Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.

Abstract: A window treatment for an arch-shaped window including a frame having an arch portion and a horizontal portion; at least one shade panel pivotally connected to a central portion of the horizontal portion of the frame; at least one channel formed on an inner surface of the arch portion, wherein the at least one channel forms a longitudinal slot on an inner surface thereof; and a chain at least partially housed within the at least one channel and moveable therein for effectuating arcuate movement of the at least one shade panel between an open and a closed position, wherein the chain is configured and dimensioned to move within the at least one channel without falling out of the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A stratified press fabric for the press section of a paper machine includes a base fabric in the form of an endless loop. A first staple fiber batt material is attached to the outer side of the base fabric by needling. A fine fabric covers the first staple fiber batt material, and a second staple fiber batt material is attached to the fine fabric by needling. The fibers making up the second staple fiber material are finer, that is, of smaller diameter or denier, than the fibers making up the first staple fiber material. The fine fabric prevents the coarser fibers of the first staple fiber batt material from being needled therethrough to mix with the finer fibers of the second fiber batt material.

Abstract: A vertical window blind includes a headrail, a plurality of carriers, a plurality of vertical slats, a decorative curtain, and a plurality of connecting devices. The curtain includes a curtain body having a plurality of mounting portions and covering portions that are alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction of the headrail. Each of the connecting devices includes a first connecting unit disposed at a respective one of the carriers, and a second connecting unit disposed at a respective one of the mounting portions of the decorative curtain and connected removably to the first connecting unit. Gaps between the slats are completely screened by the covering portions of the decorative curtain.

Abstract: A slat or vane (30) 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 (30) 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 (30). The slat (30) can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Abstract: A carrier-positioning device for a vertical blind includes an end cover attached fixedly to an end of a headrail, and a positioning member connected fixedly to the end cover. The positioning member has a hook end including two hooks, each of which is formed with a vertical retaining slot that has a closed upper end and an open lower end and that engages a respective one of two wheel pins on two opposite sides of a carrier so as to prevent movement of the carrier within the headrail. An operable portion of the positioning member is connected fixedly to the hook end, and has an exposed section that is exposed within a space between two supporting walls of the headrail so that it can be pushed upwardly to remove the hooks from the wheel pins, thereby permitting separation of the carrier from the end cover.

Abstract: A curtain track adjustment assembly adopted for use on different sizes of doors and windows enables users to drape curtains as desired. It includes a winch to retract or extend a steel cable. A brake paw is coupled with a spring which provides a restoring force to anchor the brake paw on a ratchet gear of the winch so that the length of the steel cable may be controlled and adjusted to suit different sizes of windows.

Abstract: An architectural covering, such as a blind, for use primarily over windows and doorways, includes of a plurality of separate composite vanes made of an opaque rigid material and a sheer material, if desired. Each composite vane can be manufactured as a flat, rollable laminated assembly of strips and joined or bonded at least substantially on a line along the length of the strip and substantially along one edge of one strip. Several different embodiments of the composite vane are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite vane comprises a generally flat, unexpanded opaque material with individual pieces of sheer material attached to an edge of the vane. In another embodiment, a laminated composite vane comprises a pair of strips with the transverse width of one strip greater than the other strip to form a torque tube when edge-joining the strips.

Abstract: A tilt drive unit for a horizontal or vertical venetian blind, operated by a common drive system. The tilt drive unit is designed to keep the blind slats in a titled-open position during extension or retraction of the slats. The tilt drive unit has a tilt roller that is connected to a drive shaft of the blind and has a track formation on its radially outer surface. The track formation has a pair of circumferential linear grooves and a convoluted groove, which can be engaged by a movable tilt member sliding within the grooves. The tilt member is attached to a mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the slats, such as the ends of a ladder cord. The convoluted groove is adapted to induce a translatory movement to the tilt member. The convoluted groove intersects each linear groove at an angled 3-way junction. The tilt member will only move from one of the linear grooves to the convoluted groove after a change of rotational direction of the tilt roller.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window opening, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: The vertical Venetian blind (100) consists of vertical lamellae (10), held in a support rail (15) and travelling in the support rail longitudinal direction by an operating cord (17) and swivellable about their vertical longitudinal axes (11) by an operating chain (16) for opening and closing, which constitute, when closed, a curtain-type Venetian blind (200), these vertical lamellae (10) being made of strip shaped cut-out pieces made of a weft, cloth or foil, the vertical lamellae (10) being connected with each other at their lower free ends (10c) with connecting cords, chains or bead chains (13) held on their outer marginal edges (10a, 10b), whereby at least one section (90) with manually adjustable vertical lamellae (120), situated in the lower Venetian blind area, is constituted in the Venetian blind (200) formed by the vertical lamellae (10).

Abstract: A carrier and spacer assembly for an architectural covering, such as a vertical Venetian blind, comprising a longitudinally-arrayed plurality of carriers that are slidably arranged for longitudinal movement along a longitudinally-extending tilt rod between open and closed positions. In the open position, the carriers are spaced apart along the tilt rod, and in the closed position, the carriers are adjacent to one another at a one end of the tilt rod. A mechanism is provided for pulling a first carrier along the tilt rod between the open and closed positions. A plurality of elongated spacers are disposed between the adjacent carriers, connecting them together along the tilt rod. Each spacer includes a leading end portion which extends towards the open position and engages a carrier and a trailing end portion which extends towards the closed position and engages an adjacent carrier.

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 curtain cover attachment for vertical blinds has flexible sheet material portions that fold over opposite sides of each vane of the blinds from a front edge thereof, the panel portions extending also between the vanes. The cover is supported by first tabs that fold over one end (the tops ) of the vanes opposite respective supportive stem portions thereof from the front edges, the tabs being secured by hook-loop fasteners that are hidden between the cover and the vanes. Additional tabs and associated fasteners can also be used between the stem portions and the front edges of the vanes, as well as at opposite ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A vertical blind (2) rail having an elongate channel (6) including a base wall (12) extending widthwise in a first direction between first and second base edges (14, 16), first and second side walls (18, 20) extending respectively from the first and second base edges to respectively first and second side edges (22, 24) in a second direction generally perpendicular to said first direction, first and second inturned flanges (26, 28) extending inwardly in generally said first direction from the first and second side edges respectively so as to define a slot (30) therebetween, wherein the vertical blind rail is formed by roll-forming a first elongate sheet into a cross-section partly conforming to the cross-section of an inner channel (10) of the blind rail, roll-forming a second elongate sheet into a cross-section partly conforming to the cross-section of an outer channel (8) of the blind rail, feeding the partly roll-formed first sheet for the inner channel into the partly roll-formed second sheet for the outer

Abstract: A holder for suspending a vertical vane or the like in an architectural covering includes a male component connectible to the control system for the architectural covering and a female component connected to a vane of the architectural covering. The male and female components are releasably connected.

Abstract: A shower curtain is formed of a plurality of hanging panels which are attached to a track member for automatic deployment between a retracted, or drying, arrangement and an extended, or barrier, arrangement. Each panel has an ogee, or ‘S’, shape. A plurality of sliding portions, with a panel attached thereto, engage the track member for displacement therealong. Two connectors couple each adjacent pair of sliding portions to provide the desired automatic rotation to the sliding portions and the panels attached thereto. One of these connectors is fixedly positioned relative to one of the pair of sliding portions to convey rotational movement thereto. The second of these connectors is pivotally positioned relative to the second of the pair of sliding portions. The connectors are pivotally coupled together distal from their respective coupling to the respective sliding portions.

Abstract: A carrier and spacer assembly for an architectural covering, such as a vertical Venetian blind, comprising a longitudinally-arrayed plurality of carriers that are slidably arranged for longitudinal movement along a longitudinally-extending tilt rod between open and closed positions. In open position, the carriers are spaced apart along the tilt rod, and in the closed position, the carriers are adjacent to one another at a one end of the tilt rod. A mechanism is provided for pulling a first carrier along the tilt rod between the open and closed positions. A plurality of elongated spacers are disposed between the adjacent carriers, connecting them together along the tilt rod. Each spacer includes a leading end portion which extends towards the open position and engages a carrier and a trailing end portion which extends towards the closed position and engages an adjacent carrier.

Abstract: An architectural covering, such as a blind, for use primarily over windows and doorways, includes of a plurality of separate composite vanes made of an opaque rigid material and a sheer material, if desired. Each composite vane can be manufactured as a flat, rollable laminated assembly of strips and joined or bonded at least substantially on a line along the length of the strip and substantially along one edge of one strip. Several different embodiments of the composite vane are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite vane comprises a generally flat, unexpanded opaque material with individual pieces of sheer material attached to an edge of the vane. In another embodiment, a laminated composite vane comprises a pair of strips with the transverse width of one strip greater than the other strip to form a torque tube when edge-joining the strips.

Abstract: A traveler (slat carriage) for a vertical blind is provided with the carriage being movable within a support rail. The traveler includes a main body defining an interior space. The main body has an outer surface defining a gripping pocket. A toothed wheel is disposed in the interior space. A pivot pin is supported in the toothed wheel. The pivot pin and the toothed wheel are together pivotable about a vertical axis. The main body is held form an outside of the main body via the gripping pocket for assembly of the toothed wheel in the space and the pivot pin in the toothed wheel. The invention also provides a traveler (slat carriage) and rail assembly with a support rail, a group of travelers and a drive member. Each of the travelers includes a main body inserted into the rail. A drive member for moving the travelers within the support rail is provided for opening and closing the vertical blind. The drive member is inserted into an orifice of the main body, after assembly of the group of travelers.

Abstract: A new and improved repair kit for vertical blind slat connection points for repairing broken or torn vertical blind slat mounting holes comprising a pliable member that is placed on a torn or broken vertical blind slat, that is self-adjusting to compensate for various thicknesses and supports the weight of a blind slat by a fastener placed through a hole in a vertical blind slat and pliable member whereby the vertical blind slat may be reattached to the blind set thereby restoring its original functionality.

Abstract: A window blind opening and closing device can permit sequential drawing of louvers in a louver group from an end runner side opposite to the prior art to solve problems of damaging of runners and a drive shaft due to wearing, provide good appearance, and can open and close the window blind without interference even with the window blind using shaped louver in reversed S-shaped configuration in cross section.

Abstract: A louver laminated with a very thin film (i.e. a transfer film, very thin layer, etc . . . ) for use in the construction of window blinds such as Venetian blinds, and the like, the louver having opposed top and bottom surfaces, as well as opposed first and second side surfaces each laminated with a very thin film. More particularly, the film is so thin, that the boundary edges of the film, once laminated to a surface of the louver, are imperceptible to human touch, i.e. they are tactilely invisible. An apparatus and method for making a louver laminated with a very thin film is further proposed.

Abstract: A tassel for use in a control system for a covering for an architectural opening is adapted to be positioned at each end of a control cord which is suspended from an end of the headrail for the covering. The ends of the control cord are spaced a predetermined distance and the tassels are dimensioned in a transverse direction such that they do not ordinarily engage each other and the tassels are weighted so that the ends of the control cord hang in a vertical and taut condition. The outer surface of the tassel is also a continuous surface that is preferably symmetric to discourage entanglement of the ends of the cord and thereby encourage the ends of the cord to hang independently of each other.

Abstract: A control system for a vertical vane covering for use in an architectural opening includes a headrail having an upwardly opening channel in which a plurality of carriers are disposed for sliding movement along the length of the headrail. The headrail is of a thin profile with only a minority portion of the carriers being positioned within the hollow interior of the headrail. The carriers are interconnected by a scissors-type linkage to effect uniform separation of the vanes when the covering is expanded across an architectural opening and each carrier includes a rack and pinion system for rotating the vanes suspended thereby. Unique mountings for the endmost vanes allow the endmost vanes to cover the ends of the headrail.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and coloring a two tone Venetian blind tape is provided. The two tone Venetian blind tape is particularly adapted to be used in a Venetian blind having a succession of colored slats wherein the surfaces of one side of the slats are of a light color or substantially neutral, i.e., white or off-white and the surfaces on the reverse side of the slats are of any decorator color or pattern or contrasting color. In accordance with the present invention, the outer surface of the face fabric of the Venetian blind assembly is colored with a decorative color and/or pattern or in an alternative embodiment a decorative pattern may be applied to the outer surface of a pre-dyed face fabric by means of a thermal transfer printing process. The color or decorative pattern which is desired to be applied to the outer surface of the face fabric is provided on a conventional heat sensitive printing paper.

Abstract: A vertical blind having a head-rail, a plurality of carriers slidable in the head-rail for movement between open and closed positions. A respective vane is suspended from each of the carriers and a pivot rod is rotatably mounted in the head-rail and extending through the carriers for rotating the vanes. A control assembly comprises a controller securely affixed to a first carrier. The controller includes a control body slidably mounted in the head-rail, a first gear member disposed within the carrier body and rotationally coupled to the pivot rod and slidable thereon, and a control shaft rotatably mounted in the control body and extending through a base portion of the control body. The control shaft includes a second gear member operatively engaged with the first gear member, so that rotation of the control shaft causes rotation of the pivot rod via rotation of the second gear member and the first gear member.

Abstract: A safety cord-pull apparatus has a top portion and a bottom portion which include raised waves to secure control cords from a blind. A razor blade molded into the cord-pull apparatus cuts the control cords in the event a child or small pet becomes entangled within the control cords. An alternate cord-pull apparatus is also provided which has a circular housing through which the control cords are disposed. The control cords are cut by a sharpened edge in a cap on the housing or by a sharpened washer located inside the housing. The cord-pull apparatus also includes a pull cord that hangs below the control cord-pull apparatus to operate a blind. The method for assembling the cord-pull apparatus includes placing control cords into chutes and over raised waves, folding the top portion of the cord-pull apparatus unto the bottom portion of the cord-pull apparatus, adjusting the control cords level with regards to the blind, and cutting the control cords.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window opening, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material.

Abstract: A drive gear unit is provided for tilting vertically orientated slats of a vertical blind system. The unit includes a frame and a connection element for connecting the frame to a tubular support rail for a vertical blind system. The unit further includes a wand drive member having a shaft and a first spur gear wheel provided on the shaft so that the shaft for operative connection to a wand, the first spur gear having teeth which extend radially outwardly from a central hub. A rod locating member is associated with the frame and has a passage for locatingly receiving the vertical blind drive rod. A rod drive member has a rod connecting part adapted to be operatively joined to the vertical blind drive rod, and further has a second spur gear wheel joined to the rod connecting part. The second spur gear wheel has teeth which extend radially outwardly from a central hub. The first spur gear wheel and the second spur gear wheel are in operative mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drapery fabric for enhancing vertical blinds. The drapery fabric is pre-formed with reception pockets for installation over the upper ends of vertical blinds. The pockets may have gaps for easy installation over preexisting vertical blinds. In one method of installation, the vertical blinds are removed from their traverse rod track, instead into the pockets with the swivel mounts passing through the gaps, and then installed upon the track. This results in the effect of "full" draperies, with the ability to optionally partially install over the length of the vertical blinds, either vertically or horizontally, and seal the gaps at the edges of standard vertical blinds.

Abstract: An improved system utilizes a series of structures which permit magnetic closure to be used in existing carriers and components. Magnetic support structures include members which ride in the carrier, as well as special size members which mount in the lead or wand carrier and which reside in the vertical blind track end caps. All of the structures are installable as retro-fit and which can work with existing tracks, carriers and end caps, even though these structures have been optimized for small size.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for connecting a vertical louvre to a support and including a first component disposed within the support and a second component having a connection formation from which a louvre may be suspended. Each of the first and second components are releasably interconnected, such that the second component is retained in connection with the first component for use, and such that the second component is separable from the first component, and replaceable with a substitute component while the first component is mounted in the support member.

Abstract: A safety cord-pull apparatus having a top portion and a bottom portion which include raised waves to secure control cords from a blind. A razor blade molded into the cord-pull apparatus cuts the control cords in the event a child or small pet becomes entangled within the control cords. An alternate cord-pull apparatus is also provided which has a circular housing through which the control cords are disposed. The control cords are cut by a sharpened edge in a cap on the housing or by a sharpened washer located inside the housing. The cord-pull apparatus also includes a pull cord that hangs below the control cord-pull apparatus to operate a blind.

Abstract: A vertical blind that includes a plurality of louvers of which certain louvers are alternately positioned and can be placed in various positions so that the vertical blind can be fully changed in form. The vertical blind further includes a rotation-transferring mechanism on alternating carriers. The rotation-transferring mechanism serves to transfer the rotation of the shaft, which is mounted in the head rail, to the louvers, which are hung from the alternating carriers, so that the louvers rotate around their vertical axes. If the louvers that are hung from the carriers with the rotation-transferring mechanism are positioned so that they are almost perpendicular to the head rail, each louver hung from those carriers that are not equipped with a rotation-transferring mechanism almost covers each space left between the louvers on either side of the louver hung from the carrier with the rotation-transferring mechanism.

Abstract: A blind assembly that includes a pivoting support rail assembly, an opening and closing rod, at least two wall attachable rail supports, a number of vertical blind slats, and a blind slat spacing chain; the pivoting support rail assembly including a forward L-shaped slat support rail, a rear L-shaped slat support rail, and two hinge connectors, the forward and rear L-shaped support rails each including a slat engagement ridge extending outwardly from the shorter length leg thereof, each hinge connector being pivotally connected between the longer legs of the forward and rear L-shaped slat support rails and at the center thereof to one of the wall attachable rail supports in a manner such that the forward and rear L-shaped slat support rails move in opposite directions as the center of each hinge connectors pivots from the wall attachable rail supports; the opening and closing rod being secured to the forward L-shaped slat support rail; each wall attachable rail support including a wall attachment plate and a

Abstract: The improved system utilizes a track (51) which has a bowed internal surface to prevent the wheel of the carrier (17) from frictional engagement with the side of the track (51). The curved surface (55) which faces the wheels (27) will not be engaged by the wheels (27) even where the carrier (17) turns to one side or the other. This is accomplished while leaving the innermost portions of the raceway (53) in the same width position with regard to the wheels (27) as is usual to prevent the carrier (17) from coming off-track. The tolerances for the inner corners of the raceway (53) opposing the wheels (27) may be reduced to further prevent the possibility of jamming in the track (51).

Abstract: An improved system utilizes a series of structures which permit magnetic closure to be used in existing carriers and components. Magnetic support structures include members which ride in the carrier, as well as special size members which mount in the lead or wand carrier and which reside in the vertical blind track end caps. All of the structures are installable as retro-fit and which can work with existing tracks, carriers and end caps, even though these structures have been optimized for small size.

Abstract: Various systems for attaching flexible fabric material to rigid vanes in the construction of window coverings are disclosed. The various systems for attaching the fabric material to the vanes create varying aesthetic patterns while providing long-term durability. The systems described can be used to connect single or double sheets of fabric material to the faces of rigid vanes while enabling the vanes to be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A control system for a vertical vane covering for use in an architectural opening includes a headrail having an upwardly opening channel in which a plurality of carriers are disposed for sliding movement along the length of the headrail. The headrail is of a thin profile with only a minority portion of the carriers being positioned within the hollow interior of the headrail. The carriers are interconnected by a scissors-type linkage to effect uniform separation of the vanes when the covering is expanded across an architectural opening and each carrier includes a rack and pinion system for rotating the vanes suspended thereby. Unique mountings for the endmost vanes allow the endmost vanes to cover the ends of the headrail.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window openings, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A device for the manual operation of a blind, preferably a vertical blind, by way of a pull cord, which is pulled as a loop with a leading end and a return end by a slat carriage movable in a guide with a slat each arranged on them around their longitudinal axis. The cord is led in a rail which blocks access to a majority of the cord. The rail has channels extending in a longitudinal direction defining passages for the leading end portion and the return end portion of the pull cord. The section rail also defines access openings for providing access by an operator to grip and move the pull cord through the rail. The rest of the rail blocks access to the pull cord.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a vertical blind with a crank rod for horizontally displacing and for pivoting the slats, which can each be pivoted by approximately 180.degree. in both directions up to a common plane by a pivoting gear in a slat carriage, which is horizontally movable in a support rail, about a vertical pivoting axis, wherein the crank rod can be coupled with a driving wheel, which is mounted in an end carriage and which is arranged on a pivot shaft, which meshes with a toothed wheel of the pivoting gear in the slat carriage in an axially displaceable manner, but in a manner adapted to rotate in unison. The toothed wheel can be moved about a toothed wheel approximately 180.degree. from one side of the common plane of the slats to the opposite side in a curved guide, which is arranged at the end carriage.

Abstract: A window blind (10) is disclosed having a headrail (12) housing a tilt assembly (18) and a plurality of slats (14) having opposed longitudinal edges (36). The blind (10) has a sleeve (28) extending from the tilt assembly (18) to a bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). Each slat (14) has a clip (38) that engages the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). A loop (40) is positioned around the clip (38) and through a pair of openings (48) in the sleeve (28) to connect the sleeve (28) to the each slat (14). A lift cord (30) extends from the headrail (12) to the bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edge (36) of each slat (14) where it is connected to the bottommost slat (14). The lift cord (30) is within the sleeve (28).

Abstract: A vertical multiple slat blind having an elongated headrail with a central slot. There are a plurality of vertical slats with a cross-member extending across the width of one end of the slat and a plurality of hook member having a head end riding in the headrail slot and a hook end connected to the slat one end. A first cord and a second cord are connected to one end of the cross-members of the plurality of slats for rotating them in a first or a second direction as one of the cords is pulled. The headrail has a curved portion such that the cord corresponding to the larger radius of curvature of the headrail has a greater travel distance upon rotation of the slats and effects closure.

Abstract: Louvered blinds for use at windows and the like, having vertically or horizontally oriented louvers bearing decorative indicia, and which, when closed, are free of light gaps and free of overlap of the decorative indicia from louver-to-louver. Each louver comprises an elongated slat-like element with a main body portion and an extended lip portion along one longitudinal edge of the main body portion. The decorative indicia on each louver is substantially co-extensive with its main body portion. When the louvers are closed, the lip portion of each louver overlies the rear surface of the next adjacent louver to prevent light gaps while the decorative indicia of each louver is fully exposed to produce the overall decorative image of the closed blind, uninterrupted by overlaps louver-to-louver. In a preferred embodiment, the decorative indicia on each louver can be easily removed therefrom and replaced with other decorative indicia.

Abstract: A light controllable drapery system has a first track from which a drapery is hung and a parallel, second track from which vertical vanes are hung. Both the drapery and the vertical vanes are suspended from carriers which are sliceable along their respective tracks. At least one connector connects a carrier on the first track to a carrier on the second track to enable carriers on the first track to move concurrently with carriers on the second track. A pusher is provided on each vane which pushes the drapery along the drapery track when the vanes are moved from an open position to a closed position so that the drapery does not become entangled between the vanes during that movement.

Abstract: A split-draw vertical blind system uses a plurality of slat carriers, the slat orientation of which is controlled by a spline rod which passes through the carriers. Each carrier bears wheels to enable the carrier to glide smoothly along tracks provided by an enclosing headrail. In addition, a master carrier which a user may move by means of an attached wand is connected by hollow rivets to a stabilizer assembly which bears extra sets of wheels to contact the tracks and the inner surfaces of the headrail top to prevent binding of the master carrier. A horizontally-oriented closed loop of cord passes through bores on either side of the carriers and around pulleys or U-shaped components at the ends of the headrail. The cord loop is attached on opposite sides to the two center carriers, one of which is the master carrier. When the master carrier is moved by means of the wand, the other center carrier is moved in the opposite direction by the cord loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the orientation of slats of a vertical blind includes a master slide and a first carrier slide fixedly connected with the master slide and a plurality of other carrier slides. The master slide includes a housing, a driving member, a worm member and a helical gear engaging with the worm member. When the driving member rotates, the helical gear rotates accordingly. A shaft is extended to engage with the helical gear and driven mechanisms provided respectively in the carrier slides. Each driven mechanism is attached with a slat. When the helical gear is rotated, the slats attached with the driven mechanism rotate accordingly so that the orientation of the slats can be adjusted. Each of the carrier slides is slideably engaged with a strip which has an end defining a stop and another end fixedly attached with a carrier slide neighboring the carrier slide slideably engaging with a respective strip.

Abstract: A vertical blind assembly includes two housings secured together so as to form a carrier frame. Two worm gears are rotatably received in the housings and engaged with each other. A post is coupled to one of the worm gears for rotating the worm gear. A beam is slidably engaged in the other gear so as to be rotated by the post. A number of casings each includes a gear slidably engaged on the beam and each includes a pole rotated by the gear and for supporting slats. The casings are secured to the housings by a number of couplers which may be easily disengaged from the housings.