Abstract: A blind cut-down apparatus for cutting a blind having at least a head rail component, and blind material suspended from the head rail, and having a blind component holding plate having at least a head rail opening and a blind material opening for receiving respective components of a blind, and holding them in position for cutting, a blind material cutting bar moveable relative to the holding plate, and carrying material cutting means, for cutting blind material extending through the holding plate, a cutting die support adjacent to the cutting bar, having at least one cutting die for receiving the headrail, and being moveable relative to the holding plate for cutting at least one the headrail and including a movement device for moving the blind material cutting bar and the cutting die support substantially simultaneously, so as to cut the blind material and the head rail in a common plane. End stops are provided for setting the length of material trimmed off the various components.

Abstract: An extruded plastic head rail for a blind of the type having blind elements suspended from such head rail, in which the head rail is reinforced to prevent sagging of the head rail under the load of the blind elements, and in which the head rail is suitable for trimming to length by a point of sale trim cutting apparatus, the head rail having a head rail extrusion extruded from plastic material and, a reinforcement member in the head rail, the reinforcement member extending along at least a median portion of length of the head rail, the reinforcement member supporting the head rail and the blind elements, to prevent bending of the head rail under the load of the blind elements.

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 located adjacent to the support body, a headrail cutting recess in the die, guides on the support body for the die, enabling the die to move relative to the headrail opening between two positions and a bottom rail and blind slat cutter operable to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods. Also disclosed is a method of trimming the width of blind, having a head rail, a bottom rail and blind slats.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the width of blinds of the type having a head rail, and a bottom rail and blind slats, and having a support body with a head rail 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 located adjacent to the support body, a head rail cutting recess in the die, guides on the support body for the die, enabling the die to move relative to the head rail opening between two positions and a bottom rail and blind slat cutter operable to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a head rail and control rods. Also disclosed is a method of trimming the width of blind, having a head rail, a bottom rail and blind slats.

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 located adjacent to the support body, a headrail cutting recess in the die, guides on the support body for the die, enabling the die to move relative to the headrail opening between two positions and a bottom rail and blind slat cutter operable to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods. Also disclosed is a method of trimming the width of blind, having a head rail, a bottom rail and blind slats.

Abstract: A shutter having a frame and rotatable louvres of the type having a control rod connected to the louvres for moving said louvres, and having a control rod extending normal to the louvres, spaced apart from the louvres connector members on the louvres, having hinge formations extending outwardly from respective louvres, and having connector members for the control rod, having hinge formations and in which the hinge formations provide a hinge connection between the louvres and the control rod, with hinge axes spaced between the louvres and the control rod, and locating the control rod at a distance from the louvres sufficient to permit the louvres to be fully closed by the control rod without the control rod contacting the louvres.

Abstract: A method of trimming the width of a blind having a head rail and a fabric panel depending therefrom, by a predetermined trim measurement, by trimming a first length from the head rail, retracting the head rail away from a first side edge of said fabric panel, trimming a second length from the first edge of the fabric panel,; moving the head rail axially relative to the fabric panel so as to retract it from a second side edge of the fabric panel opposite to the first side edge, trimming a third length from the second edge of the fabric panel, and moving the head rail axially relative to the fabric panel whereby to locate it equidistant from the first and the second edges of the fabric panel. Also disclosed is apparatus for trimming such a fabric blind.

Abstract: A vertical blind having a head rail, one or more trolleys being movable along the head rail and blind slats being suspended therefrom. The vertical blind has a fabric panel with folds enfolding the blind slats. The vertical blind has attachments by which the fabric panel is secured to the upper ends of the blind slats and at least partially enfolds the blind slats, without requiring modification of the trolleys. A kit or attachment to the blind slats of an existing vertical blind has panel clip attachments being on an upper end of a fabric panel, and panel clips each being mounted to the upper edge of each blind slat to straddle over and hang on both sides of the upper edge of each of the blind slats.

Abstract: A shutter having a rectangular frame and shutter blades mounted parallel to one another across said frame, the blades being rotatable between open and closed positions, and having a control recess formed in one of the side frames, control bodies within the control recess connected to respective shutter blades, for rotating respective said blades, links connecting the control bodies, and, fastening clamps on the control bodies for adjustably fastening respective said control bodies to respective links, so as to align all of the control bodies into predetermined rotational positions, and in which the links communicate rotational movement of any one blade through the control bodies to all the blades.

Abstract: An extruded plastic head rail for a blind of the type having blind elements suspended from such head rail, in which the head rail is reinforced to prevent sagging of the head rail under the load of the blind elements, and in which the head rail is suitable for trimming to length by a point of sale trim cutting apparatus, the head rail having a head rail extrusion extruded from plastic material and, a reinforcement member in the head rail, the reinforcement member extending along at least a median portion of length of the head rail, the reinforcement member supporting the head rail and the blind elements, to prevent bending of the head rail under the load of the blind elements.

Abstract: An extruded plastic head rail for a blind of the type having blind elements suspended from such head rail, in which the head rail is reinforced to prevent sagging of the head rail under the load of the blind elements, and in which the head rail is suitable for trimming to length by a point of sale trim cutting apparatus, the head rail having a head rail extrusion extruded from plastic material and, a reinforcement member in the head rail, the reinforcement member extending along at least a median portion of length of the head rail, the reinforcement member supporting the head rail and the blind elements, to prevent bending of the head rail under the load of the blind elements.

Abstract: An extruded plastic head rail for a blind of the type having blind elements suspended from such head rail, in which the head rail is reinforced to prevent sagging of the head rail under the load of the blind elements, and in which the head rail is suitable for trimming to length by a point of sale trim cutting apparatus, the head rail having a head rail extrusion extruded from plastic material and, a reinforcement member in the head rail, the reinforcement member extending along at least a median portion of length of the head rail, the reinforcement member supporting the head rail and the blind elements, to prevent bending of the head rail under the load of the blind elements.

Abstract: There is provided a fabric wrapped vertical blind, of the type having a head rail and trolleys from which blind slats are suspended and having a fabric panel, with folds enfolding the blind slats, and having attachments by which the fabric panel is secured to upper ends of the blind slats and at least partially enfolding said blind slats, without requiring modification of the trolleys. There is also provided a fabric wrap kit for attachment to the blind slats of an existing vertical blind, so that an existing blind can be retrofitted with a fabric wrap panel.

Abstract: A blind cut-down apparatus for trimming a blind down to size the blind having at least a head rail component, and blind slats suspended from the head rail, and having a blind holding plate with an opening for holding the components in position for cutting, a slat cutter moveable relative to the holding plate for cutting blind components held in the holding plate, and including a movement device for moving the cutter. Also disclosed is a method of saw cutting ends of blind components in which the blind components are held in a head plate and in which a cutter cuts the components. Also disclosed is a blind cut down machine having a moveable head rail support mounted on a blind holder plate, with a moveable head rail opening in the support, with the support being selectively moveable into and out of position for accommodating various types of head rail.

Abstract: A blind cut-down apparatus for cutting and sawing a blind having at least a head rail component, and blind slats suspended from the head rail, and having a blind holding plate with an opening for holding the components in position for cutting, a slat cutting saw moveable relative to the holding plate for cutting blind components held in the holding plate, and including a movement device for moving the cutting saw and the cutting die holder. Also disclosed is a method of saw cutting ends of blind components in which the blind components are held in a head plate and in which a saw balde cuts the components.

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 located adjacent to the support body, a headrail cutting recess in the die, guides on the support body for the die, enabling the die to move relative to the headrail opening between two positions and a bottom rail and blind slat cutter operable to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods. Also disclosed is a method of trimming the width of blind, having a head rail, a bottom rail and blind slats.

Abstract: A blind cut-down apparatus for cutting a blind having at least a head rail component, and blind material suspended from the head rail, and having a blind component holding plate having at least a head rail opening and a blind material opening for receiving respective components of a blind, and holding them in position for cutting, a blind material cutting bar moveable relative to the holding plate, and carrying material cutting means, for cutting blind material extending through the holding plate, a cutting die support adjacent to the cutting bar, having at least one cutting die for receiving the headrail, and being moveable relative to the holding plate for cutting at least one the headrail and including a movement device for moving the blind material cutting bar and the cutting die support substantially simultaneously, so as to cut the blind material and the head rail in a common plane. End stops are provided for setting the length of material trimmed off the various components.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the width of blinds in which the blinds have a headrail, and a bottom rail and blind slats, and the apparatus has a support body with a headrail opening, and a bottom rail opening, and a blind slat opening in which the blind components are insertable from one side of the support body, a die plate located alongside the support body, a headrail cutting recess in the die plate, guides on the support body for the die plate, guiding the die plate to move relative to the headrail opening between two positions and the apparatus having a bottom rail and blind slat cutter which operates to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods.

Abstract: A method for trimming the width of blinds of the type having a headrail, a bottom rail and blind slats, by an apparatus having a support body with a headrail opening, and a bottom rail opening, and a blind slat opening, the headrail, bottom rail and blind slats being inserted into their openings from one side of the support body, and cutters located alongside the support body for cutting the blind components for cutting the ends of the components, and in which the blind slats are arranged in two bundles separated by a spacer. A method for trimming the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods is also disclosed.

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