Blind cutting machine

• US 20060156882A1
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumino Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lumino Inc.
• Inventors: Ward, Adam, Kollman, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,505,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/167
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 23/00 Machines or devices for shearing or cutting profiled stock hand-held devices B23D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 33/10 Stops for positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/005 Computer numerical control means
• 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 83/18 With operator input means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/207 By suction means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/222 With receptacle or support for cut product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4579 With change of direction between tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7487 Means to clamp work

Abstract

An improved blind cutting machine has a work surface on which a blind to be cut is placed and at least one end stop against which an end of the blind to be cut rests prior to being cut by a cutting mechanism. An actuator is connected to the end stop. The actuator moves the end stop relative to the work surface and the cutting mechanism in response to signals from a controller. An operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted into the controller. The controller then calculates the location where the end stop should be so that a sufficient amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening. Then the controller sends a signal to the actuator that causes the actuator to move the end stop to that location. In alternative embodiments the end stop is fixed and the actuator moves the cutting mechanism or a work surface on which the blind to be cut has been placed.

Claims

1. An improved blind cutting machine of the type having a work surface on which a blind is to be cut is placed, an end stop against which an end of the blind to be cut rests prior to being cut and a cutting mechanism which cuts the blind to be cut, the improvement comprising:

an actuator attached to the end stop for moving the end stop relative to the work surface; and

a controller connected to the actuator, the controller having;

a housing,

a data entry device attached to the housing,

a display attached to the housing,

a memory, and

a processor;

the memory containing a program such that when an operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted the controller sends a signal to the actuator which causes the actuator to position the end stop at a location where a correct amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening.

2. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted is comprised of dimensions of a window or door and whether the blind will have an inside mount or an outside mount.

3. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one of a keypad and a bar code reader.

4. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 also comprising at least one display on the controller.

5. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 4 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

6. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the memory contains a program the will cause an error message to appear in the display whenever:

i.) an operator enters a width of a blind to be cut and a width provided by the customer and

ii.) the width of a blind to be cut is not greater than the width provided by the customer.

7. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the blind cutting machine has a second end stop and a second cutting mechanism and further comprising a second actuator connected to the second end stop and to the controller.

8. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the memory contains a look-up table containing product identifiers and a blind width associated with each product identifier.

9. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the actuator is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder or a servomotor.

10. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises at least one data entry device which enables a user to enter at least one of product type and installation type.

11. The improved blind of claim 10 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one button.

12. A blind cutting machine comprised of:

a work surface on which a blind to be cut is placed;

a cutting mechanism adjacent the work surface and movable relative to the work surface;

an actuator connected to the cutting mechanism for moving the cutting mechanism relative to the work surface; and

a controller connected to the actuator, the controller having a housing, a data entry device attached to the housing, a display attached to the housing, a memory, and a processor;

the memory containing a program such that when an operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted the controller sends a signal to the actuator which causes the actuator to position the cutting mechanism at a location where a correct amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening.

13. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the dimensions of the opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted is comprised of dimensions of a window or door and whether the blind will have an inside mount or an outside mount.

14. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one of a keypad and a bar code reader.

15. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 also comprising at least one display on the controller.

16. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 15 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

17. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the memory contains a program the will cause an error message to appear in the display whenever:

i.) an operator enters a width of a blind to be cut and a width provided by the customer and

ii.) the width of a blind to be cut is not greater than the width provided by the customer.

18. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the blind cutting machine has a second end stop and a second cutting mechanism and further comprising a second actuator connected to the second end stop and to the controller.

19. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the memory contains a look-up table containing product identifiers and a blind width associated with each product identifier.

20. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the actuator is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder or a servomotor.

21. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 12 wherein the controller comprises at least one data entry device which enables a user to enter at least one of product type and installation type.

22. The improved blind of claim 21 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one button.

23. A blind cutting machine comprised of:

a stand;

a cutting mechanism attached to the stand;

a movable work surface connected to the stand so as to be movable relative to the cutting machine;

an actuator connected to the movable work surface for moving the work surface relative to the cutting mechanism; and

a controller connected to the actuator, the controller having a housing, a data entry device attached to the housing, a display attached to the housing, a memory, and a processor;

the memory containing a program such that when an operator enters information about the blind to be cut and the dimensions of an opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted the controller sends a signal to the actuator which causes the actuator to position the work surface at a location where a correct amount of material can be trimmed from an end of the blind to be cut to enable the blind to fit the opening.

24. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the dimensions of the opening over which the blind to be cut is to be mounted is comprised of dimensions of a window or door and whether the blind will have an inside mount or an outside mount.

25. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one of a keypad and a bar code reader.

26. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 also comprising at least one display on the controller.

27. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 26 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

28. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the memory contains a program the will cause an error message to appear in the display whenever:

i.) an operator enters a width of a blind to be cut and a width provided by the customer and

ii.) the width of a blind to be cut is not greater than the width provided by the customer.

29. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the blind cutting machine has a second end stop and a second cutting mechanism and further comprising a second actuator connected to the second end stop and to the controller.

30. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the memory contains a look-up table containing product identifiers and a blind width associated with each product identifier.

31. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the actuator is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder or a servomotor.

32. The improved blind cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the controller comprises at least one data entry device which enables a user to enter at least one of product type and installation type.

33. The improved blind of claim 32 wherein the data entry device is comprised of at least one button.