Window covering sizing method and apparatus

• US 8,256,333 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2010
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Levolor, Inc (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Begin, Jason, Birch, Clifford, Bishop, Ryan, Brown, Paul Christopher, Caputo, Thomas A., Casstevens, Neil L., Fox, Mark A., Georgi, Kristi Jane, Johnson, Brian Bellamy, Scott, William Norris, Van Buren, Martin Richard, Varlamoff, Neil John, Cluett, Timothy D., Foley, Patrick E., Phillips, Grant Rorie, Windham, Larry Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Peterson, Kenneth E.
• Application Number:
  US12/838,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20110061505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 832/06, 832/77, 832/78, 833/63, 833/67, 833/71, 834/40, 834/685, 834/686
• US Class Current: 83/206
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/003 for particular purposes
• 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 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/445 With work-moving clamp jaw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/73 Guide fixed to or integral with stationary tool element

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises a lateral support surface and a saw for cutting the window covering positioned at an end of the lateral support surface. An engagement member locates the center of the window covering that is retractably mounted on the lateral support surface. A clamp assembly comprises a clamping jaw that is movable to a first position where the clamping jaw presses the window covering against the lateral support surface. The clamp assembly is movable relative to the first saw and the second saw. A controller for moves the clamp assembly to automatically position a first end of the window covering relative to the first saw and a second end of the window covering relative to the second saw. Methods of cutting a window covering are also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprising:

a lateral support surface;

a first saw for cutting the window covering positioned at a first end of the lateral support surface and a second saw for cutting the window covering positioned at a second end of the lateral support surface;

an engagement member for locating the center of the window covering, said engagement member being mounted on the lateral support surface and being movable between an extended position where it projects into engagement with the window covering and a retracted position where it retracts from the window covering;

a clamp assembly comprising a clamping jaw movable to a first position where the clamping jaw presses the window covering against the lateral support surface, said clamp assembly and window covering being movable relative to the engagement member and the lateral support surface and toward and away from the first saw and the second saw when the engagement member is in the retracted position; and

a controller for moving the clamp assembly to automatically position a first end of the window covering relative to the first saw and a second end of the window covering relative to the second saw.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engagement member is movable between an extend position where it projects beyond the lateral surface and a retracted position where it is disposed behind the lateral surface.

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

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lateral support surface is mounted on a drawer movable between a first open position and a second closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a platform that supports the window covering, said platform being located in said drawer.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said clamp assembly is mounted for movement with said drawer.

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

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

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first clamp is located adjacent the first saw for holding the window covering when the first saw cuts the window covering and a second clamp is located adjacent the second saw for holding the window covering when the second saw cuts the window covering.

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

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a user interface to input data to the controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said window covering comprises a package such that the package is cut by the first saw and the second saw.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the window covering comprises a box where said window covering extends from the box.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the engagement member engages a hole formed on the box.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising product identification information in the form of a bar code associated with the window covering.