Tension rod

Abstract

The present invention provides a tension rod that enables the rod to be extended in length after the rod tubes have been secured relative to each other.

1 . A tension rod, comprising:
 an outer tube having a first diameter, the outer tube including a first end and a second end;   an inner tube having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube, the inner tube including a first end and a second end;   an expander, the expander including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the middle portion having external threads, and the second end portion being operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube;   an expansible member, the expansible member being hollow, the expansible member including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having internal threads, the expansible member being operable to receive the expander; and   a sleeve, the sleeve being compressible, the sleeve being generally cylindrical shaped, the sleeve being operable to be received within the outer tube and being operable to receive the expansible member;   wherein at least one of an external surface of the expander and an internal surface of the expansible member has a taper; and   wherein, when the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.   
     
     
         2 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface of the expander has the taper. 
     
     
         3 . The tension rod of  claim 2 , wherein an external surface of the first end portion of the expander has the taper. 
     
     
         4 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion of the expander has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the internal surface of the expansible member has the taper. 
     
     
         6 . The tension rod of  claim 5 , wherein an internal surface of the first portion of the expansible member has the taper. 
     
     
         7 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the expansible member has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the expansible member includes at least one slot forming at least two fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the expansible member includes ribs on an external surface. 
     
     
         10 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is an elastomer having a durometer generally in the range of 70-80. 
     
     
         11 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes ribs on an external surface. 
     
     
         13 . A tension rod, comprising:
 an outer tube having a first diameter, the outer tube including a first end and a second end;   an inner tube having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube, the inner tube including a first end and a second end;   an expander, the expander including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the first end portion having an external taper, the middle portion having external threads, and the second end portion being operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube;   an expansible member, the expansible member being hollow, the expansible member including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having internal threads, the expansible member being operable to receive the middle portion of the expander; and   a sleeve, the sleeve being compressible, the sleeve being generally cylindrical shaped, the sleeve being operable to be received within the outer tube and being operable to receive the first portion of the expansible member;   wherein, when the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.   
     
     
         14 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the middle portion of the expander has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the expansible member has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the expansible member includes at least one slot forming at least two fingers. 
     
     
         17 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the expansible member includes ribs on an external surface. 
     
     
         18 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve is an elastomer having a durometer generally in the range of 70-80. 
     
     
         19 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve has a constant diameter. 
     
     
         20 . The tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve includes ribs on an external surface.