Closet rod assembly

Abstract

A closet rod assembly to protect the outer surface of the rod from scratches which comprises a rod, a cover, and two rod end members, the cover and two rod end members being connected to the rod. The rod has two ends and an outer surface, and at least one channel that runs along the rod's outer surface. The channel allows a user to attach a cover, thereby protecting the rod from being contacted by clothes hangers. The cover has two ends and at least one ridge, the ridge being designed to fit within the channel in the rod. The inner surface of the cover is disposed about a portion of the rod's outer surface adjacent to the channel. Additionally, the present closet rod assembly includes two rod end members, each end of the rod being engaged to a rod end member, thereby preventing the rod from rotating.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The most prevalent method of storing garments is to drape each garment on a clothes hanger shaped for the purpose and having a hook which may be “hooked” onto a horizontal bar. A person making space so that other garments may be stored, or searching for a particular garment, naturally slides garments along the clothes bar. As the clothes hangers slide along the clothes bar, the hook material, usually metal, slides against the clothes bar, sometimes metal or having a metal finish, or wood. Often the metal of the clothes hanger has a greater hardness than the metal, metal finish, or wood of the clothes bar. Because the metal of the clothes hanger is harder, it will scratch and cause abrasions to the clothes bar material. These abrasions are undesirable: the abrasions mar the appearance of the clothes bar and may also bring about oxidation if the material is a metal or metal finish.

Information relevant to attempts to address this problem can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,210. However, this reference suffers from the disadvantage that the clam-shell closet rod spacer unit conceals the clothes bar.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a closet rod assembly with a protective cover to prevent scratching of closet rods.

The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a) exists.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a closet rod assembly that satisfies the need for a closet rod with a protective cover to prevent scratching of closet rods. In at least one embodiment, the present invention comprises a unique rod and cover, and two rod end members, the cover and two rod end members being connected to the rod.

The rod has two ends and an outer surface, and at least one channel that runs along the rod's outer surface. The inventive channel allows a user to attach a unique cover, thereby protecting the rod from being contacted by clothes hangers.

The unique cover has two ends and at least one ridge, the ridge being designed to fit within the channel in the rod. The inner surface of the cover is disposed about at least a portion of the rod's outer surface adjacent to the channel in order to provide the needed protection to the rod's outer surface.

In addition to the rod and cover, the present closet rod assembly includes two rod end members, each end of the rod being engaged to a rod end member, thereby preventing the rod from rotating. In some embodiments, at least one of the rod end members is engaged to a vertical surface.

In some embodiments, one of the rod end members has a cap and a flange. The flange is designed to engage one of the rod ends. By providing a cap and a flange, the rod end member prevents foreign material from entering the rod.

In at least one embodiment, the flange further includes a flange ridge, which is designed to fit within the channel in the rod, thereby inhibiting rotation of the rod.

In at least one embodiment, the closet rod assembly has a rod and two rod end members which are engaged to the ends of the rod. Rather than having a cover to protect the outer surface of the rod, the rod has at least two ridges that extend, substantially parallel to each other, along the length of the rod's outer surface. Clothes hangers contact the unique ridges, rather than the rod's outer surface in this embodiment.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present closet rod assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, rotated 180°;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is close-up cross-sectional end view of a portion of the embodiment of the rod shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3b is close-up cross-sectional end view of the portion of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, with a cover being engaged to the rod;

FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of the proximal rod end member of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is close-up cross-sectional end view of a portion of the embodiment of the distal rod end member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of the present closet rod assembly;

FIG. 7 is a close-up cross-sectional end view of the portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the hanger is separated from the rod and cover;

FIG. 9 is an end view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the hanger of FIG. 8 has just been hung onto the rod and cover;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 wherein the hanger is at rest;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention wherein the hanger is rotated counter-clockwise 45 degrees;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention wherein the hanger is rotated clockwise 45 degrees; and

FIG. 13 is a graphic representation of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present closet rod assembly, shown generally at 10. As previously stated, the assembly 10 includes a unique rod 15, a unique cover 20, and two rod end members: proximal rod end member 25 and distal rod end member 30. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the rod 15, cover 20, and rod end members 25, 30 have unique features that provide protection to the rod 15.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, but rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis.

In FIG. 3, the embodiment of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 is depicted in an exploded perspective view. The rod 15 has a proximal rod end 35 and a distal rod end 40. Additionally, the rod 15 has a rod outer surface 45, the rod outer surface 45 having a rod length 50 extending between proximal rod end 35 and a distal rod end 40. An inventive feature of the rod 15 is the addition of at least one channel 55. As can be better seen in FIG. 3a, a close-up cross-sectional front view of the rod 15 of FIG. 3, the inventive channels 55 are defined by the rod outer surface 45. Although the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 3a has multiple channels, another embodiment, not depicted, includes a single channel.

The rod 15 can be manufactured from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, wood, metal, and plastic. Also, the rod 15 can take on a variety of shapes. In at least one embodiment, the rod 15 is substantially cylindrical. Other embodiments include rods with substantially square, substantially round, substantially oval, or substantially rectangular cross-sectional geometries.

The cover 20 is engaged to the rod 15 by the inventive channels 55. As will be described in more detail below, the cover 20 has cover ridges 60 which are receivingly engaged by the channels 55, thereby securing the protective cover 20 to the rod 15. The cover 20 has a proximal cover end 65, a distal cover end 70, and a cover length 75 extending between the two cover ends 65, 70.

As mentioned above, the cover 20 has at least one cover ridge 60. FIG. 3b is close-up cross-sectional front view of the portion of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, with the cover 20 being engaged to the rod 15. Depicted in FIG. 3b are the cover ridges 60 being receivingly engaged by the channels 55 of the rod outer surface 45. As is further shown in FIG. 3b, the cover 20 defines a cover inner surface 80, which is disposed about at least a portion of the rod outer surface 45 adjacent to the channel 55.

Another embodiment, not depicted, includes a single cover ridge 60 to engage a single channel 55. Although one of ordinary skill would recognize that there are a variety of ways in which a cover ridge 60 could engage a channel 55, one method is in a “snap-fit” arrangement. In some embodiments, the ridges 60 may instead slide into the channels at either of the rod ends 35, 40.

In another embodiment, not depicted, the assembly 10 may have channels 55 that extend about the circumference (or other portion, if not cylindrical) of the rod 15, rather than in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 15. In such an embodiment, the cover 20 would have cover ridges 60 which would correspond to the circumferentially disposed channels 55.

Like the rod 15, the cover 20 can also be manufactured from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, wood, metal, and plastic. And like the rod 15, the cover 20 can also take on a variety of shapes. However, the shape of the cover 20 is constrained to a certain extent by the shape of the rod 15. In order for the cover 20 to effectively protect the rod outer surface 45, the shape of the cover 20 should correspond to the shape of the rod 15. For example, in at least one embodiment, the rod 15 is substantially cylindrical. As depicted in FIG. 3b, the rod outer surface 45 of the substantially cylindrical rod 15 defines a first arcuate shape 135. In some embodiments, to effectively protect the rod outer surface 45, the cover 20 has a cover inner surface 140 which defines a second arcuate shape 145, as seen in FIG. 3b. As further seen in FIG. 3b, the second arcuate shape 145 is substantially similar to the first arcuate shape 135.

In addition to providing the cover with any of a variety and shape and materials, embodiments of the present invention include providing a cover 20 that is substantially transparent. Often, a rod 15 will be constructed of stainless steel, include a chrome, nickel or other overlay; or in the case of wooden rods be provided with a high sheen varnish, stain, or decorative color. A cover 20 which is transparent allows the underlying rod 15 to continue being visible even with the protective cover 20 in place. In some embodiments however, the cover 20 itself will be provided with any of a variety of colors and/or decorative designs thereby providing a utilitarian rod 15 with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

As previously stated, the present closet rod assembly further includes rod end members. The assembly 10 has a proximal rod end member 25 and a distal rod end member 30, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the proximal rod end member 25 being engaged to the proximal rod end 35 and the distal rod end member 30 being engaged to the distal rod end 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a close-up perspective view of the proximal rod end member 25 is shown. The proximal rod end member 25 has a proximal cap 85 and a proximal flange 90. The proximal flange 90 has a proximal flange end 95 which is engaged to the proximal cap 85. The proximal rod end member 25 can be connected to the rod 15 in a variety of manners.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the proximal rod end member 25 can be connected to the rod 15 by constructing and arranging the proximal flange 90 to receivingly engage the proximal rod end 35. As seen in FIG. 1, the proximal flange 90 is disposed about the rod outer surface 45 adjacent to the proximal rod end 35. In at least one embodiment, the rod length 50 is greater than the cover length 75, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which allows the proximal flange 90 to be disposed about the rod outer surface 45. In some embodiments, the rod length 50 is substantially the same as the cover length 75. In at least one embodiment, the rod length 50 is less than the cover length 75.

In an embodiment, such as one wherein the cover length 75 is substantially equal to the rod length 50 or other embodiment, the proximal rod end 35 may instead be constructed and arranged to receivingly engage the proximal flange 90. That is, the diameter of the proximal flange 90 is smaller than the diameter of the proximal rod end 35, thereby allowing the proximal flange 90 to be inserted into the proximal rod end 35 such that the proximal rod end 35 is disposed about the proximal flange 90. Such an engagement configuration is also suitable between the distal rod end 40 and the distal flange 120 as described in greater detail below.

In at least one embodiment, the rod length 50 is greater than the cover length 75, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which allows the proximal flange 90 to be disposed about the rod outer surface 45.

In another embodiment of the present assembly 10, the proximal flange 90 further comprises a first distal flange end 100, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the first distal flange end 100 abuts the proximal cover end 65, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. By allowing the first distal flange end 100 to abut the proximal cover end 65, this embodiment prevents clothes hangers from contacting and scratching the rod outer surface 45 at the proximal rod end 35.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the proximal flange 90 defines a proximal flange inner surface 105 which has at least one flange ridge 110. The flange ridge 110 is designed to be receivingly engaged by the at least one channel 55. This design secures the rod 15 to the proximal rod end member 25, thereby preventing the rod 15 from rotating over time during use and exposing the rod outer surface 45 to direct contact with clothes hangers.

As mentioned above, in addition to a proximal rod end member 25, the assembly 10 further includes a distal rod end member 30 which engages the distal rod end 40. In some embodiments, the distal rod end member 30 comprises a distal cap 115 and a distal flange 120, as seen in FIGS. 1-3. The distal flange 120 has a second distal flange end 125, which is engaged to the distal cap 115, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Unlike the proximal flange 90 which is disposed about the entire periphery of a portion of the rod outer surface 45, the distal flange 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is instead disposed about only a portion of the rod outer surface 45 adjacent to the distal rod end 40.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the distal cap 115 has a periphery 130. In this embodiment, the second distal flange end 125 extends about a portion of the periphery 130. In another embodiment, best depicted in FIG. 2, the distal cover end 70 abuts a portion of the periphery 130.

In another embodiment of the present assembly 10, rather than having a protective cover to protect the rod outer surface 45, the assembly instead includes at least two protective ridges extending along the rod outer surface 45 which are substantially parallel to one another. Referring now to FIG. 6, a rod 15 with rod outer surface 45 is depicted. In some embodiments, like the one shown in FIG. 6, the rod outer surface 45 includes a first protective ridge 150, a second protective ridge 155, and a third protective ridge 160.

In at least one embodiment, the protective ridges are circumferentially offset from each other in a circumferential direction by a predetermined circumferential length. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, and shown in greater detail in FIG. 7, the protective ridges 150, 155, 160 are engaged to the circumference 165 of the rod 15. The protective ridges 150, 155, 160 are illustrated as being circumferentially offset from one another in a circumferential direction, indicated by arrow 170. FIG. 7 further illustrates the protective ridges 150, 155, 160 being circumferentially offset by a predetermined circumferential length. In particular, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the first protective ridge 150 is circumferentially offset from the second protective ridge 155 in a circumferential direction by a first predetermined circumferential length L1, and the second protective ridge 155 is circumferentially offset from the third protective ridge 160 in a circumferential direction by a second predetermined circumferential length L2. In at least one embodiment, the first predetermined circumferential length L1 and the second predetermined circumferential length L2 are substantially the same.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the proximal rod end member and the distal rod end member is engaged to a vertical surface 175, as shown in FIG. 1. Vertical surface 175 may be a wall, a partition, a portion of a closet organizing system, or some other vertical surface that could support a rod.

In some embodiments, the closet rod assembly 10 further includes at least one hanger 180, as shown in FIGS. 8-12. In FIG. 8, a cover 20 is depicted having a cover outer surface 185. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the hanger 180 is hung onto the assembly 10, and does not contact the rod outer surface 45, but instead only makes contact with the cover outer surface 185. FIG. 10 shows the hanger 180 after being hung onto the assembly 10, and being slidingly engaged only to the cover outer surface 185. FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the hanger 180 being rotated by 45 degrees, and as intended, the hanger 180 does not make contact with the rod outer surface 45, but instead only makes contact with the cover outer surface 185. It should also be noted that because of the inventive channels on the rod and the unique ridges on the cover, the cover 20 does not move when the hanger 180 is rotated.

A method of making the present closet rod assembly comprises the steps of providing a rod, providing a cover, providing a proximal rod end member and a distal rod end member, and then engaging the proximal rod end member to a first vertical surface and engaging the distal rod end member to a second vertical surface.

The rod has an outer surface and a rod length which extends between a proximal rod end and a distal rod end. The rod outer surface defines at least one channel.

The cover has a proximal cover end, a distal cover end, and a cover length extending between the proximal cover end and the distal cover end. The cover has at least one cover ridge, which is receivingly engaged by the at least one channel on the rod. Also, the cover defines a cover inner surface, and when the cover ridge is engaged with the channel, the cover inner surface is disposed about at least a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the at least one channel.

A proximal rod end member and a distal rod end member are engaged to the appropriate ends of the rod.

The proximal rod end member is engaged to a first vertical surface and the distal rod end member is engaged to a second vertical surface. Vertical surfaces may be any surfaces of a closet, wall, partition, etc. as represented by surface 175 shown in FIG. 1.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the closet rod assembly 10 may be sold as a kit 190. Referring now to FIG. 13, kit 190 includes rod 15, cover 20, proximal rod end member 25, distal rod end member 30, and assembly instructions 195 detailing how the afore-mentioned elements of the closet rod assembly should be assembled.

Therefore, the present invention solves the need for a closet rod assembly with a protective cover to prevent scratching of closet rods. As presented above, the unique rod and cover design prevent hangers from directly contacting the outer surface of the rod, thereby preventing the wood, wood finish, metal, metal finish, plastic, etc. of the rod from being scratched during use.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. A closet rod assembly comprising:

(a) a rod, the rod having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, the rod further having a rod outer surface, the rod outer surface having a rod length extending between the proximal rod end and the distal rod end, the rod outer surface defining at least one channel;

(b) a cover, the cover having a proximal cover end and a distal cover end, the cover having a cover length extending between the proximal cover end and the distal cover end, the cover having at least one cover ridge, the at least one cover ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel, the cover defining a cover inner surface, the cover inner surface disposed about at least a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the at least one channel; and

(c) a proximal rod end member and a distal rod end member, the proximal rod end member engaged to the proximal rod end and the distal rod end member engaged to the distal rod ends,

wherein the proximal rod end member comprises a proximal cap and a proximal flange, the proximal flange having a proximal flange end, the proximal flange end engaged to the proximal cap, the proximal flange constructed and arranged to receivingly engage the proximal rod end, the proximal flange being disposed about the rod outer surface adjacent to the proximal rod end, and

wherein the proximal flange further comprises a first distal flange end, the first distal flange end abutting the proximal cover end, and

wherein the proximal flange defines a proximal flange inner surface, the proximal flange inner surface having at least one flange ridge, the at least one flange ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel.

2. The closet rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a cover outer surface, and the assembly further comprises at least one hanger, the at least one hanger being slidingly engaged only to the cover outer surface.

3. The closet rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod length is greater than the cover length.

4. The closet rod assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the proximal rod end member and the distal rod end member is engaged to a vertical surface.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The closet rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal rod end member comprises a distal cap and a distal flange, the distal flange having a second distal flange end, the second distal flange end being engaged to the distal cap, the distal flange being disposed about a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the distal rod end.

9. The closet rod assembly of claim 8, wherein the distal cap has a periphery, the second distal flange end extending along a portion of the periphery.

10. The closet rod assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal cover end abuts a portion of the periphery.

11. The closet rod assembly of claim 9, wherein the rod comprises a cross-sectional geometry, the cross-sectional geometry being selected from the group consisting of substantially round, substantially oval, substantially square, and substantially rectangular.

12. The closet rod assembly of claim 10, wherein the rod is substantially cylindrical.

13. The closet rod assembly of claim 12, wherein a portion of the rod outer surface of the substantially cylindrical rod defines a first arcuate shape, the cover inner surface defining a second arcuate shape, the second arcuate shape being substantially similar to the first arcuate shape.

14. A closet rod assembly comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical rod, the rod having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, the rod further having a rod outer surface, the rod outer surface having a rod length extending between the proximal rod end and the distal rod end, the rod outer surface defining at least one channel, the rod outer surface of the substantially cylindrical rod defining a first arcuate shape;

(b) a cover, the cover having a proximal cover end and a distal cover end, the cover having a cover length extending between the proximal cover end and the distal cover end, the cover length being less than the rod length, the cover having at least one cover ridge, the at least one cover ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel, the cover defining a cover inner surface, the cover inner surface defining a second arcuate shape, the second arcuate shape being substantially similar to the first arcuate shape, the cover inner surface disposed about at least a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the at least one channel; and

(c) a proximal rod end member and a distal rod end member, (i) the proximal rod end member comprises a proximal cap and a proximal flange, the proximal flange having a proximal flange end and a first distal flange end, the proximal flange end engaged to the proximal cap, the proximal flange constructed and arranged to receivingly engage the proximal rod end, the proximal flange being disposed about the rod outer surface adjacent to the proximal rod end, the first distal flange end abutting the proximal cover end, the proximal flange defining a proximal flange inner surface, the proximal flange inner surface having at least one flange ridge, the at least one flange ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel, (ii) the distal rod end member comprises a distal cap and a distal flange, the distal cap having a periphery, the distal flange having a second distal flange end, the second distal flange end being engaged to the distal cap and extending along a portion of the periphery, the distal flange being disposed about a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the distal rod end, the distal cover end abutting a portion of the periphery.

15. The closet rod assembly of claim 14, wherein the cover further comprises a cover outer surface, and the assembly further comprises at least one hanger, the at least one hanger being slidingly engaged only to the cover outer surface.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A kit for making a closet rod assembly comprising:

(a) a rod, the rod having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, the rod further having a rod outer surface, the rod outer surface having a rod length extending between the proximal rod end and the distal rod end, the rod outer surface defining at least one channel;

(b) a cover, the cover having a proximal cover end and a distal cover end, the cover having a cover length extending between the proximal cover end and the distal cover end, the cover having at least one cover ridge, the at least one cover ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel, the cover defining a cover inner surface, the cover inner surface disposed about at least a portion of the rod outer surface adjacent to the at least one channel;

(c) a proximal rod end member and a distal rod end member, the proximal rod end member engaged to the proximal rod end and the distal rod end member engaged to the distal rod end,

wherein the proximal rod end member comprises a proximal cap and a proximal flange, the proximal flange having a proximal flange end, the proximal flange end engaged to the proximal cap, the proximal flange constructed and arranged to receivingly engage the proximal rod end, the proximal flange being disposed about the rod outer surface adjacent to the proximal rod end, and

wherein the proximal flange further comprises a first distal flange end, the first distal flange end abutting the proximal cover end, and

wherein the proximal flange defines a proximal flange inner surface, the proximal flange inner surface having at least one flange ridge, the at least one flange ridge being receivingly engaged by the at least one channel; and

(d) assembly instructions, the assembly instructions comprising information on how to assemble the elements of the closet rod assembly.