Abstract: A venetian blind slat or coil of venetian blind slat substrate, such as aluminum, is first coated with a conductive primer. An anti-static conductive coated is applied thereover. The resultant coated finished blind slat and its associated spaced horizontal slats have sufficient conductivity to resist airborne dust particle accumulation with reductions in dust accumulation of from 36% to about 82% being attained, as compared to colored paint insulative coating on standard venetian blinds. An inorganic, inert conductive additive such as stannous oxide is employed in the anti-static conductive coating, resulting in coating conductivities of less than 10.sup.6 ohms per square and, in a preferred embodiment, from about 10 ohms per square to 10.sup.5 ohms per square.

Abstract: A venetian blind (10) includes a headrail (11), a series of horizontal slats (12), a bottom rail (18) and lift cords (14) to raise and lower the slats and bottom rail, the slats each including spaced marquise shape apertures (22), called rout holes, through which a lift cord (14) passes. The spaced elliptical apertures are of less width and less length than the conventional rout holes heretofore employed. A substantial reduction of visible light through the apertures is achieved in the slats-tilted-closed position by a reduction of about 73% in the light-passing open space between the lift cord and the rout hole edges. The smaller size of the rout holes increases the structural rigidity and integrity of the remaining slat portions next to the rout holes and reduces the visual defect of the larger holes.

Abstract: A venetian blind (10) having a low profile headrail (18) is provided particularly useful for double-glazed and/or screened windows. A tilt mechanism (24) extends horizontally and outwardly from one end of the headrail and includes internal drive gearing and a spocket moving a horizontal beaded chain (31) held in a pair of clamping blocks (33) slidably movable to and fro in a guide channel (32) in the headrail. A tilt wand connector includes upper legs insertable into a square bore in a drive gear. The clamping blocks include clamp levers (34) for clamping the upper ends (20c) of vertical legs (20a) of the tape ladders supporting the blind slats (17) so that the orbital motion of the chain and sliding motion of the clamping blocks pulls or slackens opposite legs (20a, 20b) of the ladders effecting tilting of the blind slats. A draw cord and mounting screw guide (36) is included in the headrail which minimizes or prevents fraying of the draw cord(s) 21a.

Abstract: The Venetian blind which has a headrail, a series of slats and an extruded bottom rail includes a longitudinal resilient bumper positioned in a bottom longitudinal slat of the bottom rail and extending from the bottom of the rail. Resilient end caps having the same transverse contour as the bumper close the rail ends and together with the bumper, seal the bottom rail from light transmission between it and a window sill and a window vertical edge. An extruded aluminum or plastic headrail with resilient end pieces has spaced tangs extending from a tilt and left mechanism-supporting horizontal bottom wall forming an inverted U-shaped open compartment. This compartment receives the top portion of the uppermost blind slat in a slats tilted closed position to block out light transmission and sight lines under the headrail. A resilient flipper seal obstructs light at the top of the headrail. The bottom rail may also include a storage volume for replacement slats.

Abstract: A pair or more of three-piece brackets (20) are provided for mounting the longitudinal edges of a window blind headrail (11). Each bracket includes a frame (21) with apertures (22) for mounting to a window frame top or ceiling (15). The frame (20) includes spaced depending apertured tabs (24, 25) through which a slidable tongue (30) is positioned. The distal ends (41) of an arrow spring (40) are confined by tangs (31) on tongue (30) and the other spring end (42) abuts and is confined by a notch (39) in tab (25). A top front lip (12) of the headrail (11) is tilted and positioned on the tongue (30) and then pushed inwardly to move the tongue (30) and compress spring (40) which allows the top rear lip (14) of the headrail (11) to rotate and clear a lip portion (25b) of tab (25) to a position within the lip portion (25b). Release of the pushing force releases the spring energy, forcing the tongue (30) back so that the headrail (11) is clamped between tongue (30) and tab (25).

Abstract: A tilt wand (40)-to-tilt shaft (30) detachable connection in a venetian blind (10) having a series of tiltable slats (14) depending from a blind headrail (11) is provided by a U-shaped stiff wire or link (20). In one embodiment the distal free ends (22) of the U-shaped link (20) are ramp (25) snap-connected into bores (32) or a transverse through-aperture in the tilt shaft (30) which transmits wand torque through gearing (18, 19) to a blind ladder-tilting drum (17) in the headrail. The other bight end (21) of the link extends through a wand tip eye (41). Upon axial downward stress on the wand the ramped distal ends (22) of the link (20) will pull out of the bores (32) permitting disengagement of the link (20) and wand (40) from the tilt shaft (30) before any damage can be done to the gearing. In another embodiment distal end (52) of a link (50) is fixed in the tilt shaft (30) and a bight portion (53) of the link engaged to and disengageable from an open semi-eye (61) on the wand tip.

Abstract: A venetian blind tilt drum eliminates the separate staples, crimped sleeves and bullet-like members normally used to connect the vertical legs of a cord tilt ladder to the drum. The tilt drum is of one-piece construction and includes a top surface from which preferably three cord impalement integral barbs extend. A first barb of generally pyramidal shape is positioned on an upper top surface of the drum on the drum vertical centerline, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum and with a pointed vertex of the barb extending above that axis. A pair of similar second and third barbs also integral with the drum are offset from the drum vertical centerline, with each pointed vertex also parallel to the drum longitudinal axis but extending in an opposite direction than the first barb. Depending on the particular tilt ladder construction the upper distal ends of the tilt ladder both may be impaled on the first barb or one distal end impaled on the second barb and the other distal end impaled on the third barb.

Abstract: A window blind headrail mounting a Venetian blind or pleated blind includes a headrail enclosure, preferably of extruded aluminum construction, having integrally spaced headrail hooks and a hook keeper extending from the enclosure edges. A pair of or more universal mounting brackets are alternatively attachable to either a horizontal surface at the top of a window opening or to a vertical wall or vertical top surface of a window frame, dependent upon the type of installation. The brackets thus can be mounted horizontally or vertically on these respective surfaces. The mounting bracket includes a hook extending from each end of a base portion fixed to a window-adjacent surface. One of the hooks of each bracket contains a discrete wave-like leaf spring.

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 tilt control assembly for window blinds is provided. The window blind includes a tilt control rod rotatably mounted in a channel for placement in proximity to an elevated location adjacent a window. The stop bracket which includes a stop structure is nonrotatably disposed in the channel in proximity to the tilt control rod. A pair of tilt control discs of substantially identical external configuration are nonrotatably mounted on the tilt control rod. The external configuration of each tilt control disc defines a nontangentially aligned stop surface for engaging the stop bracket. Each tilt control disc includes a noncircular mounting aperture generally conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the tilt control rod. The angular alignment of the noncircular portion of the mounting aperture to the stop surface of each tilt control disc is selected to effectively define the angular alignment of the stop surface to the tilt control rod.

Abstract: An interconnection is provided for the tilt wand of a window blind. The interconnection includes a connector having a worm gear on one end and a transverse aperture extending through the opposed end. The aperture is formed to define opposed major and minor dimensions. The minor dimension is defined by a pair of opposed arcuate ribs formed in the aperture. The interconnection further includes a hook having a mounting end which also includes opposed major and minor dimensions. The mounted end is further configured to be urged past the arcuate ribs with appropriate deflection of the connector. However, rearwardly facing portions of the major dimensions area on the hook are configured to securely lock the hook in the transverse aperture of the connector. The interconnection further includes a sleeve for retaining the hook in its locked condition and a tilt wand which is engageable on the hook.

Abstract: A cord lock for a venetian blind or shade, such as a pleated shade, having a housing with a stationary pulley and a serrated cam or rivet guided in parallel, aligned S-shaped slots, the cam locking the raised lift cord of the blind or shade against the pulley. The S-shape of the slot maximizes the angle of approach of the slot with respect to the cord and pulley to thereby increase the sensitivity of the lock.