Window blind with storage rail
OwnerDavid C. Bryantinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window blind having a bottom rail that defines a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind to enable the ready customization of the blind to fit windows of different heights. End caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail are provided for maintaining the slats within the channel. U-shaped slots may be formed on each of the leading edges of the end caps, extending inwardly for receiving and retaining a cover slat to enclose the storage rail and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the storage rail. Means may also be provided for readily securing the storage rail to the cords of the blind. The securing means comprises a slot formed on the bottom of the storage rail that slidingly engages twist-and-lock eyelets joined to the ends of the cords.
Claims41
A blind comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal slats interconnected by at least one cord, a container connected to said at least one cord receiving and storing some of the slats to reduce the length of the blind, and means for retaining said some of the slats within the container.
A blind comprising a plurality of slats:
- at least one cord interconnecting said slats;
- a bottom rail defining a slot;
- and
- means for releasably connecting the rail to the at least one cord, the connecting means comprising a member secured to the at least one cord, the member is cause to be engaged with the rail when at least a portion of the member is received within the slot and the member is twisted from a first position to a second position.
A blind comprising a plurality of interconnected slats, a container for receiving and storing at least one of the slats to reduce the length of the blind, the container defining an opening for receiving the at least one slat, the opening facing the other slats and extending substantially along the length of the container, the container having at least one open end and defining a channel for storing the at least one slat, and means for retaining the at least one slat within the container, the retaining means comprises at least one end cap removably engageable with the at least one end of the container, the end cap comprising a ledge extending into the channel and two opposed end cap walls interconnected by the ledge, said at least one slat being retained substantially below said ledge.
A blind comprising:
- (a) a plurality of substantially horizontal slats interconnected by at least one cord;
- (b) a rail connected to said at least one cord for receiving and storing some of the slats to adjust the length of the blind, the rail having a length and comprising a base and a pair of opposed side walls defining a channel that extends substantially along the length of the rail, the channel being substantially unobstructed substantially along the length and width of the rail;
- and
- (c) means for retaining said some of the slats within the channel.
A blind comprising:
- (a) a plurality of substantially horizontal slats interconnected by at least one cord;
- (b) a rail adapted to receive and store at least one of the slats to adjust the length of the blind, the rail comprising a base and a pair of opposed side walls extending from the base, each opposed side wall terminating distal of the base in an upper surface;
- a cover slat comprising one of said plurality of slats positioned substantially between said upper surfaces;
- and
- (d) means for retaining the at least one slat within the rail so that the at least one slat does not extend above the upper surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.