U.S. patent application number 11/701588 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for device for holding a roll of material.
Invention is credited to Sun K. Ko.
Application Number | 20070131818 11/701588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327186 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131818 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ko; Sun K. |
June 14, 2007 |
Device for holding a roll of material
Abstract
A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a core
includes a mount with two arms, each having a retractable catch.
The retractable catch includes a contoured end, optionally
substantially hemispheric, that transmits a radial force on the
core to cause the catch to retract. In an optional embodiment, the
catch is part of a catch assembly including a spring biasing the
catch perpendicular to the arms and toward the core and an annular
retainer that holds the catch to the arms.
Inventors: |
Ko; Sun K.; (Henderson,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT RYAN MORISHITA;MORISHITA LAW FIRM, LLC
3800 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY,
SUITE 850
LAS VEGAS
NV
89169
US
|
Family ID: |
46327186 |
Appl. No.: |
11/701588 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11005426 |
Dec 7, 2004 |
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11701588 |
Feb 2, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/596.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 16/005 20130101;
A47K 10/40 20130101; B65H 2701/18484 20130101; B65H 2301/41308
20130101; B65H 2402/5156 20130101; B65H 2301/41346 20130101; B65H
2402/542 20130101; B65H 2402/43 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/596.4 |
International
Class: |
B65H 16/06 20060101
B65H016/06 |
Claims
1. A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a
substantially cylindrical core comprising: a mount having two
spaced arms; and a retractable catch on each arm, said catch
including a substantially contoured end receiving said core, said
arms spaced such that force on said core in a direction radial to
said core is transferred to said contoured end to force said
catches to retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to
said arms.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an annular retainer
securing said catch to a respective arm, said annular retainer
including an opening through which only said hemispheric end
protrudes.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said annular retainer engages said
arms through mating threads.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing said
retractable catches in a direction perpendicular to said arms
toward said core.
5. A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a
substantially cylindrical core comprising: a mount having two
spaced arms; and a catch assembly on each arm comprising: a catch
on each arm, said catch including a substantially hemispheric end
receiving said core; an annular retainer holding each catch to a
respective arm, said annular retainer including an opening through
which only said hemispheric end protrudes; and a spring biasing
each catch in a direction perpendicular to a respective arm and
toward said core, said arms spaced such that force on said core in
a direction substantially radial to said core is transferred to
said hemispheric end to force said catches to retract in a
direction substantially perpendicular to said arms and away from
said core.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said annular retainer engages said
arms through mating threads.
7. A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a core in
the form of a right cylinder having a central passage, comprising:
a mount having two spaced arms; and a catch assembly on each arm
comprising: a catch on each arm, said catch including a
substantially hemispheric end receiving said core; an annular
retainer holding each catch to a respective arm through mating
threads, said annular retainer including an opening through which
only said hemispheric end protrudes; and a spring biasing each
catch in a direction perpendicular to a respective arm and toward
said core, said arms spaced such that said annular retainers are
separated by a distance greater than or equal to the length of said
core and said contoured ends of said catches are separated by a
distance less than the length of said core such that force on said
core in a direction substantially radial to said core is
transferred to said hemispheric end to force said catches to
retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to said arms and
away from said core.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/005,426, entitled "Bathroom Tissue
Holder," filed Dec. 7, 2004 by Applicant herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application is directed to a device for holding
a roll of material surrounding a core. More specifically, the
present application is directed to a device for holding a roll of
material in which the arms and catches of the device are spaced and
shaped to permit removal of the core from the device with radial
force applied to the core.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most toilet tissue holders are comprised of a fixed housing
having two rigid arms and a compressible cross-bar engaged between
the rigid arms of the housing. To mount or dismount a roll of
material on the holder, the user is required to use both hands to
simultaneously compress the cross-bar and pull the cross-bar away
from the arms. As may be appreciated, the physical ability, e.g.
the strength and coordination, required to perform this task may be
outside the abilities of some people, such as the elderly, the
young, the disabled, or the like.
[0004] Additionally, the cross-bar in may of the prior art tissue
holders acts as an axle around which the tissue roll can spin
freely. This can lead to waste of toilet tissue if a pet or child
purposely or accidentally unravels the roll of tissue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a
substantially cylindrical core includes a mount having two spaced
arms and a retractable catch on each arm. The catch includes a
substantially contoured end receiving the core. Optionally, the
contoured end is substantially hemispheric. The arms are spaced
such that force on the core in a direction radial to the core is
transferred to the contoured end to force the catches to retract in
a direction substantially perpendicular to the arms.
[0006] In an optional embodiment, the catch is part of a catch
assembly that includes a catch, an annular retainer holding each
catch to a respective arm, and a spring biasing each catch in a
direction perpendicular to the respect arm and toward the core.
Optionally, the retainer includes an opening through which only the
hemispheric end protrudes. In a further optional embodiment, the
annular retainer engages the arms through mating threads.
Optionally, the arms are spaced such that the annular retainers are
separated by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the
core.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a device according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective assembly view of a device
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cutaway end view of an arm and catch assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along cut
line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cutaway end view of an arm and catch assembly
according to an another embodiment of the present invention taken
along cut line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of a device according to an embodiment
of the present invention separated from a roll of material
surrounding a core;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of a device according to an embodiment
of the present invention as a roll of material surrounding a core
is mounted onto the device;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of a device according to an embodiment
of the present invention engaging the core of a roll of
material;
DESCRIPTION
[0014] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring generally to
FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is directed to a device 100 for
holding a roll 90 of material surrounding a core 92. Many sheet
materials are dispensed in this manner, such as wax paper, plastic
wrap, wrapping paper, toilet tissue, paper towels, aluminum foil,
and the like. As may be appreciated, such rolls 90 of materials
typically include a hollow core 92 around which the materials are
wrapped. It is contemplated that this invention may apply to any
form of material, and any type or shape of core 92. For example, in
the optional embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the core 92
forms a hollow right cylinder with a central passage.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device includes a mount
20 having two spaced arms 22. In an optional embodiment, the
spacing of the arms 22 is maintained by a base 24 that may also
serve as a mounting surface to a wall or other surface. In one such
optional embodiment, fasteners securing the base 24 to the wall or
other surface may be concealed by a cover plate 26 that fits over,
or in, the base 24.
[0016] Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, the device includes a
retractable catch 60 with a contoured end 62. The contoured end 62
may take any form so long as the transfer of radial forces on the
core 92 to the retractable catch 60 through the contoured end 62
cause the catch 60 to retract perpendicular to the arms 22. That
is, the contour of the contoured ends 62 redirects at least a
portion of a radial force on the core 92 in a direction
perpendicular to, and toward, the arms 22 to retract the catches
60.
[0017] For example, in the optional embodiment illustrated in the
figures, the contoured end 62 is substantially hemisphere-shaped.
It is noted that in an optional embodiment having a "substantially
hemisphere-shaped" contoured end 62, it is contemplated that the
contoured end 62 may form more or less than an exact hemisphere,
with the amount protruding for engagement to the core 92 forming
half a sphere, i.e. only the hemispheric end protrudes, or less
than half a sphere. It should be noted that an exact sphere is not
necessarily required and the contoured end 62 of the catch could
form any other geometric shape, such as an ellipsoid, paraboloid,
or the like.
[0018] In an optional embodiment the retractable catch 60 is part
of a catch assembly. In an optional embodiment, such as that shown
in FIGS. 1-7, a catch assembly may include a catch 60, a spring 80,
and an annular retainer 40. In the optional embodiment of the
figures, a spring 80 biases the catch 60 perpendicular to, and away
from the arms 22, e.g. toward the core 92. In one optional
embodiment, the spring 80 may be positioned through grooves 82a on
the arms 22 and grooves 82b on the catch 60, as shown in FIG. 3. In
another optional embodiment, the spring 80 may be positioned
through a mandrel 84a on the arms 22 and a mandrel 84b on the catch
60, as shown in FIG. 4. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7, it can be
appreciated that in the optional embodiment illustrated, the spring
80 compresses as the catch 60 retracts and biases the catch 60
outward when the force causing the retraction is released.
[0019] Continuing with the optional embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
1-7, the catch assembly may also include an annular retainer 40. In
an optional embodiment, the retainer 40 engages mating threads 23
on the arms 22 and holds the catch 60 and spring 80 in position. As
noted above, in an optional embodiment, the contoured end 62 of the
catch 60 may protrude an opening in the retainer 40. In one such
optional embodiment, the catch 60 may include a flange 64 to
prevent the catch 60 from passing completely through the opening in
the retainer 40. As noted previously, the contoured end 62
protruding through the retainer 40 allows radial force on the core
92 to retract the catch 60. In an optional embodiment, the retainer
40 may also include a contoured surface 42 to guide the core 92 to
the contoured end 62 of the catch 60.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, in use, a roll 90 of material is
directed radially toward the mount 20 with the core 92 between the
catches 60. In an optional embodiment, the arms 22 and catch
assemblies are spaced so that the distance between the retainers 40
is greater than, or equal to, the length of the core 92 while the
distance between the catches 60 in their biased position is less
than the length of the core 92. In such an optional embodiment,
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the roll 90 of material is held by the
engagement of the catches 60 to the core 92. Referring to FIG. 6,
the radial force on the roll 90 of material and the core 92 cause
the roll 90 to retract the catches 60. That is, the radial force on
the roll 90 of material and the core 92 is transmitted through the
roll 90 of material and the core 92 to the contoured ends 62 of the
catches 60 that protrudes through the opening of the retainers 40,
thereby causing compression of the spring 80 and retraction of the
catches 60 perpendicular to the arms 22..
[0021] Referring to FIG. 7, once the central passage of the core 92
aligns with the catches 60, the catches 60 are released and the
springs 80 bias the catches 60 toward the core 92. In the optional
embodiment of FIG. 7, the contoured ends 62 of the catches 60
project into the central passage of the core 92. In an optional
embodiment, the roll 90 of material is free to rotate about the
core 92 resting on the catches 60.
[0022] To remove the core 92 from the device 100, the process is
reversed. That is, a radial force on the core 90 causes the walls
of the core 90 to contact the contoured ends 62 of the catches 60.
The radial force is transmitted to the catches 60 to thereby
compress the springs 80 and retract the catches 60 perpendicular to
the arms 22. When the core 90 is free of the catches 60, the
catches 60 are released and the springs 80 bias the catches 60
perpendicular away from the arms 22.
[0023] While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described it is to be understood that the present
invention is subject to many modifications and changes without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention presented
herein.
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