Equalizing connector for window covering pull cords

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6640870
  • Patent Number
    6,640,870
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 21, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 4, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A connector for joining the ends of a plurality of lift cords from a window covering assembly together. Each lift cord is individually secured to the assembled connector via its own securing arrangement. A pull cord extends downwardly from the connector for use in raising or lowering the window covering.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to a connector for window covering lift cords. More particularly, this invention relates to an equalizing connector that joins the ends of the lift cords and attaches a pull cord thereto.




2. Description of the Relevant Art




In a typical vertically retractable window covering assembly, a plurality of lift cords are attached at spaced locations to a bottom or foot rail of the covering with each lift cord extending upwardly into a headrail. In the headrail, the lift cords are routed longitudinally of the headrail through a cord lock mechanism that is typically located proximate one end of the headrail. The cords then extend downwardly, terminating in a tassel. To raise the window covering, a user pulls on either the downwardly extending portions of the lift cords or the tassel. If a user pulls one lift cord more than another, the window covering may rise unevenly, causing the foot rail to tilt.




To help ensure that the lift cords are pulled evenly when raising a window shade, cord equalizing connectors have been utilized. Ostensibly, a cord equalizing connector secures the downwardly extending portions of the lift cords together at a location at or above a location where a user will typically pull the lift cords to raise the window covering. Accordingly, the window covering is raised evenly when the lift cords are pulled via the connector. However, depending on how the lift cords are secured within the connector, it is conceivable one or more of the lift cords may eventually slip relative to the other lift cords, causing the window covering to rise unevenly. Slippage is especially likely if a user pulls only one of the plurality of lift cords that may exit the bottom of the connector, wherein the load placed on the single lift cord may be sufficient to overcome the mechanism used to secure the lift cord relative to the other lift cords within the connector.




Lift cord connectors have also been utilized wherein the plurality of lift cords terminate at and are secured within the connecter and a single pull cord is attached to and hangs downwardly from the connector. Advantageously, the load induced by pulling the single pull cord is transferred equally to all the lift cords thereby, minimizing the likelihood of lift cord slippage, and ensuring that the window covering rises evenly. Depending on the design of the lift cord connector, the connector may be (i) difficult to assemble, (ii) aesthetically undesirable, or (iii) prone to failure.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A connector for joining a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly is described. In preferred embodiments of the connector, a single pull cord depends from the bottom of the connector for operating the window covering assembly, although in other embodiments. A pull cord need not depend from the connector wherein the connector performs a function similar to that of a tassel.




In a first preferred embodiment, the connector comprises two sections. Two inner surfaces of the sections are joined together to restrain the lift cords. In one variation thereof, one or both of the inner surfaces include channels which when enclosed, confine the lift cords. The channels may include undulating back walls comprised of a series of angular ridges that act to grip the lift cords contained therein. In a clamshell embodiment, the two sections are moveably joined together along one edge by a living hinge. A hole may pass through the living hinge, sized to receive and restrain a pull cord that hangs downwardly from the clamshell connector such that all the lift cords can be operated simultaneously by utilizing the pull cord.




In a second preferred embodiment, the connector comprises a plurality of distinct pieces that are joined together. At least two of the plurality of pieces include a restraint for securing a lift cord. In several alternatives, a plurality of peripheral members are attached to a center member, wherein each peripheral member includes a bore through which a lift cord is secured to the peripheral member. The center member may have a center bore through which a pull cord is secured.




In a third preferred embodiment, the connector comprises two pieces: an inner piece that has a plate portion; and an outer piece that comprises a slot to receive the plate portion. The inner piece is substantially enclosed by the outer piece. In one arrangement, notches in the plate portion and the walls of the slot form openings through which a lift cord can pass, but a knotted end of the lift cord cannot pass. In yet another arrangement, holes may pass through the plate portion for restraining a knotted end of a lift cord. A hole to restrain the knotted end of a pull cord may also be provided in either the inner or the outer piece.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a front view of a window covering assembly incorporating an equalizing connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a front isometric view of an assembled clamshell equalizing connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 3

is a top view of a clamshell connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a side view of the clamshell connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 5

is a bottom view of a clamshell connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 6

is an isometric view of the interior sides of the respective halves of the clamshell connector with lift and pull cords contained therein according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 7

is a view of the clamshell connector taken along line


7





7


of FIG.


4


.





FIG. 8

is a view of the clamshell connector taken along line


8





8


of FIG.


4


.





FIG. 9

is a view of the clamshell connector taken along line


9





9


of FIG.


4


.





FIG. 10

is an isometric view of the interior sides of the respective halves of the clamshell connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 11

is an enlarged fragmentary view of a channel of the clamshell connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 12

is fragmentary cross sectional view of several angular ridges of the clamshell connector.





FIG. 13

is an isometric view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 14

is a top view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 15

is a bottom view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 16

is a cross sectional view of an assembled multi-piece connector taken along line


16





16


of FIG.


14


.





FIG. 17

is a cross sectional view of an assembled multi-piece connector taken along line


17





17


of FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

is an exploded isometric view of the multi-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 19

is an isometric view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 20

is a top view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 21

is a side view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 22

is a bottom view of an assembled multi-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 23

is a cross sectional view taken along line


23





23


of FIG.


21


.





FIG. 24

is an exploded isometric view of the multi-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 25

is an isometric side view of an assembled two-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 26

is an isometric top view of an internal member of a two-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 27

is an isometric bottom view of an internal member of a two-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 28

is an isometric view of the internal surfaces of an exterior member of the two-piece connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 29

is a view of one of the three side sections of a two-piece connector when assembled according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 30

is a top view of an assembled two-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 31

is a side view of an assembled two-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 32

is a bottom view of an assembled two-piece connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 33

is a cross sectional view taken along line


33





33


of FIG.


30


.





FIG. 34

is an exploded isometric view of an unassembled two-pieced connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 35

is a cross sectional view taken along line


35





35


of FIG.


33


.





FIG. 36

is a cross sectional view taken along line


36





36


of FIG.


33


.





FIG. 37

is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line


37





37


of FIG.


36


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Clamshell Connector Embodiment




A lift cord connector is described for individually securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords used in a covering for architectural openings, and for attaching a single pull cord to hang or depend therefrom. Accordingly, when a pull cord of a window covering assembly utilizing the connector is pulled, the bottom rail rises evenly. It is understood that although the embodiments of the connector described herein are done so with regard to a window covering assembly, embodiments of the connector may also be utilized in conjunction with other suitable types of covering assemblies for architectural openings.





FIG. 1

is an illustration of a window covering assembly


10


including a first embodiment of the lift cord connector of the present invention. The window covering


10


comprises a plurality of collapsible shade cells


12


suspended between a headrail


14


and a bottom or foot rail


16


. A plurality of lift cords


18


are secured to the foot rail


16


at horizontally spaced locations. The lift cords


18


extend vertically upwardly through the shade cells


12


into the headrail


14


, wherein the lift cords


18


are directed horizontally to a conventional lock mechanism


20


located proximate one end of the headrail. The lift cords


18


then pass through the lock mechanism


20


and extend downwardly until terminating in a clamshell shaped lift cord connector


100


. A pull cord


22


is attached to the bottom of the connector


100


at one end and extends downwardly therefrom, terminating at the other end at a tassel member


24


. Operatively, the window covering


10


is raised by pulling downwardly on the pull cord


22


.





FIGS. 1-12

illustrate the clamshell lift cord connector


100


. The clamshell connector


100


comprises two halves


102


and


104


connected to each other by a living hinge


106


at a bottom end


108


. The connector


100


is typically molded from a suitable polymeric material as a single unit. Each half has an interior side


110


or


112


that corresponds with the interior side


110


or


112


of the other half. The two halves


102


and


104


are held together in an assembled configuration, as shown in

FIG. 1

, by friction fit elements, wherein a plurality of coplanar joining surfaces


113


on each interior side


110


or


112


are in direct contact with adjacent coplanar joining surfaces


113


on the other interior side


110


or


112


. As is best shown in

FIG. 8

, the friction fit elements include (i) protrusions


114


that project from the interior side


110


of one half


102


adjacent to and extending along the left and right sides


116


and


118


of the half


102


, and (ii) mating depressions


115


on the interior side


112


of the other half


104


that extend along the left and right sides


120


&


122


of the other half


104


. The protrusions


114


and depressions


115


are designed to securely hold the halves


102


and


104


together. In alternative configurations of the clamshell embodiment, appropriate snap fit elements or any other suitable means for fixing the two halves


102


and


104


together may be substituted for the friction fit elements, including but not limited to rivets, screws, clamps and adhesives.




Except for the friction fit elements described above, the interior sides


110


and


112


of the halves


102


and


104


are very similar. Each interior side


110


and


112


comprises a plurality of vertically orientated generally U-shaped channels


124


disposed therein that extend from the living hinge


106


to an open end or edge


128


at the topside


126


of each half. Clamshell connector


100


has four channels


124


disposed in each half as illustrated in

FIGS. 6 and 10

; however, clamshell connectors with any number of channels are contemplated depending on the number of lift cords


18


that the clamshell connector must secure.




Referring to

FIG. 11

, each U-shaped channel


124


comprises a backside wall


130


intersected by spaced sidewalls


132


. The sidewalls


132


may intersect with the backside wall


130


at a right angle or at an obtuse angle as shown. Each channel


124


is essentially divided into three sections. The first section


134


located adjacent the bottom end


108


of the half, and extends only a small portion of the length of the channel


124


(e.g. {fraction (1/10)} the length). The sidewalls


132


in the first section rise above the backside to a height that is equivalent to or slightly greater than the radius of a lift cord


18


.




The second section


136


comprises approximately half the length of the channel


124


beginning from the top of the first section


134


and terminating at the bottom of the third section


138


. The second section


136


is serrated and characterized by an undulating series of angular ridges


140


that protrude from the backside and extend across the channel


124


. An enlarged cross-section of several angular ridges is illustrated in FIG.


12


. Each ridge is defined by (i) a first surface


142


that rises from the bottom of the backside wall


130


and is substantially perpendicular to the vertical length of the channel


124


, and (ii) a second surface


144


that projects downwardly from the bottom of the backside wall


130


at an acute angle relative to the channel length toward a convergence with the first surface


142


to form an apex


146


of the ridge


140


. Starting with the first angular ridge adjacent the first section


134


, each successive ridge


140


of the series of angular ridges within each channel has a height relative to the backside wall


130


that is less than the angular ridge


140


proceeding it. The height of the first angular ridge


140


is typically less than the radius of a lift cord


18


.




The third section


138


comprises a backside wall


130


with an essentially smooth surface that begins at the top of the second section


136


and terminates at the open end


128


of the channel


124


extending just under ½ the length of the channel. From the beginning of the third section the backside wall


130


diverges at a slight acute angle away from the joining surfaces


113


of the interior side, such that the height of the spaced sidewalls


132


in the third section


138


increases until a maximum sidewall height is reached. In an upper portion of the third section


138


, the backside wall


130


is parallel with the joining surfaces


113


and the sidewall height is maintained at the maximum sidewall height, wherein the maximum sidewall height is greater than the radius of a lift cord


118


.




Proximate the side to side center of the clamshell connector


100


, a hole


148


having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of a pull cord


22


passes through the living hinge


106


. A small depression


150


proximate the hole


148


is formed in the interior side


110


and


112


of each half


102


and


104


. When the halves are joined in the assembled configuration the two depressions


150


form a small cavity


152


as shown in

FIG. 7

, wherein a knotted end of a pull cord


22


may be held.




Operatively, the tips of the lift cords


18


are generally horizontally aligned relative to each other and placed within the channels


124


such that each lift cord tip is resting within the first section


134


of its respective channel


124


. A pull cord


22


is threaded through the hole


148


in the living hinge


106


, and the knotted end of the pull cord


22


is placed between the corresponding depressions


150


adjacent to the hole


148


. The two halves


102


and


104


are then brought together until the respective joining surfaces


113


meet and the protrusions


114


on one half


102


frictionally mate with the depressions


115


on the other half


104


to fixedly join the halves in the assembled configuration. As is illustrated in FIGS.


1


,


2


,


6


and


8


, the corresponding channels


124


from each half form linear receptacles to contain the end portions of the lift cords. As seen especially in

FIG. 6

, the series of angular ridges


140


from corresponding channels


124


line up with each other to deform the portions of the lift cord


18


located between apexes


146


of two opposing ridges


140


. It can be appreciated that by applying a downwardly directed force to the clamshell connector by pulling on the pull cord


22


, the angular ridges


140


will act as teeth preventing slippage between the connector


100


and the lift cords


18


.




Many variations on the clamshell connector design described herein are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention. Specifically, the two halves may be joined together using any suitable means, as discussed above. The living hinge may be replaced by another type of hinge or connector. In certain alternative embodiments, the two halves may not even be joined in a clamshell configuration; rather, they may comprise two completely separate pieces that are connected together only when assembled. Additionally, lift cord channels of numerous variations are possible. For instance, the angular ridges may be configured differently, wherein the ridges of corresponding channels are offset relative to each other rather than in direct opposition. In another variations, the ridges could comprise barbs, or only one of two corresponding channels may have ridges.




Multi-Piece Connector





FIGS. 13-18

illustrate a second preferred embodiment of a lift cord connector. In this embodiment, a separate and distinct cord-securing member is provided for each lift cord


18


and pull cord


22


that is utilized in a window covering assembly


10


. The illustrated version of this embodiment is designed for use in a window covering assembly


10


having four lift cords


18


; however, other variations for window cover assemblies having more or less lift cords


18


are contemplated. Each lift cord


18


is secured to its respective cord-securing member, and then the sections are assembled to form a single operative lift cord connector.





FIG. 18

provides a view of the cord connector


200


prior to assembly. Center pull cord-securing member


202


(hereafter “center member”) and four identical peripheral lift cord-securing members


204


(hereafter “peripheral members”) are provided.




The center member


202


comprises a cylindrically-shaped tubular body


206


with four radially disposed fin members


208


attached thereto. The center member


202


is typically molded from a suitable polymeric material. The interior bore


210


of the tubular body


206


, as best seen in

FIG. 16

, is open at an upper end


212


and partially closed at a lower end


214


. The partially closed lower end


214


defines a hole


216


passing therethrough with the hole


216


having a diameter only slightly greater than the diameter of a pull cord


22


. The substantially identical fin members


208


are circumferentially spaced 90 degrees apart from each other about the exterior surface


218


of the tubular body


206


. Each fin member


208


has (i) a downwardly and outwardly extending top edge


220


, (ii) substantially vertical side edge


222


, (iii) a bottom edge


224


, and (iv) a beaded element


226


proximate the intersection of the side edges


222


and bottom edges


224


with a diameter that is typically greater than the thickness of the remaining portions of fin member.




Each peripheral member


204


has (i) a concave inside surface


228


, (ii) two side surfaces


230


, (iii) a back surface


232


, and (iv) top surface


234


. Each peripheral member


204


is typically molded from the same polymeric material as the center member


202


. The concave inside surface


228


is configured to match up against the corresponding portion of the exterior surface


218


of the tubular body


206


. The concave inside surface


228


has a fin slot


236


disposed thereon. The fin slot


236


is configured to receive one of the fin members


208


, wherein the width of the fin slot


236


is slightly less than the diameter of the beaded element


226


. The two side surfaces


230


are disposed perpendicularly to each other, wherein each side surface is configured to match up against an adjacent side surface


230


of another peripheral member


204


when the connector


200


is assembled. The backside surfaces


232


of the peripheral members


204


form the exterior surface of the assembled connector


200


. Accordingly, the geometry of the backside surface


232


may be varied to provide an aesthetically appealing and functional exterior surface. For instance, the backside surface may be tapered, or it might include scalloped edges


238


that serve as fingerholds. As best seen in

FIG. 16

, a lift cord bore


240


extends from the fin slot


236


to the top surface


234


. The lift cord bore has a diameter slightly greater than that of a lift cord


18


.




Operatively, each of the lift cords


18


is threaded through the lift cord bore


240


and into the fin slot


236


of a peripheral member


204


. A knot is tied at the end of each lift cord


18


to secure it against the bottom of the lift cord bore


240


. A pull cord


22


is threaded through the hole


216


at the lower end


214


of the center member


202


, and knotted to secure it in place against the lower end


214


. The fin slot


236


of each peripheral member is slid over a fin


208


of the center member until the inside surface


228


of the peripheral member is adjacent the exterior surface


218


of the center member. Each peripheral member


204


is held in place on the center member


202


by an interference fit between the beaded member


226


of the fin member


208


and the sides of the fin slot


236


. As the peripheral members


204


are attached to the center member


202


, adjacent side surfaces


230


meet and the backside surfaces


232


form the exterior surface of the assembled connector


200


.




Referring specifically to

FIG. 16

, the junction of a fin member


208


and a fin slot


236


form a knot cavity


242


bounded by the downwardly extending top edge


220


of the fin member


208


and the corresponding sides of the fin slot


236


. The knot cavity


242


provides a space in which the knotted end of a lift cord


18


may be contained. In the preferred embodiment of the connector


200


, as shown in

FIG. 16

, the fin member bottom edges


224


and the fin slot bottom surfaces may extend downwardly away from the tubular body


206


, wherein when assembled the bead


226


rests in a low point in the fin slot


236


. Accordingly, the probability of the peripheral member


204


separating from the center member


202


is reduced, since the peripheral member must be moved both up and away from the center member to remove it.




Many alternatives of connector


200


are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention. One variation is illustrated in

FIGS. 19-24

, wherein a connector


300


comprises three peripheral members


304


instead of the four peripheral members described above. It is understood that in other embodiments, a connector may have two peripheral members or five or more peripheral members depending on the number of lift cords on the particular window covering assembly on which the connector is to be utilized.




As is shown in

FIGS. 19-24

, most of the features described above are incorporated in the three peripheral member alternative. The primary distinction between the four member and three member alternatives, aside from the number of peripheral members, is that the angle of incidence between the peripheral member side surfaces


338


is increased to 120 degrees. In general, when substantially identical peripheral members are utilized, the angle of incidence between the side surfaces is equal to 360 degrees divided by the number of peripheral members.




Another distinction over the four peripheral member connector is that the center member


302


, as clearly illustrated in

FIGS. 23 and 24

, is not adapted for securing a pull cord


22


within the interior bore


310


of the tubular body


306


. Rather, a guide rope


26


passes through the interior bore


310


vertically unhindered. When a guide rope


26


is utilized in a window covering assembly


10


, it will typically be fixedly attached to the headrail


14


of the covering assembly


10


on one end and a windowsill on the other end. Without the pull cord


22


, the window covering is raised by pulling the connector


300


, which may also be referred to as a tassel, along the guide rope


26


.




It is to be appreciated that either the three or four peripheral member alternative may utilize a center member adapted for a pull cord or one that is not. Likewise, either alternative may utilize a center member without a bore passing through the center member, wherein neither a pull cord nor a guide rope is utilized. Furthermore, the manner in which a pull cord attaches to the connector may be different then described herein. For instance, the length of the center member may extend beyond the bottom sides of the peripheral members and have a horizontal bore passing through the extended portion through which a pull cord may be attached.




In another alternative, the manner in which the lift cords are attached to the connector may vary. Additionally, the manner in which the peripheral members are attached to the center member may vary. In one such variation, snap fit elements are utilized to connect the center and peripheral members. In yet another variation, the various cord securing members could be joined together directly, with or without the use of a center section.




2-Piece Connector





FIGS. 25-37

illustrate a third embodiment connector


400


comprising two interrelated components. When assembled this connector has a generally triangular cross section perpendicular to its length, wherein the sides of the triangle are slightly curvilinear. Referring to

FIG. 29

, the shape of the connector is reminiscent of an elongated teardrop, wherein the assembled connector is widest at a location between its top and bottom.





FIGS. 26 and 27

illustrate a internal member


402


comprising a plate portion


404


wherein a hole


406


passes through the approximate center of the plate portion


404


. The hole


406


has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of an associated lift cord


18


. Extending downwardly from the bottom side of the plate portion


404


is a hollow shaft


408


wherein the three curvilinear sides


410


of the shaft


408


define a generally triangular cross section. Although the interior bore


412


of the hollow shaft


408


is shown as having a generally triangular cross section, the bore


412


could have any suitable shape so long as a knotted end of a lift cord


18


can be deposited therein. The shaft


408


is generally concentric with the hole


406


. The plate portion


404


has a generally triangular shape with curvilinear side edges


414


, each side edge


414


having removed therefrom a generally V-shaped notch


416


at a location proximate the midpoint between two vertices of the side edge


414


.





FIGS. 28 and 34

illustrate an external member


415


in its unassembled configuration. The external member


415


is typically molded from as a single unit from a suitable polymeric material such as polypropylene. The external member


415


has a plate-like base portion


418


having a triangular shape with slightly curvilinear sides


420


. A hole


422


extends through the approximate center of the base


418


as is shown in

FIG. 32

, wherein the hole


422


has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of an associated pull cord


22


. A hollow shaft


424


extends upwardly from the base


418


generally concentric with the hole


422


. The bore


426


of the shaft


424


has a generally triangular cross section corresponding to the exterior cross section of the downwardly extending hollow shaft


408


of the internal member


402


, whereby the internal member hollow shaft


408


may be slideably received in the bore


426


of the external member shaft


424


. Although the shafts


408


and


424


illustrated herein are triangular in cross section, shafts with different cross sections would be suitable. Preferably, the shafts would have a shape that facilitated quick and easy connection of the plate portion


404


to the corresponding structure in the external member


415


.




Attached to the sides


420


of the base portion


418


by way of living hinges


428


are the bottom edges of three substantially identical side members


432


. Each side member


432


comprises a lower wall section


434


, and an upper wall section


436


, wherein each wall section has an interior and exterior surface. The lower wall section


434


of each side member


432


includes a left and right edge


438


and


440


respectively that when viewed in an assembled position extend generally vertically and to a lesser degree outwardly from the base side


418


. The edges


438


and


440


are slightly convex relative to a center axis of the external member shaft


424


. Furthermore, the surfaces of the lower wall section


434


are also slightly horizontally convex. The lower wall


434


terminates and intersects with the upper wall


436


at a location about a third of the length of the side member


432


from the base


418


. At this location, the horizontal distance between the left and right edges


438


and


440


is at its greatest. From the intersection of the lower and upper wall sections, the left and right edges


438


and


440


of the upper wall section


436


extend generally vertically and to a lesser degree inwardly towards the center axis. As is the case with the lower wall


434


, the edges of the upper wall


434


are also slightly convex relative to the center axis. The surfaces of the upper wall section


436


are also slightly horizontally convex. The upper wall section


436


terminates at an upper edge


442


. When the three sides members


432


are assembled, the left edges


438


meet and contact along their entire lengths the right edges


436


of a corresponding side member


432


, and the three upper edges


442


meet to from a triangularly shaped upper opening


444


through which the plurality of lift cords


18


pass into the interior of the assembled connector


400


. It is contemplated that one edge


438


or


440


on each side member


432


may include a small tongue shaped protrusion to be received in a corresponding groove in the adjacent edge


438


or


440


when the external member


415


is assembled.




Two substantially horizontal and parallel ledges


445


and


446


extend from the interior surface of each upper wall section


436


proximate the intersection of the lower wall section


434


with the upper wall section


436


. The ledges


445


and


446


are substantially centered between the left and right edges


438


and


440


respectively. The upper ledge


445


has a V-shaped notch


447


removed from the center of the upper ledge's front edge


448


. The lower ledge


446


extends away from the interior surface a first distance that is less than a second distance between the vertex of the V-Shaped notch


447


and the interior surface of the upper wall section


436


. The spacing between the first and second distances being roughly the same as half the diameter of a lift cord knot. The two ledges


445


and


446


are spaced from each other to form a ledge slot


450


as is shown in FIG.


33


. The height of the ledge slot


350


corresponds directly to the thickness of the plate portion


404


of the internal member


402


, wherein a portion of the plate portion


404


of the internal member


402


may be slideably received into the ledge slot


450


and retained therein by friction or an interference between the plate portion


404


and the slot


450


.




Operatively, a knotted end of the pull cord


22


is threaded through the hole


422


in the base


418


of the external member


415


, wherein the pull cord


22


knot rests against the interior surface of the base


418


as shown in

FIGS. 33 and 34

. As also shown in

FIGS. 33 and 34

, one lift cord


18


of the four lift cords is threaded through the hole


406


in the plate portion


404


of the internal member


402


and knotted, wherein the knot is contained within the downwardly extending shaft


408


and restrained by the bottom surface of the plate portion


404


. Knotted end portions of the remaining three lift cords


18


are arranged in the notches


416


of the plate portion


404


as shown in FIG.


33


. The internal member shaft


408


is slid into the external member shaft


424


. Each exterior side surface


410


of the internal member hollow shaft


408


corresponds to and is generally parallel to a notched edge


414


of the triangularly shaped plate portion


404


. Likewise, the interior sides of the external member shaft


424


correspond with the side members


432


of the external member


415


. Accordingly, when the shafts


408


and


424


are coupled, each notched edge


414


of the plate portion


404


directly corresponds to a side member


432


of the external member


415


, and each vertex of formed by the intersection of two edges


414


of the plate portion


404


matches up with a pair of adjacent side edges


438


and


440


. Next, each of the side members


432


of the external member


415


are raised and pivoted about the living hinge until the notched edge


414


of the plate portion


404


is received into the ledge slot


450


and bottoms out against the interior surface of the upper wall


436


of a side member


432


.




The interrelationship between the internal member


402


and the external member


415


in an assembled connector is best shown in

FIGS. 34 and 35

. The opposing ledge notches


446


and plate portion notches


416


form openings that are sized to allow the lift cords


18


to pass therethrough while not allowing the knotted ends of the lift cords


18


to pass therethrough, thereby securing three lift cords


18


within the connector


400


. The plate portion


404


, with a forth lift cord


18


restrained therein, is secured against upward movement during operation of the window covering assembly


10


by the overhanging upper ledge


445


. The internal member


402


and external member


415


of the connector are held together in the assembled position by the interference or friction fit between the ledge slot


450


and the plate portion


404


, as well as, the friction fit between the two coupled shafts


408


and


424


.




In alternative arrangements, a two-piece connector may be adapted for window coverings have more than four lift cords. For instance, a two-piece connector with a generally square cross section could be used to secure five lift cords and a two-piece connector with a generally pentagonal cross section could be used to secure six lift cords. In various embodiments, a pull cord may not be utilized wherein the two-piece connector performs the function of a tassel. In other embodiments one or both of the shafts may be eliminated, wherein the internal member


402


merely comprises a notched plate member with or without a center hole. Additionally, embodiments are contemplated having a variety of assembled shapes. Furthermore, in other arrangements, the side members of the connector may not be identical to each other.




Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure not specifically discussed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly in operative connection with a pull cord, the connector comprising:a plurality of connecting means for separately securing each lift cord of the plurality of lift cords to said lift cord connector, said plurality of connecting means each comprising an enclosed channel, each enclosed channel being sized to completely confine and restrain the portion of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords disposed therein; and a means for securing a pull cord to said lift cord connector.
  • 2. A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:a first section, the first section comprising a plurality of generally vertically orientated elongated channels; and a second section connectable with said first section to enclose at least a portion of each of the plurality of generally vertically orientated channels; wherein each at least partially enclosed channel is sized to completely confine and restrain the vertical movement of the portion of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords contained therein.
  • 3. The connector of claim 2, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels further comprises a backside, at least a portion of the backside having an undulating surface.
  • 4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the undulating surface comprises a series of angular ridges.
  • 5. The connector of claim 2, wherein the first and second sections are joined together by a living hinge.
  • 6. The connector of claim 2, further comprising a hole, the hole being sized to restrain a knotted end of a pull cord.
  • 7. A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:a first section, the first section having a first inside surface; a second section, the second section having a second inside surface; a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections; one or more lift cord restraints including channels with undulating surfaces therein; and a connector for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface.
  • 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.
  • 9. The connector of claim 7, wherein the hinge has a hole passing therethrough, the hole sized to restrain a knotted pull cord.
  • 10. The connector of claim 7, wherein said channels are generally u-shaped and vertically disposed in the first inside surface, each channel having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall.
  • 11. A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the clamshell connector comprising:a first section, the first section having a first top end, a first bottom end, a first left side, a first right side, and a first inside surface, the first inside surface having a substantially vertically orientated first plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the first top end; a second section, the second section having a second top end, a second bottom end, a second left side, a second right side, and a second inside surface, the second inside surface having a substantially vertically orientated second plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the second plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the second top end; and one or more connector elements for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface; wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels corresponds directly to a channel of the second plurality of channels to form an elongated receptacle for a lift cord that completely confines the portion of said lift cord within said receptacle when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface.
  • 12. A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:a first section, the first section comprising a plurality of generally vertically oriented elongated channels; and a second section connectable with said first section to enclose at least a portion of each of the plurality of generally vertically oriented channels; wherein each at least partially enclosed channel is sized to restrain the vertical movement of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords contained therein and each channel further comprising a back side, at least a portion of the back side having an undulating surface.
  • 13. The connector of claim 12 wherein the undulating surface comprises a series of angular ridges.
  • 14. A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:a first section, the first section having a first inside surface; a second section, the second section having a second inside surface; a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections; one or more lift cord restraints comprising a first plurality of generally u-shaped channels substantially vertically disposed in the first inside surface, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced side walls joined by a back wall and wherein at least a portion of the back wall has an undulating surface.
  • 15. The connector of claim 14 wherein the undulating surface comprises a first plurality of angular ridges spanning between the spaced side walls, each angular ridge of the first plurality of angular ridges having an apex.
  • 16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the one or more lift cord restraints further comprise a second plurality of generally u-shaped channels substantially vertically disposed in the second inside surface, each channel of the second plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall.
  • 17. The connector of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the back wall has a second undulating surface.
  • 18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the second undulating surface comprises a second plurality of angular ridges spanning between the spaced sidewalls, each angular ridge of the second plurality of angular ridges having an apex.
  • 19. The connector claim 18, wherein the apexes of the first plurality of angular ridges are directly opposed to the apexes of the second plurality of angular ridges when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface.
  • 20. The connector claim 15, further including a second plurality of generally u-shaped channels in said second inside surface and wherein each channel of the second plurality of generally u-shaped channels directly opposes a channel of the first plurality of generally u-shaped channels when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface.
  • 21. A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:a first section, the first section having a first inside surface; a second section, the second section having a second inside surface; a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections; one or more lift cord restraints; and a connector for fixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface, said connector including at least one substantially vertically oriented elongated protrusion on the first inside surface and at least one corresponding elongated depression on the second inside surface and further wherein said at least one elongated protrusion is received in said at least one elongated depression to frictionally join said first section to said second section.
  • 22. A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the clamshell connector comprising:a first section, the first section having a first top end, a first bottom end, a first left side, a first right side, and a first inside surface, the first inside surface having a substantially vertically oriented first plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the first top end; a second section, the second section having a second top end, a second bottom end, a second left side, a second right side, and a second inside surface, the second inside surface having a substantially vertically oriented second plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the second plurality of channels having spaced side walls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the second top end; and one or more connector elements for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface; wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels corresponds directly to a channel of the second plurality of channels to form an elongated receptacle for a lift cord when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface; and wherein at least a portion of the back wall of each channel of the plurality of channels has a first undulating surface.
  • 23. The connector of claim 22, wherein said second undulating surface is comprised of a second series of angular ridges extending between the spaced sidewalls of each channel, each angular ridge of the second series of angular ridges having an apex.
  • 24. The connector of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the back wall of each channel of the second plurality of channels has a second undulating surface.
  • 25. The connector of claim 24, wherein said second undulating surface is comprised of a second series of angular ridges extending between the spaced sidewalls of each channel, each angular ridge of the second series of angular ridges having an apex.
  • 26. The connector of claim 25, wherein the apex of each ridge of the first series of angular ridges is directly opposed by an apex of a ridge of the second series of angular ridges.
  • 27. The connector of claim 26, wherein a distance between two opposing apexes is less than the diameter of a lift cord.
  • 28. The connector of claim 22, further comprising a cavity formed by a depression in the first inside surface adjacent the first bottom end and an opposing depression in the second inside surface, said cavity being size to hold a knotted end of a pull cord, and having an opening passing through the first and second bottom ends and said living hinge, said opening sized to prevent a knotted end of a pull cord from passing therethrough.
  • 29. The connector of claim 22, wherein the first plurality of channels comprises 4 channels.
  • 30. The connector of claim 22, wherein the first and second sections are comprised of a polymeric based material.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Number Name Date Kind
4821789 Van Rens Apr 1989 A
4909298 Langhart et al. Mar 1990 A
5473797 Wu Dec 1995 A
5504977 Weppner et al. Apr 1996 A
5560414 Judkins et al. Oct 1996 A
5562140 Biba Oct 1996 A
5592983 Sartini et al. Jan 1997 A
5630458 Holden May 1997 A
5671508 Murai Sep 1997 A
5715884 Cotten Feb 1998 A
5906233 May May 1999 A
5908063 Gobidas Jun 1999 A
5918656 Daniels et al. Jul 1999 A
6044527 Ishida et al. Apr 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
WO 9937875 Jul 1999 WO