Abstract:
A tool for repairing Venetian blinds comprising a cradling member and a receiving member which moves relative to the cradling member. The cradling member has a horizontal portion and a vertically extending portion. The cradling member has a protrusion located a distance away from the ledge for supporting a portion of the Venetian bond. The receiving member slides up the cradling member towards the edge. The edges of the Venetian blind are compressed towards each other between the extended ledge and the receiving member to re-introduce a curvature to the Venetian blind.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of repair solutions for Venetian blinds. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Venetian blinds comprise thin slats which are often made from metal. Damage, such as bending the slats out of shape, frequently occurs during the normal course of use. Slats may be damaged by repeated use, or by accidental compression, such as during cleaning. Current repair solutions for Venetian blind slats include attempting to bend the slats back by hand without the assistance of a tool, or by disassembling the blind to replace the damaged slats. Each of these solutions is disadvantageous for various reasons. Hand bending the slats in an attempt to match the original curvature or the undamaged portion often results in uneven and off-center bends, which can cause more damage to the blinds. Replacing the damaged slats can be time consuming and results may not be satisfactory since the new slats may not match the color of the original slats which have faded over time. As a result, replacing the entire set of Venetian blinds is often the most effective solution. However, replacing the entire set of Venetian blinds is not a cost effective solution. 
         [0003]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a tool for repairing Venetian blinds. 
         [0004]    The present inventor has recognized the need for an easy to use tool for re-introducing a curvature to the Venetian blind. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A tool for replacing Venetian blinds comprising a cradling member and a receiving member which move relative to each other. The cradling member comprises two arms separated by a slot. An extended ledge which forms the inwardly bent L-shape at the front end of the cradling member extends from the base of the cradling member. The prongs each comprise a protrusion for supporting a portion of the Venetian blind. The protrusions are disposed a distance away from the extended ledge. The receiving member receives the back end of the cradling member opposite the end comprising the extended ledge, within a recessed region. The depth of the recess in the receiving member which receives the distal end of the cradling member is of a sufficient depth to allow the leading edge of the receiving member to slide upwards on the cradling member towards the ledge a desired distance. The distal end of the cradling member has at least one recess which engages with a spring. The spring biases the cradling member and the receiving member in an extended position such that when the receiving member is moved towards the curve forming position, the receiving member is inclined to move back into its starting position and is ready for use again. 
         [0006]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the tool. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the cradling member. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the tool. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the tool in use with a Venetian blind portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the blind repair tool  10 . The blind repair tool comprises a cradling member  20  and a receiving member  30  which move relative to each other. The cradling member comprises two arms  25  separated by a slot  40 . The extended ledge  50  which forms an inwardly bent L-shape at the front end  55  of the cradling member extends upwards from the base  60  of the cradling member. In the embodiment show in  FIG. 1 , ledge  50  extends from the base at an angle “α.” The extended ledge  50  intersects the base  60  at a straight edge  51 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , angle “α” is less than 90 degrees, and is tilted towards the back end  56  of the cradling member. In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the ledge  50   a  extends laterally past the width of the prongs  25   a . In another embodiment, the ledge can extend at an angle 90 degrees or greater from the base  60  of the cradling member. 
         [0013]    The prongs  25  each comprise a protrusion  70  for supporting a portion of the Venetian blind within the curve forming region  110  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In the embodiment shown, the protrusion  70  has a rounded surface  71 . In one embodiment, the protrusion is semi-cylindrical. The central axis of the semi-cylinder is located at distance D from the edge wherein the ledge  50  extends from the base. In one embodiment distance D is half the width of the Venetian blind slat being repaired. For wider slats, distance D is greater. In other embodiments, the protrusion need not have a cross sectional area that is half the area of a circle, and can have a cross-sectional area that is greater or less than a semi-circle. Any other suitable shape for the protrusion can be used. 
         [0014]    The back end  56  of the cradling member  20  is received within the receiving member  30 . The receiving member  30  comprises a recessed region  80  (shown in dashed lines in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), or pocket shaped to receive the back end  56  of the cradling member. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the back end  56  of the cradling member has two slots  90  to receive springs  95 . Springs  95  can be tension springs which allow for the cradling member and receiving member to be biased towards an extended position wherein the back end  56  of the cradling member  20  is not in contact with the end  85  of the recessed region  80 . Any other method of engaging a spring mechanism between the cradling member and the receiving member can also be used. Any other mechanism for returning the cradling member and the receiving member into an extended position can also be used. In other embodiments, the cradling member is disposed beneath the receiving member while the receiving member moves along the top surface of the cradling member without comprising a recessed region which engages with the back end of the cradling member. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the receiving member  30  has a leading edge  120  with an angled surface  121 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the angled surface  121  intersects with the base  60  of the cradling member  20  at an angle “β”. Angle “β” as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , can be less than 90 degrees. In other embodiments, β may be 90 degrees or greater. In some embodiments, angles “α” and “β” are equal. The angled surface  121  contacts the base  60  at a straight edge  122 . In one embodiment, straight edge  122  and straight edge  51  are parallel and on opposite sides of the protrusion  70 . 
         [0016]    In use, the user places a portion of the Venetian blind  100  for which repair is desired across prongs  25 . The user aligns one edge of the Venetian blind against the straight edge  51  formed by the intersection of the extended ledge  50  and the base  60 , such that a central portion of the Venetian blind  100  is disposed over the protrusion  70  within the curve forming region  110  ( FIG. 4 ). To generate a bend in the Venetian blind, the receiving member is moved towards the Venetian blind in a direction “A” as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 , to pinch the edges of the Venetian blind  100  towards each other to re-introduce a curvature to the Venetian blind. The Venetian blind as a result is pinched between the straight edge  122  formed by the intersection of the angled surface  121  and the base  60 , and the straight edge  51  formed by the intersection of the extended ledge  50  and the base  60 . Pressure from the receiving member is exerted as needed depending on the curvature desired, and the stiffness of the Venetian blind. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the force exerted on the Venetian blind edge as a result of the disposition of the Venetian blind between the extended ledge  50  and the angled surface  121  are more likely to be equal when the angles “α” and “β” are equal. The force actually exerted on the edges of the Venetian blind depends on the configuration or shape as a result of the extent of damage, of the venetian blind. The width “W” of the wingspan of the extended ledge  50   a  ( FIG. 3 ) and the width “S” of the receiving member can be the same or different widths, depending on the desired mechanical dynamics for the particular size and type of Venetian blind, which can have a varying stiffness and/or thickness. 
         [0017]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.