Dual-Mounted End Cap System And Locking System For An Adjustable Rod

Abstract

There is provided a dual mount end cap system for mounting a rod. The dual mount end cap system includes both a threaded system and a fastener system. This enables end caps of the system to be pre-mounted using a fastener and also adjusted using the threaded system. The fastener can extend through the dual mount end cap system. Alternatively, the threaded system can be used without the fastener system. There also is provided a stop system to prevent a locking system for an adjustable rod system to prevent the locking system from becoming stuck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable rod system comprising:
 at least two rods being adjustable relative to one another;   at least one end cap being attachable to at least one of the at least two rods for mounting to a mounting surface, the at least one end cap defining a passage for receiving an end portion of at least one of the at least two rods and a first drive surface defining a socket within the passage;   a first insert including a body having first threading, the body defining a head at an inboard end thereof sized to be received in the socket, the head defining a recess and a second drive surface that engages the first drive surface when the head is seated in the socket so that the first insert and the end cap are fixed against rotation relative to one another; and   a second insert being attachable to at least one of the at least two rods, the second insert including second threading engaging the first threading such that rotation of at least one of the at least two rods relative to the at least one end cap moves the at least one end cap relative to the at least one of the at least two rods.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein the head has a first diameter and a portion of the body at the first threading has a second diameter, the first diameter being different from the second diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the body at the first threading has a central cavity, a first cross-section of the recess being different than a second cross-section of the central cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein the second insert is received in at least one of the at least two rods and fixed from rotation relative thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein the passage receives the end portion such that the at least one end cap rotates relative to at least one of the at least two rods. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein the first drive surface includes a plurality of first drive faces and the second drive surface includes a plurality of second drive faces, the plurality of first drive faces and the plurality of second drive faces being in engagement. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , comprising another end cap of the at least one end cap attached to another of the at least two rods, and rotation of the at least two rods in a same direction causes the at least one end cap and the another end cap to translate in opposite directions relative to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one end cap includes a first end capable of receiving the at least one of the at least two rods and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a recessed exterior end surface. 
     
     
         9 . An adjustable rod system comprising:
 at least two rods being adjustable relative to one another;   
       at least one end cap being attachable to at least one of the at least two rods for mounting to a mounting surface, the at least one end cap defining a cavity for receiving an end portion of at least one of the at least two rods and a socket at the cavity;
 a first insert including a body having first threading, the body defining a head at an inboard end thereof sized to be received in the socket; and 
 a second insert being attachable to at least one of the at least two rods, the second insert including second threading engaging the first threading such that rotation of at least one of the at least two rods relative to the at least one end cap moves the at least one end cap relative to the at least one of the at least two rods. 
 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 9 , the head defining a first opening. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one end cap includes a first end capable of receiving the at least one of the at least two rods and a second end opposite the first end, the second end including a second opening aligned with the first opening along a common axis. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 9 , the head engaging the socket so that the first insert and the end cap are fixed against rotation relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one end cap includes a first end capable of receiving the at least one of the at least two rods and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a recessed exterior end surface. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 13 , the second end further comprising an opening disposed inward from the recessed exterior end surface. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 14 , the head defining a hole that aligns with the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable rod system of  claim 9 , wherein the head has a first diameter and a portion of the body at the first threading has a second diameter, the first diameter being different from the second diameter. 
     
     
         17 . An end cap for a rod comprising:
 a single piece body having:   a first side wall defining a first interior space;   a second side wall radially spaced outward of the first side wall and defining a second annular space between overlapping portions of the first side wall and the second side wall; and   a bottom wall extending laterally and radially inwardly from the first side wall, the bottom wall defining a hole.   
     
     
         18 . The end cap of  claim 17 , wherein the hole is continuous with the first interior space along a central longitudinal axis of the end cap. 
     
     
         19 . The end cap of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of spokes connect the first side wall to the second side wall. 
     
     
         20 . The end cap of  claim 17 , further comprising a pad for engaging a surface and being mounted over the bottom wall.