Brake Accessory For Rolls Of Toilet Paper And The Like

Abstract

A brake accessory for rolls of paper that consists of a spring clip or member that prevents the paper from being unwound from the roll too quickly, and wherein the accessory is in the form of a spring member or clip that exerts pressure against the roll of paper.

Description

The primary object of this invention is to provide a brake assembly for rolls of toilet paper, paper towels, or tissue paper and the like wherein a clip member is adapted to be used as the brake accessory, the clip member exerting slight pressure against the roll of paper to prevent the paper from being unwound too quickly from the roll of paper.

A further object is to provide a brake accessory for rolls of paper and the like, wherein there is provided a clip member that is adapted to be made of a single piece of material such as spring steel, plastic or the like, and wherein a collar or ring member is secured to or formed integral with the clip member, the collar adapted to catch the inside of the hard paper core on the toilet paper roll, and wherein the spring clip has one leg longer than the other to catch the wall face of the ceramic or steel roll holder whereby the same will be out of the way when in use.

A further object is to provide such a brake accessory for rolls of paper that is economical to produce, durable in form, and conducive to the most economical use of materials and uniformity of members formed therefrom.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the brake accessory of the present invention in use, and with parts broken away and in section.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spring clip or brake accessory of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the number 30 indicates the brake accessory of the present invention that is in the form of a spring clip that is made of a suitable material, such as steel, plastic, or the like, and the member 30 includes first and second legs 31 and 32 that are joined by a curved portion or section 33, FIGS. 1 and 3. The legs 31 and 32 have registering circular openings 34 and 35 therein for a purpose to be later described.

The numeral 36 indicates a collar or ring member that is secured to or formed integral with the outer surface of the leg 32, and the collar 36 has a circular formation, there being a central circular portion 37 in the collar 36, and the portion 37 is aligned with the openings 35 and 34.

The numeral 38 indicates a roll of paper, such as a roll of toilet paper that consists of a hollow conventional core 40 made of stiff paper, cardboard or the like, and the core 40 has the usual paper 39 wound thereon. As shown in FIG. 1, the numeral 47 indicates a conventional shaft assembly or spindle that includes telescoping sections or elements 41 and 42. The numerals 43 and 44 indicate the usual paper holders that have recesses 45 and 46 therein for receiving corresponding ends of the shaft or support assembly 47. Thus, with the parts arranged as shown in FIG. 1, the spring clip 30 is interposed or positioned between the roll of paper 38 and the holder 43 with its collar 36 snugly arranged within the end portion of the core 40, and due to the inherent resiliency of the spring clip 30, a slight amount of pressure will be exerted against the roll 38 to prevent the paper from being unwound too quickly therefrom. An element, such as the element 42 is adapted to extend through the registering openings 37, 35 and 34 and into engagement with the recess 45 so that the parts will be properly aligned and maintained in their proper location.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a brake accessory for use with a roll of paper such as a roll of toilet paper, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the spring clip or member 30 of the present invention is adapted to be positioned between the usual holder such as the holder 43 and the roll of paper 38, and due to the inherent resiliency of the spring clip 30, a slight amount of pressure will be exerted on the roll 38 to prevent the paper 39 from being unwound too fast. The member 30 includes the legs 31 and 32, and as shown in the drawings, the leg 31 is slightly longer than the leg 32. In addition, the collar 36 is formed intergral with the outer surface of the leg 32, and the collar 36 snugly fits in the end of the core 40, as shown in the drawings.

It is to be understood that the parts can be made of any suitable material, and in different shapes or sizes, as desired or required, and used either on the right or left hand side of the toilet roll.

As shown in the drawings, the collar 36 has a tapered tip formation as indicated by the numeral 50 so that the outer end portion is of less thickness or size than the inner end portion of the collar. The numeral 51 indicates a roughened or knurled surface that may be provided on the outer surface of a leg such as the leg 31. A flange 52 may be provided on the leg as shown in FIG. 2. The numeral 53 indicates an offset portion that can provide a handhold or grip. As shown in FIG. 4 a knockout portion 54 may be provided on the device so that due to the provisions of the weakened portions or sections 55, when desired the portion 54 can be pushed out so that the device will accommodate different sizes of ends or pin supports on the usual conventional inner telescoping sections.

By making the device with the knockout portions 54 as shown in FIG. 4, it can accommodate or take care of the several different types of ends that are commonly found in such holders or rollers. The face 51 may be scored as shown in the drawings. The leg 31 may be twisted or offset as at 53 to provide a finger hold. The collar 36 has the slight taper on the lip thereof as indicated by the numeral 50. The flange 52 provides a safety factor. The ring or collar 36 may be of a size such as not to be more than an inch thick to fit between the roller and the inner core of the paper roll. The leg 31 can be twisted or bent so that it will catch the wall face of the holder 43 so that it will be out of the way when in use.

Because there are different diameter pin extensions on the inner roll such as those that are about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and those that are about three-fourths of an inch in diameter, by means of the plug fitting shown in FIG. 4, this variation can be taken care of and this can be used when the clip is made of plastic or if the device was made of a thin enough metal. The collar 36 which may be an integral part of a clip should not be more than one-fourth of an inch thick and is adapted to be tapered at the end for easier insertion into the cardboard core, but not too pointed to make a dangerous sharp edge.

The longer leg of the clip is adapted to being constructed to lie flat against the wall with the end twisted so that there is a way of holding it or removing it when necessary to place the toilet roll or with a lip at the end to serve the same purpose so as not to create a hazard point and still permit the removal of the spring clip at such time as is desired.

The scoring 51 may be in the form of a roughened surface or it may consist of a diamond shape, corrugated ribs or other non-slip materials such as a non-slip tape on the outside face of the long leg 31 to create better holding power for the spring clip when in use. The long leg 31 is adapted to have a right angle, edge or a rounded edge for safety.

The clip may be used for either hand, that is left or right, so that the device can be used from the left or right side of the toilet tissue roll. The thumb stop can be combined into one unit so that it can be used on either side of the roll. By putting a thumb hold in the device, when the user gets down to the cardboard core, it can be taken out to go with the clip.

The present invention will prevent wasting of paper and the present invention has an important purpose, namely, the concept of preventing waste of paper when the toilet roll is free flowing, especially after the top part of the roll has been used. The device is constructed so that its use will provide a neat look to the roll of paper rather than the long streamers of wasted paper that result when the device is not used. Also, as stated previously, the device or clip can be used on either side of the roll of paper, depending on the location of the paper roll container in relation to its most convenient use and location. In other words, it can be used either on the right or left hand side of the roll of toilet tissue.

It will now be clear that there is provided a device which accomplishes the objectives heretofore set forth. While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, it is to be understood that the specific embodiment thereof as described and illustrated herein is not to be considered in a limited sense as there may be other forms or modifications of the invention which should also be construed to come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a brake for a roll of paper positioned outwardly of the paper comprising a spring clip made of a single piece of material and comprising first and second legs having registering openings therein, a curved section interconnecting said legs together, a collar affixed to the outer surface of said second leg and having an opening therein that registers with the openings in said first and second legs, said first leg being longer than said second leg, in combination with first and second paper holders having recesses therein, a roll of paper having a cylindrical core therein, said collar snuggly fitting in one end of said core, and a support unit including telescoping elements having their end portions engaging the recesses of the paper holders, one of said telescoping section extending through said collar and through the registering openings in said spring clip, said spring clip being interposed between one of said paper holders and said roll of paper whereby pressure is exerted on the roll of paper to prevent the paper from being unwound too rapidly.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a brake for a roll of paper arranged outwardly of the paper and comprising a spring clip made of a single piece of material and comprising first and second legs having registering openings therein, and a curved section interconnecting said legs together, a collar affixed to the outer surfacr of said second leg and having an opening therein that registers with the openings in said first and second legs, said first leg being longer than said second leg, and wherein said collar having a tapered formation, and wherein said first leg has a roughened outer surface, there being a flange on said first leg, and said first leg having an offset portion defining a handhold.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a brake for a roll of paper positioned outwardly of the paper comprising a spring clip made of a single piece of material and comprising first and second legs having registering openings therein, and a curved section interconnecting said legs together, a collar affixed to the outer surface of said second leg and having an opening therein that registers with the openings in said first and second legs, said first leg being longer than said second leg, and a knockout portion on said clip.