Abstract: A shroud for the drive chain of a roller blind. The drive chain has s a series of balls mounted on a cord or wire and is in the form of a pair of leg members forming a loop. The shroud comprises an elongate body having opposed open ends with an internal passageway extending therebetween. The body has an enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends. A longitudinal internal baffle may extend between the open ends, segmenting the internal passageway into two longitudinal channels, each channel extending between the open ends and dimensioned to slidably receive one of the pair of chain leg members therethrough. The baffle may have a longitudinal slot extending along its length, where the slot is dimensioned to permit the receipt of the cord or wire of the drive chain, and is dimensioned to preclude the passage of the balls of the drive chain therethrough.

Abstract: A shroud for the drive chain of a roller blind. The drive chain has s a series of balls mounted on a cord or wire and is in the form of a pair of leg members forming a loop. The shroud comprises an elongate body having opposed open ends with an internal passageway extending therebetween. The body has an enclosed exterior surface extending between the open ends. A longitudinal internal baffle may extend between the open ends, segmenting the internal passageway into two longitudinal channels, each channel extending between the open ends and dimensioned to slidably receive one of the pair of chain leg members therethrough. The baffle may have a longitudinal slot extending along its length, where the slot is dimensioned to permit the receipt of the cord or wire of the drive chain, and is dimensioned to preclude the passage of the balls of the drive chain therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist in the raising or lowering of a roller shade. The apparatus comprises a grab plate secured or securable to a bottom bar and a wand that is releasably securable to the grab plate. The grab plate comprising a receiver to releasably receive an upper end of the wand such that when wand’s upper end is moved vertically upward the roller shade is retracted, and when the wand is moved vertically downwardly the roller shade is lowered. The receiver comprises a mating surface against which a flange on the upper end of the wand bears when the wand is moved vertically upward. The receiver further comprises a retainer into which a locking member on the upper end of the wand is seatable when the wand is moved vertically downward.

Abstract: An idler end for a roller tube of a roller blind. The idler end includes a housing having a bore therethrough, an internal partition and a generally cylindrical passageway extending through said partition. The passageway has an internal first should for engagement with a fastener. The idler end includes a shaft having (i) a pin portion for engagement with the roller blind, (ii) a receiver configured to pass through the passageway and for engagement with said fastener, and (iii) a second shoulder between the pin portion and the receiver end, and a biasing member configured to longitudinally bias said pin portion away from said housing. The idler end further includes a ring member surrounding said shaft positioned between said second shoulder and said biasing member, the ring member reducing the generation of noise created through rotational movement of said biasing member relative to said second shoulder.

Abstract: An alignment bracket for a roller blind, comprising a base and a roller tube support securable to the base. First and second coupling members on the base and roller tube support permit an adjustment of the alignment of the roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base. Also provided is a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind. The alignment device comprises a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the blind, a driven member mounted to the drive coupling body, a torque transfer mechanism secured to the driven member, and an adjuster. The torque transfer mechanism transfers rotational torque from the driven member to the drive coupling body through the adjuster. The adjuster permits an alteration of the rotational position of the driven member relative to the drive coupling body.

Abstract: An alignment bracket for a roller blind, comprising a base and a roller tube support securable to the base. First and second coupling members on the base and roller tube support permit an adjustment of the alignment of the roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base. Also provided is a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind. The alignment device comprises a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the blind, a driven member mounted to the drive coupling body, a torque transfer mechanism secured to the driven member, and an adjuster. The torque transfer mechanism transfers rotational torque from the driven member to the drive coupling body through the adjuster. The adjuster permits an alteration of the rotational position of the driven member relative to the drive coupling body.

Abstract: A torque transfer coupler for a roller blind. The torque transfer coupler has a central body securable to an electric motor and includes one or more torque transfer elements engaging the interior of the blind's roller tube. The coupler includes an anti-slip member having one or more resilient portions having a rest position and a deflected position. When, in their rest positions the resilient portions have a dimension larger than the cross sectional area of the roller tube. When in their deflected positions and received within the roller tube the resilient portions engage the interior surface of the roller tube resisting the withdrawal of the torque transfer coupler, and the electric motor secured thereto, from the interior of the roller tube.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a roller blind. The adjustment mechanism comprises (i) an adjustment spring housing securable to an end plate of the roller blind such that when so secured the housing does not rotate independent of the end plate, (ii) a balancing spring coupler at least partially receivable within the adjustment spring housing, the balancing spring coupler having an outer end securable to an end of a balancing spring of the roller blind, (iii) an adjustment spring, the adjustment spring transferring rotational torque between the adjustment spring housing and the balancing spring coupler, and (iv) an adjustment shaft positioned at least partially within the adjustment spring housing. Rotation of the adjustment shaft causes a rotation of the balancing spring coupler and the adjustment spring relative to the adjustment spring housing to increase or decrease the torsional loading of the balancing spring.

Abstract: A mount for a roller blind. The roller blind has a roller tube securable to a structure between first and second end brackets. In one embodiment the mount comprises at least one yoke and at least one axle member. The yoke is securable to the first end bracket and has a generally horizontally oriented throat. The axle member is releasably securable to a first end of the roller tube with at least a portion retainable within the yoke's throat when the axle member is generally horizontal. The receipt of the said axle member within the throat hangs the first end of the roller tube from the first end bracket while permitting the roller tube to pivot about the first end bracket in a generally vertical plane.

Abstract: An alignment bracket for a roller blind, comprising a base and a roller tube support securable to the base. First and second coupling members on the base and roller tube support permit an adjustment of the alignment of the roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base. Also provided is a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind. The alignment device comprises a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the blind, a driven member mounted to the drive coupling body, a torque transfer mechanism secured to the driven member, and an adjuster. The torque transfer mechanism transfers rotational torque from the driven member to the drive coupling body through the adjuster. The adjuster permits an alteration of the rotational position of the driven member relative to the drive coupling body.

Abstract: An alignment bracket for a roller blind, comprising a base and a roller tube support securable to the base. First and second coupling members on the base and roller tube support permit an adjustment of the alignment of the roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base. Also provided is a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind. The alignment device comprises a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the blind, a driven member mounted to the drive coupling body, a torque transfer mechanism secured to the driven member, and an adjuster. The torque transfer mechanism transfers rotational torque from the driven member to the drive coupling body through the adjuster. The adjuster permits an alteration of the rotational position of the driven member relative to the drive coupling body.

Abstract: An alignment bracket for a roller blind, comprising a base and a roller tube support securable to the base. First and second coupling members on the base and roller tube support permit an adjustment of the alignment of the roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base. Also provided is a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind. The alignment device comprises a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the blind, a driven member mounted to the drive coupling body, a torque transfer mechanism secured to the driven member, and an adjuster. The torque transfer mechanism transfers rotational torque from the driven member to the drive coupling body through the adjuster. The adjuster permits an alteration of the rotational position of the driven member relative to the drive coupling body.

Abstract: A rotary drive system for a roller blind. The drive system comprises a handle a worm gear, a bull gear, and a planetary gear drive system. The handle causes rotation of the worm gear, that engages the bull gear, that engages the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear drive system. The sun gear of the planetary gear drive system is configured to engage the roller tube of the roller blind. Rotation of the worm gear causes a rotation of the bull gear which rotates the planetary gear carrier, causing the planetary gears to impart rotational motion to the sun gear and rotation of the roller tube at a rate faster than the rotation of the worm gear, said planetary gear carrier causing said planetary gears to impart rotational motion to said sun gear and rotation of the roller tube at a rate faster than the rotation of said worm gear.

Abstract: An idler end for a roller tube of a roller blind. The idler end includes a housing having a bore therethrough, an internal partition and a generally cylindrical passageway extending through said partition. The passageway has an internal first should for engagement with a fastener. The idler end includes a shaft having (i) a pin portion for engagement with the roller blind, (ii) a receiver configured to pass through the passageway and for engagement with said fastener, and (iii) a second shoulder between the pin portion and the receiver end, and a biasing member configured to longitudinally bias said pin portion away from said housing. The idler end further includes a ring member surrounding said shaft positioned between said second shoulder and said biasing member, the ring member reducing the generation of noise created through rotational movement of said biasing member relative to said second shoulder.

Abstract: A torque transfer coupler for a roller blind. The torque transfer coupler has a central body securable to an electric motor and includes one or more torque transfer elements engaging the interior of the blind's roller tube. The coupler includes an anti-slip member having one or more resilient portions having a rest position and a deflected position. When, in their rest positions the resilient portions have a dimension larger than the cross sectional area of the roller tube. When in their deflected positions and received within the roller tube the resilient portions engage the interior surface of the roller tube resisting the withdrawal of the torque transfer coupler, and the electric motor secured thereto, from the interior of the roller tube.

Abstract: An end bracket for a roller blind for use with a fascia is provided. The end bracket includes a plate adapted for mounting to a surface. The plate has a side flange and a roller tube mounting portion for supporting an end of a roller tube of the roller blind. The end bracket also includes a support segment pivotally coupled to the side flange of the plate. The support segment is pivotable between a first position, in which the support segment extends generally parallel to the roller tube mounting portion, and a second position, in which the support segment extends outwardly from, and generally perpendicular to, the roller tube mounting portion. When in the first position, the support segment is releasably securable to a fascia panel. When in the second position, the support segment permits unobstructed access to the roller tube mounting portion.

Abstract: A clutch cover for a roller blind clutch. The clutch cover comprises a clutch barrel portion mounted upon and extending outwardly from a first side of a backing plate, a cover ring and one or more indexing locators to fix the position of the cover ring relative to the backing plate when the cover ring is releasably secured about the backing plate. The cover ring includes a chain guide and is releasably securable about the backing plate such that the cover ring encompasses the backing plate. The indexing locators prevent relative rotational movement between the cover ring and the backing plate when the cover ring is releasably secured about the backing plate. The indexing locators permit the chain guide to be positioned at a plurality of angles relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: An end bracket for a roller blind, the end bracket including a bracket member adapted for mounting to a surface, the bracket member having an interior face and a roller tube mounting portion for supporting an end of a roller tube of the roller blind. The end bracket also including one or more flexibly resilient retaining members mounted to the bracket member, the one or more retaining members bearing against, and applying a biasing force to, the end of the roller tube when the end is supported by the bracket member, thereby hindering relative movement between the end of the roller tube and the bracket member when the end is supported by the bracket member. This helps to prevent an unintentional disengagement of the end of the roller tube from the bracket member.