Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02643256 2013-11-06
TITLE
BLIND CUTTING MACHINE
Field of Invention
The invention relates to a machine that is used to trim stock sizes of
venetian type blinds
to fit an opening whose dimensions are provided by a customer.
Background of the Invention
Many home centers and other retailers of window covering products purchase
venetian
blinds in stock sizes from a blind manufacturer and display those blinds in
retail store locations.
These retailers have machines, called cut-down machines, which a salesperson
or technician can
use to trim a stock blind to fit a window, door or other opening having
dimensions smaller than
the dimensions of a stock blind. Typically, the customer provides these
dimensions. For
example, a customer may tell a salesperson that the dimensions of the window
to be covered by
the blind are 34 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The stock blind closest to
those dimensions is 36
inches wide and 48 inches in length. Consequently, it will be necessary to cut
two inches from
the width of the stock blind to create a blind that will fit the customer's
window. Because the
customer usually wants each of the two ladders in a venetian blind of this
size to be the same
distance from the edge of the blind nearest the ladder, the retailer will cut
away an equal amount
of material from each edge of the blind rather than cut all the material from
one edge of the
blind. In the example, one inch would be cut from each edge of the blind. If
the blind is too
long for the opening, extra slats or other window covering material can be
removed from the
bottom of the blind. A cut-down machine is not used for this purpose.
There are several types of window covering work piece trimming machines known
in the
art. One type of machine, disclosed in United States Patent No. 6,615,698 to
Chuang et at, has a
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pair of trimming units, which are adapted from conventional power miter saws.
The blind,
shade, valance, shutter, headrail, bottom rail, slats, or other window
covering work piece to be
cut down is placed upon a work surface so that each side of the work piece is
fitted through a
trimming unit similar to a miter box. An adjustable end stop is provided near
each trimming unit
to enable the work piece to be positioned in the trimming unit so that the
correct amount of
material is trimmed from the work piece. The end stops are manually moved by
the operator
using a rule or scale provided near the end stop. Consequently, an operator of
the machine must
calculate the amount of material to be removed from each side or end of a
stock work piece and
then manually position each end stop so that the correct amount of material is
cut away.
Another type of blind cutting machine has a cutting mechanism that can cut
only one end
of a blind. In this type of machine the operator uses the same cutting
mechanism to cut one end
or side of the blind then repositions the blind and cuts the opposite end of
the blind. Most of
these machines have a set of cutting dies that act as the cutting mechanism.
These machines also
have a manually adjustable end stop, which is used to position blind relative
to the cutting
mechanism so that the proper amount of material is cut away from the blind.
The operator of
these machines must calculate the amount of material to be trimmed from each
side or end of the
blind and then use a ruler or scale to position the stop so that the correct
amount of material is
removed. Examples of this type of machine can be found in United States Patent
No. 5,799,557
to Wang and Nos. 5,806,394 and 6,196,099 to Marocco.
One major manufacturer provides a mathematical wheel to dial in the width
measurements and type of mount. After the variables have been entered the
wheel will tell the
sales associate the distance at which to set the end stop. Another blind
manufacturer provides a
modified tape measure on the machine. A piece of plastic is attached to the
middle of each blind.
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That plastic piece is used to align the middle of the blind with a tape
measure on the cutting
surface.
Whenever an operator must make calculations and set end stops the possibility
for errors
exists. But, a more significant shortcoming of the blind trimming machines
having manually
adjustable stops is the time that an operator spends in positioning the end
stop. It may take as
much as 5 to 10 minutes for a sales associate to complete the entire cutting
process.
Consequently, there is a need for a blind trimming machine that automatically
calculates the
amount of material that should be trimmed from a work piece and then
automatically positions
the end stops, a window covering work piece or both so that the correct amount
of material is cut
away.
Summary of the Invention
We provide 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. The cutting machine includes a stand, one or
more cutting
mechanisms adjacent the stand, a controller and at least one locator connected
to the controller
that is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the window
covering work piece at a
location between the first end and second end of the work piece and is
moveable relative to the at
least one cutting mechanism. The controller has a memory. The memory contains
a program
such that the controller causes the one or more locators to move so the
desired amount of
material can be trimmed from the first end of the work piece or the second end
of the work piece
after the controller receives information about the window covering work
piece.
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The information about the window covering work piece can include dimensions of
a
window or door over which the window covering work piece will be mounted,
dimensions of the
work piece to be cut, the desired dimensions of the work piece to be cut, bar
code information
assigned to the work piece or the type of mount (e.g. inside mount or outside
mount) the window
covering work piece will have.
The cutting machine may further include one or more data entry devices
connected to the
controller. In some embodiments, the one or more data entry devices may be a
keypad, a
scanner, a bar code reader, or any combination thereof.
At least one display can be connected to the controller. In one embodiment,
the display
may be configured to provide output from the controller that provides prompts
or instructions to
an operator. The one or more displays may also be configured to identify
information the
controller receives from a data entry device.
In some embodiments, the one or more locators can include at least one
moveable work
surface connected to the controller so the one or more moveable work surfaces
are moveable
relative to the one or more cutting mechanisms. The locators may also include
at least one
holding device attached to the one or more work surfaces. The holding devices
may be attached
such that the holding devices are affixed to the work surface or are removable
from the work
surface. The holding devices may be sized and configured to retain the window
covering work
piece about to be cut. The holding devices may be one or more clips, clamps or
other
connectors.
In other embodiments, the one or more locators may include at least one arm
connected
to the controller. The one or more arms may have one or more holding devices
that are sized and
configured to retain a window covering work piece. In some embodiments, the
holding devices
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may be clips, clamps, slings, claws or other connectors. The holding devices
may be connected
to the arm or arms such that the holding devices may move relative to an arm
to which it is
connected or affixed to the arm or is connected such that the holding device
is removable from
the arm.
Embodiments of our cutting machine may have the one or more locators
configured to
move adjacent the top surface of the stand. The locators may move directly on
the top surface or
along sidewalls or rails attached to the surface such that the locators move
above the top surface
without directly contacting the top surface.
In one embodiment, the one or more cutting mechanisms include at least one
cutting
mechanism adjacent one side of the stand and at least one cutting mechanism
adjacent another
side of the stand. We prefer to provide at least one cutting mechanism on
opposite sides of the
stand.
One or more actuators may be connected to the locators. The controllers may be
connected to the actuators such that the controller causes the one or more
locators to move by
causing the actuators to move the locators.
Some embodiments of our cutting machine may include one or more end stops
located
adjacent at least one of the cutting mechanisms. The end stops may be attached
to the controller
to move relative to the one or more cutting machines after the controller
receives information
about the window covering work piece about to be cut by the cutting machine.
The end stop
may alternatively be configured to be moved manually by an operator or be
located such that the
end stop is not moveable from its position adjacent the one or more cutting
machines. In one
embodiment, each end stop is located adjacent a respective cutting mechanism.
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Our cutting machine may also include one or more markers that identify where
to
position at least a portion of the window covering work piece on the one or
more locators, a
desired amount about to be cut from an end of the work piece, or a dimension
the work piece will
be after being cut down by the cutting machine. The markers may be configured
to move
relative to the one or more cutting mechanisms. In some embodiments, the one
or more markers
may be located on a locator such that the markers move when the locators move.
It should be understood that the controller may be connected to the one or
more locators
in numerous ways. For example, the controller may be connected to one or more
locators by a
wireless connection, one or more direct connections such as electrical wiring,
or by connecting
the controller to an actuator that is configured to move one or more locators.
In some embodiments, the one or more cutting mechanisms are positioned
adjacent the
stand and are supported by supports that are separate from the stand. In other
embodiments, the
one or more cutting mechanisms are connected to the stand.
Our cutting machine may also include one or more sensors positioned adjacent
at least
one of the stand, the one or more locators and the cutting mechanism. The one
or more sensors
may be connected to the controller to provide information relating to the work
piece about to be
cut by the cutting machine. In one embodiment, the one or more sensors are
configured to
interact with a device attached to or otherwise included in the work piece
that is configured to
identify information about the work piece. Such information may include the
dimensions of the
work piece or the work piece type, i.e., headrail, bottom rail, valance,
louver, or shade. In some
embodiments, the one or more sensors may be moveable relative to the cutting
mechanism.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from a
description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof shown in the
drawings.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first present preferred embodiment of our
blind cutting
machine.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the portion of the cutting machine shown in
Figure 1
where the end stop is located.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a present preferred controller used in the
embodiment of
Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a diagram of the basic components of the controller.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second present preferred embodiment of our
cutting
machine.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another present preferred embodiment of our
cutting
machine.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fourth present preferred embodiment of our
cutting
machine for trimming window coverings or window covering work pieces.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary top view of a fifth present preferred embodiment of
our cutting
machine.
Figure 9 is an exploded view of a first present preferred embodiment of a
holding device
and a headrail.
Figure 10 is an exploded view of the first present preferred embodiment of the
holding
device of Figure 9 attached to the headrail and another portion of the
embodiment of the locator.
Figure 11 is an exploded view of a present preferred locator embodiment and
two
alternate configurations of that locator shown in dotted line that may be
connected to a portion of
a first present preferred embodiment of a stand.
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Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Figure 11 of
one
embodiment of a locator connected to the fifth present preferred embodiment of
the cutting
machine.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 12 of another embodiment
of a
locator connected to a sixth present preferred embodiment of the cutting
machine.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a seventh present preferred embodiment of
our cutting
machine.
Figure 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Figure 14
illustrating an
embodiment of a locator connected to an actuator configured to move the
locator.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a seventh present preferred embodiment of
our cutting
machine for trimming window coverings or window covering work pieces.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of an eighth present preferred embodiment of
our cutting
machine for trimming window coverings or window covering work pieces with the
magnets
attached to at least one of the sidewalls.
Description of the Present Preferred Embodiments
A first present preferred embodiment of our cutting machine 1 shown in Figure
1 has a
stand 3 that holds the cutting mechanism 2, which trims the end of the blind.
A work surface 6
extends from the stand and is used to hold a venetian blind 10 to be trimmed.
A first blind
holder 11 is placed adjacent the cutting mechanism and a second blind holder
12 is on the work
surface 6. The blind is positioned to extend through the cutting dies 14 and
abut an end stop 16.
So that the end stop 16 can be seen in Figure 1, the blind is not shown as
abutting the end stop.
When the blind is properly positioned an electric actuator 18 is activated to
move the cutting dies
to trim the blind. A preferred construction of the cutting dies and detailed
discussion of the
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operation of the cutting mechanism illustrated in Figure 1 can be found in
United States Patent
No. 5,699,557. An actuator 20 is attached to the stand 3 and has a plunger 21
that is attached to
end stop 16. The actuator moves the end stop relative to the work surface 6
and cutting
mechanism 2. The actuator could be a servomotor, a pneumatic cylinder or
hydraulic cylinder.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator is a hydraulic
cylinder having a
plunger 21 that moves out of and into the cylinder 22. The distal end of the
plunger 21 is
attached to the end stop. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to a controller
24 by cable 23. The
controller may be mounted on the stand 3, but preferably is removable from the
stand. If desired
a transmitter/receiver (not shown) could be used in place of the cable 23. The
controller, shown
in detail in Figures 3 and 4, has a housing 26 that contains a processing unit
41 and memory 43.
Two keypads 28, 28a are provided on the top of the housing. The keypads are
used to enter
information or data relating to the stock blind to be trimmed and the
dimensions of the window,
door or other opening to be covered by the blind to be trimmed. If desired a
bar code reader 25
(shown in dotted line in Figure 3) may be provided to read information from
the container of the
stock blind or a label on the stock blind to be trimmed. Although a single
keypad could be used
to enter all necessary information, we prefer to provide two keypads. One
keypad 28 is used to
enter customer width measurements and the second keypad 28a is used to enter
information
about the stock blind. As the data is entered, each number appears on the
liquid crystal display
29 or 29a above the keypad on which the data was entered. Window blinds may be
sized to fit
within the perimeter of the window frame or to extend beyond the perimeter of
the window
frame. When a blind is mounted to fit within the perimeter of the window
frame, the industry
calls the attachment an inside mount. A blind that extends beyond the
perimeter of the window
frame and is attached to or adjacent the window frame is called an outside
mount. As can be
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seen in Figure 3 we prefer to provide buttons 30,31 which allow the operator
to select an inside
mount or an outside mount. When button 30 is pressed an LED 32 adjacent the
button
illuminates. When button 31 is pressed, LED 33 adjacent button 32 illuminates.
We also prefer
to provide buttons 34 through 39 and adjacent LED's 44 through 49 to enable
the operator to
select the type of window covering product to be trimmed. The choices are a
vinyl venetian
blind indicated by the word VINYL on button 34, an aluminum venetian blind,
indicated by the
letters ALUM on button 35, a cellular shade indicated by CELL on button 36, a
vertical blind
indicated by VERT on button 37, and one or more louvers from a vertical blind,
indicated by
VERT LVRS on button 38. These buttons are required because the blind width
measurement
listed on the box will be one half inch greater than the actual width of an
aluminum blind or
cellular shade, but the same as the actual width of a vinyl blind, and the
same as the actual length
of a vertical blind or vertical louvers. A re-cut of a window covering is
indicated by RE-CUT on
button 39. A re-cut occurs when at least one end of the blind has been mis-cut
and must be
trimmed again. Typically, the end stop would be positioned in the same
location relative to the
cutting mechanism for a re-cut. Whenever one of buttons 34 through 39 is
pressed the LED
adjacent that button 44,45,46,47,48 or 49 is illuminated. If desired a dial or
selector switches
could be used to enter the data that identifies the installation type and
product type.
After the operator has entered the customer width measurement and the stock
blind or
starting blind width, selected an inside mount or an outside mount and
selected the product type,
the operator presses the GO button 42. The processor 41 then computes the
amount of material
that must be removed from each end or side of the blind and activates the
actuator 20 to position
the end stop so that the correct amount of material is cut away. The programs
for making the
calculations and prompting the actuator are in a memory 43 inside the
controller. The memory
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may also contain a look-up table containing product identifiers and a blind
width associated with
each product identifier for certain stock blinds. Then the operator need only
enter the product
identifier, such as a bar code, for the starting blind.
Embodiments of the program may be configured so the cutting machine is limited
to only
cut window covering product available at in a particular retail environment.
For retailers that
offer a limited selection of product, such a controller can reduce the time
necessary to train users
and also reduce user error.
A RECALL button may also be included on a key pad. The RECALL button is
configured so that pressing the RECALL button results in the same input being
sent to the
controller as the input that was entered the last time the cutting machine
trimmed a window
covering work piece.
A HEIGHT button can also be included on the key pad. The HEIGHT button is
pressed
by an operator when the operator wants the cutting machine to trim the height
of a window
covering work piece, such as vertical blind slats. The controller is
configured to calculate the
amount to be trimmed from a work piece to cut the work piece down to a desired
height based on
information received from an operator, one or more data entry devices, or one
or more sensors.
We prefer to provide a message display 40 on the top of the controller. The
message
display may contain instructions to guide the operator through the data entry
process. In the
event that the operator enters a starting blind width or height, which is the
same as the customer
width or height measurement, a message will appear on display 40 telling the
operator that the
blind does not need to be trimmed. Should the operator enter a starting blind
width or height that
is less than the customer width or height measurement an error message will
appear in message
display 40. After the operator enters a starting blind width or height that is
greater than the
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customer width or height measurement and selects a product type and inside
mount or outside
mount the display 40 will notify the operator when the end stop is in position
to make the cut.
If desired, another light emitting diode (not shown) could be provided on the
controller
housing that illuminates when the end stop is in position to make the cut. The
controller 24 may
also contain a bell, tone generator, buzzer or other device that produces an
audible sound when a
data entry error has occurred or when the end stop is in position for a cut to
be made. The
controller is connected to a power source. If the cutting mechanism utilizes
electrical power the
same power source could be used for the controller, actuator and cutting
mechanism. If the
cutting mechanism is manually operated, one or more batteries may provide
power for the
controller and actuator.
After the end stop is in position the operator places one end of the blind
against the end
stop and operates the cutting mechanism. Then he or she may remove the excess
material from
the machine and places the opposite end against the end stop. Now the opposite
end of the blind
can be trimmed to complete the process.
Preferably, the controller is configured for attachment to panel overlays that
are easily
replaced by maintenance personnel or operators. Multiple panel overlays may be
provided such
that changes from English units to metric units or product additions or
deletions may be reflected
in new panel overlays. After a unit change or product change occurs at a
retail environment, the
retailer may be provided with new overlays that can be easily installed to
help reduce user error
associated with operating our cutting machine.
Overlays may also be provided for use in connection with diagnostic programs
used by
maintenance personnel to identify or troubleshoot problems that could arise
with the controller or
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cutting machine. When such diagnostic programs are to be run, personnel may
change the panel
overlay on the controller accordingly.
A second present preferred cutting machine 50 shown in Figure 5 has a stand 51
and two
cutting mechanisms 52 and 53, each of which cuts only one end or side of the
blind 10 to be
trimmed. This cutting machine is similar to the dual-end blind trimming
machine disclosed in
United States Patent No. 6,615,698. The blind is placed on work surfaces 54
between end stops
55 and guide 57. An actuator 58 is attached to each end stop 55 and each
actuator is connected
to the controller 60 by a cable 61. The end stops are movable relative to the
work surface and
the cutting mechanisms. Only one actuator and end stop can be seen in Figure
5. The second
end stop and actuator are behind the second cutting mechanism 53 and are
identical to those that
can be seen in the drawing. After the customer width measurement, starting
blind width,
installation type and product type are entered, the controller sends a signal
to each actuator which
causes each actuator to move the associated end stop to a position where the
cutting mechanisms
will remove the proper amount of material from each end or side of the blind.
The controller in
this embodiment is similar to the controller of the embodiment of Figures 1
through 4, but
operates two actuators and associated end stops rather than a single actuator
and associated end
stop.
A third present preferred embodiment can easily be understood with reference
to Figure
5. In this embodiment the end stops 55 and surfaces 54 do not move. Instead,
the actuators 58
move the cutting mechanisms relative to the end stops and work surfaces. To
operate this
embodiment the blind is positioned to abut one of the end stops. Then the
measurements are
entered into the controller and the actuators position the cutting mechanism
or cutting
mechanisms so that the correct amount of material is trimmed from the blind.
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A fourth present preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 6. In this cutting
machine 70
a stand 71 has a cutting mechanism attached to one end. A locator, or moveable
work surface
77, rides on rods 75. An actuator 72 is provided at the opposite end of stand
71 and is connected
to work surface 74. The actuator 72 is connected to the controller. A user
places a blind to be
trimmed on the movable work surface 77 aligning a portion of the blind with an
edge of the work
surface or a stop or other alignment structure or marking (not shown) on work
surface. Then the
user enters the information into the controller 76. The controller prompts the
actuator 72 to
move the moveable work surface 77 and blind on that surface relative to the
cutting mechanism
52 so that the correct amount of material can be trimmed from the ends of the
blind. If desired
the actuator 72 may be under the work surface 74. Of course, the operator may
alternatively
place the blind on the work surface 74 after the work surface has been moved
by the controller
76 and actuator 72.
Referring to Figure 7, a fifth present preferred embodiment 100 of our cutting
machine
has a controller 95 connected to a locator 96 by a wireless communication
device. The locator
96 is connected to sidewalls 93 that are attached to top surface 98 of the
stand 3 such that the
locator 96 moves adjacent the top surface 98 relative the cutting dies 14. The
sidewalls 93 each
have a channel 97 that receives an end of the locator 96. The locator moves
along the channels
97 to move adjacent the top surface 98. Controller 95 is configured to cause
the locator 96 to
move along the channels 97 when the controller 95 receives information about a
window
covering work piece to be cut. A program within the memory of the controller
causes the locator
96 to move based on information about the work piece that the controller
receives from a data
entry device. Such received information may include, but is not limited to,
dimensions of a
window or door where the window covering work piece will ultimately be
positioned by a
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customer to cover the window or door, dimensions of the work piece to be cut,
desired final
dimensions of the work piece after being cut down by the cutting machine, bar
code information
assigned to the work piece, and whether the blind will have an inside mount or
an outside mount.
The locator 96 is configured to engage a portion of the window covering work
piece between the
ends of the work piece so that a desired amount of material adjacent one end
or each end of the
work piece may be cut away by the cutting dies 14.
Locator 96 may be configured with one or more openings 110 that are sized to
receive a
clip 103, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The clip 103 is sized and configured
to be removably
attached to a headrail 109, or other portion of a window covering work piece
between the ends of
the work piece. The clip 103 can be configured with an interlocking prong 105
that is sized and
configured to interlock with a hole or detent 107 in the headrail or other
portion of the window
covering work piece, such as a bottom rail. If desired, two clips can be used,
one clip attached to
the headrail and the second clip attached to the bottom rail.
The clip or clips may be removed from the locator 96 to attach the clip 103 to
the window
covering work piece and then reattached to the locator 96 by inserting at
least a portion of the
clip into the opening 110. The clip 103 may be configured to interlock with or
releasably
connect to the locator 96 or may be configured to releasably connect to the
locator by being free
to move within opening 110 along at least a portion of the opening.
Hole or detent 107 on the headrail 109 or other portion of a window covering
work piece
may be positioned at a known location relative to the ends of the blind such
that the clip engages
the work piece between the ends of the work piece so that a desired amount of
material adjacent
each end of the work piece may be cut away from the work piece. Typically, the
opening 107
will be in the center of the work piece. The controller relies upon the
position of the locator
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relative to the ends of the work piece to position the product with respect to
the cutting
mechanism or cutting mechanisms.
For instance, if a work piece is a 34 inch wide blind, hole 107 can be
positioned in the
center of the bottom rail or headrail of the blind. If a user desires to cut
the blind down to 32
inches, the controller receives the desired dimension of the blind and the
current dimension of
the blind through entries made on a keyboard. Then, the controller causes the
locator to move to
a position that will permit the cutting mechanism to cut 1 inch from one end
of the blind. Then,
the blind is moved to a second cutting mechanism or repositioned to cut 1 inch
from the other
end of the blind.
In the event the embodiment of the cutting machine has only one cutting
mechanism, the
operator may then remove the clips 103 and blind from the locator, rotate the
blind so that the
other end of the blind extends into the cutting mechanism to be cut down by 1
inch, and
reconnect the clips 103 and blind to the locator so the cutting mechanism can
cut the uncut end
of the blind. Of course, for embodiments of the cutting machine that have two
cutting
mechanisms located at different sides of the stand 3, the controller can
alternatively be
configured to cause the locator to position the blind after the first end has
been cut down by 1
inch so that the other end of the blind can be cut down by 1 inch by the other
cutting mechanism.
Once both ends of the blind have been cut by 1 inch, the blind will have been
trimmed to the
desired width.
As may best be seen in Figures 11 and 12, the locators 96 may have wheels 113
attached
to ends 111 of the locator that are sized and configured to fit within channel
97 of the sidewalls
93 so the locator can move adjacent the top surface 98 relative to the cutting
dies 14. The body
112 of the locator may be configured to have a slot 110 that receives a clip
or clips as previously
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described. Alternatively, the body 112a may have recesses 123 sized to hold,
retain or support
portions of certain window covering work pieces, such as shades, blinds,
headrails or bottom
rails, between the ends of the work piece.
Another option is to provide a locator 96b that has clamps 128 configured to
engage a
work piece on opposite sides of the body 112b at a location between the ends
of the work piece.
The locator may have a marker 115 attached to an end 111 that is configured to
identify where a
particular portion of a window covering work piece should be positioned on the
locator. Marker
115 is attached to end 111 such that marker 115 moves with the locator 96b.
Marker 115 can
have indicia indicating where a portion of a work piece should be placed or
connected to locator
96b.
As shown in Figure 8, marker 115 and lines or other indicia 117 on or adjacent
a sidewall
93 can be used to identify where a window covering work piece should be
positioned. For
example, the indicia may indicate distances from the cutting mechanism or
starting position
where blinds of different widths or valances of different dimensions are to be
placed.
It should be appreciated that marker 115 and indicia 117 can be used to help
an operator
verify the cutting machine is working properly and that a data entry error has
not occurred. For
example, in one embodiment, indicia 117 can be a measuring stick identifying
distances in
metric or English units. An operator may use the indicia to verify that a data
entry error has not
occurred by verifying the marker 115 identifies the appropriate indicia after
a locator has moved
in response to information the controller receives from input provided by the
operator.
In some embodiments, the marker 115 may be a sensor 175, which is shown in
dotted
line in Figure 10, attached to a locator. The sensor is preferably positioned
at a location aligned
with the center of a work piece. The controller can be configured to identify
the position of the
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sensor. For example, the controller may include a receiver that receives
signals transmitted by
the sensor that identifies the position of the sensor. The controller can also
be configured to
cause the locator to move to position the locator based on the location of the
sensor and input
provided by an operator.
The sensor 175 could alternatively be configured to read information, or
output,
transmitted by a device 192, or otherwise interact with a device 192, which is
shown in dotted
line in Figure 10, attached to the work piece. The device 192 may provide
output configured to
be read by the sensor 175. The output could identify the work piece type, such
as headrail,
bottom rail, valance, louver, or shade, or the dimensions of the work piece.
The sensor could
read the device's output and relay that information to the controller so the
controller can
determine the amount of the work piece to cut or where to move locators to
position the work
piece so the work piece is cut down to a desired dimension.
In other embodiments, multiple sensors could be positioned adjacent the stand,
a locator
or a cutting die. For example, multiple sensors 178 could be aligned along the
sidewalls 93 that
are configured to identify where a portion of a work piece is positioned on
the stand in relation to
a cutting mechanism, as shown in dotted line in Figure 8. The sensors could be
selectively
activated by the controller so the selected sensor or sensors send output to
the controller that
identifies when a work piece is positioned properly. In an alternative
embodiment, the activated
sensors may be configured to stop a locator moving a work piece once the work
piece has been
identified by the sensor as being properly positioned.
Of course, the activated sensor or sensors could alternatively provide input
to the
controller so the controller can calculate the amount of the work piece to be
cut by the cutting
mechanism. For example, one or more sensors could be configured to identify
the size of the
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work piece positioned on the stand and relay that information to the
controller. Then the
controller can calculate the amount of the work piece to be cut and where to
position the work
piece such that the desired amount of material adjacent one or both ends of
the work piece can be
cut away to trim the work piece to a desired dimension.
Referring to Figure 8, locators 96 and 96a can be connected to controller 95
and
configured to move adjacent top surface 98 of the stand 3. The locator 96
holds a portion of a
window covering work piece 125 between the ends 231 and 233 of the work piece.
A desired
amount of material is cut away from the work piece adjacent one or both ends
231 and 233 of
the work piece 125 by the cutting mechanism.
The work piece 125 is engaged by clip 103 which fits into locator 96 and is
also held
within a recess 123 of locator 96a to help stabilize a free portion of the
work piece between the
ends 231 and 233 of the work piece. Retention of the work piece in recess 123
can also help
prevent the work piece from sliding along opening 110 of locator 96 when a
desired amount of
material is cut away from the work piece.
In some embodiments, the controller 95 may cause the locator 96 to move by
causing an
actuator 152 to move the locator relative to the cutting dies 14, as shown in
Figures 14 and 15.
The actuator 152 may be a drive belt, drive cable, drive chain or drive rod
that is positioned
under the support surface 98. A slot 151 may be formed within the surface 98
such that one or
more connectors 153 extend from the locator 96 to the drive device 152 to
connect the locator to
the actuator 152. The controller 95 can be configured to activate the actuator
152 to cause the
actuator to move the locator 96 to the appropriate position relative the
cutting dies 14 to ensure
the correct amount of a work piece is trimmed by the dies 14.
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In other embodiments, the actuator 152 may be in, on or adjacent the side of
the surface
98. For example, the locator may have an actuator that drives the wheels 113
to move the locator
along channels 97 based on information received from the controller 95. In
other embodiments,
the locator 96 may have projections or brackets 129 or other connector devices
that connect to
drive belts 127 located at least partially within recesses 97, as shown in
Figure 13.
Referring to Figure 16, an arm assembly 131 can be positioned adjacent stand 3
that is
connected to controller 95. The arm assembly has a base 130 and an arm 135
that is rotatably
connected to the base at pivotal connection 133. The arm 135 has a holding
device 137 that is
configured to releasably retain a window covering work piece. The holding
device has claws
that are biased to a closed position, but can be moved to an open position to
permit an operator to
insert a work piece about to be cut within the claws. The controller can cause
the arm 135 to
move relative to the cutting dies 14 so that a desired amount of material
adjacent an end of the
window covering work piece can be cut away from the work piece based on
information
received by the controller 95 about the work piece. It should be understood
that the arm 135
may have multiple rotatable portions to permit the arm to move the work piece
relative to the
cutting dies 14 while maintaining the work piece in alignment with at least
one of the cutting
dies 14. In some embodiments, the holding device 137 may be configured to
releasably connect
to arm 135 so that different holding devices may be sized and configured to
hold and position
different types of window covering work pieces. In other embodiments, one
holding device
may be used to hold different types of window covering work pieces.
Referring to Figure 17, one or more magnets 185 can be configured to move work
pieces
adjacent the support surface 98. Based upon the strength of the one or more
magnets, the
controller may selectively activate and deactivate selective magnets 185 in
series to engage at
CA 02643256 2013-11-06
least one portion of the work piece between the ends of the work piece to move
the work pieces
adjacent the support surface to a desired location.
In another embodiment, the one or more magnets are positioned adjacent the
support
surface 98 and are configured to move adjacent at least a portion of the stand
to cause the work
piece to move to a desired location. For example, the one or more magnets may
form at least a
portion of a moveable work surface 77 or be moveably positioned underneath the
support surface
98. As another example, one or more magnets 201, as shown in dotted line in
Figure 16, may be
connected to an arm 135 that is moveable adjacent the support surface 98 and
be configured to
move a work piece on the support surface 98. Of course, the one or more
magnets can be
configured to move adjacent the work surface to move the work piece in various
different ways.
For example, one or more magnets may be attached to one or more drive belts,
pistons,
pneumatic cylinders, servomotors, hydraulic cylinders or other movement
mechanisms. In the
event a work piece is not affected by magnetic fields, clips or other
connectors can be attached to
the work piece that are configured to allow the magnets to engage the work
piece between the
ends of the work piece to move the work piece.
It should be understood that a magnet may engage a work piece when the
magnetic field
of the magnet acts on or affects the work piece. The magnetic field may be
strong enough to
cause the work piece to directly contact a magnet. However, the work piece may
be engaged by
the magnet without directly touching the work piece. For example, a magnet
that is moveably
positioned under the support surface 98 to move a work piece engages the work
piece though the
magnet does not physically touch the work piece.
The embodiments here disclosed automatically calculate the amount to be
trimmed and
then position one or more end stops, one or more locators, or both locators
and end stops relative
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to the cutting mechanism so that the desired amount of material is cut away.
As a result the
trimming process will be faster and less prone to error than the trimming
processes followed with
the blind cutting machines of the prior art.
Although the cutting mechanisms in the preferred embodiments are motorized
this is not
required. For example, one could substitute the manual cutting mechanism
disclosed in United
States Patent No. 5,333,365 to Marocco et al. for the cutting mechanism in the
embodiments of
Figures 1 through 5.
While we have illustrated embodiments of our cutting machine holding a
headrail about
to be trimmed, it should be understood that embodiments of our cutting machine
may be
configured to cut numerous different window covering work pieces and is not
limited to only
cutting headrails or only cutting one type of window covering work piece.
Although we have described and illustrated certain present preferred
embodiments of our
blind trimming machine and methods of trimming blinds, the invention is not
limited thereto and
may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.
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