Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-05-29
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C248S205100, C248S363000, C248S683000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237885
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the window coverings industry, specifically to products and methods of keeping window blind or shade cords out of the reach of children.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of retaining window covering cords, such as window blind cords and window shade cords, out of the reach of small children.
The key aspects of the invention include a removable, reusable, and universal cord tie-down device that is hidden when the window covering is lowered and is neat in appearance and relatively unobtrusive when the covering is raised; that has side clips to prevent unraveling of the cord; and that can be mounted directly on a glass window pane without the need for tools.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in its news release No. 97-136, approximately 359 children died in the United States from 1981 through 1985 from strangulation in window covering cords. Those deaths occurred at a rate of approximately one child every two weeks. The window coverings industry has taken steps to produce safer cords, however, no one has devised a completely acceptable method of keeping the cords away from children. If a cord can be handled by a child, then the cord presents a danger regardless of the safety precautions taken by the industry. Most cords are safely out of reach when the blinds or shades are down. The problem arises when they are raised. The length of the cords increases dramatically in the raised position. Small children can become entangled in this excess cord.
The window coverings industry recommends three basic methods of keeping cords out of children's reach.
One recommendation is to use cord cleats. The cleats are typically of the same general shape, but smaller, than the cleats used on the sides of motorboats and sailboats to secure tie ropes. The cleats are designed to be screwed into the wall adjacent to the window. Some manufacturers package these cleats with their blinds and shades, along with the instructions to attach the cleats approximately 6″ to 12″ apart on the wall adjacent to the cord. The object of the cleats is to provide a place to wrap excess cord around them, typically in a
FIG. 8
fashion.
The use of these cleats has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the cleats are unsightly, and many homeowners do not want them installed, especially in the more decorative rooms of the home.
Another disadvantage is that special tools or procedures, including drilling, pre-drilling into metal, or screwing the cleats into the wall, are required for installing the cleats. Since most professional installers in the window coverings industry are paid a set price per blind, the installation of the cleats requires additional work but does not offer additional pay for the installer. Therefore, many cleats are never installed by professional installers. In cases where the homeowner installs their blinds themselves without the use of a professional installer, the cleat installation is still a disadvantage because it requires the homeowner will have more work to perform.
Another disadvantage is that the cleats require permanent installation and cannot be moved or stored when not in use.
A further disadvantage to cleats is that, to be effective, the cleats have to be installed on every window in the home which has a blind and cord that kids can reach.
A second recommendation is to use a cord clip device with instructions that the user clip the cord to itself using a clip or other clamping device.
A third recommendation is to provide instructions to wrap or to tie the cord to itself.
The second recommendation and the third recommendation are simply recommendations to the consumer on how to rig their blinds to keep cords out of reach. This rigging does not include a specific product or mechanism.
These methods are primitive and unreliable, and also have disadvantages. Many consumers may not tie the cord effectively, in which case it could fall down and present a danger. On the other hand, if the cord is tied well, then it may become knotted or tangled and difficult to untie. When the cords are tied or clamped in the suggested manner, the cords will appear non-uniform or unsightly. A further disadvantage to the tie or clamp techniques is that consumers could damage the cords with repeated clipping, clamping, or tying.
The prior art indicates cord devices that are more complicated than the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,011 which issued Oct. 11, 1994 to Rozon describes a rotary driven spool device for cord retraction. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,188 which issued Oct. 14, 1997 to Cadorette, a counter weighted apparatus is described. These devices are complicated and relatively expensive.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a simple, low cost, cord tie-down device.
The prior art includes clamping assemblies using suction cups, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,206 to Martinez, U.S. Pat. No. 3,207,503 to Clover, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,529 to Wagreich. The prior art also includes suction cup assemblies for attaching objects, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,005 which issued Feb. 11, 1992 to Holoff, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,548 to Payne, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,331 to Tipke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,729 to O'Brien, U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,776 to Mirza and U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,832 to Montoya. These devices are not specifically designed for child safety or for securing window covering cords. None of the prior art devices include a means for restricting a window cord to prevent unraveling. Nor do any of the prior art devices include a means for wrapping a window cord.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a device specifically designed to be used as a tie-down for window cords that is clear and obscure when mounted on a clear pane of glass; to provide a tie-down mechanism that installs conveniently and rapidly without the need for tools; to provide a tie-down mechanism that can be easily removed and stored when not in use; to provide a tie-down mechanism that is portable and can be moved from one window to another when in need; to provide a tie-down mechanism which does not require the homeowner to “tie” their window cords; to provide a tie-down mechanism which is neat and uniform in appearance; and to provide a tie-down device that effectively secures a window cord and prevents the cord from unraveling.
Further objects and advantages are to provide a tie-down mechanism that is universal. One mechanism can be moved around to any window of the home when needed. Also, the mechanism can be hidden from view without removal if the blind or shade is lowered. An additional advantage with the preferred embodiment is that the device can be mounted and used with only one hand, rather than requiring both bands.
In this description, terms such as top, and clockwise are intended for illustration and explanation only, and the device can be utilized in any orientation. The examples shown include common techniques for which those skilled in the art recognize interchangeability of other elements. Many other variations, modifications and applications of the illustrated embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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Braun Leslie A.
Landry Walter
Yeager Rick B.
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