Window blind assembly

摘要

The assembly includes a header (22) mounted near a window and has a shaft (40) rotatably mounted thereon and connected to a window blind (30) such that rotation in a first direction raises the blind and rotation in a second direction lowers the blind. The shaft is spring (46) biased to rotate in the first direction and has a brake in the form of a ratchet mechanism (50) which prevents the rotation, but allows rotation in the second direction when a downward force is applied to the blind. A brake release engages the brake and when activated releases the brake, allowing the blind to be raised, until deactivation of the brake release.