Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE
PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR A WINDOW COVERING CORD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present disclosure generally relates to corded window coverings.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure related to
protective
enclosure for a window covering cord.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A corded window covering is an indoor window covering that is
equipped with at least one cord such as shades, slats, blinds including roller
blinds
and the like coverings. The cord used can be a band, a rope, a strap, a
string, a
chain, a wire or any other like component.
[0003]
The Government of Canada has assessed that children are at risk
of strangulation from corded window coverings (CWCs). Indeed, the average
fatality
rate is slightly more than one child death per year. A Health Canada risk
assessment on CWCs to assess the strangulation hazard concluded the cords for
CWCs continue to present an unreasonable risk of injury or death to your
children.
Accordingly, the Government of Canada proposed updated regulatory requirements
to these products to provide stronger protection for children. These new
regulations
would restrict the length of reachable cords and the size of loops that can be
created
by a cord in order to help eliminate the risk of strangulation. The term
"reachable"
respect to a cord, refers to the part of the cord that any person can touch
when the
corded window covering has been installed, whether the window covering is
fully
opened, fully closed or in any position in between. The term "loop" means a
shape,
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
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the majority of which is formed by a reachable cord, that creates a completely
bounded opening.
[0004]
The Regulations restrict the length of accessible cords and the size
of loops that can be created. The Regulations require that any cord that can
be
reached must be too short to wrap around a one-year-old child's neck (i.e. not
more
than 22 cm in length) or form a loop that can be pulled over a one-year-old
child's
head (i.e. not more than 44 cm in circumference) when subjected to the gradual
application of force attaining 35 N. Cords that cannot be reached must remain
unreachable throughout the useful life of the product. Cords that are shielded
or
.. made inaccessible are not subject to the length and loop requirements,
though they
must remain inaccessible. Cords that can be reached cannot exceed 22 cm in
length
or create a loop greater than 44 cm in circumference when they are at rest,
whether
the product is fully covering the window, fully open, or at any position in
between.
Reachable cords may be any length or have loops of any size so long as a pull
force
.. of more than 35 N is required to draw them out. When this force is removed,
cords
that can be reached must retract to less than 22 cm in length or 44 cm in
circumference.
OBJECTS
[0005]
An object of the present disclosure is to protective enclosure for a
window covering cord.
[0006]
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a corded window
covering that complies with the safety regulation regarding length of
accessible
cords and the size of loops that can be created.
[0007]
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of enclosing
a cord of a corded window system.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
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SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there
is
provided a corded window covering system comprising: a window cover for
selectively covering a window; an actuator assembly in operative communication
.. with the window cover; a cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and
vertically
extending along a given length of the window and being connected to the
actuator
assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window
covering and uncovering movements to the window cover; and a protective
enclosure vertically extending along a length of the cord for enclosing an
upper
portion of the cord, wherein a bottom portion of the cord remains exposed,
wherein
the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more
than
about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there
is
provided a protective enclosure for a cord of a corded window covering system
.. comprising a window cover for selectively covering a window, an actuator
assembly
in operative communication with the window cover, the cord defining top and
bottom
ends thereof and vertically extending along a given length of the window and
being
connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator
assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window
cover, the vertical protective enclosure comprising: an outer elongated body
shell
defining top and bottom open ends and an inner tunnel in communication with
the
top and bottom open ends providing for fitting an upper portion of the
vertical cord
therethrough for enclosure thereof, a bottom portion of the vertical cord
extending
beneath the bottom open end for being exposed, wherein the exposed bottom
portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm
and/or
forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
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[0010] In an embodiment, the length of the upper portion of the cord
is greater
than the length of the bottom portion of the vertical cord. In an embodiment,
the
length of the upper portion of the cord is lesser than the length of the
bottom portion
of the vertical cord. In an embodiment, the length of the upper portion of the
cord is
about the same as the length of the bottom portion of the cord. In an
embodiment,
the length of the cord is from about 2/3 of the length of the window to about
the full
length of the window.
[0011] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure comprises an outer
shell
defining a tunnel and top and bottom end openings, the tunnel providing for
fitting
the upper portion of the cord therethrough, the bottom portion of the cord
extending
beneath the bottom end opening. In an embodiment, a top portion of the cord
above
the upper portion comprises the top end extending above the top end opening.
In
an embodiment, the outer shell comprises a configuration selected from the
group
consisting of a rectangular configuration, a cylindrical configuration, a
trapezoidal
configuration, a triangular configuration and a tubular configuration.
[0012] In an embodiment, the actuator assembly comprises a clutch
mounted
to a roller, the window cover comprising a sheet mounted at a top end thereof
to the
roller for being rolled thereon during the window uncovering movement and
rolled
therefrom during the window covering movement, the cord being connected to the
clutch.
[0013] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is mounted to the
window
covering system. In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is mounted a
surface
adjacent the window.
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there
is
provided a method of enclosing a vertical cord of a corded window system, the
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method comprising: providing a longitudinal vertical protective enclosure
defining
top and bottom open ends and internal tunnel; inserting the cord via the top
end into
the tunnel; providing a length to the protective enclosure such that an upper
portion
of the cord is enclosed within the tunnel and a bottom portion of the cord is
exposed
beneath the bottom end opening, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the
vertical
cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of
not
more than about 44 cm in circumference.
[0015] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
disclosure will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of
illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference
to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the appended drawings:
[0017] Figure 1 is a front and side perspective view of corded window
covering including the protective enclosure for the cord in accordance with a
non-
restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] Figure 2 is a front and side exploded perspective view of
corded
window covering of Figure 1;
[0019] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the cord and protective
enclosure of
Figure 2
[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a protective enclosure for a
cord of a
corded window covering in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative
embodiment
of the present disclosure; and
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
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[0021]
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a protective enclosure for a cord of a
corded window covering in accordance with another non-restrictive illustrative
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Generally stated and in accordance with an aspect of the present
disclosure, there is provided a corded window covering system. The system
comprises a window cover for selectively covering a window. An actuator
assembly
is in operative communication with the window cover. A cord defining top and
bottom ends thereof and vertically extends along a given length of the window.
The
cord is connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the
actuator
assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window
cover. A protective enclosure vertically extends along a length of the cord
for
enclosing an upper portion of the cord. A bottom portion of the cord remains
exposed. The exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of
not
more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in
circumference.
[0023]
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown corded window
covering 10 in the form of a roller blind.
[0024]
The roller blind 10 comprises a roll 12 which is comprised of a window
cover in the form of a sheet 14 connected at a top end 15 thereof to a
rotatable
cylindrical roller 16 in the form of a hollow tube. The sheet 14 depends from
the
tube 16 and vertically downwardly extends therefrom forming from its top end
15 to
its bottom end 17. A weight bar 18 is mounted to the bottom end 17 of the
sheet 14
to weigh it down. The sheet 14 can be of a plurality of suitable materials
usually
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
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fabric but other materials can also be contemplated by the skilled artisan and
as
desired by the user.
[0025] The hollow tube 16 houses an actuator assembly 20 for
imparting a
rolling movement to the tube 16.
[0026] The hollow tube 16 defines a pair of opposite longitudinal ends,
namely a "drive" end X' and an idle end X".
[0027] The actuator assembly 20 comprises a clutch 22 defining a
barrel 24
that is inserted within the hollow tube 16 at the drive end X' and a pulley
section 26
containing a pulley gear (as is known in the art) covered by a protective
casing 28.
The pulley section 26 remains external of the tube 16. The pulley section 26
carries
a cord 30 such as a chain. The chain 30 engages the pulley gear, more
specifically,
the pulley gear has teeth and the beads 32 (see also Figure 3) of the chain
are
positioned between the pulley gear teeth. Thus, when the user pulls on either
side
31 or 33 (see also Figure 3) of the chain 30, the pulley gear will rotate in
the direction
of a given chain side 31 or 33, as shown by arrows I and II. Therefore, the
barrel
24 which is connected to the pulley gear and which is snugly fitted within the
tube
16 will impart a corresponding rotation to the tube 16 thereby rolling the
sheet 14
about the tube (in direction I), thus uncovering the window by raising end 17
and
unrolling the sheet 14 from the tube 16 (in direction II) thus covering the
window by
lowering end 17. The clutch 22 may contain various spring tensioners as is
well
known in the art.
[0028] An end barrel plug 34 is snuggly fitted into the hollow tube
16 at the
other end X" thereof.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
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[0029] The clutch 22 is mounted to a drive end bracket 36A and the
barrel
plug is mounted to a idle end bracket 36B. The brackets 36A and 36B are
mounted
to a surface structure about the window, such as a wall.
[0030] It is understood that the corded window covering 10 shown here
is but
one non-limiting illustrative example of a variety of corded window coverings
within
the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, a variety of cord actuators with
various
pulleys, gears, wheels for reciprocally moving blinds or slats and the like
can be
contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the present
disclosure is drawn to any window covering using a cord as part of an actuator
assembly for reciprocally covering and uncovering the window as is well known
in
the art.
[0031] As is shown in the present example, the cord 30 extends along
a given
length of the window (or the unrolled blind sheet 14.). In an embodiment, the
cord
extends between about 2/3 of the length of the window to about the full length
of the
window. In an embodiment, the cord 30 is about 48 inches from the floor.
[0032] With respect to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cord defines a top end
38
connected to the actuator assembly 20, a bottom loop end 40 and a main portion
42
therebetween defining the two sides 31 and 33.
[0033] A protective enclosure 44 provides for covering cord 30 such
that the
bottom loop end 40 is exposed.
[0034] The protective enclosure 44 covers a length of the main
portion 42 of
the cord 30. The main portion 42 includes upper and bottom portions 43 and 45.
The upper portion 43 is contiguous a top portion 49 including the top end 28.
The
bottom portion 45 includes the bottom loop end 40. The protective enclosure
covers
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
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the upper portion 43 of the cord 30 and leaves the bottom portion 45 exposed
for
being used to pull the actuator assembly 20.
[0035] With respect to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the protective enclosure
44
comprises a vertically extending longitudinal hollow member with an outer
shell body
46 defining an inner tunnel 47 for receiving the main portion 42 of the cord
30
therethrough. The outer shell body 46 defines top and bottom ends thereof, 48
and
50. The top end 48 defines a top end opening 52 for allowing the top end 38 of
the
cord 30 to engage the actuator assembly 20. The bottom end 50 defines a bottom
end opening 54 for allowing the loop end 40 of the cord 30 to extend
therethrough
so as to be exposed. The bottom portion 45 of the cord including the bottom
loop
end 40 hangs below the bottom end opening 54; it is this portion (bottom
portion 45)
that is manipulated by the user for operating the movement of the cover 14.
[0036] The exposed bottom portion 45 of the cord 30 is too short to
wrap
around a one-year-old child's neck (i.e. not more than about 22 cm in length)
or form
a loop that can be pulled over a one-year-old child's head (i.e. not more than
about
44 cm in circumference) when subjected to the gradual application of force
attaining
35 N. Thus, the depending on the overall length of the cord 30, a suitable
vertical
length of the protective enclosure 44 will be provided in order to expose a
bottom
portion that is not more than about 22 cm in length and/or not more than about
44
cm in circumference.
[0037] In an embodiment, the upper portion 43 has a length that is
greater
than the length of the bottom portion 45. In another embodiment, the upper
portion
43 has a length that is lesser than the length of the bottom portion 45. In
another
embodiment, the upper portion has a length that is the same as the length of
the
bottom portion 45.
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[0038] In the non-limiting illustrative example shown in Figures 1 to
4, the
outer shell body 46 comprises a rectangular configuration.
[0039] Turning to Figure 5, there is shown a protective enclosure 144
having
a cylindrical configuration and comprising an outer shell body 146 in the form
of
vertically extending longitudinal hollow cylindrical tube member defining an
inner
tunnel 147 for receiving the main portion 42 of the cord 30 therethrough. The
outer
shell body 146 defines top and bottom ends thereof, 148 and 150. The top end
148
defines a top end opening 152 for allowing the top end 38 of the cord 30 to
engage
the actuator assembly 20. The bottom end 150 defines a bottom end opening 154
for allowing the loop end 40 of the cord 30 to extend therethrough so as to be
exposed.
[0040] It should be noted that various geometric configurations of
the outer
shell body of the protective enclosure can be contemplated within the scope of
the
present disclosure, including rectangular, triangular, cylindrical or tubular
configurations, various trapezoidal configurations, oval configurations and
other
shapes and designs according to purchaser tastes and desires as will be
appreciated by the skilled artisan.
[0041] With respect to Figures 4 and 5, the protective enclosure 44
is
mounted to the wall surrounding the window.
[0042] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure of the disclosure is
directly
fastened to the wall. In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is connected
to
the wall via connecting elements such as extensions and the like.
[0043] With reference to Figure 4, the outer shell body 46 of the
protective
enclosure 44 defines front and rear sides 58 and 60 respectively as well as
lateral
sides 62A and 62B. Connecting elements 64 including tabs 66 defining holes 68
for
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receiving fasteners 70 extend laterally from the corner juncture of rear side
58 and
lateral side 62A. In this way, protective enclosure 44 is mounted to a wall
surface
W1 adjacent the window.
[0044] With reference to Figure 5, the outer shell body 146 of the
protective
enclosure 144 defines front and rear sides 158 and 160 respectively. The rear
side
160 includes holes 168 for receiving fasteners 170 to be fastened to the wall
surface
W2 adjacent the window.
[0045] In another embodiment, the protective member 44 is connected
to the
clutch 22 via a connector member therebetween. In a further embodiment, the
protective member 44 is connected to the drive end bracket 36A via a connector
member therebetween. Of course, the protective member 44 may be connected to
both the wall and the bracket 36A and/or the clutch 22.
[0046] The various features described herein can be combined in a
variety of
ways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide still other
embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Moreover,
the
embodiments discussed herein need not include all of the features and elements
illustrated and/or described and thus partial combinations of features can
also be
contemplated. Furthermore, embodiments with less features than those described
can also be contemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure
is not
.. limited in its application to the details of construction and parts
illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be
understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose
of
description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has
been
.. provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments
thereof, it
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can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature thereof
and of
the appended claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20
