Abstract: A multi-head drilling machine, for use in particular in the simultaneous drilling of a plurality of side frame components for shutters, the drilling machine having a machine frame, a support carriage moveable along the frame, a transverse drilling head bar mounted transversely of the carriage, and moveable to and fro with the carriage, a first pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on one side of the carriage and a second pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on the opposite side of the carriage and being moveable in unison along either side of the carriage, clamps for clamping work pieces on either side of the carriage, in registration with respective drills, a first drill of each pair being mounted at a first predetermined position on the transverse head bar, and a second one of the drills being mounted at a second predetermined position on the transverse head bar, the first and second drills being offset with respect to one another longitudinally and laterally along the path of movem

Abstract: A multi-purpose blind cut-down apparatus for cutting a blind having a head rail and closure elements. The cut-down apparatus has a blind holding plate with a blind component opening and a closure element opening for holding the head rail and closure elements in position for cutting. The cut-down apparatus uses a closure element cutting bar moveable relative to the holding plate for cutting the closure elements extending through the holding plate. The cutting bar has an die opening for receiving a cutting die on a cutting die plate. The die opening and cutting die receive the head rail of the blind and cooperate to cut the head rail by moving the cutting die plate relative to the holding plate. The cutting bar moves in a linear path while the die plate moves in an arcuate path, both the cutting bar and die plate are moved by a transmission element moveable relative to the holding plate.

Abstract: A shutter having a generally rectangular frame with side frame members and top and bottom members, of hollow thermo-plastic construction, and having a plurality of hollow thermo-plastic blades extending horizontally from one side frame to the other, and having blade end members with pivot axles extending outwardly at each end received in bearing holes in the side frames, the holes being located at predetermined spacings along the shutter frames, so as to provide a pleasing appearance and to permit complete closure of the shutter when the blades are rotated closed, and the shutter blades being connected by means of a pull bar, the pull bar being connected to the shutter blades along one end of each of the blades, and connections pivotally connected with the end members of one end of each of the blades, and coupled to the pull bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the width of blinds of the type having a headrail, and a bottom rail and blind slats, and having a support body with a headrail opening, and a bottom rail opening, and a blind slat opening the blind components being insertable into their openings from one side of the support body, a die plate located adjacent to the support body, a headrail cutting recess, and a bottom rail cutting recess in the die plate, guides on the support body for the die plate, enabling the die plate to move relative to the headrail and bottom rail openings between two positions. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated thermoplastic bar members, each bar member defining a pre-determined width, and a pre-determined thickness which is less than its width, and each bar member being made up of an outer facing panel, and an inner wall and intermediate spacer walls extending between the facing panels and inner walls at intervals, and defining therebetween generally elongated passageways, and at least some of the bars having interlock formations formed on the exterior of the facing panels, so that adjacent bars may be interlocking together, the interlock formations defining continuous tongue and groove slide members, permitting one bar member to slide relative to its adjacent bar members, and at least one of bar members having one panel free of the interlock formations, so as to provide a smooth finished exterior surface.