CHAIN SHROUD FOR ROLLER SHADE

A shroud for the drive chain of a roller blind. The drive chain has s a series of balls mounted on a cord or wire and is in the form of a pair of leg members forming a loop. The shroud comprises an elongate body having opposed open ends with an internal passageway extending therebetween. The body has an enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends. A longitudinal internal baffle may extend between the open ends, segmenting the internal passageway into two longitudinal channels, each channel extending between the open ends and dimensioned to slidably receive one of the pair of chain leg members therethrough. The baffle may have a longitudinal slot extending along its length, where the slot is dimensioned to permit the receipt of the cord or wire of the drive chain, and is dimensioned to preclude the passage of the balls of the drive chain therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to the field of roller shades, and in particular to a new and novel shroud to encompass the operational chain or cord of a roller shade.

Prior Art

Roller shades have become an increasingly common window covering and are used in both residential and commercial applications alike. Commonly, the shade fabric of a roller shade is raised or lowered through pulling on one end of a looped chain or cord that extends from a clutch or drive mechanism, typically located at or within the head rail of the roller blind, downwardly along the side of a window. While such mechanisms have proven to be a useful and efficient means to quickly and easily raise or lower the fabric of a roller shade in front of a window pane, it has been realized that in some instances the loop of chain or cord extending downwardly along the window frame can present a strangulation hazard for small children, and potentially pets. For that reason, many jurisdictions require the bottom looped end of the chain or cord to be rigidly secured to the window frame, making it difficult to be accessed by a small child. However, in spite of such regulations and the various structures that have been proposed to secure the ends of chains or cords to a window frame, in some applications there still exists the ability for a small child to potentially become entrapped between the two legs of a looped chain or cord, causing injury or death. Accordingly, there continues to exist a need for improved safety measures that can be used in conjunction with chains or cords that operate roller blinds.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment there is presented a shroud for a drive chain of a roller blind, the drive chain comprising a series of generally spherical balls mounted in a spaced apart configuration on a cord or wire, the drive chain in the form of a pair of chain leg members joined together and forming a loop, the shroud comprising an elongate body having opposed open ends with a longitudinal internal passageway extending between the opposed open ends, the elongate body having a fully enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends, a longitudinal internal baffle extending between the open ends and segmenting the longitudinal internal passageway into two longitudinal channels, each longitudinal channel extending between the open ends and dimensioned to slidably receive one of the pair of chain leg members therethrough, the longitudinal internal baffle having a longitudinal slot extending along its length, the slot dimensioned to permit the receipt of the cord or wire of the drive chain therethrough, the longitudinal slot dimensioned to preclude the passage of the balls of the drive chain therethrough.

In a further embodiment the invention comprises a shroud for a drive chain or cord of a roller blind, the drive chain or cord in the form of a pair of chain or cord leg members joined together and forming a loop, the shroud comprising an elongate body having opposed open ends with a longitudinal internal passageway extending between the opposed open ends, the elongate body having a fully enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends, the longitudinal passageway dimensioned to slidably receive the pair of chain or cord leg members therethrough, wherein the pair of chain or cord leg members is receivable through the elongate passageway, wherein a lower end of each of the chain leg members extends through the same open end of the elongate body and the looped chain or cord leg members is slidably received by a chain retainer, wherein the shroud is received about the chain or cord leg members between the chain retainer and a drive mechanism of the roller blind.

In another embodiment there is provided a shroud for a drive chain or cord of a roller blind, in combination with a chain retainer, the drive chain or cord in the form of a pair of chain or cord leg members joined together and forming a loop, the shroud comprising an elongate body having opposed open ends with a longitudinal internal passageway extending between the open ends, the elongate body having a fully enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends, the chain retainer slidably receiving the looped chain or cord leg members, wherein the pair of chain leg members are received through the longitudinal internal passageway of the elongate body, and wherein, when the drive chain or cord is oriented in a vertical configuration, the shroud has a resting position where it contacts the chain retainer, and a displaced position where it has been slid vertically upward along the chain or cord leg members to expose a length of the drive chain or cord between the shroud and the chain retainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in a number of different forms. The specification and drawings that follow describe and disclose some of the specific forms of the invention.

With reference to the attached drawings, there is shown a relatively generic roller shade1that is comprised generally of a head rail2and shade or blind fabric3. As in the case of most common roller shades, blind fabric3is raised or lowered through pulling on one of a pair of chain or cord leg members4which are joined together to form a loop. With reference toFIG.8, the looped chain or cord4is typically received around a clutch or drive mechanism5, that is in turn secured or otherwise connected to a roller tube upon which blind fabric3is rolled or unrolled. Also as in the case of most roller blinds, pulling on one of the two chain or cord leg members4will cause the roller shade to be rotated in a first direction whereas pulling on the other chain or cord leg member will cause the roller tube to be rotated in an opposite direction, such that the blind fabric is either raised or lowered.

Where the blind is operated through use of a chain, the chain is typically comprised of a series of generally spherical shaped balls6that are mounted in a spaced apart configuration on a cord or wire7. Typically balls6are spaced apart at an approximate equal distance to facilitate their engagement with the roller blind clutch. In other applications the blind is operated through the use of a looped cord. As is mandated by certain jurisdictions, the lower end of the looped roller chain may be commonly received through or otherwise retained by a chain retainer8. It will be appreciated that chain retainer8could take any one of a very wide variety of different configurations and structures, and that its primary purpose is to maintain the chain along the side of a window frame in order to help prevent an infant, or perhaps a pet, from being entangled therein.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a shroud9for chain leg members4that comprises an elongate body10having opposed open ends11and12, respectively. Elongate body10has a fully enclosed exterior surface extending between open ends11and12. In one embodiment, elongate body10is oblong in cross section. Elongate body10further comprises a longitudinal internal passageway13that extends between open ends11and12, and through which chain leg members4can be slidably received. As shown specifically inFIGS.1,9and10, during operation, both of chain leg members4extend through internal passageway13with the lower ends of each chain member extending through open end12and then slidably secured to chain retainer8. In this manner, shroud9is received about the chain leg members between chain retainer8and clutch5. As demonstrated inFIG.9, in a rest configuration, open end12contacts or rests against chain retainer8, whereas in an alternate position shroud9may be lifted to the point where open end11is close to or contacts clutch5, thereby exposing a portion of each of the pair of chain leg members immediately above chain retainer8.

FIGS.6and7illustrate one embodiment of shroud9. In this embodiment the shroud includes a longitudinal internal baffle14that extends between open ends11and12, thereby segmenting longitudinal internal passageway13into two longitudinal channels,15and16respectively. Each of the longitudinal channels15and16thus extends between open ends11and12and is dimensioned to slidably receive one of the pair of chain leg members4. In one instance, baffle14is a solid, longitudinally oriented, planar structure secured along opposed longitudinal edges thereof to opposite sides of an internal longitudinal surface of passageway13(seeFIGS.6and7). In an alternate configuration, baffle14may include a longitudinal slot17extending along its length (seeFIGS.2and3). Slot17is preferably dimensioned to permit to the receipt of cord or wire7therethrough, while at the same time precluding the passage of balls6through the slot where a balled chain or similar is utilized. That is, the slot is sized to allow shroud9to be received over a looped pair of chain leg members4by slidably engaging slot17with the looped pair of chain leg members between two adjacent balls.

FIGS.4and5illustrate yet a further embodiment of shroud9where internal passageway13is open and no baffle is utilized. In this embodiment the two chain leg members are merely inserted through internal passageway13, after which the lower looped portion of the chain is secured or otherwise received about chain retainer8.

Regardless of which of the particular embodiments of shroud9described above is utilized, it will be appreciated that when assembled over the drive chain or cord of a roller blind, between the drive mechanism or clutch and the chain retainer, shroud9will serve to effectively retain each of the chain leg members in a close relationship, thereby precluding an infant or pet from becoming entangled therewith. To operate the roller blind, an individual need only grasp the shroud and lift it vertically upward, sliding it along the drive chain and exposing a lower portion of the looped drive chain between the bottom of the shroud and the chain retainer. The desired leg of the chain that is exposed below the shroud can then be pulled in a downward direction to either deploy or retract the blind fabric from the roller blind. Once the blind fabric has been adjusted to its desired level, releasing the shroud allows it to slide back downwardly along both legs of the chain until it once again comes to rest on the chain retainer, and once again provides an effective means to prevent an infant or pet from becoming entangled in the two chain leg members.

A further alternate embodiment of the invention is shown inFIGS.11-14. In this embodiment, shroud9may take any one of the forms or embodiments described above, including any one of those shown inFIGS.2through7. However, in this embodiment chain retainer8has been replaced with a ring-form chain retainer20which does not need to be securable to the frame of a window as would typically be the case when utilizing a chain retainer8in the form described above and as shown in the earlier drawings. Here, ring-form chain retainer20contains a hole or aperture21through which looped chain or cord4is received. Ring-form chain retainer20is of a size that is sufficient to prevent it from being pulled through internal passageway13of the elongate body10of shroud9. That is, ring-form chain retainer20is of a sufficient size such that shroud9will rest upon its upper surface, effectively preventing access to chain or cord4until such time as shroud9is lifted vertically to expose the two opposed legs of chain or cord4.

In an embodiment of the invention ring-form chain retainer20maybe of a teardrop shape wherein lower portion22has a more significant mass than the upper portion, thereby maintaining the chain retainer in a generally vertical orientation. The mass of ring-form chain retainer20will also tend to hold the two opposing legs or chain or cord4relatively vertical and taught along the side of the window frame. In this manner, shroud9will be encouraged to fall, under the act of gravity, downwardly until its lower-end rests upon the top of the ring-form chain retainer. The mass of the ring-form chain retainer will also help to ensure that the looped chain or cord4will remain relatively vertically-oriented when shroud9is grasped and slid upwardly along the chain or cord in order to expose the lower ends of the chain or cord and to permit operation of the roller blind. To facilitate movement of chain or cord4through hole or aperture21, that portion of ring-form chain retainer20surrounding hole or aperture21may be beveled or angled, so that pulling on one leg of chain or cord4to operate the blind in one direction or the other, will permit the ring-form chain retainer to readily slide along the chain or cord4without becoming caught or hung up. Further, ring-form chain retainer20may be formed from a silicone, plastic or other type material that helps to minimize the generation of noise when chain or cord4slides through hole or aperture21. Ultimately, ring-form chain retainer20may be constructed of other materials and may have a noise dampening on noise-reducing coating.

While the enclosed drawings show a ring-form chain retainer20in the general form of a teardrop shape, it will be appreciated that a very wide variety of other shapes and geometric configurations could equally be used while remaining within the broad scope of the invention. Further, if desired, the window frame within which blind1is mounted could contain a fastener or fastening mechanism that could also allow ring-form chain retainer to be releasably secured or otherwise releasably amounted to the window frame. end of insertion

It will further be appreciated that to minimize noise of operation, in an embodiment the shroud may be formed from a relatively soft plastic or plastic-like material having generally rounded edges that not only aid in reducing noise when coming into contact with a chain, but that also make the exterior of the shroud more comfortable to grasp by an individual. In other instances the shroud may be formed from wood or other natural material. It will further be appreciated that by forming the elongate body of the shroud with a fully enclosed exterior surface, the likelihood of an individual's hand becoming pinched between the shroud and the chain is minimized, noise that would otherwise be created through contact of the balls of the chain with holes or other openings in the exterior of the shroud is eliminated, a “cleaner” look is presented, and the ability for dust and debris to enter the shroud and to be deposited upon the chain is reduced. Where the shroud is formed from a plastic or plastic-like material, the described structure also presents the ability for the shroud to be formed through a single extrusion, thereby helping to minimize manufacturing costs. If desired, the shroud could be formed from a transparent or translucent material to minimize its visual appearance. In other cases the shroud may be coloured to match the colour of the window frame.

A further alternate embodiment of the invention is shown inFIGS.11through14. In this embodiment, shroud9may take any one of the forms or embodiments described above, including any one of those shown inFIGS.2through7. However, in this embodiment chain retainer8has been replaced with a ring-form chain retainer20which does not need to be secured to the frame of a window. Here, ring-form chain retainer20contains a hole or aperture21through which the looped chain or cord members4are received. Ring-form chain retainer20is of a size that is sufficient to prevent it from being pulled through internal passageway13of the elongate body10of shroud9. That is, ring-form chain retainer20is of a sufficient size such that shroud9will rest upon its upper surface, effectively preventing access to the chain or cord until such time as shroud9is lifted vertically to expose the two opposed legs of the chain or cord.

In an embodiment of the invention ring-form chain retainer20maybe of a general teardrop shape, having a portion or segment22with a greater mass, which will help to maintain the chain retainer in a generally vertical orientation with segment22directed in a vertically downward position. The mass of ring-form chain retainer20will also tend to hold the two opposing legs of the chain or cord4relatively vertical and taut along the side of the window frame. In this manner, shroud9will be encouraged to fall, under the act of gravity, downwardly until its lower end rests upon the top of the ring-form chain retainer. The mass of the ring-form chain retainer will also help to ensure that the leg members of the looped chain or cord will remain relatively vertically-oriented when shroud9is grasped and slid upwardly (along the chain or cord) when seeking to expose the lower ends of the chain or cord to permit operation of the roller blind. To facilitate movement of the chain or cord through hole or aperture21, that portion of ring-form chain retainer20surrounding hole or aperture21may be beveled or angled. Pulling on one leg of the chain or cord to operate the blind will thus permit the ring-form chain retainer to readily slide along the chain or cord without becoming caught or hung up. Further, ring-form chain retainer20may be formed from, or coated with, a silicone, plastic or other type material that helps to minimize the generation of noise when chain or cord4slides through hole or aperture21.

While the enclosed drawings show a ring-form chain retainer20in the general form of a teardrop shape, it will be appreciated that a variety of other shapes and geometric configurations could equally be used while remaining within the broad scope of the invention. Further, if desired, the window frame within which blind1is mounted could contain a fastener or fastening mechanism that could also allow ring-form chain retainer to be releasably secured or otherwise releasably amounted to the window frame. Still further, rather than utilizing a tear drop or other such shape to enhance the mass of a portion22of ring-form chain retainer20in a manner that encourages it to hang in a desired orientation, exterior or interior weights may be utilized.

It is to be understood that what has been described are the preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.