Multi-function paper toweling dispenser

Abstract

In a toweling dispenser, an electric motor driven toweling support roller and a handle for rotating the toweling support roller are connected by a one-way clutch, which allows the handle to rotate the toweling support roller only in a single direction of rotation when the electric motor does not drive the toweling support roller, the single direction transporting toweling on the toweling support roller to an exit opening of the dispenser.

1 . A paper towel dispenser including, in combination:
 a housing;   a rotatable toweling support roller within said housing for receiving and transporting paper toweling;   an electric motor for driving said toweling support roller in a single predetermined direction of rotation;   an electronic control for controlling operation of said electric motor and rotation of said toweling support roller by said electric motor in said single predetermined direction of rotation;   a rotatable manually engageable handle located externally of said housing; and   connector structure including a one-way clutch operatively connecting said handle to said toweling support roller enabling said handle upon application of manual force thereto to independently drive and rotate said toweling support roller only in said single predetermined direction of rotation when said electric motor is not driving said toweling support roller, rotation of said toweling support roller in said single predetermined direction of rotation transporting any toweling supported by said toweling support roller to dispense said toweling.   
     
     
         2 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said connector structure further includes a projection attached to and extending from said toweling support roller at the axis of rotation thereof and a receptacle attached to said handle receiving said projection, said projection and said receptacle locked against relative rotational movement. 
     
     
         3 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 2  additionally including a spring member and wherein said receptacle has an outer cylindrical surface, said spring member wrapped about said outer cylindrical surface and in engagement therewith, said spring member and said receptacle comprising said one-way clutch. 
     
     
         4 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 3  wherein said spring member has a plurality of concentric coils wrapped around and engaging said cylindrical surface, said spring member having a spring end connected to said housing and said coils tightening about said receptacle to form a tight frictional engagement between said spring member and the outer cylindrically shaped surface of the receptacle to prevent rotational movement of said handle and said toweling support roller in a rotational direction other than said single predetermined direction of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 4  wherein said coils are wrapped about the receptacle in a direction opposed to the single predetermined direction of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said one-way clutch comprises a circular member having a plurality of spaced projections disposed thereabout defining notches and a pivotally mounted pawl adjacent to said circular member and engageable with said projections to prevent rotational movement of said handle and said toweling support roller in a rotational direction other than said single predetermined direction of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said handle has an outer wall defining recesses for receiving fingers of a user rotating said handle. 
     
     
         8 . The paper towel dispenser according to  claim 7  wherein each of said recesses is defined by an inwardly directed flat outer wall finger engagement surface and an adjoining curved outer wall surface. 
     
     
         9 . A paper towel dispenser including, in combination:
 a housing;   a rotatable toweling support roller within said housing for receiving and transporting paper toweling;   an electric motor for driving and rotating said toweling support roller;   control structure for controlling rotation of said toweling support roller by said electric motor in said single predetermined direction of rotation;   a rotatable manually engageable handle located externally of said housing; and   connector structure including a one-way clutch operatively connecting said handle to said toweling support roller whereby rotation of said handle in a selected direction of rotation is operable to independently rotate said toweling support roller in said single predetermined direction of rotation when said electric motor is not driving said toweling support roller and whereby rotation of said handle in a direction of rotation opposed to said selected direction of rotation is inoperable to rotate said toweling support roller.