EP1510648B1 - Tassel - Google Patents
Tassel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1510648B1 EP1510648B1 EP20040255103 EP04255103A EP1510648B1 EP 1510648 B1 EP1510648 B1 EP 1510648B1 EP 20040255103 EP20040255103 EP 20040255103 EP 04255103 A EP04255103 A EP 04255103A EP 1510648 B1 EP1510648 B1 EP 1510648B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tassel
- wand
- cord
- cover
- aperture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/326—Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs
Definitions
- This invention relates to a multi-purpose tassel for the operating elements of a retractable covering for an architectural opening, such as a window covering.
- a window covering such as a venetian blind with horizontal or vertical slats, is typically provided with a first operating element for lifting or traversing the slats and a second operating element for tilting the slats.
- operating elements will include a cord or ball chain for traversing the slats and a wand for tilting them.
- Curtains can have either cords or wands for traversing.
- tassels of the operating elements of each window covering are uniform in appearance.
- Tassels of uniform appearance can also provide a distinctive "look" to the window coverings of their manufacturer. For this reason, tassels of window coverings have often been provided with the logo, mark or name of the manufacturer of the window coverings. Thus, tassels of uniform appearance have been sought for attachment to window covering cords and wands.
- tassels for cords and wands may look the same, they are technically different parts. Attaching a tassel to a pull cord has typically required a different tassel shape than for attaching a tassel to a tilt wand. This has resulted in the production of tassels that appear the same but are technically different. As a result, there has inevitably been confusion during the assembly of window coverings with such tassels, as well as more expense than if the tassels for both cords and wands had, in fact, been identical.
- a tassel which can be connected in an upright position to a cord or similar flexible elongated member and in an inverted position to a wand or similar rigid elongated member while maintaining a uniform outer appearance for the tassel.
- a two-part tassel which comprises:
- Figure 1 shows a conventional venetian blind 1, which includes a head rail 3, a bottom rail 5, ladders 7, lift cords 9 and slats 11.
- the blind also includes an operating cord 13 and a tilt wand 15. Both the downwardly-extending operating cord 13 and tilt wand 15 have a prior art tassel 17,19 attached to their free lower end portions 13A, 15A.
- the upper end portions 13B of the cord are attached to a conventional cord equalizer 18 which is, in turn, connected to a conventional mechanism in the head rail 3 for raising and lowering the slats 11 when the cord is pulled in one direction or the other:
- the upper end portions 15B of the wand are attached to a conventional mechanism in the head rail 3 for tilting the slats 11 when the wand is twisted.
- Cord tassel 17 has an aperture for accommodating the operating cord's lower end portions 13A.
- the lower end portions 13A of the operating cord 13 can be attached directly to the tassel 17 or, as shown, to an intermediate attaching part 21.
- the cord tassel 17 cannot be attached suitably to the wand 15.
- the wand tassel 19 has an aperture for accommodating the lower end portions 15A of the wand 15.
- the wand 15 has a typical hexagonal cross-section, and the wand aperture has a similar cross-section of a slightly smaller dimension.
- the wand's lower end portions 15A can be friction fit into the aperture of the wand tassel 19, and an adhesive can be used to assure a durable connection between the wand's lower end portions 15A and the wand tassel 19.
- the wand tassel 19 cannot be suitably attached to the operating cord 13.
- multi-purpose tassels 120, 220 as shown in Figures 2-6, are provided which can be connected to both a wand 115, 215 and a cord 113, 213 of a venetian blind as shown in Figure 1 but which wil have the same appearance in both cases.
- Figures 2-3 show a prior art embodiment 120 of a multi-purpose tassel, having a hollow vertically-extending body 121 with an interior space 123 that extends coaxially.
- the prior art tassel 120 is upright and in Figures 2C and 3B, the tassel 120 is inverted.
- the tassel body 121 has vertically-extending, circumferential, outer and inner side walls 125, 127, horizontally-extending, outer and inner, top walls 129, 131 and horizontally extending, outer and inner, bottom walls 133,135.
- the outer side wall 125 defines the outer shape of the body 121.
- the outer side wall 125 is shown with a generally rectangular, preferably square, horizontal cross-section and comprises left, right, front and rear, rectangular side walls 125A, 125B, 125C, 125D.
- the outer side wall 125 of the body 121 can have other shapes, such as circular or elliptical in horizontal cross-section.
- the shape of the interior space 123 of the body 121 is defined by the circumferential inner side wall 127, together with the inner top wall 131 and inner bottom wall 135.
- This interior space 123 has a size and functional shape that allow the tassel body 121 to be attached to the lower end portions 113A,115A of either a cord 113 or a wand 115.
- the inner side wall 127 is shown with a generally hexagonal, horizontal cross-section with side walls 127A-127F that can cooperate with the hexagonal sides of the lower end portions 115A of a wand 115.
- Figure 2B shows a vertically-extending cord aperture 137 that is provided through the outer and inner, top walls 129,131 of the tassel body 121 into its interior space 123.
- the cord aperture 137 which is preferably round, is used when the prior art tassel 120 is attached to lower end portions 113A of a cord 113.
- Surrounding the cord aperture 137 and part of the inner top wall 129 is an abutment surface 139, against which either a cord stopping element 143 will abut to hold the cord 113 on the tassel or the bottom end of a wand 115 will abut when inserted in the tassel.
- Figure 2C shows a vertically-extending wand aperture 141 that is provided through the outer and inner, bottom walls 133,135 of the tassel body 121 into its interior space 123.
- the wand aperture 141 logically has the same horizontal cross-section (e.g., hexagonal) as the lower end portions 115A of a wand 115 , to be inserted into the tassel.
- Figures 3A and 3B show the prior art tassel 120 with a cord 113 or wand 115 assembled to it.
- the prior art tassel 120 is used with its cord aperture 137 upwardly as shown in Figure 3A.
- the free lower end portions 113A of the cord 113 can be threaded through the cord aperture 137 from top down or bottom up, depending on the type of stopping element 143, to be used. If a simple knot 143 is used as the stopping element, the free lower end portions 113A of the cord 113 can be threaded top down through the cord aperture 137, the knot 143 can be made, and then, the tassel 120 can be slid down abng the cord until the knot firmly abuts against the abutment surface 139.
- Figure 3A shows the cord 113 extending in a vertical or upright direction away from the tassel through the cord aperture 137.
- a knot 143 is shown at the free lower end portions 113A of the cord, abutting against the abutment surface 139 of the inner top wall 129 of the tassel body 120.
- the upper end 113B of the operating cord 113 can be attached to a cord equalizer, which is in turn connected to a mechanism of the blind for raising and lowering its slats as described above with regard to Figure 1.
- the prior art tassel 120 is used with its cord aperture 137 downwardly as shown in Figure 3B and its body 121 turned upside down relative to its position shown in Figure 3A.
- the free lower end portions 115A of the wand 115 can besimply stuck into the interior space 123 of the tassel body 121 through the wand aperture 141, so that the wand's lower end portions 115A extend into the interior space 123 of the tassel.
- a generally horizontally-extending bottom end surface 115C of the wand's lower end portions 115A is shown in abutment with the abutment surface 139 of the inner top wall 129 of the tassel body 121.
- the side walls 127A-127F of the interior side wall 127 of the tassel body 121 provide an interior space 123 which substantially matches the shape and size of the lower end portions 115A of the wand 115, the lower end portions 115A have a friction fit within the tassel body. Of course, an even tighter fit can be obtained by providing an adhesive within the interior space 123 of the tassel 120.
- the upper end portions (not shown) of the wand 115 can be connected to a mechanism of the blind for tilting its slats as described above with regard to Figure 1.
- the cord aperture 137 can have any horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions suitable for threading the free, lower end portions 113A of the cord 113, so long as the cord stopping element or knot 143 cannot pass through the cord aperture. In this regard, it generally suffices to have the shape and dimensions of the cord stopping element 143 larger than those of the cord aperture 137. In addition, the cord aperture 137 must have a horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions smaller than those of the lower end portions 115A of the wand 115, so that the inner top wall 131 has an abutment surface 139 for the bottom end 115C of the wand.
- the wand aperture 141 can have any horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions suitable to accommodate the cross-section of the wand 115. If the wand is round so can be the second aperture. Thus, the wand 115 and wand aperture 141 can both be circular, square, hexagonal, rectangular, oval, diamond-shape, etc. in horizontal cross-section.
- the prior art tassel 120 has the same appearance when upright and attached to cord 113 as when inverted and attached to a wand 115.
- the visible outer side wall 127 can be of any desired shape but should be symmetrical with regard to the vertical center of the body 121, between its outer top and bottom walls 131,135, so that no matter whether the tassel is upright or inverted, its appearance is the same. Lettering, symbols or other markings on the outer side wall 127 can be used, but will appear different depending upon whether the tassel is upright or inverted.
- Figures 4-6 show an embodiment 220 of a multi-purpose tassel of this invention, which is similar to prior art the tassel 120 of Figures 2-3 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the same parts or corresponding parts.
- the tassel 220 of the invention has a hollow vertically-extending body 221, with an interior space 223 that extends coaxially.
- a cover 244 can be connected to the tassel body 221 by partially or completely inserting the body through an open top of the cover into its upper portion 245 which forms a recess on top of the cover.
- Figures 4-6 a snap-fit arrangement between opposite sides of the inner side wall 246 of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 and opposite sides of the outer side wall 225 of the tassel body 221 is shown, but the two parts could also be held together by a friction fit, with adhesive or by ultrasonic welding.
- the inner side wall 246 of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 has a horizontal cross-section with a complementary shape and size to that of the outer side wall 225 of the tassel body 221, to be inserted therein.
- the circumferential outer side wall 225 of the tassel body 221 preferably comprises left, right, front and rear, side walls 225A, 225B, 225C, and 225D.
- the front and rear, outer side walls 225C, 225D are rectangular, the front outer side wall 225C is shorter than the rear outer side wall 225D, and the left and right, outer side walls 225A, 225B are of a trapezoidal shape, with top and bottom sides that converge towards the front side wall 225C.
- the lower sides of the left and right, outer side walls 225A, 225B preferably are slightly concave upward, and the upper sides of the left and right, outer side walls preferably are slightly concave downward.
- a vertically-extending wand aperture 239 that extends through the body's outer and inner, bottom walls 233, 235 and into its interior space 223.
- the upright tassel body 221' can be connected to a cord (not shown), inserted through the cord aperture 237, and then, the upright tassel body can be inserted into the upper portion 245 of the cover 244.
- the inverted tassel boy 221" can be connected to a wand (not shown), inserted through the wand aperture 239, and then, the inverted tassel body can be inserted into the upper portion 245 of the cover 244.
- the tassel body 221 is symmetrical in shape with regard to its vertical center, between its outer top and bottom walls 231,235, turning it over will not affect the complementarity of the outer side wall 225 of the tassel body relative to the inner side wall 246 of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244. Because the cover 244 will not be inverted, in use, its outer wall does not have to be symmetrical in shape with regard to its vertical center and indeed can have any shape and be provided with lettering, marking or symbols.
- the tassel body 221 can be snap fit into the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 in any conventional manner.
- the front and rear, outer side walls 225C, 225D preferably each have a pair of parallel, horizontally-extending, upper slots 247A, 247B and a pair of parallel, horizontally-extending, lower slots 248A, 248B.
- These slots 247A, 247B, 248A, 248B are adapted to engage a pair of parallel, horizontally-extending snap-lugs 249A, 249B on the front and rear, inner side walls 246C, 246D of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 to snap-fit the tassel body into the cover's upper portion 245.
- the tassel body 221 is also provided with parallel, left and right grooves 250A, 250B in its outer top wall 229, and corresponding left and right grooves 251A, 2518 in its outer bottom wall 235. These grooves are complementary in shape and dimension to left and right, upwardly-extending, shoulder ridges 253, 255, described below, that are atop the bottom of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244.
- the grooves 250A, 2508 and 251 A, 251B and shoulder ridges 253, 255 cooperate with each other to provide a close fit of the cover to the tassel body.
- the cover 244 is generally rectangular in horizontal and vertical cross-section.
- the cover has a circumferential outer side wall 257, formed by left, right, front and rear, side walls 257A, 257B, 257C, 257D which extend vertically and are connected, at generally right angles, to each other and to a horizontally-extending bottom wall 259.
- the recess in the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 is formed by upper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear, side walls 257C, 257D which extend above the left and right, side walls 257A, 257B.
- the upper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear, side walls 257C, 257D of the cover 244 act as cantilever beams for the snap-fit of the tassel body 221 with the cover.
- the thickness of the upper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear, side walls preferably is tapered (i.e., less) towards their top, so that they can flex somewhat outwardly when the tassel body 221 is inserted downwardly in the open top of the cover 244, causing the snaplugs 249A, 2498 on each of the front and rear, inner side walls 246C, 246D of the cover's upper portion 245 to be urged outwardly by the front and rear, outer side walls 225C, 225D of the body and then flex back inwardly as the snap-lugs 249A, 2498 enter horizontally into the upper slots 247A, 247B (if the body is upright) or lower slots 248A, 248B (if the body is inverted) in the body's front and rear, outer side walls.
- the snap-lugs 249A, 249B are generally conventional, protruding lugs on the front and rear, inner side walls 246C, 246D of the cover's upper portion 245, and each snap-lug has a gentle ramp at its top or entrance side and a sharper angle at its bottom or retraction side.
- the location of the upper and lower slots 247A, 247B, 248A, 248B in the tassel body's front and rear, outer side walls 225C, 225D is complementary to the location d the snap-lugs 249A, 249B on each of the front and rear, inner side walls 246C, 246D, so that the snap-lugs will engage the slots once the tassel body 221, whether upright or inverted (depending on whether a cord or a wand is to be attached to the tassel 220), is inserted into the recess formed by the cover's upper portion 245.
- a circumferential shoulder 259 extends inwardly along the left, right, front and rear, inner side walls 246A, 246B, 246C, 246D at the bottom of the upper portion 245 of the cover 244.
- the circumferential shoulder 259 thus defines the bottom of the recess formed by the cover's upper portion 245 at a distance beneath the top of the cover substantially equal to the height of the body's front and rear, outer side walls 225C, 225D.
- the circumferential shoulder 259 has left and right shoulder portions 259A, 259B which are located at the top of the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 246B, and atop these shoulders portions are the left and right, upwardly-extending shoulder ridges 253,255, respectively, described above.
- the circumferential shoulder 259 also has front and rear, shoulder portions 259C and 259D which are located on the front and rear, inner side walls 246C, 246D.
- each shoulder portion 259A-D extends along the total horizontal width of its respective inner side wall 246A-D.
- the left and right, shoulder ridges 253,255 are adapted to cooperate with the left and right grooves 250A, 250B and 251A, 251B of the outer, top and bottom walls 229, 235 of the tassel body 221 as described above.
- the upright body When a cord 213 is to be attached to the tassel body 221 as shown in Figure 6, the upright body is inserted into the recess formed by the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 with the body's outer top wall 229 directed upwardly and outwardly of the cover's upper portion, so that the upper slot 247A in the body's front outer side wall 225C engages the front snaplug 249A on the cover's front, inner side wall 246C and the upper slot 247B in the body's rear outer side wall 225D engages the rear snap-lug 249B on the cover's rear, inner side wall 246D.
- grooves 251A, 251B of the body's outer, bottom wall 235 rest on the left and right, shoulder ridges 253,255 on the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 2468 at the bottom of the cover's upper portion 245 in the resulting tassel 220.
- the inverted body is inserted into the recess formed by the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 with the body's outer bottom wall 233 directed upwardly and outwardly of the cover's upper portion, so that the lower slot 248A in the body's front outer side wall 225C engages the front snaplug 249A and the lower slot 248B in body's rear outer side wall 225D engages the rear snaplug 249B.
- the grooves 250A, 250B in the body's outer top wall 229 rest on the shoulder ridges 253,255 on the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 246B at the bottom of the cover's upper portion 245 in the resulting tassel 220.
- the tassel body 221 can have any shape and size, so long as the body is symmetrical with regard to its horizontal centerline, and the upper portion 245 of the cover 244 can accommodate both the upright and inverted body.
- the cover 244 of the tassel 220 can have virtually any shape or size and have lettering, symbols or other markings on its outer side wall 257. Such markings which will appear the same regardless of whether the tassel body 221 is upright or inverted because the cover will not be affected by the orientation of the body.
- the tassels 120 and 220, and the tassel body 221 and cover 244 can be made of a plastic.
- the cover 244 is of a clear plastic, and its outer, front and rear side walls 257C, 257D have horizontallyextending serrations 261 as shown in Figures 4-6.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Blinds (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a multi-purpose tassel for the operating elements of a retractable covering for an architectural opening, such as a window covering.
- A window covering, such as a venetian blind with horizontal or vertical slats, is typically provided with a first operating element for lifting or traversing the slats and a second operating element for tilting the slats. Generally, such operating elements will include a cord or ball chain for traversing the slats and a wand for tilting them. Curtains, however, can have either cords or wands for traversing.
- It is generally desirable for the look of a window covering, particularly in an office or dwelling with many window coverings, that the tassels of the operating elements of each window covering are uniform in appearance. Tassels of uniform appearance can also provide a distinctive "look" to the window coverings of their manufacturer. For this reason, tassels of window coverings have often been provided with the logo, mark or name of the manufacturer of the window coverings. Thus, tassels of uniform appearance have been sought for attachment to window covering cords and wands.
- However even though tassels for cords and wands may look the same, they are technically different parts. Attaching a tassel to a pull cord has typically required a different tassel shape than for attaching a tassel to a tilt wand. This has resulted in the production of tassels that appear the same but are technically different. As a result, there has inevitably been confusion during the assembly of window coverings with such tassels, as well as more expense than if the tassels for both cords and wands had, in fact, been identical.
- In accordance with this invention, a tassel is provided which can be connected in an upright position to a cord or similar flexible elongated member and in an inverted position to a wand or similar rigid elongated member while maintaining a uniform outer appearance for the tassel.
- According to one aspect of the invention, a two-part tassel is provided, which comprises:
- a) a hollow body with:
- an upright side wall containing a coaxial interior space,
- a top wall, and
- a bottom wall and
- wherein a first aperture is formed through the top wall, through which the cord can be inserted into the interior space to connect the cord to the tassel,
- wherein a second aperture is formed through the bottom wall, through which the wand can be inserted into the interior space to connect the wand to the tassel and
- wherein the body has its top wall on top in the upright position and its bottom wall on top in the inverted position; and
- b) a cover connectable to the exterior of the body.
- Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below of specific embodiments and the drawings thereof, in which:
- Figure 1 is a front view of a typical venetian blind with a first prior art embodiment of a tassels on a cord and wand;
- Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of a second prior art embodiment of a tassel in an upright position;
- Figures 2B and 2C are perspective views of the second prior art tassel of Figure 2A in upright and inverted positions, respectively;
- Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the second prior art tassel of Figure 2A, upright and assembled to a cord;
- Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the second prior art tassel of Figure 2A, inverted and assembled to a wand;
- Figures 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tassel of this invention;
- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tassel of the invention of Figure 4;
- Figure 6A is a perspective view of the tassel of Figure 4, assembled to a cord;
- Figure 6B is a perspective view of the tassel of Figure 4, assembled to a wand;
- Figure 6C is a plan view of the left side of just the tassel of Figure 4;
- Figure 6D is a perspective view of the front of just the tassel of Figure 4; and
- Figure 6E is a perspective view of the rear of just the tassel of Figure 4.
- Figure 1 shows a conventional venetian blind 1, which includes a
head rail 3, abottom rail 5,ladders 7,lift cords 9 and slats 11. The blind also includes anoperating cord 13 and atilt wand 15. Both the downwardly-extendingoperating cord 13 andtilt wand 15 have aprior art tassel lower end portions upper end portions 13B of the cord are attached to aconventional cord equalizer 18 which is, in turn, connected to a conventional mechanism in thehead rail 3 for raising and lowering the slats 11 when the cord is pulled in one direction or the other: Theupper end portions 15B of the wand are attached to a conventional mechanism in thehead rail 3 for tilting the slats 11 when the wand is twisted. Although these prior art cord andwand tassels -
Cord tassel 17 has an aperture for accommodating the operating cord'slower end portions 13A. Thelower end portions 13A of theoperating cord 13 can be attached directly to thetassel 17 or, as shown, to an intermediate attachingpart 21. Thecord tassel 17 cannot be attached suitably to thewand 15. - Likewise, the
wand tassel 19 has an aperture for accommodating thelower end portions 15A of thewand 15. Thewand 15 has a typical hexagonal cross-section, and the wand aperture has a similar cross-section of a slightly smaller dimension. The wand'slower end portions 15A can be friction fit into the aperture of thewand tassel 19, and an adhesive can be used to assure a durable connection between the wand'slower end portions 15A and thewand tassel 19. Thewand tassel 19 cannot be suitably attached to theoperating cord 13. - In accordance with this invention,
multi-purpose tassels wand cord - Figures 2-3 show a
prior art embodiment 120 of a multi-purpose tassel, having a hollow vertically-extendingbody 121 with aninterior space 123 that extends coaxially. In Figures 2A, 2B and 3A, theprior art tassel 120 is upright and in Figures 2C and 3B, thetassel 120 is inverted. Thetassel body 121 has vertically-extending, circumferential, outer andinner side walls top walls outer side wall 125 defines the outer shape of thebody 121. In Figures 2B and 2C, theouter side wall 125 is shown with a generally rectangular, preferably square, horizontal cross-section and comprises left, right, front and rear,rectangular side walls outer side wall 125 of thebody 121 can have other shapes, such as circular or elliptical in horizontal cross-section. The shape of theinterior space 123 of thebody 121 is defined by the circumferentialinner side wall 127, together with theinner top wall 131 andinner bottom wall 135. Thisinterior space 123 has a size and functional shape that allow thetassel body 121 to be attached to thelower end portions cord 113 or awand 115. In Figure 2C, theinner side wall 127 is shown with a generally hexagonal, horizontal cross-section withside walls 127A-127F that can cooperate with the hexagonal sides of thelower end portions 115A of awand 115. - Figure 2B shows a vertically-extending
cord aperture 137 that is provided through the outer and inner, top walls 129,131 of thetassel body 121 into itsinterior space 123. Thecord aperture 137, which is preferably round, is used when theprior art tassel 120 is attached tolower end portions 113A of acord 113. Surrounding thecord aperture 137 and part of theinner top wall 129 is anabutment surface 139, against which either a cord stopping element 143 will abut to hold thecord 113 on the tassel or the bottom end of awand 115 will abut when inserted in the tassel. - Figure 2C shows a vertically-extending
wand aperture 141 that is provided through the outer and inner, bottom walls 133,135 of thetassel body 121 into itsinterior space 123. Thewand aperture 141 logically has the same horizontal cross-section (e.g., hexagonal) as thelower end portions 115A of awand 115 , to be inserted into the tassel. - Figures 3A and 3B show the
prior art tassel 120 with acord 113 orwand 115 assembled to it. - With the
cord 113, theprior art tassel 120 is used with itscord aperture 137 upwardly as shown in Figure 3A. The freelower end portions 113A of thecord 113 can be threaded through thecord aperture 137 from top down or bottom up, depending on the type of stopping element 143, to be used. If a simple knot 143 is used as the stopping element, the freelower end portions 113A of thecord 113 can be threaded top down through thecord aperture 137, the knot 143 can be made, and then, thetassel 120 can be slid down abng the cord until the knot firmly abuts against theabutment surface 139. In this way, it is also possible to clamp or crimp a stopping element to thelower end portions 113A of thecord 113 after threading it through thecord aperture 137. Clearly, if a stopping element 143 is already fixed to the freelower end portions 113A of thecord 113 or if a knot 143 is already made there, threading the lower end portions of the cord through thecord aperture 137 from the bottom up is the only alternative. - Figure 3A shows the
cord 113 extending in a vertical or upright direction away from the tassel through thecord aperture 137. A knot 143 is shown at the freelower end portions 113A of the cord, abutting against theabutment surface 139 of the innertop wall 129 of thetassel body 120. The upper end 113B of theoperating cord 113 can be attached to a cord equalizer, which is in turn connected to a mechanism of the blind for raising and lowering its slats as described above with regard to Figure 1. - With the
wand 115, theprior art tassel 120 is used with itscord aperture 137 downwardly as shown in Figure 3B and itsbody 121 turned upside down relative to its position shown in Figure 3A. As shown in Figure 3B, the freelower end portions 115A of thewand 115 can besimply stuck into theinterior space 123 of thetassel body 121 through thewand aperture 141, so that the wand'slower end portions 115A extend into theinterior space 123 of the tassel. A generally horizontally-extendingbottom end surface 115C of the wand'slower end portions 115A is shown in abutment with theabutment surface 139 of the innertop wall 129 of thetassel body 121. Since theside walls 127A-127F of theinterior side wall 127 of thetassel body 121 provide aninterior space 123 which substantially matches the shape and size of thelower end portions 115A of thewand 115, thelower end portions 115A have a friction fit within the tassel body. Of course, an even tighter fit can be obtained by providing an adhesive within theinterior space 123 of thetassel 120. - The upper end portions (not shown) of the
wand 115 can be connected to a mechanism of the blind for tilting its slats as described above with regard to Figure 1. - The
cord aperture 137 can have any horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions suitable for threading the free,lower end portions 113A of thecord 113, so long as the cord stopping element or knot 143 cannot pass through the cord aperture. In this regard, it generally suffices to have the shape and dimensions of the cord stopping element 143 larger than those of thecord aperture 137. In addition, thecord aperture 137 must have a horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions smaller than those of thelower end portions 115A of thewand 115, so that the innertop wall 131 has anabutment surface 139 for thebottom end 115C of the wand. - Likewise, the
wand aperture 141 can have any horizontal cross-sectional shape and dimensions suitable to accommodate the cross-section of thewand 115. If the wand is round so can be the second aperture. Thus, thewand 115 andwand aperture 141 can both be circular, square, hexagonal, rectangular, oval, diamond-shape, etc. in horizontal cross-section. - As seen from Figures 3A and 3B, the
prior art tassel 120 has the same appearance when upright and attached tocord 113 as when inverted and attached to awand 115. The visibleouter side wall 127 can be of any desired shape but should be symmetrical with regard to the vertical center of thebody 121, between its outer top and bottom walls 131,135, so that no matter whether the tassel is upright or inverted, its appearance is the same. Lettering, symbols or other markings on theouter side wall 127 can be used, but will appear different depending upon whether the tassel is upright or inverted. - Figures 4-6 show an
embodiment 220 of a multi-purpose tassel of this invention, which is similar to prior art thetassel 120 of Figures 2-3 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the same parts or corresponding parts. - The
tassel 220 of the invention has a hollow vertically-extendingbody 221, with aninterior space 223 that extends coaxially. Acover 244 can be connected to thetassel body 221 by partially or completely inserting the body through an open top of the cover into itsupper portion 245 which forms a recess on top of the cover. In Figures 4-6, a snap-fit arrangement between opposite sides of theinner side wall 246 of theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 and opposite sides of theouter side wall 225 of thetassel body 221 is shown, but the two parts could also be held together by a friction fit, with adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. Theinner side wall 246 of theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 has a horizontal cross-section with a complementary shape and size to that of theouter side wall 225 of thetassel body 221, to be inserted therein. - The circumferential
outer side wall 225 of thetassel body 221 preferably comprises left, right, front and rear,side walls outer side walls outer side wall 225C is shorter than the rearouter side wall 225D, and the left and right,outer side walls front side wall 225C. The lower sides of the left and right,outer side walls - In Figures 4 and 5, side-by-side, upright and inverted,
tassel bodies 221', 221" are shown which are otherwise the same. Tassel body 221' assembled to cover 244, results in tassel 220'. Similar,tassel body 221" withcover 244 makestassel 220". Atop the upright tassel body 221' are averticallyextending cord aperture 237 that extends through the body's outer and inner,top walls interior space 223 and anabutment surface 239 on a non-apertured part of body's innertop wall 231. Under the upright tassel body 221' is a vertically-extendingwand aperture 239 that extends through the body's outer and inner,bottom walls interior space 223. The upright tassel body 221' can be connected to a cord (not shown), inserted through thecord aperture 237, and then, the upright tassel body can be inserted into theupper portion 245 of thecover 244. - Atop the
inverted tassel body 221" is thewand aperture 241 in the body's outer and inner,bottom walls inverted tassel body 221" are thecord aperture 237 in the body's outer and inner,top walls abutment surface 239. Theinverted tassel boy 221" can be connected to a wand (not shown), inserted through thewand aperture 239, and then, the inverted tassel body can be inserted into theupper portion 245 of thecover 244. - Since the
tassel body 221 is symmetrical in shape with regard to its vertical center, between its outer top and bottom walls 231,235, turning it over will not affect the complementarity of theouter side wall 225 of the tassel body relative to theinner side wall 246 of theupper portion 245 of thecover 244. Because thecover 244 will not be inverted, in use, its outer wall does not have to be symmetrical in shape with regard to its vertical center and indeed can have any shape and be provided with lettering, marking or symbols. - The
tassel body 221 can be snap fit into theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 in any conventional manner. For this purpse, the front and rear,outer side walls upper slots lower slots slots lugs inner side walls upper portion 245 of thecover 244 to snap-fit the tassel body into the cover'supper portion 245. - The
tassel body 221 is also provided with parallel, left andright grooves top wall 229, and corresponding left andright grooves 251A, 2518 in its outerbottom wall 235. These grooves are complementary in shape and dimension to left and right, upwardly-extending,shoulder ridges upper portion 245 of thecover 244. Thegrooves shoulder ridges - The
cover 244, as shown in Figures 4-6, is generally rectangular in horizontal and vertical cross-section. The cover has a circumferential outer side wall 257, formed by left, right, front and rear,side walls bottom wall 259. The recess in theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 is formed byupper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear,side walls side walls tassel 220 is assembled, the left andright side walls body 121 will remain visible within thecover 244. - The
upper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear,side walls cover 244 act as cantilever beams for the snap-fit of thetassel body 221 with the cover. - The thickness of the
upper portions 257C', 257D' of the front and rear, side walls preferably is tapered (i.e., less) towards their top, so that they can flex somewhat outwardly when thetassel body 221 is inserted downwardly in the open top of thecover 244, causing thesnaplugs 249A, 2498 on each of the front and rear,inner side walls upper portion 245 to be urged outwardly by the front and rear,outer side walls lugs 249A, 2498 enter horizontally into theupper slots lower slots - Preferably, the snap-
lugs inner side walls upper portion 245, and each snap-lug has a gentle ramp at its top or entrance side and a sharper angle at its bottom or retraction side. The location of the upper andlower slots outer side walls lugs inner side walls tassel body 221, whether upright or inverted (depending on whether a cord or a wand is to be attached to the tassel 220), is inserted into the recess formed by the cover'supper portion 245. - For further support of the
tassel body 221, whether upright or inverted, in the cover'supper portion 245, acircumferential shoulder 259 extends inwardly along the left, right, front and rear,inner side walls upper portion 245 of thecover 244. Thecircumferential shoulder 259 thus defines the bottom of the recess formed by the cover'supper portion 245 at a distance beneath the top of the cover substantially equal to the height of the body's front and rear,outer side walls circumferential shoulder 259 has left andright shoulder portions 259A, 259B which are located at the top of the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 246B, and atop these shoulders portions are the left and right, upwardly-extending shoulder ridges 253,255, respectively, described above. Thecircumferential shoulder 259 also has front and rear,shoulder portions inner side walls shoulder portion 259A-D extends along the total horizontal width of its respective inner side wall 246A-D. The left and right, shoulder ridges 253,255 are adapted to cooperate with the left andright grooves bottom walls tassel body 221 as described above. - When a
cord 213 is to be attached to thetassel body 221 as shown in Figure 6, the upright body is inserted into the recess formed by theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 with the body's outertop wall 229 directed upwardly and outwardly of the cover's upper portion, so that theupper slot 247A in the body's frontouter side wall 225C engages thefront snaplug 249A on the cover's front,inner side wall 246C and theupper slot 247B in the body's rearouter side wall 225D engages the rear snap-lug 249B on the cover's rear,inner side wall 246D. Thereby, thegrooves bottom wall 235 rest on the left and right, shoulder ridges 253,255 on the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 2468 at the bottom of the cover'supper portion 245 in the resultingtassel 220. - When a
wand 215 is to be attached to thetassel body 221 as shown in Figure 6, the inverted body is inserted into the recess formed by theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 with the body's outerbottom wall 233 directed upwardly and outwardly of the cover's upper portion, so that thelower slot 248A in the body's frontouter side wall 225C engages thefront snaplug 249A and thelower slot 248B in body's rearouter side wall 225D engages therear snaplug 249B. Thereby, thegrooves top wall 229 rest on the shoulder ridges 253,255 on the left and right, inner side walls 246A, 246B at the bottom of the cover'supper portion 245 in the resultingtassel 220. - The
tassel body 221 can have any shape and size, so long as the body is symmetrical with regard to its horizontal centerline, and theupper portion 245 of thecover 244 can accommodate both the upright and inverted body. - The
cover 244 of thetassel 220 can have virtually any shape or size and have lettering, symbols or other markings on its outer side wall 257. Such markings which will appear the same regardless of whether thetassel body 221 is upright or inverted because the cover will not be affected by the orientation of the body. - The
tassels tassel body 221 and cover 244 can be made of a plastic. Preferably, thecover 244 is of a clear plastic, and its outer, front andrear side walls serrations 261 as shown in Figures 4-6. - This invention is, of course, not limited to the above-described embodiments which can be modified without departing from the scope of the claims or sacrificing all of its advantages. In this regard, the terms in the foregoing description and the following claims, such as "upright", "inverted", "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical", "right", "left", "above", "below", "upper","lower", "longitudinal" and "lateral", have been used only as relative terms to describe the relationships of the various elements of the tassel of the invention for a retractable architectural covering. For example, in a curtain or a vertical blind, the tassel of this invention can be attached to a wand that is attached directly to a curtain carrier or a lead carrier of a vertical blind.
Claims (11)
- A two-part tassel for a covering of an architectural opening, wherein the tassel (220) can be connected in an upright position to a cord (213) or similar flexible elongated member and in an inverted position to a wand (215) or similar rigid elongated member while maintaining a uniform outer appearance for the tassel; the tassel comprising:a) a hollow body (221) with:- an upright side wall (225, 227) containing a coaxial interior space (223),- a top wall (229, 231), and- a bottom wall (233, 235) and- wherein a first aperture (237) is formed through the top wall (229, 231), through which the cord (213) can be inserted into the interior space (223) to connect the cord to the tassel,- wherein a second aperture (241) is formed through the bottom wall (233, 235), through which the wand (215) can be inserted into the interior space (223) to connect the wand to the tassel and- wherein the body has its top wall (229, 231) on top in the upright position and its bottom wall (233, 235) on top in the inverted position; andb) a cover (244) connectable to the exterior of the body (221).
- The tassel of claim 1 wherein the exterior shape of the side wall (225) of the body (221) is symmetrical with regard to a horizontal centerline of the body, between its top wall (229) and its bottom wall (233), so that its appearance is the same whether the tassel is in the upright position or the inverted position.
- The tassel of claim 1 or 2 wherein an upper portion (245) of the cover (244) forms a recess of complementary shape and size to the exterior of the side wall (225) of the body, so that the body can be wholly or partially inserted into the cover.
- The tassel of claim 3 wherein the exterior of the side wall (225) of the body (221) comprises a pair of slots (247A, 247B, 248A, 248B) and the recess in the upper portion (245) of the cover (244) comprises a pair of snap-lugs (249A, 249B), so that when the body (221) is inserted wholly or partially into the recess, there is a snap-fit connection between the exterior of the side wall (225) of the body and the cover (244).
- The tassel of claim 4 wherein the slots (247A, 247B, 248A, 2488) are on opposite sides of the exterior of the side wall (225) of the body (221) and the snap-lugs (249A, 249B) are on opposite sides of the interior of the upper portion (245) of the cover (244)
- The tassel of claim 4 or 5 wherein the slots (247A, 247B ,248A, 248B) are parallel and preferably extend horizontally and the snap-lugs (249A, 249B) also are parallel and preferably extend horizontally.
- The tassel of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the second aperture (241) has a horizontal cross-sectional shape, such as circular, rectangular, hexagonal, square or diamond shape, that is complementary to the shape of the horizontal cross-section of the wand (215).
- The tassel of any one of claims 1-7 wherein the interior space (223) has a horizontal cross-section which is complementary to the horizontal cross-section of the wand (215).
- The tassel of any one of claims 1-8 wherein the horizontal cross-section of the first aperture (237) is smaller than the horizontal cross-section of the second aperture (241) and preferably is circular.
- The tassel of any one of claims 1-9 wherein the interior of the top wall (231) comprises a non-apertured abutment surface (239) for a stopping element (243) of the cord, if inserted in the body, and for abutting an end of the wand (215), if inserted in the body.
- The tassel of claim 10 wherein the abutment surface (239) has a profile complementary to the profile of the end of the wand (215).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040255103 EP1510648B1 (en) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-08-24 | Tassel |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP03077740 | 2003-09-01 | ||
EP03077740 | 2003-09-01 | ||
EP20040255103 EP1510648B1 (en) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-08-24 | Tassel |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1510648A1 EP1510648A1 (en) | 2005-03-02 |
EP1510648B1 true EP1510648B1 (en) | 2006-03-29 |
Family
ID=34105751
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040255103 Expired - Fee Related EP1510648B1 (en) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-08-24 | Tassel |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1510648B1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5919542A (en) * | 1998-01-14 | 1999-07-06 | Rainbow Industrial, Inc. | Tassel for pull cords and chains |
CA2236889A1 (en) * | 1998-05-07 | 1999-11-07 | Arnold Loberg | Safety tassel |
US6640870B2 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-11-04 | Hunter Douglas Industries Bv | Equalizing connector for window covering pull cords |
-
2004
- 2004-08-24 EP EP20040255103 patent/EP1510648B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1510648A1 (en) | 2005-03-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5553653A (en) | Cord retractor for window blinds | |
US10180242B2 (en) | Decorative light clip for gutters and shingles | |
US4646808A (en) | Cordlock structure for a blind assembly | |
US8726969B2 (en) | Multi-function shade assembly and method | |
USD498105S1 (en) | Roman shade | |
US5562140A (en) | Releasable operating cord connector for window covering | |
US20050082017A1 (en) | Venetian blind operated with non-pull cord structure | |
US9157274B2 (en) | Window covering | |
US4660612A (en) | Cordlock structure for a blind assembly having improved locking means | |
US20070204964A1 (en) | Universal ladder drum for a horizontal blind assembly | |
US10538963B2 (en) | Wand for architectural covering | |
CA2292269C (en) | Length adjustable bottomrail for venetian type blind | |
WO2015030540A1 (en) | Safety handle for driving string of blind and fixing device therefor | |
US7281564B2 (en) | Tassel for a covering for an architectural opening | |
EP1510648B1 (en) | Tassel | |
AU720152B2 (en) | A safety device for an architectural opening covering | |
USD522787S1 (en) | Tassel for coverings for architectural openings | |
US20050269044A1 (en) | Shutter blade structure | |
US6805186B1 (en) | Window blind assembly having a detachable control system | |
US6640870B2 (en) | Equalizing connector for window covering pull cords | |
US5823242A (en) | Safety tassel for pull cords | |
US5143136A (en) | Clip assembly for vertical louvers | |
US20050056385A1 (en) | Safety cord connector | |
CA2475244A1 (en) | Width-adjustable shade cloth and roman shade using same | |
US20070158035A1 (en) | Ladder cord assembly |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050729 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602004000556 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20060518 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20070102 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20080905 Year of fee payment: 5 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20080803 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20080828 Year of fee payment: 5 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20080818 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20080903 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: V1 Effective date: 20100301 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20090824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20100430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20100301 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090831 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20100302 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090824 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090824 |