U.S. patent application number 12/893499 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for window shade apparatus.
Invention is credited to Robert S. LeBlanc.
Application Number | 20110308742 12/893499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45327634 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110308742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LeBlanc; Robert S. |
December 22, 2011 |
Window Shade Apparatus
Abstract
An improved window shade apparatus including a headrail
including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail, a window cover
affixed at one end to the headrail, a lift cord affixed at one end
to the lift apparatus of the headrail and at a second end to a
bottom portion of the window cover. The improved window shade
apparatus includes a plurality attachment rings coupled to a rear
surface of the window cover and a plurality of guide members having
a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is affixed to
one of the plurality attachment rings and the second is attached to
a second of the plurality attachment rings. The lift cord extends
from the headrail through each of the plurality attachment rings
and through each of the plurality of guide members and the window
cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.
Inventors: |
LeBlanc; Robert S.;
(Kennesaw, GA) |
Family ID: |
45327634 |
Appl. No.: |
12/893499 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61356186 |
Jun 18, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/84.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/262 20130101;
E06B 2009/2622 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/84.04 |
International
Class: |
A47H 5/02 20060101
A47H005/02 |
Claims
1. An improved window shade apparatus comprising: a headrail
including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail; a window cover
affixed at one end to the headrail; a lift cord coupled to the lift
apparatus of the headrail and affixed at one end to a bottom
portion of the window cover; a plurality attachment rings coupled
to a rear surface of the window cover; and a plurality of guide
members having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end
is affixed to one of the plurality attachment rings and the second
is attached to a second of the plurality attachment rings, wherein
the lift cord extends from the headrail through each of the
plurality attachment rings and through each of the plurality of
guide members, wherein the window cover may be raised or lowered
via the lift cord.
2. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
plurality of guide members are constructed of a fixed length to
prevent objects larger than a predetermined size from passing
between the guide member and the rear surface of the window
cover.
3. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
plurality of guide members are fabric sleeves.
4. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
plurality of guide members are plastic.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,186 filed Jun. 18,
2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to window coverings, and
more particularly to an improved lift mechanism for a roman
shade.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Window coverings, such as shades or blinds, typically have a
horizontal or vertical covering to prevent sunlight from entering
an area and to retain privacy. The covering, which is commonly in
the form of slats or pleats, can hang vertically in the case of a
vertical covering, or can extend horizontally from a headrail in
the case of a horizontal covering. Many window coverings also
include a bottom rail as well.
[0004] Typically in order to raise and lower the bottom rail
relative to the floor, a looped cord extends from a point along the
bottom rail through the slats and into the headrail. Two or more
cords are often provided to raise or lower the window covering
evenly. The window covering is raised or lowered by pulling or
releasing the accessible portion of the cords. Inventions directed
to minimizing or eliminating the possibility of entanglement in the
cords are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,543, 6,044,523,
5,562,140 and 6,431,248. However, due to their weight, window
coverings made of heavier materials present additional challenges
in designing releasable cords that minimize the possibility of
entanglement in the cords. Therefore, there is still a need in the
art for an apparatus that reduces the dangers associated with cords
on window blinds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It should be appreciated that the particular devices and
methods illustrating the present invention are exemplary only and
not to be regarded as limitations of the present invention.
[0006] Exemplary embodiments include an improved window shade
apparatus including a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed
to the headrail, a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail,
a lift cord affixed at one end to the lift apparatus of the
headrail and at a second end to a bottom portion of the window
cover. The improved window shade apparatus includes a plurality
attachment rings coupled to a rear surface of the window cover and
a plurality of guide members having a first end and a second end,
wherein the first end is affixed to one of the plurality attachment
rings and the second is attached to a second of the plurality
attachment rings. The lift cord extends from the headrail through
each of the plurality attachment rings and through each of the
plurality of guide members and the window cover may be raised or
lowered via the lift cord.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
figures, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an rear view of a window shade that includes an
exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] While this specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the embodiments that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the improved window shade lift apparatus and other
embodiments will be better understood from a consideration of the
following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in
which like reference numerals are carried forward.
[0011] As required, detailed embodiments of the improved window
shade lift apparatus are disclosed herein. However, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary,
which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the embodiments of the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms
and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather
to provide an understandable description of the embodiments
herein.
[0012] The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or
more than one. The phrase "at least one of` as used herein, is
defined as one or more than one. The term "another," as used
herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms
"including" and/or "having," as used herein, are defined as
comprising (i.e., open language).
[0013] The improved window shade lift apparatus described herein
provides a safety feature for a window shade, such as a roman
shade, that prevents a user become entangled with a lift cord of a
typical window shade. The improved window shade lift apparatus may
be designed to function properly with a wide variety of designs of
window shades, especially window shades constructed out of a
heavier material, such as bamboo or wood.
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, an improved window shade lift
apparatus is illustrated for a shade, such as a window shade 10.
The window shade 10 includes a headrail 12, a window cover 14, a
lift cord 16, a plurality of attachment members 18, and a plurality
of guide members 20. The headrail 12 may include means for affixing
the headrail 12 to a wall such a apertures for receiving screws. In
other embodiments, the headrail 12 may be designed to be affixed to
a wall through the use of a separate mounting mechanism. The
headrail 12 includes a lift apparatus designed to raise the window
cover 14 upon an application of force to the lift cord 16.
[0015] The lift cord 16 is engaged with the lift apparatus and
extends from the headrail 12 to a bottom portion of the window
cover 14, to which it is affixed. The lift cord 16 passes through
the plurality of attachment members 18 affixed to the rear surface
of the window cover 14 and through the plurality of guide members
20. As the lift cord 16 is pulled and the window cover 14 is
raised, the bottom of the window cover 14 is raised and the window
cover 14 forms folds at each of the attachment members 18.
[0016] The plurality of guide members 20 are each affixed at one
end to one of the plurality of attachment members 18 and at a
second end to another one of the plurality of attachment members
18. The guide members 20 are designed to allow the lift cord 16 to
easily pass through the guide members 20 while preventing the lift
cord 16 from being pulled away from the rear surface of the window
cover 14 by more than a predetermined distance. The predetermined
distance can be varied by changing the length of the guide members
20.
[0017] In exemplary embodiments the attachment members 18 may be
metal or plastic rings that are affixed to the rear surface of the
window cover 14 and to at least one guide member 20. The lift cord
16 is affixed to the bottom of the window cover and passes through
the opening in the ring and through the guide members 20. The guide
members 20 may be plastic or fabric and are designed to allow the
lift cord 16 to easily pass through the guide member 20. In one
embodiment the guide member 20 is a fabric sleeve attached on both
ends to attachment members 18.
[0018] The guide member 20 restricts the lift cord 16 from being
pulled away from the rear surface of the window cover 14. Thereby
reducing the risk of injury to a user of the window shade 10. For
example, the guide member 20 can be limited to 8 inches in length
which would prevent objects that had a circumference of greater
than about 16 inches from passing between the rear surface of the
window cover 14. In addition, the guide member 20 prevents access
the lift cord 16 from the rear surface of the window cover 14.
[0019] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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