Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to roll holders, and in particular, to an essentially symmetric consumable paper roll holder having a moveable arm that is self-supporting in the opened position. 
   Replacing a consumable paper roll, such as a toilet paper roll or a paper towel roll, in most cases is a two-hand job that often results in dropping the replacement roll at least once while trying to remove the used roll and insert the new roll. 
   Many roll holders incorporate a spring-loaded spindle to secure the roll to the holder during use. This too creates difficulties when attempting to compress the spindle to re-seat the spindle into the holder. Cramped quarters and tight clearances make it difficult, even when using two hands, to replace a spent roll. The difficulties and frustrations are exacerbated for those having physical handicaps that reduce the level of fine motor control required to manipulate a multi-piece, spring-loaded holder. 
   Several attempts have been made to reduce the burden of replacing a depleted roll. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 873,188 describes a roll holder having an offset wall mount that supports both a fixed support arm and a pivoting arm. A spindle extends through the fixed support arm and supports a roll. The free end of the spindle is then selectively closed off by an end piece on the pivoting arm. 
   This construction has several drawbacks. First, the cantilevered mounting of both the pivoting arm and the spindle to the fixed support arm results in a large moment being applied to the fixed support arm. Over time, this moment will cause the fixed support arm to rotate, and thus the whole roll holder will acquire a slanted appearance, or at a minimum, place additional stress on the mounting screws. Second, once in the opened position, the moveable arm must be manually held in place while the replacement roll is slid over the spindle. Third, in addition to lacking robustness, the non-weight balanced design is aesthetically displeasing. 
   Other attempts have incorporated a vertically hinged side plate (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,083), required that the spindle assembly swivel outward or upward from a single mounting post (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,665,738 and 2,517,809), or required rather cumbersome and bulky joints. 
   Thus, a need exists for an improved consumable roll holder having a weight-balanced structure with a moveable arm that allows for quick and easy roll replacement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect the present invention provides a consumable roll holder including a surface mount and a support arm having a proximal end and a distal end with the proximal end being coupled to the surface mount. The holder also includes a spindle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spindle is coupled to the distal end of the support arm. The roll holder further includes a pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the surface mount. The distance from the proximal end to the distal end of the support arm is essentially equal to the distance from the proximal end to the distal end of the pivot arm. 
   In another aspect, the invention provides a consumable roll holder mountable to a surface, including an escutcheon adjacent the surface, and a surface mount extending from the escutcheon and having a mount head. The holder also includes a support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being coupled to the mount head. A pivot arm has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is pivotally coupled to the mount head to be rotatable between a closed position and an opened position. The roll holder further includes a spindle having a first end and a second end defining a spindle axis, wherein the first end of the spindle is coupled to the distal end of the support arm or the pivot arm. The support arm and the pivot arm are substantially symmetric about a plane passing through the mount head and substantially perpendicular to the spindle axis. 
   In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a consumable roll holder having a surface mount and a support arm extending from the surface mount. A spindle extends proximate a distal end of the support arm and defines a spindle axis. A pivot arm extends from the surface mount and is pivotally coupled to the surface mount such that the pivot arm can rotate between a closed position whereat the pivot arm is proximate the spindle and an opened position whereat the pivot arm is spaced apart from the spindle. The support arm and the pivot arm are essentially symmetric about a plane passing through the surface mount and substantially perpendicular to the spindle axis. 
   These and still other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. To assess the full scope of the invention the claims should be referenced. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a consumable paper roll holder in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the roll holder of  FIG. 1  showing the pivot arm pivoting from the closed position toward the open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the roll holder of  FIG. 1  in the open position; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the roll holder of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial section view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view with the pivot arm removed; and 
       FIG. 7  is a partial section view along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is described with reference to a consumable toilet paper roll holder; however, the invention is equally applicable to other types of consumable roll holders, for example, a paper towel roll holder used in a kitchen or a shop towel roll holder found in a garage. 
   A roll holder  10  in accordance with one aspect of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1  mounted adjacent a mounting surface or wall  12 . A surface mount  14  is secured to the wall  12  by any technique known to those in the art. For example, the surface mount  14  may include a mounting plate  16  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that is screwed, bolted, adhered, or the like to the wall  12  and coupled to the balance of the surface mount  14  with a set screw  18  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In the example embodiment, an escutcheon  20  surrounds the surface mount  14  adjacent the wall  12  to provide an aesthetically pleasing transition from the wall  12  to the surface mount  14 . One skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of escutcheons  20  and ways available to mount the surface mount  14  to the wall  12 . 
   A spherical mount head  22  is positioned proximate the distal end  24  of the surface mount  14  and may be integrally formed with the surface mount  14 , or may alternatively comprise a separate component of the roll holder  10 . A support arm  26  includes a proximal end  28  that is securely coupled to or integrally formed with the mount head  22 . A distal end  30  of the support arm  26  extends outward and downward (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) from the substantially central mount head  22  and surface mount  14 . The distal end  30  of the support arm  26  terminates in a support head  27  that is securely coupled or integrally formed with a first end  32  of a spindle  31 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the example embodiment includes a spindle  31  that is secured to the support head  27  with a fastener  35  that engages a threaded hole  37  formed in the support head  27 . In yet another alternative construction, the spindle  31  may be rotatably coupled to the distal end  30  of the support arm  26  to reduce the rotational resistance between the spindle  31  and the consumable roll  38  (shown as dashed lines in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). 
   The spindle  31  is substantially straight between the first end  32  and a second end  34  and defines a spindle axis  36  between the first end  32  and the second end  34 . Alternatively, the spindle  31  may be bowed, arced, oval, and the like. In any event, the spindle  31  is preferably sized to accommodate the consumable roll  38  used in the particular application. 
   Returning to the mount head  22 , a pivot arm  40  includes a proximal end  42  that is preferably pivotally coupled to the mount head  22  to allow the pivot arm  40  to rotate or pivot about the pivot axis  44 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the pivot axis  44  is preferably substantially parallel to the spindle axis  36 ; however, the pivot axis  44  may be skewed with respect to the spindle axis  36 . Moreover, the pivot axis  44  and/or the spindle axis  36  may be skewed with respect to the wall  12 . 
   The distal end  46  of the pivot arm  40  terminates in a pivot head  41 . The pivot head  41  captures the second end  34  of the spindle  31  when in the closed or lowered position shown in  FIG. 1 . With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the spindle  31  preferably includes a necked portion  48  that is captured in a pocket  50  formed in the pivot head  41  when the pivot arm  40  is in the lowered position (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ). One skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of constructions available to capture the consumable roll  38  on the spindle  31 . 
   The pivot arm  40  is moveable or pivotable between the closed or lowered position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , to the open or raised position, shown in  FIG. 3 . To raise the pivot arm  40 , a user urges the pivot arm  40  as shown by arrow F in  FIG. 2 . The pivot arm  40  is preferably configured to rotate about the substantially horizontal pivot axis  44  to the open position shown in  FIG. 3 . The surface mount  14  is preferably sized to allow the pivot arm  40  to rotate past vertical in the raised position toward the wall  12 , helping to maintain the pivot arm  40  in the open position. 
   With the pivot arm  40  in the raised position, the spent consumable roll  38  can be easily slid from the spindle  31  and a new consumable roll  38  installed. As a result, the replacement of the consumable roll  38  may be accomplished with a single hand. 
   The pivot arm  40  is preferably substantially self-supporting in the opened position. In the example embodiment, the pivot arm  40  includes components to maintain the pivot arm  40  in the raised position and to prevent the pivot arm  40  from making contact with and damaging the wall  12 . Specifically, the pivot arm  40  of the example embodiment is restrained in the open or raised position by frictional engagement between various components. With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a threaded rod  52  extends from the mount head  22 . As shown best in  FIG. 7 , the rod  52  is rotatably driven into a threaded hole  54  formed in the proximal end  28  of the support arm  26  by inserting a tool (not shown) into a keyway  55  formed in the threaded rod  52 . An exposed portion  56  of the rod  52  is configured to extend into a threaded hole  58  formed in the proximal end  42  of the pivot arm  40 . The engagement is such that as the pivot arm  40  is rotated about the pivot axis  44  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engagement between the exposed portion  56  of the threaded rod  52  and the threaded hole  58  of the pivot arm  40  draws or translates the pivot arm  40  along the pivot axis  44  toward the mount head  22  to close the gap  45  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   The length of the exposed portion  56  that engages the threaded hole  58  formed in the pivot arm  40  is adjusted such that an engagement surface  60  of the pivot arm  40  cams or wedges against a bearing surface  62  of a recess  64  formed in the mount head  22 . In operation, as the pivot arm  40  is rotated upward as shown in  FIG. 2  to the raised position shown in  FIG. 3 , the pivot arm  40  is drawn along the pivot axis  44  until the engagement surface  60  abuts the bearing surface  62 , effectively preventing the pivot arm  40  from hitting the wall  12 . Also, the friction developed at the interface between the engagement surface  60  and the bearing surface  62  resists unintentional rotation of the pivot arm  40  toward the lowered, closed position shown in  FIG. 1 . As a result, the pivot arm  40  is essentially self-supporting in the raised position. 
   To maintain the desired frictional engagement throughout repeated use, the threaded rod  52  is configured such that the rod  52  will not rotate with respect to the support arm  26  as the pivot arm  40  rotates about the pivot axis  44 . This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, and as shown in the example embodiment, the engagement or fit between the threaded rod  52  and the threaded hole  54  may be very close such that rotation of the rod  52  in the threaded hole  54  formed in the support arm  26  requires more force than is generated by raising and lowering the pivot arm  40 . Additionally, once the appropriate amount of exposed portion  56  is determined, an adhesive may be used to further prevent rotation of the rod  52 . 
   One skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of constructions available to maintain the orientation of the pivot arm  40 , either in the lowered position, the raised position, or any intermediate position. For example, a spring-loaded ball may be secured in the recess  64  and selectively extend into a series of detents in the engagement surface  60  of the pivot arm  40 . The spring-loaded ball may be configured, for example, to selectively engage a detent in the lowered position and another detent in the raised position. 
   In the example embodiment, the support arm  26  is press fit into and/or secured with adhesive to the mount head  22 . Alternatively, the support arm  26  may be coupled to the mount head  22  to be pivotable about the pivot axis  44 , however, the range of rotation of the support arm  26  is preferably substantially less than that of the pivot arm  40 . If the support arm  26  is allowed to pivot too far, the replacement of a spent consumable roll  38  becomes more difficult. One skilled in the art will appreciate the numerous alternative constructions that are within the scope of the present invention. 
   In an alternative construction, the roll holder  10  may be configured such that the spindle  31  is secured to the pivot arm  40 . As a result, the pocket  50  may be oriented in the support head  27  of the support arm  26  to allow the spindle  31  to pivot with the pivot arm  40 . Moreover, one skilled in the art will appreciate the various mounting orientations available for the roll holder  10 . 
   The support arm  26 , spindle  31 , and pivot arm  40  are preferably cylindrical as shown in  FIG. 1 ; however, each may take on a variety of other cross-sections and shapes. For example, the spindle  31  may be rectangular in cross-section to engage a matching opening formed in a consumable roll  38 . 
   With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the roll holder  10  is preferably substantially symmetric about an essentially vertical plane that extends along the surface mount  14  and is substantially perpendicular to pivot axis  44  and/or the spindle axis  36 . This provides a balanced aesthetic appearance and reduced moment arm available to torque the surface mount  14 . In addition, the distance from the proximal end  28  to the distal end  30  of the support arm  26  is essentially equal to the distance from the proximal end  42  to the distal end  46  of the pivot arm  40 . The distances may be measured either along the support arm  26  and pivot arm  40 , or from the mount head  22  to the respective support head  27  and pivot head  41 . 
   The components of the roll holder  10  may be made of a variety of suitable materials that are generally known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the roll holder  10  may be mainly metallic or may comprise a plastic core coated or plated with a metal or other suitable finish. 
   A preferred example embodiment of the present invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations of the preferred example embodiment described will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the example embodiment described. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   The invention provides a consumable roll holder for holding rolls that allows for easy replacement of spent rolls.

Technology Category: a