Adjustable tension-mounted curved rod assembly

An adjustable rod assembly comprising:

• a first tube having a first arcuate portion, a second tube having a second arcuate portion, a third tube of a generally straight configuration, and a fourth tube of a generally straight configuration, a first end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the third tube and a second end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the second tube, the third tube being rotatable relative to the first tube and being rotatably secured within the fourth tube;
• a first end support and a second end support, the fourth tube being secured to the first end support and the second tube being secured to the second end support;
• and
• a tension rod mechanism fixedly secured within the third tube for rotational movement therewith, the tension rod mechanism having a threaded portion configured to extend into an interior of the first tube,
• wherein an interior of the fourth tube contains an intermediate wall formed between first and second ends of the fourth tube, the intermediate wall including an aperture or groove formed therein.

A method of installing an adjustable rod assembly, the steps comprising:

• a) providing an assembled adjustable rod assembly by:
• (i) providing a first tube having an arcuate portion and first and second opposing ends, a second tube having an arcuate portion and first and second opposing ends, a third tube having first and second opposing ends, a fourth tube, a first end support and a second end support;
• (ii) rotatably securing the third tube within the fourth tube, telescopingly inserting the second end of the first tube in the second tube and telescopingly inserting the first end of the first tube in the third tube;
• and
• (iii) pivotably securing the second end of the second tube to the second end support and pivotably securing the fourth tube to the first end support, such that the third tube is rotatable relative to the first end support and the first tube;
• b) positioning the assembled adjustable rod assembly between two opposing support surfaces;
• c) adjusting a length of the assembled adjustable rod assembly such that a respective rear surface of each of the first and second end supports is proximate a respective one of the opposing support surfaces;
• and
• d) rotating the third tube about a longitudinal axis thereof until the respective rear surface of each of the first and second end supports directly contacts a respective one of the opposing support surfaces and the assembled adjustable rod assembly applies a compressive force against the opposing support surfaces.

An adjustable rod assembly comprising:

• a first tube having a first end, a second end and a first arcuate portion;
• a second tube having a first end, a second end and a second arcuate portion, the second end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the first end of the second tube;
• a third tube of a generally straight configuration having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the second end of the third tube and the third tube being rotatable relative to the first tube;
• a fourth tube of a generally straight configuration having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third tube being rotatably and telescopingly received within the second end of the fourth tube;
• a first end support and a second end support, the first end of the fourth tube being pivotably secured to the first end support and the second end of the second tube being pivotably secured to the second end support;
• a tension mechanism including a rod with a connector and a threaded portion, the connector being fixedly secured within the first end of the third tube and rotatably secured within the fourth tube, the connector including a pin directly coupled to the fourth tube, the threaded portion being rotatably secured within the first tube by a threaded bushing,
• wherein rotation of the third tube in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the third tube causes the first tube and fourth tube to move away from each other and wherein rotation of the third tube in a second opposite direction about the longitudinal axis of the third tube causes the first tube and fourth tube to move toward each other.

An adjustable rod assembly comprising:

• a first tube having a first end, a second end and a first arcuate portion;
• a second tube having a first end, a second end and a second arcuate portion, the second end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the first end of the second tube;
• a third tube of a generally straight configuration having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first tube being telescopingly received within the second end of the third tube and the third tube being rotatable relative to the first tube;
• a fourth tube of a generally straight configuration having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third tube being rotatably and telescopingly received within the second end of the fourth tube, the fourth tube including an interior wall at a position between first and second opposing ends of the fourth tube, the interior wall including an aperture formed therethrough;
• a first end support and a second end support, the first end of the fourth tube being pivotably secured to the first end support and the second end of the second tube being pivotably secured to the second end support;
• a tension mechanism including a rod with a connector and a threaded portion, the connector being fixedly secured within the first end of the third tube and rotatably secured within the fourth tube, the threaded portion being rotatably secured within the first tube by a threaded bushing,
• wherein rotation of the third tube in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the third tube causes the first tube and fourth tube to move away from each other and wherein rotation of the third tube in a second opposite direction about the longitudinal axis of the third tube causes the first tube and fourth tube to move toward each other.