Equalizing connector for window covering pull cords
AssigneeHunter Douglas Industries BV
InventorAnne J. Osinga
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for joining the ends of a plurality of lift cords from a window covering assembly together. Each lift cord is individually secured to the assembled connector via its own securing arrangement. A pull cord extends downwardly from the connector for use in raising or lowering the window covering.
Claims30
A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly in operative connection with a pull cord, the connector comprising:
- a plurality of connecting means for separately securing each lift cord of the plurality of lift cords to said lift cord connector, said plurality of connecting means each comprising an enclosed channel, each enclosed channel being sized to completely confine and restrain the portion of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords disposed therein;
- and
- a means for securing a pull cord to said lift cord connector.
A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section comprising a plurality of generally vertically orientated elongated channels;
- and
- a second section connectable with said first section to enclose at least a portion of each of the plurality of generally vertically orientated channels;
- wherein each at least partially enclosed channel is sized to completely confine and restrain the vertical movement of the portion of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords contained therein.
A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section having a first inside surface;
- a second section, the second section having a second inside surface;
- a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections;
- one or more lift cord restraints including channels with undulating surfaces therein;
- and
- a connector for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface.
A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the clamshell connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section having a first top end, a first bottom end, a first left side, a first right side, and a first inside surface, the first inside surface having a substantially vertically orientated first plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the first top end;
- a second section, the second section having a second top end, a second bottom end, a second left side, a second right side, and a second inside surface, the second inside surface having a substantially vertically orientated second plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the second plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the second top end;
- and
- one or more connector elements for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface;
- wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels corresponds directly to a channel of the second plurality of channels to form an elongated receptacle for a lift cord that completely confines the portion of said lift cord within said receptacle when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface.
A connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section comprising a plurality of generally vertically oriented elongated channels;
- and
- a second section connectable with said first section to enclose at least a portion of each of the plurality of generally vertically oriented channels;
- wherein each at least partially enclosed channel is sized to restrain the vertical movement of a lift cord of the plurality of lift cords contained therein and each channel further comprising a back side, at least a portion of the back side having an undulating surface.
A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section having a first inside surface;
- a second section, the second section having a second inside surface;
- a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections;
- one or more lift cord restraints comprising a first plurality of generally u-shaped channels substantially vertically disposed in the first inside surface, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced side walls joined by a back wall and wherein at least a portion of the back wall has an undulating surface.
A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section having a first inside surface;
- a second section, the second section having a second inside surface;
- a hinge moveably joining the first and second sections;
- one or more lift cord restraints;
- and
- a connector for fixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface, said connector including at least one substantially vertically oriented elongated protrusion on the first inside surface and at least one corresponding elongated depression on the second inside surface and further wherein said at least one elongated protrusion is received in said at least one elongated depression to frictionally join said first section to said second section.
A clamshell connector for securing the ends of a plurality of lift cords of a window covering assembly, the clamshell connector comprising:
- a first section, the first section having a first top end, a first bottom end, a first left side, a first right side, and a first inside surface, the first inside surface having a substantially vertically oriented first plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the first plurality of channels having spaced sidewalls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the first top end;
- a second section, the second section having a second top end, a second bottom end, a second left side, a second right side, and a second inside surface, the second inside surface having a substantially vertically oriented second plurality of channels disposed therein, each channel of the second plurality of channels having spaced side walls joined by a back wall and an open end, the open end coincident with the second top end;
- and
- one or more connector elements for affixing said first inside surface against said second inside surface;
- wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels corresponds directly to a channel of the second plurality of channels to form an elongated receptacle for a lift cord when said first inside surface is affixed against said second inside surface;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the back wall of each channel of the plurality of channels has a first undulating surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.