Abstract: An adjustable cord restraining device for a blind assembly having a head rail, a bottom rail and at least one pull cord extending through a cord passage of the head rail and coupled to the bottom rail includes an annular member sufficiently sized to prevent entry of the annular member into the cord passage of the head rail and further travel of the pull cord through the head rail. A method of preventing the further extension of a pull cord includes obtaining an annular member sized larger than a pull cord passageway of a head rail pinching a mid-section of the pull cord and inserting the pinched portion of the mid-section through the annular member, forming a loop with the pull cord, inserting a free end of the pull cord through the loop to form an adjustable knot.

Abstract: A personal cooling system, such as for a cabless or other open-cab vehicle, includes a contact cooler that contacts the vehicle user, a forced-air cooler that directs cooled air to the vehicle user, and a recirculating fluid system that is operatively coupled to both the contact cooler and the forced-air cooler to provide cooling to both the contact cooler and the forced-air cooler. Contact cooling may be provided to the upper back of a vehicle user. Forced-air cooling may be provided on any of a number of areas of the user's body. The system may be able to detect the presence of a user in the seat. The detection of a user may trigger an initial relatively high level of cooling, which is followed after a predetermined time by a reduction of the level of cooling to a relatively low level of cooling.

Abstract: An evaporator coil includes a conduit having an interior passageway that provides a pathway for a flow of refrigerant. An outer wall of the conduit forms a channel having a longitudinal opening. The channel extends lengthwise adjacent to the interior passageway. The channel contains an electrical heating element that is in thermal contact with the conduit. The electrical heating element periodically provides heat to defrost the evaporator coil during an evaporator defrost cycle. The electrical heating element may be coupled directly to the channel or be housed within a second conduit that is at least partially contained within the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring motor and control for use especially with window blinds. The motor comprises a storage drum having a first axis, an output drum mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. A spring member is connected to and between the storage drum and the output drum to form a spring motor. The spring motor has laterally extending, spaced apart drum supports on opposite sides of the drums to support them for rotation. A coupled drive is connected to the storage and output drum whereby rotation of one of the drums in a first direction about its axis effects rotation of the other of the drums about its axis and in an opposite direction to cause winding and unwinding of the spring member between the drums.

Abstract: A low profile side inlet evaporative cooler including a housing having a housing length width at least twice the housing width. A centrifugal blower draws air through two side inlets through and through a rigid evaporative cooling media.

Abstract: A strainer for a water pump includes a bottom panel and an upwardly extending side panel forming a cavity. The base of the water pump is received within the cavity and is removably secured to the filter.

Abstract: A low profile evaporative cooler housing for attachment to a building includes a front panel, and an opposing rear panel that may have an extension that extends into a wall of the building. A first and second louver may extend between the front and rear panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a cooling system having a housing with an intake and an output vent. The output vent comprising a framework configured to couple to the housing. Directional louvers pivotably mounted in the framework. A mesh grill mounted on the framework with the mesh grill configured with the openings such that the ratio of opening area to grill material area is more than forty percent (40%). Another embodiment provides that the directional louvers include a plurality of vertical louvers and a plurality of horizontal louvers. An alternative embodiment provides that the openings are configured in a polygon shape.

Abstract: A light-control window covering includes a first sheet of sheer material and a second sheet of sheer material spaced apart from the first sheer sheet of material. A plurality of vanes having a first face and a second face, a center region and a first and a second longitudinal margin. The vanes include perforations proximate the first and second longitudinal margins. A plurality of thermoplastic ribbons are welded to the first and second sheets of sheer material and the vanes to provide a stronger weld between the sheer materials and the vanes.

Abstract: An adjustable cord restraining device for a blind assembly having a head rail, a bottom rail and at least one pull cord extending through a cord passage of the head rail and coupled to the bottom rail includes an annular member sufficiently sized to prevent entry of the annular member into the cord passage of the head rail and further travel of the pull cord through the head rail. A method of preventing the further extension of a pull cord includes obtaining an annular member sized larger than a pull cord passageway of a head rail pinching a mid-section of the pull cord and inserting the pinched portion of the mid-section through the annular member, forming a loop with the pull cord, inserting a free end of the pull cord through the loop to form an adjustable knot.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, and a window covering material located between the head rail and the bottom rail. The bottom rail being connected to the head rail by two lift cords and configured to move in a first direction and a second direction. The blind also includes a variable friction device having a bearing surface configured to provide a first friction force that opposes movement of the two lift cords when the bottom rail is moved in the first direction, and a second friction force that opposes movement of the two lift cords wherein the bottom rail is moved in the second direction. The first friction force is different than the second friction force.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

Abstract: A roman shade and method of manufacturing a roman shade are disclosed. The shade may include a first sheet having a plurality of lateral folds therein, a plurality of laterally drooping compartments as well as a second or back sheet which is planar in shape and completely separated from the first sheet. The first sheet may be connected to a cord for raising and lowering the shade through various mechanisms which may include a plurality of rings mounted about both the cords, and a ribbon connected to each of the folds of the first sheet.

Abstract: A window covering system comprises a plurality of slats located between a head rail and a bottom rail. The bottom rail is connected to the head rail by a pair of lifting cords extending through the slats. A first spring motor and storage device is located in one of the head rail and the bottom rail. The first spring motor and storage device includes at least one extension spring having a first end that is fixedly secured in the head rail or bottom rail and a second end that is free to move within the head rail or bottom rail. At least one of the lifting cords is looped around the free end of at least one of the extension springs so that movement of the bottom rail in a vertical direction causes a corresponding movement in the second end of the extension spring in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the head rail or bottom rail. A method for balancing a window covering system using a pair of extension springs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A window blind comprising a head rail, a bottom rail and a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail. At least one lift cord extends between the bottom rail and the head rail. A spring motor operatively coupled to the lift cord applies an upward force on the bottom rail toward the head rail. A one way brake prohibits the bottom rail from moving toward the head rail but permits the bottom rail to be moved away from the head rail by an operator.

Abstract: A rigid hollow vane for door or window coverings includes a vane shell and an optional fabric covering. The shell is thermally formed and results in a polymer matrix at least partially enveloping fibers. In its most preferred form, the polymer matrix results from heating a batt of two types of fibers, the one type having a lower melting point than the remaining fibers, so that a rigid polymer matrix can be formed about other fibers in the batt.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

Abstract: An adjustable cord restraining device for a blind assembly having a head rail, a bottom rail and at least one pull cord extending through a cord passage of the head rail and coupled to the bottom rail includes an annular member sufficiently sized to prevent entry of the annular member into the cord passage of the head rail and further travel of the pull cord through the head rail. A method of preventing the further extension of a pull cord includes obtaining an annular member sized larger than a pull cord passageway of a head rail pinching a mid-section of the pull cord and inserting the pinched portion of the mid-section through the annular member, forming a loop with the pull cord, inserting a free end of the pull cord through the loop to form an adjustable knot.