Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Plural strip – slat – or panel type – Venetian blind type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-28
2003-04-22
Purol, David M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Plural strip, slat, or panel type
Venetian blind type
C160S17300V
Reexamination Certificate
active
06550522
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to window blinds, cellular and other shades, and the like, and more particularly to a device and system for facilitating the adjustment of such blinds and shades when installed or maintained. The present adjuster comprises a small cord clamp which secures removably in one end of a hollow rail of such blinds and shades, and which provides for the selective release of the lifting cord which is routed therethrough, to adjust the relative lengths of the cord runs at each side of the shade in order to level the lower rail. A method of adjusting the level of the rail using the present clamp, is also disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Window shades and blinds conventionally use a system of draw or lift cords or strings which connect to a lower rail and run vertically through the shade or blind structure to an upper rail, where they are routed through the upper rail to exit at one end in a group. The cord group generally terminates in a pull knob or the like, which may be grasped by the operator of the blinds or shade to raise or lower the blinds or shade as desired. Such a system is used on various types of blinds and shades, such as Venetian blinds, cellular and pleated (“accordion fold”) shades, etc.
A chronic problem with such blinds and shades is the difficulty in getting the lower rail perfectly level, when the shade is installed in the window frame or casement. Conventionally, the individual lifting or draw cords pass through at least the upper panel or wall of a hollow lower rail (or perhaps through the entire rail, to exit from the bottom of the rail), with their ends passing through washers or some other small passage captured within or below the lower rail. The ends of the lifting or draw cords are knotted, with the knots serving to capture the ends of the draw cords immediately below or within the lower rail and serving to lift the lower rail when the cords are drawn upwardly as the extended cord group and/or knob is pulled. The above system is well known and conventional in the art.
While the above described system works well once it has been installed and adjusted, it is generally a rather tedious and time consuming job to adjust the lengths of the draw or lifting cords in order to make the lower rail perfectly level and/or parallel to the window sill or ledge. In the past, an installer would have to untie the lower end of at least one of the draw strings or cords, lift or lower the associated end of the lower rail, retie the draw cord, and possibly reassemble the apparatus if it was necessary to disassemble the lower rail for access to the end of the lifting cord. The installer was often not completely successful in his or her first attempt, and would have to repeat the process one or more times before finally getting the lower rail perfectly level and/or aligned with the window sill. The above described leveling process could also be used to adjust the height of the lowered shade or blind so that the lower rail is immediately adjacent, or just touching, the window sill.
The tedious and time consuming process described above, led to the development of other devices to assist in the leveling process. For example, many installations use a cord equalizer which may be adjustably positioned along the cord group extending from the upper rail. When the equalizer contacts the upper rail (or cord lock, at the point where the cord group enters the upper rail), it serves as a stop to prevent the cord from passing further into the upper rail, and thus prevents the shade from lowering further. This system results in a change of the lower rail level every time the lower rail height is adjusted, and obviously involves a considerable amount of tedious trial and error work before a satisfactory final setting is achieved which accurately positions both the height and level of the lower rail.
The above described problem has led various individuals to attempt to devise solutions, in the form of various types of fasteners, clips, etc. which install upon or within the lower rail or along the draw string line at some point. However, these devices have actually done little to truly facilitate the leveling procedure for shades and blinds, and merely require a different procedure than the older method of adjustment of the draw cord end knots. One example of such is the provision of a small clamp which must be disassembled to release the end of the draw string therefrom, and which must be reassembled to check the adjustment.
Moreover, with the popularity of “do it yourself” installations as a result of the rising costs of professional installations, more and more homeowners are attempting to install shades and blinds themselves. Conventional leveling systems are generally rather tedious and time consuming to adjust, as noted above, even for the professional installer. The typical homeowner can be completely frustrated in his or her attempts to level the lower rail of conventional blind and shade installations. They often end up calling in a professional for the adjustments, which negates much or all of the savings initially anticipated for the “do it yourself” installation, particularly where multiple installations have been made.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a level adjuster for window shades or blinds, which allows the person making the adjustment to do so by manipulating only a single easily accessed clamp or clip. The present adjuster is installed within one end of the conventional hollow extruded metal or plastic lower rail of the shade or blinds, with the continuous run of the left and right side lifting cords passing through the device. The adjuster holds the lifting cord immovably to hold the adjustment as desired. However, when an adjustment is needed, the person making the adjustment need only release the grip of the adjuster device using a small tool, whereupon the level of the lower rail may be adjusted as desired without need to untie knots, disconnect or disassemble components or the lifting line(s), etc. Removal of the tool causes the adjuster to grip the line to hold the new adjustment as desired.
A discussion of the related art of which the applicants are aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,071,791 issued on Feb. 23, 1937 to Ralph T. Hendricks, titled “Venetian Blind,” describes a mechanism facilitating the disassembly and reassembly of the lower rail from the rest of the assembly, so the lifting cords may be removed from the blinds and the individual slats removed from the side tapes for cleaning, replacement, etc. as necessary. However, the Hendricks mechanism provides only for the reinstallation of the lifting cords or lines in the same positions as originally installed. Hendricks does not provide any means of adjusting the length of either of the cords, much less adjusting them simultaneously using a single adjuster device, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,260 issued on Jun. 24, 1941 to Abraham Stone, titled “Shade Structure For Windows And The Like,” describes an accordion pleated shade configuration, with the draw cords passing through holes in each pleat or panel of the shade assembly, somewhat in the manner of the draw cord configuration of conventional Venetian blinds. Stone attaches the lower ends of the draw cords to the lower rail by passing them through the rail and knotting their distal ends. This assembly is conventional, and the prior art
FIG. 7
of the present disclosure will be recognized as based upon
FIG. 5
of the Stone U.S. Patent. Stone does not provide any means for easily adjusting the level of his lower rail by means of a single clamp, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,594,806 issued on Apr. 29, 1952 to Harry S. Rosenbaum, titled “Cord And Tape Clip For Venetian Blinds,” describes a construction in which the lower rail comprises a channel with an open upper area. Rosenbaum provides a pair of clips which fit into holes in the bo
Lennon Dennis R.
Lennon Richard M.
Litman Richard C.
Purol David M.
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