Abstract: The present spools are shaped as flared cylinders. In one embodiment, the spools have a minimum circumference at a center, and maximum circumferences at outer portions thereof. In another embodiment, the spools flare from a maximum diameter adjacent a first side wall to a minimum diameter adjacent a second side wall. In another embodiment, the spools taper from large diameters adjacent first and second side walls to a minimum diameter at a point between the side walls, wherein the point is offset from a midpoint between the side walls. In another embodiment, the spools are subdivided by at least one partition.

Abstract: The bracket includes an inner body having a hook on one end and arranged to slide within an outer body having a hook on one end to provide a variable bracket length. A pair of springs located between overlapping portions of the bodies biases the bracket towards its longer uncompressed length. After the bracket is mounted to a support surface, a wall of the headrail is hooked onto the hook of the inner body. The headrail is then advanced to compress the springs and shorten the bracket length so that an opposite wall of the headrail can catch on the hook of the outer body. Removing the compression force on the springs biases the bracket toward its longer length to capture the second wall of the headrail with the hook of the outer body. By this arrangement, an easily applied pushing force installs and attaches the mounting bracket to the headrail.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride venetian blind is provided which has a number of corrugated, translucent slats. The slats have staple fibers in their composition that gives them a sand or granite textured appearance and feel, so that the venetian blind has more natural and aesthetic appeal. The slats are formed by an extrusion process utilizing a mixture of polyvinyl chloride, titanium dioxide, plasticizer, tribasic lead sulfate, stearic acid and dyed staple fibers having a length of less than about 2 mm.