Abstract:
A bracket  107  for retaining a stair rod  106  includes a first portion  301   b  for affixing to a stair including means  304  for securing a finial thereto and a seat  301/302  for receiving an end of the corresponding stair rod  106 . A second portion  301   b  is rotatably coupled to the first portion  301   a  and includes means for retaining the end of corresponding stair rod  106  in the seat of the first portion  301   a  of bracket  107 . Means  402  are also provided for holding the first and second portions of the bracket in engagement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to carpeting and in particular to Carpet rod brackets and carpet rod assemblies using the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is often desirable, for both functional and aesthetic reasons, to lay a carpet runner across one or more stair steps in a staircase. On the functional side, carpeting protects the surface of the stair step, such as the wood surfaces typically found in private residences, from the wear and tear associated with normal foot traffic. Additionally, carpeting provides for a softer, more secure footing for those walking up or down the staircase. In regard to aesthetics, carpets come in a multitude of colors, patterns and materials providing a wide range of decorating options. In any case, carpet runners can be removed and replaced should they become worn or if there is a change in decorating taste. 
     When a carpet runner is used on a staircase, stair rods are often used to hold the runner in place. The typical stair rod comprises a rod longer than the width of the carpet runner which it is securing. Once the carpet runner is laid across a given stair step, this rod is placed at the bend between the horizontal plane of the stair step and the vertical plane extending upward to the next stair in the staircase. Brackets at the end of the rod hold the rod and the underlying carpet firmly in place. Stair rods are not only important for aesthetic reasons, such as keeping the runner centered along the stair step and providing additional ornamentation, but more importantly for safety reasons. Slippage of the carpet runner under the foot of a pedestrian can cause potentially dangerous slips and falls, as well as twisted ankles and other injuries. 
     Stair rod brackets must hold the rod securely in place with minimal slippage either along the longitudinal axis of the rod or at an angle thereto. One such bracket system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,516 to Zoroufy et al. Here, the rod mates with a pair of slidably interconnecting brackets at each end. An inner bracket is fastened to the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the stair, while an outer bracket slides over the first bracket. A finial extends through the wall of the outer bracket and an end-stop of the inner bracket to engage a tapped (threaded) aperature in the end of the rod. This system is secure, but is more complicated to assemble or disassemble, should it be necessary to remove the rod for carpet cleaning or replacement. 
     Another type stair rod bracket system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 342,437 to Prezner and U.S. Pat. No. 869,492 to Joyner. This system uses a hinged clamps which are secured to the stair and which open to receive the stair rod. Once the rod is in place, the clamp is fastened closed around the rod. The rod extends completely though the clamp and is thus susceptible to lateral slippage. Moreover, the finial must be affixed to the rod itself, when used. 
     Another disadvantage of some commercially available stair rod systems is a result of the use of lead in their construction. Specifically, lead is sometimes used in the expansion screw used to fasten the finial to the stair rod. As is well known, lead and similar heavy metals are hazardous, especially with respects to children who often play on the stairs. 
     What is needed therefore is a stair rod system which is easy to assemble and disassemble such that the carpet can be easily accessed for cleaning or replacement. Such as system should hold the rod securely in place thereby minimizing slippage or movement of the rod when weight is placed on the underlying carpet. Additionally, the use of lead expansion screws should be eliminated. Finally, such a system should include ornamental features which allow the stair rod to blend in easily with the given decorative scheme. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment of the principles of the present invention, a bracket is disclosed for retaining a stair rod. The bracket includes a first portion for affixing to a stair, including means for securing a finial thereto, and a seat for receiving an end of the corresponding stair rod. A second portion of the bracket is rotatably coupled to the first portion and includes means for retaining the end of the corresponding stair rod in the seat of the first portion of bracket. Means are also included for holding the first and second portions of the bracket in engagement. 
     Brackets and stair rod assemblies using the same have substantial advantages over the prior art. Among other things, since the finial is attached to the bracket, rather than to the rod, the stair rod can more easily be handled during carpet replacement or cleaning. Moreover, it is only necessary to release a simple key or latch to free the stair rod from its brackets. Additionally, carpet rod brackets and carpet rod assemblies using the same minimize slippage and other unwanted movement such that the underlying carpet is securely held in place on the stairway. Finally, implementation of the inventive concepts does not require the use of lead expansion screws or similar parts constructed of hazardous materials. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying dr wings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a selected number of stair rod assemblies according to the inventive concepts as used to secure a carpet running to a corresponding set of stair step; 
     FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of a portion of the stair rod, the bracket and finial of a selected one of the assemblies depicted in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stair rod-bracket interface shown in FIG. 2, along with the attachment of the finial to the bracket, according to the inventive concepts; 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B, are more detailed diagrams depicting the hinging action of a selected one of the brackets of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the inventive concepts; and 
     FIG. 4C are more detailed diagrams depicting the hinging action of a selected one of the brackets of FIG. 1 in accordance with a second embodiment of the inventive concepts 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The principles of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the illustrated embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, in which like numbers designate like parts. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a portion of a staircase  100  including three stair steps  101   a,c . Each stair step includes a horizontal surface  102  spaced from the horizontal surfaces  102  of the adjacent stair step by a vertical surface  103 . In this example, a carpet runner  104  is disposed along the depicted length of staircase  100  and generally centered within the lateral boundaries of stair steps  101   a,c . For illustrative purposes, carpet runner  104  is a generic carpet runner of solid color widely available from most carpet retailers. 
     At the intersection of the horizontal surface  102  and vertical surface  103  of each stair step of staircase  100  is a stair rod assembly  105  in accordance with the inventive concepts. Each stair rod assembly  104  includes a stair rod  106  held securely against the surface of carpet runner  104  by a set of brackets  107   a,b  disposed at the opposing ends of rod  106 . A decorative finial  108   a, b  is provided fastened to the outward facing surfaces of brackets  107 . Brackets  107  are fastened to the surfaces  102 , 103  of the corresponding stair step  101  by screws or similar fasteners known in the art. 
     A more detailed view of an end portion of a selected stair rod assembly  106  is shown in FIG.  2 . Rod  106  can be constructed of any one of a number of materials depending on the desired decorative impression. For example, rod  106  could be constructed out of metal or plastic with a metallic finish such as polished brass, antique brass, pewter or chrome. Rod  106  may also be constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material such as acrylic or other plastic. The rod may be tubular or solid and have a circular or quarter round cross-section. The face surface  202  of the rod  106  shown in FIG. 2 is smooth, although alternatively this surface could be reeded, decorated with a spiral (rope) design running down its length or otherwise ornamented. (An example of a reeded rod is provided in FIG.  3 ). 
     Brackets  107  and finials  108  are preferably constructed from material similar to those used to construct rod  106 . In FIG. 2, the face surface  201  of the depicted bracket is smooth, although this surface may also include a design or other ornamentation. The depicted finial is oblong-shaped with a ornamental design, although many different types of finials are available, including those with smooth or undecorated surfaces and/or which are spherical-shaped, knob-shaped or urn-shaped, to name a few options. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the brackets  107  demonstrating its relationship with rod  106  and the corresponding finial  108 , according to the inventive concepts. (The hinging mechanism will be illustrated in detail in conjunction with FIGS.  4 A- 4 C). In this view, the face surface  201  has been cut-away. 
     According the invention, finial  108  is fastened to the outer sidewall  301   a  by a machine screw  303 . In the illustrated embodiment, screw  303  extends through an countersunk aperature  304  through sidewall  301 a and mates with a tapped (threaded) aperature  305  in finial  108 . Advantageously, finial  108  independent of rod  106 . Advantageously, screw  303  does not have to be, and is preferably not, a lead expansion screw. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the end of rod  106  is seated within the sidewalls  301   a,b  and  302  of bracket  107  and is held by the hinging action. Preferably, the seat formed by sidewalls  301   a,b  and  302  is circular, with one semicircle defined by the sidewalls of one hinged half of the bracket and the other semicircle defined by the sidewalls of the other hinged half of the bracket. Two hinging mechanisms are possible according to the inventive principles. As shown in the side views of FIGS. 4A and 4B, according to one embodiment, sidewall  301   a  and the finial attached thereto are held fixed (the finial is not shown for clarity; however, the corresponding mating aperature  304  and the finial mounting surface  405  is depicted for reference). Sidewall  301   b  and face surface  201  then rotate or pivot around a pin, screw or similar rotation mechanism  401 . The closed configuration is shown in FIG.  4 A and the open configuration in FIG. 4B. A fastener  402 , in this example is a key disposed in the fixed half of bracket  107  which rotates with respects to a corresponding aperature within the movable half of bracket  106 , holds the end of rod  107  firmly within the confines of bracket  107 . 
     A second embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, where sidewall  301   a  and upper surface  201 , and the finial when attached, rotate while sidewall  301   b  remains fixed. In this view, the screws or fasteners  403   a,b,  used to fasten bracket  107  to the corresponding stair  101 , are shown for reference. 
     FIGS. 4A-4C also show the circular seat defined to retain the corresponding end of stair rod  106 . One half (semicircle)  404   a  is defined by the fixed (lower) half bracket while the other half (semicircle)  404   b  is defined by the rotatable upper half bracket. It should also be noted that while the rotation mechanism  401  is disposed at the upper ends of the half-brackets and the fastener or key  402  at the lower ends of the half-brackets in the illustrated embodiments, fastener  402  and rotation mechanism  401  can be swapped in alternate embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B for example, the free end of the upper half bracket would then rotate to the right and ultimately downward instead of upward and ultimately to the left. 
     The various embodiments of the present inventive principles have substantial advantages over the prior art. Among other things, the stair rod is held securely, even under foot traffic, with minimal slippage. The finial is attached to the bracket and therefore can be selected or interchanged independent of the selection or interchange of the rod itself. Additionally, the rod can be more easily removed and handled without the finials during carpet runner replacement or cleaning. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     It is therefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.