Dispenser for Dispensing Rolled Toilet Paper and the Like

Abstract

The a dispenser for dispensing a rolled material such as toilet paper and paper towels is disclosed, wherein the dispenser includes a support about which a roll of the rolled material rotates when dispensing portions of the material, and wherein the support does not detach from a housing of the dispenser when a new tissue roll is provided on the support In particular, the support may remain attached to the housing by one end of the support during the process of changing or replacing a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.

1 . A dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper wrapped about a center tube of a predetermined length, comprising: 
 a housing for securing to a wall, the housing having a surface facing away from the wall when secured thereto;    a first extension projecting from the surface and the wall;    an arm having a length for inserting into the center tube, wherein the arm length is longer than the predetermined length of the center tube, and wherein the arm is pivotally attached to the first extension so that the arm is pivotal between at least a first position and a second position relative to the first extension;    a second extension projecting from the surface at a location spaced apart from the first extension by a distance greater than the predetermined tube length, wherein the second extension includes an arm attachment portion for attaching the arm thereto when the arm is in the first position, and wherein the arm is releasable from the attachment portion so that the arm can be moved to the second position;    wherein when the arm is in the second position, the length of the arm is insertable into the center tube of the roll of paper for supporting the roll on the arm, and wherein with the roll supported on the arm, and the arm pivoted to the first position, the arm and the attachment portion engage so that the roll is rotatable on the arm when the arm remains in the first position.    
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further including at least one friction member attached to the arm, the at least one friction member having a diameter (D) within 0.1 inches of an interior diameter of the center tube, wherein the friction member frictionally engages the interior of the center tube for inhibiting a rotation of the roll.  
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein an extent of the at least one friction member having a diameter of at least the diameter D is such that the extent has width in a range of 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches for contacting the interior of the center tube for inhibiting rotation of the roll.  
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one friction member is spaced apart from a second friction member having a diameter within 0.1 inches of an interior diameter of the center tube, wherein the second friction member frictionally engages the interior of the center tube for inhibiting a rotation of the roll.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one friction member spans a length of the arm that is in a range 0.05 inches to 0.07 of the predetermined length of the center tube.  
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the arm pivots about the first extension in two pivotally orthogonal directions.  
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein when the dispenser is attached to a wall, the arm pivots about the first extension in a vertical direction through an angular range of at least 8 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein when the dispenser is attached to a wall, the arm pivots about the first extension angularly so that the arm varies its angular orientation to the wall in a range of 8 to 45 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein when the dispenser is attached to a wall, the arm pivots about the first extension in a vertical direction through an angular range of at least 45 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the arm distal from the arm's pivotal attachment to the first extension attaches to the second extension for securing the roll for securing the roll on the arm.  
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein an attachment of the arm to the second extension includes a channel within the second extension for receiving the arm.  
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the arm which received into the center tube includes a grip for use in attaching and detaching the arm from the second extension.  
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein for attaching the arm to the second extension the arm must be moved in two directions.  
   
   
       14 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is received into an opening in the wall.