Patent ID: 8122932

Claim:
A link for coupling a first window and a second window covering, said window coverings being disposed coaxially and having respective mandrels, with the mandrel of one window covering being disposed adjacent to the mandrel of the second window covering, comprising: a first bushing sized and shaped to be introduced telescopically into the mandrel of the first window covering, said first bushing having a shaft opening; a second bushing sized and shaped to be introduced telescopically into the mandrel of the second window covering, said second bushing having a shaft opening; a shaft extending between and through said shaft openings, said shaft transmitting rotational forces between said mandrels; a clutch coupled to one of said bushings and having a first mode of operation in which said mandrels are rotationally interlocked through said shaft and a second mode of operation in which one mandrel is selectively rotated with respect to the other; and a bracket disposed in between and being disconnectable from said bushings, said bracket having a hole, said shaft passing through said hole and being supported by said bracket, wherein said first bushing includes a first drum having an outer surface supporting said first window covering; a second drum disposed radially inwardly of said first drum and engaging said shaft and a mechanism disposed between said first and said second drums to selectively engage and disengage said drums from each other.