CA3155686C

CA3155686C - Window blind frame comprising a cord disposed in a cord channel

Info

Publication number: CA3155686C
Application number: CA3155686A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Norbert Marocco; Mario Marocco
Original assignee: Maxxmar Inc
Priority date: 2022-04-18
Filing date: 2022-04-18
Publication date: 2026-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2042-04-18
Also published as: CA3155686A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a frame system, kit and method for seeming a window blind to a window having: extruded portions connected together at their ends to form a frame, a blind contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame; a cord channel; and a cord connected to the blind and to the frame, the cord disposed in the cord channel when the blind is moved from a closed position to an open position, and end caps disposed at the ends of a moving rail.

Description

5 10 15 20 1 WINDOW BLIND FRAME COMPRISING A CORD DISPOSED IN A CORD CHANNEL Field of Invention This invention relates to a frame system, kit and method for securing a window blind to a window having: extruded portions connected together at their ends to form a frame a blind contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame; a cord channel; and a cord connected to the blind and to the frame, the cord disposed in the cord channel when the blind is moved from a closed position to an open position; and end caps disposed at the ends of a moving rail. Background to the Invention It is common for windows and doors to be covered by blinds and in particular to provide safe child proof window blinds especially when cords are used to open and close the window blinds. There have been many jurisdictions that have mandated safety features as to the length of cord, the height of cords that can be accessed by children so as to minimize choking hazards. Some of the window blind systems available in the prior art have exposed lengths of cords running along the inside of a frame fitted for a window blind that is secured to a window; where the window blind is capable of being moved from a closed position to an open position. These window blind systems typically have blind stretching from a head rail connected along the top of the frame to a bottom rail. In the open position the cords are exposed along the inside two spaced sides of the frame which can possibly be reached by children. One such prior art window blind system is shown in US 8,074,698 where a window blind frame system is provided comprising a window blind secured to a frame and optionally at least one framesecuring clip for releasably retaining the frame in position relative to the window casing. The frame may comprise at least two angle joints connecting at least three extruded portions to form a substantially rigid 5 10 15 20 2 structure, wherein a window blind may be attached to the frame and wherein the frame is configured to interact with a flame-securing clip which releasably retains the frame in position relative to a window casing. US 8074698 goes on to teach that the blind may be of a design which includes a tension cord, the tension cord being capable of resisting displacement of a sliding rail. Thus, once the sliding rail is disposed in the desired position, the tension cord resists any subsequent unwanted movement of the sliding rail, e.g. from the action of gravity or air movement. The tension cord is preferably arranged in a figure of eight configuration wherein the free ends of the cord are joined via a tension spring. This type of arrangement has been used for conventional fabric blinds, and would be known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the tension spring is hidden from view by positioning of the cord behind the frame as mounted for use. However the cord can still be reached by children by reaching into die opening in the frame when the blind is in the open position. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved window blind system than available in the prior art. It is a further object of this invention to provide a window blind system that is safer than that available in the prior art. It is also desirable to provide a window blind that is simple to manufacture and conveniently assembled from a kit to retrofit existing window blind systems by providing a chord channel or manufacture new window blind system. It is an aspect of this invention to provide a frame system for securing a window blind to a window comprising: extruded members or portions cut to size and connected together at their ends to form a frame; a blind contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame; a cord channel; a cord connected to said blind and to said frame, said cord disposed in said cord channel when said blind is moved from a closed position to an open position. In one embodiment the cord channel is secured to said extruded members by a fastener. The fastener can be a screw, clamp or adhesive or the like. In another TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 3 embodiment the cord channel is integral with said extruded members. In yet another embodiment the cord includes a spring for tensioning said cord. In other embodiments each said extruded member further include connecting channels and said frame system includes connecting members receivable by said connecting channels to form said frame. In another embodiment the extruded members or portions comprise a first and second spaced extruded members and first and second spaced side extruded members connected at their ends to define said opening. Preferably the blind includes: a head rail secured to one end of said frame and a bottom rail; where either the head rail or bottom rail or both are sliding rails; where said sliding rail presents first and second opposite open ends, said sliding rail moveable within said frame between said spaced first and second side extruded portions from said closed position to said open position; a first and second cap disposed between said first and second spaced side extruded portions and said sliding rail; In another embodiment the first and second caps each include a leg that snaps into the first and second open end of said sliding rail respectively, wherein each said first and second cap includes a recess portion for slidingly receiving said cord channel, when said sliding rail and blind is moved between said closed and open positions. Said cord channels are disposed to face said opening. Other embodiments show that each said extruded members include: a front face portion and a rear portion, a rear projecting wall extending outwardly from said rear portion, wherein said cord channels are disposed along one surface of said rear projecting wall to face said opening and said connecting channels are disposed along an opposite surface of said rear projecting wall. Preferably the connecting members include a hole for receiving said cord there through. The blind is a pleated, roller or Venetian blind. TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 4 Another aspect of this invention relates to a kit for a window frame system comprising: extruded members connected together to form a frame with an opening for a blind; a cord receiving channel securable to said frame or integral with said extruded members; and a cord retainable in said cord receiving channel. In one embodiment the kit further comprises connecting members for connecting the ends of said extruded members to form a frame; said connecting members including a cord hole; end caps to fit into ends of a sliding or bottom rail of said blind, said end caps including a recess for slidingly receiving said cord receiving channels; said cord extending from said cord receiving channel through said cord hole. Another aspect of this invention relates to a method of making a window frame blind comprising: connecting extruded members at their ends to form a frame; connecting a blind within an opening defined by the frame; providing a cord channel to an inner surface of said frame; connecting a cord to the blind and to the frame; inserting the cord in said cord channel so as to enclose said cord when said blind is moved from a closed position to an open position. In one embodiment the method relates to fastening two cord channels to two spaced extruded members. In another embodiment the cord channel is provided by integrally forming said cord channels with said extruded members. In another embodiment the method further including inserting end caps into an opening provided at opposite ends of a top or bottom or moving rail of the bind, said end caps including a cord channel recess for receiving and sliding along said cord channels when said bottom or moving rail and blind is moved from said closed position to said open position. These and other objects and features of the invention shall now be described in relation to the following drawings. TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 5 Summary of Drawings Figures 1 is a perspective view of a prior art window blind frame system. Figure 2 is an end view of a prior art showing a cross sectional view of a prior art extrusion. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention showing a cord channel secured to an extruded member. Figure 4 is a perspective cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing a cord channel integral with the extruded members. Figure 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d shows one comer of the frame, a cross sectional view of one comer of the frame, and end cap and an enlarged view of Figure 5a respectively. Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Like parts are given like numbers throughout the figures Figures 1 is a perspective view of a prior art window blind frame system showing a frame 30 with four extruded portions 40 connected by four 90 degree angle joints hidden from view by a cover 50. A pleated blind 35 is fitted within the opening of the frame. The blind includes a handle 55 where the handle can be attached to a bottom rail or a top rail 250. Figure 2 is an end view of a prior art showing a cross sectional view of a prior art extrusion. Generally speaking the extrusion members 40 are the same and do not vary along their lengths. The front face, portion or surface 95 includes a substantially flat region 100 that will become the inner edge of the frame 30 when assembled, and an angle portion 105. The rear surface or portion opposite the front surface 95 includes projections 110 and 115 that define a connecting channel 125 and a rear projecting wall 120 extending outwardly from said rear portion, TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 6 Figure 2 also shows prior art securing clips 25 that have a flange 60 support 65 that includes a resilient lug 80 and arcuate prongs 90 that are used to secure the frame to a window. Figure 2 shows one means of securing the window blind frame to a window although there are other ways of securing the window blind frame to a window such as using fasteners such as screws in a manner well known to those people in the art. Figure 3 shows the improvement of this invention that includes a cord channel member 200 that includes a cord channel 202 for receiving a cord 204 therein and a cord channel extension 206 having apertures 208 therein for receiving fasteners 208 to fasten the cord channel 202 along one surface 210 of said rear projecting wall 120. The one surface 210 faces said opening and said connecting channels 125 are disposed on the opposite side of the surface 210 of said rear projecting wall 120. More particularly Figure 3 shows the frame system for securing a window blind 35 to a window comprising: extruded members 40 connected together at their ends to form a frame 30; a blind 35 contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame 30; a cord channel 202; a cord 204 connected to said blind and to said frame 30, said cord 204 disposed in said cord channel 202 when said blind 35 is moved from a closed position to an open position. The cord channel 202 is secured to said extruded member or portion 40 by fasteners such as screws 208, clamps, adhesives or other suitable means so as to attach the cord channel extension 206 to the surface 210 of the projecting wall 120 as shown. Alternatively the cord channel 204 can be integral with the extruded member 40 as shown in Figure 4. The cord 204 includes a spring (not shown) for tensioning the cord 204 in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d show connecting channels 125 that receive the arms 130 that project from angle joints 45 so as to form the frame 30. The extruded members or portions 40 comprise a first TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 7 and second spaced extruded portions 40a, and 40b and first and second spaced side extruded portions 40c, and 40 d connected at their ends by connecting members 45 o define the opening. The blind 35 includes a sliding or moveable rail 250 presenting first and second opposite open ends, where the sliding rail 250 is moveable within said frame 30 between said spaced first and second side extruded members or portions 40c, and 40d from said closed position to said open position. Figure 5c shows a cap 300. The cap 300 is insertable at opposite ends of the moving rail 250. The moving rail 250 can be either a top or head rail as shown in Figure 5a and/or bottom rail 57 shown in Figure 1 with the handle 55. In other words the blind 35 can be moved from a closed position or an open position where there is an opening between the top of the frame and the head rail as shown in Figure 5a, or the bottom rail can be moved by handle 55 away from the bottom of the frame so as to show an opening between the bottom of the frame and bottom rail. Alternatively both top and bottom rails can be moved so as to show an opening at both the top and bottom of the frame 30. The top rail can have a handle (not shown) so as to accommodate movement of the top or head rail. In either case the cap 300 is inserted into the 2 opposite open ends of the moving rail which can either be the top or head rail 250 or bottom rail. The cap 300 is sized so as to form a tight fit between the ends of the moving rail and the two opposite sides of the sides 40c and 40 d of the extruded members 40. The cap 300 is made from a suitable material such as plastic metal or the like. The cap 300 includes cap body 301 having a generally perpendicular projecting member 310 that is insetable into the open ends of opposite ends of the moving 250 so as to produce a friction or snap fit between the cord channel 202 and ends of the moving rail 250. The cap body 300 includes a surface 302 tO contact the ends of the moving rail 250 and extends beyond said ends to cover a portion of the cord channel as shown in figure 5a so as to stabilize the movement of the moveable rails 250. In other words the moveable rail moves smoothly along the cord channels without twisting or binding. The invention describes a first and second cap 300 disposed between said first and TORONTO: 1694996U (120317) 5 10 15 20 8 second spaced side extruded portions 40c, and 40d and said cord rails presented by extruded sides 4c, and 4d.; The cord body 300 also includes a cord rail recess 304 to slidingly receive the cord charnel 202. as well as a lug recess 106 to “clear the lug 80” when a clip 25 is used to secure the frame 40next to a window, during the movement of the blind 35 from the closed or open position. 9. The first and second caps each include a leg that snaps into said first and second open end of said sliding rail respectively, wherein each said first and second cap includes a recess portion 304 for slidingly receiving said cord channel 202, when said sliding rail 250 and blind 35 is moved between said closed and open positions. In one embodiment shown in Figure 3 the cord channel 202 includes fingers 203 that protrude into the open of the channel 202 to permit insertion of the cord 204 into the channel recess but further inhibit reaching the cord 204. The frame system shows that the cord channels 202 are disposed to face said opening. The frame system as illustrated in one embodiment that the extruded portions or members 40 can be cut to a desired size where each extruded member includes: a front face portion 95 and a rear portion opposite the front face portion 95, a rear projecting wall 120 extending outwardly from said rear portion, wherein said cord channels 202 are disposed along one surface 210 of said rear projecting wall 120 to face said opening and said connecting channels 125 are disposed along an opposite surface ofsaid rear projecting wall 120. Connecting members 45 include a hole 47 for receiving said cord 204 there through. The blind 35 can be a pleated, roller or Venetian blind. The invention also relates to a kit for a window frame system comprising: extruded members 40 that are cut to a desired size and shape that are connected together to form a frame 30 with an opening for 5 10 15 20 9 a blind 35; a cord receiving channel 202 securable to said frame 30; a cord 204 retainable in the cord receiving channel 202. In another embodiment the kit further comprises; connecting members 45 for connecting the ends of said extruded members 40 to form a frame 30; said connecting members 45 including a cord hole 47; end caps 300 to fit into ends of a sliding rail 250 of said blind 35, said end caps 300 including a recess 304 for slidingly receiving said cord receiving channels 202; said cord 204 extending from said cord receiving channel 202 through said cord holes 47. This invention also relates to a method of making a window frame blind comprising: connecting extruded members 40 at their ends to form a frame 30; connecting a blind 35 within an opening defined by the frame 30; providing a cord channel 202 to an inner surface of said frame 30 ; connecting a cord 204 to the blind 35 and to the frame 30 ; inserting the cord 204 in said cord channel 202 so as to enclose said cord 204 within the channel 202 when said blind 35 is moved from a closed position to an open position. In one embodiment the cord channel 202 is provided by fastening two cord channels 202 to two spaced extruded members 4oc, and 40d. In another embodiment the method includes integrally forming the cord channel 202 with the extruded members 40c, and 40d. The method also includes in another embodiment inserting end caps 300 into an opening provided at opposite ends of a bottom or head rail of the bind 35, said end caps 300 including a cord channel recess 304 for receiving and sliding along said cord channel 202 when said bottom rail and blind 35 is moved from said closed position to said open position. The drawings also show corrugated section 75, cornered portion 135, spring clip 235, head rail 260, and the other end 308 of recess 304. TORONTO: 1694996U (120317)

Claims

Claims: 1. A frame system for securing a window blind to a window comprising: a) extruded portions having ends connected together at said ends to form a frame; b) a blind contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame; c) a cord channel disposed on at least one of said extruded portions and projecting from said at least one extruded portion toward said opening and behind said frame; d) a cord connected to said blind and to said frame, said cord disposed in said cord channel when said blind is moved from a closed position to an open position, said cord channel having two spaced fingers protruding into the opening to define a channel recess to permit insertion of the cord into the channel recess.
2. The frame system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cord channel is secured to said at least one of said extruded portions, by a fastener.
3. The frame system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fastener is a screw.
4. The frame system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cord channel is integral with said at least one of said extruded portions.
5. The frame system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cord includes a spring for tensioning said cord.
6. The frame system as claimed in claim 2 or 4 wherein each of said extruded portions further include connecting channels and said frame system includes connecting members receivable by said connecting channels to form said frame. 10
7. The frame system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said extruded portions comprise first and second spaced extruded portions and first and second spaced side extruded portions connected at said ends to define said opening; where said cord channel is disposed on each of said first and second spaced side extruded portions and project from said first and second spaced side extruded portions toward said opening.
8. A frame system for securing a window blind to a window comprising: a) extruded portions having ends connected together at said ends to form a frame; b) a blind contained entirely within an opening defined by the frame; c) a cord channel disposed on at least one of said extruded portions and projecting from said at least one extruded portion toward said opening; d) a cord connected to said blind and to said frame, said cord disposed in said cord channel when said blind is moved from a closed position to an open position, said cord channel having two spaced walls protruding into the opening to define a channel recess to permit insertion of the cord into the channel recess; e) a sliding rail presenting first and second opposite open ends, said sliding rail moveable within said frame between first and second spaced side extruded portions from said closed position to said open position; f) first and second caps disposed between said first and second spaced side extruded portions and said sliding rail.
9. The frame system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first and second caps each include a leg that snaps into said first and second opposite open ends of said 11 12 sliding rail respectively, wherein each of said first and second caps include a recess portion for slidingly receiving said cord channel, when said sliding rail and said blind are moved between said closed and open positions.
10. The frame system as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said extruded portions include: a) a front face portion and a rear portion, b) a rear projecting wall extending outwardly from said rear portion, wherein said cord channel is disposed along one surface of said rear projecting wall to face said opening and connecting channels are disposed along an opposite surface of said rear projecting wall.
11. The frame system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said connecting members include a hole for receiving said cord there through.
12. The frame system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said blind is a pleated, roller or Venetian blind.
13. A kit for a window frame system comprising: a) extruded members connected together to form a frame with an opening for a blind; b) a cord receiving channel securable to at least one of said extruded members to project from said at least one of said extruded members toward said opening and behind said frame ; c) a cord retainable in said cord receiving channel , where said cord receiving channel presents spaced walls protruding into the opening to 13 define a channel recess to permit insertion of the cord into the channel recess and inhibit reaching the cord.
14. The kit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: a) connecting members for connecting ends of said extruded members to form a frame; said connecting members including a cord hole; b) end caps to fit into ends of a sliding rail of said blind, said end caps including a recess for slidingly receiving said cord receiving channel; c) said cord extending from said cord receiving channel through said cord hole.
15. A method of making a window frame blind comprising: a) connecting ends of extruded members to form a frame; b) connecting a blind within an opening defined by the frame; c) providing a cord channel on at least one of said extruded members and behind said frame , said cord channel projecting from said at least one of said extruded members toward said opening; d) connecting a cord to the blind and to the frame; e) inserting the cord into said cord channel to inhibit reaching said cord when said blind is moved from a closed position to an open position.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 comprising providing said cord channel on at least two cord channels to two spaced extruded members.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 further including inserting an end caps into an opening provided at each of opposite ends of a bottom rail or a head rail of 14 said blind, each of said end caps including a cord channel recess for receiving and sliding along said cord channel when said bottom rail and said blind are moved from said closed position to said open position.