Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrostatic shutter system including an electrostatic shutter configured to be selectively raised and lowered based on a voltage applied to the electrostatic shutter, at least one sensor system configured to detect a position of the electrostatic shutter, and a controller communicatively coupled to the electrostatic shutter and the at least one sensor system. The controller is configured to apply an initial voltage to the electrostatic shutter to lower the electrostatic shutter, receive an output signal from the at least one sensor indicating the electrostatic shutter has reached a predetermined position, and based on the received output signal from the at least one sensor, apply an updated voltage to the electrostatic shutter to hold the shutter at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A vertical curtain blind includes a panel assembly having a plurality of individual panels coupled together in a side-by-side arrangement. Each panel extends in a vertical direction between a top end and a bottom end. Additionally, each panel includes first and second pockets positioned along first and second sides of the panel, respectively, adjacent to the top end of the panel. The blind associated includes a plurality of clip assemblies, with each clip assembly being configured to couple a respective pair of adjacent panels of the plurality of panels together. Each clip assembly includes a first connector clip positioned within the first pocket of a first panel of the respective pair of adjacent panels and a second connector clip positioned within the second pocket of an adjacent second panel of the respective pair of adjacent panels, with the first connector clip configured to be coupled to the second connector clip.

Abstract: In one aspect, a covering for an architectural structure includes a headrail, a bottom rail supported relative to the headrail, and at least one stackable covering element positioned between the headrail and the bottom rail. The covering also includes an overpowered lift system configured to provide a lifting force that raises the bottom rail relative to the headrail towards a retracted position of the covering. In addition, the covering includes retention structure provided in operative association with the bottom rail, with the retention structure being configured to engage at least one hold-down bracket to hold the bottom rail in position relative to the headrail against the lifting force provided by the overpowered lift system.

Abstract: A lift cord spool assembly may be used in a motorized window treatment. The lift cord spool assembly may include a spool, a housing, and an end cap. The spool may be configured to windingly receive a lift cord of the motorized window treatment. A diameter of the spool may taper by approximately 0.5 degrees from the first end to an opposed second end. The housing may be configured to surround the spool. The end cap may be configured to attach to the housing, for example, such that the spool is retained within the housing. The end cap may include an inner surface, a shoulder, an aperture, and a guide. The guide may be configured to push the lift cord onto the spool as the lift cord is wound onto the spool. The guide may define a gradual slope around a circumference of the shoulder.

Abstract: An operating wand for a window shade includes an elongate rod extending along a lengthwise axis, a catching portion protruding along the lengthwise axis from an end of the elongate rod, and a shoulder portion protruding sideways from the catching portion. The operating wand is operable to connect with and detach from a rail of a window shade. In particular, an end of the operating wand provided with the catching portion and the shoulder portion can engage with the rail for pushing or pulling the rail in movement so as to collapse or expand the window shade.

Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes a plurality of sheets of film, wherein each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions to form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities, wherein the plurality of flexible sheets of each of the thermal cell arrays are formed of an electrically insulative material that is coated on one side with an electrically conductive material, a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of flexible sheets and configured to apply an electric potential difference between electrically conductive material of each pair of flexible sheets such that the electrically conductive coatings of the pair of flexible sheets attract each other to cause the thermal cell array to transition from an expanded state to a compressed state.

Abstract: A system and a method for a deployable awning that detects impending storms or other weather events and automatically deploys from a structure to extend out and cover vehicles to protect them from damage due to the storm or other weather event. In one embodiment, a method includes determining that an activating event has occurred. The activating event includes a storm or other weather event. Upon determining that the activating event has occurred, the method includes automatically deploying an awning from a stored configuration inside an awning housing to a deployed configuration such that the awning covers a coverage area of a ground surface adjacent to a location where the awning housing is mounted.

Abstract: A battery-powered, motorized window treatment may include a fascia that pivots between a conceal position wherein the fascia covers a window treatment assembly and a battery compartment, and an expose position wherein the fascia does not cover the battery compartment. The fascia may be a two part fascia that includes an arm and a cover that pivots relative to the arm when the battery compartment is operated between respective opened and closed positions. The arm may be attached to the battery compartment such that the arm remains in a fixed orientation relative to the battery compartment. The arm and the cover may define complementary pivotally interlocking connectors that define a pivot axis about which the cover may pivot relative to the arm. The fascia may be configured to generate a perceptible indication when the fascia pivots into the conceal position, and/or when the fascia pivots into the expose position.

Abstract: A battery-powered window treatment, such as a roller shade, may include a battery compartment that provides access to batteries while the window treatment is assembled and mounted to a structure. The battery compartment may be pivotally supported by a housing of the window treatment, and operable between opened and closed positions. The batteries may be concealed when the battery compartment is closed, and may be accessible when the battery compartment is open. The battery compartment may be operated opened and closed while a shade of the window treatment is at any position, such that removal of the batteries does not result in the loss of tracking information for the shade. The window treatment may include a fascia that is operably connected to the battery compartment, such that when the battery compartment is opened, the fascia does not obstruct access to the batteries, and does not interfere with the shade.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.

Abstract: An awning assembly having an awning connection system for coupling an awning canopy to a support structure and providing a cover to the awning canopy when the awning assembly is in a closed position. The awning connection system comprises a unitary film segment having a distal end connected to the awning canopy and a proximal end for securing to the support structure. The unitary film segment further comprises an attached region for coupling the unitary film segment to the awning canopy.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling tilting and lifting operation of a window blind is provided. The apparatus includes a tilting control shaft and a lifting control shaft. A ladder belt is fastened to the tilting control shaft and interconnects the slats of the window blind, such that rotating the tilting control shaft tilts the slats. Multiple lifting cords are fastened to the lifting control shaft and connected to the blind bottom of the window blind, such that rotating the lifting control shaft lifts or lowers the blind bottom and one or more slats.

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 flexible curtain defines a major surface and is configured to repeatedly actuate to move between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. Two sensors are configured to detect different condition and are removably attached to two sensor attachment locations. The major surface extends across an operational surface of a target system such that the sensors detect the conditions of the target system when the flexible curtain defines the deployed configuration. The flexible curtain and the sensors converge at a predetermined edge of the flexible curtain to expose the operational surface of the target system when the flexible curtain defines the stowed configuration.

Abstract: A window blind has a headrail, a bottom rail, and multiple slats provided below the headrail. In the headrail, an adjusting shaft and an auxiliary adjusting module are provided and connected. A ladder string is connected to the adjusting shaft, whereby the adjusting shaft adjusts a shape of the ladder string to tilt the slats and the bottom rail. A first cord and a second cord extend out of the headrail and are connected to opposite sides of the bottom rail. When the adjusting shaft drives the slats to tilt in a direction, the auxiliary adjusting module releases the first cord out of the headrail and retracts the second cord into the headrail. When the slats are tilted in an opposite direction, the auxiliary adjusting module retracts the first cord into the headrail and releases the second cord out of the headrail.

Abstract: A roller shutter includes a chamber with an opening, a roller curtain movable between being fully contained within the chamber and extended beyond the chamber through the opening, and at least one guide rail along and relative to which the roller curtain is movable between being retracted and extended, wherein the roller curtain includes a plurality of slat members interlocked with each other for relative pivotal movement, the plurality of slat members collectively forming first and second major surfaces, and a first layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric fixedly mounted to the first major surface of the slat members and a second layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric fixedly mounted to the second major surface of the slat members, and wherein the guide rail includes at least a first sealing member which, when the roller curtain is extended, contacts or presses into the first layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric.

Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.

Abstract: A blind lifting control module includes a transmitting wheel, an anti-backward unit and a driving unit disposed to a supporting unit. The transmitting wheel for connecting a blind reeled horizontal axle has ratchet portions respectively meshable with corresponding ratchet portions of an anti-backward wheel and a driving reel. A pull cord is reeled on the driving reel and has a free end passing through a thrust member and a hindering member, and is pulled to release the anti-backward wheel to permit lowering of a blind. The thrust member is turned by pulling of the pull cord to thrust the driving reel to mesh with the transmitting wheel for lifting the blind.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating, controlling, and directing a lift cord or lift chain of an architectural opening includes a body structure having first and second upper openings that are separated by an upper medial guide member that protrudes beyond the upper openings A rotatable wheel within a cavity of the body structure is configured to engage a lift cord or lift chain provided as a loop, wherein such engagement allows free passage of first and second segments of the loop through the cavity in opposing directions, while preventing free passage of the first and second segments through the cavity in the same direction. The apparatus may be coupled to a top end of a cord channel enclosure having a slider moveably engaged thereto to actuate the lift cord or lift chain, with a fixed length loop portion of lift cord or lift chain extending upward from the apparatus.

Abstract: A roller shutter with dual operation modes includes a door frame, a roller shutter body, a driving motor, a connecting device, a rotating shaft and a connecting rod. The roller shutter body is slidably configured on the door frame, the rotating shaft is rotatably configured on the door frame, and the rotating shaft is connected with the driving motor through the connecting device. When the connecting device is in a connected state, the driving motor drives the connecting rod to retract or extend the roller shutter body; when the connecting device is a separated state, the rotating shaft is manually operated to drive the connecting rod to retract or extend the roller shutter body. The roller shutter can be opened or closed by manual operation in the absence of power supply or in case of circuit failure, which greatly improves the reliability and convenience.