Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02874872 2014-12-10
PATENT APPLICATION OF
David Louis Jaggli
TITLE OF INVENTION
Cord Safety Device for Window Coverings
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/690,701,
filed 2012 July 2 by David Louis Jaggli.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In order to raise or fold up a cord operated venetian blind, or any other type
of cord
operated window covering, the cords are pulled downwardly which will increase
the
length of the cords that are exposed. Exposed cords pose a hazard for infants
and
young children. Efforts have been made to reduce the strangulation hazard
posed by
the lift cords on window coverings such as venetian blinds. One solution has
been to
separate the lift cords and attach a tassel to the end of each lift cord to
keep the ends of
the lift cords from entangling. Other solutions have been break away lift
cords. There
is still a hazard with these types of solutions because the lift cords are
still accessible.
There are some window coverings such as venetian blinds and roman shades
manufactured that are cordless for safety but these types of cordless blinds
or window
coverings are approximately four to eight times more expensive and almost
always
have to be special ordered. Out of necessity, to save money, I invented an
affordable
cord safety device for window coverings to protect my children from this
hazard. My
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invention keeps the lift cords in the head rail area; therefore they are out
of the reach of
infants and young children. My invention also allows the lift cords to remain
equalized
for level operation of the window covering. When you buy a window covering
such as a
venetian blind you need to cut and adjust the length of the lift cords but
with my
invention the cord automatically adjusts therefore making installation easier.
Preferably
my invention will be attached or installed during manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Window covering in this description refers to window coverings of the type
having a
plurality of pulleys, a plurality of housings, a plurality of lift cords
extending from a head
rail the lift cords used to raise and lower a window covering material.
FIG. 1 is an angled overhead view of a window covering in the lowered
position.
FIG. 2 is an angled overhead view of a window covering in the raised position.
FIG. 3 is an overhead view of a head rail of a window covering in the raised
position.
FIG. 4 is an overhead view of a head rail of a window covering in the lowered
position.
FIG. 5 is a side view of pulleys and housing.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a pulley and housing.
FIG. 7 is an angled overhead view of pulleys and housing.
FIG. 8 is an angled overhead view of a pulley and housing.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Elastic cord device 2 is for use in cooperation with a window covering device
of the type
having a plurality of pulleys, a plurality of housings, a plurality of lift
cords extending
form a head rail the lift cords used to raise and lower a window covering
material.
Figure 1 shows an angled overhead view of window covering material 7 in a
lowered
position, head rail 5, bottom rail 3, housing 12d, pulley 10c, elastic cord
device 2, swivel
4, lift cords 1, pulley 6A, pulley 8b, housing 14e.
Figure 2 shows an angled overhead view of window covering material 7 in a
raised
position, head rail 5, bottom rail 3, housing 12d, pulley 10c, elastic cord
device 2, swivel
4, lift cords 1, pulley 6A, pulley 8b, housing 14e.
Figure 3 shows an overhead view of head rail 5 when the window covering
material is in
a raised position, housing 12d, pulley 10c, elastic cord device 2, swivel 4,
lift cords 1,
pulley 6A, pulley 8b, housing 14e.
Figure 4 shows an overhead view of head rail 5 when the window covering
material is in
a lowered position, housing 12d, pulley 10c, elastic cord device 2, swivel 4,
lift cords 1,
pulley 6A, pulley 8b, housing 14e.
Figure 5 shows a side view of housing 14e, pulley 6A, pulley 8b.
Figure 6 shows a side view of housing 12d and pulley 10c.
Figure 7 shows an angled overhead view of housing 14e, pulley 6A, pulley 8b.
Figure 8 shows an angled overhead view of housing 12d, pulley 10c.
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Figure 1 shows window covering material 7 in the lowered position. When window
covering material 7 is in the lowered position, elastic cord device 2 is
traversing head
rail 5 and exiting head rail 5. Elastic cord device 2 is elongating and
allowing the
window covering material 7 to be in the lowered position. One end of elastic
cord
device 2 is outside head rail 5. This end of elastic cord device 2 is what
will be pulled in
order to raise window covering material 7.
Figure 2 shows window covering material 7 in the raised position. When window
covering material 7 is in the raised position, lift cords 1 are traversing
head rail 5. The
free ends of lift cords 1 are attached to one end of swivel 4. The other end
of swivel 4 is
attached to one end of elastic cord device 2. The other end of elastic cord
device 2
exits head rail 5. The portion of elastic cord device 2 that is outside head
rail 5 springs
back to its relaxed state and is out of the reach of infants and young
children. The
portion of elastic cord device 2 that is outside head rail 5 is what will be
accessible in
order to lower window covering 7.
Figure 3 shows an overhead view of head rail 5 when the window covering
material is in
the raised position. Instead of lift cords 1 exiting head rail 5 they are kept
inside head
rail 5. Lift cords 1 are directed onto pulley 8b, from pulley 8b lift cords 1
traverse head
rail 5 and are directed onto pulley 10c. From pulley 10c lift cords 1 traverse
back across
head rail 5. The free ends of lift cords 1 are attached to one end of swivel 4
and the
other end of swivel 4 is attached to one end of elastic cord device 2. Elastic
cord device
2 goes onto pulley 6A. Pulley 6A and 8b are attached to housing 14e. Pulley
10c is
attached to housing 12d.
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Figure 4 shows elastic cord device 2 elongated and traversing head rail 5 when
the
window covering material is in the lowered position.
Figure 5 and figure 7 show pulley 6A and pulley 8b attached to housing 14e.
Pulley 6A
and 8b are preferably attached to housing 14e by a nut and bolt type fastener.
Figure 6 and figure 8 show pulley 10c attached to housing 12d. Pulley 10c is
preferably
attached to housing 12d by a nut and bolt type fastener.
Housings 14e and 12d can be different dimensions to fit head rails of
different types of
window coverings.
Pulleys 8b, 6A and 10c can be different dimensions to fit the different
dimensions of
housings 14e and 12d.
Pulleys 8b, 6A and 10c can be attached directly to window covering head rails.
Elastic cord device 2 stretches or elongates and traverses head rail 5.
Pulleys 6A, 8b and 10c guide lift cords 1.
Pulleys 6A, 8b and 10c also guide elastic cord device 2.
Swivel 4 allows elastic cord device 2 to twist independently of lift cords 1.
Elastic cord device 2 can be different lengths and sizes to fit different
types or sizes of
window coverings.
Elastic cord device 2 will have a first end and a second end.
Elastic cord device 2 can be made with a central flexible core.
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Elastic cord device 2 can have an elasticized outer braided textile covering.
Elastic cord device 2 can be made of strands of rubber or a rubber like
synthetic
combined with a textile material.
Elastic cord device 2 can be solid or hollow.
Elastic cord device 2 can be made of fiber reinforced composite plastics.
Elastic cord device 2 can be made of metal, plastic or a combination of both.
Elastic cord device 2 can be made with a rubber or rubber like synthetic core.
Preferably elastic cord device 2 will be made of nylon or polyester type cord
materials
combined with rubber or rubber like synthetic.
Elastic cord device 2 will have a spiral helical shape.
Elastic cord device 2 can stretch or elongate as much as or more than
approximately
seven times its relaxed state.
Housings 14e and 12d can be made of metal or plastic.
Housings 14e and 12d will preferably be made of a durable plastic.
Pulleys 6A, 8b and 10c can be made of metal, plastic or a combination of both.
Housings 14e and 12d can be snap fitted into head rails.
Thus, the reader will see that the cord safety device for window coverings
provides
many advantages.
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Many infants and young children die every year from corded window coverings.
The
cord safety device for window coverings retracts out of the reach of infants
and young
children, providing a safer environment.
There are still cord operated window coverings on the market and they are more
affordable than the cordless window coverings. Parents, apartment owners and
business owners will sometimes choose cost over safety. That is precisely why,
out of
necessity, I invented the cord safety device for window coverings and was able
to keep
the lift cords out of the reach of my children.
For many years there have been many attempts to remove corded window coverings
from the market because of the lift cords hanging down and posing a
strangulation
hazard. The cord safety device for window coverings lets manufactures still
produce
cord operated window coverings without the danger of lift cords hanging down,
providing a safer window covering. The cord safety device is an affordable and
safe
way to keep corded window coverings on the market.
The cord safety device for window coverings allows the lift cords to remain
equalized for
level operation of the window covering.
When a consumer purchases a window covering with the cord safety device
attached to
the window covering the consumer will not need to cut and adjust the length of
the lift
cords, making the installation of the window covering easier.
Manufactures can add this cord safety device for window coverings without
having to
alter the design or structure of their corded window coverings. This provides
a cost
effective means for providing safer window coverings.
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It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can
be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the
scope or
spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention
cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within
the scope of
the following claims and their equivalents.
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