GB2212197A

GB2212197A - Cord weights

Info

Publication number: GB2212197A
Application number: GB8824631A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sean Oates
Original assignee: Hillarys Blinds Ltd
Current assignee: Hillarys Blinds Ltd
Priority date: 1987-11-07
Filing date: 1988-10-20
Publication date: 1989-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-20
Also published as: GB2212197B; GB8824631D0

Abstract

A plastics weight for use with the pull cord of a vertical blind or curtain comprises a pair of legs (10, 12) integrally interconnected at one end by an intermediate part (14) having an arcuate profile which is grooved to provide for wrapping of a pull cord therearound. The legs (10, 12) are otherwise biassed to a closely spaced relation permitting entry of the pull cord but preventing inadvertent release. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Cord Weights This invention is concerned with devices for use with pull cords used to operate movable closures such as vertical blinds, curtains and the like, particularly devices forming cord weights. Hereinafter the invention will be described in relation to vertical blinds but it is to be appreciated that use can be found with other types of closures such as curtains.

Heretofore a cord weight for use with a vertical blind has generally had the form of a two part plastics casing, the parts interconnecting to locate a weight therebetween and the parts also being profiled at one end whereby, when the parts are separated, a cord can be fitted around the profile and exit from one end through a pair of spaced openings. Such a cord weight requires operator time to fit the weight onto the cord and to assemble the casing and can be unattractive due to the join between the parts of the casing. Further the cord can become jammed in the join of a badly fitted or warped casing.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use with a pull cord of a vertical blind or the like, the device comprising a pair of spaced apart legs between which a cord can be passed, the legs being interconnected at one end with the interconnection being profiled to enable the cord to pass therearound, whereby the device can be suspended on the cord and function as a weight therefor.

Preferably the legs are integrally connected and the device may be formed of a moulded plastics material.

Preferably also the legs are biassed to a closely spaced relation defining a gap narrower than the dimension of the cord, inner faces of the legs being so profiled adjacent to the interconnection as to enable the cord to locate between the legs at that location. The legs may be adapted to be resiliently deflected apart when the cord is forcibly located therebetween so as to enable passage of the cord from the open end of the legs to the location of the interconnection.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device; Fig. 3 is a top plan; and Fig. 4 is a bottom plan.

Referring to the drawings, a weight for use with a pull cord of a vertical blind is formed in one piece, preferably of a moulded plastics material, and comprises a pair of legs 10,12 integrally interconnected at one end by an intermediate part 14. Each of the legs 10,12 has a generally rectangular configuration.

The intermediate part 14 has an arcuate profile between the legs 10;12 and is grooved around the profile to provide for wrapping of a pull cord therearound. The part 14 terminates short of the respective sides of the legs 10,12 whereby the cord does not protrude beyond the sides.

The inner faces of the legs 10,12 are profiled to accommodate the cord around the intermediate part 14 but the legs 10,12 are otherwise biassed to such a closely spaced relation that the pull cord will not normally pass therebetween. However entry of the pull cord between the legs 10,12 at the end opposite tie intermediate part 14 and the application of force can resiliently deflect the legs 10,12 apart to enable the cord to pass along the length of the legs until the cord seats in the groove around the intermediate part 14. In this way the device is fitted onto a loop of the pull cord by locating the device over the cord with the legs 10,12 on respective sides of the cord.Relative movement between the device and the cord can then move the cord into the groove around the intermediate part 14 and the device is then prevented from inadvertent release from the cord by the spaced relation of the legs 10,12.

There is therefore provided a device which is extremely simple to manufacture and provides a more aesthetic appearance than present cord weights as there are no joins between casing parts. No assembly of a casing is required, less time is taken to fit the weight onto the cord, and the cord cannot get jammed because of a bad fitting or warped case.

It is to be appreciated that the device may be utilised in other applications, for example as a cord weight for use with curtains. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the shape of the device may differ from that described and shown and the device may be formed of other materials.

Claims

1. A device for use with a pull cord of a vertical blind or the like, the device comprising a pair of spaced apart legs between which a cord can be passed, the legs being interconnected at one end with the interconnection being profiled to enable the cord to pass thereareound, whereby the device can be suspended on the cord and function as a weight therefor.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the legs are integrally connected.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the device is formed of a moulded plastics material.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the legs are biassed to a closely spaced relation defining a gap narrower than the dimension of the cord.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein inner faces of the legs are so profiled adjacent to the interconnection as to enable the cord to locate between the legs at that location.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the legs are adapted to be resiliently deflected apart when the cord is forcibly located therebetween so as to enable passage of the cord from the open end of the legs to the location of the interconnection.

7. A device for use with a pull cord substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosedin the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.