Hold down device for window covering looped operator

A hold down device is provided for continuous loop cords or bead chains in a window covering installation. The hold down device engages the cord or chain while the cord or chain is loosely suspended, and prevents operation by encountering the head rail if the cord or chain is operated. Mounting the hold down device in a window covering installation disengages the hold down device from its secured position relative to the cord or chain.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to window coverings that use continuous loop operators such as cords and chains, and, more specifically, to hold down devices that are used with such window coverings for securing the remote end of the looped operator, whether the operator is a cord or beaded chain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some types of window coverings use a continuous loop operator for opening and closing the window covering or for causing other adjustments of the window covering. Horizontal blinds, Roman shades and other window coverings can be operated with a continuous loop cord or a continuous loop beaded chain that is rotated through operating mechanism in the head rail to cause the desired adjustment of the window treatment. Such continuous loop operators are well known in the industry, having had application and use for many years.

It is known to use a chain or cord hold down device to control the continuous loop operator of a shade or blind. Uncontrolled continuous loop operators can be unsightly, difficult to use and can pose certain risks. The hold down device is secured to the floor, wall or window frame and captures the remote end of the continuous loop operator, thereby holding the operator substantially flat against the window frame or wall, and keeping the continuous loop operator relatively taut. In the past, the hold down devices have been open, allowing the cord to run freely their through even if the hold down device is not properly mounted or secured to the floor, wall or window frame. More recently, it is known to use hold down devices that securely grasp the cord or chain when not installed, thereby significantly minimizing the distance through which the looped operator can be moved without properly securing the hold down device. The cord or chain will operate only until the hold down device secured thereto advances to and lodges against the head rail.

Many different designs are known whereby the hold down device is loosened from the cord or bead chain automatically as the hold down device is installed in a proper manner. Springs and crimping mechanisms are known for use in such devices; however, the overall mechanisms therefor can be relatively complex. With numerous parts requiring assembly and significant manufacturing time required, known hold down devices have been expensive to manufacture and assemble. Some are difficult to install, and some are easily defeated whereby the hold down device can be loosened from the cord even when the hold down device is not properly installed. For some, installation can be quite difficult for one installer alone, and installing the hold down device as a retrofit in a pre-existing installation can be difficult.

To encourage proper use of the hold down device, it is desirable to have a hold down device that can capture a cord or beaded chain securely, and that is not easily defeated. However, the device should be relatively easy to install by an untrained individual. Further, a device easily installed as a retrofit of a continuous loop operator is desirable. Providing the hold down device as a simple construction not requiring assembly of the device itself, only installation on the cord or chain, reduces cost and provides further advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hold down device disclosed herein is formed as a monolithic body of suitable injection molded plastic material and utilizes the natural springiness of the material to effect grasping of the cord or chain. A basic clamshell type structure is used whereby the cord or chain is grasped securely by the device when the device is spread wide in its natural, relaxed state, and that can be secured with the two halves closed against one another and the cord or chain loosened therefrom for relatively free operation there through.

In one aspect of a form thereof, the hold down device is easy to install on the continuous loop operator and easy to mount within the window covering installation by a single individual with minimal skills.

In another aspect of a form thereof, the hold down device engages a cord or bead chain securely and naturally, and cannot be defeated easily without properly installing the hold down device within the window covering installation.

In another aspect of a form thereof, the hold down device is provided as a monolithic body of injection molded plastic that is manufactured easily, simply and inexpensively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and toFIG. 1in particular, a window covering installation50is shown, which includes a hold down device100. Window covering installation50further includes a head rail52and a continuous loop operator54provided as a continuous loop bead chain. Rotation of bead chain continuous loop operator54operates mechanisms in head rail52for lifting and lowering a window shade panel56. While a Roman shade panel56is illustrated, it should be understood that the hold down device disclosed herein can be used with looped operators supplied on various types of window coverings. The Roman shade depicted herein is merely one example of a well-known structure for which the hold down device is suitable.

Hold down device100has a generally overall clamshell or V-shaped configuration including first and second arms102,104interconnected by an integral connecting web106. Hold down device100is made of molded plastic that is rigid and firm, yet yielding for providing spring-like characteristics in connecting web106such that, in a relaxed state of hold down device100, arms102,104are remote from one another as depicted inFIGS. 3 & 6, but can be pushed toward one another for mounting as depicted inFIG. 8.

Arms102,104include confronting mounting blocks108,110on the inwardly facing surfaces of arms102,104respectively. Mounting blocks108,110are positioned to be aligned with one another when the hold down device is fully mounted and installed within window covering installation50. Mounting blocks108,110define holes112,114, respectively, for receiving a mounting screw116for the final mounting of hold down device100within window covering installation50, as will be described subsequently herein.

Arms102,104further include offset heads118,120, respectively, also on the inwardly facing surfaces of arms102,104at the distal ends of arms102,104. Heads118,120are offset relative to one another, to slide past one another and overlie one another in the final mounting depicted inFIG. 8. Heads118,120define apertures122,124there through transverse to the directions that arms102,104move toward one another. Apertures122,124further define notches126,128, respectively, along the perimeters thereof. Notches126,128are located along the inward edge portions of apertures122,124in regions of the perimeters of apertures122,124that are near one another in the relaxed condition of hold down device100. Notches126,128are positioned within depressions130,132surrounding the notches.

Bead chain continuous loop operator54is a common configuration, well-known to those skilled in the art, and includes beads58connected in a continuous strand by links60. Bead chain continuous loop operator54further includes a connector of well-known configuration by which an elongated strand of interconnected beads58and links60can be connected end to end to form a continuous loop bead chain. Accordingly, the continuous loop can be disconnected such that bead chain continuous loop operator54can be threaded through apertures122,124as depicted inFIG. 4. The springiness of connecting web106urges arms102,104outwardly such that hold down device100in its relaxed state engages continuous loop operator54via notches126,128receiving a link60therein, with adjacent beads58on opposite sides thereof held within depressions130,132. Hold down device100thereby securely captures bead chain continuous loop operator54and is not easily dislodged there from. Hold down device100renders the shady inoperable in that continuous loop operator54can be advanced only until hold down device100encounters head rail52until such time as hold down device100is properly mounted within window covering installation50.

Hold down device100is mounted in window covering installation50after head rail52is installed in the window opening. Arms102,104are urged toward one another so that mounting blocks108,110engage one against the other. Heads118,120slide past one another such that the heads overlie one another and apertures122,124align. Mounting screw116is inserted through aligned holes112,114and secured within a base70that can be a portion of a window frame on which window covering installation50is installed, a wall adjacent the window or some suitable structure nearby. Fastening screw116to base70, with screw116inserted from the outside arm102,104through the inside arm102,104draws the arms together and against base70. Blocks108,110are drawn against one another when heads118,120are positioned adjacent one another, and apertures122,124align. In this position, which may be considered a “closed” position of hold down device100, notches126,128are no longer exposed, each being covered along one side by solid portions of the now adjacent head118or head120. Accordingly, bead chain continuous operator54can slide freely through aligned apertures122,124without catching on notches126,128. The position at which hold down device100is mounted is such as to hold bead chain continuous loop operator54in a relatively taut condition. With hold down device100thus installed, apertures122,124aligned one with the other and notches126,128no longer exposed, bead chain continuous loop operator54can rotate freely through hold down device100for adjusting shade panel56by operating apparatus within head rail52well known to those skilled in the art.

A hold down device also can be provided suitable for use with a cord instead of a bead chain used as the continuous operator in a window covering.FIG. 10depicts a window covering installation150, which includes a hold down device200. Window covering installation150further includes a head rail152and a continuous loop operator154provided as a continuous loop cord. Rotation of cord continuous loop operator154operates mechanism in head rail152for lifting and lowering a window shade panel156by way of mechanisms in head rail152well known to those skilled in the art. While a Roman shade panel156is illustrated, it should be understood that the hold down device disclosed herein can be used with looped operators supplied on various types of window coverings. The Roman shade depicted is merely one example of a well-known structure that is suitable.

Hold down device200has a generally overall clamshell or V-shaped configuration including first and second arms202,204interconnected by an integral connecting web206. Hold down device200is made of molded plastic that is rigid and firm, yet yielding for providing spring-like characteristics in connecting web206such that, in a relaxed state, arms202,204are remote from one another as depicted inFIGS. 11 & 14, but can be pushed toward one another for mounting as depicted inFIG. 16.

Arms202,204include confronting mounting blocks208,210respectively that are positioned to abut one against the other when hold down device200is in its mounted condition. Mounting blocks208,210are provided on the inwardly facing surfaces of arms202,204. Arms202,204also define holes212,214there through, respectively, for receiving a mounting screw216. Arms202,204further include offset heads218,220, respectively, on the inwardly facing surfaces, at the distal ends thereof. Heads218,220slide past one another so as to overlie one another in the final installation depicted inFIG. 16. Heads218,220define apertures222,224there through, transverse to the direction of movement of arms202,204toward one another. Apertures222,224further define inwardly facing serrated portions226,228, respectively, along the perimeters thereof. Serrated portions226,228are positioned in regions of the perimeters of apertures222,224that are near one another in the relaxed condition of hold down device200.

Cord continuous loop operator154is of a common configuration, such as a braided cotton cord. Cord continuous loop operator154does not need to be disassembled, cut or otherwise disrupted to install hold down device200thereon. One-way channels230,232are provided from the perimeters of heads218,220through to apertures222,224in heads218,220. One-way channels230,232are wider at the outer ends thereof and narrower at the inner ends thereof than the diameter of cord continuous loop operator154. The innermost ends of one-way channels230,232are provided with pairs of inwardly angled projections into apertures222,224; including projections234at opposite sides of one-way channel230and projections236at opposite sides of one-way channel232. Accordingly, cord continuous loop operator154passes easily from outside apertures222,224to inside apertures222,224by compressing the cord in the progressively narrowing channel, and/or by deflecting inwardly angled projections234,236. However, moving continuous cord operator154from inside apertures222,224is obstructed first by the inwardly angled projections234,236, and thereafter by the narrow ends of channels230,232.

Hold down device200is installed on cord continuous loop operator154as shown inFIGS. 18, 19 & 20. With arms202,204in their outwardly angled, relaxed states, or perhaps urged even yet further outwardly, cord continuous loop operator154is passed between heads218,220into the open area having heads218,220there above and mounting blocks208,210there below. Arms202,204are then urged toward one another so that heads218,220slide past one another. One-way channels230,232will then overlie one another, and cord continuous loop operator154is pulled into the then overlying one-way channels230,232, as depicted inFIG. 19. Cord continuous loop operator154is pulled further and completely into apertures222,224. With projections234,236angling into apertures222,224, and the inner ends of one-way channels230,232being narrower than the diameter of cord continuous loop operator154, the cord is held securely in apertures222,224and cannot pass back easily through one-way channels230,232.

With hold down device200installed on cord continuous loop operator154, and inward pressure against arms202,204subsequently being released, cord continuous loop operator154angles between the then misaligned apertures222,224and against serrated portions226,228. Serrated portions226,228engage and embed into cord continuous loop operator154such that hold down device200is held securely at its position along the length of cord continuous loop operator154. Hold down device200securely engages cord continuous loop operator154and is not easily dislodged there from. Hold down device200renders the window covering inoperable in that the continuous loop operator154can be advanced only until hold down device200encounters head rail152.

Hold down device200is mounted in its final position within window covering installation150after head rail152is installed in the window opening. Arms202,204are urged toward one another so that mounting blocks208,210engage one against the other. Heads218,220slide past one another such that the heads overlie one another and apertures222,224align. Mounting screw216is inserted through aligned holes212,214and secured within a base170that can be a portion of a window frame on which window covering installation150is installed, a wall adjacent the window or some suitable structure nearby.

Fastening screw216to base170, with screw216inserted from the outside arm202,204through the inside arm202,204draws the arms together and against base170. Blocks208,210are drawn against one another when heads218,220are positioned adjacent one another, and apertures222,224align. In this position, which may be considered a “closed” position of hold down device200, serrated portions226,228are no longer exposed, each being covered along one side by solid portions of the now adjacent head218or head220. Accordingly, cord continuous loop operator154can slide freely through aligned apertures222,224without catching on serrated portions226,228. The position at which hold down device200is mounted is such as to hold cord continuous loop operator154in a relatively taut condition, away from projections234,236. With hold down device200thus installed, apertures222,224aligned one with the other and serrated portions226,228no longer exposed, cord continuous loop operator154can rotate freely through hold down device200for adjusting shade panel156by operating apparatus within head rail152well known to those skilled in the art.