Abstract: An assembly including a shade capable of height adjustment, comprising shade including multiple pleats, a roller, one strap that extends through multiple pleats of the assembly, and the at least one strap operatively connected with the roller to be rolled on the roller as the height of the shade is reduced, and to be un-rolled as the height of the shade is increased.

Abstract: A window shade comprising a plurality of collapsible shade rows. Each of the shade rows being adjustable from a closed state to an opened state by an operating mechanism, and including a stiff first transverse region and an opposed second transverse region having a stiffened edge portion. When in the closed state, the window covering includes no or minimal gaps between the rows so that light is substantially or completely blocked. Also, the securement and opening members are also concealed from view when observed from the front or face of the window covering. The operating mechanism causes the narrowing of the rows by drawing the first transverse region and the opposed second transverse region closer together. The operating mechanism further causes the rows to be pivotally rotated to further widen opening in the window covering.

Abstract: A retaining bracket structure for a cordless continuous folding blind including a pair of flexible retaining brackets. Each of the two flexible retaining brackets, of plastic materials, is made up of a pressing plate protruding at the middle section thereof, a pair of C-shaped clamping arms symmetrically extending at both sides of the pressing plate thereof, and a pointed hook bending inwards at each end of the C-shaped clamping arms thereof. In operation, the pressing plate of the flexible retaining bracket is applied from a front of the blind to abut against an upper side of the continuous folding blind collected from bottom to top at a desirable position, and the C-shaped clamping arm are bent downwards to extend backwards at the underside until the pointed hooks clamp from a rear of a top of the collected continuous folding blind.

Abstract: A headrail suitable for use with a roller shade or a blind of the type having at least two spaced apart lift cords has a roller attached to the headrail in a manner to permit rotation of the roller and prevent movement of the roller in a longitudinal direction. The outer surface of the roller is free of threads and other projections such that roller shade material can be wrapped about the roller. A plurality of cord collection spools are provided on the roller. The spools can be slid off one end of the roller and may be moveable in a longitudinal direction or fixed to the roller by a set screw or clamp. If fixed to the roller the cord collection spool has a conical shape and an attachment position for a lift cord that is offset in a transverse direction along the roller from the hole in the bottom of the headrail through which a lift cord passes onto the cord collection spool.

Abstract: A retaining structure for a cordless continuous folding blind includes an upper beam, a continuous folding blind attached to the bottom of the upper beam, and a retaining plate fixed at opposing ends of a bottommost slat of the continuous folding blind via a fastening agent or seamed to the bottommost slat. The retaining plate has an extending section protruding outwards at each outer edge of the bottommost slat and a flexible counterweight stick securely fixed at an inner central section. The retaining plate is selectively bent and folded inwards to abut against a predetermined number of collected slats of the folding blind to locate the blind in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the vertical height of a window shade having a top and bottom, which includes providing shade upper support structure at or proximate the shade top; providing at least one substantially vertically elongated shade support line extending downwardly from the upper support structure, and providing shade lower support structure at or proximate the shade bottom; elevating or lowering the shade lower support structure relative to one or more support lines; and securing the shade lower support structure to the line or lines at a selected height position relative to the line length above the lower support structure, whereby the height of the shade bottom can be quickly manually adjusted by adjustment of the height of the shade lower support structure effective securement to line or lines.

Abstract: A curtain assembly contains a long cloth. An upper extending portion has a plurality of parallel and equally spaced first folding portions, a plurality of first supporting portions, and a plurality of first rings. The first folding portions are seamed to be as a bag. The second folding portions are seamed to be formed with left and right bags for receiving the second supporting portions. A flexible cloth sleeve is placed between each two bags. A plurality of second rings are seamed to be between the left and right bags. A stopper is combined to the top portion and is controlled by a rope unit so as to stop the cloth at a predetermined position. When second ends of the control ropes of the rope unit move upwards, the second rings of the lower extending portions will overlap so as to form a sector area.

Abstract: A cord collector for a blind having upper and lower beams with a blind body attached and a cord collector disposed beneath the lower beam wherein the blind body has a plurality of central cord-passage holes equidistantly spaced for a cord to be led through. The cord is fixed to the upper beam at a first end, led through the cord-passage holes, the lower beam and the cord collector, and connected at a second end to a retaining cap. In use, the blind is adjusted to a desired height, the cord is drawn downwards to reveal an extending section that is wound around left and right guide arcs of the cord collector, and then turned in crisscross to be adapted at a rear retaining slot and front L-shaped holding slots respectively via an arc guide plate so as to completely retrieve the extending section on to the cord collector.

Abstract: A pleated shade assembly capable of height adjustment without use of pull cords, comprising an upper elongated support; a lower elongated member that is manually adjustable up and down; primary lines extending through shade pleats to suspend the bottom elongated member; primary rotors at the top elongated support to entrain the primary lines; at least one secondary line having operative connection to the primary lines; and apparatus acting on the secondary line or lines for counterbalancing suspension force exerted on the primary lines at different shade height adjusted levels including dual rotary members exerting tensioning force on said secondary line or lines, and including a spring coupled to the dual rotary members exerting force tending to entrain the secondary line or lines about the dual rotary members, for storage on at least one of the members.

Abstract: A pattern variable fabric drapery comprises an upper beam with a double-layered fabric drapery attached thereto wherein the upper section of the double-layered fabric drapery has a plurality of elongated tubular holes equidistantly disposed thereon for long rods to be adapted therein, and the lower section thereof has a plurality of symmetrical left and right tubular holes disposed thereon for left and right elongated rods to be adapted therein respectively The fabric drapery thereof also includes a plurality of left and right hanging pieces with hanging rings and central hanging pieces with cord-passage rings seamed into a Y-shaped pattern thereon for a left and a right pull cords to be adapted thereto; whereby, via the left and right pull cords without any preset extra length reserved, the fabric drapery thereof is gathered up with the lower section thereof raised up in a fan-like pattern and the upper section thereof withdrawn orderly in folds, economically simplifying the process of assembly and reducing

Abstract: A folding blind structure has an upper and a lower beams with a pair of overlapping inner and outer blind layers attached there-between wherein the inner blind layer has consecutive large transverse V-shaped folding sections with long adhering sections disposed at the middle thereof, while the outer blind layer has small transverse V-shaped folding sections with short adhering sections disposed at the inner edge thereof. Via rollers clamping tight the long and short adhering sections synchronically for fastening thereof, the inner and outer blind layers are automatically assembled with large hollow arc patterns formed at the front section of the combined inner and outer blind layers, and small hollow arc patterns disposed at the rear side of the large transverse V-shaped folding sections thereof.

Abstract: A pleated shade assembly capable of height adjustment without use of pull cords, comprising an upper elongated support; a lower elongated member that is manually adjustable up and down; primary lines extending through shade pleats to suspend the bottom elongated member; primary rotors at the top elongated support to entrain the primary lines; at least one secondary line having operative connection to the primary lines; and apparatus acting on the secondary line or lines for counterbalancing suspension force exerted on the primary lines at different shade height adjusted levels including dual rotary members exerting tensioning force on said secondary line or lines, and including a spring coupled to the dual rotary members exerting force tending to entrain the secondary line or lines about the dual rotary members, for storage on at least one of the members.

Abstract: A headrail for a venetian type blind or pleated shade has an insert that carries a cord lock. The insert fits into the end of the headrail and is carried by a slot or rib on the sidewalls of the headrail. A pair of pockets are provided on the insert. The pockets are positioned so that one pocket is adjacent each sidewall when the insert is attached to the end of a headrail. The pockets are sized and configured to receive a cord lock such that the cord lock can be easily removed from one pocket and placed in the other pocket by an installer. The pockets preferably are oriented so that a cord passing through the cord lock will run along a path that is not parallel to the sidewalls but is at an angle of about 10°.

Abstract: A temporary shade serves for a window. An elongate sheet has a top end, a bottom end, a plurality of equal space and parallel pleats. The pleat extends from the top end to the bottom end. The pleat has two banks of parallel via holes. A locking device is installed to the bottom end of the sheet for adjusting the length of the sheet. The locking device has a supporting element and a stop element. The supporting element has a first end and a second end. The first end is formed as a plane bottom which can not pass through the via holes of the pleat. The stop element is combined to the supporting element. The pleat can be positioned between the plane bottom and the stop element for sustaining sheet in a desired length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material mounting system having a lifting sleeve, a center support bracket, an engaging rod and two or more lifting cords. The outer circumference of a left portion of the lifting sleeve is greater than the outer portion of a right portion of the lifting sleeve. The outer surface of the lifting sleeve forms a smooth concave surface. The lifting sleeve is configured to support a winding tube during operation of the mounting system. The lifting sleeve abuts against the center support bracket. The center support bracket includes guides for directing the lift cords onto the lifting sleeve. The lift cords are attached to a bottom leveling system for ensuring that the shade material remains parallel during system operation. As the shade is raised, the lifting cords wind around the outer surface of the lifting sleeve.

Abstract: A window covering having a plurality of panels comprising a head rail and a plurality of panels suspended from the head rail by a securement member and an opening member is provided. Each of the plurality of panels is collapsible and includes a pair of opposed longitudinal regions. A bottom rail may also be provided and suspended from the head rail such that the plurality of panels are located between the head rail and the bottom rail.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a temporary window shade that may include an elongated cover having a top end and a bottom end, and that may be adapted to be oriented in a retracted position, an extended position, and a plurality of intermediate positions. The temporary window shade may also include a top rail that may be attached to the top end of the elongated cover, a cord having a first end that may be connected to the top rail, and a bottom rail that may be attached to the bottom end of the elongated cover. The bottom rail may have a slot disposed through a surface of the bottom rail, and the slot may be adapted to receive the cord. At least a portion of the slot may have a width less than the thickness of the cord such that the slot may engage the cord to support the weight of the bottom rail and an accumulated portion of the elongated cover when the cord is engaged by the at least a portion of the slot.

Abstract: A cord shroud for use in cooperation with a window shade assembly of the type having multiple lift cords or a cord loop extending from a headrail has two elongated flexible ribbons, each ribbon having a plurality of apertures sized to permit the lift cords to pass through the apertures. The first end of one ribbon is connected to the headrail or to a tube extending from the headrail. A gripper is attached to the second end of the first ribbon and attached to the first end of the second ribbon. The second end of the second ribbon can be attached to a tassel or a weight. The gripper has a passageway through which the lift cords pass and is constructed such that the cords can pass freely through the passageway when the gripper is in a relaxed condition. The gripper will grip a portion of the lift cords that is in the passageway when a force is applied to the gripper.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a temporary window covering that may include a pleated cover formed from a sheet of material having a plurality of horizontal creases extending across the width of the sheet thereby defining a plurality of pleats, a bottom rail attached to a bottommost pleat of the pleated cover, and a first lift cord having a first end connected to the bottom rail, with the first lift cord being threaded upwardly through holes of the pleats of the pleated cover. The temporary window covering may also include a first cord guide and a cord lock, both of which may be include a throughbore for slidably engaging the first lift cord when the first lift cord is disposed therein, and a slot for retentively engaging the first lift cord when the first lift cord is disposed therein to support the weight of the bottom rail and an accumulated portion of the pleated cover.

Abstract: A headrail suitable for use with a roller shade or a blind of the type having at least two spaced apart lift cords has a roller attached to the headrail in a manner to permit rotation of the roller and prevent movement of the roller in a longitudinal direction. The outer surface of the roller is free of threads and other projections such that roller shade material can be wrapped about the roller. A plurality of cord collection spools are provided on the roller. The spools can be slid off one end of the roller and may be moveable in a longitudinal direction or fixed to the roller by a set screw or clamp. If fixed to the roller the cord collection spool has a conical shape and an attachment position for a lift cord that is offset in a transverse direction along the roller from the hole in the bottom of the headrail through which a lift cord passes onto the cord collection spool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curtain structure having light-pervious and light-impervious curtain clothes, which comprises an upper beam, and a curtain cloth bonding with the upper beam, wherein said curtain cloth is consisting of a light-pervious and light-impervious curtain clothes. The light-pervious and the light-impervious curtain clothes are controlled for moving up or down by two sets of lanyards. The curtain structure of the present invention could provide either sunshade or light-pervious effect by controlling the moving up or down action of the light-pervious and light-impervious curtain clothes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separable curtain structure, which comprises an upper beam, a curtain cloth, and a self-bonding means. A lanyard-pulling connecting seat is provided in the rear of the curtain cloth for passing the lanyard through therein so that the curtain could be scrolled up or scrolled down through the action of the lanyard. The curtain cloth is bonded with the upper beam by the self-bonding means. A pulling force is applied to the curtain to separate/peel it from the upper beam in order to avoid the occurrence of accident.

Abstract: A motorized reel system for window covering has a reel-system case (1) with a length for being extended between opposite sides of a window frame (2). The reel-system case encloses a reel motor (3) in a first end and a shaft housing (7) in a second end. The reel motor is attached to a motor mount (4) having a reel slide (6) in which a first end of a reel (8) that is shaft-like slides linearly in one direction while the reel is also winding lift line (11, 12). The reel slides linearly in an opposite direction while unwinding the lift line. Linear sliding of the reel while also winding and unwinding the lift line is caused by rotation of external threads (9) in matching-thread contact with internal threads (10) in a threaded housing. Linear travel of the reel while it is being rotated spreads windings of the lift line evenly along the reel.

Abstract: A headrail for a double shade has a modular construction in which a portion of the headrail holds a roller shade and a second portion holds a pleated shade and the two portions are separable from one another. In one embodiment the portion that supports the pleated shade is configured to hold a conventional headrail of a pleated shade. In another embodiment a front assembly supports a pleated shade and contains a base and a curved front wall attached to and extending over the base. A semicircular wall extends between end caps that hold a roller shade. The semicircular wall has a slot that receives a tab on the front wall of the front assembly. A bracket has a top leg with a hook that engages a tab on the semicircular wall and a shoulder on a side leg that carries the rear edge of the semicircular wall. A spring extends from the side leg of the bracket to the front wall retaining the tab on the front wall within the hook on rear wall.

Abstract: Single and double folding panel assemblies are provided having two vertically-oriented frames that define an opening on spaced apart partitions. The single assembly having a plurality of folding panels mounted to one of the frames. When the panels are compressed, access to the opening is allowed, and when expanded and connected to the opposite frame, access is blocked. The double assembly having two pluralities of folding panels, each plurality of panels being mounted to separate frames. Each plurality can be pivotally mounted to the frame with spring-loaded hinges. When the panels are compressed, access to the opening is allowed. When the panels are expanded and locked together, access is blocked. A locking bar can be provided to keep the panels unfolded, removable decorative or descriptive panels can be used to change the appearance of the panels, the panels can comprise a computer controlled display, be opaque, translucent, or transparent.

Abstract: A lift cord tensioning device is provided for use with a window covering having at least one lift cord that extends downward though a shade portion from a head rail to a bottom rail. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning device includes a pliable material having an aperture through which the lift cord extends. The aperture is sized to yieldably resist passage of the lift cord such that tension remains on the portion of the lift cord that resides in the head rail even when an upward directed force is applied to the bottom rail. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning device includes a pair of laterally offset holes through which the lift cord extends. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning device includes a resiliently biased gate through which the lift cord extends.

Abstract: A fabric for use in window blind systems, the fabric comprising a first fabric layer bound via an adhesive to a base fabric. The fabric is preferably formed into a Roman blind fabric by the provision of elongate, widthwise channels.

Abstract: A height adjustment control is provided for a retractable window shade. The window shade includes a top beam and a bottom beam with the bottom beam suspended below the top beam by at least one cord. The bottom beam can be adjusted and positioned relative to the top beam by adjustment of a length of cord extending between the top beam and the bottom beam. The height adjustment control system of this invention acts on the portions of the cord which are not suspended between the top beam and the bottom beam. A retainer is provided to gather up portions of the cord which are not in use. A retractor exerts a force on the retainer to cause the retainer to automatically gather up this excess cord. A cord brake is provided to hold the cord from passing onto the retainer and hold the bottom beam at a desired position below the top beam.

Abstract: Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A collapsible security system includes a door having a plurality of collapsible panels. The security system can be mounted from a cubicle partition or a wall frame of a door. In the compressed position, the door of the security system allows access to the office space within the cubicle or room. When the panels are expanded and connected to the opposite frame of the cubicle partition or an opposing door, the security system no longer allows access to the office space. In another embodiment, the security system includes a locking bar that allows the panels to stay in the expanded position. In addition, two opposing panel doors can be mounted to a wall frame using spring-loaded hinges to allow the panel doors to swing open and closed. The door panels can be rectangular or decorative shape with permanent or removable decorative or descriptive panels.

Abstract: A window blind comprising a head rail, a bottom rail and a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail. At least one lift cord extends between the bottom rail and the head rail. A spring motor operatively coupled to the lift cord applies an upward force on the bottom rail toward the head rail. A one way brake prohibits the bottom rail from moving toward the head rail but permits the bottom rail to be moved away from the head rail by an operator.

Abstract: A cordless blind contains one or more springs in the bottomrail of the blind. Preferably the spring is a constant force spring motor and is connected to at least one cord collector in a manner to maintain tension on the cord collector. The tension causes the lift cords to be collected on the cord collector when the cord collector and the lift cords are free to move, thereby moving the bottomrail toward the headrail. Preferably, a lock mechanism is attached to the cord collector or the lift cords. The lock mechanism has a locked position wherein the lift cords are restrained from being collected on the cord collector and has an unlocked position that allows the lift cords and cord collector to move.

Abstract: A shade for covering and uncovering an opening. The shade is attachable to drawstrings which raise and lower or otherwise move the end of the shade to obscure/reveal more or less of the opening, as desired. The shade is attachable to the drawstrings through attachments which comprise slots, etc. The attachments do not require threading of the drawstrings through holes in the shade. The shades are conveniently removable from the drawstrings and optionally disposable so that different shades may be coordinated with room colors, seasonal events, etc.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric Venetian blind comprises helical winding of a narrow, elongated strip, which, when properly overlapped and bonded along longitudinal glue lines, will form the vanes and front and rear facings of the blind. The strips may be formed of a single, uniform material, or of adjacent, longitudinally extending portions of relatively opaque and relatively translucent fabric. An alternative embodiment uses the same winding technique to similarly form a structure of only translucent fabric, but with pockets for subsequent insertion of opaque vanes. Several alternative strip configurations and assembly arrangements are disclosed. The disclosed method and structure may also be used to form products for other applications.

Abstract: Pleated shade coverings for architectural openings, including roman shades and pleated blinds, are described, which incorporate spacers cords that are adhesively bonded to the shade material at spaced locations, preferably on the backside of a shade material to control the configuration of the shade material in the extended position.

Abstract: A vehicle window having a curved inner lens, a rectangular frame with frame members and a shade. The shade is a dual shade having a first fabric member and a second fabric member with a removable shade rail between the first and second fabric member. There also is a movable shade rail at the end of the second shade material. Cables attach to each end of the removable shade rails and through to separate handles. Moving the first handle will move the first moveable shade rail and the first fabric member up and down and moving the second handle will move the second moveable shade rail and the second fabric up and down. The fabric members have different light transmissive characteristics, one being more opaque then the other.

Abstract: A covering for window or doors includes a plurality of vanes mounted horizontally or vertically, the vanes being light in weight and longitudinally rigid. The vanes may be foam filled or may include a vane shell made from a polymer matrix, and in either case may optionally include a decorative fabric covering. In the hollow vane embodiment, the vane shell preferably includes a polymer matrix at least partially enveloping fibers, and in the most preferred embodiment is prepared from a fibrous batt including two different thermoplastic resin fibers, one having a lower melting point than the other. The vane shell is formed by thermally treating the batt to at least partially melt the lower melt fibers to at least partially envelope the higher melt fibers.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for bottom up shades to minimize gaps between the shade and the lintel or between the shade and the side of the window. In one apparatus a support rod attached to a cord which is attached to the headrail causes a rotation of the headrail and results in moving the top of the shade to the lintel. In another apparatus a centering cord moves the shade to the side and a side support rod symmetrically hangs the shade ,thus, eliminating the gap on the side. A further improvement of a valance on the bottom acts to hide the mechanism and to act as a cradle for the shade material and headrail when the shade is down.

Abstract: A curtain and blind arrangement includes a blind, the blind having a plurality of slats, and a curtain, the curtain having a curtain body and a plurality of sleeves disposed at one side of the curtain body corresponding to the slats and adapted to secure the curtain body to the blind, the sleeves each defining a receiving hole adapted to receive the slats respectively.

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: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A Roman blind is provided which includes a head rail and a web of fabric material attached at a first end to the headrail. A pair of lifting cords extend from the headtail to a second end of the fabric web, to which they are attached. Two columns of guide elements are provided wherein each column guides a respective lifting cord. The guide elements of each column are arranged also to provide horizontal rows, about which the blind folds when raised. A pair of connecting tapes are disposed between the head rail and the second end of the fabric web. The tapes are secured to the fabric web by the guide elements, whereby unfolding of the fabric web is constrained by the tapes to a pre-defined maximum spacing between vertically adjacent pairs of guide elements, the maximum spacing between the vertically adjacent pairs of guide elements being less than the corresponding length of fabric web disposed between them.

Abstract: A collapsible security system includes a door having a plurality of collapsible panels. The security system can be mounted from a cubicle partition or a wall frame of a door. In the compressed position, the door of the security system allows access to the office space within the cubicle or room. When the panels are expanded and connected to the opposite frame of the cubicle partition or an opposing door, the security system no longer allows access to the office space. In another embodiment, the security system includes a locking bar that allows the panels to stay in the expanded position. In addition, two opposing panel doors can be mounted to a wall frame using spring-loaded hinges to allow the panel doors to swing open and closed. The door panels can be rectangular or decorative shape with permanent or removable decorative or descriptive panels.

Abstract: A pleated window shade is disclosed having pleats that are uniform in appearance, that maintains its pleated shape over time in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The shade is produced by running a flat segment of material over a serrated cutting wheel, which cuts a predetermined number of yarn segments at regular intervals. The cuts cause the material to fold or pleat along the axis of the cuts, resulting in a uniform, neat pleated appearance. The pleats may be made along the length of a roll of fabric to easily manufacture shades to cover large vertical spaces.

Abstract: A safety and protection device for a raisable-curtain goods-handling door (1) has a flexible curtain including a single sheet fitted with at least one raising strap (10) disposed against the outside of the curtain, the device having an apron (7) placed against the curtain on the same face of the curtain as the straps, to cover the door from the vicinity of its bottom up to a height that is at least sufficient to provide the desired type of protection, and over a width that is at least sufficient to cover the straps, the apron being capable of being fixed to the curtain in such a manner as to avoid impeding the movements of the strap.

Abstract: A shade comprising a fabric having divider strips dividing the fabric into panels of predetermined outline, each strip being sewn or otherwise secured directly to the fabric in fixed relation thereto and draw cords extending in operative relation to the divider strip so that the divider strips form focal lines for folding of the sheet of fabric as the cords are drawn.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide window coverings for nonrectangular windows and openings. The present invention utilizes a sliding headrail which allows a shade to be fitted exactly to a myriad of nonrectangular window shapes and to be opened or closed without placing undue stress upon the shade material or causing unsightly bunching of the shade material. A single headrail may also be used in appropriate circumstances. The sliding headrail keeps shade material neat and flat within the window frame, and if pleated or honeycombed, maintains the pleats in their natural horizontal arrangement. The window shade is not limited to the use of any particular shade materials, and can use virtually any window covering material depending on the appropriateness of the application. Shade material is attached to the sliding headrail segments at various points via shade leveling rods and support rods.

Abstract: A cordless blind contains one or more springs in the bottomrail of the blind. Preferably the spring is a constant force spring motor and is connected to at least one cord collector in a manner to maintain tension on the cord collector. The tension causes the lift cords to be collected on the cord collector when the cord collector and the lift cords are free to move, thereby moving the bottomrail toward the headrail. Preferably, a lock mechanism is attached to the cord collector or the lift cords. The lock mechanism has a locked position wherein the lift cords are restrained from being collected on the cord collector and has an unlocked position that allows the lift cords and cord collector to move.