Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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T~TINDOTi~T COVER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a window cover such as a blind
or curtain. The invention has particular application to
Roman blinds.
Background Art ,
Blinds and curtains are normally drawn closed or opened by
a draw cord which is pulled to cause~the blind or curtain
to open or close. In many blinds, the draw cord forms a
loop at the side of the blind or curtain and extends
towards the bottom of the curtain.
The loop in the draw cord provides a significant safety
hazard, particularly , for sanall children, because a sanall
child may become entangled in the draw cord and strangle.
To prevent this from happening, many blinds and curtains
now provide draw cords which do not form a loop at the
side of a curtain, but rather are cut so that two strands
are provided, one of which can be ~,sed to open the b1,asad
ob c~arta3.~a. ~,nd tb.e other: to close tb~e curtain.
However, in some forms of blind it is not possible to do
away with the loop-type configuration, or to provide a
draw cord which cannot be formed into a loop during some
condition of the blind, which may offer a safety hazard.
Summary of the Invention
The object of the invention is to overcome this problem.
The invention may be said to reside in a window cover
comprising:
a window cover portion moveable between an open
position and a closed position~
a draw cord for opening and closing the window
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cover; and
a coupling member in the draw cord, the coupling
member having a first component with a first engaging
portion, and a second component with a second engaging
portion for engaging with the first engaging portion, so
that, should a load be applied to the draw cord, the draw
cord will separate at the first and second components to
thereby prevent the formation of a loop which may provide
a strangling hazard to a child.
Thus, blinds or curtains which require a looped
configuration~ or which have a draw cord which can be
formed into a loop during operation of the window cover,
or when the window cover is in a particular configuration~
can still enable the loop configuration to be formed~ but
if a child becomes entangled in the cord~ as soon as any
load is applied to the cord~ the cord. can separate at the
connecting member so the cord will not form a strangling
hazard.
Preferably the first engaging portion coanprises a
generally part spherical head portiono and the second
ea~agagi~,g portion, comprises ~. gener~.ll~r spherical socket
for receiving the spherical head so that when ~. load is
applied to the cord, the head can pull out of the socket.
Preferably the first component comprises a hollow bore
having an enlarged diameter portion so that a first
portion of the cord can be inserted through the bore and
tied to form a knot so that the knot can be pulled back
into the bore and located in a large diameter portion, and
wherein the other component also has a bore having an
enlarged diameter portion so that the other part of the
cord can be inserted through the bore and tied to form a
knot and so the knot can be pulled back into the large
diameter portion.
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Preferably the blind is a Roman blind having a plurality
of rings coupled to portions of the Roman blind, the draw
cord passing through the rings, and the connector member
being dimensioned so that the connector member can also
pass through the rings.
In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member is
arranged. in the draw cord by connecting the first
component to a first part of the draw cord and the second
component to a second part of the draw cord.
However, in another embodiment, the coupling member is
connected in the draw cord by connecting the first
component to the window cover and attaching the second
component to the draw cord.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the first
component of the coupling member may comprise a triangular
shaped body having a pair of oblique arms and a base, a
sleeve es~tending from the oblique arms at the ape~e of the
oblique arms~ the sleeve having an internal abutment, and
the second component comprises a resilient peg having a
pair of legs wpaic~a h.~.ve feet for :~egist~ be~2.i~a,d the
abutment so that when the load is applied to the cord the
feet can pull over the abutment because of the resilient
nature of the peg, and the first and second components can
release from one another.
Preferably, the first component is connected to the blind
by a saddle which is sewn to the blind and which passes
over the base of the triangular body.
In a still further embodiment, the coupling member
described above can be arranged so a first part of the
cord is connected to the first component and a second part
of the cord is connected to the second component with the
coupling member being arranged at an upper portion of the
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blind.
Preferably the rings include a split or gap so the draw
cord can pull through the split or gap of the rings when a
load is applied to the draw cord.
Preferably the split or gap is defined by a cut in the
ring which is located at a portion of~the ring remote from
the blind.
In one embodiment the gap can be sized larger than the
width or diameter of the cord. However, in the preferred
embodiment the gap is less than the width or diameter of
the cord and the parts of the ring adjacent the cut or gap
are resilient so those parts can flex to enable a cord to
pass through the cut or gap wheai a load is applied to the
cord and the cord in turn applies a load to the rings.
Preferably the rings have indentations to enable the rings
to be sewsi to the blind so that the rings will not move
through the stitching and therefore displace the split or
gap from a position remote from the blind.
Ira. another embodiment a load take up member is provided in
the draw cord for taking up short duration loads applied
to the draw cord to prevent unwanted separation of the
first component from the second component.
Preferably the member comprises a spring.
Preferably the connector member separates when a load of
more than about 1.5 Kg (about 3 pounds) a.s applied to the
draw cord.
The invention also provides a window cover comprising:
a window cover portion moveable between an open
position and a closed position;
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a draw cord for opening and closing the window
cover portion; and
a coupling member having a first component
coupled to the window cover and a second component
connected to the draw cord, the first component having a
first engaging portion and the second component having a
second engaging portion for engaging with the first
engaging portion, so that, should a load be applied to the
draw cord~ the draw cord will separate at the first and
second components to prevent the formation of a loop which
may provide a strangling hazard to a child.
The invention may also be said to reside in a window cover
comprising:
a Window cover portion moveable between an open
position and a closed position;
a draw cord for opening and closing the window
cover;
a load take up memlaer coupled to the window
cover;
a coupling member having a first component
connected to the load take up m er and a second
coa~poneaa.t co~aaz..ecte~, to the draw cords the first co~~~aoneaat
having a first engaging portion and the second component
having a second engaging portion for engaging with the
first engaging portion~ so that, should a short duration
load be applied to the draw cord~ the short duration load
is taken up by the load member and the first and second
components do not separate, but if a longer duration load
is applied to the draw cord indicative of a child becoming
entangled in the draw cord, the first and second
components will separate to thereby prevent the formation
of a loop in the draw cord which may provide a strangling
hazard to a child.
Preferably the load take up member comprises a spring.
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In one embodiment the spring is located at an upper
portion of the window cover and has one end connected to a
top rail of the window cover and a second end connected to
the coupling member.
In another embodiment the load take up member comprises an.
elastic member.
In one embodiment the elastic member is located at a lower
portion of the window cover and has one end connected to
the cover and another end connected to the coupling
member.
Preferably the elastic member comprises an elastic loop or
elastic band.
~rlef DesCrlpt7.~n of the I~raw3.nf~' s
~, preferred embodiment of the invention will be described~
by way of example~ with reference to the accompanyixag
drawings an which:
Figure 1. is a rear view of a Roman blind
according to the preferred embodiment; s.nd
Figure ~ is a c~..etailed view of part of the blind
of Figure 1.;
Figure 3 is a rear view of a Roman blind
according to a second embodiment;
Figure 4 is a detailed view of part of the
embodiment of Figure 3;
Figure 5 a.s a view of a ring used in a Roman
blind according to the preferred embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 6 is a side view of the blind including
the ring of Figure 5 to illustrate the operation of the
ring of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a front view of a further embodiment
of the invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of the embodiment of
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Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a side view of the blind of Figure 8
partly rolled up;
Figure 10 is a rear view of part of the blind of
Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a more detailed view of part of the
componentry of Figure 10;
Figure 11 is a view of a still further embodiment
of the invention; and
Figure 12 is a detailed view of part of the
embodiment of Figure 11.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
tnlith reference to the drawings~ the invention is
exemplified with reference to a Roman blind. However, it
should be understood that window covers of other types may
also embody the invention.
GTith reference to Figure 1~ a Roman blind 10 is shown
which has a plurality of blind sections 12~ 1~ and 16
which. overlap one another when the blind is in the open
condition~ and which drop to cover a window opening when
the bliaad is closed.. Es.ch of the sections 12a 1~ a,nd, 1~
is provided with a ring 18 which ms,y be semi-circular in
configuration~ and an end ring 21 is provided on the
bottom section 30 of the blind. A draw cord 50 passes
through the rings 18 and 21 to a pulley arrangement 32 at
the top of the blind and then extends down, beside the
blind as shown by 50~ in Figure 1. The cord 51 may be
provided in two strands which are cut, rather than form a
loop, so that one of the strands is pulled to open the
blind and the other is pulled to close the blind. The
cord 50 is provided with a connector member 52 which, when
the blind a.s in the open configuration shown in Figure 1,
is generally adjacent the pulley 32. Tnlkhen the blind is to
be opened, the connector 52 will move downwardly through
the rings 18 as the segments 12, 14, 16 drop relative to
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one another.
When the blind is in the open configuration, the
possibility exists that~the draw cord 50 between the ring
21 and the pulley arrangement 33 can be pulled into a loop
which, may provide a strangling hazard to a child. In
order to prevent this from happening, the connector member
52 is provided which will break apart when a predetermined
load is applied to the cord 50 such as a load greater than
3 pounds so that the loop will not form and therefore a
strangling hazard will not result.
Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the connector
member 52. The connector mem'~aer 52 has a first component
60 which has a generally spherical head 6'2 which. is
defined by a circumferential groove 64. ~ bore ~6 extends
all of the way through. the component 50 and has a large
diameter portion 66' towards.its lower end. Draw cord 50
is cut and a first part 50a is passed through the bore 66
and then tied. to form a knot 53. The draw cord part 50a
is then pulled upwardly in the direction of arrow A so the
knot 53 returns to the enlarged diameter bore 66' and will
seat at the transition ~7 between tae large ~,iameter
portion 55' and the more narrow diameter portion 6~ " in
Figure 2.
The connector 52 has a second component 70 which, has a
generally spherical socket 72 which receives the head 62.
The component 60 is also provided with a bore 74 which has
an enlarged diameter portion 74' and a more narrow
diameter portion 74 " . The draw cord part 50b which is
cut from the part 50a is passed through the bore 74 and~is
tied to form a knot 55. The knot 55 is drawn back into
the component 70 by pulling the cord 50b in the direction.
0~ arrow B so that the knot registers at the transition 59
between the large diameter bore 74' and the more narrow
diameter bore portion 74 " .
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If a load is applied to the cord 50, such as in the
direction of arrow B shown. in Figure 2, the load will pull
the socket 72 free of the head 62 to break the connector
52 as previously described, and thereby prevent a loop
from forming in the draw cord 50 between the pulley
arrangement 32 and the rind 21.
Thus, a loop Which may form a strangling hazard is
therefore prevented because as soon as any load iS applied
to the cord, such as may occur if a child was to become
entangled in the cord 50, the weight of the child will
cause the connector 52 to release, thereby breaking the
loop to prevent a strangling hazard..
True load at which the connector member 52 releases can be
selected depending on the relative rigidity of the socket
'72 compared to the head 62 and, depending on the
applics.tion, may be less than 3 pounds or more than 3
pounds.
Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the invention
also s.pplied. to ~. ~oma~a. bli~ad 10. This em~aodia~e~at shows
the sections 12, 1.4 and 16 as well as bottom section 30
and top section 31. The sections are separated by a
wooden slat 35 and the sections 12, 14 and 16 are provided
with D rims 18, as in the earlier embodiment. A head
rail 40 is arranged at the top of the blind 10 for
securing the blind 10 to a wall adjacent a window. The
head rail 40 carries the pulley and locking arrangement 42
and pulley arrangement 44 for draw cords 46 and 47. The
draw cord 46 passes through the pulley and locking
arrangement 42 and has a bead 49 at its free end. The
draw cord 47 passes through the pulley arrangement 44 and
the pulley and locking arrangement 42 and has a bead 51 at
its end. The pulley arrangements 42 and 44 are
conventional, and therefore need not be described in
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detail. In order to raise the blind, the cords 49 and 51
are pulled downwardly, and the blind can be locked in a
raised position by moving the end parts of the cords 46a
and 47a laterally. The blind is released by an opposite
type movement, and by releasing the cords 46 and 47 so the
cords can drop through the pulley arrangements 42 and 44.
Coupling members 100 are arranged at the bottom of the
cords 47 and 48. ~nce again, the coupling members are
provided with a first component 101 (see Figure 4) and a
second component 102. The first component 101 is attached
to the blind 10 and the second component 102 is attached
to the respective draw cord 46 or 47.
As is best shown in Figure 4, the component 101 has a
tris,ng~.lar body 105 which has obli~.e arms 106 s,nd 10'7 and
a base 108. The base 108 is connected to the curtain 10
by a cloth saddle 103 which is sewn to the blind 10 and
wraps over the base 108. The body 105 has a sleeve 109
which is hollow and which is provided with internal
abutment 110.
The second component 102 is in the goo o.f ~, peg 120
having legs 111 and 112 which have feet 113 and 114. The
peg 120 is resilient so that the legs 112 can move towards
one another to close slot 115 but are biased outwardly by
the resiliency of the peg 120 towards the position shown
in Figure 4.
In order to connect the component 101 to the component
102, the legs 111 and 112 are inserted into sleeve 109.
The insertion of the legs is~facilitated by the inclined
bottom surfaces 119 of the feet 113 and 114 which
facilitate in pushing the legs together to close the slot
so the legs can pass into the recess and then move '
downwardly so that the feet locate over the abutment 110
again by the legs being pushed together and further
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closing the slot 115. L~hen the feet 113 and 114 locate
behind the~abutment 110, the legs 111 bias outwardly so
the legs are fully retained by engagement of the feet 113
and 114 behind the abutment 110.
As is best shown in Figure 4, cord 46 (and cord 47 of the
other connector shown in Figure 3) is connected to the
component 102 by tying the cord 46 through a hole 119 in
the peg 120.
~nce again, the coupling member 100 is adapted to release
when a predetermined load a.s applied to the cord 46, such
as a load of about albs. Thus, if a child. becomes
entangled in the cords 46 and 47, rather than form a loop
which, may strangle a child, the coupling member 100 will
simply release, thereby prevexating the formation of a loop
1.n which a child can become tangled.
As in the earlier embodiments, the component 102 is sued
so that it can easily pull through. the D rings 13 of the
blind 10 if necessary.
'Phe co~a,~aling a~e~~er shown in Figure ~~ can also be ~asec~ .in
the same fashion as Figures 1 and 2, in which the coupling
member is located in the cord by connecting one component
of the coupling member to one part of the cord, and the
other component to another part of the cord rather than
connecting one of the components directly to the blind.
Such, an embodiment may be used in roll up blinds or other
forms of blinds, and a connector may be located at a top
part of the blind in the draw cord.
If this is the case, the connector can be turned upside
down and the component 101 can be easily connected to one
part of the cord by tying the cord through opening 121 of
the component 102.
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Figure 5 is a view of one of the rings 18 according to the
preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure
5, the ring 18 is provided with a gap 70 which is
preferably of slightly smaller width than the diameter or
width. of the cord 46 (or 47) . The gap 70 is defined by
side parts 72 of the ring 18 and can generally be formed
by simply forming a cut or space in the ring 18 s~ the
ring is not completely "annular~° when the ring 18 is
moulded. In other embodiments, the ring 18 could be
provided with a split and the parts 7~ could effectively
touch one another. The ring 18 is generally formed from
plastics material and the parts 72 are therefore
resilient. Preferably the ring 18 is slightly oval in
shape, as best shown in Figure 5, and includes a base
portion 73 which includes indentations or undulations 75
to facilitate sewing of the ring 18 t~ the blind 30 by
stitching 74. The indentations 75 ensure that the ring 18
is sewn t~ the blind 30 so the ring 18 cannot slide
through the stitching 74, and thereby maintains the gap or
split 70 at a position which is rewrote fr~a~ the blind 30
when the ring 18 stands out from the blind 18 at an angle
of about ~0°.
The purpose of the gap 70 is to enable the cord 50 t~
release from the ring 18 if a load is applied to the cord
18 and that load is applied to the ring 18 rather than
through to the coupling member 100.
As is shown in Figure 6, it is possible that when the
blind is partly in the closed condition and a load is
applied to the cord 46, such as in the direction of arrow
Z in Figure 6, the load may be taken by the ring 18 and
not applied through to the coupling member 100, and
therefore the coupling member 100 will not release in the
manner previously described. In this instance, all of the
load is taken by the ring 18 rather than transmitting
through t~ the coupling member 100. However, according to
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the preferred embodiment, because the ring 18 includes tha
gap or cut 70 when the load is applied to the cord 50 in
the direction of arrow Z and that load is then transmitted.
to the ring 18, the cord 46 will pull through the gap 70
by slightly deforming the parts 72 of the ring 18, and
therefore release from the ring 18. This will enable the
load to be transmitted to the coupling member 100 and for
the coupling member 100 to release in the manner
previously described.
Thus, the embodiment shown in Figure 5 overcomes the
possibility that a child may become entangled in the cord
50 and the load not be transmitted through to the coupling
member 100 so the coupling member releases. By ensuring
that the cord 50 can release from the rings 18, this
ensures that the load will be transmitted through t~ the
coupling member 100 and the coupling member 100 will
release as previously described, and therefore avoid the
possibility of a strangling laa~ard.
t~Ihilst in the preferred embodiment of the invention, two
cords 46 and 47 are provided, more cords may be provided
to erasure t~.at the cords are: gable to support the weight of
the blind during normal opening and closing movement of
the blind without causing the coupling member 100 to
release. Thus, a.f the coupling member releases with a
load of three pounds, each cord 46, 47, etc. should take
less than three pound load during normal operation of the
blind.
~bviously all of the cords associated with the blind will
be provided D-rings 18 of the type described with
reference to Figure 5.
Figures 7 to 10 show a still further embodiment of the
invention which is applicable to heavier blinds and, in
particular, to roll up blinds. Because of the weight of
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roll up blinds and similar blinds, the possibility exists
that during opening and closing of the blind, the weight
of the blind and any jerking movement of the draw cord
during opening or closing of the blind may result in a
short duration load on the draw cord which may cause
separation of the coupling member of the type described in
the earlier embodiments. This unwanted separation is
inconvenient because it requires the coupling members to
be re-engaged so the blind can be properly opened and
closed and the unwanted separation may cause the blind to
drop during opening or closing. Whilst this issue is
addressed in the embodiments of Figures 7 to 10, these
embodiments also provide for separation of the coupling
member 100 in the same manner as previously described, so
as to avoid a strangling hazard.
With. references to Figures 7 to 10, a roll up blind 200 is
shown which leas a cover portion 210 which. may be formed
from fabric, wooden slats or the like. The blind 200 has
a top rail m er 211 from which the cover portion 210 is
suspended. Pulley arrangements 212 guide draw cords 214
and 215 to the cover portion 10 so the draw cords extend
dowxx the front s~,rf~,ce of the blind ~,s sla~owaz iaa. Fi~are 7,
beneath the blind and up along the back surface of the
blind for coupling to the rail 211, as is best shown in
Figure 8.
When the draw cords 214 and 215 are pulled, the draw cords
rise relative to the rail 211 and therefore roll up the
blind so as to open the blind as shown in Figure 9. To
lower the blind, the draw cords 214 and 215 are released
in the conventional manner and the weight of the blind
will enable the blind to lower pulling the draw cords 214
and 215 through the pulley arrangements 212 as the blind
210 unrolls into the fully open position.
As is best shown in Figures 8 and 9, the draw cords 214
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and 215 are provided with a coupling member 100 which may
be identical to the coupling members previously described
in the earlier embodiments. However, in this embodiment,
component 101' of the coupling member a.s connected to draw
cord 215 or 214 as the case may be, and the other
component 102' is connected to a coil spring 220. The
other end of the coil spring 220 is connected to a bracket
or fastener 221 which is connected to the rail 211.
The springs 220 provide a load take up mechanism which
takes up short duration loads which may be applied to the
draw cords 214 and 215 during opening or closing of the
blind 200 because of improper use of the draw cords 214
and 215. For example, if the cords 214 and 215 are not
smoothly lowered to open the blind and the blind is opened
in a jerky fashion or the cords 214 and 215 are simply
completely released so the cover portion 210 unrolls
without any resistance, the weight of the cover portion
210 and the jerking movement will result in a short
duration momentary load applied to the draw cords 214 and
215~ ~,rh,ich may be above the load which would cause
separation of the components 101' and 102'. However, the
spring 220 sill stretch a,nd take up those loa~e'~s before
release of the components 101' ~.nd 102' and therefore
prevent release of the components upon application of a
short duration momentary load.
If a child becomes entangled in the draw cord and a load
is applied to the draw cord 214 or 215, that load will be
of greater duration and will stretch the spring 220 to its
limit, whereupon the load is then immediately transferred
to the components 102' and 101' so that the components
101' and 102' will separate in the same manner as
described with reference to the earlier embodiments.
Typically the springs 220 will absorb loads which have a
duration of less than about one second by virtue of the
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spring expanding, and this is sufficient to take up short
duration loading which may occur during improper opening
or closing of the cover portion 210. However, if a child
becomes entangled in one of the draw cords 214 and 215,
the load applied to the draw cords is obviously of much
longer duration, and this will therefore cause the spring
to stretch and then the components 101' and 102' to
separate so as to prevent the formation of a loop in the
draw cords which may present a strangling hazard.
Figure 11 is a more detailed view of the coupling member
100 used in the embodiment of Figures 7 to 11. In this
embodiment the component 101' includes a pair of resilient
legs 240 which have feet 241. The component 102' is
provided with a pair of holes 242 in side portions of the
component 102' in which the feet 241 engage to hold the
components 101' and 102' together. However, when the
longer duration load is applied to the draw cord 214 (or
215) the feet 241 are pulled out of the holes 242 so the
components 102' and 101' release from one another.
Figures 12 and 13 show a still further embodiment of the
invention i~a e,~hich e, load ts.~se up m.embeb is s.p~alied to a
Roman blind.
In this embodiment the Roman blind is configured generally
in the same way as that of the embodiment of Figure 3 and
they include rings as~per the embodiment of Figure 5.
Some of the details of the Roman blind of Figure 12 have
been omitted for ease of illustration.
In the embodiment of Figure 12 the blind includes draw
cords 250 which pass through rings 1~. The draw cords 250
are connected to a coupling member 260 of the type
described with reference to any of the previous
embodiments. The coupling member 260 connects to an
elastic member 270 which. in turn is secured to a lower
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edge of the blind of Figure 12.
AS shown in Figure 13 the elastic member 270 is preferably
formed from a strap or length of elastic material and
passes through an opening 261 in the coupling member 260.
The two free ends of the strap 270 are then brought
together as shown at 271a and 271b and the ends are
stitched at 273 to the lower edge of the blind. Thus, a
continuous loop or band of elastic material is provided
which can stretch when load is applied to take up the load
in the event of shock to prevent unwanted disconnection of
the coupling member 260 in the same manner as described
with reference to the earlier embodiment.
The elastic band type load take up member of the
embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 is used in preference to
the spring of the earlier embodiment because of the bottom
of the blind it will form a more attractive appearance and
will not tend to stretch as much as a spring. Thus, when
the blind is pulled into the closed configuration the
bottom panel of the blind will not droop because of the
stretching of the band 270 which away occur if a relatively
fine spr i~ag is ~a.sed .
However, in the alternative embodiments the rubber band of
the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 could be used in the
embodiment of Figures 7 to 11 and the spring of the
embodiment of Figures 7 to 11 could be used in the
embodiment of Figures 12 and 13.
~nce again, in the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 ,if a
short duration load is applied to the blind such as if the
blind is simply dropped when opening or closing and falls
under its own weight the elastic member 270 will stretch.
and take up the load before the coupling member 260
separates. However, if a longer duration load is applied
then the coupling member 260 will separate as in the
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previous embodiments to prevent a strangling hazard.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description of the invention, except where the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as
"comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive
sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features
but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the lnventlon.
Since modlf iCatl.onS wl.thl.n the spirit and scope of the
invention may readily be effected by persons skilled
wa.thin the art, it is to be understood that this invention
is not limited to the particular embodiment described by
way of example hereinabove.
