Curtain rods

Abstract

A curtain rod includes a stationary rod having an end cap adjacent an end thereof; a movable rod axially movable with respect to the stationary rod having another end cap adjacent an end thereof; and a locking mechanism for securing the movable rod in a desired axial position with respect to the stationary rod, wherein at least one of the end caps is axially adjustable and comprises a contact member rotatably mounted on the at least one end cap structured and arranged to contact a wall of a window opening.

1 . A curtain rod comprising:
 a stationary rod having an end cap adjacent an end thereof;   a movable rod axially movable with respect to the stationary rod having another end cap adjacent an end thereof; and   a locking mechanism for securing the movable rod in a desired axial position with respect to the stationary rod, wherein at least one of the end caps is axially adjustable and comprises a contact member rotatably mounted on the at least one end cap structured and arranged to contact a wall of a window opening.   
     
     
         2 . The curtain rod of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking cam head mounted on the moveable rod and structured and arranged to engage an inner surface of the stationary rod to thereby secure the movable rod in a selected axial position with respect to the stationary rod, the locking cam head including a locking cam sleeve surrounding at least a portion of a pin having an axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the moveable rod, wherein rotation of the movable rod around a longitudinal axis thereof causes the pin to move the locking cam sleeve radially outward to thereby force an outer contact surface of the locking cam sleeve against the inner surface of the stationary rod. 
     
     
         3 . The curtain rod of  claim 2 , wherein the locking cam sleeve comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The curtain rod of  claim 2 , wherein the pin has a cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         5 . The curtain rod of  claim 1 , wherein the movable rod telescopes inside the stationary rod. 
     
     
         6 . The curtain rod of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable end cap is threadably mounted on the end of the movable rod. 
     
     
         7 . The curtain rod of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable end cap comprises a cap body and a threaded bolt fixedly mounted thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The curtain rod of  claim 7 , wherein the cap body includes a recessed holder structured and arranged to hold a head of the threaded bolt to thereby prevent rotation of the threaded bolt with respect to the cap body. 
     
     
         9 . The curtain rod of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable end cap comprises a retainer mounted in the cap body structured and arranged to prevent axial movement of the threaded bolt with respect to the cap body. 
     
     
         10 . The curtain rod of  claim 9 , wherein the contact member is rotatably mounted on the retainer. 
     
     
         11 . The curtain rod of  claim 1 , wherein the contact member is generally disk shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The curtain rod of  claim 11 , wherein the contact member comprises a support disk and an elastomeric contact disk mounted thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The curtain rod of  claim 12 , wherein the support disk comprises at least one flexible mounting finger structured and arranged for insertion into a central mounting hole in the adjustable cap. 
     
     
         14 . The curtain rod of  claim 13 , wherein the support disk comprises at least two of the flexible mounting fingers, and the central mounting hole is provided in a retainer mounted in the adjustable cap. 
     
     
         15 . The curtain rod of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap of the stationary rod comprises an elastomeric contact disk rotatably mounted on the end cap. 
     
     
         16 . A curtain rod comprising:
 a stationary rod;   a telescoping rod axially movable with respect to the stationary rod; and   a locking mechanism for securing the telescoping rod in a desired axial position with respect to the stationary rod, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
 a pin fixedly mounted on an end of the telescoping rod along an axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the telescoping rod and positioned inside the stationary rod; and 
 a locking cam sleeve mounted on the pin structured and arranged to engage an inner surface of the stationary rod to thereby secure the telescoping rod in a selected axial position with respect to the stationary rod. 
   
     
     
         17 . The curtain rod of  claim 16 , wherein the locking cam sleeve has a generally cylindrical outer surface and defines a cylindrical opening centered on an axis that is offset from an axis of the generally cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The curtain rod of  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
 a hub and an end disk, wherein the pin extends between the hub and the end disk.   
     
     
         19 . The curtain rod of  claim 18 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
 a tab extending from the hub and configured to contact a first stop on the locking cam sleeve when the hub is in a first position, and to contact a second stop on the locking cam sleeve when the hub is in a second position.   
     
     
         20 . The curtain rod of  claim 19 , wherein the locking cam sleeve defines a recess between the first and second stops.