ROTATING LOCK FOR REVERSING A ROLL DISPENSER

Abstract

This specification describes a lock mechanism which can be used as part of a reversible toilet paper holder. The lock mechanism does not rely upon placing any forces on the wall or item to which it is mounted. The lock mechanism contains a lock housing in which a rotational lock moves the lock in and out of its locked position allowing the toilet paper roll to move from dispensing overhead to dispensing underneath.

Description

BACKGROUND

The art and literature are replete with publications trying to determine or establish whether toilet paper should dispense from the top of the roll or the bottom of the roll.

Rather than force a choice, some have invented devices that reverse the dispenser orientation without having to remove the roll, turn it over, and replace it.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,615 to Batts, Curtis L titled ROTATABLE PAPER ROLL HOLDER is one such invention. The patent discloses a specific adjustable angle coupling that secures a yoke to the mount assembly and permits rotation of the yoke about an axis directed orthogonally through a spindle such that the paper roll can be oriented either from over or from under the roll as desired. According to the patent, an individual desiring to rotate the yoke relative to the mount boss of the mount means can simply pull the yoke and associated axle 32 from the axle guide against a force of the spring so as to remove the projection from the detents, whereby rotation of the yoke can then be accomplished to position the paper roll in a desired location.

When reviewing FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,615 it is apparent that this applies a force which is pulling away from the wall to which the device is mounted. Over time this pulling force will weaken the mount, particularly when the wall is a dry-wall type wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,083,347 to Hahn, Andrew titled REVERSIBLE TOILET PAPER ROLL HOLDER is another such invention. This patent uses a compressible rod to lock the locking pin into a locking notch. To disengage the compressible rod is pulled against the spring and locking pin is lifted out of the locking notch and rotated.

When reviewing FIG. 2B of U.S. Pat. No. 11,083,347 it is apparent that this device also applies a force which is pulling away from the wall to which the device is mounted. Over time this pulling away from the wall will weaken the mount, particularly when the wall is a dry-wall type.

There exists therefore a different reversing mechanism for a reversible or rotatable toilet paper roll which does not create forces on the mount at the wall.

SUMMARY

This specification discloses a lock mechanism for a reversible toilet paper holder.

The lock mechanism can have a lock housing having a longitudinal axis intersecting with a roll holder mount opening on a first end and a wall mount opening on a second end opposite the first end.

It will also have a rotational lock having a lock head contact surface with at least a first indentation on a lock surface opposite the contact surface; with at least one lock configured to rest in the first indentation.

The specification further discloses that the lock mechanism will have a tension retainer having a tension member placing a force in the longitudinal direction on the at least one lock.

It is further disclosed that the lock mechanism may have a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface.

The roll holder mount opening is smaller than the wall mount opening.

The lock housing has an axial surface and a rotational surface with the rotation lock inside a lock housing cavity.

The lock housing and the tension retainer are configured so that the tension retainer does not rotate around the longitudinal axis or move along the longitudinal axis relative to the lock housing.

It is further disclosed that the tension retainer of an embodiment of the lock mechanism be of unitary construction having the lock and tension member as part of the unitary construction.

The lock mechanism may further comprises a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface.

The rotational lock may comprise a roll holder that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock.

This roll holder can have a first connection rod, a second connection rod and a holder rod with a tilt angle. This tilt angle may be in a range of 80 to 89 degrees.

The roll holder may have a limit rod with a limit rod length and a limit angle (Θ₂). This limit angle is preferably in the range of 100 degrees but less than 175 degrees and more preferably in the range of between 104 degrees and 116 degrees.

The limit rod length should be at least one quarter of an inch (0.64 cm).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the lock mechanism and roll holder.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the lock mechanism and roll holder.

FIG. 3A is a length side view of the tension retainer.

FIG. 3B is a back side view of the tension retainer.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the tension retainer.

FIG. 3D is perspective view of the front side of the tension retainer held between a thumb and finger.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the top side of the tension retainer held between a thumb and finger with an allen wrench turning a screw inside the tension retainer.

FIG. 3F is a perspective view of the back side of the tension retainer.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the lock housing.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of top side of the lock housing.

FIG. 5 is the assembled lock.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the internals of the lock.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the lock assembly and lock mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a mount mechanism mounted to a wall.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the wall plate.

FIG. 10 is the side view of the wall plate.

FIG. 11 is the back view of the wall plate assembled to the lock and roll holder.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the back of the wall plate.

FIG. 13 is a back view of the wall plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification discloses a novel lock mechanism for a rotatable or reversible paper roll holder which when assembled in use may comprise the following elements.

• • 10 is a lock assembly.
  • 20 is a roll dispenser assembly.
  • 100 is a lock housing.
  • 110 is a longitudinal axis of a lock housing.
  • 120 is a first end of the lock housing.
  • 122 is a roll holder mount opening.
  • 130 is a second end of the lock housing.
  • 132 is a wall mount opening.
  • 140 is an axial surface.
  • 145 is a rotational hole surface.
  • 150 is a rotational lock head cavity.
  • Θ is a mount angle.
  • 200 is a rotational lock.
  • 210 is a lock head surface.
  • 212 is an indentation in an embodiment having one indentation.
  • 212A is a first indentation.
  • 212B is a second indentation.
  • 220 is a lock head contact surface.
  • 230 is a rotational lock head.
  • 240 is a rotational lock shaft.
  • 250 are rotational lock shaft threads.
  • 280 is an opening to a hole through a tension retainer.
  • 281 is a crimp interlock affixing the tension retainer and the lock housing.
  • 290 is a lock rod.
  • 290A is a first lock.
  • 290B is a second lock.
  • 300 is a tension retainer.
  • 310A is a tension member.
  • 310B is a tension member.
  • 320 is a force.
  • 330 is a tension retainer cavity.
  • 330A is a tension retainer cavity.
  • 330B is a tension retainer cavity.
  • 340A is a lock cavity.
  • 340B is a lock cavity.
  • 350A is a tension retainer attachment hole.
  • 350B is a tension retainer attachment hole.
  • 360 are threads for a screw affixing a tension retainer and lock housing.
  • 365 is a screw affixing the tension retainer and the lock housing.
  • 370 is a lock side of the tension retainer.
  • 380 is a wall plate side of the tension retainer.
  • 390 are divots or indentations in the exterior edge of the tension retainer and form an alternate embodiment of affixing the tension retainer and the lock housing.
  • 400 is a wall plate.
  • 410 is a first wall plate surface.
  • 420 is a second wall plate surface.
  • 430A is a wall plate attachment hole.
  • 430B is a wall plate attachment hole.
  • 435A is a wall plate attachment screw.
  • 435B is a wall plate attachment screw.
  • 450 is a wall plate mount hole.
  • 455 is a wall plate mount screw.
  • 470 is a wall plate cavity.
  • 440 is an optional directional arrow(s).
  • 480 is an inside edge of the wall plate cavity.
  • 485 is an outer edge of the wall plate cavity.
  • 460 is a wall plate mount edge.
  • 500 is a roll holder.
  • 510 a connection shaft.
  • 520 a first connection rod.
  • 530 a second connection rod.
  • 540 a holder rod.
  • 550 a limit rod.
  • θ₂ is the limit angle.
  • Θ₃ is the tilt angle.
  • 600 is a connection mechanism of an embodiment.
  • 610 is a threaded bolt or rod.
  • 620 a threaded cavity.
  • 1000 is the wall mount.
  • 10100 is what the wall mount is attached to, such as a wall or stand.
  • 10110A is a first wall mount screw.
  • 10110B is a second wall mount screw.

As shown in FIG. 1 the lock mechanism (10) disclosed in this specification will have a lock housing (100). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with further detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lock housing is preferably a hollow cylinder with a roll holder mount opening (122) on a first end of the lock housing (120) and a wall mount opening (132) on a second end of the lock housing (130) opposite the first end. The lock housing will also have a longitudinal axis (110) intersecting the roll holder mount opening and the wall mount opening. The lock housing second end may not be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The intersection of longitudinal axis and the plane formed by the wall mount opening may have a mount angle (Θ). The mount angle determines the angle at which the dispenser hangs from the wall or stand. A 90 degree mount angle would stick straight out from the wall or mount. The minimum mount angle is determined by the size of roll of paper and the overall length of the dispenser. A preferred range for the mount angle is between 35 and 45 degrees.

The lock housing will further have an axial surface (140) and a rotational surface (145) and a rotational lock head cavity (150). The axial surface is at the bottom of the rotational lock head cavity which is where the rotational lock will reside. The rotational surface is the surface of the cylinder in which the rotational lock shaft will rotate inside the lock housing.

Also as shown in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism will have a rotational lock (200). The rotational lock will have a rotational lock head (230) with a lock head contact surface (220) with at least a first indentation (212A) on a lock head surface (210) opposite the lock head contact surface.

The rotational lock will also have a rotational lock shaft (240). In some embodiments that rotational lock shaft has threads around the outside forming an attachment bolt (250) and in some embodiments the rotational lock shaft has threads around a hole inside the rotational shaft forming an attachment nut. In this manner the roll holder can be attached to the rotational lock and the locking mechanism. The attachment could also be, and is not limited to, a press fit, welds, adhesives, crimps, to join the holder to the rotational shaft.

In another embodiment, the holder and the rotational lock are of a unitary construction with each other. This embodiment can be made by starting with a straight rod with one end having the rotational lock head (230) which is larger in circumference than the rod's circumference. There will be the lock head contact surface (220) with at least a first indentation (212A) on a lock head surface (210) opposite the lock head contact surface. The end of the rod opposite the rotational lock is slid into the lock housing (100) so that the axial surface of the lock housing keeps lock head from pulling through the lock housing. The holder is then bent into shape.

In one embodiment, the lock head contact surface of the rotational lock abuts, or is in contact with, an axial surface (140) of the lock housing, thus holding the rotational lock inside the lock housing. In another embodiment there may be a spacer between the axial surface of the lock housing and the lock head contact surface. For example, this spacer may be washer of nylon, or any shape that keeps the lock head contact surface from touching the axial surface of the made of rubber or other material which may absorb sound, shocks or provide a smoother or rougher surface to regulate the force used to rotate the holder.

There will also be at least one lock (290A in FIGS. 1 and 2) configured to nest in the first indentation (212A) of the rotational lock. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3B, and 6 the lock is a ball, preferably two balls. The balls will nest in the first and second indentations (212A and 212B). The lock could also be a cylinder or rod (e.g. a lock rod) (290 in FIG. 7) with only one indentation of a groove shape to accommodate the lock rod nesting in the groove as shown by 212 in FIG. 7.

In the case of multiple indentations, the indentations are preferably arranged so that an imaginary line passing through the indentations will pass through the center of the lock head contact surface which should be aligned withe the center of the lock housing and the tension retainer.

In the case of a single indentation to accommodate a lock which is a rod (a lock rod) or cylinder, the single indentation will have lay across the center of the lock head contact surface which should be aligned with the center of the lock housing and the tension retainer.

The lock mechanism relies upon the rotation of the lock head contact surface to push the lock (ball or round rod, e.g. a lock rod) back into the lock housing. Accordingly, the depth of the indentation in the lock head contact surface should be shallow enough so that the rotation force can push on the curved part of the lock to force lock away from the lock head contact surface, i.e. “roll” the lock out of the indentation and against the tension member (e.g. spring).

In the example of a ball (a sphere), the indention will preferably be a spherical cutout preferably having a radius slightly larger than the radius of the sphere Preferably the diameter of the circle on the lock head contact surface formed by the spherical cutout is less than diameter of the (sphere) ball.

In the example where the lock is a lock rod which has a length and diameter perpendicular to the length and an aspect ratio of the length to the diameter greater than 1.0, the indentation will be a rounded groove, preferably slightly longer than the length of the rod with the groove having a round radius slightly larger than the radius of the lock rod perpendicular to the lock rod's length. Like the indentation for the ball, the distance across the groove perpendicular to its length is preferably less than the diameter of the lock rod perpendicular to the lock rod's length.

As further shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A and 3F the lock mechanism will have a tension retainer (300) having a tension retainer cavity (330, 330A, 330B) for holding a tension member. The tension retainer will also have a lock side (370) and a wall plate side (380).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 the tension retainer will have at least one tension member (310A, 310B) which maintains a force on the at least one lock in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tension retainer. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the force (320) is pushing away from the wall. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A-3F show an embodiment where the lock is a separate component such as the ball. In an alternative embodiment such as that in FIG. 7, the lock and tension member are one piece, such as an injected molded plastic part with the tension member attached to the lock flexing in the longitudinal direction as the rotational lock rolls the lock out of the indentation and further into the tension retainer.

In this lock mechanism, the tension retainer is affixed (360, 365) to the lock housing so that the tension retainer does not rotate around the longitudinal axis of the lock housing or move along the longitudinal axis of the lock housing relative to the lock housing. In this manner the majority of the tension is kept inside the lock housing and very limited forces, if any, are placed upon the wall or the wall mount when the rotational lock rotates. This is the opposite of the prior art which requires pulling the lock mechanism away from the wall mount (FIG. 8, 1000).

There is a myriad of ways to configure the tension retainer and the lock housing so that the tension retainer and the lock housing are affixed so that the tension retainer does not rotate around the longitudinal axis of the lock housing or move along the longitudinal axis of the lock housing relative to the lock housing. FIG. 7 shows a crimp (281). FIG.1 shows the two screws or bolts 435A and 435B which pass through the wall plate and into 350A and 350B (FIG. 3A). If long enough, these screws will come out 350A and 350B and tighten against the lock housing inner wall thus affixing the lock housing and tension retainer. Alternatively, two sets of screws can be used in 350A and 350B as shown in FIG. 3E. The first screws can be a set screw that tightens against the lock housing. Wall plate mounting screws 435A and 435B can then be threaded in behind the set screws. It can be crimped or glued.

FIG. 3E shows divots or indentations (390) on the outside of the tension retainer. This alternate embodiments are for set screws which can be threaded from corresponding holes in the lock housing, thus affixing the lock housing and the tension retainer so that they do not rotate about the longitudinal axis or move in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

FIG. 8 shows a typical wall mount, well known in the art. In this example, the vertical member (10100) is attached to the wall mount via the wall mount screws (10110A and 10110B). As the vertical member is just a flat surface it is readily apparent that any flat surface would work such as a wall. The wall mount could equally be curved to wrap around a post.

The lock mechanism attaches to the wall mount via a wall plate (400). The detailed wall plate is shown in FIGS. 9A-9E. The wall plate with a first wall plate surface (410) and a second wall plate surface (420) opposite the first wall plate surface. The first wall plate surface is what abuts the tension retainer to hold the tension retainer inside the lock housing. The wall plate second surface is what faces the wall or item to which the lock mechanism is mounted.

In one embodiment wall plate with have at least a first attachment hole (430A). In another embodiment it will have a second attachment hole (430B).

In the embodiment show, the wall plate has a wall plate mounting hole (450). This hole is threaded to receive a screw that screws in between the wall mount and the wall or vertical member thus holding the wall plate to the wall.

The wall plate typically has a wall plate cavity (470) into which the wall mount resides. 480 is the inside edge of the wall plate cavity. 485 is the outer edge of the wall plant cavity. 460 is the wall plate mount edge. As shown in FIG. 9C there are attachment screws 435A and 435B passing through attachment holes 430A and 430B respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A-3C, 3E, these attachment screws pass through the wall plate and into 350A and 350B of the tension retainer. In so doing the wall plate is attached to the lock mechanism. The wall plate does not move relative to the lock housing because the tension retainer is affixed to the lock housing and the wall plate.

In the embodiment shown, the tension retainer is affixed to the lock housing via one screw and the wall plate is affixed to the tension retainer via a different screw. It is conceived that a single screw or crimp (281) could simultaneously affix both the wall plate and tension retainer to the lock housing. There is no requirement that the tension retainer be fixed to the lock housing in a manner different or different location from the manner and location in which the wall plate is affixed to the tension retainer.

At least one member of the group consisting of the lock housing, the tension member, and the wall plate is affixed to the other two members of the group. For example, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the tension retainer is affixed to the lock housing and the wall plate. In another embodiment, the lock housing could be affixed to the wall plate and the tension retainer. In another embodiment the wall plate could be affixed to the tension retainer and lock housing. In another embodiment, the lock housing, the wall plate and tension retainer could be affixed to each other. For example, a screw/bolt could run through the wall plate, through the tension retainer and thread into the lock housing, thus affixing all three with one element. The parts could also be welded together.

In essence, the lock housing, the tension retainer, and the optional wall plate are configured or engaged so that the tension retainer does not rotate around the longitudinal axis or move along the longitudinal axis relative to the lock housing.

Although not essential to the lock mechanism, the rotational shaft is connected to roll holder (500). The connection mechanism of this embodiment (600) is a threaded bolt (610) and threaded cavity (620) in the roll holder. In the embodiment show in FIGS. 1 and 2, the roll holder comprises the connection shaft (510), a first connection rod perpendicular (520) to the connection shaft, another second connection rod (530) perpendicular to the first connection rod and parallel with the connection shaft, and a holding rod (540) perpendicular to the second connection rod and parallel with the first connection rod. The holder rod has a limit rod (550) which shorter than the holder rod and is extends at a limit angle (Θ₂) from the holding rod. This limit rod is preferably in the plane formed by the holding rod and the second connection rod.

It has also been discovered that the inside angle, the tilt angle (Θ₃), formed by the second connection rod (530) and the holder rod (540) not be a right angle, but an acute angle which is less than 90 degrees. The preferred angle is in the range of 80 to 89 degrees. This slightly pushes the roll of toilet paper against connection rod (530) creating a drag on the toilet paper.

It has also been discovered that the limit angle (Θ₂) between the holder rod (540) and the limit rod (550) be at least 100 degrees but less than 175 degrees. A preferred range for the limit angle is between 104 degrees and 116 degrees.

The length of the limit rod, known as the limit rod length, is measured from the vertex of the limit angle (Θ₂) to the opposite end of the limit rod and is preferably at least a quarter of an inch (0.64 cm) with at least half an inch (1.3 cm) more preferred with at least three quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) even more preferred. Without the limit rod, the roll of paper will drop off the holder when turned.

The method of affixing in any of the above cases could be, but is not limited to, a crimp, adhesive, glue, friction, notches and ribs, a pin into a hole, a screw or both,

The wall plate is affixed to the tension retainer, holding the wall plate against the lock housing.

It should be noted that the roll holder mount opening is preferably smaller than the wall mount opening.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A lock mechanism for a reversible toilet paper holder comprising: a lock housing (130) having a longitudinal axis (110) intersecting with a roll holder mount opening (122) on a first end (120), a wall mount opening (132) on a second end (130) opposite the first end, a rotational lock head cavity (150);a rotational lock having a lock head (230) with a lock head contact surface (220) having at least a first indentation (212A) on a lock head surface (210) opposite the lock head contact surface;at least one lock (290A) configured to rest in the first indentation (212A);a tension retainer (300) having at least one tension member (310A) placing a force (320) on the at least one lock in a direction of the longitudinal axis;wherein the lock housing has an axial surface (140) and a rotational hole surface (145) with the rotational lock head (230) inside the rotational lock head cavity;with the at least one lock nested in the first indentation;wherein the lock housing and the tension retainer are configured so that the tension retainer and the lock housing do not rotate around the longitudinal axis or move along the longitudinal axis relative to the lock housing.

12. The lock mechanism of claim 11, wherein the tension retainer is of unitary construction having the lock and the tension member as part of the unitary construction.

13. The lock mechanism of claim 11 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface.

14. The lock mechanism of claim 12 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface.

15. The lock mechanism of claim 11 wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder (500) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock.

16. The lock mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder (500) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock.

17. The lock mechanism of claim 13 wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder (500) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock.

18. The lock mechanism of claim 14 wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder (500) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock.

19. The lock mechanism of claim 15 wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod (520), a second connection rod (530) and a holder rod (540) with a tilt angle (Θ3).

20. The lock mechanism of claim 16 wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod (520), a second connection rod (530) and a holder rod (540) with a tilt angle (Θ3).

21. The lock mechanism of claim 17 wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod (520), a second connection rod (530) and a holder rod (540) with a tilt angle (Θ3).

22. The lock mechanism of claim 18 wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod (520), a second connection rod (530) and a holder rod (540) with a tilt angle (Θ3).

23. The lock mechanism of claim 19, wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees.

24. The lock mechanism of claim 20, wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees.

25. The lock mechanism of claim 21, wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees.

26. The lock mechanism of claim 22, wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees.

27. The lock mechanism of claim 18, wherein the roll holder has a limit rod (550) with a limit rod length and a limit angle (Θ2).

28. The lock mechanism of claim 22, wherein the roll holder has a limit rod (550) with a limit rod length and a limit angle (Θ2).

29. The lock mechanism of claim 27 wherein the limit angle is in the range of 100 degrees but less than 175 degrees.

30. The lock mechanism of claim 28 wherein the limit angle is between 104 degrees and 116 degrees.