Abstract: A panel assembly for a window shade includes a first and a second elongate strip adjacent to each other that are bonded to a support sheet. Each elongate strip has a first and a second edge opposite to each other, and a main strip portion between a first and a second margin, the first and second margin respectively adjoining the main strip portion along a first and a second folding line, the first margin extending between the first folding line and the first edge, the second margin extending between the second folding line and the second edge, the second margin including a third folding line substantially parallel to the second folding line. The first margin is bonded to the support sheet, and the second margin is bonded to the support sheet or the second elongate strip at a margin portion between the third folding line and the second edge.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second gear engaged with each other and respectively assembled about a first and a second pivot axis, two springs respectively assembled at two opposite sides of the second gear and respectively connected with two take-up reels provided on the first gear, a first cord drum and a third gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a third pivot axis, the first and third gears being respectively located at different levels along the first and third pivot axes and respectively engaged with a first gear train, a second cord drum and a fourth gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a fourth pivot axis, the second and fourth gears being respectively located at different levels along the second and fourth pivot axes and respectively engaged with a second gear train.

Abstract: A fastening system for a window shade includes a first and a second clipping base, and a first and a second clipping plate. In a first configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attached to each other with each of the first and second clipping plates respectively disposed between and in contact with the first and second clipping bases, whereby a first panel can be held between the first clipping base and the first and second clipping plates and a second panel can be held between the second clipping base and the first and second clipping plates. In a second configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attachable to each other without the first and second clipping plates, whereby a single panel of a window shade can be held between the first and clipping bases.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft and rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism at least partially disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion and a limiting part respectively adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the follower being rotationally coupled to the rotary drum and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in a second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes an axle coupling part rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom part of a window shade, an arresting part and an arrester coupling part connected with each other, the arresting part having a braking state and a release state, a clutching part carried with the arrester coupling part and movable relative to the arrester coupling part between a retracted state where the clutching part is disengaged from the axle coupling part and an extended state where the clutching part is engaged with the axle coupling part, and an actuating wheel movably linked to the clutching part, the actuating wheel being rotatable in a first direction to urge the clutching part to move from the retracted state to the extended state, and in an opposite second direction to urge the clutching part to move from the extended state to the retracted state.

Abstract: An actuating system includes an actuating wheel coupled to an operating element, an axle coupling part disposed substantially coaxial to the actuating wheel and rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom part of a window shade, and a clutching part carried with a carrier and movably linked to the actuating wheel. The clutching part is movable between a retracted state for disengaging from the axle coupling part and an extended state for engaging with the axle coupling part. The actuating wheel is rotatable in a first direction to urge the clutching part to move from the retracted state to the extended state and drive the carrier and the axle coupling part to rotate in unison, and in a second direction to urge the clutching part to move from the extended state to the retracted state so that the actuating wheel is rotationally decoupled from the axle coupling part.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a first rotary axle rotatable for displacing a bottom part, a second rotary axle rotatable for displacing an intermediate rail, and a limiting mechanism including a first and a second sliding part respectively linked movably to the first and second rotary axle. The first sliding part slides in a first direction when the first rotary axle rotates for lowering the bottom part and in a second direction when the first rotary axle rotates for raising the bottom part. The second sliding part slides in the first direction when the second rotary axle rotates for lowering the intermediate rail and in the second direction when the second rotary axle rotates for raising the intermediate rail. The first sliding part is prevented from sliding in the second direction via a contact between the first sliding part and the second sliding part.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a plurality of rotary members, a spring and a latch. The rotary members are rotationally linked to one another and pivotally connected with the housing, wherein the rotary members include a rotary drum that is connected with a suspension member and is rotatable relative to the housing for winding or unwinding the suspension member. The spring is assembled with the housing, and can bias the rotary drum in rotation for winding the suspension member. The latch is assembled with the housing, the latch being movable to engage with and disengage from one of the rotary members to respectively prevent and allow rotation of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second gear engaged with each other and respectively assembled about a first and a second pivot axis, two springs respectively assembled at two opposite sides of the second gear and respectively connected with two take-up reels provided on the first gear, a first cord drum and a third gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a third pivot axis, the first and third gears being respectively located at different levels along the first and third pivot axes and respectively engaged with a first gear train, a second cord drum and a fourth gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a fourth pivot axis, the second and fourth gears being respectively located at different levels along the second and fourth pivot axes and respectively engaged with a second gear train.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel coupled to a first control module and connected with a panel assembly, a lift actuator coupled to a second control module, and a switchable coupling mechanism. The panel assembly has an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage. The first control module can drive the reel in rotation for winding and unwinding the panel assembly. The second control module can drive the lift actuator in rotation for switching the panel assembly to the open or closed state. The coupling mechanism has a coupling state in which it rotationally couples the lift actuator to the first control module, and an uncoupling state in which it rotationally uncouples the lift actuator from the first control module. The coupling mechanism is in the uncoupling state while the panel assembly is closed, and in the coupling state while the panel assembly is opened.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a window shade includes an electric motor for driving a displacement of a movable rail, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and having a first and a second connector, a power supply, a wired control interface, and a removable wireless adapter operable to convert a wireless signal outputted by a wireless control interface to an electric signal. The actuating mechanism has a first configuration supporting wireless control, and a second configuration supporting wired-only control, the wireless adapter being respectively connected with the power supply, the wired control interface and the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the first configuration, and the wireless adapter being removed and the power supply and the wired control interface being respectively connected with the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the second configuration.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft, the rotary drum being rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion, a limiting part, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the stop portion and the limiting part being respectively disposed adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and the follower being rotationally coupled to and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in an opposite second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft and rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism at least partially disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion and a limiting part respectively adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the follower being rotationally coupled to the rotary drum and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in a second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.

Abstract: A retaining device for an operating member of a window shade includes a casing having an opening, a sliding part having a first and a second inner cavity, and a spring respectively connected with the sliding part and the casing. The sliding part is assembled with the casing, and is movable between a first and a second position, wherein the sliding part in the first position occludes the opening and has the first inner cavity exposed for insertion of an operating member of a window shade, and the sliding part in the second position has the first inner cavity retracted toward an interior of the casing while the second inner cavity overlaps with the opening for facilitating travel of an operating member of a window shade through the opening and the second inner cavity. The spring is operable to urge the sliding part to move toward the first position.

Abstract: A fastening system for a window shade includes a first and a second clipping base, and a first and a second clipping plate. In a first configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attached to each other with each of the first and second clipping plates respectively disposed between and in contact with the first and second clipping bases, whereby a first panel can be held between the first clipping base and the first and second clipping plates and a second panel can be held between the second clipping base and the first and second clipping plates. In a second configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attachable to each other without the first and second clipping plates, whereby a single panel of a window shade can be held between the first and clipping bases.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel and an aperture control module respectively assembled with a head frame, and a panel assembly including transversal vanes respectively connected with two panels. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly. The aperture control module includes a positioning arm connected with a rubbing roller, and is operable to rotate the rubbing roller relative to the positioning arm and to displace the positioning arm and the rubbing roller between two positions, the rubbing roller being displaced away from a sidewall of the head frame in a first position and pressing the panel assembly against the sidewall in a second position, the rubbing roller being further rotatable relative to the positioning arm in the second position to cause relative sliding between the two panels for switching the panel assembly from a closed state blocking light passage to an open state allowing light passage.