Abstract: A covering for architectural surfaces as well as a method of forming and applying the covering is described in various embodiments and arrangements wherein fabric can be utilized and folded to provide a three-dimensional appearance with hollow or padded cells and wherein folds in the material used to make the covering or reveal strips conceal otherwise distractive seams between adjacent strips of the covering material.

Abstract: A slat or vane for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane. The slat can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled form a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Abstract: A Venetian-style window blind (10) that resembles plantation style shutters is described. In a preferred embodiment, the headrail is shaped like the plurality of slats depending from it, is pivotally connected to the sides of a window frame by mounting brackets and has a hollow interior. Tilting of the plurality slats depending from the headrail is accomplished by vertically moving an actuator rod that is pivotally connected to the headrail. The plurality of slats are suspended from the headrail by a cord ladder to tilt in unison with the headrail. While tilting the blind assembly into the closed position, the headrail and depending slats also slide inwardly towards the windowpane. The slats are lifted through the actuation of a lift handle that is slidably attached to the actuator rod and contains therein a lock mechanism to hold the slats in a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating at least two sheets of material includes a supply station at which rolls of the sheet material are rotatably supported, a laminating station in which the materials are laminated together with heat and compression and a take-up station where the laminate is accumulated on a take-up roll. The laminating station includes upper and lower sections of a pressure box between which upper and lower endless drive belts pass which entrap the laminate materials therebetween and transfer the materials through the lamination station. Heating and cooling sections of the pressure box are provided with floating heating and cooling bars and a single underlying heating plate and a single underlying cooling plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying weft yarns in a cross direction to warp yarns assembled on a beam in parallel aligned relationship and having an adhesive scrim thereon includes a supply roll of the warp yarns on such a beam which are fed downstream of the apparatus by first laying the warp yarns onto a transfer belt to reduce the tension in the yarns and controlling them for application of the weft yarns. A transfer belt and warp yarns are first folded between folding bars into a cylindrical configuration where they are formed around the perimeter of an elongated mandrel having a heated section at its upstream end and a cooling section at its downstream end. The adhesive scrim is softened as the warp yarns pass over the heated section of the mandrel and shortly thereafter, weft yarns are wrapped around the warp yarns and the supporting transfer belt within a rotating tube having a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced spools of weft yarn disposed on its outer surface.

Abstract: A vertical shade assembly extendable and retractable in a horizontal direction and including a pleated shade member suspended from an upper traversing track, a shade guide mechanism extending through the assembly, and a braking mechanism operatively connected to the shade guide mechanism for creating a braking force to hold the shade member against movement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing cellular blind material and in particular honeycomb blind material. A material feeding means moves along and parallel to a stack supporting means. The material feeding means feeds a layer of blind material onto the stack and a hot melt adhesive attaches the layer to the stack.