US3612423A

US3612423A - Rolled paper dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3612423A
Application number: US5610A
Authority: US
Inventors: Erwin B Bahnsen
Original assignee: Steiner American Corp
Current assignee: Steiner American Corp
Priority date: 1970-01-26
Filing date: 1970-01-26
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

There is disclosed a tissue dispenser comprising a well-mounted casing having connected thereto a vertically depending tubular spindle, cam mechanism within the spindle including a pair of balls movable between a retracted position therewithin and an extended position protruding therefrom, a lock for locking the balls in the extended position, and a pair of part-cylindrical arms disposed about the spindle and hingedly connected to the casing by a toothed collar insertable over the spindle for attachment adjacent to the upper end thereof, the balls in their extended position engaging the inner surfaces of the arms for moving them to a roll-holding position, the lower end of each arm having a flange for holding rolls of tissue thereon when the arms are in their roll-holding position.

Description

United States Patent Erwin B. Bahnsen 3,104,844 9/1963 Bahnsen Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant ExaminerWerner H. Schroeder ABSTRACT: There is disclosed a tissue dispenser comprising a well-mounted casing having connected thereto a vertically depending tubular spindle, cam mechanism within the spindle including a pair of balls movable between a retracted position therewithin and an extended position protruding therefrom, a lock for locking the balls in the extended position, and a pair of part-cylindrical arms disposed about the spindle and hingedly connected to the casing by a toothed collar insertable over the spindle for attachment adjacent to the upper end thereof, the balls in their extended position engaging the inner surfaces of the arms for moving them to a roll-holding position, the lower end of each arm having a flange for holding rolls of tissue thereon when the arms are in their roll-holding position.

ROLLED PAPER DISPENSER This invention relates to the art of dispensing sheet material from rolls of the same, and is particularly directed to a device for mounting supply rolls of such material so as to rotate an upright spindle for dispensing therefrom. In particular, this invention relates to apparatus for the dispensing of toilet paper.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a dispenser for rolls of sheet material and for securely holding the rolls in the dispenser without the use of any attachments of the rolls themselves.

An important object of the invention is to provide an adapter for attachment to a dispenser for rolls of sheet material specially constructed for use therewith, whereby the dispenser may accommodate and dispense rolls other than the specially constructed rolls.

In particular, it is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to the support structure, cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, a roll-supporting arm disposed about the spindle and hingedlyconnected adjacent to one end thereof adjacent to the one end of the spindle, a roll retainer carried by the arm adjacent to the other end thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, the roll retainer in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on the roll-supporting arm, and a camming surface on the arm engageable with the cam mechanism so that the roll retainer can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position moves the roll retainer to the roll-holding position thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth which further includes a mounting collar hingedly mounting one end of the arms on the support structure adjacent to the one end of the spindle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth wherein the mounting collar is coupled to the arms and is insertable over the spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to the one end thereof, the collar having attachment means thereon for engaging the adjacent portion of the support structure and automatically locking the collar against retrograde motion when the collar is in the mounting position thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth wherein the mounting collar includes a first annular plate having an opening therein for freely receiving the spindle therethrough, a second annular plate secured to the first annular plate and having an opening therein for readily receiving a spindle therethrough and having a flange spaced from the first annular opening and terminating adjacent to the spindle, and gripping members disposed between the first and second plates and extending inwardly therefrom for the adjacent portion of the supporting structure to support the collar in the mounting position thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser of the type set forth wherein the support means comprises a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein, the roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within the casing and a second associated roll in a use position outside of the casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position outside of the easmg.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth wherein the spindle is upright and has an upper end disposed within the casing and fixed thereto and a lower end extending downwardly from the casing, the mounting collar being insertable over the lower end of the spindle for movement upwardly to a mounting position adjacent to the upper end thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide for use with a dispenser of the type set forth an adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the other end of the spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to the one end thereof, attachment means on the collar for engaging the adjacent portion of the support structure and automatically locking the collar against retrograde motion when the collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about the spindle and each being hingedly mounted at one end thereof on the mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by the arms adjacent to the other end thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, the roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on the roll-supporting arms, and camming surfaces on the arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that the roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position thereof and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position thereof moves the roll retainers to the roll-holding positions thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, a still further object of this invention is to provide an adapter of the type set forth wherein the mounting collar includes a first annular plate having an opening therein for freely receiving the spindle therethrough, a second annular plate secured to the first annular plate and having an opening therein for readily receiving a spindle therethrough and having a flange spaced from the first annular opening and terminating adjacent to the spindle, and gripping members disposed between the first and second plates and extending inwardly therefrom for engaging the adjacent portion of the supporting structure to support the collar in the mounting position thereon.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood with reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the present invention showing the casing and a roll of tissue disposed in the use position therebelow;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and showing the roll-supporting arms in the roll-holding position thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of the lower end of the dispensing apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 and showing the cam mechanism locked in the extended position thereof and the latch unit shown in elevation;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the latch unit shown in vertical section;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the cam mechanism shown in the retracted position thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 4 and showing the top of the latching unit;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 4 and showing the latching plate and its operating means;

FIG. 8 is full-scale front elevational view of the key for releasing the latching unit;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of the roll-supporting arms and mounting collar of the dispenser shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of a portion of the mounting collar of the dispenser of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the roll-supporting arms of the dispenser of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 9 and showing the gripping washer;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-43 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but with the roll-supporting arms shown in the roll-passing position thereof; and

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing an alternative embodiment of the gripping washer. In the drawings (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the numeral 1 generally designates a closed top, open bottom, roll-storage casing, having therein an upright tubular spindle 2 which'is attached only to the top of the casing and which projects below the bottom of the casing to a distance substantially equal to the axial length of a roll from which sheet material is to be dispensed.

The lower end of the spindle 2 has a slightly enlarged diameter portion 19, with balls 27 being projectable therefrom in a manner and for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. In use, the spindle 2 is adapted to accommodate a stack of rolls 25 of tissue paper or other sheet material concentrically received thereover as indicated in FIG. 2. The vertical height of the casing 1 may be sufficient to enclose any preferred number of supply rolls, but preferably only one upper roll is accommodated therein.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the upper rim of casing l is indented to form an inwardly offset flange 3, a finishing cover or lid 4 being fitted over the casing l and overlapping the flange 3 as shown. A plate 5 is disposed within the casing 1 and is shaped complementary thereto, the plate 5 having a down turned attachment flange 6 formed around the periphery thereof for attachment to the inner surface of the flange 3 by a suitable means. The plate 5 has a centrally depressed portion 7 defining a centrally disposed circular opening 8 therethrough through which is inserted the upper end of the spindle 2. The plate 5 has a downtumed attachment flange 9 formed around the periphery of the opening 8 and engaging the outer surface of the spindle 2. A cap plate 10 is secured to the top of the plate 5 and has a centrally disposed opening therein for receiving therethrough mounting tabs 12 formed at the upper end of the spindle 2, the tabs 12 being bent downwardly to a position overlyingand substantially parallel to the upper surface of the cap plate 10 for supporting the spindle 2 in the casing 1. In addition, further support for the spindle 2 is provided by the flange 9 on the plate 5 which is preferably tightly engaged with the upper end of the spindle 2.

The casing 1 may be mounted in an upright position on a vertical wall by any suitable means, the front wall of the casing 1 having two vertical rows of openings therein which serve as "sight openings for determining whether the casing need reloading and also serving as ornamentation therefor. Preferably, two supply rolls of sheet material are accommodated by the dispenser of this invention, one roll being disposed within the casing l and the other roll being disposed in a use position immediately below the casing l as shown in FIG. 2. These rolls 25 may be of the standard construction comprising a roll of sheet material wound upon a central tubular core 28 in a well-known manner.

A follower arm, generally designated by the numeral 30, is provided on the casing l, the follower arm 30 having an attachment flange 31 secured to the inner surface of the rear wall of the casing 1 at the lower end thereof and a follower foot 33 for engagement with the outer cylindrical surface of a roll of sheet material disposed in the use position beneath the casing l, the follower foot 33 being hingedly connected to the attachment flange 31 by a spring-load hinge 32 for resiliently urging the follower foot 33 against the associated supply roll. In FIG. 2, the follower foot 33 is shown in solid line in its position against a nearly exhausted supply roll and is shown in phantom against a full supply roll. The follower plate 30 acts to frictionally but lightly oppose rotation of the supply roll 25 to thereby prevent accidental unraveling of the sheet material from the roll 25.

The balls 27 are moved to and held in a projected position by a uniquely constructed axially translatable unit 40 which has thereon a key-releasable latching plate. The frame of the ball control unit 40 is U-shaped and is made from a single piece of metal, by stamping and punching. This U-shaped structure 40 has a conical base 41 surmounted by two diametrically disposed upright arms 42 adapted to be separated to facilitate the introduction of the separate elements of the latching mechanism between them and then moved toward one another to lock said elements in operative relation.

Each arm 42 has a vertical slot 43. Cross-connecting the slots 43 is a channel bar 45, having shoulders abutting the inner surfaces of the arms. Passing through this bar 45 and through openings in the spindle 2 is a pin 47, suitably secured to the spindle. The bar and pin hold the unit 40 against rotation and serve as an upper guide therefor. The unit 40 is slidably guided at the bottom by the circular periphery of the conical base 41, sliding against the interior surface of the spindle 2. The top of each arm 42 has a downwardly extending slot or notch 48. A plate 50 has notches 51 interlocking with the arm notches 48, to prevent spreading of the arms. A spring 52 connects the plate 50 with the bar 45, and acts to automatically move the ball control unit 40 downwardly to ball-release position, following release of a latch plate 53, by means of a key 54. See FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, in which the key is shown. The tops 44 of the slots 43 engage with the bar 45 to limit downward movement of the unit and the automatic entry of the latch finger 55 of the latch plate 53 into the latch socket 56 of the spindle limits upward movement of the unit 40. The latch finger 55 passes outwardly through an opening 57 in one of the arms 42.

Each arm 42 has a slanting surface 58 inwardly against which the ball 27 falls, as in FIG. 5 when the unit 40 is moved to its downward limit by the spring 52. When the unit 40 is moved upwardly these surfaces 58 force the balls 27 to projected positions whereat they are held by the outer surfaces 59 of the arms 42 as in FIG. 4. The balls are so held that they can rotate but they cannot move from ring-supporting positions.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the latch unit 40 includes three

plates

62, 53 and 75 stacked one atop the other. The bottom plate 62 has upright marginal latch-plate guides 63. The latch plate 53 (see FIG. 7) overlies the bottom plate 62 and has a latch finger 55, and a spring-receiving opening 64. It also has a semicircular opening 65, of smaller radius, intersecting a substantially semicircular opening 66 of larger radius, the intersection occurring on a diameter passing through the center of generation of both semicircles.

The bottom plate 62 has spring-receiving opening 67 and has an opening 68 having its center coincident with that of the center of generation of opening 65. In this opening 68 is rotatably fitted (see FIG. 4) a key-operable latch plate release cylinder 70 having a hexagonal key opening 71, and having at its top a semicircular latch withdrawing platelike element 72 having shoulders 73, engageable with shoulders 74 of the latch plate 53 in a manner to translate the plate 53 when the cylinder 70 is rotated by the key 54. The tops of the latch release cylinder 70 and of the element 72 respectively extend into the

openings

65 and 66 in the latch plate 53 and are flush with the top of the latch plate 53.

The top plate 75 has a spring opening 76 and a spring anchoring lug 77 punched upwardly therefrom. This plate is punched to provide a downwardly facing conical socket 78 adapted to be engaged by the upper end of the key 54. A spring 79 is attached by one end as at 80 to the lug 77, and has a downtumed portion 81 passing downwardly through the

openings

76, 64 and 67, see FIG. 4. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper and

lower plates

75, 62, have

long end notches

82, 83, which interlock with short

lateral notches

84, 85 in the anns 42 whereby to operatively but releasably secure the latching unit.

The lower end of the latch release cylinder 70 is spaced slightly above the upper end of the conical base 41 of the unit, see FIGS. 4 and 5.

The bottom or base 41 of the ball control unit 40 is of hollow conical configuration, whereby to provide a downwardly flared depression 86 which serves to guide the upward insertion of the latch-releasing key 54 through the hexagonal opening 87 of the base 41 and into opening 71 of the rotatable latch plate shifting element 70. The depression also serves to receive the thumb of the serviceman for pushing the unit 40 upwardly from the release position of FIG. 5 to the locked position of FIG. 4, whereat the latch finger 55 is in the socket 56 of the spindle 2 and the balls 27 are held in the projected position thereof by the outer surfaces 59 of the arms 42.

As an important feature of this invention, an adapter unit, generally designated by the numeral 100, is provided for attachment to the dispenser described above. The adapter unit 100 includes a pair of roll-supporting arms 101 diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the spindle 2, each of the roll supporting arms 101 being part cylindrical-and conforming in shape to the adjacent portions of the spindle 2. Each of the roll-supporting arms 101 has a concave inner surface 102 and a convex outer surface 103, the arms 101 preferably being tapered in shape, whereby the upper ends of the arms 101 combine to substantially encircle the adjacent portion of the spindle 2, whereas the lower ends of the arms 101 are separated from each other and cover only a portion of the lower end of the spindle 2. Circumferentially spaced about the arms 101 adjacent to the upper end thereof is a plurality of outwardly extending lugs 105 preferably formed by stamping or punching. In use, these lugs on each of the arms 101 are circumferentially aligned with each other for a purpose to be described more fully below.

Each of the arms 101 has a flange 107 at the upper end thereof extending outwardly therefrom, the lugs 105 being spaced downwardly a short distance from the flange 107. At the bottom end of each of the arms 101 is a roll retainer, generally designated by the numeral 110, including a substantially horizontal flange 111 extending outwardly from the arm 101 substantially normal thereto and having at the outer edge thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange 1 12.

In order to mount the roll-supporting arms 101 in the casing 1, there is provided a mounting collar, generally designated by the numeral 120. The collar 120 includes an upper annular plate 121 having centrally disposed therein a circular opening 122 of a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the attachment flange 9. Disposed beneath the upper plate 121 is an intermediate annular plate 123 having an opening 124 centrally disposed therein of a diameter greater than the diameter of the attachment flange 9. Disposed beneath the intermediate plate 123 is a cup-shaped bottom plate 125 having a generally horizontal upper flange 126, a downwardly extending flange 127 integral with the inner edge of the flange 125 and carrying at the lower edge thereof an inwardly extending flange 127, the flange 127 having a centrally disposed circular opening 128 therein having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the spindle 2. Interleaved between the

plates

121, 123 and 125 and secured thereto by suitable fasteners such as rivets 129 is a pair of annular

gripping washers

130 and 135, each having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the attachment flange 9 and preferably being constructed of spring steel. The inner edge of the gripping washer 130 is serrated to define a plurality of deep grooves or recesses 131 separated from one another by a plurality of protrusions or teeth 132. Similarly, the inner edge of the gripping washer 135 is serrated to form grooves 136 and teeth 137.

In assembling the adapter unit 100 in the casing 1, the rollsupporting arms 101 are first coupled to the mounting collar 120 by positioning the upper ends 104 of the arms 101 within the collar 120 so that the inner edge of the flange 127 of the plate 125 is received between the mounting flanges 107 and the lugs 105 on the arms 101 (see FIG. The mounting collar 120 is then inserted over the lower end of the spindle 2 so that the spindle is received through the openings in the

plates

121, 123 and 125 and the

gripping washers

130 and 135. The mounting collar 120 is then moved upwardly along the spindle 2 to the mounting position illustrated in FIG. 9 and 10 wherein the attachment flange 9 is received through the openings in the

plates

121 and 123 and

gripping washers

130 and 135. Since the diameter of the central openings through the

gripping washers

130 and 135 is less than the diameter of the attachment flange 9, the

teeth

132 and 137 will be deformed downwardly as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 by the attachment flange 9 and it may be necessary to tap the lower ends of the arms 101 with a mallet or hammer to firmly seat the mounting collar 120 on the attachment flange 9. In the mounting position, the

teeth

132 and 137 will be securely engaged with the attachment flange 9, and by reason of the downward deflection of the

teeth

132 and 137, any attempt to remove the mounting collar 120 from the casing 1 will only serve to more firmly engage the

teeth

132 and 137 with the outer surface of the attachment flange 9, whereby retrograde motion of the mounting collar is effectively prevented. In this mounting position, the arms 101 will be loosely supported on the flange 127 of the lower plate 125, the flanges 107 and lugs serving to limit the axial movement of the arms 101 while permitting pivotal or swinging movement of the arms about the flange 127.

The inward extent of this swinging movement is limited by the engagement of the lugs 105 with the bottom surface of the flange 127 and, also, by the engagement of the outer surface 103 of the arms 101 with the bottom edge of the casing 1. In particular, the outward movement of the arms 10] is so limited by the lugs 105 and flange 127 that the arms 101 cannot be removed from the mounting collar 120 once the adapter unit 100 is secured in the mounting position thereof.

When the adapter unit 100 is attached to the casing 1, the arms 101 should be so positioned on opposite sides of the spindle 2 so that the inner surfaces 102 thereof respectively overlie the openings 36 in the lower end of the spindle 2. In this position, the inner surfaces 102 of the arms 101 will lie against the outer surface of the spindle 2. Thus, when the balls 27 are" moved to the projected positions thereof they will act as cams and engage the inner surfaces 102 of the arms 101 which will serve as camming surfaces for the balls 27, thereby moving the arms 101 pivotally outwardly from the spindle 2 as indicated. by the solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 and broken lines in FIG. 5. It will be noted, that the dimensions of the roll retainers at the lower ends of the arms 101 are such that when the arms 101 are in their roll-passing position against the spindle 2 the distance diametrically across the bottom of the spindle 2 from the outer edge of one flange 111 to the outer edge of the other flange 111 is less than the diameter of the core 28 of a standard roll of tissue paper. Thus, the standard rolls of paper may be passed freely over the lower ends of the arms 101 in the roll-passing position thereof.

While the dispenser of this invention may be originally constructed as a complete dispenser unit including the adapter unit 100 as part of the original equipment, a more significant aspect of this invention is in the use of the adapter unit 100 as an attachment to already existing prior art dispensers. Such dispensers are commonly constructed as shown in the drawings but do not include the adapter unit 100 comprising the arms 101 and the mounting collar 120. Such prior art dispensers are adapted to receive on the spindle 2 thereof a plurality of rolls of sheet material, preferably two in number, the upper roll being disposed in the casing l and the lower roll being disposed in the use position beneath the casing 1, and surrounding the lower portion of the spindle 2. In order to maintain the rolls in position in these prior art dispensers and prevent them from falling off the lower end of the spindle 2, specially constructed rolls must be provided for use with such dispensers. These rolls may include a ring imbedded in the inner surface of the core of the tissue roll and adapted to engage the balls 27 in the extended position thereof for supporting the roll on the spindle. However, these specially constructed rolls are expensive to manufacture and, furthermore, the utility of these prior art dispenser is severely restricted in that the vast majority of tissue paper rolls are of standard construction and do not include any special adapter ring, whereby these standard rolls may not be used with such a prior art dispenser. It is a significant feature of the present invention, that by attachment of the adapter unit 100 to such a prior art dispenser the dispenser is rendered capable of accommodating tissue paper rolls other than those specially provided with the supporting rings. The adapter unit 100 may be attached to an existing dispenser in a few seconds by a serviceman or attendant.

In servicing the dispenser of the present invention, the attendant inserts the key 54 as shown in FIG. 4 and rotates it to release the latch finger 55 from the socket 56. The spring 52 then moves the ball control unit 40 downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5 to release the balls 27 which then fall into the retracted position thereof. At this point, the adapter unit 100 can be attached to the spindle 2 of the dispenser. First, the roll-supporting arms 101 are fitted on thevflange 127 of the lower plate 125 as shown in FIG. 9 with the flange 127 received between the flanges 107 and the lugs 105 and the mounting collar 120 is then inserted over the lower end of the spindle 2 and moved upwardly toward the upper end thereof. The mounting collar 120 is oriented circumferentially of the spindle 2 so that the roll-supporting arms 101 are respectively centered over the ball openings 36, whereupon the mounting collar is jammed up over the attachment flange 9 of the casing 1. It may be necessary to utilize a mallet or rubber hammer to firmly seat the mounting collar 120 on the attachment flange 9, but once so seated, the

teeth

132 and 137 of the mounting collar 120 will prevent downward movement of the mounting collar 120 and removal thereof from the dispenser. In this position, the inner surfaces 102 of the arms 101 lie against the outer surface of the spindle 2 in a roll-passing position as shown in FIG. 5. A first supply roll 25 is then slid over the lower ends of the arms 101, with the core 28 surrounding the arms 101 of the spindle 2, the roll 25 then being moved upwardly to the top of the spindle 2 within the casing l. The placement of a roll 25 on the arm 101 is facilitated by the inclined flanges 112 on the roll retainers 110, which flanges act as guides for the cores 28 of the paper rolls and serve to help press the arms 101 toward each other when engaged by the roll cores. While holding the first roll against falling, the second supply roll is slid upwardly over the lower ends of the arms 101 until its lower end is disposed above the roll retainers 110 on the roll-supporting arms 101. While holding the rolls 25 in this position, the attendant then inserts his thumb into the conical depression 86 in the ball control unit 40 and pushed the ball control unit 40 upwardly to the locked position thereof as shown in FIG. 4, at which position the balls 27 are moved to the projected position thereof and positively rotatably held therein. In moving to this projected position,

' the balls 27 respectively engage the inner surfaces 102 of the arms 101, thereby moving the arms 101 a slight distance outwardly of the spindle 2 as indicated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5. The flanges 111 of the roll retainer 110 are so dimensioned that, when the arms 101 are disposed in this outward or roll-holding position, the flanges 111 will extend outwardly beyond the periphery of the core 28 of the lower roll 25. Thus, when the rolls 25 are released, the lower end of the lower roll 25 will engage the flanges 111 of the roll retainers 110 for thereby supporting the rolls 25 on the arms 101. The locking of the balls 27 in the projected positions thereof also serves to lock the arms 101 in the roll-holding positions thereof, thereby preventing removal of the rolls 25 therefrom. When the lower roll 25 is exhausted the core 28, which is commonly made of stiff paper or cardboard, may be torn from the arms I01, whereupon the upper roll 25 will fall to the use position beneath the casing l and will be supported in such position on the roll retainers 110. When the dispenser is again ready to be serviced, the key 54 is inserted as described above, the releasing of the balls 27 to their retracted position allowing the arms 101 to fall into their roll-passing position lying against the outer surface of the spindle 2 in which roll-passing position the exhausted roll may be removed and additional supply rolls 25 may be inserted over the lower end of the arms 101 as described above.

It is significant feature of this invention that the adapter unit 100 is fixedly secured to the flange 9 of the dispenser casing l and need not be, indeed preferably cannot be removed thereafter. In refilling the dispenser it is necessary only to manipulate the latch key and its is not necessary to move or remove the adapter unit 100. Thus, the risk of loss of or damage to the adapter unit is minimized.

It will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while the adapter unit 100 will normally be constructed so that it will be able to accommodate standard rolls 25 of tissue paper, this adapter unit 100 and, in particular, the roll-supporting arms 101 thereof may also be constructed so as to limit their utility to use with a particular type of supply roll if this is desired.

FIG. 15 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the gripping washers and 135, this alternative embodiment being designated by the numeral 130A. The gripping washer 130A is similar to the

gripping washers

130 and 135, being annular in shape and having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the attachment flange 9 and preferably being constructed of spring steel. The inner edge of the gripping washer 130A is provided around the periphery thereof with a plurality of spaced apart slits 133 extending radially outwardly therefrom toward the outer edge of the washer 130A. The slits 133 are preferably equidistantly spaced about the inner edge of the washer 130A and have a radial extent which is preferably less than one-half of the radi al distance between the inner and outer edges of the washer 130A, the slits 133 operating to provide therebetween a plurality of flexible tabs 134. It will, of course, be understood that two of the washers 130A are provide at the mounting collar 120, one washer 130A corresponding to the washer 130 and another washer 130A corresponding to the washer in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In assembling the adapter unit in the casing 1, the mounting collar is moved upwardly along the spindle 2 to the mounting position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 in the usual manner, with the attachment flange 9 being received through openings in the

plates

122 and 123 and the gripping washers 130A. Since the diameter of the central openings through the gripping washers 130A is less than the diameter of the attachment flange 9, the flexible tabs 134 will be deformed downwardly by the attachment flange 9 similar to the deformation of the

teeth

132 and 137 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Thus, when the mounting collar 120 is in the mounting position thereof, the flexible taps 134 will be securely engaged with the outer surface of the attachment flange 9 so as to prevent retrograde motion of the mounting collar 120.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a dispenser for rolls of sheet material which is particularly adaptable for the dispensing of toilet tissue, a plurality of rolls of such tissue being accommodated by the dispenser so as to rotate about an upright spindle for dispensing therefrom.

Furthermore, there has been provided a dispenser for rolls of sheet material which securely holds the rolls on the spindle of the dispenser without the use of any attachments to or special constructions in the rolls themselves.

In addition, there has been provided an adapter unit for attachment to a prior art tissue dispenser usable only with specially constructed paper rolls, whereby such prior art dispensers are adapted to accommodate and dispense rolls other than the specially constructed rolls. There also has been provided an adapter unit which may be fixedly secured to a prior art dispenser so as effectively to prevent removal therefrom.

Finally, there have been provided two embodiments of a gripping washer for the adapter unit of the present invention.

While there has been described what at present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made and it is intended to include in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a roll-supporting arm disposed about said spindle and hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof adjacent to said one end of said spindle, a roll retainer carried by said arm adjacent to the other end thereof and shiftable between a rollholding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainer in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arm, and a camming surface on said arm engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainer can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so the movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainer to the roll-holding position thereof.

2. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, and further including a cam lock mounted on said spindle for releasably holding said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof.

3. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said spindle is tubular, and further including a cam lock mounted within said spindle for releasably holding said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof, said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof, said cam mechanism in the retracted position thereof being disposed within said tubular spindle, said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof extending outwardly from said tubular spindle.

4. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising, a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle, a mounting collar hingedly mounting one end of each of said arms on said support structure adjacent to said one end of said spindle, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

5. The dispenser set forth in claim 4, wherein said mounting collar is fixedly mounted on said support structure and said roll-supporting arms are hingedly connected to said mounting collar.

6. The dispenser set forth in claim 4, wherein said arms cooperate at said one end thereof to substantially surround the adjacent portion of said spindle, said mounting collar holding said arms together adjacent to said one end thereof.

7. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a mounting collar insertable over the other end of said spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to said one end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of said support structure and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each being hingedly mounted at one end thereof on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-hlding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surface on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

8. The dispenser set forth in claim 7, wherein said spindle is circular in cross section, and said attachment means comprises an annular gripping plate having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the adjacent portion of said support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of said plate having a plurality of teeth thereon which engage the adjacent portion of said support structure and are deflected thereby toward said other end of said spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, whereby said deflected teeth firmly grip the adjacent portion of said support structure for preventing retrograde motion of said collar from the mounting position thereof.

9. The dispenser set forth in claim 7, wherein said spindle is circular in cross section and said attachment means includes a pair of axially aligned and spaced apart annular gripping plates, each of said gripping plates having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the adjacent portion of said support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of each of said plates having a plurality of teeth thereon which engage the adjacent portion of said support structure and are deflected thereby toward said other end of said spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, whereby said deflected teeth firmly grip the adjacent portion of said supporting structure for preventing retrograde motion of said collar from the mounting position thereof.

10. The dispenser set forth in claim 7, wherein said spindle is circular in cross section, and said attachment means comprises an annular gripping plate having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the adjacent portion of said support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of said plate having a plurality of slits spaced circumferentially therearound and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said slits cooperating to define therebetween a plurality of flexible tabs which engage the adjacent portion of said support structure and are deflected thereby toward said other end of said spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, whereby said deflected tabs firmly grip the adjacent portion of said support structure for preventing retrograde motion of said collar from the mounting position thereof.

11. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a mounting collar insertable over the other end of said spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to said one end thereof, said mounting collar including a first annular plate having an opening therein for freely receiving said spindle therethrough, a second annular plate secured to said first annular plate and having an opening therein for readily receiving said spindle therethrough and having a flange spaced from said first annular plate and terminating adjacent to said spindle, gripping members disposed between said first and second plates and extending inwardly therefrom for engaging the adjacent portion of said support structure to support said collar in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each having an outturned flange adjacent to one end thereof, stop members respectively carried by each of said arms adjacent to said outturned flanges and cooperating therewith for receiving therebetween the inner edge of said flange on said second annular plate for hingedly mounting said arms on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

12. The dispenser set forth in claim 11, wherein said gripping members are arranged in two layers spaced apart longitudinally of said spindle.

13. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising, a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein, a spindle disposed within said casing and fixed only by one end thereto and extending from said casing, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retraced position with respect to said spindle, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof adjacent to said one end of said spindle, roll retainers respectively carried said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within said casing and a second associated roll in a use position outside of said casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position outside of said casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the rollpassing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

14. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said rollsupporting arms are respectively disposed on opposite sides of said spindle and are shaped complementary thereto.

15. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said spindle is tubular, and wherein said roll-supporting arms are respectively disposed on opposite sides of said spindle and are shaped complementary thereto.

16. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein each of said roll retainers a flange extending outwardly from said other end of the associated arm substantially normal thereto for engaging the outer end of an associated roll in the use position on said arms.

17. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said spindle is hollow and wherein said carn mechanism includes a pair of balls disposed within said spindle in the retracted position and extending outwardly from said spindle in the extended positron.

18. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said spindle is hollow and wherein said cam mechanism includes a pair of balls disposed within said spindle in the retracted position and extending outwardly from said spindle in the extended position, and further including a cam lock mounted with said spindle for locking said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof.

19. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein, an upright spindle having an upper end disposed within said casing and fixed thereto and a lower end extending downwardly from said casing, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a mounting collar insertable over the lower end of said spindle for movement upwardly to a mounting position adjacent to the upper end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of said casing and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each being hingedly mounted at the upper end thereof on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the lower ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within said casing and a second associated roll in a use position beneath said casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position beneath said casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

20. The dispenser set forth in claim 19, and further including a follower member carried by said casing and resiliently engaging the outer surface of an associated roll in the use position on said arms for preventing accidental unraveling of sheet material from said roll.

21. An adapter for use with a dispenser of rolls of sheet material including a support structure for attachment to a wall and a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to the support structure and a cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, said adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the other end of the spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to said one end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of the support structure and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each being hingedly mounted at one end thereof on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other end thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position thereof and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position thereof moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding positions thereof.

22. The adapter set forth in claim 21, wherein the associated spindle is circular in cross section, and said attachment means comprises an annular gripping plate having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the adjacent portion of the support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of said plate having a plurality of teeth thereon which engage the adjacent portion of the support structure and are deflected thereby toward the other end of the spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, whereby said deflected teeth firmly grip the adjacent portion of the support structure for preventing retrograde motion of said collar from the mounting position thereof.

23. The adapter set forth in claim 21, wherein the associated spindle is circular in cross section and said attachment means includes a pair of axially aligned and spaced part annular gripping plates, each of said gripping plates having an inner diameter slightly less than the other diameter of the adjacent portion of the support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of each of said plates having a plurality of teeth therein which engage the adjacent portion of the support structure and are deflected thereby by said outer end of the spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof.

24. The adapter set forth in claim 21, wherein said spindle is circular in cross section, and said attachment means comprises an annular gripping plate having an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the adjacent portion of said support structure when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, the inner edge of said plate having a plurality of slits spaced circumferentially therearound and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said slits cooperating to define therebetween a plurality of flexible tabs which engage the adjacent portion of said support structure and are deflected thereby toward said other end of said spindle when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, whereby said deflected tabs firmly grip the adjacent portion of said support structure for preventing retrograde motion of said collar from the mounting position thereof.

25. The adapter set forth in claim 21, wherein said arms cooperate at said one end thereof to substantially surround the adjacent portion of the associated spindle, said mounting collar holding said arms together adjacent to said one end thereof.

26. The adapter set forth in claim 21, wherein said mounting collar is fixedly mounted on the associated support structure and said roll-supporting arms are hingedly connected to said mounting collar.

27. An adapter for use with a dispenser of sheet material including a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein and an upright spindle having an upper end disposed within the casing and fixed thereto and a lower end extending downwardly from the casing and a cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, said adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the lower end of the spindle for movement upwardly to a mounting position adjacent to the upper end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of the casing and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about the spindle and hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof to said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the lower ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within the casing and a second associated roll in a use position beneath the casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position in the casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the rollpassing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

28. An adapter for use with a dispenser of rolls of sheet material including a support structure for attachment to a wall and a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to the support structure and a cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, said adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the other end of the spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to the one end thereof, said mounting collar including a first annular plate having an opening therein for freely receiving the spindle therethrough, a second annular plate secured to said first annular plate and having an opening therein for readily receiving the spindle therethrough and having a flange spaced from said first annular plate and terminating adjacent to the spindle, gripping members disposed between said first and second plates and extending inwardly therefrom for engaging the adjacent portion of the support structure to support said collar in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about the spindle and each having an outturned flange adjacent to one end thereof, stop members respectively carried by each of said arms adjacent to said outturned flanges and cooperating therewith for receiving therebetween the inner edge of said flange on said second annular plate for hingedly mounting said arms on said mounting collar when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,612,423 Dated OCtObEI 12, 1971 InventorGs) ERW IN B. BAHNSEN It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, Claim 3, line 20, delete "said cam mechanism in the extended position thereof" (second occurrence).

Column 11, Claiml3, line 13, after "carried" insert by Column 11, Claim 16, line 34, after "retainers" insert comprises Column 12, Claim 23, line 52, "part" should be apart Signed and sealed this L th day of April I 972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents RM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC scam-ps9 9 U 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING DFFICE 1959 OJG5*JII4

Claims

1. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a rollsupporting arm disposed about said spindle and hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof adjacent to said one end of said spindle, a roll retainer carried by said arm adjacent to the other end thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainer in the rollholding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arm, and a camming surface on said arm engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainer can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retraCted position and so the movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainer to the roll-holding position thereof.

7. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a support structure for attachment to a wall, a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to said support structure, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a mounting collar insertable over the other end of said spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to said one end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of said support structure and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each being hingedly mounted at one end thereof on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surface on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

13. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising, a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein, a spindle disposed within said casing and fixed only by one end thereto and extending from said casing, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retraced position with respect to said spindle, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof adjacent to said one end of said spindle, roll retainers respectively carried said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within said casing and a second associated roll in a use position outside of said casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position outside of said casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

14. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said roll-supporting arms are respectively disposed on opposite sides of said spindle and are shaped complementary thereto.

17. The dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein said spindle is hollow and wherein said cam mechanism includes a pair of balls disposed within said spindle in the retracted position and extending outwardly from said spindle in the extended position.

19. A dispenser for rolls of sheet material comprising a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein, an upright spindle having an upper end disposed within said casing and fixed thereto and a lower end extending downwardly from said casing, cam mechanism mounted on said spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to said spindle, a mounting collar insertable over the lower end of said spindle for movement upwardly to a mounting position adjacent to the upper end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of said casing and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about said spindle and each being hingedly mounted at the upper end thereof on said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the lower ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within Said casing and a second associated roll in a use position beneath said casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position beneath said casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with said cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when said cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of said cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

27. An adapter for use with a dispenser of sheet material including a casing for attachment to a wall and for accommodating a first roll of sheet material therein and an upright spindle having an upper end disposed within the casing and fixed thereto and a lower end extending downwardly from the casing and a cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, said adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the lower end of the spindle for movement upwardly to a mounting position adjacent to the upper end thereof, attachment means on said collar for engaging the adjacent portion of the casing and automatically locking said collar against retrograde motion when said collar is in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about the spindle and hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof to said mounting collar, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the lower ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding a first associated roll within the casing and a second associated roll in a use position beneath the casing and upon exhaustion of the second roll supporting the first roll in the use position in the casing, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.

28. An adapter for use with a dispenser of rolls of sheet material including a support structure for attachment to a wall and a spindle fixedly secured at one end thereof to the support structure and a cam mechanism mounted on the spindle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the spindle, said adapter comprising a mounting collar insertable over the other end of the spindle for movement to a mounting position adjacent to the one end thereof, said mounting collar including a first annular plate having an opening therein for freely receiving the spindle therethrough, a second annular plate secured to said first annular plate and having an opening therein for readily receiving the spindle therethrough and having a flange spaced from said first annular plate and terminating adjacent to the spindle, gripping members disposed between said first and second plates and extending inwardly therefrom for engaging the adjacent portion of the support structure to support said collar in the mounting position thereof, a pair of roll-supporting arms disposed about the spindle and each having an outturned flange adjacent to one end thereof, stop members respectively carried by each of said arms adjacent to said outturned flanges and cooperating therewith for receiving therebetween the inner edge of said flange on said second annular plate for hingedly mounting said arms on said mounting collar when said mounting collar is in the mounting position thereof, roll retainers respectively carried by said arms adjacent to the other ends thereof and shiftable between a roll-holding position and a roll-passing position, said roll retainers in the roll-holding position thereof rotatably holding an associated roll on said roll-supporting arms, and camming surfaces on said arms engageable with the cam mechanism so that said roll retainers can be moved to the roll-passing position when the cam mechanism is in the retracted position and so that movement of the cam mechanism to the extended position moves said roll retainers to the roll-holding position thereof.