Abstract: Embodiments of a roll-up covering include a first elongate tape, a second elongate tape, a third elongate tape, and a plurality of slats spaced apart along a length of and supported by each of the first and second elongate tapes. The plurality of flexible slats are configurable between an open position and a closed position wherein each of the flexible slats changes shape as it is configurable between the open position and the closed position, where in the open position a slat width of each flexible slat has a curved shape with a middle portion of each flexible slat extending more horizontal than the inner and or outer longitudinal edges of each flexible slat.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.

Abstract: Techniques including winding, by using an electric motor of the architectural covering, a blind of the architectural covering in a first direction. The techniques further include stopping the winding by the electric motor of the blind in the first direction at a programmatically adjustable wound end position. The techniques further include upon the blind reaching the programmatically adjustable wound end position, winding, by using the electric motor, the blind in an opposite direction to a second position relaxing at least a cord of the blind that is wound by a cord winding/unwinding unit driven by the electric motor, the difference between the programmatically adjustable wound end position and the second position being an amount less than that which would result in movement of the blind to a fully extended position and set based on a length of the blind.

Abstract: A lighted architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In one example of an embodiment, an architectural-structure covering includes a light source arranged and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the architectural-structure covering. The architectural-structure covering may include first and second coverings. The light source is arranged and configured to direct light onto the second covering, which is arranged and configured to reflect, redistribute, etc. the received light toward the interior space of the room in which the architectural-structure covering is located. Thus arranged, the architectural-structure covering may be used to create, for example, diffused-lighting effects.

Abstract: An architectural-structure covering may include a covering moveable between retracted and extended positions, and between closed and open configurations. The covering may include front and rear sheets and a plurality of vanes extending therebetween. In the extended position, the covering may be configured so that the vanes are opened such that they are positioned substantially perpendicular to the incoming light. The architectural-structure covering may also include a rotatable member including a scoop configured to create a pocket to secure a bottom rail of a rear covering so that the bottom rail does not prematurely deploy. Moreover, the architectural-structure covering may also include an external booster movable between a first state of operation wherein the external booster stores potential energy and a second state of operation wherein the external booster releases the stored potential energy to rotate the rotatable member in a predetermined direction to effect additional rotation of a covering.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring an architectural structural covering system are described. The system can include a number of coverings and a number of gateways. A gateway can be communicatively coupled with a covering, whereby remote controls of the covering can be effectuated via the gateway. To set-up such system, proximity metrics between coverings and the gateway can be processed and presented at a user interface to indicate the quality of the placement of the gateway in relation to a connectivity range to a space that includes the coverings and in relation to the strength of the connectivity to each covering. After the placement of the gateway is complete, the gateway can be connected to a data network and can receive from a computer system a configuration of the coverings and an assignment indicating which covering the gateway is to control.

Abstract: A limit stop assembly for setting a travel limit position of a covering of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The limit stop assembly including a first state of operation and a second state of operation. The limit stop assembly being transitioned from the first state of operation to the second state of operation by moving the covering from a first position towards a second position. Transitioning the limit stop assembly from the first state of operation to the second state of operation automatically sets the travel limit of the covering for the second position. In one example of an embodiment, the limit stop assembly includes a screw shaft, a limit nut threadably received on the screw shaft, a hub, and a collar selectively movable between first and second collar positions.

Abstract: A coupling or bracket system arranged and configured to couple a headrail or cassette of an architectural-structure covering one or more brackets mounted to a wall is disclosed. In use, the brackets are arranged and configured to receive the headrail in a purely horizontal motion with little to no vertical or rotational motion. Thus arranged, the coupling or bracket system eliminates the need for the headrail to be rotated into position during installation. Thus arranged, the coupling or bracket system eliminates, or at least minimizes, the concerns about the distance or spacing between the brackets and the ceiling.

Abstract: A method includes translating an instruction, received via a network interface, from a home control system to a command for an architectural covering. The method further includes transmitting the command to the architectural covering via a wireless covering interface. The method further includes estimating a position of a covering of the architectural covering. The method further includes transmitting the position to the home control system.

Abstract: A ceiling panel support system includes a ceiling panel and a mounting bracket. The ceiling panel has an upper part including an elongate support portion, with the support portion having an elongate support channel including a pair of opposing lips defining an elongate opening into the elongate support channel. The mounting bracket has a main body, a holding part configured to be housed within the elongate support channel behind inwardly facing surfaces of the opposing lips, and a leg configured to extend from the main body to the holding part between the opposing lips. The main body includes lower surfaces on either side of the leg configured to face the support portion. The system further includes a securing member that presses the holding part against the inwardly facing surfaces of the opening lips and secures the mounting bracket frictionally along the elongate extent of the panel.

Abstract: A lighted architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In one example of an embodiment, an architectural-structure covering includes a light source arranged and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the architectural-structure covering. The architectural-structure covering may include first and second coverings. The light source is arranged and configured to direct light onto the second covering, which is arranged and configured to reflect, redistribute, etc. the received light toward the interior space of the room in which the architectural-structure covering is located. Thus arranged, the architectural-structure covering may be used to create, for example, diffused-lighting effects.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.

Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces includes an elongate mounting member having a first end, a second end, and a guide surface. The mounting element also includes a telescopic extender arranged at one of the first end or the second end of the elongate mounting member, with the telescopic extending being operable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The telescopic extender includes a slidable body to slide along the guide surface so as to lengthen the mounting element, and a locking member configured: i) to allow the slidable body to slide in the first translation direction, and ii) to prevent the slidable body from sliding in a second translation direction opposite the first translation direction. In addition, the telescopic extending includes a release mechanism configured to cooperate with the locking member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural coverings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a network interface to communicatively couple the apparatus with a repository via a network, a wireless covering interface to communicatively couple the apparatus with a first architectural covering, a covering enumerator to determine information about the first architectural covering, and a software collector to: retrieve software for the first architectural covering from a repository via the network interface, transmit an advertisement of the software to the first architectural covering, and in response to receiving a request for the software from the first architectural covering, transmit the software to the first architectural covering.

Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.

Abstract: A protective case arranged and configured to constrain, encapsulate, or at least partially encapsulate, a transmission and one or more motors (e.g., spring motors) associated with an operating system of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In use, the protective case is positioned about (e.g., receives) the transmission and one or more motors to prevent the transmission and motor(s) from excessive movement during, for example, shipping, installation, etc., and thus prevent the transmission and motor(s) from damage associated with the interlocking or intercoupling tabs breaking during, for example, shipping.

Abstract: A shutter panel includes a frame, and a louver coupled to the frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis across a given angular travel range of the louver. The shutter panel also includes a louver closure assembly operable to automatically rotate the louver into a closed position when the louver is moved into a specific angular range of louver positions within its angular travel range. For instance, in an exemplary implementation, the louver closure assembly is configured to linear translation into rotational movement of the louver.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring an architectural structural covering system are described. The system can include a number of coverings and a number of gateways. A gateway can be communicatively coupled with a covering, whereby remote controls of the covering can be effectuated via the gateway. To set-up such system, proximity metrics between coverings and the gateway can be processed and presented at a user interface to indicate the quality of the placement of the gateway in relation to a connectivity range to a space that includes the coverings and in relation to the strength of the connectivity to each covering. After the placement of the gateway is complete, the gateway can be connected to a data network and can receive from a computer system a configuration of the coverings and an assignment indicating which covering the gateway is to control.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.