US5845694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Horizontal venetian blind
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-05-23
•
Granted: 1998-12-08
•
Expires: 2017-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A venetian blind with individually adjustable slats. Each slat has multi-layered decorative slat extensions mounted in a slat extension holder. The individual slat extensions are mounted directly above one another in the unextended position. Each slat can be individually adjusted in length by sliding the slat extensions in opposite directions. The slats in the blinds can be now be extended to allow the blind to be used on windows of varying width. Each slat can be individually adjusted to allow the blind to be used interchangeably or on odd shaped windows, such as arched windows. The cords used to control slat position and the cords used to raise and lower the slats are mounted on the edge of the slats which do not have holes. In addition, a slat holder is described one of its slat extension grips set back from the edge of the slat holder. Slat inserts, constructed of PVC or fabric, for example, can be placed in the slat holder between the slat grips while one or more holes are punched into the space between the edge and the slat grip for accommodating the lift cords and/or tilt cords. A custom venetian blind can be constructed using these slat holders with a single slat extension placed therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Leone A. Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:13
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B9/00; E06B9/24; E06B9/26; E06B9/28; E06B9/30; E06B9/303; E06B9/38; E06B9/386
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; a rear tilt cord; and a plurality of cord rungs each connecting said front tilt cord and said rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, at least one of which is an independently adjustable slat, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having a an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; a plurality of elongate slat extensions, said plurality of slat extensions inserted in said slat holder one overlapping another and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips, each slat extension independently movable with respect to the other slat extensions such that the width of said slat can be varied independently of other slats in said venetian blind; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein each slat rests on at least a pair of cord rungs and neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said plurality of slat extensions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; a rear tilt cord; and a plurality of cord rungs each connecting said front tilt cord and said rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, at least one of which is an independently adjustable slat, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having a an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; a plurality of elongate slat extensions, said plurality of slat extensions inserted in said slat holder one overlapping another and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips, each slat extension independently movable with respect to the other slat extensions such that the width of said slat can be varied independently of other slats in said venetian blind; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein each slat rests on at least a pair of cord rungs and neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said plurality of slat extensions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said slat holders includes one of said apertures for said rear tilt cord and an aperture for said rear lift cord being offset from each other such that the operation of said rear tilt cord does not interfere with the operation of said rear lift cord.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, wherein said head rail further comprises: a set of rear tilt cord apertures; a set of rear lift cord apertures; and wherein said set of rear lift cord apertures is offset from said set of rear tilt cord apertures and substantially aligned with said apertures in said slat holder such that when said lift cord exits said head rail, it is in substantial alignment with said apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, further comprising a width adjustable valance, said width adjustable valence having at least two adjustable valance segments capable of independent lateral extension and wherein the width of said valence can be varied independently of the width of said slats.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, further comprising a width adjustable bottom rail, said width adjustable bottom rail having at least two adjustable segments capable of independent lateral extensions and wherein the width of said bottom rail can be varied independently of the width of said slats.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, wherein said slat extensions are removable without requiring disassembly of said tilt cords or said lift cords.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
285 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, at least one of which is an independently adjustable slat, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; a plurality of elongate slat extensions, said plurality of slat extensions inserted in said slat holder one overlapping another and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips, each slat extension independently movable with respect to the other slat extensions such that the width of said slat can be varied independently of other slats in said venetian blind; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said plurality of slat extensions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
285 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, at least one of which is an independently adjustable slat, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; a plurality of elongate slat extensions, said plurality of slat extensions inserted in said slat holder one overlapping another and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips, each slat extension independently movable with respect to the other slat extensions such that the width of said slat can be varied independently of other slats in said venetian blind; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said plurality of slat extensions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said slat holders includes one of said apertures for said rear tilt cord and an aperture for said rear lift cord being offset from each other such that the operation of said rear tilt cord does not interfere with the operation of said rear lift cord.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, wherein said head rail further comprises: a set of rear tilt cord apertures: a set of rear lift cord apertures; and wherein said set of rear lift cord apertures is offset from said set of rear tilt cord apertures and substantially aligned with said apertures in said slat holder such that when said lift cord exits said head rail, it is in substantial alignment with said apertures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, further comprising a width adjustable valance, said width adjustable valence having at least two adjustable valance segments capable of independent lateral extension and wherein the width of said valence can be varied independently of the width of said slats.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, further comprising a width adjustable bottom rail, said width adjustable bottom rail having at least two adjustable segments capable of independent lateral extensions and wherein the width of said bottom rail can be varied independently of the width of said slats.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, wherein said slat extensions are removable without requiring disassembly of said tilt cords or said lift cords.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
243 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord: and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; an elongate slat insert inserted in said slat holder and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips each slat insert movable with respect to said slat holder; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said slat inserts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
243 words
A venetian blind, comprising: a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord: and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, each slat comprising: an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; an elongate slat insert inserted in said slat holder and slideably held by said front and rear edge grips each slat insert movable with respect to said slat holder; and wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through any of said slat inserts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said slat holders includes one of said apertures for said rear tilt cord and an aperture for said rear lift cord being offset from each other such that the operation of said rear tilt cord does not interfere with the operation of said rear lift cord.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, wherein said head rail further comprises: a set of rear tilt cord apertures; a set of rear lift cord apertures; and wherein said set of rear lift cord apertures is offset from said set of rear tilt cord apertures and substantially aligned with said apertures in said slat holder such that when said lift cord exits said head rail, it is in substantial alignment with said apertures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, further comprising a valance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, further comprising a bottom rail, said tilt cords and said lift cords fastened to said bottom rail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, wherein said slat inserts are removable without requiring disassembly of said tilt cords or said lift cords.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
224 words
A venetian blind, comprising; a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, each slat comprising an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through the area of said slat holder between said elongate front grip and said elongate rear grip.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
224 words
A venetian blind, comprising; a head rail having a lift cord drive assembly and a tilt cord drive assembly; a plurality of lift cord assemblies attached to said lift cord drive assembly in said head rail, each lift cord assembly comprising: a front lift cord; a rear lift cord; and a plurality of tilt cord assemblies attached to said tilt cord drive assembly in said head rail, each tilt cord assembly comprising: a front tilt cord; and a rear tilt cord; a plurality of elongate slats, each slat comprising an elongate slat holder having a front edge and a rear edge along opposing longitudinal edges of said slat holder, the slat holder further having an elongate front grip substantially flush with said front edge and an elongate rear grip set back from said rear edge; wherein said front tilt cords and said front lift cords extend outside of and adjacent to said front edge of said slat holder, said rear lift cords extend through a plurality of apertures in said slat holder functioning as cord guides and positioned between said rear grip and said rear edge; and wherein neither said front tilt cords, said rear tilt cords, said front lift cords nor said rear lift cords pass through the area of said slat holder between said elongate front grip and said elongate rear grip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 1, wherein said elongate slat holder is substantially clear such that said elongate slat extensions are visible therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 7, wherein said elongate slat holder is substantially clear such that said elongate slat extensions are visible therethrough.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The venetian blind according to claim 13, wherein said elongate slat holder is substantially clear such that said elongate slat insert is visible therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The venetian blind according to claim 19, wherein said elongate slat holder is substantially clear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1000626A
Cited
NL6409755A
Cited
CH433678A
Cited
US4699196A
Cited
US4817698A
Cited
US4886102A
Cited
US5060709A
Cited
US5117891A
Cited
CA2025441A1
Cited
EP0491096A1
Cited
EP0491097A1
Cited
US5054534A
Cited
US5254034A
Cited
US5127459A
Cited
US5203395A
Cited
US5271447A
Cited
US5341864A
Cited
US5303760A
Cited
US5386867A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |