The invention relates generally to window coverings, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a safety device for lift cord portions of window coverings or other products that use a lift cord.
Window coverings such as shades and blinds are used to selectively cover and uncover architectural features such as windows, doorways, alcoves and the like. Window coverings use lift cords that allow a user to raise or lower the panel of the window coverings by manipulating (e.g. pulling or releasing) the lift cords. The lift cords typically have a pull cord portion that is manipulated by the user and a lift cord portion that is operatively connected to the panel to raise and lower the panel when the pull cord portion is manipulated.
In recent years steps have been taken in the window covering industry to increase the safety of exposed cords. The window covering industry has developed release mechanisms for window covering cords that minimize the likelihood that a person or object will become entangled in the cord. These release mechanisms should be simple and effective while not detracting from the overall appearance of the product.
The cord safety system of the present invention has particular utility for window coverings although it may be useful for other systems where cord safety is a concern. In one embodiment of the system of the present invention, the window covering, which has a movable panel, comprises a cord and a connective member. The connective member is secured to the window covering and has a connective portion adapted to directly grasp the cord and to release the cord upon a predetermined condition.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of providing a cord safety system for a window covering. This method comprises providing a releasable cord connection system including at least one connective member secured to the window covering. The connective member is coupled to a cord by applying pressure directly to the cord. The cord is releasable from the connective member when at least a predetermined force is applied to the cord.
In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is a method of operating a cord safety system for a window covering. This method comprises supporting a cord of the window covering directly by a connective member. The connective member releases the cord when a load is applied to the cord that exceeds a predetermined load. The cord is reattached to the connective member.
In another embodiment, the window covering comprises a headrail, a panel connected to the headrail, a cord for moving the panel, and a clamp connected to the headrail. The cord has a distal end that is directly gripped by the clamp to provide a predetermined gripping force such that the clamp releases the distal end of the cord when a load greater than the counteractive force applied to the cord by the clamp is applied to the cord.
a-c are side views of the cord safety system illustrating one embodiment of operation of the system of the invention.
a-c. are alternate embodiments of the connective members of the cord safety system.
a and 7b are partial perspective views showing alternate embodiments of the gripping portions of the connective members of the invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, the window has a frame or casement 4 defining an opening 6 in wall 7. The window covering 2 is mounted to the window casement 4 or the wall 7 surrounding the window. Typically, brackets 9 are used that are mounted to the wall 7 or frame 4 that releasably secure the window covering to the window or other architectural feature.
The window covering 2 comprises a panel 3 that is suspended from headrail 5 so that when the headrail 5 is attached to the wall 7 or the casement 4 the panel 3 hangs from the headrail 5. The panel 3 of window covering 2 covers the architectural feature in the extended position and can be retracted or raised to reveal the architectural feature. The panel 3 is made of a relatively flexible material that can be rolled, folded or otherwise contracted and expanded.
In the illustrated embodiment, a roll-up shade is illustrated, although the safety system of the invention may be used on other types and styles of window coverings. The panel 3 is supported by a cord system having a first lift cord 10 and a second lift cord 10′. The first lift cord 10 may be a continuous cord having a first lift cord portion 11 and a first pull cord portion 12. Similarly, the second lift cord 10′ may be a continuous cord having a second lift cord portion 11 and a second pull cord portion 11′. The portion of the lift cords 10 and 10′ that are manipulated by the user are referred to as pull cord portions 12 and 12′. The portions of the lift cords that are operatively connected to the panel 3 are referred to as lift cord portions 11 and 11′. While two lift cords 10 and 10′ are shown, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be used in the lift cord system. Located within the head rail 5 may be rollers or spools over which the cords are wound to facilitate the movement of the cords.
When the pull cord portions 12 and 12′are pulled, the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are effectively shortened thereby rolling the shade panel to raise the panel and reveal the architectural feature. When the pull cord portions 12 and 12′ are released, the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are effectively lengthened thereby unrolling the shade panel to lower the panel and cover the architectural feature. While the invention has been described with respect to a window covering where the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ and pull cord portions 12 and 12′ are formed of a single physical cord, it is to be understood that the cord safety system of the invention has applicability in systems where the lift cord portions and pull cord portions are formed of separate physical elements.
Each lift cord 10, 10′ enters the headrail 5 through an aperture (not shown). Each lift cord 10, 10′ is then directed through and out of the headrail 5 through spaced apertures to create lift cord portions 11 and 11′. The lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are directed down the front of the window covering panel 3, around the bottom of the panel 3 and up the back of the panel 3. The distal ends 20 of the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are connected to connective members 26 that form part of the cord safety system as will hereinafter be described. While the cord safety system of the invention is described specifically with respect to a loop cord system where the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ loop around the bottom of the shade panel 3, the system has applicability to any system where a cord is suspended from a fixed point.
The lift cord system may also include a cord lock 14 for selectively engaging and locking the pull cord portions 12 and 12′, thereby locking the position of the panel 3. To release the cord lock 14, the cord lock is disengaged from the pull cord portions 12 and 12′. In one embodiment, multiple tassels 15 can be used for multiple pull cord portions, and the multiple tassels may be connected together into a common tassel for uniform lift action. Where multiple tassels are connected together the connection may releasable such that upon application of a predetermined force to the tassel the multiple tassels will separate thereby separating the cords.
Referring to
Although the illustrated embodiment shows two connective members 26, it is to be understood that the invention also contemplates that any number of connective members 26 may be used. In the typical application one connective member 26 will be used with each lift cord 10 and 10′. In larger window coverings more than two lift cords may be used to facilitate the smooth raising and lowering of the shade panel.
In one embodiment the connective member comprises a spring-loaded clamp as best shown in
A spring 44 is provided to bias member 42 about shaft 45 such that the gripping portions 46 and 47 of members 41 and 42 make contact with one another at jaw portion 49. In one embodiment the spring 44 may comprise a coil spring wound around pivot shaft 45 and contacting the portions of the gripping members 41 and 42 to the side of shaft 45 opposite jaw 49 to force the gripping portions 46 and 47 toward one another. Other arrangements may also be used to bias gripping portions 46 and 47 toward one another including a leaf spring, elastomeric spring, living hinge, counterweights or the like.
In operation of the window covering of the invention lift cord portion 11 is located in jaw 49 between the gripping portions 46 and 47 such that they make direct contact with the cord 11. The gripping members 41 and 42 assert opposing forces on the cord 11 to trap the cord therebetween. This allows the connective member 26 to directly grasp the end portion 20 of the cord 11 without any other element attached to the end of the lift cord portion 11.
The gripping force applied by the gripping portions 46 and 47 to the cord determines the force or load (hereinafter “load”) that can be applied to the cord 11 without the cord 11 pulling from the gripping members 41 and 42. The gripping force applied by the gripping members 41 and 42 is controlled by the spring and geometry of the connective member 26. In addition, the gripping portions 46 and 47 may be provided with teeth 35 (
Gripping member 42 also has disengaging portion 53. The disengaging portion 53 is located on the opposite side of the hinge 43 from the gripping portion 46. When a user exerts force on the disengaging portion 53, member 42 rotates about the axis 45 to separate portions 46 and 47 and open jaw 49. The jaw can be opened to allow reinsertion of the cord 11 in the connective member 26.
a-c and 6 illustrate the operation of the present invention.
b illustrates the cord safety system 21 when a predetermined abnormal condition occurs. When a load 39 is applied to the lift cord portion 11, a generally downward force is exerted on the lift cord portion 11. If the load applied to the cord is greater than the counteractive force created by the predetermined gripping force applied to the cord by the connective member 26 (block 602 of
Referring to
The cord safety system is designed such that the connective member 26 releases the cord when a load exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the cord. This predetermined load is the load that can be supported by the gripping force applied by the connective member 26 to the lift cord portion 11. For example, if the connective member 26 can resist a downward load of 15 pounds on the cord, then the cord will be released if a load of greater than 15 pounds is applied to the cord. This predetermined gripping force may vary depending upon the desired load at which the cord is to separate from the connective member.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment a ring 82 is rotatably supported in sleeve 84 where sleeve 84 is fixed to the back of the head rail 5. Ring 82 is inserted through an aperture 86 formed in gripping member 41. Ring 82 can rotate in sleeve 84 as shown by arrow A and connective member 26 can rotate and slide relative to ring 82 by the engagement of ring 82 with aperture 86. Providing this freedom of movement allows the connective member to be positioned relative to the head rail during installation in a position where the connective member will not be inadvertently opened and where the user can more easily access the connective member for reinsertion of the cord 11. Ring 82 is dimensioned such that the release portion 49 of connective member 26 is disposed below the bottom edge 5a of the head rail 5. While a ring 82 is illustrated the connective member 26 may be mounted to the head rail 5 using a flexible support such as a strap, cord or chain or a pivoting support such as a flange. To open the connective member to reinsert the cord the release portions 53 on both members 41 and 42 are squeezed toward one another to force gripping portions 46 and 47 away from one another and open jaw 49.
The lift cord portion 94 extends from the head rail to the bottom rail 96 and is fixed to the bottom rail by a connective member 26. Connective member 26 may be constructed as described herein and is fixed to bottom rail 96. The connective member 26 may be connected to the outside of bottom rail 96, either directly as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the connective member 26 is located internally of the bottom rail 96 such that it is completely hidden from view. The lift cord portion 94 extends through an aperture 98 formed in the bottom rail 96 where it can be gripped by jaw 49 of connective member 26 as previously described. The connective member 26 is mounted in bottom rail 96 such that it is fixed thereto such as by flange 100 with jaw 49 facing upward to receive lift cord portion 94.
Because the connective member 26 is located internally of bottom rail 96, a release mechanism is provided to open jaw 49 such that the lift cord portion 94 can be reinserted into the connective member 26 by the user in the event the safety system is activated and the cord is released. A push button 102 is connected to release portion 53 of gripping member 42 that extends through an aperture 104 formed in bottom rail 96. Push button 102 is supported in a bearing sleeve 105 such that it can move in the direction of arrow B. The push button 102 can be pressed by the user from outside of the bottom rail to open the jaw 49 to allow reinsertion of the lift cord portion 96 into connective member 26.
The connective member 26 can also be located internally of head rail 5 in the embodiment shown in
The safety system of the invention may also be used in a top down bottom up shade as shown in
Referring again to
Lift cords 140 extend into the head rail 2 and are connected to draw cords 136 and 138, respectively, that are manipulated by the user to raise and lower the lower edge of the panel and the upper edge of the panel, respectively. Pulling on draw cord 136 will cause lift cords 120 to raise the lower edge of panel 126 and pulling on draw cord 138 will cause lift cords 124 to raise the upper edge of panel 126. Releasing the draw cords 136 and/or 138 allows the upper and lower edges of the panel to extend away from the head rail 122. In some embodiments the lift cords and draw cords consist of a common element such that, for example, each lift cord 120 extends through the head rail to form draw cord 136 and each lift cord 140 extends through the head rail and to form draw cord 138. The head rail 122 typically includes spools or other mechanisms over which the cords are wound and lock mechanisms 130 for locking the blind panel 126 in the desired position and may include motors, locking devices or other structure as is known. So called day/night shades have a similar construction. The difference between the day/night shade and the top down/bottom up shade described with respect to
A connective member 26 is located in middle rail 124 to connect lift cords 140 to the middle rail as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment the connective member 26 is located internally of the middle rail 124 such that it is completely hidden from view. The lift cord portion 140 extends through an aperture 150 formed in the middle rail 124 where it can be gripped by jaw 49 of connective member 26 as previously described. The connective member 26 is mounted in middle rail 124 such that it is fixed thereto such as by flange 152 with jaw 49 facing upward to receive lift cord portion 140.
Because the connective member 26 is located internally of middle rail 124, a release mechanism is provided to open jaw 49 such that the lift cord portion 140 can be reinserted into the connective member 26 by the user in the event the safety system is activated and the cord is released. A push button 154 is connected to release portion 53 of gripping member 42 that extends through an aperture 156 formed in middle rail 124. Push button 154 is supported in a bearing sleeve 158 such that it can move in the direction of arrow C. The push button 154 can be pressed by the user from outside of the bottom rail to open the jaws to allow reinsertion of the lift cord portion 140 into connective member 26.
a-d, described below, illustrate several different exemplary alternate embodiments of the connective member of the cord safety system where like reference numerals are used to describe like components previously described with respect to
b shows another embodiment of the connective member 26 as a clamp 60 having two gripping members 61 and 62 spaced from one another a known distance. The distance between the members 61 and 62 is less than the diameter of the cord 11 such that the clamp 60 will hold the lift cord portion 11 by trapping the cord between members 61 and 62. To attach the end 20 of lift cord portion 11 to the clamp 60, the end portion 20 is forced between the gripping members 61 and 62. The members 61 and 62 may resiliently deform when the cord is inserted. The edges of the members 61 and 62 may be beveled to facilitate insertion of the cord. The cord is released when a downward load is applied to the cord greater than the counteractive force generated by the gripping force exerted by members 61 and 62.
c shows another embodiment of connective member 26 comprising a spring biased gripping member 70. The spring biased gripping member 70 has a gripping portion 72 and is mounted for pivoting motion about or with shaft 74. Shaft 74 is supported on head rail 5 and the gripping member 70 is biased against head rail 5 by spring 76. The embodiment of
Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments, other than those disclosed, are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.