TOILET PAPER DISPENSER

Abstract

A single-handed toilet paper dispenser that provides two spool pins that snugly engage the inner circumferential walls of the lumen of a toilet roll, one spool pin at each end thereof. The snug engagement provides a preselected frictional force between the portions of the inner circumferential walls engaging the spool pins so that a user may pull on the distal end of the toilet paper roll and rotate the entire roll to its end, yet if the same user tugs at the same location with more force, one or more toilet paper sheets tear off at an upstream perforation.

Claims

1. A toilet paper dispenser comprising: two spool pins spaced apart so that each spool pin, respectively, directly engages one of two end portions of a lumen of a toilet paper roll so that a first pull along a distal end of the toilet paper of the toilet paper roll results in rotating the toilet paper roll on the two spool pins, and wherein a second pull, greater in force than the first pull, results in one or more toilet paper sheets of the toilet paper detaching from an upstream perforation of the toilet paper, whereby the one or more toilet sheets are detached single-handedly.

2. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 1, wherein each spool pin has a substantially cylindrical body, wherein the body directly engages an inner circumferential wall of the end portion of said lumen.

3. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 2, wherein the body has a body diameter that is coextensive with a diameter defined by the inner circumferential wall.

4. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 3, wherein the body diameter is approximately 42.2 millimeters.

5. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 4, wherein the body has a longitudinal length of approximately 23.2 millimeters.

6. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 5, wherein one of the two spool pins is movable relative the other spool pin and from its respective end portion of said lumen.

7. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 6, further comprising two arms, one arm for each spool pin, wherein one of the two arms is pivotably connected to a supporting surface which supports the spacing apart of the two spool pins.

8. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 7, wherein a pivotal arm moves between an open position and a closed position directly engaging the end portion of said lumen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown installed.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with arm 20 in an open position and roll 28 being installed on spool pin 18.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with roll 28 installed on spool pin 18 and illustrating arm 20 moving from the open position to a closed position to place spool pin 22 into roll 28.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with arm 20 open.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use, allowing for single-handed detachment.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1, with paper roll 30 shown in hidden lines for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0022] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a single-handed toilet paper dispenser. The single-handed toilet paper dispenser provides two spool pins that snugly engage the inner circumferential walls of the lumen of a toilet roll, one spool pin at each end thereof. The snug engagement provides a preselected frictional force between the portions of the inner circumferential walls engaging the spool pins so that a user may pull on the distal end of the toilet paper roll and rotate the entire roll to its end, yet if the same user tugs at the same location with more force, one or more toilet paper sheets tear off at an upstream perforation.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention may include a single-handed toilet paper dispenser 100. The single-handed toilet paper dispenser 100 may provide two lumen engaging spool-pins 18 and 22 dimensioned and adapted to snugly engaging each end, respectively, of the lumen of the toilet paper roll 28. The snug engagement provides a predetermined frictional force resisting the motion of the toilet paper roll 28 on the spool-pins 18 and 22 (about a longitudinal axis of each spool-pin 18 and 22).

[0024] Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be substantially cylindrical along its body 40, wherein the distal end 42 of the body tapers inward or is rounded. Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be made from wood or various plasticized materials. The longitudinal lengths of the body 40 of the spool pins 18 and 22 in one iteration are 23.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 0.91 inches on the stationary arm 14 and 22.6 millimeters (mm) or approximately 0.89 inches on the pivoting arm 20. The diameter of the body 40 may be approximately 42.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 1.66 inches. Though other diameters may be used so that the frictional engagement disclosed herein is realized.

[0025] Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be connected to the distal ends of arms 16 and 20, respectively. The opposing (proximal) ends of the arms 16 and 20 may be connected to a mounting plate 10 for attaching the single-handed toilet paper dispenser 100 to a supporting surface 34. The mounting plate 10 may provide fastener holes 12 for fasteners 32, though other forms of connection of the arms 16 and 20 to the supporting surface 34 are contemplated herein.

[0026] One or both spool-pins 18 and 22 may be pivotably connected relative to the supporting surface 34. In one embodiment, a pivot point 26 operatively associates a first arm 20 to the mounting plate 10. In other embodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be directly attached to the supporting surface 34, pivotably or fixed. In most embodiments at least one arm 20 is movable between a disengaged/open position and an engaged/closed position. In the embodiments where only one arm 20 is pivotably connected, the other arm 16 is referred sometimes as the stationary arm. In one embodiment, shown in the Figures, the pivot point 26 may include operatively associating knuckles 14 and 24 on the proximal end of the hinged arm 20 and the distal ends of the mounting plate 10, respectively, with a pivot pin pivotably connecting the knuckles 14 and 24.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be approximately 101 mm in longitudinal length (from distal end to proximal end). Though, other lengths may be used as long as the toilet paper roll 30 is installed between the spool pins 18 and 22 and does not contact the mounting plate 10 or the supporting surface 34 during use.

[0028] The snug engagement of the bodies 40 of the spool pines 18 and 22 on the inner circumferential walls of the roll 28 causes friction which controls the speed of the roll 28 when radial or tangential force is applied by way of pulling or tugging on the distal end of the toilet paper 30. When the roll 28 reaches a certain speed, as the user 36 increases their tangential from (say, from a pull to a tug) excess friction causes a toilet paper sheet to separate at a perforation line.

[0029] Consider individuals who have lost the use of one hand or arm. It is very difficult for them to get the right amount of toilet paper without the roll unrolling onto the floor. Consider a parent whose children unroll too much toilet paper than is needed. Consider an individual in a business which has a restroom and how wasteful employees and customers can be. To tug on a roll of toilet paper which, in essence, tugs back, can save money and can make those who are unable to use both hands happy to have one of these dispensers.

[0030] Additionally, the present invention contemplates wherever friction is a viable force in limiting the free-rolling of media wound on a tube, or other similar media; where mechanical, or other means, are inappropriate or impractical, making the configured spool pins a boon.

[0031] As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0032] For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

[0033] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0034] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0035] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.