Abstract: A door assembly includes a door body; a first panel slidably mounted on the door body; a second panel slidably mounted on the door body; a first retractable screen mounted on the door body and connected to the first panel; and a second retractable screen mounted on the door body and connected to the second panel. The panels typically includes window panes and are openable to create a pair of spaced openings through the door which are covered by the retractable screens.

Abstract: A window covering having a flexible panel and a first lift cord for raising the flexible panel. A second panel is at least partially coextensive with the flexible panel and a second lift cord is provided for raising the second panel. The flexible panel may have an upper edge and a lower edge where the upper edge is connected to a head rail and the lower edge is disposed below the head rail. The second lift cord may raise the upper edge of the second panel. In one embodiment a third panel at least partially coextensive with a portion of the flexible panel and a third lift cord for raising the top edge of the third panel are provided. The light blocking characteristic of the blind is changed by the placement of the panels.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a selective adjustment cord is provided as a very thin cord is extended through a series of thin engagement apertures which lie adjacent the main lift cord openings in a horizontal blind set. A series of engagement structures themselves cannot fit through the thin engagement apertures, and the selective adjustment cord is capable of movement of a louver having an engagement structure by only about the distance between adjacent louvers. In a second embodiment a slip fitting can be placed on specified louvers such that the first amount of upward travel of the lift cord will immediately lift the slats to which the slip fitting is engaged. Further movement of the lift cord will overcome the resistance of the slip fitting and allow the blinds to be lifted normally.

Abstract: A Venetian blind slat control mechanism comprises a set of first string ladders suspended between a head rail and a bottom rail of a Venetian blind for holding a plurality of equally spaced slats thereon before respectively fixed onto a pair of adjusting seats that, having an adjusting shaft mounted thereon, are accommodated at both ends of the head rail therein to tilt the slats into different angles thereby. A lift cord is applied to sequentially thread through cord passages of each slat before wound and suspended from a first pulley seat adapted at one end of the head rail to raise or lower the slats thereby. Between the adjusting seats inside the head rail is situated a positioning seat with a set of guide sliding members accommodated at both sides thereof in linking movement with a linkage actuating plate controlled by an operational cord that is wound and suspended from a second pulley seat adapted at the other end of the head rail.

Abstract: A retractable blind assembly including a top section (3,103) with a vertically-extending blind covering material (23,123) extending between a fixed inclined head rail (5,105) and a middle rail (7,107) that is pivotable with respect to the head rail (5,105) about a pivot center that is adjacent to a lowermost end of the head rail, the head rail extending upwardly at an acute angle, the middle rail (7,107) being pivotable between a lower position, in which the middle rail extends horizontally, when the covering material is extended and an upper position, in which the middle rail extends upwardly at an acute angle and is adjacent the head rail, when the covering material is retracted, the covering material in the top section (3,103) having a generally triangular shape with an unattached short apex (13,113) about the pivot center and an opposite, unattached, long side (15,115) when the covering material is extended, a bottom section (9,109) with the covering material extending between the middle rail (7,107) and

Abstract: A slat control mechanism for Venetian blinds includes a control assembly, guide sliding assemblies, a linkage drawing plate, and abutting members wherein first rope ladders are suspended between upper and lower beams of a Venetian blind for the abutting position of a plurality of slats in an equal space thereto and are located to adjusting seats with adjusting rods attached thereto so as to tilt the slats into different angles thereby. A lift cord is sequentially led through each slat thereof and wound through a pulley seat adapted at one end of the upper beam to extend downwards there-from so as to lift or expand the slats thereby.

Abstract: A blind slat control mechanism include a pair of first rope ladders mounted between an upper and tower beams of a Venetian blind for a plurality of slats to be equidistantly abutted against for location thereby, and the upper ends of the rope ladders are wound through adjustment rollers of mounting seats adapted at both inner sides of the upper beam to control the rotation of the slats in different angles thereby. A pull cord, led through cord-passage holes of each slat, is wound through a pulley seat mounted at one end of the upper beam to control the folding or unfolding operation of the slats thereby. A sliding guide plate is disposed at the corresponding side of both mounting seats thereof for a second rope ladder and a driving cord to be fixedly attached thereto respectively. The second rope ladder, bestriding the bottommost slat thereof in an U-shaped form, has a plurality of positioning steps alternatively astride the slats in odd or even number.

Abstract: The present invention is an exterior window covering or exterior shutter that is comprised of layers of materials to form a sandwich. The sandwich material has a layer of polycarbonate material. An embodiment of the sandwich material is comprised completely of synthetic materials that are resistant to the adverse effects of sunlight, humidity, rain, heat and wind. The polycarbonate material yields an exterior shutter that retards flying objects and withstands substantial stresses from wind loads.

Abstract: A Venetian blind for day/night use includes a fixed upper beam attached at the top of a door/window, a movable beam disposed beneath the fixed upper beam, and a lower beam disposed at the bottommost thereof wherein a light-penetrable folding blind (slats) with cord passing holes disposed thereon is attached between the fixed upper beam and the movable beam thereof, and a sheltering folding blind (slats) with cord passing slots distributed thereon is located between the movable beam and the lower beam thereof. The fixed upper beam has three equally spaced cord passages arranged at the bottom side thereon in alignment with three through holes disposed at the upper surface of the movable beam thereon. A sheltering-blind pull cord unit and a light-penetrable-blind pull cord unit are respectively led through engaging holes with locating members mounted therein at both lateral sides of the fixed upper beam thereof and extend downwards till fixedly tied up to the movable beam and the lower beam respectively.

Abstract: A window covering operating unit including a stationary mountable first profile, a stationary mountable second profile, a profile movable between the first and second profile; and window covering material which is mountable between the movable profile and the first or second profile, wherein the window operating unit includes a first rotatable winding shaft which is arranged in a stationary profile and on which can be wound and unwound a first winding cord engaging on the movable profile and wherein the window operating unit further includes a second rotatable winding shaft which is arranged in a stationary profile and on which can be wound and unwound a second winding cord engaging on the movable profile, wherein the second winding shaft extends adjacently of and substantially parallel to the first winding shaft.

Abstract: A continuous web of flexible plastic strips, for use in a flexible strip door system, the continuous web of flexible plastic strips having uninterrupted cuts, of a depth less than the thickness of the web, arranged along lines which are perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the web. Remaining material of the web, which is located below each cut, provides sufficient strength along the length of the web to prevent severing during routine handling, but allows for manual tearing of the web along the cuts when the web is subjected to opposing forces perpendicular to upper and lower faces of the web on either side of the cut.

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 vehicle window having a curved inner lens, a rectangular frame with frame members and a shade. The shade is a dual shade having a first fabric member and a second fabric member with a removable shade rail between the first and second fabric member. There also is a movable shade rail at the end of the second shade material. Cables attach to each end of the removable shade rails and through to separate handles. Moving the first handle will move the first moveable shade rail and the first fabric member up and down and moving the second handle will move the second moveable shade rail and the second fabric up and down. The fabric members have different light transmissive characteristics, one being more opaque then the other.

Abstract: A Venetian blind having the shape of a shutter is constructed to include a fixed headrail shield by a top block at the top side of the window. Two side blocks are longitudinally located on two sides of the window. A bottom rail is suspended below the headrail. A set of slats is arranged in parallel between the headrail and the bottom rail. Two ladder tapes are connected in parallel at two sides between the headrail and the bottom rail and respectively linked to the ends of the slats suspended behind front shielding walls of the side blocks. A tilting control mechanism is formed of an operating rod and a tilt rod for driving the ladder tapes to control the tilting angle of the slats. A lift lock is adapted to lock the bottom rail at a desired elevation.

Abstract: A combination blind is constructed to include a headrail and a bottom rail respectively connectable to the top and bottom sides of a window, and a lifting rail arranged in parallel to and vertically movable between the headrail and the bottom rail. The lifting rail defines with the headrail and the bottom rail two vertically spaced shading sections. Two positioning cords are bilaterally vertically connected between the headrail and the bottom rail and extended through the two shading sections and inserted through the lifting rail. The positioning cords each have a part transversely extended through the lifting rail at a distance. Two blind bodies are respectively provided in the two shading sections and relatively extended out/received upon vertical movement of the lifting rail between the headrail and the bottom rail.

Abstract: A support system is provided for mounting on a wall at an opening for a window or glass door. The support system is designed to support horizontal blinds or shades with the brackets that are ordinarily used to mount the blinds directly to a wall. The support system has control mechanism to move the blind or blinds laterally away from the window or door to allow access to the window or door. This is easier than raising the blind high enough to allow access. The support slides laterally behind another shade. In another embodiment the support is hinged in the middle and folds together like a bi-fold door to open.

Abstract: A window blinding system includes a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, a first shading arrangement, and a second shading arrangement. The first shading arrangement includes a first base member, a plurality of first slats, a first blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the first slats horizontally between the top traverse supporter and the first base member, and a first operating system for selectively lifting up and dropping down the first base member towards and from the top traverse supporter. The second shading arrangement includes a plurality of second slats and a second blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the second slats horizontally between the first slats. Therefore, by selectively adjusting positions of the first and second slats, the first and second shading arrangements are capable of providing multiple shading effects.

Abstract: The overlapping blind apparatus comprises first and second ladder strings which are biased by a top pulley in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. Bridging strings are provided in spaced, parallel relation between the first and second ladder strings. A first slat and a second slat are joined at one end to form a hinged set of overlapping blinds. Multiple sets of overlapping blinds are sized to cover a window opening. Louver strings are attached at one end to the center of the first slats, and at the opposite end to the second ladder string. When the top pulley is rotated counter-clockwise, the first slats are biased open. When the blinds are fully extended, the first slats rest against the bottom of the next adjacent lower slat, providing an overlap, which effectively blocks light leakage through the slats. When the top pulley is rotated clockwise, the upper and lower slats tilt, yet remain in a substantially closed, parallel alignment.

Abstract: A window blinding system includes a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, a first shading arrangement, and a second shading arrangement. The first shading arrangement includes a first base member, a plurality of first slats, a first blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the first slats horizontally between the top traverse supporter and the first base member, and a first operating system for selectively lifting up and dropping down the first base member towards and from the top traverse supporter. The second shading arrangement includes a plurality of second slats and a second blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the second slats horizontally between the first slats. Therefore, by selectively adjusting positions of the first and second slats, the first and second shading arrangements are capable of providing multiple shading effects.

Abstract: A Venetian blind includes upper and lower slats units whose tilting angles are independently and respectively controlled by first and second angle adjusting mechanisms. The first angle adjusting mechanism includes a first shaft journalled in a headrail, two pairs of first ladder cords secured to the first shaft and abutting against longitudinal sides of each of the upper slats, and a plurality of slat-supporting cords disposed respectively under the upper slats and extending between the first ladder cords. The second angle adjusting mechanism includes a second shaft journalled in the headrail, two pairs of second ladder cords secured to the second shaft and abutting against longitudinal sides of each of the lower slats, and a plurality of slat-supporting cords disposed respectively under the lower slats and extending between the second ladder cords.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an architectural covering insert primarily adapted for use in simulated divided light openings is disclosed. The insert includes an outer framework with horizontal and vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontally or vertically disposed shade components associated with one or more dividers and control means for moving the shade components between extended and retracted positions across simulated openings defined by the vertical and horizontal dividers. The shade components can be of the roller shade type or collapsible cellular type with the net result being that, from a visual standpoint, there are shade components associated with each individual simulated opening defined by the horizontal and vertical dividers, as opposed to a single shade that covers the entire architectural opening.

Abstract: The vertical Venetian blind (100) consists of vertical lamellae (10), held in a support rail (15) and travelling in the support rail longitudinal direction by an operating cord (17) and swivellable about their vertical longitudinal axes (11) by an operating chain (16) for opening and closing, which constitute, when closed, a curtain-type Venetian blind (200), these vertical lamellae (10) being made of strip shaped cut-out pieces made of a weft, cloth or foil, the vertical lamellae (10) being connected with each other at their lower free ends (10c) with connecting cords, chains or bead chains (13) held on their outer marginal edges (10a, 10b), whereby at least one section (90) with manually adjustable vertical lamellae (120), situated in the lower Venetian blind area, is constituted in the Venetian blind (200) formed by the vertical lamellae (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device, method, and system for secure viewing and use of banking and other electronic access devices. The present invention comprises a computer/video display system that includes a computer with a conventional screen that displays a polarized screen image and a polarized partition that allows viewing of the screen by the user positioned in front of the display, while preventing viewing by secondary observers. The present invention operates in conjunction with a standard liquid crystal display (LCD), using the intact polarizer of the LCD. The present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with an automatic teller machine/customer access terminal (ATM/CAT) or personal computer (PC) to allow privacy of information displayed to the ATM/CAT or PC user, without preventing observation of the ATM/CAT or PC user.

Abstract: A Venetian blind includes upper and lower slats units whose tilting angles are independently and respectively controlled by first and second angle adjusting mechanisms. The first angle adjusting mechanism includes a first shaft journalled in a headrail, two pairs of first ladder cords secured to the first shaft and abutting against longitudinal sides of each of the upper slats, and a plurality of slat-supporting cords disposed respectively under the upper slats and extending between the first ladder cords. The second angle adjusting mechanism includes a second shaft journalled in the headrail, two pairs of second ladder cords secured to the second shaft and abutting against longitudinal sides of each of the lower slats, and a plurality of slat-supporting cords disposed respectively under the lower slats and extending between the second ladder cords.

Abstract: A multi-functional shading device includes a first shading arrangement including a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, a first shading arrangement downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter including a base member and a first operator for selectively lifting up the base member towards the traverse supporter and unlifting the base member to drop downwardly away from the traverse supporter, and a second shading arrangement including a base stabilizer, a translucent fabric, which is folded in a Z-shaped manner, downwardly extended from the base member to the base stabilizer, and a second operator for folding and unfolding the translucent fabric. Therefore, the first and second shading arrangements having different light intensity blocking abilities are adapted for selectively blocking lights passing through from one side to another side of the shading arrangements respectively.

Abstract: A venetian blind including vertically-extending slat-supporting ladders is described. Each ladder comprises (i) first and second vertical members connected by cross-rungs, (ii) slats, each slat being supported on a cross rung of each ladder, (iii) an adjusting mechanism for pivoting the slats about their longitudinal axes by moving the vertical members in opposite directions, (iv) a vertically-extending auxiliary tilt cord that is adjacent to the first vertical member, and (v) an engagement mechanism on the auxiliary tilt cord and the first vertical member for moving the first vertical member at an intermediate location along its length upwardly with upward movement of the auxiliary tilt cord to adjust the angular pivot of a section of the cross-rungs connected to the first vertical member above or below the intermediate location.

Abstract: A window blind including a shade suspended from a generally elongated head bar, the window blind including a set of first slats. Each of the first slats having a first slat aperture extending therethrough. A first tilt string defining a pair of first tilt string segments is suspended from the head bar. A set of first supporting strings extends between the first tilt string segments, each of the first supporting strings supporting a corresponding first slat. A first tilt mechanism is attached to the head bar and mechanically coupled to the first tilt string segments for selectively allowing relative vertical movement of the first tilt string segments in opposite direction relative to each other so as to pivot the first slats between open and closed configurations. A second individually tiltable shade section includes a set of second slats positioned in an underlying relationship relative to the first slats. A second tilt string defines a pair of second tilt string segments suspended from the head bar.

Abstract: A double-pane window having a light-control assembly within its peripheral frame. The light-control assembly has an upper section which is adapted to redirect light entering the window through the outside pane so that the light, exiting the window through the inside pane, is reflected upwardly against a ceiling surface of the interior of a room, on the wall of which the window is mounted; and a lower section which is adapted to inhibit light entering the window through the outside pane from exiting the window through the inside pane. The lower section and optionally the upper section can each comprise a plurality of laterally-extending slats which can be pivoted about their laterally-extending axes to inhibit or redirect light entering the window. If desired, the slats of the lower section can be pivoted independently of the slats of the upper section. The slats of at least the upper section preferably have a transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for tilting upper and lower tiers of slats in a venetian blind independently comprises a headrail attached to a top end of the venetian blind. A first shaft is rotatably mounted in the headrail and is operative to tilt the upper tier of slats when rotated. A second shaft is rotatably mounted in the headrail substantially parallel to the first shaft to tilt the lower tier of slats. A driving member is pivotally mounted in the headrail and is movable from a first position engaging the first shaft and disengaged from the second shaft, to a second position engaging the second shaft and disengaged from the first shaft. Rotation of the driving member causes rotation of the engaged shaft. A control rod rotates the driving member, and moves the driving member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A venetian blind including at least two vertically-extending slat-supporting ladders, each ladder comprising first and second vertical members connected by a plurality of vertically-spaced cross-rungs, a plurality of horizontally-arranged slats, each slat being supported on one of the cross rungs in each of the ladders and between the first and second vertical members, an adjusting mechanism for commonly pivoting each of the slats about its longitudinal axis by moving the first and second vertical members of the ladders in vertically opposite directions, a vertically-extending auxiliary tilt cord that is adjacent to a first vertical member of a ladder and can be moved upwardly, engaging means, on the auxiliary tilt cord and the adjacent first vertical member of the ladder, for moving the adjacent first vertical member at an intermediate location along its length upwardly with upward movement of the auxiliary tilt cord, so as to adjust the angular pivot of a section of the cross-rungs connected to the first ve

Abstract: In order to display the image from the projector, the image display system includes the blinds installed in front of the window and consisting of Yupo tracing film, transparent acryl, and coating vinyl which are attached to each other and enable to display image, and a projecting unit such as a slide projector or an LCD projector for projecting image to the blinds such that the image from the projector in a building can be displayed on a rear surface of the blinds through the window out of the building so to give effect of transferring information and providing advertisement and publicity.

Abstract: A blind having plural rudder cords each of which is formed of a pair of vertical strings and plural lateral strings joining the vertical strings together, and each of which is brought down from a head box in the vertical direction, and plural pieces of slats extending horizontally on the lateral strings of the rudder cords, retained in parallel with one another and adapted to be turned by the operations of the rudder cords, whereby the blind is opened and closed, comprising openings provided in the portions of each of the slats which are in the vicinity of the rudder cords, and drawing strings which are capable of being pulled up, and which are brought down from the head box along the rudder cords, inserted through the openings of the slats and made connectable at lower end portions thereof to the portions of either one of the respective pairs of vertical strings of the rudder cords which are in positions of an arbitrary height.

Abstract: A window blind including a shade suspended from a generally elongated head bar, the window blind including a set of first slats. Each of the first slats having a first slat aperture extending therethrough. A first tilt string defining a pair of first tilt string segments is suspended from the head bar. A set of first supporting strings extends between the first tilt string segments, each of the first supporting strings supporting a corresponding first slat. A first tilt mechanism is attached to the head bar and mechanically coupled to the first tilt string segments for selectively allowing relative vertical movement of the first tilt string segments in opposite direction relative to each other so as to pivot the first slats between open and closed configurations. A second individually tiltable shade section includes a set of second slats positioned in an underlying relationship relative to the first slats. A second tilt string defines a pair of second tilt string segments suspended from the head bar.

Abstract: A blind having plural rudder cords each of which is formed of a pair of vertical strings and plural lateral strings joining the vertical strings together, and each of which is brought down from a head box in the vertical direction, and plural pieces of slats extending horizontally on the lateral strings of the rudder cords, retained in parallel with one another and adapted to be turned by the operations of the rudder cords, whereby the blind is opened and closed, comprising openings provided in the portions of each of the slats which are in the vicinity of the rudder cords, and drawing strings which are capable of being pulled up, and which are brought down from the head box along the rudder cords, inserted through the openings of the slats and made connectable at lower end portions thereof to the portions of either one of the respective pairs of vertical strings of the rudder cords which are in positions of an arbitrary height.

Abstract: A venetian type blind has a bottomrail, a headrail positioned above the bottomrail, a pivot slat positioned between the headrail and the bottomrail and a tilt slat located immediately below the pivot slat. A set of upper ladders extends from the headrail to the pivot slat and carries a set of upper slats. A set of lower ladders extends from the bottomrail to the tilt slat with each lower ladder being connected to a pivot member on the pivot slat. The lower ladders carry a set of lower slats. At least one pivot cord connects the pivot slat to the tilt slat. This arrangement allows the lower slats to be separately tilted to a different position from the upper slats.

Abstract: A Venetian type blind has a bottomrail, a headrail positioned above the bottomrail, a tilting slat, and two sets of slats carried on either upper ladders or lower ladders. The tilting slat has a center segment and an end segment pivotably attached to each end of the center segment by a common axle that runs through the center segment. The first set of slats is carried on a set of upper ladders extending from the headrail to the center segment of the tilting slat. The second set of slats are carried on a set of lower ladders extending from the end segments of the tilting slat to the bottomrail. To change the lower slats to a position different from the upper slats an operator turns an end segment relative to the center segment. Since the end segments are on a common axle they will turn together. A locking tab may be provided on each end segment which will lock the end segments to the center segment.

Abstract: A tilt adjustment device includes tilt adjustment assemblies mounted on, and actuated by, a multi-sided bar, the entire device being mountable on a conventional venetian blind assembly for the purpose of providing separate adjustment of the venetian blind slats above the tilt adjustment device and those below the tilt adjustment device. The multi-sided bar passes through an aperture is a screw gear of the tilt adjustment assembly. The screw gear when rotated engages toothed gears in a slotted tilt adjuster, and the screw gear and the hexagonal bar are retained together by a housing. The tilt adjustment assembly and hexagonal bar can be easily attached to an existing venetian blind assembly, such as a mini-blind assembly. The device needs to be installed only once, and may be selectively raised and lowered on the ladder chords to suit the needs of the user. In use, the device can be vertically positioned and the slat pitch below the device can be adjusted in two easy motions.

Abstract: A Venetian blind window covering in one embodiment comprises two individual Venetian blinds “A” and “B”. The Venetian blind “A” and “B” are detachably secured together by a bridge rail or bridge housing. The “A” section has a plurality of user controllable slats operationally disposed therein. The “B” section has a plurality of user controllable slats operationally disposed therein. The “A” and “B” sections are independently controllable by the user. The user may, if desire, raise, lower, or tilt section “A” independent of raising, lowering, or tilting section “B”. The window treatment “B” section of this embodiment may, if desired, be readily removed and replaced with a “C” section containing all of the attributes of the “B” section plus selected pictorial representations.

Abstract: A device is designed to adjust slats of a Venetian blind and is formed of a seat fastened with one end of the upper rail of the Venetian blind. An upper worm rod and a lower worm rod are coaxially pivoted in seat such that the two worm rods are engaged with an upper worm wheel and a lower worm wheel, which are coupled with two cross shafts linking an upper slat group and a lower slat group of the Venetian blind. A movable stem has an upper segment which is located in the seat such the upper segment is engageable with the center holes of the two worm rods. The movable stem has a lower segment which is fastened with a control lever. The seat is further provided with a coil spring which is fitted over the movable stem such that the bottom end of the coil spring urges the seat, and that the top end of the coil spring urges the movable stem. The movable stem is provided with a driving portion. The center holes of the upper and the lower worm rods are provided with a retaining portion.

Abstract: A double-pane window having a light-control assembly within its peripheral frame. The light-control assembly has an upper section which is adapted to redirect light entering the window through the outside pane so that the light, exiting the window through the inside pane, is reflected upwardly against a ceiling surface of the interior of a room, on the wall of which the window is mounted and a lower section which is adapted to inhibit light entering the window through the outside pane from exiting the window through the inside pane. The lower section and optionally the upper section can each comprise a plurality of laterally-extending slats which can be pivoted about their laterally-extending axes to inhibit or redirect light entering the window. If desired, the slats of the lower section can be pivoted independently of the slats of the upper section. The slats of at least the upper section preferably have a transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: A venetian type blind has a bottomrail, a headrail positioned above the bottomrail and a set of slats. Upper slats or no slats are carried on a set of upper ladders extending from the headrail and a set of lower ladders extending from the bottomrail. Each upper ladder is connected to a lower ladder by a connection device that connects an upper ladder rail to a lower ladder rail. Alternatively, all of the ladders can be connected to a single rail located between the headrail and the bottomrail. The upper ladders are connected to a tilt mechanism. At least two lift cords are attached to the bottomrail, running past slats through the headrail. At least two tilt cords are provided. Each tilt cord runs through the headrail, passing adjacent to one rail of an upper ladder and is connected to either one connector or a rail of the ladder adjacent to a connector.

Abstract: A venetian blind comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; a first group of slats; at least two first ladders extending between the top and bottom rails and supporting the first group of slats; a second group of slats; at least two second ladders extending between the top rail and the bottom rail and supporting the second group of slats; and a tilt assembly comprising: a tilting rod received within the top rail; a manipulating member for operating the tilting rod; and a reversing mechanism associated with each of the at least one first and second ladders, each reversing mechanism being articulated to the tilting rod and including a first plate and a second plate; each one of said at least two first ladders is connected to a corresponding first plate and each one of said at least two second ladders is connected to a corresponding second plate, said first and second plate being normally biased into rotational engagement with one another, whereby rotation of the tilting rod entails rotation of the first plate and t

Abstract: A two tier venetian blind comprises an upper and a lower tier of slats suspended from a blind control mechanism; a front upper control cord and a back upper control cord for tilting the upper tier of slats; a front lower control cord and a back lower control cord for tilting the lower tier of slats; and a lift cord passing through a lift cord hole in each slat in the upper and lower tiers of slats. To avoid having the lower control cords hang when the blind is raised, the front lower control cord passes through the lift cord holes in each slat in the upper tier of slats and the back lower control cord passes around the back upper control cord at a plurality of points along the back upper control cord. In this way the lower control cords are gathered as the blind is raised.

Abstract: A vertical blind that includes a plurality of louvers of which certain louvers are alternately positioned and can be placed in various positions so that the vertical blind can be fully changed in form. The vertical blind further includes a rotation-transferring mechanism on alternating carriers. The rotation-transferring mechanism serves to transfer the rotation of the shaft, which is mounted in the head rail, to the louvers, which are hung from the alternating carriers, so that the louvers rotate around their vertical axes. If the louvers that are hung from the carriers with the rotation-transferring mechanism are positioned so that they are almost perpendicular to the head rail, each louver hung from those carriers that are not equipped with a rotation-transferring mechanism almost covers each space left between the louvers on either side of the louver hung from the carrier with the rotation-transferring mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for venetian blinds. Through the control system the upper half of the blinds can be rotated independent of the lower half and vice versa. The control system employs two rotatable dowels, a forwardly located dowel and a rearward dowel. Rotation of the forward dowel effects rotation of the upper set of venetian blinds, while rotation of the rearward dowel effects rotation of the lower set of venetian blinds. The rotation is made possible by two sets of drawstrings. A forwardly located set of drawstrings is attached to the forward edges of the upper set of blinds. The forward set of drawstrings is controlled by the forward dowel. A rearwardly located set of drawstrings is attached to the rearward edges of the lower set of blinds. The rearward set of drawstrings is controlled by the rearward dowel.

Abstract: A lift system for top-down, bottom-up window shades operated by a single control is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention is compatible with, but not limited to, clutch operated shades whose cords are wound onto a shaft within the headrail. It will work with any shade that presently has top-down-bottom-up capability, using any method of lift.

Abstract: A vertical blind assembly includes an elongate header casing and two sets of louvers movably supported in adjacent channels within the header casing, including a first set of plain louvers structured to be moved horizontally along the length of the first channel, and a second set of louvers which are molded and configured in a decorative, three-dimensional pattern and structured to be moved horizontally along the length of the second channel so that they are positioned in front of the first set of louvers.

Abstract: An improved venetian blind for controlling the amount of light which passes through an opening. The venetian blind of the present invention includes a control housing mounted substantially adjacent to an opening, means for selectively limiting the amount of fight passing through a first region of the opening, and means for selectively limiting the amount of light passing through a second region of the opening. Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Abstract: The slats of a venetian blind are divided into upper and lower portions by the installation of a divider, comprising a spacer and a retainer, which serve to shorten the working length of the tilt adjusting ladders on either the inside or outside of the blind, altering the tilt of the slats of the lower portion so as to be more closed or more open with respect to the slats of the upper portion, depending upon the adjustment of the tilt control ladder.