Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a method and a clip for securing a slat of a venetian blind to its supporting ladder cord rungs, thereby preventing the slat so secured from not following the remaining slats when they are tilted.

<CIT> describes a venetian blind comprising a clip for fixing a slat of the venetian blind to a rail guide in a rail.

<CIT> describes a venetian blind where the lifting cords or tapes or other means of lifting the blind do not go through holes in the slats to secure them against lateral displacement and where the lifting cords or, tapes, operate between the slats and the side members of the ladder tape. <CIT> describes a venetian blind with spring clips made of wire or other suitable material adapted to be normally supported by the cross members of a Venetian blind ladder tape or a flexible slat spacing mechanism.

<CIT> describes a blind slat fixing device attached to the lower surface of a wooden slat for closely attaching a middle cord of a ladder cord to the lower surface of the wooden slat.

<CIT> discloses a window treatment according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Mechanisms to tilt the slats may result in openings in the slats that are visible when the blinds are closed, which may reduce privacy and allow unwanted light to penetrate the room. A window treatment may include a headrail, a weighting element, a plurality of slats, one or more first ladder cords, one or more second ladder cords, a plurality of ladder rungs, and one or more couplings. The headrail may be elongate along a first direction. The headrail may be configured to be mounted to a structure. The weighting element may be configured such that the window treatment hangs down in front of a window. The plurality of slats may be located between the headrail and the weighting element. Each of the plurality of slats may include an upper surface and a lower surface. A first ladder cord may extend along a second direction between the headrail and the weighting element on a first side of the plurality of slats. A second ladder cord may extend along the second direction between the headrail and the weighting element on a second side of the plurality of slats. The plurality of ladder rungs may extend between the first ladder cord and the second ladder cord. The lower surface of each of the plurality of slats may rest on a respective ladder rung of the plurality of ladder rungs.

The one or more couplings may be configured to be attached to respective slats of the plurality of slats. For example, a coupling may be configured to removably attach a slat to a corresponding ladder rung on which the slat rests. The coupling may be configured to be removed such that the slat can be removed from the window treatment. The corresponding ladder rung may remain intact and undamaged when the coupling is removed. The removed coupling may be configured to be reattached to a replacement slat that is installed onto the corresponding ladder rung.

Each of the plurality of slats may include one or more holes that extend from the upper surface to the lower surface. The one or more holes may be located proximate to the first ladder cord. Each of the one or more holes may be configured to receive a portion of the coupling. The coupling may be a clip that defines a curved portion and two compliant members. The clip may be a metal wire. The two compliant members may extend from the curved portion. Each of the two compliant members may be curved such that when a portion of the coupling is received within the hole, the compliant members are proximate to each other within the hole and distal portions of the compliant members abut the upper surface of the slat. The curved portion and the two compliant members may be configured to retain the ladder rung within the coupling when the portion of the coupling is received within the hole. The distal portions of the compliant members may be inserted into the hole from the lower surface of the slat. The distal portions of the compliant members may be configured to be pushed together to enable the clip to be removed from a lower surface of the slat. The hole and the coupling may be hidden when the window treatment is in a closed position.

Each of the plurality of slats may include one or more notches proximate to the first ladder cord. A lower surface of each of the plurality of slats may be configured to rest on one or more ladder rungs. The one or more ladder rungs may be attached to the first ladder cord. The notches may be configured to receive a corresponding ladder rung. The coupling may be configured to secure the ladder rung within the notch. The coupling may include an arm that bridges the notch, for example, to secure (e.g., captively retain) the ladder rung within the notch (e.g., between the arm and the slat. The arm may be attached to the slat via one or more mechanisms, such as adhesive. A rear surface of the slat may include holes on either side of the notch. The coupling may include legs that extend from opposed sides of the arm. The legs may extend substantially perpendicular to the arm. The legs may be received within the holes. The coupling may be a bent metal wire. The coupling may be configured to be removed from the slat and reattached to the slat or a replacement slat that is installed onto the ladder rung.

The invention is defined by a window treatment according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM> define further developments thereof.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example window treatment <NUM> that may be mounted, for example, in front of a window (not shown). The window treatment <NUM> may be manually operated. Alternatively, the window treatment <NUM> may be motorized. For example, the window treatment <NUM> may include a drive assembly (not shown). The window treatment <NUM> may include a plurality of slats <NUM>. The window treatment <NUM> may be mounted such that the plurality of slats <NUM> are able to hang in front of the window, and may be adjusted between a fully-open position PFULLY-OPEN and a fully-closed position PFULLY-CLOSED to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be configured to be raised, lowered, and/or tilted. For example, the plurality of slats <NUM> may be raised and lowered using one or more lift cords, for example, such as the lift cords <NUM>. The lift cords <NUM> may be connected to a headrail <NUM> (e.g., at the top of the window treatment <NUM>) and a weighting element <NUM> (e.g., at the bottom of the window treatment <NUM>). The lift cords <NUM> may extend between the headrail <NUM> and the weighting element <NUM> on the window side and the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The weighting element <NUM> may be a bottom bar. The headrail <NUM> may extend between opposite ends that are connected to mounting brackets. The lift cords <NUM> may extend between the headrail <NUM> and the weighting element <NUM> on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The lift cords <NUM> may be configured to raise the weighting element <NUM> towards the headrail <NUM> and lower the weighting element <NUM> away from the headrail <NUM>.

The window treatment <NUM> may include tilt ladder cords <NUM> and ladder rungs <NUM>. The tilt ladder cords <NUM> and ladder rungs <NUM> may be configured to tilt the plurality of slats <NUM> between the fully-open position PFULLY-OPEN and the fully-closed position PFULLY-CLOSED, for example, to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. The tilt ladder cords <NUM> may extend between the headrail <NUM> and the weighting element <NUM> on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The ladder rungs <NUM> may be referred to as tilt members. The ladder rungs <NUM> may be connected to respective tilt ladder cords <NUM>. The ladder rungs <NUM> may extend between respective tilt ladder cords <NUM>. For example, one or more ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., separated in the y-direction) may extend underneath each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>. The plurality of slats <NUM> may rest on the ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., between the respective tilt ladder cords <NUM>). For example, one or more ladder rungs <NUM> may support (e.g., vertically support) each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>.

<FIG> depict an example window treatment <NUM> (e.g., such as the window treatment <NUM> shown in <FIG>) that may be mounted, for example, in front of a window (not shown). The window treatment <NUM> may include a plurality of slats <NUM>, lift cords 220A, 220B (e.g., such as the lift cords <NUM> shown in <FIG>), tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B (e.g., such as the tilt ladder cords <NUM> shown in <FIG>), and/or ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., such as the ladder rungs <NUM> shown in <FIG>). One will understand that additional lift cords, tilt ladder cords, and/or ladder rungs may be incorporated along the slat (i.e.,, each slat may have at least two lift cords, tilt ladder cords, and ladder rungs). The lift cords 220A, 220B may extend between a headrail (e.g., such as the headrail <NUM> shown in <FIG>) and a weighting element (e.g., the weighting element <NUM> shown in <FIG>) on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. For example, lift cords 220A may be located on the window side of the window treatment <NUM> and lift cords 220B may be located on the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The window treatment <NUM> may include two or more sets of lift cords 220A, 220B that are spaced apart in the y-direction. The window treatment <NUM> may include two or more sets of tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B that are spaced apart in the y-direction. The window treatment <NUM> may include two or more ladder rungs <NUM> per slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>. Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> may face the headrail and the lower surface <NUM> may face the weighting element.

The lift cords 220A, 220B may be configured to adjust the window treatment <NUM> between a raised position and a lowered position. For example, the lift cords 220A, 220B may be configured to raise the weighting element (e.g., and the plurality of slats <NUM>) towards the headrail and lower the weighting element (e.g., and the plurality of slats <NUM>) away from the headrail to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. As the lift cords 220A, 220B raise the weighting element, the weighting element may abut a lowermost slat (e.g., the lower surface <NUM>) of the plurality of slats <NUM> such that the lowermost slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> is raised as the weighting element continues to be raised. As the lift cords 220A, 220B continue to raise the weighting element, the lowermost slat (e.g., the upper surface <NUM>) may abut the next slat (e.g., the lower surface <NUM>) of the plurality of slats <NUM> such that the next slat is raised as the weighting element continues to be raised. Successive slats of the plurality of slats <NUM> may be similarly abutted and raised, until the lift cords 220A, 220B stop raising the weighting element.

The tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B and the ladder rungs <NUM> may be configured to tilt the plurality of slats <NUM> between an open position (e.g., fully-open position PFULLY-OPEN) and a closed position (e.g., fully-closed position PFULLY-CLOSED), for example, to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be horizontal when in the open position. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be substantially vertical when in the closed position. The tilt ladder cords 230B and/or the tilt ladder cords 230A may be configured to move vertically in the z-direction such that the ladder rungs <NUM> tilt the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. The tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B may extend between the headrail and the weighting element on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The ladder rungs <NUM> may extend between respective tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B on the window side and the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>.

The ladder rungs <NUM> may be referred to as tilt members. The ladder rungs <NUM> may be connected to respective tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B. For example, two or more tilt ladder cords 230A may be located on the window side of the window treatment <NUM> and two or more tilt ladder cords 230B may be located on the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The tilt ladder cords 230A may be referred to as first tilt ladder cords. The tilt ladder cords 230B may be referred to as second tilt ladder cords. The plurality of slats <NUM> may rest on the ladder rungs <NUM>. For example, two or more ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., spaced in the y-direction proximate to a left and right side of the window treatment <NUM>) may support (e.g., vertically support) each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may be attached (e.g., removably attached) to a respective one of the ladder rungs <NUM>. The window treatment <NUM> may include a plurality of couplings <NUM>. The couplings <NUM> may be configured to attach (e.g., removably attach) or couple the plurality of slats <NUM> to the ladder rungs <NUM>. For example, each of the plurality of couplings <NUM> may be configured to engage a respective slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> and a corresponding one of the ladder rungs <NUM>. Each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> may have one or multiple couplings <NUM>, for example, two couplings. Each of the couplings <NUM> may be configured to be removed from the slats <NUM> such that the slats <NUM> may be removed from the window treatment <NUM> to clean and/or replace the slat(s). When a coupling of the couplings <NUM> is removed, a corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> may remain intact and may be undamaged. The removed coupling of the couplings <NUM> may be reattached to a removed and/or replacement slat that is installed onto the corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> without damaging the slat, for example.

Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may include one or more holes <NUM>. The number of holes <NUM> in each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may be equal to the number of ladder rungs <NUM> supporting each of the plurality of slats <NUM>. The holes <NUM> may extend from the upper surface <NUM> to the lower surface <NUM>. The holes <NUM> may be located proximate to the tilt ladder cords 230A (e.g., on the window side of the window treatment <NUM>). When the holes <NUM> are located proximate to a window side of window treatment <NUM>, the holes <NUM> may be hidden from view when the plurality of slats <NUM> are tilted/partially tilted towards the fully-closed position PFULLY-CLOSED. The holes <NUM> may be located on the plurality of slats <NUM> such that they are aligned (e.g., horizontally in the y-direction) with the ladder rungs <NUM> such that the ladder rungs <NUM> pass across respective holes <NUM>. Each of the holes <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of a respective coupling <NUM>. For example, a coupling <NUM> may be inserted into a hole <NUM> to removably attach the slat <NUM> to the ladder rung <NUM>. A portion of the coupling <NUM> may be inserted into the hole <NUM> from the lower surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>.

The coupling <NUM> may be a clip (e.g., a window treatment slat clip) that defines a base portion <NUM> and compliant members 244A, 244B. The compliant members 244A, 244B may extend from the base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> may be curved, for example, as shown in <FIG>. It should be appreciated that the base portion <NUM> may be alternately shaped (e.g., straight, diamond-shaped, triangular, etc.). The compliant members 244A, 244B may be the portion of the coupling <NUM> that is inserted into the hole <NUM>. The compliant members 244A, 244B may define respective distal portions 246A, 246B. The distal portions 246A, 246B may be pushed through the hole <NUM> and may abut the upper surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>. The compliant members 244A, 244B may be curved such that the compliant members 244A, 244B are proximate to each other within the hole <NUM> and the distal portions 246A, 246B abut the upper surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>. The coupling <NUM> (e.g., the base portion <NUM> and the compliant members 244A, 244B) may be configured to retain the corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> within the coupling <NUM> when the portion of the coupling is received within the hole <NUM>. The corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> may remain between the base portion <NUM> and the compliant members 244A, 244B below the lower surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>. For example, the corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> may be proximate to the base portion <NUM> when the coupling <NUM> is received within the hole <NUM>. The compliant members 244A, 244B may prevent the corresponding ladder rung from extending into the hole <NUM>. The coupling <NUM> may be configured to couple the slat <NUM> to the corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM>.

Although the figures show the coupling <NUM> coupling the slats <NUM> to the ladder rungs <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> may additionally or alternatively couple the slats <NUM> to the tilt ladder cords 230A. For example, the coupling <NUM> may be configured to secure a respective tilt ladder cord 230A and/or a corresponding ladder rung <NUM> within a respective hole <NUM>.

The window treatment <NUM> may be operated between the open position and the closed position. The open position may be defined as the plurality of slats <NUM> being substantially parallel to one another in a horizontal position with respect to the window such that a user can see the window through the slats. The closed position may be defined as each of the plurality of slats <NUM> overlapping and/or abutting one another such that the slats <NUM> are in a substantially vertical position, thereby obstructing a user's view of the window through the slats. The tilt ladder cord 230B (e.g., distal to the hole <NUM>) may be translated up and down to operate the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. As the tilt ladder cord 230B is translated, a side of each of the plurality of slats <NUM> distal from the hole <NUM> is raised or lowered (e.g., based on the direction the tilt ladder cord 230B is translated). As the plurality of slats <NUM> are raised or lowered, adjacent slats of the plurality of slats <NUM> may begin to overlap one another. For example, a non-window side of a first slat may overlap (e.g., in the z-direction) a window side of a second slat, a non-window side of the second slat may overlap a window side of a third slat, and so on. As the non-window side of a slat overlaps a window side of an adjacent slat, the hole <NUM> and coupling <NUM> may be hidden from view on a non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the tilt ladder cord 230A (e.g., proximate to the hole <NUM>) may be translated up and down to operate the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. For example, a lower surface <NUM> of one slat may overlap an upper surface <NUM> of another slat when the window treatment <NUM> is in the closed position. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be configured to prevent light from penetrating a room when in the closed position. The coupling <NUM> and the hole <NUM> may be hidden from view (e.g., on the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>) when the window treatment <NUM> is in the closed position. For example, the coupling <NUM> and the hole <NUM> for a first slat may be hidden by a second slat that overlaps the first slat.

The coupling <NUM> may be configured to be removed (e.g., from the hole <NUM>) such that the slat <NUM> can be removed from the window treatment <NUM>. The distal portions 246A, 246B of the compliant members 244A, 244B may be configured to be pushed together, for example, to enable the coupling <NUM> to be removed from the lower surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>.

According to one example, the coupling <NUM> as shown in <FIG> may be a metal wire. For example, the coupling <NUM> may be deformed (e.g., bent) from a straight metal wire into the shape shown in <FIG> as it is inserted into the hole <NUM>. Alternatively, the coupling <NUM> may be in the shape shown in <FIG> before being installed into the hole <NUM>. The distal portions 246A, 246B of the compliant members 244A, 244B may be compressed or squeezed together to fit through the hole <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> is not limited to a metal wire, but may be made of any material that allows it to be compressed to squeeze or insert into the hole <NUM>, and provides tension to retain its position in the slat once inserted. Alternatively, the coupling <NUM> may be a thin and/or flat piece of metal, plastic, etc. The coupling <NUM> may be a single piece (e.g., molded, formed, cast, etc.). Alternatively, the coupling <NUM> may include multiple pieces that are attached together.

Although the figures show an example geometry of the coupling <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> is not limited to this example geometry. Stated differently, the coupling <NUM> may have alternative geometry to that shown in the figures and still attach (e.g., removably attach) a slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> to a corresponding ladder rung of the plurality of ladder rungs <NUM> on which the slat rests. As another example, the coupling <NUM> may comprise a snap (e.g., an annular snap, a cantilever snap, or a torsional snap). The coupling <NUM> may be snap-fit to the slat <NUM> (e.g., within the hole <NUM>). A distal portion of the snap may be received (e.g., captively received) within the hole <NUM> such that the slat <NUM> is coupled to the corresponding ladder rung of the plurality of ladder rungs <NUM>.

<FIG> depict a portion of another example window treatment <NUM> (e.g., such as the window treatment <NUM> shown in <FIG>) that may be mounted, for example, in front of a window (not shown). The window treatment <NUM> may include a plurality of slats <NUM> (only one is shown), lift cords 320A, 320B (e.g., such as the lift cords <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or the lift cords 220A, 220B shown in <FIG>), tilt ladder cords 330A, 330B (e.g., such as the tilt ladder cords <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or the tilt ladder cords 230A, 230B shown in <FIG>), and/or ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., such as the ladder rungs <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or the ladder rungs <NUM> shown in <FIG>). One will understand that additional lift cords, tilt ladder cords, and/or ladder rungs may be incorporated along the slat (e.g., each slat may have at least two lift cords, tilt ladder cords, and ladder rungs). The lift cords 320A, 320B may extend between a headrail (e.g., such as the headrail <NUM> shown in <FIG>) and a weighting element (e.g., the weighting element <NUM> shown in <FIG>) on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. For example, lift cords 320A may be located on the window side of the window treatment <NUM> and lift cords 320B may be located on the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> may face the headrail and the lower surface <NUM> may face the weighting element. For example, the lower surface <NUM> may be configured to rest on the ladder rungs <NUM>.

The lift cords 320A, 320B may be configured to adjust the window treatment <NUM> between a raised position and a lowered position. For example, the lift cords 320A, 320B may be configured to raise the weighting element (e.g., and the plurality of slats <NUM>) towards the headrail and lower the weighting element (e.g., and the plurality of slats <NUM>) away from the headrail to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. As the lift cords 320A, 320B raise the weighting element, the weighting element may abut a lowermost slat (e.g., the lower surface <NUM>) of the plurality of slats <NUM> such that the lowermost slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> is raised as the weighting element continues to be raised. As the lift cords 320A, 320B continue to raise the weighting element, the lowermost slat (e.g., the upper surface <NUM>) may abut the next slat (e.g., the lower surface <NUM>) of the plurality of slats <NUM> such that the next slat is raised as the weighting element continues to be raised. Successive slats of the plurality of slats <NUM> may be similarly abutted and raised, until the lift cords 320A, 320B stop raising the weighting element.

The tilt ladder cords 330A, 330B and the ladder rungs <NUM> may be configured to tilt the plurality of slats <NUM> between an open position (e.g., fully-open position PFULLY-OPEN) and a closed position (e.g., fully-closed position PFULLY-CLOSED), for example, to control the amount of daylight entering a room or space. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be horizontal when in the open position. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be substantially vertical when in the closed position. The tilt ladder cords 330B and/or the tilt ladder cords 330A may be configured to move vertically in the z-direction such that the ladder rungs <NUM> tilt the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. The tilt ladder cords 330A, 330B may extend between the headrail and the weighting element on the window side and/or the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>.

The ladder rungs <NUM> may be referred to as tilt members. The ladder rungs <NUM> may be connected to respective tilt ladder cords 330A, 330B. The ladder rungs <NUM> may extend between the respective tilt ladder cords 330A, 330B on the window side and the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. For example, tilt ladder cords 330A may be located on the window side of the window treatment <NUM> and tilt ladder cords 330B may be located on the non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. The tilt ladder cords 330A may be referred to as first tilt ladder cords. The tilt ladder cords 330B may be referred to as second tilt ladder cords. The plurality of slats <NUM> may rest on the ladder rungs <NUM>. For example, at least two ladder rungs <NUM> (e.g., spaced in the y-direction proximate to a left and right side of the window treatment <NUM>) may support (e.g., vertically support) each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may be removably attached to a respective one of the ladder rungs <NUM>. The window treatment <NUM> may include a plurality of couplings <NUM>. The couplings <NUM> may be configured to attach (e.g., removably attach) or couple the plurality of slats <NUM> to the ladder rungs <NUM>. For example, each of the plurality of couplings <NUM> may be configured to engage a respective slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> and a corresponding one of the ladder rungs <NUM>. Each slat of the plurality of slats <NUM> may have one or multiple couplings <NUM>, for example, two couplings. Each of the plurality of couplings <NUM> may be configured to secure the corresponding one of the ladder rungs <NUM> to the respective slat of the plurality of slats <NUM>. For example, the couplings <NUM> may insert into a size of the slat. Each of the couplings <NUM> may be configured to be removed from the slats <NUM> such that the slats <NUM> may be removed from the window treatment <NUM> to clean and/or replace the slat(s). When one or more couplings of the couplings <NUM> are removed, corresponding ladder rung(s) of the ladder rungs <NUM> may remain intact and undamaged and a corresponding slat of the slats <NUM> may be removed from the window treatment <NUM> for cleaning or replacing the slat. The removed coupling(s) of the couplings <NUM> may be reattached to a removed and/or replacement slat that is installed onto the corresponding ladder rung of the ladder rungs <NUM> without damaging the slat, for example, thereby allowing for easy replacement of one or more slats while ensuring the slats remain secured in place with respect to the ladder rungs <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of slats <NUM> may include one or more notches <NUM> cut into a lateral side of the slat. The notches <NUM> may be open at the rear surface <NUM> of the slat. For example, the notches <NUM> may be cut into the rear surface <NUM> of the slat and extend (e.g., in the x-direction) partially into the slat. The notches <NUM> may be located proximate to the tilt ladder cord 330A (e.g., on the window side of the window treatment <NUM>). There may be a notch <NUM> per each tilt ladder cord 330A on the respective slat, or one notch per slat (proximate any of the tilt ladder cords for the slat). When the notches <NUM> are located proximate to a window side of window treatment <NUM>, the notches <NUM> may be hidden from view when the plurality of slats <NUM> are tilted. The notches <NUM> may be located on the plurality of slats <NUM> such that they are aligned (e.g., in the y-direction) with the ladder rungs <NUM>. Each of the notches <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of the ladder rung <NUM>. The coupling <NUM> may bridge the notch <NUM> to removably attach the slat <NUM> to the ladder rung <NUM>. For example, the coupling <NUM> may be configured to secure the ladder rung <NUM> within the notch <NUM>.

Although the figures show the coupling <NUM> coupling the slats <NUM> to the ladder rungs <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be configured to couple the slats <NUM> to the tilt ladder cords 330A. For example, the coupling <NUM> may be configured to secure a respective tilt ladder cord 330A and/or a corresponding ladder rung <NUM> within a notch <NUM>.

The window treatment <NUM> may be operated between the open position and the closed position. The open position may be defined as the plurality of slats <NUM> being substantially parallel to one another in a horizontal position with respect to the window. The closed position may be defined as each of the plurality of slats <NUM> overlapping and/or abutting one another such that the slats <NUM> are in a substantially vertical position. The tilt ladder cord 330B (e.g., distal to the notch <NUM>) may be translated up and down to operate the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. As the tilt ladder cord 330B is translated, a side of each of the plurality of slats <NUM> distal from the notch <NUM> is raised or lowered (e.g., based on the direction the tilt ladder cord 330B is translated). As the plurality of slats <NUM> are raised or lowered, adjacent slats of the plurality of slats <NUM> may begin to overlap one another. For example, a non-window side of a first slat may overlap (e.g., in the z-direction) a window side of a second slat, a non-window side of the second slat may overlap a window side of a third slat, and so on. As the non-window side of a slat overlaps a window side of an adjacent slat, the notch <NUM> and coupling <NUM> may be hidden from view on a non-window side of the window treatment <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the tilt ladder cord 330A (e.g., proximate to the notch <NUM>) may be translated up and down to operate the plurality of slats <NUM> between the open position and the closed position. For example, a lower surface of one slat may overlap an upper surface of another slat when the window treatment <NUM> is in the closed position. The plurality of slats <NUM> may be configured to prevent light from penetrating a room when in the closed position. The coupling <NUM> and the notch <NUM> may be hidden from view when the window treatment <NUM> is in the closed position. For example, the coupling <NUM> and the notch <NUM> for a first slat may be hidden by a second slat that overlaps the first slat.

The coupling <NUM> may be referred to as a slat fastener. The coupling <NUM> may include an arm <NUM> that bridges the notch <NUM>, for example, to secure the ladder rung <NUM> within the notch <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may be attached to the slat <NUM>. For example, the arm <NUM> may be attached to the slat <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may be attached to the slat using adhesive. The arm <NUM> may bridge the notch <NUM> defined by the slat <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may be configured to captively retain the ladder rung <NUM> on which the slat <NUM> rests within the notch <NUM>.

The coupling <NUM> may include legs <NUM> that extend from opposed ends of the arm <NUM>, for example, in the shape of a staple. The legs <NUM> may be perpendicular to the arm <NUM>. The legs <NUM> may be configured to attach (e.g., removably) the coupling <NUM> to the slat <NUM>. For example, the legs <NUM> may be configured to be attached to the rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>, for example, on either side of the notch <NUM>. The legs <NUM> may be inserted into a rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>, for example, on either side of the notch <NUM>. The slat <NUM> (e.g., the rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>) may define holes <NUM> that are configured to receive the legs <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> may be attached to the slat <NUM> in alternate ways. For example, although the coupling <NUM> (e.g., the arm <NUM>) has been described as attached to the slat <NUM> with adhesive, other alternative attachment mechanisms are contemplated. For example, the legs <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> may be friction fit into the holes <NUM>. In another example, the legs <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> may be secured into the holes <NUM> with fasteners. Although the figures show the coupling <NUM> attached to the rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the coupling <NUM> may be attached, proximate to the rear surface <NUM>, to the upper surface <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>.

Although figures show an example geometry of the slat <NUM> that includes the notch <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the slat <NUM> is not limited to this example geometry. Stated differently, the slat <NUM> may be solid (e.g., along the rear surface <NUM> and not include notch(es) <NUM>) and the coupling <NUM> may secure the ladder rung <NUM> to the rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>. For example, the coupling <NUM> may pinch the ladder rung <NUM> at the rear surface <NUM> of the slat <NUM>.

As another example, the coupling <NUM> may comprise a snap (e.g., an annular snap, a cantilever snap, or a torsional snap). The coupling <NUM> may be snap-fit to the slat <NUM> (e.g., across the notch <NUM>). A distal portion of the snap may be received (e.g., captively received) within the notch <NUM> such that the slat <NUM> is coupled to the corresponding ladder rung of the plurality of ladder rungs <NUM>.

Additionally, although the example couplings are described herein as removably attaching to the slats, one will understand that various other options are possible. For example, the couplings may be a one-way (i.e., permanent) attachment method. In another example, the couplings may not attach directly to the slats, but may attach to the lift cords, tilt cords, a vertical ladder support, etc..

Claim 1:
A window treatment (<NUM>) comprising:
a headrail (<NUM>) that is elongate along a first direction and is configured to be mounted to a structure;
a weighting element (<NUM>) configured such that the window treatment (<NUM>) hangs down in front of a window;
a plurality of slats (<NUM>) between the headrail (<NUM>) and the weighting element (<NUM>), each of the plurality of slats (<NUM>) comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a rear surface, and a notch (<NUM>) in the rear surface;
a first ladder cord (330A) that extends along a second direction between the headrail (<NUM>) and the weighting element (<NUM>) on a first side of the plurality of slats (<NUM>);
a second ladder cord (330B) that extends along the second direction between the headrail (<NUM>) and the weighting element (<NUM>) on a second side of the plurality of slats (<NUM>);
a plurality of ladder rungs (<NUM>) that extend between the first ladder cord (330A) and the second ladder cord (330B) such that the lower surface of each of the plurality of slats (<NUM>) rests on a respective ladder rung (<NUM>) of the plurality of ladder rungs (<NUM>); and
a coupling that is configured to attach a slat (<NUM>) of the plurality of slats (<NUM>) to a corresponding ladder rung (<NUM>) of the plurality of ladder rungs (<NUM>) on which the slat (<NUM>) rests, wherein the notch (<NUM>) is proximate to the first ladder cord (330A), and wherein the notch (<NUM>) is configured to receive the corresponding ladder rung (<NUM>), characterized in that the coupling comprises an arm (<NUM>) that bridges the notch (<NUM>) to secure the corresponding ladder rung (<NUM>) within the notch (<NUM>).