Window covering leveling method

Abstract

A window covering leveling method for a moveable rail actuated by at least one lift cord. The leveling method including the steps of providing a lift cord adjustment mechanism mounted within the moveable rail; attaching the lift cord to the adjustment mechanism; adjusting the lift cord length through operation of the lift cord adjustment mechanism so as to facilitate leveling of the moveable rail; and fixing the lift cord at the adjusted length.

1 . A method of adjusting a moveable rail of a window covering wherein the moveable rail is actuated by at least one lift cord, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a lift cord adjuster having a plurality of engagement features and a locking mechanism configured to releasably engage at least one of the engagement features of the lift cord adjuster when the lift cord adjuster is engaged with the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism mounted within the moveable rail;    attaching the lift cord to the lift cord adjuster;    engaging the lift cord adjuster with the locking mechanism;    adjusting the lift cord length through relative movement of the lift cord adjuster with respect to the locking mechanism so as to facilitate leveling of the moveable rail; and    fixing the lift cord at the adjusted length by re-engagement of the lift cord adjuster with the locking mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the window covering includes a plurality of lift cords and the method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of lift cord adjusters and locking mechanisms, attaching the plurality of lift cords to the plurality of lift cord adjusters, and adjusting the lengths of the plurality of lift cords by relative movement of the lift cord adjusters with respect to the plurality of locking mechanisms and re-engaging the plurality of lift cord adjusters with the plurality of locking mechanisms.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of providing the locking mechanisms further comprises locating at least one of the plurality of locking mechanisms at each end of the moveable rail.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of covering the lift cord adjuster and locking mechanism from external view of the window covering moveable rail.  
   
   
       5 . A method of leveling a window covering having an extendable and contractable covering portion actuated by at least one cord attached to a moveable end of the covering portion, the method comprising: 
 providing a leveling mechanism;    coupling the leveling mechanism to the moveable end of the covering portion;    attaching the at least one cord to the leveling mechanism; and    adjusting the leveling mechanism to modify a length of the at least one cord so as to level the moveable end of the covering portion.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of providing a leveling mechanism comprises providing a lift cord adjuster having an engagement feature and a locking mechanism configured to engage the engagement feature of the lift cord adjuster.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the window covering includes at least two cords, wherein the step of attaching comprises attaching each of the at least two cords to the leveling mechanism and wherein the step of adjusting comprises modifying the length of at least one of the cords.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising attaching one of the cords at a first end of the moveable rail and attaching another one of the cords at an opposite end of the moveable rail.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of providing a leveling mechanism comprises providing a locking mechanism and one of a zip strip and tie wrap to which the lift cord becomes attached.