Combined alarm system and window covering assembly

A combined alarm system and window covering assembly includes a top housing, a bottom rail, a covering, a continuous conductive wire which has a first end and a second end and an alarm device. The alarm device has a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The covering is mechanically coupled to the top housing and the bottom rail. The continuous conductive wire extends from the top housing down to the bottom rail and up from the bottom rail to the top housing. The first and second ends of said continuous conductive wire are electrically coupled to the first and second input terminals of the alarm system. The continuous conductive wire is coupled with the bottom rail as a main pull string for raising and lowering the bottom rail and the covering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of the invention is combined alarm systems and window covering 
assemblies. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There are a number of combined alarm systems and window covering assemblies 
which have been proposed. These combined alarm systems and window covering 
assemblies include a mesh-wire screen which actuates an alarm device if 
the screen is cut or shorted or subjected to a physical force, a blind 
assembly which has a taut trip element which sets off an alarm device if 
the blind assembly is moved, a window grille which defines an electrical 
capacitance field which is distorted to set off an alarm device upon the 
physical deformation of the window grille by an attempted intrusion, a 
combined alarm system and roller-blind assembly which, when raised, 
actuates an alarm device and various types of other mechanical or magnetic 
switching arrangements which are actuated to set off an alarm device when 
an unauthorized attempt is made to open either a barrier or a window. In 
general, however, the known combined alarm systems and window covering 
assemblies are not entirely satisfactory for one or more of the following 
reasons. Some of these combined alarm systems and window covering 
assemblies do not provide for convenient arrangements for opening the 
barrier and disabling the alarm device by an authorized user. Other 
combined alarm systems and window covering assemblies are of complicated 
and therefore expensive constructions. Most combined alarm systems and 
window covering assemblies are of unpleasant external appearance. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,070 teaches a blind assembly in which a string ladder 
support system on each side supports the individual slats. A main pull 
string at each ladder support system extends down through holes in each 
slat to a bottom rail where it is attached. The main pull string goes 
through the top housing and down over a roller so that the main pull 
string can raise and lower the blind assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,243 
teaches a blind assembly which has a lift cord lock. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,945,970 teaches a cord lock unit for use in a blind assembly. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,660,612 teaches a cord lock for a blind assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,802,644 teaches a bracket which releasably secures a channel section 
head-rail of blind assembly to a wall. U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,459 teaches a 
bracket for use with a blind assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,012 teaches a 
capstan based system for pulling and accumulating the pull-cords which is 
used to lift hanging window coverings from their bottoms. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,722,383 teaches a cord lock for locking a blind assembly in its raised 
position only. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,113 teaches a blind assembly. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,476,909 teaches a cord lock for a blind assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,541,468 teaches a tilting mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,644 teaches a 
first tilting mechanism which includes a tilt rod, a cap which is mounted 
to one end of the head and which includes a bushing, a sleeve which is 
connected to the tilt rod and which is rotatably supported in the bushing, 
and a worm gear which is located within the cap and which is connected to 
the sleeve, and a worm on a shaft which is accessible from outside the cap 
and which is operatively connected to the worm gear for rotating the worm 
gear by means of a wand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,644 also teaches a second 
tilting mechanism which includes a sprocket wheel and a bead chain. U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,621,673 teaches a tilting mechanism for a blind assembly. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,320 teaches a combined alarm system and blind assembly 
which includes a plurality of slats which may be compacted to open the 
combined alarm system and blind assembly. The slats are supported by 
flexible cords which include electrical conductors establishing an 
electrically-conductive pathway through the length of the window blind. 
The lower end of the combined alarm system and blind assembly carries a 
retaining mechanism which retains the combined blind assembly and burglar 
alarm in its closed position. A circuit-interrupting mechanism is 
effective when the combined alarm system and blind assembly is raised or 
severed to actuate an alarm device. The retaining mechanism and the 
circuit interrupting mechanism include magnetic retainer elements which 
are adapted to actuate magnetic reed switches which are carried at the 
lower ends of the combined alarm system and blind assembly. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,972 teaches a combined alarm system and blind assembly 
which includes a magnetic reed switch which is normally open and which is 
mounted on the bottom of a bottom railing. A magnet is mounted in a window 
sill to hold the magnetic reed switch normally closed when the combined 
alarm system and blind assembly is in its normal position. When the 
magnetic reed switch moves away from the magnet the magnetic reed switch 
opens. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,109 teaches an accordion fold type decorative fabric 
drapery system which has a pair of drapery sections of decorative weave 
fabric sheets specially formed into sharply pleated accordion-like folds 
to provide a large number of vertically elongated narrow panels resembling 
in size the slats or louvers of a vertical blind system. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,677,013 teaches a honeycomb structure which is formed of a continuous 
length of foldable material which is folded into a Z-configuration and 
which is stacked in layers which are adhered together. These layers form 
longitudinally extending cells, one on top of the other, of the honeycomb 
structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,404 teaches a honeycomb product. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,687,039 teaches a pleated shade in which there is a vacuum deposited 
aluminized surface. The first and second pleated sheets are arranged so 
that the corresponding aluminized surfaces face one another within the 
second pleated shade so that the second pleated shade has a significant 
resistance to heat loss or gain, if properly installed, and is decorative 
and distinctive in appearance. U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,776 and U.S. Pat. No. 
4,913,210 teach a cord lock for a pleated shade. U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,656 
teaches a pleated shade. U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,210 teaches a cord lock for a 
pleated shade. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,608 teaches an electrically conductive security screen 
which includes an electrical resistance sensor and alarm to detect 
tampering with the screening material of a window. An elongated path of 
flexible and electrically conductive coating composition is applied to the 
screening material in a predetermined and non-overlapping pattern, such 
that a closed circuit loop is formed when it is attached to the sensor 
alarm. The coating has an electrical resistance that varies when it is 
distorted or its path interrupted. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,632 teaches a combined alarm system and screen assembly 
which has mounting brackets at the corners and a pair of substantially 
rigid opposite end piece assemblies on which a screen mesh can be rolled 
up. At each corner a circuit closing mechanism acts between the bracket 
there and the adjacent end piece assembly to close circuit of an alarm 
device through electrical wiring in the screen only when that end piece 
assembly is held by the bracket. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,293 teaches a combined alarm system and screen assembly 
includes a frame and a screen mesh. The combined alarm system and screen 
assembly includes a continuous conductive wire which may be sewn, glued or 
interwoven onto the screen mesh in order to fix it in place and which 
provide a series circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,310, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,843,375, U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,935 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,000 all teach 
combined alarm system and screen assemblies in which the continuous 
conductive wire may be interwoven, glued by an air hardening process 
and/or sewn onto the screen mesh. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,375 teaches a combined alarm system and roll-up screen 
assembly which is for use in a frame and which includes a roll-up 
mechanism, a screen mesh and a continuous conductive wire. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,875 teaches a security panel arrangement,for use with 
an intrusion alarm system which is designed to monitor the continuity of a 
normally continuous signal conductive path and to produce a warning signal 
when the signal conductive path is broken, which arrangement includes a 
cellular panel forming a series of parallel elongated passages through 
which extends at least one means for conducting a signal. The cellular 
panel is attached to a surface portion of a structure to be secured, and 
the means for conducting a signal is connected at its two ends to the 
alarm system in a continuity monitoring relationship therewith. Passage of 
a human being through the surface portion breaks the continuity of the 
means for conducting a signal and causes the alarm system to produce the 
warning signal. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,294 teaches a security system and strip or strand which 
incorporates an optical fiber wave-guide. To provide security against 
unauthorised crossing of a boundary, at least one optical fiber waveguide 
extends along the boundary. Light is directed into one end of the optical 
fiber wave-guide and the light leaving the optical fiber wave-guide is 
detected by an optical detector. An indication is given when the optical 
intensity of the detected light falls below a predetermined threshold, so 
as to warn when the optical fiber wave-guide is disturbed significantly or 
cut through. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,460 teaches a transparent continuous optical fiber 
which is embedded in a transparent panel made of glass or plastic, with 
the two ends of the optical fiber accessible from outside the panel for 
coupling to a visible or invisible light source and detector respectively. 
By nearly matching the refractive indices of the panel and the optical 
fiber, and using good-quality material for the fiber so that it does not 
scatter significant amounts of the light passing through it, the optical 
fiber can be made virtually invisible although it establishes a complete 
light circuit. Cutting or breaking through the panel at a point 
intersecting the optical fiber interrupts the light circuit and triggers 
an alarm. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a combined alarm system and window 
covering assembly which is visually identical to a window covering 
assembly having a bottom rail and a covering and in which a continuous 
conductive wire is coupled with a bottom rail as a main pull string for 
raising and lowering the bottom rail and the covering. 
In another aspect of the present invention, a combined alarm system and 
window covering assembly which is visually identical to a window covering 
assembly having a bottom rail and a covering and in which a continuous 
optical fiber is coupled with a bottom rail as a main pull string for 
raising and lowering the bottom rail and the covering. 
In still another aspect of the present invention, a combined alarm system 
and screen assembly which is visually identical to a screen assembly 
having a bottom rail and a screen mesh and in which a continuous 
conductive wire is a single integral length of conductive wire in which 
none of its first and second pluralities of parallel segments have been 
spliced together. 
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a combined alarm system and 
screen assembly which is visually identical to a screen assembly having a 
bottom rail and a screen mesh and in which a continuous optical fiber is a 
single integral length of optical fiber in which none of its first and 
second pluralities of parallel segments have been spliced together. 
Other aspects and many of the attendant advantages will be more readily 
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the 
following detailed description and considered in connection with the 
accompanying drawing in which like reference symbols designate like parts 
throughout the figures. 
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are 
set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a first 
combined alarm system and blind assembly 10 includes a first top housing 
assembly 11, a first bottom housing including a first bottom rail 12, a 
first string ladder support system 13, a second string ladder support 
system 14 and a plurality of individual slats 15. Each slat 15 has a first 
slot 16 and a second slot 17 which is spaced apart from the first slot 16. 
Each of the first and second string ladder support systems 13 and 14 has a 
front vertical ladder string 18 and a back vertical ladder string 19 with 
short support strings 20 fastened between the front and back vertical 
ladder strings 18 and 19. The first and second string ladder support 
systems 13 and 14 are mechanically coupled to the first top housing 
assembly 11 and the first bottom rail 12. Each of the short support 
strings 20 of the first and second string ladder support systems 13 and 14 
supports one of the individual slats 15 contiguous to the first and second 
slots 16 and 17, respectively, thereof. A continuous conductive wire 21 
has a first end and a second end and extends from the first top housing 
assembly 11 down through each of the first slots 16 of the slats 15 to the 
first bottom rail 12 and from the first bottom rail 12 up through each of 
the second slots 17 of the slats 15 to the first top housing assembly 11. 
The first top housing assembly 11 has a tilting mechanism 24 and a tilt 
rod 25 which is disposed in the first top housing assembly 11 and 
mechanically coupled thereto and which is fixedly coupled to the first and 
second string ladder support systems 13 and 14. 
Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 portions of the 
continuous conductive wire 21 form part of a pull string assembly 31 for 
raising and lowering the first combined alarm and blind assembly 10. The 
first pull string assembly 31 includes a capsule member 32, a pull tab 33, 
a cord 34, a cord lock unit 35 and a winding mechanism 36. The cord 34 
mechanically couples the pull tab 33 to the capsule 32. The cord lock unit 
35 and the winding mechanism 36 are disposed in the first top housing 
assembly 11 and mechanically coupled thereto. The first and second ends 22 
and 23 of the continuous conductive wire 21 are threaded through the cord 
lock unit 35 and the first top housing assembly 11 into the capsule member 
32. The cord lock unit 35 locks the continuous conductive wire 21 in 
place. The winding mechanism 36 includes a spool 37, a rotating connector 
38 having a shaft 39 to which the spool 37 is fixedly coupled and to which 
the first and second ends of the continuous conductive wire 21 are 
electrically coupled. The winding mechanism 36 winds and unwinds lengths 
of the continuous conductive wire 21 which become slack when the first 
pull string assembly 31 raises the first combined alarm system and blind 
assembly 10. 
Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the first 
combined alarm system and blind assembly 10 also includes a first magnetic 
reed relay switch 40, two bottom brackets 41, a second bottom rail 42 and 
a first magnet 43. The two bottom brackets 41 mechanically couple the ends 
of the second bottom rail 42 to the bottom portion of a structure. The 
first combined alarm system and blind assembly 10 further includes two top 
brackets, a second magnetic reed relay switch 46, a second magnet 47, a 
first wire-anchor 48 and a second wire-anchor 49. The two top brackets 
mechanically couple the ends of the first top housing assembly 11 to the 
top portion of the structure. The first and second magnetic reed relay 
switches 40 and 46, respectively, are disposed in the first bottom rail 12 
adjacent to the first and second magnets 43 and 47. The first and second 
magnets 43 and 47 are disposed in the second bottom rail 42 adjacent to 
each end thereof. The first and second magnetic reed relay switch 40 and 
46 electrically couple the severed portions of the continuous conductive 
wire 21 back together in the presence of the first and second magnets 43 
and 47. The first and second wire-anchor 48 and 49 are disposed in the 
first bottom rail 12 and mechanically coupled thereto so that the first 
and second wire-anchor 48 and 49 support the portions of the continuous 
conductive wire 21 adjacent to the first and second magnetic reed relay 
switch 40 and 46, respectively. The continuous conductive wire 21 makes a 
plurality of round-trips each of which extends from the first top housing 
assembly 11 down through each of the first slots 16 of the slats 15 to the 
first bottom rail 12 and from the first bottom rail 12 up through each of 
the second slots 17 of the slats 15 to the first top housing assembly 11. 
Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 an alarm device 
50 has a first input terminal 51 and a second input terminal 52. The first 
and second ends of the continuous conductive wire 21 are electrically 
coupled to the first and second input terminals 51 and 52, respectively, 
of the alarm device 50 through the rotating connector 38. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 a second combined 
alarm system and blind assembly 110 includes a second top housing assembly 
111, the first bottom housing assembly including the first bottom rail 12, 
the first string ladder support system 13, the second string ladder 
support system 14, the plurality of individual slats 15, the tilting 
mechanism 24, the tilt rod 25 and a first lifting assembly 116, the first 
magnetic reed relay switch 40 and the second magnetic reed relay switch 
46. Each slat 15 has a first slot 16 and a second slot 17 which is spaced 
apart from the first slot 16. The tilting mechanism 24 is disposed in the 
second top housing assembly 111 and mechanically coupled thereto. The 
tilting mechanism 24 is mounted to one end of the second top housing 
assembly 111. The tilting mechanism 24 is connected to the tilt rod 25. 
The tilt rod 25 is fixedly coupled to the first and second string ladder 
support systems 13 and 14. The first and second magnetic reed relay 
switches 40 and 46 are disposed in the first bottom rail 12. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 
the first lifting assembly 116 includes a rotating connector 117, a first 
shaft 118, a plurality of first spools 119 and a first winding mechanism 
120. The first shaft 118 is a solid rod which is disposed in the second 
top housing assembly 111 and which is rotatively coupled to the rotating 
connector 117. Each first spool 119 is disposed in the second top housing 
assembly ill and is fixedly coupled to the first shaft 118. The first 
winding mechanism 120 is disposed in the second top housing assembly 111 
and is rotatively coupled to the first shaft 118. The first lifting 
assembly 116 also includes a conductive wire 121 including a first 
vertically disposed continuous length, a second vertically disposed 
continuous length, a first horizontally disposed continuous length, a 
first plurality of horizontally disposed continuous length. The first 
vertically disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121 has a first 
end and a second end. The second vertically disposed continuous length of 
conductive wire 121 has a first end and a second end. Each first spool 119 
has a sleeve 129 which is fixedly coupled to the first shaft 118 and two 
side panels 130 each of which has a first horizontal bore and a second 
horizontal bore. The first and second ends of the first vertically 
disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121 are mechanically and 
electrically coupled to one of the first spools 119 and the first magnetic 
reed relay switch 40, respectively. The first vertically disposed 
continuous length of conductive wire 121 extends from one of the first 
spools 119 in the second top housing assembly 111 down through each of the 
first slots 16 of the slats 15 to the first bottom rail 12. The first and 
second ends of the second vertically disposed continuous length of 
conductive wire 121 are mechanically and electrically coupled to another 
first spool 119 and the second magnetic reed relay switch 46, 
respectively. The second vertically disposed continuous length of 
conductive wire 121 extends from the first bottom rail 12 up through each 
of the second slots 17 of the slats 15 to the other first spool 119 in the 
second top housing assembly 111. The first and second magnetic reed relay 
switch 40 and 46 electrically couple severed portions of the first and 
second vertically disposed continuous lengths of conductive wire 121 back 
together in the presence of a first magnet 43 and a second magnet 47, 
respectively. The first and second vertically disposed continuous lengths 
of conductive wire 121 make a plurality of round-trips each of which 
extends from the second top housing assembly 111 down through each of the 
first slots 16 of the slats 15 to the first bottom rail 12 and from the 
first bottom rail 12 up through each of the second slots 17 of the slats 
15 to the second top housing assembly 111. The first winding mechanism 120 
winds and unwinds the first and second vertically disposed continuous 
lengths of conductive wire 121 which otherwise would become slack when the 
first lifting assembly 116 raises the second combined alarm system and 
blind assembly 110. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 a third combined 
alarm system and blind assembly 210 includes the second top housing 
assembly ill, the first bottom housing assembly including the first bottom 
rail 12, the first string ladder support system 13, the second string 
ladder support system 14, the plurality of individual slats 15, the 
tilting mechanism 24, the tilt rod 25 and a second lifting assembly 216, 
the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 and the second magnetic reed relay 
switch 46. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 
13 the second lifting assembly 216 includes the rotating connector 117, a 
second shaft 218, a plurality of second spools 219 and the first winding 
mechanism 120. The second shaft 218 is a hollow cylinder which is disposed 
in the second top housing assembly 111 and which is rotatively coupled to 
the rotating connector 117. Each second spool 219 is disposed in the 
second top housing assembly 111 and is fixedly coupled to the second shaft 
218. The first winding mechanism 120 is disposed in the second top housing 
assembly 111 and is rotatively coupled to the second shaft 218. The second 
lifting assembly 216 also includes the first continuous vertically 
disposed length of conductive wire 121, the second vertically disposed 
continuous length of conductive wire 121, the first horizontally disposed 
continuous length of conductive wire 121, the first plurality of 
horizontally disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121. The first 
vertically disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121 has a first 
end and a second end. Each second spool 219 has a sleeve 229 which has a 
transverse bore 230 and which is fixedly coupled to the second shaft 218 
and two side panels 231. The first and second ends and of the first 
vertically disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121 are 
mechanically and electrically coupled to one of the second spools 219 and 
the first magnetic reed relay switch 40, respectively. The first 
vertically disposed continuous length of conductive wire 121 extends from 
one of the second spools 219 in the second top housing assembly 111 down 
through each of the first slots 16 of the slats 15 to the first bottom 
rail 12. The first and second ends of the second vertically disposed 
continuous length of conductive wire 121 are mechanically and electrically 
coupled to another second spool 219 and the second magnetic reed relay 
switch 46, respectively. The second vertically disposed continuous length 
of conductive wire 121 extends from the first bottom rail 12 up through 
each of the second slots 17 of the slats 15 to the other second spool 219 
in the second top housing assembly ill. The first and second magnetic reed 
relay switch 40 and 46 electrically couple severed portions of the first 
and second vertically disposed continuous lengths of conductive wire 121 
back together in the presence of a first magnet 43 and a second magnet 47, 
respectively. The first winding mechanism 120 winds and unwinds the first 
and second vertically disposed continuous lengths of conductive wire 121 
which otherwise would become slack when the second lifting assembly 216 
raises the third combined alarm system and blind assembly 210. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 14 a fourth 
combined alarm system and blind assembly 310 includes the second top 
housing assembly 111, the first bottom housing assembly including the 
first bottom rail 12, the first string ladder support system 13, the 
second string ladder support system 14, the plurality of individual slats 
15, the tilting mechanism 24, the tilt rod 25 and a third lifting assembly 
316, the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 and the second magnetic reed 
relay switch 46. The tilting mechanism 24 is mounted to one end of the 
second top housing assembly ill. The tilting mechanism 24 is connected to 
the tilt rod 25. 
Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 14 the third lifting assembly 
316 includes the rotating connector 117, the second shaft 218, the 
plurality of second spools 219 and a second winding mechanism 320. The 
second shaft 218 is a hollow cylinder which is disposed in the second top 
housing assembly 111 and which is rotatively coupled to the rotating 
connector 117. Each second spool 219 is disposed in the second top housing 
assembly 111 and is fixedly coupled to the second shaft 218. The second 
winding mechanism 320 is disposed in the second top housing assembly 111 
and is rotatively coupled to the second shaft 218. The third lifting 
assembly 316 also includes the first continuous vertically disposed length 
of conductive wire 121, the second vertically disposed continuous length 
of conductive wire 121, the first horizontally disposed continuous length 
of conductive wire 121, the first plurality of horizontally disposed 
continuous length of conductive wire 121. The second winding mechanism 320 
includes a sprocket wheel 321 and a bead chain 322. The sprocket wheel 321 
is connected to the second shaft 218. The bead chain 322 which is located 
within the second winding mechanism 320 passes over the sprocket wheel 321 
for rotating the sprocket wheel 321. 
Referring to FIG. 15 in conjunction with FIG. 3, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 a 
fifth combined alarm system and blind assembly 410 includes the second top 
housing assembly 111, a second bottom assembly 412, the first string 
ladder support system 13, the second string ladder support system 14, the 
plurality of individual slats 15, the tilting mechanism 24, the tilt rod 
25 and a third lifting assembly 316, two first bottom bracket assemblies 
418, the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 and the second magnetic reed 
relay switch 46. 
Referring to FIG. 15 in conjunction with FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 each 
of the two first bottom bracket assemblies 418 includes a spring 419 on 
which one of the first and second magnets 43 and 47 is mounted. The spring 
419 may be either compressed or not compressed. 
Referring to FIG. 15 in conjunction with FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 the second 
bottom housing assembly 412 is shown as it is being inserted into two 
first bottom bracket assemblies 418. The second bottom housing assembly 
412 is then shown after it has been inserted into one of the two first 
bottom bracket assemblies 418. 
Referring to FIG. 21 in conjunction with FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 26 and FIG. 
30 a first combined alarm system and shade assembly 510 includes a third 
top housing assembly 511, a third bottom housing assembly 512, a double 
honeycomb shade 513 having a top edge 514 and a bottom edge 515, a 
continuous conductive wire 516, the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 
and the second magnetic reed relay switch 46. U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,109, 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,013 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,404 teach single honeycomb 
structures which may be used to make the double honeycomb shade 513. The 
third top housing assembly 511 includes a first elongated, hollow 
rectangular member 517 with a slot 518 extending lengthwise along the 
bottom surface thereof, a first elongated rail 519 with a first channel 
520 and a second channel 521 each of which extends lengthwise along the 
top inner surface thereof and two L-shaped flanges 522 each of which is 
mechanically coupled to the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517 
and disposed on the top outer surface thereof. One of the first magnetic 
reed relay switches 40 is disposed in the first channel 520 of the first 
elongated rail 519 at each end thereof. The double honeycomb shade 513 is 
mechanically coupled to the first elongated rail 519 adjacent to the first 
end 514 thereof. The first elongated rail 519 is slidably coupled to the 
first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517 so that the double 
honeycomb shade 513 extends through the slot 518 of the first elongated, 
hollow rectangular member 517. The third bottom housing assembly 512 
includes a second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523 with a slot 524 
extending lengthwise along the bottom surface thereof, a second elongated 
rail 525 with a first channel 526 and a second channel 527 each of which 
extends lengthwise along the bottom inner surface thereof, two L-shaped 
flanges 528 each of which is mechanically coupled to the second elongated, 
hollow rectangular member 523 and disposed on the bottom outer surface 
thereof. One of the second magnetic reed relay switches 46 is disposed in 
the first channel 526 of the second elongated rail 525 at each end 
thereof. The double honeycomb shade 513 is mechanically coupled to the 
second elongated rail 524 adjacent to the second end 515 thereof. The 
second elongated rail 525 is slidably coupled to the second elongated, 
hollow rectangular member 523 so that the double honeycomb shade 513 
extends through the slot 524 of the second elongated, hollow rectangular 
member 523. The first combined alarm system and shade assembly 510 also 
includes two top bracket assemblies 529, two bottom bracket assemblies 530 
and a cord lock 131. U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,776 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,210 
teach cord locks. Each top bracket assembly 529 includes a first J-shaped 
member 531 with a first crook 532 and a first bore 533, a first mounting 
screw 534 and a first magnet 535. Each bottom bracket assembly 530 
includes a second J-shaped member 536 with a second crook 537 and a second 
bore 538, a second mounting screw 539 and a second magnet 540. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,363,459 teaches a bracket which includes a first J-shaped member 
with a first crook and a first bore and a first mounting screw. The 
continuous conductive wire 516 has a first end and a second end and 
extends from the third top housing assembly 511 down to the bottom housing 
assembly 512 and from the third bottom housing 512 to the top housing 
assembly 511. The first and second magnetic reed relay switch 40 and 46 
electrically couple the severed portions of the continuous conductive wire 
516 back together in the presence of the first and second magnets 535 and 
540. The continuous conductive wire 516 makes a plurality of round-trips 
each of which extends from the third top housing assembly 511 down through 
the double honeycomb shade 513 to the third bottom housing assembly 512 
and from the third bottom housing assembly 512 up through the double 
honeycomb shade 513 to the third top housing assembly 511. 
Referring to FIG. 24 in conjunction with FIG. 25, FIG. 26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 
30 a second combined alarm system and shade assembly 610 includes the 
third top housing assembly 511, the third bottom housing assembly 512, a 
first pleated shade 613 having a top edge 614 and a bottom edge 615, the 
continuous conductive wire 516 the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 and 
the second magnetic reed relay switch 46. U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,656 teaches 
a pleated shade which may be used to make the first pleated shade 613. The 
first pleated shade 613 is mechanically coupled to the first elongated 
rail 519 adjacent to the first end 614 thereof. The first elongated rail 
519 is slidably coupled to the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 
517 so that the first pleated shade 613 extends through the slot 518 of 
the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517. The first pleated 
shade 613 is mechanically coupled to the second elongated rail 524 
adjacent to the second end 615 thereof. The second elongated rail 525 is 
slidably coupled to the second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523 so 
that the first pleated shade 613 extends through the slot 524 of the 
second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523. The second combined alarm 
system and shade assembly 610 also includes the two top bracket assemblies 
529, the two bottom bracket assemblies 530 and a cord lock 631. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,913,210 teaches a cord lock for a pleated shade. The continuous 
conductive wire 516 makes a plurality of round-trips each of which extends 
from the third top housing assembly 511 down through the first pleated 
shade 613 to the third bottom housing assembly 512 and from the third 
bottom housing assembly 512 up through the first pleated shade 613 to the 
third top housing assembly 511. 
Referring to FIG. 28 in conjunction with FIG. 27, FIG. 28, FIG. 29 and FIG. 
30 a third combined alarm system and shade assembly 710 includes the third 
top housing assembly 511, the third bottom housing assembly 512, a second 
pleated shade 713 having a top edge 714 and a bottom edge 715, a 
continuous conductive path 716, the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 
and the second magnetic reed relay switch 46. U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,941 
teach a pleated shade which may be used to make the second pleated shade 
713. The second pleated shade 713 includes a first pleated sheet 717 and a 
second pleated sheet 718 which are spaced apart in substantially parallel 
array by the third top and bottom housing assemblies 511 and 512. The 
continuous conductive path 716 is formed by applying a layer of flexible 
and electrically conductive coating composition to the first pleated 
sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,608 teaches the use of an elongated path of 
flexible and electrically conductive coating composition which is applied 
to a screen mesh in a predetermined and non-overlapping pattern. The 
second pleated shade 713 is mechanically coupled to the first elongated 
rail 519 adjacent to the first edge 714 thereof. The first elongated rail 
519 is slidably coupled to the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 
517 so that the second pleated shade 713 extends through the slot 518 of 
the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517. The second pleated 
shade 713 is mechanically coupled to the second elongated rail 524 
adjacent to the second edge 715 thereof. The second elongated rail 525 is 
slidably coupled to the second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523 so 
that the second pleated shade 713 extends through the slot 524 of the 
second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523. The third combined alarm 
system and shade assembly 710 also includes the two top bracket assemblies 
529, the two bottom bracket assemblies 530 and the cord lock 631. U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,913,210 teaches a cord lock for a pleated shade. The continuous 
conductive path 716 makes a plurality of round-trips each of which extends 
from the third top housing assembly 511 down through the second pleated 
shade 713 to the third bottom housing assembly 512 and from the third 
bottom housing assembly 512 up through the second pleated shade 713 to the 
third top housing assembly 511. 
Referring to FIG. 30 in conjunction with FIG. 31, FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 a 
first combined alarm system and screen assembly 810 includes the third top 
housing assembly 511, the third bottom housing assembly 512, a screen mesh 
813 having a top edge 814 and a bottom edge 815, a continuous conductive 
wire 516, the first magnetic reed relay switch 40 and the second magnetic 
reed relay switch 46. U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,293 teaches a combined alarm 
system and screen assembly includes a screen mesh and a continuous 
conductive wire which may be sewn, glued or interwoven onto the screen 
mesh 813. The third top housing assembly 511 includes a first elongated, 
hollow rectangular member 517 with a slot 518 extending lengthwise along 
the top surface thereof and a second elongated rail 519 with a first 
channel 520 and a second channel 521 each of which extends lengthwise 
along the bottom inner surface thereof. The third top housing assembly 511 
also includes two caps 819 each of which is disposed at one end thereof. 
Each of the two L-shaped flanges 522 may be mechanically coupled to the 
first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517 and disposed on the bottom 
outer surface thereof. The screen mesh 813 is mechanically coupled to the 
first elongated rail 519 adjacent to the first edge 814 thereof. The first 
elongated rail 519 is slidably coupled to the first elongated, hollow 
rectangular member 517 so that the screen mesh 813 extends through the 
slot 518 of the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517. The third 
top housing assembly 511 also includes a first spline 829 and a first 
elongated elastic member 830. The first spline 829 is disposed in the 
first channel 520 of the first elongated rail 519 and which secures the 
screen mesh 813 within the third top housing assembly 511. The first 
elongated elastic member 830 is disposed along with the screen mesh 813 
between the first elongated, hollow rectangular member 517 and the second 
channel 521 of the first elongated rail 519 and functions as a first 
tensioning mechanism for taking up any slack in the screen mesh 813. One 
of the first magnetic reed relay switches 40 is disposed in the first 
channel 520 of the first elongated rail 519 at each end thereof. The third 
bottom housing assembly 512 includes a second elongated, hollow 
rectangular member 523 with a slot 524 extending lengthwise along the top 
surface thereof and a second elongated rail 525 with a first channel 526 
and a second channel 527 each of which extends lengthwise along the bottom 
inner surface thereof. The third bottom housing assembly 512 also includes 
two caps 820 (FIGS. 30 and 34) each of which is disposed at one end 
thereof. Each of the two L-shaped flanges 528 may be mechanically coupled 
to the second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523 and disposed on the 
bottom outer surface thereof. One of the second magnetic reed relay 
switches 46 is disposed in the first channel 526 of the second elongated 
rail 525 at each end thereof. The screen mesh 813 is mechanically coupled 
to the second elongated rail 524 adjacent to the second edge 815 thereof. 
The second elongated rail 525 is slidably coupled to the second elongated, 
hollow rectangular member 523 so that the screen mesh 813 extends through 
the slot 524 of the second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523. The 
third bottom housing assembly 512 also includes a second spline 831 and a 
second elongated elastic member 832. The second spline 831 is disposed in 
the first channel 526 of the second elongated rail 525 and secures the 
screen mesh 813 within the third bottom housing assembly 512. The second 
elongated elastic member 832 is disposed along with the screen mesh 813 
between the second elongated, hollow rectangular member 523 and the second 
channel 527 of the second elongated rail 525 and functions as a second 
tensioning mechanism for taking up any slack in the screen mesh 813. The 
first combined alarm system and shade assembly 510 may also include the 
two top bracket assemblies 529, the two bottom bracket assemblies 530 and 
a cord lock 531. U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,776 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,210 teach 
cord locks. Each top bracket assembly 529 includes a first i-shaped member 
531 with a first crook 532 and a first bore 533, a first mounting screw 
534 and a first magnet 535. Each bottom bracket assembly 530 includes a 
second J-shaped member 536 with a second crook 537 and a second bore 538, 
a second mounting screw 539 and a second magnet 540. The continuous 
conductive wire 516 has a first end and a second end and extends from the 
third top housing assembly 511 down to the third bottom housing assembly 
512 and from the third bottom housing 512 to the third top housing 
assembly 511. The first and second magnetic reed relay switch 40 and 46 
electrically couple the severed portions of the continuous conductive wire 
516 back together in the presence of the first and second magnets 535 and 
540. The continuous conductive wire 516 makes a plurality of round-trips 
each of which extends from the third top housing assembly 511 down through 
the screen mesh 813 to the third bottom housing assembly 512 and from the 
third bottom housing assembly 512 up through the screen mesh 813 to the 
third top housing assembly 511. The screen mesh 813 is formed from a sheet 
of screen material and has marginal edge portions which are adapted to be 
secured to a frame. 
From the foregoing it can be seen that a combined alarm system and window 
covering assembly has been described. In all of the embodiments described 
above an optical fiber which U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,875 teaches may be used 
in place of a conductive wire. It should be noted that the drawings are 
not drawn to scale and that distances between the figures and their 
relative sizes are not to be considered significant. 
It is intended that the foregoing descriptions and showings made in the 
drawings shall be considered only as an illustration of the principles of 
the present invention and may be embodied in a variety of forms by one 
skilled in the art.