Tubular slat for covering for architectural openings
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsWendell B. Colson, James M. Anthony, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slat or vane (30) for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat (30) is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane (30). The slat (30) can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.
Claims52
A slat for a covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:
- an elongated tubular body formed from a material including glass fibers in a thermoformable resin whereby said body is flexible, resilient and will return to its original configuration after repeated deformations.
A method of forming a tubular slat for a covering for an architectural opening comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated strip of material having opposed longitudinal edges, said strip including glass fibers in a thermoformable resin,
- folding said strip along an approximate longitudinal line so that said edges are in adjacent relationship, and
- securing said edges together.
A slat for a covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:
- an elongated tubular body formed from a flexible material having configuration memory such that it will return to its original configuration after being deformed.
A slat for a covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:
- an elongated tubular body formed from a flexible and resilient material such that it will return to its original configuration after being deformed.
A method comprising:
- providing a thin elongated strip having opposing longitudinal edges, the elongated strip comprising a fibrous mat and a thermoformable resin disposed in the fibrous mat;
- forming the elongated strip to have a resilient arcuate transverse configuration by cross linking a thermosetting resin contained within the fibrous mat;
- folding the elongated strip along at least one longitudinal line;
- and
- joining the opposing longitudinal edges together to form a tubular body having a upwardly convex top surface and an opposing downwardly convex bottom surface.
a slat for an architectural covering comprising:
- an upwardly convex first elongated side having left and right longitudinal edges;
- and
- a downwardly convex second elongated side having left and right longitudinal edges, the left and right longitudinal edges of the first side being coextensive with the left and right longitudinal edges of the second side;
- wherein the first and second elongated sides are both comprised of a thin fibrous mat having a resin disposed within the fibrous mat, the fibrous mat being resilient and flexible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.