The present invention relates generally to vertical louvers and, more particularly, to a device and method for repairing a top opening portion of an individual vertical louver.
Vertical louvers or blinds consist of a plurality of plurality of louvers that are positioned vertically on a track. Each individual louver has, at an upper portion thereof, an opening. The opening permits attachment between each louver and a horizontally disposed track.
Often as a result of pulling on a louver, it is frequently the case that individual louvers become separated from the track. This can occur where a break or tear is created in the louver, extending from the opening to an upper margin of the louver. (See
A need exists for a device and method that permits repair of an individual vertical blind or louver in the event of a tear from the opening to the upper margin. The present invention satisfies this need and provides other, related, advantages.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vertical louver repair device is provided. The device comprises, in combination: a face having a replacement opening thereon; and means for attaching the face to the upper portion of a vertical louver having thereon a non-functioning opening so that the replacement opening is substantially in the position of the non-functioning opening.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a vertical louver repair device is provided. The device comprises, in combination: a convex face having a replacement opening thereon; and means for attaching the face to the upper portion of a vertical louver having thereon a non-functioning opening so that the replacement opening may be position substantially in the position of the non-functioning opening; wherein the attachment means comprises a clip located at each marginal end of the face and configured to grasp marginal ends of the vertical louver.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for repairing a vertical louver is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a face having a replacement opening thereon; attaching the face to the upper portion of a vertical louver having thereon a non-functioning opening so that the replacement opening is substantially in the position of the non-functioning opening; and coupling the vertical louver with the face thereon to a track through the replacement opening.
Referring first to
As illustrated in
Referring now to
As shown in
Retention of the repair device 18 to the louver 10 may be facilitated in a number of ways. The clips 26 may frictionally engage the side edges of the louver 10 with sufficient strength to remain in position relative to the louver 10 when the louver 10 is placed in position on a track (not shown). The adhesive means 24, when exposed and brought into contact with a surface portion of the louver body 12 as shown in
As shown in
It should be noted that louvers 10 may come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it may be desired to provide repair devices 18 in a variety of shapes and sizes to match. In one embodiment, it may be desired to package a variety of differently sized and/or shaped repair devices 18 together for sale, to provide a user with increased repair flexibility.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.