[0001] The present invention relates to a ladder cord assembly for a Venetian blind, including
a ladder cord and a connector, the connector being adapted for securing to a bottom
rail of a Venetian blind.
[0002] It has been proposed to connect a ladder cord to a connector, which connector is
connectable to a bottom rail of a Venetian blind. Such a proposal is known from
US 2574609, but in this arrangement the connector is attached to the bottom rail by screws and
the opposite ends of the ladder each have to be separately clamped to the connector.
This manner of attachment is both cumbersome and time consuming in production.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of
the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention
to provide alternative structures, which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation
and which moreover, can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is an object
of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
[0004] To this end the present invention provides a Ladder cord assembly for a Venetian
blind, including a ladder cord and a connector, the connector having a first portion
for securing to a bottom rail of a Venetian blind and a second portion that is permanently
connected to the ladder cord. Such a ladder cord assembly can be easily positioned
in a Venetian blind assembly machine and can be readily connected with a bottom rail;
either prior to or, after assembling of the slats has been completed. The connector
can be permanently attached to the ladder cord at any stage of the production prior
to the insertion of slats, while the ladder cords can still be manipulated with every
available freedom.
[0005] In one advantageous embodiment of ladder cord assembly according to the invention,
the connector comprises a groove for receiving an end portion of the ladder cord.
Such a groove will enhance the exact positioning of the ladder cord ends in respect
of the connector.
[0006] In another advantageous embodiment of the ladder cord assembly according to the invention,
the connector further includes a slot for receiving a lift cord. This will enable
the connection of a lift cord to a bottom rail to be combined with connecting the
ladder cord. In a further preferred embodiment the slot is positioned in the connector
such that its entrance becomes closed once the connector is inserted in an opening
in a bottom rail. Such an arrangement would prevent the lift cord from accidentally
becoming detached.
[0007] It is further advantageous for the ladder cord assembly according to the invention,
if the first portion of the connector is adapted to be releasably secured to a bottom
rail. This makes it possible to replace damaged or faulty ladder cords during the
life of the Venetian blind.
[0008] With the ladder cord assembly according to the invention, it is also particularly
advantageous if the second portion is fused to the ladder cord. In manufacture this
enables a quick and secure attachment of the ladder cord to the connector. When using
this type of attachment with the ladder cord assembly according to the invention,
preferably the connector is of polycarbonate and the ladder cord of polyester.
[0009] The invention will now be described in reference to a selection of preferred embodiments
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective detail view of a lower end of ladder cord assembly according
to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective detail view of the ladder cord assembly of Figure 1, with
a bottom rail and a lift cord in an arrangement just prior to making the final connection
to a bottom rail of a Venetian blind;
Figure 3 is a further perspective detail view showing the elements of Figure 2 as
finally connected to one another;
Figure 4A is a bottom elevation of a second embodiment of connector for use in the
ladder cord assembly of the invention;
Figure 4B is a side elevation of the connector of Figure 4A;
Figure 4C is an end elevation of the connector of Figure 4A; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the connector of Figures 4A to 4C, on
a reduced scale.
Figure 1 shows a lower section of a ladder cord assembly in a Venetian blind, according
to a first embodiment of the invention. A ladder cord 3 has opposite side cords 5,7
and a plurality of cross rungs 9, 11. In the embodiment illustrated, each cross rung
9, 11 is comprised of a pair of individual cords 13, 14, 15, 16, but other forms will
also be possible. Opposite ends 5A, 7A of the ladder side cords 5, 7 are attached
to a connector 17. The connector 17 has a first portion 19 for securing to a bottom
rail of a Venetian blind (not shown) and a second portion 21 for receiving the ladder
cord ends 5A, 7A in a permanently affixed manner. The permanent fixation may be obtained
by an adhesive, such as a suitable hotmelt glue, but prefarbly is obtained by welding
or fusing. In particular the second portion 21 of the connector 17 can be fused to
the ladder cord ends 5A, 7A if the connector 17 is of polycarbonate and the ladder
cord 3 is of polyester.
[0010] The first portion 19 has been shaped to be flexible with a first slot 23, a second
slot 25, a third slot 27 and a fourth slot 29. The first portion 19 is further provided
with detent ridges 31, 33 to provide, together with the first to fourth slots 23,
25, 27, 29, a snap-fit connection with an opening in a bottom rail (to be described
in more detail below).
[0011] Figure 2 shows the ladder cord assembly 1 in a position ready to be affixed to a
bottom rail 34 together with a lift cord 35. The lift cord 35 as seen in Figure 2
has a knot 37 at its end. While the lift cord 35 can pass through the second slot
25, the knot 37 will be retained within the cavity 32 (see Figure 1). The bottom rail
34 further is provided with an opening 39 into which the first portion 19 of the connector
17 can be snap-fitted and retained afterwards.
[0012] Figure 3 shows the resulting assembly after the elements shown in Figure 2 have been
connected to one another. With the lift cord 35 engaged in the second slot 25 and
the connector 17 held in the opening 39 of the bottom rail 34, all elements are securely
connected. The bottom rail 34 can be raised by the lift cord 35 to collect the slats
(not shown) each resting on one of the cross rungs 9 of the ladder cord 3. By lifting
and lowering the individual ladder side cords 5, 7 these same slats (not shown) can
be tilted for controlling light admittance, when the bottom rail 34 is in a lowered
position. Although slats are deleted for clarity, it should be understood that in
a Venetian blind, using the ladder cord assembly, each cross rung 9 (and 11) would
be supporting a slat. Such a Venetian blind would also make use of at least two ladder
cord assemblies 1 according to the invention.
[0013] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are bottom, side, and end elevations of a slightly modified
embodiment of connector 117. Like the connector shown in Figure 1, it has a first
portion 119 for securing to a bottom rail of a Venetian blind (as described and shown
in relation to the first embodiment) and a second portion 121 for receiving each of
the opposite ladder side cord ends (not shown) in a permanently affixed manner in
grooves 106, 108 respectively. The permanent fixation is again, preferably, a fusion
between a polycarbonate material of the connector 117 and a polyester material of
the ladder cord (not shown). The first portion 119 has been shaped to be flexible
with a first slot 127 and a second slot 129. A third slot 125 is provided to allow
entrance of a lift cord (not shown, but similar to lift cord 35 of Fig. 2) to pass
into a cavity 132. A knot, or beaded end, of the lift cord is adapted to be retained
within a cavity 132. The first portion 119 is further provided with detent ridges
131, 133 to provide, together with the first and second slots 127, 129 a snap-fit
connection with an opening in a bottom rail (as already described above in relation
to the first embodiment). In addition to the first embodiment the detent ridges 131,133
are rendered more flexible by being formed on arms 140, 142 that are separated from
the body of the first portion 119 by spaces 141, 143. A perspective view from above
of the modified connector 117 on a somewhat reduced scale is illustrated in Figure
5.
[0014] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention
will be apparent from the foregoing description. The term comprising when used in
this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or
exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Expressions such as: "means for..."
should be understood as: "component configured for..." or "member constructed to..."
and should be construed to include equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use
of expressions like: "critical", "preferred", "especially preferred" etc., is not
intended to limit the invention. Features, which are not specifically or explicitly
described or claimed, may be additionally included in the structure according to the
present invention without deviating from its scope. The invention is further not limited
to any embodiment herein described and, within the purview of the skilled person,
modifications are possible which should be considered within the scope of the appended
claims. Equally all kinematic inversions are to be considered within the scope of
the present invention.
[0015] Directional and positional expressions, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, left,
right, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counter clockwise or like are
generally used only to assist in understanding of the present invention as illustrated
in the accompanying drawing figures. None of this should be construed to create limitations,
as to position, orientation in actual use of the invention.
[0016] Similarly reference to either axially, radially or tangentially if used in the above
is generally in relation to rotatable or cylindrical bodies of the elements described.
Also where in the above reference is made to longitudinal or lateral this is in reference
to the length or width directions respectively of elements, which have an oblong appearance
in the accompanying drawings. Again this interpretation has only been used for ease
of reference and should not be construed as a limitation of the shape of such elements.
1. Ladder cord assembly for a Venetian blind, including a ladder cord and a connector,
the connector having a first portion for securing to a bottom rail of a Venetian blind
and a second portion that is permanently connected to the ladder cord.
2. Ladder cord assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a groove
for receiving an end portion of the ladder cord.
3. Ladder cord assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector further includes
a slot for receiving a lift cord.
4. Ladder cord assembly according to claim 3, wherein the slot is positioned in the connector
such that its entrance becomes closed once the connector is inserted in an opening
in a bottom rail.
5. Ladder cord assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion is
adapted to be releasably secured to a bottom rail.
6. Ladder cord assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion
is fused to the ladder cord.
7. Ladder cord assembly according to claim 6, wherein the connector is of polycarbonate
and the ladder cord of a polyester.