Shower Curtain Tension Rods

Abstract

Shower curtain tension rods comprising a stationary rod, movable rod and adjustable end cap are disclosed. The movable rod may telescope in the stationary rod and may be secured in an axially extended position with respect to the stationary rod. The adjustable end cap may be axially extended from the movable rod and/or stationary rod to provide greater holding force for the tension rod. The shower curtain tension rods may be installed quickly and easily in various sizes of bath and shower stalls.

1 . A shower curtain tension rod comprising:
 a stationary rod having an end cap adjacent an end thereof;   a movable rod axially movable with respect to the stationary rod having another end cap adjacent an end thereof; and   a locking mechanism for securing the movable rod in a desired axial position with respect to the stationary rod, wherein at least one of the end caps is axially adjustable and comprises a contact member rotatably mounted on the at least one end cap structured and arranged to contact a wall of a bath or shower stall.   
     
     
         2 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the movable rod telescopes inside the stationary rod. 
     
     
         3 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable end cap is threadably mounted on the end of the movable rod. 
     
     
         4 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable end cap comprises a cap body and a threaded bolt fixedly mounted thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 4 , wherein the cap body includes a recessed holder structured and arranged to hold a head of the threaded bolt to thereby prevent rotation of the threaded bolt with respect to the cap body. 
     
     
         6 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable end cap comprises a retainer mounted in the cap body structured and arranged to prevent axial movement of the threaded bolt with respect to the cap body. 
     
     
         7 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 6 , wherein the contact member is rotatably mounted on the retainer. 
     
     
         8 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the contact member is generally disk shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 8 , wherein the contact member comprises a support disk and an elastomeric contact disk mounted thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 9 , wherein the support disk comprises at least one flexible mounting finger structured and arranged for insertion into a central mounting hole in the adjustable cap. 
     
     
         11 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 10 , wherein the support disk comprises at least two of the flexible mounting fingers, and the central mounting hole is provided in a retainer mounted in the adjustable cap. 
     
     
         12 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap of the stationary rod comprises an elastomeric contact disk rotatably mounted on the end cap. 
     
     
         13 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
 a pin mounted on an end of the movable rod and positioned inside the stationary rod; and   a locking cam head mounted on the pin structured and arranged to engage an inner surface of the stationary rod to thereby secure the movable rod in a selected axial position with respect to the stationary rod.   
     
     
         14 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the locking cam head includes at least one cam surface and a locking cam sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the at least one cam surface, wherein rotation of the movable rod around a longitudinal axis thereof causes the at least one cam surface of the locking cam head to move the locking cam sleeve radially outward to thereby force an outer contact surface of the cam sleeve against the inner surface of the stationary rod. 
     
     
         15 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the pin is fixedly mounted on the end of the movable rod. 
     
     
         16 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 13 , wherein the pin is reciprocally mounted on the end of the movable rod. 
     
     
         17 . The shower curtain tension rod of  claim 16 , further comprising a compression spring contacting the end of the movable rod and the pin, wherein the compression spring forces the pin axially outward from the end of the movable rod. 
     
     
         18 . An adjustable end cap for a shower curtain tension rod comprising:
 a cap body;   a threaded fastener fixedly mounted on the cap body; and   a contact member rotatably mounted on the cap body.   
     
     
         19 . The adjustable end cap for a shower curtain tension rod of  claim 18 , wherein the threaded fastener comprises a threaded bolt including a head mounted in the cap body, and further comprising a retainer mounted in the cap body including a central mounting hole in which at least one flexible mounting finger of the contact member is rotatably mounted. 
     
     
         20 . A locking mechanism for a shower curtain tension rod comprising:
 a stationary rod;   a telescoping rod axially movable with respect to the stationary rod; and   a locking mechanism for securing the telescoping rod in a desired axial position with respect to the stationary rod, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
 a pin fixedly mounted on an end of the telescoping rod and positioned inside the stationary rod; and 
 a locking cam head mounted on the pin structured and arranged to engage an inner surface of the stationary rod to thereby secure the telescoping rod in a selected axial position with respect to the stationary rod.