Abstract: A folding panel assembly includes at least first and second, substantially rectangular panels, the first panel having first and second vertical ends, and the second panel having third and fourth vertical ends, the second and third vertical ends being hinged to one another about a hinge axis parallel thereto. An actuating system includes a substantially horizontal track, with a first pivot support for connection to the first panel, a carriage traversable along the track, with a second pivot support for connection to the second panel. The actuating system further includes a flexible drive element arranged parallel to the track and engaging the carriage for traversing it along the track. The actuating system employs an elongated connecting rod with a first longitudinal end pivotally connected to the carriage and a second, opposite longitudinal end pivotally connected to the first panel at a location adjacent to the second vertical end thereof.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable holder for interconnecting a carrier in a control system for a vertical vane covering for an architectural opening and a suspended vane includes two component parts which are rotatably adjustable relative to each other to increase or decrease the length of the holder and thus the spacing between the carrier and the suspended vane.

Abstract: A head rail or head rail assembly for an architectural closure, the head rail including an elongate front wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends and an elongate bottom wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends. A left hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a right hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. A first slot is defined between the left hand end structure and the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a second slot is defined between the right hand end structure and the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. At least one of the first and second slots is closed by a removable closure.

Abstract: Bracket for mounting a guiding rail to a support surface. The mounting bracket includes a body part having a main body defining a mounting hole and opposite parallel first and second snap flanges. The bracket further has a clip part for engaging its body part and has at least one resilient tongue and at least one resilient arm extending from the clip part in alignment with the first and second snap flanges. The invention also relates to the combination of the mounting bracket and a guiding rail, as well as to a method for mounting a plurality of the brackets and the guiding rail to a mounting surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an anchoring device for anchoring an elongate guide element of an architectural covering. The anchoring device includes a body having a rear surface. The body is suitable for attachment to a support structure with the rear surface in close contact with the support structure. The body includes a receiving cavity for receiving the elongate guide element, a first entrance to the receiving cavity and a second entrance to the receiving cavity. The receiving cavity can receive the elongate guide element selectively either through the first entrance, with the rear surface having a first orientation with respect to the elongate guide element, or through the second entrance, with the rear surface having a second orientation with respect to the elongate guide element, and wherein the second orientation is substantially different from the first orientation.

Abstract: A cord spool for winding a lift cord for lifting or lowering a window covering wherein the cord spool includes an elongated general cylindrical body with a large diameter end and a small diameter end and a circumferential outer surface of a given length extending therebetween. The circumferential outer surface having a plurality of generally parallely extending longitudinal ribs. The cord spool can be provided as part of a lifting and lowering mechanism for a blind further including a rotatable drive shaft and at least one lift cord. A support is provided for rotatably supporting the cord spool and the support may be attached to a head rail by means of a separate cord guiding grommet in the head rail. It may also include means for supporting a drive mechanism. The cord spool can be constructed from two halves and may also include an end plug, which can be snap-indexed between relative angular positions to adjust the cord length.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket for mounting the headrail for a covering for architectural openings includes a stationary base member mountable on a wall or ceiling surface having a slot formed therein and a headrail holder connectable to the headrail and adjustably movable and operably connected within the elongated slot between fixed positions.

Abstract: A system for attaching a shade material to a roller having recesses in its surface includes inserting portions of the shade material into an associated elongated recess and retaining the material in the recess with an attachment member having peaks and valleys along its length for intermittent engagement with the material within the recess.

Abstract: A system for attaching a shade material to a roller having recesses in its surface includes inserting portions of the shade material into an associated elongated recess and retaining the material in the recess with an attachment member having peaks and valleys along its length for intermittent engagement with the material within the recess.

Abstract: A holder for interconnecting a carrier in a control system for a vertical vane covering for architectural openings with a suspended vane includes first and second parts with horizontally oriented engagement portions which are interconnectable at vertically spaced positions to move the parts between a plurality of adjusted vertical positions to adjust the spacing between the suspended vane and its associated carrier.

Abstract: A control apparatus for positioning and counterbalancing an amount of flexible blind material wound onto or unwound from a rotatable shaft of a windable covering such as a blind. The apparatus includes a main body and a variable torque device, at least partially fitted within the main body, having means of achieving a variable torque to prevent rotation of the shaft due to a variable weight of blind material hanging from the shaft in any position between a wound position and an unwound position of the blind material defining full travel of the windable covering.

Abstract: A force transmitting coupling for drivingly coupling winding devices of adjacent architectural coverings. The coupling includes first coupling member, a second coupling member, and mating engagement means on the first and second coupling members adapted to establish mating engagement between the first and second coupling member to transmit a drive force from one of the first and second coupling members to another of the first and second coupling members. The second coupling member includes a hub and the engaging means on the second coupling member are resiliently connected to the hub.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a fixed stationary rail at one end of a plurality of slats and a movable rail at the opposite end of the slats with the slats being movable to and from the fixed rail to create extended and retracted positions of the architectural covering. At least one continuous drive cord is arranged in a loop with both its ends attached to the movable rail and at least one fixed cord return guide is provided. A drive spool adapted to be selectively rotatable in opposite directions of rotation and is operatively engaged with the drive cord so that the drive cord can be wrapped around the drive spool to establish driving engagement.

Abstract: A roller blind mounting system including at least one roller, at least one telescopic end plug and at least two brackets. The telescopic end plug is engageable within an end-opening of one of said rollers. The end plug includes a hollow body and a telescopically movable member or plunger co-axially positionable with respect to the hollow body such that a first axial extending length portion of the plunger projects from the hollow body and a second axial extending length portion is held within the hollow body. The plunger is telescopically movable between a first end position in which the first portion of the plunger projects from the cylindrical body and a second end position in which at least part of the first portion is inserted into the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A connector for joining the ends of a plurality of lift cords from a window covering assembly together. Each lift cord is individually secured to the assembled connector via its own securing system. A pull cord extends downwardly from the connector for use in raising or lowering the window covering.

Abstract: A ball chain stopper for inhibiting movement of ball chains used in window blinds and the like for moving the blinds between operative positions is adapted to be attached to intermediate chain members which interconnect adjacent balls of the ball chain. The ball stoppers are characterized as having a maximum cross-sectional size that is equal to or less than the size of the maximum cross-section of the balls of the chain.

Abstract: A paneling system for ceilings of a building structure in which the panels are suspended by hook shaped flanges, on opposite sides of each panel from flat arms of L- or Z-shaped panel carriers or support rails. One flange of each panel extends over the flange of a neighboring panel atop the horizontal arm of a panel carrier.