Abstract: The present invention relates to a lacing station (210) for a Venetian blind assembly machine. More particularly, the lacing station comprising a slat guiding unit (240) and a ladder cord guiding unit (214) for guiding a ladder cord in exact position for receiving a slat, where at least one needle (211) is vertically arranged above the ladder cord guiding unit (214), a lower end of the needle (211) being moveably arranged to be in close contact with the ladder cord for engagement with side cords of the ladder and having a tip (213) in close proximity to the upper end (231) of the ladder cord guiding unit (214) for twisting the ladder cord.

Abstract: A decorative roll-patterned metal strip or sheet, preferably aluminium strip or sheet, having: a thickness of about 0.05-1.0 mm, preferably about 0.1-0.8 mm, with a surface having a plurality of indentations of a depth of about 0.001-0.05 mm, preferably about 0.02-0.035 mm, and optionally having a layer of a paint of a thickness of about 3-30 microns, preferably about 10-15 microns, on the surface and within its indentations, the ratio of the depth of the indentations to the thickness of the strip or sheet being in the range of about 1:5 to about 1:100. A process is provided for making the decorative roll-patterned metal strip.

Abstract: A light control covering device for an architectural opening comprises control hardware and a flexible sheet, the control hardware enabling different translucency positions of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is of a stretchable nature. The control hardware is adapted to arrange for at least a first position of the flexible sheet, in which position the flexible sheet is mainly unstretched, and a second position of the flexible sheet, in which position the flexible sheet is substantially stretched.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric material which may be used for a window covering, for example. The fabric has a first finish on a first side provided by a first pigment having a first particle size and a second finish on the second side provided by a second pigment having a second particle size larger than the first particle size. The material may be produced by a method in which the first and second finishes are applied simultaneously by a single operation.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for an architectural covering such as a blind or shade in which a fixed shaft 10,110 is surrounded by an inner sleeve 16,116 and an outer sleeve 22,122. A one way clutch 20,32 is provided between the inner sleeve and the fixed shaft, and a cord 42,142 is wrapped around the outer surface 40,140 of the inner sleeve, and is connected at one end 44,144 to the outer sleeve 22,122 and at the other end 46,146 to drive member 12, 112 such as a bead pulley. The weight of the blind or shade tending to rotate the outer sleeve in one direction of rotation will tighten the helically wound cord 42,142 onto the outer surface 40, 140 of the inner sleeve locking it thereto and preventing, via the one way clutch 28,72, rotation of the outer sleeve until such time as the drive member 12,112 is rotated in one direction or the other to raise or lower the blind or shade.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for controlling the retraction and deployment of an architectural covering, such as a window blind or shade having a winding element, about which the covering, or its lift cord or tapes are wound and unwound with rotation of the winding element about a first axis of rotation, and a fluid brake for retarding the rotation of the winding element in at least one direction about the first axis. The fluid brake comprises a fluid tight compartment containing a liquid and an impeller. The compartment and the impeller are adapted for relative rotation about a second axis, which can be the same as or coaxial with the first axis. Either the compartment or the impeller is operatively connected to the winding element. In operation the liquid rotates with the rotation of the compartment or the impeller about the second axis.

Abstract: A locking device (38) for locking a hollow longitudinally extending tubular roller (12) of a shade (16) of an architectural covering (1) releasably in any unwound position of the shade. The locking device (38) includes a center shaft (28) concentrically arranged within the roller and a return spring (32), capable of being operatively interposed between the roller (12) and the center shaft (28), for biasing the roller (12) towards a fully wound position of the shade (16). It also includes a disc (42) rotatably mounted on the center shaft (28) radially adjacent a first portion (12A) of the length of a circumferential inner surface of the roller (12) and a plurality of detent projections (82, 86) integrally formed on a second portion (12B) of the length of the inner surface of the roller (12). A cam member (44) is mounted on the center shaft (28), so as to be able to carry out sliding movement transversely, preferably laterally, of the center shaft (28), between two end positions.

Abstract: A double-pane window having a light-control assembly within its peripheral frame. The light-control assembly has an upper section which is adapted to redirect light entering the window through the outside pane so that the light, exiting the window through the inside pane, is reflected upwardly against a ceiling surface of the interior of a room, on the wall of which the window is mounted and a lower section which is adapted to inhibit light entering the window through the outside pane from exiting the window through the inside pane. The lower section and optionally the upper section can each comprise a plurality of laterally-extending slats which can be pivoted about their laterally-extending axes to inhibit or redirect light entering the window. If desired, the slats of the lower section can be pivoted independently of the slats of the upper section. The slats of at least the upper section preferably have a transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: A cradle for supporting a rotating member in a rail of an architectural covering includes a pair of bearing blocks positioned in side-by-side relationship, and a web portion that connects a base portion of each of the pair of bearing blocks on opposite sides of the cradle, and at least one break-line for separating the bearing blocks. Each of the bearing blocks has a flange extending perpendicularly from its base portion and is adapted to rotatably support the rotating member. At least one of the base portions has an aperture to receive a driving cord therethrough.

Abstract: A system for reversibly rotating a shaft for operation of the control system in a covering for an architectural opening includes two relatively linearly moveable members at least one of which has a low friction component engaging a helical path on the other so that linear movement of the members causes relative rotation to drive the rotatable shaft of the control system.

Abstract: A window covering assembly has first and second rails adapted to be secured to first and second sides of a window frame, at least one resiliently tensionable cable member (16) extending between the first and second rails, and a flexible covering material (14) being supported and guided by the tensionable cable members between extended and contracted conditions of the material. Sliders (18) and locking mechanisms or clamps (44) are provided to tension the cable members (16). Each slider (18), to which at least one cable member (16) is attached, is manually longitudinally slidable along one of the rails and has a clamp associated with it, preferably a self-locking clamp formed on the slider, to clamp the slider at a desired location on the second rail (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (1) for light regulating devices such as blinds or shades. The control system comprises a control unit (6, 6') for connecting to a motor drive (7) of a light regulating device. The control unit comprises a first input (18) for receiving motor control data along a data supply line (9, 9"). A second input (17, 26, 26') is provided for receiving decentralized user commands for altering the position of the light regulating device. The control system is characterized in that the control unit (6, 6'), by means of an external command input (25') can be set into either a slave mode in which data can only be received or into a master mode in which data can be received and transmitted along the data supply line (9, 9'). Hereby any light regulating device can be selected as a master device for controlling the blinds in the same group. Preferably the command input of the control unit comprises a manually operatable switch such as a dip switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the length of the lift cord in an architectural covering such as a window blind or shade is preferably positioned on the bottom rail of the shade and includes two component parts. One component part is secured to an end of the lift cord, and the second component part is operatively engaged with the bottom rail and a connector is provided for adjusting the relative position of the parts so as to conveniently regulate the relative positions of the end of the lift cord and the bottom rail. The apparatus, therefore, provides a convenient way for adjusting the bottom rail of the covering so that it is properly positioned relative to the window sill or the like.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a head rail or a bottom rail of a window covering product to a fixation surface includes a main body portion with a mounting aperture and opposed edges adapted to engage the head or bottom rail. The main body portion of the bracket is mounted to the fixation surface via the mounting aperture either by directly passing a mounting screw or the like through the mounting aperture and into the fixation surface, or by affixing the main body portion at its mounting aperture to a support member that is in turn affixed to the fixation surface. The mounting aperture is associated with a convex curved surface of either the main body portion or the support member. If the main body portion has the convex curved surface, the mounting aperture can be a circumferentially elongate slot in the convex curved surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a plurality of sequentially arranged edged contoured slats for use in a blind. A strip of material 10 is provided lengthwise into the slat making machine. It passes through a forming unit 6 where it is cambered, into an accumulator 8 where any excess is held, through a position encoder 12 and over a collision detector 14. Edge contours are then cut into the strip material if they are not already pre-provided. The positions of any edge contours are detected by a sensor 18 which provides relevant information to a CPU 40. On the basis of this information and other pre-provided information on the type of blind being made guide holes and notches and the ends of the slats are cut ensuring that the contouring and the guide holes and ends do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A remotely controlled blind arrangement comprises a head rail with an operating member for operation the blind arrangement. The blind arrangement can be controlled by means of a remote control device and is powered by a power supply such as for instance a battery. According to the invention the blind arrangement comprises a wake-up circuit for periodically switching the processor unit between an active status and a sleep status. The processor unit periodically calibrates the wake-up unit to maintain a constant period wake-up signal. Hereby the wake-up circuit can be made from relatively cheap components and drifts of the wake-up signal due to the decreasing battery power or temperature influences can be reduced. In an embodiment according to the present invention the processor unit is adapted to disregard the signal of the transmitter when the blind has a fully tilted, fully deployed or fully retracted position for further energy saving.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing blinds comprises a processor unit, at least one manufacturing facility for carrying out a manufacturing step and a communication device for exchanging data between the processor unit and said at least one manufacturing facility. To arrange for efficient and economical manufacturing, whereby manufacturing time and scrap are relatively low, the processor unit is adapted to generate data for controlling the system taking into account an order portfolio and at least one parameter from said at least one manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A ladder lacing unit (90) for a venetian blind assembly machine. The mechanism is formed by a movable carrier (102), with first and second ladder support guiding means (92) mounted on the carrier. A ladder support advancing means (98) is associated with each ladder support guiding means. Indexing means (90,104,204) are included for indexing the movable carrier (102) from a first position, in which the first ladder support guide means is accurately located to receive venetian blind slats, to a second position in which the second ladder support guide means is accurately so positioned.

Abstract: A panel system, particularly a false ceiling is constructed from a plurality of elongate panelling members arranged side by side. Each panelling member comprises three elongate slats arranged side by side and joined by flexible tape along adjacent edges. When laid out flat the panelling member may be coiled or easily stored but for installation in a ceiling the outside slats are folded perpendicular to the cental slat so as to provide the necessary rigidity.

Abstract: A sheet material having a textured surface coating thereon. The sheet material is formed by a substrate having on at least one face a cured, heat-dried or heat-cured lacquer layer formed by a lacquer having fibers incorporated therein. The fibers extend into the surface to form a textured surface.