Patent ID: 7571532

Claim:
A method of customizing a utility rod having a base rod presenting proximal and distal ends, the proximal end having an attachment plate and being threaded, the base rod defining a threaded hole adjacent the distal end to selectively receive a second rod, at least one of the base rod distal end and the second rod having a set screw extending therefrom, the method comprising the steps: a) coupling a first cover plate having a threaded hole to the base rod proximal end to hide the attachment plate, the first cover plate threaded hole interacting with the threaded base rod proximal end to couple the first cover plate to the base rod proximal end; b) coupling the second rod to the base rod by utilizing the base rod threaded hole adjacent the distal end; c) coupling a first end cap having a threaded hole to the set screw, the first end cap threaded hole interacting with the set screw to couple the first end cap to the set screw; d) removing the first end cap from the set screw; e) removing the second rod from the base rod; f) separating the first cover plate from the base rod by disengaging the first cover plate threaded hole from the threaded base rod proximal end and removing the first cover plate over the base rod distal end; g) coupling a second cover plate having a threaded hole to the base rod proximal end to hide the attachment plate, the second cover plate threaded hole interacting with the threaded base rod proximal end to couple the second cover plate to the base rod proximal end; h) coupling the second rod to the base rod by utilizing the base rod threaded hole adjacent the distal end; and i) coupling a second end cap having a threaded hole to the set screw, the second end cap threaded hole interacting with the set screw to couple the second end cap to the set screw; wherein the first cover plate has a configuration that is different than a configuration of the second cover plate; and wherein the first end cap has a configuration that is different than a configuration of the second end cap.