Abstract: The present barrier includes barrier portions engaged to each other by a junction apparatus that includes first and second upper connectors and first and second lower connectors. A junction support member extends between the upper connectors and lower connectors. The junction support member is spaced from and adjacent to the upper connectors. A bridge connector bridges the spacing between the upper end of the junction support member and the upper connectors.

Abstract: A coupling for a roller tube of a window treatment system may include a body and/or one or more compliant members. The body may include a bore through a rotational axis of the coupling. The body may be configured to be received within the roller tube of the window treatment system. The body may define an outer surface. One or more compliant members may extend at an oblique angle from the outer surface of the coupling. The one or more compliant members may be configured to engage a smooth inner surface of the roller tube. The use of compliant members may enable a rigid connection of the coupling to the smooth inner surface of the roller tube surface, without the use of fasteners.

Abstract: A shade channel system and method provide interchangeability of use with a zippered shade and a regular or blackout shade, together with improved efficiency of installation. A guide channel accepts a shade and is configured with a tensioning mechanism to allow the guide channel to be retained at varying depths within a base channel. The system is suitable for providing polished, uniform looks throughout a room and allowing for use of standard-sized shades by allowing the guide channel to be placed at an adjustable depth within a base channel. Existing channels may be utilized, or new base channels may be coupled to existing mullions.

Abstract: A bi-fold door assembly has an upper door section and a lower door section connected by a hinge such that the upper and lower door sections are movable between a closed position spanning the door opening and an open position in which the upper door section is oriented transversely to the door opening and the lower door section is folded upwardly towards an inner side of the upper door section. A truss supported along the inner side of one of the upper and lower door sections is movable relative to the door sections between a first position in which the truss stiffens the door assembly against bending corresponding to the closed position of the door sections and a second position in which the truss member is reduced in overall width relative to said one of the upper and lower door sections in a normal direction to the door sections.

Abstract: A support pole that includes a telescopic rod including a first shaft configured to move relative to a second shaft, first pad secured to a first end of the first shaft, a retention mechanism secured to the first shaft between the end of the first shaft and the second shaft, and a second pad secured to the second shaft. The retention mechanism is operable to move between an engaged position in which a sheet or curtain may be secured to the telescopic rod and a disengaged position in which the sheet is detached from the telescopic rod.

Abstract: We disclose a roller shade which may move the roller fabric to position either a light reflecting section or a heat absorbing section of the roller fabric toward a window. The two sections may be on opposite sides of a sheet of roller fabric which is connected to the roller tube at one end. The roller shade may wind the roller fabric around the roller tube then reverse the side of the roller fabric which faces the window. Alternatively, the roller fabric may be a continuous loop of fabric that includes a light reflecting section and connected to a heat absorbing section. The roller shade may move the continuous loop of fabric to position either section toward the window. The roller shade may include sensors, a motor, and a controller. The controller may be programmed to reverse the roller fabric in response to a sensor measurement.

Abstract: A dual-torsion-spring cord rolling device includes driving and transmission units. The driving unit has first and second torsion spring gears engaged with each other, a first torsion spring connecting the first and second torsion spring gears, a wheel adjacent to the first torsion spring gear, and a second torsion spring connecting the second torsion spring gear and the wheel. The transmission unit has first and second transmission gears rotatable synchronously by the driving of the second torsion spring gear, and two lift transmission cords attached to the first and second transmission gears respectively.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus is provided. The lifting apparatus includes a lifting cable supported relative to the ceiling structure, the lifting cable extending along a vertical direction and attaching to a lift point on the flexible divider. The lifting cable is retractable in the vertical direction to lift the flexible divider from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration. The lifting apparatus further includes a guiding element for guiding a position of the lifting cable along a horizontal direction while the flexible divider moves between the lowered configuration and the raised configuration. The guiding element is movably mounted to the ceiling structure to move between a first horizontal position when the flexible divider is in the lowered configuration, and a second horizontal position when the flexible divider is in the raised configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system for an architectural covering comprising a roller and a bearing for rotatably mounting the roller to a holding member. The bearing comprises a length variation member which is biased to be in a first state yielding a bearing length which allows the roller to be held by the holding member, and which can be manipulated into a second state, in which the bearing length is reduced such that the roller is removable from the holding member. The length variation member comprises at least one sloped portion that extends along at least part of its outer circumference and in the first state extends largely or completely outside the roller. The sloped portion is dimensioned such that the length variation member can be urged to the second state by applying a force on the sloped portion in a single direction.

Abstract: A multi-piece valance body is configured to extend lengthwise along the front of an adjacent headrail (e.g., of a covering for an architectural opening) between opposed lateral ends. The valance body may include a first valance body portion and a second valance body portion, with the body portions configured to be coupled together via a joint defined between the body portions in the lengthwise direction across the length of the headrail (e.g., a width of the architectural opening) to form the complete valance body structure.

Abstract: A safety device for a window shade system comprising a shade tube having a first end mounted to a first bracket 100 and a second end mounted to a second bracket. The system also includes a first plurality of catchpins 110 mounted to the first bracket, wherein the first plurality of catchpins 110 are mounted below the first end of the shade tube. In response to the first end of the shade tube disengaging from the first bracket, the first plurality of catchpins 110 catch the first end of the shade tube and prevent the first end of the shade tube from further falling.

Abstract: A laser containment system in which a platform is suspended above a table on which laser light experiments will be performed. A number of curtain pockets having U-shaped cross sections are mounted beneath the platform, with the pocket openings facing down toward the sides of the table. A roller is mounted between end walls inside each pocket, and a laser curtain long enough to be lowered past a corresponding side of the table is wound on each roller. A clutch supported on an end wall of each pocket operatively engages an end of the roller inside the pocket to lower or raise the curtain on the roller. An associated clutch pulley is disposed outside the end wall of each pocket on which the clutch is supported. A curtain chain engages the circumference of the pulley, and the chain hangs outside the curtain when lowered for access by a user.

Abstract: A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

Abstract: An awning assembly is provided which provides a push and lock assembly thereby removing the need for additional fastening structures. This also provides for improved assembly of the structures.

Abstract: A customizable glass wall system is disclosed. The system comprises at least two glazed, transparent panes mounted to a frame, creating an internal space less than approximately five inches thick. At least one upper roller is mounted to an upper portion of the frame, preferably on a removable headboard, and at least one lower roller is mounted to a lower portion of the frame, preferably to a removable tailboard. At least one partitioned film is attached to the upper and lower rollers. The partitioned film has partitions with varied properties and functions, ranging from thermal insulation to decoration, which can be selectively positioned behind the transparent panes by rotating the partitioned film by means of the rollers until a selected partition of film is displayed. The system can be automated based on time, weather, amount of sunlight, or user preference, and it may include window coverings or solar cells.

Abstract: A motor-drive system for retractable covering having a headrail with a horizontally disposed roller supporting a top edge of a flexible fabric material includes an electric motor mounted within a housing and interconnected to the roller to selectively rotate the roller in opposite directions while minimizing noise created from vibrations within the system. This system includes motor mounts within the housing which separate and absorb vibrations of the motor within the housing and a drive disk of a moderately soft material, which is firm enough to transfer torque from the motor to the roller while being soft enough to absorb vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the motor to the roller. An interconnect mounting the drive disk to the drive shaft of the motor is also made of a third relatively soft material, which is harder than the drive disk to more ably transmit torque but soft enough so as not to unduly transmit noise.

Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces may include an elongate mounting member, and an extension mechanism operable between: i) a retracted state, and ii) an extended state in which the mounting element can be fastened to the architectural recess. The mounting element may also include an actuator rotatable about a rotation axis which is not parallel to the longitudinal direction, and a conversion mechanism to convert a rotation of the actuator into a translatory movement of the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction and vice versa. The extension mechanism is arranged to abut one of the opposing mounting surfaces in the extended state when the mounting element is mounted between the opposing mounting surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining at least one lower limit of a horizontal sheers style roller shade. The roller shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material attached to the roller tube and comprising a first vertical layer interconnected to a second vertical layer via a plurality of horizontal vanes, a motor adapted to rotate the roller tube, a current sensing circuit adapted to detect current levels of the motor, and a controller adapted to control the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller determines at least one lower limit by driving the motor in a first direction, receiving current levels from the current sensing circuit, observing current level profile of the received current levels, detecting a point of change in the current level profile, and using the point of change to set at least one of a lower tilt closed limit and a lower tilt open limit.

Abstract: A motorized maneuvering device (1) intended to manoeuvre a moving windable fabric screen (3), the motorized maneuvering device includes an actuator (4), comprising a hollow housing (41) containing a gear motor and a mounting end-plate (7a) which has a first support (11) extending from the end-plate along a first longitudinal axis (X-X?) and cooperating with the housing (41) of the actuator (4) and a second support (12) extending from the end-plate along a second axis distinct from the first axis (Ya-Ya?, Z-Z?). The hollow housing, notably the tubular hollow housing, of the actuator, is closed by the first end-plate support.

Abstract: A bi-fold door is opened with a lift assembly having a plurality of straps attached to power driven lift drums. A latch assembly retains the closed bi-fold door secure to side columns of a building. The latch assembly has a latch strap attached to a latch drum that accommodates the latch strap to hold the closed bi-fold door in contact with the side columns of the building. A floor anchor assembly anchors the bottom of the closed bi-fold door to the floor below the closed bi-fold door to stabilize and inhibit bending and deformation of the bi-fold door frame.