Abstract:
A replacement rod device for replacing a broken towel rack rod includes a main rod, a spacer rod, and pair of sleeves. The main rod includes a durable rod of a diameter enabling insertion into the existing rod receiving indentations of the existing brackets. The spacer rod includes an identical diameter and material to the main rod and the sleeves include a hollow cylindrical portion. In use, a user places the rods end-to-end with one in each existing indentation and slides the end sleeves to engage each bracket while providing support between the rod portions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/308,834 filed on Feb. 26, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to towel support rods and fixtures, and in particular, to replacement rod which is capable of being coupled between a pair of rod hanging brackets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Towel rod racks are commonly seen in bathroom environments to hold towels, washcloths, hand towels, and the like. A wide variety of these towel racks utilize fixed end anchors to hold the towel rod in place. Quite often these end anchor brackets are of a decorative nature and may be even formed as part of the wall system especially when used with ceramic tiles. Unfortunately, such towel rods are prone to breakage over time. Repair of such towel rods usually means the removal of at least one end bracket in order to fit a new towel rod in place. Thus, a simple break often becomes a complicated repair, requiring knowledge, tools, and skills to perform tile work, grouting, and the like. The same is true if one wishes to redecorate or make changes to the look of a bathroom. In order to change the shape or style of the towel rod, the entire fixture must be removed and the remounted to the wall surface. 
     Attempts have been made to address these problems. Examples of such attempts can be seen by reference in U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,498 issued to Handley, which discloses a replaceable towel rod and U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,423 issued to Miller, which discloses a tubular rod and post assembly. While these attempts may achieve their purported objective each suffers from one or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization regarding the problems described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device and method of use which provides for easy and quick replacement and repair of worn or broken towel rod racks without the disadvantages described. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a replacement rod which allows for the replacement and repair of broken towel rods capable of being coupled between a pair of existing hanging rod brackets. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a an elongated main rod having a first end insertingly coupled within an opening of a first hanging rod bracket and an opposing second end positioned adjacent to an opening of a second hanging rod bracket. A spacer rod is also provided having a first end insertingly coupled within the second hanging rod bracket opening and a second end protruding outwardly from the second rod bracket for occupying an open space between the main rod second end and the second hanging rod bracket. A first sleeve is also provided which is slidingly mounted over the main rod first end adjacent to the first hanging rod bracket opening. A second sleeve is provided which is slidingly mounted over the main rod second end and the spacer rod second end to couple the main rod and the spacer rod together. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a replacement rod  10 , according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the replacement rod  10  in an assembled state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the replacement rod  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a main rod  20 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a spacer rod  30 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a sleeve  40 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 7  is an opposing perspective view of the sleeve  40 , according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  replacement rod 
               12  bracket 
               20  main rod 
               30  spacer rod 
               40  sleeve 
               42  sleeve opening 
               44  flared portion 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 7 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a replacement rod (herein described as a “device”)  10 , which provides a replacement kit for a broken towel rod. The device  10  is intended to replace broken towel racks such as, but not limited to; bathroom towel racks, clothing racks, or the like that are typically coupled to fixed end brackets  12  which are adhered or fastened to a vertical wall surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10 ;  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10  in an assembled state; and,  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the device  10  are disclosed. The device  10  utilizes existing end brackets  12  to suspend the device  10  which eliminates extensive demolition, rework, or repair to replace the entire towel rack. The brackets  12  include openings that receive ends of the device  10 , such that it fits between each of the opposing brackets  12 . The device  10  preferably includes a main rod  20 , a spacer rod  30 , and a pair of sleeves  40 . The spacer rod  30  is inserted into each bracket  12  and is preferably retained by a friction fit, yet adhesives or fasteners may be utilized to permanently retain the spacer rod  30  within the bracket  12  without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The device  10  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to; plastic, wood, metal, or the like and is preferably manufactured to be cut with a cutting tool to a desired length, yet may also be manufactured in various lengths and diameters to accommodate the particular existing end brackets  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the main rod  20  and  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the spacer rod  30  are disclosed. The main rod  20  is an elongated cylindrical shaft that is horizontally oriented between the brackets  12  to provide a surface to drape or suspend towels, clothes, or the like. The main rod  20  preferably has a tubular shape to reduce weight of the device  10 . The main rod  20  has a length slightly smaller that the distance between the pair of opposing end brackets  12 . An exterior diameter of the main rod  20  is slightly smaller than an interior diameter of the sleeve  40  to allow the end of the rod  20  to be inserted into the sleeve  40  during installation of the device  10 . 
     The spacer rod  30  preferably has a tubular shape with a diameter similar to that of the main rod  20  capable of being inserted into an end of the sleeve  40  opposite the main rod  20 . An opposing end of the spacer rod  30  also has an exterior diameter slightly smaller than the opening in the each end bracket  12  for insertion and placement within the opposing brackets  12 . The spacer rod  30  fills in the space between one bracket  12  and an end of the main rod  20  adjacent to that bracket  12 . A combined length of the main rod  20  and spacer rod  30  is equivalent to the distance between the brackets  12  plus the depth of each the brackets  12  openings. At least one (1) end of each spacer rod  30  has an exterior profile which can fit within the opening of the end bracket  12 . 
     Although the main rod  20  is depicted having a hollow interior and a generally cylindrical shape it can be appreciated that it can be of a solid body and have various external shapes without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Although the spacer rod  30  is depicted having a hollow interior is can be appreciated that it can also have a solid body. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the sleeve  40  and  FIG. 7 , an opposing perspective view of the sleeve  40  are disclosed. The pair of sleeves  40  is utilized to couple the main rod  20  and the pair of spacer rods  30  together by a friction fit. Each sleeve  40  receives an end of the main rod  20  and an end of the spacer rod  30 . Each sleeve  40  includes a sleeve opening  42  at each end and a flared portion  44  on one end. The sleeve openings  42  have an interior diameter slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the main rod  20  and the spacer rod  30  and a matching interior shape to allow the sleeves  40  to receive the ends of the main rod  20  and the spacer rod  30 . Each sleeve  40  slides over the main rod  20  with the flared portion  44  toward the respective bracket  12 . During installation, an end of the spacer rod  30  is inserted within the opening of the bracket  12  having an opposing end partially protruding outwardly from the bracket  12 . Opposing ends of the main rod  20  are fully inserted into the pair of sleeves  40 . The combined main rod  20  and pair of sleeves  40  is positioned between and aligned with the spacer rod  30  and the opposing bracket  12 . One (1) end of the main rod  20  is inserted into the opening of the opposing end bracket  12  and the adjacent sleeve  40  is slid until the flared portion  44  is in contact with the bracket  12 . The opposing sleeve  40  is slid toward the corresponding spacer rod  30  until the partially protruding end of the spacer rod  30  is inserted into the sleeve  40 . The sleeve  40  is also positioned with the flared portion  44  in contact with a side of the bracket  12  having the spacer rod  30  inserted. The fully coupled combination of the main rod  20  with the sleeves  40  and the spacer rod  30  provide a decorative fixture which creates a uniform appearance to the assembled device  10 . The flared portion  44  conceals a rectangular opening that may be found on various brackets  12 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; removing the existing broken rod; inserting the spacer rod  30  into the towel rack opening of one bracket  12 ; positioning one (1) of the pair of sleeves  40  over the main rod  20  with the flared portion  44  toward the respective bracket  12 ; sliding the sleeve  40  which corresponds to the bracket  12  without the inserted spacer rod  30  inward to expose an end of the main rod  20 ; positioning the other sleeve  40  over the main rod  20  with the flared portion  44  toward the bracket  12  with the inserted spacer rod  30 ; positioning the main rod  20  between and aligned with the spacer rod  30  and the opposing bracket opening; inserting the exposed end of the main rod  20  into the opposing bracket opening; sliding the sleeve  40  which corresponds to the bracket  12  without the inserted spacer rod  30  outward until the flared portion  44  is in contact with the bracket  12 ; sliding the opposing sleeve  40  toward the opposing bracket  12  and receiving the spacer rod  30  to couple the main rod  20  to the spacer rod  30 ; sliding the sleeve  40  which corresponds to the bracket  12  with the inserted spacer rod  30  outward until the flared portion  44  is in contact with the bracket  12 ; suspending towels, clothes, or the like from the device  10 ; and, allowing for the quick repair of broken towel rods in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.