Abstract: An improved window covering and lighting system for a window in a room includes a plurality of cornices, each cornice including a window covering supported by the cornice and movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator supported by the cornice for moving the window covering between the open position and the closed position, a lighting system mounted to the cornice, and a programmable logic unit for operating at least one of the actuator and the lighting system independently from one another upon demand. The system also includes a remote control unit providing a signal selectively to the programmable logic unit to operate at least one of the plurality of cornices. Each of the plurality of cornices further includes a light sensor for sensing ambient light conditions in the room, and a motion detector for detecting occupance of the room. The programmable logic control unit is responsive to the sensed ambient light conditions and the detected occupance.

Abstract: An improved window covering and lighting system is disclosed for a window in a room. The system includes a plurality of cornices, each cornice including a window covering supported by the cornice and movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator supported by the cornice for moving the window covering between the open position and the closed position, a lighting system mounted to the cornice, and means for operating at least one of the actuator and the lighting system independently from one another upon demand. The system also includes a remote control unit providing a signal selectively to at least one of the operating means of at least one of the plurality of cornices, with the operating means being responsive to the signal. Each of the plurality of cornices further comprises a light sensor for sensing ambient light conditions in the room, and a motion detector for detecting occupancy of the room.

Abstract: An improved window covering and lighting system for a window in a room includes a plurality of cornices, each cornice including a window covering supported by the cornice and movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator supported by the cornice for moving the window covering between the open position and the closed position, a lighting system mounted to the cornice, and a programmable logic unit for operating at least one of the actuator and the lighting system independently from one another upon demand. The system also includes a remote control unit providing a signal selectively to the programmable logic unit to operate at least one of the plurality of cornices. Each of the plurality of cornices further includes a light sensor for sensing ambient light conditions in the room, and a motion detector for detecting occupance of the room. The programmable logic control unit is responsive to the sensed ambient light conditions and the detected occupance.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product-(110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved multi-cellular shade which is adapted to be mounted within a window and in particular a non-vertical window. The shade has a cut away portion on each of its end. This cut away portion is defined by a stepped section that terminates in an angled section as viewed from the rear side toward the front side of the shade. The stepped section is further defined by two substantially perpendicular walls, one wall being generally perpendicular to the faces of the shade and the second wall being generally parallel to the faces. The second or parallel wall terminates in the angled portion, and the angled portion is at a generally obtuse angle to the second wall. Preferably, the cutaway end of the shade is configured to be recieved with in a C-shaped channel.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400 or 800) and an optional folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400 or 800) and, through the optional use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product, screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solidified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together.

Abstract: Manual deployment apparatus for specialty, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treatments including uniquely hinged mounting rails and single and/or continuous strand pull cords. The invention consists of apparatus that is used to acquire two modes of pleated or multi-cellular shade fabric deployment over generally curvilinear window openings, but particularly over window openings having circular and segmented shapes. A translational deployment, known as the "Blossom Mode" moves as culptured shade from its rest positon by actuation of a continuous cord that is under constant tension. The shade may be deployed to any extent from the mere movement from the completely stowed position to the fully extended. The second modality, known as the "Fan Mode" contemplates deployment of the multi-cellular shade by commencing with the stowed shade marginally secured between a pair of superimposed, and hingably connected rails.

Abstract: An extensible and collapsible covering (10) for framed openings. A shade, having periodically emplaced elastic rod stiffeners (28), is motivated over parallel tracks (20) by a movable sill (26). During shade manufacture, stiffeners (26) are inserted into shade pockets by a machine (100) which examines the fabric, excises flaws and creates pockets for the envelopment therein of the stiffeners. The process for flaw removal uses a single pass technique that cuts fabric around a stiffener, reforms it and bonds the cut ends so as to capture the stiffener in a pocket formed thereby.

Abstract: Manual deployment apparatus for speciality, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treatments including uniquely hinged mounting rails and single and/or continuous strand pull cords. The invention consists of apparatus that is used to acquire two modes of pleated or multi-cellular shade fabric deployment over generally curvilinear window openings, but particulary over window openings having circular and segmented shapes. A translational deployment, known as the "Blossom Mode" moves a sculptured shade from its rest position by actuation of a continuous cord that is under constant tension. The shade may be deployed to any extent from the mere movement from the completely stowed position to the fully extended. The second modality, known as the "Fan Mode" contemplates deployment of the multi-cellular shade by commencing with the stowed shade marginally secured between a pair of superimposed, and hingably connected rails.

Abstract: Manual deployment apparatus for specialty, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treatments including uniquely hinged mounting rails and single and/or continuous strand pull cords. The invention consists of apparatus that is used to acquire two modes of pleated or multi-cellular shade fabric deployment over generally curvillinear window openings, but particularly over window openings having circular and segmented shapes. A translational deployment, known as the "Blossom Mode" moves a sculptured shade from its rest position by actuation of a continuous cord that is under constant tension. The shade may be deployed to any extent from the mere movement from the completely stowed position to the fully extended. The second modality, known as the "Fan Mode" contemplates deployment of the multi-cellular shade by commencing with the stowed shade marginally secured between a pair of superimposed, and hingably connected rails.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solidified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed from the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed from the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for expandable honeycomb insulation panels includes a head rail for anchoring the panel to a window jamb or wall and a sill rail at the opposite end of the honeycomb panel for contracting and expanding the honeycomb panel to move it upwardly and downwardly over the window surface. Lift mechanisms for the sill rail include a vertical drop cord lift system, a parallel bar cord guided system, and a continuous loop cord system. Edge seals for closing and sealing the end of the honeycomb insulation panel include a biased, elongated seal element positioned in side tracks for slideably guiding the honeycomb panel along a prescribed track while sealing the ends thereof. In an alternate embodiment, notched bearing edges are provided to accommodate a web track protruding therein. Other features include adjustable panel mounting, bracket, and cord lock roller.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for expandable honeycomb insulation panels includes a head rail for anchoring the panel to a window jamb or wall and a sill rail at the opposite end of the honeycomb panel for contracting and expanding the honeycomb panel to move it upwardly and downwardly over the window surface. Lift mechanisms for the sill rail include a vertical drop cord lift system, a parallel bar cord guided system, and a continuous loop cord system. Edge seals for closing and sealing the end of the honeycomb insulation panel include a biased, elongated seal element positioned in side tracks for slideably guiding the honeycomb panel along a prescribed track while sealing the ends thereof. In an alternate embodiment, notched bearing edges are provided to accommodate a web track protruding therein. Other features include adjustable panel mounting, bracket, and cord lock roller.