Window tension rods with removable pads and securement pins

Abstract

Window tension rods having end brackets with removable resilient pads and securement pins are disclosed. Each bracket includes a bracket plate having one or more securement pins extending therefrom that may be used to help secure the rod in a window opening. A removable resilient pad may be used to cover the securement pins when the pins are not required to adequately secure the tension rod in a window opening, or may be removed to expose the pins for additional securement. A resilient base mounting pad may additionally be attached to the bracket plate adjacent to the securement pins and underneath the removable resilient pad. When a user opts to remove the removable pad during installation, the underlying resilient base pad may contact the window opening to provide additional securement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A window rod assembly comprising:
 an extendable curtain rod;   a first end bracket adjacent a first end of the curtain rod comprising a first bracket plate substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the curtain rod;   at least one securement pin attached to the first bracket plate and extending away from the first bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel with the axial direction of the curtain rod; and   a first removable pad removably attachable to the first end bracket structured and arranged to cover the securement pin attached to the first bracket plate when the first removable pad is attached to the first end bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first base mounting pad covering at least a portion of the first bracket plate. 
     
     
         3 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one securement pin extends from an outer surface of the first base mounting pad an extension distance less than a thickness of the first removable pad. 
     
     
         4 . The window rod assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the securement pin extension distance is at least 0.05 inch. 
     
     
         5 . The window rod assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the securement pin extension distance is from 0.05 to 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         6 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one securement pin comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first removable pad comprises a resilient material comprising thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, foam, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first removable pad has a thickness of at least 0.05 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first removable pad has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         10 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first base mounting pad comprises a resilient material comprising thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, foam, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The window rod assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the first base mounting pad comprises a rigid material and the at least one securement pin extends from the rigid material of the first base mounting pad. 
     
     
         12 . The window rod assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rigid material comprises plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The window rod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first mounting pad has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one securement pin extends from an outer exposed surface of the first bracket plate an extension distance less than a thickness of the first removable pad. 
     
     
         15 . The window rod assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the extension distance is from 0.05 to 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         16 . The window rod assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first removable pad has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.5 inch and comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         17 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least two of the securement pins. 
     
     
         18 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket further comprises a first side plate substantially perpendicular to the first bracket plate extending away from the first bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel with the axial direction of the curtain rod. 
     
     
         19 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second end bracket adjacent a second end of the curtain rod comprising a second bracket plate substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the curtain rod;   at least one securement pin attached to the second bracket plate and extending away from the second bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel with the axial direction of the curtain rod; and   a second removable pad removably attachable to the second end bracket structured and arranged to cover the securement pin attached to the second bracket plate when the second removable pad is attached to the second end bracket.   
     
     
         20 . The window rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable curtain rod comprises a locking tension rod. 
     
     
         21 . A mounting bracket for an extendable window curtain rod comprising:
 a bracket plate;   at least one securement pin attached to and extending away from a surface of the bracket plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the bracket plate;   a mounting pad covering at least a portion of the bracket plate surface, wherein the at least one securement pin extends through a thickness of the mounting pad; and   a removable pad removably attached to the mounting pad and covering the at least one securement pin, wherein the at least one securement pin extends from an outer surface of the mounting pad an extension distance less than a thickness of the removable pad.