US20080099165A1

US20080099165A1 - Method and apparatus for window covering with a cord safety device

Info

Publication number: US20080099165A1
Application number: US11/554,798
Authority: US
Inventors: Clifford Birch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries Switzerland GmbH; Levolor Inc
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2006-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-01
Also published as: CA2601483C; MX2007013429A; CA2601483A1

Abstract

A cord safety system comprises a window covering panel, a headrail, a cord, and a connective member. The cord is adapted to lift the window covering panel and the cord is directly gripped by the connective member. When a predetermined load is applied to the cord, the connective member releases the cord. The cord can be reinserted into the connective member.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to window coverings, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a safety device for lift cord portions of window coverings or other products that use a lift cord.
Window coverings such as shades and blinds are used to selectively cover and uncover architectural features such as windows, doorways, alcoves and the like. Window coverings use lift cords that allow a user to raise or lower the panel of the window coverings by manipulating (e.g. pulling or releasing) the lift cords. The lift cords typically have a pull cord portion that is manipulated by the user and a lift cord portion that is operatively connected to the panel to raise and lower the panel when the pull cord portion is manipulated.
In recent years steps have been taken in the window covering industry to increase the safety of exposed cords. The window covering industry has developed release mechanisms for window covering cords that minimize the likelihood that a person or object will become entangled in the cord. These release mechanisms should be simple and effective while not detracting from the overall appearance of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cord safety system of the present invention has particular utility for window coverings although it may be useful for other systems where cord safety is a concern. In one embodiment of the system of the present invention, the window covering, which has a movable panel, comprises a cord and a connective member. The connective member is secured to the window covering and has a connective portion adapted to directly grasp the cord and to release the cord upon a predetermined condition.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of providing a cord safety system for a window covering. This method comprises providing a releasable cord connection system including at least one connective member secured to the window covering. The connective member is coupled to a cord by applying pressure directly to the cord. The cord is releasable from the connective member when at least a predetermined force is applied to the cord.
In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is a method of operating a cord safety system for a window covering. This method comprises supporting a cord of the window covering directly by a connective member. The connective member releases the cord when a load is applied to the cord that exceeds a predetermined load. The cord is reattached to the connective member.
In another embodiment, the window covering comprises a headrail, a panel connected to the headrail, a cord for moving the panel, and a clamp connected to the headrail. The cord has a distal end that is directly gripped by the clamp to provide a predetermined gripping force such that the clamp releases the distal end of the cord when a load greater than the counteractive force applied to the cord by the clamp is applied to the cord.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a window covering in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the window covering of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the cord safety system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the window covering of the invention showing the cord safety system of the invention in greater detail.

FIGS. 4 a-c are side views of the cord safety system illustrating one embodiment of operation of the system of the invention.

FIGS. 5 a-c. are alternate embodiments of the connective members of the cord safety system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the operation of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are partial perspective views showing alternate embodiments of the gripping portions of the connective members of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the window covering of FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment of the cord safety system of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial section view of a cellular shade showing another embodiment of the cord safety system of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away side view of alternate arrangement of the connective member.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a window covering in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial section view of the shade of FIG. 10 shade showing another embodiment of the cord safety system of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an architectural feature 1 that may be covered by a window covering 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the architectural feature is shown as a window, however, the architectural feature may be a door, opening, alcove or other feature. Window covering 2 may be made from any one of a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to wood, polyvinyl chloride, bamboo, plastic, woven material, fabric, vinyl and aluminum. Window covering 2 may also be made in a wide variety of styles including, but not limited to, horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, woven blinds, shades, draperies, pleated blinds, Roman shades and cellular blinds.
In the illustrated embodiment, the window has a frame or casement 4 defining an opening 6 in wall 7. The window covering 2 is mounted to the window casement 4 or the wall 7 surrounding the window. Typically, brackets 9 are used that are mounted to the wall 7 or frame 4 that releasably secure the window covering to the window or other architectural feature.
The window covering 2 comprises a panel 3 that is suspended from headrail 5 so that when the headrail 5 is attached to the wall 7 or the casement 4 the panel 3 hangs from the headrail 5. The panel 3 of window covering 2 covers the architectural feature in the extended position and can be retracted or raised to reveal the architectural feature. The panel 3 is made of a relatively flexible material that can be rolled, folded or otherwise contracted and expanded.
In the illustrated embodiment, a roll-up shade is illustrated, although the safety system of the invention may be used on other types and styles of window coverings. The panel 3 is supported by a cord system having a first lift cord 10 and a second lift cord 10′. The first lift cord 10 may be a continuous cord having a first lift cord portion 11 and a first pull cord portion 12. Similarly, the second lift cord 10′ may be a continuous cord having a second lift cord portion 11 and a second pull cord portion 11′. The portion of the lift cords 10 and 10′ that are manipulated by the user are referred to as pull cord portions 12 and 12′. The portions of the lift cords that are operatively connected to the panel 3 are referred to as lift cord portions 11 and 11′. While two lift cords 10 and 10′ are shown, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be used in the lift cord system. Located within the head rail 5 may be rollers or spools over which the cords are wound to facilitate the movement of the cords.
When the pull cord portions 12 and 12′are pulled, the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are effectively shortened thereby rolling the shade panel to raise the panel and reveal the architectural feature. When the pull cord portions 12 and 12′ are released, the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are effectively lengthened thereby unrolling the shade panel to lower the panel and cover the architectural feature. While the invention has been described with respect to a window covering where the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ and pull cord portions 12 and 12′ are formed of a single physical cord, it is to be understood that the cord safety system of the invention has applicability in systems where the lift cord portions and pull cord portions are formed of separate physical elements.
Each lift cord 10, 10′ enters the headrail 5 through an aperture (not shown). Each lift cord 10, 10′ is then directed through and out of the headrail 5 through spaced apertures to create lift cord portions 11 and 11′. The lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are directed down the front of the window covering panel 3, around the bottom of the panel 3 and up the back of the panel 3. The distal ends 20 of the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ are connected to connective members 26 that form part of the cord safety system as will hereinafter be described. While the cord safety system of the invention is described specifically with respect to a loop cord system where the lift cord portions 11 and 11′ loop around the bottom of the shade panel 3, the system has applicability to any system where a cord is suspended from a fixed point.
The lift cord system may also include a cord lock 14 for selectively engaging and locking the pull cord portions 12 and 12′, thereby locking the position of the panel 3. To release the cord lock 14, the cord lock is disengaged from the pull cord portions 12 and 12′. In one embodiment, multiple tassels 15 can be used for multiple pull cord portions, and the multiple tassels may be connected together into a common tassel for uniform lift action. Where multiple tassels are connected together the connection may releasable such that upon application of a predetermined force to the tassel the multiple tassels will separate thereby separating the cords.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cord safety system of the invention is shown with a connective member 26 adapted to releasably grip the end portions 20 of each of the lift cord portions 11 and 11′. Connective member 26 will be described with specific reference to lift cord portion 11 it being understood that the other connective members operate in the same manner with respect to lift cord portions that they support. The connective member 26 is attached to the headrail 5 by fasteners 22. The fasteners 22 may include bolts, screws, rivets or the like to fasten the connective members to the headrail 5 such that they are permanently coupled to the headrail 5. Adhesive may also be used. Alternatively, the connective member 26 may be removably coupled to the headrail 5 such as by having an attachment for hanging the connective member from the headrail 5. Also, the cord safety system is shown connected to the rear side of the headrail 5 where the cord safety system is hidden from view to provide a more aesthetically appealing appearance. However, the connective members 26 may be attached or located elsewhere on the window covering 2.
Although the illustrated embodiment shows two connective members 26, it is to be understood that the invention also contemplates that any number of connective members 26 may be used. In the typical application one connective member 26 will be used with each lift cord 10 and 10′. In larger window coverings more than two lift cords may be used to facilitate the smooth raising and lowering of the shade panel.
In one embodiment the connective member comprises a spring-loaded clamp as best shown in FIG. 3. The connective member 26 includes two gripping members 41 and 42 coupled to one another via a hinge 43. The gripping members 41 and 42 may be made of metal, wood, plastic, or any other reasonably rigid material. Hinge 43 comprises a pivot shaft 45 on which members 41 and 42 are pivotably mounted. The gripping members 41 and 42 may rotate about shaft 45. Because member 41 is fixed to the head rail 3 by fastener 22, member 42 will rotate about shaft 45 towards and away from member 41. It is also possible to fix the position of member 41 relative to shaft 45 such that only member 42 is free to rotate. While the shaft 45 is disposed parallel to head rail 5, it is to be understood that the longitudinal axis of shaft 45 may be arranged at other angles relative to the head rail 5.
A spring 44 is provided to bias member 42 about shaft 45 such that the gripping portions 46 and 47 of members 41 and 42 make contact with one another at jaw portion 49. In one embodiment the spring 44 may comprise a coil spring wound around pivot shaft 45 and contacting the portions of the gripping members 41 and 42 to the side of shaft 45 opposite jaw 49 to force the gripping portions 46 and 47 toward one another. Other arrangements may also be used to bias gripping portions 46 and 47 toward one another including a leaf spring, elastomeric spring, living hinge, counterweights or the like.
In operation of the window covering of the invention lift cord portion 11 is located in jaw 49 between the gripping portions 46 and 47 such that they make direct contact with the cord 11. The gripping members 41 and 42 assert opposing forces on the cord 11 to trap the cord therebetween. This allows the connective member 26 to directly grasp the end portion 20 of the cord 11 without any other element attached to the end of the lift cord portion 11.
The gripping force applied by the gripping portions 46 and 47 to the cord determines the force or load (hereinafter “load”) that can be applied to the cord 11 without the cord 11 pulling from the gripping members 41 and 42. The gripping force applied by the gripping members 41 and 42 is controlled by the spring and geometry of the connective member 26. In addition, the gripping portions 46 and 47 may be provided with teeth 35 (FIG. 7 a) or other gripping elements such as a rough or tacky surface 37 (FIG. 7 b). In one embodiment the connective member 26 is designed to support a predetermined load on the cord. In one embodiment the connective member 26 supports a 3 to 5 pound load on the cord. It is to be understood that industry or other standards may define the maximum load that should be supported and that the connective member may be designed such that the standard load is the predetermined load. If a greater load is applied to the cord than the counteractive force generated on the cords by the gripping members, the cord will be pulled from between the gripping members 41 and 42. The connective member 26 is configured such that the cord 11 is released from the connective member 26 when a load greater than the predetermined load is applied to the cord.
Gripping member 42 also has disengaging portion 53. The disengaging portion 53 is located on the opposite side of the hinge 43 from the gripping portion 46. When a user exerts force on the disengaging portion 53, member 42 rotates about the axis 45 to separate portions 46 and 47 and open jaw 49. The jaw can be opened to allow reinsertion of the cord 11 in the connective member 26.
FIGS. 4 a-c and 6 illustrate the operation of the present invention. FIG. 4 a illustrates the present invention in its normal operative state where the cord system may be used to raise and lower the shade panel. The connective member 26 clamps a lift cord portion 11 by trapping the end portion 20 of the cord between the gripping members 41 and 42 (block 601 of FIG. 6). In this position a “normal” force exerted on the pull cord portion 11 will raise or lower the shade panel 3 as the lift cord portion 11 is retracted or extended. The gripping force exerted by the connective member 26 on the cord 10 is sufficiently large enough to counteract the load exerted on the lift cords when raising or lowering panel 3.
FIG. 4 b illustrates the cord safety system 21 when a predetermined abnormal condition occurs. When a load 39 is applied to the lift cord portion 11, a generally downward force is exerted on the lift cord portion 11. If the load applied to the cord is greater than the counteractive force created by the predetermined gripping force applied to the cord by the connective member 26 (block 602 of FIG. 6), the cord is pulled from between the two gripping members 40 and 41 (block 603 of FIG. 6). As a result, the lift cord portion 11 separates from the connective member 26 and the loop is destroyed.
Referring to FIG. 4 c, after the lift cord portion 11 pulls from the connective member 26, the lift cord portion 20 may be re-attached to the connective member 26 (block 604 of FIG. 6). This is done by exerting a force on the release portion 53 of gripping member 42 to thereby separate the gripping portions 46 and 47. The end 20 of lift cord portion 11 is then positioned between the two gripping members 41 and 42 and the release portion 53 is released allowing the gripping portion 46 to move toward gripping portion 47 under the force of spring 44 to again grip the lift cord portion 11.
The cord safety system is designed such that the connective member 26 releases the cord when a load exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the cord. This predetermined load is the load that can be supported by the gripping force applied by the connective member 26 to the lift cord portion 11. For example, if the connective member 26 can resist a downward load of 15 pounds on the cord, then the cord will be released if a load of greater than 15 pounds is applied to the cord. This predetermined gripping force may vary depending upon the desired load at which the cord is to separate from the connective member.
Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment is shown where like reference numerals are used to identify like components previously described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the connective member 26 is supported on a support 80 such that the connective member is suspended below the lower edge 5 a of the head rail 5. Such a support may be used where the head rail is intended to be mounted against a surface such that the connective member would otherwise be trapped between the head rail and a surface to which the head rail is mounted. In such an arrangement, if the connective member is mounted directly to the head rail, the connective member may be squeezed between the surface and the head rail such that it may inadvertently opened and release the cord. Moreover, if the space between the head rail and the surface is small it may be difficult for the user to access the connective member to reinsert the cord into the connective member. Mounting the connective member such that it is suspended below the head rail 5 prevents the connective member from being inadvertently opened during installation or use of the window covering and facilitates the user's access to the connective member.
In the illustrated embodiment a ring 82 is rotatably supported in sleeve 84 where sleeve 84 is fixed to the back of the head rail 5. Ring 82 is inserted through an aperture 86 formed in gripping member 41. Ring 82 can rotate in sleeve 84 as shown by arrow A and connective member 26 can rotate and slide relative to ring 82 by the engagement of ring 82 with aperture 86. Providing this freedom of movement allows the connective member to be positioned relative to the head rail during installation in a position where the connective member will not be inadvertently opened and where the user can more easily access the connective member for reinsertion of the cord 11. Ring 82 is dimensioned such that the release portion 49 of connective member 26 is disposed below the bottom edge 5 a of the head rail 5. While a ring 82 is illustrated the connective member 26 may be mounted to the head rail 5 using a flexible support such as a strap, cord or chain or a pivoting support such as a flange. To open the connective member to reinsert the cord the release portions 53 on both members 41 and 42 are squeezed toward one another to force gripping portions 46 and 47 away from one another and open jaw 49.
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a window covering using the safety device of the invention where like reference numerals are used to identify like components previously described with reference to FIG. 2. The window covering in FIG. 9 comprises a cellular shade panel 90 supported from head rail 92 and movable between raised and lowered positions by a lift cord portion 94. The bottom edge of panel 90 is connected to a bottom rail 96. The lift cord 94 is raised and lowered by the manipulation of a pull cord (not shown) as is known. It is to be understood that the window covering may include a plurality of lift cords and pull cords and that the head rail 92 may house spools, motors, locking devices, transmission systems, brakes or the like as is known in the art. Moreover, while a single cell configuration is illustrated the shade of the invention may be configured as a double or triple cell shade. A double cell configuration has two layers of cells while a triple cell configuration has three layers of cells. Further, while the shade panel 90 is illustrated as a cellular shade it may comprise any material or construction including but not limited to woven, fabric, Venetian blind, mini-blind, slats or the like.
The lift cord portion 94 extends from the head rail to the bottom rail 96 and is fixed to the bottom rail by a connective member 26. Connective member 26 may be constructed as described herein and is fixed to bottom rail 96. The connective member 26 may be connected to the outside of bottom rail 96, either directly as shown in FIG. 2 or by a support as shown in FIG. 8. The difference being that the connective member 26 is arranged with jaw portion 49 facing upwards.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connective member 26 is located internally of the bottom rail 96 such that it is completely hidden from view. The lift cord portion 94 extends through an aperture 98 formed in the bottom rail 96 where it can be gripped by jaw 49 of connective member 26 as previously described. The connective member 26 is mounted in bottom rail 96 such that it is fixed thereto such as by flange 100 with jaw 49 facing upward to receive lift cord portion 94.
Because the connective member 26 is located internally of bottom rail 96, a release mechanism is provided to open jaw 49 such that the lift cord portion 94 can be reinserted into the connective member 26 by the user in the event the safety system is activated and the cord is released. A push button 102 is connected to release portion 53 of gripping member 42 that extends through an aperture 104 formed in bottom rail 96. Push button 102 is supported in a bearing sleeve 105 such that it can move in the direction of arrow B. The push button 102 can be pressed by the user from outside of the bottom rail to open the jaw 49 to allow reinsertion of the lift cord portion 96 into connective member 26.
The connective member 26 can also be located internally of head rail 5 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 such that it is hidden from view. Referring to FIG. 10 where like reference numerals are used to describe like components previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a window covering is shown with the connective member 26 located within head rail 5. The connective member 26 is fixed to an internal structure of the head rail such as the wall of head rail 5 and includes a push button release 110 similar to the push button release 102 previously described with respect to FIG. 9.
The safety system of the invention may also be used in a top down bottom up shade as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. A shade panel 126 is supported on the head rail 122 consisting of a plurality of cells 128 that extend for substantially the width of the panel. The panel 126 has an upper edge 126 a defined by middle rail 124 that is disposed closer to head rail 122 than the panel lower edge 126 b. While shade panel 126 is shown as a cellular shade it may be constructed of any material and have any shade panel construction.
Referring again to FIG. 11, a bottom rail 130 is secured to the lower edge 126 b of the panel 126 by adhesive, mechanical connection or other securing device. The panel 6 is supported on head rail 122 by a first pair of lift cords 120 and a second pair of lift cords 140. The lift cords 120 are connected to the bottom rail 130 and are used to raise and lower the lower edge 126 b of the panel 126. The second pair of lift cords 140 are secured to the middle rail 124 located at the upper edge of the panel 126 as will hereinafter be described to raise and lower the upper edge of the panel.
Lift cords 140 extend into the head rail 2 and are connected to draw cords 136 and 138, respectively, that are manipulated by the user to raise and lower the lower edge of the panel and the upper edge of the panel, respectively. Pulling on draw cord 136 will cause lift cords 120 to raise the lower edge of panel 126 and pulling on draw cord 138 will cause lift cords 124 to raise the upper edge of panel 126. Releasing the draw cords 136 and/or 138 allows the upper and lower edges of the panel to extend away from the head rail 122. In some embodiments the lift cords and draw cords consist of a common element such that, for example, each lift cord 120 extends through the head rail to form draw cord 136 and each lift cord 140 extends through the head rail and to form draw cord 138. The head rail 122 typically includes spools or other mechanisms over which the cords are wound and lock mechanisms 130 for locking the blind panel 126 in the desired position and may include motors, locking devices or other structure as is known. So called day/night shades have a similar construction. The difference between the day/night shade and the top down/bottom up shade described with respect to FIG. 11 is the addition of a second shade connected between the head rail 122 and the middle rail 124.
A connective member 26 is located in middle rail 124 to connect lift cords 140 to the middle rail as shown in FIG. 12. Connective member 26 may be constructed as described herein and is fixed to middle rail 124. The connective member 26 may be connected to the middle rail 124 as previously described with respect to the top rail where the connective member 26 is mounted to the outside of the middle rail 124, either directly as shown in FIG. 2 or by a support as shown in FIG. 8. The difference being that the connective member is arranged with jaw portion 49 facing upwards.
In the illustrated embodiment the connective member 26 is located internally of the middle rail 124 such that it is completely hidden from view. The lift cord portion 140 extends through an aperture 150 formed in the middle rail 124 where it can be gripped by jaw 49 of connective member 26 as previously described. The connective member 26 is mounted in middle rail 124 such that it is fixed thereto such as by flange 152 with jaw 49 facing upward to receive lift cord portion 140.
Because the connective member 26 is located internally of middle rail 124, a release mechanism is provided to open jaw 49 such that the lift cord portion 140 can be reinserted into the connective member 26 by the user in the event the safety system is activated and the cord is released. A push button 154 is connected to release portion 53 of gripping member 42 that extends through an aperture 156 formed in middle rail 124. Push button 154 is supported in a bearing sleeve 158 such that it can move in the direction of arrow C. The push button 154 can be pressed by the user from outside of the bottom rail to open the jaws to allow reinsertion of the lift cord portion 140 into connective member 26.
FIGS. 5 a-d, described below, illustrate several different exemplary alternate embodiments of the connective member of the cord safety system where like reference numerals are used to describe like components previously described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 5. FIG. 5 a shows a resilient clamp 50 as the connective member 26. This type of clamp does not use a separate spring and hinge. Clamp 50 is comprised a piece of bent metal (or other resilient material) formed to have a first gripping member 51 formed with a gripping portion 55 and a second opposed gripping member 52 formed with a gripping portion 57. The gripping portions 55 and 57 are forced into engagement with one another by physical configuration of the clamp to provide a predetermined gripping force on cord 11 located between the gripping portions. The clamp 50 may be opened by forcing apart members 51 and 52 thereby deforming the material of the clamp and creating a biasing force that operates to close the clamp. One of the gripping members 51 is fixed to the head rail such as by fastener 22. A handle 54 may be provided on the other gripping member to facilitate the opening of the device by applying external force to the handle 54 that deforms the clamp to force gripping member 52 away from gripping member 51. Cord 11 is inserted between the gripping members 51 and 52 and the handle is released. The resiliency of the material of the clamp closes the gripping member 52 on gripping member 51 such that the clamp 50 grips the cord 11 with a predetermined gripping force. The cord is released when a downward load is applied to the cord greater than the counteractive force generated by the gripping force exerted by members 51 and 52.
FIG. 5 b shows another embodiment of the connective member 26 as a clamp 60 having two gripping members 61 and 62 spaced from one another a known distance. The distance between the members 61 and 62 is less than the diameter of the cord 11 such that the clamp 60 will hold the lift cord portion 11 by trapping the cord between members 61 and 62. To attach the end 20 of lift cord portion 11 to the clamp 60, the end portion 20 is forced between the gripping members 61 and 62. The members 61 and 62 may resiliently deform when the cord is inserted. The edges of the members 61 and 62 may be beveled to facilitate insertion of the cord. The cord is released when a downward load is applied to the cord greater than the counteractive force generated by the gripping force exerted by members 61 and 62.
FIG. 5 c shows another embodiment of connective member 26 comprising a spring biased gripping member 70. The spring biased gripping member 70 has a gripping portion 72 and is mounted for pivoting motion about or with shaft 74. Shaft 74 is supported on head rail 5 and the gripping member 70 is biased against head rail 5 by spring 76. The embodiment of FIG. 4 d is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3 except that the cord 11 is trapped between the gripping portion 72 of gripping member 70 and a portion of the headrail 5.
Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments, other than those disclosed, are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A window covering having a movable panel comprising:

a cord; and

a connective member secured to the window covering and having a gripping portion adapted to directly grip said cord and to release said cord upon a predetermined condition.

2. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition comprises applying at least a predetermined load to the cord.

3. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the connective member is adapted and configured to grip the cord if less than a predetermined load is applied to the cord.

4. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the connective member comprises a first member and second member, where the cord is trapped between the first member and second member;

wherein the first member and the second member apply a force directly to the cord; and

wherein the first and second members release the cord upon fulfillment of the predetermined condition.

5. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the window covering includes a head rail, said connective member attached to the headrail.

6. The window covering of claim 5, further comprising a panel connected to the headrail.

7. The window covering of claim 4, wherein the second member comprises a portion of the headrail.

8. The window covering of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the cord is gripped by the connective member.

9. The window covering of claim 5, wherein the first member is biased by a spring.

10. The window covering of claim 4, wherein the first member comprises a gripping portion that contacts the cord when the cord is gripped and the second member comprises a gripping portion that contacts the cord when the cord is gripped; and

wherein at least one of the first member gripping portion or the second member gripping portion include a rough surface.

11. The window covering of claim 4, wherein the first member comprises a gripping portion that contacts the cord when the cord is gripped and the second member comprises a gripping portion that contacts the cord when the cord is gripped; and

wherein at least one of the first member gripping portion or the second member gripping portion include teeth.

12. The window covering of claim 5, wherein the cord is connected to the headrail by the connective member so that the panel may be raised when a force is applied to the cord.

13. The window covering of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connective members and a plurality of cords.

14. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the window covering includes a bottom rail, said connective member attached to the bottom rail.

15. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the window covering includes a middle rail, said connective member attached to the middle rail.

16. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the window covering includes a rail, said connective member attached to the rail.

17. The window covering of claim 16 wherein the connective member is located internally of said rail.

18. The window covering of claim 17 further including a mechanism accessible from outside of the rail for opening the connective member.

19. The window covering of claim 16 wherein the connective member is located externally of said rail.

20. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the connective member is mounted directly to said rail.

21. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the connective member is mounted to said rail by a support member such that it is located at least partially below the rail.

22. The window covering of claim 21 wherein the support member allows the connective member to pivot relative to said rail.

23. A method of providing a cord safety system for a window covering, the method comprising:

providing a cord and a connective member secured to the window covering, wherein the at least one connective member is coupled to the cord by applying pressure directly to the cord; and

releasing the cord being the connective member when at least a predetermined load is applied to the cord.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined load applied to the cord is greater than the counteractive force to the cord that is created by the gripping pressure applied to the cord by the connective member.

25. A method of operating a cord safety system for a window covering, the method comprising:

supporting a cord of the window covering directly by a connective member;

applying a load to the cord enough to exceed a predetermined amount;

releasing the cord from the connective member; and

reattaching the cord to the connective member.

26. A window covering comprising:

a headrail;

a panel connected to the headrail;

a cord for moving the panel, said cord having a distal end and a proximate end; and

a clamp having a gripping portion attached to the headrail of the window covering, wherein the gripping portion of the clamp directly grips the distal end of the cord such that the clamp releases said distal end of the cord when a load greater than a predetermined load is applied to the cord.

27. The window covering of claim 26 wherein the clamp directly grips the distal end of the cord to create a counteractive force that determines the predetermined load.

28. A cord safety system for a window covering having a panel, a cord and a headrail, wherein the cord is adapted for controlling movement of the panel of the window covering, the cord safety system comprising:

a connective member having a gripping portion for gripping the cord, said connective member connected to a portion of the window covering; and

wherein the gripping portion of the connective member is adapted and configured to release said cord upon the fulfillment of a predetermined condition.