Abstract: A support carrier for the drive shaft of a vertical venetian blind is disclosed for supporting the drive shaft intermediate its ends, particularly when the blind is open. The support carrier moves along the drive shaft to a predetermined stop point so that a number of support carriers may be used if necessary positioned at various points along the drive shaft. The drive shaft moves the support carrier through a slip clutch engaged with the drive shaft, which clutch is a disk in slideable engagement with the facing inner surfaces of the casing walls of the support carrier.

Abstract: The rotatable louver holder disclosed comprises a toothed gear having a hub and arranged for axial rotation about a vertical axis and a plastic hanger member having a hook at the bottom for engaging in an opening of a louver. The hanger extends upwardly through the opening in the hub of the gear and has lateral projections engaged in diametrically opposite low points on the upper edge (guiding surface) of the hub. External force applied to the louver causes rotation of the hanger relative to the hub as the projections ride up the guiding surface toward diametrically opposite high points thereon. Stops on the hub and on the hanger limit the rotational movement; however, if a predetermined excessive amount of force is applied to the louver, the stops on the hanger are resilient enough to permit them to ride past the stops on the hole. After removal of external force applied to the louver, the projections return to the low point of the guiding surface under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A pull carrier for vertically louvered venetian blinds is disclosed, preferably for use in such blinds having a single drive shaft for transporting the louver carriers along the shaft and also for rotating the louvers about their vertical axes. During rotation of the louvers about their vertical axes by the drive shaft, the pull carrier which effects transport of the louver carriers does not move along the headrail due to a free wheel mechanism comprising a worm and a gear wheel engaged with the worm. The gear ratio of the worm and gear is so selected as to insure that rotation of the louvers about their vertical axes is completed in either of the two opposite directions of rotation before transport of the pull carrier, and subsequently of the louver carriers, can be effected by the drive shaft. Conversely, rotation of the louvers about their vertical axes is avoided during transport of the pull carrier and louver carriers.

Abstract: A carrier for a louver of a vertical venetian blind is disclosed for supporting a louver for rotation about its vertical axis and for transport along the headrail, which carrier includes a drive mechanism for rotating the louver about its vertical axis. The drive mechanism is disclosed as including a worm and a gear arrangement with a slip clutch disposed between the worm and the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the slip clutch comprises a slotted sleeve mounted on the drive shaft inside the hub of the worm, which sleeve has lugs positioned to engage a stop on the gear to effect the opening of its slot and reduction of its frictional contact with the drive shaft. In second embodiment, the worm itself frictionally engages about the guide shaft and has a slot along its length with the ends of the slot receiving wedge-like cams integral with rings loosely mounted on the drive shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fastening member for securing the slats of a venetian blind onto a flexible support element and to the method of assembling such slats to the support elements. The fastening member comprises a generally "U" shaped member in which the legs of the "U" have at their outer ends laterally outwardly extending abutments for engagement on one side of the slat while the remainder of the fastening member extends through an opening through the slat. A loop on the flexible support element passes between the legs of the "U" thus tending to hold the abutments in engagement with the surface of the slat. On the opposite side of the slat cam locks are provided such that upon flexure of the legs toward each other the cams will pass through the opening in the slat and then upon release when the legs resume their normal position the cams will engage and lock the slat in position between the cam locks and the aforesaid abutments.

Abstract: The invention relates to the guiding and tilting connector at the ends of the slats of a venetian blind which connector includes a flange secured to the end of a slat, a pivot pin extending from the flange longitudinally outwardly of the slat and a pair of guiding and tilting arms extend radially outwardly from the pivot pin. Tilt cords are secured to the outer ends of the arms. The point of connection of the tilting cords to the arms being such that in the closed position of the blind the points of connection between the arms and the tilting cords are offset horizontally with respect to a vertical plane extending through the axes of the pivot pins and also offset from the effective major vertical plane of the slats when in closed position. Because of this offset the weight of the slats in the closed position can exert a moment of force to maintain the slats tightly closed.