Blind trimming apparatus and method of trimming blinds

• US 20050072283A1
• Filed: 12/01/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Springs Window Fashions LLC (Springs Window Fashions)
• Original Assignee: Springs Window Fashions LLC (Springs Window Fashions)
• Inventors: Schimmels, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/454
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 23/00 Machines or devices for shearing or cutting profiled stock hand-held devices B23D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 35/008 Means for changing the cutting members mounting per se B23D35/002
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/266 Devices or accessories for making or mounting lamellar blinds or parts thereof cleaning of lamellar blinds A47L4/00; joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds B29C66/437
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/39 Venetian blind assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/75 With or to tool guide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8821 With simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8834 Successively acting

Abstract

The present invention generally provides a blind trimming apparatus including a frame supporting a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a cutting edge, a blade holder supported on the frame for movement with respect to the cutting tool along a cutting path, and a blade insert including a cutting edge and being connectable to the blade holder for movement with the blade holder with respect to the cutting tool to trim blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the blade insert. One of the blade holder and the blade insert defines a locating recess and the other of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a locating protrusion, which is engageable in the locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

Claims

1. A blind trimming apparatus comprising:

a frame supporting a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a cutting edge;

a blade holder supported on the frame for movement with respect to the cutting tool along a cutting path;

a blade insert including a cutting edge and being connectable to the blade holder for movement with the blade holder with respect to the cutting tool to trim blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the blade insert;

one of the blade holder and the blade insert defining a locating recess; and

an other of the blade holder and the blade insert having a locating protrusion, the locating protrusion being engageable in the locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along a plane, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the cutting path and extending through the cutting tool.

2. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a fastener for securing the blade insert to the blade holder.

3. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade insert includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including the cutting edge, and wherein, when the blade insert is connected to the blade holder, at least a portion of the rearward end of the blade insert and the blade holder define a space therebetween.

4. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 3, and further comprising a threaded fastener removeably connecting the blade insert and the blade holder and extending across the space, and wherein, when the blade insert is secured to the blade holder, the space limits the degree of interference between the blade insert and the blade holder.

5. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a ramp, the ramp at least partially defining the locating recess and being angled with respect to the cutting path between about 1 degree and about 25 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

6. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ramp is angled with respect to the cutting path between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees with respect to the cutting path

7. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the locating protrusion is angled between about 1 degree and about 25 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

8. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 7, wherein the portion of the locating protrusion is angled between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

9. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one of the blade holder and the blade insert defines a second locating recess and the other of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a second locating protrusion, the second locating protrusion being engageable in the second locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

10. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is between about 0.000 inches and about 0.001 inches.

11. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating recess has a complementary shape to the locating protrusion.

12. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a second locating protrusion and the other of the blade holder and the blade insert defines a second locating recess, the second locating protrusion being engageable in the second locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

13. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade holder includes an attachment portion, wherein the blade insert is connectable to the attachment portion of the blade holder, and wherein, the blade holder is positioned with respect to the frame so that, during cutting, at least a portion of the attachment portion is spaced a second predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

14. A blind trimming apparatus comprising:

a frame supporting a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a cutting edge;

a blade holder supported on the frame for movement with respect to the cutting tool along a cutting path;

a blade insert including a cutting edge and being connectable to the blade holder for movement with the blade holder with respect to the cutting tool to trim blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the blade insert;

one of the blade holder and the blade insert including a locating protrusion, at least a portion of the locating protrusion being angled with respect to the cutting path; and

an other of the blade holder and the blade insert defining a locating recess, the locating protrusion being engageable in the locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

15. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locating protrusion is engageable in the locating recess to orient the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along a plane extending through the cutting tool and being substantially perpendicular to the cutting path.

16. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the predetermined distance is between about 0.000 inches and about 0.001 inches.

17. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a fastener for securing the blade insert in the blade holder.

18. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blade insert includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including the cutting edge, and wherein, when the blade insert is connected to the blade holder, at least a portion of the rearward end of the blade insert and the blade holder define a space therebetween.

19. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 18, and further comprising a threaded fastener removeably connecting the rearward end of the blade insert and the blade holder and extending across the space, and wherein, when the blade insert is secured to the blade holder, the space limits the degree of interference between the blade insert and the blade holder.

20. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the other of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a ramp, wherein the ramp at least partially defines the locating recess, and wherein at least a portion of the ramp is angled between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

21. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 20, wherein the ramp is angled with respect to the cutting path between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

22. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the locating protrusion is angled between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

23. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the locating protrusion is angled between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees with respect to the cutting path.

24. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one of the blade holder and the blade insert defines a second locating recess and the other of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a second locating protrusion, the second locating protrusion being engageable in the second locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

25. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locating recess has a complementary shape to the locating protrusion.

26. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one of the blade holder and the blade insert defines a second locating recess and the other of the blade holder and the blade insert includes a second locating protrusion, the second locating protrusion being engageable in the second locating recess to align the blade insert with respect to the blade holder.

27. The blind trimming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blade holder includes an attachment portion, wherein the blade insert is connectable to the attachment portion of the blade holder, and wherein, the blade holder is positioned with respect to the frame so that, during cutting, at least a portion of the attachment portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along a plane, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the cutting path and extending through the cutting tool.

28. A method of operating a blind trimming apparatus, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a frame supporting a cutting tool, the cutting tool having a cutting edge;

connecting a blade holder to the frame for movement with respect to the frame along a cutting path;

providing a blade insert having a cutting edge, one of the blade insert and the blade holder having a locating protrusion, an other of the blade insert and the blade holder defining a locating recess;

connecting the blade insert to the blade holder; and

moving the blade holder and the blade insert with respect to the cutting tool along the cutting path to shear blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the blade insert;

wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of engaging the locating protrusion in the locating recess to orient the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along a plane extending through the cutting tool, the plane being generally perpendicular to the cutting path.

29. The method of claim 28, and further comprising the act of securing the blade insert to the blade holder with a fastener.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the blade insert includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including the cutting edge, and wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of moving the blade insert with respect to the blade holder to provide a space between the rearward end of the blade insert and the blade holder.

31. The method of claim 30, and further comprising the act of securing the blade insert to the blade holder with a threaded fastener, and wherein, when the blade insert is secured to the blade holder, the space limits the degree of interference between the blade insert and the blade holder.

32. The method of claim 28, and further comprising the acts of:

providing a second blade insert having a cutting edge, one of the second blade insert and the blade holder having a second locating protrusion, an other of the second blade insert and the blade holder defining a second locating recess;

disconnecting the first blade insert from the blade holder;

connecting the second blade insert to the blade holder; and

moving the blade holder and the second blade insert with respect to the cutting tool along the cutting path to shear blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the second blade insert;

wherein the act of connecting the second blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of engaging the second locating protrusion of the one of the second blade insert and the blade holder in the locating recess of the other of the second blade insert and the blade holder to orient the second blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the second blade insert is spaced the predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the one of the blade insert and the blade holder includes a second locating protrusion, wherein the other of the blade insert and the blade holder defines a second locating recess, and wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of engaging the second locating protrusion in the second locating recess to orient the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced the predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the other of the blade insert and the cutting edge includes a ramp, the ramp at least partially defining the locating recess and being angled with respect to the cutting path;

and wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of moving the locating protrusion along the angled surface.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the blade holder includes an attachment portion, wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of connecting the blade insert to the attachment portion, and wherein the act of connecting the blade holder to the frame includes the act of positioning the blade holder with respect to the frame so that, during cutting, at least a portion of the attachment portion is spaced a second predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

36. A method of operating a blind trimming apparatus, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a frame supporting a cutting tool, the cutting tool having a cutting edge;

connecting a blade holder to the frame for movement with respect to the frame along a cutting path;

providing a blade insert having a cutting edge, one of the blade insert and the blade holder having a locating protrusion, an other of the blade insert and the blade holder including a ramp;

connecting the blade insert to the blade holder; and

moving the blade holder and the blade insert with respect to the cutting tool along the cutting path to shear blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the blade insert, the ramp being angled with respect to the cutting path;

wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of moving the locating protrusion along the ramp to orient the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along a plane extending through the cutting tool, the plane being generally perpendicular to the cutting path.

37. The method of claim 36, and further comprising the act of securing the blade insert to the blade holder with a fastener.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the blade insert includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including the cutting edge, and wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of moving the blade insert with respect to the blade holder to provide a space between the rearward end of the blade insert and the blade holder.

39. The method of claim 38, and further comprising the act of securing the blade insert to the blade holder with a fastener, and wherein, when the blade insert is secured to the blade holder, the space limits the degree of interference between the blade insert and the blade holder.

40. The method of claim 36, and further comprising the acts of:

providing a second blade insert having a cutting edge, one of the second blade insert and the blade holder having a locating protrusion, an other of the second blade insert and the blade holder defining a locating recess;

disconnecting the first blade insert from the blade holder;

connecting the second blade insert to the blade holder; and

moving the blade holder and the second blade insert with respect to the cutting tool along the cutting path to shear blinds between the cutting edge of the cutting tool and the cutting edge of the second blade insert;

wherein the act of connecting the second blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of moving the locating protrusion of the one of the second blade insert and the blade holder along the ramp to orient the second blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the second blade insert is spaced the predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the one of the blade insert and the blade holder includes a second locating protrusion, wherein the other of the blade insert and the blade holder defines a second locating recess, and wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of engaging the second locating protrusion in the second locating recess to orient the blade insert with respect to the blade holder so that, during cutting, the cutting edge of the blade insert is spaced the predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the blade holder includes an attachment portion, wherein the act of connecting the blade insert to the blade holder includes the act of connecting the blade insert to the attachment portion, and wherein the act of connecting the blade holder to the frame includes the act of positioning the blade holder with respect to the frame so that, during cutting, at least a portion of the attachment portion is spaced a second predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the cutting tool measured along the plane.