US20110198046A1

US20110198046A1 - Cord-Securing Device for Window Shade

Info

Publication number: US20110198046A1
Application number: US12/704,580
Authority: US
Inventors: Li-Ming Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-12
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2011-08-18

Abstract

A cord-securing device for a window shade includes a plurality of holders, a plurality of rings, and an engaging unit. Each holder is fixed to a side of a shade and includes first and second holding members and an engaging groove formed between the first and second holding members. A cord is extended through the rings and fixed to an end of the engaging unit. The other end of the engaging unit is mounted to the side of the shade. When each ring is pulled by a radial external force, the first and second holding members deform, and the ring can disengage from the engaging groove of the holder, avoiding strangling and improving safety in use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cord-securing device for a window shade and, more particularly, to a cord-securing device that can automatically be detached from a shade of a window shade when the cord-securing device is subjected to non-directive external force other than tensioning force from the cord.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional Roman shades generally include a shade to which a plurality of cords is fixed. A control device such as a pulley unit is provided to control movement of the shade in the vertical direction via the cords, achieving the purposes of shielding the sunlight and enhancing privacy.
The cords of the conventional Roman shades are exposed to a side of the shade, such that a child playing the cords could be strangled. Since the cords are generally tied or sewn to the shade, it is difficult to rapidly detach the cords from the shade in an emergency. Furthermore, the cords may further strangle the child when subjected to the force trying to remove the cords.
A Roman shade 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of cords 81 each having a cord-securing device 82 attached thereto to overcome the above drawbacks. Each cord 81 extends through a plurality of aligned rings 83 and fixed by one of the cord-securing devices 82 to a shade 84. The rings 83 keep the cords 81 close to a side of the shade 84. Each cord-securing device 82 includes two clamping units 821 and a tying lever 822. Each clamping unit 821 includes an extension portion 8211 and a clamp 8212. The tying lever 822 includes an engaging seat 8221 on an end thereof for coupling with one of the cords 81. An axle 8222 is provided on the other end of the tying lever 822 and rotatably positioned between the extension portions 8211 of the clamping units 821. The tying lever 822 is pivotable to control clamping or not clamping of the clamps 8212.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, clamping or not clamping of the clamps 8212 on the shade 84 is controlled by the position of the tying lever 822. In a case that no external force is applied to the tying lever 822 and that the axle 8222 is only subjected to the tensioning force of the cord 81, clamping of the clamping units 821 to the shade 84 can not be released by the tensioning force toward the axle 8222. On the other hand, when a child is playing the cord 81, the tying lever 822 is liable to pivot when the cord 81 is pulled. Clamping of the clamping units 821 to the shade 84 can be released, such that an end of the cord 81 can be disengaged from the shade 84 and becomes a free end, avoiding strangling of the child.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in actual use, the cord 81 may bend almost 90° and lie against the ring 83 when pulled by external force, such that the engaging seat 8221 of the tying lever 822 presses against a bottom edge of the ring 83. Since the ring 83 is generally sewn or bonded to the shade 84, the radial, outward force imparted to the cord 81 is imparted to and counterbalanced by the ring 83 and the shade 84. Furthermore, in the case that the cord 81 bends almost 90° and lies against the ring 83, a component of the external force transmitted via the cord 81 to the tying lever 822 is directed to the axle 8222 without pivoting the tying lever 822. Thus, clamps 8212 of the clamping units 821 can not be disengaged from the shade 83, and the risks of strangling still remains.
To avoid the safety problems of the Roman shade 8, another Roman shade 9 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has been proposed. Roman shade 9 includes a plurality rings 93 having first and second ends 931 and 932 and a notch 933 between the first and second ends 931 and 932. The first end 931 has a rib 931 and the second end 932 has another rib 932, with both the ribs 931 and 932 extending into the notch 933. Other elements of the Roman shade 9 are substantially the same as those of the Roman shade 8 and not described in detail to avoid redundancy.
The Roman shade 9 further includes a plurality of cords 91 each extending through a plurality of aligned rings 93. Thus, each cord 91 is restrained by the aligned rings 93 and the ribs 934 and 935 and is kept close to a side of a shade 94. When the cord 91 is pulled by external force and presses against the rib 934, a radial component of the external force imparted to the cord 91 causes deformation and radially outward expansion of the ring 93, such that a gap is generated between the ribs 934 and 935. Thus, the cord 91 can pass through the gap and exit the ring 93 (FIG. 8). Then, the external force imparted to the cord 91 unleashed from the ring 93 can be directly transmitted to a tying lever 922, causing pivotal movement of the tying lever 922 and releasing clamping of two clamping units 921 from the shade 94 to avoid strangling of a child.
However, the cord 91 pulled by the external force must align with and press against the rib 934 or press against an inner periphery of the ring 93 in a position adjacent to the notch 933 so that the cord 91 can slide along the inner periphery of the ring 93 to exit the ring 93 via the notch 933. With reference to FIG. 9, when the cord 91 pulled by the external force presses neither the rib 934 nor the position adjacent the notch 933, the radial component of the external force can not cause radial expansion of the notch 933, such that the cord 91 can not exit the ring 93 via the notch 933. Namely, there is a dead space for disengagement of the cord 91 in the Roman shade 9.
Thus, a need exists for a cord-securing device that allows easy detachment of the cord from the shade in an emergency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a cord-securing device that can automatically be detached from a shade to provide increased safety when the cord-securing device is subjected to non-directive external force other than a tensioning force from the cord.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cord-securing device that effectively eliminates the dead space of disengagement between the cord-securing device and the shade, further enhancing the safety in use.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a cord-securing device that includes a holder for holding a ring, such that the ring, when subjected to external force, can automatically disengage from the holder to avoid strangling.
The present invention fulfills the above objectives by providing, in a preferred form, a cord-securing device including a plurality of holders adapted to be mounted on a side of a shade of a window shade. Each of the plurality of holders includes a base, a first holding member, a second holding member, and an engaging groove. The first holding member includes an end interconnected to the base. The other end of the first holding member is a free end. The second holding member includes an end interconnected to the base. The other end of the second holding member is a free end. The engaging groove is formed between the first and second holding members and has an opening between the free ends of the first and second holding members. The cord-securing device further includes a plurality of rings each of which is releasably engaged in the engaging groove of one of the plurality of holders. A cord is adapted to extend through the plurality of rings. An engaging unit includes two clamping units and a tying lever. Each of the clamping units includes an engaging portion and a clamp. The engaging portions of the clamping units are connected to each other. The tying lever includes an end having a connection seat to which the cord is fixed. The other end of the tying lever includes an axle rotatably held between the engaging portions of the clamping units. The axle can be pivoted to change a distance between the engaging portions of the clamps for controlling clamping or not clamping of the clamps.
By providing the rings releasably engaged in the engaging grooves of the holders, when the cord is subjected to non-directive external force, the rings can be pulled out of the engaging grooves by a radial component of the external force, avoiding strangling of a child and improving safety in use.
The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a window shade including two conventional cord-securing devices.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of one of the cord-securing devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 2 with a tying lever in a locking position and with first and second clamps engaged with each other.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 2 with the tying lever in an unlocking position and with the first and second clamps disengaged from each other.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a portion of the window shade and one of the cord-securing devices of FIG. 1 with the cord not pulled by external force.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a portion of the window shade and one of the cord-securing devices of FIG. 1 with the cord pulled by external force.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of a window shade and another conventional cord-securing device.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a portion of the window shade and the cord-securing device of FIG. 7 with a cord pulled in a direction.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a portion of the window shade and the cord-securing device of FIG. 7 with the cord pulled in another direction.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a window shade including two cord-securing devices according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a portion of the window shade and one of the cord-securing devices of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the window shade and the cord-securing device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded, perspective view of a holder and a ring of the cord-securing device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the holder and a partial, cross sectional view of the ring of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of the holder and the ring of FIG. 13 with the ring being coupled with the holder.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the cord-securing device and a portion of the window shade of FIG. 10 with a tying lever in a locking position and with the cord not pulled by external force.

FIG. 17 shows a partial, enlarged, cross sectional view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 11 with the tying lever in the locking position.

FIG. 18 shows a partial, enlarged, cross sectional view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 11 with the tying lever in an unlocking position.

FIG. 19 shows a side view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 11 with a cord pulled by external force.

FIG. 20 shows an enlarged view of a circled portion in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the cord-securing device of FIG. 11 with the cord pulled by external force and with the ring disengaged from the holder.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “lower”, “upper”, “outer”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “longitudinal”, “axial”, “radial”, “horizontal”, “annular”, “width”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cord-securing device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is adapted to removably mount a cord to a shade of a window shade in the preferred forms shown as a Roman shade 7 in the drawings. However, the cord-securing device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be utilized on window shades other than Roman shades.
With reference to FIG. 10, the window shade 7 includes a shade 71, an upper rail 72, a control device 73, and a lower rail 74. The shade 71 includes a plurality of horizontal folds 711. The upper rail 72 is mounted to a top end of the shade 71. The control device 73 is received in the upper rail 72 and includes a plurality of cords 731 connected to the shade 71. The lower rail 74 can be directly provided on a side of the shade 71 or embedded in one of the horizontal holds 711.
With reference to FIGS. 10-14, a cord-securing device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes a plurality of holders 1, a plurality of rings 2, and an engaging unit 3. The holders 1 are mounted on a side of the shade 71 and aligned in a vertical direction. Each holder ring 2 is releasably engaged with one of the holders 1. One of the cords 1 is extended through and restrained by the aligned rings 2. An end of the engaging unit 3 is connected to one of the cords 1, and the other end of the engaging unit 3 is engaged with the shade 71. Thus, the cord 731 can be positioned relative to the side of the shade 71.
With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, each holder 1 includes a base 11, a first holding member 12, a second holding member 13, and an engaging groove 14. The base 11 includes a plurality of fixing holes 111 through which a plurality of fasteners 15 extends to fix the holder 1 to a side of the shade 71. The first and second holding members 12 and 13 are interconnected to the base 11 with the engaging groove 14 formed between the first and second holding members 12 and 13. In the preferred form shown, the holder 1 is integrally formed by injection molding, such that the base 11 and the first and second holding members 12 and 13 are formed by the same material while allowing formation of differing thicknesses of the first and second holding members 12 and 13 to adjust the elastic deforming capacity of the first and second holding members 12 and 13. In the preferred form shown, the elastic deforming capacity of the second holding member 13 is larger than that of the first holding member 12. However, the first and second holding members 12 and 13 can be made of different plastic materials so that the second holding member 13 has a larger elastic deforming capacity than the first holding member 12.
The first holding member 12 includes a first connecting portion 121 and a first holding arm 122. The first connecting portion 121 is formed on a face of the base 11. An end of the first holding arm 122 is interconnected to an end of the first connecting portion 121. The other end of the first holding arm 122 is a free end. The first holding arm 122 is arcuate in cross section in the preferred form shown.
The second holding member 13 includes a second connecting portion 131 and a second holding arm 132. An end of the second connecting portion 131 is interconnected to an end of the base 11. The other end of the second connecting portion 131 is interconnected to the second holding arm 132. In the preferred form shown, the second holding member 13 is substantially S-shaped in cross section. The second holding arm 132 includes a first, arcuate, flexible portion 1321, an extension 1322, a second, arcuate, flexible portion 1323, and a retaining portion 1324. An end of the first, arcuate, flexible portion 1321 is interconnected to the other end of the second connecting portion 131. The other end of the first, arcuate, flexible portion 1321 is interconnected to an end of the extension 1322. The other end of the extension 1322 is interconnected to an end of the second, arcuate, flexible portion 1323. The other end of the second, arcuate, flexible portion 1323 is interconnected to an end of the retaining portion 1324. The other end of the retaining portion 1324 is a free end. By providing the first and second, arcuate, flexible portions 1321 and 1323, a first deformation space S1 is formed between the second connecting portion 131 and the extension 1322, and a second deformation space S2 is formed between the extension 1322 and the retaining portion 1324. Thus, when the retaining portion 1324 is subjected to external force, the first and second deformation spaces S1 and S2 provide a room large enough for the retaining portion 1324 to deform. Thus, the retaining portion 1324 and the first holding arm 122 together form a resilient holding structure. Furthermore, the retaining portion 1324 is preferably arcuate in cross section.
With reference to FIG. 14, the first connecting portion 121 is provided on the face of the base 11 such that the end of the first connecting portion 121 protrudes outward from the face of the base 11 and forms an abutting portion 123. Furthermore, the second holding arm 132 includes a stop 1325 formed on an outer side of the second, arcuate, flexible portion 1323 and extending towards and spaced from the base 11. In the preferred form shown, a deformation gap d is formed between the stop 1325 and the abutting portion 123.
The engaging groove 14 formed between the first and second holding members 12 and 13 includes an opening 141 located between the free ends of the first holding arm 122 and the retaining portion 1324. Since the first holding arm 122 and the retaining portion 1324 are both arcuate in cross section, the opening 141 has a size smaller than a width W of the ring 2 in cross section (FIG. 14). The ring 2 is annular and can be inserted into the engaging groove 14.
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the engaging unit 3 includes a first clamping unit 31, a second clamping unit 32, a connection unit 33, a tying lever 34, and a connection seat 35. Each of the first and second clamping units 31 and 32 is substantially N-shaped in cross section. An end of the second clamping unit 32 is connected to the first clamping unit 31 by the connecting unit 33. An end of the tying lever 34 is pivotably received between the first and second clamping units 31 and 32. The other end of the tying lever 34 is connected to the cord 731 of the window shade 7. The connection seat 35 is mounted to the side of the shade 71. The first and second clamping units 31 and 32 can be engaged and positioned through the connection seat 35, such that an end of the cord 731 can be fixed to the side of the shade 71.
The first clamping unit 31 includes a first engaging portion 311, a first interconnecting portion 312 with an opening 314, and a first clamp 313. The first engaging portion 311 and the first clamp 313 respectively extend from two opposite ends of the first interconnecting portion 312 and extend away from each other in opposite directions. The opening 314 extends through the first interconnecting portion 312 to allow passage of an end of the second clamping unit 32. The second clamping unit 32 includes a second engaging portion 321, a second interconnecting portion 322, and a second clamp 323. The second engaging portion 321 and the second clamp 323 respectively extend from two opposite ends of the second interconnecting portion 322 and extend away from each other in two opposite directions.
The connection unit 33 includes a resilient member 331 having C-shaped or V-shaped cross sections and preferably made of elastic material or elastic metal with shape restoring characteristics. The resilient member 331 includes two mutually facing arms 3311 and 3312 on opposite ends of the resilient member 331. An end of the first engaging portion 311 and an end of the second engaging portion 321 are respectively engaged with and held between the arms 3311 and 3312.
The tying lever 34 includes an engaging seat 341, a pivotal portion 342, and an axle 343. The engaging seat 341 has a through-hole 3411 through which the cord 731 extends. In the preferred form shown, the pivotal portion 342 includes two pivotal arms 342 a and 342 b. However, the pivotal portion 342 can be of other forms, and more than one pivotal portion 342 can be utilized according to the teachings of the present invention. Two distal ends of the pivotal arms 342 a and 342 b are interconnected by two ends of the axle 343. The axle 343 has non-circular cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle 343. Specifically, the axle 343 includes a longer diameter 343 a and a shorter diameter 343 b (FIGS. 17 and 18).
The connection seat 35 includes a base 351 and a platform 352. The base 351 is mounted to the lower rail 74 on the side of the shade 71. The platform 352 is rotatably mounted to the base 351. The platform 352 includes a coupling slot 3521 through which the first and second clamps 313 and 323 are engaged.
The axle 343 of the tying lever 34 can be pivoted between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the axle 343 is in the locking position, the first and second clamps 313 and 323 are moved toward each other by the larger diameter 343 a of the axle 34, so that the first and second clamps 313 and 323 engage in the coupling slot 3521 (FIG. 17). When the axle 343 is in the unlocking position, the first and second clamps 313 and 323 move away from each other under the action of the resilient member 331, such that the first and second clamps 313 and 323 no longer engage in the coupling slot 3521 (FIG. 18).
With reference to FIGS. 10-11 and 15-16, in assembly, the holders 1 are fixed to the side of the shade 71 and aligned with each other in the vertical direction. Next, each ring 2 is aligned with the opening 141 of the engaging groove 14 of one of the holders 1 and then inserted into the engaging groove 14 of the holder 1 by applying radial force to the ring 2. Thus, the ring 2 presses against the first holding arm 122 and the retaining portion 1324 of the second holding arm 132, causing radially outward expansion and deformation of the first holding arm 122 and the retaining portion 1324. Thus, the ring 2 can pass through the opening 141 into the engaging groove 14. Then, the cord 731 is extended through the aligned rings 2 and fixed to the engaging seat 341. The tying lever 34 can be pivoted to the locking position to securely engage the first and second clamps 313 and 323 with the coupling slot 3521 of the connection seat 35. Fixing of the cord 731 is, thus, finished.
With reference to FIG. 15, since the second holding arm 132 includes the stop 1325 formed on the outer side of the second, arcuate, flexible portion 1323 and adjacent to the abutting portion 123 of the first holding member 12, when the retaining portion 1324 is pushed by the ring 2 and deforms towards the second deformation space S2, the deformation gap d between the stop 1325 and the abutting portion 123 provides a room for deformation of the retaining portion 1324. However, in a case that the retaining portion 1324 deforms to an excessive extent, the stop 1325 will abut the abutting portion 123, preventing further deformation of the retaining portion 1324. Thus, permanent deformation of the retaining portion 1324 resulting from over bending of the retaining portion 1324 is prevented.
With reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 16-18, in use, a user can control disengagement of an end of the cord 731 from the shade 71 by pivoting the tying lever 34. In a case that the axle 343 is merely subjected to the tensioning force of the cord 731, the tying lever 34 will not pivot, because the tensioning force of the cord 731 is directed to the axle 343. Thus, engagement of the first and second clamping units 31 and 32 on the connection seat 5 will not be released. On the other hand, when the cord 731 is pulled by a playful child, the tying lever 34 will pivot under the action of the non-directive external force, releasing the first and second clamping units 31 and 32 from the connection seat 35. Thus, the end of the cord 731 becomes a free end, avoiding strangling of the child.
With reference to FIGS. 19-21, in a case that the cord 731 bends almost 90° and lies against the ring 2 while the engaging unit 3 is pulled by the non-directive external force, the engaging seat 341 of the tying lever 34 presses against a bottom edge of the ring 2 (FIG. 19). At this time, since a radial component of the external force imparted to the cord 731 moves the ring 2 in a radial direction away from the engaging groove 14, the ring 2 urges the first holding arm 122 and the retaining portion 1324 to expand and deform, such that the ring 2 passes through the opening 141 and disengages from the engaging groove 14. Since the ring 2 no longer restrains movement of the cord 731, the radial component of the external force pivots the tying lever 34, releasing the first and second clamping units 31 and 32 from the connection seat 35. Thus, the end of the cord 731 becomes a free end, avoiding strangling of the child.
By providing the holder 1 having an engaging groove 14 allowing disengagement of the ring 2, the engaging unit 3 can disengage from the shade 71 in an emergency, avoiding strangling situations. Thus, the cord-securing device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can effectively avoid the dead space of disengagement of engaging unit 3 from the shade 71, improving safety in use.
Thus, since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A cord-securing device for a window shade, comprising:

a plurality of holders adapted to be mounted on a side of a shade of the window shade, with each of the plurality of holders including a base, a first holding member, a second holding member, and an engaging groove, with the first holding member including an end interconnected to the base, with the first holding member further including another end, with the other end of the first holding member being a free end, with the second holding member including an end interconnected to the base, with the second holding member further including another end, with the other end of the second holding member being a free end, with the engaging groove formed between the first and second holding members and having an opening between the free ends of the first and second holding members;

a plurality of rings each releasably engaged in the engaging groove of one of the plurality of holders, with a cord adapted to extend through the plurality of rings; and

an engaging unit including two clamping units and a tying lever, with each of the two clamping units including an engaging portion and a clamp, with the engaging portions of the two clamping units connected to each other, with the tying lever including an end having a connection seat to which the cord is fixed, with the tying lever further including another end having an axle, with the axle rotatably held between the engaging portions of the two clamping units.

2. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 1, with the first holding member includes a first connecting portion and a first holding arm, with the first connecting portion interconnected to the base, with the first holding arm including an end interconnected to the first connecting portion, with the first holding arm including another end forming the free end of the first holding member.

3. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 2, with the second holding member including a second connecting portion and a second holding arm, with the second connecting portion interconnected to the base, with the second holding arm including an end interconnected to the second connecting portion, with the second holding arm further including another end forming the free end of the second holding member.

4. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 3, with the second holding member being substantially S-shaped in cross section.

5. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 4, with the second holding arm including a first, arcuate, flexible portion, an extension, a second, arcuate, flexible portion, and a retaining portion, with the first, arcuate, flexible portion including an end interconnected to an end of the second connecting portion, with the first, arcuate, flexible portion including another end interconnected to an end of the extension, with the extension including another end interconnected to an end of the second, arcuate, flexible portion, with the second, arcuate, flexible portion including another end interconnected to an end of the retaining portion, with the retaining portion including another end forming the free end of the second holding member.

6. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 5, with a first deformation space formed between the second connecting portion and the extension, and with a second deformation space formed between the extension and the retaining portion.

7. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 5, with the first connecting portion including an end formed on a face of the base, with the end of the first connecting portion protruding from the face of the base and forming an abutting portion.

8. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 7, with the second holding arm including a stop formed on an outer side of the second, arcuate, flexible portion, with the stop extending towards and spaced from the base, with a deformation gap formed between the stop and the abutting portion.

9. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 1, with the first and second holding members having different elastic deforming capacities, with the elastic deforming capacity of the second holding member being larger than that of the first holding member.

10. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 5, with each of the first holding arm and the retaining portion of the second holding arm being arcuate in cross section.

11. The cord-securing device as claimed in claim 1, with the opening of the engaging groove having a size smaller than a width of the ring in cross section.

12. A holder for a cord-securing device for a window shade, comprising:

a base adapted to be fixed to a shade of the window shade;

a first holding member including a first connecting portion and a first holding arm, with the first connecting portion interconnected to the base, with the first holding arm including an end interconnected to the first connecting portion, with the first holding arm further including another end, with the other end of the first holding arm being a free end;

a second holding member including a second connecting portion and a second holding arm, with the second connecting portion interconnected to the base, with the second holding arm including an end interconnected to the second connecting portion, with the second holding arm further including another end, with the other end of the second holding arm being a free end; and

an engaging groove formed between the first and second holding members, with the engaging groove having an opening between the free ends of the first and second holding arms.

13. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 12, with the second holding member being substantially S-shaped in cross section.

14. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 13, with the second holding arm including a first, arcuate, flexible portion, an extension, a second, arcuate, flexible portion, and a retaining portion, with the first, arcuate, flexible portion including an end interconnected to an end of the second connecting portion, with the first, arcuate, flexible portion including another end interconnected to an end of the extension, with the extension including another end interconnected to an end of the second, arcuate, flexible portion, with the second, arcuate, flexible portion including another end interconnected to an end of the retaining portion, with the retaining portion including another end forming the free end of the second holding member.

15. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 14, with a first deformation space formed between the second connecting portion and the extension, and with a second deformation space formed between the extension and the retaining portion.

16. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 14, with the first connecting portion including an end formed on a face of the base, with the end of the first connecting portion protruding from the face of the base and forming an abutting portion.

17. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 16, with the second holding arm including a stop formed on an outer side of the second, arcuate, flexible portion, with the stop extending towards and spaced from the base, with a deformation gap formed between the stop and the abutting portion.

18. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 12, with the first and second holding members having different elastic deforming capacities, with the elastic deforming capacity of the second holding member being larger than that of the first holding member.

19. The holder for the cord-securing device as claimed in claim 14, with each of the first holding arm and the retaining portion of the second holding arm being arcuate in cross section.