WO2004094759A1 - Cord safety device - Google Patents

Cord safety device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004094759A1
WO2004094759A1 PCT/NL2004/000270 NL2004000270W WO2004094759A1 WO 2004094759 A1 WO2004094759 A1 WO 2004094759A1 NL 2004000270 W NL2004000270 W NL 2004000270W WO 2004094759 A1 WO2004094759 A1 WO 2004094759A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cord
tension
activated
cord tension
period
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2004/000270
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerhard Albert Krosenbrink
Original Assignee
Verosol Nederland B.V.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Verosol Nederland B.V. filed Critical Verosol Nederland B.V.
Publication of WO2004094759A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004094759A1/en

Links

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
    • 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
    • E06B2009/3265—Emergency release to prevent strangulation or excessive load

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cord safety device for control cords for blinds.
  • Control cords of for instance blinds can form a hazard for small children and domestic animals.
  • Control cords of such blinds usually contain one or more loops in which a child or pet can become entangled, with potentially disastrous results .
  • interrupting means for relieving the cord tension, wherein the interrupting means are activated after a predetermined first period of time following the detection of a persistent cord tension.
  • the interrupting means are activated by the magnitude of the cord tension, there is now a detection of whether there is any cord tension and, as soon as this persists for a predetermined period of time, the interrupting means are activated.
  • Pulling up a blind or the like requires only a tension of short duration in the cord. A cord tension will occur at each stroke of pulling up a blind. Since pulling up a blind only generates cord tensions of short duration, it is still possible to set the predetermined period of time such that when a child or pet becomes entangled the interrupting means are activated well before any damage can occur.
  • the detection threshold of the cord tension is lower than the cord tension required to operate a blind. This detection threshold is preferably so low that, at each increase in the cord tension relative to the tension in the cord resulting from the own weight of the cord, this increased tension is also detected.
  • the device comprises warning means which are activated after detection of a cord tension. These warning means can indicate that the cord safety device has been brought to readiness and will set the interrupting means into operation in the near future. This moreover provides the option of the entangled child or pet being noticed and helped in good time.
  • the warning means are preferably activated after a predetermined second period of time, which second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. It is thus possible that the warning means are not quite activated when the blind is pulled up but are however activated well before the interrupting means are activated.
  • the warning means can preferably generate an acoustic signal.
  • the interrupting means comprise a cutting device for severing the cord.
  • the cutting device can also comprise a heated knife. This latter can be used particularly for plastic cords.
  • the interrupting means comprise a release for disconnecting the control cord.
  • a release can be electrically activated.
  • Such a disconnection of the control cord prevents the control cord being irreparably damaged and the user having to have the control cord repaired.
  • the electrical activation is for instance possible by means of an electromagnet. It is further possible to envisage arranging a mechanism similar to a mechanical clock which is activated in the event of cord tension and, just as the mechanism causing a clock to strike, can activate a disconnection .
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention in perspective view with partly broken-away parts .
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in perspective view.
  • Figure 3 shows a detail of the embodiment of figure 2.
  • Figure 1 shows a cord safety device 1. This cord safety device 1 is arranged around a control cord 2.
  • Device 1 is arranged around a control cord 2.
  • a spring-loaded pawl 6 is arranged in housing 3.
  • Control cord 2 now runs via opening 4 along pawl 6 and then through opening 5.
  • the spring-loaded pawl 6 will be urged in the direction of arrow P.
  • a switch 7 is hereby activated, and thereby simultaneously a timing circuit. As long as switch 7 remains activated, this timing circuit will count down and, after a predetermined period of time, generate a signal to the driven knife 8. As soon as the cord tension in cord 2 disappears, the spring-loaded pawl 6 will once again return to the starting position, whereby the switch 7 is switched off. As a result the timing circuit will be reset and wait until a following activation of switch 7.
  • the driven knife 8 When the predetermined period of time of the timing circuit is exceeded, the driven knife 8 will be set into operation, whereby control cord 2 is severed. An entangled child or pet will hereby be released and permanent damage will be prevented in good time.
  • FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment 10 according to the invention.
  • This cord safety device 10 according to the invention is applied here to a Venetian blind 11 provided with four control cords 12.
  • the Venetian blind 11 can be raised or lowered with control cords 12.
  • Figure 3 shows cord safety device 10 in more detail .
  • Each control cord 12 is provided with a ball- shaped outer end 13 clamped between two parts 14 of device 10 which are connected hingedly to each other. Parts 14 are urged towards each other by means of a spring element 15.
  • a housing 16 is arranged round the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other. The housing is drawn in its rest position.
  • housing 16 will be urged downward.
  • a timer circuit is hereby activated which releases spring 15 after a predetermined time, whereby the two parts 14 connected hingedly to each other can pivot open and the ball-shaped outer ends 13 of control cords 12 are released. Release of spring 15 can take place via an electromagnet, whereby a locking is released. It is also possible to embody spring 15 in a memory metal which, when heated, changes shape such that the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other can swing open.
  • This embodiment 10 has the additional advantage that, when a high cord tension is exerted, the housing part 16 automatically forces open the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other, this counter to the spring force of spring 15. An immediate disconnection of the outer ends of control cords 12 is thus realized.
  • cord safety device 10 If the cord safety device 10 is activated and the outer ends 13 are released from device 10, these outer ends 13 can then be easily re-placed and the safety device 10 can be used once again.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a cord safety device (1) for control cords (2) for blinds, which device comprises: - detection means for detecting the cord tension, and - interrupting means for relieving the cord tension, wherein the interrupting means are activated after a predetermined first period of time following the detection of a persistent cord tension. A cord safety device (1) is hereby provided which operates independently of the cord tension.

Description

CORD SAFETY DEVICE
The invention relates to a cord safety device for control cords for blinds.
Control cords of for instance blinds, such as roller blinds or Venetian blinds, can form a hazard for small children and domestic animals. Control cords of such blinds usually contain one or more loops in which a child or pet can become entangled, with potentially disastrous results .
Many cord safety devices are already known which, however, only come into operation when a certain cord tension is exceeded. The drawback of these devices is that the threshold tension must be greater than the tension required for instance to pull up the blind. With large blinds this tension can certainly amount to several tens of newtons, which may not be reached if a child or animal becomes entangled in the control cord.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which does not depend on the magnitude of the cord tension. This object is achieved with a cord safety device according to the invention, which device comprises:
- detection means for detecting the cord tension, and
- interrupting means for relieving the cord tension, wherein the interrupting means are activated after a predetermined first period of time following the detection of a persistent cord tension. Instead of the interrupting means being activated by the magnitude of the cord tension, there is now a detection of whether there is any cord tension and, as soon as this persists for a predetermined period of time, the interrupting means are activated. Pulling up a blind or the like requires only a tension of short duration in the cord. A cord tension will occur at each stroke of pulling up a blind. Since pulling up a blind only generates cord tensions of short duration, it is still possible to set the predetermined period of time such that when a child or pet becomes entangled the interrupting means are activated well before any damage can occur.
In a preferred embodiment, the detection threshold of the cord tension is lower than the cord tension required to operate a blind. This detection threshold is preferably so low that, at each increase in the cord tension relative to the tension in the cord resulting from the own weight of the cord, this increased tension is also detected. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises warning means which are activated after detection of a cord tension. These warning means can indicate that the cord safety device has been brought to readiness and will set the interrupting means into operation in the near future. This moreover provides the option of the entangled child or pet being noticed and helped in good time.
The warning means are preferably activated after a predetermined second period of time, which second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. It is thus possible that the warning means are not quite activated when the blind is pulled up but are however activated well before the interrupting means are activated. The warning means can preferably generate an acoustic signal.
In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the interrupting means comprise a cutting device for severing the cord. The cutting device can also comprise a heated knife. This latter can be used particularly for plastic cords.
In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the interrupting means comprise a release for disconnecting the control cord. Such a release can be electrically activated. Such a disconnection of the control cord prevents the control cord being irreparably damaged and the user having to have the control cord repaired. The electrical activation is for instance possible by means of an electromagnet. It is further possible to envisage arranging a mechanism similar to a mechanical clock which is activated in the event of cord tension and, just as the mechanism causing a clock to strike, can activate a disconnection . These and other features are further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention in perspective view with partly broken-away parts . Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in perspective view.
Figure 3 shows a detail of the embodiment of figure 2.
Figure 1 shows a cord safety device 1. This cord safety device 1 is arranged around a control cord 2. Device
1 has a housing 3 with a first opening 4 and a second opening 5. A spring-loaded pawl 6 is arranged in housing 3. Control cord 2 now runs via opening 4 along pawl 6 and then through opening 5. When a tension is now applied to cord 2, the spring-loaded pawl 6 will be urged in the direction of arrow P. A switch 7 is hereby activated, and thereby simultaneously a timing circuit. As long as switch 7 remains activated, this timing circuit will count down and, after a predetermined period of time, generate a signal to the driven knife 8. As soon as the cord tension in cord 2 disappears, the spring-loaded pawl 6 will once again return to the starting position, whereby the switch 7 is switched off. As a result the timing circuit will be reset and wait until a following activation of switch 7.
When the predetermined period of time of the timing circuit is exceeded, the driven knife 8 will be set into operation, whereby control cord 2 is severed. An entangled child or pet will hereby be released and permanent damage will be prevented in good time.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment 10 according to the invention. This cord safety device 10 according to the invention is applied here to a Venetian blind 11 provided with four control cords 12. The Venetian blind 11 can be raised or lowered with control cords 12.
Figure 3 shows cord safety device 10 in more detail .
Each control cord 12 is provided with a ball- shaped outer end 13 clamped between two parts 14 of device 10 which are connected hingedly to each other. Parts 14 are urged towards each other by means of a spring element 15.
A housing 16 is arranged round the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other. The housing is drawn in its rest position.
As soon as a child or animal becomes entangled between control cords 12, and a tension is exerted thereon, housing 16 will be urged downward. A timer circuit is hereby activated which releases spring 15 after a predetermined time, whereby the two parts 14 connected hingedly to each other can pivot open and the ball-shaped outer ends 13 of control cords 12 are released. Release of spring 15 can take place via an electromagnet, whereby a locking is released. It is also possible to embody spring 15 in a memory metal which, when heated, changes shape such that the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other can swing open. This embodiment 10 has the additional advantage that, when a high cord tension is exerted, the housing part 16 automatically forces open the parts 14 connected hingedly to each other, this counter to the spring force of spring 15. An immediate disconnection of the outer ends of control cords 12 is thus realized.
If the cord safety device 10 is activated and the outer ends 13 are released from device 10, these outer ends 13 can then be easily re-placed and the safety device 10 can be used once again.

Claims

1. Cord safety device for control cords for blinds, which device comprises:
- detection means for detecting the cord tension, and - interrupting means for relieving the cord tension, wherein the interrupting means are activated after a predetermined first period of time following the detection of a persistent cord tension.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection threshold of the cord tension is lower than the cord tension required to operate the blind.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , comprising warning means which are activated after detection of a cord tension.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the warning means are activated after a predetermined second period of time, which second period of time is shorter than the first period of time.
5. Device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 , wherein the warning means can generate an acoustic signal.
6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the interrupting means comprise a cutting device for severing the cord.
7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cutting device comprises a driven knife.
8. Device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the cutting device comprises a heated knife.
9. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-8, wherein the interrupting means comprise a release for disconnecting the control cord.
10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the release is electrically activated.
PCT/NL2004/000270 2003-04-24 2004-04-23 Cord safety device WO2004094759A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1023256A NL1023256C2 (en) 2003-04-24 2003-04-24 Cord protection.
NL1023256 2003-04-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004094759A1 true WO2004094759A1 (en) 2004-11-04

Family

ID=33308454

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL2004/000270 WO2004094759A1 (en) 2003-04-24 2004-04-23 Cord safety device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NL (1) NL1023256C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2004094759A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011004199A3 (en) * 2009-07-09 2012-02-02 Jason Taylorson Anti ligature device
JP2015098754A (en) * 2013-10-18 2015-05-28 立川ブラインド工業株式会社 Shading device and installation method thereof
WO2016053101A1 (en) * 2014-10-03 2016-04-07 Jasno International B.V. Safety grip for a trigger cord of a blind
KR20200039171A (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-16 오세록 Safety apparatus for blind line

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5553650A (en) * 1994-08-19 1996-09-10 Verosol Usa Inc. Child safety device for looped cords

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5553650A (en) * 1994-08-19 1996-09-10 Verosol Usa Inc. Child safety device for looped cords

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011004199A3 (en) * 2009-07-09 2012-02-02 Jason Taylorson Anti ligature device
JP2015098754A (en) * 2013-10-18 2015-05-28 立川ブラインド工業株式会社 Shading device and installation method thereof
WO2016053101A1 (en) * 2014-10-03 2016-04-07 Jasno International B.V. Safety grip for a trigger cord of a blind
KR20200039171A (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-16 오세록 Safety apparatus for blind line
KR102121668B1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-06-10 오세록 Safety apparatus for blind line

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1023256C2 (en) 2004-10-27

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