| |
| United States Patent
|
6,056,233 |
| Von Schenk |
May 2, 2000 |
Protective housing for bathroom toilet paper
Abstract
A cover system for toilet paper to protect the toilet paper from
dispersal by children and pets comprising a wall-mounted plastic
casing completely covering upper and lower rolls of paper. The upper
and lower rolls are covered by respective upper and lower swivelable
covers, each having a safety latch system. Each safety latch system
includes a pair of button-releasable latches with one button on each
side of the casing and each cover may be released only by pushing
both such buttons at the same time. The covers are light permeable
and night lights may be mounted to the inside of the casing or as
part of each holder going through each toilet paper roll.
| Inventors: |
Von Schenk; David R.
(Coon Rapids, MN) |
| Appl. No.:
|
09/072,648 |
| Filed: |
May 5, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
743014 |
Nov., 1996 |
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| Current U.S.
Class: |
242/594.5
; 242/598.5; 242/598.6; 242/599; 242/599.1; 312/34.21;
312/34.8 |
| Current
International Class: |
A47K
10/24 (20060101); A47K 10/40 (20060101); B65H 016/02 ();
B65H 018/02 (); B65H 049/38 (); B65H 075/18 () |
| Field of
Search: |
242/905,594.5,599.1,598.6,599,598.5,597.8,596.8
312/34.1,34.7,34.8,34.21,34.22,324,245 60/519 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Stodola; Daniel P.
Assistant Examiner: Strimbu; Gregory J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
08/743,014, filed Nov. 01, 1996, abandoned in favor of this
application.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cover system for at least one roll of toilet paper comprising,
in combination:
a. frame means, having a first side and a second side, for partially
enclosing and removably holding, within an interior thereof, the at
least one roll of toilet paper for dispensing;
b. attachment means for attaching said frame means to a bathroom
structure;
c. swivelably attached to said frame means, at least two swivelable
cover means for closing off the interior of the frame means for
preventing the dispensing of the at least one roll of toilet paper
when in a closed position, said at least two cover means are
pivotable in opposing directions between said closed position and an
open position, said at least two cover means and said frame means,
together, fully enclose the at least one roll of toilet paper when
said at least two cover means are in the closed position;
d. latch means for holding each said cover means in said closed
position; and
e. latch release means for user release of each said latch means;
f. spindle support means directly attached to said first and second
sides of said frame means for supporting a toilet paper spindle.
2. A cover system according to claim 1 wherein each of said latch
release means comprises:
a. a pair of user-operable latch releases structured and arranged
for user release of a respective one of said latch means only when
both of said user-operable latch releases are user-operated at the
same time.
3. A cover system according to claim 2 wherein for each said pair of
user-operable latch releases one of said user-operable latch
releases is located on said first side of said frame means, and the
other of said user-operable latch releases is located on said second
side of said frame means.
4. A cover system according to claim 2 wherein each of said pair of
said user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to a
respective one of said cover means.
5. A cover system according to claim 1 wherein each of said cover
means comprises:
a. a cylindrically shaped structure having a first straight portion,
a second straight portion, and, between said first and second
straight portions, a concave portion;
b. wherein said first straight portion is swivelably connected to
said frame means and said second straight portion is detachably
connected with said frame means by a respective one of said latch
means.
6. A cover system according to claim 5 wherein each of said cover
means is light-permeable.
7. A cover system according to claim 6, further comprising lighting
means for providing a light source situate within said interior of
said frame means.
8. A cover system according to claim 7 wherein said light source is
supported by said frame means.
9. A cover system according to claim 7 further comprising:
a. said toilet paper spindle being mounted within said interior of
said frame means for internally supporting said toilet paper roll
along a central axis of said toilet paper roll;
b. wherein said light source is supported by said toilet paper
spindle.
10. A cover system according to claim 7 wherein each of said latch
release means comprises:
a. a pair of user-operable latch releases structured and arranged
for user release of a respective one of said latch means only when
both of said user-operable latch releases are user-operated at the
same time.
11. A cover system according to claim 10 wherein for each of said
pair of user-operable latch releases one of said user-operable latch
releases is located on said first side of said frame means, and the
other of said user-operable latch releases is located on said second
side of said frame means.
12. A housing for protecting a pair of rolls of toilet paper from
dispersal by children and pets, said housing comprising:
a. a normally-vertical planar back portion having attachment means
for attaching said back portion to a bathroom structure;
b. a pair of normally-vertical planar side portions attached to said
planar back portion, each extending from said planar back portion at
about a right angle with respect to said planar back portion,
i. said pair of said planar side portions comprising spindle support
means directly attached thereto for supporting a toilet paper
spindle;
c. a normally-horizontal planar base portion attached to an inner
surface of each of said planar side portions about midway between a
top and a bottom of each of said portions, said base portion
substantially spanning a distance between said planar side portions;
d. a first cover, having an open position and a closed position,
swivelably connected to a top of said planar back portion and
structured and arranged to be detachably latched in said closed
position of said first cover; and
e. a second cover, having an open position and a closed position,
swivelably connected to a bottom of said planar back portion and
structured and arranged to be detachably latched in said closed
position of said second cover;
f. said housing being structured and arranged so that, when both
said first and second covers are in a respective said closed
position, said housing fully encloses the pair of rolls of toilet
paper and prevents a dispensing of the toilet paper from the pair of
rolls of toilet paper.
13. A housing according to claim 12 further comprising:
a. a first pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said first cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said first cover; and
b. a second pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said second cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said second cover;
c. each said pair of user-operable latch releases being structured
and arranged for user release of a respective said cover only when
both of said latch releases are user-operated at the same time.
14. A housing according to claim 13 wherein:
a. one of said first pair of said user-operable latch releases is
located on one of said planar side portions, and the other one of
said first pair of said user-operable latch releases is located on
the other one of said planar side portions; and
b. one of said second pair of said user-operable latch releases is
located on said one of said planar side portions, and the other one
of said second pair of said user-operable latch releases is located
on said other one of said planar side portions.
15. A housing according to claim 14 wherein each said user-operable
latch release is operated by pressing a button.
16. A housing according to claim 13 wherein said first pair of
user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to said first
cover, and said second pair of user-operable latch releases is
integrally attached to said second cover.
17. A housing according to claim 12 wherein said covers are
light-permeable.
18. A housing according to claim 17 further comprising a light
source situate within said housing.
19. A housing according to claim 18 wherein said light source is
supported by said back portion and said base portion.
20. A housing according to claim 18 further comprising:
a. said toilet paper spindle mounted within said housing for
supporting one of the pair of rolls toilet paper along a central
axis of the one of the pair of rolls toilet paper;
b. wherein said light source is supported by said toilet paper
spindle.
21. A housing according to claim 18 further comprising:
a. a first pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said first cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said first cover; and
b. a second pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said second cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said second cover;
c. each said pair of user-operable latch releases being structured
and arranged for user release of a respective said cover only when
both of said latch releases are user-operated at the same time.
22. A housing according to claim 21 wherein said first pair of said
user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to said first
cover, and said second pair of said user-operable latch releases is
integrally attached to said second cover.
23. A housing for protecting a pair of rolls of toilet paper from
dispersal by children and pets, said housing comprising:
a. a normally-vertical planar back portion having attachment means
for attaching said back portion to a bathroom structure;
b. a pair of normally-vertical planar side portions each attached to
said back portion, each extending from said back portion at about a
right angle with respect to said back portion, and said planar side
portions being separated by a separation distance,
i. said pair of planar side portions comprising spindle support
means directly attached therto for supporting a toilet paper
spindle;
c. a normally-horizontal divider portion having a bottom surface and
being slidably attached to an inner surface of each of said planar
side portions about midway between a top and a bottom of each of
said planar side portions, said divider portion being structured and
arranged to span said separation distance between said planar side
portions;
d. divider support means, integrally attached to each of said planar
side portions, for supporting said divider portion;
e. a first cover, having an open position and a closed position,
swivelably connected to a top of said planar back portion and
structured and arranged to be detachably latched in said closed
position of said first cover; and
f. a second cover, having an open position and a closed position,
swivelably connected to a bottom of said planar back portion and
structured and arranged to be detachably latched in said closed
position of said second cover;
g. said housing being structured and arranged so that, when both
said first and second covers are in a respective said closed
position, said housing fully encloses said pair of rolls of toilet
paper and prevents a dispensing of the toilet paper from the pair of
rolls of toilet paper.
24. A housing according to claim 23 further comprising:
a. a first pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said first cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said first cover; and
b. a second pair of user-operable latch releases structured and
arranged for user release of said second cover when detachably
latched in said closed position of said second cover;
c. each said pair of user-operable latch releases being structured
and arranged for user release of a respective said cover only when
both of said latch releases are user-operated at the same time.
25. A housing according to claim 24 further comprising a lateral
support portion:
a. attached to said inner surfaces of said planar side portions, and
b. normally adjacent to said bottom surface of said divider portion.
26. A housing according to claim 25 wherein a light source is
supported by said divider portion.
27. A roll holder for supporting a roll of toilet paper comprising,
in combination:
a. a cylindrical inner plunger having an outer surface and having an
inner plunger cavity, said inner plunger cavity having an
substantially open plunger first end and a substantially closed
plunger second end;
b. a cylindrical outer housing having a closed housing first end and
having an outer housing cavity therein, said outer housing cavity
slidably engaging said outer surface of said inner plunger;
c. a lighting means for illuminating said roll holder;
d. a power means, disposed within said inner plunger cavity, for
supplying electric power to said lighting means;
e. a removable capping means for closing said substantially open
first end of said inner plunger cavity; and
f. a compressible urging means for urging said plunger second end
away from said housing first end;
g. wherein said inner plunger and said outer housing are structured
and arranged to provide support along a central axis of said roll of
toilet paper.
28. A roll holder according to claim 27 wherein said lighting means
comprises light emitting diodes attached adjacent said first end and
adjacent said second end of said inner plunger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a cover system for toilet paper
dispensing. More particularly, this invention concerns a novel cover
to protect the toilet paper from dispersal by children and pets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, in households with small children and/or pets, the
homemaker is plagued by such children or pets pulling toilet paper
out of the roll in a bathroom and leaving the pulled toilet paper in
a mess all over the bathroom. This is both an inconvenience and a
costly waste of toilet paper. Thus, there is an unmet need for an
efficient and inexpensive system for restricting access to such
rolls in such manner as to protect such toilet paper from dispersal
by children and pets. And such need has not been met in a form
including the providing of a bathroom night light and a housing
providing child-protected entry.
Prior art attempts have been made to provide paper dispensers with a
housing. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,844,368 and 2,722,387
disclose paper dispensers which provide a housing to facilitate
dispensing at least one roll of paper. Though such devices may be
adequate for their intended purpose, neither is adequate, e.g.,
neither teaches a cover system for paper dispensing which is
designed to fully enclose both the paper rolls, including the paper
roll free end, when the paper is not in use. For example, both
patents teach paper dispenser systems which allow for exposure of
the free end of the paper roll when the paper is not in use thereby
making the paper roll vulnerable to dispersion by pets and small
children.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned needs by the provision of a cover system for toilet
paper dispensing. A further primary object of the present invention
is to provide such a system which is efficient, inexpensive, and
handy. In addition, it is a primary object of this invention to
provide such a system in connection with, and making use of, a novel
cover to protect the toilet paper from dispersal by children and
pets. Other objects of this invention will become apparent with
reference to the following invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a cover system for toilet paper dispensing
comprising, in combination: frame means, having a first side and a
second side, for partially enclosing and removably holding a roll of
toilet paper for dispensing; attachment means for attaching such
frame means to a bathroom structure; attached to such frame means,
swivelable cover means for selectively completing full enclosing of
such roll of toilet paper; latch means for holding such cover means
closed; and latch release means for user release of such latch
means. And it provides such a cover system for toilet paper
dispensing wherein such latch release means comprises: a pair of
user-operable latch releases structured and arranged for user
release of such latch means only when both of such user-operable
latch releases are user-operated at the same time. And, further, it
provides such a cover system for toilet paper dispensing wherein one
of such user-operable latch releases is located on such first side
of such frame means, and one of such user-operable latch releases is
located on such second side of such frame means. And, still further,
it provides such a cover system for toilet paper dispensing wherein
such pair of such user-operable latch releases is integrally
attached to such cover means.
Moreover, this invention provides such a cover system for toilet
paper dispensing wherein such cover means comprises: a cylinder
having a first end line straight portion, a second end line straight
portion, and, between such first and second end line straight
portions, a concave portion normally positioned adjacent a roll of
toilet paper; wherein such first end line straight portion is
swivelably connected to such frame means and such second end line
frame portion is detachably connected with such frame means by such
latch means. Also, this invention provides such cover system for
toilet paper dispensing wherein such cover means is light-permeable.
Yet further, this invention provides such a cover system further
comprising lighting means for providing a light source situate
within an enclosure formed by such frame means and such swivelable
cover means. Additionally, it provides such a cover system for
toilet paper dispensing wherein such light source is supported by
such frame means. And, it provides such a cover system for toilet
paper dispensing further comprising: toilet-paper-roll-support
means, mounted within such enclosure, for internally supporting such
toilet paper roll along a central axis of such toilet paper roll;
wherein such light source is supported by such
toilet-paper-roll-support means. And, further, it provides such a
cover system wherein such latch release means comprises: a pair of
user-operable latch releases structured and arranged for user
release of such latch means only when both of such user-operable
latch releases are user-operated at the same time. And, further
still, it provides such cover system for toilet paper dispensing
wherein one of such user-operable latch releases is located on such
first side of such frame means, and one of such user-operable latch
releases is located on such second side of such frame means.
Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this
invention provides a housing for protecting a pair of rolls of
toilet paper from dispersal by children and pets, such housing
comprising: a normally-vertical planar back portion having
attachment means for attaching such housing to a bathroom structure;
a pair of normally-vertical planar side portions attached to such
planar back portion, each extending from such planar back portion at
about a right angle, such planar side portions comprising a first
planar side portion and a second planar side portion; and such pair
of such planar side portions being constructed and arranged for
supporting a pair of toilet paper rolls; a normally-horizontal base
portion attached to an inner surface of each respective such planar
side portion about midway from a top of each such side portion to a
bottom of each such side portion; a first cover portion, having an
open position and a closed position, swivelably connected to a top
of such planar back portion and structured and arranged to be
detachably latched at such closed position of such first cover
portion; and a second cover portion, having an open position and a
closed position, swivelably connected to a bottom of such planar
back portion and structured and arranged to be detachably latched at
such closed position of such second cover portion; such housing
being structured and arranged so that, when both such first and
second cover portions are at their closed positions, such housing
would fully enclose a such pair of toilet paper rolls.
Yet further, this invention provides such a housing further
comprising: a first pair of user-operable latch releases structured
and arranged for user release of such first cover portion when
detachably latched at such closed position of such first pair of
such user-operable latch releases; and a second pair of
user-operable latch releases structured and arranged for user
release of such second cover portion when detachably latched at such
closed position of such second pair of such user-operable latch
releases; each such respective pair of user-operable latch releases
being structured and arranged for user release of a respective such
cover portion only when both of such respective pair are
user-operated at the same time. And it provides such a housing
according to claim 13 wherein one of such first pair of such
user-operable latch releases is located on such first planar side
portion, and one of such first pair of such user-operable latch
releases is located on such second planar side portion; and one of
such second pair of such user-operable latch releases is located on
such first planar side portion, and one of such second pair of such
user-operable latch releases is located on such second planar side
portion. It also provides such a housing wherein such first pair of
user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to such first
cover means, and such second pair of user-operable latch releases is
integrally attached to such second cover means. Further, it provides
such a housing wherein such cover portions are light-permeable; and,
moreover, further comprising a light source situate within such
housing; and, further, such a housing wherein such light source is
supported by such back portion and such base portion.
Yet further, it provides such a housing further comprising
toilet-paper-roll-support means for internally supporting a such
toilet paper roll along a central axis of such toilet paper roll;
wherein such light source is supported by such
toilet-paper-roll-support means. Additionally, it provides such a
housing further comprising: a first pair of user-operable latch
releases structured and arranged for user release of such first
cover portion when detachably latched at such closed position of
such first pair of such user-operable latch releases; and a second
pair of user-operable latch releases structured and arranged for
user release of such second cover portion when detachably latched at
such closed position of such second pair of such user-operable latch
releases; each such respective pair of user-operable latch releases
being structured and arranged for user release of a respective such
cover portion only when both of such respective pair are
user-operated at the same time. Yet additionally, it provides such a
housing according to Claim 13 wherein: one of such first pair of
such user-operable latch releases is located on such first planar
side portion, and one of such first pair of such user-operable latch
releases is located on such second planar side portion; and one of
such second pair of such user-operable latch releases is located on
such first planar side portion, and one of such second pair of such
user-operable latch releases is located on such second planar side
portion. And, it provides such a housing wherein each such
user-operable latch release is operated by pressing a button. And,
further still, this invention provides such a cover system wherein
such first pair of such user-operable latch releases is integrally
attached to such first cover portion, and such second pair of such
user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to such second
cover portion.
Additionally still, according to a preferred embodiment thereof,
this invention provides a housing for protecting a pair of rolls of
toilet paper from dispersal by children and pets, such housing
comprising: a normally-vertical planar back portion having
attachment means for attaching such housing to a bathroom structure;
a pair of normally-vertical planar side portions each attached to
such back portion, each extending from such back portion at about a
right angle, and each of such planar side portions being separated
by a separation distance, such pair of planar side portions being
constructed and arranged for supporting a pair of rolls of toilet
paper; a normally-horizontal divider portion having a bottom surface
and being slidably attached to an inner surface, respectively, of
each such planar side portion about midway from a top of each such
planar side portion to a bottom of each such planar side portion,
such divider portion being structured and arranged to span such
separation distance between such planar side portions; divider
support means, integrally attached to each such planar side portion,
for supporting such divider portion; a first cover portion, having
an open position and a closed position, swivelably connected to a
top of such planar back portion and structured and arranged to be
detachably latched at such closed position of such first cover
portion; and a second cover portion, having an open position and a
closed position, swivelably connected to a bottom of such planar
back portion and structured and arranged to be detachably latched at
such closed position of such second cover portion; such housing
being structured and arranged so that, when both such first and
second cover portions are at the respective such closed positions,
such housing fully encloses such pair of rolls of toilet paper.
Additionally, this invention provides a housing further comprising:
a first pair of user-operable latch releases structured and arranged
for user release of such first cover portion when detachably latched
at such closed position of such first pair of such user-operable
latch releases; and a second pair of user-operable latch releases
structured and arranged for user release of such second cover
portion when detachably latched at such closed position of such
second pair of such user-operable latch releases; each such
respective pair of user-operable latch releases being structured and
arranged for user release of a respective such cover portion only
when both of such respective pair are user-operated at the same
time. Further, this invention provides such a housing further
comprising a lateral support portion: attached to each such
respective inner surface of each respective such planar side
portion, and normally adjacent to such bottom surface of such
divider portion; and, moreover, wherein a light source is supported
by such divider portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
system of the present invention, specifically illustrating a covered
and enclosed double toilet paper roll holder with light.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the enclosed double toilet paper
roll holder with top cover open.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the enclosed double toilet paper
roll holder with bottom cover open.
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the enclosed double toilet
paper roll holder.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view, partially in section, at the
toilet paper rolls, of the enclosed double toilet paper roll holder,
further showing a preferred embodiment for lighting in the present
system.
FIG. 6 is a left side cross-section (at the midsection) elevation
view of the enclosed double toilet paper roll holder of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a light assembly according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the latch, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view of the latch of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional longitudinal view of an illuminated
roll shaft, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of the latch, according to
another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the enclosed double toilet
paper roll holder, according to another preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 14 is a left side cross-section (at the midsection) elevation
view of the enclosed double toilet paper roll holder of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a perspective partially exploded view of the enclosed
double toilet paper roll holder specifically illustrating the
placement of the removable divider.
FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a light assembly according
to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an
enclosed double toilet paper roll holder according to the present
invention embodied by roll holder 20 which is mounted to bathroom
wall 21. The roll holder 20 provides a holding means for two toilet
paper rolls 22 within two fully enclosed and separate compartments,
an upper compartment 23 and a lower compartment 24. The roll holder
20 incorporates two covers, a top cover 25 and a bottom cover 26, of
which either may be respectively opened for access to the toilet
paper rolls 22 within the respective upper or lower compartments 23
or 24. When both the top cover 25 and the bottom cover 26 are
closed, the toilet paper rolls 22 within the upper compartment 23
and the lower compartment 24 are not accessible for use. Neither the
top cover 25 nor the bottom cover 26 may be opened until the
appropriate and corresponding pair of latch buttons 27 or 28 are
depressed at the same time, releasing the internal latches which
prevent the top cover 25 or the bottom cover 26 from being opened.
This feature (that a pair of user-operable latch releases is herein
structured and arranged for user release of such latch means only
when both of such pair are user-operated at the same time) is
greatly appreciated by those households who have been plagued by
small children and/or pets pulling and leaving the pulled toilet
paper in a mess all over the bathroom. This is both an inconvenience
and a costly waste of toilet paper. The knowledge and dexterity
required to operate the latch buttons 27 or 28 and then open either
the top cover 25 or the bottom cover 26, prevents the very young
child or pet from gaining access to the toilet paper roll 22;
whereas a child with maturity and beyond the age of unwanted pulling
of the toilet paper, can easily open the top cover 25 or the bottom
cover 26 for access to the toilet paper rolls 22. In addition to
providing the desired security, covering of the normally exposed
toilet paper roll 22 adds an attractive appearance to the roll
holder 20. Additionally, the roll holder 20 incorporates interior
illumination as is described in FIGS. 4-7. The roll holder 20,
including the top cover 25 and bottom cover 26 is constructed of
plastic materials, which are preferably transparent or
semi-transparent, providing a controlled interior view as well as
allowing the interior lighting to serve as a night light for the
bathroom.
In FIGS. 2 and 3, the roll holder 20 is shown in perspective views
with covers open and the toilet paper roll 22 accessible for use.
FIG. 2 illustrates the top cover 25 of the roll holder 20 in an open
position, exposing the interior of the upper compartment 23 and
providing access to
the toilet paper roll 22 within that upper compartment 23. The frame
means of this invention for partially enclosing and removably
holding a roll of toilet paper for dispensing is embodied herein by
the housing 30 of the roll holder 20. The top cover 25, embodying
the swivelable cover means of this invention for selectively
completing full enclosing of such roll of toilet paper, is attached
to the housing 30 of the roll holder 20 with a first horizontal
hinge 31 located near the top rearward (near the wall) corner of the
housing 30. The housing 30 is comprised of a vertical back plate 32,
two vertical side plates 33, and a horizontal base plate 34 dividing
the housing 30 into the upper compartment 23 and the lower
compartment 24. Before the top cover 25 can be swung upward to an
open position, two upper latches 35 (embodying herein a first pair
of user-operable latch releases structured and arranged for user
release of such first cover portion when detachably latched at such
closed position of such first pair of such user-operable latch
releases), which are operated by the corresponding latch buttons 27,
must be actuated so that they release their engagement of the two
latch slots 36 of top cover 25. Upper latches 35, embodying the
latch means of this invention for holding such cover means closed,
are attached to the side plates 33 within the upper compartment 23.
Upper latches 35 include latch release means for user release of
such latch means, embodied by the latch buttons 27 which protrude to
the exterior of the side plates 33 through upper holes 37. When the
top cover 25 is lowered to its closed position, latch slots 36 of
the top cover 25 are self-engaging with the upper latches 35.
As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom cover 26 functions in the same manner
as the top cover 25 as previously detailed in FIG. 2. The bottom
cover 26 swings downward, rotating about the second horizontal hinge
40 located at the bottom rear corner of the housing 30. Latch
buttons 28 are operable through lower holes 41 for disengaging lower
latches 42 from latch slots 43 of the bottom cover 26. Lower latches
42 (embodying herein a second pair of user-operable latch releases
structured and arranged for user release of such second cover
portion when detachably latched at such closed position of such
second pair of such user-operable latch releases) are attached to
the side plates 33 within the lower compartment 24. When latch
buttons 28 are depressed, the bottom cover 26 is unlatched, and it
may be opened downward, exposing the lower compartment 24, allowing
access the toilet paper roll 22 contained within. Upon raising the
bottom cover 26 to close the lower compartment 24, latch slots 43
engage with the two lower latches 42, locking the bottom cover 26 in
its closed position. It is seen that, according to a preferred
embodiment of this invention, each such respective pair of
user-operable latch releases being structured and arranged for user
release of a respective such cover portion only when both of such
respective pair are user-operated at the same time.
The components of the roll holder 20 are illustrated in the
perspective exploded view of FIG. 4. The housing 30 is the main
structure to which the remaining components are attached. The
housing 30 consists of: a normally-vertical planar back portion,
embodied herein by vertical back plate 32; a pair of
normally-vertical planar side portions attached to such back
portion, each such side portion extending from such back portion at
about a right angle and each of such planar side portions being
separated by a separation distance, such pair of planar side
portions being constructed and arranged for supporting a pair of
toilet paper rolls, said side portions being embodied herein by two
side plates 33 extending forward from both the left and right sides
of the vertical back plate 32; and a normally-horizontal base
portion attached to an inner surface of each such side portion about
midway from the top of each such side portion to the bottom of each
such side portion, such base portion being embodied herein by base
plate 34. The base plate 34 spans horizontally between the side
plates 33 and the vertical back plate 32, at a mid-height position,
and divides the roll holder 20 into the equally sized upper and
lower compartments 23 and 24. The vertical back plate 32 contains
four screw slots 44, one near each corner, for attachment to the
bathroom wall 21 with four screws 45. On each side plate 33, near
the upper and lower rear corners are hinge holes 46 for first and
second horizontal hinges, 31 and 40, of top and bottom covers 25 and
26. On each side plate 33 above the base plate 34 is an upper hole
37 for latch buttons 27 of upper latches 35. Also on each side plate
33, below the base plate 34, is a lower hole 41 for a latch button
28 of lower latch 42. Within both the upper compartment 23 and the
lower compartment 24, on each side plate 33, and centrally located,
are circular protruding sockets 47 for the holding of the toilet
paper rolls 22 on roll shafts 50. Each roll shaft 50 is of the
common spring extending type for holding a toilet paper roll in
position between opposing sockets. A first cover portion, having an
open position and a closed position, swivelably connected to a top
of such planar back portion and structured and arranged to be
detachably latched at such closed position of such first cover
portion, is embodied herein by top cover 25. The top cover 25
pivotally attaches to the housing 30 at the first horizontal hinge
31. This is accomplished with a stub shaft 51 extending outward from
either side of the top cover 25 for mating with hinge holes 46 of
the housing 30.
In like manner the bottom cover 26 (embodying a second cover
portion, having an open position and a closed position, swivelably
connected to a bottom of such planar back portion and structured and
arranged to be detachably latched at such closed position of such
second cover portion) incorporates a stub shaft 51, on either side,
for pivoting within the hinge holes 46 of the housing 30 in
establishing the second horizontal hinge 40. The top cover 25
incorporates latch slots 36 on each side for engaging with upper
latches 35. Likewise, latch slots 43 are incorporated on either side
of the bottom cover 26 for engagement with lower latches 42. An
upper latch 35 is located on either side of the upper compartment 23
and attached to the inside of each side plate 33. The latch button
27 of each upper latch 35 extends through each side plate 33 at the
upper hole 37. The lower latches 42 are attached to both side plates
33, in the lower compartment 24 below the base plate 34 with their
latch buttons 28 projecting through the lower holes 41 of the side
plates 33. Thus, it is seen that, as shown, the cover means of this
invention comprises a cylinder as defined in the Random House
Unabridged Dictionary (1969) as: "A surface or solid bounded by two
parallel planes and generated by a straight line moving parallel to
the given planes and tracing a curve bounded by the planes and lying
in a plane perpendicular or oblique to the given planes." As shown
best in FIG. 2, the cylinder comprises a first end line straight
portion, a second end line straight portion, and, between such first
and second end line straight portions, a concave portion normally
positioned adjacent a such roll of toilet paper; wherein such first
end line straight portion is swivelably connected to such frame
means and such second end line frame portion is detachably connected
with such frame means by such latch means.
Additionally, positioned in the adjoining corners of the vertical
back plate 32 and the base plate 34 of the housing 30, in both the
upper compartment 23 and the lower compartment 24 are two light
assemblies 52. The light assemblies 52 are further described in
FIGS. 5-7.
A front view of the housing 30 of the roll holder 20 is shown in
FIG. 5. The vertical back plate 32 of the housing 30 contains four
screw slots 44 for attachment to a bathroom wall. On each side of
the housing 30 is a side plate 33. Adjoining the side plates 33 and
the vertical back plate 32, at mid height, is the base plate 34,
which divides the roll holder 20 into the upper and lower
compartments 23 and 24. Within each of the upper and lower
compartments 23 and 24 is a roll shaft 50 which is supported at both
ends with protruding sockets 47 on each side plate 33. Shown with
dotted lines is a toilet paper roll 22 positioned on the roll shaft
50 within the lower compartment 24. At the top of the roll holder 20
is, shown in cross section, the top cover 25 at the location of the
first horizontal hinge 31. A stub shaft 51 is located on each side
of the top cover 25 for pivoting within the hinge holes 46 located
on the side plates 33. Thus, it is seen that, according to a
preferred embodiment of this invention, such housing is structured
and arranged so that, when both such first and second cover portions
are at their closed positions, such housing would fully enclose a
such pair of toilet paper rolls.
At the rear of each of the upper compartment 23 and lower
compartment 24, at the adjoining corners where the base plate 34
intersects the vertical back plate 32 is a light assembly 52. The
light assemblies 52 illuminate respectively the upper and lower
compartment 23 and 24; and, additionally, since the housing 30 is
preferably made of transparent plastic, may serve as a bathroom
night light. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention,
at a minimum, at least the cover means of this invention is
light-permeable.
In FIG. 6 a cross-section elevation view shows the right side
interior of the roll holder 20. The toilet paper rolls 22, shown by
dotted lines, are centrally positioned within the upper and lower
compartments 23 and 24. An upper latch 35, attached to the side
plates 33, is shown latching the top cover 25 closed at the latch
slot 36 of the top cover 25. In the same manner, a lower latch 42,
within the lower compartment 24, engages with the latch slot 43 of
the bottom cover 26. The two light assemblies 52 may be retained
within the housing 30 with protruding bumps 53 on the vertical back
plate 32 and the base plate 34. This allows for the light assemblies
52 to be removed and replaced for maintenance.
A perspective view of the rear of a light assembly 52 is shown in
FIG. 7. The light assembly 52 consists of a transparent plastic lens
54 with an integral LED light and well-known circuitry 55 and
containment for a replaceable AA size battery 56.
Details of an upper latch 35 are shown in perspective in FIG. 8 and
in plan view in FIG. 9. Configuration and operation of the lower
latches 42 is identical. Upper latch 35 is constructed of a flat
strip of spring steel and formed to a shape to provide a stationary
end 57, an engagement end 58, and a button location 59. The latch's
35 stationary end 57 is permanently attached to the side plate 33 of
the housing 30 by any suitable means such as integral molding,
adhesives, rivets. etc. Integral with the upper latch 35, and at the
button location 59 is latch button 27. Latch button 27 protrudes
through the upper hole 37 of the side plate 33. The engagement end
58 of upper latch 35 engages with the latch slot 36 of top cover 25.
The top cover 25 remains latched closed until the upper latches 35
are actuated by the user. Depressing the latch buttons 27 deflects
the upper latches 35 until the engagement ends 58 no longer engage
the latch slots 36 and the top cover 25 can then be opened.
An alternate embodiment of the light assembly is shown in a
cross-sectional longitudinal view in FIG. 10. An illuminating roll
shaft 65 is detailed. The basic construction which is typical and
common with spring extended roll shafts is retained and a lighting
means is incorporated. The inner plunger 66 and outer housing 67,
having a housing cavity 67A therein, are made from transparent
plastic to allow light transmission from the light source within.
The inner plunger 66 contains a cavity 68 for containment of
standard AA size batteries 56 (embodying herein a power means,
disposed within such inner plunger cavity, for supplying electric
power to such lighting means) and the cavity 68 is accessed through
removal of the threaded cap 69 (embodying herein a removable capping
means for closing such open first end of such inner plunger cavity).
The threaded cap 69 is attached, preferably by a threaded
attachment, to the inner plunger substantially open first end 66A as
shown. The inner plunger 66 and its threaded cap 69 contain an
integral LED 70 (embodying herein a lighting means for illuminating
such roll holder) along with the necessary circuit components.
Disposed within the housing cavity 67A is a helical spring 71
(embodying herein a compressible urging means for urging such
plunger second end away from such housing first end) which is used
to provide a means to removably attach the roll shaft 65 to a
conventional toilet paper roll shaft holder (not shown). Thus, as
shown, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, it
provides a toilet-paper-roll-support means for internally supporting
a such toilet paper roll along a central axis of such toilet paper
roll; wherein a light source is supported by such
toilet-paper-roll-support means.
An alternate preferred embodiment of the method of latching the top
cover 25 is shown in a cross-sectional plan view in FIG. 11 and in
perspective in FIG. 12. According to this embodiment, the top cover
25 is provided with a pair of upper latching tabs 60 which are
integrally formed as part of the top cover 25. This arrangement
embodies herein an arrangement wherein such first pair of such
user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to such first
cover portion. Each upper latching tab 60 comprises an elongated bar
portion 61 having a first end 62. Integrally affixed adjacent to the
first end 62 of each elongated bar portion 61 is a tab button 63.
The tab button 63 is structured and arranged to protrude through
corresponding tab slots 64 which are formed in each side plate 33.
When the top cover 25 is lowered to its closed position, each tab
button 63 engages a corresponding tab slot 64 thereby preventing the
top cover 25 from opening. Depressing each upper latching tab 60
deflects each elongated bar portion 61 thereby dis-engaging each tab
button 63 from the corresponding tab slots 64 which allows the top
cover 25 to be opened. The configuration and operation of the lower
latching tabs 72 (as shown best in FIG. 14) is identical to the
herein illustrated and described upper latching tab 60. This
arrangement embodies herein an arrangement wherein such second pair
of such user-operable latch releases is integrally attached to such
second cover portion. As in the preferred embodiment hereinbefore
illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1-9, this alternate
preferred embodiment embodies an arrangement wherein each such
respective pair of user-operable latch releases being structured and
arranged for user release of a respective such cover portion only
when both of such respective pair are user-operated at the same
time.
FIGS. 13-15 illustrate an alternate preferred embodiment of the roll
holder 20 of the present invention. Shown in a front elevation view
in FIG. 13 is the roll holder 20 as substantially illustrated and
described with respect to FIGS. 1-6. According to the alternate
preferred embodiment of the present invention, roll holder 20 is
provided with a removable divider 74 (embodying herein a
normally-horizontal divider portion having a bottom surface and
being slidably attached to an inner surface, respectively, of each
such planar side portion about midway from a top of each such planar
side portion to a bottom of each such planar side portion, such
divider portion being structured and arranged to span such
separation distance between such planar side portions), preferably
made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material, having a
tray portion 75 (as shown in FIGS. 14-15), a rear surface 76, a tray
portion top surface 77, and a tray portion bottom surface 78. As
shown in the cross-sectional, left side elevation view in FIG. 14,
the removable divider 74 is supported inside the roll holder 20 by
means of an upper guide 79 and a lower guide 80 (embodying herein
divider support means, integrally attached to each such planar side
portion, for supporting such divider portion) which are integrally
formed on each of side plates 33. Both the upper guide 79 and a
lower guide 80 are structured and arranged so as to maintain the
removable divider 74 at a mid-height location along side plates 33.
Also shown in FIG. 14 are the latching tabs (60 and 72) illustrated
and described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and
12. It is to be understood that the latching tab embodiment
illustrated and hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 1-9 may
also be used in this embodiment without deviating from the spirit of
the present invention.
As shown best in FIG. 14, the upper guide 79 and lower guide 80 are
spaced so as to form a divider gap 81 (shown best in FIG. 15) which
is of sufficient size so as to allow for passage of the tray portion
75 therein. As shown in the partial exploded view of FIG. 15,
installation of the removable divider 74 consists of placing the
tray portion 75 within each divider gap 81 and pushing the removable
divider 74 until the rear surface 76 abuts the vertical back plate
32. Divider 74 embodies herein a normally-horizontal divider portion
having a bottom surface and being slidably attached to an inner
surface, respectively, of each said planar side portion about midway
from a top of each said planar side portion to a
bottom of each said planar side portion, said divider portion being
structured and arranged to span said separation distance between
said planar side portions. To provide lateral stability to the roll
holder 20, a support plate 82, preferably made of a transparent or
semi-transparent plastic material, is affixed to each of said side
plates 33 normally adjacent to said bottom surface 78 of said
divider 74.
Yet another alternate preferred embodiment of the light assembly is
shown in a partial perspective view in FIG. 16. Shown is the tray
portion 75 of the removable divider 74 of the type hereinbefore
illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 13-15. The top
surface 77 of the tray portion 75 is provided with a pair of tabs
92, integral to the tray portion 75, and structured and arranged to
incorporate at least one battery 56 (preferably of AA size)
therebetween. To provide illumination to the cover system 20, lights
83, preferably LED's, are attached to each tab 92 and are wired to
battery(s) 56 by conventional circuitry.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many
other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims.
* * * * *
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