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Systems and methods for pivoting a blind slat by manipulating one or more tilt cords of a set of blind slats to achieve superior blind closure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a window covering having a blind slat that is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise by rotating a drivi

Systems and methods for pivoting a blind slat by manipulating one or more tilt cords of a set of blind slats to achieve superior blind closure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a window covering having a blind slat that is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise by rotating a driving mechanism that is positioned in a horizontal orientation. The present invention further relates to a window covering system that achieves tilting of blind slats without requiring the traditional tilting components of standard Venetian-type blinds.

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1. A system for rotating a blind slat, the system comprising: a plate;a blind slat suspended below the plate;a first tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion of the first tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the first tilt cord being attached to a first cord ret

1. A system for rotating a blind slat, the system comprising: a plate;a blind slat suspended below the plate;a first tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion of the first tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the first tilt cord being attached to a first cord retention device, the second end of the first tilt cord being attached to a proximal portion of the blind slat, and the middle portion of the first tilt cord passing through the plate, wherein the first end of the first tilt cord is adjustable within the first cord retention device to change a distance between the second end of the first tilt cord and the plate to at least one of raise and lower the proximal portion of the blind slat with respect to the plate; anda second tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion of the second tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the second tilt cord being attached to a second cord retention device, the second end of the second tilt cord being attached to a distal portion of the blind slat, and the middle portion of the second tilt cord passing through the plate, wherein the first end of the second tilt cord is adjustable within the second cord retention device to change a distance between the second end of the second tilt cord and the plate to at least one of raise and lower the distal portion of the blind slat with respect to the plate. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second cord retention devices are configured to allow the first and second tilt cords to be raised and lowered independent of each other. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a cord support coupled to the plate and configured to support the middle portion of the first tilt cord. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cord support comprises an axle coupled to the plate in proximity to an opening in the plate through which the first tilt cord passes and that is configured to support the middle portion of the first tilt cord through the opening without causing the middle portion of the first tilt cord to contact the plate. 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a guide rotatably and slidably coupled to the axle and having a surface for receiving the middle portion of the first tilt cord. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the guide slides along the axle over a length of the opening as a plane of the blind slat is pivoted. 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the cord support comprises a grommet coupled to an opening in the plate through which the first tilt cord passes and wherein the cord support is configured to support the middle portion of the first tilt cord through the opening without causing the middle portion of the first tilt cord to contact the plate. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second cord retention devices comprise a single cord retention device that is configured to selectively permit individual adjustment of the first and second tilt cords. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a guide rotatably and slidably coupled to an axle and having a surface for receiving the middle portion of the first tilt cord. 10. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second guide rotatably and slidably coupled to the axle and having a surface for receiving the middle portion of the second tilt cord. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second guide is configured to slide along the axle as the second tilt cord is adjusted within the second cord retention device. 12. The system of claim 4, wherein the opening comprises an elongated opening, and wherein the second tilt cord passes through the opening. 13. A window covering device, comprising: a head rail having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a rear edge;an axle coupled to the top surface and extending between the front edge and the rear edge of the head rail, the axle having a front portion, a rear portion, and a length extending therebetween;a first guide and a second guide slidably threaded onto the axle and moveable between the front portion and the rear portion along the length of the axle;a blind slat having a distal side and a proximal side, the blind slat being positioned below the bottom surface of the head rail;a first tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle of the first tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the first tilt cord being coupled to the distal side of the blind slat, the middle of the first tilt cord extending through the head rail and being positioned on the first guide, and the second end of the first tilt cord extending from the first guide, wherein the distal side of the blind slat is configured to be at least one of lowered and raised with respect to the bottom surface of the head rail as the middle of the first tilt cord is passed over the first guide; anda second tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle of the second tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the second tilt cord being coupled to the proximal side of the blind slat through the head rail, the middle of the second tilt cord being positioned on the second guide, and the second end of the second tilt cord extending from the second guide, wherein the proximal side of the blind slat is configured to be at least one of lowered and raised with respect to the bottom surface of the head rail as the middle of the second tilt cord is passed over the second guide. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second guides are configured to slide along the length of the axle between the front portion and the rear portion as the proximal side of the blind slat is lowered and raised with respect to the bottom surface of the head rail. 15. The device of claim 13, further comprising: a bottom rail positioned below the blind slat; anda lift cord having a first terminal end, a second terminal end, and a middle portion of the lift cord extending therebetween, the first terminal end being fixedly coupled to the bottom rail, the middle portion of the lift cord being threaded through an opening of the blind slat and a second opening of the head rail, and the second terminal end extending outwardly therefrom, wherein a distance between the bottom rail and the head rail is adjusted by at least one of pulling and releasing the lift cord. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first and second tilt cords pass through the second opening. 17. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second tilt cords are configured to be independently adjustable with respect to the head rail. 18. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second tilt cords pass through an elongated opening in the head rail. 19. A window covering device, comprising: a head rail having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a rear edge;a tilt cord support coupled to the head rail and extending between the front edge and the rear edge of the head rail, the tilt cord support having a front portion, a rear portion, and a length extending therebetween;a blind slat having a distal side and a proximal side, the blind slat being positioned below the bottom surface of the head rail;a first tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle of the first tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the first tilt cord being coupled to the distal side of the blind slat, the middle of the first tilt cord extending through the head rail and being positioned on the tilt cord support, and the second end of the first tilt cord extending from the tilt cord support, wherein the distal side of the blind slat is configured to be at least one of lowered and raised with respect to the bottom surface of the head rail as the middle of the first tilt cord is passed over the tilt cord support; anda second tilt cord having a first end, a second end, and a middle of the second tilt cord extending therebetween, the first end of the second tilt cord being coupled to the proximal side of the blind slat through the head rail, the middle of the second tilt cord being positioned on the second guide, and the second end of the second tilt cord extending from the tilt cord support, wherein the proximal side of the blind slat is configured to be at least one of lowered and raised with respect to the bottom surface of the head rail as the middle of the second tilt cord is passed over the tilt cord support, andwherein the first and second tilt cords are configured to slide between the front portion and the back portion of the tilt cord support as the blind slat is rotated by the first and second tilt cords. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first and second tilt cords are configured to be independently adjustable such that one is adjustable with respect to the head rail while a position of the other cord with respect to the head rail is retained.