Window covering height adjustment apparatus and method using fixed position rotor

[0002] This invention relates generally to control or adjustment of window coverings, and more particularly to ease and efficiency of window covering height adjustment. Such coverings are referred to as shades, and may be formed by pleats of a single piece of material, or by other configuration.

[0003] There is need for improvements in adjustability of such coverings or shades, as for example where the effective window covering height of the shade is to be adjusted. In the past, pleated shades were suspended by their own material, i.e. were allowed to hang, causing the weight of the shade to expand the pleats. It was then difficult to accurately adjust shade height, since over time the shade weight could expand the pleats, changing the overall height of the shade. Such pleated shades typically consisted of paper.

[0004] It is a major object of the invention to provide an easily adjustable means allowing shade height adjustment, and where only a minimum number of shade supporting lines are required.

[0005] Basically, the improvement comprises

[0006] a) upper support structure at or proximate the shade top,

[0007] b) at least one substantially vertically elongated shade support line extending downwardly from said upper support structure,

[0008] c) shade lower support structure at or proximate the shade bottom,

[0009] and shade adjustment includes:

[0010] d) elevating or lowering the shade lower support structure relative to the one or more support lines,

[0011] e) and effectively securing the shade lower support structure at a selected height position relative to the line length,

[0012] f) said securing including effecting attachment of the line to a fixed support relative to which the shade lower support structure is raised or lowered,

[0013] g) whereby the height of the shade bottom can be quickly manually adjusted by adjustment of the height of the shade lower support structure.

[0014] In one example the attachment is effected by adjustable wrapping of the line about a rotary drum; and in another example, the line is attached or anchored to a part of the window frame. In that event, the invention contemplates providing a clip supporting the lower support structure, and adjusting the clip along the anchored line to clip to the line at a selected position at which the lower support structure is to be supported.

[0015] As will appear, the shade is typically provided in the form of a sequence of pleats, and the line or lines is or are located adjacent such pleats.

[0016] Another object includes provision for weight of the lowermost extent of the shade to be carried by the shade lower support structure as that lower support structure is elevated to shorten the height of the shade. As the shade lower support structure is adjusted upwardly, the line below that support structure is typically wound automatically by a fixed position drum or rotor relative to which the lowermost support structure travels up or down.

[0017] A further object is to provide for encasing the fixed position drum or rotor in a housing, and securing that housing on window frame structure.

[0018] Another object is to employ multiple lines to support the shade lowermost support structure, such lines transferring loading to the line wound on the drum.

[0019] A further object is to provide a spring associated with the drum, and acting to urge the drum in a rotary direction to wind the line.

[0020] Yet another object is to provide a housing upper opening to pass the line for winding on the drum.

[0021] An additional object is to provide a manipulable brake in association with the housing to brake rotation of the drum or travel of the line, in shade adjusted position, and alternatively to allow rotation of the drum or travel of the line for winding or unwinding as shade height is adjusted. Safety is enhanced.

[0022] These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is an elevation showing an adjustably supported window shade;

[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing use of a fixed position line wrapping device or cord adjuster;

[0025] FIG. 2ais a section taken through the FIG. 2 device;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a section showing relationship of a single wrapping line to two lines at shade upper support structure;

[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic view showing shade lowering;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 showing shade elevation; and FIG. 5ashows completion of shade elevation;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a completely lowered shade, with a fixed position control;

[0030] FIG. 7 is an end elevation taken on lines 7—7 of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIGS. 8 and 8aare views like FIGS. 5 and 5a, showing a modification.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 1 showing a further modification.

[0033] In FIG. 1, shade upper support structure is shown at 10, as in the form of a horizontal upper part 10aof a window frame. The frame also includes frame lower part 10b, and verticals at 10cand 10d. The window may for example include a glass pane 12.

[0034] A window shade or cover is shown at 13, and may include pleats 13a, which expand apart to extend diagonally back and forth, when the shade is hung. An upper shade support structure is located at or proximate the shade top. See for example horizontal slat 14 the upper side of which may be attached to the frame part 10a, as for example by tape having adhesive at its opposite sides.

[0035] At least one, and preferably two support lines or cords 17 are suspended from slat 14, the two illustrated lines 17 being spaced apart horizontally. Those lines pass downwardly through holes in the pleats, as seen in FIG. 7, and they also pass downwardly loosely through holes or openings 18 in a shade lower support structure located at or proximate the shade bottom. As shown, the lower support structure comprises a horizontally elongated lower slat 19. The uppermost pleat 13aamay be attached to the underside of the upper slat 14; and the lowermost pleat 13bbmay be attached to the upper side of the lower slat 19. The attachments may be made by use of dual adhesive sided tape.

[0036] The shade height may therefore be adjusted by manually elevating or lowering the lower slat 19, relative to the line or lines 17, and securing it in adjusted position.

[0037] Such securing is preferably made by a fixed position line wrapping adjusting device 20, whereby the lower slat 19 is held in selected elevated position by device 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 20 is fixed to the window frame member 10d, and controls wrapping of a line section 17aon a drum 21 in a case 22. The opposite end of line is attached to a holder 20′ supporting slat 14. The method of use includes:

[0038] d) elevating or lowering the shade lower support structure relative to one or more support lines,

[0039] e) and effectively securing the shade lower support structure to the line or lines at a selected height position relative to the line length above the lower support structure,

[0040] f) such securing including effecting adjustable wrapping of a line about a rotary drum provided at a fixed support position relative to which the shade lower support structure is raised or lowered,

[0041] g) whereby the height of the shade bottom can be quickly manually adjusted by adjustment of the height of the shade lower support structure having securement to said line or lines.

[0042] FIGS. 2 and 2ashow a rotary drum 21 on a shaft 61 carried inside a case or housing 22. The case is affixed to window frame part 10dbut can be affixed to another frame part, or part associated with the frame. A flange or abutment or abutments 22aon the case has a flat side 63 engaging to the frame part, and fasteners 64 may be employed to firmly attach the case to the frame.

[0043] A spring 65 in the case urges the drum 21 in a rotary direction about axis 66, tending to wind-up the line 17 on the drum. One end of the spring can be connected to the case, and the other end to the drum. The upper end of line 17 is attached to line extensions 17aand 17bthat extend to the slat 19, or to connections 20′ at the bottom of the shade, to raise and lower slat 19, (and the shade from its lower end) as the line 17 spools onto and off the drum. See also FIG. 3. Accordingly, as the slat 19 is raised (by hand or by pulling down on line 17) the drum automatically winds up the line 17 that would otherwise hang slack. Likewise, as the slat 19 is pulled down, or lowered, the drum automatically rotates to spool off the amount of wound line 17 that accommodates such movement.

[0044] A brake 70 is typically provided in association with the housing or case 22 to brake rotation of the drum, or travel of the line, in shade adjusted position, and to allow rotation of the drum or travel of the line for winding or unwinding as shade height is adjusted. Merely as illustrative, FIG. 2ashows brake part 73 engaging the drum hub or flange 60ato brake its rotation. When part 73 is pressed down, externally of the case, the part 73 pivots to disengage the flange 60a, to allow its rotation. An auxiliary spring 64 presses against the part 73 to urge it against the flange. Other types of brakes for drum 21 are usable, and are contemplated by the invention. Line 17 passes through an upper opening 75 in the case 22.

[0045] The case can be located on the front side 76 of the frame part 10d, or on or at the inner side of the frame part 10d.

[0046] FIGS. 3-5 show line extensions 17aand 17bextending upwardly from a connection 17dto line 17, then through front opening 81 in 14, laterally within or on the shade part 14, and then downwardly within the shade, at laterally spaced locations, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show operation of shade lowering; and FIG. 5ashows shade raising.

[0048] FIG. 8 also schematically shows operation of shade lowering in a modified form of the invention; and FIG. 8ashows shade raising. In these views, the lines 17aand 17bexit from an opening 14bin the end of the shade upper support 14, whereas in FIGS. 4, 5 and 5a, the lines 17aand 17bexit from an opening 81 in the front side of the support part 14.

[0049] In FIG. 9, elements comprising of those in FIG. 1 bear the same identifying numerals. The elements 20″, corresponding to 20′ are clips or holders that releasably clip to the lines 17. Upper ends of the lines attach to the upper frame 14, and no structure 20 and 22 is used. The lower extents 17′ of lines 17 are attached or anchored to a fixed support, such as lower window frame member 14a, as at hold-down locations 90. Lines 17 pass through the clips or holders 20″, but the latter may be squeezed to release from the lines, and vertically adjusted along the lines, as by two-handed manipulation of the two holders 20″ thereby raising or lowering the pleat lower support structure or slat 19. The clips may have jaws which normally clip to the lines 17 to hold the clips in adjusted vertical positions, the jaws being releasable from the lines by squeezing, to allow vertical adjustment. The FIG. 9 form of the invention is preferred.

[0050] FIG. 6 also shows a single line 170 extending upwardly from drum 120, to mechanism 121 that raises and lowers the two lines 17 as in FIG. 1. Mechanism 121 may advantageously comprise drums or rotors not shown on which lines 17 are spooled or wound, and a drum or rotor not shown on which line 170 is wound, the latter drum or rotor having gearing to drive gearing not shown on at least one of said drums or rotors for lines 17. A single line 170 is used for safety (a child's head cannot be trapped between two parallel lines).