Clamp-on Paper Towel Holder

Abstract

A clamp-on paper towel holder has a back plate, a first and second holder arm, and a plurality of clamps. The first and second holder arms work together to grasp both ends of a paper towel roll and suspend the roll therebetween. The plurality of clamps is mounted on the back plate at a plurality of mounting attachment points. In proximity to each attachment point is a clamp extension against which the user can squeeze the clamp handle when he or she wishes to open the clamp and reposition the holder or otherwise remove it from a pole or other mounting location. The clamps are adapted to grasp onto poles, rails, table edges, chairs, etc. and firmly suspend the holder therefrom. A user can simply squeeze the clamp's handles to open the clamps, reposition them as desired, and then release the clamp handles to lock the holder in place.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/820,690 entitled CLAMP-ON PAPER TOWEL HOLDER and filed on May 7, 2013, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning conveniences; and, more particularly, to a clamp-on paper towel holder.

BACKGROUND

Paper towels are one of the modern world's more ubiquitous cleaning conveniences. They have a myriad of uses from mopping up spills to drying wet hands. Paper towels are available in a multitude of presentations, but perhaps the most commonly found in a residential setting is the paper towel roll. Such rolls are often found free-standing beside sinks, work-benches, grills, picnic tables, outdoor furniture, and shop areas. Although it is quite handy to have a roll of paper towels readily at hand in such locations, if a roll is knocked over, blown down, or otherwise accidentally displaced, the entire roll can become soiled and/or wasted.

In order to address this problem, the prior art is rife with various types of paper towel holders. Most such holders come in two flavors: weighted, free-standing models and permanently affixed devices. The latter are often found in the form of paper towel rods or holders that are permanently affixed near sinks, work benches, and other indoor locations; while the former, free-standing models, are moved about as needed. The permanently affixed devices are limiting in that they can not be easily removed when not in use and they can be an encumbrance to the unencumbered use of the surrounding area. The weighted, free-standing models, although usually better than no holder at all, can still be knocked/blown over resulting in the waste of much, if not all, of the roll. Furthermore, such models often require the use of two hands to cleanly remove a single paper towel without unraveling a number of towels from the roll. Additionally, the free-standing models require the use of limited counter- or table-space.

What is needed is a removable, yet solidly affixable, paper towel holder that can be easily transported between work areas and assists users in providing single paper towels as needed.

SUMMARY

A clamp-on paper towel holder includes: a back plate, a first holder arm, a second holder arm, and a plurality of clamps. The plurality of clamps is mounted on the back plate at a plurality of mounting attachment points. The clamps are adapted to grasp onto poles, rails, table edges, chairs, etc. and firmly suspend the holder therefrom. A user can simply squeeze the clamp's handles to open the clamps, reposition them as desired, and then release the clamp handles to lock the holder in place. The clamp-on paper towel holder is then suspended from a new location and ready to dispense paper towels as needed. The back plate extends between the first holder arm and the second holder arm and provides rigidity and support to the arms such that they can adequately grasp and hold a roll of paper towels.

The plurality of clamps is attached to the back plate at a plurality of mounting attachment points. In proximity to each attachment point is a clamp extension against which the user can squeeze the clamp handle when he or she wishes to open the clamp and reposition the holder or otherwise remove it from a pole or other mounting location. Each attachment point can further comprise a set of vertical hinge points extending outwards from the back plate and receiving therebetween the hinge of the clamp on a hinge pin or similar structure. Each clamp has a spring apparatus that provides the clamping force thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder in a vertical orientation with a roll of paper towels held therein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective left side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder with the roll removed; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder illustrating first and second holder arms in folded positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples.

Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder in a vertical orientation with a roll of paper towels held therein. The embodiment of the clamp-on paper towel holder 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes: a back plate 30, a first holder arm 60, a second holder arm 70, and a plurality of clamps 42 and 52. The plurality of clamps 42 and 52 are mounted on the back plate 30 at a plurality of mounting attachment points 40 and 50. The plurality of clamps 42 and 52 can number one, two, three or more. The plurality of clamps 42 and 52 are adapted to grasp onto poles, rails, table edges, chairs, etc. and firmly suspend the holder 10 therefrom. A user can simply squeeze the clamp handles 44 and 54 to open the clamps 42 and 52, reposition them as desired and release the clamp handles 44 and 54. The clamp-on paper towel holder is then suspended from a new location and ready to dispense paper towels as needed.

The back plate 30 extends between the first holder arm 60 and the second holder arm 70 and provides rigidity and support to the arms such that they can adequately grasp and hold a roll of paper towels 90. The holder arms 60 and 70 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being rigidly affixed to the back plate 30. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the holder arms 60 and 70 can be hingedly attached to the back plate 30 such that the arms can swing towards the front plate 34 (not illustrated in FIG. 1, see FIG. 5) when not in use. Furthermore, an embodiment having a non-rigidly attached holder arm arrangement can include a certain amount of flex, one or more springs, etc. in the arm(s) so that the arms squeeze the paper towel roll 90 to provide a better hold thereon and also allow easier removal of a single towel without the roll unspooling. In yet other embodiment, a non-unspooling gripper or similar device can be added to the holder 10 to further retard unwanted unspooling.

The plurality of clamps 42 and 52 are attached to the back plate 30 at a plurality of mounting attachment points 40 and 50. In proximity to each attachment point 40 and 50 is a clamp extension 46 and 56 against which the user can squeeze the clamp handle 44 and 54 when he or she wishes to open the clamp 42 and 52 and reposition the holder 10 or otherwise remove it from a pole or other mounting location. Each attachment point 40 and 50 can further comprise a set of vertical hinge points extending outwards from the back plate 30 and receiving therebetween the hinge of the clamp 42 and 52. Each clamp 42 and 52 has a spring apparatus 48 and 58 that provides the clamping force thereof. Various types of spring apparatuses may be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder 10. The back plate 30 and plurality of clamps 42 and 52 can be more clearly seen in this view. Note that the embodiment in FIG. 2 is illustrated with the clamp attachment points 40 and 50 offset to one side of the centerline of the back plate 30. In other embodiments, the attachment points 40 and 50 are located on the centerline, or across onto the other side of the centerline.

Each clamp 42 and 52 attaches to the back plate 30 at a mounting attachment point 40 and 50. The attachment points 40 and 50 each comprise a set of hinge points (hinge points 41 and 43 for attachment point 40 and hinge points 51 and 53 for attachment point 40). Each set of hinge points 41 & 43 and 51 & 53 extends generally perpendicular from the surface of the back plate 30 and provides a location on which the associated clamp 42 and 52 can hinge.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder 10. Only a single clamp 42 is visible in the view illustrated in FIG. 3, in other embodiments, the number of clamps 42 and 52 can be one, two, three, or more.

The clamp 42 illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises three main components: a clamp handle 44, a clamp jaw 45, and a clamp pin 47 upon which the clamp jaw 45 hinges up and down. When a user squeezes the clamp handle 44 downwards towards the clamp extension 46, the clamp jaw 45 hinges upwards away from the surface of the back plate 30, opening the jaw 45 to allow the insertion of a pole or other object to which the holder 10 is to be mounted. Similarly, to remove the holder 10, a user opens the clamp jaw 45 by squeezing the clamp handle 44. The clamp spring apparatus 48 puts upwards pressure on the clamp handle 44, and thus, downwards pressure on the clamp jaw 45 because of the clamp pin 47 and hinge. This pressure is sufficient to grasp and hold mounting poles or other mounting objects firmly within the clamp jaw 45. Although not illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the clamp jaw 45 can incorporate non-slip grip strips 87 on the jaw and opposing area of the back plate 30, to assist the clamp jaw 45 in firmly holding the pole/mounting object; see the plurality of non-slip grip strips 87 in FIG. 4. Although only one clamp 42 is discussed above, the descriptions are applicably to any of a plurality of clamps 42 and 52.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective left side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder 10 with the roll removed and the plurality of clamps 42 and 52 in a partially open configuration, ready to receive a pole, rail, table edge, etc. therein. The design of the holder 10 is such that round, triangular, rectangular, square, pentangular, hexangular, octangular, oval, and other shapes of poles, rails, counter overhangs, table edges, etc. can be grasped and firmly held by the clamps 42 and 52.

Visible in the illustration of FIG. 4 are the components of the first and second holder arms 60 and 70. These include the first and second extension members 62 and 72, and attached thereto, the first and second core grips 66 and 76. The extension members 62 and 72 allow the arms 60 and 70 to hold rolls of various diameters up to and including oversize rolls. The core grips can be generally cylindrical and extend towards one another, approximately perpendicularly from the first and second holder arms 60 and 70. The core grips 66 and 76 are designed to fit inside the core tube of a roll of paper towels and assist in securing the roll firmly within the holder 10 while still allowing the core tube to turn and dispense paper towels.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp-on paper towel holder illustrating first and second holder arms 60 and 70 in folded positions. For example, the first holder arm 60 is shown folded approximately half-way inwards towards the front plate 34 of the holder 10. The holder arms 60 and 70 hinge inwards because of the hingable mounts 64 and 74 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5. These mounts rotate relative to the front plate 34, allowing the arms 60 and 70 to hinge. In other embodiments, the arms are rigidly affixed.

Although the second holder arm 70 is illustrated mostly folded, it should be apparent that the second core grip 76 protruding from the second holder arm 70 is keeping the arm 70 from folding completely flat. In another embodiment, a cylindrical matching cutout can be made in the front plate 34 within which the core grip 76 nests, thereby allowing the holder arm 70 to fold completely flush against the front plate 34. Obviously, such an accommodation could also be made for the first core grip 66 and first holder arm 60.

It is important to note that the holder 10 can be mounted on poles/objects that are oriented horizontally as well as vertically. Furthermore, the holder 10 can mount on poles/objects that extend at any angle as the design does not require that a mounting pole/object run horizontally or vertically.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above “Detailed Description” section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A clamp-on paper towel holder comprising:

a back plate extending longitudinally between a first holder arm attached to the back plate at a first holder arm proximal end and a second holder arm attached to the black plate at a second holder arm proximal end;

the first holder arm extending from the back plate and having a first core grip attached at a first holder arm distal end;

the second holder arm extending from the back plate and having a second cord grip attached at a second holder arm distal end;

the back plate adapted to provide rigidity and support to the first and second holder arms;

the first holder arm adapted to releasably mount a first end of a roll of paper towels on the first core grip and the second holder arm adapated to releasably mount a second end of the roll of paper towels on the second core grip;

a clamp mounted on the back plate at a mounting attachment point;

a clamp extension on the back plate and in proximity to the mounting attachment point;

the clamp having a clamp handle and a clamp jaw and wherein the clamp handle is adapted to be pressed towards the clamp extension in order to open the clamp jaw; and

wherein the clamp jaw is adapted to clamp onto a plurality of objects in order to suspend the holder therefrom and allow paper towels to be dispensed.

2. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 1, further comprising:

a first hinge point and a second hinge point, the hinge points extending from the surface of the back plate; and

the clamp handle attached to the clamp jaw at a hinge location, the hinge location arranged between the first hinge point and the second hinge point and the clamp adapted to hinge therebetween on a clamp pin.

3. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of non-slip grip strips arranged between the clamp jaw and the back plate and adapted to assist the clamp in suspending the holder.

4. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of non-slip grip strips arranged between the clamp jaw and the back plate and adapted to assist the clamp in suspending the holder.

5. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 1, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount; and

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

6. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 5, further comprising:

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

7. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 2, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount; and

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

8. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 7, further comprising:

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

9. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 3, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount; and

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

10. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 9, further comprising:

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

11. A clamp-on paper towel holder comprising:

a back plate extending longitudinally between a first holder arm attached to the back plate at a first holder arm proximal end and a second holder arm attached to the black plate at a second holder arm proximal end;

the first holder arm extending from the back plate and having a first core grip attached at a first holder arm distal end;

the second holder arm extending from the back plate and having a second cord grip attached at a second holder arm distal end;

the back plate adapted to provide rigidity and support to the first and second holder arms;

the first holder arm adapted to releasably mount a first end of a roll of paper towels on the first core grip and the second holder arm adapated to releasably mount a second end of the roll of paper towels on the second core grip;

a plurality of clamps mounted on the back plate at a plurality of mounting attachment points;

a plurality of clamp extensions;

the plurality of clamps each having a clamp handle and an associated clamp jaw and wherein each clamp handle is associated with one of the plurality of clamp extensions and is adapted to be pressed towards said associated clamp extension in order to open the associated clamp jaw; and

wherein each clamp jaw is adapted to clamp onto a plurality of objects in order to suspend the holder therefrom and allow paper towels to be dispensed.

12. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 11, further comprising:

a first hinge point and a second hinge point, the hinge points extending from the surface of the back plate and adapted to house a clamp pin, the clamp pin extending through the clamp between the clamp jaw portion and the clamp handle and the clamp pin providing a structure on which the clamp can hinge.

13. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of non-slip grip strips arranged between the clamp jaw and the back plate and adapted to assist the clamp in suspending the holder.

14. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of non-slip grip strips arranged between the clamp jaw and the back plate and adapted to assist the clamp in suspending the holder.

15. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 11, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount; and

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

16. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 15, further comprising:

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

17. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 12, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount; and

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

18. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 17, further comprising:

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

19. The clamp-on paper towel holder of claim 13, further comprising:

the first holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a first hingeable mount;

wherein the first hingeable mount is adapted to allow the first holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate;

the second holder arm is hingably attached to the back plate via a second hingeable mount; and

wherein the second hingeable mount is adapted to allow the second holder arm to swing inwards towards the back plate.

20. A clamp-on paper towel holder comprising:

a back plate extending longitudinally between a first holder arm attached to the back plate at a first holder arm proximal end and a second holder arm attached to the black plate at a second holder arm proximal end;

the first holder arm extending from the back plate and having a first core grip attached at a first holder arm distal end;

the second holder arm extending from the back plate and having a second cord grip attached at a second holder arm distal end;

the back plate adapted to provide rigidity and support to the first and second holder arms;

the first holder arm adapted to releasably mount a first end of a roll of paper towels on the first core grip and the second holder arm adapated to releasably mount a second end of the roll of paper towels on the second core grip;

a first clamp mounted on the back plate at a first mounting attachment point;

a first clamp extension on the back plate and in proximity to the first mounting attachment point;

the first clamp having a first clamp handle and a first clamp jaw and wherein the first clamp handle is adapted to be pressed towards the first clamp extension in order to open the first clamp jaw;

a second clamp mounted on the back plate at a second mounting attachment point;

a second clamp extension on the back plate and in proximity to the second mounting attachment point;

the second clamp having a second clamp handle and a second clamp jaw and wherein the second clamp handle is adapted to be pressed towards the second clamp extension in order to open the second clamp jaw;

wherein the first and second clamp jaws are adapted to clamp onto a plurality of objects in order to suspend the holder therefrom and allow paper towels to be dispensed.