Dual-mounted end cap system and locking system for an adjustable rod
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.
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 selectively lock the tubes relative to one another;
an adjustable end cap associated with at least one of the tubes, the adjustable end cap having a threaded engagement interconnecting the adjustable end cap with the at least one of the tubes, the adjustable end cap having a single piece body with a first wall and a second wall, the second wall being radially spaced outward of the first wall to define a space between overlapping portions of the first wall and the second wall; and
a fastener associated with the adjustable endcap and being aligned with the threaded engagement.
2. An adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the adjustable end cap further comprises a first insert at least partially threaded and a second insert at least partially threaded, the first and second inserts threadingly engage one another in the threaded engagement, and the second insert configured to be received by one of the inner and outer tubes, the fastener being accessible through the first insert.
3. An adjustable rod of claim 2 wherein the adjustable end cap includes a cap and the first insert being at least partially disposed in the cap.
4. An adjustable rod of claim 3 wherein the first insert includes a hollow chamber to receive and guide movement of the fastener therein.
5. An adjustable rod of claim 4 wherein the first insert includes a stop to engage the fastener.
6. The adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the fastener is at least one of a screw, nail or molly-type fastener.
7. The adjustable rod of claim 3 wherein the cap includes a socket and the first insert includes a portion received in the socket that complements the socket so that the cap and the first insert are fixed against rotation relative to one another.
8. The adjustable rod of claim 2 wherein the second insert is fixed against rotational movement to one of the inner and outer tubes.
9. The adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the adjustable endcap further comprises a pad to engage a mounting surface.
10. The adjustable rod of claim 9 wherein the pad includes a hole for the fastener.
11. The adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the lock includes an insert, a lock ramp, and a lock sleeve, the insert and the lock ramp have a threaded engagement that rotates to operate the lock sleeve, and a stop that prevents rotation of the insert and the lock ramp relative to one another to prevent the insert and lock ramp from forming a binding engagement.
12. 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 selectively lock the tubes relative to one another, the lock having an unlocked state and a locked state, the lock includes an insert, a lock ramp, and a lock sleeve, and the insert and the lock ramp having a threaded engagement that rotates to operate the lock sleeve;
a first stop on the insert and a second stop on the lock ramp, the first stop and the second stop engage to prevent rotation of the insert and the lock ramp relative to one another when the lock is in the unlocked state to prevent the insert and lock ramp from forming a binding engagement and disengage when the lock is being moved to the locked state; and
an adjustable end cap associated with each of the tubes, each adjustable end cap having a threaded engagement with its respective one of the tubes.
13. The adjustable rod of claim 12 wherein the stop includes a longitudinal extension from the insert and a radial extension from the lock ramp.
14. The adjustable rod of claim 13 wherein the longitudinal extension includes a longitudinally facing ramped surface.
15. The adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the first wall is entirely confined by the second wall.
16. The adjustable rod of claim 1 wherein the first wall includes threading used in the threaded engagement.
17. The adjustable rod of claim 12 wherein the insert and the lock sleeve are connected independently of the lock ramp to prevent relative axially movement between the insert and the lock sleeve.