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US 12,716,290 B2Granted
Ladder tape assemblies with cord shrouds arrangements for slatted blinds
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsClaude Mathew McNiel, Gordon Freirich, Wendell B. Colson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, a slatted blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of horizontally oriented slats configured to be supported between the headrail and the bottom rail via one or more ladder tape assemblies. Each ladder tape assembly includes a first ladder rail, a second ladder rail, and a plurality of ladder steps extending between the first and second ladder rails, with each ladder step being configured to support a respective slat of the plurality of slats of the slatted blind. Additionally, each ladder tape assembly incorporates or includes shroud-like features and/or structure for retaining or limiting access to one or more lift cords of the blind.
Claims15
A slatted blind, comprising:
- a headrail;
- a bottom rail movable relative to the headrail;
- first and second lift cords extending between the headrail and the bottom rail;
- a plurality of slats disposed between the headrail and the bottom rail;
- and
- a ladder tape assembly configured to support the plurality of slats between the headrail and the bottom rail, the ladder tape assembly comprising:
- a first vertically extending ladder rail;
- a second vertically extending ladder rail spaced apart from the first ladder rail;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of shroud loops extending between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops including a first shroud loop and a second shroud loop disposed between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops supporting thereon a respective slat of the plurality of slats such that the respective slat is disposed on top of both the first shroud loop and the second shroud loop of the respective pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops;
- wherein:
- the first lift cord extends vertically through the first shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops and the second lift cord extends vertically through the second shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops;
- each pair of shroud loops includes first and second rung cords extending between the first and second ladder rails;
- and
- the first and second rung cords are coupled together at a connection point defined between the first and second ladder rails such that the first shroud loop is formed by first portions of the first and second rung cords extending between the first ladder rail and the connection point and the second shroud loop is formed by second portions of the first and second rung cords extending between the second ladder rail and the connection point.
12 more elements
A ladder tape assembly for supporting slats of a slatted blind, the ladder tape assembly comprising:
- a first vertically extending ladder rail;
- a second vertically extending ladder rail spaced apart from the first ladder rail;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of shroud loops extending between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops including a first shroud loop and a second shroud loop disposed between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops supporting thereon a respective slat of a plurality of slats such that the respective slat is disposed on top of both the first shroud loop and the second shroud loop of a respective pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops;
- a first lift cord extending vertically through the first shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops;
- and
- a second lift cord extending vertically through the second shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops;
- wherein:
- each pair of shroud loops includes first and second rung cords extending between the first and second ladder rails;
- and
- the first and second rung cords are coupled together at a connection point defined between the first and second ladder rails such that the first shroud loop is formed by first portions of the first and second rung cords extending between the first ladder rail and the connection point and the second shroud loop is formed by second portions of the first and second rung cords extending between the second ladder rail and the connection point.
8 more elements
A ladder tape assembly for supporting slats of a slatted blind, the ladder tape assembly comprising:
- a first vertically extending ladder rail;
- a second vertically extending ladder rail spaced apart from the first ladder rail;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of shroud loops extending between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops including a first shroud loop and a second shroud loop disposed between the first and second ladder rails, each pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops supporting thereon a respective slat of a plurality of slats such that the respective slat is disposed on top of both the first shroud loop and the second shroud loop of a respective pair of shroud loops of the plurality of pairs of shroud loops;
- a first lift cord extending vertically through the first shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops;
- and
- a second lift cord extending vertically through the second shroud loop of each pair of shroud loops;
- wherein:
- each pair of shroud loops includes a rung cord extending between the first and second ladder rails;
- and
- the first and second shroud loops are formed by first and second openings, respectively, defined in the rung cord between the first and second ladder rails, with the first and second openings being separated from each other via a bridge of the rung cord.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.