U.S. patent application number 11/133938 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for rolled sheet dispenser.
Invention is credited to Frederick M. Hass.
Application Number | 20060261211 11/133938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37447457 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060261211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hass; Frederick M. |
November 23, 2006 |
Rolled sheet dispenser
Abstract
A dispenser comprises a back plate for attachment to a surface
and a first bar and a second bar extending from the back plate. The
second bar has a first component and a second component forming an
L-shape. The first component is movably attached to the back plate
and the second component extends from the first component and is
constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll of paper
thereabout.
Inventors: |
Hass; Frederick M.;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
6109 BLUE CIRCLE DRIVE
SUITE 2000
MINNETONKA
MN
55343-9185
US
|
Family ID: |
37447457 |
Appl. No.: |
11/133938 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/598.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/405
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/598.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A dispenser comprising: a back plate for attachment to a
surface, a first bar and a mounting bar extending from the back
plate, a second bar having a first component which defines a first
axis and a second component, the first component and second
component forming an L-shape, the second bar rotatably attached to
the mounting bar and constructed and arranged to rotate between an
engaged position and an unengaged position, the second component
extending from the first component and constructed and arranged to
removably accept a roll thereabout, in the engaged position the
second component of the second bar engages the first bar, in the
unengaged position the second bar does not engage the first
bar.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably
attached as to provide one degree of rotational freedom.
3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably
attached as to provide two degrees of rotational freedom.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably
attached as to provide three degrees of rotational freedom.
5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein, the second bar rotates about
the first axis.
6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar rotates about an
axis which is parallel to the back plate.
7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first component of the
second bar and the mounting bar form a ratcheted pivot rotatable
about a range of degrees, the ratcheted pivot constructed and
arranged such that the second bar is stable about multiple
positions along the range of degrees.
8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the engaged position includes
mechanical or magnetic engagement of the second component to the
first bar.
9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the unengaged position is
stable.
10. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mounting bar may also have
a positioning slot wherein a protrusion on the second bar is
constructed and arranged to slide, rotation of the second bar being
limited by the ends of the slot.
11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the back plate is constructed
and arranged to have a cut-out portion that can be positioned about
a depression in the surface to which the back plate is
attached.
12. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar includes a slot
or notch in which the second component can be disposed.
13. The dispenser of claim 1 sized to receive a roll of toilet
paper.
14. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar and the first
component of the second bar extend substantially perpendicular from
the bar plate when in the engaged position.
15. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second component has at
least one positioning bump.
16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar and the first
component are substantially parallel to the back plate.
17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is not stable
in the unengaged position.
18. A dispenser comprising: a back plate for attachment to a
surface, a first bar and a second bar extending from the back
plate, the second bar rotatably attached to the back plate and
capable of rotating into a plurality of stable positions, the
second bar having a portion constructed and arranged to removably
accept a roll thereabout, the dispenser having an engaged position
and an unengaged position, in the engaged position the second bar
engages the first bar, in the unengaged position the second bar
does not engage the first bar.
19. The dispenser of claim 18 wherein the second bar has a first
component and a second component, the first bar and second bar
being mechanically or magnetically engageable.
20. A dispenser comprising: a first bar and a second bar
constructed and arranged to attach to a surface, the second bar
having a first component and a second component forming an L-shape,
the second component extending from the first component and
constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll thereabout, the
dispenser having an engaged position and an unengaged position, in
the engaged position the second component of the second bar engages
the first bar, in the unengaged position the second bar does not
engage the first bar, at least a portion of the second bar
constructed and arranged to pivot from an engaged position to an
unengaged position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Rolled sheet material such as toilet paper and paper towels
are often dispensed using a spring within two tubes or the like.
Such a construction makes removing or installing a roll on the tube
difficult, particularly for those with a disability such as
arthritis or neuritis.
[0002] Loose parts can be dropped or lost resulting in needless
lost time or in improper functioning. For these reasons, it would
be desirable to provide an improved dispenser which makes the
removal and installation of a roll simpler and easier by limiting
the loose or moveable parts.
[0003] Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary
of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below.
Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention
and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the
Detailed Description of the Invention below.
[0004] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the
specification is provided as well for the purposes of complying
with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.
SUMMARY
[0005] In at least one embodiment of the invention, a paper
dispenser may comprise a back plate for attachment to a surface, a
first bar, and a second bar. In at least one embodiment of the
invention the second bar may extend from the back plate and have a
first component and a second component forming an L-shape. In at
least one embodiment of the invention, the first component may be
rotatably attached to the back plate or a mounting bar. In at least
one embodiment of the invention, the second component may extend
from the first component and be constructed and arranged to
removably accept a roll of paper thereabout.
[0006] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser
has an engaged position and an unengaged position. In at least one
embodiment of the invention, the second bar engages the first bar
in the engaged position. In at least one embodiment of the
invention, in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage
the first bar.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar
is rotatably attached as to provide one degree of rotational
freedom.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar
is rotatably attached as to provide two degrees of rotational
freedom.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar
is rotatably attached as to provide three degrees of rotational
freedom.
[0010] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar
rotates about the first axis.
[0011] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar
rotates about an axis which is parallel to the back plate.
[0012] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar
and the first component may extend substantially perpendicular from
the bar plate.
[0013] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the engaged
position includes mechanical or magnetic engagement of the second
component to the first bar.
[0014] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate
may pivotally engage the first component.
[0015] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate
may include a mounting bar which pivotally engages the first
component.
[0016] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first
component of the second bar is constructed and arranged to pivot
from an engaged position to an unengaged position. In at least one
embodiment of the invention, in the engaged position the second
component of the second bar engaging the first bar and in the
unengaged position the first component rotated 60 to 90 degrees
from the engaged position.
[0017] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first
component of the second bar may be connected to the back plate or
mounting bar to form a ratcheted pivot rotatable about a range of
degrees such that the first component and/or the second bar are
stable about multiple positions along a range of degrees.
[0018] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate
may rotatably engage the first component having a longitudinal axis
and the first component may be substantially rotatable about the
longitudinal axis.
[0019] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first
component of the second bar is rotatable from an engaged position
to an unengaged position such that when in the engaged position the
second component of the second bar engages the first bar and when
in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage or contact
the first bar. The unengaged position may provide up to 120 degrees
rotation from the engaged position.
[0020] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the unengaged
position is stable. A stable position in this disclosure refers to
a position in which the position is maintained under the force of
gravity. It also refers to positions in which if a force is applied
and movement from the stable position occurs the movement will not
necessarily result in continued movement to the engaged position,
in fact in some instances, the original stable position will be
regained.
[0021] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar
and the first component are substantially parallel to the back
plate. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar
and the first component are substantially within the same plane as
the back plate.
[0022] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate
may be constructed and arranged to have a cut-out portion that may
be positioned about a depression in the surface to which the back
plate is attached.
[0023] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar
includes a slot or notch in which the second component may be
disposed.
[0024] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first
component may be constructed and arranged to rotate such that the
first component is stable through substantially all degrees to
rotation.
[0025] In at least one embodiment the mounting bar may have a
positioning slot wherein a protrusion on the second bar is
constructed and arranged to slide. In at least one embodiment,
rotation of the second bar is limited by the ends of the slot.
[0026] In at least one embodiment, the dispenser is sized to
receive a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.
[0027] In at least one embodiment, the second component has at
least one positioning bump.
[0028] In at least one embodiment, the second bar is not stable in
the unengaged position. In at least one embodiment, the user must
prevent the second bar from moving from an unengaged position to an
engaged postion.
[0029] In at least one embodiment, the dispenser does not include a
back plate. In at least one embodiment, the first bar and the mount
bar are directly mounted to a surface. In at least one embodiment,
the first and second bars are directly mounted to a surface.
[0030] In at least one embodiment, a rotatable portion exists on
the first component itself. In at least one embodiment, at least a
portion of the second bar may be constructed and arranged to pivot
from an engaged position to an unengaged position These and other
embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part
hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its
advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be
made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the
accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and
described a embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION of DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a dispenser.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of an embodied connection
between the back plate and the first component.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the first bar and the
second bar isolated from the back plate.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of an embodied
dispenser.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodied dispenser partially
recessed within a surface recess.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of an embodied
dispenser.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of an embodied
dispenser.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a side view of a dispenser in an unengaged
position.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a side view of a dispenser in an engaged
position.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a front or top view of a dispenser having a
second component that is not of one piece construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] While this invention may be embodied in many different
forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of
the invention. This description is an exemplification of the
principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.
[0042] For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals
in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise
indicated. The rolled sheets in this application may be toilet
paper, paper towels, garbage bags, etc.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser 10 having a roll 15 is
shown. The dispenser may have a back plate 20 which is affixed to a
surface. The surface may be a wall, the underside of a cabinet or
counter, etc. The back plate 20 has a first bar 30 and a second bar
40 extending from it. The second bar 40 may be L-shaped and
comprise a first component 40a and a second component 40b. Second
bar 40 may be made of one-piece construction such that first
component 40a and second component 40b are constructed of the same
piece of material. In at least one embodiment, first component 40a
and second component 40b are constructed of different materials or
pieces. The second bar 40 may be movably attached to the back plate
20. In some embodiments the back plate may include a mounting bar
20a to which the second bar 40 is engaged.
[0044] The second bar 40 may be designed such that when in an
engaged position the second component is engaged to first bar 30.
In at least one embodiment, first bar 30 may have a notch 50 into
which the second component 40b may rest. In at least one
embodiment, first bar 30 does not have a notch. In at least one
embodiment the first bar and the second component 40b are
magnetically engaged.
[0045] In an unengaged position the second component 40b is not
engaged to the first bar 30 as the second bar 40 moves about
connection 55. The connection 55 may be such that the second bar 40
may move or pivot such that it is pivotally attached to back plate
20. Second bar 40 may be moved such that a roll 15 may be removed
from or disposed about the second component 40b. As shown in FIG. 2
one embodied connection 55 pivotally connects second bar 40 and
back plate 20 such that second bar 40 rotates about the axis of pin
60.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates the first bar and the second bar isolated
from the back plate. In this illustrated embodiment the second
component 40b is engaged to the first bar 30 within the notched
portion 50. It should be noted that the first bar 30 and the second
bar 40 as shown may be attached directly to a surface or also
attached to a back plate attached to a surface. The surface or back
plate may be perpendicular to a floor or it may be parallel to a
floor, for example, attached beneath a cabinet, mounted on a
counter or table, etc.
[0047] In addition a set of co-ordinate axes are illustrated. First
component 40a in the engaged position lies along the z-axis 42 and
perpendicular to the xy-plane having an x-axis 44 and a y-axis 46.
In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 pivots about the x-axis
44. In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 pivots/rotates about
the z-axis. In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 has two
degrees of rotational freedom and pivots about both the x-axis and
the z-axis.
[0048] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the invention in the unengaged
position. Second bar 40 pivots about the x-axis 44 and is pivotally
raised above first bar 30. In this position the roll 15 may be
removed and/or another roll may be placed on second component
40b.
[0049] In FIG. 5 second bar 40 is substantially parallel to back
plate 20; in some instances it is in the substantially same plane.
A portion of the roll 15 disposed about second bar 40 fits within a
depression 65. In some embodiments, a first bar is not necessary.
In some embodiments the back plate 20 includes a portion that fits
within the depression 65. The roll 15 may be replaced by raising
the second bar such that the roll can be removed without contacting
the surface to which the back plate 20 is connected.
[0050] In FIG. 6 the back plate 20 is constructed and arranged to
attach to the underneath side of a cabinet or other surface. In
some instances the first bar 30 and second bar 40 may be
constructed and arranged to extend perpendicularly to the floor. It
should be noted that the dispensers in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 may
be constructed and arranged such that in the unengaged position the
second bar has a locked position or a position wherein the second
bar 40 remains without continued effort by the user. Additional
actions by the user are necessary for moving the second bar 40 into
a different position. The second component may also have one or
more raised positioning bumps 67 which may assist in keeping the
roll in a more specific location on the second component 40b. The
positioning bumps may be on both sides of the roll and may also be
in the form of an annular ring In FIG. 7 the embodied dispenser has
a second bar 40 which rotates within the back plate 20. As shown in
FIG. 7 the second bar rotates within a bar plate extension 20a. It
should be noted that the second bar could also rotate about the bar
plate extension 20a. The bar plate may also have a positioning slot
70 wherein a protrusion 75 on the second bar may slide. In the
engaged position the second component 40b is in contact with first
bar 30. The rotation of second bar 40 is limited. During rotation
of the second bar 40 the protrusion 75 slides within slot 70 until
it reaches the slot end 70' thereby stopping the rotation of the
second bar 40. In the embodiment shown, when the protrusion reaches
slot end 70' the second bar 40 is in a stable position and will
remain there if no additional forces is exerted upon it. In this
stable position the second component 40b may extend substantially
upward. In this position the roll may be changed with one hand as
the used roll can be removed and the new roll installed without the
second component moving out of the stable position; thus a second
hand is not necessary to maintain the position of the second bar
40.
[0051] It should be noted that slot 70 may not be a single straight
slot as shown. Instead, the slot may have additional cut-out
portions into which the protrusion 75 may enter and thus be in a
stable position.
[0052] In FIG. 8 the second bar 40 is rotated within mounting bar
20a such that it is in the stable unengaged position. In FIG. 9 the
second bar 40 is in the engaged position and engaged to the first
bar 30. Back plate 20 in FIGS. 8-9 can also be attached to a
surface that is substantially parallel to the floor such that the
second component when unengaged is substantially parallel to the
floor.
[0053] In FIG. 10 the first component 40a and the second component
40b are not of one piece construction. The figure represents at
least two different views; as a front view it illustrates a
dispenser 10 for attachment to the underside of a cabinet,
apparatus, or the like, as a top view it illustrates a dispenser 10
for attachment to a wall or such. As shown in FIG. 10, a mounting
bar as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 7-9 is not necessary in at least
one embodiment. In this embodiment, the first component 40a extends
from the back plate 20 and the second component 40b is pivotally
engaged to the first component 40a. The pivot 80 could be in the
form of a screw or other mechanism for pivotally attaching the
second component 40b to the first component 40a. The pivot can be
constructed and arranged to allow the second component to be in a
stable condition from the engaged position through a rotation of
30, and/or a rotation of 45 degrees, and/or a rotation of 60
degrees, and/or a rotation of 90 degrees, and/or a rotation of 120
degrees, and/or a rotation of 180 degrees, and/or a rotation of 360
degrees.
[0054] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not
exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and
alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various
elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be
combined or modified for combination as desired. All these
alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the
scope of the claims where the term "comprising" means "including,
but not limited to". Those familiar with the art may recognize
other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein
which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the
claims.
[0055] Further, the particular features presented in the dependent
claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the
scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized
as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other
possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For
instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim
which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a
multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all
antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple
dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction
(e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be
alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In
jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are
restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also
taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim
format which creates a dependency from a prior
antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in
such dependent claim below.
[0056] The description above describes several embodiments of the
invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents
to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are
intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
* * * * *