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 includes a roller shade tube including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner cavity, and at least one end portion, a shade attached to the outer surface of the roller shade tube, and a counterbalancing unit configured to provide a counterbalancing force to the roller shade. The motorized shade further includes a motor configured to provide rotational exertion to the roller shade, a controller configured to provide control signals to the motor, a power supply configured to provide power at least to one of the motor and the controller, and a transfer device configured to transfer one of the control signals to the motor that is configured to rotate and power to the controller that is configured to rotate from a stationary external source.

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: There is provided a motorized roller shade that includes a roller shade tube including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner cavity, and two end portions. The motorized shade further includes a shade attached to the outer surface of the roller shade tube, a counterbalancing unit configured to provide a counterbalancing force to the shade, and the roller shade tube further comprising substitution configurations to allow the roller shade tube to receive and operate with either a motor assembly or a manual operation assembly.

Abstract: A roller shade is provided. In some embodiments, the roller shade may include: a roller assembly; an inner portion of the roller assembly having an attaching structure for attaching to a mount; an outer portion of the roller assembly located on the roller assembly radially outward from the inner portion; a slot in the outer portion; and an insert dimensioned to be slidably received into the slot along with a portion of a shade to thereby attach the shade to the roller assembly. A method of attaching a shade to a roller assembly may also be provided.

Abstract: An automatic releasable top down shade system includes a header. A release mechanism is provided that is conformed to connect with the header. A shade with an upper section and a lower section is provided where the upper section of the shade is connected with both the header and the release mechanism and where the lower section is connected with the release mechanism. A lift cord supports the shade and the lift cord is also connected with the release mechanism such that the lift cord activates the release mechanism.

Abstract: A self resetting cover system includes two oppositely positioned guide rails with a chamber. A movable cover with a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge is provided where the first edge is connected with the chamber of one of the two oppositely positioned guide rails and the second edge is connected with the chamber of another of the two oppositely positioned guide rails. The first edge and the second edge include at least some portion that is enlarged and the enlarged portion of the first edge and the second edge is a deformable, resilient edge material. The enlarged area deforms upon impact to the movable cover such that the first edge and the second edge are not movable within the chamber and the enlarged area then resets to an original form after impact to the movable cover such that the first edge and the second edge are movable within the chamber. A cover roll is connected with the first end.

Abstract: In a window covering system with a shade roll, a removable battery pack system includes a battery tube conformed to fit within a shade roll with a hollow interior where the battery tube is electrically connected with the shade roll but, preferably, does not rotate with the shade roll.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another 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.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. 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 the mounting bracket.

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: 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: 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: In a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back.

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: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. 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 the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another 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.

Abstract: A room darkening screen apparatus includes a shade roll. A shade with a first end and a second end is provided wherein the first end is connected with the shade roll and the second end is connected with a bottom bar. A header is connected with the shade roll and a folding rod is connected with the header such that the folding rod, when released from the header, folds the shade.

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 partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas.