Adjustable rod assembly

Abstract

An adjustable rod assembly includes first and second rod assemblies, first and second end supports, and a tension rod mechanism. The first rod assembly has telescoping first, second and third tubes of generally straight configurations. The second tube of the first rod assembly is rotatable relative to the first and third tubes of the first rod assembly. The second rod assembly has telescoping first and second tubes. The third tube of the first rod assembly and the second tube of the second rod assembly are secured to the first end support. The respective first tubes of the first and second rod assemblies are secured to the second end support. The tension rod mechanism is fixedly secured within the second tube of the first rod assembly for rotational movement therewith, and has a threaded portion configured to extend into the first tube of the first rod assembly.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An adjustable rod assembly comprising:
 a first rod assembly having a first tube of a generally straight configuration, a second tube of a generally straight configuration, and a third tube of a generally straight configuration, a first end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the second tube and a first end of the second tube being telescopingly received within the third tube, the second tube being rotatable relative to the first tube and the third tube;   a second rod assembly having a first tube and a second tube, a first end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the second tube;   a first end support and a second end support, the third tube of the first rod assembly and the second tube of the second rod assembly being secured to the first end support, the respective first tubes of the first and second rod assemblies being secured to the second end support; and   a tension rod mechanism fixedly secured within the second tube of the first rod assembly for rotational movement therewith, the tension rod mechanism having a threaded portion configured to extend into an interior of the first tube of the first rod assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second rod assembly is a curved rod assembly, each of the first and second tubes of the second rod assembly having an arcuate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the third tube of the first rod assembly and the second tube of the second rod assembly are pivotably secured to the first end support. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the respective first tubes of the first and second rod assemblies are pivotably secured to the second end support. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the first tube of the first rod assembly includes a threaded portion configured to threadingly engage the threaded portion of the tension rod mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the first tube of the first rod assembly includes a threaded bushing configured to threadingly engage the threaded portion of the tension rod mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 6 , wherein rotation of the second tube of the first rod assembly in a first direction about a longitudinal axis thereof causes the first and third tubes of the first rod assembly to move away from each other and wherein rotation of the second tube of the first rod assembly in a second opposite direction about the longitudinal axis thereof causes the first and third tubes of the first rod assembly to move toward each other. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 7 , wherein rotation of the second tube of the first rod assembly in the first direction causes the first and second tubes of the second rod assembly to move away from each other and wherein rotation of the second tube of the first rod assembly in the second opposite direction causes the first and second tubes of the second rod assembly to move toward each other. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tension rod mechanism includes a connector fixedly secured within the first end of the second tube of the first rod assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the connector includes a pin extending outwardly from a surface of the connector. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 10 , wherein an interior of the third tube of the first rod assembly contains an intermediate wall formed between first and second ends thereof, the intermediate wall including an aperture or groove formed therein. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the pin of the connector rotatably engages the aperture or groove of the intermediate wall of the third tube of the first rod assembly, the engagement between the pin and the aperture or groove enabling rotation of the second tube of the first rod assembly relative to the third tube of the first rod assembly and the first end support. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the aperture or groove is centrally located in the intermediate wall. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable rod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the threaded portion of the tension rod mechanism is flexible.