CA3100301A1

CA3100301A1 - Protective enclosure for a window covering cord

Info

Publication number: CA3100301A1
Application number: CA3100301A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thierry Ferland
Original assignee: Les Produits De Fenetres Sol R Inc
Current assignee: Les Produits De Fenetres Sol R Inc
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2020-11-20
Publication date: 2021-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-20
Also published as: CA3100301C

Abstract

A corded window covering system comprises a window cover for selectively covering a window. An actuator assembly is in operative communication with the window cover. A cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extends along a given length of the window. The cord is connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover. A protective enclosure vertically extends along a length of the cord for enclosing an upper portion of the cord. A bottom portion of the cord remains exposed. The exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.

Description

TITLE
PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR A WINDOW COVERING CORD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present disclosure generally relates to corded window coverings.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure related to protective enclosure for a window covering cord.
BACKGROUND

[0002] A corded window covering is an indoor window covering that is equipped with at least one cord such as shades, slats, blinds including roller blinds and the like coverings. The cord used can be a band, a rope, a strap, a string, a chain, a wire or any other like component.

[0003]
The Government of Canada has assessed that children are at risk of strangulation from corded window coverings (CWCs). Indeed, the average fatality rate is slightly more than one child death per year. A Health Canada risk assessment on CWCs to assess the strangulation hazard concluded the cords for CWCs continue to present an unreasonable risk of injury or death to your children.
Accordingly, the Government of Canada proposed updated regulatory requirements to these products to provide stronger protection for children. These new regulations would restrict the length of reachable cords and the size of loops that can be created by a cord in order to help eliminate the risk of strangulation. The term "reachable"
respect to a cord, refers to the part of the cord that any person can touch when the corded window covering has been installed, whether the window covering is fully opened, fully closed or in any position in between. The term "loop" means a shape, Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 the majority of which is formed by a reachable cord, that creates a completely bounded opening.

[0004]
The Regulations restrict the length of accessible cords and the size of loops that can be created. The Regulations require that any cord that can be reached must be too short to wrap around a one-year-old child's neck (i.e. not more than 22 cm in length) or form a loop that can be pulled over a one-year-old child's head (i.e. not more than 44 cm in circumference) when subjected to the gradual application of force attaining 35 N. Cords that cannot be reached must remain unreachable throughout the useful life of the product. Cords that are shielded or made inaccessible are not subject to the length and loop requirements, though they must remain inaccessible. Cords that can be reached cannot exceed 22 cm in length or create a loop greater than 44 cm in circumference when they are at rest, whether the product is fully covering the window, fully open, or at any position in between.
Reachable cords may be any length or have loops of any size so long as a pull force of more than 35 N is required to draw them out. When this force is removed, cords that can be reached must retract to less than 22 cm in length or 44 cm in circumference.
OBJECTS

[0005]
An object of the present disclosure is to protective enclosure for a window covering cord.

[0006]
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a corded window covering that complies with the safety regulation regarding length of accessible cords and the size of loops that can be created.

[0007]
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of enclosing a cord of a corded window system.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 SUMMARY

[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a corded window covering system comprising: a window cover for selectively covering a window; an actuator assembly in operative communication with the window cover; a cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extending along a given length of the window and being connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover; and a protective enclosure vertically extending along a length of the cord for enclosing an upper portion of the cord, wherein a bottom portion of the cord remains exposed, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.

[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a protective enclosure for a cord of a corded window covering system comprising a window cover for selectively covering a window, an actuator assembly in operative communication with the window cover, the cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extending along a given length of the window and being connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover, the vertical protective enclosure comprising: an outer elongated body shell defining top and bottom open ends and an inner tunnel in communication with the top and bottom open ends providing for fitting an upper portion of the vertical cord therethrough for enclosure thereof, a bottom portion of the vertical cord extending beneath the bottom open end for being exposed, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20

[0010] In an embodiment, the length of the upper portion of the cord is greater than the length of the bottom portion of the vertical cord. In an embodiment, the length of the upper portion of the cord is lesser than the length of the bottom portion of the vertical cord. In an embodiment, the length of the upper portion of the cord is about the same as the length of the bottom portion of the cord. In an embodiment, the length of the cord is from about 2/3 of the length of the window to about the full length of the window.

[0011] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure comprises an outer shell defining a tunnel and top and bottom end openings, the tunnel providing for fitting the upper portion of the cord therethrough, the bottom portion of the cord extending beneath the bottom end opening. In an embodiment, a top portion of the cord above the upper portion comprises the top end extending above the top end opening.
In an embodiment, the outer shell comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of a rectangular configuration, a cylindrical configuration, a trapezoidal configuration, a triangular configuration and a tubular configuration.

[0012] In an embodiment, the actuator assembly comprises a clutch mounted to a roller, the window cover comprising a sheet mounted at a top end thereof to the roller for being rolled thereon during the window uncovering movement and rolled therefrom during the window covering movement, the cord being connected to the clutch.

[0013] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is mounted to the window covering system. In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is mounted a surface adjacent the window.

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of enclosing a vertical cord of a corded window system, the Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 method comprising: providing a longitudinal vertical protective enclosure defining top and bottom open ends and internal tunnel; inserting the cord via the top end into the tunnel; providing a length to the protective enclosure such that an upper portion of the cord is enclosed within the tunnel and a bottom portion of the cord is exposed beneath the bottom end opening, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.

[0015] Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the appended drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a front and side perspective view of corded window covering including the protective enclosure for the cord in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is a front and side exploded perspective view of corded window covering of Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the cord and protective enclosure of Figure 2

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a protective enclosure for a cord of a corded window covering in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; and Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20

[0021]
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a protective enclosure for a cord of a corded window covering in accordance with another non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Generally stated and in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a corded window covering system. The system comprises a window cover for selectively covering a window. An actuator assembly is in operative communication with the window cover. A cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extends along a given length of the window.
The cord is connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover. A protective enclosure vertically extends along a length of the cord for enclosing an upper portion of the cord. A bottom portion of the cord remains exposed. The exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.

[0023]
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown corded window covering 10 in the form of a roller blind.

[0024]
The roller blind 10 comprises a roll 12 which is comprised of a window cover in the form of a sheet 14 connected at a top end 15 thereof to a rotatable cylindrical roller 16 in the form of a hollow tube. The sheet 14 depends from the tube 16 and vertically downwardly extends therefrom forming from its top end 15 to its bottom end 17. A weight bar 18 is mounted to the bottom end 17 of the sheet 14 to weigh it down. The sheet 14 can be of a plurality of suitable materials usually Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 fabric but other materials can also be contemplated by the skilled artisan and as desired by the user.

[0025] The hollow tube 16 houses an actuator assembly 20 for imparting a rolling movement to the tube 16.

[0026] The hollow tube 16 defines a pair of opposite longitudinal ends, namely a "drive" end X' and an idle end X".

[0027] The actuator assembly 20 comprises a clutch 22 defining a barrel 24 that is inserted within the hollow tube 16 at the drive end X' and a pulley section 26 containing a pulley gear (as is known in the art) covered by a protective casing 28.
The pulley section 26 remains external of the tube 16. The pulley section 26 carries a cord 30 such as a chain. The chain 30 engages the pulley gear, more specifically, the pulley gear has teeth and the beads 32 (see also Figure 3) of the chain are positioned between the pulley gear teeth. Thus, when the user pulls on either side 31 or 33 (see also Figure 3) of the chain 30, the pulley gear will rotate in the direction of a given chain side 31 or 33, as shown by arrows I and II. Therefore, the barrel 24 which is connected to the pulley gear and which is snugly fitted within the tube 16 will impart a corresponding rotation to the tube 16 thereby rolling the sheet 14 about the tube (in direction I), thus uncovering the window by raising end 17 and unrolling the sheet 14 from the tube 16 (in direction II) thus covering the window by lowering end 17. The clutch 22 may contain various spring tensioners as is well known in the art.

[0028] An end barrel plug 34 is snuggly fitted into the hollow tube 16 at the other end X" thereof.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20

[0029] The clutch 22 is mounted to a drive end bracket 36A and the barrel plug is mounted to a idle end bracket 36B. The brackets 36A and 36B are mounted to a surface structure about the window, such as a wall.

[0030] It is understood that the corded window covering 10 shown here is but one non-limiting illustrative example of a variety of corded window coverings within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, a variety of cord actuators with various pulleys, gears, wheels for reciprocally moving blinds or slats and the like can be contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the present disclosure is drawn to any window covering using a cord as part of an actuator assembly for reciprocally covering and uncovering the window as is well known in the art.

[0031] As is shown in the present example, the cord 30 extends along a given length of the window (or the unrolled blind sheet 14.). In an embodiment, the cord extends between about 2/3 of the length of the window to about the full length of the window. In an embodiment, the cord 30 is about 48 inches from the floor.

[0032] With respect to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cord defines a top end connected to the actuator assembly 20, a bottom loop end 40 and a main portion therebetween defining the two sides 31 and 33.

[0033] A protective enclosure 44 provides for covering cord 30 such that the bottom loop end 40 is exposed.

[0034] The protective enclosure 44 covers a length of the main portion 42 of the cord 30. The main portion 42 includes upper and bottom portions 43 and 45.

The upper portion 43 is contiguous a top portion 49 including the top end 28.
The bottom portion 45 includes the bottom loop end 40. The protective enclosure covers Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 the upper portion 43 of the cord 30 and leaves the bottom portion 45 exposed for being used to pull the actuator assembly 20.

[0035] With respect to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the protective enclosure comprises a vertically extending longitudinal hollow member with an outer shell body 46 defining an inner tunnel 47 for receiving the main portion 42 of the cord therethrough. The outer shell body 46 defines top and bottom ends thereof, 48 and 50. The top end 48 defines a top end opening 52 for allowing the top end 38 of the cord 30 to engage the actuator assembly 20. The bottom end 50 defines a bottom end opening 54 for allowing the loop end 40 of the cord 30 to extend therethrough so as to be exposed. The bottom portion 45 of the cord including the bottom loop end 40 hangs below the bottom end opening 54; it is this portion (bottom portion 45) that is manipulated by the user for operating the movement of the cover 14.

[0036] The exposed bottom portion 45 of the cord 30 is too short to wrap around a one-year-old child's neck (i.e. not more than about 22 cm in length) or form .. a loop that can be pulled over a one-year-old child's head (i.e. not more than about 44 cm in circumference) when subjected to the gradual application of force attaining 35 N. Thus, the depending on the overall length of the cord 30, a suitable vertical length of the protective enclosure 44 will be provided in order to expose a bottom portion that is not more than about 22 cm in length and/or not more than about cm in circumference.

[0037] In an embodiment, the upper portion 43 has a length that is greater than the length of the bottom portion 45. In another embodiment, the upper portion 43 has a length that is lesser than the length of the bottom portion 45. In another embodiment, the upper portion has a length that is the same as the length of the bottom portion 45.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20

[0038] In the non-limiting illustrative example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the outer shell body 46 comprises a rectangular configuration.

[0039] Turning to Figure 5, there is shown a protective enclosure 144 having a cylindrical configuration and comprising an outer shell body 146 in the form of vertically extending longitudinal hollow cylindrical tube member defining an inner tunnel 147 for receiving the main portion 42 of the cord 30 therethrough. The outer shell body 146 defines top and bottom ends thereof, 148 and 150. The top end defines a top end opening 152 for allowing the top end 38 of the cord 30 to engage the actuator assembly 20. The bottom end 150 defines a bottom end opening 154 for allowing the loop end 40 of the cord 30 to extend therethrough so as to be exposed.

[0040] It should be noted that various geometric configurations of the outer shell body of the protective enclosure can be contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, including rectangular, triangular, cylindrical or tubular configurations, various trapezoidal configurations, oval configurations and other shapes and designs according to purchaser tastes and desires as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan.

[0041] With respect to Figures 4 and 5, the protective enclosure 44 is mounted to the wall surrounding the window.

[0042] In an embodiment, the protective enclosure of the disclosure is directly fastened to the wall. In an embodiment, the protective enclosure is connected to the wall via connecting elements such as extensions and the like.

[0043] With reference to Figure 4, the outer shell body 46 of the protective enclosure 44 defines front and rear sides 58 and 60 respectively as well as lateral sides 62A and 62B. Connecting elements 64 including tabs 66 defining holes 68 for Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 receiving fasteners 70 extend laterally from the corner juncture of rear side 58 and lateral side 62A. In this way, protective enclosure 44 is mounted to a wall surface W1 adjacent the window.

[0044] With reference to Figure 5, the outer shell body 146 of the protective enclosure 144 defines front and rear sides 158 and 160 respectively. The rear side 160 includes holes 168 for receiving fasteners 170 to be fastened to the wall surface W2 adjacent the window.

[0045] In another embodiment, the protective member 44 is connected to the clutch 22 via a connector member therebetween. In a further embodiment, the protective member 44 is connected to the drive end bracket 36A via a connector member therebetween. Of course, the protective member 44 may be connected to both the wall and the bracket 36A and/or the clutch 22.

[0046] The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide still other embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Moreover, the embodiments discussed herein need not include all of the features and elements illustrated and/or described and thus partial combinations of features can also be contemplated. Furthermore, embodiments with less features than those described can also be contemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, it Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20 can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature thereof and of the appended claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-20

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A corded window covering system comprising:
a window cover for selectively covering a window;
an actuator assembly in operative communication with the window cover;
a cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extending along a given length of the window and being connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover; and a protective enclosure vertically extending along a length of the cord for enclosing an upper portion of the cord, wherein a bottom portion of the cord remains exposed, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.

2. A corded window covering according to claim 1, wherein the length of the upper portion of the cord is greater than the length of the bottom portion of the vertical cord.

3. A corded window covering according to claim 1, wherein the length of the upper portion of the cord is lesser than the length of the bottom portion of the vertical cord.

4. A corded window covering according to claim 1, wherein the length of the upper portion of the cord is about the same as the length of the bottom portion of the cord.

5. A corded window covering according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the cord is from about 2/3 of the length of the window to about the full length of the window.

6. A corded window covering system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective enclosure comprises an outer shell defining a tunnel and top and bottom end openings, the tunnel providing for fitting the upper portion of the cord therethrough, the bottom portion of the cord extending beneath the bottom end opening.

7. A corded window covering system according to claim 6, wherein a top portion of the cord above the upper portion comprises the top end extending above the top end opening.

8. A corded window covering system according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the outer shell comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of a rectangular configuration, a cylindrical configuration, a trapezoidal configuration, a triangular configuration and a tubular configuration.

9. A corded window covering system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a clutch mounted to a roller, the window cover comprising a sheet mounted at a top end thereof to the roller for being rolled thereon during the window uncovering movement and rolled therefrom during the window covering movement, the cord being connected to the clutch.

10. A corded window covering system according any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective enclosure is mounted to the window covering system.

11. A corded window covering system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the protective enclosure is mounted a surface adjacent the window.

12. A protective enclosure for a cord of a corded window covering system comprising a window cover for selectively covering a window, an actuator assembly in operative communication with the window cover, the cord defining top and bottom ends thereof and vertically extending along a given length of the window and being connected to the actuator assembly for being pulled to actuate the actuator assembly to impart window covering and uncovering movements to the window cover, the vertical protective enclosure comprising:
an outer elongated body shell defining top and bottom open ends and an inner tunnel in communication with the top and bottom open ends providing for fitting an upper portion of the vertical cord therethrough for enclosure thereof, a bottom portion of the vertical cord extending beneath the bottom open end for being exposed, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about cm in circumference.

13. A protective enclosure according to claim 12, wherein the outer shell comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of a rectangular configuration, a cylindrical configuration, a trapezoidal configuration, a triangular configuration and a tubular configuration.

14. A protective enclosure according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the protective enclosure is mounted to the window covering system.

15. A protective enclosure according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the protective enclosure is mounted a surface about the window.

16. A method of enclosing a vertical cord of a corded window system, the method comprising:
providing a longitudinal vertical protective enclosure defining top and bottom open ends and internal tunnel;
inserting the cord via the top end into the tunnel providing a length to the protective enclosure such that an upper portion of the cord is enclosed within the tunnel and a bottom portion of the cord is exposed beneath the bottom end opening, wherein the exposed bottom portion of the vertical cord comprises a length of not more than about 22 cm and/or forms a loop of not more than about 44 cm in circumference.