WO2013028120A1

WO2013028120A1 - Safety arrangement for window cover system

Info

Publication number: WO2013028120A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/050856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nils HALLBÄCK; Anders GÅÅRD
Original assignee: Hallbäck & Gåård Ab
Priority date: 2011-08-24
Filing date: 2012-07-30
Publication date: 2013-02-28

Abstract

This invention relates to A safety pull cord device for use with window covering systems (7) for raising, lowering and equalizing window covers, said system comprising at least a first (4) and a second cord (5) each having first and second opposite ends and arranged at their respective first ends for attachment to the window cover and arranged at their respective second ends for attachment to said safety device (1), said system further comprising a pull string (6) comprising first and second opposite ends wherein said first end is arranged to be attached to said safety device (1) for operably coupling the pull string (6) to the at least two cords (4, 5) via said device (1), and said pull string (6) is adapted at its second end for application of a downward pull force so that such a downwardly applied pull force from the pull string (6) will be transferred via said safety device (1) to said at least two cords (4, 5) causing a displacement of said cords (4, 5) and of said window cover, wherein said safety device (1) further comprises a first (2) and a second (3) member detachably coupled to each other by means of a coupling arrangement (300), said first member (2) being connected to said at least two cords (4, ), and said second member (3) being connected to said pull string (6), wherein when the pull string (6) is subjected to an external downward pull force over a predetermined level said coupling arrangement (300), is arranged to detach said first (2) and second members (3) from each other, and further wherein said first member (2) comprises a detachable means (21) wherein the at least two cords are connected to said first member 20 (2) by means of said detachable means (21) and wherein transversal forces (B, C) exceeding a predetermined level exerted via said the first (4) and second (5) cord will cause detachment of said detachable means (21) thereby freeing the at least two cords (4, 5).

Description

SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR WINDOW COVER SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a safety pull cord device for use with window covering systems for raising, lowering and equalizing window covers, said system comprising at least a first and a second cord each having first and second opposite ends and arranged at their respective first ends for attachment to the window cover and arranged at their respective second ends for attachment to said safety device, said system further comprising a pull string comprising first and second opposite ends wherein said first end is arranged to be attached to said safety device for operably coupling the pull string to the at least two cords via said device, and said pull string is adapted at its second end for application of a downward pull force so that such a downwardly applied pull force from the pull string will be transferred via said safety device to said at least two cords causing a displacement of said cords and of said window cover.

BACKGROUND

Window cords are coupled to window coverings to provide for adjustments in a lateral/vertical direction of such coverings. The cords often extend downwardly to a position slightly above the floor or to a position at floor height although they may sometimes be disposed as high as several decimeters above floor height. The window presents an invitation to infants to play with such cords, however children are not aware of the dangers involved with such playing. For example the cords may form a noose if a child would place his/her head between the cords and press downwardly, or if a child would get entangled in the pull string accidentally winding the string around the neck, in the worse case leading to strangulation or severe injuries.

Many solutions have been presented for eliminating the above mentioned risk, for instance in US05906233, US04909298 and US07311132, however none of these systems is satisfactory since each of them is still associated with either impaired function of the window covering system or with a remaining risk of harming infants. Therefore there is still a need for an improved safety system for window covers and the window cover cords. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned problem and to provide a solution which is safe and at the same time allows for a well functioning window covering system. This is achieved by means of a safety pull cord device according to claim 1.

Thanks to the invention drastically improved safety is achieved, which may eliminate injuries and indeed save numerous lives.

According to one aspect of the invention the first member may be formed by two detachable parts or form an integral unit and the detachable means being in the form of a weakening portion, for instance in the form of a predetermined breaking notch/groove, wherein in case said first member is subjected to a force between the cords over a predetermined level detachment will occur, thereby freeing the at least two cords.

It is to be understood that "freeing" the two cords means that the respective cords are split apart and released from each other by the detachment/breakage of the first member or from the first member, and that such freeing may mean that one or both cords will detach from the actual first member as such, or that the first member is separated into two parts.

Thanks to the invention there is provided a device which is associated with double safety aspects. In a situation where a child would get entangled in the pull string the pulling force from the pull string will lead to that said pull string is detached from the device so that the string is no longer tensioned and the child may get loose. In a situation where a child has ended up with the head between the at least two cords which connect the device with the window cover a downward pressing of the head against the holding member will detach/break open and the risk of the cords forming a noose is eliminated. For these reasons the device according to the invention provides a safety system which is applicable to many different types of window covering systems and which presents a safe solution without detriment to the function of the system as a whole.

Another advantage is that a device according to the invention provides a very adaptable system. For instance if a window is positioned at a level where a user will readily reach the plurality of cords which are connected to the window cover when the cover is in a fully extended position, the pull string can be detached from the device thus removing the otherwise downwardly dangling and potentially dangerous string. The pull string can be stored until it is desired to again make use of the pull string, whereupon it can once again be reconnected to the device. A further advantage related to the embodiments where said first member forms an integral unit is easy and inexpensive manufacturing since it can be produced in one piece while still providing the desired safety function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. la is a front view of a window provided with a window covering system, which window covering system is provided with a safety device according to a preferred aspect of the invention,

Fig. lb is an enlarged view according to lb in Fig. la, showing a close-up of a

safety device according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2a-b show a holding member according to one embodiment of the present

invention,

Fig. 3a-b show a coupling member according to one embodiment of the present

invention,

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of an assembled device according to one embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 5a-b illustrate the function of a device according to one embodiment of the

invention,

Fig. 6a-b show alternative embodiments of a device according to the invention, Fig. 7a-b show a further alternative embodiments of a device according to the

invention, and

Fig. 8 shows still another alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Further, the description, and the examples contained therein, are provided for the purpose of describing and illustrating certain embodiments of the invention only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Referring first to Figs, la-b, there is shown a safety pull cord device 1 in use with a window covering system 7 for raising, lowering and equalizing window covers 70. Herein the system comprises a first 4 and a second cord 5 each having first and second opposite ends and arranged at their respective first ends for attachment to a window cover 70 and arranged at their respective second ends for attachment to said safety device 1. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to two cords 4, 5 and that in other systems 7 more than two cords might be used and that the device 1 according to the invention may also be used in conjunction with such systems. The system in Figs, la-b further comprises a pull string 6 having a first 60 and a second 61 opposite end, wherein said first 60 end is arranged to be attached to said safety device 1 for operably coupling the pull string 6 to the at least two cords 4, 5 via said device 1, and said pull string 6 is adapted at its second end 61 for application of a downward pull force so that such a downwardly applied pull force from the pull string 6 will be transferred via said safety device 1 to said at least two cords 4, 5 causing a displacement of said cords 4, 5 and thereby also of said window cover 70.

As is better seen in Fig. lb the safety device 1 comprises a first 2 and a second 3 member detachably coupled by means of a coupling arrangement 300 to each other, said first member 2 being connected to said at least two cords 4, 5, and said second member 3 being connected to said pull string 6. The two members 2, 3 are preferably connected to each other via some type coupling arrangement 300 of a snap-in kind, as will be later described in more detail. If the pull string 6 is subjected to an external downward pull force exceeding a predetermined level said two members 2, 3 are arranged to detach from each other thereby completely releasing the pull string 6 from the device 1. Thanks to the invention it is possible to provide a multiple-cord 4, 5 window cover system 7 with only one single pull string 6, which provides the advantage of increased safety since a single pull string 6 reduces the risk of a child getting entangled compared to a system where multiple cords extend to a position within reach of a child.

According to the invention the first 2 and second 3 members may be disconnected and connected from/to each other without impairing the coupling arrangement 300, e.g. the snap-in function. If for instance the second member 3 would have detached from the first member 2, e.g. due to a child getting entangled in the pull string 6, once the child is detangled it is perfectly possible to reconnect the two members 2, 3 via the snap-in mechanism.

Further, the first member 2 shown in Fig. lb is an integral unit and is provided with a detachable means 21, here in the form of a slit 2 forming a weakening portion and positioned so that it will divide the first member 2 into two separate parts if a sufficient force is applied that exceeds the strength of the weakening portion. Other types of weakening members 2 are also conceivable, such as perforations or other types of material-weakening features which leads to the formation of a breaking notch/groove determining the point of breakage of the first member 2. Another possibility is to provide a first member 2 having two joinable units (not shown), each of said two cords 4, 5 being connected to a separate unit, which two units are coupled to each other during normal operation. For instance that connection may be by means of a snap-in mechanism, allowing (if desired) a design having units that may be reconnected after detachment, i.e. the same favorable "reuse-principle" as described above regarding the first and second members 2,3.

As is seen in Fig. lb, the at least two cords 4, 5 are connected to openings 22 on said first member 2 at opposite sides of said slit 2 . In case an object of a certain size (e.g. the head of a child) gets stuck in between the two cords 4, 5 sideways forces B, C (see Fig. 5a - b) will occur exceeding a predetermined level, which are applied to the structure of the first member 2, whereby the slit 2 will break open thus splitting the first member 2 into two parts, thereby opening the loop (previously formed by the two cords 4, 5 and the first member 2) to make the cords 4, 5 separated from each other. As has been described before this function presents a security measure against strangulation or injury which could otherwise be the consequence of a child putting his/her head in between the cords 4, 5. This could be particularly dangerous in case a window cover 70 is fully retracted, as is the case e.g. for the window cover 70 of the right hand window seen in Fig. la, since in this position the cords 4, 5 might be close enough to the floor for a child to be able to reach said cords and risk getting entangled.

In Figs. 2a - b there are shown detailed views of a first member 2 according to one embodiment of the invention arranged to detachably retain a second member 3 (see Figs. 3a - b). The upper portion of the first member 2 is provided with openings 22 for receiving and retaining the at least two cords 4, 5, wherein each cord may be retained by means of for example comprising a stop formed in or attached to the cord end said stop cooperating with the flanges around an opening 22 for retaining the cord onto the first member 2. Such a stop may be in the form of a knot tied in the cord end or another stopping member attached thereto. Said stop will prevent the cords 4, 5 from slipping out through the respective openings 22. The first member 2 comprises a predetermined breaking notch/groove or weakening portion, here in the form of a slit 2 , which separates the positions for attaching the at least two cords 4, 5. In the embodiment seen in Fig. 2a - b the slit 2 is located so that it separates the openings 22 for attaching the cords 4, 5. The slit 2 is created across the top portion of the first member 2 and is extending downwards along its side walls. By means of altering the extent of the slit 2 along the side walls it is possible to adjust the breaking point of the first member 2, meaning the point where a transversal force applied onto the member 2 from the cords 4, 5 will cause the member to break apart at the position of the weakening portion 2 . Other possibilities of achieving a weakening portion are of course possible. For example said slit 2 seen in Fig. 2a - b may be provided with an additional cut, for instance perpendicular to the one already shown, in order to improve the function of the device. In such an embodiment the weakening portion 21 would be in the form of a cross-shaped cut at the side of the first member 2. Also the material of the first member 2 will affect the breaking point, since different materials possess different fracture toughness. According to one embodiment the first member 2 of a device 1 is made out of a resilient material, preferably a plastic or thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The first member 2 comprises a receiving space 23 arranged to receive and detachably retain a retaining portion 30 (see Figs. 3a - b) of a second member 3. The first member 2 according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2a - b comprises a substantially cylindrical shape and presents a circular opening 25 leading into the receiving space 23. The skilled person understands that the shape of the first member 2 may be other than cylindrical, and that the snap-in function for connecting the first member 2 and the second member 3 may be achieved in numerous ways.

The first member 2 according to the embodiment in Fig. 2a - b comprises three openings 22 implying that three cords may be attached thereto, however it is obvious to the skilled person that the device 1 will function also with two cords 4, 5. If using two cords these are preferably attached in the outermost openings 22. When a child disposes his/her head between the cords 4, 5 and presses downwardly on the surface of the first member 2 the cords 4, 5 will produce forces on the device 1 having

sideways/transversal components which if strong enough will cause the first member 2 to break so that the cords 4, 5 become separated from each other and the child will not get injured (see also Fig. 5a-b). In Figs. 3a - b there is shown a second member 3 according to one embodiment of the invention which comprises a lowermost base portion 32 and an uppermost retaining portion 30, wherein the retaining portion 30 is arranged to be introduced via the opening 25 into the receiving space 23 of the first member 2. The retaining portion 30 may be substantially ball-shaped, as in Figs. 3a - b, but the invention is not limited to a ball- shape and the skilled person will understand that a number of other optional shapes are possible such as cylindrical or simply just a retaining ridge portion of some type.

(Alternative embodiments of the device 1 are shown for instance in Fig. 6a-b.) A bore 31 extends axially though the body of the second member 3, which bore 31 is intended for attachment of a pull string 6. For instance one end 60 of a pull string 6 can become introduced via the bore 31 starting from the base portion 32 until exiting at the retaining portion 30 whereat said string 6 may be secured by means of being tied to form a knot larger than the diameter of the bore 31 thereby retaining the string 6 onto the member 3.

Between the retaining portion 30 and the base portion 32 there is arranged a neck portion 33 which has a smaller diameter compared to the ball-shaped portion 30. In Fig. 4 there is shown an assembled device 1 in cross section for illustrating the coupling arrangement 300 between a first member 2 and a second member 3. As can be seen herein the ball-shaped portion of the second member 3 has been introduced into a receiving space 23 of the first member 2. As can be seen in Fig. 4 the lowermost portion of the receiving space 23 comprises an annular thicker flange 24. At the position of the flange 24 the diameter of the receiving space 23 will substantially correspond to the diameter of the neck portion 33 of the second member 3.

The first member 2 is preferably made of a resilient material, such as ABS plastic material, so that the opening 25 of the receiving space 23 upon receiving the substantially ball-shaped retaining portion 30 will be deformed by the pressure from the retaining portion 30 to widen up enough for the retaining portion 30 to pass by the flange 24 and snap in into the receiving space 23. In a preferred embodiment the opening 25 is circular which contributes to a uniform widening of the opening and smooth introduction of the retaining portion 30 into the receiving space 23. In this position the flange 24 will be positioned so that it encloses the neck 33 of the second member 3, and the second member 3 will be retained inside the receiving space 23 by means of withholding cooperation between the flange 24 and the retaining portion 30. Preferably the device 1 is arranged to be tension-free when assembled as in Fig. 4 thereby avoiding time-dependent deformation of the material.

It is to be understood that by "resilient" means capable of returning to an original shape, as after having been deformed or compressed.

When the pull string 6 is subjected to an external downward pull force exceeding a predetermined level said receiving space 23 is arranged to be temporarily deformed to resiliently widen enough to release the retaining portion 30 leading to detachment of said first 2 and second members 3 from each other. The load at which the second member 3 is released can be adjusted depending on the choice of material and the mismatch between the first member 2 compared to the retaining head 30. For instance the device 1 may be adapted to detach at load of typical lowermost weight of a child of 1 year, corresponding to around 5 kg, however, depending on the application, the limit may be less than 5 kg or more than 5 kg.

The function of the device 1 is now to be described, referring mainly to Figs. 5a-b. In Fig. 5a there is schematically illustrated a situation where a child 12 is trapped in between the cords 4, 5 of a window cover system with the two cords 4, 5 forming a noose around the child's 12 neck. If the child 12 then presses the head in a downward direction A, the invention will eliminate any risk of strangulation. Due to that the diameter of the neck/head of the child 12 is larger than the distance between the fastening points 22 of the two cords 4, 5 onto the first portion 2 the downwardly directed movement of the head 12 will cause the cords 4, 5 to spread apart as seen in Fig. 5a. This will result in forces comprising transversal components B, C being applied from the cords 4, 5 on the first member structure 2. When these transversal forces B, C exceed a predetermined level (which is pre-set by means of designing the device 1 in a certain way with regards to choice of material/s and/or adapting the properties of the members 2, 3) the first device 2 is arranged to break open at the location of the weakening portion 21. In Fig. 5b there is seen a situation where the transversal forces B, C applied onto the first member structure 2 has resulted in breakage of said structure 2 into two parts. The cords 4, 5 are hereby separated, and the child 12 is out of danger. The breakage of the first member 2 will evidently also lead to the release of the second member 3 and of the pull string 6. By replacing the broken first member 2 with a new one a device 1 may once again be installed and used together with e.g. window blinds. In Fig. 6a-b there is shown cross sections of other embodiments of the device 1 illustrating alternative ways of achieving a detachable snap-in coupling between the first member 2 and the second member 3. For instance there is seen in Fig. 6a that the shape of the first member 2 is that of a truncated cone, and the shape of the second member 3 comprises a more or less spherical retaining portion 30 and a tapered lowermost base portion 32. Withholding cooperation between the thicker protruding rim 24 of the first member 2 and the retaining portion 30 of the second member 3 are keeping the two members 2, 3 together during normal operation.

In Fig. 6b there is shown yet another embodiment, wherein the retaining portion 30 of the second member 3 is substantially cylindrical having tapered neck-portion 33 which snugly matches abutting flange 24 of the first member 2.

In Figs. 7a, 7b there is shown a further alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention. Firstly it is shown that the coupling arrangement 300 between the first member 2 and the second member 3 is achieved by having the receiving space on the outside of the first member 2. Accordingly in this embodiment it will be the first member 2 that will provide the male portion of the coupling arrangement 300. The principles used to detach and reconnect are the same as described above.

Secondly it is presented an alternative embodiment regarding the detachable means 21, between the first member 2 and the cords 4, 5. In Figs. 7a, 7b it is shown that two radially open slots 210 are arranged in an end portion 211 of the first member 2. The gap presented by the radial slot 210 is larger than, or the same as, the diameter of the cord 4, 5 and sufficiently small to not allow a knot 50, 40 formed at the end of the cord 4, 5 to pass through the slot. In the shown example the slot has the same width all the way in combination with a larger knot hole 213 at its opening. A modification is to use a V-shaped slot (not shown), thereby presenting a larger gap at the periphery than near the center. This latter design will allow for the knot 40, 50 to pass through the gap prior to reaching the periphery. In contrast, a slot 210 having the same width/gap all the way will imply that the knot 40, 50 must slide out passed the periphery to be freed from the first member 2. The lower most surface 212 of the end position 21 1 is provided with an inclination a that will create a reaction force onto the knot 40, 50, directed inwardly, when a downwardly directed force is applied to the pull string 6. Accordingly the inclination a will safeguard that the cords 4, 5 will remain at the inner position of the slot 210, e.g. when pulling the string 6. Also gravity will assist in ensuring that the cord 4, 5 remains within its active positions. However, if a situation arises as described in connection with Fig. 5a, the cord 4, 5 will move out of the slot 210 and thereby separate the cords 4, 5 from each other. In the figure it is shown that both cords 4, 5 are arranged in slots 210, but as is evident it may suffice having merely on slot 210.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a further embodiment according to the invention. In this embodiment the detachable means 21 is arranged for reuse, i.e. the first member comprises two parts 2A, 2B which after release may be reconnected. The arrangement comprises a snap-in mechanism, having protruding arms 215 on one half 2B and receiving members 217 on the other half and edges 216, 218 thereon to facilitate a snap- in action (as is known per se). The function upon release is basically the same as described above. Also the coupling arrangement 300, is of a releasable snap-in design, by having a resilient, inverted U-device 301 on top of the second member 3 and a corresponding receiving space centrally in between the two parts 2A, 2B of the first member 2. The legs of the U-device 301 are arranged with protrusions 302 that interact with corresponding protrusions 303 within the receiving space to form the snap-in mechanism. According to one embodiment the two members 2, 3 are made of thermoplastic material, however the skilled person understands that other materials are also possible and also that the two members 2, 3 can be made of different materials. For instance the second member 3 may be manufactured in some metal material, such as steel or aluminum while the first member 2 can be formed by some other type of resilient material providing the desired snap-in/snap-out function of resiliently widen up for releasing the second member 3.

The invention is not to be seen as limited by the preferred embodiments described above, but can be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, some other material may be used than thermoplastics, e.g. other resilient material such as wood, metal, metallic composites and plastics reinforced with carbon-based materials or ceramic-based materials, e.g. glass. Examples of thermoplastics are for instance acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Further, said first and second members 2, 3 may be formed in different materials and the load at which said second member 3 is to be released can vary depending on the application. Furthermore, the shape of the retaining portion of the second member 3 can be another than ball-shaped, as long as a detachable coupling between the first member 2 and the second member can be achieved, e.g. cylindrically, conically, rectangularly shaped etc. Moreover, it is evident that instead of a resilient mechanism (normally also implying a combination with friction) also more or less pure friction may be used to achieve the function of release and/or coupling.

Claims

1. A safety pull cord device for use with window covering systems (7) for raising, lowering and equalizing window covers, said system comprising at least a first (4) and a second cord (5) each having first and second opposite ends and arranged at their respective first ends for attachment to the window cover and arranged at their respective second ends for attachment to said safety device (1), said system further comprising a pull string (6) comprising first and second opposite ends wherein said first end is arranged to be attached to said safety device (1) for operably coupling the pull string (6) to the at least two cords (4, 5) via said device (1), and said pull string (6) is adapted at its second end for application of a downward pull force so that such a downwardly applied pull force from the pull string (6) will be transferred via said safety device (1) to said at least two cords (4, 5) causing a displacement of said cords (4, 5) and of said window cover, wherein said safety device (1) further comprises a first (2) and a second (3) member detachably coupled to each other by means of a coupling arrangement (300), said first member (2) being connected to said at least two cords (4, 5), and said second member (3) being connected to said pull string (6), wherein when the pull string (6) is subjected to an external downward pull force over a predetermined level said coupling arrangement (300), is arranged to detach said first (2) and second members (3) from each other, and further wherein said first member (2) comprises a detachable means (21) wherein the at least two cords are connected to said first member (2) by means of said detachable means (21) and wherein transversal forces (B, C) exceeding a predetermined level exerted via said the first (4) and second (5) cord will cause detachment of said detachable means (21) thereby freeing the at least two cords (4, 5).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first member (2) forms an integral unit.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said detachable means (21) is in the form of a weakening portion (2 ).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said weakening portion (2 ) is a slit.

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein said weakening portion (2 ) comprises perforations.

6. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said detachable means (21) is in the form of at least one detachable arrangement (21 ") between one of said cords (4,5) and said first member (2).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said detachable arrangement (21 ")

comprises at least one transversally open slit (210) in said first member (2), arranged to detach at least one end of said cords (4, 5) from said first member when transversal forces (B, C) exceeding a predetermined level are exerted via said the first (4) and second (5) cords.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first member (2) is formed by at least two separate, detachable parts (2A, 2B), forming said detachable means (21).

9. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first (2) member and/or second member (3) is made of a resilient material.

10. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first (2) and second (3) members are detachably coupled to each other by means of a snap-in

mechanism.

11. Device according to any preceding claims, wherein said first member (2)

comprises a receiving space (23) arranged to receive and detachably retain a retaining portion (30) of said second member (3).

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein said receiving space (23) is formed by an inner void.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein said receiving space (23) is provided with a protrusion (24) arranged to cooperate with a retaining portion (30) of said first member (3), wherein preferably said protrusion is in the form of an annular flange (24).

14. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first member (2)

comprises a cylindrical shape, and preferably that said receiving space (23) arranged to receive and detachably retain said retaining portion (30) is a substantially cylindrical space presenting a circular opening for receiving said second member (3).