Abstract: An adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface is provided which includes an elongated strap member, a buckle coupled to a first part of the elongated member and capable of locking a second part of the elongated member such that a portion of the elongated member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article. The shape and size of the closed shape is adjustable by changing the location the buckle locks the second part of the elongated member. The hanging assembly also includes a mounting bracket coupled to the buckle or the elongated member and includes a mounting member adapted to be attached to the surface. One embodiment includes a ratchet buckle with a pawl that interacts with a plurality of notches on the elongated member to adjust and lock the elongated member as the second part of the elongated member passes through the buckle.

Abstract: A method for producing a decorative louver window covering material includes extruding a heated thermoplastic composition from an extrusion apparatus to form a profile of continuous length having opposite surfaces, pulling the profile at a predetermined tension along a straight path of travel, partially cooling the profile, applying at least one pigmented liquid ink composition directly to one or both of the opposite surfaces of the profile to produce a design or pattern thereon, drying the ink on the profile, and cutting the profile into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: A control unit for use on a vertical blind assembly of the type designed to movably support individual vertically oriented vanes from a horizontally oriented track structure; the control unit being structured and disposed to controllably rotate a pinion rod extending along a length of the track structure for driving engagement with, and synchronized angular adjustment of the vanes. The control unit includes a control housing and is adapted to rotatably support the pinion rod within the track structure. The drive gear assembly within the control housing is drivingly connected to one end of the pinion rod and includes a sprocket gear movably driven by a pull chain selectively in either of two opposite directions. The drive gear assembly is structured to achieve a reduction in rotation between the sprocket gear and pinion rod, thereby providing for increased controlled adjustment of the angular orientation of the vanes.

Abstract: To be used in a vertical blind assembly, a carrier assembly including a plurality of carrier members, each member having a carrier frame with an axial bore extending therethrough, a transverse gear track tangentially disposed beneath the axial bore and a generally C-shaped attachment member perpendicularly disposed along a lower edge of the carrier frame, and a stem member having a vane holder portion and a drive gear rotatably disposed within the generally C-shaped attachment member. The vane holder portion and the drive gear portion being interconnected with one another such that each is independently rotatable and the vane holder portion is further adapted to have a limited range of rotation relative to the drive gear, thereby enabling complete alignment of all vanes.

Abstract: An end cap assembly specifically structured for positioning at either end of an elongated head casing of the type used to house and support a plurality of vertical blinds disposed in spaced apart depending relation and defining a vertical blind assembly wherein the vertical blinds may be rotated along their own longitudinal axis between an opened and closed position through manipulation of a pull chain or like structure and similarly may be collectively positioned in spread apart covering relation along a door opening, window, etc. through manipulation of a pull cord assembly or like structure. The end cap structure of the present invention is universally configured to be positioned at either end of the carrier frame by reversing its orientation but without necessitating structural modification thereof and further wherein the pull cord assembly is connected between oppositely disposed end caps on the carrier frame for manipulation collectively of the vertical blinds in the aforementioned manner.

Abstract: A vertical blind assembly of the type capable of positioning a plurality of vertical blinds in depending relation along the length of a head casing and selectively and concurrently rotate each of said vertical blinds in a predetermined angular orientation about its own longitudinal axis wherein a holder for each vertical blind is removably supported by a carrier frame and further wherein a first gear and a second gear are removably mounted on the carrier frame so as to cause the aforementioned rotation and angular orientation of the vertical blinds. The assembly further comprises a plurality of connecting links removably attached to one another in an interlocking fashion so as to interconnect the various carrier frames along the length of the casing head. A first positioning pull-cord or like assembly is operable to extend the plurality of blinds along the length of the head casing or retract such plurality at one end thereof.