Abstract: An adjustable shutter includes a substantially rectangular shutter frame having first and second pairs of opposed spaced apart frame members 3a, 3b defining a substantially rectangular opening between the frame members. A plurality of substantially parallel louvers 5 are operatively mounted within the shutter opening and extend between the opposed pair of first frame members. The louvers are capable of at least partially occluding the rectangular opening of the shutter frame. A respective frame cover 6a, 6b is operatively affixed to each one of the frame members. An adjustment mechanism is disposed between at least one frame member and its respective frame cover, and is operable to adjust a separation between the frame member and its respective same cover, such that a first overall dimension of the shutter can be adjusted. Finally, a respective corner cover member 7 is disposed in operative relation to each of the frame covers to visually occlude a gap between each adjacent frame cover.

Abstract: A kit is provided for modifying a control mechanism of a cord-operated window blind. The conventional control mechanism comprises a control housing including a removable end plate disposed at an end of a head rail of the blind, and a pulley disposed within the control housing and operatively coupled to a pivot rod of the blind. The kit includes: an adapter unit capable of being operatively mounted on the control housing in place of the removable end plate; and a shaft coupler adapted to be operatively mounted within the adapter unit and capable of operatively coupling an output shaft of the drive unit to the pivot rod. The adapter unit comprises a shaft opening disposed substantially co-axially with the pivot rod, and support means disposed on an exterior surface of the adapter, proximal the opening, for operatively supporting a drive unit of a conventional blind remote control.

Abstract: A control cord end security device includes a base plate for mounting on a wall surface. A guide member is disposed on the base plate for slidably retaining an end loop of a cord of a window covering such as a blind. A cover plate is removably affixed to the base plate and covers the guide member and respective end loop of the cord. The guide member comprises a semicircular wall defining a generally U-shaped channel for slidably retaining and guiding a respective cord of the window covering. Preferably, the guide member includes a flange portion disposed distal the base plate. The flange portion abuts an interior surface of the cover plate such that an end loop of a respective control cord is prevented from binding between the guide member and the cover plate, even in the presence of slack in the control cord.

Abstract: A vertical blind having a head-rail, a plurality of carriers slidable in the head-rail for movement between open and closed positions. A respective vane is suspended from each of the carriers and a pivot rod is rotatably mounted in the head-rail and extending through the carriers for rotating the vanes. A control assembly comprises a controller securely affixed to a first carrier. The controller includes a control body slidably mounted in the head-rail, a first gear member disposed within the carrier body and rotationally coupled to the pivot rod and slidable thereon, and a control shaft rotatably mounted in the control body and extending through a base portion of the control body. The control shaft includes a second gear member operatively engaged with the first gear member, so that rotation of the control shaft causes rotation of the pivot rod via rotation of the second gear member and the first gear member.

Abstract: A valance assembly for use with a blind having a headrail includes an elongate valance member having a substantially planar rear face. A T-shaped groove is disposed in the rear face of, and oriented longitudinally with respect to the elongate valance member. A pair of valance return members are mounted at opposite ends of the elongate valance member, each valance return member having a substantially planar rear face. A corresponding T-shaped groove is disposed in the rear face of, and oriented longitudinally with respect to each respective valance return member.

Abstract: A vertical blind control includes a single control mechanism for traversing the vanes (8), i.e., opening or closing the blind, and for rotating the vanes to change the amount of light admitted by the closed blind. The control mechanism includes a wand (29), which is used to slide and rotate a shaft (35) carrying opposed bevel gears. One bevel gear (72) is engageable with a mating gear system (76) connected to a tilt rod (10) for rotating the vanes. The other bevel gear (63) is engageable with a drum (48) carrying a cord (13) for traversing the vanes to open or close the blind. The shaft is slidable within the mechanism so that only one of the bevel gears is engaged at any one time to effect the desired operation.

Abstract: The looped free ends of venetian or vertical blinds are typically housed in somewhat complicated control or security structures. A simple security device for limiting access to the looped ends of blind cords includes an elongated, rectangular housing for mounting at one end of a blind assembly, at least one counterweight slidably mounted in the housing for vertical movement therein, and a recess in the counterweight for receiving the looped bottom end of a blind cord, so that the end of the cord remains in the housing.