Abstract:
Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape. The spacer-tape is substantially rigid in the traverse direction and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the traverse direction. The window cover system is opened and closed by rolling and unrolling the panel and the spacer-tape around a roller located at one end of a window frame. Other arrangements include combined, tape-supported vertical slat blinds and vertical pleated drapes in which the tape(s) are supported by sprockets or wheels/pulleys.
Abstract:
A vertical window covering system which utilizes an area of prepleated drapery fabric having permanently set pleats of a nature such that the fabric behaves like a tension spring tending to bias pleats toward the folded state or a vertical blind with taped or string ladders. The drape is hung from a traverse track adapted to be mounted in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of track mounting arrangements are provided for mounting a plurality of spaced pleats of the fabric intermediate left and right edge pleats thereof for bidirectional traverse relative to the traverse track. First and second drape edge carrier components are mounted to the traverse track with at least one of the carrier arrangements adapted for bidirectional traverse on the track. Drape edge stabilizer arrangements are mounted on each of the carrier arrangements for holding the edge pleats in a substantially true vertical orientation when the drapery fabric is traversed to an open pleat condition, i.e. the drape is closed over whatever structure it is covering. The intermediate pleats are stabilized in true vertical position by thin metal or plastic slats mounted to the intermediate pleats and carried on the pleat hanging arrangement mounting the drape to the traverse track. Preferably a traverse alignment arrangement using tensioned guide cords extending through apertures in each pleat gives pleat alignment during drape traverse.
Abstract:
A metal slat for use in a venetian-type blind including an embossed rib formed at each narrowed slat material region adjacent the cord receiving slots. The slat also includes a decorative weave pattern comprising a plurality of separated longitudinal rows of embossed ribs formed on the slat in a continuous in-and-out pattern.Also disclosed is apparatus for forming the embossment weave pattern concurrent with forming the crown configuration of the slat. The apparatus includes a first rotary die arrangement for prestretching of at least one localized region of a continuous flat metal strip passing therethrough, a second rotary die arrangement for simultaneously forming the strip into a crown configuration and forming the embossment pattern therein, and a third die arrangement for compensating out of the strip any bow, side curve or twist.
Abstract:
A reversible pull cord mechanism adapted for rotating a shaft in one direction when the pull cord is pulled in a first direction and rotating the shaft in the opposite direction when the pull cord is pulled in a second direction.
Abstract:
An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.
Abstract:
A spring drive system for window covers is disclosed, which includes a so-called flat spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from a group which includes (1) a band transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) a gear system selected from various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the spring drive force at the cover to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.
Abstract:
A metal awning assembly which includes a main awning body section comprising a plurality of individual metal panel sections each having a prearranged curvature and being joined in side-to-side relation. Each of the individual panel sections comprises a sheet of thin gage metal formed with a plurality of individual longitudinal rib sections mutually spaced from each other. Each of the rib sections and intervening panel regions have light transverse corrugations formed therein. Each of the panel sections include male and female rib sections formed on opposite edges of the panel with each of the male and female rib sections on adjacent panel sections being snapped together to hold the panel sections together. Alternately a longitudinal cap holds the male/female rib joint together. Panel forming and shaping apparatus is disclosed as well as overall framing and mounting hardware arrangements and assembly and forming methods and techniques.
Abstract:
A reversible control rod mechanism adapted for selectively and repeatedly rotating a shaft bidirectionally and thereby moving an attached load bidirectionally.
Abstract:
An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.
Abstract:
A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.