US20250344911A1

US20250344911A1 - Adjustable Tissue Dispenser and Method for Using the Same

Info

Publication number: US20250344911A1
Application number: US18/661,099
Authority: US
Inventors: Raul B. Cabada
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-05-10
Filing date: 2024-05-10
Publication date: 2025-11-13

Abstract

A moveable mount for a toilet tissue dispenser. The movable mount comprises a first end piece and a second end piece coupled to a base, with a rotatable mandrel removably coupled there between. The movable mount is slidably coupled to a track and is selectively pushed or pulled along the track. The movable mount includes at least one wheel which is configured to traverse through at least one pathway disposed along a longitudinal length of the track, the track in turn being coupled to a wall or other vertical surface. Alternatively, the movable mount is coupled to a plate or panel which is selectively deployed from the wall or vertical surface. A spring is further coupled to the movable mount to assist in returning the mount to an original starting position, or alternatively, maintain the mount in a static or fixed position.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Technology

The invention relates to the field of personal hygiene products, specifically dispensers for toilet tissue.

Description of the Prior Art

Tissue holders or tissue dispensers have long been used to accommodate, house, and store toilet tissue in both public and private bathrooms. Tissue holders typically include two end pieces which project outward from a wall, door, or other flat surface on either side of a horizontal bar or crosspiece that is held in place by the end pieces. The horizontal bar is cylindrical and may be inserted into a center portion of a roll of toilet tissue and rotates along with the roll when tissue is being dispensed. The horizontal bar may be fixed in length or in alternative embodiments may be retractable or telescopic so as to more easily be removed from the corresponding end pieces.
Other tissue holders comprise an additional storage compartment or hopper which is disposed above or otherwise coupled to the toilet tissue dispenser. When one roll of toilet tissue is depleted, a subsequent roll may be taken from the hopper in order to replace the first roll. The storage compartment or hopper may be mechanical or automated, or alternatively, may exist so that a user may manually replace a depleted tissue roll when needed.
Regardless of what type of tissue paper dispenser is used however, the dispenser is itself permanently attached or coupled to the mounting surface in a static position relative to both the user and a toilet. For example, the tissue paper dispenser may be coupled to the mounting surface via a plurality of screws, adhesives, other fasteners, or alternatively, molded or built into the mounting surface itself, thereby making the dispenser a permanent feature and impossible to move or displace. This can make dispensing toilet tissue more difficult for users who have difficulty reaching to their side or even behind them, particularly for users who may be disabled. For example, a user with a shoulder or arm injury trying to take tissue from the dispenser may find it too painful or too difficult to effectively reach the dispenser. Additionally, if the dispenser is mounted in a fixed position too far behind the user, even if the user is able to comfortably reach the tissue, the tissue may frequently and inadvertently tear due to the relative angle that the user is pulling the tissue from the roll.
What is needed is an adjustable or movable toilet tissue dispenser which allows users to adjust the relative location of the dispenser when needed so as to more comfortably gain access to the roll, as well as to ensure that the user may dispense tissue in a direction that is orthogonal to the mounting surface that the dispenser is disposed on.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The current invention provides an apparatus for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a track comprising a distal lateral end and a proximal lateral end, at least one end piece coupled to the track, and a mandrel coupled to the at least one end piece, where the mandrel is configured to accommodate the tissue roll. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across a longitudinal length of the track.
In certain embodiments, the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises a base coupled to the at least one end piece, where the base is configured to slidably engage with the track. The base comprises at least one rounded edge configured to accommodate a correspondingly shaped flange disposed along the longitudinal length of the track.
In certain embodiments, the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises at least one wheel coupled to the at least one end piece. The track comprises a pathway disposed along its longitudinal length, where the pathway is configured to accommodate the at least one wheel therein. Additionally, the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises a motor coupled to the at least one end piece, where the motor is configured to drive the at least one wheel. The motor comprises a Wi-Fi adapter configured to receive a wireless signal to activate and/or deactivate the motor. In a related embodiment, a remote push button is wirelessly communicated to the Wi-Fi adapter.
In certain embodiments, the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises a spring coupled between the at least one end piece and at least one side wall of the track. A hook is coupled to the at least one end piece, where the hook is configured to engage a pin disposed adjacent to the track.
The invention further provides an apparatus for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a first panel coupled to a second panel, at least one end piece coupled to the first panel, a mandrel coupled to the at least one end piece, where the mandrel is configured to accommodate the tissue roll, and a spring disposed between the first panel and the second panel, where the spring is configured to maintain the first panel at a fixed angle relative to the second panel.
The current invention further provides a method for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper relative to a toilet. The method includes providing a mount that is configured to accommodate the roll of tissue paper at a first position relative to the toilet, moving the mount from the first position to a second position relative to the toilet, and maintaining the mount at the second position.
In one embodiment, moving the mount from the first position to the second position specifically includes rotating at least one wheel disposed on the mount.
In another embodiment, the method also includes retracting the mount from the second position back to the first position.
According to one embodiment, moving the mount from the first position to the second position comprises sliding a base portion of the mount along a longitudinal length of a track. According to some embodiments, maintaining the mount at the second position specifically includes extending the base portion of the mount beyond a lateral edge of the track.
In another embodiment, moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet includes moving a first panel coupled to the mount away from a second panel coupled to a vertical surface adjacent to the toilet. According to certain embodiments, maintaining the mount at the second position includes compressing a spring that is disposed between the first panel and the second panel.
In another embodiment, moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet includes extending an extension mechanism that is disposed between the mount and a vertical surface adjacent to the toilet.
According to another embodiment, moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet comprises rotating a board coupled to the mount from the first position to the second position. According to certain embodiments, maintaining the mount at the second position includes engaging a lock that is defined through the board in order to maintain the board in the second position. In a further embodiment, the method also includes disposing the mount in a vertical orientation and a supplemental mount in a horizontal orientation when the board is in the first position, and then disposing the mount in a horizontal orientation and the supplemental mount in a vertical orientation when the board is in the second position.
While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the movable mount of the current invention, where the movable mount comprises a base and is slidable relative to a track.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the track engaged with the base of the movable mount of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3A is a side view of the movable mount of FIG. 1 when engaged with the track and when accommodating a tissue roll shown in broken line.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the movable mount of FIG. 3A further comprising a plurality a rollers disposed between the base of the movable mount and the track.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the movable mount of FIG. 3 when the movable mount is engaged with the track at a maximum distal position relative to the track.

FIG. 5A is a partially exploded perspective view of the movable mount of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5B is a partially exploded perspective view of the movable mount of FIG. 5A further comprising a plurality of rollers disposed between the base of the movable mount and the track.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the movable mount of FIG. 4 with an intermediate position of the movable mount relative to the track seen in solid line, and a final proximal position relative to the track seen in broken line.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movable mount comprising a first panel rotatably coupled to a second panel, a tissue roll mounted on the first panel.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the movable mount of FIG. 7 when the movable mount is disposed on a vertical surface adjacent to a toilet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movable mount comprising a first plate coupled to a second plate via an extension mechanism, a tissue roll mounted on the first plate when the mechanism is in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the movable mount of FIG. 9 when the movable mount is disposed in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an environment equipped with the movable mount of FIGS. 1-6 , where the movable mount is coupled to a side surface of a vanity in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the environment equipped with the movable mount of FIG. 11A, where the movable mount is coupled to the side surface of the vanity in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an environment equipped with an alternative embodiment of movable mount comprising a rotatable board, where the rotatable board is coupled to a side surface of a vanity in a vertical configuration.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the environment equipped with the alternative embodiment of movable mount of FIG. 12A, where the rotatable board is coupled to the side surface of the vanity in a horizontal configuration.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to certain embodiments, the current invention comprises a slidable or moveable toilet tissue dispenser mount, denoted generally by reference numeral 10 as seen in FIGS. 1-6 . The dispenser mount 10 comprises a first end piece 12 and a second end piece 14 coupled to a base 16, with a rotatable crosspiece or mandrel 18 removably coupled there between. The mandrel 18 is telescopic or otherwise adjustable so as to have either lateral end of the mandrel 18 removably inserted into a respective aperture defined within the first and second end pieces 12, 14. In an alternative embodiment, either one or both of the first and second end pieces 12, 14 are adjustable relative to the base 16 so as to remove or insert the mandrel 18 and/or a roll of toilet tissue 20 to or from the movable mount 10. The first and second end pieces 12, 14, base 16, and/or the mandrel 18 are comprised of metal, plastic, wood, or any combination thereof.
According to certain embodiments, the movable mount 10 comprises a track 22 as seen in FIGS. 2-4 . The base 16 comprises a shape or form which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the track 22, for example as seen in FIG. 2 , the base 16 comprises a pair of rounded edges 24 which wrap or are otherwise disposed around a corresponding pair of flanges 26 disposed on the track 22. The track 22 is coupled to a wall, door, a side of a cabinet or vanity, or other flat vertical surface via a plurality of screws, other fasteners 28, adhesives, or the like so as to remain in a fixed position on the vertical surface. The first and second end pieces 12, 14 project outward from the base 16 and the track 22 so as to maintain a roll of toilet tissue 20 a fixed distance from the vertical surface on which the track 22 is coupled to.
According to certain embodiments and as best seen in FIGS. 3A and 5A, the back surface of the base 16 and the outward facing surface of the track 22 are configured to easily and repeatedly slide against each other with a low coefficient of friction. The materials comprising the track 22 and the base 16 are selectively chosen so that a low amount of friction is created, however according to certain embodiments, an additive or lubricant is disposed therebetween so as facilitate movement between the track 22 and the base 16. In a related embodiment seen in FIGS. 3B and 5B, the track 22 comprises a plurality of rollers 27 coupled along the longitudinal length of the track 22. Each of the plurality of rollers 27 is configured to rotate about an axis that is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal length of the track 22 and is disposed so as to fit beneath the base 16 of the movable mount 10, specifically within the inside surface of the rounded edges 24 seen in FIG. 3B. As the base 16 moves relative to the track 22, each of the rollers 27 rotates in turn so as to move the base 16 accordingly with a low amount of friction or resistance.
To use the movable mount 10, the user grips or makes contact with the mount 10 from an initial starting position as seen for example in FIG. 4 where the movable mount 10 is disposed at a distal lateral end 30 of the track 22. The user then pushes or applies a sufficient force to the moveable mount 10, for example by applying positive pressure to the first end piece 12, begins to move or slide the base 16 along the track 22 in a proximal direction indicated by arrow 28 seen in FIG. 6 . As further seen in FIG. 6 and according to certain embodiments, the user continues to slide the moveable mount 10 until approaching or making contact with a proximal lateral end 32 of the track 22 as denoted by the broken line portion of the figure where the base 16′, tissue roll 20′, and first end piece 12′ represent the maximum displacement distance of the moveable mount 10 relative to the initial position of the moveable mount 10 seen in FIG. 4 . According to other embodiments, the user may slide the moveable mount 10 to any lateral position along the track 22 between the distal lateral end 30 and the proximal lateral end 32 by simply breaking contact with the moveable mount 10, thereby allowing the moveable mount 10 to come to rest at a new position along the track 22, for example the position denoted by the solid line portion of FIG. 6 where the base 16, tissue roll 20, and first end piece 12 represent a substantially mid of half way point along the lateral length of the track 22.
According to certain embodiments, the moveable mount 10 comprises an extended portion 36 coupled to or integrated with the base 16 as seen in FIGS. 4-6 . The extended portion 36 comprises a corresponding distal edge 38 and effectively increases the overall length of the base 16, with the tissue roll 20 being suspended over the base 16 portion via the first and second end pieces 12, 14. The distal edge 38 of the extended portion 36 comprises a stop 40 which protrudes or extends from a rear surface of the extended portion 36. The stop 40 comprises a substantially rectangular or square shape is disposed along the entire length of the distal edge 38, however in other related embodiments, the stop 40 comprises a rounded or other angular shape and is disposed at or along only a portion of the distal edge 38.
An example of how the movable mount 10 is used within an example of a real world environment can be seen by turning to FIGS. 18A and 18B. According to certain embodiments, the movable mount 10 is disposed in a first position seen in FIG. 11A on the side of a vanity 2 that is disposed next to a toilet 1. The vanity 2 may comprise a sink 3 in certain embodiments along with a vertical edge 4 the defines a junction or corner between a first vertical surface 5 of the vanity 2 and a second vertical surface 6 of the vanity 2. The track 22 (not seen) is coupled to the first vertical surface 5 with the base 16 in turn coupled to the track 22. In the first position, the base 16 comprising the tissue roll 20 sits over the track 22 with the extended portion 36 being disposed over or in front of a portion of the first vertical surface 5 that is adjacent to the track 22. During use, the movable mount 10 slides along the track 22 in the direction indicated by arrow 11 in FIG. 11B. The base 16 slides past the proximal lateral end 32 of the track 22 and continues to slide towards and then past the vertical edge 4, thereby extending past the first vertical surface 5 of the vanity 2 and into the space beyond. The base 16 extends past the vertical edge 4 of the first vertical surface 5 until the stop 40 makes contact with the distal lateral end 30 of the track 22, thereby stopping all further lateral movement of the movable mount 10 and disposing the mount 10 in a second position. According to certain embodiments, the extended portion 36 of the base 16 completely covers the track 22 when the movable mount is the second position seen in FIG. 11B. The user dispenses tissue from the tissue roll 20 while the tissue roll 20 is suspended in the space beyond the vertical edge 4 of the vanity 2. Because the movable mount 10 is disposed in an extended position which is closer to the front portion of the toilet 1, the user may more easily reach the tissue roll 20 as well as ensure that when the tissue is dispensed, it is dispensed perpendicular relative to the orientation of the mandrel 18 and thus less likely to prematurely rip or tear. When the user is finished with the tissue roll 20, the movable mount 10 is slid back in the opposing direction until it once again reaches the first position, namely with the base 16 comprising the tissue roll 20 disposed over the track 22.
In FIGS. 7 and 8 , an alternative embodiment of the movable mount 80 is seen. According to certain embodiments, the movable mount 80 comprises a first panel 82 rotatably coupled to a second panel 84. The first panel 82 is coupled to the second panel 84 through a hinge 86 which comprises a torsion spring 88 or other biasing means. The hinge 86 joins the first panel 82 to the second panel 84 at their respective lower or bottom lateral edges so that the first panel 82 is rotatable about the hinge 86 relative to the second panel 84 as detailed further below. The first and second panels 82, 84 are preferably comprised of lightweight plastic or plastic composites, however other materials such as wood, metal, glass, or other appropriate materials now known or later devised may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the current invention. In certain embodiments, the first and second panels 82, 84 are substantially rectangular in shape and each comprise a corresponding solid or continuous front surface 92, 94 and a back surface, 96, 98, respectively. However in other embodiments, the first and second panels 82, 84 are substantially hollow or otherwise comprise corresponding frames or other alternative shapes. The first end piece 12 and the second end piece 14 are each coupled to the front surface 92 of the first panel 82, and in certain embodiments, are each coupled near or adjacent to a top or upper lateral edge of the first panel 82, the upper lateral edge opposing the lower lateral edge which comprises the hinge 86 and spring 88. The mandrel 18 is removably disposed between the first end piece 12 and the second end piece 14 and accommodates the tissue roll 20 thereon. The second panel 84 is in turn coupled to a wall, a side portion of a piece of furniture or vanity, or other vertical surface 90 adjacent to a toilet 1 as seen for example in FIG. 8 .
During use and according to certain embodiments, the user pulls on the first panel 82 of movable mount 80 so that the first panel 82 begins to rotate about the hinge 86, thereby moving the first panel 82 and the tissue roll 20 away from the vertical surface 90 and separating the back surface of 96 of the first panel 82 from the front surface 94 of the second panel 84. As the first panel 82 rotates about the hinge 86, the spring 88 begins to contract and apply a reactive spring force in the direction opposing the user's movement. When the first panel 82 reaches a desired position as determined by the user, for example closer or parallel to the toilet 1, the user releases the first panel 82. The biasing force provided by the spring 88 maintains the first panel 82 in a static position relative to the second panel 84 and the vertical surface 90, with the first panel 82 being disposed in an expanded configuration or at an angle relative to the second panel 84 as seen in FIG. 7 . Once finished with the tissue roll 20, the user pushes the first panel 82 back in the opposing direction towards the second panel 84 and allows the spring 88 to expand, thereby assisting the user to pull the first panel 82 in the opposing direction until it once again returns to an original or starting position with the back surface 96 of the front panel 82 adjacent to or in contact with the front surface 94 of the second panel 84 in a contracted configuration seen in FIG. 8 .
In FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternative embodiment of the movable mount 100 is seen. According to certain embodiments, the movable mount 100 comprises a first plate 102 coupled to a second plate 104 via an extension 106. According to certain embodiments, the extension 106 is a scissor-type extension mechanism comprised of a plurality of linkages which are configured to move between a first or contracted configuration seen in FIG. 9 and a second or extended configuration seen in FIG. 10 as detailed further below. The first and second plates 102, 104 are preferably comprised of lightweight plastic or plastic composites, however other materials such as wood, metal, glass, or other appropriate materials now known or later devised may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the current invention. In certain embodiments, the first and second plates 102, 104 are substantially rectangular in shape and each comprise a corresponding solid or continuous front surface and back surface, respectively. However, in other embodiments, the first and second plates 102, 104 are substantially hollow or otherwise comprise corresponding frames or other alternative shapes. The first end piece 12 and the second end piece 14 are each coupled to the first plate 102. The mandrel 18 is removably disposed between the first end piece 12 and the second end piece 14 and accommodates the tissue roll 20 thereon. The second plate 104 is in turn coupled to a wall, a side portion of a piece of furniture or vanity, or other vertical surface 90 adjacent to a toilet 1 as seen for example in FIG. 9 .
During use and according to certain embodiments, the user reaches behind them while seated on the toilet 1 pulls on the first plate 102, the tissue roll 20, or either the first or second end pieces 12, 14 of the movable mount 100 so that the first plate 102 begins to move away from the second plate 104, thereby moving the first plate 102 and the tissue roll 20 away from the vertical surface 90. As the first plate 102 is pulled toward the user, the extension 106 begins to expand and apply a reactive spring force in the direction opposing the user's movement. When the first plate 102 reaches a desired position as determined by the user, for example closer or parallel to the toilet 1, the user releases the first plate 102. The biasing force provided by the extension 106 maintains the first plate 102 in a static position relative to the second plate 104 and the vertical surface 90, with the first plate 102 being disposed in an expanded configuration as seen in FIG. 10 . Once finished with the tissue roll 20, the user pushes the first plate 102 back in the opposing direction towards the second plate 104, thereby contracting the extension 106 and pulling the first plate 102 in the opposing direction until it once again returns to an original or starting position with the first plate 102 adjacent to or in contact with the second plate 104 in a contracted configuration seen in FIG. 9 .
In FIGS. 12A and 12B, an alternative embodiment of the movable mount 110 is seen. According to certain embodiments, the movable mount 110 comprises a rotatable board 112 coupled to a first vertical surface 5 of a vanity 2 or other object comprising a corner 4 via a lock 114. According to certain embodiments, the lock 114 is a manually adjustable lock, for example a wing nut disposed on a threaded bolt defined through the board 112, however in other embodiments, the lock 114 is a mechanical lock, an electromagnetic lock, a spring loaded lock, or any other equivalent locking means now known or later devised. The board 112 is preferably comprised of lightweight plastic or plastic composites, however other materials such as wood, metal, glass, or other appropriate materials now known or later devised may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the current invention. In certain embodiments, the board 112 is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded or curved edges and comprises a corresponding solid or continuous front surface and back surface. However, in other embodiments, the board 112 is substantially hollow or otherwise comprises a frame or other alternative shapes. A first tissue dispenser 116 and a second tissue dispenser 118 are coupled to respective lateral ends of the board 112. Each of the first and second tissue dispensers 116, 118 comprise the end pieces 12, 14 and mandrel 18 as is disclosed above with the mandrel 18 being removably disposed between the first end piece 12 and the second end piece 14 and accommodating a corresponding tissue roll 20 thereon. According to certain embodiments, the first tissue dispenser 116 is disposed on the board 112 at an orientation that is orthogonal or perpendicular relative to the second tissue dispenser 118. For example, as seen in FIG. 19A when the board is in a first or vertical configuration, the first tissue dispenser 116 is disposed so as to maintain the corresponding tissue roll in a horizontal position while the second tissue dispenser 118 maintains its tissue roll in a vertical position. The orientation of the first and second tissue dispensers 116, 118 invert upon actuation of the board 112 as is discussed in further detail below.
During use and according to certain embodiments, the user reaches behind them while seated on the toilet 1 and rotates the board 112 about the lock 114 so that the board 112 begins to move in the rotational direction denoted by arrow 120 seen in FIG. 12A. The board 112 is rotated from a first or vertical orientation through a variety of angled positions seen in broken line in FIG. 12A until reaching a second or substantially horizontal orientation seen in FIG. 12B. When the board 112 reaches a desired position as determined by the user, for example the second or substantially horizontal orientation of FIG. 12B, the user engages the lock 114 so as to fix the board into a static position. When the board 112 is in the second or horizontal orientation, the respective orientations of the first and second tissue dispensers 116, 118 are reversed from the first or vertical orientation of FIG. 12A, specifically with the first tissue dispenser 116 now disposed in a vertical position and the second tissue dispenser 118 now in a horizontal position. In addition to reversing the orientations of the first and second tissue dispensers 116, 118, rotation of the board 112 also moves the second tissue dispenser 118 upward and outward past the vertical edge or corner 4 of the vanity 2, thereby suspending the second tissue dispenser 118 and the tissue roll disposed thereon closer to front portion of the toilet 1. The user may then more easily reach the second tissue dispenser 118 to dispense toilet tissue therefrom. Once finished with the tissue roll 20, the user unlocks or actuates the lock 114 thereby allowing the board 112 to rotate back in the opposing direction denoted by arrow 122 towards the original or starting position seen in FIG. 12A with the board 112 in a substantially vertical orientation. In this manner, the board 112 may provide service both to users who wish to keep the tissue roll in a traditional or standard position when the board 112 is disposed in a vertical configuration, and to users requiring greater accessibility when a horizontal configuration.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.
Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.
The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper, the apparatus comprising:

a track comprising a distal lateral end and a proximal lateral end;

at least one end piece coupled to the track;

a mandrel coupled to the at least one end piece, where the mandrel is configured to accommodate the tissue roll; and

means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across a longitudinal length of the track.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises a base coupled to the at least one end piece, where the base is configured to slidably engage with the track.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 where the base comprises at least one rounded edge configured to accommodate a correspondingly shaped flange disposed along the longitudinal length of the track.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 where the means for selectively displacing the at least one end piece across the longitudinal length of the track comprises at least one wheel coupled to the at least one end piece.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 where the wheel is disposed between a base coupled to the at least one end piece and the track.

6. An apparatus for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper, the apparatus comprising:

at least one movable surface disposed adjacent to a toilet;

at least one tissue roll disposed on the at least one movable surface; and

means for displacing the at least one movable surface from a first position to a second position,

where the second position is disposed adjacent a front portion of the toilet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 where the means for displacing the at least one movable surface from a first position to a second position comprises:

a first panel coupled to a second panel;

at least one end piece coupled to the first panel;

a spring disposed between the first panel and the second panel, where the spring is configured to maintain the first panel at a fixed angle relative to the second panel.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 where the means for displacing the at least one movable surface from a first position to a second position comprises:

a first plate coupled to a second plate;

at least one end piece coupled to the first plate;

an extension disposed between the first plate and the second plate, where the extension is configured to maintain the first plate at a fixed distance relative to the second plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 where the means for displacing the at least one movable surface from a first position to a second position comprises:

a rotatable board;

a first tissue roll coupled to a first lateral end of the board;

a second tissue roll coupled to a second lateral end of the board; and

a lock defined through the board,

where the rotatable board is configured to rotate about the lock, and

where the first tissue roll is coupled to the first lateral end of the board at an orientation that is perpendicular to the orientation of the second tissue roll coupled to the second lateral end of the board.

10. A method for adjusting a lateral position of a roll of tissue paper relative to a toilet, the method comprising:

providing a mount configured to accommodate the roll of tissue paper at a first position relative to the toilet;

moving the mount from the first position to a second position relative to the toilet; and

maintaining the mount at the second position.

11. The method of claim 10 where moving the mount from the first position to the second position comprises rotating at least one wheel disposed on the mount.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising retracting the mount from the second position back to the first position.

13. The method of claim 10 where moving the mount from the first position to the second position comprises sliding a base portion of the mount along a longitudinal length of a track.

14. The method of claim 13 where maintaining the mount at the second position comprises extending the base portion of the mount beyond a lateral edge of the track.

15. The method of claim 10 where moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet comprises moving a first panel coupled to the mount away from a second panel coupled to a vertical surface adjacent to the toilet.

16. The method of claim 15 where maintaining the mount at the second position comprises compressing a spring disposed between the first panel and the second panel.

17. The method of claim 10 where moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet comprises extending an extension mechanism disposed between the mount and a vertical surface adjacent to the toilet.

18. The method of claim 10 where moving the mount from the first position to the second position relative to the toilet comprises rotating a board coupled to the mount from the first position to the second position.

19. The method of claim 18 where maintaining the mount at the second position comprises engaging a lock defined through the board to maintain the board in the second position.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

disposing the mount in a vertical orientation and a supplemental mount in a horizontal orientation when the board is in the first position; and

disposing the mount in a horizontal orientation and the supplemental mount in a vertical orientation when the board is in the second position.