Abstract: A main support frame is formed from sections of a plastic extrusion and has opposite side portions with peripheral recesses receiving an inner sash unit and outer sash unit each having a frame formed from sections of a plastic extrusion and supporting an insulated glass unit. Hinges support the dual sash units for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, and gear connected telescopic link members connect the main frame to the sash frames for simultaneous movement. A lock system includes a handle on the inner sash unit for moving straps with studs on the sash frames through a connector mechanism mounted on the main frame for simultaneously locking and releasing both sash units and for releasing only the inner sash unit. A screen and/or mini-blind can be supported between the sash units, and the window system with dual sash units may be constructed in various forms.

Abstract: A blind having a blind operating mechanism and a blind control element and having an enclosure for the blind control element, with the element completely enclosed, a connector supporting the enclosure on the blind, and depending downwardly, and a drive device at the lower end of the enclosure for operating the element.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cord retention assembly for a covering for an architectural structure may include a cord guide coupled to a shade panel of the covering that is configured to receive a corresponding cord of the covering. The cord guide may form a closed shape and may also be configured to define an entryway around at least a portion of a perimeter of the closed shape. In addition, the cord retention assembly may include at least one retention member installed relative to the cord guide such that the retention member(s) prevents the entryway of the cord guide from being rotated past the attachment location defined between the shade panel and the cord guide.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling light shading and thermal insulation in a light transmissive structure is disclosed. An array of adjacently-positioned, inflatable first tubes is provided, each of the first tubes being inflatable to abut an inflated adjacent first tube. Each of an array of inflatable second tubes is nested within, and inflatable independent of one of the first tubes. Each of the second tubes is connected to one of the first tubes such that when not inflated, each of the second tubes is flattened within the one of the first tubes. When inflated, each of the second tubes abut an inflated adjacent second tube via first tubes. The first tubes are preferably clear, while the second tubes are made of a reflective material.

Abstract: A door curtain assembly configured for adjusting shading amount may include a fixed curtain wound around a fixed curtain take-up roll mounted at a door trim, a variable curtain wound around a variable curtain take-up roll mounted at the door trim, and a shade bar coupled to both a first end of the fixed curtain and a first end of the variable curtain such that the fixed curtain and the variable curtain are unwound and pulled up when the shade bar moves upward, wherein an upward position of the variable curtain can be adjusted.

Abstract: A load control system automatically controls the amount of daylight entering a building through at least one window of a non-linear façade of the building. The load control system comprises at least two motorized window treatments located along the non-linear façade, and a system controller. The controller is configured to calculate an optimal position for the motorized window treatments at each of a plurality of different times during a subsequent time interval using at least two distinct façade angles of the non-linear façade, such that a sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a maximum distance during the time interval. The controller is configured to use the optimal positions to determine a controlled position to which both of the motorized window treatments will be controlled during the time interval and to automatically adjust each of the motorized window treatments to the controlled position at the beginning of the time interval.

Abstract: An arched window covering comprising a panel (e.g., having a series of elongated cells) positioned in a fan arrangement defining a central space near a center of rotation of the fan arrangement, a base positioned in the central space, and a support member supported by the base and positioned to provide support to the panel. Preferably, the arched window covering further comprises a rail secured to at least one of two ends of the panel. In one embodiment, the base defines an opening adapted to receive the support member. The support member preferably comprises an elongated member extending from the base toward a radially outer portion of the panel, and a spacer member supported by the elongated member and adapted to hold the elongated member spaced from the panel. In one arrangement, a position of the spacer member relative to the elongated member is adjustable.

Abstract: A curtain or drapery panel that is formed having hanging grommets and box pleats along the header band that provides support to allow the box pleats to retain their shape without deforming. The drapery is a fabric panel having a header strip along the top thereof. The header strip has a plurality of spaced apart grommets. Between alternating grommets the fabric is pinched together to form a forward facing bow or loop. The bow or loop is then flattened and the top and bottom edges of the loop along the header strip are sewn down to the header strip to flatten the loop into a rectangular flat gathered pleat. Further, the edges of the pleat along the header strip may also be sewn to give it a more defined crisp edge. This draws two adjacent grommets close together on the two opposing sides of the newly formed pleat.

Abstract: A window blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of slats. The slats are horizontally suspended between the headrail and the bottom rail through ladder tapes. Each ladder tape has two warps, wherein an end of the warps is connected to a ladder drum, and another end thereof passes through the bottom rail to be connected thereto. When the ladder drum is rotated, the ladder tapes could be pulled smoothly, and the slats supported by the ladder tapes could be tightly closed. Whereby, the window blind could provide a good shielding effect.

Abstract: A magnetic track assembly including an elongate channel having an open side, an end wall, and two parallel side walls; a first magnet disposed within the elongate channel near an interior side of the end wall; a compartment defined within the elongate channel spaced from the first magnet; and a screen receiver disposed within the compartment and including a second magnet arranged facing the first magnet. In the magnetic track assembly, the first and second magnets are of opposite polarity and the screen receiver is loosely disposed within the compartment such that a magnetic bond is intact between the first and second magnets when the first and second magnets are close together and the magnetic bond is broken when the first and second magnets are pulled apart.

Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.

Abstract: A modular shade includes at least one module that consists of a head rail unit, a foot rail unit, at least one intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of slat components. A top slat may be coupled to the head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit, and a bottom slat component may be coupled to the intermediate rail unit and the foot rail unit. Further, additional intermediate rail units and intermediate slat components may be added to the module to alter the shape and size of the module, and the module may be coupled to one or more additional modules to change the overall shape and size of the modular shade.

Abstract: A spring assist module for window covering includes a stationary member, at least one torsion spring, and at least one rotatable member. The stationary member may be connectable to an operating member of the window covering. The at least one rotatable member may be keyable to a driven part of the window covering, such that rotation of the driven part rotates the at least one rotatable member. The at least one torsion spring may include a first end operatively coupled to the stationary member and a second end operatively coupled to the at least one rotatable member. The spring assist module may be pre-assembled as a self-contained unit.

Abstract: A component part assembly adapted for use with a window or door screen is provided. One or more component parts are provided which add functionality to a window or door screen. An attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the one or more component parts to a screen frame of the screen subsequent to manufacture of the screen. The one or more component parts may include at least one of a locking component, a guide component, a slide component, a handle component, a pull tab component, a roller component, a wheel component, a hinge component, a pivot cam component, a weather stripping component, a seal component, a frame component, a barcode component, an RFID component, a flexible attachment component, or the like. The screen frame may be a flexible screen frame or a rigid screen frame, and may be for a full or half window screen or a door screen.

Abstract: A shield for protecting furniture against damage that a pet can cause, includes a body and a lock. The body is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration by moving in a first direction a first end relative to a second end. When the body is in the expanded configuration and positioned adjacent furniture, the body can cover a region of the furniture. The lock includes a first portion and a second portion, and is operable to maintain the body in the expanded configuration when the first and second portions engage each other. With the shield's body in the collapsed configuration, one can easily transport the shield to any location. With the shield's body in the expanded configuration, one can cover a region of furniture with the body and thus discourage a pet from sitting or lying on top of the shield. With the body in the expanded configuration, the shield may also be used as a barrier to protect a leg or other vertical portion of a piece of furniture.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (11) includes a sealing element (21) provided with a housing (22), an electronic control unit (15) electrically connected to a first electrical connector (23), and a power supply cable (18) including, at one of the ends of same, a second electrical connector (24). The second connector (24) includes an elastic tab (26) provided with a stop element (27) cooperating with a recess (28) provided in the housing (22), and a first bending area (32) provided at the junction between a first end (26a) of the elastic tab (26) and a body (25) of the second connector (24). The stop element (27) is provided at a second free end (26b) of the elastic tab (26). The elastic tab (26) includes a second bending area (33) provided at the junction between an arm (37) and the stop element (27) of the elastic tab (26).

Abstract: A flexible yet durable roll-down curtain is normally stored in a rolled condition, and is unrolled during use. The curtain includes plural, vertically spaced apart rods extending through a width of the curtain. When rolled, the curtain wraps around an elongate, spring-loaded mandrel assembly. The mandrel assembly couples with a pair of mounting brackets mounted at opposing sidewalls of a temperature-controlled compartment. A pair of locking brackets disposed directly opposite one another at opposing sidewalls engage opposing ends of a rod extending through the curtain, to retain the curtain in a deployed position. A flexible side seal provides a sealing engagement vertically along each side edge of the curtain. When deployed, the curtain extends from ceiling to floor, and from sidewall to sidewall, forming a barrier against uncontrolled air movement from a space on either side of the curtain to a space on an opposing side of the curtain.

Abstract: A system to reduce drafts in front of a window is described. The system includes a window covering and a motor and gearbox that adjust the window covering. The system also includes a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a microcontroller networked to the motor and temperature sensors. The first temperature sensor is positioned above the window covering within a thermal convection zone of a window associated with the window covering, and the second temperature sensor is positioned below the window covering within the thermal convection zone. The microcontroller instructs the motor to adjust the window covering based on a temperature gradient from the first temperature sensor to the second temperature sensor.

Abstract: A TDBU (top down, bottom up) window covering includes a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam below a fixture, wherein a slat assembly is connected between the first crossbeam and the second crossbeam. A first control structure is further provided in the first crossbeam, and a second control structure is provided in the second crossbeam. The first control structure moves the first crossbeam toward or away from the fixture, and the second control structure moves the second crossbeam toward or away from the first crossbeam. Whereby, the assembling and the maintenance of the window covering are more convenient and easier.

Abstract: A shielding device has a body, at least one slewing mechanism and two vehicle-top suction attachment assemblies. The body has a housing, a first cover and a second cover. The first cover and the second cover are mounted in the housing. The slewing mechanism has a spindle, a rotor, a rolling pipe, a rotating casing and a covering cloth. The spindle is mounted in the second cover. The rotor is mounted on and around the spindle and has a fastening portion, a torsion spring and a securing ring. The torsion spring is connected to the fastening portion. The securing ring is securely mounted on and around the spindle. The fastening portion is fastened in the rolling pipe. The rotating casing is mounted pivotally in the first cover. The covering cloth is mounted on the rolling pipe. The vehicle-top suction attachment assemblies are mounted on the body.