Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may include a first tube and a second tube that is attached to the first tube. The first tube may be configured to operably couple to the motor drive unit of the roller shade. The second tube may comprise a plurality of carbon fiber layers additively constructed on the first tube, and may be fabricated such that first and second longitudinal portions of the roller tube exhibit different material stiffness characteristics from each other. The first and second portions of the roller tube may be made of carbon fiber material having different tensile moduli. Layers of carbon fiber material in the first portion may be staggered with layers of carbon fiber material in the second portion at an interface between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A bracket is configured to be coupled to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket comprises a side configured to bear against the support surface such that the bracket extends away from the support surface and is adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly. A passage extends through the bracket from the side to an area of the bracket adjacent the roller window shade assembly. The passage is configured to receive electrical wire therethrough such that the electrical wire can pass from the support surface to the roller window shade assembly to power a motor of the roller window shade assembly, and the bracket is configured to obscure the electrical wire when the bracket is coupled to the support surface and supports the roller window shade assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a roller shade tube assembly with a main housing having a lumen divided into two sections by an internal spring stop. The distal end of the main housing has a recessed mounting cavity coupleable to a motor. The proximal end of the main housing has one or more interlocking fingers. A spring inside the proximal lumen abuts the spring stop. An inner guide cylinder is coupled to slide inside the main housing against the spring and coupled to a lumen of an auxiliary housing that is movably coupled to the main housing. The distal end of the auxiliary housing includes one or more complementary interlocking fingers and a second recessed mounting cavity at its proximal end. Wall mounting brackets on each side of the tube assembly are configured to fit into the recessed mounting cavities. A shade fabric is coupled to the roller shade tube assembly.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, an apparatus for installing a window covering is disclosed. A rotational cam member is provided for extending a first piston on one side of a headrail and compressing a second piston on the opposite side of the headrail between a window casing. A lever arm is provided for rotating the rotational cam. Spacers are provided to adjust the compression of the apparatus, along with indicators indicating whether spacers need to be added or removed. Easy installation of a window covering headrail may be achieved as one arm is used to hold the headrail while the other hand is able to actuate the lever arm. Mounting brackets are provided for easy window covering removal after installation.

Abstract: A system to display a flag and a method of manufacturing the flag display system are described. The system includes an attachment member configured to affix the system to a structure horizontally, vertically, or at an angle in between. The system also includes a flag housing configured to house a flag, the flag housing being coupled to the attachment member, a roller member disposed in the flag housing, the flag being disposed to roll onto and off of the roller member to be stored or displayed, respectively, and a guide member coupled to the roller member at a first end in the flag housing, the guide member being configured to maintain alignment between the flag and the roller member when the flag is rolled onto and off of the roller member.

Abstract: A compression mount assembly is provided for securing a window covering to a window frame by compression forces between vertical sides of the window frame on opposite sides of the window. A housing is coupled to the window covering and a slide translates linearly within a cavity in the housing away from the housing to abut the side of the window frame. A driver, such as a spring, is located between the slide and the housing to urge the slide away from the housing. A trigger is provided which holds the slide adjacent the housing, until the trigger is activated by pushing a button to release the slide from the housing and allow the slide to translate away from the housing. A fixed end cap is provided for an end of the window covering opposite the compression mount assembly and for abutting against an opposite side of the window frame.

Abstract: A window treatment system and method of installing the system are provided. The system includes a first and a second u-track positioned on opposite sides of a window frame. A first support rod and a second support rod each have a first end positioned in the first u-track and a second end positioned in the second u-track. A shade is coupled to the first and the second support rods and the rods frictionally support the shade and rods within the window frame. The method includes attaching a first u-track to a first side of a window frame and attaching a second u-track to a second, opposing side of a window frame. A shade is installed on the first and second support rods. A first end of a first and second support rod is inserted into the first u-shaped track and a second end of the first and second support rods are inserted in the second u-shaped track.

Abstract: An arrangement for retracting and extending a roller blind web has a shaft (8) rotatably mounted in a cassette (6). A first longitudinal edge (10) of the roller blind (4) is mounted on the shaft (8) and can wind around the shaft (8). An end strip (14) is movable relative to the cassette (6) and has a housing (20) to which the second longitudinal edge (12) of the web (4) is connected. First and second gearwheels (30) with different diameters are in the housing (20) of the end strip (14) and can rotate about a common shaft (34). First and second telescopic arms (22, 24) are in the housing (20) and have first and second racks (26, 28) that engage the first and second gearwheels (30, 32). Thus, the telescopic arms (22, 24) can move simultaneously relative to the housing (20) by different distances in opposite directions.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly comprises a tubular roller having a generally cylindrical internal cavity, an generally tubular extension telescopically mounted within the internal cavity of the tubular roller, and an outer tube mounted over the extension. The extension includes an outer wall and a plurality of winged splines located around the outer circumference of the outer wall which extend along at least a portion of the length of the extension tube.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly comprises a tubular roller having a generally cylindrical internal cavity, an generally tubular extension telescopically mounted within the internal cavity of the roller tube, and an outer tube mounted over the extension. The extension includes an outer wall and a plurality of winged splines located around the outer circumference of the outer wall which extend along at least a portion of the length of the extension tube.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly comprises a tubular roller having a generally cylindrical internal cavity, an generally tubular extension telescopically mounted within the internal cavity of the tubular roller, and an outer tube mounted over the extension. The extension includes an outer wall and a plurality of winged splines located around the outer circumference of the outer wall which extend along at least a portion of the length of the extension tube.

Abstract: In order to facilitate mounting of a roller blind one end of the roller blind tube is fitted with a spring-loaded insert (M). To prevent this from being pushed back a grub screw may be used, but it requires tools and precise alignment. According to the invention a releasable pawl-and-ratchet structure (2, 4) is provided in the end plug (1). The release is obtained by rotating the holder (5) of the pawls (2), whereby they are directed into axial grooves (3 or 3?).

Abstract: An adjustment device for an awning is provided comprising an engagement member and a resilient adjustment member having an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the adjustment member is adapted to be selectively adjustable. A retainer element is provided to maintain a desired outer diameter. In one example, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the engagement member can have a plurality of angular splines that are keyed into corresponding internal grooves of the adjustment member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to splinably engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can have a plurality of support members and a plurality of flexible connectors, wherein each support member is connected to an adjacent support member by a flexible connector to form an enclosed cross-section.

Abstract: An end cap for use in a shade assembly for use in a vehicle wherein the end cap is a rotating end cap. The end cap is capable of rotating and twisting and includes a base and a rotating connector partially arranged within an end of the base. The rotating end cap also includes an extension with the rotating connector partially arranged within an end of the extension. The rotating end cap will allow for the end cap to effectively reduce its length by rotating the extension with relation to the base from a generally parallel position to one having an orthogonal position between the extension and base.

Abstract: A portable roll up window blind has an adjustable length and is removably mountable within the frame of a window. The blind has shell housing of an adjustable length and a telescopic winding core mounted between two end plates of the shell housing. One of the end plate is slidable and adjustable by a wedging means for pressing against the adjacent side wall of the window frame so that the two end plates cooperate with one another to secure the blind at a selected position in the window frame. The window blind panels are wound on the winding core in an overlapping manner. The winding core has one end engage with a round support pin located on the inner surface of the one end plate, and the other end engaged with a rotary shaft having a multi-sided cross sectional shape. The rotary shaft is rotatable by a pull chain for raising or lowering the window blind panels.

Abstract: An end cap for use in a shade assembly in a vehicle. The end cap is capable of folding and includes a base and a linkage pivotally connected to the base. The end cap also includes an extension pivotally connected to the linkage. The folding end cap will allow for the effective length of the end cap to be reduced by pivoting the extension of the end cap in an approximate 180° arc such that it engages and is secured to the base on an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustment element for local adjustment of the circumference of a blind roller for a roller blind, said blind roller having a first end, and a second end between which the blind is wound, a blind roller surface, and an axis of rotation extending axially in relation to said blind roller, said adjusting element comprising an adjustment means adapted to be mounted in proximity to one of said ends and adapted to be displaced relatively to said blind roller surface. In accordance with the invention an adjustment member is configured to partly encircle the circumference of said blind roller and adapted to cooperate with said adjustment means in a way that said adjustment member upon activation of said adjustment means locally is displaced from said surface of said blind roller to thereby adjust said circumference.

Abstract: The adjustable tension shade includes a spring motor, an axle, and a shade roller. The spring motor is mounted to the axle and drives the shade roller. The axle has an adjustable telescoping shaft and the free ends of the axle are spring-biased outwardly away from each other. The shade roller has a tubular body that surrounds the axle and the spring motor and serves as a mounting point and storage unit for a shade. A pair of feet is connected to each end of the axle and each has a soft rubber gripping surface thereon.

Abstract: A retractable awning includes a frame structure, roll bar, and a lead bar supported in cantilever fashion by a series of extendable arms that extend from the frame structure. An awning sheet is connected between the roll bar and the lead bar. When the lead bar is extended outwardly from the roll bar, the sheet awning is unrolled and supplied from the roll bar. Conversely, when the awning is retracted, the lead bar retracts towards the roll bar and in the process, the sheet awning is rolled onto the roll bar. The frame structure, roll bar and lead bar are split into at least two sections with each pair of sections including a coupler for connecting the two sections together.

Abstract: An adjustable-width spring-operated roller shade that maintains proper orthogonal tracking at all available widths within the shade's range of width adjustment. The adjustable-width roller shade utilizes two overlapping window shades and a telescoping roller to provide a shade that is repeatedly width-adjustable within its original range of width adjustment. To keep the shade sufficiently perpendicular to the roller as the shade winds onto the roller, orthogonal tracking spacers, such as continuous, pliable strips constructed from the same material as the shades, are attached to non-overlapped portions of the shade material to compensate for the extra layers of material existing at the overlapped portion of the shades. Thus, the roller shade maintains proper orthogonal tracking of the shade at all available widths within the shade's range of width adjustment.

Abstract: A cargo shade attachment for retaining a cargo shade having a non-compressible roller tube with end caps thereon. The cargo shade attachment includes a pocket connected to an interior panel in a cargo area of a vehicle, a slidable plunger having a surface for engaging the end cap being mounted within the pocket, and a biasing device for urging the plunger toward a center line of the vehicle such that the plunger exerts a compressive force on the end cap of the cargo shade thereby retaining the cargo shade.

Abstract: A shade roller includes a roller, a first tube slidably received within the roller and a second tube having a part of the first tube securely received therein. Due to the extendable characteristics of the first tube and an outer diameter of the second tube being manufactured to be the same as that of the roller, a user is able to adapt to different widths of different windows and roll up or down a shade which is originally wound around the shade roller evenly.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of a window or opening that is interchangeable with a variety of rolled sheet materials and serving the purpose of a bug screen, shade screen for sunlight, or an insulating barrier for thermal protection. The device housing, roller tube, and rolled sheet materials are adjustable as to accommodate openings of different widths and heights. The device comprises an adjustable housing which contains an adjustable roller tube upon which the window treatment material is rolled. The adjustable tube has catches at its ends which engage slots near the edges of the treatment material thereby keeping the material at the same width as the adjustable tube when the material is rolled upon the tube. Extending perpendicularly outward from the ends of the housing are adjustable slotted tracks whose slots engage hooks on the sides of the treatment material thereby holding the material in the opening.

Abstract: A roller cover for covering the baggage space of station wagons has an elongated housing in which the winding shaft of the cover is rotatably supported and which, in the driven-in state, receives a web for covering the space. The housing of the cover is provided with cup-shaped end caps which are spring-biased outwardly from the main body of the housing, so that the housing with the winding shaft centers itself in the auto body. For the locking of the cover in the vehicle, locking sliders are guided slidably in the end caps and are biased into locking positions by springs supported in the end cap so that the holding force of the locking members is independent of the auto body tolerances.

Abstract: A disposable shower curtain including a holder having a mandrel with inner and outer telescoping segments normally expanded by a spring. Stationary feet, one carried by each of the telescoping segments, bears against the opposed walls of a conventional shower stall and rotatably support the mandrel. A roll of coiled sheet material is carried by the mandrel. A shield supported by a bracket at either end thereof includes a longitudinally extending braking panel.

Abstract: An adjustable width window shade having an adjustable roller assembly and a shade panel which includes top and bottom edge portions and a pair of side portions. One of the side portions includes a plurality of lines of weakness which may be selectively torn away to provide an adjustable width portion. A decorative member is disposed along the bottom portion of the shade panel and is removably attached to the adjustable width portion of the shade panel. The decorative member can be readily adjusted as the width of the shade panel is adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a readily adjustable rod for a tear-away window shade. The shade is constructed of a long sheet of a rollable material provided with a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed parallel tear lines spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction to define a multiplicity of strips. The window shade rod includes a multiplicity of disconnectable segments. Strips of the sheet can be individually torn away at the tear lines from the ends of the sheet so as to decrease the width of the shade in decrements corresponding to the width of the strips. Segments can be removed from the rod so that the rod width can be decreased to correspond to the width of the sheet.

Abstract: A do-it-yourself-without-tools window shade which is width adjustable and installable by the consumer at the point of installation without the use of tools or cutting elements is disclosed. The window shade includes a composite sheet structure of a plastic sheet and a fabric sheet laminated to one another by a conventional plasticizer based adhesive under the action of heat and pressure. The composite sheet structure includes a plurality of parallel cut lines which extend all the way through the fabric layer and into the plastic layer to a predescribed depth thereby enabling the consumer to strip the sheet structure to its proper width.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an automobile has a case and a rotary shaft mounted within the case. The case can form an integral component of the automobile bumper and can be either curved or straight. The rotary shaft onto which a cover is rotated can also be straight or curved. The cover assembly includes an operating mechanism which features an assembly for curving the rotary shaft and devices for extending or shortening the rotary shaft. The operating mechanism also includes a bearing assembly that provides the shaft with freedom of movement in a vertical direction and in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. A cap is pivotably supported to the case and the cover assembly includes a locking device for securing the cap in place. The cover has a main sheet and an auxiliary sheet, with the auxiliary sheet designed for securement with the locking device such that the main sheet can cover above and below the case.

Abstract: An improved temporary window shade (10) that is designed to cover a window opening during the period when a person is awaiting the arrival and installation of a permanent window covering. The shade (10) consists of a non-woven, translucent material (12), having imprinted on its surface a grid (14) of vertical and horizontal lines that allows the material to be accurately and easily cut to size. The material (12) may be attached to either a window (50), a window sash (52) or to a wall (56) that surrounds a window frame (54). The attachment is made by first attaching a material attachment means, such as a two-sided adhesive tape (16), to the attachment structure. The material's upper edge (12c) is then pressed against the two-sided tape to hold the material in place. The shade (10) may bge partially raised by attaching at its lower corners a bendable strip (20).

Abstract: A semi-adjustable shade and roller combination is provided in which an essentially non-stretchable shade material is mounted on a telescoping roller made up of an outer roller and an inner roller with the shade secured to the outer roller, and the inner roller having a split plastic sleeve over it to make up for the difference in outside diameter between the inner and outer rollers, the inner roller having an enlarged flanged head.

Abstract: A tubular structure particularly but not exclusively useful as a window shade support roller comprises a convolutely-wound tube structure having a number of closely-wound wraps or layers of paper stock, preferably Stress Kraft paper coated with adhesive over all or most of its surface and wound into close layer-upon-layer surface adhesion, approximately six such layers providing high beam strength with low wall section or thickness. In addition, the tubular structure has readily-removable segmental lengths provided by use of "tear strips", i.e., tear strings, tear tapes, etc., which are placed upon the paper prior to winding thereof so as to be wound into spiral form during the convolute winding of the layers of paper, whereby pulling of such a tear strip around and around the tube progressively severs the tube at that point.

Abstract: A window shade which includes a sheet member formed from a material having the characteristics, with respect to strength, formability and shape retention, of plastics, which sheet member, by reason of the formation of one or more continuous cut lines, the penetration of which are controlled to rather carefully defined parameters, can be quickly and accurately sized to width at the time of installation by the final user, a method of manufacturing a window shade, and apparatus for manufacturing a window shade.

Abstract: A window shade comprises a multiplicity of elongate fabric strips connected to one another along their longitudinal edges by means of severable connecting threads. Mounting and weighting rods inserted in respective pockets at the upper and lower end of the multistrip fabric web are adjustable in length to match the width of the window shade upon a reduction thereof owing to a tearing of one or more fabric strips from the body of the window shade web. The window shade web is advantageously provided with a foam backing which contributes in part to the mechanical stability of the shade.

Abstract: A shade of adjustable width is provided in which portions can be removed by tearing along score lines, and means including pull tabs are provided whereby a portion in the margin of the shade may be removed leaving a widened opening which terminates at an apex at a given score line such that pulling adjacent portions of the shade material concentrates stress at the score line and promotes clean tearing therealong.

Abstract: A window covering device for use with framed windows of varying sizes includes an elongated support rod having a slot therein for receiving an end of a piece of shade material, a support bracket being provided for each end of the elongated support rod, structure associated with one end of the elongated support rod to permit easy length adjustment thereof for sizing to various sized window frames, and additional structure in the form of a projection from each support bracket for permitting quick installation and securement of the support brackets to a window frame by means of U-shaped staples of sufficient size to fit over the projections.

Abstract: A window shade roller adapted for mounting by frictional engagement within the periphery of a window frame, or alternatively, by hang-mounting at receiving brackets on the window frame. The roller has one shaft projecting from a recess in one end that terminates in a spring-loaded pintle to enable raising and lowering the shade, and a spring-loaded second shaft extending through a cap closing a recess in the other end of the roller also terminating in a mounting pintle. The second shaft is selectively movable between a first retracted position so that only the pintle projects through the cap enabling hang-mounting of the shade, and a second telescoped position in which the roller may be frictionally secured within the window frame by placing friction members over the pintles.

Abstract: A shade roller assembly features a roller having a tubular end portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially extending lines of weakness serving to define a plurality of ring elements, which may be selectively torn from the tubular end portion when desired to decrease the overall length of the assembly.

Abstract: A window shade in combination with a slat made easily adjustable in length by the inclusion of regularly spaced transverse lines of weakness in the ends thereof. The window shade slat preferably consists of a flattened, convolutely or spirally wound, thickwalled, small diameter paper tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a window shade whose width can be decreased, without cutting instruments, to conform to the size of the window opening into which the shade is to be mounted. The window shade includes a roller and a shade secured to the roller having at one or both edges a plurality of spaced strip lines, preferably invisible, extending from end-to-end parallel to the shade edges. The strip lines permit hand-stripping of discrete widths of the shade while the shade is rolled on the roller. The roller includes substantially coincident with the strip lines of the shade a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending strip lines permitting removal of a corresponding discrete length of the roller. In accordance with the invention disclosed, the shade includes a plurality of integral tabs at the hem end of the shade whose edges generally coincide with the strip lines to facilitate the stripping of discrete widths of the shade.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a window shade assembly including a telescoping roller and a shade mounted on the roller which may be quickly and easily adjusted to conform to the size of the window opening into which the assembly is to be mounted. The shade at one end includes a first portion secured to the larger roller section and a second portion wrapped around the projecting end of the smaller roller section a number of times sufficient to form a tube having an outside diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the first roller section. The projecting smaller roller section is freely axially slidable within the tube. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention disclosed, the shade includes at the side adjacent the smaller roller section a plurality of spaced hand-strip lines, preferably invisible, extending from end-to-end parallel to the shade edge which permit hand-stripping of discrete widths of the shade while the shade is rolled on the roller.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a window shade whose width can be decreased, without cutting instruments, to conform to the size of the window opening into which the shade is to be mounted. The window shade includes a roller and a shade secured to the roller having at one or both edges a plurality of spaced strip lines, preferably invisible, extending from end-to-end parallel to the shade edges. The strip lines permit hand-stripping of discrete widths of the shade while the shade is rolled on the roller. The roller includes, substantially coincident with the strip lines of the shade, a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending strip lines permitting removal of a corresponding discrete length of the roller. In accordance with the invention disclosed, the shade can be conveniently shortened by the consumer in the home, without the need for cutting of the shade, thus eliminating the need for cutting machines.

Abstract: A shade roller, comprised of a tube into which the motor drive is inserted into one end leaving it fully adjustable in length as it is slid in or out of the tube (Main Body), using any means of screw adjustment, shims etc. One end of the motor has a standard tip to fit into a standard shade mounting bracket, the other end is made to lock into a mounted drive block which is mounted within the main body of the roller. The locking of the motor with the drive block, can be accomplished with any means of connection that will result in the motor being unable to turn within the main body of the shade roller and at the same time leave the motor free to be adjusted in or out for the length adjustment. At the other end, a sliding shaft is inserted in much the same manner as the motor. It is fully adjustable for length as is the motor end, and is fully adjustable by similar means of shims, screw adjustments etc. as is the motor end.

Abstract: A retractable window shade is disclosed employing slidably adjustable roller assembly and bottom slat, and a sheet of material having tear lines parallel to one edge and extending for the full length thereof.