Window blind cord winding apparatus

• US 5,630,456 A
• Filed: 05/08/1996
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Connolly International, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Connolly International, Ltd.
• Inventors: Hugo, Ross, Hugo, Marie J. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Purol, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/646,385
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 160/173 R, 160/168.1 R, 160/320, 160/321, 160/178.1 R, 160/178.2 R, 160/107, 242/395, 242/395.1, 242/396.4, 242/388
• US Class Current: 160/173.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/326 Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs

Abstract

A window blind cord winding apparatus includes an outer housing with a circular spool receiving cavity. A spool is provided that has a circular cord bell receiving cavity. The spool is disposed within the circular spool receiving cavity of the outer housing. The circular cord bell receiving cavity has an inner surface with a gear profile. A closure cap is engagable with the outer sidewall to enclose the outer housing. The closure cap has an exterior surface and an interior cavity. A shaft extends through the closure cap. The shaft has a first end extending into the interior cavity and a second end extending from the exterior surface. A gear is mounted to the first end of the shaft. A hand grip is secured to the second end of the shaft. When the closure cap is placed onto the outer housing the gear engages the gear profile on the inner surface of the cord bell receiving cavity of the spool. Upon the hand grip being used to rotate the shaft, the gear rotates engaging the gear profile to rotate the spool. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the spool in a selected rotational position relative to the outer housing.

Claims

1. A window blind cord winding apparatus, comprising:

an outer housing having a circular spool receiving cavity with a cord access opening;

a spool positioned in the spool receiving cavity of the outer housing, the spool having a circular cord bell receiving cavity with an inner gear profile and a cord access opening;

a removable closure cap engagable with the outer housing, the closure cap having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, a shaft extending through the closure cap, the shaft having a first end extending into the interior cavity and a second end extending from the exterior surface, a gear being mounted to the first end of the shaft, a hand grip being secured to the second end of the shaft, the gear engaging the inner gear profile on the cord bell receiving cavity of the spool, whereby the hand grip is used to rotate the gear with the gear engaging the inner gear profile to rotate the spool; and

means for locking the spool in a selected rotational position relative to the outer housing.

2. A window blind cord winding apparatus, comprising:

an outer housing including a base plate and an outer sidewall that extends from the base plate to define a circular spool receiving cavity, a slot being provided through the outer sidewall, thereby providing access to the circular spool receiving cavity;

a spool including a circular base plate and a sidewall that extends from the base plate to define a circular cord bell receiving cavity, the spool being rotatably mounted within the circular spool receiving cavity of the outer housing, a slot being provided through the sidewall thereby providing access to the circular cord bell receiving cavity, the circular cord bell receiving cavity having an inner surface with a gear profile;

a closure cap engagable with the outer sidewall to enclose the outer housing, the closure cap having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, a shaft extending through the closure cap, the shaft having a first end extending into the interior cavity and a second end extending from the exterior surface, a gear being mounted to the first end of the shaft, a hand grip being secured to the second end of the shaft, when the closure cap is placed onto the outer housing the gear engages the gear profile on the inner surface of the cord bell receiving cavity of the spool, such that upon the hand grip being used to rotate the shaft, the gear rotates engaging the gear profile to rotate the spool; and

means for locking the spool in a selected rotational position relative to the outer housing.

3. In combination;

a window blind cord having a free end on which is positioned a cord bell;

a window blind cord winding apparatus, including;

an outer housing including a base plate and an outer sidewall that extends from the base plate to define a circular spool receiving cavity, a slot being provided through the outer sidewall, thereby providing access to the circular spool receiving cavity;

a spool including a circular base plate and a sidewall that extends from the base plate to define a circular cord bell receiving cavity, the spool being rotatably mounted within the circular spool receiving cavity of the outer housing, a slot being provided through the sidewall thereby providing access to the circular cord bell receiving cavity, the circular cord bell receiving cavity having an inner surface with a gear profile; and

a closure cap engagable with the outer sidewall to enclose the outer housing, the closure cap having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, a shaft extending through the closure cap, the shaft having a first end extending into the interior cavity and a second end extending from the exterior surface, a gear being mounted to the first end of the shaft, a hand grip being secured to the second end of the shaft, when the closure cap is placed onto the outer housing the gear engages the gear profile on the inner surface of the bell receiving cavity of the spool; and

means for locking the spool in a selected rotational position relative to the outer housing;

the cord bell being positioned in the circular cord bell receiving cavity, the cord being extended through the slot in the spool and the slot in the outer housing, such that upon the hand grip being used to rotate the shaft, the gear rotates engaging the gear profile to rotate the spool, thereby winding the cord around the spool.