Abstract: Provided herein are window blinds systems having a first section, double slats within the first section, a second section below the first section, single slats within the second section; outer supporting cords, inner supporting cords, and transverse cords associated with the outer supporting cords and the inner supporting cords, wherein pairs of transverse cords are provided by one upper transverse cord and one lower transverse cord alongside each other, and wherein an amount of space between the double slats larger than an amount of space between the single slats when the windows blinds system is in a fully opened shading arrangement, wherein the window blinds system is configured to be positioned into a variety of shading arrangements by adjusting a tilt angle of the plurality of double slats and the plurality of single slats and by adjusting a distance between neighboring slats of the set of slats.

Abstract: A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes roll-up coverings of custom length and/or width for architectural openings, and a method of assembling the same. The custom covering includes at least one outer elongate tape, at least one inner elongate tape, and a plurality of slats. The tapes preferably have lengths along central longitudinal axis extending between first ends and second ends of the tapes that are selected to correspond to the custom length of the covering. The slats are preferably transverse to, spaced apart along, and coupled to the tapes at any desired location along the tape lengths to achieve desired spacings of the slats, thereby providing a subassembly of custom length. The slats may have lengths extending between first ends and second ends of the slats, orthogonal to the central axis of the tapes, and selected to provide a custom width of the subassembly.

Abstract: A slat for a rolling shutter is provided that is formed as a single walled, continuous bent sheet. The slat includes a body having a hook-shaped engaging track at a first end, and a receiving track at the second end comprising a guard member and a hook-shaped lip member that form a pocket for receiving the engaging track of another slat. The guard member includes a portion of the sheet that is bent over on itself. The lip member extends from the guard member, and is spaced apart from the guard member to define an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive the engaging track of the other slat.

Abstract: A control rope guide device for a window curtain assembly includes a bottom part and a top part. The top part is connected to the top of the bottom part. The control rope guide device is cooperated with the window curtain assembly to separate two control ropes apart from each other so as to smoothly expand or lift the curtain.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.

Abstract: A lockout tool assembly for locking open a roll-up door that automatically closes without power is provided. A lockout tool assembly may include a lockout tool member, a first lockout plate, and a second lockout plate. The lockout plate may each define a receiving recess, such that when the first lockout plate and the second lockout plate are installed inverse to one another in a closed lockout alignment position, the receiving recesses are complementary in that they form a crossbar restraint receiving aperture. Methods for locking open a roll-up door with such lockout tool assemblies and for removing installed lockout tool assemblies are also provided.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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.