Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A WINDOW COVERING
Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved control mechanism for a
window covering. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved
control
mechanism for controlling the position of control cords in a window covering.
Background of the Invention
Conventional window coverings come in a variety of styles including
Roman shades, Venetian blinds, and cellular shades. Typically, the light
blocking
elements of these window coverings are suspended from a headrail by one or
more
control cords. These control cords, when retracted or extended, raise or lower
the
portions of the window covering to which they are connected: For example, with
a
Roman shade, a control cord is typically secured to a lower portion of a
continuous
panel that covers the window space. By pulling on the cord, the lower portion
of
the panel is raised to open the window covering. A control mechanism is
typically
included with the headrail that enables the user to controllably adjust the
opening
and closing of the window covering. Examples of such control mechanisms
include
cord locks, rotatable drums, and the like.
The present invention is directed to a novel control mechanism for a
window covering for controlling the opening and closing of the window
covering.
Summar~r of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control mechanism for a window
covering. The window covering can take many forms, but will generally include
a
headrail, and a light blocking element comprising a plurality of openable rows
suspended from the headrail by one or more control cords. Examples of such
window coverings include a Roman style shade such as disclosed in co-pending
application serial no. 10/427,829, and a Venetian blind such as disclosed in
patent
application serial no. 10/413,200, which was issued as U.S. Patent No.
6,792,996.
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The disclosures of each of co-pending application serial no. 10/427,829, and
U.S.
Patent No. 6,792,996 are hereby incorporated by reference.
The control mechanism of the present invention includes a frame
which is mountable within a support structure, such as the headrail. The frame
includes a first end and a second end, as well as a first abutment stop and a
second
abutment stop. The first abutment stop is located closer to the first end of
the frame
than the second abutment stop and the second abutment stop is closer to the
second
end of the frame than the first abutment stop.
A sliding module is also included in the control mechanism. The
sliding module is secured with a control cord of the window covering such that
the
movement of the control cord is synchronous with the movement of the sliding
module. In other words, the sliding module and the control cord .move together
as a
unit. The sliding module is in moveable engagement with the first surface of
the
frame and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The
movement of the sliding module is also biased toward the first end of the
frame. For
example, the portion of the control cord exiting the control mechanism at the
first
end of the frame may be connected to the suspended light blocking elements
such
that the weight of the light blocking elements pull on the cord, thus biasing
the cord
and sliding module towards the first end. The first abutment stop limits or
arrests
the movement of the sliding module towards the first end of the frame. In
particular, the first abutment stop limits or arrests the movement of the
sliding
movement towards the first end of the frame when the sliding module reaches
the
first position. The second abutment stop also limits or arrests the movement
of the
sliding module toward the first end. However, the limiting or arresting of the
movement towards the first end by the second abutment stop is erected when the
sliding module is in the second position.
a
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As discussed, the particular window covering with which the control
mechanism may be used can include several different forms. For example, in the
Roman style shade of co-pending patent application serial no 10/427,829, the
light
blocking element is comprised of a plurality of rows of panels. The panels are
narrowed by raising the control cords secured to the lower longitudinal
portion of
each panel such that the lower longitudinal portion is raised relative to the
upper
longitudinal portion, and thereby narrowing the rows to create gaps
therebetween.
In the Venetian type blind of U. S. Patent No. 6,792,996, the window covering
includes a plurality of rows formed of slats. A control cord is secured to a
longitudinal portion of each slat at a position distal of the proximal edge of
the slat.
By raising the control cord, the slats are pivoted to open.
The control mechanism may also include a further feature. The
frame in which the sliding module is mounted may also be designed to be
extendable. For example, the lateral end at one side of the head rail where
the
control cord exits can be extended by the user to fit within the available
space of the
window frame. An additional length of the control cord may be included so as
to
allow the adjustment of the frame length without affecting the portion of the
control
cord mounted with the shade rows.
Brief Description of the Drs~wings
In the drawings,
FIGURE 1 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a
window covering with which the control mechanism of the present invention is
utilized;
FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective rear view of the window covering
of FIGURE 1;
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FIGURE 3 is a side elevated cross sectional view of an embodiment
of the control mechanism according to the present invention, where the control
mechanism is shown in a first position;
FIGURE 3A is a perspective view of the sliding module of FIGURE
3 without the pinch roller;
FIGURE 3B is a bottom view of the sliding module of FIGURE 3A;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevated cross sectional view of the headrail of
the window covering of FIGURE 1 showing an embodiment of the control
mechanism according to the present invention, where the control mechanism is
shown in a second position;
FIGURE 5 is a partial bottom view of the control mechanism
showing the track of the sliding module when the control mechanism is in the
first
position;
FIGURE 6 is a partial bottom view of the control mechanism of
FIGURE 5 as it is moved from the first position to the second position;
FIGURE 7 is a partial bottom view of the control mechanism of
FIGURE 5 with the sliding module in the second position;
FIGURE 8 is a partial bottom view of the control mechanism of
FIGURE 5 with the sliding module as it is moved from the second position to
the
first position;
FIGURE 9 is a perspective partial rear view of an embodiment of a
window covering with an alternate embodiment of the control mechanism of the
present invention with the headrail partially cut away;
FIGURE 10 is a top down view of the control mechanism of
FIGURE 9;
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FIGURE 11 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of
a row of a window covering comprising a slat suitable for use with the control
mechanism of the present invention;
FIGURE 12 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention
including an extendable frame;
FIGURE 13 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE
12;
FIGURE 14 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 13 with the control
module in an extended position;
FIGURE 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIGURE 14 with the
pin disengaged from the detent member; and
FIGURE 15A is FIGURE 1 S with the pin engaged with the detent
member.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail are
preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that
the
present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention
and does
not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
An example of a window covering with which the control mechanism
of the present invention is suitable is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. As shown,
window covering 100 includes a headrail 102, a plurality of rows 104, and a
control
cord 106 that is secured to lower longitudinal portions 108 of the rows 104.
The
control cord 106 extends through an opening 110 in the headrail 102, and
through a
control mechanism, which is discussed in greater detail below. The plurality
of rows
104 are suspended from the headrail 102 by the control cord 106 which is
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suspended from the headrail 102 through hole 105. The plurality of rows 104
are
fi~rther suspended from the headrail 102 by a securement cord 112. The
particular
example of an embodiment of a window covering with which the control mechanism
of the present invention is suitable for use shown here is disclosed in co-
pending
~ application 10/427,829, which as discussed above is incorporated by
reference. The
control cord 106 is an opening member, which is secured to the lower
longitudinal
portions 108 of the rows. The control cord 106 may be secured to the lower
longitudinal portion 108 through any means known in the art, but it is
preferred that
the lower longitudinal portion 108 include an anchor member 109 secured
therewith.
The control cord 106 includes a plurality of loops 111 through which the
anchor
member 109 is guided. The narrowing of the rows of the window covering is
accomplished by decreasing the distance between the upper and lower
longitudinal
portions of the rows by raising the opening member control cord 106.
Referring to FIGURES 3, 3A and 4, an embodiment of the control
mechanism is explained. The control mechanism 200 is shown in a first
position.
The control mechanism 200 includes a frame 202 which is mounted in the
headrail
(not shown). The control mechanism 200 may be permanently mounted or
replaceably mounted in the headrail. Replaceable control mechanisms enable a
person to replace broken or otherwise defective control mechanisms, or to
exchange
a control mechanism for a particular type of window covering with a different
control mechanism. The frame 202 includes a first end 206 and a second end
208,
as well as a first abutment stop, such as pinch roller 210 and a second
abutment
stop, such as arm member 212. Also included near the first end 206 is a second
pinch roller 214.
A sliding module 216 is secured with a control cord 218 of the
window covering. In this embodiment, a resilient latch member 220 is utilized
to
secure the cord 218 with the sliding module 216, however, any method of
securing
the cord 218 with the sliding module 216 can be used. In any case, the
movement
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A
of the control cord 218 is intended to be synchronous with the movement of the
sliding module 216. In other words, the sliding module 216 and the control
cord
218 move together as a unit.
Some of the details of the sliding module are explained with
reference to FIGURE 3A and 3B. The sliding module 216 includes rail members
217, a pair of catches 219, and a track 224. The pair of catches 219 are
engaged
with the latch member 220 (Fig. 3) and secure the latch member 220 to the
sliding
module 216. The pair of rail members 217, when the sliding module 216 is
engaged
with the frame 202 axially guide the sliding module along the frame 202.. The
track
224 is suitable for guiding the movement of the arm member 212, which is
pivotally
secured at a fixed end 223, and includes a rounded distal end 226. In this
embodiment, the track 224 is formed integrally with the sliding module 216.
However, it is possible that the track could be formed on the frame 202
itself.
The sliding module 216 is in sliding engagement with the first surface
222 of the frame 202 and is moveable between the first position shown in
FIGURE
3 and the second position shown in FIGURE 4. The sliding module 216, if not
otherwise engaged, is biased to move towards the first end 206 of the frame
202. In
this example, the control cord 218 is connected to the various rows of a
window
covering as described above such that the weight of the rows pulls on the cord
218
and urges the cord 218 and sliding module 216 towards the first end 206 until
it
reaches the first position, such as shown in FIGURE 3. In this first position,
the
movement of the sliding module 216 towards the first end 206 is limited or
arrested
by the interaction of pinch roller 210 and pinch roller 214. Cord 218 is
further
secured between pinch rollers 210 and 214 to provide additional support for
the
control cord. When the sliding module 216 is in this first position, the
control cord
218 is extended such that the various light blocking elements, such as the
plurality of
rows 104 in FIGURES 1 and 2, are closed.
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By exerting a pulling force as indicated by force arrow F, on the
control cord 218, the sliding module is urged away from the first end 206 of
the
frame 202 and 'towards the second end 208 such as shown in FIGURE 4. By
moving the sliding module 216 towards the second end 208, the control cord
raises
the various light blocking elements such that they open to permit light to
pass
through the window covering. As the pulling force indicated by force arrow F,
is
released, the sliding module 216 again moves toward the first end 206.
However,
rather than moving back to the first end 206; the movement of the sliding
module is
arrested by a second abutment stop, such as arm member 212. In particular, the
rounded distal end 226 engages a hub 228. Thus, the control module 200 is held
in
the second position such that the various light blocking elements of the
window
covering are maintained in an open position.
A more detailed explanation of the interaction between the sliding
module 216 and the arm member 212 as the sliding module 216 moves from the
first
position to the second position and back to the first position is explained
with
reference to FIGURES 5 through 8.
Shown in FIGURE 5 is a bottom partial view of the sliding module
Z 16 and the pivotal arm member 212 of the frame having a rounded distal end
226
and a fixed end 223 when the sliding module 216 is in the first position.
Referring
to FIGURE 6, when a force such as pulling force indicated by force arrow F, is
exerted on cord 218 (FIG. 4) the sliding module moves towards the second end,
such as indicated by direction arrow A. The rounded distal end 226 of arm
member
212 is guided along the track 224 until it reaches a first concave portion 230
of
track 224. The arm member 212 pivots slightly as the distal end 226 is guided
along
the first concave portion 230 such that distal end 226 is at least partially
aligned with
hub 228.
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Referring to FIGURE 7, as the pulling force is released, the sliding
module 216, which as discussed is biased to move towards the first end of the
frame,
moves as indicated by direction arrow B. Rounded distal end 226 is then seated
with the concave portion 232 of hub 228, and thereby limits or arrests the .
movement of the sliding module 216 towards the first end. As discussed, as the
arm
member 212 is guided along the first concave portion 230 of track 224, it
pivots
such than when the pulling force is released, the rounded distal end 226 is at
least
partially aligned with the concave portion 232 of hub 228. Thus, when as the
sliding
module 216 moves towards the first end, the rounded distal end 226 is captured
within the concave portion 232 of hub 228. As discussed above, when the
sliding
module is in this second position, the light blocking elements of the window
covering connected to the control cord are maintained in an open position.
To release the sliding module 216 from the arm member 212 so the
sliding module can be moved from the second position to the first position,
and
more particularly in this embodiment, to disengage rounded distal end 226 from
hub
228, a user again exerts a pulling force on cord 218. Accordingly, the sliding
module again moves as indicated by direction arrow A towards the second end of
the frame. Referring to FIGURE 8, a cusp portion 234 of the track 224 is
positioned relative to the concave portion 232 of hub 228 such that the
rounded
distal end 226 of the arm member 212 is guided into a second concave portion
236
of the track 224 and so the rounded distal end 226 clears hub 228. As the
sliding
module 216 is again moved towards the first position, the rounded distal end
226 of
arm member 212 is guided along track 224 and returns to the first position as
shown
in FIGURE 5.
Thus far the control mechanism has been described as designed for
controlling the raising and lowering of a single control cord. In some
situations, the
control mechanism may be provided in a headrail as a unit including a pair of
sliding
modules, such as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10. A control mechanism 300 is
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mounted within headrail 301 and comprises a single frame 302 that includes a
pair of
sliding modules 316 and 317. Of the sliding modules 316 and 317 are
independently
operable to control the raising or lowering of the cord secured thereto. This
cord
can be any positioning cord in a window covering. For example, reference is
made
to the window covering disclosed in co-pending application serial no.
101914,579
filed on August 9, 2004, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. In
this
embodiment a control cord, such as opening member 318, is secured with the
plurality of rows 304 at lower longitudinal regions 320. Opening member 318 is
also secured with sliding module 316. A securement member 319 is secured with
the plurality of rows 304 at upper longitudinal regions 322, and is also
secured with
sliding module 317. The plurality of rows 304 may therefore be narrowed by
either
lowering securement member 319, by raising opening member 318, or some
combination of the two that results in the narrowing of the rows.
Another embodiment of a window covering with which the control
mechanism of the present invention may be used is shown in FIGURE 11, which
depicts a row of a Venetian blind type window covering. This Venetian blind
type
window covering is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,792,996, which is
incorporated herein by reference. The light blocking elements of the Venetian
blind
type window covering comprises a plurality of rows of slats, such as slat 400.
The
slat comprises a first longitudinal portion 412 at a edge portion of the row
400, and
a second longitudinal portion 426 formed within the main portion of the panel
410.
Each of the longitudinal portions 412 and 426 are operatively connected to
control
cords 402 and 404, respectively. In this embodiment, control cord 402 is
restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal portion 412 by engaging anchor
member 406 with control cord 402 by passing the anchor member 406 through a
loop 408 formed therein. Control cord 404 is operatively connected with the
second longitudinal portion 426 by engaging a fastener module 430 therewith,
and
engaging the fastener module 430 with an anchor member 416 through opening
414.
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Control cord 404 is secured with a control module (not shown) such as
discussed
above.
An additional feature of the present invention is shown with
reference to FIGURES 12-15A. Since many window spaces come in nonstandard
widths, it is desired to provide the ability to prepare stock widths of
headrails that
may be adjusted. The present invention provides for a frame that is extendable
such
that the lateral end at one side of the head rail where the control cord exits
can be
extended by the user to fit within the available space of the window frame. An
additional length of the control cord may be included so as to allow the
adjustment
of the frame length without affecting the portion of the control cord mounted
with
the shade rows.
Referring to FIGURES 12 and 13, a control mechanism 500 includes
a frame 502 which is mounted in the headrail 501. The frame 502 defines a
track
504 including a central portion 506 and marginal portions 508 paralleling the
central
portion 506. In this example, a single sliding module 520 is included. Formed
along
the marginal portions 508 are a series of detent members 510 which are
engageable
with a tab member 512. In particular, by depressing tab member 512, a pin 514
moves out of engagement with a particular detent member. Preferably, the tab
member 512 is formed of a resilient material, such as polyurethane,
polypropylene,
aluminum or the like. The frame 502 may then be moved laterally relative to
the
headrail 501 to a desired degree of extension, thereby adjusting the effective
width
of the window covering.
For example, as is shown in FIGURE 14; the entire control
mechanism 500 is moved laterally with respect to the headrail 501 such that a
portion of the frame 502 extends from the headrail 501, such as shown by
reference
arrow 530. The tab 512, which is secured with the head rail 501 by base 513,
maintains the position with the control mechanism 500 and frame 502 through
the
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engagement of a detent member 510 and the pin 514. This interaction between
the
pin 514 and a detent member 510 is shown in FIGURES 15 and 15A. The pin 514,
which in FIGURE 15 is disengaged from the detent S 10, and thereby allowing
lateral movement of the control mechanism with respect to the headrail. In
FIGURE 1 SA, the in 514 is engaged with detent S 10. Accordingly, the pin 514
and
detent 510 prevent lateral movement of the control mechanism.
The foregoing descriptions are to be taken as illustrative, but not
limiting. Still other variants within the spirit and scope of the present
invention will
readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.
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