Apparatus and method for assembling sheet material mounting device components

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet material mounting device having two channels, namely, a mounting channel for receivably engaging a rod for gripping the sheet material and a spacer channel for receivably engaging a spacer support configured to engage a lift cord and, optionally, a spacer cord. The spacer channel may be positioned above the mounting channel such that the center of gravity of the mounting device is located above the center of the mounting channel, thereby reducing asymmetric tilt of the sheet material engaged by the mounting channel and reducing friction against the lift cord. Alternatively, the mounting channel may be positioned above the spacer channel. The mounting channel and the spacer channel are preferably both C-shaped, and each channel has an opening which faces in a direction opposite the direction faced by the opening of the other channel. Thus, a side view of the mounting device may resemble either an “S” or a reverse “S”. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for assembling the components of a sheet material mounting device, such that the assembled components of each sheet material mounting device are capable of maintaining vertical alignment with respect to every other sheet material mounting device comprised by the window covering system. Moreover, there is provided an apparatus and method for adjusting and re-aligning assembled components of a sheet material gripping apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device comprising: 
 a base member including a handle end and a working end distal from said handle end;    wherein said working end comprises: 
 a recess defined by a rear surface and opposing side surfaces which are configured to receive and releasably retain a component; and  
 a pair of protruding members extending outwardly from said working end and spaced apart by said recess.  
   
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein said handle end is configured to be gripped by at least one of a human hand, a machine, and an automated device.  
     
     
         3 . The device of    claim 2   , wherein said base member further comprises one of an open center portion and a solid center portion.  
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein at least one of an upper surface of each of said protruding members and a lower surface of each of said protruding members has an increasing slope relative to a longitudinal axis of said base member.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein at least one of said rear surface and said opposing side surfaces comprises a track configured to slidably receive and releasably retain the component within said recess.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein each of said opposing side surfaces comprises a plurality of retaining members, each of which extends from said opposing side surfaces and into said recess and is configured to receive and releasably retain the component.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 6   , wherein said plurality of retaining members is arranged in a V-shaped configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 1   , further comprising a component releasably retained within said recess and between said protruding members.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 8   , wherein said component comprises a spacer support.  
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 9   , wherein an outer edge of said spacer support is substantially flush with each outer edge of said protruding members.  
     
     
         11 . A method of inserting a component into an opening, the method comprising: 
 providing an insertion tool including a handle end and a working end;    inserting a spacer support within a recess in said working end of said insertion tool;    contacting an opening with said insertion tool and said spacer support;    inserting said spacer support and said insertion tool within said opening;    removing said insertion tool from said opening while leaving said spacer support within said opening.    
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , wherein the step of contacting said opening further comprises using said insertion tool to exert a perpendicular force against outer edges of said opening.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the step of contacting further comprises selectively positioning said spacer support relative to said opening.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the step of inserting said spacer support further comprises prying apart said outer edges with protruding members of said insertion tool and inserting said spacer support and said protruding members through said outer edges and into said opening.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 14   , further comprising positioning said spacer support within said opening after inserting said spacer support and said protruding members within said opening.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 14   , wherein the step of removing further comprises applying to said insertion tool a perpendicular force away from said opening such that said insertion tool is pulled out of said opening.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein said opening comprises a spacer channel and said outer edges comprise lips.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 17   , wherein the step of contacting a spacer channel further comprises contacting a spacer channel end with a first end of said working end of said insertion tool, and wherein the step of inserting said spacer support further comprises sliding said first end, said spacer support, and a second end of said working end of said insertion tool into said spacer channel from said spacer channel end.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 17   , further comprising selectively positioning said spacer support within said spacer channel after inserting said spacer support and said insertion tool within said spacer channel.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 18   , wherein the step of removing further comprises applying to said insertion tool a perpendicular force away from said spacer channel such that said insertion tool is pulled out of said spacer channel.  
     
     
         21 . A method of adjusting and re-aligning a component within an opening, the method comprising: 
 providing an insertion tool including a handle end and a working end;    contacting an opening and a component retained within said opening with said working end of said insertion tool;    engaging said component with said working end; and    moving said component to an alternate location within said opening.