US2224572A

US2224572A - Towel cabinet

Info

Publication number: US2224572A
Application number: US163624A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo M Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-09-13
Filing date: 1937-09-13
Publication date: 1940-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1957-12-10

Description

L. M. HARVEY Dec. 10, 1940.

TOWEL CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet l mi( Filed Sept. l5, A1957 Tfno/Pfaff Ira/725742927 E Y 29 32 M iy/ HS/Q//o/wey TOWEL CABINET Filed sept. 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www l.. M. HARVEY 2,224,572

TOWEL CABINET Dec. 10, 1940.

Filed Sept. 13, 1937 4 Sheets---Sheel'fl 5 F52 g1g.

L. M. HARVEY 2,224,572

TOWEL CABINET Filed Sept. 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l TOWEL CABINET Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 13, 1937, Serial No. 163,624 l 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device and relates more particularly to a device for dispensing sheet material such as paper toweling,

etc. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical and eifective device for dispensing paper toweling that is sanitary and very convenient to use.

Towel dispensing devices of various natureshave been introduced. In the majority of prior dispensing devices of this character the user was obliged to turn a crank or engage some other mechanical part with his hands to operate the device in order to receive the toweling. `The hands of the user of a towel cabinet are usually wet and the cranks or other manually engaged parts soon became dirty and very unsanitary.

Another object of this invention is to provide a towel dispensing device in which the toweling may be easily obtained or withdrawn from the cabinet wtihout manually engaging mechanical parts such as cranks, levers, buttons or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a towel dispensing device in which the edge portion of a sheet or portion of toweling in the case is made accessible for grasping by the user without manually grasping or handling any mechanical parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper towel dispensing device embodying means for automatically ejecting an edge portion of the toweling from the case to be readily grasped by the user for the purpose of withdrawing a towel or length of the toweling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device of the character mentioned embodying an effective and dependable means for limiting the amount of toweling that may be withdrawn from the cabinet at each operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device in which the user must perform a series of simple operations or manual acts which operations usually deter the user from obtaining or withdrawing more towels or toweling than required.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that is substantially tamper proof and that cannot be made inoperative by incomplete or imperfect manual operations.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved towel cabinet provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cabinet. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5 3 3 on Fig. 1 showing the parts in the normal positions. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical detailedv sectional views m taken as indicated by lines 5--5 and 6 6, respectively, on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is .a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line l-l on Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the dogs and adjacent parts of the ejectingV means in the operative positions. Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 6 showing the latch means in the operative condition where the stop means is released immediately preceding the ejecting operation. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the parts in position immediately following the ejecting operation. Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line II-II on Fig. 3, and Fig. 12 is a reduced elevation view of a portion of the toweling.

The present invention may be embodied in forms for handling or dispensing sheet materials of various sizes, characters, etc. In the following detailed description, I will describe a form of the invention intended primarily for dispensing paper towels or paper toweling of the general character described in Patent No. 2,023,357, issued December 3, 1935. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific form or application of the invention about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims. The towel dispensing device of the invention illustrated in the drawings includes, generally, a cabinet or case I0 adapted to hold a supply S of toweling T, a control member II in the case II'I having controlling engagement with a portion 45 of the toweling T, means I2 normally tending to operate or move the member Il -to eject an edge portion of the toweling T from the case I0 for grasping by the user, stop means I3 normally preventing movement or operation of the mem- 50 ber I I in a direction to eject the toweling T from the case Ill'and governed by cooperation with the toweling T to limit the wthdrawal'of the toweling, and means I4 actuated by manual movement of the member II for releasing the 55 stop means I3 and to allow operation of the toweling ejecting means I2.

The cabinet or case IS) of the device is-in the nature of a hollow structure for carrying and housing the various other elements and parts. In the form of the invention illustrated the case I is adapted to be arranged or secured on a vertical support such as a wall or the like. The case In is constructed so that the supply S of toweling T may be readily arranged within it. The case le includes two sections, namely a rear section A and a front section B. The sections A and B are preferably formed of sheet metal and may be finished as desired.

The case section A comprises a back I5 anda bottom I6. The back I5 is substantially vertical and the bottom I6 is rsubstantially horizontal and projectsv forwardly at the lower edge of the back I5. A forwardly projecting ilange IJ extends along the vertical edges and the top edge of the back I5 and a similar up-turned ilange I8` extends along the side edges of the bottom I6. The section A isv provided with supports or plates I9 and for carrying the mechanism of the device and includes a shelf 2| for carrying the supply S of toweling T. In practice the plates It) and 2i) are substantially vertical and project forwardly from the back I5 and upwardly from the bottom I5. The lower edge portions of the plates I9 and 25 are welded or otherwise fixed to the flanges I8 and the rear edge portions of the plates are secured to the back I5. The plate I9 has. a shoulder 22 spaced between its upper and lower ends whereby its lower portion is offset laterally or toward the adjacent side of the cabinet. The lower portion of the plate 20 may be similarly offset. Outturned ilanges 23 may be provided along the forward edges of the plates I9 and 25. The shelf 2| for carrying the supply S projects forwardly from the back I5 and is located between the two plates I9 and 25. In practice the shelf 2| may have suitable edge flanges rigidly secured to the back I5 and the plates I5 and 2i) by welding or the like. I n the preferred construction the shelf 2| inclines downwardly and forwardly. The forward edge of the shelf 27| is spaced sorne distance lrearwardly from the plane of the forward edges of the plates I9 and 2.

The case section B is a rigidly assembled unit connected or associated with the section A so that it may be removed or swung forwardly away from the section A to give free access to the interior of the case. The section B includesl sides 24, a top and a front. The sides 24 are flat and substantially vertical and the top 2 5 is normally substantially horizontal. The front of the section B preferably has the characteristic shape illustrated in the drawings. As best shown in Figs. l and 2, the front of the case section B has anl upper portion 2 6 bowed downwardly and outwardly from the top 25. and then downwardly and inwardly to join a portion 2l which is bowed downwardly and outwardly and then downwardly and inwardly. The front portion 21 preferaloly has a smaller radius of curvature than the front portion 26. A at front portion 28 extends downwardly from the portion 21. The lower edge part of the portion 28 is preferably inclined downwardly and rearwardly. The case section B is preferably hinged or pivoted to the, section A so that it may be swung downwardly and forwardly to an open position. In the construction illustrated the section B is pivotally supported by pins 29 carried by the section A.. 'The anges |81of the section A are provided with brackets 30 for supporting the pivot pins 29. The brackets 38 extend outwardly or laterally from the flanges I8 so that the adjacent sides 24 of the section B are spaced outwardly from the plates I9 and 2S. A latch or lock 3| is provided to hold the section B in its up or closed position illustrated throughout the drawings. j

The case I5 is provided with an outlet opening or discharge'opening 32 through which the toweling T is ejected and withdrawn. The lower edge of the front portion 28 of the case section B is in a plane above the bottom I8 and the forward edge of the bottom I6 is spaced rearwardly from said front portion 28 leaving the discharge opening 32 in the lower forward corner of the case Ill. The bottom I6 may have an upwardly projecting apron 33 at the rear of the opening 32 to assist in guiding the toweling T through the opening. In accordance with the invention the case III has an access opening 34 through which the user may engage, press against, or manipulate the toweling T engaged or trained over the control member II. The opening 34 is provided in the front of the section B and is preferably provided in its portion 2l. The opening 34 may be rectangular in front elevation and may have its upper and lower edges substantially coincident with the upper and lower margins of the front portion 2l. It is preferred to make the opening 34 comparatively large. It is to be noted that the access opening 34 is spaced above the discharge opening 32.

The supply S of towelingl T is supported on the shelf 2| andthe toweling T is trained downwardly from the supply S past the access opening 3ft toward the discharge opening 32. The toweling I is brous absorbent sheet material or paper and in the particular application of the invention illustrated the toweling is supplied to the case I in the form of a continuous elongate strip wound or rolled into a roll which constitutes the supply S. The roll or supply S is supported on the shelf 2| between the plates I9 and 20 and thel plates operate to limitl endwise movement of the supply. The strip of toweling T is weakened along spaced transverse lines to readily tear or part along these lines and thus form a multiplicity of individual towels. As illustrated in Fig. 12 ofl the drawings the strip of toweling T has longitudinally spaced transverser rows of perforations 35 which weaken the strip for ready separation into separate towels. Each towel of the strip, that is, each portion of the toweling T between adjacent lines of perforations 35 has a perforated zone or weakened zone 35. In the toweling T illustrated the Zones 36 have multiplicities of adjacent openings or slits whereby they are readily penetrable. Thel penetrable weakened zones 35 are adjacent one longitudinal edge of the strip of toweling T and each zone 36 is adjacent a line of perforations 35. The several weakened zones 36v of the strip of toweling T are in the same or corresponding positions with'relation to the adjacent lines of perforations 35v and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the-strip of toweling. The spaced trans-- verse lines of perforations 35 and the spaced penetrable weakened Zones 3S are provided throughout the length of the strip of toweling T. The roll or supply S of toweling rests on the inclined shelf 2| and the strip of toweling T is trained from the lower side of the supply past or overfthe control member |I as will be subsequently described. f

The control member II is supported in the case I to have movement controlling engagement with the portion of toweling T extending from the roll or supply S to the discharge opening 32. The control member II is positioned and mounted to be manually movable through the medium of toweling T accessible through the access opening 34 to control the releasing means I4. The control member II is also acted on or moved by the means I2 to effect the ejection of the lower edge portion of the strip of toweling T through the opening 32 to be readily grasped by the user and is controlled by the means I3 t'o limit withdrawal of the toweling.

In the preferred form of the invention the control member II is in the nature of a rotatable element or roller. The control member II is elongate and is arranged horizontally in the front portion of the case IU to protrude into the concave rear side of the outwardly bowed front portion 21. 'Ihe control member II is generally cylindrical and may be formed of wood or the like. It is preferred to co-ver the periphery of the control member II with rubber 9 or similar material to have the desired frictional contact with the toweling T.

In the preferred construction the control member II is provided with a shaft 31 which projects from its opposite ends. The control member II is supported by the plates I9 and 20 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. Bearings 38 are provided on the plates I9 and 20 and rotatably receive the projecting end portions of the shaft 31 to support the member II for rotation. The shaft 31 projects outwardly or laterally beyond the bearings 38. The bearings"`38 are carried by the laterally offset lower portions of the plates I9 and 20. The circumference of the rotatable control member II is concentric with and in close relation to the inner surface of the bowed front portion 21 of the case. The control memberII is preferably provided with longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves 39 for the purpose to be hereinafter described. l y

The control member II, rotatably supported as just described projects upwardly beyond the forward edge of the inclined shelf 2I so that the roll-or supply S resting on the forward portion of the inclined shelf bears on and is. partially supported by the member II. The strip of toweling T leaves the supply S at the point or zone of contact between the supply S and the member II so that it cannot buckle or become bunched under the supply. The weight or a portion of the Weight of the roll or supply S of toweling T maintains the circumferences of the member I and the supply S in geared or driving cooperation so that rotation of the member II results in rotation of the supply S. The toweling VT is trained downwardly over the forward face ofthe control member II to extend between the periphery of the member and the inner surface of the front portion 21. The portion 21 of the case front may have indented parts which form vertical ridges 49 entering the grooves 39 in the member II at opposite sides of the access opening 34 to assist in holding the toweling T in c0- operation with the member II and to prevent the toweling from becoming fouled between the member II and the internal surface of the portion 21.

VIt is to be observednthat the toweling T trained portion accessible to the user through the open- -ing 34 and that the portion of toweling thus accessible is dependably supported or backed up by the member II so that the user may apply force to it to move or turn the member II. In accordance with the invention the access opening 34 has a horizontal dimension considerably less than that of the strip of toweling T so that theopposite side or edge portions of the toweling T cannot be eng-aged or grasped through the opening 34. This is important as it prevents the user from gripping or engaging the toweling T at the opening 34 in an attempt to withdraw the toweling through the opening. The access opening 34 is of substantial vertical extent so that the user may readily act on the curved or vconvex portion of the toweling T exposed at the opening to effect turning of the member II.

A roller 4I is provided below the member II to assist in maintaining the toweling T in cooperation with the member II and to assist in directingthe toweling through the opening 32. The roller 4I may be a cylindrical member of wood or the like of substantially the same length as the member II. The roller 4I is supported between the spaced plates I9 and. 29 of the case I 0. Slots 42 are provided in the plates I9 and 20' in substantially vertical alignment with the bearings 38. Trunnons 43 project from the opposite ends of the roller 4I and extend into the slots 42. The trunnions 43 are rotatable and vertically shiftable in the slots 42. The toweling T vis trained between the lower peripheral surface of the member II and the upper peripheral surface of the roller 4I and means is provided for urging the roller upwardly so that the toweling is held or rmly engaged between the member and the roller. Springs 44 are connected with the projecting end portions of the trunnions 43 and have their upper ends connected with the projecting portions of the shaft 31 to yieldin'gly urge the roller 4| upwardly whereby the toweling T is firmly engaged between the member I I and the roller. 'Ihe apron 33 may have fingers 45 and the shelf 2| may have fingers 46 which ngers 45 and 43 extend into the grooves 39 in the member Il to prevent the toweling T from wrapping about the member II and from becoming fouled on the member.

The means I2 is provided to advance or feed the toweling T to project the lower edge portion of the toweling through the opening 32 for ready grasping by the user. The ejecting means I2 is automatic. That is, it does not require the manual manipulation of any mechanical parts for its actuation. The automatic ejecting means I2 is operable to move or turn the control member II to effect the outward feeding `of the toweling T and operates following actuation of the manual control means I4 and thus may be said to be released by actuation of the means I4.

The means I2 includes a sleeve 48 freely turnable on an end portion of the shaft 31. The sleeve 48 is rotatable in the bearing 38 carried by the plate I9 and operates to support the end portion of the shaft 31 in said bearing. In the preferred construction the sleeve 48 projects out- Wardly beyond the bearing 38 and projects inwardly at the inner side o-f the supporting plate I9. The means I2 further includes a crank 49 fixed to or integral with the outer projecting portion of the sleeve 48 .to turn with the sleeve. The outer end of the crank 49 carries a pin 59 and olf a link 5| is pivoted on the pin 55. An extensible coiled spring 52 has one end secured to the outei` end of the link 5I and has its other end secured to the back I5. The spring 52 is preferably of substantial length. It is believed that it will be understood how rotation of the crank 49 is operable to elongate the spring 52 to store energy therein and how the spring 52 acting on the link 5I and the crank- 49 is operable to expend its energy in turning the crank. The turning of the crank 49 by the spring 52 effects turning of the member II through the mechanisrnto be subsequently described.

The means I2 further includes a ratchet drive or escapement drive between the control member II and the sleeve 48 whereby the energy of the spring 52 serves to turn the member H to feed the toweling T from the case IIJ during one phase of operation of the device and turning of the roll member II by manual manipulation of the toweling T serves to elongate the spring 52 and store energy therein for a subsequent operation during another phase of operation of the device. This ratchet drive includes a ratchet wheel 53 between the plate I9 and the adjacent end of the member. The wheel 53 has a tubular hub 53a which is secured to the member II as will be hereinafter described. The wheel 53 has substantially square peripheral teeth 54. The ratchet drive further includes a disc 55 fixed to the sleeve 48 at its inner end to be immediately adjacent the ratchet wheel 53. Two

ratchet dogs

56 and 51 are pivoted on the disc 55 to cooperate with the ratchet wheel 53. Spaced pins 58 on one side of the disc 55 pivotally support the dogs 56 .and 51. The

dogs

55 and 51 are positioned so that their heads cooperate with the toothed ratchet wheel 53 at substantially diametrically opposite points. The head of the dog 5G is adapted to cooperate with the teeth 54 to form a driving connection between the crank 49 and the member II to effect turning of the member II and ejection of the lower edge portion of the toweling T under the force exerted by the spring 52. The head of the dog 51 is adapted to cooperate with the teeth 54 of the wheel 53 to transmit turning force from the member II and the wheel 53 to the crank 49 to stretch the spring 52 and thus store energy therein for the next ejecting operation. A spring wire 59 is wrapped about a pin 60 on a side of the disc 55 and cooperates with the tail portions of the

dogs

56 and 51 to urge the heads of the dogs into cooperation with the teeth 54 of the wheel 53.

The ejecting means I2 includes a control for holding its parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings where the spring 52 is maintained under tension. The said control includes an abrupt shoulder 6I on the periphery of the disc 55 and a pivoted lever 62 having a finger 63 for cooperating with the shoulder 6I. The lever 62 may be yoked or of inverted U-shape in cross section andthe finger 63 may be provided on one side part of the U-shaped lever. A pin 64 passes through openings in the lower portions of the spaced side parts of the lever 62 to pivotally support the lever. The pin 64 has one end portion carried in an opening in the plate I9 and has its other portion carried in an opening in a bracket 65 projecting from the bottom I6. The

lever 62 has a depending arm E6 and a springthe disc 55 against turning when the spring 52 is under tension or is elongated in which condition the spring tends to turn the member II in a direction to feed the toweling T from the opening 32. The stop nger 63 is released from the shoulder 6I by the release means I4 as will be subsequently described to allow the spring 52 to turn the control member II and thus eject the edge portion of the toweling T through the opening 32. The rear end of the spring 61 may be connected to a stationary lug [i1a on the plate I9.

The ejecting means I2 includes a control for holding the dog 51 released from the ratchet wheel 53 when the toweling T is `being manually withdrawn from the case I0 after the spring 52 has been elongated by the action of the crank 49, the dog 51 being released at this time allows continued rotation of the control member II following the full conditioning or elongation of the spring 52. 'Ihe control means for the dog 51 includes a cam face yE58 on the tail portion of the dog 51 and a cylindrical roller 69 for cooperating with the face 68. In practice the roller 69 may be rotatable on the pin 64 between the spaced side parts of the U-shaped lever 62. The roller 69 cooperates with the face 68 to free the head of the dog 51 from the ratchet wheel 53 when the shoulder 6I cooperates with the finger 63 so that this cooperation does not stop rotation of the member II and limit withdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0.

The operation of the above-described automatic ejecting means I 2 is dependent upon the rotation of the control member II by manual withdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0 and is dependent upon manual actuation of the release means I4, the rotation of the member II by the manual withdrawal of the toweling operating to elongate the spring 52 to store energy therein and the actuation of the means I4 operating to initiate the ejecting function of the means I2. The operation of the several parts of the means I2 will be subsequently described in conjunction with the operation of the other elements of the machine.

The stop means I3 operates to limit the withdrawal ofthe toweling T from the case I0 and in accordance with the invention is in the nature of a brake means for stopping rotation of the control member II in the towel dispersing or discharging direction indicated by the arrow X throughout the drawings. It is a feature of the invention that the stop means I3 is governed by cooperation with the toweling T. The means I3 includes a brake 10 for cooperating with the rubber 9 on the periphery of the control member II. The brake 10 is a U-shaped member supported in the case I0 for pivotal movement. In the construction illustrated a pin 1I is carried by a suitable bracket 12 on the under side of the shelf 2I and passes through openings in the spaced parts of the U-shaped brake 10 to pivotally support the brake. 'I'he brake 10 is positioned at the rear of the control member I I and its axis of pivotal movement is spaced above the plane of the axis of rotation of the member. A brake s-hoe 13 of rubber or the like is provided on the forward end or forward part of the brake 19 to cooperate with the rubber 9 on the control member I I. Because of the location of the brake 10 and the position of its axis of pivotal movement the brake is operable to effectively bind against the peripheral rubber 9 of the control member I I to stop rotation of the member in the direction indicated by the arrow X. When the shoe 13 of the brake 18 is engaged against the rubber 9 of the member I| and the member is turning or is tending to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the brake pivots upwardly and thus forms a toggle between its pivot pin 1I and the peripheral rubber 9 of the member II to definitely stop turning of the member.

'Ihe stop means I3 further includes a towel engaging element 14 for governing the brake 10. The element 14 has two spaced side parts 15 and is supported for pivotal movement about a substantial horizontal axis. In practice the element 14 may be pivotally supported by the pin 64 between the bracket 65 and the lever 62. The pin 64 may pass through openings in the side parts 15 of the element 14 to pivotally support the element. The element 15 is operatively connected with the pivoted brake 10. In the simple construction illustrated a lug 16 on a side part 15 of the element 14 passes through an opening 11 in a side part of the U-shaped brake 18 to operatively connect the element 14 with the brake so that pivoting of the element eiects pivoting of the brake. The element 14 is preferably spring urged or spring held. An arm 18 projects downwardly from one side part 15 of the element 14 and a spring 19 is connected with the lower end of the arm 18 to urge the arm rearwardly and thus urge the side parts 15 of the element 14 forwardly. The rear end of the spring 19 may be connected with a clip or lug 80 on the supporting plate I9. It is believed that it will be understood how the spring 19 urging the side parts 15 of the element 14 forwardly tends to pivot the brake 10 forwardly and upwardly into cooperation with the peripheral rubber 9 of the control member I|. The parts are related so that the brake 10 normally inclines downwardly and forwardly with respect to its pivot pin 1I so that the lug 16 on the spring urged element 14 tends to pivot the brake 18 forwardly and upwardly to bring its shoe 13 against the peripheral rubber 9 of the control member I Movement of the brake controlling element 14 is governed by cooperation of the element with the towelling T whereby the brake 10 is set when a predetermined length of towelingT has been withdrawn from the case II). One side part 15 of the element 14 has a forwardly projecting iinger 8|. The forward end of the nger 8| is rounded or convex being curved downwardly and rearwardly from the top of the iinger to the lower end of the finger to cooperate with the toweling T without tearing or biting into the toweling. The lower edge 82 of the iinger 8| is concaved to bear downwardly on the portion of toweling T passing over the roller 4I. The forward edge and the lower edge 82 of the finger 8| are preferably broadened to have more extensive engagement with the toweling T. The roller 4I is provided with an annular peripheral groove 83 in the same vertical plane as the finger 8| so that the iinger cooperates with the toweling T above or at the groove 83 as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The upper major'portion of the finger 8| which is above the toweling T and the roller 4| is received in one of the grooves 39 in the control member I I.

The engagement ofthe finger 8| with the toweling T trained over the roller 4| limits pivoting of the element 14, by the spring 19, holding the element 14 in the position where the brake shoe 13 is free of or out of cooperation with the rubber 9 on the control member II, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The weakened or penetrable zones 36 in the toweling T, the nger 8| and the aligned

grooves

39 and 83 are located and related so that the zones 36 pass between the

grooves

39 and 83 when the towels or lengths of toweling are successively withdrawn from the case I0. The spring 19 acting on the element 14 yieldingly urges the finger 8| downwardly against the toweling T and when a penetrable zone 36 moves between the control member andthe roller 4| the finger 8I is urged through or pene-r trates the zone. The iinger 8| of the spring urged element 14 penetrating the zone 36 under the action of the spring 19 allows or is accompanied by pivoting of the element 14. The lug 16 cooperating with the opening 11 in the brake 19 transmits the pivotal movement from the element 14 to the brake 10 so that pivoting of the element when its iinger 8| penetrates a zone 36 eiiects setting or operation of the brake 10. Fig. 6 of the drawings illustrates the iinger 8| passing through a penetrable zone 36 of the toweling T and shows the brake 18 in its set or holding position. As described above, the brake 10 toggles or binds against the rubber 9 of the member II to dependably stop rotation of the member in the direction indicated by the arrow X and thus definitely limits the withdrawal of the toweling T. The cooperation of the brake shoe 13 with the rubber 9 on the member II of course limits pivoting of the element 14 and stops the element in a position where its nger 8| is clear of the walls of the groove 83 so that the spring 19 continues to exert an actuating or holding force on the brake 18. The transverse lines of perforations 35 are related to the penetrable zones 38 so that a line of perforations 35 is adjacent or slightly below the roller 4| when the outward movement or withdrawal of the toweling T is stopped concurrently with the entrance of the finger 8| in a zone 36. In practice the lowermost line of perforations 35 in the strip of toweling T is spaced above the mouth of the discharge opening 32 when the brake 10 operates to stop the withdrawal of the toweling T. The stop means I3 just described is released by the means I4, as will be subsequently described.

The means I4 is provided to simultaneously re. lease the brake 10, withdraw the linger 8| and release or free the ejecting means I2 for operation. In accordance with the invention the releasing means I4 is operated by manual manipulation of the control member II through the medium of the toweling T accessible at the opening 34. The means I4 includes a wheel or disc 85 rotatable with the control member In practice the disc 85 may be secured to the end of the member II adjacent the plate I9 by suitable screws 86. The hub 53a of the wheel 53 may be knurled and force tted in an opening 85a in the disc 85 whereby the wheel 53 turns with the member I I. 'I'he disc 85 is provided with peripheral ratchet teeth 81 which face rearwardly or in the directionof rotation of the member |I indicated by the arrow Y. A pawl 88 is associated with the lever 62 to cooperate with the teeth 81 of the disc 85. A pin 89 extends between the side parts of the Ushaped lever 62 and the pawl 88 is pivoted on the pin 89. The pawl 88 projects upwardly and forwardly from its pin 89 and has a iinger 98 projecting downwardly to cooperate with the teeth 81 of the disc 85. A Weight 9| may be provided on the upper end of the pawl 88 to assist in urging its finger 90 into cooperation with-the teeth 81. The upper portion of the pawl 88 and its weight 9| may project through a suitable opening 92 in the shoulder 22 of the plate I9. The finger 99 is engageable by a tooth 81 so that movement or turning of the control member |I in the direction indicated by the arrow Y is transmitted to the pawl 88 which in turn transmits the inward or rearward movement to the pivoted lever 52. The user of the towel cabinet may push or bear against the toweling T exposed at the opening 34 to turn the member II in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. As just described turning of the member I I in the direction indicated by the arrow Y results in rearward pivoting of the lever 62. When the lever 62 is moved or pivoted rearwardly in this manner its linger 63 is moved out of engagement with the lshoulder 8| to free the lever 62 from the disc 55. Rearward movement or pivoting of the lever 62 resulting from manual turning of the control member I I in the direction indicated by the arrow Y also pivots the element 14 to release the brake 10 and to withdraw or retract the nger 8 I. A lug 93 is provided on one of the side parts 15 of the element 14 and is engaged by a side part of the lever 62 when the lever is pivoted rearwardly, as just described, so that rearward pivoting of the lever 62 effects rearward pivoting of the lelement 14. This rearward 'pivoting of 4the element 14 releases the brake shoe 13 from the rubber 9 of the element I I and retracts the finger 8| `from the path of the toweling T so that the ejecting means I2 is 'free to turn the member II and eject the lower edge portion of the toweling T when the user removes his hand or the rearward pressure from the portion of the toweling T accessible at the opening 34.

The release means I4 further includes a latch mechanism for temporarily holding the element 14 in the position where its iinger 8| is out of the path of the toweling T and where the brake 19 is released so that the ejecting means I2 is free to ejectthe lower edge portion of the toweling T following the manual turning 'of the lmember II in the direction indicated by the arrow Y, as described above. In practice the latch mechanism operates to hold the element 14 `in the retracted position until the ejecting means I2 has moved the lowermost penetrable zone 36 past the finger 8| and until the shoulder 6I has moved past the Yringer 63. The latch mechanism includes a latch 94 pivotally supported on the pin 89 and projecting forwardly. The forward end of the latch 94 has two vertically spaced fingers 95 and 96 which straddle Ya knurled or toothed pinion 91 fixed to the member I I between the wheel 53 and the disc 85. The pinion 91 may be integral with the wheel 53 and in practice may be an exposed portion of the above described hub 53a. A toothed face or shoulder 98 is provided on the forward end of the latch 94 and extends downwardly from adjacent the upper finger 95. A notch 99 is provided in the forward edge of the latch 94 between the lower edge of the shoulder 98 and the lower finger 96.

The vertically spaced fingers 95 and 36 of the latch 94 are adapted to cooperate with the pinion 91 to limit the vertical pivoting movement of the latch. The toothed shoulder 98 is adapted to cooperate with the toothed pinion 91 to temporarily hold the latch 94 in its active or latching position. 'I'he cooperation of the shoulder 98 with the pinion 91 holds the latch 94 in a position where the latch temporarily retains the lever 92 andthe element 14 in retracted positions with the linger 63 out of cooperation with the shoulder 6| and with the finger 8| out of the path of movement of the toweling T and with the brake 10 released. When the parts are in their normal or ini-tial positions the pinion 91 is received in the notch 99 of the latch 94. When the lever 62 is pivoted rearwardly through the cooperation of the pawl iinger 99 with a tooth 81 by the turning force exerted on the member II by the user acting on the toweling T at the access opening 34, the latch 94 moves rearwardly with the lever to a position where the shoulder `98 is immediately behind the pinion 91. This allows the latch 94 to pivot downwardly by gravity until its upper finger 95 engages the pinion '91. When 'the latch 94 falls or pivots downwardly the spring 61 acting on the lever 92 urges the latch 94 forwardly so that the teeth of the shoulder 98 cooperate with the teeth of the pinion 91. It will be understood how the toothed lshoulder 98 cooperating vwith the pinion 91 holds the lever 62 in a position where the nger 8| is out of the path of the toweling T, the brake 19 is released and the iinger 63 is out of engagement with the shoulder 6I. Immediately upon the disengagement of the finger 63 from the shoulder 6I and the release of the manual force or pressure from the control member `II vthe spring 52 exerting a turning force on the crank49 turns the member II in the direction indicated by the arrow X to advance the toweling T and project the lower edge portion of the toweling through the opening 32. The spring 52 continues to turn the control member II and thus effect the ejection of the toweling T until the crank 49 and the link 5I assume positions in longitudinal alignment with the spring 52, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. During the turning of the control member II by the spring 52 of the ejecting means I2 the teeth of the shoulder 98 and the pinion 91 mesh to eiTect 'upward pivoting of the latch 94. This upward pivoting of the latch 94 continues until the notch 99 receives 4the pinion 91. When the notch 99 receives the pinion 91 the latch 94 and the lever 62 move forwardly under the action of the spring 61 freeing the lever 62 from the lug 93 and bringing lthe iinger 8| into engagement with the toweling T. The ejecting means I2 will have advanced the toweling T to move the lowermost penetrable zone 36 past the finger 8| when the linger returns into engagement with the toweling T at the release of the means I4, as just described. As previously described, the cooperation of the finger 8| with the toweling vT lholds the brake 10 released so that the user may grasp the ejected lower edge portion of the toweling T and freely withdraw the toweling from the case III until the nger 8| penetrates a weakened zone 36 to eiect the operation of the brake means 19.

In operation it will be assumed that the parts are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, of the drawings where the lower edge of the toweling T is some distance above the mouth of the discharge opening 32, the finger 8| is extending through the lowermost weakened zone 36 of the toweling T, the brake is in cooperation with the rubber 9 of the member the spring 52 is held elongated or under tension, the means I4 is released and the pawl 88 is in cooperation with the toothed ratchet wheel 85. It will be observed that the toweling T cannot be grasped or engaged at the opening 32 and that the edges of the toweling T cannot be grasped at the access opening 34 so that the use r cannot obtain or attempt to obtain the toweling T without first acting on the exposed portion of toweling T in the opening 34 in the prescribed manner to release the stop means I3.

To effect the automatic ejection of the toweling T through the discharge opening 32 the user must apply pressure or force to the portion of .the toweling T exposed at the opening 34 in a manner to turn the control member II in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. When the member II is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow Y a tooth SI of the wheel 85 cooperates with the finger 90 of the pawl 88 to shift the pawl and the lever 62 rearwardly. The lever 62 moving rearwardly engages the lug 93 so that the element 'I4 is moved rearwardly with the lever to retract the nger 8l from the path of the toweling T and to release the brake 'ID and to allow the latch 94 to move downwardly by gravity to the position where its shoulder 98 may cooperate with the pinion 91 to gear the latch to the pinion S'I for upward swinging. The nger 53 of the pivoted lever 62 is released from the shoulder 6I of the disc 55 substantially simultaneously with the release of the stop means I3 and the latching of the latch 94.

'Ihe release of the nger 63 from the shoulder BI conditions or frees the ejecting means I2 for operation and when the user removes his hand or hands from the portion of the toweling T exposed at the opening 34 the spring 52 acting on the crank 49 turns the member' II in the direction indicated by the arrow X and the member serves to feed the toweling T downwardly so that its lower edge portion is ejected through the discharge opening 32. The turning force is transmitted from the assembly of the crank 49 and the disc 55 to the wheel 53 secured to the member II through the medium of the dog 55 cooperating with a tooth 54. The spring 52 of 40 the ejecting means I2 operates to turn the control member II to feed the toweling T downwardly until the crank 49 assumes a position in axial alignment with the spring 52. In practice the ejecting means I2 operates to feed the toweling T downwardly to have a substantial portion project from the case I0 at the discharge opening 32 for ready grasping, as illustrated in l0 of the drawings.

During the towel ejecting operation of the 50 means I2 just described the pinion 91 cooperates with the toothed shoulder 9B to pivot the latch 94 upwardly. -Before the automatic towel ejecting operation is complete the latch 94 reaches the position illustrated in Fig. l0 of the drawings where the notch 99 receives the pinion 91. Upon the forward shifting of the latch 94 to this position under the action of the spring 61 the lever 52 moves forwardly away from and out of cooperation with the lug 93 allowing the element 'I4 to pivot under the action of the spring I9 to a position where its nger BI engages the toweling Tl The engagement of the finger 8l with the toweling holds the element 14 in va position where the brake i9 is out of cooperation with the member II, as described above. The above described forward movement of the lever 62 brings its nger S3 to a position in the patch of movement of the shoulder 5I of the disc 55. Thus when the ejecting operation is completed the stop means I3 is released so that the user may grasp the projecting portion of the toweling T and withdraw the toweling from the case I0.

The manual manipulation or withdrawal of the toweling T from the case IE! causes rotation of the 75 control member II in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the toweling T engaging about the member II drives or turns the member. During this rotation of the control member II the dog 5l' cooperates With the tooth 54 of the wheel 53 to cause rotation of the disc and t-he crank 49 with the control member. Turning of the crank 49 elongates or stretches the spring 52 storing energy therein.` In practice the crank 49 turns to a position such a's illustrated in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings. During this turning of the crank 49 the face 53 of the dog 51 cooperates with the roller 69 and causes pivoting of the dog to a position where it is released from the teeth 54 o-f the wheel 53. Substantially simultaneous with the release of the dog 51 the shoulder 6I comes into cooperation with the finger 63 of the lever 52 to prevent further turning of the disc 55 and to maintain the elongated spring 52l under tension, Thus the disc 55 and the crank 49 are freed from the rotating control member II and the wheel 53 so that the control member I I may continue to rotate after the shoulder 6I comes into engagement with the stop finger 63. The teeth 54 ratchet past the dog 56 during rotation of the member II in the direction indicated by the arrow X. It will be noted that the turning of the control member II and the associated parts effects elongatio-n of the spring 52 yand the storing of energy in the spring when the user pulls o-r withdraws the toweling T from the case Ill.

The user may continue to withdraw the toweling T from the case I0 until the second to the lowermost weakened zone 36 in the toweling enters between the control member I I and the roller 4I whereupon the finger 8| urged by the spring 'i9 penetrates said Zone 36. As described above, the entrance of the finger 8| in a weakened zone 35 is accompanied by forward movement of the element 14 and the brake I0 so that the shoe I3 of the brake comes into braking or stoppingA cooperation with the rubber 9 on the .control member II. This, of course, stops rotation of the control member II and definitely limits Withdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0. The

user may then exert a downward or outward pull l.

on the withdrawn portion of the toweling T to part said portion of the toweling from the strip of toweling ID 'in the case along the lowermost line of perforations 35. In practice the stop means I3 operates to limit the withdrawal of the toweling T and to stop the toweling in a position where the lowermost line of perforations 35 is above the mouth of the opening 32. Accordingly, when the withdrawn portion of toweling is pulled or torn free the lower edgeof the toweling T'.v

remaining in the case I5 ishidden in the case and is inaccessible or very difcult of access. From the `above it will be seen that the manual withdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0 automatically sets up or conditions the ejecting means I2 for a subsequent operation and automatically actuates the stop means I3 to denitely limit the amount of toweling that may be withdrawn at that operation, Following the tearing free of the withdrawn portion of toweling T the device is in4 condition for operation. i

yHaving described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A paper towel dispensing device comprising a case for holding a supply of paper toweling, the case having a discharge opening and an access opening through which a portion of the toweling is accessible, spring means in the case operable to eject an edge portion ofthe toweling through the discharge opening to be engaged by the user whereby the user may withdraw toweling from the case, releasable means holding the spring means against operation and released by manipulation of the toweling accessible through the access opening, and means operable by the force applied to the toweling to withdraw the toweling for conditioning the spring means for the succeeding ejecting operation.

2. A paper towel dispensing device comprising a case for holding a supply of paper toweling, the case having a discharge opening, means in the case operable to eject an edge portion of the toweling through the discharge opening whereby 0 the user may withdraw toweling from the case,

releasable means holding the rst mentioned means against operation, releasable brake means. for stopping withdrawal movement of the toweling to limit the withdrawal of the toweling, and vmeans operable by the user for substantially simultaneously releasing the two releasable means whereby the said rst mentioned means may eject an edge portion of the toweling for a second withdrawal operation.

3. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a supply of toweling, the case having a discharge opening, a control member in the case having movement producing and controlling engagement with the toweling, spring means in 35, the case for operating the member to advance opening to be grasped for withdrawal, means #operable by the force applied to the toweling duriing such withdrawal for conditioning the spring 40 means for a subsequent operation, releasable means normally holding the spring means against operation, releasable means governed by engagement with the toweling operable to stop said member to limit the withdrawal lof the toweling and releasable by the user, and an operative connection between the two said releasable means whereby the release of the limiting means is accompanied by operation of the spring means.

4. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a strip 'of toweling, the case having a discharge opening and an access opening through which a portion of toweling is accessible to the user for manipulation, a turnablemember in the case having movement controlling engagement with the toweling and turnable by manipulation of said portion of the toweling, releasable means for holding the member against turning, lmeans operable by turning of the member by such manipulation of said portion of the toweling for releasing the releasable means, and means in the case for turning the member after the release of the releasable means to eject a portion of the toweling from the discharge opening,

5. Adevice of the character described comprising a case for containing a supply of toweling and having an outlet opening, a member in the case movable by and having movement controlling engagement with the 'toweling, means in the case for moving the member to feed a portion of grasped by the user whereby the user may withdraw the toweling from the case, means operable by movement of the member during the withdrawal of the toweling for energizing the rst mentioned means for va :succeeding operation,

the toweling out through said opening to be releasable means governed by cooperation with the toweling for stopping movement of the member to limit the withdrawal of the toweling, and means for releasing the said releasable means.

6. Apparatus of the character described includinga case for housing a strip of toweling, the case having a discharge opening and having an access opening through which a portion of the strip may be engaged by the user, a movable control member in the case mounted to be movable by manual manipulation of the said portion of the strip and having movement controlling engagement with the strip, means in the case for moving the control member to eject a part of the strip from the discharge opening to be grasped by the user, and means holding the last mentioned means against operation released by manual movement of the control member through the medium of said portion of the strip.

'7. Apparatus of the character described including a case for housing a `strip of to-weling, the case having a discharge opening and having an access opening through which a portion of the strip may be engaged by the user, a movable vcontrol member in the case mounted to be movable by manual manipulation of the said portion of the strip and having movement controlling engagement with the strip, means in the case for moving the control member to eject a part of the strip from the discharge opening to be grasped by the user for the purpose of withdrawing the strip from the case, releasable restraining means holding the member against movement, and means operable by manual movement of the control member through the medium of the said portion of the strip for releasing the said restraining means.

8. In combination, an elongate supply of paper having penetrable zones at longitudinally spaced points, a case housing said supply and having a discharge opening, spring actuated means in the case for advancing the paper to `eject a portion of the paper from the opening, 'and means for limiting the outward movement of the paper including a movable part engaging the paper and adapted -to penetrate said zones, and means for stopping movement of the paper actuated upon movement of said part through a said Zone.

9. In combination, an elongate supply of paper having penetrable zones 'at longitudinally spaced points, a case housing said supply and having a discharge opening, spring driven means in the case for advancing the paper to eject a portion of the paper from the opening, brake means for restraining outward movement of the paper, and means for initiating operation of the brake means comprising a part adapted `to penetrate one of said zones,

10. A device of the' character described comprising a case for containing a supply of toweling and having an outlet opening, a rotatablemember in the case having movement controlling engagement with the toweling, means in the case for turning the member to feed a portion of the the user may withdraw toweling from the case, releasable means for holding the first mentioned means against operation, means for limiting the withdrawal of toweling from the case including a brake, power means for operating the brake, and a part for engaging the toweling and adapted to act in conjunction With the power means to operate the brake, means operable by manipulation of the toweling for releasing said releasable means, for releasing the brake, and for conditioning said part to have brake operating engagement with the toweling, and means operable by the withdrawal of the toweling for conditioning the first mentioned means for the succeeding operation.

12. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a strip of toweling, the case having a discharge opening and an access opening through which a portion of the toweling is accessible for manual manipulation, a member in the case having movement controlling engagement with the toweling and movable to feed the toweling, and movable by manual manipulation of said portion, means in the case for moving the member to feed an edge portion of the toweling through the discharge opening, and releasable means for holding the last mentioned means against operation releasable by reverse movement of said member resulting from manual manipulation of said portion of toweling in a reverse direction.

LEO M. HARVEY.