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'Patent 2s79123 - Disclosures
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RC' RY SAW CI.fTTER Ft~L,~ CUT DOWN MACHINEn~
FIE- LD OF,TH~ ItJVENTION
Tine irn~erntion retat~es to a machine for ttimminA the ends of blinds and
window cou~rings, in which the slafs are formed of materiats requiring a savr
cut,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIQN
Blinds and windrnu coverings are availabl~a in a variety of ma#erials.
Horizontal blinds are a~railakrte in sr~4~ich the head rail, and in some
cases, the
hottam rails arc formed of metal, usually steel, and ire which the slats are
funned vt
vrood, In other asses slats may la~e famed of materials such as think therma
plastic
14 or ofher heavier materials,
In same cases t~linds may bye available in which the slats are vertical being
securod usually gt the #op to a head rail fypically made of steel. Bottom
rails are
oat usually requirEd vn this type of blind, aim the slats are r>elstiveay
hea~ry.
Such blinds must be fitted to the widfh, or in $ome cases the heighf end
uridfh, of the ivirldow ar other opening for which th~ey~ are intended. In the
past
blinds have bean made in a i~cfory, ran a eastern basis to a particular width
~an~1
height) specified by the purehe~ser_ A salesperson would usually have had to
cell
on the customer and take art order, Neure~~er, it is more odnveni~ent tn
rnanufacture
blinds and vuindaw coverings in certain standard widths, and stock these
standard
Zp tridfhs in a retail stare_ A customer may then simply came into tho store
and hey a
171ind slightly wider than the desired vsridth tror longer tllar~ the height),
end have it
trimntad at the ends to the desired vuidth (or heigt~t~- This is both more
economical,
and thus mare readily saleable, and at the same time pro,rides the customer
urith
an app~rrlur~ity to purcl7ase blinds in a retail establishment end walk out of
the stt~re
t~~nkh them in his possession, ratfier than meeting a sal~espersan at home,
and
t~aiting a few w~.~eeks far them to be fabricated in a facfory.
SUBS~3TLlTE SHEET' MULE 2~ ~~~
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For example MENSI.,i~Y tJS Patent 2,92,005 discloses a martiine for dampjrlp
bundles ofi~~oodan places, and holding ihe~m for cutting.
ft does not relate bo trimmiryQ blinds as such. The method of clampin~ of >;he
bundles of wooden pieoea disdassd essentially forms the pieces into ~ square
bundle, This, is totally unsuited to rJarrtping blind stets, which must be
held side byr
side. This tg due bo the fact that blinds are #rimmed niter they hs~y~e~
all~e~dy begs
assembled with theirbllnd.tapes and controls. The stets rrtust be clamped
without
disturbing fhe tapes or controls.
r o Hsu US Paten# ~,807,32~ discloses a rr~achirae used to trim both ends of a
bond
sirnulteneously. The entire blind is clamped by cylinders on a benoh_ 1',n~,
s,aws
then mane slrnultaneously to Prim opposite ends of a!I the blinrJ!
compan~ents, ie the
heart rail the blind slats and tfte bottom rail.
Two mlllJng heads then mill the trimmest ends of the components to glue them a
25 sli~ntly curved pmtlie at esct~ end.
This wlll result in the head rail havins milled send curved ends, as uvell as
the slats
and bottom rail_ Generellybhl5 would be undesiraESle to a oonsumer_ I~lost
consumers affect the blind head rail 6o be cut square at the ends. The effect
of
milling the head rail ends would be to defiine misled curves runnir~p from top
tn
~ o bottom of the head rat! and would ar~ate an add appearance.
This system does not hare diet for firir»ming the head rail of the blind.,
separately
frarn fhe bUnd slats_
zs
3U
Prirytad:28-~B-X001. At~Et~DED SHEJ=~ epoUne.File Irisp~aetidn~.
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In the past various apparatira has been designod for cutting down widths
of horizontal blinds of specific designs and specific materials. However, in
general terms, these machines have not been totally suifabla for cutting dawn
blinds in which the slats are made of heavier (or ihicker~ materials, such as
wood
or thicK thermoplaet6c.
In addition to these factors, blinds and window ovverings are also
available in which blind slats are suspended vertically from a head rail.
These
blind slats may Joe drawn to one side or the other of the fnrindow opening, or
in
sums asses to both sides, end may be rotst~ed between open and classed
positions, by a mechanism located in the head rail. Again, these blinds
usually
required a sales call, at ~e home, followed by custom fabrication in a
factory.
Advantageously, these blinds too would be provided in standard widths, in
a retail sure and it would be desirable fo prflvide sn apparatus in the stone
for
ruthing down the width of the head rail, and also the lengths of the
verbir",al $lab,
in the case of vertical blinds. ~lertical blinds, as yell as horiz4n#a!
blinds, also
use blind slats which one made of heavier or thicker maiJerials such as wood
or
thick thermoplastic, and earlier machines such as tJlcse using shears or
cu#ing
blades ar$ not suitable for cutting blind slats elther,<arkical or horizontal,
made of
these thicker materials.
Preferably, in order to ~aoonomixe in-store instgtlatiøns of cut-down
~aquiprnent and also tb simplify instruction df staff, a single cutdown
rneChirte will
be provided which enables blinds having a metal heal rail, and ha ing slats
formed of these hesv~er materials to be out down #o the desired width (or
height
in a single machine.
Clne 4f the considerations iri designing such a cut-down machine is tfio
manna! effort that is required to aperatie the machine to cut thro~9h the head
rail
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materials and the difffarent cutting ~ction, namely a saw cut i~nr the heavier
(end
thicken slat materials.
Clearly, metal such as steal, used in heed rails, is relatively hard ~ cut.
~n the other hand, since the sections used in this type of product are
reiatively~
thin, the die for salting the metal components of the blind may only be
required
tp drove a short ~istsnc~.
Consequently,. so long as adequate leverage is prrnrided to move the
metal cut#ing die s relatively short distance, this probl~rrt can be
addressed.
On the other hand, the cutting of the blind slafis themselves presents
t1 entirely different problems. In this type of blind the slats are made of
relatively
thick material which white easier to cut requEr$ a saw blade action. The
thickness of all of the blind slats of these heavier materials when bandied
together for cutting is considerable. Consequently, the saw for cuffing these
heavier, thicker blind stets must move a considerable distance.
S While it is relatively easy t4 provide far the manual operation p~ such a
saw moving a considerable distance for cutting easier to cut th icker
materiais,
~e problem becomes more complex when it is understQOd that it is desirable, at
least in the case of horizontal blinds, to cut all vtthe materials, both the
metal
head rail and the softer blind s1a#s, in ~,rhat is essentially a single
cuttirEg sfroke,
(E This is because, et least in the case of horizontal blinds, the trimming of
the ends of the head rails and slat=" must ~ most cases he carried out, so
that
the blin6 hag a prec7sely measured twidth along e8ch side, and the widths of
the
blind slats c4rrespond to the widths of the head rail and bdttvm rail. This is
not
so important in the cage of ~re~tical blinds, but is stilt desirable.
It is not feasible to provide two machines, i.e. a firsf machine which cuts
only the head rail whirJ~ is usually made of steel, and a second machine for
an
entirely aepara#e cut forcuttin~ the softer, Thicker blind slats.
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~'he moving of the blind from one machine tp another will almost ine~ritably
resulE in same discrepancy betmeen the amount cut off from the head rail and
the amvr~nt cut oft from the blind slats, and the end nesulf will not be
sstisf$ctary.
In addition to these problems there are other Corms ~rf blends in wi,ich thv
head rails and bottom rails a formed of thermoplastic material. VSlhen cut6ing
dawn of blind components such as these fiprmad on thermoplastic it is found
that
it is generally unsuitable for cutting by means of a movable cutting die such
as is
used for cultin~ metal sections. Such therm4plastic section components are
however easy ~ cut when using a rofiary saw blades.
In this case it is found desirable to provide some form of Component
support to hnld the ~componer~t so tJ~at the saw cut is formsd cleanly anrf in
a
desired plane.
For these reasons therefore the pr9pvision of a cufdawrl machine meefirtg
atJ of these objectives, i.e. b~aing capable of cutting through both fhe
crafter but
thicker blind slats, and the harder buf thinner male) head rail and bottom
rai~, in g
single manual cutting movemdnt, and teeing oapabte of saw cutting thicker
materials, presents a oompiex problem.
The ~omplexify of the design is further egg raweted by the fact that (i n the
case of horizontal biinsis) thv head rail is located at the head of the blind
and is
usually made of metal, eg, steel, and the blind slats (of thicker material)
are
Jocabsd spaae~i bel~onr the head rail, Corrs~rquently~, u~hon trimming the
blind it is
necessary to provide putting dies for cutting head rails and for substantially
simultanaausly saw cutting the trii~cker blind slats. It will of course txe
appreciated
that an the case of horizontal, i.e. Venetian blinds, all of )bane cuts must
be
made in a c~amman plane, so as to provide a uniform en~! trimming function an
the blind. Even for vertical blinds, the vertical blind slats must be trimmed,
ator~g
their lovuer ends, by cutting ell the staf ends slang a common plane.
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Y1'U U l ~IIT747 PCTIf A DIMYlllt4td
A further factor in this type of apparatus is that s~s far as possible it is
deeirablrr to simplify its operation for fhs service per$annel in the retail
outlet, so
that the cuttintt or trimming ofth$ ends of the blind may be carried oukwith
the
tesgt pos9ible chance for error. Pr~iersbly, in order to do this, the
apparatus vrilt
be constructed in such a vray that a ein~le movement of a manual cutting arm
or
lever, will produce the cut dovun or trim funCtian both in respect of the head
rail
cutting die and also the closure element saw blade, so that all the campanenfs
of
the blind are trimmed with s single manual stroke, When refisrring to s
"manual"
stroke it will 6e appreciated that, in fact, then apparaku$ could be po~nrer
operated.
Its some caee~s the head rails msy also be of softer material, such as
thermoplastic, and in tiieae eases saw blade cutting may bo used to trim the
ends of alt the blind components.
It wilt further be appreciated that this type ofi equipment will be used by
seruice personnel in retail establishments, As such, while they will haue a
certain degree of training, they will usually have numerous other duties, and
may
in tact be working some~nrhat under pressure, while a customer is actually
waiting. Consequently, it is desirabae as far as possible to make the
apparatus
as simple to operate as is possible.
For this reason, it is desirable that the op~rating mechanism, in this case
for example, a manual Fever, shall operate both the head rail cutting die and
also
the closure element cutting s~avr,
ConsEquantly, it is desirable to provide some form of linkgge ire which both
the die and the saw a~ operated.
It will also be appreciated that while reference is made to manual
operation, it is Gonoeivabfe that some form of power operated means could be
provided, which would Still requina same sfegree of manual operation, if only
tv
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simply press a switch. Manual operation is deemed to be generic to a1! $uch
Norms of operation whether p~o~u~ner assisted, or not.
BRIEF SUMfrrIARY OF THE=,INVENTION
S With a view #o providing a blind cutdown apparatus which addresses the
various foregoing Gon~flicting problems, the invention comprises a blind Guk-
down
apparatus far cutting and sawing a blind hawing at Least a head rail cemponenf
of
thin meteri~l, end blind slsfa c~f thicker rnaterial suspended from the hear!
rail,
and comprising a blind holding plate having opening means for at least a head
0 rail component and slat components therein for receiving re$pectiye
components
of a blind there through, and i~vlding them in position frar cutting, a sls~t
cutting
saw moveable relative tv said holding plate, for cutting blind slats extending
through Bald htotding plate.
preferably in order to provide for cutting bath thermoplastic components
andler metal components, the apparakus will also have s cutting die Molder
adjacent to said cutting savr, said cutting die hotder carryring at Least one
cutting
die for receiving said head rail there through, and being moveable r~atative
to said
J7olding plate for cutting said head rail, and including mravsrnent means for
moving said cutting saw and said cutting die holder substantially
simultaneously,
0 wheroby both said blind slats sad said head rail may tta cut substantially
simultaneously and in a rrommon plane airing tine surface of said holding
plate,
Prefer~bly the thermoplastic Component holder uaill be neoveable into and
out of position, depending upon vrhetherfhe blind has all thermoplsat~c
components, cr a mix of thermoplastic and of metal compan~ants,
a The invention further provides for such a cut down apparatus end
including a head rail cutting die secured to said holding plate, and said head
rai!
cutting die being mounted to said die holder, v~hereby said Head raiE cuffing
die
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may move relative fia said holding plate far cutting said head rail extending
there
th rough.
The invention further provides such an apparatus and further ha~rit~g a
saw blade guide a~tteched to said holdings plate and said savr blade being
moveable there along relative do said holding plate,
The inueniion fur#her pra,ridas such an apps~rstus and in which manual
movement means ana provides fcr mQ~ring both said cutting die and said saw
blade, w~rith said cutting die moving a short distance, and said saw blade
moving
a greater distance and in s common plane, under the influence of a single
manual operating means.
The inveniion further provides fior a slat clamping mechanism operable to
clamp a bundle of slats extending through said holding plate, wherEby to hold
them stationary during aperafidn of swirl saw blade-
The inven#ian further provides that the s~sr blade is operated by an
electric motor, the saw blade comprising a rofatable saw disk.
The invention further provides ihe# the cutting die guide shall pr4nride a
cuffing die rnov~amenk path v~hich is diagonal tn the movement path of said
sew
b lade.
The invention further provides such an apparatus and including a vacuum
fan and ~racuurn nozzle, Ibcated sdjaoen# to said sevr bledp collecting saw
Cut
debris resulting from the operation of said sew.
The inveniion iurilier provides such an appareius wherein the manual
~paration means comprises a rotary shaft, a manual lever connected to said
shaft, en operating cam aonnecEed to said shaft and engaging said cuffing die,
and a movement transmission !ewer aannected between said shaft and said saw
blade, said Transmission means are being operable fJirnugh a path of movement
greater than the path of movement t~f said cutting die,
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In a simpiifed form otthe inv~antion, bo#h the head rail, and the blind sfafs,
and even the botfom rail, c-a,n all be cut by a single saw cutting blade, and
they
can all be held in a single clamp opening. This will become possible where,
for
example, the head rail and bottom rail are made out of a non-metallic maEerial
such that it is easily cut lay means of a saw blade.
In this form of the invention a moveable head rail holder piat~ is provided,
having head rail holding op~enlngs therein. The head rail hoEdsr plate is
moveable betty~en inoperable and operable positions, and in the operable
position, the head rail openings regi5tef with they openings in the holder
plate. In
this way both the head rail and blind slats are fveld in position fixed end
immo~rable, suitable for cutting by the cuftin~ sevr.
The invention further provides an embodirnenf in vrhich a mn~reable
component holder plate is formed with a plurality of component ape~ings of
varying shapes, ~r holding components of cortesponding varying cross sections,
i The various featufes of novelty which characterize the invention are
pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and fiorming a
pert of
this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made
in
the aocnrnpanping drawings and descriptive matter in ~rhich there are
illustrated
and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
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9
IN ThiE DRALAfIAIr;S
Figure 1 is a perspective illusfratian of a rotary saw cut dawn machine from
tine
saw blade side, ildstrating the invention and showing blind component inserted
therein;
Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus of Figure 1 viewed
from the
opposite side;
Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figuna 9;
Figure 4 is a schematic side illustration of the heed rail cut down die
portion of
the apparatus, shown in a flr5t pOSltlbn;
0 Figure 5 is a vie~~. conespnndir,g to Figure 1 showing the cut down die in a
second position, and showing movemenf in phantom;
Figure B is a side elevationBl view of a further embodiment of the cutdown
marbine;
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FigaJre 6;
S Fig~rre 8 is a perspective illustration of a simplified form of saw blade
cut down
machine where the saw blade will cut ~eJi of the blind onmponents namely the
teed rgil, the blind slats and the bnttnrn rail, in a single pass of the saw
blade;
Figure 9 is a p~arspactive illustration of the appsrat~us otFigure B, sho~Yn
from the
opposite side;
1 Figure 10 illustrates a side elevatit~nal YEew of a further embodime~tt too
the
invention shotuin8 an optional moveable head rail holder plmte, the holder
plate
being in its inoperable pqsition in Figure 9~, and,
Figure 11 is s side elevation view oorrespanding to Fig 10, and shanhring the
i head rail holder plate moved into its vpereble position.
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DESCRIPTIOfxI OF A C EhdBODlhut T
Refierring first rrf all to Figs, 'i and ~, the invention is there iiluatrated
in the
form of a blind cut down machine indiCatecl gen~arally as 1fl. Such a machine
is
intended fo be installed at a retail afore, au~d would be bolted on a working
i surface somewhere in s senrioe arrda away from the r~stomers.
As explained above the purpose of the apparatus 10 is tc~ be capai~le cf
trimming fhe treed rail and slats b~ of horizontal or so called ~fenetian
blinds,
and also the head rail and slats of Vertical blinda-
l~Jhere a Venetian blind has a bottom rail, then the apparatus is also
capable is cutting down the bottom rail, if such a blind has a battnm rail.
It should also be ~undersiood that in the case of Venetian blinds, the
Venetian blind is alresdp assembled so that there are so called ladder;apes
and
also raise cords which are already attached to the slats, and connected bd the
head rail.
As a rESUIt, urban trimming the ends of the blind head rail and slats, in
Venetian blinds it will be understood that it is necessary to insert both the
head
rail hand bottom rail) and the slats into the trimming apparatus at the same
time,
so that the trim cuts are made in a oornman plane. It will he farther
understood
that in the great majority of cases, when trimrnirtg a ~Ienetian blind, it is
necessary to trim the head rail (and bottom rail) and slats at both ends, so
as to
produce sn even appearance in the finished cut dawn f~lirtd. If, for example,
the
blind must be cut down by, for example, a lof~J of t<~~na inches, then the
slats and
the head rail lend bottom rail} et each end wih have to be cut down by an
amount
t~f one inch, so as to produve a tptal two inch Cut dawn.
Urt the other hand, with vertical blinds, the normal industry practice is to
supply the head rail t~eith its trolleys, and operating mechanism, and to
supply a
group of closure elements, ie. blind slats, in a pacltage, with the Slats
separate
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11
from and detached from the head rail. In this case, the normal practice is to
cut
down the head rail at one end only, since the controls for the blinds are
usually
located in a fixed location at the opposite end of the head rail.
The blind slats will usually be cut down only along their lower ends, since
they are usually provided with some form of attachment means at their upper
ends for connecting to the trolleys in the head rail when the blind is finally
assembled and installed.
From this preliminary outline, it will be understood that the apparatus
illustrated should preferably perform these varied functions on different
types of
blind products, so that a single cut down machine may be supplied to the
retailer
and the retail staff trained on that single machine, thereby avoiding the
expense
of supplying several different cut down machines and training staff on several
machines.
Referring once again to the drawings, the apparatus 10 will be seen in this
embodiment to comprise a base or mounting plate 12 and a frame plate 14
mounted thereon perpendicular thereto. The frame plate 14 or blind holding
plate is
provided with a rectangular opening or space 16 for receiving blind components
typically a head rail indicated as H, and closely spaced thereto, closure
elements i.e.
blind slats S, and in this case, a blind bottom rail R. The blind illustrated,
typically
would be a Venetian blind, and it will be understood that the ladder tapes and
raise
cords are not illustrated simply for the sake of clarity, and to avoid
complexity in the
illustration. Frame plate 14 also defines two upwardly directed support arms
18-18,
defining between them a generally U-shaped rectangular space, for reasons to
be
described below. Mounted on frame plate 14 there is a spacer plate 20, and
holder
plate 22.
In order to cut the head rail H which typically will be made of thin
relatively
hard material, typically metal, a moveable die mounting plate or head rail
plate 24 is
provided.
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12
The plate 22 in the embodiment shown is fixed while plate 24 is moveable
relative -
plate 22. The fixed plate 22 and moveable plate 24 are mounted in a common
pair of
channels 26-26 secured to frame plate 14. Holder plate 22 defines a
rectangular slot
like opening 28 of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the head rail H1
so as to
hold it securely during cutting. In this particular embodiment, provision is
made for
two different shapes of head rails H and h1. For this purpose, a second head
rail
(h1) opening 29 is provided, which in this case, is located within the
dimensions of
the opening 28 for H1.
Moveable die plate 24 carries with it a cutting die 30 which has a
corresponding rectangular slotted recess corresponding to the shape of the
head
rail H1 and opening 28. Moveable die plate 24 also carries a second cutting
die
31, located within the dimensions of the cutting die 30, for cutting the
smaller
head rail placed through the smaller head rail opening 29.
Movement of the moveable plate 24 relative to the fixed holder plate 22
will cause movement of the cutting die 30 (or 31 ) and this will sever or
shear the
material of the head rail. It will be appreciated that since the head rail is
of
relatively thin gauge material, the die plate 24 will not move a great
distance. On
the other hand, considerable force must be exerted on the die plate 24 in
order
for it to perform the shearing action. It will also be noted from Figs. 1 and
2 that
the channels 26-26 which hold and control the moveable die plate 24, also
define its path of movement relative to the head rail. This path of movement
will
be seen to be in a generally diagonal direction. The reason for this is that
the
shearing action of the cutting die 30 is preferably of a progressive nature,
and
will shear the head rail in a direction which is diagonal to its rectangular
cross
section from one corner to another.
The moveable die plate 24 is moved by means of the manual lever 32.
Lever 32 is coupled to a drive shaft 34. Shaft 34 extends through frame plate
14
and through fixed plate 22. Within fixed plate 22, there is mounted an offset
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drive stub shaft 3B. By this means, by manual operation of lever 3~, the shaft
3d
can be rotated thereby rotating and causing an orbitgl movement of the dove
stub shaft 38_ 'his will cause sliding movement of the plate 24 relative
tv.the
fixed plate ~2, thareiay shearing the head rail,
The saw cutting assernbiy for cutting the closure elements (and bot6om
rally is indicated generally as dQ. It u~rill he assn to comprise a saw blad~a
mounting plate ~2, which is secured to a slide block 4d. BIvcK 44 is mounted
an
slide rails 48-dB extending between the upright arms 1 B.
(art the Iowerend of the saw plate 42, there is mounted a rotary saw
0 assembly indicated as 48. The saw assembly 48 is essentially a typical
electric
motor, coupled by s shaft (not sho,nrn~ to a rotary saw blade 49 of a type
yell
known in the art, For simplicity, an operating handle $Q may be provided, an
the
savr assembly 4B, for manually drawing the saw 48 to and fro along ~e rail$
46,
The spaaor plate X11 is Secured t4 the frame plate 7~~ so as fo space the saw
5 mounting plate 42 in the correct plane, so as fo bring the saw blade into
alignment with the int~e,rfaoe betvmeen the fixed plate 22 end the moveable
die
pie#e 24. This is required so That the trimming cut down adton both of the
score
blad$ and of the moveable die plate 24, shall produce trimming of both the
head
rail and the blind slats, and th~a bottom rail where it is included in a
carnmon
:) plane.
In order to ensure that the saw debris does not fly about, a hollow
r~oltection tuk~e ~4 is pro5rided. Tube ti4 is provided with a plurality of
openings
(not shown) along the length of the saw blade travel.
Qne end the hollow tube ti4 may be connected, for example, by vacuum
hose 5fi (Fig. 2) to a vacuum pump and motor which are indicated generally as
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14
In order to preset the length of end trim or cut dawn on any particular job,
the length cutting control indicated generally at 8D is pnaYided. The length
contrxtl 60 comprises a generall~r horizon! plate 82. A slidabia bar64 is
movably connected #o plebe 82 by means of threaded screw 68. A generally t.-
shaped spacer block 68 is secured to the end ~ bar ~~_ A blind contact plate
70
is attached to the block 88 end is ori~entad to a contact at the ends of the
tread
rails N and the blind slat S and the bottom rail.
The spacer block 68 end blind contact plate 70 may, in some cases, be
connected to the lever 32 and Fhaft 34 so thaf it moves away from the ands of
:1 the blind component but this is not always necessary and conseQuently, the
mechanism is octt described in detail,
In o~rier to ~clar~op the blirtd slats S and bottom rail R in position, to be
Jleld
firmly during fhe operation of the saw blade, a clamp plate 7~ is provided,
secured too frame plate 14. A moveable clamp arm 74 is mounted on a scrt9ur
shaft 76. A hand vrheel 78 permits the screw shaft to be drawn tea and fro,
thereby drawing the clamp arm into oontac# witty the blind slab and bottom
rail
(Fig. 2).
In operation, the head rail H and blind slats S and bott4m rail R are
inserted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The clamp arm 74 is operated go as to
clamp the blind slats S and bottom rail R in position.
The lever 32 is then stperated so as to move the motreable die plate ~4
~F~$, 4 and 5) thereby seuering the head rail.
Thereafter, the operator may simply manually grasp the Jlsndle 5p and
stai~h an the mofor48, by any suitable electrical svvit~ch (not shop). The saw
blade is then dravrn through tho blind slats and the bottom rail.
All of the blind components ttyerefore ere cut in a common plane while
k~eing held in positipn in the apparatus.
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As 5hauvn in Figure (3, the operation of the operating means in fhis case,
f~he fever 32, although other operating means could be used whether hand
opers6ed or powver operated, inr operating the die plate 24, and the operation
of
tha saw assembly 49 and its sliding mount 44, may be coupled,to~$fi~er. In
order to provPde thi$ coupling, a first spring t3D may be provided. The spring
8D is
cx~nnected befinreen the lever 32 and a vann~2ctin~ bar 82 which is itself
maunt~ed
on the slide block 44. h9anual nparation of the le~$r 32 will thus be
communicated to the slide block 4d by the increased tension developed in
spring
8i1.
0 In order tv provide a sfrnnr pro~ressiYe movement of the saw assembly, a
damper means, namely a control cylinder t34 is provided. Cylinder 84 is
mounted
on a flange 86 on plats 18, and the piston rod of cylinder 84 is onnnacted to
bar
82.
~'he oparation of the cylinder 8~ 15 sUCh as to cause a progressiv$ gradual
5 movement of the saw blade assembly 48 Fig. 7), in response to tensioning of
the spring 80, thereby producing a slov~~, progressive, gradua9 movement of
the
saw blade assembly 49 so as to provide a smooth, regular cut Through the ends
of the blind closure elements and bottflm rail.
Irt order tn return the block 44, and the saw blade assembly 48, the return
l spring t38 is provided. Spring t3t3 connects between block 44 and frame 1 B.
In order to provide automatic onloff operation of the saw blade assembly
4t3, a typical limit switch AD is provided, b~eiag operated by a Fng~er 82 on
block
44. As soon ae the spring 8a is placed in tension, the finger 9~ will rel~a$a
the
limit switch 90 thereby activating the motor in the saw blade assembly 4S.
Clnc~a the return spring 8$ returns to the black 44, the finger 92 s. ill
contract
the switch g0 and thereby shut off power to the motor and stop the saw blade
assembly 4t3.
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f'.71 tlfa'f91.'i:i JfSU.'~-SSl-11
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16
In addition, suitable end sbvps 64 and 96 rney be provided on the two
frame portions 9 B-18, so as to limit the length of traueJ of the block 44.
'While the apparatus already described is suitable far use ~nrhere, for
example, the head rail is made of a metallic material, and fhe slats and
bottom
rail are made of a softer material suitable (or cutting by means of a saw
blade, it
will be appreGabed that in certain ca$~aa it may be possible to fabricate the
head
rail itself out ofi a sbPter material, so that ~ by a saw blade.
A rnoefif~ed simplified form of apparatus fir this purpose is shown in
Figures 8 and 9.
D In this simplified apparatus, a frame plate 7t10, is mounted on a base plate
902. A blind component opening 144 is fiatrned in plate 1~0. A component
buffer 106 is mounted on plate 900.
A component clamp arm 108 is mounted nn screuu 110 operated by hand
wheel 112.
5. Blind components consisting of a non-metallic head rail H, blind slats S,
arid a bottom rail R, are all passed thmugh the opening 104. the edge of the
head rail abuts against buffer 106, white the bQtt~am plate is clamped by mans
of clamp 70~, tlieraby securing the blind components in position for cutting.
A saw blade mounting 11d, carries a notary saw blade 11~r dri~ren by any
c~ suitable motor means knot shown). Arm 114 is secured to slide bearings 119.
Bearings 118 are spaced apart from one another and ride ors guide rods 120.
A collector channel 122 is secured to plate 10f1, and defines an opening
along which blade 718 can travel. In this way, savr dust and debris from the
savr
blade cutting thro~cgh the blind components, can fall down into the channel.
The
5 channel wilt be connected to a suitable ~racuum source (not shown) in
essentislJy
the same manner ag d~esctibed above.
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l'.~ ti%a't97 s:i %5515.'x-f!1-11
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Blind component end stops are provided in the iQrm of a transverse stop
bar 'ltd, mounted an a slide~ body 123, which is slidable to provide a fixed
stop
and which can be secured by means such as clamp sc~nrs 123,
The plate 'i 14 is opere6ed by rnegr,s of a handle 130 and a trigger switch
> 132 is provided in handle 130, and vahen the trigger switch is depressed,
the
motor driving the bkade 11fi will commence operation.
In a still further embndiment>bo the invention, the advantages of both the
cut0ing apparatus of Figure 1 and Figure g may be provided in a single
apparatur4.
i} Irr the apparatus Qf Figures 10 and 1'f, the essential features of the
appara#ua of Figures 1 through 8 is provided, and is deemed included without
reference.
In this embodiment, the apparatus is adaptable to either cut blinds in
which the head rail is metallic and the alr#s are non-metallic, in vfiich
cases the
apparstu9 will employ the moveable cutter plate 24 and c~ctfer die, fior
cutting the
m~etalfic head rail, ~nr, the apparatus rney be adapted fior cutting a blind
in which
the head rail is made of softer materials typically thermoplastic, which does
nQt
require ccrtting in a (lead rail die, but vrhich can be cut simply by means of
the
saw.
? Ta fiacilifste this, the apparatus of Figures 10 and 19 provides a moveable
head rail holder plate 140, mounted alongside the frarrEe plate 1d.
~Fypically, the
rriov6able holder plate 140 vain) be mounted above the opening 18. The holder
plate 140 will be slidably mounted in slide channels 142. Any Suitable form of
plate locking device 'fA4 is provided fvr holding the platre in, iar v~xample,
its
i upper inoperative p4sition.
The head rail plate 140 is provided with the first ps~ir of head rail holder
slats 1a6 for a larger head rail l12, which are parallel and spaced apart from
one
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Ci> t5%a'fa1'~:i ltYl1'a,_~y1-11
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another. They are oriented t4 support the two side walls of the typical fhree
aided head rail channel, such as 28, 29 (Fig. 3).
Between thla two slots 14B-1~t6 a head rei! support shoulder 148 is
prpvided, for supporting the web or infrermediate walls of the typical head
rail
channel.
A further head rail slot 150 is provided located between slots ld.Jy-14~.
The head rail slot 150, coupled with the Lower slat 148, will alJaw such a
smaller
rectangular head rail h2 fn be supported by the head rail plate 140.
Head rail slat 150 can receive a small head rail typical in so-called "t~lini-
to blinds"hauinp~smailerslats.
When the head rail support plate 140 is in its upper inoperative position,
fhe apparatus will typically be used for cu#ing a blind putting slats
indicated as
S1, which will be cut by the sate, and a head rail indicated as H1 which will
be
out by the head rail cutting die already describr~d,
5 Typically, ho~t~ever, when the support plate 140 is in its lower operative
position as shown in Figure 11, the apparatus will be used for cutting Slats
indicated as S2, and s head rail indicated as 1i2.
In each cas~a, the cutting of smaller blinds hasfin~ narrower slate and a
smaller hsaci rail is not illustrated, but is de~amed to be self explanatory.
0 The embodiment shovan in Figs 1D and 11, is capable of handling blinds
consisting of all thermopfastio components, on the one ?'land, and a mix of
thermoplastic components and metal components on the other,
As mentioned above the existence of acme blinds using all thermoplastic
components mattes it desirable to provlda such a machine which is adaptable to
5 cuttincd dawn eitherfype of blind. Where the head rail and bottom rail
components are formed of thermoptaetic then the using of metal cutting dies is
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('.71 S7Y.'i't 31 .'r:i lI7U.'~_S71 -11
Wa ouuza~~ rcr~CACnmns~a
19
found to be unsuitable. Instead it is found to he preferable to use the rotary
cutting savr to cut all the Componeata whstn they ate all of thermnplsstiC..
Irl t+~is case as explained the holder plate 22 arid cutting die plate ~4 era
not used.
9 After positioning ~e moveable pkat~e 14D in its operative postlion, arid
inserting the blind components, and operating the clamp, the rotary saw is
then
switched on- As it is dravlrn past pl~efe 9d it will cut the slats and then
the heed
rail H2.
Clearly, if desired a similar moveable plate,not ahowny could be pro~ricfed
3 with an opening far holding a bottom rail whil~ cutting. Such a botEr~rrt
rail plate
vlmuld of course be located somewhere slang the Length of the opening 14.
How~aver in mast cases this will not be nee~led_ Blinds of this type ane otfen
made without a br~ttom rail, or , iE one is provided, it is simply forrnetl of
3oiid
ple,stic but somewhat thicker than the slats, and can thendfore be held by the
i clamp for cutting.
Tlte foregoing is a description of a preferred ernbodim$nt of the invention
which is giuen herle by way of example only. The imrention is not to be taken
ss
limited to arry of the sp~acific features as described, but comprehends ail
such
variations thereof as come within the'GOpe of the appended claims.
i
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