Appeal 2007-0994
Application 10/171,358
Appellant claims an equalizing connector for a plurality of lift cords which
attach a foot rail to a head rail in a window covering. Claim 1, reproduced below,
is further illustrative of the claimed subject matter.
1. The combination of a pull cord, lift cords, and connector for a window
covering assembly, the combination comprising: a pull cord, a plurality of lift
cords, and a connector including a plurality of connecting members, each
connecting member having secured thereto no more than a single lift cord so as to
independently secure said no more than one lift cord of the plurality of lift cords to
said connector whereby each connecting member is disassociated from all other lift
cords, said connector further including a means for securing a pull cord to said
connector.
The reference of record relied upon by the Examiner as evidence of
obviousness is:
Judkins US 5,560,414 Oct. 1, 1996
Claims 1, 4, 5, 36-38, 40, 47, and 48 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
unpatentable over Judkins.
FINDINGS OF FACT
The following represents our findings of fact with respect to the scope and
content of the prior art reference of Judkins and the differences between the prior
art and the claimed invention. Judkins discloses a combination of a pull cord, lift
cords, and connector for a window assembly. More specifically, Judkins discloses
a bottom rail 52 and a head rail 51, which have the window covering 53 extending
therebetween. Operating cords 60 are used to shorten the distance between the
bottom rail and head rail spanned by the window covering 53 to raise the shade.
Operating cords 60 come together in the connector 61 which has a pull cord 62
extending therefrom. The operating or lift cords 60 have a bead or ferrule crimped
2
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