Slat Support (e.g., Tape Ladder) Patents (Class 160/178.3)
  • Patent number: 8991469
    Abstract: A slatted blind is configured such that the slats close create a light blocking blind. The slats may be supported by a tilt cord that comprises a low stretch strand or a low stretch cord may be attached to the tilt cord. The slats may be connected to the supporting tilt cord such that when the slat is rotated to a closed position the slat is suspended from the rung. The rung may have an effective diameter of less than approximately 14 mil. Recesses may be formed in the slat for receiving the rung when the slat is in a closed position. A bottom rail may have a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the slats. A protrusion may be formed on the back of the slats such that the rung pushes on the protrusion to force the slat against an adjacent slat when the blind is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Defenbaugh, Joshua Maust, Teresa Williamson, Peter Bates, Henry Sick
  • Patent number: 8723466
    Abstract: A motorized venetian blind system for covering a window of a space comprising a blind drive unit having two motors to provide for independent control of a position of a bottom rail and a tilt angle of a plurality of slats of the blind system. The blind drive unit is operable to adjust the position of the bottom rail to a preset position, and to adjust the tilt angle of the slats to a preset angle in response to receiving a single digital message (e.g., a preset command). The blind drive unit is operable to automatically adjust the position of the bottom rail and the tilt angle of the slats to limit a direct sunlight penetration distance in the space to a maximum direct sunlight penetration distance, and to maximum a reflected sunlight penetration distance on a ceiling of the space, while minimizing occupant distractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, William Bryce Fricke, Matthew R. Hontz, David A. Kirby, Justin J. Mierta, Jonathan Carl Sevy
  • Patent number: 8544522
    Abstract: A window covering includes window covering material that extends from a first rail. A first lift cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent the bottom of the window covering material. A first spacer cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom of the window covering material. First hitches extend from the first spacer cord to encircle the first lift cord. The window covering may have additional lift cords and may utilize other similar spacer cords having hitches that extend to those lift cords as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Whole Space Industries Ltd
    Inventor: Tzong-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 8496041
    Abstract: A ladder tape includes two pairs of warp strings, and two weft strings repeatedly passing through the warp strings in a predetermined way to form two cords and a plurality of bridge sections between the cords. The weft strings respectively are wound around one section of each pair of the warp strings only to form an opening between the warp strings that the ladder tape may engage with the rotary drum of the window blind in a fast and easy way. The weft strings are wound around the warp strings in a way that the ladder tape will not get entangled with other objects unexpectedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Hsing Li
  • Patent number: 8474508
    Abstract: Provided is a blind including a light-shielding sheet 20 having an internal space 22; a connecting string 30 which is received in the internal space 22; and an adjusting string 40 which is connected so as to alternately enclose an outer surface of the connecting string 30. Therefore, the blind has improved functionality and usability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Ki Cheol Cha
  • Patent number: 7926540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlling shaft, and more particularly to a controlling shaft for controlling blind, comprising a transverse shaft and a plurality of shaft controlling unit provided on the transverse shaft in turn. Due to the connecting relationship between the plurality of shaft controlling units and the transverse shaft, when the transverse shaft rotates, the plurality of shaft controlling units can synchronously rotate with the transverse shaft. Each shaft controlling unit of the plurality of shaft controlling units comprises a plurality of rotating members. When the shaft controlling unit rotates with the transverse shaft, the rotating members of each shaft controlling unit move in different pace. With the synchronous movement of the shaft controlling units with the transverse shaft, the particular points on the outer side of respective plurality of rotating members of any shaft controlling unit at the same level move to different extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Tony Lai
  • Publication number: 20100319859
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ladder cord lattice for window blinds. The ladder cord lattice includes a front strip, a rear strip and multiple slat sustaining portion arranged at intervals between the front and rear strips. There is a connecting and positioning portion, being integrally formed on the top of front and rear strip and lacking the slat sustaining portion. There are tailoring point identification bulges, and snapper locating point identification bulges. There is a clear identification point for tailoring and feeding of ladder cord lattice and for fixing of the snapper via the tailoring point identification bulges and snapper locating point identification bulges, thus reducing the error of feeding and assembly, and improving the operating efficiency, accuracy and quality for higher applicability and industrial efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Taihao Knitting Belt Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsiung TSAI
  • Patent number: 7556080
    Abstract: A blind includes a headrail, a bottomrail, a plurality of slats positioned between the headrail and the bottomrail, a plurality of ladders, a plurality of lift cords and a plurality of connectors. Each ladder is composed of two vertical portions and a plurality of rungs in parallel between the two vertical portions. The lift cords are positioned at two opposite sides of the slats and near the vertical portions of the ladders. Each slat has at least a hole near a longitudinal side edge, and a connector is deposited between the ladder and each slat. Then the connectors can combine the ladders and the lift cords with the slats in such a way that the slats can be kept from moving so as to shut off light effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming Nien
  • Patent number: 7506679
    Abstract: A fastener module suitable for use with a window covering having a plurality of openable rows is provided. More particularly, the fastener module enables engagement and disengagement of control cords from panels of a window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Lai Yu, Chin-Tien Huang, Shun-Chi Yu
  • Publication number: 20080295978
    Abstract: A device and method permits repair of a vertical louver having a non-functioning opening. The device comprises a face having a replacement opening thereon, with the face being coupled to a vertical louver and positioned so that the replacement opening is substantially in the position of the non-functioning opening. Re-coupling of the vertical louver to a track through the replacement opening is then permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Brian A. Keasberry
  • Patent number: 7451798
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a window blind system, comprising a shading arrangement and an alternating hanging device vertically extended downwardly to support a plurality of slats in position, wherein a predetermined portion of the slats are both supported by the first shading arrangement and the alternating hanging device, so that by operating the alternating hanging device, the predetermined portion of the slats supported by the alternating hanging device are capable of being displaced with respect to the remaining slats thus creating a varying shading effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tony Lai
  • Patent number: 7222656
    Abstract: In a method of making a window covering material a plurality of slats preferably made of fabric or plastic film, are provided. Each slat has opposite longitudinal edges and each longitudinal edge has a pocket with at least one transverse slot. There is one rail for each transverse slot in any selected slat. Each rail has a loop extending from the rail which loop is sized to fit within a selected transverse slot in a slat pocket. The fabric slats and the rails are positioned so that there is one loop in each transverse slot. Then a rod is inserted into each pocket of the fabric slat so that for each pocket the rod passes through the loop in each transverse slot of that pocket. If desired, one may attach a light screening flap to one or both longitudinal edges of the slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Nine Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming Nien
  • Patent number: 7146694
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating tubular vanes and adhering the vanes to a plurality of associated ladder tapes for use in a blind assembly for an architectural opening is described. The apparatus includes a first section for unrolling resin impregnated fabric tape, folding the tape, and cutting the tape to a predetermined length. In a second section of the apparatus, the cut and folded tape is bonded to together along its longitudinal edges to form a tubular vane. In the third and final section, the completed vane is positioned between the vertical cords of a plurality of associated ladder tapes and the vane is adhesively bonded to a cross rung of each. After the vane has been bonded to the cross rungs, the ladder tapes are advanced and prepared for receipt of the next vane. The resulting subassembly of vanes is used to fabricate blind assemblies through the addition of headrails and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Todd B. Jaramillo
  • Patent number: 7055572
    Abstract: A window blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail and a plurality of fabric slats arranged in parallel between the headrail and the bottom rail. Each fabric slat has two stiff support rods disposed at the two opposite long sides thereof. A plurality of ladder tapes are symmetrically connected between the headrail and the bottom rail and located respectively at the two opposite long sides of the fabric slats. Each ladder tape is formed of a plurality of strands by weaving and has a plurality of through holes in the netting structure thereof for the insertion of the support rods of the fabric slats so as to join the fabric slats to the ladder tapes between the headrail and the bottom rail at different elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd., Yuan Peing Garment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Nien, Hermes Huang
  • Patent number: 6880608
    Abstract: A ladder for horizontal blinds is provided having a drawstring pre-threaded through a plurality of loops on at least a first leg. A second drawstring pre-threaded through a plurality of loops on a second leg may also be provided. When assembling horizontal blinds using the ladder, a pull cord is easily threaded through the loops by securing it to the drawstring and pulling the drawstring/pull cord junction through each of the loops. Manufacturing costs associated with assembling horizontal blinds are thus reduced by eliminating the labor-intensive step of individually hand threading a pull cord through each loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Craig A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6877547
    Abstract: FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin Kawakita
  • Patent number: 6799624
    Abstract: A mini-blind apparatus is disclosed having a first horizontal slat and a second slat disposed spaced and parallel relative to the first slat. The apparatus includes a first tab having a first and a second end, the first end of the first tab being secured to a rearward edge of the first slat, the first tab defining a first and a second cage. The first cage is disposed between the first and the second end of the first tab and a first control has a first bead secured thereto for entrapment thereof within the first cage. The second cage is disposed between the first cage and the second end of the first tab. A second control has a first protuberance secured thereto for entrapment thereof within the second cage. A second tab has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity of the second tab being secured to a rear edge of the second slat, the second tab defining a first and a second recess. The first recess is disposed between the first and the second extremity of the second tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Innovations, LLC.
    Inventor: Brian W Smith
  • Patent number: 6792996
    Abstract: An improved Venetian blind type window covering having an open position and a closed position is provided. When in a closed position, the window covering presents a face that conceals a securement member and an adjustment member. The window covering also includes a bottom rail, and a plurality of slats between the head rail and the bottom rail. The securement member and the adjustment member, in cooperation, are suitable for adjustably moving or tilting the plurality of blind slats to open and close the window covering. A blind slat tilting mechanism causes positional adjustment of the plurality of blind slats by raising and lowering at least the adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Teh Yor Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Lai Yu, Chin-Tien Huang, Shun-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 6772815
    Abstract: A light controllable window covering has a transparent front face and a transparent back face, either or both of which are formed from a series of spaced apart parallel threads, and a series of opaque slats attached between the two faces. The parallel threads which form the front face and back face are spaced apart an amount which allows light to readily pass while providing a soft fabric like appearance. The slats are preferably knitted or woven fabric treated to have a given light impeding property. The front and back longitudinal edges of each slat are respectively attached to the front face and the back face. The resulting structure when combined with a hardware system is a light control honeycomb window covering. Movement of the light impeding slats from a position perpendicular to the front face and back face to a position generally parallel to the front and back face controls the amount of light which is admitted through the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ren Judkins
  • Publication number: 20040065418
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening in the form of a Venetian blind includes a plurality of supporting ladders for horizontally disposed but vertically spaced slats with the ladders including vertically extending spaced guide cords and interconnecting rungs at vertically spaced locations along the guide cords. The rungs support associated slats in a horizontal orientation and the slats are connected to the rungs so that when the guide cords are shifted vertically relative to each other causing the rungs to tilt, the slats are positively moved between a horizontal disposition and a substantially vertical disposition in which a light blocking seal between the slats is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 6662851
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening in the form of a Venetian blind includes a plurality of supporting ladders for horizontally disposed but vertically spaced slats with the ladders including vertically extending spaced guide cords and interconnecting rungs at vertically spaced locations along the guide cords. The rungs support associated slats in a horizontal orientation and the slats are connected to the rungs so that when the guide cords are shifted vertically relative to each other causing the rungs to tilt, the slats are positively moved between a horizontal disposition and a substantially vertical disposition in which a light blocking seal between the slats is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Publication number: 20030173038
    Abstract: A ladder for horizontal blinds is provided having a drawstring pre-threaded through a plurality of loops on at least a first leg. A second drawstring pre-threaded through a plurality of loops on a second leg may also be provided. When assembling horizontal blinds using the ladder, a pull cord is easily threaded through the loops by securing it to the drawstring and pulling the drawstring/pull cord junction through each of the loops. Manufacturing costs associated with assembling horizontal blinds are thus reduced by eliminating the labor-intensive step of individually hand threading a pull cord through each loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Craig A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6557615
    Abstract: A horizontal window blind apparatus having at least a first and a second slat disposed parallel and spaced relative to each other is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first tab which is secured to the first slat, the first tab defining a first opening and a second opening disposed between the first opening and the first slat. A second tab is secured to the second slat, the second tab being aligned relative to the first tab. The second tab defines a third opening and a fourth opening disposed between the third opening and the second slat. A first elongate control extends through the first and the third openings and a first locking device is provided for selectively locking the first control relative to the first tab. A second locking device is provided for selectively locking the first control relative to the second tab. A second elongate control extends through the second and the fourth openings. A third locking device selectively locks the second control relative to the first tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Innovations, LLC.
    Inventor: Brian W. Smith