Safety Toilet Paper Roll Holder

Abstract

A toilet paper roll holder includes multiple safety features for use in institutional settings. The safety features may include a rod pivotally mounted on a base wherein the rod will pivot upon the application of an outside force having at least a predetermined magnitude.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A toilet paper roll holder, comprising:
 a base that defines a sloped outer surface; and   a rod pivotally secured to said base, said rod structured to support a roll of toilet paper thereon and structured to pivot in a predetermined direction upon application of a predetermined force applied to said rod in said predetermined direction.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1  further comprising a spindle, said spindle pivotally mounted on said base and said rod secured to said spindle. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said spindle includes a curved top surface including an aperture therein, and wherein said rod is secured within said aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said base defines a mounting surface and wherein said spindle defines a pivot axis positioned at a pivot angle in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees with respect to said mounting surface. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said spindle includes a detent secured thereto, wherein said detent includes a recess that defines two flat surfaces and two arcuate surfaces, said holder further comprising a spring secured within said recess, said spring contacting said two flat surfaces in a nominal condition, and said spring contacting said two arcuate surfaces in a biased condition. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 5  wherein said two flat surfaces are spaced apart a first distance and said two arcuate surfaces are spaced apart a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said rod defines a tapered outer surface such that a diameter of said rod decreases as a point at which said diameter is measured is moved away from said base. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 4  wherein said base defines a mounting surface and a top surface, said top surface positioned at an angle of ninety degrees with respect to said pivot angle. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 5  wherein said base includes a mounting surface that includes a recess therein, said spring and said detent recess both located within said recess of said base. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said base is mounted on a housing, said housing including an upper sloped surface positioned above said base and said rod. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said spindle defines a pivot axis, and wherein said aperture for securing said rod is positioned at an angle in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees with respect to said pivot axis. 
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 10  wherein said housing further comprises side walls secured to said mounting surface and to said upper sloped surface with an absence of a gap there between. 
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 9  wherein said base includes a top surface and wherein said mounting surface is positioned at an angle in a range of ten to forty five degrees with respect to said top surface, and wherein a lower surface of said mounting surface recess is positioned parallel to said top surface. 
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said spindle defines a rounded head region that defines a outer diameter, wherein said base defines a top surface that defines an outer diameter having the same dimension as said spindle head region outer diameter, and wherein said head region of said spindle mates flush with said top surface of said base around said head region outer diameter. 
     
     
         15 . A toilet paper roll holder, comprising:
 a base comprising a tapered outer surface;   a spindle pivotally mounted on said base and including a rounded top region; and   a rod secured on said rounded top region of said spindle,   wherein said spindle is structured to pivot upon application of an outside force applied to said rod.   
     
     
         16 . The holder of  claim 15  wherein said spindle is structured to pivot in response to an application of said outside force so as to pivot to a position wherein said rod is positioned parallel to a direction of said outside force. 
     
     
         17 . The holder of  claim 16  further comprising a biasing member secured to said base, said biasing member including a loop that extends around an elongate region of said spindle and retains said spindle in a nominal, unpivoted position until said outside force reaches a predetermined magnitude. 
     
     
         18 . A method of hindering securement of a ligature to a toilet paper roll holder, comprising the steps of:
 providing a holder that includes a base secured on a mounting plate;   securing a pivoting spindle to said base; and   securing a rod to said spindle, said rod adapted to support a toilet paper roll thereon;   wherein said spindle is adapted to pivot on said base in response to application of an exterior force to said rod.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said base includes a tapered outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto, said spindle includes a rounded outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto, and said rod includes a tapered outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising securing a biasing member to said base, said biasing member holding said rod in an unpivoted position until application of an external force of at least a predetermined magnitude is applied to said rod.