Device for holding a roll of material

Abstract

A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a core includes a mount with two arms, each having a retractable catch. The retractable catch includes a contoured end, optionally substantially hemispheric, that transmits a radial force on the core to cause the catch to retract. In an optional embodiment, the catch is part of a catch assembly including a spring biasing the catch perpendicular to the arms and toward the core and an annular retainer that holds the catch to the arms.

1 . A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a substantially cylindrical core comprising: 
 a mount having two spaced arms; and    a retractable catch on each arm, said catch including a substantially contoured end receiving said core, said arms spaced such that force on said core in a direction radial to said core is transferred to said contoured end to force said catches to retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to said arms.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an annular retainer securing said catch to a respective arm, said annular retainer including an opening through which only said hemispheric end protrudes.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said annular retainer engages said arms through mating threads.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a spring biasing said retractable catches in a direction perpendicular to said arms toward said core.  
   
   
       5 . A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a substantially cylindrical core comprising: 
 a mount having two spaced arms; and    a catch assembly on each arm comprising: 
 a catch on each arm, said catch including a substantially hemispheric end receiving said core;  
 an annular retainer holding each catch to a respective arm, said annular retainer including an opening through which only said hemispheric end protrudes; and  
 a spring biasing each catch in a direction perpendicular to a respective arm and toward said core, said arms spaced such that force on said core in a direction substantially radial to said core is transferred to said hemispheric end to force said catches to retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to said arms and away from said core.  
   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said annular retainer engages said arms through mating threads.  
   
   
       7 . A device for holding a roll of material surrounding a core in the form of a right cylinder having a central passage, comprising: 
 a mount having two spaced arms; and    a catch assembly on each arm comprising: 
 a catch on each arm, said catch including a substantially hemispheric end receiving said core;  
 an annular retainer holding each catch to a respective arm through mating threads, said annular retainer including an opening through which only said hemispheric end protrudes; and  
 a spring biasing each catch in a direction perpendicular to a respective arm and toward said core, said arms spaced such that said annular retainers are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the length of said core and said contoured ends of said catches are separated by a distance less than the length of said core such that force on said core in a direction substantially radial to said core is transferred to said hemispheric end to force said catches to retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to said arms and away from said core.