Towel holder and dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser has a base which includes an open connecting end positioned at one end of the base. The open connecting end is configured to permit the dispenser to be releasably coupled to an object. The base may include one or more arms, one or more legs, and one or more feet. The dispenser is configured to hold a roll of sheet material.

1 . A dispenser, comprising: 
 a base including 
 a central portion having an edge, the base including a first arm positioned at one end of the base and a second arm positioned at an opposite end of the base, each first and second arm extending a distance from the base and carrying a boss, each boss positioned in a spaced-apart and confronting relationship, at least one of the first and second arms configured to move; and  
 an open connecting end having an apex, the open connecting end positioned opposite the first arm at one end of the base, the open connecting end configured to permit the dispenser to be releasably coupled to an object,  
   wherein when at least the one arm is moved, a roll of sheets is positioned between the first and second arm and the boss on each first and second arm is positioned against at least a portion of a flat face of a roll, the edge of the central portion positioned adjacent a cylindrical body of the roll to permit a roll to rotate to allow sheets to be withdrawn but to prevent sheets from unwinding from a rolled position, and    wherein an axis extends through the apex of the open connecting end and through each boss.    
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the central area includes an opening formed therein having a perimeter, the opening sized to permit a user's hand to extend at least partially therethrough thereby providing a handle for carrying the dispenser.  
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the opening in the handle is parallel to the axis.  
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the central area is parallel to the axis.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least one arm is constructed from a resilient material.  
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one arm is configured to bend to permit a roll to be mounted in the dispenser.  
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the resilient material comprises plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is constructed of wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fiber, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.75 inch.  
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch.  
   
   
       11 . A dispenser, comprising: 
 a base including 
 an open connecting end positioned at one end of the base, the open connecting end having an apex, the open connecting end configured to permit the dispenser to be releasably coupled to an object;  
 a pair of legs connected to a portion of the open connecting end, the legs extending a distance from the open connecting end and including a free end, at least one leg configured to be movable; and  
 a pair of feet, each foot positioned at a free end of each leg, the feet positioned in a spaced apart and opposing relationship,  
   wherein when at least one leg is moved, the position of the legs permit them to be moved into and through an opening in a roll of sheets, the at least one movable leg moving to its previous position after emerging from an opening such that a portion of a flat face of a roll is positioned over a portion of each foot and held in a dispensing position.    
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein a holding bar is carried by the opening connecting end, the holding bar configured to be positioned adjacent a flat face of a roll.  
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the legs are joined together near the bar.  
   
   
       14 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein an axis extends through the apex of the open connecting end and between the legs, the legs configured to be generally equally spaced from the axis.  
   
   
       15 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein at least one leg is constructed from a resilient material.  
   
   
       16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one leg is configured to bend to permit a roll to be mounted in the dispenser.  
   
   
       17 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the resilient material comprises plastic.  
   
   
       18 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the dispenser is constructed from wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fiber, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.75 inch.  
   
   
       20 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch.  
   
   
       21 . A dispenser, comprising: 
 a base including 
 an open connecting end, the open connecting end positioned at one end of the base, the open connecting end configured to permit the dispenser to be releasably coupled to an object;  
 an elongated bar connected to one end of the open connecting end and extending downward a distance therefrom to a free end; and  
 a foot carried by the bar at the free end thereof, at least a portion of the foot configured to be movable;  
   wherein when at least a portion of the foot is moved, the foot and bar are positioned to pass into and through an opening in a roll of sheets, the foot configured to move to its previous position after emerging from an opening in a roll, at least a portion of the foot positioned adjacent a portion of a flat face of a roll to hold it in a dispensing position.    
   
   
       22 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the elongated bar includes a controlling arm.  
   
   
       23 . The dispenser of  claim 22 , wherein the controlling arm controls unwinding of a roll.  
   
   
       24 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the foot is constructed from a resilient material.  
   
   
       25 . The dispenser of  claim 24 , wherein the foot is configured to bend to permit a roll to be mounted in the dispenser.  
   
   
       26 . The dispenser of  claim 24 , wherein the resilient material comprises plastic.  
   
   
       27 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the dispenser is constructed from wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fiber, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       28 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.75 inch.  
   
   
       29 . The dispenser of  claim 28 , wherein a width of the dispenser is within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch.