Abstract: A Venetian-style window blind (10) that resembles plantation style shutters is described. In a preferred embodiment, the headrail is shaped like the plurality of slats depending from it, is pivotally connected to the sides of a window frame by mounting brackets and has a hollow interior. Tilting of the plurality slats depending from the headrail is accomplished by vertically moving an actuator rod that is pivotally connected to the headrail. The plurality of slats are suspended from the headrail by a cord ladder to tilt in unison with the headrail. While tilting the blind assembly into the closed position, the headrail and depending slats also slide inwardly towards the windowpane. The slats are lifted through the actuation of a lift handle that is slidably attached to the actuator rod and contains therein a lock mechanism to hold the slats in a desired position.

Abstract: A shade for architectural openings incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.

Abstract: A shade for architectural openings incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a head rail for a window covering includes a rigid housing and a flexible clip.

Abstract: A shutter is provided that utilizes a rack and pinion mechanism for tilting the louvers of the shutter. The rack and pinion mechanism preferably is hidden within the stiles of the shutter. In a preferred embodiment, the louvers of the shutter may be installed and removed without disassembling the assembled frame and rack and pinion mechanism.

Abstract: A Venetian-style window blind (10) that resembles plantation style shutters is described. In a preferred embodiment, the headrail is shaped like the plurality of slats depending from it, is pivotally connected to the sides of a window frame by mounting brackets and has a hollow interior. Tilting of the plurality slats depending from the headrail is accomplished by vertically moving an actuator rod that is pivotally connected to the headrail. The plurality of slats are suspended from the headrail by a cord ladder to tilt in unison with the headrail. While tilting the blind assembly into the closed position, the headrail and depending slats also slide inwardly towards the windowpane. The slats are lifted through the actuation of a lift handle that is slidably attached to the actuator rod and contains therein a lock mechanism to hold the slats in a desired position.

Abstract: A process for making co-extruded profiles includes forming a plurality of web-interconnected profiles, which travel together through a die.

Abstract: A control system for a vertical vane covering for an architectural opening includes a new and improved symmetric headrail having uniquely designed carriers for suspending individual vanes wherein the carriers are designed to minimize skewing relative to a tilt rod as they are moved along the headrail. A pantograph system is utilized to interconnect the carriers, and is connected to the carriers in alignment with the tilt rod so as to minimize skewing. The carriers have pockets formed therein through which the traverse cord extends so that the traverse cord, which moves the carriers along the tilt rod, is secured to a lead carrier closely adjacent to the tilt rod to, again, minimize skewing. Light blocking rails are also attachable to the headrail to substantially bridge the gap between the headrail and the top of the suspended vanes to prevent light from passing therebetween. The tilt rod is keyed to gears in the carriers to facilitate assembly of the control system with all vanes properly aligned.

Abstract: A framed covering for an architectural opening includes a collapsible shade that is moveable between open and closed positions relative to the architectural opening with the collapsible shade being mounted within an enclosed framework that is adapted to be secured to a structural member having the architectural opening therein. In one embodiment of a flexible control cord system moves the shade between open and closed positions, with the control cord system being conveniently positioned adjacent the frame for easy manipulation. In a second embodiment a finger slide on the frame drives a cord lift system for moving the covering between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A cord-wrapping device has a cord attached to a drum and includes a steeply inclined inlet portion and a second less inclined portion adjacent to said steeply inclined inlet. A cord feed guide directs the cord to begin wrapping onto the steeply inclined portion of the drum, and the slope of the steeply inclined inlet portion is sufficient that the cord slides downwardly along the slope of the steeply inclined portion toward the second inclined portion as the drum rotates to wind the cord onto the drum, without requiring an external pushing force to cause the cord to slide.

Abstract: A modular shutter blind system for a window blind application. A window blind is made to look like a window shutter by having airfoil shaped slats which traverse in toward the window when the blind is tilted closed and traverse away from the window and toward the room when the blind is tilted open in order to give the blind the clearance needed to tilt open while making it appear as if the window frame is the shutter blind frame. This traverse motion of the slats is accomplished by having the tilting axis along the centroid of the head rail move in and out while the blind is tilted closed or open respectively.

Abstract: A louver braking mechanism for use in shutters, used to hold the louvers in place against the moment arm resulting from the weight of the tilt bar urging the louvers to close. The disclosed mechanisms provide a frictional resistance to the louver pivotal movement, which must be overcome by the user in order to reposition the louvers. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional resistance increases as the louver begins to pivot.

Abstract: A tilter system for a window blind permits a portion of the blind to selectively tilt closed while the balance of the blind remains tilted open. Various arrangements are disclosed for achieving this effect. One includes a lag mechanism in a two-piece tape drum which moves as a single unit during part of its rotation and as two independent drums during the balance of the rotation, with the ladder tape of the blind attached to one of the drums and an actuator cord attached to the other drum. The actuator cord is also anchored to the one of the tilt cables of the ladder tape at a desired point where the selective tilting closed of the blind is to be effected.

Abstract: A framed covering for an architectural opening includes a collapsible shade that is moveable between open and closed positions relative to the architectural opening with the collapsible shade being mounted within an enclosed framework that is adapted to be secured to a structural member having the architectural opening therein. In one embodiment of a flexible control cord system moves the shade between open and closed positions, with the control cord system being conveniently positioned adjacent the frame for easy manipulation. In a second embodiment a finger slide on the frame drives a cord lift system for moving the covering between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A shutter design is provided that permits easy, economical adjustments in height. This may be achieved by providing varying heights of rails, by providing adjustable light stop strips, by adjusting the pitch of the louvers, or by a combination of two or more of these methods.

Abstract: A process for applying a thermoplastic coating to a substrate wherein the gases and other volatiles in a boundary layer between the substrate and the coating are evacuated using a high volume, high velocity air stream which traverses the surface of the substrate to be coated (functioning as an air knife) such that, when the coating is applied, gases/volatiles do not disrupt the coating while:the coating cools and solidifies. The effect of the air knife may be enhanced by heating the substrate and/or by applying a solvent to the substrate. The air knife also cools down the boundary layer of the substrate so that, as the thermoplastic coating is applied, this cooled-down and gas-evacuated boundary layer provides a measure of insulation between the coating and any gases/volatiles which have not been evacuated from the substrate.

Abstract: A framed covering for an architectural opening includes a collapsible shade that is moveable between open and closed positions relative to the architectural opening with the collapsible shade being mounted within an enclosed framework that is adapted to be secured to a structural member having the architectural opening therein. In one embodiment of a flexible control cord system moves the shade between open and closed positions, with the control cord system being conveniently positioned adjacent the frame for easy manipulation. In a second embodiment a finger slide on the frame drives a cord lift system for moving the covering between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A process for making a composite profile may take advantage of the properties of two different materials, such as their strength, holding properties, ability to be readily coated or processed, and cost. In a preferred embodiment, the process makes use of a crush rib to ensure that the parts are flush with each other. In another preferred embodiment, the process makes use of a gap between the insert and the core, filling the gap with a coating.

Abstract: A headrail designed for powered coverings for architectural openings comprises a housing defining an interior that conveniently hides a battery holder, a signal-receiving system, and an electric motor used to adjust the configuration of the covering. The headrail also hides improved hardware for mounting the motor and, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, improved hardware for mounting a tilt rod. Additionally, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, the headrail hides improved hardware for adjustably attaching the tiltable elements to the tilt rod in a manner that prevents over-rotation of the tiltable elements. The battery holder may comprise a battery magazine or a battery carrier removably mounted in the headrail housing. The batteries may be inserted into or extracted from the battery holder through an opening in a bottom wall of the headrail housing. A swingably mounted trap door may selectively cover or uncover the opening.

Abstract: A louver braking mechanism for use in shutters, used to hold the louvers in place against the moment arm resulting from the weight of the tilt bar urging the louvers to close. The disclosed mechanisms provide a frictional resistance to the louver pivotal movement, which must be overcome by the user in order to reposition the louvers. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional resistance increases as the louver begins to pivot.