U.S. patent application number 14/188900 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for telescoping window tension rods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Maytex Mills, Inc.. Invention is credited to David M. Baines.
Application Number | 20140166603 14/188900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929723 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baines; David M. |
June 19, 2014 |
TELESCOPING WINDOW TENSION RODS
Abstract
A window rod includes first, second and third telescoping tubes;
a first locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second
tubes in a fixed axially position with respect to each other; a
second locking mechanism configured to lock the second and third
tubes in a fixed axially position with respect to each other; a
first axially adjustable finial coupled to a first end of the first
tube; and a first rotatable contact member coupled to the first
axially adjustable finial.
Inventors: |
Baines; David M.; (Bedford,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maytex Mills, Inc. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50929723 |
Appl. No.: |
14/188900 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13723266 |
Dec 21, 2012 |
|
|
|
14188900 |
|
|
|
|
13177129 |
Jul 6, 2011 |
|
|
|
13723266 |
|
|
|
|
61361735 |
Jul 6, 2010 |
|
|
|
61768999 |
Feb 25, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/105.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 2001/0215 20130101;
A47H 1/022 20130101; A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/105.3 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/022 20060101
A47H001/022 |
Claims
1. A window rod comprising: first, second and third telescoping
tubes; a first locking mechanism configured to lock the first and
second tubes in a fixed axially position with respect to each
other; a second locking mechanism configured to lock the second and
third tubes in a fixed axially position with respect to each other;
a first axially adjustable finial coupled to a first end of the
first tube; and a first rotatable contact member coupled to the
first axially adjustable finial.
2. The window rod of claim 1, further comprising: a first threaded
opening positioned along a central axis of the first tube; and a
first threaded stud connected to a body of the first finial and
configured to engage the first threaded opening.
3. The window rod of claim 2, wherein: the first threaded stud is
positioned in a recess in the body of the first finial with a side
wall of the recess being configured to slide over the first end of
the first tube, such that the first threaded stud is not visible
when the first threaded stud is engaged with threads in the first
threaded opening.
4. The window rod of claim 2, wherein: a diameter of the body of
the first finial is larger than an outer diameter of the first
tube.
5. The window rod of claim 1, further comprising: a second axially
adjustable finial coupled to a first end of the third tube; and a
second rotatable contact member coupled to the first axially
adjustable finial.
6. The window rod of claim 3, further comprising: a second threaded
opening positioned along a central axis of the first tube; and a
second threaded stud connected to a body of the second finial and
configured to engage the second threaded opening.
7. The window rod of claim 6, wherein: the second threaded stud is
positioned in a recess in the body of the second finial with a side
wall of the recess being configured to slide over the first end of
the second tube, such that the second threaded stud is not visible
when the second threaded stud is engaged with threads in the second
threaded opening.
8. The window rod of claim 6, wherein: a diameter of the body of
the second finial is larger than an outer diameter of the second
tube.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/723,266, filed Dec. 21, 2012, which is a
Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/177,129, filed Jul. 6, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/361,735 filed Jul. 6,
2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This
application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/768,999, filed Feb. 25, 2013, and titled
"Telescoping Window Tension Rods", which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to window rods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Telescoping window tension rods in the market today are
limited to having a maximum extendable range slightly less than
double the length of the outer tube, e.g., double the outer tube
length, minus about 6 inches in length to provide for the
overlapping tubes. Thus, a 30 inch outer tube can only extend to
about 54 or 56 inches.
[0004] There is a need for a window rod that can be extended over a
larger range of possible lengths.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a window rod
that includes first, second and third telescoping tubes; a first
locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second tubes in
a fixed axially position with respect to each other; a second
locking mechanism configured to lock the second and third tubes in
a fixed axially position with respect to each other; a first
axially adjustable finial coupled to a first end of the first tube;
and a first rotatable contact member coupled to the first axially
adjustable finial.
[0006] This and other aspects of the present invention will be more
apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a window rod in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1B is an end view of one of the window rod sections of
FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 1C is an end view of one of the window rod sections of
FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a side view of a finial of a window rod in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the finial of FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the finial of FIG.
2A.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a finial in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view and FIG. 6 is an end view of a
finial in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric view, and FIG. 8 is an end view,
showing the opposite side of the finial of FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0016] FIGS. 9 and 10 are end views, and FIG. 11 is a side view, of
a retainer that may be installed in a finial in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 12 and 13 are end views, and FIG. 14 is a side view,
of a rotatable contact disk that may be mounted on a finial in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a side sectional view illustrating the rotatable
contact disk of FIGS. 12-14 rotatably mounted on the retainer of
FIGS. 9-11.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the end portion of a
finial including a rotatable contact disk in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a side view, of a torsional locking mechanism for
securing the position of one telescoping tube with respect to
another telescoping tube in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the locking cam sleeve of
FIG. 17.
[0022] FIG. 19 is an end view of a locking cam sleeve.
[0023] FIG. 20 is an end view of a locking cam sleeve.
[0024] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the locking cam sleeve of
FIG. 20.
[0025] FIG. 22 is a side view of the locking cam sleeve of FIG.
20.
[0026] FIG. 23 is a side view of a portion of a torsional locking
mechanism.
[0027] FIGS. 24 and 25 are isometric views of the locking cam
sleeve of FIG. 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIG. 1A is a side view of a telescoping window tension rod
10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
rod includes three telescoping tubes 11, 12 and 13 of small, medium
and large diameters respectively. Locking mechanisms 14 and 15 are
provided between the small and medium tube, and between the medium
and large tube. Axially adjustable finials 16 and 20 are provided
at opposite ends of the rod 10. The finials are configured to make
contact with support surfaces, such as opposing walls of a shower
stall or other opening.
[0029] FIG. 1B is an end view of tube 13 of FIG. 1A. Tube 13 is
shown to include a threaded opening 17 in an end of tube 13. The
opening is positioned along a central axis of the tube 13.
[0030] FIG. 1C is an end view of tube 11 of FIG. 1A. Tube 11 is
shown to include a threaded opening 19 in an end of the tube 11.
The opening is positioned along a central axis of the tube 11.
[0031] In one embodiment of the window rod of FIG. 1A, the tubes
can have a length of about 26 inches, tube 13 can have an outer
diameter of about 3/4 inch, tube 12 can have an outer diameter of
about 5/8 inch, and tube 11 can have an outer diameter of about 1/2
inch. The telescoping window tension rod allows for greater
extension that is more than double the length of the outer tube,
while providing greater strength than existing spring rods
currently in the market. The added unit of tubing creates extra
extension that is not possible with conventional spring tension
rods.
[0032] As more fully described below, each of the finials has a
contact member, which can be disk-shaped, and which is configured
to contact a supporting surface, such as a wall of a bath or shower
stall.
[0033] FIG. 2A illustrates an axially adjustable finial 20 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this
example, the finial includes a threaded stud or bolt 21 that is
connected to the body 22 such that rotation of the body causes
rotation of the stud. The stud is configured to screw into the
threaded opening 17 at the end of tube 13 shown in FIG. 1B.
Rotation of the finial body causes rotation of the stud, causing
the stud and finial to move with respect to the tube in a direction
along the central axis of the tube. While FIG. 2A shows a finial
having a substantially spherical body, it should be understood that
finals having other shapes may be used in accordance with the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the finial of FIG. 2A. As
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a rotatable contact member in the form of
a resilient disk 50 is provided on the finial. FIG. 3 is another
isometric view of the finial of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 3, the stud is
shown to be positioned in a recess 200. The sidewall 202 of the
recess is configured to be positioned over a portion of the end of
the tube 13. Thus the finial can move axially with respect to the
tube without exposing the stud. Finial 16 of FIG. 1A can be similar
to the finial illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. Embodiments of
the window rod can have a single adjustable finial at one end or
two adjustable finials at opposite ends.
[0035] To install the window rod, the telescoping tubes can be
moved with respect to each other until the ends of the finials are
adjacent to two opposing support surfaces. Then the rods can be
rotated with respect to each other to engage the locking
mechanisms, thereby preventing movement of the rods with respect to
each other in the axial direction. Then the length of the window
rod can be further adjusted by rotating the axially adjustable
finial(s) to force the rotatable contact disk 50 against the
support surface. Because the contact disk can rotate with respect
to the body of the finial, once the contact disk engages the
support surface, it remains stationary with respect to the support
surface, even as the body of the adjustable finial is rotated. This
prevents walking of the contact disk as the window rod is tightened
between the support surfaces.
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the components of one
embodiment of the finial 20. The adjustable finial 20 includes a
body 22 having an opening 23 for receiving an end of the pole, a
threaded bolt 30, a retainer 40, and a rotatable contact disk 50.
The bolt 30 includes a head 32 and threaded portion 34. Although a
hex-head bolt is shown, it is to be understood that any other
suitable bolt or mechanical fastener design may be used in
accordance with the present invention. As more fully described
below, the bolt 30 is held in a stationary position in relation to
the finial body 22. The various components of the finial 20 may be
made of any suitable materials such as plastic, metal and the like.
For example, the finial body 22 may be made of polypropylene and
the bolt 30 may be made of metal. The interior 23 is shaped to
receive the elements that allow rotation of the contact disk. The
body can rotate with respect to the tube, but the interior surface
of the body can also form a seal with the tube.
[0037] Alternative coupling arrangements can include a threaded
portion integrally formed in an interior surface of the finial 20
with the threaded portion engaging a threaded portion of the rod,
or the use of a threaded nut or threaded hole in the finial 20 and
a threaded shaft extending from the end of the tube 11. However, it
is to be understood that any other suitable arrangement for
coupling the adjustable finial to the pole may be used in
accordance with the present invention.
[0038] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate details of the finial body 22 of the
adjustable finial 20. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the outermost end of the
finial body 22, while FIGS. 7 and 8 show the opposite end of the
finial body 22 that is located adjacent to the pole 11 when the
caddy is assembled. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a hexagonal bolt
head holder 24 in the form of a recessed hexagonal pocket is
provided at the center of the finial body 22. The holder 24
includes a central opening 25 through which the threaded portion 34
of the bolt 30 passes. Support arms 26 extend between the interior
surface of the generally cylindrical finial body 22 to the exterior
surface of the holder 24. Three openings 27 are provided in
corresponding sides of the hexagonal holder 24 to provide
engagement edges for the finger clips 44 of the retainer 40, shown
in FIG. 4. After the head 34 of the bolt 30 is mounted inside the
hexagonal holder 24, the retainer 40 is inserted through the
outside end of the finial body 22 to thereby lock the bolt 30 in
place. This is accomplished by the finger clips 44, wherein the
arms 45 flex radially outward as the retainer 40 is inserted in the
finial body 22 until the locking tabs 46 of the finger clips 44
snap into place in the openings 27 for engagement with the holder
24. In this manner, the retainer 40 is held in a stationary
position and does not rotate or move in an axial direction with
respect to the finial body 22.
[0039] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 9-11, the retainer 40
includes a generally disk-shaped cylindrical body 42 with three
finger clips 44 extending from one surface thereof. Each finger
clip 44 includes a flexible arm 45 and a locking tab 46. As shown
most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 10, an annular projection with a
central hole 48 is located at the center of the finial body 22. The
annular projection and hole 48 are used to rotatably mount the end
disk 50 thereon, as more fully described below.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12-14, the rotatable end disk 50
includes a support disk 52 made of relatively rigid material such
as plastic or any other suitable material. For example, the support
disk 52 may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene or the like. A
mounting assembly 54 includes two flexible mounting fingers 56 that
extend from the surface of the support disk 52. An elastomeric
contact disk 58 is secured to one surface of the support disk 52 by
any suitable means such as adhesive. The elastomeric contact disk
may be made of any suitable elastomeric material such as natural
rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, resilient polymers and the like.
The contact disk 58 may have a relatively high friction coefficient
to help secure the rod 10 in position when it is installed in a
window opening or a bath or shower stall.
[0041] FIG. 15 is a side sectional view illustrating the rotatable
mounting arrangement of the end disk 50 on the retainer 40. In the
position shown in FIG. 15, the flexible mounting fingers 56 of the
end disk 50 have been inserted into the central hole 48 of the
retainer 40 with their end tabs engaging the edge of the annular
projection. In this position, the interior surface of the support
disk 52 contacts the exterior surface of the retainer body 42.
However, the end disk 50 is rotatable around its central axis with
respect to the retainer 40 because the flexible mounting fingers 56
of the mounting assembly 54 have a sufficient tolerance with
respect to the central hole 48 of the annular projection of the
retainer 40, e.g., a clearance space is provided between the inner
surface of the central hole 48 and the fingers 56, or any contact
between the inner surface of the hole 48 and fingers 56 is of
relatively minor force which permits the end disk to rotate. Thus,
while the rotatable end disk 50 may be snap-fit onto the retainer
40, the fit is such that the end disk 50 is still able to rotate
with respect to the retainer 40. As will be appreciated, when the
assembled retainer 40 and rotatable end disk 50 as shown in FIG. 15
are installed inside the finial body 22, the retainer 40 is held in
a stationary position in relation to the finial body 22 while the
end disk 50 is free to rotate with respect to the finial body
22.
[0042] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the end portion of
another finial 60 that may be mounted on the end of the rod 10 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The finial
60 includes a generally cylindrical body 62 having an elastomeric
contact disk 64 mounted thereon. The elastomeric contact disk 64
may be held in a stationary position in relation to the body 62.
However, in a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric contact disk 64
is rotatable in relation to the body 62 of the finial 60. A
mounting projection 66 extends from the inner surface of the
contact disk 64. A mounting disk 68 having a central mounting hole
69 is secured to the body 62 of the finial 60. Sufficient tolerance
may be provided between the cylindrical outer surface of the
mounting projection 66 and the mounting hole 69 such that the
contact disk 64 is free to rotate with respect to the body 62 of
the stationary finial 60. The elastomeric contact disk 64 may be
made of any suitable material such as natural rubber, synthetic
rubber, foam, resilient polymers and the like. The contact disk 64
may have a relative high friction coefficient to help secure the
rod 10 in position when it is installed.
[0043] The inner gripper systems for securing the small, medium and
large tubes in relation to each other may be similar to the
twist-to-lock cam systems shown in FIGS. 7-16 and described in U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/177,129 and Ser. No. 13/723,266, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] In other embodiments, the adjustable finial may be similar
to those shown in FIGS. 17-20 and described in U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/177,129 and Ser. No. 13/723,266.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a side view of portions of the tube 11 of the
window rod of FIG. 1. The window rod includes a first tube 12 (also
called a stationary tube) and a second tube 11 (also called a
telescoping tube) having a slightly smaller outer diameter than the
inner diameter of the first tube 12. The telescoping tube 11 is
axially movable with respect to the first tube 12. The first and
second rods may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or
the like. A substantially cylindrical bushing 76 made of plastic or
other suitable material is partially inserted inside the end of the
first tube 12 with a portion extending therefrom and surrounding
the telescoping tube 11. The bushing is configured to make contact
with the internal surface of the tube 12 and is positioned over a
cam such that when the tube 11 is rotated, the bushing is forced
against the internal surface of tube 12 and the axial positions of
rods 12 and 11 are locked with respect to each other.
[0046] FIG. 17 illustrates components of a torsional locking
mechanism 71 for locking the stationary tube 12 and telescoping
tube 11 together in a desired position in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. The torsional locking mechanism 71
mounted on the end of the telescoping tube 11 is configured to be
positioned inside the stationary tube 12 when the pole 11 is
assembled. The torsional locking mechanism 71 includes a locking
cam head 74 that is offset with respect to the central axis of the
tube. A bushing 90 (also called a cam locking sleeve) is positioned
on the cam head between an annular flange 80 and a support flange
86. The bushing has a varying thickness with a relatively thin end
76 and a relatively thick end 97. When the locking mechanism is
inserted in tube 12, rotation of the cam head forces the bushing
into the internal surface of tube 12 and thereby fixes the axial
position of tube 12 with respect to tube 11.
[0047] The locking cam head 74 includes the annular flange 80 and
an end flange 86. The locking head 74 includes two cam surfaces 82
extending between the annular flange 80 and end flange 86 having
non-circular, helical or spiral surfaces. One of the cam surfaces
82 is shown in each of FIG. 17, with the other cam surface located
180.degree. around the circumference of the locking head 74. The
locking head 74 includes two stop surfaces 84 extending between the
annular flange 80 and end flange 86. Each stop surface 84 lies
substantially in a plane extending radially outward from the
central axis of the locking head 74 and defining an interruption or
transition between each of the cam surfaces 82.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 17, a locking cam sleeve 90 is mounted on
the locking head 74 between the annular flange 80 and end flange
86. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the locking cam sleeve 90 includes
two cam members 92, each of which has an inner cam surface 94, an
outer contact surface 96 and a stop edge 97. The cam members 92 are
connected together by a thin web 98. The locking cam sleeve 90 may
be made of any suitable flexible or elastomeric material such as
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, flexible plastic or the like. The
locking cam sleeve 90 preferably has a relatively high friction
coefficient in order to help secure the telescoping tube 11 in a
selected axial position with respect to the stationary tube 12, as
more fully described below.
[0049] The torsional locking mechanism 71 operates as follows. The
locking cam sleeve 90 is initially located in a radially retracted
position on the locking cam head 74 in which the stop edges 97 of
the sleeve 90 are in contact or adjacent to the corresponding stop
surfaces 84 of the locking head 74. The thicker portions of the cam
members 92 are adjacent to the radially recessed portion of the cam
surfaces 82. In this radially retracted position, the telescoping
tube 11 is free to move axially with respect to the stationary tube
12.
[0050] During installation, the telescoping tube 11 is extended
from the stationary tube 12 to a desired position in which the
rotatable end disk 19 and stationary finial 18 are in initial
contact positions against the window walls, or the bath or shower
stall walls. In this position, the telescoping tube 11 is then
twisted around its longitudinal axis, which rotates the locking
mechanism inside the stationary tube 12. Upon such a twisting
motion, the outer contact surfaces 96 of the locking cam sleeve 90
contact the inner surface of the stationary tube 12 and frictional
forces therebetween hold the locking cam sleeve 90 in a stationary
position with respect to the stationary tube 12, i.e., the locking
cam sleeve 90 does not rotate inside the tube 12 with the remainder
of the torsional locking mechanism. As the locking cam head 74
rotates inside the stationary tube 12 with the locking cam sleeve
90 remaining in position, the inner cam surfaces 94 of the locking
cam sleeve 90 slide in a generally circumferential direction on the
cam surfaces 82 of the locking cam head 74. Due to this relative
movement, the cam members 92 move radially outward and press
against the inner surface of the stationary tube 12 with sufficient
force to lock the cam head 74 into position within the stationary
tube 12. Thus, the telescoping tube 11 and stationary tube 12 are
held in position with respect to each other.
[0051] With the torsional locking mechanism 71 in the locked
position, the adjustable finial 20 may be rotated with respect to
the telescoping tube 11, thereby extending the adjustable finial 20
into the installed position in which the pole 11 is securely
mounted between the supporting surfaces of the bath or shower
stall.
[0052] FIG. 20 is an end view of another locking cam sleeve 100.
FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the locking cam sleeve of FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is an elevation view of the locking cam sleeve of FIG. 20.
The flexible locking cam sleeve 100 includes a slit 102 between
ends 104 and 106. When the ends 104 and 106 are pushed together to
touch each other, the locking sleeve has a generally cylindrical
outer surface 108 and is shaped to define a generally cylindrical
opening 110 having an axis 112 that is offset from an axis 114 of
the generally cylindrical outer surface 108. The flexible locking
cam sleeve 100 includes two cam portions 116, 118, each of which
has an inner cam surface 120, 122, an outer contact surface 124,
126. The cam portions 116, 118 are connected together by a thin web
128. The end 130 shown in FIG. 20 forms a planar surface.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 21, at least a part of cam portion 116
includes a raised portion 132 that forms a stop 134. Cam portion
118 includes a raised portion 136 that forms a stop 138. The space
140 between stops 134 and 138 is recessed with respect to the top
surfaces 142, 144 of raised portions 132 and 136. In addition, top
surfaces 142 and 144 lie in a common plane. As shown in FIG. 22,
that width 146 of cam portion 116 is larger than the width 148 of
cam portion 118. The locking cam sleeve 100 may be made of any
suitable flexible or elastomeric material such as natural rubber,
synthetic rubber, flexible plastic or the like. The locking cam
sleeve 100 preferably has a relatively high friction coefficient in
order to help secure the telescoping tube 14 in a selected axial
position with respect to the stationary tube 12, as more fully
described below.
[0054] FIG. 23 is a side view of elements of another torsional
locking mechanism. FIG. 23 shows a cylindrical pin 150 having a
central axis 152 that is offset from a central axis 154 of tube 11.
The pin extends between a hub 156 and a disk 158. The outside
surfaces of hub 156 and disk 158 lie on a common cylinder. The hub
includes a portion, not shown in this view, that extends into tube
11 and is secured in the tube 11 by, for example, indents (or spot
welds) 160, 162. A tab 164 extends from the hub. Tab 164 extends in
a radial direction from the pin 150. When the locking cam sleeve
100 is positioned on the pin 150, the tab 164 is positioned in a
space 140 between the stops 134 and 138. The width of the disk 158
has a slight taper such that the portion 166 of the disk opposite
the tab is thicker than the rest of the disk. Thus the distance
between that portion 166 of the disk and the hub is smaller than
the distance between the bottom portion 168 of the disk and the
hub. This feature ensures engagement of the tab and the stops on
the locking cam sleeve.
[0055] FIGS. 24 and 25 are isometric views, of a locking mechanism
170 that includes the elements of FIGS. 20-23. FIGS. 24 and 25
illustrate a torsional locking mechanism 170 for locking the
stationary tube 12 and telescoping tube 11 together in a desired
position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Although not shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the torsional locking
mechanism 170 mounted on the end of the telescoping tube 11 is
positioned inside the stationary tube 12 when the pole 11 is
assembled. FIG. 24 shows the locking mechanism with a first surface
172 of tab 164 adjacent to stop 134 on the locking sleeve. In this
position, the outer surface 108 of the locking cam sleeve is
positioned close to the cylinder containing the hub and disk such
that the outer surface 108 slidably engages the inner surface of
tube 12. FIG. 25 shows the locking mechanism with a second surface
174 of tab 164 adjacent to stop 138 on the locking sleeve. In this
position, the outer surface 108 of the locking cam sleeve is forced
outward such that the outer surface 108 securely engages the inner
surface of tube 102.
[0056] The torsional locking mechanism 170 operates as follows. The
locking cam sleeve 100 is initially located in a radially retracted
position on the locking cam head 176 in which the stop 134 of the
sleeve 100 is in contact with or adjacent to the first surface 172
of tab 164. In this radially retracted position, the telescoping
tube 14 is free to move axially with respect to the stationary tube
12.
[0057] During installation, the telescoping tubes are extended to a
desired position in which the rotatable contact disks of the
finials are in initial contact positions against the support
surfaces (e.g., the bath or shower stall walls). In this position,
the telescoping tubes are then twisted around their longitudinal
axis, which rotates the locking cam mechanism 170 inside another
one of the telescoping tubes. Upon such a twisting motion, the
outer contact surface 108 of the locking cam sleeve 100 contacts
the inner surface of the tube and frictional forces therebetween
hold the locking cam sleeve 100 in a stationary position with
respect to the outer tube, i.e., the locking cam sleeve 100 does
not rotate inside the tube with the remainder of the torsional
locking mechanism 170. Thus, the telescoping tubes are held in
position with respect to each other.
[0058] The window rods of the present invention overcome the
cumbersome installation associated with conventional window rods.
The rotatable end disk 50 on the adjustable finial 20 prevents the
rod from walking on the wall during installation. The internal
torsional locking mechanism 71 provides improved stability.
[0059] The components of the window rods may be made of any
suitable materials, such as metals and/or plastics.
[0060] 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.
* * * * *