Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a window shade having: a clutch assembly with a clutch core having a shaft; springs having pairs of load bearing members, the springs being circumferentially positioned along a length of the shaft, the pairs of load bearing members being circumferentially spaced around the shaft such that there are no two orthogonal planes along a longitudinal axis of the shaft about which a load applied to a load bearing member of each pair is symmetrically distributed; a pulley defining openings, each of the openings being configured to receive at least one pair of load bearing members; and a housing comprising a plurality of keys, each key being configured to fit between at least one pair of load bearing members received by the openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a window shade having: a clutch assembly with a clutch core having a shaft; springs having pairs of load bearing members, the springs being circumferentially positioned along a length of the shaft, the pairs of load bearing members being circumferentially spaced around the shaft such that there are no two orthogonal planes along a longitudinal axis of the shaft about which a load applied to a load bearing member of each pair is symmetrically distributed; a pulley defining openings, each of the openings being configured to receive at least one pair of load bearing members; and a housing comprising a plurality of keys, each key being configured to fit between at least one pair of load bearing members received by the openings.

Abstract: A dual shade apparatus comprises a first shade, which may be a Roman or natural woven shade, and a second shade, which may be a cellular shade, coupled to each other in a back-to-back arrangement with one or more dual channeled couplers. Any lift cords employed in the apparatus are concealed in between the pair of shades so as to prevent any direct contact. No portion of any employed cords is exposed or accessible for direct or inadvertent contact, thereby enhancing safety in operating the apparatus. The coupler has a double-C configuration to receive corresponding retaining mechanisms of the front and rear shades. A head rail houses a lifting mechanism. Each lifting cord extends from the lifting mechanism, in between the two shades, and down to a bottom rail. The dual shades are drawn down or retracted in unison by pulling or pushing up the bottom rail.

Abstract: An adjustable side channel assembly for use with screens and shades includes a pair of adjustable side guides, each laterally adjustable with respect to a corresponding side frame. Each side guide may be moved to a desired position and then secured to the side frame with a fastener. Each side guide includes an axial fabric retainer configured to receive a side gimp of a shade. Each fabric retainer is loosely retained in a hollow channel within the side guide and laterally movable to enable both sides of a shade to lie substantially parallel when the shade is drawn. A take-up mechanism includes dual rollers with the outer roller having a shorter width to provide space for the side gimps to roll up and not spiral out when the shade is taken up.

Abstract: A window covering positioning system including a tube to facilitate raising and lowering of a window covering. The system further includes a rotational drive mechanism attached to the tube to drive rotation of the tube about an axis of the tube and an axial drive mechanism connected to the tube to drive movement of the tube in an axial direction. The axial drive mechanism is circumferentially disposed within the tube. A kit is further provided. The kit includes a tube around which a cord of a window covering is positioned and a rotational drive mechanism to rotate the tube about an axis of the tube. The kit further includes an axial drive mechanism to advance the tube in an axial direction and a connector to rotatably connect the tube to the axial drive mechanism.

Abstract: An improved roller shade tube assembly is provided. The assembly includes a roller or tube member having an outside surface around which a fabric shade is wound. The fabric shade has outside and inside sheets between which are a series of fabric slats. The assembly also includes an extension wing element having one end that is pivotally connected to the outside surface of the roller member and a second opposite end to which one of the fabric sheets is attached.

Abstract: An improved bracket and headrail assembly is provided. The bracket is secured to a structure, such as a window casing or ceiling, and comprises a vertical back member and a depending forwardly extending horizontal top leg. The vertical member has a first engagement member for engaging and securing the headrail. The headrail has a front vertical portion that leads to a top end and a depending horizontal member that is designed to underly the top leg of the bracket when assembled. The top horizontal member has a second engagement member that selectively engages the first engaging member of the bracket. The headrail also has a lifting mechanism so that, as the two pieces are assembled, the top of the vertical headrail portion is raised into a substantially flush relationship with the ceiling.