Adjustable-length locking tension rods with spring-biased end caps

Abstract

Adjustable tension rods with spring-biased end caps are disclosed. The tension rods may comprise a first rod section such as an outer tube section and a second rod section such as an inner tube section that are adjustable with respect to each other by means of a lock assembly. At least one end of the tension rod includes a spring-biased end cap. The tension rods may be installed between opposing surfaces in a bathroom, window or the like by locking the first and second rod sections together at a selected length slightly larger than the opposing surfaces, and compressing the spring-biased end cap(s) inward on the rod section(s) to thereby apply sufficient tension force between the surfaces to hold the tension rod in place.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 779,605 filed Mar. 28, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to adjustable telescoping tension rods, and more particularly relates to adjustable-length locking tension rods with spring-biased end caps that may be used for bathroom shower curtains, pole caddies, window curtains, and the like.BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] Spring-biased tension rods have been used for bathroom curtain rods, pole caddies, and window curtains. A need exists for adjusting the lengths of such tension rods to accommodate varying distances between opposing wall or window jamb surfaces, or between opposing floor and ceiling surfaces, while maintaining sufficient tension force to hold the rods securely in place.

[0004] Examples of adjustable-length tension rods are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,814,114; 8,827,587; 8,960,456; 9,107,529; 10,995,786 and 12,082,732, and Published U.S. Application Nos. US2013 / 0334156 and US2014 / 0166603, which are incorporated herein by reference.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides adjustable tension rods with spring-biased end caps. The tension rods may comprise a first rod section such as an outer tube section and a second rod section such as an inner tube section that are adjustable with respect to each other by means of a lock assembly. At least one end of the tension rod includes a spring-biased end cap. The tension rods may be installed between opposing surfaces in a bathroom, window or the like by locking the first and second rod sections together at a selected length slightly larger than the opposing surfaces, and compressing the spring-biased end cap(s) inward on the rod section(s) to thereby apply sufficient tension force between the surfaces to hold the tension rod in place.

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable-length tension rod comprising a first rod section, a second rod section adjustably movable in relation to the first rod section, a locking member structured and arranged to secure the first and second rod sections together at a selected length, and a spring-biased end cap mounted on an end of the first or second rod section structured and arranged to apply tension force when the tension rod is installed against a support surface.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a tension rod as described above between opposing surfaces. The method comprises locking the first and second rod sections together at a selected length longer than a distance between the opposing surfaces, and compressing the spring-biased end cap(s) inward on the first and / or second rod sections a sufficient distance to allow the tension rod to fit between the opposing surfaces and apply the tension force when the tension rod is installed.

[0008] These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of an adjustable length locking tension rod with a spring-biased end cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 1 in a retracted position.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through Section 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 4 showing details of the spring-biased end cap.

[0014] FIG. 6 is is a magnified view of a portion of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 4 showing details of a tube locking member for adjusting the length of the rod.

[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an end sleeve of the spring-biased end cap of FIGS. 1-5.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the end sleeve of FIG. 7.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through Section 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0018] FIG. 10 is an end view of a tube-receiving opening of the end sleeve of FIG. 7.

[0019] FIG. 11 is an end view of an end flange of the end sleeve of FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a compression spring assembly of the spring-biased end cap of FIGS. 1-5.

[0021] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a locking member of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a radially expandable collar of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an end sleeve of a fixed end cap of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a side view of the fixed end cap of FIG. 15.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken from Section 17-17 of FIG. 16.

[0026] FIG. 18 is an end view of a tube-receiving end of the fixed end cap sleeve of FIG. 15.

[0027] FIG. 19 is an outer end view of the end sleeve of FIG. 15.

[0028] FIG. 20 is an exploded side view of an adjustable length locking tension rod with a spring-biased end cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 21 is a side view of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 20 in a retracted position.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken through Section 22-22 of FIG. 21.

[0031] FIG. 23 is a magnified view of a portion of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 22 showing details of the spring-biased end cap.

[0032] FIG. 24 is a magnified view of a portion of the adjustable length locking tension rod of FIG. 22 showing details of a tube locking member for adjusting the length of the rod.

[0033] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an end sleeve of the spring-biased end cap.

[0034] FIG. 26 is a side view of the end sleeve of FIG. 25.

[0035] FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken through Section 27-27 of FIG. 26.

[0036] FIG. 28 is an end view of a tube-receiving opening of the end sleeve of FIG. 25.

[0037] FIG. 29 is an end view of an end flange of the end sleeve of FIG. 25.

[0038] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a retaining rod of the spring-biased end cap of FIGS. 20-23.

[0039] FIGS. 31 and 32 are isometric views of first and second halves of an anti-rotation collar of the spring-biased end cap of FIGS. 20-23.

[0040] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a compression spring of the spring-biased end cap of FIGS. 20-23.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIGS. 1-19 illustrate an adjustable length locking tension rod 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable length locking tension rod 10 includes a first rod section in the form of an outer tube 12 having an exterior end 13, a second rod section in the form of an inner tube 14 having an exterior end 15, and a protective sleeve 16 radially located between an inner surface of the outer tube 12 and an outer surface of the inner tube 14. In the embodiment shown, the assembly includes two tube sections. However, any other desired number of tube sections or segments within each section may be used. Although the first and second rod sections are telescoping outer and inner tubes 12 and 14 in the figures, any other suitable rod shape or configuration may be used such as square tubes, solid bars or the like.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a spring-biased end cap 20 is provided on the exterior end 15 of the inner tube 14. As used herein, the term “spring-biased”, when referring to the end cap, means that the end cap resists inward movement toward a rod section it is mounted on by means of a spring, such as a compression spring, tension spring, leaf spring, elastic material, or the like. A fixed end cap 40 is provided on the exterior end 13 of the outer tube 12. While the spring-biased end cap 20 is mounted on the end of the inner tube 14 in the figures, it is to be understood that the spring-biased end cap 20 may alternatively be mounted on the end of the outer tube 12, or two caps may be mounted at both ends of the rod, e.g., on both the inner 14 and outer tubes 12.

[0043] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a locking member 50 engages the outer tube 12 and inner tube 14 to allow the tubes to be extended and retracted with respect to each other to a desired adjustable length of the tension rod 10, and then to lock the outer tube 12 and inner tube 14 together at the desired length, as more fully described below.

[0044] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 7-11, the spring-biased end cap 20 includes an end sleeve 21 with a tube-receiving opening 22 at an interior end thereof and an end flange 23 at an exterior end. The end sleeve 21 includes an internal shoulder 24 that engages a compression spring 30 of the spring-biased end cap 20, as more fully described below. The end sleeve 21 includes an end pad-receiving opening 25. A rotatable end pad 26 mounted on the end sleeve 21 includes an exterior contact surface 27 and an interior mounting pin 28 that is received in the end pad-receiving opening 25. The end pad 26 may be made of a resilient or elastomeric material. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, a pad washer 29 may be provided between the end pad 26 and end flange 23 of the end sleeve 21.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 12, the compression spring 30 includes an outer end washer 32 and inner end washer 34. The compression spring 30 is inserted through the tube-receiving opening 22 of the end sleeve 21 with its outer end washer 32 contacting the internal shoulder 24 of the end sleeve 21, and its inner end washer 34 contacting the exterior end 15 of the inner tube 14. The axial length of the compression spring 30 may be selected to fit entirely within the end sleeve 21. The compression spring 30 provides a biasing force that helps to secure the adjustable length locking tension rod 10 in the desired position when installed. The cap 20 may loosely slide onto the end of the inner tube 14, or a friction fit, press fit or any other fit or mounting arrangement may be provided between the inner diameter of the end sleeve 21 and the outer diameter of the inner tube 14 that allows the end cap 20 to move axially in relation to the inner tube 14 when the compression spring 30 is compressed during installation.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 13 and 14, the locking member 50 includes a tapered threaded portion 51, an inner tube-engaging end 52, and an outer tube-engaging end 53. A radially expandable collar 54 at least partially surrounds the tapered threaded portion 51 and includes interior threads 56 that engage exterior threads of the tapered threaded portion 51. The radially expandable collar 54 has an exterior tube-engaging surface 58 that presses against an inner diameter of the outer tube 12 when the outer tube 12 and inner tube 14 are locked together at their desired length. Thus, the lock assembly may include a mechanism such as a tapered threaded portion and radially expandable collar as shown in the figures, or any other suitable locking mechanism that releasably secures the inner and outer tubes together at a desired length, such as the locking mechanisms described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,814,114; 8,827,587; 8,960,456; 9,107,529; 10,995,786 and 12,082,732, and Published U.S. Application Nos. US2013 / 0334156 and US2014 / 0166603.

[0047] Thus, any suitable locking mechanism known to those skilled in the art, currently or in the future, may be used to releasably secure the inner and outer tubes 14 and 12 together at a desired length. For example, instead of a tapered spiroid rod with external threads, a straight cylindrical rod with external threads may be used in combination with a locking sleeve assembly with internal threads that engage the external threads of the rod to thereby expand the locking sleeve assembly radially outward when the inner and outer tubes are twisted in relation to each other. Furthermore, in addition to threaded engagement between components, any other suitable locking arrangement may be used as apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0048] FIGS. 20-33 illustrate an adjustable length locking tension rod 110 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 20-33, the adjustable length locking tension rod 110 is labeled with element numbers similar to corresponding elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-19. The adjustable length locking tension rod 110 includes a spring-biased end cap 120 including an end sleeve 121 with a tube-receiving opening 122, end flange 123, internal shoulder 124, and end pad-receiving opening 125. A rotatable resilient or elastomeric end pad 126 including an exterior contact surface 127 and interior mounting pin 128 is mounted to the end sleeve 121.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 20, 22, 23 and 30, a retaining rod 130 is received within the end sleeve 121. The retaining rod 130 includes a spring retaining bar 131 having a non-circular cross section. The retaining rod 130 further includes an exterior end flange 132, an inner spring-engaging surface 133, an outer surface 134, an interior end flange 136, and a collar-engaging surface 137. A compression spring 138 surrounds a portion of the spring retaining bar 131 and contacts the inner spring-engaging surface 133 of the retaining rod 130. The compression spring 138 may have an axial length that fits entirely within, or partially within, the end sleeve 121.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 20, 22, 23, 26 and 27, an anti-rotation collar 140 surrounds a portion of the spring retaining bar 131 of the retaining rod 130. The anti-rotation collar 140 includes a first half 141 and second half 142 that may be snapped or otherwise connected together when installing the anti-rotation collar 140 on the spring retaining bar 131. In the embodiment shown, attachment fingers 143 are used to secure the first and second halves 141 and 142 of the anti-rotation collar 140 together. The anti-rotation collar 140 includes a non-circular through hole 144, an outer end flange 145, a spring engaging surface 146, and an inner end 148. The inner end 148 of the collar 140 may be secured within the inner tube 14 by means of an indented dimple, or any other suitable fastening means such as crimping, press-fitting, mechanical fasteners and adhesives. The non-circular cross section of the spring retaining bar 131 is received in the non-circular central through hold 144 of the collar 140 to prevent relative axial rotation therebetween. Alternatively, the spring retaining bar 131 and collar 140 may be configured to allow reative rotation therebetween. Although square cross-sections are shown in the figures for the non-circular spring retaining bar 131 the non-circular hole 144 of the collar 140, any other suitable cross-sectional shape may be used that prevents relative rotation therebetween. Alternatively, when it is desired to allow the retaining rod 130 to axially rotate in relation to the collar 140, the retaining bar 131 and through hole 144 may have circular cross-sections or any other arrangement and dimensions that permit such rotation.

[0051] The adjustable tension rod assemblies of the present invention may be installed between opposing wall surfaces, or between opposing ceiling and floor surfaces, by sliding the inner tube 14 out from the outer tube 12 until the total length of the assembly is slightly larger than the distance between the opposing surfaces, for example, from 0.1 to 4 inches or larger, or from 0.2 to 3 inches, or from 0.3 to 2.5 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. For example, a typical shower or window curtain rod may be extended and locked at a length that is from 0.1 to 1 inch larger than the distance between opposing wall surfaces, while a typical pole caddy rod may be extended and locked at a length that is from 0.5 to 4 inches larger than the distance between opposing floor and ceiling surfaces. The outer 12 and inner 14 tubes may then be twisted relative to each other around their longitudinal axes, or otherwise secured together to thereby releasably lock the inner tube 14 with respect to the outer tube 12. The tightened assembly may then be installed between the opposing surfaces by compression of the end cap spring(s). In the installed position, spring tension may hold the assembly in place.

[0052] The biasing springs utilized in the adjustable tension rod assemblies, such as the compression springs 30 and 138, may have an initial extended axial length prior to installation of the rod assemblies, and a compressed axial length after installation. For example, the compressed length of the compression spring may be from 5 to 300 percent less than the extended length of the spring, or from 10 to 200 percent less, or from 20 to 100 percent less. A compression distance, measured between the extended and compressed lengths of the compression spring, may be controlled based upon the overall length of the adjustable-length tension rod when the first and second rod sections are locked together. The compression distance may be selected in order to provide a desired level of tension force between the opposing surfaces when the rod is installed, and may also be selected based upon the particular biasing force or stiffness of the compression spring. The compression distance of the spring may typically be from 0.05 percent to 10 percent of the overall length of the tension rod when the first and second rod sections are locked together at the selected length, for example, from 0.1 to 5 percent, or from 0.2 to 4 percent, or from 0.5 to 3 percent.

[0053] The components of the adjustable tension rod assemblies of the present invention may be made from any suitable materials. For example, the outer and inner tubes may be made of metal such as steel, aluminum and the like, or polymeric materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and the like. The other components may be made of metal or polymeric materials such as nylon, HDPE, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber and the like. The tension spring may be made of steel and the like.

[0054] As used herein, “including,”“containing” and like terms are understood in the context of this application to be synonymous with “comprising” and are therefore open-ended and do not exclude the presence of additional undescribed or unrecited elements, materials, or method steps. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” is understood in the context of this application to include the specified elements, materials, or method steps, where applicable, and to also include any unspecified elements, materials, or method steps that do not materially affect the basic or novel characteristics of the invention. As used herein, “consisting of” is understood in the context of this application to exclude the presence of any unspecified element, material, phase or method step.

[0055] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0056] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10.

[0057] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, in this application, the use of “or” means “and / or” unless specifically stated otherwise, even though “and / or” may be explicitly used in certain instances. In this application and the appended claims, the articles “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

[0058] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable-length tension rod comprising:a first rod section;a second rod section adjustably movable in relation to the first rod section;a locking member structured and arranged to secure the first and second rod sections together at a selected length; anda spring-biased end cap mounted on an end of the first or second rod section structured and arranged to apply tension force when the tension rod is installed against a support surface.

2. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 1, wherein the spring-biased end cap comprises an end sleeve with a tube-receiving opening structured and arranged to receive an exterior end of the first or second rod section.

3. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 2, further comprising a compression spring positioned at least partially inside the end sleeve.

4. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 3, wherein the compression spring has an outer end contacting an internal shoulder of the end sleeve, and an inner end contacting the exterior end of the first or second rod section.

5. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 4, wherein the compression spring comprises an outer end washer attached to the outer end of the compression spring, and an inner end washer attached to the inner end of the compression spring.

6. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 3, wherein the selected length is longer than a distance between opposing surfaces of the support surface, and the compression spring is structured and arranged to compress a sufficient distance to allow the spring-biased end cap to contact one of the opposing surfaces to thereby apply the tension force when the tension rod is installed.

7. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 6, wherein the compression spring has an extended length prior to being compressed, a compressed length when the tension rod is installed, and a compression distance measured between the extended length and the compressed length of the compression spring is from 0.1 percent to 5 percent of an overall length of the tension rod when the first and second rod sections are locked together at the selected length.

8. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 7, wherein the difference in the extended and compressed lengths of the compression spring is from 0.5 percent to 3 percent of the overall length of the tension rod when installed.

9. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 2, wherein the exterior end of the first or second rod and an interior surface of the end sleeve engage each other with sufficient frictional force to hold the end sleeve on the exterior end of the first or second rod section while allowing relative axial movement therebetween when the tension force is applied.

10. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 2, further comprising:an axially movable retaining rod positioned at least partially inside the end sleep; andan anti-rotation collar secured to the first or second rod section comprising an axial through hole receiving a portion of the retaining rod.

11. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 10, wherein the axial through hole of the anti-rotation collar resists relative rotation between the retaining rod and the anti-rotation collar around an axis of the retaining rod.

12. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 10, further comprising a compression spring positioned at least partially inside the end sleeve surrounding a portion of the retaining rod structured and arranged to bias the retaining rod outward from the anti-rotation collar and the exterior end of the first or second rod section.

13. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 11, wherein the retaining rod comprises an exterior end flange contacting an internal shoulder of the end sleeve.

14. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 13, wherein the compression spring contacts the exterior end flange of the retaining rod and the anti-rotation collar.

15. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 13, wherein the retaining rod further comprises an interior end flange engageable with an inner end of the anti-rotation collar to thereby retain the retaining rod on the exterior end of the first or second rod section.

16. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 1, wherein the spring-biased end cap comprises a rotatable end pad.

17. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 1, wherein the first rod section comprises an outer tube and the second rod section comprises an inner tube telescopingly received in the outer tube.

18. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 17, wherein the locking member is structured and arranged to lock the outer and inner tubes together by rotating the outer tube and inner tube relative to each other around an axis of the retaining rod.

19. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 17, wherein the locking member comprises at least one mechanical fastener extending through a sidewall of the outer tube structured and arranged to contact an external surface of the inner tube when the mechanical fastener is tightened.

20. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 17, wherein the spring-biased end cap is mounted on the inner tube.

21. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 17, wherein the spring-biased end cap is mounted on the outer tube.

22. The adjustable-length tension rod of claim 21, further comprising another spring-biased end cap mounted on the inner tube.

23. A method of installing the adjustable-length tension rod of claim 1 between opposing surfaces comprising:locking the first and second rod sections together at a selected length longer than a distance between the opposing surfaces; andcompressing the spring-biased end cap inward on the first or second rod section a sufficient distance to allow the tension rod to fit between the opposing surfaces and apply the tension force when the tension rod is installed.

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