US2400198A - Venetian blind and adjustable selflocking detachable fastener for cord ends - Google Patents

Description

May 14 1946 y J. .GuLAs, sR i y 2,400,198

l VENETIAN BLIND AND ADJUSTABLE SELF-LOCKING DETACHABLE FASTENER FOR CORD ENDS Filed July 1, 1944 ZYSheetS-She'c l INVENTOR John Galas, SJ: v

May 14, 1946. J. sums, SR 2,400,198

VENETIAN BLIND AND ADJUSTABLE SELF-LOCKING DETACHABLE FASTENER FOR CORD ENDS Y Filed July l, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wvlllllI/ 2 8 INVENTOR .D Jahnv Gulasr.

Patented May 14, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE VENETIAN BLIND AND ADJUSTABLE SELF- LOCKING DETACHABLEV FASTENER FOR CORD ENDS 14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to 'Venetian blinds and more particularly to a detachable fastener for the end of the cords and is of the selflocking type in which the parts are so arranged and disposed relative an aperture passing through the bottom board or slat, that the fixture may be adjusted so as to render one end of the fixture readily accessible for attachment or detachment of the end of the natural cord of the Venetian blind, without the necessity for special fittings for effecting the detachable connection. The fastenerrincludes an adjustable means which may be of ornamental nature so as to present a neat and pleasing appearance disposed on the under surface of the bottom. board or slat, which means may be manipulated or employed to render the opposite end of the fastener either accessible or y unaccessible for the ready and convenient attachment or detachment of the end of the natural cord. After the end ofthe cord has been secured to the fastener or fixture, `while in an accessible position above the top face of the bottom board or slat ofthe Venetian blind, the means disposed on the under side or. face of the bottom board may be actuated in a. manner to draw or move the lower end of the cord at its point of attachment with the fastener, downward and withintheaper-V ture which passes through .the bottom vboard of the Venetian blind so as to render the same unaccessible, and to present a neat and'pleasing appearanceby concealing the end.` of the cord at its point of connectionwith the fastener, within the aperture. Further, the relation of the various parts, including the end of the cordand the upper or head end of the body portion ofthe f fastener, relative the walls of the aperture, are such that thewalls of the cavity serve as a locking aperture to. prevent removal or separation', either accidental or otherwise of the end of the cord from the fastener.

Various types of fasteners haveiheretofore been used to effect a detachable connection between the end of the cord of the. Venetian blind. and the bottom boardor slat, but so far as is known, none of the fasteners and devices heretofore employed, have presented the advantages and characteristics above indicated. Certain of the fasteners and devices heretofore employed have required special fittings or fixtures'for effecting aA connection with either one or both members, including the end` have been employed. in. whichthe parts forv effect-A ingv a detachable connection require a special fixture for permanent attachment to the end 0f the cord, together with other means; which if concealed, are not readily accessible or vertically adjustable, for attachment of the end of the cord with the special permanently attached fitting thereto, to the bottom. board.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a vertically adjustable detachable fastener for the end of the cord of Venetian blinds which will overcome the disadvantages and objections of certain of the detachable fasteners for the cord ends, as heretofore employed in the prior art.

A further object is to provide a detachable fastener foi-"the end of the cord having the characteristic ofbeing readily and conveniently directly attached to the natural cord. ends of Venetian blinds already in use, and which at the same time is economical to manufacture and which presents a neat and pleasing appearance, and maybe made ornamental if desired.

Afurther object is to provide a detachable fastenerv for the end of cords of Venetian blinds which may be so arranged and'disposed relative an'aperture passing through the bottom or slat of the Venetian blind, that the end of the fastener to which the end ofthe cord is secured,.may b'e readily,l moved orverticallyadjusted to an accessible position above the top face of the bottomboard for effecting a detachableA connection with the cord, or drawn within the aperture so as to be concealed there within, and so' that the walls of the aperture serve asa locking means to prevent removal or separation of the cord .end from the fastener and the bottom board.

One selectedV embodiment and certain modifications are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a Vene tian blind vand an enlarged broken fragmentA showing in section on the left side of the gure, a portion of the bottom slat or board of the blind, together with the fitting," with the upper 0r head end thereof in an accessible position above thek as a lock to prevent the separation of the end of the cord from the xture, either accidentally or otherwise;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragment in section, taken on the line and looking in the direction of the arrows II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragment in section showing a modified form in which the natural cord end is fastened directly to the upper head end of the vertically adjustable body portion of the fastener, by a suitably formed knot or loop at the end of the cord, which head portion, together with the cord end, is shown drawn below the top face of the bottom slat to an inaccessible position;

Figure 4 is a perspective showingmore clearly the slotted portion, in the tubular member of Figure 3, to restrain rotation of the head and body portion when the nut member, threaded on the lower end, is rotated to adjust the vertical position of the cord end secured to the head, to a position either above or below the top face of the bottom slat;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of washer that may be employed to cooperate with the bottom actuating nut to permit relative rotation of the nut in either direction, and yet to retain the nut in proper position on the bottom face of the Slat'l when the cord is detached;

Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5 showing more clearly the character of the retaining ears for cooperating with the actuating nut and also one means for attachment to the bottom face of the slat;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragment in section showing a modified form in which the looped or knotted end of the natural cord may be detachably secured to the upper or head end of the body portion of the fastener shown as a member having a tubular body portion which is vertically movable, as in the other forms, but still retaining the common feature of vertical adjustability in order to withdraw the upper or head portion of the fastener with the cord end connected thereto, within the aperture so as to still retain the locking feature of preventing the removal or detachment of the cord end from the fastener during the normal functioning of the cord in the Venetian blind, but yet permitting ready and convenient disengagement of the cord end from the fastener when the head portion with the cord attached thereto is adjusted upwardly to an accessible position above the top face of the bottom slat. One of the advantages of the modified forms shown in Figures 3 and 7 is that a loop or knot at the end of the natural cord may be employed for effecting the detachable connection with the fastener, without the necessity for employing an independent separate fastening means which is usually first required to be permanently secured to the end of the cord, before effecting a detachable connection with the head of the body portion of the fastener;

Figure 81s a top plan of the head of the tubular body of Figure '7 showing more clearly the laterally extending slotted aperture in the top of the vertically movable body portion of the fastener, through which slot the cord at a point above the knot at the end thereof, is moved;

Figure 9 is a fragment of Figure 7, showing more clearly in side elevation the aperture in the side wall of the body portion of the fastener, through which the knotted end of the cord is passed in effecting the detachable connection between the cord end and fastener, so that the aper- Vboard I. and outside of the aperture 1.

broken fragment in section, the threaded aperture at the base to receive a threaded stem of the adjusting member.

As shown in Figure 1, the bottom board I is shown partly in section and the particular fixture is shown in two different positions and relations with respect to the end of the supporting cord 2.

The upper head portion of the fixture on the left side of Figure 1 is shown in a readily accessible position to permit either ready removal or attachment of the connector 3 at the end of cord 2 with the head connector portion 4 at the upper end of the body portion of a threaded screw member 5. It will be noted that the hooked connector 4 is in a position above the top surface of the bottom slat or board I in order to permit the removal of the connector 3 from such hooked connector 4.

When the Venetian blind is in assembled and operative position, the relation of the various parts of the fixture is as shown at the end of cord at the right side of Figure 1. An enlarged section taken on the lines and looking in the direction of the arrows II-II of Figure l, is shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, it will be apparent that with the various parts in operative assembled and normally functioning position, that the hooked head end 4 with the connector 3 attached thereto, is drawn downward within the aperture 'l which extends through the bottom board l of the Venetian blind. By such a structure and arrangement of parts, the walls of the aperture 'I serve as a means preventing the removal of the connector 3 at the end of the cord 6, from the hooked connector 4. In other words, the walls of the aperture 1 serve as a lock to prevent disengagement of the connector 3 and the hook 4. A further advantageof such an arrangement is that a neat and trim appearance is presented because the head 4 and the connector 3 are concealed within the aperture l'.

Various arrangements and specific structures may be employed for enabling the above results and relation of parts to be effected, As shown in Figures 1 and 2, means are provided for adjustably controlling the movement either upward or down, of the head 4 and body portion 5 shown in this form as a screw Stem or shank. A nut member 8 is threaded on the shank 5 for this purpose. The nut 8 is also of a type which conceals the threaded shank screw member 5, and serves as an ornamental fixture. When the parts are in assembled functioning relation, the nut and ornamental member assumes Vthe position as shown in Figure 2.

There is also provided preferably an arrangement and means whereby as the ornamental nut 8 is rotated in one direction on the threaded shank 5, the hook 4 will be moved upward so as to be above the top surface of the bottom For this purpose, there is provided a Washer-like member 9 which is preferably counter-sunk with- -in the bottom face of the bottom board I so as to be flush therewith and present a neat appearance, although this is not essential. Such washer-like member may be secured in position vin any suitable manner such for example, as by screws IQ (see Figure 2), or by vprong-like portions I (see Figures 5 and 6) which might be struck or `bent upward from the washer-like member l! and driven into the wood.

There is preferably, though not necessarily also pro-vided a spring II which is interposed between the washer-like member 9, and another stop or washer-like member I2 which is disposed just below the head 4 on the upper end of the screw shank member 5. Said washer-like member I2 serves as a stop or seat for the other or upper end of the spring il and may abut against suitable lugs 22 (see Figure 3). Preferably, though not essential, a sleeve or cup-like member I3 extends upwardly from the top side of the lower washer member 9 and serves the double purpose of housing the lower end of the spring Il,`and also serves as a convenient means of positioning the washer 9 with respect to the walls of the aperture 'I at the lower end thereof, as the sleevelike member I3 preferably snugly fits within the walls at the lower end of the aperture `I.

The spring I I also serves as a means for yieldingly maintaining the adjustable nut 8 in normal position below the bottom slat, when the cord end is disconnected from the head li, and in the form shown in Figures l and 2 also tends to restrain rotation of the body 5 and head portion 4, with and upon rotation `of the adjusting nut 8.

After the connector 3 at the lower end of the cord 2, has been disconnected from the end of the head or hook member Il, as shown in Figure l, the slats It (see Figure 2), may be withdrawn by drawing the cord 6 upward through the apertures vlli of the slats.

After the cord 6 has been withdrawn upwardly, the various slats I4 may be withdrawn from one side of the Venetian blind and removed from the horizontal cross tapes i5 on which the slat strips Eli are supported. The ends of the cross tape supports I6 are in turn suitably secured at their ends to the vertically extending tape supports I1 in a conventional manner.

Modied forms of the invention are shown in Figure 3, and Figure '7, wherein the end of the cord is detachably secured directly to the upper head portion 30 of the body portion 24 of the fastener, without the necessity for use of separate and independent fastening means which are permanently secured to the end of the cord, for effecting a detachable connection with the head portion of the fastener through the means or medium of such separate and independent connector means. This is an advantageous feature from the standpoint of convenience, economy and practicability. One of the features common to the two modified forms shownin Figures 3 and 7, and also included in the form shown in Figure 2, involving the feature of looking the end of the cord upon the upper end ofthe fastener when withdrawn downward within the aperture 'i and below the upper face Ia of the bottom slat I, is, that the wall of the aperture serves to render the detachable connection inaccessible, and also serves as a locking or sealing means to prevent lateral movement ofV the cord end, and thus prevent disengagement of the cord end from the head portion of the fastener. This is true whether the body portion of the fastener is in the form of a threaded stem portion 5 with a hooked head portion 4, as shown in Figures 2 and S, or whether the body portion is in the form of a tubular member as shown in Figure 7. In either of these forms, in order to effect a detachable connection between the cord end and the head portion of the fastener, it is required to move the cord end laterally to and from a position or areaoutside of the aperture, in order to effect either the attachment or detachment of the cord end with the head portion of the fastener. It is this feature which makes the locking feature possible when the head portion of the fastener with the cord end detachab-ly secured thereto, is drawn within the aperture below the top face of the bottom slat.

Referring particularly to the modified form shown in Figures 3 and 4, the body portion of the fastener includes the stem portion 23 and the hooked head portion 3 I, the lower end of the stem portion having a threaded connection with the rotatable nut member 8. A detachable connection with the end of the cord 6 may be provided by a looped portion formed in the end of the natural cord by a knot I8 or other means, such for example, as by splicing. Preferably, the hooked end 3l is formed so as to provide an opening or passage 32, at one side, through which the cord may pass in forming the detachable conneotion with the head of the fastener as the looped or knottedY end of the natural cord is passed over the end of the hooked portion. When the knotted cord end I8 and the hooked end 3l of the fastener are withdrawn in the aperture l, it will be impossible to slide the loop portion of the cord from the open end 32 of the hooked portion EI because the face or side wall of the aperture prevents such removal. The detachment oi the cord end from the head portion cannot be readily effected by untying the knot, because the knot portion I8 itself, is withdrawn within the aperture I below the top face Ia of the bottom slat.

As shown in Figure 3, a modified form of washer may be employed in which the washer 9 which may be retained in position on the bottom face Ib of the bottom slat I by screws or projecting detents I0', by employing projecting ear portions I9, the ends of which may be bent inward so as to be guided over an annular ange 20 on the nut 8 (Figure 3) so as to permit the nut 8 torotate in either direction, but yet retain the nut 8 in proper relative assembled position against the bottom face Ib of the bottom slat I. This feature has some practical advantage, in that it permits the nut to be retained in proper position on the bottom slat, after the end of the cord 6 has been disconnected from the head of the fastener.

A further modified form is shown in Figures '7 to 9 inclusive, wherein the body portion 24 of the fastener is shown as tubular sleeve-like member having a head portion 30 which may be formed integrally with the body portion 24 or formed as a separate head portion and integrallysecured to the body portion in a conventional manner well known to those familiar with the art. A base or bottom 25, is provided to close the lower portion of the sleeve-like body 24, and such base 25 may also be formed as an integral portion of the tubular body 24, or may be formed as a separate member and integrally secured to the lower portion of the body 24 in a conventional manner well known to those familiar with the art. Preferably, in order to facilitate manufacture and assembly, either the head portion 30 or the base portion 25 is made as a separate member to be later secured in proper position in a suitable manner; such an arrangement may permit the tubular body portion 26 with one end,

to be formed as an integral cup-like member by a stamping and drawing operation.

The head portion 30 is provided with a slotted aperture 2S extending from the central portion of the head 30 radially outward to one side of the tubular body 24 and communicates with an aperture 2I formed in the side wall of the body 24 just below the head portion 30. (See Figures 7, 8 and 9.) Such a feature of construction enables the looped or knotted end I8 of the natural cord 6 to be passed through the aperture 21 from a zone or area to one side of, or outside of, the body 24 so that the knotted end I8 is moved from said outer zone or area, laterally of the body 24. The portion of the cord 6 immediately above the knotted end I8, will pass laterally of the body 24 through the radially extending slot 26, in the head 30. The above feature of construction is related to the locking feature of the present disclosure, wherein when the body 24 of the fastener is moved vertically upward so that the upper portion including the head 3d, and the aperture Z'I. is above the top face I a of the bottom slat, the knotted end I3 of the cord may be freely passed to and from said outer zone or area, through the aperture 2l, in order to effect a detachable connection between the natural end of the cord 6, and the head and body portion of the fastener, without the necessity for the use of a separate and independent adapter fitting (such as the member 3 of Figure 1) permanently secured to the end of the cord E, in a manner such as is required in prior art structures. It will be clear, from Figure '7, that when the body portion 24 of the fastener is drawn or adjusted vertically to a position wherein the side aperture 21 is below the top face I a of the bottom slat, and the head 36 is either substantially flush with or below the top face I a of the bottom slat, that the knotted end I8 of the cord S is effectively locked in position, because the side aperture 27 is closed or sealed by the side wall or face of the aperture 'I which passes through the bottom slat from the top face Ia, to the bottom face Ib.

As a means of effecting the vertical movement or adjustment of the tubular body 24, within the aperture 'I, a modiiied structure such as that shown in Figure 7 may be employed, wherein a threaded stem portion 28 is carried by and preferably formed integrally with, the head 29 of a nut member, said threaded stem 28 being received in a correspondingly threaded aperture 34 of the base 25 at the bottom of the tubular body 24. If desired, in order to strengthen the structure at the threaded connection where a substantial portion of the load of the Venetian blind is carried, a more extended threaded area or connection may be provided by employing a threaded sleeve portion or bushing 34. It will be clear that to effect vertical adjustment in either one direction or the other, that such movement and adjustment may be readily eifected by rotating the nut member 29 (Figure 7) in one direction or the other, depending upon whether it is desired to render the means for effecting a detachable connection between the end of the natural cord and the fastener, either accessible or inaccessible.

The nut 29 may be of an ornamental character if desired, or may be of a form and structure as to receive and support an ornamental xture or the like, if desired. Preferably, means are provided and associated with the rotatable nut 2S similar to those already referred to in connection with the description of the rotatable nut member 8 in Figure 2, wherein a washer 9 may be secured by screws I0 or other suitable means, to the lower face Ib of the bottom slat. The washer 9 may be provided with tabs or extensions I9 extending from the perimeter of the washer at a number of points, and bent outwardly about a flange portion 20 on the nut, in such a manner that the nut may be retained in proper position on the bottom face Ib of the slat I even though the body portion 24 be adjusted vertically upward to a position wherein the base 25 is disengaged from the threaded stem 28. If desired, although it is not essential, suitable means (similar to those shown in Figures 3 and 4) may be employed to prevent relative rotation between the tubular body portion 24, and the wall of the aperture 'I in the bottom slat I.

As shown in the modication of Figures 3 and 4, relative vertical movement between the head portion 3| and the walls of the aperture I, upon rotation of the nut member 8, may be eiected by providing a sleeve 2| within the aperture 'I, said sleeve being provided on opposite walls thereof, with an inwardly extending slotted aperture 2I adapted to receive opposite sides of the hooked head 3| upon rotation of the nut 8 in threaded engagement with the lower end of the stem 23, the hooked head 3l may be moved upwardly or downwardly, but is restrained against rotary movement, by reason of opposite sides of the head portion 3| being positioned and disposed within the slot 2|.

While a preferred form and certain modifications of the detachable fastener for the cord ends of a Venetian blind have been shown and described herein, it is understood that various changes and modifications in detailed structure, may be made by those skilled in and familiar with the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a Venetian blind, a self-locking detachable cord-fastener and bottom slat-supporting device, adapted to be detaohably connected to the lower end of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind and to the bottom slat of the blind, said slat having an aperture therein, said detachable fastener including an adjustable body within saidl aperture having an upper head end accessible above the top face of the bottom slat in one position of said body, for eifecting a detachable connection between the fastener and the cord, and in another position of said body inaccessible below said face, whereby the walls of the aperture serve as a locking means to prevent disengagement by relative lateral movement of the end of the cord from the upper head end of said body portion of said fastener.

2. The device dened in claim 1 wherein said body extends below the bottom face of the bottom slat and is vertically adjustable through the aperture in said bottom slat and the head portion of said body is projectable above the upper face of the bottom slat.

3. In a Venetian blind, a self-locking detachable cord-fastener and bottom slat-supporting device, adapted to be detachably connected to the lower end of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind and to the bottom slat of the blind, said slat having an aperture therein, said detachable fastener including an adjustable body within said aperture having an upper head end accessible above the top face of the bottom slat, in'one position of said body for eifecting a detachable connection between the fastener and the cord, and in another position of said body inaccessible below said face, said head portion including means to facilitate detachable connection with the end of the cord by movement laterally of the adjacent cord end, and means adjustable on the bottom portion of the body and accessible from the bottom face of the bottom slat to drawv the upper head portion of the body with the cord attached thereto, downward within the aperture during normal support and use of the bottom slat in the blind, whereby the walls of the aperture serve as a locking and confining means to prevent lateral disengagement of the cord from the head portion of the body.

4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said adjustable means disposed on the bottom portion of the body and accessible from the bottom face of the bottom board includes a bolt member having the upper face of its head in engagement with the bottom face of the bottom board to carry the load or weightimposed on the end of the cord, said bolt member having a threaded portion thereon, and wherein the lower portion of the body is threaded whereby the upper head end of the body portion may be rendered readily accessible by being moved upward above the top face of the bottom slat above the aperture, by rotation of the bolt member, to facilitate detachment of the end of the cord from the upper end of said body, without the necessity of disengagement of said nut from the lower end of said body.

5. The device defined in claim 3 and including a coiled spring disposed within the aperture through said bottom slat and interposed between said upper head end of said body, and the means adjustable on the lower end.

6. The device defined in claim 3 and including a looped end portion on the cord, said head oi the body for effecting a detachable connection with the end of the cord including a portion movable with said body to receive said looped portion of the cord end by a lateral movement thereof.

'7. The device donned in claim 3 and including a looped portion of the cord, said head portion of the body portion including a hooked portion adapted to effect a detachable connection with said cord by relative lateral movement into cooperative engagement.

8. The device deiined in claim 3 wherein said means adjustable on the bottom portion of the body, includes a bolt-like member in threaded engagement with the lower end of said body to draw the upper head portion of the body with the detachable connection with the cord end, within the aperture through said bottom slat,

9. Thedevice deiined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is vertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in said aperture.

10. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is vertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in said aperture, said tubular member including a top and base, said top having a radially extending slot extending from the center outward to the side wall, said side wall having an aperture below and connected to said slot, adapted to receive a knotted end of the oord, as the cord portion above said knot is passed through said slot, whereby when said tubular body is drawn within the aperture through the bottom slat, the wall of said aperture seals the aperture in the side wall of said tubular member and prevents detachment of the cord end from the tubular member, whiie the head portion is within said aperture.

11. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is vertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in said aperture, said tubular member including a top and base, and including a threaded connection between the base of said tubular member, and the means adjustable on the bottom portion of the body and accessible from the bottom face of the bottom slat.

l2. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is vertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in said aperture, said tubular member including a top and base and including a threaded connection between the base of said tubular member and the means adjustable on the bottom portion of the body and accessible from the bottom face of the bottom slat and including positioning means for said last named adjustable means, secured to the bottom face of the bottom slat and disposed between said bottom face oi said slat and said means adjustable on the bottom portion of the tubular body, said positioning means including means cooperating with the adjustable means to prevent displacement and permit relative rotation thereof.

.1.3. The device defined in claim 3 and including guiding means disposed in the aperture through the bottom slat and cooperating with said adjustable means to restrain the head portion with the cord end attached thereto, against rotation within said aperture, upon rotary movement yof said adjustable means to eiect vertical adjustment of said head portion to either an accessible or inaccessible position.

14. The device denedin claim 3 and including guiding means disposed in the aperture through the bottom slat and cooperating with said adjustable means to restrain the head portion with the cord end attached thereto, against rotation within said aperture upon rotary movement of said adjustable means to effect vertical adjustment of said head portion to either an accessible or inaccessible position, said guiding means including a tubular member having a slot substantially parallel to the axis thereof adapted to receive and guide a portion of the head to restrain the same `against rotation within the aperture but yet to permit vertical movement Within the aperture.

JOHN GULAS, Se.

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