is moved towards and/or to the second dispensing position.

The dispenser housing can include a cover and the track can be defined within the cover. In an alternative construction, the track can be defined in a separate component connected to or otherwise formed with the dispenser housing.

These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

<FIG> illustrate a sheet material dispenser assembly <NUM> that facilitates selective dispensing of sheet materials from a plurality of supplies of sheet material <NUM> received therein, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The supplies <NUM> of sheet material include rolled paper products, such as perforated or unperforated tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, etc., though any suitable sheet material supplies and/or products can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the dispenser assembly <NUM> includes a dispenser housing <NUM> having one or more chambers or compartments <NUM> defined therein for receiving a plurality of supplies <NUM> of sheet material. The dispenser housing <NUM> also can include a base or back portion <NUM> that can be configured to facilitate mounting of the dispensing assembly <NUM> to a surface, such as to a wall or other suitable support (e.g., along a wall in a bathroom, a portion of a bathroom stall, or other suitable location). A moveable cover <NUM> can be coupled to the base <NUM>, including being detachably coupled (e.g., by snap fittings, fasteners, etc.) and/or can be rotatably mounted to the base <NUM>, such as by one or more hinges <NUM> to facilitate opening and closing of the cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The cover <NUM> is moveable to an open position or can be removed, as needed, to facilitate access to the chamber <NUM> within the interior of the dispenser housing for loading and unloading of the new and exhausted supplies <NUM> of sheet material within the chamber <NUM>. The dispenser housing <NUM> generally can be formed from plastic materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS), polyoxymethylene ("POM"), etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, etc., or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> further show the dispenser housing <NUM> having one or more openings, apertures, or discharges <NUM>, e.g., defined in or otherwise along the cover <NUM>, that are sized, dimensioned, or configured to provide access to the supplies of rolled sheet material <NUM> supported in the dispenser housing <NUM>. Other types of openings and locations also can be provided. To dispense the sheet material from the dispenser assembly <NUM>, users can engage and pull a portion of sheet material (e.g., a hanging tab) from the supplies <NUM> through the opening(s) <NUM> and then tear off a selected or desired amount thereof. The sheet material can be perforated or precut to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts thereof, though the sheet material can be substantially continuous, i.e., not perforated or precut, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly <NUM> also can include a cutting mechanism, e.g., a jagged edge or blade(s), disposed along the opening(s) <NUM> to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts of sheet material.

As additionally illustrated in <FIG>, the dispenser assembly <NUM> includes one or more carriers or brackets <NUM> configured to support the plurality of supplies <NUM> of sheet material within the dispenser housing <NUM>. <FIG> show that the dispenser assembly <NUM> includes at least a first carrier <NUM> and a second carrier <NUM>, e.g., that are arranged in spaced series within the dispenser housing <NUM>, though any number of carriers <NUM> can be used, e.g., one or more than two, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> show perspective views of the carriers <NUM> according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, each carrier <NUM> has a pair of spaced spindle holders <NUM> including a first, lower spindle holder 36A and a second, upper spindle holder 36B, and a pair of opposing side rails or supports <NUM> and <NUM> connected to and supporting the spindle holders 36A/36B. The carriers <NUM> also include a cross-support or member <NUM> extending between and connecting the opposing side rails <NUM> and <NUM>, e.g., to provide a generally H-shaped configuration, though other shapes or configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The carriers <NUM> can hold multiple supplies of sheet material and generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The first, lower spindle holder 36A generally is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a first, lower end 38A/40A of the side rails <NUM>/<NUM>, while the second, upper spindle holder 36B is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a second, upper end 38B/40B of the side rails <NUM>/<NUM>. Each of the spindle holders <NUM> rotatably supports a respective supply of sheet material <NUM>. Typically, each supply of sheet material <NUM> includes a prescribed amount of sheet material wrapped about a spindle <NUM> receives a corresponding spindle holder <NUM>. For example, each spindle <NUM> can have a bore <NUM> defined therethrough that is sized, dimensioned, and/or configured to receive a spindle holder <NUM>, such that the spindle <NUM> and its wrapped supply of sheet material are supported by and rotatable with the spindle holder <NUM> (<FIG>).

<FIG> show at least one of the side rails <NUM>/<NUM> of the carriers <NUM> including movable or removable portions or sections <NUM> that can help facilitate the loading/unloading of the supplies of sheet material <NUM> to and from the spindle holders <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the side rail <NUM> includes portions <NUM> that are pivotally or rotatably mounted to the carrier <NUM>, e.g., by one or more hinges <NUM> or other suitable rotatable/pivotable connection mechanisms. The pivoting portions <NUM> further will be connected to the spindle holders <NUM> by a snap fitting, frictional fit, or other releasable connection. As a result, the pivoting portions <NUM> can be disconnected from the spindle holders <NUM> and pivoted/rotated to facilitate loading of new supplies of rolled sheet material and unloading of dispensed/depleted supplies of rolled sheet materials. In alternative constructions, the opposing side rail <NUM> can include one or more pivoting or rotating portions <NUM> that facilitate loading/unloading of the supplies <NUM> of sheet material. Other constructions also are possible, e.g., one or more of the side rails <NUM>/<NUM> can include portions that are completely removable from the spindle holders <NUM> to facilitate loading/unloading of supplies of sheet material.

Turning again to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser assembly <NUM> further includes tracks <NUM>, e.g., including slots, channels, etc., defined within the cover <NUM> and/or the dispenser housing <NUM>. These tracks <NUM> generally are configured to receive and guide movement of the carriers <NUM> between first and second positions. In alternative constructions, the tracks <NUM> can be defined in separate members or parts <NUM> that can be attached to one or more components of the dispenser housing, e.g., the base <NUM>, cover <NUM>, or other suitable component or combinations thereof (<FIG>). As further indicated in <FIG>, the side portions <NUM>/<NUM> of the carriers <NUM> can have guides or projections <NUM> that are received within and ride along the tracks <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the guides <NUM> have a generally cylindrical shape with a channel or notch <NUM> defined therethrough, though other shapes or configurations, e.g., spherical, cubic, etc., are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The channel <NUM> generally allows for movement of the guides <NUM> over locking features <NUM> provided along the tracks <NUM>, as discussed further below.

<FIG> illustrate movement of the carrier <NUM> between various positions. As shown in <FIG>, the carriers <NUM> are moveable along the tracks <NUM> from a first dispensing position shown at <NUM> (<FIG>), which can provide access to a first, lower supply 12A of sheet material <NUM> and can substantially reduce, prevent, or inhibit access to a second, upper supply 12B of sheet material, to a second dispensing position, shown at <NUM> (<FIG>), which provides access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material. For example, in the first dispensing position <NUM>, users can access and engage the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material through the opening <NUM> for dispensing thereof, but the seconded, upper supply 12B of sheet material can be substantially obstructed by the cover <NUM>, such that access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material is substantially reduced, prevented, or inhibited. When the first supply of sheet material 12A is substantially dispensed as shown in <FIG>, the carrier <NUM> shifts or moves along the track <NUM> from the first dispensing position <NUM> toward the second dispensing position <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, to provide of otherwise allow access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material through the opening <NUM> for dispensing thereof.

In the illustrated construction, the tracks <NUM> are shown to have an offset or angled portion <NUM> at a lower end 70A. This offset portion <NUM> is configured to move or shift the carrier <NUM> as it moves along the tracks, such that the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material is moved toward and positioned sufficiently adjacent to the opening(s) <NUM> to facilitate access thereto in the second dispensing position <NUM> (<FIG>). The offset <NUM> further can help to reduce the overall dimensions (e.g., the height) or size footprint of the dispenser housing <NUM>. The tracks <NUM> can have any suitable construction or configuration, however, without departing from the scope of the appended claims, e.g., in alternatives construction, the tracks <NUM> can be generally straight from end to end, as indicated in <FIG>.

The dispenser assembly <NUM> also includes a carrier pivoting assembly <NUM> associated with each carrier <NUM> (e.g., in <FIG>, a pair of carriers <NUM> are shown, each with a carrier pivoting assembly <NUM> associated therewith). As shown in <FIG>, the pivoting assembly <NUM> includes pivotable or rotatable levers or frames <NUM> moveably mounted to each carrier <NUM> and configured to engage the first supply 12A of sheet material. For example, as indicated in <FIG>, the lever <NUM> rotates/pivots as a first, lower supply 12A of sheet material is dispensed, i.e., as the diameter of the supply 12A is diminished or reduced during such dispensing.

The pivoting assembly <NUM> additionally includes a pair of pins or rods <NUM> attached to or otherwise in communication with the lever <NUM>, for operatively connecting the lever <NUM> to the carrier <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). <FIG> show perspective views of the pins <NUM> according to various aspects of the present disclosures. As illustrated, the pins <NUM> have a generally cylindrical body <NUM>, and move laterally with rotation/pivoting of the lever <NUM> so as to move between an extended position <NUM>, in which the pins <NUM> engage corresponding locking features <NUM> (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the tracks <NUM> to hold/support the carriers <NUM> in the first dispensing position <NUM>, and a retracted position <NUM>, in which the pins <NUM> are moved out of engagement with the locking features <NUM> to enable the carrier <NUM> to move along the tracks <NUM> to the second dispensing position <NUM>, as generally shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, as the lever <NUM> rotates due to the reduction in the diameter of the first or lower supply 12A of sheet material during dispensing, the pins <NUM> are caused to move from their extended positions <NUM> toward their retracted positions <NUM>, and when the first supply 12A of sheet material is substantially dispensed/exhausted to the desired extent, the pins <NUM> disengage the locking features <NUM> to allow the carrier <NUM> to move/slide, under its own weight (and/or together with that of the upper supply roll 12B), along the track <NUM> from the first dispensing position <NUM> to the second dispensing position <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the cross-support <NUM> of carrier <NUM> generally will include one or more walls, flanges, or partitions <NUM>, or other suitable portions, that facilitate attachment of the pins <NUM> to the carrier <NUM>. These walls or flanges <NUM> each can have openings or passages <NUM> defined therethrough for receiving at least a portion (e.g., an end portion 82B) of the pins <NUM>, with an opposite portion of each pin <NUM> (e.g., an end portion 82A) further being received within a corresponding opening or passage <NUM> defined through the sidewall <NUM>/<NUM> of the carrier to couple each pin <NUM> and the pivoting assembly <NUM> to the carrier <NUM>. The pins <NUM> thus are arranged to be on a coaxial, in a spaced-part, opposing relationship/orientation, as <FIG> and <FIG> generally indicate.

The pins <NUM> additionally are moveable into and out from their corresponding openings <NUM> in the side walls <NUM>/<NUM> of the carrier <NUM> upon rotation of the lever <NUM>. <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show the pins <NUM> including locating tabs <NUM> projecting from the body <NUM> of each pins <NUM> and disposed along, or substantially adjacent the first end portion 82A of the pins <NUM>. The locating tabs <NUM> can include a generally rectangular body <NUM>, though other shapes are possible, and will be configured to be received within complementary slots or grooves <NUM> defined in the side rails <NUM>/<NUM>. The slots <NUM> are in communication with the openings <NUM> to help locate and guide the pins <NUM> in and out from the openings <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). The pins <NUM> further are connected to one or more biasing members <NUM>, such as one or more tension springs or other suitable biasing members. The pins <NUM> are urged by the biasing member(s) <NUM> toward their retracted positions <NUM>. The walls <NUM> further can engage at least a portion of the pins <NUM> (e.g., end portion 82B) to help to reduce, prevent, or inhibit bending, buckling, or other unwanted side-to-side movement of the pins <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrate that the lever <NUM> includes side portions or sections <NUM> rotatably, pivotally, or otherwise movably coupled to the pins <NUM> at a first end 102A thereof and also coupled to and supporting a roller <NUM> at a second end 90B thereof. The roller <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the side portions <NUM> of the lever, e.g., by bearings, bushings, etc., and is configured to engage the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material (<FIG>), such that the roller <NUM> rotates as the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material is rotated during dispensing (e.g., when a user engages a pulls sheet material from the supply 12A).

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pins <NUM> include one or more guidance features <NUM> that engage or otherwise interact with corresponding guidance features <NUM> arranged along the lever <NUM> to guide or allow movement of the pins <NUM> between their extended <NUM> and retracted <NUM> positions as the lever <NUM> is pivoted/rotated during dispensing of the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material. Thus, as the lever <NUM> rotates or pivots about the pins <NUM>, with the dispensing of the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material, the guidance features <NUM>/<NUM> interact to cause or allow the pins <NUM> to be retracted under the urging or force of the biasing member <NUM> to move the pins toward their retracted position <NUM> and disengage from the locking features <NUM> defined along the track <NUM>. This in turn enables the carrier <NUM> to move (e.g., under its own weight and the weight of the second supply 12B) the second supply 12B to the second position <NUM> for dispensing sheets therefrom.

In the construction illustrated in <FIG>, the guidance features <NUM> include slanted or angled guide surfaces or faces <NUM> defined along the body <NUM> of the pins <NUM>, and the guidance features <NUM> include corresponding, complementary guide surfaces <NUM> defined along the first end 102A of the side portions <NUM>. These guide surfaces <NUM>/<NUM> generally are shaped, sized, or otherwise configured to guide movement of the pins <NUM> (e.g., under urging of the biasing member) towards their retracted position <NUM>. As the lever <NUM> is rotated/pivoted, the guide surfaces <NUM> of the pins <NUM> are moved along or otherwise in relation the guide surfaces <NUM> of the lever <NUM> to enabling the pins <NUM> to be moved under urging of the biasing member <NUM> toward their retracted position <NUM>.

In one alternative construction, such as shown in <FIG>, the guidance features <NUM>/<NUM> can include a helical slot or recess <NUM> defined along each pin, and a corresponding tab or other suitable protruding portion (not shown) along the end 102A of side portion <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. This helical slot <NUM> can be selectively engaged by the tab to allow the pins to move under the force of the biasing member from the extended or retracted position to the second position.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the pins <NUM> includes a generally cylindrical sidewall <NUM> with one or more reduced area or recessed portions <NUM> defined therein that form or otherwise define the guide surfaces <NUM>. The second end 102A of the side portion <NUM> of the lever <NUM> also can include a cylindrical projection <NUM>, with an end portion 124A that is angled or offset to define the guide surfaces <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> also can include a passage/hole <NUM> in which the body <NUM> of a pin <NUM> can be at least partially received. For example, the recessed area <NUM> of the body <NUM> of each pins <NUM> is received within a hole or passage <NUM> to enable the lever <NUM> to be rotatable about the pins <NUM>.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, the pins <NUM> generally are attached to the lever <NUM> in an aligned, substantially coaxial, spaced apart, opposing relationship/orientation. The pins <NUM> further are operatively connected and biased towards each other by the biasing member <NUM>. In one construction, as shown in <FIG>, the second end portion 82B of each pin <NUM> includes a hook <NUM> that engages a hooped or hooked end 100A of the biasing member <NUM>. In an additional or alternative construction, as shown in <FIG>, the second ends 82B of the pins <NUM> can have an opening or passage <NUM> defined therethrough and configured to engage the hooked or hooped end 100A of the biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> provides a tension or pulling force that urges the spaced pins <NUM> towards one another, such that the guidance features <NUM>/<NUM> are pressed into contact or engagement with each other.

The components of the pivoting assembly <NUM>, e.g., the frame <NUM> and the pins <NUM>, are generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pivoting assembly <NUM>'s construction further is designed to be substantially resistant to damage caused by tampering or vandalism, for example, if someone pulls on the carrier <NUM> or the lever <NUM>, such as in an attempt to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly <NUM>, the pins can release or disengage to avoid damage to the carrier body and/or housing. The lever <NUM> further can include a cross-bar or member <NUM> that extends between the side sections <NUM>, e.g., to increase the stiffness/rigidity of the lever <NUM> and help prevent damage thereto if the dispenser assembly <NUM> is tampered with or vandalized. The cross member <NUM> is optional, however, and can be omitted, as indicated in <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show perspective views of locking features <NUM> according to various aspect of the present disclosure. In one construction, as shown in <FIG>, the locking features <NUM> can include a body <NUM> with a base portion <NUM> that is connected to the cover <NUM> along the track <NUM> (e.g., by fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc., or other suitable connection mechanism, e.g., adhesives). The body <NUM> further can include a tab portion <NUM> that is connected to the base portion <NUM> by a flexible elongated portion or section <NUM>. The tab portion <NUM> includes a surface or shoulder <NUM> that is configured to engage the pins <NUM> in their extended position <NUM>, and an opposing surface or face <NUM> that is slanted or angled to allow for loading of the carrier <NUM> within the tracks <NUM>. For example, when the carrier <NUM> is loaded and within the tracks <NUM>, the pins <NUM> may engage the slanged or angled surface <NUM> to move/bend the flexible portion <NUM> and the tab <NUM> attached thereto to allow passage of the pins <NUM> and thus the carrier <NUM> to be loaded into its first dispensing position/configuration <NUM>. Furthermore, the channels <NUM> defined in the guides <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to allow for passage of the tab portions <NUM> therethrough to allow for movement of the guides <NUM> over the locking features <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A dispenser assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a dispenser housing (<NUM>) supporting a plurality of supplies of sheet material (<NUM>) and having a discharge opening (<NUM>) defined therein through which sheet material (<NUM>) is dispensed from the one or more of the supplies of sheet material (<NUM>);
characterized by:
at least one carrier (<NUM>) having spindles (<NUM>) supporting the supplies of sheet material (<NUM>), the carrier moveable along a track (<NUM>) defined along the dispenser housing (<NUM>) between a series of dispensing positions for dispensing of sheet material (<NUM>) from each of the supplies of sheet material (<NUM>); and
a carrier pivoting (<NUM>) assembly connected to the at least one carrier (<NUM>), and including:
a lever (<NUM>) rotatably connected to the carrier and biased into engagement with one of the supplies of sheet material (<NUM>) such that the lever (<NUM>) rotates during dispensing of the sheet material (<NUM>) therefrom; and
biased pins (<NUM>) each connected to the lever (<NUM>) and each including a body with a guidance feature (<NUM>) configured to engage a corresponding lever (<NUM>) guidance feature and a corresponding locking feature (<NUM>) arranged along the track (<NUM>) defined along the dispenser housing (<NUM>) and which supports the at least one carrier (<NUM>) in one of the dispensing positions, wherein the biased pins (<NUM>) are caused to retract with rotation of the lever (<NUM>) such that the guidance features (<NUM>/<NUM>) of the biased pins (<NUM>) disengage from the locking features (<NUM>) to enable the at least one carrier to move along the track (<NUM>) to another one of the dispensing positions.