BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mounting apparatus, and, more specifically, to apparatus for installing a rod.
Description of Related Art
Shower components come in various sizes and shapes. The shower rod is typically installed between the wall of the shower component or the adjacent wall surfaces. Due to the dimensions and shape of the shower component, or the possible variation in distance between the adjacent wall surfaces, the distance that the shower rod needs to span may also vary, with a wide range of variability. Therefore, installing a shower rod usually requires careful selection of a shower rod with the appropriate length, or adjusting the total length of the shower rod to install it correctly between the walls. When the length of the shower rod is changed or adjusted in some other way to fit the wall, the angle between the shower rod and the wall also changes.
To accommodate various angles between different shower rods and wall surfaces, and to accommodate shower rods of various lengths, there is a need in the field for apparatus that can be used to install different shower rods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus for installing a rod is provided. The rod has a first diameter. The apparatus comprises a plug assembly and a socket assembly. The socket assembly is pivotably connected to the plug assembly. The socket assembly is plugged by the plug assembly. The socket assembly is connected to the rod.
The socket assembly comprises a rounded sidewall toward the plug assembly. The plug assembly comprises a base and a first prong extending from the base. The rounded sidewall comprises a first recess to accommodate the prong. The plug assembly comprises a second prong extending from the base. The first prong and the second prong are separated by a first distance smaller than the first diameter of the rod. The rounded sidewall comprises a second recess, and wherein the second recess and the first recess are separated by a second distance substantially the same as the first distance.
The rounded sidewall comprises a u-bent top, a u-bent middle, and a u-bent bottom. The first recess is between the u-bent top and the u-bent middle. The second recess is between the u-bent middle and the u-bent bottom. The apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a first screw partially surrounded by the rounded sidewall. The first prong has a first hole, and wherein the second prong has a second hole. The first screw passes through the first hole and the second hole. The socket assembly comprises a hollow cylinder connected to the rounded sidewall, and wherein the hollow cylinder is connected to the rod. The hollow cylinder comprises an outer surface not completely rounded. The outer surface is partially flattened. The outer surface has a flat. The apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a second screw passing through the flat. The socket assembly comprises an extended tube connected to the rod. The socket assembly has a second diameter greater than first distance.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment(s) in accordance with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a socket assembly, according to FIG. 8.
FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of an apparatus for installing a rod according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of a socket assembly according to FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a socket assembly, according to FIG. 8.
FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of a plug assembly, according to FIG. 8.
FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, according to FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a pipe installation device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a plug assembly, according to FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a socket assembly according to FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Plural embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed through drawings. For the purpose of clear illustration, many practical details will be illustrated along with the description below. It should be understood that, however, these practical details should not limit the present disclosure. In other words, in embodiments of the present disclosure, these practical details are not necessary. In addition, for the purpose of simplifying the drawings, some conventional structures and components are simply and schematically depicted in the figures.
It is to be understood that although particular phrases used herein, such as “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on, are used to describe different components, members, regions, layers, and/or sections, these components, members, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These phrases are used to distinguish one component, member, region, layer, or section from another component, member, region, layer, or section. In this way, a first component, member, region, layer, and/or section to be described below may be referred to as a second component, member, region, layer, and/or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Spatially relative phrases, such as “onto”, “on”, “over”, “under”, “below”, “underlying”, “beneath”, “above”, and so on used herein, are used for facilitating description of a relation between one component or feature and another component or feature depicted in the drawings. Therefore, it can be understood that, in addition to directions depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms mean to include all different orientations during usage or operations of the device. For example, it is assumed that a device in a figure is reversed upside down, a component described as being “under”, “below”, or “beneath” another component or feature is oriented “onto” or “on” the other component or feature. Therefore, these exemplary terms “under” and “below” may include orientations above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., turned by 90 degrees, 180 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein should be explained accordingly.
Accordingly, it may be understood that when a component or a layer is referred to as being “onto”, “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another component or another layer, it may be immediately on the other component or layer, or connected to or coupled to the other component or layer, or there may be one or more intermediate components or intermediate layers. Further, it can be understood that when a component or a layer is referred to as being “between” two components or two layers, it may be the only component or layer between the two components or layers, or there may be one or more intermediate components or intermediate layers.
Terminologies used herein are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, but not limiting the present disclosure. The singular form of “a” and “the” used herein may also include the plural form, unless otherwise indicated in the context. Accordingly, it can be understood that when there terms “include” or “comprise” are used in the specification, it clearly illustrates the existence of a specified feature, bulk, step, operation, component, and/or member, while not excluding the existence or addition of one or more features, bulks, steps, operations, components, members and/or groups thereof. “And/or” used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related terms that are listed. When a leading word, such as “at least one of”, is added ahead of a component list, it is to describe the entire component list, but not individual components among the lists.
Unless otherwise specified, in the description of the present invention, it should be noted that “at” “assembled to”, “adjacent to” “positioned in”, “formed in”, “between”, “extending coaxially from”, “extending from”, “on”, “in”, “connected”, “toward” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, a detachable connection, a fixed connection, an integrally formed connection, or an integrally formed, mechanical connection or electrical connection. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate. It can be the internal communication of two components. One of ordinary skill in the field may understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, a rod 40b has a first diameter 41. The apparatus comprises a plug assembly 37 and a socket assembly 19. The socket assembly 19 is pivotably connected to the plug assembly 37. The socket assembly 19 is plugged by the plug assembly 37. The socket assembly 19 is connected to the rod 40b. The socket assembly 19 comprises a rounded sidewall 18 toward the plug assembly 37. The plug assembly 37 comprises a base 33 and a first prong 32 extending from the base 33.
FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a socket assembly, according to FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 2, the rounded sidewall 18 comprises a first recess 22 to accommodate the first prong 32.
FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of a plug assembly, according to FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 6, the plug assembly 37 comprises a second prong 34 extending from the base. The first prong 32 and the second prong 34 are separated by a first distance 26 preferably smaller than the first diameter 41 of the rod 40b. The smaller first distance 26 allows for more space-saving, facilitating the accommodation of other shower components and providing users with more usable space.
FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a socket assembly, according to FIG. 8. FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of a socket assembly according to FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the rounded sidewall 18 comprises a second recess 24, and wherein the second recess 24 and the first recess 22 are separated by a second distance 26a substantially the same as the first distance 26.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the rounded sidewall 18 comprises a u-bent top 12, a u-bent middle 10, and a u-bent bottom 14. The first recess 22 is between the u-bent top 12 and the u-bent middle 10. The second recess 24 is between the u-bent middle 10 and the u-bent bottom 14. Referring to FIG. 8, the apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a first screw 60 partially surrounded by the rounded sidewall 18. Referring to FIG. 5, the socket assembly 19 has a second outer diameter 36 greater than first distance 26 (FIG. 8).
FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a plug assembly, according to FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 10, the first prong 32 has a first hole 32a. The second prong 34 has a second hole 34a. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the first screw 60 passes through the first hole 32a and the second hole 34a.
Referring to FIG. 8, the socket assembly 19 comprises a hollow cylinder 19b connected to the rounded sidewall 18. The hollow cylinder 19b is connected to the rod 40b. The hollow cylinder 19b comprises an outer surface 19c not completely rounded. The outer surface 19c is partially flattened. The outer surface 19c has a flat 19d. This flat 19d enables the hollow cylinder 19b or the socket assembly 19 to save additional space, facilitating the accommodation of other shower components and providing users with more usable space.
FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a second screw 30 passing through the flat 19d. The socket assembly 19 comprises an extended tube 40a. The extended tube 40a may be connected to the rod 40b of FIG. 8.
Referring to FIG. 8, the material of the plug assembly 37 may be stainless steel. The socket assembly 19 may be made of zinc alloy. Since the socket assembly 19 is pivotally connected to the plug assembly 37, the socket assembly 19 is rotatable and can adapt to various angles formed by different rods 40b, and can also adapt to rods 40b of various lengths. The rotation angle is, for example but not limited to, approximately 90 degrees.
FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a socket assembly according to FIG. 8. Please refer to FIG. 11, the rounded sidewall 18 has a substantially semicircular curved surface 19a at the right end, rather than a plane or a folded surface. The curved surface 19a helps to increase the rotation angle of the socket assembly 19.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a plug assembly according to FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 8, the base 33 may further comprise a plurality of mutually symmetrical holes 33a (for example, but not limited to eight holes), and a plurality of mutually symmetrical protrusions 33b (for example, but not limited to eight protrusions).
FIG. 5 is also a front schematic view of a socket assembly, according to FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a second screw 30, positioned on the flat 19d of the outer surface 19c, for the extended tube 40a to be fixed in the hollow cylinder 19b. The second screw 30 passes through a hole 30a (FIG. 5).
FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of an apparatus for installing a rod according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the depths of the first recess 22 and the second recess 24 are greater than the lengths of the first prong 32 and the second prong 34. Referring to FIG. 5, the socket assembly may comprise a top opening 12a and a bottom opening 14a. The top opening 12a is on the u-bent top 12. The bottom opening 14a is below the u-bent bottom 14. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the first prong 32 and the second prong 34 are plugged into the first recess 22 and the second recess 24, the first hole 32a and the second hole 34a should be substantially aligned with the top opening 12a and the bottom opening 14a. The alignment allows the first screw 60 to pass through smoothly. Preferably, when the u-bent middle 10, the u-bent top 12 and the u-bent bottom 14 are about to touch the base 33, the first hole 32a of the first prong 32 plugged into the first recess 22, and the second hole 34a of the second prong 34 plugged into the second recess 24, may both precisely be aligned with the top opening 12a and the bottom opening 14a, allowing the first screw 60 to pass through smoothly.
Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus for installing a rod of the present invention may further comprise a nut 60a. Through the nut 60a, the plug assembly 37 and the socket assembly 19 may be locked together. The extended tube 40a has a first outer diameter 39. The first outer diameter 39 is greater than the first distance 26 (FIG. 6) between t the first prong 32 and the second prong 34. The socket assembly 19 is rotatable, so the extended tube 40a connected to the socket assembly 19 may be swinging. The extended tube 40a may be made of aluminum. Use the apparatus of the present invention to install shower rods, which can adapt to various angles formed by different shower rods and the wall surface, and can also adapt to various shower rods of different lengths.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the rod 40b has the first diameter 41 greater or slightly smaller than the second outer diameter 36 (FIG. 5) of the socket assembly 19.
FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a pipe installation device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the apparatus for installing a rod of the present invention may further comprise an escutcheon 50 for covering the socket assembly 19 and the plug assembly 37 of FIG. 8, and for covering the holes 33a of the base 33 of FIG. 8. Only the rod 40b is partially exposed.
Referring to FIG. 9, the escutcheon 50 is also a decorative element for hiding the holes 33a and protrusions 33b of the base 33 of FIG. 8 from view. As a decorative element, the appearance (e.g., color or style) of the escutcheon 50 will typically match the appearance of the rod and/or other bathroom accessories. Installing a rod with the apparatus contributes to the aesthetics of the rod.
The escutcheon 50 may have a substantially dome shape, but may have different shapes, and its material may be stainless steel. Alternatively, the rod 40b may also be socketed or inserted into the extended tube 40a in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of apparatus for installing a rod according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, according to FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the apparatus for installing a rod may further comprise a ring cover 48. The ring cover 49 surrounds the socket assembly 18 of FIG. 3, and covers each hole 33a and protrusions 33b of the base 33 of FIG. 3. The ring cover 48 has an opening 48a, which exposes part of the socket assembly 19 (FIG. 3), but may limit the rotation angle of the socket assembly 19 in FIG. 3, for example but not limited to about 45 degrees. Viewed from the left side of FIG. 7, the opening 48a is a left-right symmetrical, approximately elliptical opening 48a. The longer the length of the opening 48a is, the larger the rotation angle of the socket assembly 19 in FIG. 1 can be.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the socket assembly 19 may have a second outer diameter 36. the top opening 12a and the bottom opening 14a may be separated by a second distance 38 preferably greater than the second outer diameter 36.
It is understood that the various embodiments described herein are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, many of the materials and structures described herein may be substituted with other materials and structures without deviating from the spirit of the invention. The present invention as claimed may therefore include variations from the particular examples and preferred embodiments described herein, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art. It is understood that various theories as to why the invention works are not intended to be limiting.
Patent Application
20250040766
