Abstract: An operator for a window covering has a stationary member and a hub which is moveable relative to the stationary member when not restrained. Preferably these members are a tube or solid cylinder within a tube. A spring having a selected diameter is fitted between these two generally cylindrical members. A first tang at one end of the spring is attached to the stationary member and a second tang at an opposite end of the spring is attached to a movable member so that one tang can be moved relative to the other tang to increase or decrease the diameter of the spring. The spring is sized and positioned so that the spring will press against the inside surface of the hub when in a relaxed condition. When the tangs of the spring are moved relative to one another to reduce the diameter of the spring, the spring does not restrain movement of the moveable member. In a present preferred embodiment there is a roller attached to the hub at one end.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for venetian type blinds has a pair of straps and connecting cross bars which form a parallelogram. The front rails of the ladders are connected to one strap and the rear rails of the ladders are connected to the other strap. Movement of the straps toward one another moves the rails of the ladder toward one another and in opposite vertical directions and tilts the blind slats resting on the ladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing stiffness to the upper end of an elongated section of drapery fabric which selectably allows the drapery fabric to be readily foldable when stiffness is not needed. The apparatus also connects the drapery to an overhead, traverse supporting rail, such as by an arrangement of hooks and eyelets or rotatable pendants. The apparatus includes an insert member made of a flexible, relatively stiff material which may be one continuous strip or a series of segments. The apparatus also includes member mountable to the drapery that is made of flexible, readily-foldable material. The insert member and the mounting member are configured so that the insert member may be engaged with the mounting member. When the insert member is engaged with the mounting member, the insert member and mounting member are not readily foldable and provide stiffness to support the drapery fabric between pendants.

Abstract: A ladder venetian type blinds has rungs containing at least two spaced apart threads. The threads may extend from the sides or rear of the ladder rails which causes them to be spaced apart. Consequently, there will be less drag on lift cords passing through the rungs.

Abstract: A light controllable drapery system has a first track from which a drapery is hung and a parallel, second track from which vertical vanes are hung. Both the drapery and the vertical vanes are suspended from carriers which are sliceable along their respective tracks. At least one connector connects a carrier on the first track to a carrier on the second track to enable carriers on the first track to move concurrently with carriers on the second track. A pusher is provided on each vane which pushes the drapery along the drapery track when the vanes are moved from an open position to a closed position so that the drapery does not become entangled between the vanes during that movement.

Abstract: An improved venetian type blind has slats having a pair of slots disposed on an outside edge or inside edge of the slats. The slots in each pair are laterally spaced apart. A first ladder having opposite cord type rails and rungs extends therebetween, is positioned with the rails outside of the slots and is connected to the bottomrail. One rail of each ladder is adjacent to a lift cord running through slots in the inside edge or outside edge of the slats.

Abstract: A tabbed honeycomb structure or pleated panel is made from a stack of collapsed multi-cellular material. The stack is split at bond lines thereby forming the panels of pleated or honeycomb material having a joint tab on one face.

Abstract: A material structure which has at least one section of first material spaced apart from at least one section of second material. A number of thin, elongated strands connect the first material to the second material. The strands may adhere to the first and second material along a transverse edge of each material section or may instead adhere to a side of the material sections at some distance from the edge. The resulting material structure may be incorporated into clothing or into window shade structures, for example. When used with window shades, the first and second material sections may be pleated panels, or one section may be a pleated panel and the other may be a number of transverse ribbons. Confronting pleats of the two pleated panels may be connected by the strands, forming a honeycomb shade, or the pleats of the pleated panel may each be connected to a transverse ribbon.

Abstract: An improved venetian type blind has slats having a first pair of oppositely disposed slots one slot on the outside edge and one slot on the inside edge and a second pair of oppositely disposed slots one slot on the inside edge and one slot on the outside edge. The first pair of slots is laterally spaced apart from the second pair of slots. A first ladder having opposite cord type rails and rungs extending therebetween, is positioned with the rails outside of the first pair of slots and connected to the bottomrail. A first pair of lift cords is adjacent to the first ladder, one lift cord running through slots in the inside edge of the slats and one lift cord running in the slots on the outside edge of the slats. A similar arrangement is provided at the second pair of slots. A tilt mechanism attached to the headrail moves the oppositely disposed lift cords and the rails of the ladders together when the blind is changed from an open to closed position.

Abstract: A cord connector for releasably connecting multiple operating cords for a window covering. The cord connector has at least two side members supported for pivotal movement relative to each other between a closed condition in which the side members are in sidewise adjacent relation and an open condition in which at least upper portions of the side members are laterally spaced apart. Jaws on side members provide downwardly facing shoulders for engaging cord stops on the operating cords and the jaws have jaw edges operative when the side members are in the closed condition for laterally confining portions of the operating cords superjacent the stops to positions in which the cord stops engage the downwardly facing shoulders. The side members have lateral cord abutment portions spaced above the cord retaining means and arranged to form segments of a closed cord abutment loop dimensioned to loosely surround the operating cords at the upper end of the cord connector when the side members are in the closed condition.

Abstract: The window shade assembly has a headrail and a bottomrail that are spaced from one another and has window shade material provided therebetween. The window shade assembly has one or more cords traveling through the headrail and through the bottomrail. A first end of each cord is accessible to an operator and a second end of each cord is connected to one of a pair of transfer plates. A pair of brackets is also provided, each having a channel running therethrough. The transfer plates and channels are sized and configured so that the transfer plates are engageable and disengageable with a respective bracket through the channel of that bracket. The transfer plates and channels are also sized and configured so that the transfer plates are rotatably held within the brackets when the transfer plates are inserted within the channels.

Abstract: A cord lock and release system for use in a window blind assembly. The system has a stationary member, a locking member and a movable segment. The locking member is positioned so that at least one lift cord can move across a portion of the locking member when the locking member is in an open position. The lift cords will be restrained by frictional contact with the movable and stationary members when the locking member is in a locked position. The locking member is biased towards a locked position. A release linkage is attached to the movable member so that when a force is applied to the linkage the movable member moves the locking member toward the open position.

Abstract: A window covering structure has a sheet of first material spaced apart from a sheet of second material. A series of slats are connected between the first material and the second material. A first and second connecting portion connects the slats to the first and second material respectively. When the window covering is in an open position relative to one another, the slats are substantially perpendicular to the first and second materials. When the window covering is in a closed position, the slat intermediate portions are generally aligned to be substantially parallel to the first and second materials.

Abstract: A cord lock and release system for use in a window blind assembly. The system has a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is positioned so that at least one lift cord can move across a portion of the movable member when the movable member is in an open position. The lift cords will be restrained by frictional contact with the movable and stationary members when the movable member is in a locked position. The movable member is biased towards a locked position. A release linkage is attached to the movable member so that when a force is applied to the linkage the movable member is moved toward the open position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pleated shade, and a method for the manufacture thereof. The shade has two sections forming each rear projecting pleat secured together to form a rear projecting tab. Cord holes are formed in each of the tabs. The rigidity of the pleats may be substantially enhanced by providing double-weld joints for the tabs or by otherwise providing a multiple or continuous bond between the two fabric layers forming the tab. Furthermore, each section of the shade may be formed from a singly pleated section of fabric. A joint used to form a tab may also be used as a splice joint to secure together two pieces of material either for repair of a defective or damaged material, to achieve a desired aesthetic effect or to customize the length or width of the shade. Pleat reversal problems may be overcome by carefully selecting the relative size of the tab and shade sections, by controlling the size and tab positions of cord holes, and by treating the nose pleat to improve its memory.

Abstract: A roller shade is mounted within a headrail and a pleated shade is attached to the bottom of the headrail to form a double layer shade. The two shades are independently operable. When both shades are extended the double layer shade provides a thermally efficient window covering.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shade, a bottomrail therefor and a method for the manufacture thereof. The shade is pleated and has the two sections forming each rear projecting pleat secured together to form a rear projecting tab. Cord holes are formed in each of the tabs. A generally triangular in cross section bottomrail is provided which is designed to assist in offsetting and disguising the roll of the shade caused by the fabric resilience. The generally triangular bottomrail includes a housing comprised of a main body having a cavity therein and a tongue extending in a direction opposite the rear face of the shade body. The tongue has a termination point at one end opposite the main body and the housing further includes a leaf extending from the termination point of the tongue to the main body with the leaf forming a side of the generally triangular bottomrail. The housing additional includes a cord receiving arrangement mounted therein.

Abstract: A collapsible blind for use in arch-shaped windows. The pleated blind design employs a flexible adhesive with optional link as shown on the bottom of the blind. A simple slotted hinge pivotally connects bars attached to the opposite end of the blind. The blind is easily assembled, relatively inexpensive to produce and requires no external supports.

Abstract: A hollow drill for fabric and the like is comprised of a hollow shaft having highly polished inside and outside surfaces and an outside diameter of preferably not more than 0.130 inches. A tip having a larger outside diameter and smaller inside diameter is brazed or soldered to the shaft. The shaft is made by a continuous manufacturing method such as extrusion and the tip is machined or molded followed by finish machining.