Patent ID: 8746320

Claim:
A control mechanism adapted for use with a window covering that has a head rail, a bottom member, and a shade element arranged between a head rail and a bottom member, the control mechanism comprising: a drive axle defining a longitudinal axis and operable to rotate for raising and lowering the bottom member; a fixed housing including a sidewall and a key member, the sidewall including a first gripping structure; a clutch module assembled within the housing and connected with the key member, wherein the clutch module comprises a coupling element, an end surface of the coupling element includes a second gripping structure that axially faces the first gripping structure, and a hole for assembling the drive axle through the coupling element, the coupling element and the second gripping structure being rotationally dependent of the drive axle and movable in unison along the drive axle, the coupling element further being movable with the second gripping structure along the drive axle between a first position and a second position driven by the rotation of the drive axle, wherein the first and second gripping structures are axially spaced apart from each other and rotation of the drive axle is permitted when the coupling element is in the first position, and the first and second gripping structures contact and axially engage with each other and rotation of the drive axle is blocked when the coupling element is in the second position; and a reciprocator disposed adjacent to the coupling element, the reciprocator defining a guide track interacting with the key member, wherein rotation of the reciprocator causes relative movement of the key member along the guide track so as to cause axial movement of the coupling element and the second gripping structure with respect to the drive axle between the first and second positions.