Adjustable Tension Rod

Abstract

There is provided an improved adjustable tension rod that allows length adjustment and activation of end cap adjustment without having to move one's holding position on the rod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable rod comprising:
 an outer tube;   an inner tube slidably received in the outer tube;   a lock between the outer and inner tube to lock the tubes relative to one another; and   an adjustable end cap associated with each of the tubes, each end cap having a threaded engagement with its respective one of the tubes such that rotation of the tubes in a same direction causes the end caps to move in opposite directions.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable rod of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable end caps each include an end cap, a threaded stud fitted in the end cap and an insert with threading fitted in the respective tube. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable rod of  claim 2  wherein the threaded stud and insert for one of the tubes include right hand threading and left hand threading respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable rod of  claim 3  wherein the threaded stud and the insert for the other of the tubes include left hand threading and right hand threading respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable rod of  claim 2  wherein the inserts include a recess that cooperates with the tubes to restrict rotation relative to the tubes. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable rod of  claim 5  wherein the tubes include a seam and the recess of each insert receives the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable rod of  claim 1  wherein the lock further comprises a disc configured to restrict relative axial movement between the tubes. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable rod of  claim 7  wherein the disc includes at least one radial slot. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable rod of  claim 8  wherein the disc includes a plurality of radial slots. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable rod of  claim 8  wherein the outer rod includes a seam and the disc includes a recess that receives the seam. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable rod of  claim 7  wherein the lock further includes an insert that fits in one of the tubes and supports the disc. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable rod of  claim 11  wherein the insert includes a first recess that receives a portion of the tube to lock the insert against rotation relative to the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable rod of  claim 12  wherein the first recess receives a seam extending along the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable rod of  claim 13  wherein the insert includes a second recess that receives a portion of the tube to lock the insert against axial movement relative to the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable rod of  claim 1  wherein the lock includes a wedge that locks the tubes against axial movement relative to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable rod of  claim 15  wherein the wedge is generally conical. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable rod of  claim 15  the lock includes an expandable sleeve that the wedge fits into and expands to wedge against one of the tubes to restrict relative axial movement between the tubes. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable rod of  claim 17  wherein the lock includes an insert in one of the tubes and the wedge being in the other of the tubes. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable rod of  claim 18  wherein the insert includes threading and the wedge includes a threaded portion threadingly engaged in the insert. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable rod of  claim 17  wherein the wedge has at least one groove and sleeve has at least one rib received in the at least one groove. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable rod of  claim 18  wherein the insert has a recess and the tube has a projection received in the recess to restrict axial movement of the insert relative to the tube.