Automatic releasable top down shade system and method

Abstract

An automatic releasable top down shade system includes a header. A release mechanism is provided that is conformed to connect with the header. A shade with an upper section and a lower section is provided where the upper section of the shade is connected with both the header and the release mechanism and where the lower section is connected with the release mechanism. A lift cord supports the shade and the lift cord is also connected with the release mechanism such that the lift cord activates the release mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic releasable top down shade system comprising:
 a. a header;   b. a release mechanism conformed to connect with said header;   c. a shade with an upper section and a lower section wherein said upper section of said shade is connected with said header and said release mechanism and wherein said lower section is connected with said release mechanism; and   d. a lift cord supporting said shade wherein said lift cord is also connected with said release mechanism such that said lift cord activates said release mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said release mechanism further comprises:
 a. an inner latching component; and 
 b. an outer latching component wherein said inner latching component is contained within said outer latching component and said lift cord connects with both said outer latching component and said inner latching component. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said inner latching component fits within an operating space in said outer latching component wherein said operating space is larger than said inner latching component such that said inner latching component is moveable within said operating space. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said release mechanism includes a biasing device conformed to automatically operate upon activation by said lift cord. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  further including a biasing device connected with said inner latching component wherein said biasing device forces said inner latching component to move within said operating space in said outer latching component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 a. said header includes a front guide leg and a back guide leg and wherein said front guide leg includes a ledge and wherein said release mechanism is conformed to fit between said front guide leg and said back guide leg; and 
 b. a latching pawl in said inner latching component wherein said latching pawl is conformed to connect with said ledge. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said outer latching component includes a lift cord opening through said outer latching component and wherein said inner latching component includes a lift cord opening through said inner latching component and wherein said lift cord passes through said lift cord opening in said outer latching component and said inner latching component. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said lift cord openings in said outer latching component and said inner latching component are aligned when said inner latching component is in a first position and wherein said lift cord openings are misaligned when said inner latching component moves from said first position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further including a tether cord connected with said header and said shade. 
     
     
         10 . An automatic releasable top down shade system comprising:
 a. a header with a front guide leg and a back guide leg;   b. a release mechanism conformed to fit within said header between said front guide leg and said back guide leg wherein said release mechanism includes an inner latching component and an outer latching component wherein said inner latching component is contained within said outer latching component;   c. a shade with an upper section and a lower section wherein said upper section of said shade is connected with said header and said release mechanism and wherein said lower section is connected with said release mechanism and a bottom bar; and   d. a lift cord connected with said header and supporting said shade wherein said lift cord connects with both said outer latching component and said inner latching component such that removal of tension on said lift cord activates said release mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said inner latching component fits within an operating space in said outer latching component wherein said operating space is larger than said inner latching component such that said inner latching component is moveable within said operating space. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further including a biasing device connected with said inner latching component wherein when extended said biasing device forces said inner latching component to move within said operating space in said outer latching component. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a. a ledge in said front leg of said header; and 
 b. a latching pawl in said inner latching component wherein said latching pawl is conformed to connect with said ledge. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said outer latching component includes a top and a bottom with a lift cord opening in said top and said bottom and wherein said inner latching component includes a hole through said inner latching component and wherein said lift cord passes through said holes in said outer latching component and said inner latching component. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  further including a tether cord connected with the header and the shade. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein when said upper section of said shade and said bottom section of said shade are selected from a group of shades consisting of transparent shades and non-transparent shades. 
     
     
         17 . An automatic releasable top down shade method comprising:
 a. providing a header; a release mechanism releasably connectable with said header; a shade with an upper section and a lower section wherein said upper section of said shade is connected with said header and said release mechanism and wherein said lower section is connected with said release mechanism; and a lift cord supporting said shade wherein said lift cord is also connected with said release mechanism such that said lift cord activates said release mechanism; and   b. raising said shade such that said release mechanism connects with said header.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including lowering said lower section of said shade. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including lifting said shade so as to release tension on said lift cord wherein said release mechanism operates to release the connection of said release mechanism with said header. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further including lowering said upper section of said shade.