Abstract: A valance assembly for a mini blind and a mini blind which includes a valance, the apparatus including end brackets which support a mini blind by engagement with the head rail of the head rail assembly of the mini blind and in which the end brackets carry slots for the receipt of upper and lower lips on a valance which can be cut to any desired length, the valance, once engaged with the end brackets, providing a continuous, uninterrupted surface to the viewer. In addition, a clip engagable with the head rail and located behind the valance secures the valance to the head rail so as to form a unit whereby sag between the head rail and the valance is precluded.

Abstract: A do-it-yourself-without-tools window shade which is width adjustable and installable by the consumer at the point of installation without the use of tools or cutting elements is disclosed. The window shade includes a composite sheet structure of a plastic sheet and a fabric sheet laminated to one another by a conventional plasticizer based adhesive under the action of heat and pressure. The composite sheet structure includes a plurality of parallel cut lines which extend all the way through the fabric layer and into the plastic layer to a predescribed depth thereby enabling the consumer to strip the sheet structure to its proper width.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a mini-blind which has a headrail and an array of slats suspended therefrom. The slats are raised, lowered and adjusted with a plurality of cords. The slats are generally free from apertures which extend through the slats. The cords used to lift the array of slats run along the outer edges of the slats. At least one of the ladder cords, which are used to adjust the angular orientation of the slats, engages notches formed in the edges of the slats. The invention also has a unique method of controlling the lifting cords as they extend through and out of the headrail. A basket/barrel assembly having a bent wire cord guide cooperates with cord locking and tilting mechanisms which are housed together at one end of the headrail.

Abstract: A curtain support system having a wall mounted bracket which has an outwardly extending bracket arm, and a mating curtain rod arm connected to or integral with a curtain rod. The rod arm and bracket arm are capable of being adjusted so that the curtain rod can assume positions which vary in distance from the supporting wall or window to which the bracket arm is attached. The bracket arm has a rack comprised of a series of slots formed on the upper edge thereof, and the rod arm has a bar which fits into each of the slots in the bracket arm. The bar, which is located along the top edge of the rod arm, cooperates with a stop on the lower edge of the rod arm to allow upward rotation of the rod arm, while limiting downward rotation. The bracket arm and rod arm have complementary interfitting C-shaped cross-sections which provide lateral stability to the system.

Abstract: A device for decorating a window shade includes a flat strip of polyester material having pre-applied adhesive and removable covers on both sides thereof. Printed instructions for decorating the shade are provided on the covers. A decorative wallpaper or fabric is applied to one side of the polyester strip, and the strip is then applied to the lower portion of the window shade. The polyester strip has a thickness which allows it to be cut with a scissors. The adhesive used on the polyester strip is compatible with both the material of the shade and various decorative materials.

Abstract: A tubular structure particularly but not exclusively useful as a window shade support roller comprises a convolutely-wound tube structure having a number of closely-wound wraps or layers of paper stock, preferably Stress Kraft paper coated with adhesive over all or most of its surface and wound into close layer-upon-layer surface adhesion, approximately six such layers providing high beam strength with low wall section or thickness. In addition, the tubular structure has readily-removable segmental lengths provided by use of "tear strips", i.e., tear strings, tear tapes, etc., which are placed upon the paper prior to winding thereof so as to be wound into spiral form during the convolute winding of the layers of paper, whereby pulling of such a tear strip around and around the tube progressively severs the tube at that point.