Abstract: A pleated shade with sewn in pleats is provided, in which each pleat is formed by a seam. Preferably, the seams that form pleats in the front side of the material separate only a few threads of the fabric from the main portions of the pleat. The seams that form pleats in the back surface of the panel preferably form a large tab of approximately one fourth of an inch which opens to create a pocket adjacent each seam. A stiff or flexible rod is placed in each pocket. Lift cords and spacer cords are attached to the larger rear tabs by clips.

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 cord lock for a venetian type blind or pleated shade has a flange extending from each of the front wall and the rear wall of the cord lock housing. The cord lock fits into a pocket in the headrail. A tab on the upper edge of the pocket is received by a slot in one of the flanges. The cord lock fits into the pocket in only one orientation and can be easily removed from one pocket and placed in the other pocket by an installer.

Abstract: A tape drum for venetian type blinds has a pair of spaced apart generally elliptical ends with each end having a hole sized and positioned to receive a tilt axle. A front wall and a rear wall extend between the spaced apart ends. A rib is attached to the front wall and to the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends. A second rib is attached to the rear wall and the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends, the second rib being spaced apart from the first rib and defining a gap between the first rib and the second rib. A mounting is attached to each rib that is sized and configured so that a rail of a cord ladder can be attached to it. Two pairs of collinear spaced apart rods are attached to the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends to provide a mounting for the rails of a tape type ladder. The generally elliptical shape of the tape drum causes the rails of the ladder to move together when the tilt axle is turned from an open position to a closed position.