Telescoping Rod Tension Lock for Stable Adjustable Shower Caddies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower caddies are not adjustable to be placed in various positions within a shower enclosure, tend to slide down rods, and have loose connections leading to disconnection and wobbling.

Innovation Solution

A customizable shower caddy with adjustable rods, enhanced gripping barrels, and a lock assembly to secure rod positions, allowing placement along walls, in corners, or in the center, and preventing sliding and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tension poles are used to support shelves in showers, then the shelves can be positioned along rods, but the rods become loose and disconnected when moved, causing wobbling and instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidrod connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tension pole is divided into multiple rod sections that can be independently connected. Each rod section has connection features that allow them to be assembled together, enabling the pole to be extended or adjusted while maintaining structural integrity and preventing wobbling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection features such as threading, grooves, or interlocking mechanisms are pre-formed on the rod sections during manufacturing. These preliminary prepared connection elements enable reliable assembly and secure joining of rod sections without requiring additional components or complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If shelves are placed on tension rods, then they provide storage space, but the shelves slide down the rods when weight is added, limiting the weight capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf positioning flexibilityVSAvoidweight holding capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A gripping mechanism or intermediate component is introduced between the shelf and the rod. This intermediary element provides enhanced friction or mechanical interlocking to prevent the shelf from sliding down the rod while the shelf remains adjustable to various positions along the rod length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping mechanism may utilize changes in friction parameters, such as rubberized surfaces or adjustable pressure, to increase the holding capacity of the rod-shelf connection without preventing shelf repositioning. The friction characteristics are modified to allow easy movement during installation but strong holding when weight is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If rod sections are connected to form adjustable tension poles, then the pole can be configured for different positions, but the connections between rod sections become loose and disconnected during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole configuration flexibilityVSAvoidrod section connection integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional loose mechanical connections are replaced with more secure connection mechanisms such as threaded fasteners, snap-fit features, or interlocking geometries that maintain connection integrity during movement while still allowing for adjustable configuration of the pole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The caddy provides stable, adjustable shelving that can support more weight without sliding, ensuring secure rod connections and preventing wobbling.

Implementation Method 1

a wedge shaft extending through the internal passage of the rod insert and having threading along an outer surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

The rod insert is attached to a second rod section and extends into a first rod section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20260071641A1Tension Lock

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 HOUSE OF ATLAS LLC

AI summary

There is provided a connector for telescoping rods including a core including a frustoconical shaft portion having a first frustoconical surface, the first frustoconical surface having first threading and one or more non-threaded portions; and a sleeve defining a generally cylindrical wall capable of receiving the frustoconical shaft portion and having a second threading, wherein the second threading is engageable with the first threading to selectively displace the sleeve relative to the core between a first position where the sleeve has a first diameter and a second position where the sleeve has expanded to a larger second diameter. The sleeve may include an outward lip extending from a base exterior cylindrical side surface of the sleeve to frictionally engage an outer rod when the sleeve is inserted therein.