Bottom up top down cordless shade

Abstract

A cordless bottom up top down window covering is disclosed. The window covering includes a headrail, an intermediate rail, a bottom rail, at least one lift cord extending through each of the headrail, intermediate rail and bottom rail, at least one post or unidirectional wheel located in the intermediate rail, and a single lifting mechanism operatively connected to the at least one lift cord. The lift cords are engaged with either the post or unidirectional wheel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Bottom up top down (herein after “BUTD”) window coverings are often employed in situations where it is desired to selectively cover / uncover different portions of a window (i.e.—top portions and bottom portions). The use of standard window coverings, whether typical Venetian blinds, cellular shades or the like, only allows for the covering of a window from the top of the window down. Therefore, the covering of the window using such standard window coverings always insures that either the entire window is uncovered, or at least a top portion of the window is covered. BUTD window coverings are made so that they can be raised and lowered from the top as well as from the bottom. Thus, a user can selectively cover or uncover either the top portion or bottom portion or some intermediate portion of a window. [0002] Prior art BUTD window coverings include a headrail, an intermediate rail, and a bottom rails. A window covering material is often disposed betw...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The window covering according to the above embodiment may include a pair of lift cords, a pair of posts and a single spring motor located in the bottom rail for retracting the pair of lift cords. The intermediate rail may be moveable with respect to the headrail and the bottom rail. The frictional engagement of the lift cords with the posts is achieved by wrapping each lift cord around a different post. The spring motor according to this embodiment may include a main body, a pair of cord spools rotatably mounted on the main body, each of the cord spools connected to one of the pair of cords, a drum rotatably mounted on a central portion of the main body, the drum in rotatable engagement with the pair of cord spools, and a pair of coil springs connected to the drum, the coil springs each being biased to rotate the drum which rotates the cord spools to wind the each of the cords onto one of the spools. The window covering may also include a locking mechanism to releasably secure the cords in position. Actuation of the locking mechanism allows movement of the bottom rail.

Problems solved by technology

This setup typically causes confusion as to which lock operate.

Similarly, where the mechanisms for engaging or disengaging the cord locks are cords or chains, the abundance of the cords or chains creates a situation in which tangling is likely.

Images