Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric blind slat (10). The fabric blind slat (10) includes an elongated strip (12) of fabric characterised in that the strip of fabric (12) has at least one longitudinally extending pocket (14) on a longitudinal edge (16, 18) into which a relatively rigid support member (20) is insertable.The present invention also relates to a fabric venetian blind assembly (30) and a method for the production of a fabric venetian blind assembly (30).

Abstract: In order to eliminate the difficulty in properly shaping the corner of a panel body where the edge portions thereof meet perpendicularly to each other and beautifully finishing the curled portions of a cladding sheet which covers the panel body, the panel 2 comprises a panel body 3 made of sheet metal by plastic deformation of the edge portions of the sheet metal, and a cladding sheet 4 arranged to cover the panel body, with a cutout 35, 36 formed at each corner of the panel body, and a corner member 5, 6 made of resin is attached to each corner, so that the curved surface 54, 64 formed on the corner member 5, 6 when it was molded makes the curved surface 32c, 33c smoothly continuous to 34c.

Abstract: A slat for a shutter includes an elongated slat body with a longitudinal slot unit formed therethrough, and an elongated lens fixed within the slot unit so as to close the slot unit and so as to permit light from one side of the shutter to reach the other side of the utter via the slot unit and the lens.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window openings, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A louvered blind (10) including an outer frame (12) and a plurality of louvers (14) mounted within the frame is disclosed. Each louver includes a removable cloth shade (26) and an improved support assembly (28) for supporting the shade within the frame. Each shade includes front and rear slat-receiving channels (33,35). Each support assembly includes front and rear support slats (38,40) that are each removably received within one of the slat-receiving channels (33,35) and a pair of louver caps (42,44) that are attached within the frame. Each louver cap includes a pair of elongated mounting slots (58,60) formed therein that receive the ends of the support slats and that permit the distance between the support slats to be selectively adjusted for facilitating reattachment of the shades to the support assemblies after the shades have been cleaned.

Abstract: A blind assembly includes a plurality of elongated main louvers and a pair of end louvers. Each louver has a front leading edge with an internal annular socket attached proximate the leading edge. Each end louver includes a rear socket having a rear semi-cylindrical interior. A plurality of adjacent fabric strips form a curtain. Each fabric strip includes a pair of marginal edges, each edge having a semi-cylindrical bead attached thereto. Adjacent beads form a cylindrical member which is received within the annular front sockets. The semi-cylindrical bead attached to each end of the curtain is received within the semi-cylindrical interior of the rear socket of each end vane. A clip supported by the top surface of each socket extends within the channel and supports the fabric strips. A weight located in a channel of each louver distal the leading edge acts as a counter balance to the weight of the front sockets and curtain.

Abstract: Louvered blinds for use at windows and the like, having vertically or horizontally oriented louvers bearing decorative indicia, and which, when closed, are free of light gaps and free of overlap of the decorative indicia from louver-to-louver. Each louver comprises an elongated slat-like element with a main body portion and an extended lip portion along one longitudinal edge of the main body portion. The decorative indicia on each louver is substantially co-extensive with its main body portion. When the louvers are closed, the lip portion of each louver overlies the rear surface of the next adjacent louver to prevent light gaps while the decorative indicia of each louver is fully exposed to produce the overall decorative image of the closed blind, uninterrupted by overlaps louver-to-louver. In a preferred embodiment, the decorative indicia on each louver can be easily removed therefrom and replaced with other decorative indicia.

Abstract: A multiple section door system, such as an overhead residential garage door, wherein a variety of different door front configurations are formed with a limited number of panel designs by flipping or turning at least one panel relative to an adjacent panel. Each panel includes identical structured joint members along two longitudinal edges thereof which enable one panel to be "flipped" or turned such that the lower edge becomes the upper edge and vice versa, while an adjacent panel may remain in its original orientation. A third structured joint member is connected between the two adjacent joint members of adjacent panels. The third structured joint member is a male member, while the two structured joint members attached to each panel are female members. Adjacent female joint members of two panels form a universal pinch resistant joint with the male joint member.

Abstract: A roller shutter slat has hollow sectional slats (1) with a central part (1c), two edge parts (1a) and transverse grooves (1b) arranged therebetween for receiving bearing or adjusting links (3, 4). The edge parts (1a) and the central parts (1c) are spaced apart and interconnected by linking elements (5, 6, 40, 41) inserted into hollow chambers (26) of the hollow sectional slat (1). The cross-section of the linking elements (5, 6, 40, 41) is narrower than the cross-section of the hollow chambers (26) and the linking elements (5, 6, 40, 41) are linked to the hollow sectional slats (1) by tongue-and-groove joints (9, 10; 42, 43). Easy-to-produce grooves (1b) are thus created without weakening the roller shutter slat (1) in the area of the grooves (1b).

Abstract: An overhead door includes a plurality of adjacent panels hinged to one another. Each panel includes a first and second side as well as a first and second edge. The first and second edges of adjacent panels are complementary with one another. The first edge includes a convex portion projecting from the panel and an abutting portion substantially continuous with an apex of the convex portion. The second edge includes a concave portion complementary with the convex portion and an abutting portion substantially continuous with the concave portion and which opposes the abutting portion of the first edge to form a butt joint. A gap is formed between the concave and convex portions of adjacent hinge panels. The gap has a width or thickness between the concave and convex portion which is constant. Also, the width or thickness remains constant as adjacent panels are articulated or rotated with respect to one another about the hinge.

Abstract: A Venetian blind includes an elongated top housing, a horizontally disposed shaft journaled in the top housing, a plurality of horizontal slats suspended one above another, a pair of pull ropes wound around the shaft, a bottom rail disposed below the slats, two pairs of tilting cords, and a plurality of suspending strings. Each of the slats has two opposite longitudinal sides and is formed with two through holes. Each of the pull ropes passes through the housing and through a respective one of the through holes of the slats and is mounted to the bottom rail. Each of the pairs of tilting cords is disposed on a respective one of the opposite longitudinal sides of the slats and has an upper end mounted to the shaft and a lower end mounted to the bottom rail. The suspending strings are disposed below each of the slats and connect one of the pairs of tilting cords to the other one of the pairs of tilting cords. Each of the slats includes a slat body with a substantially S-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A decorative system for use with louvered covering devices, such as Venetian blinds or mini-blinds, is designed to decorate individual movable slats associated with the louvered coverings. Several different embodiments of decorative coverings are disclosed, to include decals, engravings, removable decorative panels positionable within hollow transparent slats, and removable decorations which overlay the existing slats.

Abstract: A blind assembly (10, 110) is disclosed including a plurality of elongated louvers (11, 111) and a curtain (30, 130). Each louver (11,111) has an edge (14,114) with an integral annular socket (20,120). The socket (20,120) receives a longitudinal cylindrical member (40,140) comprised of a pair of abutting semi-cylindrical beads (41,141). Each bead (41,141) is formed upon the marginal edges of a substrate (31,131), a plurality thereof forming the curtain (30,130).

Abstract: A vertically adjustable window treatment comprising a control mechanism and a window covering portion that contains art glass that provides the appearance of stained glass. Manipulation of the control mechanism positions the window covering portion and defines an amount of a window adjacent to the window treatment that is covered by the window covering portion. Specifically, the vertically adjustable window treatments illustratively include: a horizontal blind mechanism, a roller shade, a roman shade, and a shutter with rotatable vanes. Such vertically adjustable window treatments provide a stable environment into which art glass can be incorporated without breakage and without interfering with the normal operation of the window treatment. As such, these window treatments combine the beauty of art glass with the flexibility of vertical adjustability.

Abstract: A venetian blind with individually adjustable slats. Each slat has a multilayer decorative slat extensions mounted in a slat extension holder. The individual slat extensions are mounted directly above one another in the unextended position. Each slat can be individually adjusted in length by sliding the slat extensions in opposite directions. The slats in the blind can be extended to allow the blind to be used on windows of varying width. Each slat can be individually adjusted to allow the blind to be used interchangeably on rectangular windows or on odd shaped windows such as arched windows. The cords used to control slat position and the cords used to raise and lower the slats are mounted on the edge of the slats which do not have holes.

Abstract: A shield apparatus and method for guarding the gap between door sections of a sectional door to inhibit the insertion of fingers into the gap as the sectional door traverses between the elevated open position to the lowered, closed position. The shield apparatus is configured as an outer shield and an inner shield, both of which are fabricated from a resilient sheet material. The outer shield is formed into an L-shaped cross section along its length with the foot portion of the L shape being mounted to the upper edge of the lower door section so that the leg portion of the L shape extends upwardly across the gap between the lower door section and the upper door section. A water diversion channel is formed into the foot to divert water to the ends of the sectional door to preclude the water from dripping from the sectional door as it is raised to the open, overhead position. A pair of double-face tapes are used to secure the shield apparatus to the top edge of the lower door section.

Abstract: A laminated louver (10) is disclosed comprised of a cover (31), adhesive (32) and main body (12). The louver (11) is first extruded (112) with flanges (16) and passed through pressure rollers (117) along with the covering material (31) wherein the flanges (16) capture the covering material (31).

Abstract: The invention provides vertical blinds that can be manufactured with fabric suitable for making clothing or drapery. The fabric is attached to a backing member through either by sewing the backing member in place or a heat process. If heating is used, the heat must not be excessive so that the fused fabrics are scorched. Once the backing member is attached to the fabric, the vertical blind is cut to the desired width and length. A weight is sewn or otherwise attached to a bottom portion of the vertical blind and a plastic insert is sewn or otherwise attached to a top portion of the vertical blind. The plastic insert is used to attach the vertical blind to a vertical blind support. Finally, a glue like substance, which prevents fraying of the fabric, is applied to the longitudinal edge portions of the vertical blind to ensure that fraying will not occur.

Abstract: A panel cover system for covering panels such as those comprising overhead doors. The cover system includes a plurality of covers with longitudinal and side margins for generally being aligned with the door panel longitudinal and side edges. The cover includes a field portion in a first, inner plane and a raised decorative portion in a second, outer plane spaced therefrom. The raised, decorative portion of the cover is bounded by the field portion. The covers are attached to the panels by edge strips extending along the panel longitudinal edges and receiving the cover longitudinal margins. The edge strips have J-shaped cross-sectional configurations.

Abstract: A water diversion channel for the joint between door sections of a sectional door. The water diversion channel is formed in the leading face of the tongue portion of the tongue and groove of the joint. The leading face of the tongue is formed with a slight undercut so as to provide the water diversion channel with a triangular cross section.

Abstract: A panel member for use in an overhead door assembly has an outer frame defining a panel slot, with a swingable panel seated in the slot; the swingable panel is hingedly mounted to the outer frame by a hinge, retainers on the outer frame hold the swingable panel in the panel slot, however, under impact the panel is released from the retainers, whereafter it is free to pivot or swing about the hinge; after removal of the impact the swingable panel is snapped back into the retainers; the swingable panel thus accommodates impact forces which would otherwise dislodge the door from the track assembly.

Abstract: An elongate venetian blind slat having a longitudinally extending transversely convex upper surface and an opposed longitudinally extending transversely concave lower surface and opposed longitudinally extending edge surfaces. The slat comprises a rigid thermoplastic resin having a cellular core and an integral solid skin along the longitudinally surfaces of the slats and a density of 0.4 to 0.6 g/cc. The upper and lower surfaces of the slat have a radius of curvature less than the width of the slat and, preferably, the upper and lower surfaces have substantially the same radius of curvature.

Abstract: A louver assembly is disclosed. The louver assembly includes a louver, a pair of generally L-shaped side flanges formed on the louver, a cover overlaying the louver, and a cap secured to the cover and the louver. The side flanges are formed on either side of the louver and extend inwardly toward one another over a front face of the louver. Opposing sides of the cover are received within the side flanges, thus forming a cavity between the cover and the louver. The cap surrounds both the cover and the louver, enclosing the cavity.

Abstract: A number of parallel slats (3) of a blind (1) comprise transparent base boards (3a), and graphic pattern forming regions (16) are provided on the respective slats (3) by a paint or the like. When the slats (3) are simultaneously tilted at a predetermined angle, the graphic pattern forming regions (16) on the respective slats (3) are combined with each other to block the light coming from behind the blind (1) or reflect the light coming from behind from the side of the observer, thereby producing a significant graphic pattern (18) such as a portrait on a blind surface (17). The significant graphic pattern (18) can be recognized when the observer views the blind surface (17) or the shadow projected onto a wall or floor. The significant graphic pattern (18) creates an excellent interior atmosphere.

Abstract: A sectional door, which may be an overhead door such as a residential garage door, including hingedly connected door panels each being formed from a plurality of subpanels. The subpanels forming each door panel are disposed end-to-end to form the entire length of the door panel. Rigid connection between adjacent subpanels of the same door panel is made by at least one and preferably two connecting bars extending within channels of adjacent subpanels in a lengthwise direction. The connecting bars are each formed of a length substantially less than the overall length of the door panel but slightly longer than the length of an individual subpanel. All components of the door may be stored and transported in relatively small packages or cartons, yet may be assembled into a structurally rigid, wind resistant sectional door.

Abstract: A shutter is formed of a number of horizontally elongated slats which are pivotally connected together along their adjacent elongated edges so that shutter may be rolled up to expose, or rolled down, to form a panel covering an opening in a building wall. The slats are formed of roughly rectangular in cross-section hollow extrusions having upper and lower edges. Notches are formed in the upper and lower edges to provide upperwardly and downwardly extending tongues on each of the slats. The tongues fit into the notches of the next adjacent slat for overlapping the adjacent tongues. An upwardly extending flange having a hook formation on its end, is formed on the upper edge of each slat and fits into the notch of the lower edge of the next upper slat and pivotally engages a corresponding hook formed on the upper slat. A rigid, elongated insert, formed of a substantially stronger material than the slat material, is snugly fitted within the hollow interior of the slat.

Abstract: A shutter includes a plurality of juxtaposed slat units. Each of the slat units includes at least two separate elongated parts which are disposed in alignment and which are connected to each other by male-female connection unit. At least one of the two parts is being transparent. A pin-and-eye assembly engages juxtaposed two of the slat units such that the transparent part of one of the slat units is aligned with the transparent part of an adjacent slat unit.

Abstract: A new and improved repair patch for vertical blind slats for repairing broken or torn vertical blind slat mounting holes, the repair patch for vertical blind slats comprising a generally rectangular extruded member having a connector thereon for fixedly connecting the extruded member to the end of a vertical blind slat, the extruded member also having one or more apertures therethrough wherethrough an attachment hook of a vertical blind set may be connected whereby the vertical blind slat may be reattached to the blind set thereby restoring its original functionality.

Abstract: A barrier to restrict the distribution of water during a showering procedure comprising moveable ogee, S-shaped, panels along a tract housing to be mounted above the opening to the showering area. A mechanism within the tract housing allows for distributing the panels across the opening, followed by rotation of the panels along their vertical axis line perpendicular to the horizontal, to form the barrier. During the retracted open position, the panels are not in contact one with the next. Similarly in the extended open position prior to rotation, the panels are not in contract one with the next. Adequate ventilation is provided to significantly reduce the growth of molds or funguses associated with showering areas.

Abstract: A door panel section and a method of making a door panel section having a polyvinylchloride front skin, a non-metallic rear skin and a polyurethane rigid core. The polyurethane rigid core unitizes the two skins to make the panel section with a rigid lightweight structure. The polyurethane mechanically and chemically bonds to the skins made of polyvinylchloride to create a strong connection thereto. Hardware mounting members are attached to the rear skin permitting adjacent panel sections to be pivotally connected to each other.

Abstract: An overhead garage door panel has a thin outer metal skin. Along the upper and lower edges of the outer metal skin are top and bottom flanges. The top flange has a rib formed therein which is adapted to mate with a groove formed in the bottom flange of an adjacent corresponding panel. A foam insertion core fills the pan and flanges of the outer skin thereby providing the requisite strength and rigidity in combination with the flanges. The foam core is formed in-situ and a back skin extending between the flanges retains the foam within the panel during the foaming process. Adjacent panels are hinged together and a reinforcing member is glued within each flange to provide a secure mounting attachment for the hinges.

Abstract: A blind includes a plurality of horizontal angle-shaped slats supported by ladder-shaped supporting cords, which extend vertically from a bottom of a head box of the blind, and lifting cords, which extend from the head box through cord passing slots in the slats to a bottom rail of the blind, for raising and lowering the slats. Each of the slats has a first, porous and semi-light-transmitting part extending from an apex portion of the slat to one side edge of the slat and a second, non-porous and non-light-transmitting part extending from the apex portion of the slat to the another side edge of the slat. The cord passing slots are formed either in first parts of the plurality of slats or in the second parts of the plurality of slats, and extend from apex portions of respective slats to one edges of the slats or to another edges of the slats, respectively.

Abstract: A roll-up door having a plurality of elongated adjoining metal slats hinged together to permit the slats to be arcuately pivoted when being rolled up, an elongated plastic insulation member being coextensively inserted along each slat, and a metal inner rear wall being coextensively inserted along each insulation member so that each insulation member is sandwiched therebetween. Each assembled insulation member and inner rear wall is provided with a coupling arrangement for engaging the hinges of the connected slats, and a snap-in arrangement for securing the inner rear wall to the insulation member. Each inner rear wall also has a first hook portion disposed around an associated second hook portion on the insulation member, the first hook portion having a flange which snaps onto a longitudinal free edge of the second hook portion for securement therebetween. Longitudinal recesses are provided on each inner rear wall for engagement in associated longitudinal recesses provided in each insulation member.

Abstract: A Venetian blind comprises a top rail, a tilting device, two or more ladders, a bottom rail, a predetermined number of drawing cords, a drawing cord pulley retainer, and a predetermined number of slats. Each of the slats is provided with a through hole corresponding in location to a drawing cord, and with a ladder hole corresponding in location to each of ladders, and further with a slit extending in a predetermined direction from the ladder hole. The ladder has two suspension cords, one of which is received in the ladder hole through the slit. Each of the slats is provided with an extension section with an outer side edge and an inner side edge. The outer side edge of the extension section of one slat is capable of forming a lap joint with the inner side edge of the extension section of another slat at the time when the slats are set to keep out the light. The lap joint serves to obstruct the through holes and to conceal the ladders and the drawing cords.

Abstract: A vertical blind louver is provided in which there are multiple channels for receiving and holding decorative inserts. The ability of the louver to receive and hold a wide variety of inserts in combination allows for the creation of new decorative effects.

Abstract: A Venetian blind having forwardly cantilevered and rearwardly counter-weighted slats, and at least a partially recessed vertical system connected to the slats for raising and lowering the slats independently of their tilted position and for spacing, supporting and tilting the cantilevered slats from an essentially horizontal open viewing position to a forwardly tilted fully sealed position (e.g., full or none), and wherein the vertical system is hidden from view when the slats are in their sealed position, to thereby provide a clean blind appearance. The Venetian blind raises and lowers the blind independently of the position of its tiltable slats and hides the vertical members and cords of the recessed vertical system and their respective slat openings in the slats from view from at least one side, preferably from the room interior, when the slats are in their fully sealed position.

Abstract: A heat insulating shutter device includes a coiled shutter housing provided on an upper edge portion of a building vertical wall which defines an opening formed in the wall and having a sliding window. The housing has an outlet in its lower end and a drive horizontal roller in its interior for winding and unwinding a shutter. The shutter comprises a multiplicity of slats interconnected so as to be wound up to a coiled form and is connected to the roller by striplike attaching members. Opposite side edge portions of the wall defining the opening each have a hollow side frame, and a lower edge portion of the wall forming the opening is provided with a hollow lower frame. Grooved shutter guides, which are opposed to each other and each attached to an inner wall of the side frame, have movably fitted therein respective opposite side edge portions of the shutter. The slats of the shutter, the side frames and the lower frame each have a hollow portion filled with urethane foam serving as a heat insulating material.

Abstract: An elongate substantially rectangular louver or assembly of louvers each comprising an elongate conformable web sleeve or web envelope which substantially or completely surrounds and conforms generally to the periphery of a slat inserted therein and which said louver has a depending means for removable attachment to a louver assembly support means and said slat is removably attached to said web sleeve or web envelope.

Abstract: A roll-up, horizontally elongated, slat-type blind is formed of elongated slats which are hingedly connected together along their longitudinal edges. The slats are formed with upper flanges that are bent into downwardly opening flange hooks which extend into channels formed on the lower edges of the next adjacent slats. Each channel has an upwardly opening hook formed on one wall of the channel, and an opposite wall portion adjacent the hook. The flange hooks are notched at their opposite ends and the portions of the channel wall which overlap the notches are bent into tabs which extend inwardly to close the channel and to engage the opposite ends of the notches of the hook portions. Thus, the flange hooks are precluded from shifting endwise by the tabs to, thereby, maintain the slats in alignment at all times.

Abstract: A slatted curtain for roller blinds has slats (1, 2, 3) which are made of compressed or cast wood and into which a carrier element (4, 5, 6) is pressed or cast. The carrier elements (4, 5, 6) have hook-shaped joint portions (7, 8) for interconnecting the slats (1, 2, 3).

Abstract: A two-section slat for use in a roll-type shutter is formed of a channel-shaped extrusion section having a hook formation at its upper end and a receiving channel for the next slat hook along its lower edge. The channel is overlapped by a cover section which is engaged and interlocked with the channel section at the upper edge, lower edge and in the central portion of the cover section. The two sections are formed with interlocking means which hold the two sections together under resilient pressure to form a hollow, substantially rigid, flat bar. The cover section may have a preselected color or texture which differs from the color and texture of the channel section. Thus, the slat, having two different colors or textures can match the decor of a interior room of a dwelling while also matching the appearances of numerous shutters exposed to view on the exterior of the building.

Abstract: A vertical blind structure includes a plurality of slats, each slat including an elongated, substantially rectangular, center panel having opposite longitudinal edges, a small thickness and a center longitudinal axis, each center panel being formed of a fabric structure including a plurality of weft yarns extending in the widthwise direction of the slat and a plurality of warp yarns which secure the weft yarns together and which extend in the lengthwise direction of the slat, first and second fringes formed at opposite longitudinal edges of each center panel, each fringe including a plurality of loose fibers which are formed as extensions of the weft yarns and which extend outwardly in the widthwise direction, past the outermost runs of the warp yarns, and which fan out from the longitudinal edges of the center panel such that the fringes have an outer longitudinal edge with a thickness greater than the thickness of the center panel, and a stiffening coating applied to only one side of each center panel; and

Abstract: An assembly for forming or embossing a decorative pattern on at least one exposed surface of an elongated slat particularly of the type used in a vertical blind assembly. A pair of driven rollers are designed, disposed, dimensioned and configured to engage opposite sides of a slat immediately subsequent to its formation by a plastic extruder. The exterior surface of one of the rollers has the decorative patterns formed thereon and when forced into confronting engagement with an exposed surface of the slat, the decorative pattern is transferred by an embossing technique. The temperature of the rollers are regulated to facilitate transfer of the decorative pattern, continuous movement of the slat through the rollers and formation of the transverse or cross-sectional configuration of the slat concurrently to placing the decorative pattern thereon.

Abstract: A fabric window blind is made of a fabric constructed of yarns. The fabric window blind is characterized by dimensional stability in first, second and third dimensions wherein the window blind is resistant to cupping and twisting. The window blind fabric is formed of a high temperature fiber component constituted within yarns of the fabric and a thermoplastic low melt fiber component constituted within yarns of the fabric. The high temperature fibers and the low melt fibers of the fabric are bonded to each other by heating the fabric to a point above the melting point of the low melt fiber and below the temperature-induced degradation point of the high melt fiber. The melting point of the low melt fiber is at least 110 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: A window blind covering arrangement including a set of window blind slat cover members that detachably fit over existing window blind slats for purposes of changing the associated existing decor. Each blind cover member including attachment features that facilitate a fast way of slip-over attachment to the structure associated with the existing window blind slats. Each blind slat cover member is provided with a code member that is associated with a panoramic scene portion of a larger composite panoramic scene which is depicted by the full set of slat cover members. The coded blind slat cover members facilitate selecting and installing a proper sequence of blind slat cover members to produce the composite panoramic scene of a preselected subject, such as a sports scene, a mountain scene, a seaside view, a city lights scene, or of an other subject. The displaying of the composite panoramic scene being controlled by selectively operating the window blind drawing mechanism.

Abstract: A slat for a shutter is in the form of a hollow, flat tube. The slat is connected to a tubular adjusting rod by a swivel connector which comprises a pair of hook elements and a serrated body portion from which each of the hook elements is supported. The slats and the adjusting rod are each provided with openings into which the body portion of the swivel connector is inserted. Splines locating within the slat and the adjusting rod engage the serrations and lock the swivel connector in position. The shutters may also incorporate an anti-sag support for retention when in their closed position.

Abstract: The improved folding door and door frame assembly includes a door frame having a horizontal top channel member adapted to receive a number of depending door slides, and a vertical side frame member below the channel member. The assembly also includes a folding door formed of an array of interconnected, parallel, vertically extending polyvinyl chloride slats arranged in side by side relation. The slats have small staple fibers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the body thereof to give the slats a translucent sandy appearance and feel. Each slat in the arry preferably is corrugated to provide a number of integral parallel segments. Each slat has an integral side folding hinge extending along the length of one side thereof and a hinge-receiving slot or groove along the length of the opposite side of the slat. The slats are interconnected through the side hinges and grooves.

Abstract: There is described a rectangular shaped security cabinet having a door opening which is closed by a tambour door. The door is made from a plurality of interlocking slats capable of limited flexure relative to one another, the slats having interlocking hooked tongues on the upper faces which lockingly engage with slots on the lower faces. A protection barrier extends from the top face behind the hooked tongue and inhibits access to the joint formed by the hooked tongue and the receiving slots. Additionally the door is provided with a lock operated by a combination lock which lock includes a sliding bar at the back of the door which engages with upstanding projections on the door bottom sill. A cam like latch, biased to the open position is operable by the combination lock to engage in a catch on the sliding bar to lock the bar and thus the door, in the locked position.

Abstract: A roll-up or curtain type door or panel wall for use in large doorways, the door having an improved support apparatus, an improved spring mounting mechanism, and a unique bearing block which also functions to support the door as it is rolled up. The roll-up door has a substantially stronger hollow hexagonal barrel assembly which is less susceptible to flexural stress, and a spring mounting arrangement which allows the springs to shrink or grow longitudinally as the door is rolled up or down. The barrel assembly is mounted on pivoting support means allowing the barrel assembly to move away from and toward the guide tracks as the door is rolled up and down, whereby the variation in diameter of the barrel assembly does not affect the performance of the door.

Abstract: A method of making blind fabric utilizing natural or synthetic fibers or fabric as base materials to form an inexpensive fabric used in conjunction with conventional venetian and vertical blinds. The method comprises dipping, compressing, tentering, slitting into desired widths, heating, forming and slitting into desired lengths. Whereas the base material is dipped in a mixed solution of (1) thermoplastic resins, (2) thermosetting resins and (3) polyvinyl formal resin, thereafter, compressing said fabric through roller or the like, then tentering it by a tentering machine, slitting it into different widths, heating it at desired temperature to make the fabric soft in order to obtain a non-brittle, relatively flexible fabric. Finally the fabric will be formed into a curved shape and slit into desired lengths to fit the window size. In addition, the fabric can be treated with ultraviolet stabilizer, fire retardant and dust repellent to achieve desired properties.