Abstract: Elements of the present invention relate to the application of force to a bolt carrier within a firearm when the firearm becomes inoperable. Some elements relate to the application of force by leverage applied with a bar inserted through a weapon's magazine well. Some elements relate to a bar end with prongs that provide for clearance of a weapon's bolt shaft while engaging the weapon's bolt carrier. Some elements relate to accommodation of multiple weapon dimensions with a single tool.

Abstract: An apparatus to install or remove tension coil springs from spring seat. Apparatus spans beyond the length of a tension coil spring allowing connection to spring ends with a loop and or hook on a threaded shaft. Applying a turning force to threaded shaft will stretch spring to a longer length allowing removal of spring from spring seat. A turning force in opposite direction retracts spring to shorter length allowing installation of spring to spring seat.

Abstract: A hub pulling device for the removal of a hub from the axel of a vehicle. The device includes a pin and plate. The plate having a central bore having a sidewall supported by a plurality of gussets. The plate containing a plurality of apertures aligned to be received on the lug bolts of the hub. The pin having a head sized for receipt within the hub center and engagement of the axel and a shaft sized for receipt within the central bore. To remove a hub, the pin is placed within the central bore and the plate is mounted to the lug bolts using the lug nuts, the opposed force of the pin pushing on the axel and the plate pulling the hub frees the hub.

Abstract: A hub remover is provided. The hub remover includes a cross bar; a set of jaws having a receiving hole dimensioned to allow the cross bar to fit through the receiving hole to connect the jaws together via the cross bar; a forcing screw configured to extend through the cross-bar and between the jaws; a forcing screw nut configured to threadably engage an end of the forcing screw; and a resilient friction device located in the hole and configured to generate friction between the cross bar and the jaw when the cross bar moves through the hole in the cross bar. A method of operating a hub remover is provided. The method includes extending the forcing screw through a hole in the hub; placing a forcing screw nut on an end of the forcing screw that has extended through the hub; placing a foot portion of a jaw behind a portion of the hub; and turning the forcing screw to urge the forcing screw nut against a rear portion of the hub and thereby push the hub off of a spindle assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making cored wire filled with a powdery and/or granular fill material are disclosed. The present invention controls automatically the depositing of fill material used in cored wire manufacturing by accounting for a variety of process changes, such as, for example, variations in strip width, strip thickness, fill material flow, and fill material density. Such automatic monitoring and control uses detected strip measurements and detected fill material volumes to produce a high quality tubular welding wire (e.g., about±0.5% variation from a desired core ratio).

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool for removing and attaching vehicle wheels. The tool comprises parts, which may be combined to make components. In a first aspect of the invention the lifting component comprises a handle and a base plate, which may be used to lift, lower, position and transport a wheel; one variant of the base plate having a wheel or roller. In a second aspect of the invention a tool for removing and replacing a hubcap is made from a portion of the handle. In a third aspect of the invention a lug removal component is either provided as a novel lug wrench or may be made from the novel lug wrench combined with a portion of the handle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.

Abstract: A machine for forming a bottom rail and a valance for a window blind unit. The machine has a support member upon which a length of wood ultimately destined to be a bottom rail or a valance can reside while cutting occurs, and includes at least one laterally movable saw blade for cutting a selectable wood segment at a selectable angle up to 90.degree.. Such angular cutting permits a mitred junction of corners in a formed valance. The machine also has at least one wood boring device and at least one wood drilling device to provide for pull cord anchoring whereby cords are passed through a drilled aperture and knotted such that the knot is housed in a bored compartment. The machine can be incorporated and automated for inline inclusion with automated components of a window blind manufacturing and assembly system to provide finished bottom rails and packaged valance components for final installation at a site of use.

Abstract: A user-sizeable headrail assembly that may be easily and readily cut-down to size by the consumer; includes a pre-assembled, cordless headrail and a cutting jig. The preferred headrail has an elongated track, a pinion rod, and multiple carriers which slide along the track and rod. The cutting jig is sized for removable location between a pair of carriers at a desired location along the pre-assembled headrail for simultaneously cutting the elongated track and pinion rod to divide the pre-assembled headrail into a first scrap portion and a second useful portion having a desired length that is less than the initial length. For this purpose, the cutting jig includes an upper track support portion including upper contact members that contact the opposed sides of the elongated track and a lower rod support portion including lower contact members that extends downwardly from the upper track support portion and surround the pinion rod in the interior of the elongated track.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of and apparatus for sizing a factory made pleated shade downwardly to an exact width from a factory made width at the point of purchase in a retail outlet using the skill level of the service personnel commonly found in such retail establishments. Specifically, a pleated shade having (a) two or more lift cords and (b) head and bottom rails which are slidable with respect to the top pleat or pleats and the bottom pleat or pleats, respectively, is arranged so that the pleats as an integral unit can be moved relative to both the head and bottom rails in diametrically opposite directions whereby the pleats may be sized by cutting off portions at each and thereof and the rails sized by single or multiple cutting operations.

Abstract: A modular assembly station for slotting and stringedly assembling a plurality of window-blind slats for subsequent construction of a window-blind unit. The assembly station includes at least one and preferably two or more slot cutter assemblies having a cutter member for cutting a slot in a slat through which a pull cord can pass a saw cutting assembly for trimming opposite ends of the slat, and a ladder-string applicator in lateral spaced relationship with the cutter assembly and including an entrance chamber for a slat and a ladder string having an opening thereof presented in alignment with the entrance chamber. A conveyor is located between the slot cutter assembly and the entrance chamber of the applicator for receiving a slat from the slot cutter assembly and laterally advancing it to the entrance chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for ribbing cloth venetian blind strips in an efficient and mass production manner. The apparatus includes a group of strip pressing mechanisms which hold a strip to be ribbed in place and define a reference plane for other mechanisms in the apparatus during the ribbing operation. After the strip is pressed in place, a tubular space opening mechanism is actuated to open front ends of two previously flattened tubular spaces at two sides of the strip. Thereafter, two tubular space expanding mechanisms pushes the strip from the two sides thereof to vertically expand the already partially opened tubular spaces, allowing ribs to be fed into and extended through the expanded tubular spaces by a rib conveying mechanism. The cloth strips for venetian blind can therefore be accurate, quickly ribbed at two sides in a mass production manner.

Abstract: A method for sizing a horizontal mini-blind using a retaining clip. The retaining clip frictionally engages a lift cord threaded through a series of slots formed within a series of horizontal slats. The mini-blinds are sized attaching the retaining clip to the lift cord, cutting the lift cords underneath the retaining clip below the rung cords, then sliding the retaining clip into a channel formed in a bottom rail. The bottom rail includes a pair of oppositely facing notches which receive the ladder cords to prevent further movement of the clip in the channel. The ladder cords and the lift cord are not knotted and captured using a plug in the bottom rail, which results in a flush relationship between the bottom rail and a window opening.

Abstract: A tool for removing a wheel cover from a wheel of a vehicle. The tool comprises an elongated metal rod having a hook at one end of the rod and a handle portion at the other end of the rod for grasping the tool. The hook end of the rod is adapted to engage a metal retention ring that secures the wheel cover to the wheel. By pulling the tool crosswise of the wheel, the retention ring is pulled away from a rim of the wheel and toward the center of the wheel to release the wheel cover from the wheel.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing blinds comprises a processor unit, at least one manufacturing facility for carrying out a manufacturing step and a communication device for exchanging data between the processor unit and said at least one manufacturing facility. To arrange for efficient and economical manufacturing, whereby manufacturing time and scrap are relatively low, the processor unit is adapted to generate data for controlling the system taking into account an order portfolio and at least one parameter from said at least one manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A cutter for shortening blinds of the type consisting of a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of suspended slats therebetween, the cutter comprising a framework, a stationary matrix fixed with respect to the framework and comprising a first opening for receiving the top rail of the blinds, at least one second opening for receiving the slats in a compacted position, and a third opening for receiving the bottom rail. The first and third openings have shapes corresponding with the cross-sectional shape of the respective top and bottom rails. A support member is slidable with respect to the matrix and comprises a first blade for cutting the top rail, at least one second blades for cutting the slats and a third blade for cutting the bottom rail, at least the first and third blades being flush with a surface of the matrix. The cutter further comprises a displacement mechanism for displacing the support member with respect to the matrix in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the openings.

Abstract: A venetian blind cutting machine including a support framework, a cutter module replaceably mounted on a top of the support framework, two air cylinders for driving cutters mounted in the cutter module, two sets of quick couplings for connecting the air cylinders to an upper cutter, a strip cutter, and a lower cutter mounted in a cutter seat of the cutter module, a blind supporter pivotally connected to the support framework in front of the cutter module for stably supporting a venetian blind to be cut, and a blind locating assembly fixedly mounted behind the cutter module for adjustably deciding the length of the venetian blind to extend into the cutter module for cut. With the cutter module containing three cutters for an upper rail, strips, and a lower rail of the venetian blind and the two air cylinders connected to the cutters via the quick couplings, the cutters can be driven by the air cylinders to neatly cut the rails and strips of the blind by only one cut.

Abstract: In the production of slat packages for Venetian blinds, the slats are placed over each other and introduced between a first and a second transverse band in double rungs in carrying bands or ladders including bands or cords. The slats are conveyed one by one to the carrying band and lifted after being introduced into a double rung to enable mechanical introduction of the slats between the double rungs. A double rung is stretched between two teeth projecting over the plane in which the slats are conveyed. A slat is conveyed forward until it has passed under the first of the two transverse bands, and the slat is then lifted so that when further conveyed it passes over the second of the two transverse bands. The slat can be lifted by an inclined plane placed between the teeth.

Abstract: A punch tool and method for removing one or more wheels from an axle is provided. The punch comprises an elongated member having a first end configured for receiving a nut therein. The first end has an aperture dimensioned to prevent angular rotation between the aperture and the nut. The aperture has an inner periphery with a bore formed therethrough. The bore extends from the aperture towards a second end of the punch. A desired wheel to be removed is located. A plurality of lugs comprising a stud, an inner cap nut, and a nut, secure the wheels to the axle. The first end of the punch is disposed over a nut coupled to a cap nut, for coupling the punch to the nut. The cap nut may extend through the aperture and into the bore. The diameter of the bore prevents the punch from damaging the cap nut. The second end of the punch is struck with a heavy implement. The implement causes force to be applied to the nut from the punch along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A ladder lacing unit (90) for a venetian blind assembly machine. The mechanism is formed by a movable carrier (102), with first and second ladder support guiding means (92) mounted on the carrier. A ladder support advancing means (98) is associated with each ladder support guiding means. Indexing means (90,104,204) are included for indexing the movable carrier (102) from a first position, in which the first ladder support guide means is accurately located to receive venetian blind slats, to a second position in which the second ladder support guide means is accurately so positioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact, multi-station system for sizing window coverings such as roller shades, mini blinds, pleated shades and vertical blinds. The system includes devices for cutting components of each of the types of shades and coverings to correct window dimensions and an arrangement for presenting to a system operator, the cutting equipment for a particular application. In its most preferred form, the system includes four (4) stations with a flip-top horizontal surface containing sizing equipment on opposed sides. The most preferred system also includes fixed cutters, e.g. for roller shades and for cutting the head rail of vertical blinds. In the most preferred embodiment, the system also includes storage space for product to be sized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling blinds includes a punching and cutting station, an outfeed station and a lacing stating having a plurality of lacing towers. A guide cable extends between adjacent lacing towers for guiding transported slats. A pivoted backstop at a downstream end of the lacing station yieldingly arrests the motion of incoming slats. The outfeed station of the apparatus includes a continuously driven outfeed drive roller and an opposed pinch roller which may be selectively urged against the drive roller so as to drive a slat out of the outfeed station. Each lacing tower of the apparatus includes a spring-biased spreader which provides longitudinal tension to a tape ladder while preventing longitudinal stringers of the ladder from converging upon each other. The method of the present invention includes operating the apparatus to automatically learn the selected length and arrangement of the blind and to subsequently automatically manufacture a blind to those specifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutter for cutting the ends from a mini blind so that the mini blind may be custom sized for a particular window opening. The mini blind cutter includes a framework which has a receiving area for receiving an end of the mini blind. A cutter blade is attached to a slide bar which is slidably mounted in the framework. The slide bar includes a rack engaged with a pinion gear that is rotated by a ratchet handle. Movement of the ratchet handle thus slides the slide bar along the framework and forces the cutter blade through the end of the mini blind.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of blinds of the type having a head rail, a plurality of ladder tapes, plurality of blind slats, and raise cords passing through the blind slats, by which the blind slats may be drawn upwardly toward the head rail, and wherein the apparatus has a die support for passage of strip material along an axis therealong for the formation of blind slats, a plurality of die units mounted on the die support, at least some of said die units being moveable therealong, the die units being aligned with one another along the strip path, the die units being operable to procure their selective operation to form openings in the strip material at pre-selected spaced points, a cut off die for cutting off a pre-selected length of the strip material to form a blind slat, and slat threaders located downstream of the dies for threading a slat through the ladder tapes. Also disclosed is threader apparatus which is moveable laterally relative to the axis of the strip material.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for assembling or disassembling an endcap into or out of a housing. The housing includes a distal end, an intermediate portion, and a receptacle disposed in the distal end. The tool includes a hook removably joinable to the endcap, and a clamp removably joinable to the housing intermediate portion. The hook is jacked relative to the clamp for translating the endcap relative to the receptacle for either assembling or disassembling the endcap into or out of the housing.

Abstract: In a machine for producing venetian blinds, a strip of slat material is intermittently fed by a feeding device to a mounting station where slats (20, 20') are mounted in a number of ladder tapes (17) at threading stations (12). Punching devices (30) for punching the strip of slat material comprise, respectively a punching tool (30) which is movable laterally relative to longitudinal direction of the strip of slat material between an operative position in which the die (32) and punch (33) of the punching tool are in the correct position for punching the strip of slat material, and an inoperative position in which the die and punch of the punching tool are positioned laterally outside the strip of slat material. The punching devices can have at least one cutoff or separating punching tool for cutting or separating individual slats (20) from the strip of slat material. A moving or driving mechanism (40-42) moves each punching tool between the operative position and the inoperative position.

Abstract: A lug nut wrench for removing and replacing wheel covers, and to remove and replace lug nuts carried on vehicle axles to mount and dismount wheels or rims. The tool includes a collapsible inner and outer tubes with a sleeve carried on said outer tube, capable of being positioned at multiple locations along the tube, with a shank which detachably carries a socket which engages the lug nuts. A detend is carried by said inner tube which engages holes in said outer tube to lock said tubes at selected locations. A rod having a tapered end portion to fit between the rim and wheel cover is provided, extending from the lever at the end opposite to the sleeve, and which is also used to provide a hand hold to assist in rotating the lever to rotate or turn the lug nuts.

Abstract: A machine for production of finished lath packs for Venetian blinds, which have holes at the ends for draw cords and ladders consisting of bands or strings, every cross band of which carries a lath, and where two neighboring cross bands of a ladder are placed on each side of the draw cord passed through the holes. The machine has a mechanism which inserts laths at each ladder, a mechanism which lifts the inserted lath and the ladders as well as devices to retain the raised lath. Each lifting mechanism has a carrier with a slit through which the ladder stretches and, on both side of the slit, carrier faces sloping away from each other for an inserted lath. The carrier can tilt in such a way that the carrier faces support the laths alternately. The carriers are tilted synchronously with the movement of the feed mechanism. The carrier is thus used also for positioning the ladder with the consecutive cross bands placed on one and the other side alternately of the draw cord.

Abstract: An elongate substantially rectangular louver or assembly of louvers each comprising an elongate conformable web sleeve or web envelope which substantially or completely surrounds and conforms generally to the periphery of a slat inserted therein and the louver has a depending means for removable attachment to a louver assembly support and the slat is removably attached to the web sleeve or web envelope.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for mechanically assembling a venetian blind in which at least two ladders 30 each having laterally spaced side members 42 and cross rungs 44 are spaced apart by a predetermined spacing and fed intermittently along a direction lengthwise of said side members 42, by a pair of side member guides 46 for each ladder. The guides of a pair being spaced by a predetermined spacing to hold at least a portion of said side members apart, spreading means being provided to hold apart two adjacent rungs 44 at the location of said portion of the side members to define the shape of the associated opening 45 in each ladder. Slat material guides 36, 38 are positioned relative to the side member guides 46 so that the slat material is fed at an angle other than 90.degree. to the plane including the longitudinal sides of the slat material as it is guided along the defined path by a slat material guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically assembling a venetian blind in which at least two ladders 30 each having laterally spaced side members 42 and cross rungs 44 are spaced apart by a predetermined spacing and fed intemittently along a direction lengthwise of said side members 42, by a pair of side member guides 46 for each ladder. The guides of a pair being spaced by a predetermined spacing to hold at least a portion of said side members apart, spreading means being provided to hold apart two adjacent rungs 44 at the location of said portion of the side members to define the shape of the associated opening 45 in each ladder. Slat material guides 36, 38 are positioned relative to the side member guides 46 so that the slat material is fed at an angle other than 90.degree. to the plane including the longitudinal sides of the slat material as it is guided along the defined path by a slat material guide.

Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising an assembly of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by folding a strip of material and joining the opposed edges to the next adjacent cell. The rear wall of the cell is less wide than the front wall of the cell, and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible, so that the front wall of each cell droops downwardly and outwardly away from the rear wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing a slat window blind to an exact width at the point of purchasing using the level of operator skill typically found in retail outlet. The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with a type of blind in which a number of individual, horizontally disposed slats are spaced vertically apart from one another along flexible lines, often referred to as ladder cords, and which have a flat or slightly curved cross-sectional configuration. Often such slats are approximately one inch in width and frequently the term "mini blind" has been applied to this type of article.

Abstract: A control device for adjusting two or more tool units (3) in a machine, especially a Venetian blind production machine, comprises a number of series-connected setting screws (10-14) and gear units (15-19) for proportionally displacing the tool units along the machine bed (2) when operated by means of a drive motor (21).

Abstract: A cutting member and machine for cutting elongate members is disclosed. The cutting member comprises a body having a cutting edge defining a cavity such that the cutting edge contacts a surface to be cut at at least two points. The cutting machine comprises the cutting member, a weight pivotally connected to the cutting member to define a arm-weight assembly, and a driven member defining a central opening, wherein the arm-weight assembly is pivotally attached to the driven member so as to drive the cutting member in a circular path around the central opening, the cutting edge of the cutting member being biased inwardly towards the central opening by the weight and the resultant centrifugal force.

Abstract: An arch-shaped window treatment has a front and back and consists of a frame and a flexible material construction mounted thereon. The frame has a curved semi-rigid upper portion and a lower elongated piece. The curved portion and elongated piece are detachably connected at the respective ends thereof. A ruffle is formed from the flexible material construction and extends outwardly from the curved portion of the frame. Soft folds are created in the body portion of the flexible material construction which essentially fills the area within the frame. The folds are formed by virtue of hems of the flexible material construction being threaded over portions of the frame and the remaining excess fabric being further gathered on a cord which is tied at a central point along the straight portion of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for finishing the fabrication of venetian blinds at or near a point of purchase. The blinds are shipped to the point of purchase in a partially completed condition wherein the slats of the blinds have registered apertures formed in spaced relationship to one end of each slat, but with the opposed end being free of such apertures. An interlacing support and a pull cord are mounted to the ends of the slats having the apertures formed therein. The overall length of the slats exceeds the width of the window for which the blinds are intended. Apertures are then cut into the blinds at a selected distance from the trimmed ends. The blinds are completed by appropriately mounting a second interlacing support and pull cord in proximity to the trimmed ends of the blind.

Abstract: A method of shortening the width, that is, sizing a mini blind to any specified dimension by an operator having the skill level found in a retail outlet, is disclosed. In addition, a machine for sizing a mini blind to any specified dimension by an operator having the skill level found in a retail outlet is also disclosed. The method and machine are applicable to mini blinds which require either one or several ladders to be affixed to the blind and hence the operation of one or more drill systems, the number being proportional to the width of the blind.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new structure of blade binding cord guiding arrangement for venetian blind making machine and more particularly to an arrangement which drives the blade binding cord to be movably positioned at predetermined position and prop open the binding cord for smooth insertion of blind blades and to let the transverse lines of the ladder-like blade binding cord be intermittently set at both lateral sides of the venetian blind control rope, so as to let the ladder-like blade binding cord be smoothly piled up when the venetian blind is collapsed.

Abstract: Venetian blind ladder means are provided in which first and second cross elements (4,5) of each cross connections of the ladder are located whereby the height of the projection of every pair of elements on a plane through the longitudinal side member axes ranges between zero and slightly larger than the depth of the blind slat material and the distance between the side members (3a,3b) of the ladder is only slightly greater than the slat width. During assembly, the ladder means are guided so that, at the location of interlacing, each consecutive interlacing opening is angled to extend in a plane perpendicular to the plane of slat feed or at an angle so that the projection of the mutual spacing between elements (4,5) in this perpendicular plant is sufficiently large to allow the advancing slat to be easily and rapidly fed therethrough.

Abstract: A pleated, variable light-filtering, insulative window treatment. A horizontally or vertically pleated Venetian Blind is fashioned after two distinct processes with blind slats which extend rearwardly of the front pleated covering and, further, are cambered towards a motivation source proximate the planar cover. Articulator cords are used to move the trailing edges of the slat extensions uniformly in one direction while the forward edges of the slats are caused to pivot along the points of juncture of the slat leading edges and the trough lines of the front pleated cover. Upon complete articulation of the cambered slat edges, effecting an enclosure of the air space in the laterally disposed pleats by forming laterally concatenated air columns, a light-reflecting, room-darkening, highly insulative mode is achieved. Two processes, preferred by the inventors, are disclosed for manufacturing the invention's articulatable hinged extension slats, with the pleated fabric, to form the compound shade apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a plurality of rigid steel elongate spacers into each of a plurality of travellers 22, the apparatus including the holding station 16, a retractable holding member 24, 25 which can be used to feed a single traveller into the holding station. A linear guide 30 is provided for guiding the spacers 62 to the holding station in a lengthwise direction and the first feed mechanism 32 is provided for feeding the spacers individually and separately along the guide to position with the leading edge of the spacer adjacent the holding station. A second feed mechanism 40 to 46 pushes a spacer 62 so positioned positively into and through a co-operating slot in the traveller 22 held in the holding station and a discharge member 68 discharges the traveller and its associated spacer from the holding station, when the holding member has been retracted.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automatic and continuous mechanism for processing and assembling blind slats, which includes a first stage slats feeding unit, a second stage length setting and perforating unit, and a third stage of cord fixing unit. All three of the units are arranged consecutively, one after the other, so that slats can be transferred one by one and processed and automatically assembled onto a number of stair-like ropes and fixed thereon in the end without human intervention.

Abstract: An automatic or semiautomatic apparatus cuts off the ends of preassembled standard venetian blinds to provide custom-size blinds for windows that are not modern standard sizes. An automated process is used to cut preassembled blinds to provide custom-size blinds for such windows. The apparatus preferably includes twin cutters arranged to trim both ends of a slat simultaneously, and is shaped, sized and configured to do so while the slat remains preassembled in a blind. The apparatus also preferably includes a vertical bed for suspending a blind in an opened and generally taut condition--and a mechanism for moving the cutter vertically along the bed to cut each slat in turn. Preferably the apparatus automatically registers the cutter with each slat and interrupts the cutting sequence after the last slat is cut. Optical sensing is preferably used to obtain the automatic registration.

Abstract: Combination hood support for supporting the hood of an automotive vehicle, jack crank, lug wrench, and wheel cover/hub cap pry tool includes a relatively long rod portion and a relatively short rod portion disposed at a predetermined angle to the relatively long rod portion, and the angle is preferably about 90 degrees. The apparatus is normally stowed beneath the hood of the vehicle and pivots into its hood support functional position and is removable for its jack crank function. The apparatus is also separable so that a portion may be used as a lug wrench and as a pry bar for hub caps and wheel covers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting blind slats, including a conveying device for sequentially conveying a slat material and a cutting device turned on and off in synchronism with the conveyance of the slat material so as to form slats of a desired length, wherein the improvement is characterized by comprising: an input device having means for entering the length of a slat; a control device for converting the output signal of the input device to pulse signals corresponding to the slat length entered and outputting them; and a motor rotated on the basis of the pulse signals output from the control device so as to convey the slat material by predetermined lengths.

Abstract: A multi-functional bar for a manual operated jack comprising a connecting section and a handle section; said connecting section made from a hard metallic pipe at one end formed in a shape adapted to fit in an operable portion of the jack and having another pipe end to connect to an end portion of said handle section; said handle section made from a solid metal having one end integrally formed with a screw-driver receivable in the pipe end of the connecting section and having another end integrally form with a socket mount; said socket mount having a center opening as that which can firmly receive a socket, said handle section received said socket as an independent socket wrench; said socket having a center recess of enclosure in a modified hexagonal configuration that the distance of one pair of opposite laterals of the enclosure is elongated, an insert in a direction along said distance variable in the enclosure so as to grip even a smallest regular hexagonal screw-nut or bolt-head firmly in the enclosure wh

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a blind. This blind fabricating apparatus is constituted by: input devices for inputting a height of the blind and a length of a slat; an arithmetic and logic means for computing the number of steps of the slats which corresponds to the inputted height of the blind and positions at which insertion holes for an ascending-descending cord are formed in the slats on the basis of output signals of the input devices; and a slat inserting device for cutting the slat material to a predetermined length, forming the insertion holes for the ascending-descending cord in the slats, and inserting the slats through a plurality of ladder cords.

Abstract: A new and improved method of forming slats for window blinds and the like from a continuous web of plastic material includes a feeder for directing the web longitudinally from a roll at a selected speed rate into a heating chamber including upper and lower plates defining a longitudinally extending heating path between opposite inlet and outlet ends. As the web moves along the path, opposite surfaces thereof are heated to an elevated temperature and the web material then moves into a molding and cooling chamber immediately adjacent the exit end of the heating chamber wherein the web is molded to provide a curved transverse cross-section while the web is cooled. The web is cooled to a temperature at a level selected to provide a permanent set in the longitudinally traveling web.

Abstract: A Venetian blind production machine comprises a punching station with at least two groups of punching tools (14) for punching lift cord holes in at least two successive Venetian blind slats in the free end portion of a metal strip (6) inserted in the machine. The punching station is followed by a combined mounting and separating station, said separating station comprising at least a corresponding number of separating punches (17) for simultaneously separating the Venetian blind slats for the same number of simultaneously produced Venetian blinds. The invention is based on the idea that the advances of the metal strip (6) along the machine bed (2) is to occur for continuous and maximum periods of time with a minimum of acceleration and retardation cycles during the Venetian blind production.