Apparatus, system and method for stabilizing blinds
AssigneeBlind Stay, Inc.
InventorsKevin Ladd, David Boyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, an apparatus (10) for securing a movable blinds rail (110, 112) to a fixed surface (124) includes a casing (12) having a detent (18) affixed to an inner surface thereof. An elongate rod (20) is included having first (22) and second (26) ends and a protruding member (28) extending from the rod between the ends. The rod first end extends out of a first opening (32) of the casing and the protruding member slidably cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in a first fixed position. In this manner, the apparatus is coupled to the moveable blinds rail, and the rod first end is used to contact a fixed surface to secure the movable blinds rail thereto.
Claims24
An apparatus for securing a moveable blinds rail to a fixed surface, comprising:
- a casing having a detent affixed to any inner surface thereof;
- an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from said rod between said ends, said first rod end extending out of a first opening of said casing, said elongate rod further comprising a handle extending from between said ends, said handle extending out of said casing through a second opening in said casing;
- and
- said protruding member slidably cooperating with said detent to secure said rod in a first fixed position.
A blinds system comprising:
- first and second end rails having a plurality of connected slats therebetween;
- a flexible elevating member for changing an elevation of said first end rail;
- and
- first and second locking apparatus coupled to opposing ends of said first end rail, each of said locking apparatus comprising
- a casing having a detent affixed to an inner surface thereof;
- and
- an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from said rod between said ends, said first rod end extending out of a first opening of said casing, said elongate rod further comprising a handle extending from between said ends, said handle extending out of said casino through a second opening in said casing;
- said protruding member slidably cooperating with said detent to secure said rod in a first fixed position.
A method of securing a moveable end rail of a blinds system to a fixed surface, said method comprising:
- providing a locking apparatus coupled to each opposing end of said moveable end rail, each of said locking apparatus comprising
- a casing having a detent affixed to an inner surface thereof;
- and
- an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from said rod between said ends, said first rod end extending out of a first opening of said casing, said elongate rod further comprising a handle extending from between said ends, said handle extending out of said casing through a second opening in said casing;
- said protruding member slidably cooperating with said detent to secure said rod in first and second fixed positions;
- translating said elongate rod in at least one of said locking apparatus so that said protruding member cooperates with said detent to secure said rod in said second fixed position;
- positioning said moveable end rail at a desired location;
- and
- translating, using said handle, said elongate rod in said at least one of said locking apparatus so that said protruding member cooperates with said detent to secure said rod in said first fixed position so that said first rod ends contact opposing fixed surfaces to secure said moveable end rail at said desired location.
A blinds system comprising:
- first and second end rails having a plurality of connected slats therebetween;
- a flexible elevating member for changing an elevation of said first end rail;
- and
- first and second locking apparatus coupled to opposing ends of said first end rail, each of said locking apparatus comprising
- a casing having a detent affixed to a generally flat inner surface thereof, said detent having a plurality of ramps defining a plurality of grooves;
- and
- an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from said rod between said ends, said first rod end extending out of a first opening of said casing;
- said protruding member slidably cooperating with said detent to secure said rod in a first fixed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.