Device and Method for Securing Rolled Paper Media

Abstract

Opposing clamp members that are hingedly connected and biased toward a closed position. Each opposing clamp member includes a clamp arm having an inner surface, wherein the combination of the inner surfaces are extendable around more than one-half of the circumference of an unused standard paper media roll. Such a device, when placed about a paper media roll, secures the paper on the roll and prevents the roll from being unwound. In particular embodiments, the length of at least one clamp arm is greater than the clamp arm's width.

1 . A device for securing a paper media roll comprising: 
 opposing clamp members hingedly connected and biased toward a close position, wherein each opposing clamp member comprises a clamp arm having a length and a width, the clamp arm including a curved inner surface, and the combination of the curved inner surfaces of the clamp members being extendable around more than one-half of an unused standard paper media roll, and wherein the length of at least one clamp arm is greater than its width.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing clamp members each include one or more fingers which form at least part of the curved inner surfaces, respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the fingers of the opposing clamp members interdigitate when the opposing clamp members are in the closed position.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing clamp members each include a handle, the handles being adapted to leverage the opposing clamp members into an open position.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each curved inner surface is smooth.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each curved inner surface comprises an arcuate surface.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein each arcuate surface has an arc length of less than 180°.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the unused standard paper media roll is selected from the group of toilet paper roll and paper towel roll.  
   
   
       9 . A device for securing a paper media roll comprising: 
 opposing clamp members hingedly connected and biased toward a closed position, each opposing clamp member comprising a clamp arm and a handle, the clamp arm having a length and a width and comprising one or more fingers,    wherein the fingers of the opposing clamp members define inner arcuate surfaces, each inner arcuate surface having a radius at least as large as an outer radius of an unused toilet paper roll or paper towel roll, and the handles of the opposing clamp members are adapted to leverage the opposing clamp members into an open position, and wherein the length of at least one clamp arm is greater than its width.    
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the fingers of the opposing clamp members interdigitate when the opposing clamp members are in the closed position.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each inner arcuate surface is smooth.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each inner arcuate surface has an arc length of less than 180°.  
   
   
       13 . A method of securing a paper media roll comprising: 
 hingedly biasing a first curved surface toward a second curved surface, at least one curved surface having a length that is greater than its width; and    placing a paper media roll between first and second curved surfaces.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second surfaces are each defined by one or more fingers.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fingers of the first and second surfaces interdigitate when the first and second surfaces are in a closed position.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second surfaces are smooth.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each curved surface comprises an arcuate surface.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each arcuate surface has an arc length of less than 180°.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each arcuate surface has a radius at least as large as an outer radius of an unused standard paper media roll.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the unused standard paper media roll is selected from the group of toilet paper roll and paper towel roll.  
   
   
       21 . A method of securing a paper media roll comprising: 
 hingedly biasing a first arcuate surface toward a second arcuate surface, wherein each arcuate surface has a length that is greater than its width and is defined by one or more fingers, each arcuate surface having a radius at least as large as an outer radius of an unused toilet paper roll or paper towel roll; and    placing a toilet paper roll or a paper towel roll between the first and second arcuate surfaces.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fingers of the first and second arcuate surfaces interdigitate when the first and second arcuate surfaces are in a closed position.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second arcuate surfaces are smooth.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each arcuate surface has an arc length of less than 180°.