RETRACTION DEVICE FOR WINDOW BLIND CORDS

The present invention is a take up reel for window blind cords, and in particular for use with a cord loop used in a vertical blind. The device includes a rotatably driven spool having a cord attachment member fixedly engaged thereto and spaced apart from a cord receiving surface of the spool. The member is adapted to alternatively slidingly engage a cord loop positioned within said device, when the device is in an unretracted position, and fixedly engage said cord when said device is in a retracted position. The spool may be further provided with a retainer rotatably engaged to an end thereof and adapted to retain the cord on a cord-receiving surface of the spool. The retainer is rotatable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the attachment means is exposed for user access thereto, and in the second position, the cap cooperates with the spool to retain the cord on the cord receiving surface. The retainer may be provided with force transfer means to allow the user to wind up the cord about the spool during initial installation of the device. Means may also be provided to fixedly engage the ends of a pair of free-ended cords, as are typically found in venetian blinds. A bushing provides non-binding rotation of the spool about its spindle.