US2934213A - Paper holders - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 1960 A. J. STOCKWELL 2,934,213

PAPER HOLDERS Filed March 3, 1958 FIG. I

INVENTOR ARTHUR J. STOCKWELL ATTORNEYS PAPER HOLDERS Arthur J. Stockwell, Hopkins, Minn.

Application March 3, 1958, Serial No. 718,625

2 Claims. (Cl. 211-57) The herein disclosed invention relates to paper holders and particularly to the type of holder having a base with a piercing spindle extending upwardly therefrom.

An object of the invention resides in providing a holder which will be safe to use and which will not injure the user when accidentally engaging the piercing point of the spindle.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a spindle capable of bending intermediate its ends when encountered by a member of the human body but which will have suflicient rigidity to permit of applying a sheet of paper to the piercing point and forcing the point through the paper.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a spindle which will bend substantially at the locality of its issuance from the base.

An object of the invention resides in providing a spindle constructed of some suitable plastic material such as polyethylene.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a paper holder illustrating an embodiment of the invention and with a portion of the base broken away to illustrate the manner of attachment of the spindle to the base.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the paper holder.

States Patent Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spindle of the paper holder drawn to a greater scale.

The invention comprises a base 10 and from which issues a spindle 11. The base shown is circular in form and may be constructed of a plastic material, metal or wood, and may be of any ornamental configuration desired. The base is heavy enough to support the spindle with the papers to be carried thereon and is of suflicient size to restrict overturning of the holder.

The spindle 11 is preferably diamond-shaped in crosssection though a cylindrical or other shaped spindle will also suflice. At its upper or free end, the spindle 11 is constructed with a piercing point 12 which is sharp enough to penetrate a sheet of paper pressed thereon but which is blunt enough to prevent injury to the skin of the user when accidentally contacting said point. When the spindle is constructed as shown in Fig. 3, tearing edges 13 result which assist in directing the paper on the spindle and prevent rotation of the paper once the same has been applied.

For attaching the spindle 11 to the base 10, a head 14 is formed at the lower end of said spindle and from which issues a threaded shank 15. This shank is adapted to screw into threads 16 formed in the center of the base 10. The head 14 is greater in diameter than the shank 15 to form a shoulder 17 therebetween and which engages the upper surface 18 of the base 10. If desired, the head 14 can be knurled to permit of manual assembly with the fingers or the same can be constructed hexagonal to permit of applying the spindle with a small wrench.

While the spindle has been illustrated as screwed into the base, the shank of the same may be made without threads and pressed into the socket formed in the base or cemented or headed to the base. If desired, the spindle and base can be constructed integral.

The material from which the spindle is constructed is a flexible, elastic material which, when pressed on its pointed end with suflicient force or pressed laterally, will bend to prevent injury to the member of the users body coming in contact therewith. A well known material may be an ethylene resin such as polyethylene, sold in the trade under the trademark Dylan and denoted by the formula (CI-I CH The particular material found most suitable is a high density polyethylene having the trademark Super-Dylan. If desired, other plastic material could be used such as nylon, styrene, or other similar materials. The requirements would of course be that the spindle would not readily break on repeated headings, and that it would be rigid enough with a blunt point to effect piercing of the paper.

In use the spindle is sold detached and would be secured to the base in the manner directed. The holder would then be ready for use. To apply the paper, the sheet would be held at opposite edges by both hands and in a horizontal position over the piercing point of the spindle. By forcing the paper downwardly by a rapid movement, the piercing point would pass through the paper without bending the spindle. When, however, the user accidentally applied sufficient force to the spindle. the same would bend and prevent injury to the user.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The paper holder is safe to use and will not cause accidental injury to the user or to children attempting to play with the same. The holder can be constructed at a nominal expense and from materials readily available. Colored plastics may be used to enhance the appearance of the same and to match the color scheme of furniture or other oflice fixtures.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as herein described, may be made Within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a paper holder, a base, and a single flexible resilient spindle carried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle being formed with a piercing point and having suificient rigidity to penetrate a sheet of paper pressed on said point and having suificient' flexibility and resilience to bend when engaged by a member of the human body to prevent injury to said member and to return to normal position when released.

2. In a paper holder, a base, and a single flexible resilient spindle carried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle being formed with a piercing point, said spindle being constructed of polyethylene and having suflicient rigidity to penetrate a sheet of paper pressed on said point and having sufficient flexibility and resilience to bend when engaged by a member of the human body to prevent injury to said member and to return to normal positionwhen released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 110,500 Richards Dec. 27, 1870 1,381,035 Urban June 7, 1921 2,092,162 Hiatt Sept. 17,1937 2,116,369 Stolp May 3, 1938 2,341,403 Williams Feb. 8, 1944 2,803,087 Zalkind Aug. 20, 1957

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