Window covering sizing method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprising:
 a cutting device;   an assembly for moving a window covering relative to the cutting device such that the window covering is automatically positioned to be cut by the cutting device;   a processor for controlling operation of the assembly for moving a window covering and a data base associated with the processor, said processor receiving a desired size of a window covering and calculating a distance the center of the window covering must be positioned from the cutting device to obtain the desired cut size, and a transaction record stored in said data base for said window covering; and   a scanner for reading product identification information in a machine readable form on the window covering.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the product identification information is encoded in bar code. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the product identification information is unique to the window covering with which it is associated. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the product identification information identifies the window covering by a unique code. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the product identification information contains information about a stock size of the window covering. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein a list of valid cut ranges is stored in said data base, said processor comparing the stock size of the window covering to said list to validate said window covering. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprising:
 a cutting device;   an assembly comprising a drive for moving a window covering relative to the cutting device such that the window covering is automatically positioned to be cut by the cutting device;   a computing platform for controlling operation of the drive and a data base associated with the computing platform, said computing platform receiving a desired size of a window covering and calculating a distance the window covering must be positioned from the cutting device to obtain the desired cut size; and   a scanner for reading product identification information in a machine readable form on the window covering.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the drive comprises a motor responsive to a signal generated by the computing platform. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the drive comprises a servo motor operatively engaged with a pinion. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the assembly comprises a clamping jaw engageable with the window covering. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the clamping jaw comprises a pin engageable with the window covering. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  where the clamping jaw moves in a first direction to release the pin from engagement with the window covering. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the clamping jaw reciprocates in a first direction and the drive reciprocates the window covering in a second direction where the first direction is different than the second direction. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  where the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the drive reciprocates the window covering. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  further comprising a second cutting device wherein the drive reciprocates the window covering between the cutting device and the second cutting device responsive to a signal generated by the computing platform. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the cutting device comprises a saw movable in a first direction to cut the window covering. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprising:
 a cutting device;   an assembly comprising a drive for moving a window covering relative to the cutting device such that the window covering is automatically positioned to be cut by the cutting device;   the assembly comprising a clamping jaw engageable with the window covering where the clamping jaw comprises a pin engageable with the window covering, the clamping jaw movable in a first direction to release the pin from engagement with the window covering;   a computing platform for controlling operation of the drive and a data base associated with the computing platform, said computing platform receiving a desired size of a window covering and calculating a distance the window covering must be positioned from the cutting device to obtain the desired cut size; and   wherein the drive reciprocates the window covering in a second direction responsive to a signal from the computing platform where the first direction is different than the second direction.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein the drive comprises a motor responsive to the signal generated by the computing platform. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 39  further comprising a second cutting device wherein the drive reciprocates the window covering in the second direction between the cutting device and the second cutting device responsive to the signal generated by the computing platform.