Millions of homes across the world have shower stalls with poor illumination, not only creating additional risk of falls and other accidents and making cleaning of the shower more difficult, but also reducing enjoyment of the showering experience. Accordingly, the present inventor devised, among other things, an illuminated shower curtain rod assembly. One exemplary rod assembly, which is adjustable via screwing in or out one or both of its end caps, includes a elongated tension rod having one or more electric light elements distributed along the length. In some variations, the rod is extruded from aluminum or plastic and includes an extruded strip light support element that supports an LED strip light and enhances rigidity of the curtain rod. Also some embodiments integrate a light diffusion panel into the rod structure for enhanced illumination and aesthetic appeal.

Millions of homes across the world have shower stalls with poor illumination, not only creating additional risk of falls and other accidents and making cleaning of the shower more difficult, but also reducing enjoyment of the showering experience. Accordingly, the present inventor devised, among other things, an illuminated shower curtain rod assembly. One exemplary rod assembly, which is adjustable via screwing in or out one or both of its end caps, includes a elongated tension rod having one or more electric light elements distributed along the length. In some variations, the rod is extruded from aluminum or plastic and includes an extruded strip light support element that supports an LED strip light and enhances rigidity of the curtain rod. Also some embodiments integrate a light diffusion panel into the rod structure for enhanced illumination and aesthetic appeal.

A rod connector is provided including a disc portion, a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The disc portion has a first side configured to engage a first rod and a second side configured to engage a second rod. The first shaft portion extends from the first side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the first rod to draw the first rod into engagement with the disc portion. The second shaft portion extends from the second side of the disc portion and includes threads along at least a portion of the length thereof for engaging threads of the second rod to draw the second rod into engagement with the disc portion.

A back plate assembly for home hardware is provided with a base and an attachment. The base includes at least one mount aperture and is adapted to be mounted to a support surface. The base defines a receptacle, a through-hole, a pair of grooves disposed at an outer edge of the through-hole, and a pair of ledges offset from an inner edge of the through-hole. The attachment includes a lock member with a pair of lock features and a connector member sized for insertion between the pair of ledges when the attachment is oriented in a first radial position. Each of the pair of lock features is positioned on the attachment for insertion within one of the grooves and the connector member is sized to rest upon the ledges when the connector member extends through the through-hole and the attachment is rotated to a second radial position.

A back plate assembly for home hardware is provided with a base and an attachment. The base includes at least one mount aperture and is adapted to be mounted to a support surface. The base defines a receptacle, a through-hole, a pair of grooves disposed at an outer edge of the through-hole, and a pair of ledges offset from an inner edge of the through-hole. The attachment includes a lock member with a pair of lock features and a connector member sized for insertion between the pair of ledges when the attachment is oriented in a first radial position. Each of the pair of lock features is positioned on the attachment for insertion within one of the grooves and the connector member is sized to rest upon the ledges when the connector member extends through the through-hole and the attachment is rotated to a second radial position.

The present application provides a full light-shading curtain rod including a curtain hanging rod, an end of the curtain hanging rod is provided with a corner structure, and the corner structure is configured for guiding a curtain hung on the curtain hanging rod to turn. It further includes a screen curtain hanging rod, and the screen curtain hanging rod is mounted at a side of the curtain hanging rod facing a wall foundation. An end of the corner structure is detachably connected with a mounting disc, and the corner structure and the mounting disc form a mounting assembly for mounting the curtain hanging rod on the wall foundation. An end of the screen curtain hanging rod is provided with a connecting bracket, and the connecting bracket is connected with the mounting assembly.

There is provided a dual mount end cap system for mounting a rod. The dual mount end cap system includes both a threaded system and a fastener system. This enables end caps of the system to be pre-mounted using a fastener and also adjusted using the threaded system. The fastener can extend through the dual mount end cap system. Alternatively, the threaded system can be used without the fastener system. There also is provided a stop system to prevent a locking system for an adjustable rod system to prevent the locking system from becoming stuck.

There is provided a dual mount end cap system for mounting a rod. The dual mount end cap system includes both a threaded system and a fastener system. This enables end caps of the system to be pre-mounted using a fastener and also adjusted using the threaded system. The fastener can extend through the dual mount end cap system. Alternatively, the threaded system can be used without the fastener system. There also is provided a stop system to prevent a locking system for an adjustable rod system to prevent the locking system from becoming stuck.

There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.

There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.