Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DISPLACEABLE WAND WITH CHAIN RESTRICTOR
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a displaceable wand with an endless loop blind
control element
comprising an elongated member extending from a first end to a second end,
said endless loop
blind control element disposed within said elongated member and extending
beyond said first
and second end, and a restrictor presented at one of said first and second
ends and extending
through said endless loop blind control element to permit said displaceable
wand to hang from
said endless loop blind control element in a first position and permit
rotation of said endless loop
blind control element in a second position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Blinds for building openings, such as windows, doors and the like, may be
operated either
simply down and up, in the case of e.g. roller blinds, or in the case of for
example 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.
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In the past this system has been widely used, and experience was believed to
be mainly
satisfactory. In some cases a pendant weight was located on the loop, to
assist in controlling it.
US patent 4,932,456, inventor G Buxbaum, shows the usual form of blind chain
and drive
sprocket gear on the blind roller such as being standard in the art.
However safety considerations for some time have been forcing Government
agencies seek
further ways to restrict unsafe or unwanted access to the endless loop type of
control element.
The intent of these considerations has been mainly to prevent any chance that
the element may
possibly create a hazard to children, or handicapped persons, or even pets.
In addition, by guiding and controlling the loop of the element, its operation
by anyone becomes
somewhat easier. The element is prevented from becoming twisted, or entangled
with any other
blinds controls, curtains or the like..
The prior art includes US 2019/0195014
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a displaceable wand, comprising;
an elongated
member extending from a first end to a second end, an endless loop blind
control element
disposed within said elongated member and extends beyond at least one of the
first and second
ends; and a restrictor presented at one of the first and second ends, the
restrictor extending
through the endless loop blind control element to permit said elongated member
to:
a) hang from the endless loop blind control element and block access to the
one end of
the endless loop blind control element in a first position, and;
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b) be raised to a second position to expose the one end of said endless loop
blind
control element and rotate the endless loop blind control element in a second
position.
In one embodiment the first and second ends comprise an upper end and a lower
end
respectively and the restrictor is positioned at said lower end.
In another embodiment the elongated member comprises a tube, where for example
the tube is
selected from the group having a rectangular, circular, oval, poly-sided and
transparent cross
section.
In one embodiment the endless loop blind control member hangs from a blind
control adjacent
the upper end of the tube. The blind control includes either a sprocket,
clutch or pully and the
endless loop blind control element hangs from the sprocket, clutch or pully.
In one embodiment the restrictor is fastened to the lower end of the tube. The
restrictor has an
open restrictor end having the same cross-section as the lower end of the tube
and a transit end
having two transit openings separated by an abutment to permit the endless
loop blind control
element to transit around the lower end of the wand. In one embodiment the
abutment has a
curved surface.
In another embodiment the wand includes a least one magnetic member disposed
between the
upper and lower ends of the tube; wherein the wand hangs substantially
vertical to a window
frame and the window frame includes a magnetic metal adjacent the magnetic
member for
magnetic attraction there between.
In another embodiment the wand hangs substantially vertical to a window frame
and the window
frame includes a tensioning device traversed by a lower end of the endless
loop blind control
element to keep the endless loop blind control element in tension. The
tensioning device
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includes a flap that is moveable between an open position to insert said lower
portion of said
endless loop blind control element into said tensioning device and a closed
position. The
tensioning device can include a socket opening to engage with a hand crank to
rotate said
endless loop blind control element.
In another embodiment the wand hangs substantially vertical to a window frame
and the window
frame includes a retainer to retain the wand against the window frame in the
vertical position.
In a further embodiment up to 8 inches or 20 centimeters of the lower end of
the endless loop
blind control element is exposed in said second position.
In yet another embodiment the tube includes a first magnetic member at the
lower end and a
second magnetic member at the upper end.
In another embodiment the elongated member includes an upper guide presented
at the upper
end of the elongated member for guiding the endless loop blind control
element.
The endless loop blind control element comprises a cord having spaced beads
disposed along
the cord and the curved surface is longer than the distance between said
spaced beads.
In one embodiment the tube is rectangular in cross section and transparent.
In another embodiment displaceable wand comprises an elongated transparent
tube extending
from an upper end to a lower end; an endless loop blind control element
disposed within said
transparent tube and extending beyond said upper and lower end of said
elongated transparent
tube; an abutment at said lower end of said tube extending through said
endless loop blind
control element to permit said elongated transparent tube to:
a) hang from a lower end of said endless loop blind control element and block
access to
said lower end of said endless loop blind control element in a first position,
and;
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b) be raised to a second position to expose said lower end of said endless
loop blind
control element and manually rotate said endless loop blind control element in
said
second position.
These and other features of the invention shall now be described in relation
to the following
drawings.
SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wand for operating a window fabric of a
window blind or
shade in a first closed position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wand for operating a window fabric of a
window blind or
shade.in a second operable position.
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the wand of Figure 1 in the first closed
position.
Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the wand which is pulled to the side
showing magnets.
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the wand having magnets and where the
wand pulled away
from the frame of a window and manipulated by raising the wand to a second
raised operable
position.
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the wand where the wand is pulled away
from the frame of a
window and manipulated by lowering the wand to a first lower position.
Figure 8 is a front elevation view of Figure 7.
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Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the wand with a clip where the wand is in
a second operable
position.
Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the wand with a clip where the wand is
in a first closed
position.
Figure 11 is a front elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the first closed
position.
Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the first closed
position.
Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the second
operable position.
Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the second
operable position.
Figure 15 is a front elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the second
operable position showing a hand crank.
Figure 16 is a side elevation view of the wand with a tensioner with the wand
in the second
operable position showing a hand crank.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the wand with a tensioner and hand crank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Like parts are given the same number throughout the drawings.
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Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wand 2 for operating a window fabric of a
window blind or
shade. The wand 2 comprises an elongated member 4 which in one embodiment is a
tube
having a rectangular cross-section. The elongated member 4 extends from a
first or upper end 8
to a second or lower end 10. Other cross-sections can be used such as
circular, oval, square or
poly-sided. The elongated body can be made of suitable material such as
plastic or the like. In
the embodiment shown the elongated member is transparent.
An endless loop blind control element 6 is disposed within the elongated
member 4 and extends
beyond at least one of the first or upper end 8 and second or lower ends 10.
The endless loop
blind control element can consist of a cord, balls spaced along a cord in a
manner well known to
those persons skilled in the art relating to window blinds or shades.
The endless loop blind control element extends 6 beyond the upper end 8 of
elongated member
4 to "hang from" and engage with a sprocket 12 of a blind control. The
sprocket 12 can be part
of a clutch control 14 in a typical window blind or shade. The clutch control
14 is located in a
housing 15 having a clutch housing opening 17 to receive a portion of the
endless loop blind
control element 6. Instead of a sprocket a pulley can be used.
The wand 2 includes a restrictor 20 or support at the lower end 10 of the
elongated member 4.
The restrictor 20 can be integral with the elongated member 4 or alternatively
as shown can
consist of a separate restrictor body 22 having an open restrictor end 24
which has the same
cross section as the lower end 10 of elongated member 4 so as to telescope
therein. In one
embodiment the restrictor body 22 is fastened to the lower end of elongated
member 4 by a
screw 26 or other suitable fastening means such as an adhesive. The restrictor
body 22 has a
transit end 28 opposite the open restrictor end 24. The transit end 28 has two
transit openings
separated by an abutment or support surface 32 to permit or accommodate the
endless loop
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blind control element to transit around the lower end 10 of the elongated
member 4 of the wand
2.
The abutment 32 has a curved surface 33 that contacts the endless loop blind
control element
6. The curved surface 33 is longer than the distance between the spaced beads
of the endless
loop blind control element 6 so that the endless loop blind control element
rotates around the
abutment 32 smoothly without any substantial snags. The abutment 32 can extend
or project
beyond the transit end 28 or alternatively the abutment 32 can be positioned
within the restrictor
body 22. Alternatively the abutment may be part of the lower end of the
elongated member or
inside the lower end of the tube 4.
The upper end 8 of the elongated member 4 includes a guide 50. The guide 50
can be integral
with the elongated member 4 or alternatively as shown can consist of a
separate guide body 52
having an open guide end 54 which has the same cross section as the upper end
8 of elongated
member 4 so as to telescope therein. In one embodiment the guide body 52 is
fastened to the
upper end of elongated member 4 by a screw 56 or other suitable fastening
means such as an
adhesive. The guide body 52 has a guide transit end 58 opposite the guide end
54. The guide
transit end 58 has two transit openings 50 separated by support surface 59 to
permit or
accommodate the endless loop blind control element 6 to transit through the
upper end 8 of the
elongated member 4 of the wand 2.
The wand 2 hangs from a socket 12 or clutch assembly 14 of a window blind
adjacent a frame
40 of a window shown in Figure 2. The wand 2 in one embodiment includes at
least one
magnetic member 42 disposed between the upper end 8 and lower end 10 and the
window
frame 40 also includes at least one magnetic metal 44 that is attracted to the
magnetic member
42 for magnetic interaction there between when the wand 2 'hangs"
substantially vertically from
the sprocket 12 or clutch assembly 14 due to gravity. In one embodiment there
is one magnetic
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metal 44 adjacent the lower end 10 of wand 2. The strength of the magnet can
be selected to
make it difficult for a child to separate the wand 2 or magnetic member 42
from the magnetic
metal 44. This acts as an added level of child proofing the wand 2. In another
embodiment there
can be two magnetic metals 44 at the frame 40 adjacent the upper end 8 and
lower end 10 of
the wand 2.
The magnetic material 42 can be secured to the wand by a fastener 50 or
adhesive such as a
screw 50. The magnetic metal 44 can be a metal washer 52 or the like that is
secured to the
frame 40 by a screw or by adhesive. In one embodiment the magnetic material 42
is fastened
to the restrictor body 22 such as a screw or fastener, or adhesive.
The restrictor 20 and in particular the abutment or support surface 32 extends
through the
endless loop blind control element 6 to permit the elongated member 4 to:
a) hang from said endless loop blind control element 6 and block access to the
lower
end 10 of the endless loop blind control element 6 in a first or lower
position, as
shown in Figure 4 and;
b) be raised to a second or open position to expose the lower end of said
endless loop
blind control element 6 and rotate said endless loop blind control element in
said
second or operable position as shown in Figure 3.
In particular the abutment or support surface 32 bears against or contacts the
lowest part of the
endless loop blind control element 6 and prevents the wand 2 and elongated
member 4 to drop
.. any further.
The wand 2 or elongated member 4 is shorter in length than the loop of endless
blind control
element 6 so that a length X of the endless loop blind control element is
exposed above the
guide 50 in the lower position shown in Figure 4, while the same length X of
the endless loop
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blind control element is exposed below the lower end 10 when the wand 2 is in
the open
position shown in figure 4. The wand 2 can be raised up to the total length X
or alternatively the
wand can be raised just a portion Y as shown in Figure 13 and 14 for example
within the scope
of this invention.
In some jurisdictions such as Canada government authorities regulate the
length of endless
loop blind control element that can be exposed to protect children from
accidental entanglement
with the endless loop blind control element 6. In one embodiment X can be
selected at 8 inches
or 20 centimeters.
The wand 2 can be pulled or swung in any direction since the wand 2 freely
hangs from the
sprocket 2 or clutch assembly 14 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Alternatively the magnetic material 42 and magnetic metal 44 can be replaced
by capturing
device or retainer 60 such as a clip 60 for example which is attached to the
frame 40. The outer
periphery or surface of elongated member 4 can be pressed against the clip 60
to be
removeably retained thereby. Then when the wand 2 is in use the wand 2 is
pulled away from
the clip 70 and then the wand 2 is manually moved to the open position and/or
operable position
the endless loop blind control element 6 is manually moved to rotate the
socket 12 and raise or
lower the window covering or fabric.
As a further alternative as shown in Figures 13-17 a tensioning device 70 can
be attached to the
frame 40 where the tensioning device 70 is traversed by the lower portion of
the endless loop
blind control element 6 to keep the endless loop blind control element 6 in
tension. The
tensioning device 70 includes a flap 72 that is moveable between an open
position to insert the
lower portion of the endless loop blind control element 6 into the tensioning
device around a
sprocket or pulley (not shown) located inside the tensioning device 70 and a
closed position.
The tensioning device 70 can include a socket opening 74 to engage with a hand
crank 76 to
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rotate the endless loop blind control element 6. The tensioning device
includes a slot 78 which
accommodates a fastener 79 so as to fasten the tensioner 70 to the frame 40 by
fastener 79
such as a screw 79. The fastener 70 includes the slot 78 so as to adjust the
tension by moving
the tensioner up or down along the slot 78.
The invention as described above illustrates a displaceable or moveable wand
2, comprising;
a) an elongated transparent tube 4 extending from an upper end 8 to a lower
end 10;
b) an endless loop blind control element 6 disposed within said elongated
transparent
tube and extending beyond said upper and lower end;
c) an abutment 33 at said lower end 10 of said elongated transparent tube 4
extending
through said endless loop blind control element 6 to permit said elongated
transparent tube 4 to:
i)
hang from a lower end of said endless loop blind control element 6 and
block
access to said lower end of said endless loop blind control element 6 in a
first
position, and;
ii) be raised to a second position to expose said lower end of said endless
loop
blind control element 6 and manually rotate said endless loop blind control
element in said second operable position.
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