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US 2003/0150567 A1Published application
Releasable cord apparatus and breakaway end portion for window treatments
OwnerJames J. Hyman, Robert S. LeBlancinventors
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Abstract
A window treatment includes a cord locking system, a breakaway end portion for a cord, and a releasable cord connection apparatus to prevent children or pets from becoming entangled in cords. A cord locking system includes a locking mechanism, a rotating portion and a spring portion. A breakaway end portion includes a housing, a stop portion, and at least one track. A releasable cord connector apparatus includes a receptive member and a connective member that inserts into the receptive member and releases when a force is applied.
Claims44
A cord apparatus comprising:
- a cord locking system including a locking mechanism and a rotating portion;
- a housing for holding the locking mechanism and the rotating portion;
- and
- a cord having a first end disposed within the housing between the locking mechanism and the rotating portion, wherein the cord is releasable from the housing when a force is applied to the cord, the force causing the locking mechanism to release from a first position and allow the cord to pass between the rotating portion and the locking mechanism.
1 more element
A breakaway apparatus for a cord in a window treatment, comprising:
- a breakaway end portion having a housing, at least one recessed track, and a stop portion movable along the at least one recessed track within the housing;
- and
- a cord having a first end, the breakaway end portion disposed on the first end of the cord, wherein the at least one recessed track of the breakaway end portion allows the cord to separate from the housing as the stop portion moves along the at least one recessed track when a downward force is applied to the cord.
A method of providing a breakaway apparatus for a cord in a window treatment, comprising:
- providing a cord having a first end and a breakaway end portion having at least one recessed track, a stop portion, and a housing, the breakaway end portion disposed on the first end of the cord, wherein the first end is held within the housing by the stop portion;
- and
- allowing the breakaway end portion to separate from the first end of the cord when a downward force is applied to the cord.
A method of providing a cord apparatus comprising:
- providing a cord, a locking mechanism, a rotating portion, and a housing for holding the locking mechanism and the rotating portion;
- and
- allowing the cord to be releasable from the housing when force is applied to the cord, the force causing the locking mechanism to release from a locked position and allow the cord to pass between the rotating portion and the locking mechanism.
A window treatment apparatus comprising:
- a window covering portion;
- a headrail portion;
- a cord;
- a cord locking system disposed inside the headrail portion and including a locking mechanism, a rotating portion, and housing having a top portion extending out of the headrail portion and forming a first receptive member, the cord locking system releasably locking a first cord portion of the cord inside the headrail portion, wherein a force applied to the first cord portion causes the locking mechanism to release from a locked position and allow the first cord portion to pass between the locking mechanism and the rotating portion;
- and
- a first connective member having a first end releasably insertable into the first receptive member and a second end connected to a second cord portion of the cord, the first connective member releasing from the first receptive member when a force is applied to the cord portion.
3 more elements
A method of providing a cord safety apparatus for a window treatment, comprising:
- providing a window treatment having a covering, a headrail portion, and a cord having a plurality of cord portions;
- providing a releasable cord connection system including at least one receptive member and at least one a connective member releasably insertable into the at least one receptive member, the at least one connective member being coupled to a first cord portion of the cord and being releasable from the at least one receptive member when a force is applied to the first cord portion;
- providing a locking mechanism and a rotating portion disposed inside the headrail portion, and a second cord portion of the cord disposed inside the headrail portion between the locking mechanism and the rotating portion;
- releasing the locking mechanism from a first position to a second position when a force is applied to the second cord portion;
- and
- providing a breakaway end portion disposed on a third cord portion of the cord and releasable from the third cord portion when the force is applied to the third cord portion.
3 more elements
A window treatment apparatus comprising:
- a window covering portion;
- a headrail portion;
- a cord;
- a plurality of cord safety devices, including
- a cord locking system disposed within the headrail portion and including a locking mechanism, a rotating portion, and a housing having a top portion, the cord locking system releasably locking a first cord portion of the cord inside the headrail portion, wherein a force applied to the first cord portion causes the locking mechanism to release from a locked position and allow the first cord portion to pass between the locking mechanism and the rotating portion;
- a pulley mechanism disposed within the headrail portion and having a rotating member and a housing including a top portion;
- a releasable cord connection system including a plurality of connective members, each connective member having a first end, wherein the first end of one connective member is releasably insertable into the top portion of the housing of the cord locking system, and wherein the first end of another connective member is releasably insertable into the top portion of the housing -of the pulley mechanism, each connective member also including a second end coupled to a second cord portion and third cord portion, respectively, the connective members being releasable from the top portions when a force is applied to the second and third cord portions;
- and
- a breakaway end portion releasably disposed on a fourth cord portion, wherein the breakaway end portion includes a stop portion and a grooved track, the fourth cord portion being releasably disposed between the stop portion and the grooved track.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.