Abstract:
A window covering cord collection and coordination device of the invention involves two halves of an assembly which acts as an enclosure for collection of upper control lines, and as an attachment for a downwardly extending single actuation line which may be optionally employed. A key projection member fits within a complementary key slot member at a first or upper end of the window covering cord collection and coordination device and which is oriented and designed to disengage upon any significant downward separating force acting upon the series of upper controlled lines which the window covering cord collection and coordination device engages through an upper slot which enables upper controlled lines to exert a separating force against the first and second housing sections which make up the window covering cord collection and coordination device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device which is effective in providing a window covering cord collection and coordination device which will break open should any object become caught and produce a downward separating force against the window covering cord collection and coordination device to prevent any structure or member from being vertically suspended in the window covering cords so collected and coordinated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Window covering cord collection and coordination devices are structures which capture a plurality of control cords so that the plurality of captured control cords can be operably and evenly pulled down or allowed to go up simultaneously. For example, the horizontal slat may have four lift lines which need to be actuated simultaneously to enable the bottom of the window covering and collected slats to be lifted evenly. This was traditionally done by placement of a joining structure which operated much like a knot in all of the lifting cords to insure that they were pulled together. 
         [0003]    These joining structures effectively formed a short termination as an effective loop. Any object placed between any two coordinated cords can only pass downward, especially under the influence of gravity, as far as the connector and its formed loop. This arrangement can cause tripping, hanging, strangulation and cut off circulation. Where the window covering is solidly attached, an entanglement can last for a long time. Where the window covering is not well attached, the window covering can become dislodged and cause significant damage. 
         [0004]    Normal operation of the window covering cord collection and coordination devices involves introduction of force from one end regardless of the raising force or the lowering force. However, the forces which are transmitted in working against a loop work against the window covering cord collection and coordination device. The window covering cord collection and coordination devices must be able to break any formed loop when downward pressure is applied from above, but always handle the tensile force from a cord below the Window covering cord collection and coordination device. 
         [0005]    The design of a window covering cord collection and coordination device which is so well constructed that it does not allow disengagement of the formed loop will continue to pose the same danger of earlier clips, knots and other dangerous loop forming devices. Conversely, a window covering cord collection and coordination devices which breaks apart too easily with any uneven force of the upper control lines or with a significant force in the underlying control line will cause the user to have to continually re-assemble the released window covering cord collection and coordination device. Continual break open and freeing of upper lines will cause a lot of undue effort and aggravation, and will lead to a user&#39;s attempt to circumvent a safety cord collection and coordination devices and thus defeat the very purpose for such a safety devices&#39; introduction. The needed safety device must work properly and balance both needs or it is effectively useless. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The structures and process for operation of the window covering cord collection and coordination device of the invention involves two halves of an assembly which acts as an enclosure for collection of upper control lines, and as an attachment for a downwardly extending single actuation line which may be optionally employed. A key projection member fits within a complementary key slot member at a first or upper end of the window covering cord collection and coordination device and which is oriented and designed to disengage upon any significant downward separating force acting upon the series of upper controlled lines which the window covering cord collection and coordination device engages through an upper slot which enables upper controlled lines to exert a separating force against the first and second housing sections which make up the window covering cord collection and coordination device. The shape and degree of complementary fit of the key projection member and generally complementary key slot member will determine the force necessary to break the first and second housing members apart and free the series of upper controlled lines. 
         [0007]    One or more knot engagement structures are located below the mid point of the window covering cord collection and coordination device to insure that the point at which the series of upper controlled lines is secured is spaced apart from the area where the series of upper controlled lines leave the window covering cord collection and coordination device. Any downward separating force acting upon the upper slot from which the series of upper controlled lines can be clearly exerted upon the opposite halves of the first and second housing members and without such force being mitigated by entanglement, twisting and the like. 
         [0008]    A lower aperture in the window covering cord collection and coordination device from which an optional single control line can be extended and where other handles can be placed includes a force stabilization plank to balance the downward forces evenly on both halves of the device. The plank is ideally integrally formed with one half of the window covering cord collection and coordination device and with the other free end resting upon a section of a small floor on the other half of the housing of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective assembled view of the window covering cord collection and coordination device of the invention and illustrating upper controlled lines and a lower extending actuation line; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the window covering cord collection and coordination device seen in  FIG. 1  into first and second housing portions with controlled cords shown as continuing to be seen in position for purposes of illustration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a view as seen in  FIG. 2 , but with the series of upper controlled lines removed from a separation gap between two projections on one housing portion which are complementary with the other housing portion and with a lower single control line shown untied and removed from a lower aperture for purposes of illustration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a window and window covering with an example of an object moving downward between any of a number of upper controlled lines with the object shown as it has moved down, approached and moved near to the window covering cord collection and coordination device of the invention and before separation into first and second housing sections; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to that seen in  FIG. 4  but in which the object has continued downward movement to cause the separation of the window covering cord collection and coordination device into separated into first and second housing sections which has caused the freeing of the upper controlled lines to prevent the object from being caught or entangled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    The description and operation of the window covering cord collection and coordination device of the invention will begun to be best described with reference to  FIG. 1  which illustrates an expanded perspective view of a window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  having a first housing section  23  and a second housing section  25 . The housing sections  23  and  25  that make up the device  21  share complementary halves of a upper slot  29  through which a series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are seen extending upwards. In a usual case, the controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  need to be allowed to travel upwardly and pulled downwardly simultaneously. 
         [0016]    Below the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  a single control line  41  is seen extending downwardly. The single control line  41  is optional as the body of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  can itself be grasped and pulled manually. The single control line  41  gives advantage where one of the resting positions of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is high enough to effectively be out of reach. Typically the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  feed into a header rail before being separately routed to different locations in the header rail. Its preferable for the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  to be mounted high in a position where the window coverings (not seen) are at their lowest position and also significantly high when the window coverings (not seen) are at their highest or raised position, so that the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is kept completely away from the floor, but this is not always possible. 
         [0017]    Window coverings in the home are of shorter length and may be located closer to the floor. As a result, any cross connection device will be located closer to the floor. Closeness of cross connection of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  to the floor, increases the chance that children, pets, and objects may be inadvertently caught on the cross connection device and pulled. If caught on an adult, the window covering (not shown) could be pulled down. A child or a pet could become entangled and result in entanglement, choking or circulation damage. It is when the window coverings are raised that the cross connect for the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  would normally be the lowest to the floor. 
         [0018]    The window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is long enough that any force which causes separation of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  and downward force on the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  will put a directed force against the opposite ends of the upper slot  29 , regardless of which of the three available paths between the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  the object and its downward force travels along. A separation  45  is seen between the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25 . The separation is generally linear along the main length of the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25 . However along a top, generally flattened portion  49  of the separation  45  deviates into an interlock shape to one side of the upper slot  29  and in which a key projection member  51  is formed continuous with the second housing section  25  and in which a complementary key slot member  53  is formed continuous with the first housing section  23 . The force required to dislodge the key projection member  51  from the complementary key slot member  53  is low for objects traveling toward the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  along the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . When dislodgement of the key projection member  51  from the complementary key slot member  53  occurs, the first housing section  23  separates from the second housing section  25 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates other features of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  including an upper rib  61  and a lower rib  63  carried on the first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . The first and second housing sections  23  and  25  include an upper rounded portion  65  above the upper rib  61  and a lower rounded portion  67  below the lower rib  63 . Between the upper and lower ribs  61  and  67 , an inwardly curving central portion  69  is seen. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a partially exploded view of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  of  FIG. 1  is shown with the first housing section  23  separated from the second housing section  25  with both being slightly turned to reveal internal structures. The first housing section  23  details can be seen more clearly, and in particular the relationship between the upper slot  29  and the complementary key slot member  53 . 
         [0021]    First housing section  23  has an internal wall side  71  from which a reinforcing shelf  73  arises. The reinforcing shelf  73  is preferably formed integrally with the material of the first housing section  23  and its operation will be discussed later. At the inside base of the first housing section  23  a circular slot  75  which is configured to accept an aperture ear  77  which is partially seen on the second housing section  25 . 
         [0022]    Seen at the bottom of both the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25  is a pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81  which show a sectional face which is illustrative of the material of device  21  being preferably continuous with the sectional face of an opposite one of the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81 . In this configuration, the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  will have been preferably molded as a single piece joined by two slight pathways of material making up the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81 . When removed from the mold and folded together, alignment of the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25  occurs to form the overall structure of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  seen in  FIG. 1 . The series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  and single control line  41  can be added before or after the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25  are brought together as the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is intended to be opened and closed many times and still operate. 
         [0023]    However, the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  can operate quite well without the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81 , with the only difference being that when the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  breaks open to release the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , that the device  21  falls to the ground in two pieces instead of one. If the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81  are in tact the device will fall to the ground in one piece. The device  21  can be re-closed to secure the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  with or without the presence of the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81 . 
         [0024]    The single control line  41  extends through an aperture  83  which extends through both aperture ear  77  and a force stabilization plank  85 . Stabilization plank  85  is a structure which reinforces the force exerted downwardly by a knot  87  formed in single control line  41  as it acts with downward force against the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 . Downward force on the stabilization plank  85  is shared on both first housing section  23  second housing section  25 . Stabilization plank  85  is preferably formed integrally with second housing section  25 . The first housing section  23  includes a small floor  89  adjacent the circular slot  75  and which supports the extending end of the stabilization plank  85  when the first housing section  23  and second housing section  25  are joined to form the unitary structure seen in  FIG. 1  as window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 . 
         [0025]    Just below the vertical middle of second housing section  25  is a circular projection having a centered lateral separation opening. In detail can be seen a first knot engagement structure  93  opposite a second knot engagement structure  95 . Knot engagement structures  93  and  95  have a circular extent to form a complementary fit with the inside of the first housing portion  23 , but could be of a different shape. A separation gap  97  exists between the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95 . At the farthest extent of the separation gap  97 , a pair of oppositely positioned angled openings  99  help to position and insert any of the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  which may be loaded into the separation gap  97 . Further, the separation gap  97  need not be linear and can be of any shape. Separation gap  97  may be sized with respect to the effective diameters of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , meaning that if their density were low and their compressibility were high, the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  could fit through a narrower opening and could be maintained within an overall length narrower separation gap  97 . This means that window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  can be made of different overall sizes with different sized internals to be able to effectively handle different upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . Further, reinforcing shelf  73  fits over the farthest extent of the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  in the vicinity of the pair of oppositely positioned angled openings  99 . 
         [0026]    The separation gap  97  may run across to an inside wall  101  of the second housing section  25 . The series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are shown as having knots  103  (only three are visible in  FIG. 2 ). The knots  103  are large enough that the lower ends of the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  shown below the knots cannot pass through the separation gap  97 . Thus any downward pull on the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  will securely and even pull downward on the controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  secured by the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  and their engagement onto the knots  103 . 
         [0027]    As can be seen, when the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is open, that the controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  can sequentially escape through the separation gap  97  of the pair of oppositely disposed first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95 . Further, note the existence of a pair of angled supports, including a first angled support  105  connected between the inside wall  101  and the first knot engagement structure  93 , and a second angled support  107  connected between the inside wall  101  and the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95 . The first and second angled supports  105  and  107  help to brace the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  against the second housing section  25 . As is also seen, any upward force on the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  is also transmitted to the first housing section  23  via engagement with the reinforcing shelf  73  of the first housing section  23 . 
         [0028]    As a further result, when the a single control line  41  is pulled downward, the downward force of the knot  87  onto the force stabilization plank  85  creates a downward pulling force with respect to the second housing section  25  to which the force stabilization plank  85  is connected or integrally formed, and also to the first housing section  23  by means of the bearing of the farthest end section of the force stabilization plank  85  onto the small floor  89 . As a result, the upward force exerted on the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  by the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , and the downward force exerted by the single control line  41  are well distributed throughout the first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . 
         [0029]    Note that the underside of the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  is below the midpoint of the overall length of the first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . A moment is introduced with respect to a pivot at level of the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  by the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  directly at the opposite ends of the upper slot  29 . If the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  were at or only slightly below the upper slot  29 , the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  might have to be less advantageously pulled directly laterally apart and with a much greater force to put sufficient force on the opposite ends of the upper slot  29 . 
         [0030]    Under tension, the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  act with some leverage against the ends of the upper slot  29  rather than conventional connectors which may support any upper lines so closely to the end of a conventional connector that their very engagement structures can interfere with their exerting a breaking force. 
         [0031]    Conversely with respect to the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 , the support for the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  is so far within the depth of the length of the first and second housing sections  23  and  25  that a downward movement of an object between any of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  exert a significant force on the upper slot  29  to cause the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  first and second housing sections  23  and  25  to break apart. Once the first and second housing sections  23  and  25  are broken apart, the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  will easily become dislodged from the separation gap  97  and no object between any of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  will be caught. 
         [0032]    In addition, the point of downward pull of the single control line  41  against the force stabilization plank  85  is closer to the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  than the first and second first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  and separation gap  97  is to the top end of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 . Downward force from the single control line  41  acts to orient the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  and provides no pulling directly against the top of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  which would tend to cause first and second housing sections  23  and  25  to break apart. In fact, the orientation of the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  with their first and second angled supports  105  and  107  causes the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95  to close even more tightly about the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  as the knots  103  exert their force against the underside of the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95 . Since these forces are isolated in the lower half of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 , they cannot be inadvertently transmitted to the key projection member  51  and complementary key slot member  53  to cause an inadvertent separation of the first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . 
         [0033]    Other features of the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  are seen in  FIG. 2 . The series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are organized and fit linearly within the separation gap  97 . Organization also means that the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are fed into the separation gap  97  and will leave the separation gap  97  in generally the same order that they were fed or placed. As can also be seen, the first and second angled supports  105  and  107  will guide any string toward the outlet of the separation gap  97 , even if one of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  starts to folds downward. 
         [0034]    Even without the use of a single control line  41 , the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  provides a coordination device for the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  in providing both their organization and a housing which is attractive and easy to grasp. More importantly, and less able to be shown pictorially, the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  provides a structure which will not inadvertently come apart under the most severe pulling, but will easily come apart in response to any force applied through the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a broken apart condition is illustrated and in which the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are shown in an alignment orientation but removed from the separation gap  97 . Dashed guide lines show the method and placement of loading the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  back into the separation gap  97 . The single control line  41  is shown in a position to be threaded through the aperture  83  which extends through both aperture ear  77  and a force stabilization plank  85 . After the controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are loaded into the separation gap  97  and the single control line  41  is re-attached with respect to the second housing section  25 , the first and second housing sections  23  and  25  are ready to be aligned and re-closed. If the pair of spaced apart hinge connectors  81  are still attached and operable, the pivoting of the first housing section  23  with respect to the second housing section  25  will cause the reinforcing shelf  73  to rest over the most projecting extent of the first and second knot engagement structures  93  and  95 , and the most projecting extent of the force stabilization plank  85  will be extended over the small floor  89  adjacent the circular slot  75  to provide a distributed sectional stability. The aperture ear  77  is moved into place within the circular slot  75 , and finally, the key projection member  51  approaches and begins to fit within the complementary key slot member  53 . Pressure is applied to finally cause the key projection member to snap engage the complementary key slot member  53 , at which point the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  is fully assembled and ready to function. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a typical window covering configuration including a window  121  having a window covering  123  having the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  structure connected into a top of a window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 . A lower, single control line  41  is also seen. An object  131  is shown as having interposed itself between the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and the control line  37 . In reality, the object  131  could have been interposed between any two of the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , even if they are out of serial order. This is due to the fact because the holding structure is deeply enough within the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 , any crossing pattern of lines will still produce an opening force at the upper slot  29  that was seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0037]    Object  131  can be a cross section of an arm, a head, a neck, a stick, a ball, an irregularly shaped object, a hook, or in short, any sort of structure which can fit in between any combination of the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . If the object  131  begins to move downward toward the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21 , the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  begin to be separated just above the upper slot  29 . The action of some subset of the series of upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  being separated and the presence of the upper slot  29  will cause the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  to become oriented so that the separation begins bearing against the terminal extremes of the upper slot  29 . 
         [0038]    Further movement of the object  131  toward the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  with even slight force will cause the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  to break into separated first and second housing sections  23  and  25  which further enable the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  to be rapidly separated from the separation gap  97  and prevent any continuing hazard or trap for the object  131 .  FIG. 4  show movement of the object  131  to a position close to the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  and just before separation into first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a view similar to that in  FIG. 4  is seen but in which the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  has broken into separated first and second housing sections  23  and  25 . Three of the upper controlled lines  31 ,  33 , &amp;  35  are shown as separated from the second housing section  25  although there may be little to hold the controlled line within the second housing section  25 . As can be seen, the object  131  is completely free of any restraint and is freed. 
         [0040]    The force with which the window covering cord collection and coordination device  21  will break open into separated first and second housing sections  23  and  25  will depend upon the size and shape of the key projection member  51  with respect to the complementary key slot member  53 , as well as the degree of complementarity of key projection member  51  and complementary key slot member  53 . 
         [0041]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.