Abstract: A headrail designed for powered coverings for architectural openings comprises a housing defining an interior that conveniently hides a battery holder, a signal-receiving system, and an electric motor used to adjust the configuration of the covering. The headrail also hides improved hardware for mounting the motor and, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, improved hardware for mounting a tilt rod. Additionally, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, the headrail hides improved hardware for adjustably attaching the tiltable elements to the tilt rod in a manner that prevents over-rotation of the tiltable elements. The battery holder may comprise a battery magazine or a battery carrier removably mounted in the headrail housing. The batteries may be inserted into or extracted from the battery holder through an opening in a bottom wall of the headrail housing. A swingably mounted trap door may selectively cover or uncover the opening.

Abstract: A headrail designed for powered coverings for architectural openings comprises a housing defining an interior that conveniently hides a battery holder, a signal-receiving system, and an electric motor used to adjust the configuration of the covering. The headrail also hides improved hardware for mounting the motor and, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, improved hardware for mounting a tilt rod. Additionally, in the case of coverings comprising tiltable elements, the headrail hides improved hardware for adjustably attaching the tiltable elements to the tilt rod in a manner that prevents over-rotation of the tiltable elements. The battery holder may comprise a battery magazine or a battery carrier removably mounted in the headrail housing. The batteries may be inserted into or extracted from the battery holder through an opening in a bottom wall of the headrail housing. A swingably mounted trap door may selectively cover or uncover the opening.

Abstract: A system for holding batteries in a headrail comprises a battery carrier that cooperates with a battery carrier housing through an opening in the bottom of a headrail housing. The battery carrier accommodates a plurality of batteries and slidingly engages the battery carrier housing, which is mounted within the interior of the headrail housing. Since the battery carrier is slidably and removably engaged with the battery carrier housing, it is possible to remove and replace batteries without disassembling the headrail.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable, signal-receiving system 10 is disclosed. The system 10 includes an exposed signal receiver 28, 80 for receipt of remote-control signals from a remote-control transmitter. In a first embodiment, the signal receiver comprises a signal refractor 28 that bends the remote-control signals toward a collector 58 hidden within the headrail housing 18. In an alternative embodiment, the signal receiver comprises a remote eye 80 that positions the collector 58 for direct receipt of the remote-control signals. The signal refractor 28 or the remote eye 80 is mounted adjacent to a lowest edge of a headrail, valance, or over treatment for a window covering. The remote-control transmitting device thus generates signals that impinge upon the collector 58 of the remote eye 80 or upon the signal refractor 28, and which are subsequently transmitted via fiber optic cable 90 to receiver electronics 66 hidden within the headrail housing 18 for further processing and interpretation.

Abstract: A system for holding batteries in a headrail comprises a battery carrier that cooperates with a battery carrier housing through an opening in the bottom of a headrail housing. The battery carrier accommodates a plurality of batteries and slidingly engages the battery carrier housing, which is mounted within the interior of the headrail housing. Since the battery carrier is slidably and removably engaged with the battery carrier housing, it is possible to remove and replace batteries without disassembling the headrail.

Abstract: A headrail including a battery holder mounted within an interior of the headrail and a trap door for access to the batteries being held by the battery holder is disclosed. The headrail comprises a housing defining an interior into which a battery holder is mounted. In this manner, the batteries are hidden within the headrail for a more aesthetically pleasing look than can be achieved when the batteries are mounted outside of the headrail. The housing includes a large opening in its bottom wall to which the batteries may be accessed, and a trap door that selectively covers or uncovers the large opening. The trap door is swingably mounted on a battery bracket, and the trap door and battery bracket cooperate to facilitate easy removal and replacement of batteries into the headrail housing.

Abstract: A coupler for use with the tilt wand and pull cord of a window treatment system includes a cylindrical body having a longitudinal passageway adapted to receive the tilt wand and a pair of parallel longitudinal channels adapted to receive the pull cord. The longitudinal passageway communicates with an enlarged pocket adapted to receive a collar fixedly mounted to the tilt wand. The coupler encircles the tilt wand and is fixed to the tilt wand at a position along the length of the tilt wand to maintain a taut condition in the pull cord.

Abstract: Various systems for attaching flexible fabric material to rigid vanes in the construction of window coverings are disclosed. The various systems for attaching the fabric material to the vanes create varying aesthetic patterns while providing long-term durability. The systems described can be used to connect single or double sheets of fabric material to the faces of rigid vanes while enabling the vanes to be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: Various systems for attaching flexible fabric material to rigid vanes in the construction of window coverings are disclosed. The various systems for attaching the fabric material to the vanes create varying aesthetic patterns while providing long-term durability. The systems described can be used to connect single or double sheets of fabric material to the faces of rigid vanes while enabling the vanes to be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A tilt roll and tilt roll mechanism for a venetian blind are disclosed, designed to tilt the ladder laces of a venetian blind. The tilt roll body preferably has an asymmetric cross-section and is provided with bearings engaging bearings on a support and the elongate flexible cords of the ladder lace extend around at least a portion of the periphery of the body, one on each side. The cords are engaged on elements integrally molded to the body and these are each adapted to be engaged by one of the cords, effective to deform and retain the cord. The engaging elements may include a spike which is used to be pierced through a part of the cord, or by resiliently mounted flaps, or by radially outwardly extending jaws.Means are also disclosed for preventing the tilt roll from being rotated more than 360.degree. and the configuration is such as to ensure that the top slat does not become retained by one of the tilt cords as the blind is moved from its closed to its open position.

Abstract: A venetian blind for a skylight in which there are at least two sets of slat supports each in the form of ladders, each set of ladder support comprising two or more ladders, these ladders each having depending longitudinally spaced double cross-rungs at the same location with one group of venetian blind slats being mounted on one of the double cross-rungs of one of the ladders of each set and other slats being mounted on the other double cross-rungs. In use, in an open position of the blind, the two or more slats at the same location are adjacent one another.

Abstract: A venetian blind in which there are at least two sets of slat supports each in the form of ladders, each set of ladder support comprising two or more ladders these ladders each having longitudinally spaced cross-rungs at the same location with one group of venetian blind slats being mounted on the cross-rungs of one of the ladders of each set and other slats being mounted on the other cross-rungs. In use, in an open position of the blind, the two or more slats at the safe location are superimposed on one another. The two or more ladders of each set are independently controllable to provide different visual effects in the closed position of the blind.In another construction used for a skylight, individual slats are mounted between depending double cross-rungs of the slat support ladders.

Abstract: 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.