An Improved Self-acting Catch or Apparatus for Securing the Cords of Venetian and other Blinds and for other Analogous Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: An Improved Self-acting Catch or Apparatus for Securing the Cords
of Venetian and other Blinds and for other Analogous Purposes.
] JOHN ROBERT EARNSHAW of 74 Market Street, Manchester, Architect, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 the construction of a self-acting catch or apparatus
whereby the two cords of say a Venetian blind may be grasped simultaneously and
thus effectually hold the blind at any desired height, and which is equally applicable
for holding the cords of a ventilator, bird-cage or for any analagous purpose.
On the accompanying drawing Fig. 1. is a front elevation and Fig. 2. a front
sectional view of my improved self-acting catch or apparatus, drawn about full size.
Fig. 3. is a plan view of Fig. 1. looking downwards, and Fig. 4. a similar plan view
looking upwards, and Fig. 5. is a side sectional view of Fig. 1. upon the line a-b.
1
In performing my invention I employ a by preference hollow metallic socket or
casing a. which on the inside is provided with tapering walls b. b. Inside this socket a.
is a correspondingly tapered wedge_c. Sufficient space is left on either side of this
wedge c. for one of a pair of cords d. of a blind to pass freely when the wedge is in
its lowest position as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2.
This socket or casing a. being secured in a vertical position to any convenient part
of the window frame by means of the screws e. f. as illustrated in Fig. 5. and the
cords d. of the venetian blind passed through, the action of my improved catch may
be described as follows:-
So long as the cords d. are pulled downwards the wedge e. remains in its lowest
position supported by the screw f. as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, but
immediately the said cords are "let "the wedge c. becoming caught between the said
cords is instantly raised and so wedges such cords between itself and the tapering
sides b. b. of the socket (as illustrated in Fig. 2) as to effectually hold the blind. To
release the cords again say for lowering the blind it is only necessary to draw the
cords downwards in a forward or inclined direction as indicated in Fig. 5. when the
wedge will immediately fall and rest upon the screw f. as indicated in Fig. 2. To

page_text: further assist the separating and releasing of the cords from the wedge, a tapering
projection is provided.
It will thus be apparent that this apparatus depends for its action upon the cords d.
catching or lifting the wedge c. between them and that such wedge in turn becomes
locked between the tapering sides b. b. of the socket and so secures the cords at any
desired height.
It will be observed that this invention dispenses with the additional check cord
which has hitherto been necessary in securing the cords of Venetian blinds.
In Fig. 6. I represent a front view, in Fig. 7. a front sectional view in Fig. 8. a
side sectional view, and in Fig. 9. a side exterior view of a modification of my inven-
tion for securing single cords for instance say of roller blinds. Fig. 10. is a plan
view of Fig. 6. looking downwards and Fig. 11. a similar plan view looking upwards.
I employ a by preference similar metallic socket . secured to the window frame by
the screws . and j. but instead of a welge in this case I insert a roller or wheel A.
between the cord 7. and the tapering front m. of the socket. This roller k. acts as the
wedge becoming locked in position as indicated in Fig. 8. when held in a vertical
direction and let go," but releasing itself and so allowing the blind to descend when
drawn in an inclined or forward direction as indicated in Fig. 9.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention together with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying the
same into practical effect, 1 declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The construction and arrangement of tapered socket or casing provided with a
correspondingly shaped wedge for simultaneously grasping a pair of cords and
operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated
on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. The construction and arrangement of tapered socket or easing provided with
a roller for grasping a single cord and operating substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.
1007
10
{P Sum now
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.