Abstract: A mounting bracket is provided for attachment to a mounting surface. The mounting bracket has a body having a front surface and a rear surface that is for engagement with the mounting surface. The body has a first set of mounting holes extending from the front surface to the rear surface. Each mounting hole of the first set of mounting holes extends obliquely relative to the rear surface to direct a fastener extended therethrough into the mounting surface at an angle. The body has a second set of mounting holes extending from the front surface to the rear surface. Each mounting hole of the second set of mounting holes extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the rear surface.

Abstract: A rod connector includes an insertable body having a first face at a first end and a second face at a second end, a first threaded shaft extending from the first planar face, and a second threaded shaft extending from the second planar face. The first and second threaded shafts are threadable into threaded holes of first and second attachment plates within interiors of the first and second rods. The first attachment plate is spaced a first distance from an end of the first rod and the second attachment plate is spaced a second distance from an end of the second rod. When the first and second threaded shafts are threaded in the first and second threaded holes until the attachment plates and the planar faces engage, the respective ends of the first and second rods are brought into engagement, defining a connected state and a smooth transition between the first rod and the second rod.

Abstract: A suction mount is provided. The suction mount includes a housing, a suction cup positioned at a first side of the housing, a lever mechanically coupled to the suction cup and positioned at least in part within the housing, and a lock couplable to the lever. The lever is moveable relative to the housing between a first position corresponding to an unactuated state of the suction cup and a second position relative to the housing corresponding to an actuated state of the suction cup. The lock is couplable to the lever such that that lever is prohibited from moving away from the second position while the suction cup is in the actuated state.

Abstract: There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.

Abstract: There is provided a connector for telescoping rods including a core including a frustoconical shaft portion having a first frustoconical surface, the first frustoconical surface having first threading and one or more non-threaded portions; and a sleeve defining a generally cylindrical wall capable of receiving the frustoconical shaft portion and having a second threading, wherein the second threading is engageable with the first threading to selectively displace the sleeve relative to the core between a first position where the sleeve has a first diameter and a second position where the sleeve has expanded to a larger second diameter. The sleeve may include an outward lip extending from a base exterior cylindrical side surface of the sleeve to frictionally engage an outer rod when the sleeve is inserted therein.

Abstract: A rotating shower rod is provided to change the location of a curved shower rod between one position projecting outward from shower or bathtub enclosure to a second position projecting inward to the enclosure. Surface mounts provide two axes of rotation for the shower rod. The shower rod includes two tubes that telescopically extend and retract relative to one another.

Abstract: A rod connector is provided including a disc portion, a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The disc portion has a first side configured to engage a first rod and a second side configured to engage a second rod. The first shaft portion extends from the first side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the first rod to draw the first rod into engagement with the disc portion. The second shaft portion extends from the second side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the second rod to draw the second rod into engagement with the disc portion.

Abstract: There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.

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.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is provided that includes a plate having a mounting hole for attachment to a surface. The mounting bracket includes a hooking portion attached to the plate for supporting a hardware mounting component. The mounting bracket further includes a biasing member attached to the plate and biasing a tab of the biasing member to a first position for engagement with the hardware mounting component to secure the hardware mounting component to the plate. The tab of the biasing member is movable to a second position where the tab does not engage the hardware mounting component.

Abstract: A rod connector is provided including a disc portion, a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The disc portion has a first side configured to engage a first rod and a second side configured to engage a second rod. The first shaft portion extends from the first side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the first rod to draw the first rod into engagement with the disc portion. The second shaft portion extends from the second side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the second rod to draw the second rod into engagement with the disc portion.

Abstract: A connector for telescoping rods is provided including a core shaft and a locking sleeve. The core shaft includes a threaded portion having a first threading and a conical portion having a first frustoconical surface. The locking sleeve can receive at least a portion of the core shaft and defines a second threading that engages the first threading. In use, the internal locking connector is coupled to an inner rod and an outer rod such that rotating the inner rod and the outer rod relative to one another both increases tension of the rods against opposing mounting surfaces and locks the outer rod in a position relative to the inner 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.

Abstract: There is a self-tapping curtain rod bracket with spaced prongs terminating with tips. The tips and prongs are used to penetrate and create holes in a wall. They extend through the holes and engage the backside of the wall. A wall support extends from the spaced prongs along the front side of the wall to provide support. An arm extends away from the wall and has a cradle to support a curtain rod. The wall support also has an arm support, and the spaced prongs also includes a mount support. The mount support being located between the arm support and the arm.

Abstract: In one aspect, a support bracket is disclosed that includes a mounting bracket, a prong mount, and an accessory. The mounting bracket has a body to support the accessory. The prong mount has a prong and a connector. The prong is to extend through a wall to engage a backside of the wall to secure the prong mount to the wall. The connector is securable to the mounting bracket to couple the prong mount to the mounting bracket. The accessory has an attachment base configured to receive at least a portion of the body of the mounting bracket to mount the accessory to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A rod connector is provided having a body defining a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The first shaft portion is configured to engage a first rod and the second shaft portion is configured to engage the second rod. In some embodiments, the first rod and the second rod abut the circumferential ridge when the rod connector is inserted into the first rod and the second rod, the circumferential ridge providing a smooth transitional surface between the first rod and the second rod.

Abstract: A spring-biased end cap for mounting a rod assembly is provided including an outer body, an inner body, and a spring engaging both the outer body and the inner body to change a position of the inner body relative to the outer body upon compression or expansion of the spring. A rod is received within the outer body and fixed to the inner body. In embodiments, the spring has a first end portion connected to the outer body, a second end portion capable of being connected to the inner body to connect the outer body to the inner body, and an intermediate portion extending within a cavity of the outer body. A rod assembly including the spring-biased end cap and a method of mounting a rod assembly using the spring-biased end cap are also provided.

Abstract: A bracket for attachment to a structure is provided that includes a base having a supporting portion and a mounting portion extending at an angle to the supporting portion. The supporting portion has an upper support surface. The mounting portion defines one or more first mounting holes sized to receive a fastener for mounting the base to a structure. The one or more first mounting holes extend upwardly at an oblique angle through the mounting portion. The bracket further includes a support arm sized to contact the upper support surface of the base and extend through a gap of the base.

Abstract: A spring-biased end cap for mounting a rod assembly is provided including an outer body, an inner body, and a spring engaging both the outer body and the inner body to change a position of the inner body relative to the outer body upon compression or expansion of the spring. A rod is received within the outer body and fixed to the inner body. In embodiments, the spring has a first end portion connected to the outer body, a second end portion capable of being connected to the inner body to connect the outer body to the inner body, and an intermediate portion extending within a cavity of the outer body. A rod assembly including the spring-biased end cap and a method of mounting a rod assembly using the spring-biased end cap are also provided.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting objects to a wall includes a base defining mounting holes for fasteners. An arm extends from the base and has a top, a bottom and a maximum width at the interconnection with the base. The mounting holes includes at least two that are spaced from another by a distance greater than a maximum width of the arm so that one of the mounting holes is outside the arm on one side of the arm and another of the mounting holes is outside the arm on the other side of the arm. At least a portion of the mounting holes is located above the top of the arm.