Window covering sizing method and apparatus

• US 9,016,177 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• 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: Caputo, Thomas A., Casstevens, Neil L., Fox, Mark A., Birch, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Peterson, Kenneth E
• Application Number:
  US12/579,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20100206144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,021 Days
• Field of Search: 833/65, 833/67, 83/72, 83D/IG.1
• US Class Current: 83/72
• 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. A method of cutting an assembled window covering with an automated cutting machine comprising:

receiving in a processor a desired size of an assembled window covering comprising a head rail and blind elements;

receiving in the processor information as to whether the assembled window covering is intended to be mounted as an inside mount or an outside mount;

for an inside mount, automatically deducting a predetermined length from the desired size in the processor to obtain a final dimension of the assembled window covering;

for an outside mount, setting the desired size as the final dimension of the assembled window covering;

calculating a distance a center of the assembled window covering must be positioned from a first cutting device and a second cutting device to obtain the desired size based on the final dimension;

receiving in the processor a first signal indicating that a cutting chamber of the automated cutting machine is closed;

transmitting the distance from the processor to a controller and transmitting a second signal from the controller to control a motor to automatically move a clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the first cutting device, the step of automatically moving the clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the first cutting device being permitted only after the first signal indicating that the cutting chamber of the automated cutting machine is closed is received;

transmitting a third signal to automatically move the first cutting device into engagement with the assembled window covering to cut the assembled window covering in response to the step of automatically moving a clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the first cutting device, the step of moving the first cutting device into engagement with the window covering being permitted only after the first signal indicating that the cutting chamber of the automated cutting machine is closed is received;

transmitting a fourth signal from the controller to control the motor to automatically move the clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the second cutting device, the step of automatically moving the clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the second cutting device being permitted only after the first signal indicating that the cutting chamber of the automated cutting machine is closed is received; and

transmitting a fifth signal to automatically move the second cutting device into engagement with the assembled window covering to cut the assembled window covering in response to the step of automatically moving a clamp assembly to position the center of the assembled window covering the distance from the second cutting device, the step of moving the second cutting device into engagement with the window covering being permitted only after the first signal indicating that the cutting chamber of the automated cutting machine is closed is received.

2. The method of claim 1 further creating a transaction record for the window covering.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating includes dividing the desired size by two to obtain the distance.

4. The method of claim 1 further associating product identification information in a machine readable form with said window covering.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information is encoded in bar code.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information is unique to the window covering with which it is associated.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information identifies the window covering by a unique code.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information contains information about a stock size of the window covering.

9. The method of claim 8 further comparing a measured weight of the window covering to a known weight of the stock size of the window covering.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information contains information about a style of the window covering.

11. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information contains information about a color of the window covering.

12. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information is obtained after the step of calculating a distance.

13. The method of claim 4 wherein the product identification information is stored in a data base as part of a transaction record.

14. The method of claim 4 further validating the desired size against the product identification information.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of validating includes comparing the desired size to a stored range of valid sizes.

16. The method of claim 15 further validating the cut if the desired size is within the stored range.

17. The method of claim 15 further displaying an error message if the desired size is outside of the stored range.

18. The method of claim 4 further comparing user input data to the product identification information.

19. The method of claim 1 further cutting the window covering to an actual cut size and comparing the actual cut size to the desired size.

20. The method of claim 19 further moving a sensor to locate the edges of the window covering.