Abstract:
An apparatus for sizing a window covering in a retail outlet includes a housing with a first working end, a second working end, and a top operating surface adapted to support a window covering. The window covering includes first and second ends and a connector disposed approximately midway between the first and second ends. A cutting element is disposed on the first working end and defines a cutting plane. A locator is axially slidable on the housing relative to the cutting plane and is adapted to engage the connector of the window covering.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 09/911,292, filed on Jul. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,443. 

   FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of window covering sizing machines and more particularly to a blind and shade cutting center. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Mass retail merchandisers sell a large number of window coverings directly to consumers. Standard sized window coverings are sized to a consumer&#39;s specifications while the consumer waits. The apparatus employed to size the various window coverings must be both easy to use by an employee of a retail outlet and should not require an extensive training period. 
   Additionally, the floor space that the cutting apparatus requires should fit within the existing structure and layout of the retail outlet. Further, the cutting apparatus ideally should size a number of different types of window coverings, such as metal or vinyl mini-blinds, vertical blinds, pleated shades, and cellular shades. 
   Many attempts have been made to integrate various window covering cutting mechanisms into a single multi-station system. One example of a multi-station system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,149 to Elsenheimer et al. entitled “Sizing System for Window Coverings” issued Oct. 10, 1995. The &#39;149 patent discloses a station having a flip-top surface including a pleated shade sizing station on one side and a mini-blind sizing station on the other. This system minimizes the space required by the merchandiser to cut various window covering products. This allows the retail outlet to include other stock and products in space otherwise occupied by various window covering sizing equipment. 
   Recently, more retail merchandisers utilize 8-foot bay spacing to display and sell products. Accordingly, a shade and blind cutting center that can be located within the 8-foot bay environment is needed. 
   The sale of vertical blind products has also increased through mass merchandiser retail outlets, requiring the ability to size not only the width of the vertical blind head rail but also the length of the vertical blind slats. However, if a cutting apparatus is to be located within an 8-foot bay environment, any vertical blind slat extending greater than 8 feet would not be able to be sized with an apparatus located within the 8-foot bay. Accordingly, there is a need for a vertical blind cutting apparatus that would fit within the 8-foot bay environment as well as be able to size vertical blind slat product having a length greater than 8 feet. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus located in a bay in a stored position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 1  in an operating position. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken generally along lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG.  2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top partial view of the area taken generally along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the locator pin taken generally along lines  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the die assembly of the first cutting station taken generally along lines  7 — 7  of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the die and blade mechanism of the first cutting apparatus taken generally along lines  8 — 8  of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 9  is the die and blade portion of the first cutting apparatus of  FIG. 8  in the fully extended cutting position. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the blade and die apparatus of  FIG. 8  taken generally along lines  10 — 10  of FIG.  8 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting mechanism taken generally along lines  11 — 11  of FIG.  8 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the second cutting station taken generally along lines  12 — 12  of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 13  is a view of the head rail cutting mechanism with the die in the raised position. 
       FIG. 14  is a view of the head rail cutting mechanism die cutter in the raised position with the punch mechanism fully extended. 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting apparatus taken generally along lines  15 — 15  of FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting mechanism taken generally along lines  16 — 16  of  FIG. 12  in the extended cutting position. 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken generally along lines  17 — 17  of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view of the first cutting station in the lower position. 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines of  19 — 19  of FIG.  18 . 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of three locators, rail and scale. 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.  20 . 
       FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of the connector clip and head rail aperture. 
       FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the connector clip of  FIG. 22  attached to the head rail aperture, and a portion of the locator. 
       FIG. 24  is a top partial view of the head rail and connector clip positioned by the locator. 
       FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the cellular blind head rail and bottom rail positioned in the first cutting station of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the cellular blind shade material positioned in the first cutting station of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring device extension. 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the vertical slat clamp and wooden blind clamp. 
       FIG. 29  is a partial side view of the wooden blind clamp. 
       FIG. 30  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vertical slat clamp. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, an apparatus for sizing both blinds and shades for window coverings is generally illustrated in FIG.  1 . The blind and shade cutting center  10  is slidably movable on rails  12  in and out of a bay  14 . The cutting center  10  includes a first cutting station  16  for sizing mini-blinds, pleated shades, and cellular shades. The cutting center further includes a second cutting station  18  for sizing wooden blinds and vertical blinds. The first and second cutting stations  16 ,  18  are supported by and located on opposing ends of a housing  20 . A controller mechanism  22  allows an operator to gain access and to control the first and second cutting stations  16 ,  18 . Further, cutting center  10  includes a center locating and measuring system  24  to position the blinds and shades to be sized. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 17  the housing  20  of the cutting center  10  includes a bottom  26 , a front wall  28 , a first and second side wall  30 ,  32 , a rear wall  34 , and a top working surface  36 . For purposes of this application the cross housing direction is defined as the direction that is perpendicular to the front wall  28  and rear wall  34 . Similarly, the longitudinal direction will be defined as the direction that is perpendicular to the first and second side walls  30 ,  32 . The right side of the housing  20  will be defined from the perspective of an operator as they face the bay  14 . Accordingly, the first side wall  30  is on the right side of the housing, while the second side wall  32  is on the left side of the housing. The longitudinal axis of the housing will be defined as an axis extending centrally on the top working surface  36  and perpendicular to the first and second side walls  30 ,  32 . The cross center axis will be defined as an axis extending centrally on the top working surface  36  and parallel with the cross housing direction. The cross center axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
   Housing  20  may be moved from a stored position (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) in which the housing  20  is located within the bay  14  to an operating position (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) in which the housing  20  is located substantially outside of the bay  14 . The stored position permits the housing to be completely out of the aisle of a retail or mass merchandising outlet. In the operating position, the housing is accessible for an operator to size a blind or shade product as will be described below. While it is possible to size a blind or shade product while the housing is in the stored position, the length of the product to be sized may be limited by the size of the bay. 
   The bay  14  typically includes a front surface  38  and a first and second side support  40 ,  42 . The supports  40 ,  42  may be in the form of a wall or may be in the form of a frame. When the housing  20  is in the stored position, the front wall  28  may be flush with the front surface  38  of the bay or may be located a distance within the bay  14  from the aisle to ensure that no part of the cutting center  10  protrudes into the aisle. Further, if the cutting center  10  is completely located within the bay  14 , the possibility of being damaged by a forklift or customer carts is minimized. 
   Housing  20  may include a handle or handles (not depicted) to facilitate sliding the cutting center  10  in and out of the bay  14  on the rails  12 . All of the equipment employed in center  10  is attached to the housing  20 . The only portion of the center  10  that extends outward from the housing  20  is a vacuum bag  44  of a vacuum  46  (See FIG.  3 ). The depth of the housing  20  as measured in the cross housing direction is less than the depth of the bay  14 . This permits the vacuum bag  44  to be situated behind the housing  20  when the center  10  is in the stored position. Of course the vacuum bag  44  could also be stored inside of the housing  20  and accessed through the rear wall  34  by an access means such as a door. 
   As will be described below, the preferred embodiment includes a center locating and measuring system as well as an end locating and measuring system. Both systems allow the operator to size a blind or shade by referring to only the customer&#39;s specification of the final size and length of the blind. In contrast, other sizing methods required the operator to calculate the amount of material to be removed from each side of the blind and to locate the blind relative to the sizing station accordingly. This may lead to errors in the final product, resulting in both scrap material as well as a delay in the time it takes to deliver a final sized product to the consumer. 
   The center locating system positively locates the center of the blind to be sized, while the end locating system locates the shade relative to one end of the shade. Where the lift cords are visible to the consumer such as in a Venetian blind or a pleated shade it is important that the lift cords remain symmetrical about the center of the blind. The center locating system employs a half scale that permits an employee to size the blind by referring to only the customer&#39;s final width of the blind. In contrast, the end locating system may be used for cellular shades where the lift cords are hidden from view and it does not matter that the lift cords are not symmetric about the center of the shade. Similarly, the end locating system may be used for a vertical blind head rail and vanes where the products may be sized from a single end. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 20 , the pin locator  48 , the center clip locator  50 , and the end locator  52  are illustrated. Each locator  48 ,  50 ,  52  is attached to a respective carriage  54  having a plurality of rollers  56  that are slidably received in a rail  58 . The rail  58  extends proximate the front wall  28  of the housing  20  and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing  20 . The rail  58  and carriage  54  device is available commercially and marketed under the trade mark Redi Rail™. The pin locator  48  and the center clip locator  50  illustrated in  FIG. 20  are center locating devices that positively locate the center of the blind or shade to be sized. The end locator  52  is a locating device that is used to both square the blind or shade and to locate certain blind and shade products relative to one end of the blind. 
   The pin locator  48  and the center clip locator  50  both permit a blind to be sized from its center by engaging a center portion of the blind. The pin locator  48  includes an extension member  60  attached to the carriage. A pointer  68  is attached to the carriage  54  and indicates the position of the pin locator  48  relative to the first or second cutting stations  16 ,  18  by use of a scale as discussed below. The extension  60  extends in the cross housing direction from the carriage  54  toward the rear of the top working surface  36 . A first pin  62  extends from the carriage  54  parallel with the top working surface  36  of the housing  20  and towards the rear wall  34 . The first pin  62  is located a predetermined distance above the top working surface  36 . A second pin  64  may extend from the rear portion  66  of the extension  60  toward the front wall  28  a predetermined distance above the top working surface  36 . 
   Pins  62  and  64  each have a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of an aperture in the bottom rail of the shade or blind. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the pin  62  has a cross shaped cross section. However, any other shape may be employed as well, for example a round cross section may be used. Pin locator  48  includes a pointer  68  that identifies the location of the pins  62 ,  64  relative to the first scale  70 . 
   The center clip locator  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 20 . The center clip locator  50  includes an extension  72  attached to the carriage  54  for slidable movement in the rail  58 . A pointer  74  is attached to the center clip locator  50  that identifies the position of the locator relative to a second scale  76 . The extension  72  of the center clip locator  50  includes a slot  78  having a width configured to receive and positively locate a center clip  80  attached to the center portion of the blind head rail or bottom rail (See FIG.  22 .). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the center clip  80  is positively secured to a head rail  82  or bottom rail by positive location of a protrusion  84  of the center clip with an aperture  86  or other locating device in the center of head rail  82 . Alternatively, the center clip  80  could include an aperture that is positioned relative to a detent or tab located on the head rail. Further, any other mechanical means of locating the center clip  80  onto the head rail may be employed. In the preferred embodiment the center clip  80  is made of a resilient material such that the center clip  80  may simply be located in the center of the blind head rail prior to sizing and maintained in place by the spring force of the center clip  80 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the pin locator  48  is positioned on the right side of the cutting center  10  and the center clip locator  50  is positioned on the left side of the cutting center  10 . However, this orientation is for illustration purposes only. It is possible that cutting center  10  includes two pin locators  48  on both the right and left sides of the cutting center or two center clip locators  50  on both the right and left sides of the cutting center  10 . Any combination of locators  48 ,  50  may be employed depending on the type of locating system that is used to locate the actual products to be sized. 
   The pin locator  48  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  is slidably positioned relative to a cutting plane  88  (See  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) of the first cutting station  16  by the first scale  70 . The first scale  70  is located on the right side of a raised portion  90  proximate the rail  58  (FIG.  20 ). Similarly, the center clip locator  50  is slidably positioned relative to the cutting plane  92  (See  FIG. 15 ) of the second cutting station  18  by the second scale  76 . 
   The first and second scales  70 ,  76  each include half scale indicia and extend proximate the front edge of the top working surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second scales  70 ,  76  include half scale indicia where each unit of measurement is identified as twice its actual distance from the cutting planes of the first and second cutting stations respectively. For example, a distance of fifteen inches (15″) from the cutting plane  88  of the first cutting station  16  is identified as thirty inches (30″) on the half scale indicia. 
   The half scale indicia allows an employee or operator to size a window blind by only knowing the final desired width of the window blind. The width of the window blind is defined as the horizontal distance between the two sides of the window blind when the window blind is installed relative to the window or opening to be covered. The height of the window blind is the vertical distance that the window blind or shade covers. The term “length” as it is used in conjunction with the Venetian window blind head rail, slats or bottom rail will correspond to the width of the window blind. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 20 , end locator  52  includes an extension  94  attached to carriage  54  for translation along rail  58 . Extension  94  extends from the carriage  54  in the cross housing direction and includes a first side  96  and a second side  98  parallel to the first side  96 . The first side  96  faces the first cutting station  16  while the second side  98  faces the second cutting station  18 . As will be described below the first and second sides  96 ,  98  of the extension  94  extend a sufficient distance from the top support surface  36  to engage the ends of the blind or shade to be sized to help align the head rail, bottom rail and window covering material for sizing. Further, the first side  96  is also used to locate the cellular shade as will be described below. End locator  52  further includes a set block  100  extending from the first side  96  a set distance toward the first cutting station  16 . The end locator further includes a cut out region or a depression  102  in the top portion of the extension  94  that permits a portion of the cellular window covering material of the cellular blind to extend through the extension  94  when the head rail and bottom rail are being sized. The end locator is positioned between the right and left locators, which as illustrated in  FIG. 4  is the pin locator and center clip locator respectively. Of course, as noted above, the right and left locators may both be pin locators or center lip locators. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , first cutting station  16  will be described in further detail. First cutting station  16  includes a stationary die  104  and a moveable die  106  slidably coupled to the stationary die  104 . A guiding die member  108  is secured to a first face  110  of stationary die  104  to provide a plurality of beveled or flared surfaces  112  for guiding the various bottom rails, slats and head rails of the blinds and shades to be sized into openings in the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the stationary die  104  includes three regions for cutting three different types of window covering products. The first region  114  is configured for sizing a mini-blind product having metal or aluminum slats and a metal head rail and bottom rail. This mini-blind product will be referred to as the metal mini-blind product. First region  114  of the stationary die  104  includes a first channel  116  for receiving a bottom rail of a mini-blind product, and an opening  118  for receiving a plurality of metal or aluminum slats from the metal mini-blind product. Further, first region  114  of stationary die  104  also includes a second channel  120  for receiving the head rail of the metal mini-blind product. 
   Additionally, stationary die  104  includes a second region  122  for sizing a mini-blind having a plurality of vinyl slats. This mini-blind configuration will be referred to as a vinyl mini-blind product. This second region includes a channel  124  for receiving the bottom rail of a vinyl mini-blind product having vinyl slats and a second opening  126  for receiving the vinyl slats, and finally a third channel  128  for receiving the head rail of the vinyl mini-blind product. 
   The third region  130  of stationary die  104  is for sizing a pleated or cellular shade and includes a first pair of channels  132 ,  134  for receiving the ends of a head rail and bottom rail from a pleated or cellular shade. Similarly, third region  130  may include a second pair of channels  136 ,  138  for receiving the second ends of the head rail and bottom rail from a pleated or cellular shade, when the head rail and bottom rail are not symmetric. However, in the preferred embodiment, the head rail and bottom rail are symmetric and therefore only a single pair of channels is required. Accordingly, the second pair of channels  136 ,  138  is shown in phantom lines. The third region  130  also includes an opening  140  for receiving the pleated or cellular material to be sized. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , the movable die  106  similarly has three regions that correspond with the respective three regions of the stationary die  104 . The first region  142  of the movable die  106  includes a first die opening  144  to receive both the portion of the bottom rail and metal slats of the metal mini-blind to be sized. A first blade  146  is attached to the movable die  106  and separates the first die opening  144  from a second die opening  148  that receives the portion of the head rail to be sized. The first blade  146  is fastened to the movable die and includes a cutting surface  150  that is proximate the stationary die  104 . First blade  146  cuts both the metal slats and the bottom rail. The geometry of the first blade  146  permits the metal slats and bottom rail to be sized with the same blade without the blade chipping when it cuts the bottom rail member. First blade  146  has an arcuate surface that corresponds to an arcuate portion on the outer surface of the stationary die  104 . However, other known cutting shapes may also be employed. 
   The second region  152  of the movable die  106  is located below the first region  142 . The second region  152  includes a first opening  154  to receive both the portion of the bottom rail and vinyl slats of a vinyl mini-blind to be sized. A second blade  156  is attached to the movable die  106  and separates the first opening  154  from a second opening  158  that receives the portion of the vinyl mini-blind head rail to be sized. The second blade  156  is fastened to the movable die  106  and includes a sharpened edge  160  that is proximate the stationary die  104 . 
   The third region  162  of the movable die  106  is situated in line with the first region of the movable die such that it corresponds to the third region  130  of the stationary die  104 . The third region  162  includes a first opening  164  and a second opening  166 . A shearing portion  168  is located proximate the first opening  164  and a shearing portion  170  is located proximate the second opening  166 . However, a single opening and shearing portion may also be used. 
   Finally, the third region  162  of the movable die includes a third opening  172  for receiving the cellular or pleated shade material to be sized. A blade  174  is attached to the movable die  106  and has a blade edge  176  to cut the cellular and pleated material as the movable die  106  is moved from a retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 8  to the fully extended position illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 17 ,  18   a , and  18   b  the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106  are attached to a frame  178  that is movable from a first position in which the first regions  114 ,  142  and third regions  130 ,  162  of the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106  are proximate the top working surface  36  of housing  20 , to a second position in which the second regions  122 ,  152  are proximate the top working surface  36 . Further the frame  178  may be moved to a third position in which the entire first cutting station  16  is lowered to a position below the top working surface  36  to facilitate the sizing of-vertical blind slats having a length greater than the width of the housing  20 . 
   When the entire first cutting station  16  is lowered to a position below the top working surface  36 , an extension scale  180  may be attached to the housing (See FIG.  27 ). A vertical peg  182  fastens the extension to the housing  20  so that the extension scale  180  remains in a plane parallel with the top working surface  36 . This feature allows a simple disassembly upon raising the first cutting station  16  and also allows the extension scale  180  to slip out of its position on the housing if the first cutting station  16  is raised without first removing the extension scale  180  Further, if the housing is moved back into the bay before removing the extension scale  180 , the scale will simply pivot about the peg  182  to prevent damage to the extension scale  180  or to the housing. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the frame is moved between the first, second and third positions with a hydraulic piston  184  that is controlled by the controller  22 . The hydraulic piston  184  is shown in  FIGS. 17 ,  18   a  and  18   b.    
   In an alternative manual embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19  a pair of spring biased release mechanisms  186  is located on either side of the frame  178  to releasably secure the frame in the first, second or third positions. Each release mechanism  186  includes a spring biased button  188 , each having a spring member  190  biasing a pin  192  into engagement with one of three pairs of support members  194  attached to housing  20 . By manually pulling the engaged pair of buttons  188  in an outward direction, the pins  192  are released from the support member  194  and the frame  178  may be moved upward or downward to another one of the pair of support members. In this manner, the first cutting station  16  may be moved manually between the first, second and third positions. 
   The method for sizing a metal mini-blind product utilizing the cutting center  10  will now be described in detail. As discussed above, cutting center  10  can cut more than one type of mini-blind or shade product. The first cutting station  16  includes two different regions for cutting two different types of mini-blind products. The mini-blind products could have different geometry necessitating different die openings, and/or different shearing configurations, and/or different blade combinations. In the example illustrated in the figures the first cutting station  16  permits the sizing of two different mini-blind products formed of different material and having a different geometry. In the preferred embodiment, the first regions  114 ,  142  of the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106  of the first cutting station  16  are configured to size a metal mini-blind product having a metal bottom rail, a metal head rail and aluminum slats. The second regions  122 ,  152  are configured to size a vinyl mini-blind product having vinyl slats. 
   A customer will measure the width of the window or windows to be covered and bring this dimension to a retail outlet to purchase a mini-blind product. If the mini-blind product in stock does not match the dimensions required by the customer, an employee/operator will size a stock size mini-blind product to the customer&#39;s specified dimension. This system only requires that the operator select the stock mini-blind product having a width greater than that required by the customer. The operator, as will be described herein, does not need to calculate the difference between the stock product and customer&#39;s dimensions, nor does the operator need to divide the difference between the stock mini-blind product and the customer&#39;s specifications. The operator will cut a portion of the head rail, bottom rail and window covering material from each end of the stock mini-blind product, without the need to know any value but the customer&#39;s desired end width of the mini-blind. By removing material from both ends of the mini-blind product as described below, each pair of lift cords will remain an equal distance from each respective end of the mini-blind. 
   Once the operator has identified and selected the stock mini-blind product closest to, yet wider than the customer&#39;s specification, the cutting center  10  is pulled from the stored position in bay  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  to the extended position as illustrated in FIG.  2 . The operator gains access to the center controls by entering a password into the center access panel  196  of the control mechanism  22 . The control mechanism  22  may be connected to a computer that identifies the operator seeking access to the cutting center  10 . The computer may also store the information entered by the operator including the time of entry. The system may further be programmed to allow the operator to enter information relative to the stock blind being sized as a way of monitoring inventory. Additionally, the time required to size the mini-blind may be recorded. The access panel  196  has the added benefit of prohibiting unauthorized personnel from accessing the cutting center  10 . 
   After the cutting center  10  has been activated by means of the access panel  196 , the operator loads the stock mini-blind product onto the top working surface  36 . As discussed above, both the pin locator and central clip locator for centrally locating the stock mini-blind to be sized may be utilized. For illustration purposes only, the pin locator will be described for locating the mini-blind product relative to the first cutting station  16  and the center clip locator will be described for locating the wooden mini-blind product relative to the second cutting station  18 . However, the center clip locator could be used to locate the mini-blind product relative to the first cutting station as well. 
   When using the pin locator, the bottom rail of each stock mini-blind product includes a centrally located aperture or opening through the bottom most portion of the bottom rail. The aperture could also be a slot extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottom rail, or an indentation or depression or connector or any other means for centrally locating the mini-blind product. The aperture is centrally located in the bottom rail, however, the aperture or locating means could also be located in the head rail. The operator locates the aperture onto pin  62  of the pin locator  48 . The portions of the first end of the head rail, bottom rail and slats that are to be cut off are slid through the first regions  114 ,  142  of the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106 . The bottom rail is located in channel  116  of the stationary die  104  and opening  144  of the movable die  106 . Similarly, the slats are located in opening  118  of the stationary die  104  and opening  144  of the movable die  106 . Finally, the head rail is located in channel  120  of the stationary die  104  and opening  164  of the movable die  106 . 
   The stock mini-blind product is positioned relative to the cutting plane  88  of the first cutting center  16  by lining up pointer  68  of the pin locator  48  with the customer&#39;s specification on the half scale indicia on first scale  70 . The half scale indicia is dimensioned relative to the cutting plane  88  of the first cutting station  16  which is generally defined by the outer surface of the stationary die  104  that determines the location of the sized end of the head rail, bottom rail and slats after the movable die  106  is activated and shears and/or cuts the head rail, bottom rail and slats. The half scale units are one half of the actual distance from the cutting plane. For example thirty (30) inches on the half scale is only one half of thirty (30) or actually only fifteen (15) inches from the cutting plane. Once the movable die  106  is activated the newly cut ends of head rail, bottom rail and slats will be 15 inches from the center aperture. 
   To activate the movable die  106  in the first cutting station  16 , the operator turns on the first cutting station  16  with an on/off switch located on the controller  22 . By simultaneously depressing the two activation buttons, the movable die  106  is moved from the rest position to the extended position by a plunger  198  that is driven by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder  200 . The first blade  146  shears the slats and subsequently the bottom rail, while the shear portion of opening  148  shears the head rail. If the operator releases the activation buttons during the cutting process, the movable die  106  will stop. This feature ensures that the operator&#39;s hands are safely away from the movable die  106  during the activation sequence. Once the movable die  106  is fully extended and the first end of the head rail, bottom rail and slats are sized, the movable die  106  retracts to the rest position. 
   After the first side of the mini-blind product is sized, the operator removes the mini-blind product from pin  62  and rotates it such that the sized end of the mini-blind product is away from the first cutting station  16 . The center aperture on the bottom rail of the mini-blind product is once again located on pin  62 . Once the mini-blind has been located, the movable die  106  is activated and the second side of the head rail, bottom rail and slats are sized. In this example the desired width of the mini-blind product was thirty (30) inches. Since each side of the blind was sized relative to the central locating hole in the bottom rail, the cut ends of the mini-blind product are fifteen (15) inches from the center for a total mini-blind width of thirty (30) inches. In this manner the lift cords are equal distance from the center of the mini-blind product and equal distance to their respective ends of the sized mini-blind product. 
   The sizing of the metal mini-blind occurs while the first cutting station  16  is in the first position relative to housing  20  as described above. A vinyl mini-blind is sized in a second position of the cutting station. To move the first cutting station  16  to the second position utilizing the hydraulic piston, the operator utilizes the controller  22  to move the first cutting station  16  to the second position. In the alternative embodiment, the manual release mechanism  186  may be used to move the frame. The buttons  188  of the release mechanism are pulled outward releasing the pins  192  from the support members  194  thereby permitting the operator to move the first cutting station  16  upward until the buttons are aligned with and engaged with a second pair of support members  194 . The steps for sizing the vinyl mini-blind in the first cutting station are the same as the steps for sizing the metal mini-blind as described above. However, the vinyl mini-blind is sized in the second regions  122 ,  152  of the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106 . 
   The process of sizing a pleated or cellular shade will now be described. The pleated material is sized independently of the bottom rail and head rail. The shearing portions  168 ,  170  of the third portion  162  of movable die  106  that are used to size the bottom rail and head rail of a pleated shade are not sharp enough to cleanly cut the material. The pleated material is sized in a separate step from the sizing of the head rail and bottom rail utilizing a sharp blade  174 . In a pleated blind the lift cords are visible and therefore it is desirable to have the pair of lift cords be symmetrical with respect to the center of the pleated blind. Accordingly, the pleated blind may be sized in four distinct steps. First one end of the head rail and bottom rail are sized to the final width of the pleated shade. Second, one end of the pleated material is sized. Third, the other end of the head rail and bottom rail is sized. Fourth, the other end of the pleated material is sized. 
   The steps for removing the cutting center  10  from the bay  14 , and accessing the cutting center  10  is the same as that described above for sizing the mini-blind products. Additionally, the first cutting station  16  is moved to the first position to size the pleated shade product. This is the same position as when the metal mini-blind product is being sized. 
   As with the mini-blind products discussed above, the bottom rail of the pleated shade includes an aperture which is located on pin  64  of pin locator  48 . In contrast to the front pin  62  utilized to locate the mini-blind products, the rear pin  64  is utilized to locate the pleated or cellular shade. By using the half scale indicia of the first scale  70 , the pin locator  48  is aligned with the finished dimension of the customer&#39;s specification. 
   The first end of the head rail and bottom rail are slid into channels  132 ,  134  respectively and openings  164 ,  166  of the movable die  106 . The pleated material however, is not slid into any opening at this time, but rather the pleated material is slid relative to the bottom rail and head rail, so that one end of the pleated material extends past the second end of the head rail and bottom rail. The first cutting station  16  is activated as discussed above with respect to the mini-blind products. 
   After the first ends of the pleated head rail and bottom rail are sized, the pleated material is slid into openings channels  132 ,  134  of the stationary die  104  and openings  164 ,  166  of the movable die  106 . The dimension of the guide die plate  108  proximate opening  140  does not permit the head rail and bottom rails to pass into opening  140  and is stopped a predetermined distance from the cutting plane. In the preferred embodiment, the distance from the ends is one inch. The end locator is used to size the pleated material. The end locator set block  100  received between the pleated shade bottom rail and head rail such that the set block  100  pushes the pleated material forward the sized end of the bottom rail and head rail a predetermined distance. In the preferred embodiments the set block extends one inch from the first side of the end locator extension to compensate for the one inch distance the bottom rail and head rails are short of the cutting plane  88 . In this manner when the pleated material is sized by blade  174  the width of the pleated material is the same as the width of the head rail and bottom rail. 
   The process is repeated on the second ends of the pleated shade head rail, bottom rail and pleated material. Where the head rail and bottom rail are not symmetric the second ends of the head rail and bottom rail will not fit in channels  132 ,  134 . The second ends of the head rail and bottom rail must be inserted into channels  136 ,  138  respectively, that are configured to accommodate the different orientation of the second ends of the pleated shade bottom rail and head rail. 
   Alternatively, the stock pleated shade product may be sized in three steps. First the head rail and bottom rail may be sized by cutting material off from a single end to the final width of the customer&#39;s specification. Since the head rail and bottom rail are being sized from one end only, a full scale may be utilized to locate the head rail and bottom rail relative to the cutting plane. The pleated material is then cut equally on both sides in two separate cutting operations so that the lift cords remain symmetric about the center of the head rail and bottom rail. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the sizing of the cellular product in two steps is illustrated. In the first step the entire portion to be removed from the stock cellular head rail and bottom rail is removed in a single operation of the movable die  106  (FIG.  8 ). Accordingly, the cellular shade may be located relative to a cellular scale  202  having full scale indicia such that the markings on the scale  202  ( FIG. 4 ) reflects the actual distance from the cutting plane  88 . The end locator  52  is utilized to locate the cellular product to be sized. The head rail and bottom rail of the cellular product are inserted into channels  132 ,  134  ( FIG. 8 ) while the other ends of the head rail and bottom rail that are not to be sized are located against the first side of the end locator  52 . The first side of the end locator  52  is aligned with the full scale indicia of scale  202  corresponding to the actual width of the blind as requested by the customer. When the head rail and bottom rail are being sized the cellular material is slid away from the ends of the blind to be cut off and towards the second cutting station  18 . The cellular material is allowed to pass through end locator  52  extension  94  via opening  102 . 
   Once the head rail and bottom rail have been cut to size, the cellular material is slid past the newly cut ends of the head rail and bottom rail into openings  140  and  172  of the stationary and movable dies  104 ,  106  ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) respectively. The end locator set block  100  pushes the cellular material the required distance into the first cutting station to ensure that the cellular material will have the same width as the head rail and bottom rail once it is sized. The set block  100  is utilized the same way for the cellular material as for the pleated material discussed above. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12-16  the second cutting station  18  includes a vertical head rail shearing mechanism  204  and a wooden blind sizing mechanism  206 . Vertical shearing mechanism  204  includes a stationary die  208  having a channel  210  for receiving a head rail of a vertical blind product. The stationary die  208  includes a second opening  211  for receiving the traverse rod of the vertical blind product. A movable die  212  moves relative to the stationary die  208  in a vertical up/down direction. Movable die  212  includes a shearing portion  214 . Additionally, vertical shearing mechanism  204  includes a punch  216  that punches a hole in the base of the vertical blind head rail a set distance from the cut end of the head rail as described below. A vertically oriented piston  217  moves the movable die  212  upward and downward as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  respectively. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 12 ,  15  and  16 , the wooden blind sizing mechanism  206  includes a circular saw  218  having a circular blade  220  that moves from a first position proximate the rear wall  34  to an extended position in the cross housing direction toward the front wall  28 . 
   The sizing of a wooden blind having a metal head rail, a wooden bottom rail and wooden slats will now be described. While a pin locator  48  could be used to locate the wooden blind for sizing, the center clip locator  50  will be described in connection with the sizing of the wooden blind. As illustrated in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , a head rail includes an opening  86  that receives a protrusion or tab extending from clip  80 . In this manner the clip is positively located on the center of the head rail  82 . The clip  80  is then positioned within slot  78  of the center clip locator  50 , which positions the clip and the head rail relative to the second half scale  76 . A pointer  74  on the center clip locator identifies the center position of the wooden blind to be sized relative to the cutting plane  92  of the circular saw  218 . 
   Once the head rail and clip are located within the slot of the center clip locator, the wooden blind bottom rail, slats and head rail are slid into a first opening  221  in the second cutting station (See FIG.  28 ). The wooden blind is located by moving the center clip locator  50  to align the pointer  74  of the center slat locator with the customer&#39;s width specification on the second scale  76 . 
   Once the wooden mini-blind is at the proper location to be sized, the end locator  52  is used to square the ends of the head rail, slats and bottom rail, by using the second side extension second side  98 . A clamp mechanism  222  clamps the bottom rail, the wooden slats and the head rail against a stop  224  (See  FIG. 29 ) such that the sides of the rails and slats are parallel to the top working surface  36 . This removes any space distance between the slats, the bottom rail and the head rail. 
   Once the bottom rail, slats and head rail have been located within the opening  221  and clamped against the stop  224 , the first end of the wooden mini-blind is ready to be sized. As with the first cutting station  16 , the operator first enters the access code in the center access panel  22  to allow activation of the second cutting station  18 . To activate the sequence for sizing the wooden blind bottom rail, slats and metal head rail, the operator turns on the second cutting station  18  with the on/off switch. By simultaneously depressing two activation buttons, the following sequence is activated. First the vacuum  46  is started and the circular saw  218  is activated and moved toward the front wall  28  along cutting plane  92  cutting the bottom rail, slats and head rail until the bottom rail, all of the slats, and the head rail are each sized. The circular saw  218  is then moved rearward until it is in its fully withdrawn position. In the preferred embodiment the movement of the saw is automated and controlled by the controller  22 . 
   In addition to wooden slats, the circular saw  218  may also size faux wood slats made of a cellulose plastic formulation or of slats made from a plastic material, or any other type of material that can effectively be sized with a circular saw. The circular saw  218  includes a circular saw blade  220  that travels along a cutting path  92 . 
   It is also possible to size a valance for the wooden blind at the same time the head rail, bottom rail and slats are being sized. The valance is simply located adjacent the head rail or bottom rail and sized along with the other components. 
   A vertical blind may also be sized in the second cutting station  18 . A vertical blind head rail is sized in the vertical shearing mechanism  204  by locating the vertical blind head rail in the vertical blind head rail channel  210 . The vertical blind traverse rod is located within the traverse rod opening  211 . Since the vertical blind does not include lift cords, the vertical blind head rail may be sized by removing material from a single side of the stock head rail. Accordingly, a scale  225  ( FIG. 4 ) having full scale indicia are used to determine the width of the vertical blind. Again, the width of the vertical blind is measured to correspond to the width of the window it will be covering. The cutting plane of the vertical shearing mechanism  204  is not in the same plane as the cutting plane  92  of the circular saw. The vertical shearing mechanism is set inward in the housing to permit the circular saw to fully extend along its cutting plane  92  without contacting the shearing mechanism. The scale  225  measures the actual distance to the cutting plane of the vertical shearing mechanism  204 . 
   The vertical shearing mechanism  204  also includes a punch  216  to place an aperture in the base of the vertical head rail a set distance from the cutting plane of the vertical shearing mechanism  204 . The aperture is located a predetermined distance from the cut end of the head rail to receive a portion of a snap-in end cap to be added to the vertical head rail once it has been sized. The aperture could also be used to receive a fastener such as a screw to secure an end cap to the head rail. Punch  216  is pivotally connected to a lever  228  that is pivotally connected to the vertical shearing mechanism  204 . The lever  228  is pivotally connected to a head portion  230  of a rod  232  which is slidably located in a holder  234  attached to the movable die  212 . The head portion  230  includes a base portion having a diameter larger than the rod  232  and larger than the opening in the holder  234 . 
   The operation of the vertical shearing mechanism  204  for sizing the vertical blind head rail will now be described. Since the vertical blind head rail can be sized by removing material on one side of the head rail, no centering locating mechanism need be used. Rather, the vertical blind head rail can be measured by use of the full scale indicia on scale  225 . The end of the vertical blind head rail to be cut is placed in channel  210  and the traverse rod is placed in opening  211 . The free end of the head rail that is not being sized is aligned with the full scale indicia indicating the customer&#39;s specification for the desired width of the vertical blind product. The vertical slats will be sized to a different measurement, since the important feature of the vertical slats is their vertical length when they are placed over a window. Once the vertical blind head rail and traverse rod are located in the stationary die  208  the operator activates the shearing mechanism by following the steps outlined above of inputting the access code, turning the on/off switch to the on position for the second machine cutter, and depressing the two activation buttons. 
   The movable die  212  will move in an upward direction until the “v” shaped shearing portion  214  contacts and shears the vertical head rail and the traverse rod. Once the holder contacts the base of the head portion  230 , the head portion is moved upward, thereby causing the pivot of lever  228  about its pivot point and causing the punch  216  to extend downwards through the head rail. In this manner, an opening is formed in the vertical head rail a predetermined distance from the sheared end of the vertical head rail. 
   Once the movable die has reached its fully extended upward position and the head rail and traverse rod have been sheared and the opening has been punched in the head rail, the movable die is retracted downward to the starting position. The vertical blind slats may also be sized in the second cutting station  18  to a customer&#39;s specifications. The vertical slats extend in a vertical position and therefore are likely to have a dimension different than the head rail width. The vertical slats are clamped down onto top working surface  36  with a vertical clamp  236  (See  FIG. 30 ) such that the face of the vertical slats are parallel to the top working surface  36 . If the vertical blind head rail is longer than the space between the first and second cutting stations  16 ,  18 , the first cutting station  16  may be lowered to a third position as discussed above to allow the vertical head rail to rest horizontally on the top working surface  36 . When the first cutting station  16  is lowered to the third position, the top of the frame  178  is substantially flush with or lower than the top working surface. The scale extension  180  is located in housing  20  and extends the full scale  226  ( FIG. 4 ) that measures the actual distance to the cutting plane  92 . 
   Unlike the wooden mini-blind product in which the bottom rail, slats and head rail are all positioned relative to the second cutting station together, the vertical head rail and vertical slats are positioned and sized separately. 
   In another embodiment, each scale is used for sizing a specific blind or shade product. Further, each scale may have a separate distinct color that corresponds with the color of the packaging for respective blind or shade product to be sized. As a result, an operator will be able to determine which scale to use to size the stock blind or shade product by matching the color of the stock blind or shade packaging with the appropriate scale. The instructions that are located on the housing may also be in color to further reduce the chance that the particular stock blind or shade product is sized incorrectly. Additionally, the instructions that are located in an instruction manual may also be color coordinated with the scale and stock product packaging. Since the scale, packaging for the blind or shade product and instructions all share the same color for sizing of a specific product, the chance of error decreases, resulting in an easier process for the operator. 
   In a further embodiment, the locator pin may be eliminated. The blind or shade product may include a mark or feature that is located on its longitudinal center. This mark or feature would be aligned with the appropriate marking on the appropriate scale as discussed above. While the locator devices provide for a positive placement of the blind or shade product, it is possible to locate the center of the blind or shade product by means of a mark such as a line placed on the product in the factory before being shipped to the retain outlet. Of course the mark could also be placed by the operator in the retail outlet as well prior to sizing. 
   The stock blind or shade product would also have a feature such as an indentation, groove or protrusion on the center of the blind that could be used to locate the stock blind or shade product relative to the scale. 
   While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The systems shown and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.