Window covering sizing method and apparatus

• US 7,987,754 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries Switzerland GmbH (Hunter Douglas N.V.), Levolor, Inc (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Birch, Clifford, Caputo, Thomas A., Casstevens, Neil L., Fox, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peterson; Kenneth E.
• Application Number:
  US12/164,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20090031876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 832/06, 832/77, 834/45, 834/48, 834/49, 834/40, 834/66
• US Class Current: 83/207
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 2023/005 for window coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/003 for particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/30 having the cutting member controlled by scanning a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/02 with clamping means B26D7/018 takes precedence
• 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: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/01 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/162 With control means responsive to replaceable or selectable information program
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/445 With work-moving clamp jaw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4453 Work moved solely by movable abutment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4632 Comprises a work-moving gripper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/525 Operation controlled by detector means responsive to work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/53 To change length of product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/533 With photo-electric work-sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/536 Movement of work controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/73 Guide fixed to or integral with stationary tool element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7493 : Combined with, peculiarly related to, other element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/758 : With means to adjust clamp position or stroke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/889 : Tool with either work holder or means to hold work supply

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprising:

a first saw and a second saw for cutting the window blind;

a clamp assembly for moving the window covering relative to the first saw and the second saw along a first direction; and

a controller for moving the clamp assembly to automatically position a center of the window covering relative to the first saw and the center of the window covering relative to the second saw based on a desired cut size of the window covering, and

a substantially horizontal platform that supports the window covering, and

a substantially vertical, stationary lateral support surface located adjacent to the platform and extending along the first direction from said first saw to said second saw, said lateral support surface comprises a low friction surface, said clamp assembly being extendable substantially perpendicular to said first direction to trap said window covering against said lateral support surface, said clamp assembly being movable parallel to said first direction while trapping said window covering against said lateral support surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamp assembly comprises a member for engaging the window covering to locate the center of the window covering.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a pin, said pin engaging a mating hole on said window covering.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamp assembly is mounted on a carriage that is reciprocated to move the window covering.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a user interface to enable a user to input data.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lateral support surface comprises a plurality of rollers.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first saw and said second saw reciprocate transverse to the first direction to cut the window covering.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a stationary clamp is located adjacent each of said first saw and said second saw to hold the window covering during the cutting operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamp assembly comprises a clamping jaw that can be extended in a second direction to trap the window covering against the lateral support surface.