Rolled sheet material dispenser with improved brake mechanism

Abstract

A rolled sheet material dispensing device including an improved braking mechanism having a pair of outer, opposed brackets hingedly attached to a base or surface, in a substantially perpendicular axis to the base or surface, in spaced relationship to each other, extending forwardly from the base or surface. The brackets are biased to a first position and movable inwards, and removably mount an axially compressible support tube assembly which loosely journals and rotatably retains a roll of sheet material by extending through the center tube of the roll. The brackets can be pushed inwards from the first position to frictionally grip the roll between the brackets, thereby exerting a braking force on the roll to prevent free-wheeling of the roll during unwinding, and to hold the roll in place while a portion is being torn therefrom.

1 . A dispensing device for dispensing articles from a roll of said articles comprising: 
 a) bracketing means for mounting support means for supporting said roll therebetween;    b) attaching means for attaching said bracketing means to at least one surface in a predetermined, spaced relationship, whereby at least one of said bracketing means is movable between a first position and a second position; and    c) said support means for supporting said roll, removably mounted between said bracketing means whereby said roll having a hollow core is received over said support means, said support means accommodating movement of said at least one of said bracketing means between said first position and said second position.    
   
   
       2 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets.  
   
   
       3 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said attaching means allows hinging movement of said bracketing means.  
   
   
       4 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said attaching means allows sliding movement of said bracketing means.  
   
   
       5 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said bracketing means are flexible.  
   
   
       6 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said bracketing means to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position causes the braking of said free rotation of said roll.  
   
   
       7 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets, said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said brackets to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position results in the braking of said free rotation of said roll, whereby an article can readily be severed from said roll.  
   
   
       8 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets, each bracket having a socket on their inner surface for receiving said support means, said attaching means allows hinging movement of said brackets, said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said brackets to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position results in the braking of said free rotation of said roll, whereby an article can readily be severed from said roll.  
   
   
       9 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 1 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets, each bracket having a socket on their inner surface for receiving said support means, said attaching means allows sliding movement of said brackets, said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said brackets to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position results in the braking of said free rotation of said roll, whereby an article can readily be severed from said roll.  
   
   
       10 . A dispensing device for dispensing articles from a roll of said articles comprising: 
 a) bracketing means for mounting support means for supporting said roll therebetween;    b) attaching means for attaching said bracketing means to at least one surface of at least one base in a predetermined, spaced relationship, whereby at least one of said bracketing means is movable between a first position and a second position; and    c) said support means for supporting said roll removably mounted between said bracketing means, whereby said roll having a hollow core is received over said support means, said support means accommodating movement of said at least one of said bracketing means between said first position and said second position.    
   
   
       11 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets.  
   
   
       12 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said attaching means allows hinging movement of said bracketing means.  
   
   
       13 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said attaching means allows sliding movement of said bracketing means.  
   
   
       14 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets, each bracket having a socket for receiving said support means, said attaching means allows hinging movement of said brackets, said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said brackets to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position brings said at least one of said bracketing means toward the edges of said roll to grip and hold said roll in a predetermined position between said bracketing means so that an article can readily be severed from said roll.  
   
   
       15 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said bracketing means comprises a pair of opposed brackets, each bracket having a socket for receiving said support means, said attaching means allows sliding movement of said brackets, said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said brackets to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position brings said at least one of said bracketing means toward the edges of said roll to grip and hold said roll in a predetermined position between said bracketing means so that an article can readily be severed from said roll.  
   
   
       16 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said base is concavely shaped.  
   
   
       17 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said base is flexible.  
   
   
       18 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 10 , in which said base is adjustable lengthwise.  
   
   
       19 . A dispensing device for dispensing articles from a roll of said articles comprising: 
 a) at least one pressing means for braking the rotation of said roll;    b) a pair of opposed brackets, at least one of said brackets supporting said at least one pressing means;    c) attaching means for attaching said brackets to at least one surface in a predetermined, spaced relationship; and    d) support means for supporting said roll, removably mounted within said dispensing device whereby said roll having a hollow core is received over said support means, said support means accommodating movement of said at least one pressing means between a first position and a second position.    
   
   
       20 . A dispensing device as defined in  claim 19 , in which said support means comprises an axially compressible support tube assembly, said axially compressible support tube assembly normally biases said pressing means to said first position, said first position allows free rotation of said roll on said support means, and said second position results in the braking of said free rotation of said roll, whereby an article can readily be severed from said roll.