US 6,550,522 B1 · Level adjuster for window shades

Abstract

A level adjuster for window shades facilitates the level adjustment of the lower rail, in a single operation without requiring any disassembly of the installation. The adjuster comprises a clip or clamp installed in one end of a conventional hollow rail. The adjuster clip has a pair of arms and a tongue or shoe extending into the rail interior, bearing against a crossmember extending between the two arms. The draw cord or lifting line extends as a continuous length through one rail, down each side of the shade assembly, and through the opposite rail where it wraps around the adjuster crossmember and is gripped by the gripping shoe. Lower rail adjustment is accomplished by inserting a tool (nail, etc.) through a hole in the end of the adjuster to flex the resilient shoe away from the crossmember, thereby freeing the lifting line gripped between the shoe and crossmember.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a window shade assembly having at least a hollow, fixed upper rail, a hollow, movable lower rail, and a window shade structure extending therebetween controlled by at least one lifting line extending through and between the upper rail and the lower rail, a level adjuster for the window shade, comprising:

a rail end cap base;
opposed, generally parallel first and second arms extending from said base;
each of said arms having a distal end;
a crossmember extending between said distal end of each of said arms;
a resilient gripping shoe extending from said base and between said arms;
said gripping shoe having a distal portion disposed immediately adjacent the crossmember, and gripping the lifting line between said distal portion of said gripping shoe and said crossmember when said level adjuster is installed within an end of a rail;
and
said base further including an access hole formed therethrough for removably inserting a gripping shoe release tool therein for urging said gripping shoe away from said crossmember, thereby releasing the grip of said gripping shoe on the lifting line against said crossmember for the adjustment of the lifting line and corresponding level adjustment of the lower rail.

5 more elements

A window shade assembly and level adjuster therefor, comprising in combination:

a hollow, fixed upper rail having opposed first and second ends;
a hollow, movable lower rail having opposed first and second ends;
an adjustably movable window shade structure having a first side and a second side, and extending between said upper rail and said lower rail;
at least one lifting line extending through and between said upper rail and said lower rail;
a level adjuster disposed in one of said ends of one said rail;
said level adjuster including a rail end cap base;
opposed, generally parallel first and second arms extending from said base of said level adjuster;
each of said arms of said level adjuster having a distal end;
a crossmember extending between said distal end of each of said arms of said level adjuster;
a resilient gripping shoe extending from said base and between said arms of said level adjuster;
said gripping shoe having a distal portion disposed immediately adjacent said crossmember, and gripping said lifting line between said distal portion of said gripping shoe and said crossmember when said level adjuster is installed within one of said ends of one said rail;
and
said base further including an access hole formed therethrough for removably inserting a gripping shoe release tool therein for urging said gripping shoe away from said crossmember, thereby releasing the grip of said gripping shoe on said lifting line against said crossmember for the adjustment of said lifting line and corresponding level adjustment of said lower rail.

10 more elements

A method for adjusting the level of the lower rail of a window shade assembly, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a window shade assembly having a hollow, fixed upper rail with opposed first and second ends, a hollow, movable lower rail with opposed first and second ends, an adjustably movable window shade structure having a first side and a second side and extending between the upper rail and the lower rail, and at least one lifting line extending through and between the upper rail and the lower rail;
(b) further providing a level adjuster including means for adjustably securing the lifting line therein;
(c) passing the lifting line through the window shade assembly and through the level adjuster, and gripping the lifting line within the level adjuster;
(d) installing the level adjuster in one of the ends of one of the rails;
(e) selectively releasing the grip of the level adjuster on the lifting line, and allowing the lifting line to pass linearly through the level adjuster;
(f) leveling the lower rail of the window shade assembly as desired;
and
(g) engaging the grip of the level adjuster on the lifting line, thereby locking the level of the lower rail as desired.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Level adjuster for window shades

Life of this patent

Level adjuster for window shades

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20