| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080277074 | Roman shade with movable top rail - A Roman shade includes a head beam; a top rail located below the head beam; a shade body having an upper portion attached to the top rail; and a lift control unit including a plurality of lift locks mounted on the head beam for controlling the top rail and the shade body to stop at any desired lifted position, a plurality of first lift cords passed through one of the lift locks to fasten to a lower portion of the shade body, and a plurality of second lift cords passed through the other lift lock to fasten to the top rail. When the first lift cords are pulled to different extents, the shade body is lifted or lowered; and when the second lift cords are pulled to different extents, the top rail is caused to move toward or away from the head beam. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080295975 | Cordless roman shade - A cordless Roman shade includes a head rail internally provided with a tension lifting mechanism for providing a balancing force or a tension force; a shade connected at an upper portion to the head rail and including a plurality of horizontal cells; a plurality of lines associated with the shade and controlled by the tension lifting mechanism to rewind or release, so as to lift or lower the shade to a desired height; and at least one bracing system mounted on the lowest cell of the shade to stretch open and thereby stiffen the lowest cell. A user may apply an upward or downward force at the stiffened lowest cell to lift or lower the shade. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090101290 | Window covering safety device - A window covering is disclosed that has a safety device that includes a first cord segment having stops spaced along the first cord segment, and a second cord segment having stops spaced along the second cord segment. The first cord segment and the second cord segment extend from respective end caps. The end caps are configured to connect to the ends of a bottom rail. A first anchor is connected to the first cord segment, and a second anchor is connected to the second cord segment. At least one of the first end cap and the first anchor is configured to releasably connect to the first cord segment at a selected stop on the first cord segment and at least one of the second anchor and the second end cap is configured to releasably connect to the second cord segment at a selected stop on the second cord segment. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090301670 | Window covering - A window covering is disclosed that includes a first rail, window covering material adjacent the first rail, at least one lift cord extending through the window covering material to the headrail, a plurality of pulleys positioned adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor cord extending from the one or more spring motors and a rigid connector attached to one or more spring motor cords and one or more lift cords. The connector and one or more spring motor cords are configured to pass along at least one of the pulleys during movement along a cord path defined by one or more of the pulleys. The connector should have a length that is not greater than ⅙ of the circumference of at least one of the pulleys the connector passes over during extension of the window covering material. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100024994 | Window Covering Having at Least One Deformable Connector - A window covering is disclosed that includes a first rail, window covering material adjacent the first rail, at least one lift cord extending through the window covering material to the headrail, a plurality of pulleys positioned adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor cord extending from the one or more spring motors and a deformable connector attached to one or more spring motor cords and one or more lift cords. The connector is deformable to a size and shape sufficient for the connector and one or more spring motor cords to pass along at least one of the pulleys during movement along a cord path defined by one or more of the pulleys. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100126673 | Window Covering Having at Least One Cord Release Device - A window covering includes a plurality of lift cords extending from a headrail and window covering material connected to the headrail or the lift cords. At least one lift cord release device is attached to the window covering material. Each cord release device includes a clip portion, a first member and a second member. The clip portion is attached to the first and second members. The first and second members are sized and configured to releasably interconnect such that the first and second members at least partially define an opening sized to receive and releasably hold at least one lift cord when the first and second members are interconnected. The first and second members are also configured to separate and release the at least one lift cord when a release force exerted by any lift cord that is within the opening acts on the first or second member. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126674 | Roman Shade Having Child Safety Cord Release - A Roman shade is provided with a child safety device that includes a plurality of release devices configured for attachment to the shade material of the Roman shade. Each release device includes a female member and a male member that releasably connect together such that one member is attached to the shade material and the other member has an opening through which a lift cord passes. The male member and female member of each release device are sized and configured to separate when a release force acts on at least one of the female members and male members. A kit for retrofitting Roman shades to include such safety devices is also disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126677 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a plurality of lift cords extending from an upper rail and window covering material connected to the upper rail or the lift cords. A plurality of safety devices are attached to the window covering. Each safety device includes a male member and a female member. One of the members is attached to a respective lift cord and the other of the members is attached to a portion of the window covering material or a lower rail. The male and female members are configured to be attached together such that the male and female members separate from each other when a release force acts on at least one of the male member and female member. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126678 | WINDOW COVERING - A window covering includes a plurality of lift cords extending from an upper rail and window covering material connected to the upper rail or the lift cords. A plurality of safety devices are attached to the window covering. Each safety device includes a male member and a female member. One of the members is attached to a respective lift cord and the other of the members is attached to an upper rail, a portion of the window covering material or a lower rail. The male and female members are configured to be attached together such that the male and female members separate from each other when a release force acts on at least one of the male member and female member. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126679 | Kit for a Roman Shade - A Roman shade is provided with a child safety device that includes a plurality of release devices configured for attachment to the shade material of the Roman shade. Each release device includes a female member and a male member that releasably connect together such that one member is attached to the shade material and the other member has an opening through which a lift cord passes. The male member and female member of each release device are sized and configured to separate when a release force acts on at least one of the female members and male members. A kit for retrofitting Roman shades to include such safety devices is also disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100299883 | Window Covering Safety Device - A window covering is disclosed that has a safety device that includes a first cord segment having stops spaced along the first cord segment, and a second cord segment having stops spaced along the second cord segment. The first cord segment and the second cord segment extend from respective end caps. The end caps are configured to connect to the ends of a bottom rail. A first anchor is connected to the first cord segment, and a second anchor is connected to the second cord segment. At least one of the first end cap and the first anchor is configured to releasably connect to the first cord segment at a selected stop on the first cord segment and at least one of the second anchor and the second end cap is configured to releasably connect to the second cord segment at a selected stop on the second cord segment. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110024065 | Window Covering - A window covering is provided that includes a first rail and window covering material positioned adjacent to the first rail. One or more telescoping tubes are attached to the headrail and extend to the window covering material or to a bottom rail. The one or more telescoping tubes retract when the window covering material is retracted and extend when the window covering material is extended. Some embodiments of the window covering may include one or more lift cords. Portions of the one or more lift cords may extend from a lift mechanism through the telescoping tubes. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110198044 | WINDOW COVERING - A window covering includes a first rail, window covering material, lift cords that extend from adjacent the first rail to the window covering material, and at least one pulley and at least one pulley release device. At least one pulley is positioned so that at least one lift cord passes along that pulley. Each pulley release device is attached to at least one respective pulley to releasably connect the one or more pulleys to the first rail. Each pulley release device is configured to permit the one or more pulleys to which it is attached to release from the first rail when a release force acts on a component of the pulley release device. Preferably, the one or more pulleys are positioned on the outside of the first rail adjacent to the window covering material. The one or more pulleys may also be positioned adjacent to a valance. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110220301 | WINDOW COVERING - A window covering includes a first rail; window covering material, a liner, a first lift cord, and a second lift cord. The liner is positioned adjacent to the rear side of the window covering material and is moveable from a retracted position to an extended position. The liner has at least one pocket. Each pocket defines a channel within the liner. The first and second lift cords extend from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom edge of the window covering material. Each lift cord extends through a channel defined by a pocket of the one or more pockets. The window covering may be a Roman shade or other window covering, such as a top down bottom up shade. Preferably, the liner covers the lift cords such that no portion of a lift cord is exposed sufficiently for a child to become entangled within any of the lift cords. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110247761 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a roller attached to a mounting device and an actuation device attached to the roller to rotate the roller in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. A front member is attached to the mounting device. A second member is attached to the roller. A plurality of ballast members are attached to the front member. Each ballast member has a portion that extends to the second member to engage the second member to cause the front member to form substantially parallel folds when the second member is wound about the roller to retract the front member to a retracted position. Preferably, the folds are similar to or exactly like the transverse folds in shade material that are formed when a conventional Roman shade is raised. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247762 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a roller attached to a mounting device and an actuation device attached to the roller to rotate the roller in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. A front member is attached to the mounting device. A second member is attached to the roller. A plurality of ballast members are attached to at least one of the front member and the second member. Each ballast member is configured to cause or enable the front member to form substantially parallel folds when the second member is wound about the roller to retract the front member to a retracted position. Preferably, the folds are similar to or exactly like the transverse folds in shade material that are formed when a conventional Roman shade is raised. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247765 | Window Covering - A window covering may include a roller attached to a mounting device, and a front member attached to the mounting device. Strips may extend from a roller attached to the mounting device. An upper portion of each strip may be attached to the roller and a lower portion of each strip may be connected to a bottom portion of the front member. Each strip passes through a respective column of ballast members. The ballast members are connected to the front member. The columns may each be comprised of ballast members that are not more than six inches below an immediately adjacent upper ballast member when the front member is in the extended position. The spacing of the ballast members and widths of the strips cooperate to prevent any of the strips from being pulled away from the ballast members to form a loop having a diameter greater than twelve inches. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110277943 | Window Covering - A window covering includes at least one spring motor attached to a rotatable shaft. The spring motor includes at least one spring member that has an elongated body having a windable length, a uniform thickness throughout the windable length, a uniform width throughout the windable length, and a uniform rectangular cross section throughout the windable length. The spring member is configured so that it has a different microstructure at different portions of the first spring member located along the windable length of such that the spring member exerts an amount of force as the portions of the first spring member may wind about a roller of the spring motor that progressively increases such that the roller may prevent movement of the shaft to maintain a position of the window covering material after the window covering material is moved to a particular raised position. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120132373 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a first sheet of material connected to a mounting device adjacent to the front side of the window covering. A second sheet of material may be connected to a roller attached to the mounting device so that the second sheet is windable and unwindable from the roller. A third sheet of material is connected to the mounting device or the first sheet such that the second sheet is positioned between the first and third sheets. The first side of the first sheet is connected to a first side of the third sheet at first positions and the opposite sides of the first and third sheets are connected together at second positions. The second positions may be parallel to the first positions. The second sheet extends from the roller between the first and second positions and between the first sheet and the third sheet. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120160426 | Window Covering - A window covering includes window covering material that extends from a first rail. A first lift cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent the bottom of the window covering material. A first spacer cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom of the window covering material. First hitches extend from the first spacer cord to encircle the first lift cord. The window covering may have additional lift cords and may utilize other similar spacer cords having hitches that extend to those lift cords as well. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120168094 | Window Covering with Cord Shrouds - A window covering includes a first set of vertically spaced apart connectors and a second set of vertically spaced apart connectors. A first lift cord has a first portion extending from a first rail and passing through or adjacent the connectors of the first set of connectors and the second lift cord has a second portion extending from the first rail and passing through or adjacent the connectors of the second set of connectors. A first cord shroud and a second cord shroud extend from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom portion of window covering material. The first cord shroud is attached to the first set of connectors and the second cord shroud is attached to the second set of connectors. The first portion passes through the first cord shroud and the second portion passes through the second cord shroud. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120175067 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a roller attached to a mounting device and an actuation device attached to the roller to rotate the roller in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. A front member is attached to the mounting device. A second member is attached to the roller. A plurality of ballast members are attached to the front member. Each ballast member has a portion that extends to the second member to engage the second member to cause the front member to form substantially parallel folds when the second member is wound about the roller to retract the front member to a retracted position. Preferably, the folds are similar to or exactly like the transverse folds in shade material that are formed when a conventional Roman shade is raised. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120211180 | Loop Cord Tension Device for Window Coverings - A loop cord tension device assembly includes a housing, a spring member connected to the housing, a loop cord retention member connected to the housing, and a locking body connected to the spring member. The loop cord retention member has a channel sized and configured to receive a portion of a looped cord. The locking body is moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position. The portion of the loop cord received within the channel of the loop cord retention member is not rotatable when the locking body is in the locked position and the portion of the loop cord received within the channel of the loop cord retention member is rotatable when the locking body is in the unlocked position. The loop cord tension device assembly may be connected to the looped cord of a window covering and mounted to a structure to improve child safety. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120227910 | Window Covering - A window covering includes a liner positioned adjacent to the rear side of window covering material. The liner is attached to at least one of the window covering material and a first rail to define at least one cavity between the window covering material and the liner. At least one ladder is attached to the liner and positioned in the at least one cavity. The at least one ladder has vertically spaced rungs. At least one lift cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent to the bottom edge of the window covering material. The at least one cord passes adjacent to the at least one ladder such that the at least one lift cord passes over the rungs of the at least one ladder such that the at least one lift cord alternates from passing behind and in front of successive rungs. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120305199 | Window Covering and Method of Making the Same - A window covering includes rings attached to window covering material at predetermined positions and loops attached to a liner at predetermined positions such that each loop is positioned between two of the rings. Each of the loops is formed by a filament that passes through a liner at two spaced apart points, the filament having an anchor such that the loops are positioned between an inner side of the liner and a rear side of the window covering material and the anchor is positioned on an outer side of the liner. Lift cords extend from a first rail and pass through the rings and the loops. The liner and the window covering material are attached together to enclose the lift cords between the liner and the window covering material. The window covering material and liner are moveable relative to the first rail to retracted and extended positions. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130075045 | Safety Mechanism for Top Down Bottom Up Shades - A window covering includes a first set of lift cords extending from a headrail to middle rail. The first set of lift cords is extendable between the headrail and the middle rail to a predetermined distance, which defines a lowermost position of the middle rail relative to the headrail. The first set of lift cords is also retractable to a wound position for defining an uppermost position of the middle rail. A second set of lift cords extends from the headrail to the bottom rail and is extendable from between the middle rail and bottom rail to define an extended position of window covering material. The predetermined distance that the first set of lift cords may extend is selected to help prevent children from becoming entangled in the first set of lift cords when the middle rail is lowered away from the headrail. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130079186 | Looped-Cord System for Window Coverings - A looped-cord system includes a beaded cord having a set of beads connected in series to form a loop with a space between each pair of adjacent beads. In one embodiment a stop sized to fit within the space between a pair of adjacent beads is attached to a housing. A resilient finger located opposite the stop pushes a portion of the beaded cord adjacent to and not engaging the sprocket against the stop so the stop is within a space between a pair of adjacent beads, thereby preventing movement of the cord loop. Applying tension to the cord loop overcomes the resilient finger and moves the cord away from the stop enabling movement of the cord loop. In another embodiment a key engages the sprocket preventing the sprocket from turning until tension is applied to the cord loop by proper installation of the tensioner on the cord loop. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130091968 | TENSION DEVICE FOR LOOPED-CORD SYSTEM - A tension device for a corded-loop drive system has a base with a sprocket on the base such that the cord loop travels over the sprocket. At least one resilient finger has a first end attached to the base and a free end. Each finger is sized and positioned to engage the cord loop when the tension device is not properly mounted to a wall or window frame and prevent movement of the cord loop around the sprocket. There is a hole in the finger through which a screw passes. When the base is placed on a mounting surface and the screw is driven into the mounting surface, the free end of the finger will have moved from the first position to a second position away from the cord so that the cord loop may move around the sprocket and the window covering can be fully raised and fully lowered. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130126105 | Window Covering Having Cord Shrouds - A window covering includes a plurality of cord shrouds for enclosing or covering lift cords. Each of the cord shrouds may be continuously attached to the window covering material via a continuous attachment mechanism that includes one or more columns of stitching, beads of adhesive or welding. The cord shrouds may prevent the lift cords from being pulled away from the window covering material to form loops that could pose a danger to a young child. Embodiments of the window covering may be configured as top down bottom up shades or other types of shades. The window covering material may be composed of any of a number of different materials. For example, the window covering material could include pleated material, or could be comprised of a sheet of material consisting of woven wood, interconnected fabric segments, non woven fabric or woven fabric. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130248125 | Window Covering Having a Lift System Utilizing Conical Spools - A window covering has an upper rail and lift cords that extend from the upper rail to window covering material. The lift cords are wound onto respective conical spools when the window covering material is retracted and is unwound from the spools when the window covering material is extended. The conical spools move along a portion of the length of a shaft that couples the conical spools to a spring motor when the window covering material is moved from a retracted position to an extended position. The lift cords are unwound from the spools so that a segment of the lift cord that extends from the spool through a hole in the headrail is positioned adjacent a portion of the spool that has a smaller diameter when the window covering material is in the extended position as compared to when the window covering material is in the retracted position. | 09-26-2013 |
