Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for selectively locking a lift cord designed to lift coverings for architectural openings is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a selective locking member and a base member positioned at a bottom of an architectural opening covering. The base member and the selective locking member each have an opening through which a lift cord may pass. The selective locking member also has at least one edge configured to mate to a bottom of a groove in the base member. The selective locking member is configured to selectively engage the base member and the lift cord such that the selective locking member can be selectably moved between an open position, where the lift cord can be freely moved, and a closed position, wherein the selective locking member will pinch the lift cord between itself and the base member and prevent the lift cord from being moved.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating one or more lift cords used to lift an architectural opening covering comprises a base portion and a front portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the base portion. The base portion has an opening configured to receive a rod that rotates in a first direction when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering. The apparatus also comprises an outer surface having a plurality of grooves configured to receive at least one of the one or more lift cords when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering and to allow the at least one of the one or more lift cords to accumulate on one or more of the plurality of grooves next to itself rather than on top of itself.