Abstract: A cord shroud used in cooperation with a window shade assembly and the like of the type having a bottomrail and a headrail, with a cord lock attached either internal or external to the headrail. The window blind assembly further having at least two lift cords, each of which are connected at one end to the bottomrail, pass through the headrail and cord lock, and have an opposite end that is accessible to an operator. The cord shroud is fashioned of an elongated, flexible ribbon having a first end connected to the headrail and a second end that is accessible to the operator. The cord shroud further has a plurality of apertures disposed along the length of the ribbon, through which the lift cords pass. The ribbon has a length sufficient to fit over substantially all of that portion of the lift cords, which is exposed when the window is open. The apertures may be holes provided through the ribbon or loops or rings attached to the ribbon.

Abstract: A window blind for use between double panes of glass which has an aperture in one pane of glass. The blind can be raised, lowered and tilted while maintaining the window seal. The blind includes a headrail, slats, a hollow screw with longitudinal screw channels. The hollow screw passes a headrail aperture and a glass aperture from inside the headrail to outside thus being threaded into a screw duct. At least one lift cord and a tilt control cord separately pass through the longitudinal screw channels thereby providing an external way to control the window blind.

Abstract: A cord lock and release system for use in a window blind assembly. The system has a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is positioned so that at least one lift cord can move across a portion of the movable member when the movable member is in an open position. The lift cords will be restrained by frictional contact with the movable and stationary members when the movable member is in a locked position. The movable member is biased towards a locked position. A release linkage is attached to the movable member so that when a force is applied to the linkage the movable member is moved toward the open position.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure in which pleats of a first pleated material are joined to corresponding pleats of a second pleated material by a plurality of ribbons is provided. The first and second pleated materials are positioned so that a pleat of the first pleated material is directed toward and in line with a corresponding pleat of the second pleated material. Opposite pleats of first and second material are thus facing one another and spaced a selected distance apart. A ribbon is affixed to each pair of opposed pleats so that a first portion of the ribbon is affixed to the pleat of first material, a second portion of the ribbon is affixed to the pleat of second material and the portion of the ribbon lying between the first portion and the second portion is disposed in the spaced between the first material and second material. The ribbon has one or more perforations located between the first portion and the second portion for lift cords to run through.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering window blind fabrics. The device has a hollow take-up tube disposed around and threadably engaged to a stationary guide. A cord is connected at its one end to the take-up tube and at its other end to the blind fabric. The take-up tube is rotated to wind or unwind the cord. A drive core rotatably disposed within a bi-directional friction brake, the drive core connected to the take-up tube, the bi-directional friction brake being fixed to the headrail. When the cord is wound around the take-up tube, the blind fabric is raised. When the cord is unwound, the blind fabric is lowered.

Abstract: An arch-shaped window blind assembly that uses pleated blind fabric placed between two bars pivotably connected by a slotted hinge. The blind assembly travels through the open and closed positions by the use of a slide that is connected to one of the bars. A cord is tied to the slide and the cord is knotted. The cord and knot travel through a channel in a track. In another embodiment, a spring load friction catch is provided on the end of at least one bar.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shade, a bottomrail therefor and a method for the manufacture thereof. The shade is pleated and has the two sections forming each rear projecting pleat secured together to form a rear projecting tab. Cord holes are formed in each of the tabs. A generally triangular in cross section bottomrail is provided which is designed to assist in offsetting and disguising the roll of the shade caused by the fabric resilience. The generally triangular bottomrail includes a housing comprised of a main body having a cavity therein and a tongue extending in a direction opposite the rear face of the shade body. The tongue has a termination point at one end opposite the main body and the housing further includes a leaf extending from the termination point of the tongue to the main body with the leaf forming a side of the generally triangular bottomrail. The housing additional includes a cord receiving arrangement mounted therein.

Abstract: A collapsible blind for use in arch-shaped windows. The pleated blind design employs a flexible adhesive with optional link as shown on the bottom of the blind. A simple slotted hinge pivotally connects bars attached to the opposite end of the blind. The blind is easily assembled, relatively inexpensive to produce and requires no external supports.

Abstract: A hollow drill for fabric and the like is comprised of a hollow shaft having highly polished inside and outside surfaces and an outside diameter of preferably not more than 0.130 inches. A tip having a larger outside diameter and smaller inside diameter is brazed or soldered to the shaft. The shaft is made by a continuous manufacturing method such as extrusion and the tip is machined or molded followed by finish machining.