Abstract: An operating system for a retractable covering for an architectural opening having at least a movable bottom rail and possibly a movable middle rail connected to a shade material includes control or guide cords extending from a head-rail for the covering to the bottom rail and extending through the middle rail. Manually operable locks are provided on the bottom rail and the middle rail to grip the cords as they extend therethrough and a take-up system is provided in the bottom rail that is biased so as to retain the cords in a taut condition during movement of the bottom rail or the middle rail. The bottom and middle rails are moved manually simply by manually releasing the manual locks provided thereon so that exposed control cords are alleviated.

Abstract: A privacy curtain assembly includes a main curtain portion. The main curtain portion includes a first side, a second side, and oppositely disposed leading edges located between the first and second sides. The privacy curtain assembly also includes at least one cleanable, wipable panel that is permanently affixed to one of the leading edges of the main curtain portion. The at least one panel is configured to be cleaned while permanently affixed to the main curtain portion.

Abstract: A roller-shade winding roman style shade is provided. A technical feature thereof is to utilize an actuating member of a cord or a band-shaped long strip of fabric to connect a blind material and a roller shade. Thus, as the roller shade rises, the parts where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are pulled up sequentially from the bottom up, and when reaching the top end, the points where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are kept at approximately the same height, such that the roman style shade is in a retracted and folded state. The blind material of the whole roman style shade can be folded up or dropped down merely through connection of the actuating member between the blind material and the roller shade, the roller shade has diversified applications and is more flexible in use and pleasant to look at.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one cell operably connected to the support sheet. The at least one cell includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a cell support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.

Abstract: A shade product is described that is made at least in part with a sheer material. Sheer materials are highly porous materials that allow significant amounts of light to pass through the material. When placed in an architectural opening, such as a window, sheer materials can provide a soft and elegant appearance while still providing privacy. When using sheer materials to construct shade products, one layer of the sheer material typically needs to be bonded to an adjacent material, such as another layer of the sheer material. In accordance with the present disclosure, an adhesive receptive coating is applied to the sheer material at the bond sites in order to prevent against adhesive migration. In one embodiment, the adhesive receptive coating is substantially transparent and therefore does not interfere with the overall look and aesthetic appeal of the product.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A window shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord may be encased within a collapsible member attached to each cord guide. The collapsible member is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double cell structure for window shade and its manufacture method for forming a substrate of double cell units. The substrate comprises first and second strip material bonded with each other, two lateral sides of the substrate being formed by first and second pleats. The substrate can then be cut to form multiple double cell units that are then stacked and bonded over one another for forming the double cell structure. In addition, the present invention also provides double cell structures for window shade.

Abstract: A window covering includes window covering material that extends from a first rail. A first lift cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent the bottom of the window covering material. A first spacer cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom of the window covering material. First hitches extend from the first spacer cord to encircle the first lift cord. The window covering may have additional lift cords and may utilize other similar spacer cords having hitches that extend to those lift cords as well.

Abstract: A window covering has an upper rail and lift cords that extend from the upper rail to window covering material. The lift cords are wound onto respective conical spools when the window covering material is retracted and is unwound from the spools when the window covering material is extended. The conical spools move along a portion of the length of a shaft that couples the conical spools to a spring motor when the window covering material is moved from a retracted position to an extended position. The lift cords are unwound from the spools so that a segment of the lift cord that extends from the spool through a hole in the headrail is positioned adjacent a portion of the spool that has a smaller diameter when the window covering material is in the extended position as compared to when the window covering material is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A locking member to be used in conjunction with a guide ring and a lift cord configured to raise of lower a covering for an architectural opening, such as a window, door or the like, is disclosed. The locking member is configured to engage the guide ring and the lift cord in such a way that the locking member has a selective rotative ability, which allows the lift cord to freely move in a first direction to raise or lower the covering, but the locking member will move or rotate about the guide ring when the lift cord is pulled in a second direction to pinch the lift cord between the locking member and the guide ring so that the lift cord is prevented from being pulled away from the covering far enough to create a loop of a certain diameter.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a portable modesty guard apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modesty guard for creating a private space in a public, or other, area. The portable modesty guard provides a unique construction which allows the user to collapse, store and carry the device in a way that allows it to be set-up quickly and packed away in a lightweight, portable unit.

Abstract: A partitioning device includes at least two mounting units, a transparent and air impermeable main curtain, and a positioning unit. Each mounting unit includes a hanger and a connection member connected to the hanger. The connection member includes a connection body and at least one magnet mounted on one end of the connection body. The main curtain has a first face facing the mounting units and a second face opposite to the first face. The positioning unit is detachably disposed on the second face of the main curtain and includes at least one positioning member that contains metal attractable by the magnet and that cooperates with the magnet to clamp the main curtain.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spool fixed to a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level. The shade does not require a graspable cord or cords for operation.

Abstract: In a method for making roller shades a stack of pleated material is cut so that the length of the stack corresponds to the width of the roller shade being made. Then the edge of the material is attached to a roller so that the plurality of pleats are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller. Preferably the stack of pleated material has been made from strips bonded together to form tabs where the edges of adjacent fabric segments are joined together. Preferably the tabs in the panel of pleated material will be along one edge of the stack and the pleats will be along the opposite edge of the stack.

Abstract: In a cellular material a first panel having a series of lengthwise accordion folds across the width of the panel, alternate folds projecting toward the front of the panel and the back of the panel is attached to a second panel of material in a manner to create a series of P-shaped cells having a back, an upper cell wall and a lower cell wall in which the upper cell wall and the lower cell wall are curved in a same direction.

Abstract: A drape is made from a series of strips of material arranged side by side and attached together in a manner so that each pair of adjacent lengthwise sides of each strip when joined together form a tab. Each strip has a sharp lengthwise pleat substantially parallel to and between the sides of the strip such that the drape has a series of sharp folds projecting outward on the front of the drape and a series of tabs projecting outward from the back of the drape.

Abstract: A roman shade assembly providing an opaque covering for dwelling openings. The shade assembly includes a planar, flexible shade body with horizontal pleats and pockets extending between opposed edges. A head rail member installed atop a dwelling opening has pulleys and attaches to the upper end of the shade body. A pair of track members is mounted vertically on opposite sides of the dwelling opening. The shade body fits between the track members. Each shade body pocket includes a rigid rod member for horizontal rigidity. Wheeled clip members within each track member attach to the shade body, maintaining the shade body close to the track members. Draw strings attached to a lower end of the shade body pass through grommets in the shade body and through the head rail member pulleys. The draw strings extend interior the dwelling, providing raising or lowering of the shade body from within.

Abstract: The window shade includes a header defined by a substantially elongated U-shaped channel. The top of the header includes attachment areas for attaching the header to a window frame. A folded blind has one end attached to the web of the header channel, and when folded, the blind is housed inside the channel. The other end of the pleated blind is attached to a footer. A magnetic latching assembly is disposed between the header and the footer to keep the blind in a folded condition. Alternatively, a retaining mechanism holds the footer when the blind is folded. Pulling a pull cord or handle disposed on the footer releases the magnetic latching mechanism or the retaining mechanism to thereby rapidly unfold the blind.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. Each closed cell structure includes a front face and a separate back face. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.

Abstract: An improved connection system for window blind treatments comprising tape having loops for retaining locking members. The treatment comprises a sheet member that hangs downward covering the blinds on the side away from the window. One or more strips of tape are vertically attached to the sheet member on the interior side closest to the blinds. The tape contains loops at predetermined intervals along its length. Locking members are attached to the loops of the tape and to the blind's ladders at the predetermined intervals to secure the treatment to the blinds. When secured, the treatment will raise and lower when the blinds are raised and lowered. Rods are inserted through the locking members and rod pocket and extend horizontally across the sheet member and blinds. The rods provide weight and support to the sheet member, such that when the blinds are closed, the rods and sheet member will rise with the blinds, thereby creating cascading folds in the sheet member.

Abstract: A window covering includes a plurality of cord shrouds for enclosing or covering lift cords. Each of the cord shrouds may be continuously attached to the window covering material via a continuous attachment mechanism that includes one or more columns of stitching, beads of adhesive or welding. The cord shrouds may prevent the lift cords from being pulled away from the window covering material to form loops that could pose a danger to a young child. Embodiments of the window covering may be configured as top down bottom up shades or other types of shades. The window covering material may be composed of any of a number of different materials. For example, the window covering material could include pleated material, or could be comprised of a sheet of material consisting of woven wood, interconnected fabric segments, non woven fabric or woven fabric.

Abstract: A screen device including a parallel motion mechanism using wires inserted into a screen, an upper part of the screen being restricted from bending by external forces such as wind. One end of a screen made expandable and contractible by alternate folding in opposite directions is connected to a longitudinal frame member of a screen frame, and another end is connected to a movable frame to make the screen openable and closable by lateral pulling. A parallel motion mechanism moving parallel the movable frame by flexible linkage members including wires is inserted in an expansion and contraction direction of the screen. A part of the wires are tensioned along a portion above the screen as wires for hanging the screen and are inserted into an inner hole of a ring portion of a hanging member, the upper end of the screen being sandwiched by a sandwiching portion of the hanging member.

Abstract: A window covering includes a first set of lift cords extending from a headrail to middle rail. The first set of lift cords is extendable between the headrail and the middle rail to a predetermined distance, which defines a lowermost position of the middle rail relative to the headrail. The first set of lift cords is also retractable to a wound position for defining an uppermost position of the middle rail. A second set of lift cords extends from the headrail to the bottom rail and is extendable from between the middle rail and bottom rail to define an extended position of window covering material. The predetermined distance that the first set of lift cords may extend is selected to help prevent children from becoming entangled in the first set of lift cords when the middle rail is lowered away from the headrail.

Abstract: A bail lock for coverings for architectural openings wherein at least one of the bails defines a cord guide surface of changing front-to-back cross-sectional profile so as to define a cord passage between the inner and outer bails that varies from a relatively straight path that allows the cord to pass freely through, to a more tortuous path that applies substantial frictional force to the cord.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through split ring cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A privacy screen assembly has a first elongated support, a second elongated support, and a privacy screen having a first end operably coupled with the first elongated support and a second end operably coupled to the second elongated support, wherein the first privacy screen is positionable between a retracted position and a deployed position. A support member vertically supports the privacy screen and is positionable between a retracted position, wherein the support member is stored within an interior of one of the first elongated support and the second elongated support in a substantially linear configuration, and a deployed position, wherein a substantial portion of the support member extends from the interior of the elongated support and wherein a substantial portion of the support member exits the interior of the elongated support such that less of the support member is present in the interior of the elongated support.

Abstract: Wire supports for use with a movable partition system comprise a cantilever member configured for connection to a panel of a movable partition. A wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted is rotatably connected to the cantilever member. Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and laterally distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels. At least one wire support disposed in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises a cantilever member secured to at least one panel of one of the movable partitions and a wire-supporting member rotatably connected to the cantilever member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.

Abstract: A window blind apparatus having a first magnetically active track, a second magnetically active track, a first rod, a second rod, a first magnet located at the first end of the first rod, and a second magnet located at the second end of the first rod, a third magnet located at the first end of the second rod, a fourth magnet located at the second end of the second rod, and a window covering material adapted to be disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used to wholly or partially cover the window over which it is mounted.

Abstract: A window covering for a window having a window casement, or other opening in a wall, such as a doorway or a case-less window opening, with an inside portion adjacent to the window and an outside portion adjacent to the inside portion, the outside portion having a left side portion and a right side portion is disclosed. The window covering comprising includes a support assembly configured and arranged to attach to an inside portion of a window casement and a window treatment suspended from the support assembly and overlapping at least a portion of a left side portion and a right side portion of an outside portion of the window casement whereby the window treatment covers the window.

Abstract: A blind device includes a head box, a blind and an operation unit. The head box includes an axle located therein, a roller supported on the axle, and a lift lock located therein. The blind includes a bottom rail and a rope inserted through the lift lock. A first section of the rope is wound on the roller and connected to the bottom rail on a side of the lift lock. A second section of the rope is connected to the head box on another side of the lift lock. The operation unit includes a sleeve connected to the head box, a rod including a first end located in the sleeve and a second end located outside the sleeve, and a pulley connected to the first end of the rod. The second section of the rope is wound on the pulley.

Abstract: A window covering includes rings attached to window covering material at predetermined positions and loops attached to a liner at predetermined positions such that each loop is positioned between two of the rings. Each of the loops is formed by a filament that passes through a liner at two spaced apart points, the filament having an anchor such that the loops are positioned between an inner side of the liner and a rear side of the window covering material and the anchor is positioned on an outer side of the liner. Lift cords extend from a first rail and pass through the rings and the loops. The liner and the window covering material are attached together to enclose the lift cords between the liner and the window covering material. The window covering material and liner are moveable relative to the first rail to retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An auto winding mechanism for a window blind includes two guide rollers pivotally mounted between an upper seat and a lower seat and connected by an elastic winding tape, and two pull cords wound around the pull cords. Each of the guide rollers has a gear and a bottom disk. The upper seat has a covering edge surrounding the gear of each of the guide rollers. The lower seat has a surface provided with two annular grooves to receive the bottom disk of each of the two guide rollers. Thus, each of the pull cords is protected by the bottom disk of each of the guide rollers so that when the pull cords swing or bump during movement, each of the pull cords will not be jammed between the lower seat and each of the guide rollers.

Abstract: A winding device for a cordless Roman shade includes an upper frame. A shade includes an upper end engaged with a side of the upper frame. A resilient winding mechanism is directly or indirectly coupled to the upper frame. A winding cloth includes an upper end engaged with a distal end of a winding route of the resilient winding mechanism. The winding cloth further includes a lower end engaged with a lower end of the shade. When the resilient winding mechanism moves in a winding direction, the winding cloth is wound, and the shade is folded. By providing the winding cloth for folding the shade, strangling by the winding cloth is less likely to occur, providing enhanced safety.

Abstract: A handle assembly for adjusting a window treatment is disclosed. A wand is included and is configured and arranged to adjust a window treatment. The handle includes a grip on the wand, and has at least one engagement surface thereon. Further, the handle includes a cleat having at least one reciprocal mating surface configured and arranged to selectively interlock with the at least one engagement surface of the grip.

Abstract: To provide a sheet shutter in which an urging member for urging an unwound, sheet toward the left and right outer side is provided so that the sheet is made to smoothly slide in the left and right direction and the wear of the urging member is suppressed. The sheet shutter according to the present invention is configured such that a rail groove is provided in each of left and right support posts, such that an inner rail is accommodated and supported in the rail grooves, such that engagement guides for guiding the lifting and lowering of the sheet formed in the inner rails, and such that, when the urging member is provided in the rail groove, an elastic sheet section for partitioning the inside of the rail groove into front and rear portions is provided at the urging member.

Abstract: A window blind assembly includes a roller blind unit, a curtain member unit, and a clamping unit. The roller blind unit includes a roller rod that extends horizontally and that is rotatably mounted at or in proximity to an upper edge portion of the window, and a roller blind piece a top edge of which is connected to the roller rod and which is able to be wound around and extended from the roller rod. The curtain member unit includes a curtain member having a sheltering portion and a plurality of partitioning portions. The clamping unit includes a plurality of connecting members associated respectively with the partitioning portions. Each of the connecting members has a confining portion, and two securing portions connected to opposite ends of the confining portion and that connect the confining portion to a respective one of the partitioning portions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a portable modesty guard apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modesty guard for producing a private space in a public, or other, area.

Abstract: Present invention teaches to build a Roman shade window curtain where a roller shade is used in the back side of said window curtain, to provide for the release/retraction control, resulting in a “cord-less” control for the actuation of a Roman shade, which hangs down from a special head rail on top, with the roller shade fabrics slideably travel down the gaps between each horizontal fold created by the rib, clip and rib rod.

Abstract: A semi-private partition or covering includes a collapsible structure having a plurality of uniform perforations formed therein. The plurality of uniform perforations can be configured in size, shape, and dimension to provide not only aesthetic but functional differences from one partition to the next. A manufacturer can make a partition by forming a collapsible structure, such as by bonding a plurality of elongate cells along a plurality of different horizontal seams. The manufacturer can then position a plurality of cutout apparatus about the structure and apply the cutout apparatus to create hollow perforations passing through the entire depth of the collapsible structure (e.g., when expanded). The partition can be mounted to a top or side support structure for any combination of vertical or horizontal expansion/contraction of the partition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for laterally restraining a movable partition. In one embodiment, a movable partition includes two laterally spaced structures wherein each structure includes a plurality of hingedly coupled panels. A lateral restraint mechanism is located and configured to prevent lateral displacement of one or both of the two structures. In one embodiment, a cable is disposed between and extends from along a lower edge of the two structures. The cable is maintained in tension, at least while the partition is in a deployed condition, to prevent or minimize the lateral displacement of one or both of the structures such as when a draft or other external force acts on the two laterally spaced structures. In one embodiment, the cable may be operatively associated with one or more drive components used to displace the movable partition. In another embodiment, the cable may be coupled to a take-up mechanism.

Abstract: A shade assembly includes a first rail, a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, at least one lift cord extending from the first rail to the second rail in a configuration to facilitate selective manipulation of the second rail in a first direction or a second direction relative to the first rail, a shade panel defining a longitudinal axis and being configured to extend axially from the first rail to the second rail in the first direction and fold axially in a bloused arrangement in the second direction, and a liner panel. The liner panel is disposed along the shade panel such that at least a portion of the lift cord is disposed between the liner panel and the shade panel, and is configured to extend axially to the second rail in the first direction and axially fold in a pleated arrangement in the second direction.

Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled from a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.

Abstract: A roman shade includes a main body, a head rail, a bottom rail, a plurality of retractable tubes, a plurality of connectors, a plurality of eye screws, a cord lock and a plurality of cords. Each of the connectors is fixed at the bottom of each retractable tube. The cord lock is provided on one side of the head rail. One side of each cord passes through the eye screw into the cord lock and through a retractable tube to reach the connectors. Also, a ring is provided at the intersection of each horizontal pleat and each retractable tube, so that each shorter tube may be positioned and guided by the ring. Because the cords are hidden in the retractable tubes, the safety in home and the appearance of the shade may be enhanced.

Abstract: A retractable panel assembly includes a cover panel slidingly engaged with a rail assembly and having an open position and a closed position, where the cover panel translates along the rail assembly as the cover panel translates between open and closed positions. The retractable panel assembly further includes a shade located between the rail assembly and the cover panel, the shade having an engagement member, and a retention assembly having a retention member engaged with the engagement member of the shade, where, when the cover panel translates between open and closed positions, the retention member works in conjunction with the engagement member of the shade to prevent the shade from translating and the retention assembly retrains at least a second portion of the shade in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A lift cord safety system for use with a Roman shade type window covering having a head rail, a bottom rail and a shade movable between a raised and a lowered position. At least one lift cord vertically extends down from the head rail toward the bottom rail. A flexible sleeve is associated with and substantially surrounds each lift cord. A set of vertically spaced guides are also associated with each lift cord and are attached to the shade. The sleeve and the lift cord are disposed within each guide of the associated set of vertically spaced guides. A zip tie affixes the sleeve to each guide of the associated set of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to insulated window shades, and more particularly to window shades of various designs which incorporate an aerogel blanket.

Abstract: A window covering includes a first set of vertically spaced apart connectors and a second set of vertically spaced apart connectors. A first lift cord has a first portion extending from a first rail and passing through or adjacent the connectors of the first set of connectors and the second lift cord has a second portion extending from the first rail and passing through or adjacent the connectors of the second set of connectors. A first cord shroud and a second cord shroud extend from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom portion of window covering material. The first cord shroud is attached to the first set of connectors and the second cord shroud is attached to the second set of connectors. The first portion passes through the first cord shroud and the second portion passes through the second cord shroud.