Rotating lock for reversing a roll dispenser

Abstract

This specification describes a lock mechanism which can be used as part of a reversible toilet paper holder. The lock mechanism does not rely upon placing any forces on the wall or item to which it is mounted. The lock mechanism contains a lock housing in which a rotational lock moves the lock in and out of its locked position allowing the toilet paper roll to move from dispensing overhead to dispensing underneath.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A lock mechanism for a reversible toilet paper holder comprising:
 a lock housing ( 130 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 110 ) intersecting with a roll holder mount opening ( 122 ) on a first end ( 120 ), a wall mount opening ( 132 ) on a second end ( 130 ) opposite the first end, a rotational lock head cavity ( 150 );   a rotational lock having a lock head ( 230 ) with a lock head contact surface ( 220 ) having at least a first indentation ( 212 A) on a lock head surface ( 210 ) opposite the lock head contact surface;   at least one lock ( 290 A) configured to rest in the first indentation ( 212 A);   a tension retainer ( 300 ) having at least one tension member ( 310 A) placing a force ( 320 ) on the at least one lock in a direction of the longitudinal axis;   wherein the lock housing has an axial surface ( 140 ) and a rotational hole surface ( 145 ) with the rotational lock head ( 230 ) inside the rotational lock head cavity;   with the at least one lock nested in the first indentation;   wherein the lock housing and the tension retainer are configured so that the tension retainer and the lock housing do not rotate around the longitudinal axis or move along the longitudinal axis relative to the lock housing.   
     
     
         12 . The lock mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the tension retainer is of unitary construction having the lock and the tension member as part of the unitary construction. 
     
     
         13 . The lock mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface. 
     
     
         14 . The lock mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a wall plate with a first wall plate surface and a second wall plate surface opposite the first wall plate surface. 
     
     
         15 . The lock mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder ( 500 ) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock. 
     
     
         16 . The lock mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder ( 500 ) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock. 
     
     
         17 . The lock mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder ( 500 ) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock. 
     
     
         18 . The lock mechanism of  claim 14  wherein the rotational lock comprises a roll holder ( 500 ) that is either attached to the rotational lock or is of unitary construction with the rotational lock. 
     
     
         19 . The lock mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod ( 520 ), a second connection rod ( 530 ) and a holder rod ( 540 ) with a tilt angle (Θ 3 ). 
     
     
         20 . The lock mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod ( 520 ), a second connection rod ( 530 ) and a holder rod ( 540 ) with a tilt angle (Θ 3 ). 
     
     
         21 . The lock mechanism of  claim 17  wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod ( 520 ), a second connection rod ( 530 ) and a holder rod ( 540 ) with a tilt angle (Θ 3 ). 
     
     
         22 . The lock mechanism of  claim 18  wherein the roll holder has a first connection rod ( 520 ), a second connection rod ( 530 ) and a holder rod ( 540 ) with a tilt angle (Θ 3 ). 
     
     
         23 . The lock mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees. 
     
     
         24 . The lock mechanism of  claim 20 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The lock mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees. 
     
     
         26 . The lock mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 80 to 89 degrees. 
     
     
         27 . The lock mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the roll holder has a limit rod ( 550 ) with a limit rod length and a limit angle (Θ 2 ). 
     
     
         28 . The lock mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the roll holder has a limit rod ( 550 ) with a limit rod length and a limit angle (Θ 2 ). 
     
     
         29 . The lock mechanism of  claim 27  wherein the limit angle is in the range of 100 degrees but less than 175 degrees. 
     
     
         30 . The lock mechanism of  claim 28  wherein the limit angle is between 104 degrees and 116 degrees.