WO2001077474A1

WO2001077474A1 - Window blind with multiple movement zones

Info

Publication number: WO2001077474A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/010258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas A. Wentworth
Original assignee: Wentworth Nicholas A
Priority date: 2000-04-06
Filing date: 2001-03-30
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: AU2001253023A1

Abstract

The improvement of the blind (10) includes a cord assembly (17) having a substantially stationary front cord (44) attached to the plurality of cross-cords (22) along the first major side of the plurality of louvers (13). The rear adjustment cords (30, 31) include both an upper rear adjustment cord (31) for selectably positioning the upper portion of the plurality of louvers (13), the upper rear adjustment cord (31) being attached to an upper portion of the plurality of cross-cords (22), and a lower rear adjustment cord (30) for selectably positioning the lower portion of the plurality of louvers (13), the lower rear adjustment cord (30) being attached to a lower portion of the plurality of cross-cords. Each of the at least two rear adjustment cords (30, 31) include a suspended portion, the lengths of the suspended portions being controllable to similarly or dissimilarly position the upper (42) and lower portions (43) of the plurality of louvers (13), as desired.

Description

WINDOW BLIND WITH MULTIPLE MOVEMENT ZONES

Technical Field and Background of Invention

This application relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial No. 60/195,062, filed on April 6, 2000.

This invention relates to a window blind with multiple movement zones.

The standard window blind, sometimes called "miniblinds" or "Venetian blinds," includes a headrail, a plurality of elongate louvers and a lower rail suspended from the

headrail, and drawstrings for raising and lowering the blind. In addition, the standard blind

includes a louver adjustment mechanism for opening and closing the louvers to selectably block or permit light and visibility into a space. In most blinds, this mechanism comprises

two spaced-apart cord assemblies or "ladders" that extend the length of the blind. Each cord

assembly includes a front adjustment cord, a rear adjustment cord, and a plurality of louver-

supporting cross-cords, each cross-cord being attached to the front and rear adjustment cords

to providing a controlling undersupport for each adjustable louver. The adjustment cords form the side rails of the ladder while the cross-cords form the wmngs of the ladder.

The blind is opened and closed by changing the length of the adjustment cords as

necessary. As the lengths of the adjustment cords change, the positions of the cross-cords change, causing the louvers to change position accordingly. In the standard blind, the

adjustment cords are attached to a wheel or other rotatable element in the headrail that the

user may manipulate using a control rod. The respective lengths of the adjustment cords vary

inversely. Specifically, as the front adjustment cord gets longer, the rear adjustment cord gets

shorter, causing the lowering of the front edges of the louvers and the raising of the rear edges

of the louvers until the louvers are fully closed; conversely, as the front adjustment cord gets shorter, the rear adjustment cord gets longer, causing the raising of the front edges of the louvers and the lowering of the rear edges of the louvers until the louvers are fully closed in

the other direction.

The louver adjustment mechanisms in standard blinds are designed to constantly

maintain the louvers in substantially parallel relation, regardless of whether the louvers are

open, closed, or in an intermediate position. The disadvantage associated with this design is

that it prevents the user from being able to allow light and visibility through one portion of

the blind while blocking light and visibility with another portion of the blind. For instance,

the user may wish to allow light into and visibility out of the upper portion of a space while

blocking light and visibility relative to the lower portion of a space. Such an arrangement

may, for example, allow the user to restrict unwanted light and visibility while seated in a certain space but provide light and visibility when the user chooses to stand in that space. In

the past, users have had to utilize multiple blinds with separate control rods to achieve this

multi-zone flexibility.

The blind of the present invention includes alterations of the standard louver

adjustment mechanism that enable a blind to have multiple movement zones such that

different sets of adjacent louvers on a blind may be in different positions relative to each

other, thereby providing for some zones of the blind to allow light and visibility between the

louvers of the blind while other zones of the blind prevent such light and visibility. The

present invention accomplishes this advantage while maintaining the all-open and all-closed

positions available in the standard blind and by utilizing a single-control-rod, single-spindle,

and single-blind design that may be manufactured in original manufacturing or by adapting a standard blind. Summary of the Invention

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a window blind with multiple

movement zones.

It is another object of the invention to provide a window blind with multiple

movement zones that are controlled by a single control rod on a single blind.

It is another object of the invention to provide a window blind with multiple

movement zones that enable a user to allow light and visibility through some zones of the

blind while not allowing light and visibility through other portions.

It is another object of the invention to provide a window blind with multiple

movement zones that may be manufactured in original manufacturing or by adapting a

standard blind.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred

embodiments of the inventions disclosed below by providing a window blind having multiple

movement zones to selectably block or permit light and visibility into a space, the blind

including a headrail, a lower rail, and plurality of elongate louvers between said headrail and

lower rail, the plurality of louvers having upper and lower portions and first and second

opposing major sides, and the blind further including a plurality of cross-cords supporting the

plurality of louvers. The improvement of the blind includes a cord assembly having a

substantially stationary front cord attached to the plurality of cross-cords along the first major

side of the plurality of louvers. The improvement also includes at least two rear adjustment

cords. The rear adjustment cords include both an upper rear adjustment cord for selectably

positioning the upper portion of the plurality of louvers, the upper rear adjustment cord being

attached to an upper portion of the plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of louvers, and a lower rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the lower portion of the plurality of louvers, the lower rear adjustment cord being attached to a lower

portion of the plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of louvers.

Each of the at least two rear adjustment cords include a suspended portion, the lengths of the suspended portions being controllable to similarly or dissimilarly position the upper and

lower portions of the plurality of louvers, as desired.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a single spindle is rotatably

housed in the headrail for manipulation of the at least two rear adjustment cords.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, control means are

provided to rotate the spindle.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control means is

a single control rod in communication with a spindle-receiving rotator.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the blind further comprises a spindle attachment mounted on the spindle for receiving the upper and lower rear

adjustment cords, the spindle attachment rotating with the spindle as the spindle is rotated by

the control means, wherein the lengths of the suspended portions of the at least two rear

adjustment cords are adjusted as the spindle attachment rotates, thereby allowing adjustment

of the upper and lower portions of the plurality of louvers.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the spindle

attachment comprises a slotted wheel mounted on the spindle.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the blind further comprises attachment means for attaching a portion of the lower rear adjustment cord

proximal to the upper portion of the plurality of louvers to the upper rear adjustment cord. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment

means comprises a plurality of cords.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the front cord is

attached to the headrail.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction

with the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a wall having an opening within which a window

blind is mounted with its louvers in an open position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a standard window blind;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a headrail of a window blind with multiple movement

zones according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through line 4—4 of Figure 3,

showing the entire headrail, including the rear adjustment cords, center support cord, and spindle wheel;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a window blind with multiple movement zones

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with all louvers in a closed position as a result of the rear edges of the louvers being raised to an approximate high point in their

travel;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a window blind with multiple movement zones

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with all louvers in an open position as

a result of the rear edges of the louvers being at an approximate midpoint in their travel; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a window blind with multiple movement zones

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with all louvers in a closed position as

a result of the rear edges of the louvers being lowered to an approximate low point in their

travel;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a window blind with multiple movement zones

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the louvers in the upper zone of

the blind in an open position and the louvers in the lower zone of the blind in a closed

position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a a window blind with multiple movement zones

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the upper zone louvers in a closed

position and the lower zone louvers in an open position;

Figure 10 is a right side elevational view of a window blind with multiple movement

zones according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with all louvers in an open

position;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a window blind with multiple

movement zones according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the movement

zone division point shown;

Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E illustrate a sequence of five vertical cross-

sectional views taken through line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing only the spindle wheel and rear

adjustment cords of a window blind with multiple movement zones according to a preferred

embodiment of the invention, specifically illustrating the orientation of the adjustment cords

on the spindle wheel at each of five positions of the blind, the rear adjustment cord

controlling the upper zone louvers being shown as a solid line and the rear adjustment cord controlling the lower zone louvers being shown as a line of cross marks, and the five views

being ordered such that five successive positions in the clockwise motion of the spindle

wheel are shown from left to right and five successive positions in the counterclockwise

motion of the spindle wheel are shown from right to left; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a window blind according to a

preferred embodiment that includes a plurality of cords for maintaining the upper portion of

the lower rear adjustment cord in close proximity to the upper rear adjustment cord.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment and Best Mode

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a window blind is illustrated in Figure 1

and shown generally at reference numeral 10. Drawstrings 11 raise and lower a lower rail 12

of the blind 10 in order to adjust the effective height of the blind 10. The blind 10 includes

louvers 13 that may be opened and closed by rotating a control rod 14 either clockwise or

counterclockwise, depending on the desired louver position and the position of the control

rod 14 in its travel. The drawstrings 11 and the control rod 14, either directly or indirectly, are carried by or through a headrail 15 of the blind 10. Rotation of the control rod 14

manipulates the lengths of suspended portions of adjustment cords 16 in cord assemblies 17 of the blind 10 to adjust the positions of the louvers 13.

Turning now to Figure 2, the cord assembly 17, louvers 13, and headrail 15 of the

standard window blind 10 are shown. The cord assembly 17 comprises a front adjustment

cord 20 and a rear adjustment cord 21 that are maintained in substantially parallel relation and

separated by a plurality of cross-cords 22 that support the louvers 13. The drawstrings

(Figure 1) pull and release a center support cord 23 of the blind 10 to raise and lower the

lower rail (Figure 1) of the blind 10. The two adjustment cords 20, 21 and the center support cord 23 of each cord assembly 17 are carried by or through the headrail 15.

As discussed above, in the standard blind, the relative positions of the louvers is

controlled by manipulating the lengths of the suspended portions of the adjustment cords.

This is also true with respect to the blind of the preferred embodiment. Figures 3 and 4

illustrate the headrail 15 of the preferred embodiment of the invention, including adjustment

cords 30, 31 located therein. While the standard blind includes front and rear adjustment

cords (Figure 2), the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two rear

adjustment cords 30, 31, leaving the front cord 44 substantially stationary. The lengths of the

suspended portions of the rear adjustment cords 30, 31 in the preferred embodiment are

manipulated by rotating the rotatable control rod 14. The control rod 14 couples to a rotator

32 in the headrail 15. The rotator 32 changes the plane of rotation such that a rotator-

engaging spindle 33 housed within the headrail 15 is rotated in coordination with the rotation

of the control rod 14. An alternative to the control rod 14 and rotator 32 configuration is a

simple drawstring arrangement (not shown) for rotating the spindle 33. The spindle may also

be rotated by a motor operating in conjunction with controls such as switches or push buttons

mounted on the blind and/or provided on a wall panel or remote control unit (not shown).

Attached to the spindle 33 are cord-receiving spindle attachments such as slotted spindle

wheels 34 that rotate with the spindle 33. The adjustment cords 30, 31 engage the spindle

wheels 34 and are provided with stops such as clips 35 to prevent the adjustment cords 30, 31 from undesired slippage or release from the spindle wheel 34. As the spindle 33 and the

spindle wheels 34 rotate, the lengths of the suspended portions of the adjustment cords 30,

31 vary such that the cross-cords 22 change position, resulting in the selectable,

simultaneous, and coordinated raising and lowering of the edges of the louvers 13, thereby opening and closing the blind 10 as desired.

As discussed above, in the standard blind, the louvers are maintained in substantially

parallel relation; all the louvers must be adjusted simultaneously, with no material variations

among the positions of the louvers at any given blind setting. In contrast, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for the louvers to move fluidly through a

sequence of five successive positions, as shown in Figures 5 through 9. These positions are

achieved by continued clockwise rotation of the control rod 14 until the control rod 14 cannot be turned further; this sequence of positions may then be reversed by counterclockwise

rotation of the control rod 14 until it cannot be turned further in that direction. As will be

seen, the first three positions (Figures 5, 6, 7) are the traditional all-louvers-closed and all-

louvers-open positions found in standard blinds, while the fourth and fifth positions (Figures

8, 9) demonstrate the multiple movement zones of the present invention. For the sake of

illustration and clarity, the positions may be described by beginning at the counterclockwise-

most position of the control rod 14 and spindle wheel 34 and proceeding through the five

positions, each resulting from a clockwise 180-degree rotation of the spindle wheel 34 relative to the previous position in the sequence.

Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the blind of the present invention in an all-

louvers-closed position, the first position of the sequence. In this position, the rear edges 40

of the louvers 13 are raised to a high point and the front edges 41 of the louvers 13 are

lowered to a low point.

Figure 6 shows the second position of the blind 10; it is an all-louvers-open position.

The front edges 41 and rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 are substantially even; that is, they

occupy substantially the same horizontal plane. Figure 7 shows the third position of the blind 10 according to a preferred embodiment

of the invention. The louvers 13 are again in an all-closed position, but the rear edges 40 of

the louvers 13 have now been lowered to a low point and the front edges 41 of the louvers 13

have been raised to a high point, thereby reversing the position shown in Figure 5.

Up to this point in the movement of the control rod and the louvers, the louvers have

remained substantially parallel to one another.

Figure 8 shows the fourth position in the illustrated sequence and the first position

that demonstrates the multiple movement zones of the preferred embodiment, hi this

position, the louvers 13 in an upper zone 43 of the blind 10 are in an open position while the

louvers 13 in a lower zone 42 of the blind 10 are in a closed position. Specifically, in this

position the louvers 13 in the lower zone 42 are closed because the rear edges 40 of the

louvers 13 in the lower zone 42 have been lowered to a low point.

Figure 9 shows the fifth position of the illustrated sequence, which also demonstrates

the multiple movement zones of the preferred embodiment. In this position, the louvers 13 in

the upper zone 43 of the blind 10 are in a closed position and the louvers 13 in the lower zone

42 of the blind 10 are in an open position. In this position the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43

are closed because the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43 have been raised

to a high point.

This range of positions is achieved in the preferred embodiment of the invention by

altering the cord assembly of the standard blind. As shown in Figure 4 and discussed briefly

above, in the blind of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front cord 44, rather

than being attached to a spindle wheel or other rotatable spindle attachment, is attached to the

headrail 15. Therefore, the front edges of the louvers 13 remain substantially stationary during louver adjustment. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each cord assembly 17 includes

the rear adjustment cords 30, 31 which control the lower and upper movement zones 42, 43

of the blind 10, respectively. Although the illustrated embodiment includes only two

movement zones, the invention could include three or more movement zones, but each zone

must have a separate rear adjustment cord.

The lower zone and upper zone adjustment cords 30, 31 are attached to the slotted

spindle wheels 34 in the headrail 15 as shown in Figure 3. The spindle wheels 34 should

each have a sufficient number of slots 36 to accommodate the number of rear adjustment

cords necessary to manipulate the desired number of movement zones. In a preferred

embodiment, the spindle wheels 34 each include two slots 36, one for each rear adjustment

cord 30, 31.

The varied movement of the two zones 42, 43 in the preferred embodiment is

achieved by varying the lengths of the suspended portions of the lower zone and upper zone

rear adjustment cords 30, 31. In the fourth position of the louvers and spindle wheels

illustrated in Figures 8 and 12D, the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the lower zone 42

remain at their low point, thereby maintaining the closed position of the louvers 13 in the

lower zone 42. In this position, the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 have not been

shortened a sufficient amount by the spindle wheels 34 to raise the cross-cords 22 and

accompanying louvers 13 of the lower zone 42 to a midpoint or open position. However, also

in the fourth position, the upper zone rear adjustment cords 31 have been sufficiently

shortened by manipulation of the spindle wheels 34 to raise the rear edges 40 of the louvers

13 in the upper zone 43 to a midpoint, thereby opening the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43.

The relative orientation of the spindle wheel slots 36 in this position results in the suspended portions of the upper zone rear adjustment cords 31 having shorter lengths than the suspended

portions of the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30; i.e., the upper zone rear adjustment cords

31 are wrapped further around the spindle wheels 34 than the lower zone rear adjustment

cords 30. In this position, the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43 are raised

to a midpoint or open position while the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the lower zone 42

remain at a low point or closed position.

Turning now to Figures 9 and 12E, the fifth louver position and the corresponding

position in the clockwise rotation of the spindle wheel 34 are respectively shown. In this position, the orientation of the spindle wheels 34 and lower zone and upper zone rear

adjustment cords 30, 31 are such that the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43 are closed and the

louvers 13 in the lower zone 42 are open after the spindle wheels 34 has been rotated 180

degrees clockwise from the fourth position (Figure 12D). The rear edges 40 of the louvers 13

in the upper zone 43 have been raised to a high point and a closed position while the rear

edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the lower zone 42 have been raised to a midpoint and an open

position. As in the fourth position discussed above, in the fifth position the upper zone rear

adjustment cords 31 is wrapped further around the spindle wheels 34 than the lower zone rear

adjustment cords 30, giving the suspended portions of the upper zone rear adjustment cords

31 shorter lengths than the suspended portions of the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30,

thereby raising the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43 to a high point and

closed position and raising the rear edges 40 of the louvers 13 in the lower zone 42 to a

midpoint and closed position.

The movement of the louvers and the spindle wheels in the fourth and fifth positions discussed above and shown in Figures 8, 9, 12D andl2E may be further explained by an examination of the first three positions encountered during clockwise movement of the

spindle wheel 34. These first three positions of the spindle wheels 34 are shown in Figures

12A, 12B, and 12C and correspond to the louver positions shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7,

respectively. In these positions, the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 are wrapped further around the spindle wheels 34 than the upper zone rear adjustment cords 31. However, in the

first three positions, the louvers 13 in the lower and upper zones 42, 43 are in similar

positions; the louvers 13 are all either open or closed. This phenomenon is achieved in part

by providing enough length or "play" in the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 to allow for

the additional wrapping of the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 in the first three positions.

Contributing to this play is the fact that the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 are not

attached to the upper zone 43 of the blind 10 at all; as shown in Figure 8, the lower zone rear

adjustment cords 30 are not constrained by the cross-cords 22 of the upper zone 43 and

therefore is free to engage the louvers 13 in the upper zone 43 more closely and tightly than

the upper zone rear adjustment cords 31. Other factors contributing to the relative positions of the lower zone and upper zone rear adjustment cords 30, 31 include the dimensions of the

spindle wheels 34 or other spindle attachments, the space between the slots 36 on the spindle wheels 34, and the size of the louvers 13. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the

spindle wheels 34 each have a diameter of Vι inch, the slots 36 on the spindle wheels 34 are Vi

inch apart, and the louvers 13 are standard 1-inch miniblind louvers. However, spindle

wheels, louvers, and rear adjustment cords of other dimensions may be utilized as long as they interact as described above.

The blind 10 of the present invention may be constructed from a standard blind. The

front adjustment cords 20 of the standard blind (Figure 2) must be removed from the spindle wheels 34 and attached to the headrail 15 in a manner such as that shown in Figure 4 at

reference numeral 44. The rear adjustment cords 21 of the standard blind are then cut at the

desired division point 60 between the movement zones (Figure 11), and additional rear

adjustment cords (the lower zone rear adjustment cords of the present invention) are then

attached at one end to the lower cut end of the rear adjustment cords 21 and at the other end

to the spindle wheels 34. The length of the newly formed and attached lower zone rear

adjustment cords 30 may then be adjusted at the spindle wheels 34 by attaching clips 35

(Figure 3) to the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 at the appropriate points to ensure

proper multi-zone operation of the blind 10.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 13, the portions

of the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 proximal to the upper zone 43 of the blind 10 are attached to the upper zone rear adjustment cords 31 by, for example, a plurality of cords 61.

This attachment prevents the portions of the lower zone rear adjustment cords 30 proximal to

the upper zone 43 of the blind 10 from forming free-hanging loops (not shown) below the

blind 10 when the blind 10 is raised. The attachment may also be achieved by adhesive

material and/or one or more fasteners such as clips or hooks (not shown). It is desirable to

prevent the formation of such loops, as they present potential child safety hazards. For

example, if the blind 10 is raised and a child is able to reach the free-hanging loops formed

thereby, the child may attempt to wrap the loops around his or her neck, possibly resulting in

physical injury or strangulation.

A window blind with multiple movement zones is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing

description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of

limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a window blind having multiple movement zones to selectably block or

permit light and visibility into a space, said blind including a headrail, a lower rail, and

plurality of elongate louvers between said headrail and lower rail, said plurality of louvers

having upper and lower portions and first and second opposing major sides, and said blind

further including a plurality of cross-cords supporting said plurality of louvers, the

improvement comprising a cord assembly comprising:

(a) a substantially stationary front cord attached to said plurality of cross-cords

along the first major side of the plurality of louvers;

(b) at least two rear adjustment cords comprising:

(1) an upper rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the upper

portion of the plurality of louvers, said upper rear adjustment cord being attached to an upper

portion of said plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of louvers;

and

(2) a lower rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the lower

portion of the plurality of louvers, said lower rear adjustment cord being attached to a lower

portion of said plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of louvers; each of said at least two rear adjustment cords comprising a suspended portion, the lengths of

said suspended portions being controllable to similarly or dissimilarly position the upper and

lower portions of the plurality of louvers, as desired.

2. A window blind according to claim 1, wherein a single spindle is rotatably

housed in said headrail for manipulation of the at least two rear adjustment cords.

3. A window blind according to claim 2, wherein control means are provided to rotate the spindle.

4. A window blind according to claim 3, wherein said control means is a single

control rod in communication with a spindle-receiving rotator.

5. A window blind according to claim 3, wherein said blind further comprises a

spindle attachment mounted on the spindle for receiving the upper and lower rear adjustment

cords, said spindle attachment rotating with the spindle as the spindle is rotated by the control means, wherein the lengths of the suspended portions of the at least two rear adjustment cords

are adjusted as the spindle attachment rotates, thereby allowing adjustment of the upper and

lower portions of the plurality of louvers.

6. A window blind according to claim 5, wherein said spindle attachment

comprises a slotted wheel mounted on the spindle.

7. A window blind according to claim 1, further comprising attachment means

for attaching a portion of said lower rear adjustment cord proximal to said upper portion of the plurality of louvers to said upper rear adjustment cord.

8. A window blind according to claim 7, wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of cords.

9. A window blind according to claim 1, wherein the front cord is attached to the

headrail.

10. In a window blind having multiple movement zones to selectably block or

having upper and lower portions and first and second opposing major sides, and said blind further including a plurality of cross-cords supporting said plurality of louvers, the improvement comprising:

(a) a cord assembly comprising:

(1) a substantially stationary front cord attached to said plurality of cross-

cords along the first major side of the plurality of louvers;

(2) at least two rear adjustment cords comprising:

(A) an upper rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the

upper portion of the plurality of louvers, said upper rear adjustment cord being attached to an

upper portion of said plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of

louvers; and

(B) a lower rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the

lower portion of the plurality of louvers, said lower rear adjustment cord being attached to a

lower portion of said plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of

louvers;

(b) a cord assembly adjustment mechanism comprising:

(1) a single spindle rotatably housed in said headrail for manipulation of

the at least two rear adjustment cords;

(2) control means to rotate the spindle; and

(3) a spindle attachment mounted on the spindle for receiving the upper

and lower rear adjustment cords, said spindle attachment rotating with the spindle as the

spindle is rotated by the control means, wherein the lengths of the suspended portions of the

at least two rear adjustment cords are adjusted as the spindle attachment rotates, thereby

allowing adjustment of the upper and lower portions of the plurality of louvers.

11. A window blind according to claim 10, wherein said control means is a single control rod in communication with a spindle-receiving rotator.

12. A window blind according to claim 10, wherein said spindle attachment

comprises a slotted wheel mounted on the spindle.

13. A window blind according to claim 10, further comprising attachment means for attaching a portion of said lower rear adjustment cord proximal to said upper portion of

the plurality of louvers to said upper rear adjustment cord.

14. A window blind according to claim 13, wherein said attachment means

comprises a plurality of cords.

15. A window blind according to claim 10, wherein the front cord is attached to

the headrail.

16. In a window blind having multiple movement zones to selectably block or

plurality of elongate louvers between said headrail and lower rail, said plurality of louvers having upper and lower portions and first and second opposing major sides, and said blind

improvement comprising:

(a) a cord assembly comprising:

(1) a substantially stationary front cord attached to the headrail and

attached to said plurality of cross-cords along the first major side of the plurality of louvers;

(2) at least two rear adjustment cords comprising:

(A) an upper rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the upper portion of the plurality of louvers, said upper rear adjustment cord being attached to an

upper portion of said plurality of cross-cords along the second major side of the plurality of louvers; and

(B) a lower rear adjustment cord for selectably positioning the

louvers;

(b) a cord assembly adjustment mechanism comprising:

(1) a single spindle rotatably housed in said headrail for manipulation of

the at least two rear adjustment cords;

(2) control means to rotate the spindle, said control means comprising a

single control rod in communication with a spindle-receiving rotator;

(3) a slotted wheel mounted on the spindle for receiving the upper and

lower rear adjustment cords, said slotted wheel rotating with the spindle as the spindle is

rotated by the control means, wherein the lengths of the suspended portions of the at least two

rear adjustment cords are adjusted as the slotted wheel rotates, thereby allowing adjustment

of the upper and lower portions of the plurality of louvers; and

(c) attachment means for attaching a portion of said lower rear adjustment cord

proximal to said upper portion of the plurality of louvers to said upper rear adjustment cord.

17. A window blind according to claim 16, wherein said attachment means

comprises a plurality of cords.