GB2379949A

GB2379949A - Cord connector for a blind

Info

Publication number: GB2379949A
Application number: GB0122599A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yuichi Sakai
Original assignee: YKK Portugal Ltda
Current assignee: YKK Portugal Ltda
Priority date: 2001-09-19
Filing date: 2001-09-19
Publication date: 2003-03-26
Also published as: GB0122599D0

Abstract

A connector for connecting together the cords 210 for raising or lowering a blind, so that when the blind is opened or closed, the cords move together, with no relative lateral or vertical movement, comprises a housing 200 and a lid 201, each with a series of ridges 203 on its inner surface. When the connector is closed around a set of cords 210, the ridges on the lid 201 press the cords against the housing 200, and the ridges on the housing 200 press the cords 210 against the lid 201, holding them securely in position.

Description

Cord connector for blind The present invention relates to a connector for connecting cords together, and in particular, to a connector for connecting together the cords which are used to operate a window blind.

A horizontal type window blind, such as a venetian blind, comprises a series of slats suspended one above another. with a headrail at the top and a bottom rail at the bottom.

When the blind is in an open position, the slats lie horizontally. allowing light to pass between them. To move the blind to a closed position, the slats are tilted about their axis, so that they lie at an angle, with the bottom of each slat overlapping the top of the slat below. blocking out the light. The blind may also be raised by pulling all of the slats together at the top of the window, or lowered by allowing the slats to hang freely.

The slats of the blind are connected by cords, which are also used to control the opening/closing and raising/lowering of the blind. A common configuration of cords is shown in figure 1. Slats 1 00 are supported between a bottom rail 101 and head rail 102 by a number of cord pairs 120. 121; 122, 123, where each cord pair suspends the slats in a flexible ladder configuration. One cord 121; 123 in each pair supports the front of the slats, and the other cord 120 ; 122 supports the rear of the slats. Each slat is suspended at a fixed distance from the slat above it. If the slats are fairly long, it may also be preferable to have extra pairs of support cords along the length of the slats, e. g. an extra pair mid-way would help prevent the slats 100 from sagging in the middle.

To tilt the salts to open or close the blind. the support cords 120/121 and 122/123 within each pair are moved relative to one another, in order to tilt the slats. For example. if the front support cords 21. 123 are moved downwards. the slats will all tilt forward.

The blind may be raised or lowered by means of a set of lift or pull cords 110. 11l which are fixed at one end to the bottom rail 101. The pull cords pass through a hole

119 in each of the slats 100. To raise the blind. the pull cords are pulled so that the bottom rail 101 is pulled vertically upwards. carrying the slats 100 with it. A common arrangement is to have a pull cord running up the centre between the end pairs of the support cords 120, 121 and 122. 123.

The pull cords commonly enter the headrail at the top of the blind, pass along inside the headrail and then exit from a hole at the edge of the headrail. The user may pull on these pull cords to raise the blind. An inertia type friction lock is provided in the headrail to hold the pull cords when the blind is raised. A common problem with blinds is that the pull cords must be moved exactly together. otherwise when the blind is opened. the bottom rail will not be horizontal. It is then extremely difficult to open or close the blind smoothly.

A similar problem arises with other types of blind, such as roman blinds in which the fabric is folded concertina fashion as the blind is raised, Austrian blinds in which the fabric is gathered as the blind is raised, and roll blinds in which the blind is rolled up from the bottom as the support cord is pulled.

The present invention provides a connector for fastening a plurality of cords together in a blind, comprising a housing and cord holding means, wherein said cord holding means is adapted to securely hold at least two cords.

The connector ensures that the cords are moved exactly together by binding them together completely.

Preferably, the cord connector will be used to bind the cords close to or above the position at which the user will pull on them. ensuring that all the cords are pulled through the headrail simultaneously.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the following drawings. in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a venetian blind.

Figure 2 shows an open connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows the connector of figure 2. when closed and in use to clip several cords together.

Figure 4 shows a window blind, with the connector of figures 1 and 2 in use.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 2. The connector comprises a housing 200 with a lid 201. The lid 201 is attached to the housing 200 by a hinge 202 which can be a moulded hinge as well known in the art. The housing 200 has a channel running along its inner surface to receive the cords 210 of the blind. The housing 200 is shaped with a series of ridges 203 running perpendicularly across the channel. The lid 201 has a similar series of ridges 203 on its inner surface. The ridges on the housing and on the lid are not aligned with each other, but when the lid is closed, they are parallel to each other and spaced alternately.

When cords 210 are laid into the channel, and the lid 201 is closed, as shown in figure 3, the ridges 203 on the housing 200 dig into the cords 210. pressing them against the lid. and the ridges on the lid 201 dig into the cords, pressing them against the housing.

This holds the cords firmly in position.

The lid 201 has locking means to allow it to be locked to the housing 200. The locking means is a pair of snap-fit hooks 220 attached to the lid 201. which fit into corresponding holes 221 in the housing 200. Once inserted into the holes 221, the hooks 220 engage with the surrounding part of the housing 200 and are difficult to remove.

The holes 221 are located through the edge of the channel in the housing. It is possible to release the locking means and re-open the lid 201 by inserting a rod-shaped object into the holes 221 from the outside of the housing 200. and pushing the hooks 220 back

inwards towards the channel. Alternatively the connector could be removed by cutting away the hinge 202.

Figure 4 shows an example of the connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in use. holding together three pull cords of a horizontal blind.

Use of the ridges allows several cords to be fastened together just as easily as a pair of cords. The ridges do not damage the cord.

Alternatives to a series of ridges are also possible, for example. each connector could have a series of spikes, with each cord engaging on at least one spike. A spring loaded tongue could also be provided to hold the cords in position.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. In combination, a blind and a connector for fastening together a plurality of pull cords of the a blind.

2. A combination as claimed in claim !. wherein said connector is a clamp which clamps onto the cords.

3. A combination as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein said connector comprises at least one ridge which in use, presses the cords against an opposing part of the connector to hold them in position.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of parallel ridges is provided.

5. A combination as claimed in claim !. wherein said connector comprises at least one spike for biting into the cords.

6. A combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector comprises a housing having a channel which is closed by a lid. and means for locking said lid to housing.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said locking means comprises at least one hook and corresponding hole. wherein said hook engages in said hole to lock the lid to the channel.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said lid is attached to said channel by a hinge.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein parallel ridges are provided on opposed surfaces of the channel and the lid.

] 0. A combination as claimed in claim 9. wherein the ridges on the channel are spaced in alternate positions to the ridges along the lid.

11. A connector as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A connector for fastening a plurality of pull cords together in a blind to prevent relative movement of the cords at the point at which they are fastened.

13. A connector as claimed in claim 12. wherein the connector is adapted to be clipped to the cords. between the cord ends.