Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel release mechanism for Roman Blinds or similar window treatments, whereby a cord release comprising a lift ball releasably attached to a spring release allow for effective operation of a Roman Blind or similar window treatment under normal operation, but allow release of a lift cord from the hem rail and through lift cord guides in the event that a child becomes entangled therein, or in the event that a user wishes to remove the shade material from the head rail.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/250,087 to David Cross, titled “Roman Blind Safety Release Mechanism”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a safety release mechanism for Roman Shades or Blinds. Roman Shades or Blinds are a popular choice in window coverings, and each are generally made of fabric in such a way that a unitary piece of fabric is hung vertically in a window opening to block incoming light. In operation, Roman Shades or Blinds are raised or lowered through the use of two or more lift cords that are attached on each side of the bottom of the shade or hem bar, with the lift cord running along the back of the Roman Shades or Blinds and through guide rings or openings in the fabric itself, and up to or through the head rail of the Roman Shades or Blinds. 
         [0003]    As noted above, the cords are attached at or near the bottom of the shade or hem bar, and are guided through the rings or cord guides to the top of the Roman Shade head rail and back through a pulley system or catch system such that when the cord is pulled by a user, the attachment point on the cord guides is pulled upward, thereby allowing the shade to be raised from the bottom up. As the lift cords are urged upward through pulling on the pull cord or operating the clutch mechanism, the shade or hem bar encounters each guide or ring, the fabric overlaps such that the fabric pleasantly cascades over the last folded portion. 
         [0004]    While the lift cord mechanism for Roman Shades or Blinds results in a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing shade, the design of Roman Shades or Blinds can result in possible safety hazards to young children through the forming of cord loops in the lift cords, and the point of connection between the bottom of the shade or hem bar presents a point where a child may be trapped between the cord and the shade. While this risk is significantly mitigated by the use of a passive restraint system, such as a quality clutch mechanism or a motorized lift system, that prevents the lift cords from being pulled back through the headrail, thereby making it extremely difficult for a child to form a loop, clutch mechanisms and/or motorization options can be an expensive option so having an inexpensive device, such as is proposed here, would be a benefit, particularly for individuals with lower incomes. As such, a functional lift cord release device that would reduce entanglement in the lift cord or in the Roman Blinds or Shades by children would be appreciated. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the development of a device that can be easily and intuitively put back together after separation, (whether intentional or accidental) is desirable for consumers. The use of a lift ball, as opposed to a geometrically shaped catch, means that it is fairly obvious to an end user how to reattach the mechanism after the lift ball has been separated from the spring release. 
         [0006]    Additionally, a lift cord release that would be operable to allow removal of the Roman Shades from the head rail or other hardware systems for maintenance, repair, or cleaning would be greatly appreciated. However, present releases such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,738 to Nien et al, do not allow for the simple removal of a cord release, as the release mechanisms are often larger than any rings through which the lift cord passes. Conversely, those releases that would allow the lift cord to retreat through each guide or ring allow the lift cord to be pulled entirely through the lift mechanism or clutch in the head rail, often resulting in an extended repair job that requires the disassembly of the head rail, or a nonfunctional unit. As such, a lift cord release that reduces the likelihood of child entanglement and allows disassembly of the Roman Shade or Blind without the requirement of restringing the lift mechanism would be greatly appreciated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a rear plan view of a Roman Blind having a cord release according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged view of a cord release on the Roman Blind of  FIG. 1  according to at least one embodiment of the present application. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear plan view of a Roman Blind having a cord release according to at least one embodiment, and where the lift ball has been released from a spring release. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of a lift ball traveling through the cord guides of the Roman Blind of  FIG. 2  according to at least one embodiment of the present application. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-section view of a lift ball according to at least one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a lift ball according to at least one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of a cord release according to at least one embodiment, showing a lift ball within a spring release. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of a cord release according to at least one embodiment, showing a lift ball pulled out of the spring release. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of a spring clip according to at least one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , according to at least one embodiment, a Roman Blind  10  incorporating a lift release is shown from the perspective of the back side of Roman Blind  10 . According to at least one embodiment, Roman Blind  10  comprises head rail  20 , through which lift cords  30  are routed and controlled through conventional pull mechanisms or clutch mechanisms known in the art (not shown). Optionally, a clutch mechanism using a gear reduction unit as known in the art may be utilized to reduce the amount of vertical movement of Roman Blind  10  per each actuation by a user. Additionally, lift cords  30  are routed through cord guides  40  attached to shade material  50  at predetermined intervals via attachment means  100  or other means, with lift cords  30  ultimately attaching to Roman Blind  10  at hem rail  60  through cord release  70 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , cord release  70  comprises lift ball  74  to which lift cord  30  is attached, and spring retainer  76 , which is attached to hem rail  60  or other suitable portion of shade material  50 . 
         [0017]    It will be appreciated that according to at least one exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 2A , lift ball  74  is sized to be smaller than the interior diameter of cord guides  40 , thereby allowing lift ball to be freely pulled through cord guides  40  when lift ball  74  is not releasably attached to spring retainer  76 . Conversely, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the overall size of cord release  70  when lift ball  74  is attached to spring retainer  76  as shown in  FIG. 1A , the overall size of cord release  70  is greater than the interior diameter of cord guides  40 , thereby precluding cord release  70  from traveling through cord guides  40  when lift ball  74  is attached to spring retainer  76 . Functionally, such a sizing allows lift cords  30  to urge cord release upward when a user engages the lifting mechanism, thereby allowing the cord to travel upward, pulling the hem rail  60  upward and likewise gathering up shade material  50  in a cascading effect as each cord guide is pulled upward as it is encountered by cord release  70  and/or hem rail  60 . As an optional embodiment, it will be appreciated that cord release  70  may be sized to be smaller than the interior diameter of cord guides  40  without adversely affecting the function of the cord lifting action. For example, since spring retainer  76  is attached to hem rail  60  or any other suitable portion of shade material  50 , it will be appreciated that cord guides  40  cannot pass over hem rail  60  or any other suitable portion of shade material  50  as lift cords  30  are being urged upward toward head rail  20 . 
         [0018]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , according to at least one embodiment, lift ball  74  is a substantially cylindrical or spherical ball sized to be larger than an opening defined by spring arms  80  of spring retainer  76 . As such, because spring arms  80  optionally comprise a material operable to be urged apart when an amount of force greater than a preselected amount is applied outwardly and/or upwardly against spring arms  80 , lift ball  74  is operable to be inserted within spring retainer  76  even though the diameter of lift ball is designed to be larger than the opening defined by spring arms  80 . Further, it will be appreciated that spring arms  80  and/or spring retainer  76  are optionally comprised of a resilient material, thereby allowing lift ball  74  to enter within the opening defined by spring arms  80  to be releasably inserted to spring retainer  76 . For example, spring arms  80  and/or spring retainer  76  may comprise a spring steel, steel, resilient plastic, or other material operable to allow lift ball  74  to be releasably inserted within spring retainer  76 . Likewise, it will be appreciated that the force necessary to insert and/or remove lift ball  74  from within spring retainer may be adjusted by varying the thickness of spring arms  80 , the material from which spring arms  80  or spring retainer  76 , by varying the opening defined by spring arms  80 , or by varying the diameter of lift ball  74 . By changing these variables, the force required to release lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  can be altered to ensure that the pulling force required to separate lift cord  30  from hem rail  60  is low enough to release the two elements prior to causing a choke hazard, but that the force is sufficient to maintain the elements together under average working conditions for Roman Blind  10 . 
         [0019]    Additionally a spring clip (a.k.a. “Alligator Clip”) may be used. By using an inner spring controlling the release force needed to pull the lift ball  74  from the spring retainer  76  may be easier to control in manufacturing. Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a spring clip  100  is shown as an alternative embodiment of a spring retainer  76 . In practice, a spring clip  100  includes clip arms  110 , a pivot hinge  120 , spring  130 , and, optionally, a tension adjustment mechanism  140 . In operation, lift ball  74  is retained between clip arms  110 , and spring  130  urges clip arms toward lift ball  74  to retain lift ball  74  within spring clip  100  unless sufficient force to lift cord  30  pulls lift ball  74  from spring clip  100 . In operation, spring  130  may be sized and shaped to adjust the force required to release lift ball  74  from spring clip  100 . Alternatively, a tension adjustment mechanism  140  may be utilized to allow a user to adjust the spring tension applied to spring clip  100  such that as tension adjustment mechanism may be turned in one direction to compress spring  130  and thereby increase the tension, or turned in the opposite direction to release compressive forces on spring  130 , and thereby decrease the tension and therefore the amount of force necessary to remove lift ball  74  from spring clip  100 . 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in the manufacturing of a releasable spring clip  100  it should be appreciated that different springs  130  may be utilized, with different characteristics, such as spring wire thickness or the numbers of turns in the spring to adjust the release tension of spring clip  100  to the desired level. 
         [0021]    It will be appreciated that placing a lift ball  74  back into releasable spring clip  100  is facilitated by squeezing the lower portion of clip arms  110 , thereby facilitating an easier return of lift ball  74  to spring clip  100  after it has been released, or during the process of manufacturing the shade when the lift cords have to be adjusted in order to ensure all lift cords are tied off at the same length so that the blind raised evenly. This improved ease of removal and replacement is further useful to the end consumer who may wish to remove the shade for cleaning. 
         [0022]    It will be appreciated that the total force required to pull lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  should vary depending upon the total weight of hem rail  60  and shade material  50 , as well as the total number of lift cords  30  utilized in the particular shade design. According to at least one embodiment, the total force required to pull lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  is no more than about 5 lbs. more than the total weight of the hem rail  60  divided by the total number of lift cords  30 ; is no more than about 4 lbs. more than the total weight of the hem rail  60  divided by the total number of lift cords  30 ; is no more than about 3 lbs. more than the total weight of the hem rail  60  divided by the total number of lift cords  30 ; is no more than about 2 lbs. more than the total weight of the hem rail  60  divided by the total number of lift cords  30 ; or is no more than about 1.5 lbs. more than the total weight of the hem rail  60  divided by the total number of lift cords  30 . 
         [0023]    According to at least one embodiment, the total force required to pull lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  may be calculated by the amount of force required to pull a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop. According to at least one embodiment, the total force required to pull lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  is no more than about 5 lbs. of force exerted on a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop; is no more than about 4 lbs. of force exerted on a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop; is no more than about 3 lbs. of force exerted on a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop; is no more than about 2 lbs. of force exerted on a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop; or is no more than about 1.5 lbs. of force exerted on a single lift cord  30  at approximately 90 degrees to the shade material  50  to form a loop. 
         [0024]    According to at least one embodiment, lift ball  74  is a substantially cylindrical or spherical ball sized to be smaller than cord guides  40  to allow lift ball  74  to pass through cord guides in the event that lift ball  74  is released from spring retainer  76 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , cord guides  40  is optionally be a ring-shaped structure attached to shade material  50 , or cord guides  40  may be another looped cord or openings within shade material  50  that allow lift ball  74  to be passed through shade material  50 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, lift ball  74  is sized to have a diameter of at least 0.01″ smaller than the inside diameter of cord guides  40 . According to at least one additional embodiment, lift ball  74  is sized to have a diameter of at least 0.125″ smaller than the inside diameter of cord guides  40 . According to at least one additional embodiment, lift ball  74  is sized to have a diameter of at least 0.25″ smaller than the inside diameter of cord guides  40 . 
         [0025]    According to at least one embodiment, lift ball  74  is sized larger than any openings within head rail  20 , thereby preventing retraction of attached lift cord  30  within head rail  20 . According to at least one embodiment, ball  74  is sized to have a diameter of at least 0.01″ larger than the largest opening in head rail  20 . 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a side cross section and top plan view of at least one embodiment of lift ball  74  is provided. As shown therein, lift ball  74  is substantially spherical, and includes at least one hollow channel  90  whereby at least one lift cord  30  is operable to pass therethrough. It will be appreciated that hollow channel  90  is optionally sized such that after passing the at least one lift cord  30  through hollow channel  90 , the at least one lift cord  30  may be tied into a knot such that the knot cannot pass through hollow channel  90 . Such a method of construction allows assembly of Roman Blind  10  to be more easily accomplished, as often lift cords  30  must be adjusted at the factory or upon purchase to ensure that lift cords  30  are of an appropriate length to ensure that hem rail  60  hangs horizontally and is retracted at the same rate when operated. Allowing adjustment through tying one or more knots in one or more lift cords  30  allows for a substantially easier adjustment of how hem rail  60  hangs. 
         [0027]    In at least one other embodiment, lift ball  74  may comprise a spring-loaded stop that substantially pinches the one or more lift cords  30  within hollow channel  90 , similar to those stops available under the ORB brand name and available from RollEase, Inc. 
       Example 
       [0028]    According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a chart for calculating the force to release a lift ball  74  from spring retainer  76  is provided. It will be appreciated that utilizing a release weight low enough to prevent potential strangulation or entanglement while still maintaining an operable blind may be difficult, particularly when a typical pull cord blind is utilized. A relatively low release weight plays against the desire for lift ball  74  not to accidentally separate from spring release  76  during normal operation. As such, Table 1 below establishes a calculation format easily utilized by manufacturers of roman blinds to calculate the minimum number of lift cords  30  lift to be utilized when manufacturing a blind so that the weight needed to lift the blind is no more than 1.5 pounds on average per lift cord. To utilize the calculation format shown below, a manufacturer supplies: the weight in grams per meter or ounces per square yards of the fabric (or fabrics, in the case of a lined shade) used, the weight of the “battens” or cross bars used (if any), the number of cross bars used in a given length of a shade and the weight of the hem rail  60 . 
         [0029]    As an example, Table 1A shows a size grid and the weight of a shade in each size (exclusive of the headrail or pulley mechanism) for roman shades with cross bars (or battens) in sizes up to 144″ (width)×150″ (length) using a typical fabric that weighs 9 ounces per square yard, a fiberglass hem rail  60  that weighs 1.6 oz per linear foot and battens (or cross bars) that weigh 0.6 oz per linear foot and are spaced about 9″ apart. From this weight chart, a manufacturer can deduce how many lift lines to use so that the weight per lift line is no more than 1.5 pounds, as shown in Table 1B, which can optionally be used in conjunction with Table 1A. This type of calculation can be easily done by someone who is relatively versed in the program “Excel,” and can modify the chart or calculation to ensure that each lift cord has a proper release weight while maintaining sufficient overall force to allow operation of the shade. Moreover, as Table 1 shows, lift lines do not have to be spaced more closely than 12″ apart, which is reasonable for manufacturers of roman shades. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1A 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Weight of a roman blind (in pounds) using: 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Shade fabric 
                 9 
                 oz/sq 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 weighting 
                   
                 yard 
               
               
                 Battens 
                 0.6 
                 oz per 
               
               
                 Weighing 
                   
                 foot 
               
               
                 Hem rail 
                 1.6 
                 oz per 
               
               
                 weighing 
                   
                 foot 
               
               
                 Hem rail Weight 
                 4.80 
                 6.40 
                 8.00 
                 9.60 
                 11.20 
                 12.80 
                 14.40 
                 16.00 
                 17.60 
                 19.20 
               
               
                 (Ounces) 
               
               
                 Weight per 
                 1.80 
                 2.40 
                 3.00 
                 3.60 
                 4.20 
                 4.80 
                 5.40 
                 6.00 
                 6.60 
                 7.20 
               
               
                 batten 
               
               
                 (Ounces) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Width of Shade in Inches 
                 Battens 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Length in Inches 
                 36 
                 48 
                 60 
                 72 
                 84 
                 96 
                 108 
                 120 
                 132 
                 144 
                 (9″ avg.) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 36 
                 1.20 
                 1.60 
                 2.00 
                 2.40 
                 2.80 
                 3.20 
                 3.60 
                 4.00 
                 4.40 
                 4.80 
                 3 
               
               
                 42 
                 1.41 
                 1.88 
                 2.34 
                 2.81 
                 3.28 
                 3.75 
                 4.22 
                 4.69 
                 5.16 
                 5.63 
                 4 
               
               
                 48 
                 1.61 
                 2.15 
                 2.69 
                 3.23 
                 3.76 
                 4.30 
                 4.84 
                 5.38 
                 5.91 
                 6.45 
                 5 
               
               
                 54 
                 1.71 
                 2.28 
                 2.84 
                 3.41 
                 3.98 
                 4.55 
                 5.12 
                 5.69 
                 6.26 
                 6.83 
                 5 
               
               
                 60 
                 1.91 
                 2.55 
                 3.19 
                 3.83 
                 4.46 
                 5.10 
                 5.74 
                 6.38 
                 7.01 
                 7.65 
                 6 
               
               
                 66 
                 2.12 
                 2.83 
                 3.53 
                 4.24 
                 4.94 
                 5.65 
                 6.36 
                 7.06 
                 7.77 
                 8.48 
                 7 
               
               
                 72 
                 2.33 
                 3.10 
                 3.88 
                 4.65 
                 5.43 
                 6.20 
                 6.98 
                 7.75 
                 8.53 
                 9.30 
                 8 
               
               
                 78 
                 2.42 
                 3.23 
                 4.03 
                 4.84 
                 5.64 
                 6.45 
                 7.26 
                 8.06 
                 8.87 
                 9.68 
                 8 
               
               
                 84 
                 2.63 
                 3.50 
                 4.38 
                 5.25 
                 6.13 
                 7.00 
                 7.88 
                 8.75 
                 9.63 
                 10.50 
                 9 
               
               
                 90 
                 2.83 
                 3.78 
                 4.72 
                 5.66 
                 6.61 
                 7.55 
                 8.49 
                 9.44 
                 10.38 
                 11.33 
                 10 
               
               
                 96 
                 3.04 
                 4.05 
                 5.06 
                 6.08 
                 7.09 
                 8.10 
                 9.11 
                 10.13 
                 11.14 
                 12.15 
                 11 
               
               
                 102 
                 3.13 
                 4.18 
                 5.22 
                 6.26 
                 7.31 
                 8.35 
                 9.39 
                 10.44 
                 11.48 
                 12.53 
                 11 
               
               
                 108 
                 3.34 
                 4.45 
                 5.56 
                 6.68 
                 7.79 
                 8.90 
                 10.01 
                 11.13 
                 12.24 
                 13.35 
                 12 
               
               
                 114 
                 3.54 
                 4.73 
                 5.91 
                 7.09 
                 8.27 
                 9.45 
                 10.63 
                 11.81 
                 12.99 
                 14.18 
                 13 
               
               
                 120 
                 3.75 
                 5.00 
                 6.25 
                 7.50 
                 8.75 
                 10.00 
                 11.25 
                 12.50 
                 13.75 
                 15.00 
                 14 
               
               
                 126 
                 3.96 
                 5.28 
                 6.59 
                 7.91 
                 9.23 
                 10.55 
                 11.87 
                 13.19 
                 14.51 
                 15.83 
                 15 
               
               
                 132 
                 4.05 
                 5.40 
                 6.75 
                 8.10 
                 9.45 
                 10.80 
                 12.15 
                 13.50 
                 14.85 
                 16.20 
                 15 
               
               
                 138 
                 4.26 
                 5.68 
                 7.09 
                 8.51 
                 9.93 
                 11.35 
                 12.77 
                 14.19 
                 15.61 
                 17.03 
                 16 
               
               
                 144 
                 4.46 
                 5.95 
                 7.44 
                 8.93 
                 10.41 
                 11.90 
                 13.39 
                 14.88 
                 16.36 
                 17.85 
                 17 
               
               
                 150 
                 4.56 
                 6.08 
                 7.59 
                 9.11 
                 10.63 
                 12.15 
                 13.67 
                 15.19 
                 16.71 
                 18.23 
                 17 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1B 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Minimum 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Number of Lift 
               
               
                 Cords to be 
               
               
                 Used to keep 
               
               
                 weight per lift 
               
               
                 cord below 1.5 
               
               
                 pounds per lift 
               
               
                 cord 
                 36 
                 48 
                 60 
                 72 
                 84 
                 96 
                 108 
                 120 
                 132 
                 144 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 36 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
               
               
                 42 
                 1 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
               
               
                 48 
                 1 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 54 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
               
               
                 60 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 66 
                 1 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
               
               
                 72 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
               
               
                 78 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
               
               
                 84 
                 2 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
                 7 
               
               
                 90 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
               
               
                 96 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 7 
                 8 
               
               
                 102 
                 2 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 8 
               
               
                 108 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
               
               
                 114 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 9 
               
               
                 120 
                 3 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 8 
                 9 
                 10 
               
               
                 126 
                 3 
                 4 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 10 
                 11 
               
               
                 132 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 10 
                 11 
               
               
                 138 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 9 
                 10 
                 11 
               
               
                 144 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 10 
                 11 
                 12 
               
               
                 150 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
                 10 
                 11 
                 12 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]    To further ensure that lift ball  74  does not accidentally separate from the spring release during operation, manufacturers of roman shades may optionally utilize a clutch mechanism with a gear reduction as the means of lifting the shade. A clutch mechanism with a gear reduction system, such as is commercially available from RollEase of Stamford Conn. or Coulisse of the Netherlands prevents end user from “jerking” the blind up quickly, thereby reducing the chance of accidental separation of lift ball  74  from spring release  76  during normal operation. 
         [0031]    It will further be appreciated a lift ball  74  and spring release  76  may be sold in a kit form to retrofit existing roman shades to allow them to break away. For example, lift ball  74  may be included with spring release  76 , with spring release  76  including a hole in its base operable to receive a screw or other fastener such that spring release  76  is attached to hem rail  60 . Additionally, cord guides  40  may be included such that cord guides  40  that are sized to allow lift ball to travel through them upon release, may be included, along with a means for attaching cord guides  40  to existing roman blind  10 . As such, through the sale of these elements in a unitary package, existing roman blinds  10  may be retrofitted into a safer or more convenient product. 
         [0032]    While specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, combinations of those embodiments, as well as certain variations thereof are included in the scope of this application.