Control mechanism for a window covering

Abstract

A control mechanism for use in a window covering to control the raising and lowering of one or more control cords to open and close light blocking elements is provided. The control mechanism includes a frame which is mountable within a support structure, such as the headrail, and includes as a first abutment stop and a second abutment stop. The position of the frame of the control mechanism is slidingly adjustable relative to the head rail to accommodate different width window spaces.

1 . A control mechanism for a window covering, the window covering including at least one control cord operatively connected to at least one light blocking element, the control mechanism adapted to adjust positioning of the control cord and comprising: 
 a frame adapted for mounting in a head rail, the frame being adjustably slidable relative to the head rail between an extended position and an unextended position such that, in the extended position, a first end of the frame extends beyond an edge of the head rail; and    the head rail and frame are selectably securable with one another with a latch member.    
     
     
         2 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the detent member is integral with the head rail.  
     
     
         3 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the detent member is integral with the frame.  
     
     
         4 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member securely engages the head rail.  
     
     
         5 . The control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member is secured with the frame.  
     
     
         6 . The control mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the frame further includes a track and a plurality of detent members are disposed along the track.  
     
     
         7 . The control mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the track defines a central portion and marginal portions, wherein the detent members are disposed along the marginal portions, and the latch member extends through the central portion.  
     
     
         8 . A control mechanism for a window covering, the control mechanism comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame adapted for mounting in a head rail, the frame further including a first abutment stop, and a second abutment stop, the frame being adjustable relative to the head rail between an extended position and an unextended position such that, in the extended position, a first end of the frame extends beyond an edge of the head rail;    a sliding module secured with a control cord of the window covering, the sliding module being engaged with a first surface of the frame and moveable between a first position and a second position;    the first abutment stop arresting movement of the sliding module toward the first end of the frame when the sliding module is at the first position;    the second abutment stop arresting the movement of the sliding module toward the first end of the frame when the sliding module is in the second position; and    the head rail and frame are selectably securable with one another in the extended position with a latch member.    
     
     
         9 . The control mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the detent member is integral with the head rail.  
     
     
         10 . The control mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the detent member is integral with the frame.  
     
     
         11 . The control mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the latch member is secured with the head rail.  
     
     
         12 . The control mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the latch member is secured with the frame.  
     
     
         13 . The control mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the frame further includes a track and a plurality of detent members are disposed along the track.  
     
     
         14 . The control mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the track defines a central portion and marginal portions, wherein the detent members are disposed along the marginal portions, and the latch member extends through the central portion.  
     
     
         15 . A method for installing a window covering in a window space, the window covering comprising a head rail and a control mechanism having a frame and mounted in the head rail, the method comprising: 
 measuring a width of the window space;    laterally adjusting an overall width of the frame and the head rail to approximate the width of the window space by moving the frame relative to the head rail so as to adjust a length of the frame extending past a side edge of the head rail; and    mounting the head rail in the window space.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein laterally adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail includes disengaging a latch member from a detent member, slidingly adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail, and releasing the latch member to engage a second detent member.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein laterally adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail includes disengaging a first latch member from a detent member, slidingly adjusting the position of the frame relative to the head rail, and engaging a second latch member with the detent member.