Paper towel holder

Abstract

The apparatus for dispensing paper towels from a roll includes a base member, an offset flange member and a rod member. The base member can have an actuatable suction cup on a bottom surface. The flange member has a base portion and a mounting portion made integral at a bend, such that the portions are angled to each other. Attaching the base portion to the base member forms an angled surface by the mounting portion such that a downward pulling action dispenses paper towels from the roll. The rod member extends orthogonally from the angled surface and over the base member so that the roll is stably supported at the angle set by the angled surface and the base member. There can be a holding device to maintain position of the roll relative to the rod member and a shield on the top end of the angled surface.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for dispensing paper towels from a roll, said apparatus comprising:
 a base member having a top surface;   a flange member having a base portion and a mounting portion, said base portion being angled from said mounting end and made integral with said mounting portion at a bend, said base portion being attached to said top surface of said base member, said mounting end forming an angled surface so as to dispense paper towels from the roll in a downward pulling action; and   a rod member, extending orthogonal from said angled surface so as to support said roll at an angle set by said angled surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , wherein said angled surface has a range of 5 to 60 degrees from vertical. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , wherein said flange member attaches to a periphery of said base member, said rod member extending over a center of said base member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 3 , wherein said rod member aligns with said base member so that downward force at a top of said rod member maintains stability of said base member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting portion of said flange member has a center point a distance apart from said bend, said distance being sufficient to fit the roll of paper towels. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , wherein said base portion is placed adjacent an edge of said base member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , said base member having a bottom surface, said bottom surface being grounded for placement on a level surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a suction means on a bottom surface of said base member.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 8 , said suction means being centered on said base member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 8 , wherein said suction means is comprised of a suction cup and a stem. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 8 , wherein said stem extends through a hole in said base member from said bottom surface to said top surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 11 , wherein said stem having a lever on an end of said stem above said top surface, said lever actuating said suction cup. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 11 , said stem being centered on said base member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 holding means mounted on said rod member so at to maintain said roll relative to said rod member during a downward pulling action.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 14 , wherein said holding means is comprised of a flexible and resilient spring. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 14 , wherein said holding means is comprised of a plurality of flexible and resilient ribs. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shielding means affixed to said angled surface of said mounting portion, said shielding means being placed on a top end of said angled surface.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 17 , said shielding means being parallel to said rod member and spaced apart from said rod member so as to fit said roll and paper towels between said shielding means and said rod member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 17 , wherein said shielding means is comprised of a post member parallel to said rod member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for dispensing, according to  claim 17 , wherein said shielding means is comprised of a panel with an elongated shape and width so as to partially cover said roll and paper towels when mounted on said rod member.