Patents by Inventor Cletis F. Swopes

Cletis F. Swopes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100199824
    Abstract: A cutdown machine for cutting various types of window blinds includes a band saw, and may be incorporated with cutters of other types to provide a cutdown center that is easy to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Remmert, Cletis F. Swopes, Steven J. Neumaier
  • Patent number: 6446932
    Abstract: An improved hanger and pin assembly for holding, hanging and displaying merchandise, such as a plurality of louvers for window blinds, at the point of sale for such merchandise having, a generally planar member, a pin member disposed for operative engagement with one end of the planar member for removably connecting the plurality of elements of the merchandise to the hanger and pin assembly to form a modular unit, an annular section on the planar member defining a sized opening at the opposite end of the planar member for removably mounting the plurality of elements at the point of sale for such merchandise, and spaced protuberances medially disposed on the planar member between the annular section defining the sized opening for mounting the modular unit and the pin member, for engagement with and to stabilize the plurality of elements in assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions LP
    Inventors: Stephen H. Butterfield, Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: 6302183
    Abstract: A venetian type blind has a length adjustable bottomrail to fit windows of different lengths. The bottomrail has a channel at each ladder location through which the lift cords and the cord rails pass. A separate channel can also provided for the lift cord. An opening is provided in the underside of the bottomrail at each ladder location and an insert is disposed therein. The lift cord passes through the channel and attaches to the insert. The cord rails pass through the channel and out through the opening. The insert has a head portion with a bore therein. A threaded plug is installed in the bore. The head portion preferably has a rim portion with apertures through which the cord rails can pass. The threaded plug preferably has a cap portion and a pocket therein for storing the ends of the cord rails. Alternatively, the threaded plug is inserted into the opening itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: Ren Judkins, Michael Kollman, Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: 6253823
    Abstract: A venetian type blind has a headrail that can be cut down along cut lines very close to the outermost ladder locations. The cradle and spool in the headrail are sized and configured so that the cord lock and tilter can be positioned between a cradle and one side of the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Cletis F. Swopes, Ludwig Nicholas Ross, Ren Judkins
  • Patent number: 6164617
    Abstract: An improved hanger and pin assembly for holding, hanging and displaying merchandise, such as a plurality of louvers for window blinds, at the point of sale for such merchandise having, a generally planar member, a pin member disposed for operative engagement with one end of the planar member for removably connecting the plurality of elements of the merchandise to the hanger and pin assembly to form a modular unit, an annular section on the planar member defining a sized opening at the opposite end of the planar member for removably mounting the plurality of elements at the point of sale for such merchandise, and spaced protuberances medially disposed on the planar member between the annular section defining the sized opening for mounting the modular unit and the pin member, for engagement with and to stabilize the plurality of elements in assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Butterfield, Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: 6119757
    Abstract: A venetian type blind has a length adjustable bottomrail to fit windows of different lengths. The bottomrail has a channel at each ladder location through which the lift cords and the cord rails pass. A separate channel can also provided for the lift cord. An opening is provided in the underside of the bottomrail at each ladder location and an insert is disposed therein. The lift cord passes through the channel and attaches to the insert. The cord rails pass through the channel and out through the opening. The insert has a head portion with a bore therein. A threaded plug is installed in the bore. The head portion preferably has a rim portion with apertures through which the cord rails can pass. The threaded plug preferably has a cap portion and a pocket therein for storing the ends of the cord rails. Alternatively, the threaded plug is inserted into the opening itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventors: Ren Judkins, Michael Kollman, Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: 5573054
    Abstract: An elongate venetian blind slat having a longitudinally extending transversely convex upper surface and an opposed longitudinally extending transversely concave lower surface and opposed longitudinally extending edge surfaces. The slat comprises a rigid thermoplastic resin having a cellular core and an integral solid skin along the longitudinally surfaces of the slats and a density of 0.4 to 0.6 g/cc. The upper and lower surfaces of the slat have a radius of curvature less than the width of the slat and, preferably, the upper and lower surfaces have substantially the same radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: 5351741
    Abstract: A vertical blind apparatus of the type having a head-rail channel and a plurality of panel support carriages guidably mounted on carriage support flanges on the side walls of the channel, and a mechanism for releasably retaining the trail carriage at a selected location along the head-rail. The trail carriage retaining mechanism is formed of resilient synthetic resin material and includes an elongated base mounted on one side wall of the channel and an elongated latch member having forward and rear resilient end portions formed integrally with the base. The latch member has a forward ramp portion that diverges rearwardly from the forward end portion relative to one side wall of the channel; a rearwardly facing stop shoulder intermediate the ends of the latch member; and a finger pad portion rearwardly of the stop shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: D355092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Cletis F. Swopes
  • Patent number: D366123
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Cletis F. Swopes