# US 8,783,143 B2 · Blind cutting machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,143 B2 - Document ID: US8783143B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/999,136 - Filed: 2007-12-04 - Published: 2008-04-17 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2005-01-14 - Assignees: Lumino, Inc. - Applicants: Michael Kollman; Adam Ward - Inventors: Michael Kollman; Adam Ward - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783143B2 ## CPC - B23D 23/00: Machines or devices for shearing or cutting profiled stock (hand-held devices B23D29/00) - E06B 9/266: Devices or accessories for making or mounting lamellar blinds or parts thereof {(cleaning of lamellar blinds A47L4/00; joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds B29C66/437)} - B23D 33/10: Stops for positioning work - Y10T 83/162: With control means responsive to replaceable or selectable information program - Y10T 83/222: With receptacle or support for cut product - Y10T 83/7487: Means to clamp work - B23D: PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (making toothed gears or the like B23F; cutting metal by applying heat locally B23K; arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces is disclosed. The cutting machine includes a stand, one or more cutting mechanisms attached to the stand, a controller and one or more locators connected to the controller that are movable relative to the one or more cutting machines and are configured to engage at least a portion of a window covering work piece between the ends of the work piece. The controller has a memory having a program. The program enables the controller to cause one or more of the locators to move so that a desired amount of material can be trimmed from at least one end of the work piece after the controller receives information about the work piece. The controller may be connected to the one or more locators by one or more wireless connections or by one or more direct connectors such electronic wiring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces of the type having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of a desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and a desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece is to be cut away, comprising: a stand; at least one cutting mechanism adjacent the stand; a controller, the controller having a memory; at least one locator connected to the controller, the at least one locator sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the window covering work piece at a location between the first end and the second end of the work piece, the at least one locator being movable relative to the at least one cutting mechanism; and the memory containing a program such that the controller causes the at least one locator to move so the at least one of the desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and the desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece can be cut after the controller receives information about the window covering work piece; and wherein the information about the window covering work piece comprises a dimension of a window or door over which the window covering work piece is to be mounted, a dimension of the work piece to be cut, a desired dimension of the work piece to be cut, and whether the work piece will have an inside mount or an outside mount. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the information about the window covering work piece further comprises bar code information assigned to the work piece. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one data entry device connected to the controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cutting machine of claim 3 wherein the at least one data entry device is comprised of at least one of a keypad, a scanner and a bar code reader. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one display connected to the controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one locator comprises at least one moveable work surface connected to the controller so the at least one moveable work surface is moveable relative to the at least one cutting mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cutting machine of claim 6 further comprising at least one holding device attached to the at least one moveable work surface, the at least one holding device sized and configured to retain the window covering work piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cutting machine of claim 7 wherein the at least one holding device comprises at least one clip or clamp. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one locator comprises at least one holding device sized and configured to retain the window covering work piece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cutting machine of claim 9 wherein the at least one holding device is at least one clip or clamp. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one locator comprises at least one arm connected to the controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cutting machine of claim 11 wherein at least one holding device is connected to the at least one arm, the at least one holding device sized and configured to retain the window covering work piece. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the stand has a top surface and the at least one locator is configured to move adjacent the top surface of the stand. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to the at least one locator by at least one wireless connection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one cutting mechanism comprises a plurality of cutting mechanisms, at least one cutting mechanism adjacent to a first side of the stand and at least one cutting mechanism adjacent to a second side of the stand. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cutting machine of claim 15 wherein the first side of the stand is opposite the second side of the stand. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one locator is comprised of at least one actuator connected to the controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one end stop located adjacent the at least one cutting mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cutting machine of claim 18 wherein the at least one end stop is also connected to the controller such that the controller causes the at least one end stop to move relative the at least one cutting machine after the controller receives information about the window covering work piece. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one marker, the at least one marker identifying at least one of where to position at least a portion of the window covering work piece on the at least one locator, a desired amount of material be cut from an end of the work piece, and a size the work piece will be after being cut down by the cutting machine. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The cutting machine of claim 20 wherein the at least one marker is moveable relative to the at least one cutting machine. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one cutting mechanism is connected to the stand. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The cutting machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor adjacent at least one of the cutting mechanism, the at least one locator and the stand. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the at least one sensor is moveable relative to the cutting mechanism. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The cutting machine of claim 23 wherein the at least one sensor is connected to the controller and configured to interact with a work piece that comprises a device configured to identify information about the work piece. ### Claim 26 A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces of the type having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of a desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and a desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece is to be cut away, comprising: a stand; at least one cutting mechanism adjacent the stand; a controller, the controller having a memory; at least one locator connected to the controller, the at least one locator sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the window covering work piece at a location between the first end and the second end of the work piece, the at least one locator being movable relative to the at least one cutting mechanism; at least one sensor adjacent at least one of the cutting mechanism, the at least one locator and the stand; and wherein the memory contains a program such that the controller causes the at least one locator to move so the at least one of the desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and the desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece can be cut after the controller receives information about the window covering work piece; and wherein the at least one sensor is moveable relative to the cutting mechanism. ### Claim 27 A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces of the type having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of a desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and a desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece is to be cut away, comprising: a stand; at least one cutting mechanism adjacent the stand; a controller, the controller having a memory; at least one locator connected to the controller, the at least one locator sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the window covering work piece at a location between the first end and the second end of the work piece, the at least one locator being movable relative to the at least one cutting mechanism; at least one sensor adjacent at least one of the cutting mechanism, the at least one locator and the stand; and wherein the memory contains a program such that the controller causes the at least one locator to move so the at least one of the desired amount of material adjacent the first end of the work piece and the desired amount of material adjacent the second end of the work piece can be cut after the controller receives information about the window covering work piece; and wherein the at least one sensor is connected to the controller and configured to interact with a work piece that comprises a device configured to identify information about the work piece.