Control mechanism for a window covering
A control mechanism for use in a window covering to control the raising and lowering of one or more control cords to open and close light blocking elements is provided. The control mechanism includes a frame which is mountable within a support structure, such as the headrail, and includes as a first abutment stop and a second abutment stop. The position of the frame of the control mechanism is slidingly adjustable relative to the head rail to accommodate different width window spaces.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/082,385, filed on Mar. 17, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an improved control mechanism for a window covering. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved control mechanism for controlling the position of control cords in a window covering, and which is extendable to accommodate a variety of widths of window spaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional window coverings come in a variety of styles including Roman shades, Venetian blinds, and cellular shades. Typically, the light blocking elements of these window coverings are suspended from a headrail by one or more control cords. These control cords, when retracted or extended, raise or lower the portions of the window covering to which they are connected. For example, with a Roman shade, a control cord is typically secured to a lower portion of a continuous panel that covers the window space. By pulling on the cord, the lower portion of the panel is raised to open the window covering. A control mechanism is typically included with the headrail that enables the user to controllably adjust the opening and closing of the window covering. Examples of such control mechanisms include cord locks, rotatable drums, and the like.
The present invention is directed to a novel control mechanism for a window covering for controlling the opening and closing of the window covering. The present invention is particularly suited to be adjustable to accommodate window spaces of differing widths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a control mechanism for a window covering. The window covering can take many forms, but will generally include a headrail, and a light blocking element comprising a plurality of openable rows suspended from the headrail by one or more control cords. Examples of such window coverings include a Roman style shade such as disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/427,829, and a Venetian blind such as disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 10/413,200, which was issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,996. The disclosures of each of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/427,829, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,996 are hereby incorporated by reference.
The control mechanism of the present invention includes a frame which is mountable within a support structure, such as the headrail. The frame includes a first end and a second end, as well as a first abutment stop and a second abutment stop. The first abutment stop is located closer to the first end of the frame than the second abutment stop and the second abutment stop is closer to the second end of the frame than the first abutment stop.
A sliding module is also included in the control mechanism. The sliding module is secured with a control cord of the window covering such that the movement of the control cord is synchronous with the movement of the sliding module. In other words, the sliding module and the control cord move together as a unit. The sliding module is in moveable engagement with the first surface of the frame and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The movement of the sliding module is also biased toward the first end of the frame. For example, the portion of the control cord exiting the control mechanism at the first end of the frame may be connected to the suspended light blocking elements such that the weight of the light blocking elements pull on the cord, thus biasing the cord and sliding module towards the first end. The first abutment stop limits or arrests the movement of the sliding module towards the first end of the frame. In particular, the first abutment stop limits or arrests the movement of the sliding movement towards the first end of the frame when the sliding module reaches the first position. The second abutment stop also limits or arrests the movement of the sliding module toward the first end. However, the limiting or arresting of the movement towards the first end by the second abutment stop is effected when the sliding module is in the second position.
As discussed, the particular window covering with which the control mechanism may be used can include several different forms. For example, in the Roman style shade of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/427,829, the light blocking element is comprised of a plurality of rows of panels. The panels are narrowed by raising the control cords secured to the lower longitudinal portion of each panel such that the lower longitudinal portion is raised relative to the upper longitudinal portion, and thereby narrowing the rows to create gaps therebetween. In the Venetian type blind of U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,996, the window covering includes a plurality of rows formed of slats. A control cord is secured to a longitudinal portion of each slat at a position distal of the proximal edge of the slat. By raising the control cord, the slats are pivoted to open.
The control mechanism may also include a further feature. The frame in which the sliding module is mounted may also be designed to be extendable. For example, the lateral end at one side of the head rail where the control cord exits can be extended by the user to fit within the available space of the window frame. An additional length of the control cord may be included so as to allow the adjustment of the frame length without affecting the portion of the control cord mounted with the shade rows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the drawings,
The invention disclosed herein is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
An example of a window covering with which the control mechanism of the present invention is suitable is shown in
The particular example of an embodiment of a window covering with which the control mechanism of the present invention is suitable for use shown here is disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/427,829, which as discussed above is incorporated by reference. The control cord 106 is an opening member, which is secured to the lower longitudinal portions 108 of the rows. The control cord 106 may be secured to the lower longitudinal portion 108 through any means known in the art, but it is preferred that the lower longitudinal portion 108 include an anchor member 109 secured therewith. The control cord 106 includes a plurality of loops 111 through which the anchor member 109 is guided. The narrowing of the rows of the window covering is accomplished by decreasing the distance between the upper and lower longitudinal portions of the rows by raising the opening member control cord 106.
Referring to
A sliding module 216 is secured with a control cord 218 of the window covering. In this embodiment, a resilient latch member 220 is utilized to secure the cord 218 with the sliding module 216, however, any method of securing the cord 218 with the sliding module 216 can be used. In any case, the movement of the control cord 218 is intended to be synchronous with the movement of the sliding module 216. In other words, the sliding module 216 and the control cord 218 preferably move together as a unit.
Some of the details of the sliding module are explained with reference to
The sliding module 216 is in sliding engagement with the first surface 222 of the frame 202 and is moveable between the first position shown in
By exerting a pulling force as indicated by force arrow F1 on the control cord 218, the sliding module is urged away from the first end 206 of the frame 202 and towards the second end 208 such as shown in
A more detailed explanation of the interaction between the sliding module 216 and the arm member 212 as the sliding module 216 moves from the first position to the second position and back to the first position is explained with reference to
Shown in
Referring to
To release the sliding module 216 from the arm member 212 so the sliding module can be moved from the second position to the first position, and more particularly in this embodiment, to disengage rounded distal end 226 from hub 228, a user again exerts a pulling force on cord 218. Accordingly, the sliding module again moves as indicated by direction arrow A towards the second end of the frame. Referring to
Thus far the control mechanism has been described as designed for controlling the raising and lowering of a single control cord. In some situations, the control mechanism may be provided in a headrail as a unit including a pair of sliding modules, such as shown in
Another embodiment of a window covering with which the control mechanism of the present invention may be used is shown in
An additional feature of the present invention is discussed below. Since many window spaces come in nonstandard widths, it is desired to provide the ability to prepare stock widths of head rails that may be adjusted to fit a window space. The present invention provides for a frame that is extendable. Referring to
One embodiment of this feature of the present invention is discussed with reference to
To change the position of the control mechanism 600 and extend the overall width of the head rail 604 and the frame 602 of control mechanism 600, the user pushes downward on the push member 622, which causes the latch member 620 to deflect and consequently disengage the engaging fingers 624 and 626 from detents 618. The user then can slide the control mechanism 600 to retract or extend the frame 602 from the head rail 604, such as shown in
Another embodiment of the present invention is discussed with respect to
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is described with respect to
As an alternative, a plurality of latch members and a single detent member can be utilized. For example, a series of stop rods may be provided that engage a single hole or slot. As another alternative, a combination of a plurality of latch member and a plurality of detent members may be used.
With any of the embodiments, in order to install a window covering, the width of the window space is measured. In any of the manners discussed above, the overall width of the head rail and the portion of the frame extending from the side edge of the head rail is made to fit within the width of the particular window space. The fit need not be exact, but can be approximated by the spacing of the latch members, detent members, or both. The head rail is then mounted within the window space.
The foregoing descriptions are to be taken as illustrative, but not limiting. Still other variants within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A control mechanism for a window covering, the window covering including at least one control cord operatively connected to at least one light blocking element, the control mechanism adapted to adjust positioning of the control cord and comprising:
- a frame adapted for mounting in a head rail, the frame being adjustably slidable relative to the head rail between an extended position and an unextended position such that, in the extended position, a first end of the frame extends beyond an edge of the head rail; and
- the head rail and frame are selectably securable with one another with a latch member.
2. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent member is integral with the head rail.
3. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent member is integral with the frame.
4. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the latch member securely engages the head rail.
5. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the latch member is secured with the frame.
6. The control mechanism of claim 2, wherein the frame further includes a track and a plurality of detent members are disposed along the track.
7. The control mechanism of claim 6, wherein the track defines a central portion and marginal portions, wherein the detent members are disposed along the marginal portions, and the latch member extends through the central portion.
8. A control mechanism for a window covering, the control mechanism comprising:
- a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame adapted for mounting in a head rail, the frame further including a first abutment stop, and a second abutment stop, the frame being adjustable relative to the head rail between an extended position and an unextended position such that, in the extended position, a first end of the frame extends beyond an edge of the head rail;
- a sliding module secured with a control cord of the window covering, the sliding module being engaged with a first surface of the frame and moveable between a first position and a second position;
- the first abutment stop arresting movement of the sliding module toward the first end of the frame when the sliding module is at the first position;
- the second abutment stop arresting the movement of the sliding module toward the first end of the frame when the sliding module is in the second position; and
- the head rail and frame are selectably securable with one another in the extended position with a latch member.
9. The control mechanism of claim 8, wherein the detent member is integral with the head rail.
10. The control mechanism of claim 8, wherein the detent member is integral with the frame.
11. The control mechanism of claim 8, wherein the latch member is secured with the head rail.
12. The control mechanism of claim 8, wherein the latch member is secured with the frame.
13. The control mechanism of claim 9, wherein the frame further includes a track and a plurality of detent members are disposed along the track.
14. The control mechanism of claim 13, wherein the track defines a central portion and marginal portions, wherein the detent members are disposed along the marginal portions, and the latch member extends through the central portion.
15. A method for installing a window covering in a window space, the window covering comprising a head rail and a control mechanism having a frame and mounted in the head rail, the method comprising:
- measuring a width of the window space;
- laterally adjusting an overall width of the frame and the head rail to approximate the width of the window space by moving the frame relative to the head rail so as to adjust a length of the frame extending past a side edge of the head rail; and
- mounting the head rail in the window space.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein laterally adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail includes disengaging a latch member from a detent member, slidingly adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail, and releasing the latch member to engage a second detent member.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein laterally adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail includes disengaging a first latch member from a detent member, slidingly adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail, and engaging a second latch member with the detent member.
Type: Application
Filed: May 24, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2006
Inventors: Fu-Lai Yu (San Hsia Town), Chin-Tien Huang (San Hsia Town)
Application Number: 11/135,725
International Classification: A47H 5/00 (20060101);