Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing window coverings slidably extendable from a bay into an aisle of a retail outlet. The method includes the steps of locating the center of the window covering relative to a cutting station utilizing a half scale for removing a portion of the window covering from each of its ends.

Abstract: A modular louvered shutter includes first and second stiles and a center section assembled using a tongue and groove joint. The center section is a solid piece have a plurality of rails and louvers cut into the center section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing window coverings slidably extendable from a bay into an aisle of a retail outlet. The method includes the steps of locating the center of the window covering relative to a cutting station utilizing a half scale for removing a portion of the window covering from each of its ends.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for automatically cutting strip materials (22) into slats (20) for a venetian blind. The apparatus (10) has a feeding station (12), a cutting station (14), a punching station (16) and a laddering station (18). Strip materials (22) for the slats (20) are stored in a magazine (24) of the station (12) and they are fed one at a time to the cutting station (14) for cutting into slats (20) of preset length after slots (46) have been punched. The slats (20) are then fed to the laddering station (18) for assembling into blinds. A sensor (56,58) is positioned to sense remnants of the strip material (22) and the remnants are automatically moved back to the feeding station (12) where they are lifted off the feeding path for ejection by a following strip (12).

Abstract: A method is designed for making bamboo blind slats. The method comprises an initial step in which a selected bamboo stem is split into a plurality of bamboo strips, which are then skinned and disinfected with a sulfur fume for over 12 hours. The disinfected bamboo strips are dried by baking before they are provided with a layer of adhesive. The coated bamboo strips are joined together in conjunction with a pneumatic press to form a rectangular bamboo plate, which is subsequently sliced into a plurality of bamboo slats, with each having a width and a thickness. The bamboo slats are smoothed by grinding and are then covered with a base coating and a face coating which is applied on the base coating. The twice-coated bamboo slats are punched so as to enable them to accommodate the pull cords of a Venetian blind comprising the bamboo slats which are made by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A machine for forming a bottom rail and a valance for a window blind unit. The machine has a support member upon which a length of wood ultimately destined to be a bottom rail or a valance can reside while cutting occurs, and includes at least one laterally movable saw blade for cutting a selectable wood segment at a selectable angle up to 90.degree.. Such angular cutting permits a mitred junction of corners in a formed valance. The machine also has at least one wood boring device and at least one wood drilling device to provide for pull cord anchoring whereby cords are passed through a drilled aperture and knotted such that the knot is housed in a bored compartment. The machine can be incorporated and automated for inline inclusion with automated components of a window blind manufacturing and assembly system to provide finished bottom rails and packaged valance components for final installation at a site of use.

Abstract: A method is used to make bamboo slats which are intended for use in making a blind. The method comprises a first step in which a bamboo stem is split into a plurality strips. The bamboo strips are barked, polished, and bleached before they are adhered side by side to form a base plate. A plurality of base plates are adhered in a stack to form a rectangular bamboo block having bamboo fibers which are arranged in an interlacing manner. The bamboo block is sliced into a plurality of bamboo slat, with each having bamboo fibers which are arranged in the interlacing manner.

Abstract: A method of fabricating bamboo slats into bamboo blinds, wherein bamboo wood is cut into bamboo strips of predetermined length. The bamboo strips are polished, then boiled in a hydrogen peroxide solution for bleaching the strips. The bamboo strips are then spliced into raw bamboo slats of a predetermined thickness. Next, the bamboo slats are subjected to grinding. Subsequently the bamboo slats are primed, and then molded by heat pressing. Holes are then punched in the bamboo slats for insertion of a pull cord, so that the finished bamboo slats can be assembled into a Venetian blind.

Abstract: A method of fabricating bamboo slats for bamboo blinds, including the steps of: i) cutting bamboo wood into bamboo strips subject to a predetermined length; ii) removing the skin and joints from both sides of the bamboo strips, then boiling the bamboo strips in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to prevent decay, and then polishing the bamboo strips after drying; iii) bonding the bamboo strips into a rectangular bamboo plate, then polishing the bamboo plate thus obtained; iv) splitting the polished bamboo plate thus obtained into raw bamboo slats subject to a predetermined thickness, then polishing the bamboo slats, and then coating the bamboo slats with a base coating and then with a face coating; v) punching two punch holes on the bamboo slats thus obtained for the insertion of a pull cord so that the finished bamboo slats thus obtained can be assembled with a pull cord into a bamboo blind.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for finishing the fabrication of venetian blinds at or near a point of purchase. The blinds are shipped to the point of purchase in a partially completed condition wherein the slats of the blinds have registered apertures formed in spaced relationship to one end of each slat, but with the opposed end being free of such apertures. An interlacing support and a pull cord are mounted to the ends of the slats having the apertures formed therein. The overall length of the slats exceeds the width of the window for which the blinds are intended. Apertures are then cut into the blinds at a selected distance from the trimmed ends. The blinds are completed by appropriately mounting a second interlacing support and pull cord in proximity to the trimmed ends of the blind.