Spring-Biased End Caps For Rod Assembly and Methods of Use

Abstract

A spring-biased end cap for mounting a rod assembly is provided including an outer body, an inner body, and a spring engaging both the outer body and the inner body to change a position of the inner body relative to the outer body upon compression or expansion of the spring. A rod is received within the outer body and fixed to the inner body. In embodiments, the spring has a first end portion connected to the outer body, a second end portion capable of being connected to the inner body to connect the outer body to the inner body, and an intermediate portion extending within a cavity of the outer body. A rod assembly including the spring-biased end cap and a method of mounting a rod assembly using the spring-biased end cap are also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An end cap for mounting a rod to a surface, the end cap comprising:
 an outer body having a first end opposite a second end, the second end defining an opening and a first cavity for receiving at least a portion of a rod;   an inner body capable of being received at least in part within the first cavity; and   a spring having a first end portion sized to be connected to the outer body and a second end portion sized to be connected to the inner body to connect the outer body to the inner body such that the spring changes a relative displacement between the inner body and the outer body upon compression or expansion of the spring,   wherein the first end portion of the spring is sized to be connected to the outer body with a first engagement with the outer body such that the first engagement resists disengagement of the spring from the outer body.   
     
     
         22 . The end cap of  claim 21 , wherein the second end portion of the spring is sized to be connected to the inner body with a second engagement with the inner body such that the second engagement resists disengagement from the inner body. 
     
     
         23 . The end cap of  claim 21 , wherein the first engagement is with a post of the outer body. 
     
     
         24 . The end cap of  claim 23 , wherein the first end portion of the spring is wrapped around the post and the post includes a plurality of barbs that prevent the spring from falling off the post. 
     
     
         25 . The end cap of  claim 21 , wherein the second end portion is capable of being connected to the inner body by engaging one or more grooves in a passage of the inner body. 
     
     
         26 . The end cap of  claim 21 , wherein the inner body includes an outer wall having a first end section that is substantially cylindrical and a second end section that is substantially frustoconical. 
     
     
         27 . A rod assembly comprising:
 a first rod and a second rod that are adjustable relative to one another to adjust a total length of the rod assembly; and   at least one end cap of  claim 21  attached to one of the first rod and the second rod.   
     
     
         28 . The rod assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the inner body of the at least one end cap is engageable by the first rod in a friction fit so that the first rod is movable with the inner body. 
     
     
         29 . The rod assembly of  claim 27  comprising a second of the at least one end cap attached to one of the first rod and the second rod. 
     
     
         30 . The rod assembly of  claim 27  comprising a lock engaging the first rod and the second rod to prevent axial movement of the first rod relative to the second rod. 
     
     
         31 . An end cap for mounting a rod to a surface, the end cap comprising:
 a first body, a second body, and a spring couplable to the first body and the second body to allow reciprocation of the first body relative to the second body upon compression or expansion of the spring,   wherein a first end portion of the spring is sized to be coupled to the first body by engaging a post of the first body, the post having an angled surface at a distal end thereof.   
     
     
         32 . The end cap of  claim 31 , wherein the post has a cylindrical surface adjacent the angled surface. 
     
     
         33 . The end cap of  claim 32 , wherein a maximum cross-section dimension of the post at the angled surface decreases toward the distal end. 
     
     
         34 . The end cap of  claim 31 , wherein an engagement between the post and the first end portion of the spring resists disengagement of the spring from the post. 
     
     
         35 . The end cap of  claim 31 , wherein a second end portion of the spring is sized to be coupled to the second body with an engagement with the second body that resists disengagement of the spring from the second body. 
     
     
         36 . The end cap of  claim 31 , wherein the second body includes a passage with one or more threads for engaging a second end portion of the spring to couple the spring to the second body. 
     
     
         37 . The end cap of  claim 31 , wherein the first body includes a cavity and the second body is sized to be received at least in part in the cavity. 
     
     
         38 . An end cap for mounting a rod to a surface, the end cap comprising:
 an outer body having a first end opposite a second end, the first end comprising a first cavity, and the second end defining an opening for receiving a portion of the rod;   an inner body capable of being received at least in part within the opening; and   a spring having a first end portion sized to be connected to a portion of the outer body and a second end portion capable of being connected to the inner body to connect the outer body to the inner body, the spring further having an intermediate portion configured to change a relative displacement between the inner body and the outer body upon compression or expansion of the spring.   
     
     
         39 . The end cap of  claim 38 , the outer body comprising an inner wall that defines a bottom of the first cavity and a bottom of a second cavity defined by the opening. 
     
     
         40 . The end cap of  claim 38 , comprising a wall projecting within the first cavity.