Newell Window Furnishings, Inc.

Newell Operating Company

Hunter Douglas,inc.

Roger C Palmer

Zazu Ciuca

Bryan K Ruggles

Otto Kuhar

Patrick Woods

Al Hyde

Mike Ridley

David A Schwartz

Jace N Green

Brian Ruggles

Richard Coulcher

Warren Stephenson

Zazu Cicua

Randy Ferrie

An adjustable cord restraining device for a blind assembly having a head rail, a bottom rail and at least one pull cord extending through a cord passage of the head rail and coupled to the bottom rail includes an annular member sufficiently sized to prevent entry of the annular member into the cord passage of the head rail and further travel of the pull cord through the head rail. A method of preventing the further extension of a pull cord includes obtaining an annular member sized larger than a pull cord passageway of a head rail pinching a mid-section of the pull cord and inserting the pinched portion of the mid-section through the annular member, forming a loop with the pull cord, inserting a free end of the pull cord through the loop to form an adjustable knot.

Method and apparatus for fixing the length of a pull cord

Disclosed is a spring motor and control for use especially with window blinds. The motor comprises a storage drum having a first axis, an output drum mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. A spring member is connected to and between the storage drum and the output drum to form a spring motor. The spring motor has laterally extending, spaced apart drum supports on opposite sides of the drums to support them for rotation. A coupled drive is connected to the storage and output drum whereby rotation of one of the drums in a first direction about its axis effects rotation of the other of the drums about its axis and in an opposite direction to cause winding and unwinding of the spring member between the drums. A drive actuator is connected to the coupled drive to effect rotation of the drums, and an adjustable friction member is engageable with one of the coupled drive and the drive actuator to adjustably alter the force necessary to effect movement of the coupled drive.

Cordless balanced window covering

A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

One way brake for a cordless blind

A light-control window covering includes a first sheet of sheer material and a second sheet of sheer material spaced apart from the first sheer sheet of material. A plurality of vanes having a first face and a second face, a center region and a first and a second longitudinal margin. The vanes include perforations proximate the first and second longitudinal margins. A plurality of thermoplastic ribbons are welded to the first and second sheets of sheer material and the vanes to provide a stronger weld between the sheer materials and the vanes.

Light-control window covering and method and apparatus for its manufacture

A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, and a window covering material located between the head rail and the bottom rail. The bottom rail being connected to the head rail by two lift cords and configured to move in a first direction and a second direction. The blind also includes a variable friction device having a bearing surface configured to provide a first friction force that opposes movement of the two lift cords when the bottom rail is moved in the first direction, and a second friction force that opposes movement of the two lift cords wherein the bottom rail is moved in the second direction. The first friction force is different than the second friction force.

Variable friction device for a cordless blind

Brake for a cordless blind

A roman shade and method of manufacturing a roman shade are disclosed. The shade may include a first sheet having a plurality of lateral folds therein, a plurality of laterally drooping compartments as well as a second or back sheet which is planar in shape and completely separated from the first sheet. The first sheet may be connected to a cord for raising and lowering the shade through various mechanisms which may include a plurality of rings mounted about both the cords, and a ribbon connected to each of the folds of the first sheet.

Roman shade with separated backing sheet

A window covering system comprises a plurality of slats located between a head rail and a bottom rail. The bottom rail is connected to the head rail by a pair of lifting cords extending through the slats. A first spring motor and storage device is located in one of the head rail and the bottom rail. The first spring motor and storage device includes at least one extension spring having a first end that is fixedly secured in the head rail or bottom rail and a second end that is free to move within the head rail or bottom rail. At least one of the lifting cords is looped around the free end of at least one of the extension springs so that movement of the bottom rail in a vertical direction causes a corresponding movement in the second end of the extension spring in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the head rail or bottom rail. A method for balancing a window covering system using a pair of extension springs is also disclosed.

Cordless blind

A window blind comprising a head rail, a bottom rail and a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail. At least one lift cord extends between the bottom rail and the head rail. A spring motor operatively coupled to the lift cord applies an upward force on the bottom rail toward the head rail. A one way brake prohibits the bottom rail from moving toward the head rail but permits the bottom rail to be moved away from the head rail by an operator.

Cordless blind brake

A rigid hollow vane for door or window coverings includes a vane shell and an optional fabric covering. The shell is thermally formed and results in a polymer matrix at least partially enveloping fibers. In its most preferred form, the polymer matrix results from heating a batt of two types of fibers, the one type having a lower melting point than the remaining fibers, so that a rigid polymer matrix can be formed about other fibers in the batt.

Hollow, rigid vanes for door and window coverings

A cordless blind having a mechanism for introducing a variable amount of friction into the operation of the cordless blind is disclosed. The cordless blind includes a spring motor operatively connected to a cord connected to the window covering of the blind. Pulling and releasing the cord expands and retracts the blind. In order to introduce additional resistance to movement into the system when retracting the blind and not when expanding the blind, variable friction mechanisms or retarders, including one-way bearings, and one-way braking arms, are used for introducing friction into the system only when desired.

Cordless blind having variable resistance to movement

A covering for window or doors includes a plurality of vanes mounted horizontally or vertically, the vanes being light in weight and longitudinally rigid. The vanes may be foam filled or may include a vane shell made from a polymer matrix, and in either case may optionally include a decorative fabric covering. In the hollow vane embodiment, the vane shell preferably includes a polymer matrix at least partially enveloping fibers, and in the most preferred embodiment is prepared from a fibrous batt including two different thermoplastic resin fibers, one having a lower melting point than the other. The vane shell is formed by thermally treating the batt to at least partially melt the lower melt fibers to at least partially envelope the higher melt fibers. Alternative embodiments of the invention described herein include the horizontal or vertical mounting of the foam core or hollow vanes, the attachment of sheer fabrics thereto, the use of ribbon or cord tilt control systems for the vanes, and other features which create door or window coverings providing light control, insulation, stacking to the side or top, and the capability for cordless operation when the vanes are used in a horizontal orientation.

Growing community of inventors

Greensboro, NC, United States of America

Roger C Palmer