Supports – With means to facilitate installation – repair – or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-08-28
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
With means to facilitate installation, repair, or...
C242S595000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279865
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tissue and wipe dispensers and, more specifically, to mounting devices for securing a dispenser to a conventional bathroom tissue fixture.
Conventional bathroom tissue fixtures generally include a telescoping roll bar which engages a pair of oppositely disposed recesses. Conventional roll bars may be used to rotatably support a roll of dry bathroom tissue in a well known manner. Conventional fixtures may include a pair of posts which may be mounted to a wall and extend outwardly therefrom with recesses for the roll bar located near the distal ends of the posts. Conventional fixtures may also be recessed into a wall or cabinet, having a partially cylindrical surface extending inwardly into the wall or cabinet and defining a space in which a portion of the dry tissue roll will be located during use. The pair of oppositely disposed recesses for receiving the roll bar of such recessed fixtures may also be recessed whereby the roll bar is located at or inward of the wall or cabinet panel surface. The recesses may also be located on relatively short posts which extend partially outward whereby the roll bar is positioned outwardly of the wall or cabinet panel but a portion of an unused tissue roll disposed thereon will be positioned within the recessed portion of the fixture.
The use of premoistened wipes is also well known. Premoistened wipes are most commonly used in the cleaning of a child or infant after removing a soiled diaper. Such wipes are often provided in refillable plastic tubs. It is also known to provide premoistened wipes as a replacement for dry bathroom tissue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have recognized difficulties and problems inherent in the prior art and in response thereto have developed an improved mounting device for a dispenser. The mounting device may be used to support the dispenser on a conventional dry bathroom tissue fixture and the dispenser may be used to supply both dry bathroom tissue and premoistened wipes.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a mounting device comprising, i.e., including but not limited to, a positioning member, a first support member, a second support member and a linkage operatively disposed between at least one of the support members and the positioning member whereby movement of the positioning member causes relative motion between the first and second support members. The first support member has a first distal end and the second support member has a second distal end. The first distal end is moveable relative to said second distal end along a lateral axis whereby said first and second distal ends are engageable with the oppositely disposed recesses of a conventional bathroom tissue fixture.
In some embodiments, the invention may include a longitudinal guide slot in which the positioning member is disposed. A second linkage may also be used whereby a linkage is disposed between each of the support members and the positioning member. If a housing is used with the invention, the linkage members may be disposed within the housing. Latching mechanisms may also be used with the invention to inhibit the relative motion of the first and second support members.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a mounting device having a housing, a first support member, a second support member and an attachment mechanism. Each of the support members are partially disposed within the housing, are moveable relative to the housing, and are in supporting engagement with the housing. The first support member has a first distal end and the second support member has a second distal end. The first distal end is moveable relative to said second distal end along a lateral axis whereby said first and second distal ends are engageable with the oppositely disposed recesses of a conventional bathroom tissue fixture. The attachment mechanism attaches the mounting device to a dispenser.
The housing may include a first panel, a second panel and a hinge connecting the two panels. The housing may also have a longitudinal dimension and be configured whereby the lateral axis defined by the support members is asymmetrically located with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.
The attachment mechanism may also be adapted to attach the mounting device to a dispenser in two different positions whereby the lateral axis has a different relative position with respect to the dispenser in the two different positions.
The attachment mechanism may include a threaded bore and a threaded fastener which is engageable with the threaded bore. The threaded fastener may also be selectively engageable with the housing at a first threaded opening and at a second threaded opening.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a mounting device having a housing, a first support member, a second support member, and a longitudinally extending engagement surface disposed on the housing. Each of the support members are partially disposed within the housing, are moveable relative to the housing, and are in supporting engagement with the housing. The first support member has a first distal end and the second support member has a second distal end. The first distal end is moveable relative to said second distal end along a lateral axis whereby said first and second distal ends are engageable with the oppositely disposed recesses of a conventional bathroom tissue fixture. The longitudinally extending engagement surface disposed on the housing is engageable with a dispenser.
The housing may also include a longitudinally extending guide slot. A positioning member operatively associated with the support members may be disposed in the guide slot. The longitudinally extending engagement surface, for engaging the dispenser, may be located on a projection disposed adjacent the guide slot.
One advantage provided by the present invention is that it provides an adjustable device which may be used with many different conventional bathroom tissue fixtures which have a pair of oppositely disposed recesses. Such a mounting device may be attached to a dispenser to thereby support the dispenser on a conventional bathroom tissue fixture.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the use of a housing or longitudinally extending engagement surface which is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the lateral axis defined by the support members allows the mounting device to support dispensers on a wider variety of different fixtures by providing greater flexibility in the relative positions of the lateral axis of the support members and the dispenser.
These and other advantages of the invention are provided by its various aspects, individually and in combinations thereof.
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Bochmann Cherry A.
Newman William R.
Velazquez Herb F.
Bendel Michael J.
Croft Gregory E.
DeLuca J.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Ramirez Ramon O.
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