Pole caddy

Abstract

A pole caddy includes a pole having first and second rods, each rod having an end cap adjacent an end thereof; one or more shelves coupled to the pole; and a locking mechanism for securing the second rod in a desired axial position with respect to the first 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, and configured to contact a supporting surface.

1 . A pole caddy comprising:
 a pole including first and second rods, each rod having an end cap adjacent an end thereof;   one or more shelves coupled to the pole; and   a locking mechanism for securing the second rod in a desired axial position with respect to the first 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, and configured to contact a supporting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The pole caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking cam head mounted on the second rod and structured and arranged to engage an inner surface of the first rod to thereby secure the second rod in a selected axial position with respect to the first 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 second rod, wherein rotation of the second 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 first rod. 
     
     
         3 . The pole caddy of  claim 2 , wherein the locking cam sleeve comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The pole caddy of  claim 2 , wherein the pin has a cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         5 . The pole caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the second rod telescopes inside the first rod. 
     
     
         6 . The pole caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable end cap is threadably mounted on the end of the first rod. 
     
     
         7 . The pole caddy of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable end cap comprises a cap body and a threaded bolt fixedly mounted thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The pole caddy 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 pole caddy 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 pole caddy of  claim 9 , wherein the contact member is rotatably mounted on the retainer. 
     
     
         11 . The pole caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the contact member is generally disk shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The pole caddy of  claim 11 , wherein the contact member comprises a support disk and an elastomeric contact disk mounted thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The pole caddy 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 pole caddy 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 pole caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap of the first rod comprises an elastomeric contact disk rotatably mounted on the end cap.