Paper towel stand

Abstract

An apparatus suitable for paper towels has a post and a supporting structure at least 20 inches in height constituted of at least one component. The post may have ends of unequal dimensions and may be vertically attached to the structure at its broadest end. The supporting structure may contain a recessed cavity in its upper most surface and may include a container attached to it.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N / ABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Free-standing, countertop paper towel holders require space on structures already in place to be installed upon. Stationary paper towel holders must be affixed to walls, fixtures, or furniture for use. Alternatively, the self-sustaining paper towel stand is positioned on the floor without making contact with or modifying other structures.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The paper towel stand is an apparatus which combines a post atop a supporting structure made to rest on the floor in an elevated position. It provides a new surface upon which to contain and dispense rolled paper towels that is independent from other articles in a room. It does not require alteration or modification of other structures. Versatility in the design allows it to serve small spaces with a slender build or fill greater spaces with a broad build. The post may be configured with ends of unequal dimensions such that the roll when placed becomes stationary. The upper most surface of the supporting structure may have a recessed cavity allowing for the containment of sheets on a roll. The paper towel stand may also include an attached container suitable for storage or collection.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a paper towel stand of slender construction.

[0005] FIG. 1B depicts the integral parts of the assembly in FIG. 1A.

[0006] FIG. 1C shows enlarged illustrations of a post with ends of unequal dimensions and a post with ends of equal dimensions.

[0007] FIG. 1D illustrates top view samples of structure 3 in FIG. 1B having a recessed cavity or not.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a paper towel stand of broad construction.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a paper towel stand with incorporated storage or storage design.

[0010] FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment of a paper towel stand with the post atop a single-pieced structure.

[0011] FIG. 4B depicts the integral parts of the assembly in FIG. 4A.

[0012] FIG. 4C illustrates an embodiment of furniture engineered or modified to be a paper towel stand.

[0013] FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a paper towel stand with an attached container.

[0014] FIG. 5B depicts the integral parts of the assembly in FIG. 5A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INTENTION

[0015] The present invention is described in enabling detail in the following examples which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a paper towel stand of slender construction. In this example, a recessed cavity may or may not be incorporated in the horizontal middle structure just below the post.

[0017] FIG. 1B: 1 is a post that the paper towel roll encases. If not of equal dimensions, the top and middle portions are engineered to fit within the paper towel roll's diameter while the bottom portion is engineered to be wider. Installed at the bottom of post 1 is a threaded bolt 2. The bolt passes through a hole 4 in a structure component piece 3 into a threaded insert 5 embedded in a lower structure component piece 6. A threaded bolt 7 installed at the opposite end of 6 is screwed into a threaded insert 9 in a bottom structure component piece 8.

[0018] FIG. 1C is an enlarged illustration of post 1 having ends of unequal dimensions and ends of equal dimensions.

[0019] FIG. 1D illustrates top view samples of 3 in FIG. 1B. A recessed cavity 11 allows for full placement of an unused roll of paper towels to be contained within area 11. 10 is the wall of a recessed cavity. (Reference used to denote depth.) This figure illustrates that a recessed cavity and middle structure may be of any shape. This figure also illustrates 3 without a recessed cavity.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a paper towel stand having a broad supporting structure. A structure component 12 replaces 6 in FIG. 1B. The assembly for 12 mimics the assembly in FIG. 1B.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a paper towel stand having a structure with incorporated storage or storage design. Component 3, recessed or not, may be inserted between 1 and an assembled structure 13. In this example, the bolt at the end of 1 passes through 3 (as in FIG. 1B) attaching 1 to 13 in the manner shown in FIG. 1B.

[0022] Another embodiment exempting 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4A. If a recessed cavity exists, it may be incorporated into the top of a structure 16 in FIG. 4B in manners depicted in FIG. 1C at 14. Structure 16 in FIG. 4B may be one continuous piece attached to 1 with 2 screwed into a threaded insert 15.

[0023] FIG. 4C illustrates an embodiment of furniture engineered to be suitable for holding paper towels. In this example, a tabletop 17 may be modified to incorporate recessed cavity 14 and attachment of 1.

[0024] FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a paper towel stand with a container 18 attached—the integral parts of which are shown in FIG. 5B. The initial assembly in FIG. 5B mimics FIG. 1B with difference being bolt 7 passes through an opening 19 screwing into insert 9.

[0025] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the paper towel stand may be provided using some or all features and components mentioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments presented are specific examples of an invention which may have greater scope than the descriptions have illustrated.

Claims

1. An apparatus suitable for paper towels comprising:a post; anda structure at least 20 inches in height constituted of at least one component attached to said post.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said post may have ends of unequal dimensions is joined vertically to said structure at its broadest end.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said structure may have a recessed cavity in its upper most surface.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:a container attached to said structure.

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