Integrated posts/ferrule

Abstract

An apparatus useful to suspend or extend a structure from a surface. In one aspect, the apparatus simulates a mounting post with a ferrule which suspends or extends a separate structure from the surface. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a simulated end of the structure integrated with the mounting post to give the appearance that the structure extends through the mounting post.

1 . An apparatus for suspending or extending a structure from a surface comprising: 
 a. a one-piece body;    b. a first portion comprising an interface adapted to be mounted on a surface;    c. a second portion comprising a simulated ferrule having a recess formed therein adapted to receive a portion of a structure to be suspended or extended from a surface.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the structure is a bar or rod.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the bar or rod is adapted for use as a towel bar or rod.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surface has a thickness of on the order of less than a few inches.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the surface is a portion of a glass plate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body is made of solid material.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the solid material is metal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a coating over at least a portion of the body.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is elongated along an axis.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first portion simulates a mounting post.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the interface comprises a mounting surface.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a threaded aperture in the first portion at or near the interface.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the recess of the second portion has an axis.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the axis of the recess of the second portion is oblique to the axis of the first portion.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the recess is a blind hole.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising retaining structure in the recess adapted to at least partially retain a grasping member.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the grasping member is an elastomeric piece.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a third portion extending externally from and generally opposite the receiver on the second portion.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the third portion is adapted to simulate an end of the structure to be suspended or extended.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for suspending or extending a structure from a surface comprising: 
 a. a one-piece body;    b. a first portion comprising an interface adapted to be mounted on a surface;    c. a second portion comprising a recess formed therein adapted to receive a portion of a structure to be suspended or extended from a surface;    d. a third portion is adapted to simulate an end of the structure to be suspended or extended.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the apparatus is a simulation of a mounting post, a ferrule, and an end of the structure to be suspended or extended.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the structure is a towel rod or bar.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  in combination with a rod or bar having a cross-sectional diameter and an external appearance.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the third portion is substantially identical in cross-section diameter and external appearance to the rod or bar.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the rod or bar is tubular with open opposite ends and the third portion is tubular with one open and one closed end.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a second apparatus according to  claim 20 , the second apparatus comprising substantially a mirror-image of the other apparatus.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for suspending or extending an elongated structure having first and second ends from a surface comprising: 
 a. a pair of devices, each device comprising; 
 i. a one-piece body;  
 ii. a first portion comprising an interface adapted to be mounted on a surface;  
 iii. a second portion comprising a recess formed therein adapted to receive a portion of a structure to be suspended or extended from a surface;  
 iv. a third portion is adapted to simulate an end of the structure to be suspended or extended.  
   
     
     
         28 . An integrated mounting post and simulated ferrule adapted for supporting a structure in a spaced apart position from a surface comprising: 
 a. a post portion having a mounting end and a spaced apart, generally opposite end along an elongated post axis;    b. a simulated ferrule portion integrated with and extending from the generally opposite end of the post portion, and having an at least partially internal receiver on one side;    c. a simulated end portion extended from a generally opposite side of the simulated ferrule portion;    d. so that when a structure has a portion installed in the receiver of the simulated ferrule portion, the simulated end portion and simulated ferrule portion create the appearance the simulated end portion and the structure are one-piece and are supported in the ferrule portion.    
     
     
         29 . The integrated mounting post and simulated ferrule of  claim 28  wherein the structure comprises a rod or bar.  
     
     
         30 . The integrated mounting post and simulated ferrule of  claim 28  wherein the surface is a panel or plate and further comprising a fastener adapted to extend into and connect to the mounting end of the post portion through an opening in the panel or plate; a bushing adapted to fit in the opening in the panel or plate, and a pair of washer adapted to abut opposite sides of the panel or plate, so that the post portion can be clamped against one side of the panel or plate at the opening in the panel or plate and the bushing protects the panel or plate from the fastener.  
     
     
         31 . The integrated mounting post and simulated ferrule of  claim 30  wherein the panel or plate is a glass plate.  
     
     
         32 . A method of mounting a structure in a spaced apart position from a surface comprising: 
 a. supporting the structure with a pair of posts each having one end adjacent the surface and another end extended from the surface;    b. integrating at the second ends of the posts simulated opposite ends of the structure.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the structure is a rod or bar.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising simulating ferrules at the second ends of the posts.