Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product having a vinyl headrail and bottom rail and a second mini-blind product having a steel headrail and bottom rail. The mini-blind cutter includes a die assembly movable from a first position to a second position having a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. The handle operation preferably rotates in a horizontal plane, the die assembly is adapted to cut different shape product in its two positions and the cutter sequences movement of the die assembly to reduce the force required to cut several components of a mini-blind in a sizing operation.

Abstract: A method for sizing a horizontal mini-blind using a retaining clip. The retaining clip frictionally engages a lift cord threaded through a series of slots formed within a series of horizontal slats. The mini-blinds are sized attaching the retaining clip to the lift cord, cutting the lift cords underneath the retaining clip below the rung cords, then sliding the retaining clip into a channel formed in a bottom rail. The bottom rail includes a pair of oppositely facing notches which receive the ladder cords to prevent further movement of the clip in the channel. The ladder cords and the lift cord are not knotted and captured using a plug in the bottom rail, which results in a flush relationship between the bottom rail and a window opening.