Patent Application
20060156465
This invention relates generally to utility poles designed to be positioned in a generally horizontal arrangement, and more specifically to an adjustable rod for use with first and second interior fittings which are attached to vertical posts or walls.
There is a need to provide, in private homes, hotels, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and elsewhere, generally horizontal utility poles or support structures which may be used to hang clothes, shower curtains and the like. There is also a need to provide such structures in a manner which is aesthetically pleasing and does not consume unnecessary space.
Temporary horizontal support devices are known in the art. One type of support device is held in place by friction. While such friction-fit support devices are typically fairly easy to install and remove, they are also less reliable and, over time, have a tendency to slip or fall down. Friction-fit support devices may be stable for a longer period of time if they are equipped with larger end pieces. However, such end pieces are less aesthetically appealing. Furthermore they only serve to prolong the support device's ability to stay horizontal. Even support devices having larger end pieces have a tendency to slip and fall over time if they are held up solely by friction.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,061, to Geltz, discloses a spinning shower rod assembly. This shower rod assembly is telescoping, and utilizes a flexible threaded rod. One end of the threaded rod is braced against one support, while the second end engages threads within a hollow tube. Over time, it is expected that this shower rod will slip and fall.
If the horizontal pressure is too low in a friction-fit device, the support may not be capable of supporting the weight of the articles which are hung on it (clothes, shower curtains, etc.). Similarly, if the horizontal pressure is too high, the support may damage the surfaces against which its ends abut. This is especially true in the case of drywall surfaces where, if the longitudinal pressure is too high, the end of the structure abutting against the drywall may cause it to buckle and/or be crushed. On occasion, certain users have difficulty positioning the support with sufficient pressure to support the weight of the articles which are hung on it.
Some utility poles known in the art fit in to separate braces which may be independently affixed to walls or other support structures, thus obviating the concern about slipping over time. However, such braces typically have a circumference which is larger than the circumference of the utility pole. Thus, such a configuration may not be aesthetically appealing.
It would be advantageous to have a horizontal support which, when installed, provides the necessary lateral support during use without risk of damaging wall surfaces, and is aesthetically appealing to the user.
A novel adjustable rod mounting system has been discovered, whereby a adjustable rod may be attached to opposing support structures through the use of two attachment plugs. Each such attachment plug is attached to a support structure, and then inserted within a hollow end of an adjustable rod. Since the attachment plugs are attached to the walls, and then inserted within the rod, this allows for a virtually invisible or hidden attachment to the wall. Furthermore, since the rod is supported by the attachment plugs, users do not have to worry about positioning the support with sufficient horizontal pressure to support the weight of the articles which are hung on it.
The rod may or may not be permanently affixed to the attachment plugs. Such affixation may be achieved by any means known in the art, including pressure and gluing. If the horizontal rod is not permanently affixed to the attachment plugs, the user may readily remove the horizontal rod. This may be desirable in many instances. For example, a user may require a drying rod in the laundry room or a bathroom, but want to remove the rod when it is not in use. The relatively small attachment plugs will not present an eyesore when the rod is not present.
The rod may be formed in two or more pieces, and may be formed from any material known in the art having sufficient strength to be used as a support rod. By way of example, and not of limitation, the rod may be formed from plastic, wood, steel, tin, aluminum, other metals, or combinations thereof. Similarly, each attachment plug may be formed from any material known in the art having sufficient strength to support the rod and whatever is hung from the rod. By way of example, and not of limitation, each support plug may be formed from plastic, wood, steel, tin, aluminum, other metals, or combinations thereof.
The multiple sections of the rod are configured so that they lock into place with respect to one another. As used herein, ‘lock’ refers to a snug fit, so that the individual sections do not readily slide with respect to each other. The locking may be achieved by any means that is known in the art. By way of example, and not of limitation, such locking may be achieved by a screw mechanism, an internal friction mechanism, a spring, or a metal tab on a first rod portion which fits into a corresponding opening on a second rod portion.
As shown herein, the attachment plugs are generally circular in shape. In those instances where it is desirable that the support rod not rotate, the attachment plugs may have a different geometric shape, and the corresponding hollow end of the rod may be configured to slide over such shape. By way of example, and not of limitation, the attachment plug may be oval, quadrangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or have a non-traditional geometric shape. Such a configuration may be preferred when using a rod which may be extended by movement of a hinge.
The utility pole or rod 10 according to the present invention has first and second hollow ends. In one embodiment of the invention, the rod is adjustable in length. Such adjustment may be telescopic in nature. For example, the adjustment may be performed by twisting two segments of the same rod in opposite directions so that internal threads or other screw mechanism allow the rod to expand in length. Alternatively, the expansion may be caused by spring or by any other means known in the art.
Each attachment plug may be attached to its vertical support in many different ways. By way of example, and not of limitation, an attachment plug may be attached using a mechanical fastener. Such mechanical fasteners may include, but are not limited to, tacks, nails, bolts and screws. The attachment plugs may be attached by an adhesive such as glue. Alternatively, the attachment plugs may be designed to fit into pre-drilled holes. By way of example, and not of limitation, the attachment plugs may include prongs which are configured to fit into the European Standard 32 mm hanging system.
The circumference of attachment plug 16 is just slightly smaller than the interior circumference of the rod 10, so that the rod 10 fits snugly on the attachment plug 16.
In the embodiment of the invention depicted in
Still further alternatively, the attachment plugs may be attached to the vertical support using a plurality of attachment means. For example, an attachment plug may be first glued, then screwed in place. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that there may be other means for attaching the attachment plugs to the vertical supports, and such means are within the scope of this invention.
Means known in the art to provide enhanced stability when affixing items to softer surfaces may be employed in association with the present invention. By way of example, and not of limitation, countersunk screws may be used to affix the attachment plug 12 to a vertical support.
As discussed above, the horizontal rod according to the present invention is equipped with two hollow ends. In one embodiment of the invention, the entire rod is hollow. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the rod may be only partially hollow. In a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention, the rod (with its two hollow ends) may be equipped with an internal expansion mechanism such as is known in the art.
While the present invention is particularly suitable for use as a closet rod or a shower rod, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be used in a variety of different configurations. Furthermore, while the present invention has been described with respect to a generally horizontal configuration, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the present invention may be positioned in a vertical configuration or, if the attachment plugs are appropriately angled, in an angular configuration.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
