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Coverings for architectural openings with cord lockCoverings for architectural openings with cord lock description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175594, Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/764,137 ("the '137 application"), which was filed on Jan. 31, 2006 and entitled "Coverings for Architectural Openings With Cord Lock." The '137 application is incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates generally to coverings for architectural openings and more particularly to a cord lock which might be used for example on a lift cord for moving a covering between extended and retracted positions. [0004]2. Description of the Relevant Art [0005]Coverings for architectural openings have assumed numerous forms for many years but the more popular forms of such coverings are retractable so as to be movable between an extended position across the architectural opening and a retracted position adjacent one or more sides of the opening. Examples of such retractable coverings are venetian blinds, vertical blinds, collapsible cellular shades, roll up shades, and the like. [0006]In most any retractable covering for architectural openings, cords are utilized in the operation of the shade with an example being a lift cord which might extend from a bottom rail of the covering through a head rail to a hand-manipulated tassel. Other cords used in operating retractable coverings might simply extend from a hand manipulatable tassel to a control mechanism in a head rail for the covering so that hand movement of the tassel moves the cord in a desired operation of the covering. In many instances, it is desired to retain the cord, be it a lift cord or other control cord used in coverings, at a preselected position and, accordingly, cord locks have been devised and utilized for many years. [0007]Typical cord locks include a pivotal lock member through which the cord passes with the lock member swinging between locked and unlocked positions depending upon a predetermined movement and orientation of the cord. Typically, the lock member pivots about an axis that extends perpendicularly to the architectural opening in which the covering is mounted so that movement of the cord in operation of the cord lock is in a plane parallel with the architectural opening. Such movement is not always convenient as the operator of the covering may be forced to operate the covering from a position not immediately adjacent to the covering. Accordingly, improvements in such lock mechanisms are continually being investigated by those skilled in the art. [0008]It is to provide a covering for architectural openings with an improved cord-lock mechanism, that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]The cord lock of the present invention may be incorporated into the headrail of a covering for an architectural opening at an end thereof. The cord lock includes a pivot shaft extending in parallel relationship with the length of the head rail with the pivot shaft being mounted on a fixed plate at the end of the head rail. A lock member is pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft with the lock member including a pair of substantially mutually perpendicular plate portions defining a gap therebetween through which a cord is passed. The lock member is pivotal between locked and unlocked positions about the pivot shaft. The cord passes freely through the gap in the lock member in the unlocked position but passes through a tortuous path through the lock member when in the locked position. In the locked position, the cord is pinched as it passes through the gap thereby preventing it from movement. [0010]As will be appreciated, since the lock member is pivoted about a shaft parallel with the length of the head rail, the cord can be used to operate the cord lock by moving the cord within a vertical plane perpendicular to the pivot shaft and the architectural opening. [0011]A cover plate is pivotally mounted on the end of the head rail also for movement between locked and unlocked positions and the cord passes through a hole in the cover plate so that movement of the cord while moving the lock member between locked and unlocked positions also moves the cover plate between locked and unlocked positions. [0012]The cover plate is biased toward its locked position but that bias can be overcome by movement of the cord in a direction to unlock the lock member. Upon releasing the cord, the cover plate is allowed to return to its locked position pulling the cords therewith in a direction that pulls the lock member to its locked position. Accordingly, the entire cord lock system is biased toward a locked position, but can be released therefrom by movement of the cord in a direction perpendicularly away from the head rail and the architectural opening in which the covering is mounted. [0013]The cord lock can be used in association with single or multiple cords. Further, single or multiple cord locks can be incorporated into a covering in accordance with the invention to selectively lock and unlock cords associated with different movements of the covering. [0014]Other aspects, features, and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]FIG. 1 is an isometric of a top down/bottom up retractable covering for an architectural opening incorporating a pair of cord locks in accordance with the present invention with the covering being shown in a fully extended position. [0016]FIG. 2 is an isometric similar to FIG. 1 showing the covering in a fully retracted position. [0017]FIG. 3 is an isometric showing the covering of FIG. 1 with the bottom rail fully extended and the middle rail partially extended. [0018]FIG. 4 is an isometric of the covering of FIG. 1 with the middle rail fully retracted and the bottom rail partially extended. [0019]FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the covering of FIG. 1 with the cover plate and cord lock of the invention in a locked position. [0020]FIG. 6 is an end elevation similar to FIG. 5 showing the cover plate and cord lock in an unlocked position. Continue reading about Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock... Full patent description for Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method of manufacture of an energy absorbing tire cage Next Patent Application: Roman shade with folding sheets Industry Class: Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Coverings for architectural openings with cord lock patent info. 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