Abstract: In a brake for the pull-cord of a blind in which the cord is fed between, and in engagement with, a braking surface and a freely movable clamping body which, in one direction of movement of the cord, serves to clamp the cord against the braking surface, the braking surface forms part of the tapered interior of a housing through which the cord is passed and the clamping body is a circular disc or sphere of a diameter which is smaller than the widest part and greater than the narrowest part of the tapered interior, less the thickness of the cord, and is prevented from falling out of the widest part by a stop member secured therein.