Abstract: The invention comprises the use of two symmetric plastic mounting pieces for installation and use of a roller shade. The plastic mounting pieces incorporate low profile designs and a detent and symmetric channels for accommodating nearly all commercially available roller shades that utilize one or two prongs. The invention further comprises a method of installing the mounting pieces with out the use of a screw driver or level with the use of a mounting template that illustrates for an installer how to size a roller shade and how to orient the plastic mounting pieces in an efficient time saving manner. The installation uses adhesive type tabs similar or identical to 3M's Command® adhesive tabs.

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 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 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 covering includes an at least partially light occluding layer that can be attached to a lintel at an upper end and with a bottom rail at a lower end that can be moved to selectively cover the window. Cords are fixed to the upper end of the layer and extend past the bottom rail. The bottom rail includes a friction module which applies sufficient friction to the cords to keep the bottom rail fixed to the cords unless additional forces are applied to the bottom rail to move the rail. A pair of engagement surfaces are spring biased against the cords to apply friction forces. A lever acts on the springs to adjust for variations in friction forces so that the bottom rail remains horizontal. The bottom rail is formed of a closable structure with a cap hinged to a base for ease in forming the bottom rail.

Abstract: A clip is provided which acts as a holder for a lift cord or other cord of a window covering. The clip includes a fastener through which the clip is coupled to a lower portion of the window covering, such as a bottom rail of the window covering. The clip also includes a guide path which supports a portion of the cord adjacent to the clip. The clip would typically be coupled to a lower portion of the window covering, such as a bottom rail, at a lateral edge of the bottom rail, so that the cord has a reduced amount of vertical suspension from the bottom rail and is reoriented to a new desired position extending down from the clip on the bottom rail. The guide path can be a partial or complete hole or trough through which the cord is routed.

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 optionally 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 lifting mechanism is provided for a window covering which allows a bottom rail of the window covering to maintain a static position unless raised or lowered by a user. The lifting mechanism is included within either a top or bottom rail of the window covering. The lifting mechanism includes cords which pass from a rail including the lifting mechanism to a rail not including the lifting mechanism and about cord redirectors located within the rail including the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes spools and associated springs for gathering excess portions of the cord thereon. A progressive resister is coupled to the spools with the progressive resister providing different amounts of resistance to spool rotation depending on the amount of cord upon each spool.

Abstract: A system is provided for properly resizing a window shade to fit within a window frame adjacent a window. At least one ruler strip is provided with visible graduations thereon. Indicia are provided adjacent at least some of the graduations. The indicia are descriptive of a width of a window frame in which the window shade will fit when the window shade is cut at the graduation adjacent to that indicia. A position of the graduations and the corresponding indicia are misdescriptive of a width of the window shade so that clearance around the perimeter of the window shade and cutting of both edges of the window shade are accommodated. Both rectangular window shade and arched window shade sizing systems are provided. A retainer is also provided for holding and guiding of a cutting tool during cutting of the window shade for proper resizing.

Abstract: A system is provided for properly resizing a window shade to fit within a window frame adjacent a window. At least one ruler strip is provided with visible graduations thereon. Indicia are provided adjacent at least some of the graduations. The indicia are descriptive of a width of a window frame in which the window shade will fit when the window shade is cut at the graduation adjacent to that indicia. A position of the graduations and the corresponding indicia are misdescriptive of a width of the window shade so that clearance around the perimeter of the window shade and cutting of both edges of the window shade are accommodated. Both rectangular window shade and arched window shade sizing systems are provided. A retainer is also provided for holding and guiding of a cutting tool during cutting of the window shade for proper resizing.

Abstract: A height adjustment control is provided for a retractable window shade. The window shade includes a top beam and a bottom beam with the bottom beam suspended below the top beam by at least one cord. The bottom beam can be adjusted and positioned relative to the top beam by adjustment of a length of cord extending between the top beam and the bottom beam. The height adjustment control system of this invention acts on the portions of the cord which are not suspended between the top beam and the bottom beam. A retainer is provided to gather up portions of the cord which are not in use. A retractor exerts a force on the retainer to cause the retainer to automatically gather up this excess cord. A cord brake is provided to hold the cord from passing onto the retainer and hold the bottom beam at a desired position below the top beam.