Abstract: A bottom rail for a cordless blind has an elongated body having a bottom, a top spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the bottom, a concave front face connected between the bottom and the top and a concave rear face connected between the bottom and the top. The concave surfaces provide comfortable gripping areas enabling a user to easily grasp the bottom rail and raise or lower the cordless blind.

Abstract: A method and machine for cutting woven wood blinds is disclosed. The disclosed machine can include a cutting mechanism, a support surface adjacent at least one opening in the cutting mechanism housing, a spring loaded clamp which engages the woven wood blind to hold the blind securely for cutting without damaging the blind. The clamp is preferably operated by a hand screw. An indicator such as a collar attached to the hand screw is provided to tell the user when the clamp is positioned to provide the desired pressure. The disclosed method can include positioning a window covering into a cutting machine, positioning a first cutting support member on the window covering, moving a clamp to engage the first cutting support member and cutting the window covering.

Abstract: A level adjusting device for the bottom rail of a window covering is disclosed. This device has a housing having a base, a top and a sidewall extending between the base and the top. The top has an opening through which a lift cord passes. The base has a first opening through which a lift cord passes and a second opening. A spindle is positioned within the housing, such that the bottom end of the spindle is positioned over the second opening in the bottom of the housing. That bottom end is configured to receive a tool for turning the spindle. The spindle has a peripheral edge with spaced apart notches that are engaged by a projection extending from the housing. Turning the spindle causes the lift cord to be wound around or unwound from the spindle which shortens or lengthens that lift cord to level the bottom rail.

Abstract: A level adjusting device for the bottom rail of a window covering is disclosed. This device has a housing having a base, a top and a sidewall extending between the base and the top. The top has an opening through which a lift cord passes. The base has a first opening through which a lift cord passes and a second opening. A spindle is positioned within the housing, such that the bottom end of the spindle is positioned over the second opening in the bottom of the housing. That bottom end is configured to receive a tool for turning the spindle. The spindle has a peripheral edge with spaced apart notches that are engaged by a projection extending from the housing. Turning the spindle causes the lift cord to be wound around or unwound from the spindle which shortens or lengthens that lift cord to level the bottom rail.

Abstract: A kit containing components which can be assembled into a shutter panel includes a header, a footer, a plurality of brackets, a first stile, a second stile, a plurality of louvers. One embodiment also contains a jig to align the bracket with the header or footer for attachment. Each bracket is sized and configured to be connected to an end of the header or footer. The stiles each have a longitudinal channel which enables the stiles to be fitted over at least one of the brackets. The jig has a mouth sized to receive an end of the footer or header and a cavity adjacent the mouth such that a user of the jig can place one end of a bracket in the cavity and the other end of the header or footer in the mouth. The kit may be packaged in two packs. One pack contains a header, a footer and a plurality of brackets.

Abstract: A window covering cutting device is disclosed that has a support table, a slot, and a blade. The support table has a support surface on which at least a portion of a window covering can be placed. The clamp has a slot and is positioned near the support surface so there is a plane that passes through the slot. The clamp is moveable from a first open position to at least one clamping position. The blade is positioned for movement from a first position to a second position so that a portion of the blade will be within the slot of the clamp when the blade is in the second position and the clamp is in one of its clamping positions.

Abstract: A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces is disclosed. The cutting machine includes a stand, one or more cutting mechanisms attached to the stand, a controller and one or more locators connected to the controller that are movable relative to the one or more cutting machines and are configured to engage at least a portion of a window covering work piece between the ends of the work piece. The controller has a memory having a program. The program enables the controller to cause one or more of the locators to move so that a desired amount of material can be trimmed from at least one end of the work piece after the controller receives information about the work piece. The controller may be connected to the one or more locators by one or more wireless connections or by one or more direct connectors such electronic wiring.

Abstract: A window covering cutting machine sized and configured to trim window covering work pieces is disclosed. The cutting machine includes a base, a work surface connected to the base, at least one cutting mechanism adjacent the work surface, one or more controllers connected to the one or more cutting mechanisms and at least one data entry device connected to the controller. The controller includes a program. The program is configured to determine an amount to be cut from a window covering work piece based on allowance input received from one or more of the data entry devices. The one or more controllers are configured to prompt a user to provide the allowance input to the program. The allowance input identifies an allowance value used by the program to determine the amount to be cut.

Abstract: A window covering cutting machine is disclosed that has a support table, a cutting mechanism adjacent the support table and a plurality of moveable stops moveably connected to at least one of the cutting mechanism and the support table. The support table has a surface on which at least a portion of a window covering work piece can be placed. The cutting mechanism has a housing with a plurality of openings sized to receive at least a portion of a window covering work piece. The cutting mechanism also has at least one cutting device configured to cut portions of a window covering that extend through any of the openings. One stop is aligned with each opening and is independently moveable relative to the housing and the other stops.

Abstract: An improved blind cutting machine has a work surface on which a blind to be cut is placed and at least one end stop against which an end of the blind to be cut rests prior to being cut by a cutting mechanism. An actuator is connected to the end stop. The actuator moves the end stop relative to the work surface and the cutting mechanism in response to signals from a controller. An operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted into the controller. The controller then calculates the location where the end stop should be so that a sufficient amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening. Then the controller sends a signal to the actuator that causes the actuator to move the end stop to that location. In alternative embodiments the end stop is fixed and the actuator moves the cutting mechanism or a work surface on which the blind to be cut has been placed.

Abstract: An improved blind cutting machine has a work surface on which a blind to be cut is placed and at least one end stop against which an end of the blind to be cut rests prior to being cut by a cutting mechanism. An actuator is connected to the end stop. The actuator moves the end stop relative to the work surface and the cutting mechanism in response to signals from a controller. An operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted into the controller. The controller then calculates the location where the end stop should be so that a sufficient amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening. Then the controller sends a signal to the actuator that causes the actuator to move the end stop to that location. In alternative embodiments the end stop is fixed and the actuator moves the cutting mechanism or a work surface on which the blind to be cut has been placed.

Abstract: In a cutting machine for cutting down venetian blinds a headrail cutter and a bottom rail cutter are provided which move along a horizontal axis. After the headrail and bottom rail are trimmed a slat cutter moves in a vertical axis, up or down to cut the slats. The cutting machine enables one to cut down a venetian blind while the opposite end of the blind remains in the packing box. Preferably, a spacer or collar is provided on the blind prior to packaging so that the headrail, window covering material and bottom rail will be spaced apart from one another a desired amount. That spacing should be the same spacing as the openings in the cutting machine so that when one end of the blind is removed from the package that end of the blind can be readily inserted into the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: In a breakaway device for a Roman shade a male member has an aperture through which the lift cord passes and a female member through which the lift cord passes, such that the male member and the female member are independently moveable relative to the lift cord. The female member has a cavity sized and configured to receive the male member. Tabs extend from the male member and fit into slots in the female member when the male member is in the cavity. A downward and outward force on the lift cord causes the male member and the female member to separate from one another. An upward force or a downward force on the lift cords will not cause separation.

Abstract: A kit containing components which can be assembled into a shutter panel includes a header, a footer, a plurality of brackets, a first stile, a second stile, a plurality of louvers. One embodiment also contains a jig to align the bracket with the header or footer for attachment. Each bracket is sized and configured to be connected to an end of the header or footer. The stiles each have a longitudinal channel which enables the stiles to be fitted over at least one of the brackets. The jig has a mouth sized to receive an end of the footer or header and a cavity adjacent the mouth such that a user of the jig can place one end of a bracket in the cavity and the other end of the header or footer in the mouth. The kit may be packaged in two packs. One pack contains a header, a footer and a plurality of brackets.

Abstract: A kit containing components which can be assembled into a shutter panel includes a header, a footer, a plurality of brackets, a first stile, a second stile, a plurality of louvers. One embodiment also contains a jig to align the bracket with the header or footer for attachment. Each bracket is sized and configured to be connected to an end of the header or footer. The stiles each have a longitudinal channel which enables the stiles to be fitted over at least one of the brackets. The jig has a mouth sized to receive an end of the footer or header and a cavity adjacent the mouth such that a user of the jig can place one end of a bracket in the cavity and the other end of the header or footer in the mouth. The kit may be packaged in two packs. One pack contains a header, a footer and a plurality of brackets.

Abstract: In a breakaway device for a Roman shade a male member has an aperture through which the lift cord passes and a female member through which the lift cord passes, such that the male member and the female member are independently moveable relative to the lift cord. The female member has a cavity sized and configured to receive the male member. Tabs extend from the male member and fit into slots in the female member when the male member is in the cavity. A downward and outward force on the lift cord causes the male member and the female member to separate from one another. An upward force or a downward force on the lift cords will not cause separation.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing and selling custom window coverings of the type which are made in sizes based upon dimensions provided by a customer, two sources of supply who can manufacture the same selected custom window coverings are established. The first source of supply is located closer to a point at which the custom window coverings are sold than the second source of supply. When the custom window covering is delivered by a delivery means not involving air transport, the delivery time from the first source of supply is at least one day longer than a delivery time from the second source of supply. The retailer offers each of the custom window coverings at a first price and a higher second price that is associated with an earlier delivery date. The custom window covering is made at the first source of supply if the customer selects the first price and first delivery schedule.

Abstract: In a cutting machine for cutting down venetian blinds a headrail cutter and a bottom rail cutter are provided which move along a horizontal axis. After the headrail and bottom rail are trimmed a slat cutter moves in a vertical axis, up or down to cut the slats. The cutting machine enables one to cut down a venetian blind while the opposite end of the blind remains in the packing box. Preferably, a spacer or collar is provided on the blind prior to packaging so that the headrail, window covering material and bottom rail will be spaced apart from one another a desired amount. That spacing should be the same spacing as the openings in the cutting machine so that when one end of the blind is removed from the package that end of the blind can be readily inserted into the cutting mechanism.