Abstract: Methods and apparatus to operate a covering of an architectural covering are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a clutch to disengage a motor from moving a covering to facilitate manual operation of the covering of an architectural covering when the motor is not in use; and a controller: to track a covering position based on a first encoder measurement from a first encoder; and to track a motor position when the motor disengages based on a second encoder measurement from a second encoder different from the first encoder.

Abstract: A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.

Abstract: A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.

Abstract: A covering for a vertically-suspended architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The covering is formed from a plurality of assembled vanes suspended from a headrail assembly. Each assembled vane may be made via a strip process. Each vane including a strip of material (e.g., translucent fabric), and at least one slat (e.g., arcuate opaque material) coupled to the strip of material. For example, in one embodiment, the vanes may include first and second slats coupled to an intermediate strip of material on either side of the intermediate strip of material along the vertically extending side portions thereof, respectively. The first and second slats preferably each include a complementary curved surface so that when the assembled vanes are coupled to the headrail assembly, the first slat of a first assembled vane is coupled to or nested with the second slat of a second, adjacent assembled vane.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The covering is formed from a plurality of assembled strips of fabric material joined together. Each assembled strip of fabric material may include a fabric material including inner and outer surfaces, and top and bottom ends. A first slat may be coupled to the inner surface of the fabric material adjacent the top end thereof, the first slat having a first contact surface. A second slat may be coupled to the outer surface of the fabric material adjacent the bottom end thereof, the second slat having a second contact surface. The first contact surface of the first slat of a first assembled strip is preferably nested with the second contact surface of the second slat of an adjoining second assembled strip. The second contact surface of the second slat may be partially covered by the piece of fabric material.

Abstract: A light blocking or blackout composite material is described. The light blocking material includes at least two metalized layers. In one embodiment, a polymer film is coated on both sides with a first metalized layer and a second metalized layer. The metalized layers may have matching or different optical densities. Other layers can be combined with the metalized layers in order to provide a finished surface and/or to protect the metalized layers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings, are described herein. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.

Abstract: A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering 50 for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly 92, an operating element handling assembly 94, and a vane handling assembly 96. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station 100 to attach one portion of a vane 54 to the operating elements 56, and another portion of the vane 54 to the support structure 52, allowing movement of one portion of the vane 54 relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: A safety stop ball includes a post and a nut which travels along a spiral path relative to the post. The nut and the post are biased toward each other to retain the ends of lift cords. As the nut is displaced relative to the post, the lift cords are released.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming fabrics for use, by way of example, in coverings for architectural openings includes a system for handling single or multi-layered fabrics by suspending the fabric from a lift tower, threading the fabric through various clamp systems within a housing for the apparatus, and subsequently forming horizontal rows of hobbles, tunnels, and/or attached rings by gripping and releasing the fabric with a vacuum clamp, upper and lower clamps, and a tucker blade clamp while a reciprocating tucker blade forms horizontal tucks in the fabric. The tucks which are selectively treated by forming a tunnel or attaching guide rings. Hobbles can also be formed in one layer of the fabric through use of the vacuum clamp which gathers a portion of one layer of the fabric while the other layer is handled differently. In doing so, hobbles are formed between tucks in the fabric with the hobbles establishing a fabric resembling a Roman shade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.

Abstract: A slat for use in a covering for an architectural opening is made from a base material of binder and matrix fibers which are formed into a nonwoven material by melting at least a portion of the binder fibers to thermally bond the binder and matrix fibers. A coating of resin is then applied to the thermally bonded base before the composite material is passed through a forming apparatus where the material is heated over a convex support having the desired curvature for the slat and subsequently cooled.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for forming a fabric for an architectural opening covering. The apparatus comprises a joining section, an accumulator, a cutting station, and a stacker. The joining section is configured to join together first, second, third and fourth material strips into a fabric strip. The accumulator is configured to accumulate the fabric strip upon leaving the joining section. The cutting station is configured to sever the fabric strip into an upstream fabric strip and a first downstream fabric strip. The stacker is configured to join the first downstream fabric strip with a second downstream fabric strip to form the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying weft yarns in a cross direction to warp yarns assembled on a beam in parallel aligned relationship and having an adhesive scrim thereon includes a supply roll of the warp yarns on such a beam which are fed downstream of the apparatus by first laying the warp yarns onto a transfer belt to reduce the tension in the yarns and controlling them for application of the weft yarns. A transfer belt and warp yarns are first folded between folding bars into a cylindrical configuration where they are formed around the perimeter of an elongated mandrel having a heated section at its upstream end and a cooling section at its downstream end. The adhesive scrim is softened as the warp yarns pass over the heated section of the mandrel and shortly thereafter, weft yarns are wrapped around the warp yarns and the supporting transfer belt within a rotating tube having a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced spools of weft yarn disposed on its outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating at least two sheets of material includes a supply station at which rolls of the sheet material are rotatably supported, a laminating station in which the materials are laminated together with heat and compression and a take-up station where the laminate is accumulated on a take-up roll. The laminating station includes upper and lower sections of a pressure box between which upper and lower endless drive belts pass which entrap the laminate materials therebetween and transfer the materials through the lamination station. Heating and cooling sections of the pressure box are provided with floating heating and cooling bars and a single underlying heating plate and a single underlying cooling plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating at least two sheets of material includes a supply station at which rolls of the sheet material are rotatably supported, a laminating station in which the materials are laminated together with heat and compression and a take-up station where the laminate is accumulated on a take-up roll. The laminating station includes upper and lower sections of a pressure box between which upper and lower endless drive belts pass which entrap the laminate materials therebetween and transfer the materials through the lamination station. Heating and cooling sections of the pressure box are provided with floating heating and cooling bars and a single underlying heating plate and a single underlying cooling plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying weft yarns in a cross direction to warp yarns assembled on a beam in parallel aligned relationship and having an adhesive scrim thereon includes a supply roll of the warp yarns on such a beam which are fed downstream of the apparatus by first laying the warp yarns onto a transfer belt to reduce the tension in the yarns and controlling them for application of the weft yarns. A transfer belt and warp yarns are first folded between folding bars into a cylindrical configuration where they are formed around the perimeter of an elongated mandrel having a heated section at its upstream end and a cooling section at its downstream end. The adhesive scrim is softened as the warp yarns pass over the heated section of the mandrel and shortly thereafter, weft yarns are wrapped around the warp yarns and the supporting transfer belt within a rotating tube having a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced spools of weft yarn disposed on its outer surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lamination apparatus and in particular to a dual belt driven, continuous pressure lamination apparatus that utilizes pressure, heat and cooling to bond at least two substrates (plies) with an adhesive between the layers of the substrates. The pressure laminator of the present invention has been specifically designed to permit the permanent joining of at least two fabric substrates with an adhesive between the fabric substrates, with little or no shrinkage occurring during the lamination process. The resulting non-woven fabric advantageously has the appearance of a woven fabric, but has superior strength characteristics there over. The pressure laminator of the present invention can have other uses, for example, printed circuit board substrate manufacture, and the like, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in this art.