Customizable Shower Caddy

Abstract

There is provided an endcap, connector, sleeve, and rod system lock designs that can be used to form a customizable shower caddy. The endcap can freely spin without axial movement. The connectors can support product holders at different positions along an extendable rod system. The sleeve can securely connect two rods together. The rod system lock provides a more secure connection between rods of the rod system to easily and reliably lock the rods to their desired combined length.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A rod system comprising:
 a first rod;   a second rod;   a rotational lock defining a passage to receive at least a portion of the first rod and the second rod, the rotational lock securing the first rod and the second rod to a desired combined length upon rotation of an outer body of the rotational lock;   the rotational lock including an inner sleeve receiving at least a portion of the first rod and the second rod; and   the outer body having a rotatable connection with the inner sleeve.   
     
     
         20 . The rod system of  claim 19 , wherein the inner sleeve includes a wedge portion receiving a portion of the second rod used to secure the rotational lock to the second rod. 
     
     
         21 . The rod system of  claim 20 , wherein rotation of the outer body forces the wedge portion against the second rod to secure the rotational lock to the second rod. 
     
     
         22 . The rod system of  claim 19 , wherein the inner sleeve has a cylindrical portion and a wedge portion, the wedge portion including a tapering outer diameter. 
     
     
         23 . The rod system of  claim 22 , wherein an inner surface of the inner sleeve includes a step to stop the first rod from passing all the way through the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         24 . The rod system of  claim 22 , wherein an outer surface of the wedge portion has a frusto-conical shape tapering inward when progressing away from the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         25 . The rod system of  claim 24 , wherein the outer body has a cylindrical body portion and a tapered body portion, the tapered body portion having an inner surface that tapers inward as the tapered body portion extends from the cylindrical body portion, and, upon rotation of the outer body, the inner surface engaging the outer surface of the wedge portion to force the wedge portion against the second rod when the second rod is received therein. 
     
     
         26 . The rod system of  claim 20 , wherein the inner sleeve defines a plurality of gaps that extend axially through the wedge portion. 
     
     
         27 . The rod system of  claim 20 , wherein the wedge portion comprises a plurality of arcuate fingers. 
     
     
         28 . The rod system of  claim 19  wherein the inner sleeve has an interconnection with the first rod to limit axial and rotational movement of the inner sleeve relative to the first rod. 
     
     
         29 . A shower caddy comprising:
 a rod;   a connector having a rotational lock to secure a body of the connector along the rod about a longitudinal axis of the rod, the connector having a receptacle disposed on an outer surface of the body, the receptacle defining a first longitudinal channel that extends generally parallel to the axis of the rod and a second radial channel that extends radially outward from the body and generally perpendicular to the axis; and   a product holder including an attachment arm sized to be received in the receptacle to suspend the product holder from the connector.   
     
     
         30 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , the attachment arm having a first longitudinal segment and a second radial segment, wherein when the attachment arm is received in the receptacle, the first longitudinal channel holds the first longitudinal segment generally parallel to the axis and the second radial channel holds the second radial segment generally perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         31 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , the second radial channel having an open top. 
     
     
         32 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , wherein the connector includes a wedge that locks the connector to the rod, and further comprising a cap rotatably mounted to a body of the connector and the wedge locks the connector to the rod upon rotation of the cap. 
     
     
         33 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , wherein the second radial channel extends radially outward from an end of the first longitudinal channel. 
     
     
         34 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , wherein the first longitudinal channel curves to the second radial channel. 
     
     
         35 . The shower caddy of  claim 29 , including a top cap defining first threading that cooperates with second threading of the connector body to mount the top cap on the connector body, the top cap engaging the attachment arm of the product holder when the attachment arm is received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         36 . A rod system comprising:
 a first rod and a second rod adjustably interfaced with the first rod;   an end cap connected to one end of the first rod;   a rotatable end cap connected to an end of the second rod such that the first and the second rods are free to rotate relative to the rotatable end cap without the rotatable end cap moving axially relative to the first rod and the second rod; and   wherein the rotatable end cap includes one or more retention projections to connect the rotatable end cap to the second rod, the retention projections positioned to engage an interior surface of the end of the second rod.   
     
     
         37 . The rod system of  claim 36 , wherein the retention projections deflect radially inwardly to hook onto the interior surface of the second rod when the second rod is inserted into the rotatable end cap. 
     
     
         38 . The rod system of  claim 36 , wherein the retention projections each include a hook and a deflectable arm.