Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A motorized wand system is presented for connecting to conventional horizontal and vertical blinds. The motorized wand system includes a housing that houses a motor, a gear box and a motor controller. The wand is twistably connected to the housing. An extender is removably connected to the lower end of the wand to extend the length thereof. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional horizontal blind by a hook member connected to the tilt knob of the blind and adhering a mounting flange to the head rail of the blind. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional vertical blind by a mounting member connected to a clip and tilt knob of the vertical blind and a bellows that connects the mounting member and upper end of the motorized wand system. The motorized wand system is controlled individually, or in groups, by twisting, or by a remote.

Abstract: A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.

Abstract: A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.

Abstract: A motorizable tilt shade system includes a header system where the header system includes an integral header attachment connection. At least one cord spool is provided within the header system and is connected with at least one suspension cord. A shade is suspended from the at least one suspension cord and a tilt cord pulley is connected with the at least one cord spool. A tilt cord is connected with the tilt cord pulley and with the shade such that the tilt cord and tilt cord pulley cooperate to tilt the shade. A drive shaft receiver is connected with the tilt cord pulley such that movement of the drive shaft receiver moves the tilt cord pulley. A counterbalance assembly including a negative gradient spring is connected to the drive shaft thereby providing an approximately constant tension on the tilt cord pulley.

Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove. Further specific embodiments include a sensor, such as an accelerometer, that detects a disturbance or vibration on the drive element, such as a tug, slide or tap, and activating the motor in response to the disturbance.

Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.

Abstract: A motorizable tilt shade system includes a header system where the header system includes an integral header attachment connection. At least one cord spool is provided within the header system and is connected with at least one suspension cord. A shade is suspended from the at least one suspension cord and a tilt cord pulley is connected with the at least one cord spool. A tilt cord is connected with the tilt cord pulley and with the shade such that the tilt cord and tilt cord pulley cooperate to tilt the shade. A drive shaft receiver is connected with the tilt cord pulley such that movement of the drive shaft receiver moves the tilt cord pulley.

Abstract: In a window covering system with a shade roll, a counterbalanced motorized shade roll system includes a shade roll with a hollow interior connected with a window covering system. A motor is located within the hollow interior. A torsion spring is also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll and the torsion spring is connected with the motor on one end and with the hollow interior on another end. Batteries are also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll opposite from the motor and after the connection of the torsion spring with the hollow interior of the shade roll such that the torsion spring does not surround the batteries.

Abstract: A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a stop configured to be positioned in a track channel of a guide rail for guiding a shade. Further embodiments relate to a guide rail and stop combination, where the guide rail and stop combination are configured to be used for guiding a shade. Still further embodiments relate to a shade system incorporating one or more guide rails for guiding a shade and at least one stop positioned with respect to the guide rail to control the travel of bottom bar interconnected with the shade.

Abstract: A motorizable shade system and method consists of a header system where the header system includes an integral header attachment connection. At least one cord spool is provided within the header system and is connected with at least one suspension cord and a shade is suspended from the at least one suspension cord. A motor assembly attachment connection is provided in a motor assembly that is conformed to connect with the integral header attachment connection and the motor assembly also includes a motor assembly electrical connector. A power system with a power attachment connection is provided that is conformed to connect with the integral header attachment connection. The power system also includes a power system electrical connector that is conformed to connect with the motor assembly electrical connector. The motorizable shade system operates manually unless and until a motor assembly and power system are connected with the integral header attachment connection and the cord spool.

Abstract: In a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, an anti-reversible power spring apparatus includes at least one biasing system connected with the storage roll wherein the biasing system includes a biasing member with a first end and a second end wherein the first end moves with the storage roll as the storage roll rotates and wherein the second end is held stationary with reference to the storage roll when the storage roll rotates in one direction but not when the storage roll rotates in a second direction. A support for the at least one biasing system is provided wherein the support includes a protrusion that holds the second end against movement when the storage roll is rotated in the one direction but which allows passage of the second end past the protrusion when the storage roll is rotated in the second direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a microcontroller and a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube. The DC gear motor includes a housing fixed to the shade tube and an output shaft coupled to a support shaft fixed to a mounting bracket. The method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube and the DC gear motor housing while the DC gear motor output shaft and support shaft remain fixed.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade conduit having an outer surface upon which a shade is attached and an inner surface defining an inner cavity. The motorized shade also comprises a motor disposed within the inner cavity along with a controller coupled to the motor that controls the motor. The motorized roller further comprises a power supply sleeve having an interior space, wherein the power supply sleeve is disposed within the inner cavity, wherein the power supply sleeve is coupled to the motor. The sleeve may be accessed by an access port that extends between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade includes a shade tube, including an outer surface upon which a shade is attached, an inner surface defining an inner cavity and two end portions, and a motor having an output shaft coupled to a support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket. The motorized roller shade further includes a counterbalancing unit configured to provide a counterbalancing force to the shade, a power supply unit, electrically coupled to the motor, configured to supply power to the motor, and an adaption component including at least one of a length adaptation component and a diameter adaptation component arranged within the shade tube and configured to adapt at least one of the motor and the counterbalancing unit to be used with a larger shade tube.