IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS OR FASTENINGS FOR BLIND, SASH, AND OTHER SIMILAR CORDS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Daniel Sprague of Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood
In the County of Surrey for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS
OR FASTENINGS FOR BLIND, SASH, AND OTHER SIMILAR CORDS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Daniel Sprague at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th January 1883.
JOHN DANIEL SPRAGUE of Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, in the County of
Surrey IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS OR FASTENINGS FOR BLIND, SASH, AND OTHER
SIMILAR CORDS
This invention has for its object the production of an execedingly simple, cheap,
and effective holder or fastening for blinds, sashes, and other similar appliances that
require a cord for their adjustment, and temporary retention at any particular
height or position.
The invention consists of a metal case or frame having a slit or opening in front
from top to bottom, but extended in width within. In the interior, one side of the
case is either perpendicular, sloping, or curved, and on the opposite side, also within
the case, is an indented pawl which is kept in position by a pin that passes partially
through it and the case at its upper part. The case has also holes on each side
through which screws pass for fastening it to the side of the window or other place
to which it is to be applied,-
-or the case may be made with suitable flanges having
holes for the same purpose.
The action is as follows. The cord having been passes throug [sic] the slit in front
and pulled slightly on one side and against the pawl, the teeth or indentations of
the said pawl engage in the cord, and on the cord being partially released and the
weight of the blind or sash allowed to operate upon the cord the pawl is drawn up
and jams the cord against the opposite side of the case, where it remains fixed. To
release the cord, it is simply necessary to draw down the cord slightly, when the
pawl drops and the cord becomes free.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Daniel Sprague in the Great Scal Patent Office on the
17th July 1883.
JOHN DANIEL SPRAGUE of Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, in the County of
Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS OR FASTENINGS FOR BLIND, SASH, AND OTHER
"
SIMILAR CORDS,"
This invention has for its object the production of an exceedingly, simple, cheap,
and effective holder or fastening for blinds, sashes and other similar appliances that
require a cord for their adjustment and temporary retention at any particular
height or position.
The invention consists of a metal case, or frame having a slit or opening in front
from top to bottom, but extended in width within. In the interior one sido of the
case is either perpendicular sloping, or curved, and on the opposite side, also within
the case is an indented pawl which is kept in position by a pin that passes through
it and the case at its upper part.
The caso has also holes on each side through
which screws pass for fastening it to the side of the window, or other place to
which it is to be applied, or the case may be made with suitable flanges having
holes for the same purpose.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, drawings are attached
hereto of which the following is a description. Fig 1 is a side elevation of a cord
holder provided with flanges or projections for fastening it to the window frame,
or other fixture. Fig 2 is a side sectional elevation of the same. Fig 3 is a plan
of it, and Fig 4 is an end elevation. Fig 5 is a front elevation of a cord holder
without flanges. Fig 6 is a side sectional elevation of Fig 5 and Fig 7 is a plan of
it. In each of the views similar letters refer to the same parts.-A is the metal
case, frame, or shell, having flanges B, B, and an opening C in its front side to pass
the cords through.-D is the indented pawl with its pivot E-F, F are holes
through which wood screws pass to fix the case to the window frame. G, G are
cords showing the manner in which the same are held. The drawings exhibit the
cord holder as of full size for ordinary window blinds, but for larger cords it may
be increased in proportion, and is not limited in this respect.
The action is as follows, The cord having been passed through the slit in front
and pulled slightly on one side and against the pawl, the teeth or indentations of
the said pawl engage in the cord, and on the cord being partially released and the
weight of the blind or sash allowed to operate upon the cord the pawl is drawn up
and jams the cord against the opposite side of the case where it remains fixed.
The pivot while used to keep the pawl in position bears little or no strain, the
jamming strain being borne by the ends of the case, the pawl and cord intervening,
and this forms a special feature in this invention. To release the cord it is simply
necessary to draw down the cord slightly, when the pawl drops and the cord
becomes free.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this invention
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect I would
observe in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements that I have described or referred to as variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this invention,
but what I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the invention
secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction of cord holders in which the pawl is so arranged that
the pivot upon which it works bears but a very slight, if any, strain of the

page_text: jamming action necessary to hold the cord, as herein described and shown on the
drawings.
Secondly. The construction of cord holders with an opening C as herein
described and shown on the drawings,-and
Thirdly. The general arrangement of the several parts as herein described and
shown on the drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Daniel Sprague have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of July in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.