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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective assembly view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.