Abstract: A spool forming part of a lift cord drum for a covering for an architectural opening has a generally cylindrical body about which the lift cord is adapted to be wrapped and a frustoconical end encouraging the wrapped cord to shift in a predetermined direction. A longitudinal slot in the cylindrical body retains one end of the lift cord and allows the end of the lift cord to slide along the slot as wrapped cord is increased or decreased so as to minimize the possibility of the cord becoming entangled in itself.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail, and a blind material extending therebetween in addition to an operating element or lift cord extending from the head rail to the bottom rail and an improved anchoring system for securing the lower free end of the lift cord to the bottom rail. The anchor includes a body adapted to be inserted into an opening in the bottom rail with the body having radiating ribs at one end defining passages therebetween such that the lift cord can be selectively wrapped around the ribs in a predetermined manner to secure the lift cord to the anchor at a predetermined location along the length of the lift cord. A cap is provided on the anchor for further securing the cord to the body by pinching the cord between the cap and an internal surface of the body.

Abstract: A spool forming part of a lift cord drum for a covering for an architectural opening has a generally cylindrical body about which the lift cord is adapted to be wrapped and a frustoconical end encouraging the wrapped cord to shift in a predetermined direction. A longitudinal slot in the cylindrical body retains one end of the lift cord and allows the end of the lift cord to slide along the slot as wrapped cord is increased or decreased so as to minimize the possibility of the cord becoming entangled in itself.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail, and a blind material extending therebetween in addition to an operating element or lift cord extending from the head rail to the bottom rail and an improved anchoring system for securing the lower free end of the lift cord to the bottom rail. The anchor includes a body adapted to be inserted into an opening in the bottom rail with the body having radiating ribs at one end defining passages therebetween such that the lift cord can be selectively wrapped around the ribs in a predetermined manner to secure the lift cord to the anchor at a predetermined location along the length of the lift cord. A cap is provided on the anchor for further securing the cord to the body by pinching the cord between the cap and an internal surface of the body.