Patent ID: 7900334

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 distal end 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 a first end cap having a threaded hole to the set screw to secure the first end cap adjacent the base rod distal end, the first end cap threaded hole interacting with the set screw to couple the first end cap to the set screw; c) disengaging the first cover plate threaded hole from the threaded base rod proximal end; d) separating the first cover plate from the base rod; e) 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; f) separating the first end cap from the base rod by removing the first end cap from the set screw; and g) coupling a second end cap having a threaded hole to the set screw to secure the second end cap adjacent the base rod distal end, 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; wherein the first cover plate is functionally equivalent to the second cover plate; wherein the first end cap has a configuration that is different than a configuration of the second end cap; and wherein the first end cap is functionally equivalent to the second end cap.