Abstract: An inexpensive top-down-bottom-up shade made up of a head rail, a top rail, a bottom rail, and an expanse of shade material having a top edge attached to the top rail and a bottom edge attached to the bottom rail. The head rail includes a top rail lift mechanism for lowering and raising the top rail and a bottom rail lift mechanism for raising and lowering the bottom rail. The top rail lift mechanism includes at least two top rail lift cords tied to the top rail and the bottom rail lift mechanism includes at least two bottom rail lift cords that are secured to the bottom rail with washer-shaped elements.

Abstract: The inventive winding device comprises a transmission shaft, a plurality of thread shafts, a plurality of fixing stages and a plurality of cords. The plurality of cords are fixed on corresponding thread shafts, and by the synchronous rotation of the thread shafts with the transmission shaft and the relative rotation and movement of the thread shafts with respect to the fixing stage, the cords can be uniformly wound along the thread of the corresponding thread shafts. Therefore, both ends of the curtain can be moved symmetrically. The thread shafts and the transmission shaft do not need to assemble first, the assembling task is simplified. The lowest point is more definite such that the curtain can be easily controlled by machine.

Abstract: A venetian type blind has a length adjustable bottomrail to fit windows of different lengths. A cord stop device is attached to each lift cord and each cord stop device is shaped such that when the device is attached to a lift cord the cord stop device can be removably connected to a retainer in the bottomrail and when not connected to the retainer will orient itself to be self-guiding through route holes in selected slats when the lift cord is pulled through the selected slats. The blind is shortened by releasing each cord stop device from its retainer and passing the device and attached lift cord from the bottomrail through the slats to be removed to the slat at the desired length. The excess slats are removed. Then the ladders are detached from the bottomrail, shortened and reattached to the bottomrail. The cord stop devices are then reconnected to their respective retainers in the bottomrail to complete the shortening process.

Abstract: A tilt rod support for a Venetian blind includes a U-shaped base plate including at least one through hole, and a rolling member mounted on the base plate and located above the through hole. A slat tilt adjustment cord extends through the through hole and slidably abuts the rolling member. The rolling member can be used to prevent the slat tilt adjustment cord from constantly contacting the solid edge of the through hole in order to protect the slat tilt adjustment cord.

Abstract: A window blind assembly having a storage rail assembly that includes a storage rail defining a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind assembly to enable the ready customization of the blind assembly to fit windows of different heights. The storage rail assembly also includes a pair of end caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail for retaining the slats within the channel. Each end cap includes a breakaway member and an end piece removably joined together by a coupling portion desirably in the form of an area of reduced thickness of the end cap so that the breakaway member can be separated from the end piece and positioned to prevent buckling of the slats within the blind.

Abstract: In a cording arrangement for large blinds having several lift cords one end of at least some of the lift cords is attached to the headrail and then the lift cord is routed into the bottomrail, over a pulley in the bottomrail, back up to the headrail and through a cord lock forming a generally U-shaped cording arrangement. The cords are attached to the headrail and routed through the headrail in such a manner that the cords are of equal or nearly equal length. Preferably the outermost cords are descending. The cords are laced around or through the rungs of the ladder. Preferably each descending cord has more passes through the rungs than each ascending cord.

Abstract: A safety cord-pull apparatus has a top portion and a bottom portion which include raised waves to secure control cords from a blind. A razor blade molded into the cord-pull apparatus cuts the control cords in the event a child or small pet becomes entangled within the control cords. An alternate cord-pull apparatus is also provided which has a circular housing through which the control cords are disposed. The control cords are cut by a sharpened edge in a cap on the housing or by a sharpened washer located inside the housing. The cord-pull apparatus also includes a pull cord that hangs below the control cord-pull apparatus to operate a blind. The method for assembling the cord-pull apparatus includes placing control cords into chutes and over raised waves, folding the top portion of the cord-pull apparatus unto the bottom portion of the cord-pull apparatus, adjusting the control cords level with regards to the blind, and cutting the control cords.

Abstract: A window blind assembly having a bottom rail that defines a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind assembly to enable the ready customization of the blind assembly to fit windows of different heights. End caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail may be provided for retaining the slats within the channel. Slots may be formed on each of the leading edges of the end caps, extending inwardly, for engaging a cover slat to enclose the storage rail and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the storage rail. Means are also provided for readily securing the storage rail to the cords of the blind assembly.

Abstract: A window blind (10) has a headrail (12) housing a tilt assembly (18) and a plurality of slats (14) having opposed external longitudinal edges (36). The blind (10) has a sleeve (28) extending from the tilt assembly (18) to a bottommost slat (14) along the external longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). Each slat (14) has a clip (38) that engages the external longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). A loop (40) is positioned around the clip (38) and through a pair of openings (48) in the sleeve (28) to connect the sleeve (28) to the each slat (14). A lift cord (30) extends from the headrail (12) to the bottommost slat (14) along the external longitudinal edge (36) of each slat (14) where it is connected to the bottommost slat (14). The lift cord (30) is within the sleeve (28).

Abstract: A new retractable blind pull for automatically retracting a cord after use. The retractable blind pull includes a cylindrical housing having a front face, a back face and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The cylindrical side wall has an aperture therethrough exposing a hollow interior. The aperture receives a free end of a mini-blind cord therein. A spool is rotatably disposed within the hollow interior of the cylindrical housing between the front and back face thereof. The spool includes a forward flange, an intermediate flange and a back flange. A space between the forward flange and the intermediate flange is disposed below the aperture in the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing with the mini-blind cord wrapping around the spool between the forward flange and the intermediate flange. A coil spring is wrapped around the spool between the intermediate flange and the back flange for rotation of the spool thereby retracting the mini-blind cord therearound.

Abstract: A method for sizing a horizontal mini-blind using a retaining clip. The retaining clip frictionally engages a lift cord threaded through a series of slots formed within a series of horizontal slats. The mini-blinds are sized attaching the retaining clip to the lift cord, cutting the lift cords underneath the retaining clip below the rung cords, then sliding the retaining clip into a channel formed in a bottom rail. The bottom rail includes a pair of oppositely facing notches which receive the ladder cords to prevent further movement of the clip in the channel. The ladder cords and the lift cord are not knotted and captured using a plug in the bottom rail, which results in a flush relationship between the bottom rail and a window opening.

Abstract: A safety cord-pull apparatus having a top portion and a bottom portion which include raised waves to secure control cords from a blind. A razor blade molded into the cord-pull apparatus cuts the control cords in the event a child or small pet becomes entangled within the control cords. An alternate cord-pull apparatus is also provided which has a circular housing through which the control cords are disposed. The control cords are cut by a sharpened edge in a cap on the housing or by a sharpened washer located inside the housing. The cord-pull apparatus also includes a pull cord that hangs below the control cord-pull apparatus to operate a blind.

Abstract: A window blind for use between double panes of glass has a bottom rail having an outwardly curving top attached along a front edge and along a back edge to an outwardly curving bottom. The top has at least one opening through which the tilt cords pass and the bottom has a hole for each ladder. The rails of a ladder and all tilt cords coplanar with that ladder pass through the hole for that ladder; and are held in place by a rivet passing through the hole in a manner to retain the rails and lift cords passing through that hole. This blind may also have a two piece headrail wherein one piece is plastic and the other pieces is metal to provide a thermal break. A magnetic tilt mechanism is provided in the headrail.

Abstract: Apparatus for cordless operation of blinds and shades. A pair of actuators are in spiral engagement with a spiral wand coupled to a rail mechanism from which the blinds or shades depend. Each actuator is biased into driving engagement with the wand, one of the actuators rotating the wand in one direction when raised or lowered and the other actuator rotating the wand in the opposite direction when raised or lowered.

Abstract: A protective cover for a miniblind cord including an elongated hollow tube having an open upper end and an open lower end. A hook is disposed within the open upper end of the elongated hollow tube. The hook receives a cord threadably therethrough and is passed through the open upper end of the hollow tube and extends outwardly of the open lower end of the hollow tube. An end piece having a vertically oriented aperture directed therethrough receives the cord therethrough whereupon the cord is tied in a knot.

Abstract: In all three versions, the bottom rail has a flat, smooth bottom and does not tilt. In two versions, transverse horizontal holes receive ladder cords. In one of these versions, another horizontal hole opening at the rear of the rail extends obliquely into intersection with the transverse hole midway between the front and rear of the rail. A vertical hole extends down from the rail top to this intersection. A lift cord extends down through the vertical hole into the oblique hole where a knot on the lift cord fixes the end of the cord in the oblique hole. In too the other of these two versions, a horizontal transverse hole above each ladder cord hole receives a lift cord which extends out at the front and rear of the bottom rail. These lift cords, and the ladder cords, extend entirely up to the headrail. In this version, each slat has a notch at the front edge and rear edge, receiving the corresponding lift cord and ladder cord.

Abstract: A window blind (10) is disclosed having a headrail (12) housing a tilt assembly (18) and a plurality of slats (14) having opposed longitudinal edges (36). The blind (10) has a sleeve (28) extending from the tilt assembly (18) to a bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). Each slat (14) has a clip (38) that engages the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). A loop (40) is positioned around the clip (38) and through a pair of openings (48) in the sleeve (28) to connect the sleeve (28) to the each slat (14). A lift cord (30) extends from the headrail (12) to the bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edge (36) of each slat (14) where it is connected to the bottommost slat (14). The lift cord (30) is within the sleeve (28).

Abstract: An improved window blind wherein the pull cord has an inner element and an outer element, the inner element performing the lifting and lowering function of the pull cord, and the longitudinally compressible outer element encompassing the inner element and being either affixed to the slats or restricted from being pulled through the cord holes to prevent outward pulling of the pull cord from the window blind to create a hazardous loop.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of pull cords to a knob or tassel. A wedge cleat releasably engages the pull cords and releasably connects the same to a tassel. A surplus cord core integral with and depending from the cleat receives and retains surplus cord wound thereon. A tassel plate integral with the core mounts a tasseled manipulating cord. A decorative and protective cover encloses the wedge cleat, surplus cord core and cord, and tassel plate.

Abstract: A suspension cord guide for a window blind includes an L-shaped guide member positioned within the head rail of the blind. The guide member is positioned adjacent an opening in the head rail through which the suspension cord extends. Also, the suspension cord guide includes a hollow spindle surroundingly engaged with a tilt rod in the head rail, and the spindle is formed with an abutment surface on its end nearest the opening. A finger of the L-shaped member extends toward the spindle, with the suspension cord being fed onto the spindle next to the abutment surface by the guide member. In addition to guiding the cord onto the spindle, the finger of the L-shaped guide member contacts the coil of the suspension cord that is established on the spindle nearest the finger.

Abstract: The venetian blind pull cord assembly is a safety device to prevent exposure of the pull cords and inadvertant accidents to children, due to their attraction to pull cords. The assembly includes a) a preferably cylindrical upper housing connectable to an overhead venetian blind operating mechanism or the like and designed to depend therefrom. The assembly includes a preferably cylindrical housing connectable to an overhead venetian blind operating mechanism or the like by connectors and designed to depend therefrom; and b) a generally tubular pull cord cover having two or more vertically aligned telescoping portions of decreasing diameter, the cover telescoping fully into the lower end of the housing and depending therebelow. The cover is dimensioned so that when fully retracted it defines with the housing a pull cord storage space. The housing and cover have vertically aligned passageways down through which pull cords pass.