Patent Application
20190264503
The invention relates to a tensioning device for tensioning an endless loop control element in a window blind and particularly relates to a blind operating mechanism and an endless loop blind control element for operating the blind mechanism and having; a channel extending from an upper end to a lower end, with the endless loop blind control element enclosed within the channel; a connector supporting the upper end of the channel adjacent to the blind operating mechanism; and, the tensioning device on the lower end of the channel.
The invention also discloses a narrow profile control element having a sprocket wheel with the channel, connector and tensioning device.
Blinds for building openings, eg windows, doors and the like, may be operated either simply down and up, in the case of eg. roller blinds, or in the case of eg. vertical shade panels, the vertical shade panels may be rotated open or closed.
The control elements for these blind operations are usually in the form of an endless cord or chain. The control element simply hangs down along one side of the building opening, in an endless loop.
Other forms of blinds and window coverings may also be operated by means of an endless control element hanging in a loop.
In the past this system has been used . In some cases a pendant weight was located on the loop to assist in controlling it. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,645 Inventor Mario Marocco showed an earlier form of a lock for a blind cord loop in which a spring operated lock is used.
However building codes are now requiring that the endless loop type of control element be guided and controlled at its lower end; and also be tensioned. so as to attempt to prevent the possibility of the element creating a hazard to children, handicap persons or pets. Accordingly it is desirable to provide improved tensioning devices.
Furthermore and generally speaking clutch mechanisms have been used in the window covering industry to inhibit the unwanted unrolling of window blinds. These clutch mechanisms have generally been used with sprocket wheels located at the end of window blinds. However there is a need to minimize the gap between the end of the blind and window frame to minimize the amount of unwanted light infused into a room. Generally speaking the use of spur gears and worm or bevel gears have not been widely used as they tend to increase the gap between the end of the window shade and window frame. Moreover there is a further need to minimize the thickness of a sprocket wheel. Attempts to reduce the thickness of such drives tended to produce a drive that flexed and wandered , and they tended to “bind” when used.
Moreover there is great interest to provide a child safe environment so that it is desirable to use a single rod mechanism to activate the gear drive in a window shade.
For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,558 illustrates a tensioning device is to be used with a control cord of a blind assembly and includes a hollow casing which confines a vertically extending receiving space and which has an open top end portion and a bottom end provided with a pivot portion. A pivot unit mounts rotatably the pivot portion of the casing on a wall body. A cord engaging unit has a pulley formed with a cord engaging groove for passing over of the control cord, and a base slideably provided in the receiving space and having a front side formed with a pulley receiving recess. The pulley is mounted rotatably to the base in the pulley receiving recess. The base further has a top wall formed with a pair of notches which permit extension of parallel sections of the control cord that passes over the pulley. A cover member is mounted on the open top end portion of the casing, and is formed with a pair of slits that are aligned with the notches in the top wall of the base and that permit extension of the parallel sections of the control cord therethrough. A force generating member is provided in the receiving space and forces the base of the cord engaging unit downwardly in the casing in order to permit tensing of the control cord when the casing is mounted on the wall body.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,696 which shows a blind cord safety device for use in controlling an adjustable blind having a looped control cord and a looped control chain by enclosing the loops has housing within which are disposed a rotatable wheel adapted to engage the chain loop thereabout and a U-shaped cord loop receiver adapted to receive the cord loop in a peripheral groove formed thereon. The receiver is mounted within the housing so as to permit limited longitudinal but not lateral movement of the receiver within the housing. A spring is disposed within the housing between the receiver and the housing top so as to normally urge the receiver away from the housing top so as to avoid slack in the cord as a result of the cord stretching over time as a result of use.
Also U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,544 describes a tensioner for the control element of a covering for an architectural opening includes a base member attachable to a support surface adjacent to the architectural opening with the base member supporting an upstanding plunger about which a surrounding housing is adapted to slide. A coil spring biases the housing downwardly relative to the plunger and a rotatable pulley is mounted in an open top of the housing around which an endless operating element for a covering for an architectural opening extends.
Applicant has also filed a previous patent application for a tensioner which has been allowed. The tensioner described herein has a funneled upper end to draw the endless loop together so as to make it more difficult to access the endless loop.
These and other prior art devices and blind controls attempt to block out the light coming from outside the window particularly when a person desires to sleep.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved blind control for a window covering.
It is another object of this invention to locate the drive mechanism to minimize the gap between the end of the window shade and window frame.
Yet another object of this invention relates to the use a single rod means depending from the control module to activate the drive mechanism in a safe and secure manner.
It is another object of this invention to provide a narrow profile control module for a window shade to minimize light from outside the window infiltrating the room.
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a spring loaded tensioning device for tensioning an endless loop blind control element to be secured in position on a window opening; comprising; a housing for housing said endless loop blind control element; a hinged flap portion on said housing , said hinged flap portion being operable between an open position for insertion of a portion of the control element into said housing and a closed position for securing the control element in said housing; a funnel portion on said housing for drawing said endless loop together.
In one embodiment the housing comprises a first shell portion and a second shell portion, and wherein one of shell portions presents said hinged flap. In another embodiment the first and second shell portions engage each other to present an upper end and a lower end and define a cavity therein and wherein the hinged flap portion is disposed in said upper end of one of said first or second shell portions. Another embodiment presents a spring loaded tensioning wherein said funnel portion is disposed in said upper end. In yet another embodiment there is a moveable lock in the housing shell, moveable between a locking position in which it clamps onto said element, and a released position in which said lock is free of said control element.
It is also an aspect of this invention to provide a blind operating mechanism and an endless loop blind control element for operating the blind mechanism and comprising; an enclosure extending from an upper end to a lower end, with the endless loop blind control element enclosed within the enclosure between the upper end to the lower end of said enclosure; a connector supporting the upper end of the enclosure adjacent to the blind operating mechanism and depending downwardly from it; and, a tensioning device on the lower end of the enclosure for tensioning the endless loop control element.
In one embodiment of the invention the enclosure comprised a channel extending between said upper end to said lower end for containing said endless loop blind control element within said channel.
In another embodiment the channel includes a pusher means for pushing a portion of said endless loop blind control element out of said channel between an operable position for manipulating said endless loop blind control element to move a blind and a retracted position whereby the pusher means and said portion of said endless loop blind control element retracts back into said channel.
The channel has an open side and further includes a cover to cover said open side of said channel from said upper end to said lower end.
In one embodiment the channel includes the pusher means for pushing a portion of said endless loop blind control element out of said channel between an operable position for manipulating said endless loop blind control element to move a blind and a retracted position whereby the pusher means and said portion of said endless loop blind control element retracts back into said channel, and the cover includes an aperture aligned with said pusher means to receive said portion of said endless loop blind control element.
The endless loop blind control element can either be a chord or chord and ball chain or the like.
In one aspect the tensioning device includes a housing having a hinged portion being operable between an open position for insertion of another portion of said endless loop blind control element and a closed position for securing the element in the tension device. In one embodiment the the tensioning device includes guide surfaces to guide said another portion of said endless loop blind control element there around.
Furthermore the housing comprises a first shell portion and a second shell portion, and wherein one of shell portions includes said hinged portion where the hinged portion comprised a hinged flap and wherein said flap includes a distal portion from said hinged portion to engage said lower end of said channel.
It's another aspect of this invention to provide a blind having a blind operating mechanism and an endless loop blind control element for operating the blind mechanism and comprising; an enclosure for the blind control element, the enclosure defining an upper end and a lower end with the element concealed within the enclosure from the upper end to the lower end; a connector supporting the upper end of the enclosure adjacent to the blind operating mechanism and depending downwardly from it; and a tensioning device on the lower end of the enclosure for tensioning the endless loop control element.
In a further embodiment there is provided a sprocket wheel adjacent one end of said blind and engageable with said endless loop to control the movement of said blind; moreover the blind operating mechanism for the window shade for a window opening has a narrow profile wherein the gap is between 4 to 8 millimeters and said endless loop blind control element is contained out of reach by children.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a connector for a window blind comprising: a housing having an upper end and a low end, and defining a cavity between said upper end and lower end; said upper end adjacent a blind operating mechanism for receiving a blind loop element from the blind operating mechanism through said upper end, through said cavity and out the lower end, said lower end being smaller than said upper end to bring said loop element closer together. In one embodiment the connector for a window presents a funnel from said upper end to said lower end.
It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a stopper for an open channel receiving an endless loop element therein, said stopper moveable relative said channel to limit the extension of said endless loop from said channel.
These and other objects and features shall now be described in relation to the following drawings.
Like parts are given like numbers throughout the figures.
Like parts are given like numbers throughout the figures.
For purposes of illustration
The element 20 can comprise a typical chain type element with a series of balls 22 connected by a wire or cord 24 in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. The element 20 may also comprise a cord. The element 20 comprises an endless loop and engages a gear drive in the mechanism of the blind.
The roller blind is shown by way of example as various other forms of blinds employ a continuous loop type of control element 20 and the invention to be described herein is applicable to all of them and is not confined solely to the roller blind as shown.
Moreover different forms of drive mechanisms can be used and the invention is described herein as applicable to a variety of forms of control elements that utilize ball and chain or cord mechanisms.
Recent building codes require that the endless loop be held in tension between the blind at the upper end and a tension device 30 at the lower end thereof as a safety feature.
The tension device 30 is shown in more detail in
The tensioning device 30 comprises a housing 32 having a hinged portion 38 being operable between an open position as shown in
Furthermore the tension device 30 includes guide surfaces 40 to guide a portion of the endless loop blind control element 20 there around.
The first shell portion 36A and second shell 36B can be formed from synthetic plastic or other suitable material and have upper and lower ends 42 and 44 respectively. The lower end 42 displays generally semi-circular profile as shown. Each shell portion 36A and 36B include upstanding sidewalls 46A and 46B and extend from the lower end 42 upwardly and terminate adjacent the upper end 44. The upstanding sidewalls 46A and 46B present reduced height portions 48A and 48B so as to define an opening 50.
The housing 32 and in particular the first shell portion 36A and second shell portion 36B define a cavity there between.
Each shell housing portion 36A and 36B includes a support ledge 52A and 52B which cooperate to contact each other once the first shell housing portion 36A and second shell housing portion 36B register with each other.
Located at the upper end 44 of the first shell housing portion 36A and second shell housing portion 36B and spaced from the upstanding side walls 46A and 46B is a fixed hub 54 which presents the guide or glide surfaces 40 around which the control element 20 can freely slide. The hub 54 acts like a pulley though it is stationery.
Each first and second shell hub housing portion 36A and 36B present post or plug 56 that register with receiving holes 58 so that the two halves can snap together. One of the housing shells 36A and 368 include a notch 58 that is adapted to receive a tab 60 as best seen in
Adjacent the upper end 44 of one of the shell housing units 36A and 36B is a flexible self-hinge groove 34 defining the hinge so as to permit the flap 38 to be opened and closed as previously described. This allows the upper end 44 of the second shell housing 36B to be flexed outwardly and inwardly like a flap to enable service persons to install the element 20. Also it permits a person to mount the tensioner 30 onto an existing window blind having an endless loop 20 without having to dismantle any of the existing hardware. Thus the tensioner 30 can be used as a retrofit item into existing window blind hardware.
A captive slide lock 60 is located within the housing 30. The slide lock 60 includes a spring guide rod 62 which receives and guides a spring 64. One end of the spring 64A abuts against the upper inner end of the slide lock 60 while the opposite end 64B abuts against the ledge 52A and 528.
At the other end of the slide lock 60 there are optionally one or two upstanding rows of teeth 66 or engaging means 66. The teeth 66 or element engaging means 66 are presented so as to engage with the element 20 when it passes over the hub 54 to prevent the element 20 from passing around the hub 54 and lock it into place. Furthermore the engagement means 66 or teeth 66 act as another layer of safety as the teeth 66 will “bite” the control element 20 if the tensioner 30 is not secured to the window frame 14 by fastener 59 (see
At the opposite end of the slide lock 60 there is screw housing sleeve 68 which permits a screw fastener 59 to be passed there through. A pair of finger buttons 70 extend outwardly from a slide lock 60 passing through the holes 50.
In order to secure the tension device 30 to the window frame 14 a screw 59 is received through the screw receiving slot 72 as shown in
In operation the serviceperson would manipulate the finger button 70 and slide the slide lock 60 downwardly compressing a spring 64 so as to open the space around the hub 54. Thereafter a portion of the loop of element 20 is placed around the hub 46 for contact with the guides 40. Thereafter the flap 38 is closed and the finger buttons 70 released. The slide lock 60 will react when the pressure of the spring 64 and the teeth or element engaging means 66 will grip the element 20 against the hub 54.
The tensioner 30 in one embodiment can be used by itself as the tensioner 30 includes side wall 46a and 46b that converge toward each other in the vicinity of the upper end 44 so as to “funnel” the endless loop 20 together, and more particularly endless loop portion 20a and 2b “close together”. In another embodiment the invention comprises the tensioner in combination with the connector 90.
Furthermore the connector 90 presents a wider opening at the top 90a thereof than the lower open end 90b so as to “funnel” the endless embodiment the invention comprises a connector 90 for receiving the loop ‘together’ making it more difficult to get between the elements 20a and 20b. In one embodiment the invention comprises a connector adjacent a blind control mechanism for receiving the endless loop into an opening at the upper end 90a thereof through said connector and out the lower end 90b thereof, the lower end being smaller than the upper end thereof so as to “funnel” or bring the endless loop 20a and 20b closer together than when entering the upper end 90a so as to bring the loop elements closer together. Accordingly the invention includes using the connector by itself, or alternatively using the connector 90 in combination with the tensioner 30, or alternatively the combination of the tensioner 30, enclosure 80 and connector 90.
The blind operating mechanism 18 also comprises an enclosure 80 extending from an upper end 82 to a lower end 84 with the endless loop button control element 20 enclosed within the enclosure 80 between the upper end 82 and the lower end 84 of the enclosure 80.
The blind operating mechanism 18 also includes a connector 90 supporting the upper end 82 of the enclosure 80 adjacent to the blind operating mechanism and depending downwardly from it. The tension device 30 is located at the lower end 84 of the enclosure 80 for tensioning the endless loop control element 20.
The enclosure 80 comprises a channel 86 as shown in
The channel 86 includes a pusher means 88 as best in
More particularly the pusher means 90 pushes two portions 20a and 20b of the endless loop 20 out of the enclosure or channel 80 in the operable position. Thus a person will have the choice ton either move the portion 20a so as to move the blind 16 either up or down or to move the other portion 20b so as the move the blind 16 in the opposite direction ie either down or up.
As can be seen the channel 86 includes an open side. Furthermore the operating mechanism may also include an adjustable stopper or limiter, 94 that is moveable along the open end of the channel 80 from the upper end 82 to the lower end 84 so as to be able to adjust how far or how much of the endless loop 20 and particularly the portions 20a and 20b are presented outside the channel walls 86a and 86b and thus provide and added safety feature to the blind operating mechanism. For example if the stopper 94 is presented close to the pusher means 88 then a smaller portion of the endless loop 20a and 20b is exposed as compared to moving the stopper means 94 further away from the pusher means 90. In other words the stopper or limiter is a safety device that limits the extension of the loop beyond the enclosure 80.
The channel in one embodiment as shown in
The hinge portion 34 defines a hinge flap 38 which has a distal portion 38A for engaging with the lower end 84 of the channel 86 as shown in
The invention as described relates to a blind 18 having a blind operating mechanism 18 and an endless loop blind control element 20 for operating the blind 18 and comprises:
The channel 86 also comprises telescoping first and second channel portions 87A and 87B as shown in
Alternatively the telescoping portions 87A and 87B may have the cross-sectional profile as shown in
The channel 80 may be manufactured and sold in pre-selected lengths, for example 3 feet. The tensioner 30 can also be sold separately or as a kit with the connector 90 for the retrofit market. The channel can be made from plastic aluminum, metal or other suitable material and cut to any desired length. If he widow height is larger than the pre-selected length of the channel 80 then a telescoping length of enclosure 87A may be utilized with the channel 80; once adjusted to the desired length the telescoping members 80 and 87a may be secured by fastener 100.
If the height of the window is extremely large a joint 200 as shown in
The connector 90 which supports the upper end 82 of the channel 86 comprises a connector upper end 90a to guide the endless loop 20 towards the channel 86 and a connector lower end 90b to engage with the upper end 82 of the channel 86. The connector 90 is funnel shaped and funnels the endless loop close together at the lower end so as to present the endless loop 20a and 20b close together to inhibit access to the endless loop 20.
Although the invention has been described in one embodiment or example to be well suited to a retrofit market, the invention is also applicable as product for a new or original widow blind.
The invention as described herein also shows in
In particular as shown in
The blind operating mechanism 18 for the window shade 16 using the sprocket wheel 110 defines a narrow profile whereby the gap is between 4-8 millimetres and the endless loop control blind control element 20 is contained out of reach by children.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 62634642 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 16283415 | US |
