An Improved Cord Clip, Applicable to Venetian and other Blinds.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Cord Clip, Applicable to Venetian and other Blinds.
I, EDWIN CHAMBERS JOHN DEVIS, Engineer, formerly of the Athenæum,
Glasgow, but now of Laurel Cottage, School Road, Moseley, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a clip capable of holding, in any desired
position, cords subjected to tension and required to be adjustable in the directions
of their lengths, and is especially intended for use with the double cords of venetian
blinds, to obviate the necessity of knots in such cords.
My contrivance consists of a metallic sleeve made in two halves clasping the
cord or cords and pinned or otherwise connected together in such manner that they
can turn slightly on each other round a point at or near the bottom,-the upper
parts of the two halves being divergent from each other, like a pair of horns.
The use of the contrivance is as follows: The cord or cords having been threaded
through the clip or sleeve from top to bottom, the lattor is brought firmly up.
against a hook, nail, knob, or other suitable fixture, such fixture being brought
between the two horns of the sleeve, and in the case of double cords it may be
between the cords, as it is when knots are used. The pressure of this fixture on
the inclined surfaces of the horns forces them apart and grips the cord at a point
near or at the bottom, according as the turning point is at or near the bottom
respectively, and further tension. on the cord presses the horns apart more forcibly
and thus grips the cord more firmly.
For use with single cords it is preferable, and for use with double cords it is optional,
to use a special fixture, such as an eye-screw, a staple, or a pair of nails, through or
between which the cord or cords can pass from the clip or sleeve.
To prevent the clip falling when not in use it may be hung loosely on to the fixture,
or may be fitted with a pair of springs which will pinch the cord sufficiently tightly
to carry its weight.
Dated the 19th
M
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Cord Clip, Applicable to Venetian and other Blinds.
I, EDWIN CHAMBERS JOHN DEVIS, Engineer, formerly of the Athenæum,
Glasgow, but now of Laurel Cottage, School Road, Moseley, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a clip of simple and cheap construction,
capable of holding in desired positions the cords used for actuating window blinds
and for analogous purposes, such as actuating maps, screens, curtains, windows,
ventilators &c. It is especially applicable to the double or treble cords of venetian
blinds as it obviates the necessity of knots in such cords and largely diminishes
the trouble of securing them in the desired positions.
My clip consists essentially of a metallic sleeve or sheath, preferably of sheet
brass, though other metals may be used and it may be cast or inade partly of wire.
This sheath is made in two similar and equal or nearly equal parts each of which
is roughly trough shaped, so that whenthey are placed together there is a clear

page_text: passage through them from end to end, through which the cord or cords can be
threaded. The upper parts of the two halves are divergent from each other like a
pair of horns, and at or near the lower end they are connected together in
convenient way which allows of them turning on each other through a small angle
about the connecting point.
any
The use of the clip is as follows:-The cord or cords having been freed from knots
and threaded through it from top to bottom, it is brought firmly up against a hook,
nail, knob or other suitable fixture, such fixture being brought between the two horns
of the sleeve or clip, so as to press them apart, and in the case of double or treble
cords it is preferably between the cords also, as it is when knots are used. In
such a case the clip is, in effect, simply a movable knot on the cords. The pressure
of the fixture between the horns forces the latter apart and grips the cord or cords
at a point at or near the bottom of the clip according as the turning point of the
latter is near or at the bottom respectively; and it is obvious that the greater the
tension on the cords the more forcibly are the horns pressed apart and consequently
the tighter becomes the grip on the cords.
Some of the forms in which I make the clip are represented by the accompanying
drawings, which show the contrivance in approximately its full size. In figs. 1 & 2,
which show elevation and inverted plan respectively, the two halves A A of the
clip or sleeve are pinned together by two rivets B B near the bottom, and the
outer side of each half is bent inwards at the bottom to form two inwardly projecting
edges to grip the cord or cords.
Fig. 3 shows a similar clip but with the two rivets replaced by one long one B
passing right through and as near one side as possible so as to leave a clear way for
the cords.
These forms are preferably stamped from sheet brass.
Figs. 4 & 5 show elevation and inverted plan of another form, of which one half is
shown separately in Fig. 6. This can be made out of brass tube by cutting away
about half the diameter of the tube all along except at one or more points Con
each half, where it is left complete, such parts on the one half alternating with and
passing in between those on the other, so that when put together they form a continuous
tube for-the cords to pass through. The two halves are not connected together except
by the cords themselves, and when the horns are pressed out by the fixture the cords
are gripped by the alternating jaws or rings C C, and the two half sleeves merely butt
against each other at a point at or close to the bottom, round which point they turn.
Fig. 7 shows a similar clip in which the two halves are however connected at the
bottom by a piece of metal, B, which may be left continuous with A A, and which has
an opening, D, in it large enough for the cords to pass through.
These patterns may be also made from sheet brass, as suggested by Fig. 8, the two
halves A A being first stamped out and the rings CC being fixed on by soldering,
brazing, or otherwise.
The rings CCCC, instead of alternating with each other, may cross or pass through
each other in pairs, like pairs of links in a chain.
To prevent the clip falling down when not in use it may be loosely suspended to
whatever fixture is used, or in some cases I provide it with a spring or springs which
exert sufficient pressure on the cord to support the weight of the clip. The form
described with reference to figs. 1 & 2 is shown in figs. 9 & 10 furnished with two
such springs D D made out of the metal of the clip itself by slitting and bending
inwards, but they may be made separately and fixed on.
In the form shown by fig. 7 the bottom piece B may be made to exert a slight
opening pressure on the clip with the same object.
Figs. 11 & 12 show in actual use the form of clip described with reference to
figs. 1 & 2, fig. 11 with an ordinary brass-headed nail, the two or more cords being
separated by it, and fig. 12 with a staple through which the single cord passes, and
instead of which two nails may be used, or a piece of sheet brass with two ends bent
up and projecting outwards; some such double fixture being preferable to prevent the
clip tilting up sideways and pulling away..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
A cord clip of construction substantially as hereinbefore described and for the
purposes described.
Data: 20th
1000