US 2006/0027340 A1Published application

Tubular slat for coverings for architectural openings

AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.

InventorsWendell Colson, James Anthony, Paul Swiszcz, Jason Throne

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A slat or vane 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 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. The slat can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method of providing a transverse arcuate shape to a continuous fiberglass/thermoformable resin strip comprising the steps of providing an elongated strip of fiberglass/thermoformable resin material,

providing a first mandrel having an arcuate surface, said mandrel including a system for heating said first mandrel,
providing a second mandrel having an arcuate surface, said second mandrel including a system for cooling said second mandrel,
passing said strip of material first across said first mandrel while elevating the temperature of said strip above the setting temperature of the thermoformable resin,
subsequentially passing said strip across said second mandrel to cool said strip beneath its setting temperature, thereby allowing the strip to maintain an arcuate transverse cross-section consistent with the arcuate surfaces of said first and second mandrels.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/228,445Filed 15 Sep 2005
Priority: 18 Jul 2000
Published: 9 Feb 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification57 codes

B29C 66/1122
Single lapped joints: single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
B29C 53/04
Bending or folding: of plates or sheets
B29C 53/48
By bending sheets or strips at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the article being formed and joining the edges: for articles of indefinite…
B29C 65/18
By heating, with or without pressure: using heated tools

Family

Application60/219,039Us provisional application · filed 18 Jul 2000
Application10/332,411Continuation · filed 7 Jan 2003
Application11/228,445Continuation · filed 15 Sep 2005
US 2003/0205339 A1Published application
US 7,100,666 B2Related patent
US 8,277,591 B2Related patent
US 2006/0027340 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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