Abstract: A method of packaging and shipping compressible structural panels is disclosed. Compressible structural panels are provided, typically with first and second sheets separated by compressible or collapsible dividers. The structural panels are stacked and thereafter compressed thereby causing the dividers to compress and the thickness of the panels to become substantially less. In this compressed and stacked configuration, the structural panels are packaged and shipped. At the point of installation of the structural panels, the structural panels are unpackaged, unstacked and allowed to regain the expanded configuration, either by way of natural resiliency or heat setting. The structural panels, once expanded, are ready for installation.

Abstract: A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an architectural covering device includes a plurality of elongated vanes preferably of tubular configuration having a pair of flaps extending longitudinally along the entire length of the vane. A continuous face sheet material has elongated folds at spaced intervals that are secured along the flaps of the vanes so as to pivotally connect the vanes to the face sheet material at predetermined spaced intervals. The fabric is adapted to be supported with an operational system in an architectural opening so that if the vanes are suspended vertically they are slidably movable laterally of the window opening and pivotally movable about vertical longitudinal axes to extend and retract as well as open and close the covering. An apparatus and method for forming the fabric is also disclosed as well as systems for finishing the endmost vanes in the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing cellular laminate structural panels includes one or more supply stations of a flexible strip material including folding rollers for sequentially folding the strip material into cellular structures and feeding the cellular structures into a conveyor where the cellular structures are held in compression. The apparatus further includes a laminating station where the folded cellular structures are laminated to an upper and/or lower sheet material to which lines of a bonding medium have been applied prior to engagement with the cellular structures. The folded cellular structures are heated before engaging the sheet material so as to enhance the bonding of the sheet material to the cellular structures and subsequent to bonding, the laminate is passed through a cooling station to set the bonding medium.

Abstract: A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure.

Abstract: A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure.

Abstract: A slat or vane (30) for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat (30) is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane (30). The slat (30) can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window opening, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A structural panel for use in building structures or in the formation, finish or decoration thereof includes an outer sheet and a connector sheet with a plurality of collapsible or compressible dividers therebetween. The panel in a rest condition is expanded and of a desired thickness for final use but can be compressed into a relatively thin thickness or profile for shipping purposes. The panel is very lightweight but structurally strong and can be selectively bent in one transverse direction if desired. The panel can be easily cut or formed into any predetermined size or shape.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an architectural covering device includes a plurality of elongated vanes preferably of tubular configuration having a pair of flaps extending longitudinally along the entire length of the vane. A continuous face sheet material has elongated folds at spaced intervals that are secured along the flaps of the vanes so as to pivotally connect the vanes to the face sheet material at predetermined spaced intervals. The fabric is adapted to be supported with an operational system in an architectural opening so that if the vanes are suspended vertically they are slidably movable laterally of the window opening and pivotally movable about vertical longitudinal axes to extend and retract as well as open and close the covering. An apparatus and method for forming the fabric is also disclosed as well as systems for finishing the endmost vanes in the fabric.

Abstract: A window covering is described wherein at least one translucent or transparent sheet is suspended vertically and has a plurality of parallel vanes projecting rearwardly therefrom. The vanes are formed from fabric material which has either been rigidified with a rigidifying compound or rigidified by the formation of a pocket into which a rigid slat is inserted. Variations are provided for varying the flexibility of a hinge defined along a juncture line between the vanes and the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an architectural covering device includes a plurality of elongated vanes preferably of tubular configuration having a pair of flaps extending longitudinally along the entire length of the vane. A continuous face sheet material has elongated folds at spaced intervals that are secured along the flaps of the vanes so as to pivotally connect the vanes to the face sheet material at predetermined spaced intervals. The fabric is adapted to be supported with an operational system in an architectural opening so that if the vanes are suspended vertically they are slidably movable laterally of the window opening and pivotally movable about vertical longitudinal axes to extend and retract as well as open and close the covering. An apparatus and method for forming the fabric is also disclosed as well as systems for finishing the endmost vanes in the fabric.

Abstract: A dual-laminate honeycomb panel permits the use of two or more different materials to form a single panel. In this manner, a retractable covering for an architectural opening may be formed that has a different appearance depending upon which side of the panel is being viewed. The resultant panel is formed by attaching a plurality of elongated precursor tubular cells, wherein each precursor tubular cell itself comprises two strips of material attached to one another.

Abstract: A colinear laminate honeycomb panel permits the use of two or more different materials to form a single panel. In this manner, a retractable cover for an architectural opening may be formed that has a different appearance depending upon which side of the panel is being viewed. The resultant panel is formed by attaching a plurality of elongated precursor tubular cells, wherein each precursor tubular cell itself comprises at least two strips of material held in proximity to one another by a common carrier strip.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window opening, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A dual-laminate honeycomb panel permits the use of two or more different materials to form a single panel. In this manner, a retractable covering for an architectural opening may be formed that has a different appearance depending upon which side of the panel is being viewed. The resultant panel is formed by attaching a plurality of elongated precursor tubular cells, wherein each precursor tubular cell itself comprises two strips of material attached to one another.

Abstract: A structural panel for use in building structures or in the formation, finish or decoration thereof includes an outer sheet and a connector sheet with a plurality of collapsible or compressible dividers therebetween. The panel in a rest condition is expanded and of a desired thickness for final use but can be compressed into a relatively thin thickness or profile for shipping purposes. The panel is very lightweight but structurally strong and can be selectively bent in one transverse direction if desired. The panel can be easily cut or formed into any predetermined size or shape.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window opening, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a new system for mounting the controls for the covering within the head rail such that suspended vertical vanes are closely positioned relative to the bottom of a head rail and disposed so as to form a continuous and integrated look with the head rail. An improved pantograph is used in the control system with one set of links of the pantograph having tapered side edges to improve stacking of the vanes adjacent to the end of a head rail without sacrificing strength and therefore quality of the control system. An improved operating system in the form of the combination of a tilt wand, coupler and pull cord provides a simplified system for not only moving the vanes along the length of the head rail between extended and retracted positions but for also pivoting the vanes about longitudinal vertical axis between open and closed positions.