Abstract: In one aspect, a leveling assembly for adjusting the levelness or skew angle of a bottom rail of a covering for an architectural structure includes at least one movable or slideable component configured to be moved or slid laterally relative to the bottom rail or a headrail of the covering to adjust the length(s) along which one or more of the lift cords extend within the bottom rail or headrail, which, in turn, adjusts the effective length of such lift cord(s) defined between the bottom rail and the headrail of the covering. Such adjustment of the effective length(s) of the lift cord(s) results in the horizontal orientation or skew angle of the bottom rail being varied, thereby allowing the levelness of the bottom rail to be adjusted, as desired.

Abstract: A method for installing a covering relative to a frame of an architectural structure includes unfolding a package defining a cavity configured to store the covering, with the package including an alignment tool. Furthermore, the method includes positioning the alignment tool relative to the frame such that a first panel of the tool is positioned adjacent to a vertically-extending surface of the frame and a second panel of the tool is positioned adjacent to horizontally-extending surface of the frame. Additionally, the method includes forming mounting holes in one of the vertically-extending surface at first mounting hole locations identified by apertures defined by the first panel or the horizontally-extending surface of the frame at second mounting hole locations identified by apertures defined by the second panel.

Abstract: In various aspects, a covering for an architectural structure includes a bottom rail assembly that can be efficiently and effectively assembled during manufacturing of the covering. Specifically, in one embodiment, the bottom rail is configured such that one or more operating system components of the covering can be mounted within and directly supported by the bottom rail. In addition, a separate cover may be coupled to the bottom rail during the assembly process.

Abstract: A package for a size-in-store window covering comprises a box having a first portion that extends for the width of the window covering and a second portion that extends for less than the width of the window covering. The window covering extends beyond an end of a bottom wall a first distance and the head rail extends beyond an end of a first side wall a second distance. A method of cutting a window covering comprises providing a window covering in a box as described above and positioning the box with the exposed portion of the window covering facing down and the exposed portion of the head rail facing a clamp. Methods of packaging a window covering comprise reducing the total number of loops in the window covering, and positioning inserts between adjacent components.

Abstract: A finial comprises a body having a first end and a second end. A collar is attached to the first end using a first releasable connector. A crown is attached to the second end using a second releasable connector where the second releasable connector is independent from the first releasable connector. The body, crown and collar define an interior space where the interior space is open and unobstructed between the crown and the collar.

Abstract: A safety device for a window covering comprises a head rail and a shade panel extending from the head rail. A lift cord extends along one side of the shade panel between the head rail and the bottom of the shade panel. A safety device engages the lift cord to control the movement of the lift cord away from the shade panel. The safety device may also shroud the lift cord to limit access to the lift cord portion.

Abstract: A slatted blind is configured such that the slats close create a light blocking blind. The slats may be supported by a tilt cord that comprises a low stretch strand or a low stretch cord may be attached to the tilt cord. The slats may be connected to the supporting tilt cord such that when the slat is rotated to a closed position the slat is suspended from the rung. The rung may have an effective diameter of less than approximately 14 mil. Recesses may be formed in the slat for receiving the rung when the slat is in a closed position. A bottom rail may have a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the slats. A protrusion may be formed on the back of the slats such that the rung pushes on the protrusion to force the slat against an adjacent slat when the blind is closed.