Abstract: A cord guide system for extending the life of cords in a covering for an architectural opening provides long wear surfaces made of metal or ceramic which can be retrofitted into existing cord lock systems or molded into the system. The invention provides such long wear surfaces that can be used with different cord drive systems each of which permit an operator of a covering to manipulate the covering between extended and retracted positions while locking the covering in any position between fully extended and fully retracted. Cord guide surfaces are preferably made of metal or ceramic which are harder than conventional base materials used in cord lock systems and further have higher melting temperatures than either the base material for the cord lock system or the polyester cords conventionally used in coverings for architectural openings. In this manner, wear of the cord lock itself is minimized which in turn minimizes the wear of the lift cords and extends the life thereof.

Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.

Abstract: A lift cord system for operating a retractable covering for architectural openings includes at least one cord loop which extends from a tassel through a fabric for the covering where it is slidably connected to the bottom rail for adjustment of the desired maximum spacing of the top rail and bottom rail and the orientation of the bottom rail relative to the top rail so the rails can be easily maintained in a parallel relationship. The cord loop is also anchored to the bottom rail at a separate location in a manner so as to fix the maximum separation between the top and bottom rails so the covering desirably fits the size of the architectural opening in which it is mounted. Alternative embodiments include top down/bottom up coverings and coverings including a middle rail in addition to top and bottom rails.

Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.

Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.

Abstract: A cord guide system for extending the life of cords in a covering for an architectural opening provides long wear surfaces made of metal or ceramic which can be retrofitted into existing cord lock systems or molded into the system. The invention provides such long wear surfaces that can be used with different cord drive systems each of which permit an operator of a covering to manipulate the covering between extended and retracted positions while locking the covering in any position between fully extended and fully retracted. Cord guide surfaces are preferably made of metal or ceramic which are harder than conventional base materials used in cord lock systems and further have higher melting temperatures than either the base material for the cord lock system or the polyester cords conventionally used in coverings for architectural openings. In this manner, wear of the cord lock itself is minimized which in turn minimizes the wear of the lift cords and extends the life thereof.

Abstract: A roller stop for connection to the head rail of a covering for an architectural openings is releasably connectable to a rear edge of the head rail in overlying relationship with a roller having shade material thereon with the shade material having a bottom rail. The roller stop has a pivotally mounted body selectively positionable in closely adjacent but spaced relationship from the outer wrap of shade material on the roller and in a position to engage the bottom rail when the shade material is fully wrapped on said roller. A catch arm is selectively engageable with serrated teeth to releasable hold the pivotal body in a preselected desired position.

Abstract: A lift cord system for operating a retractable covering for architectural openings includes at least one cord loop which extends from a tassel through a fabric for the covering where it is slidably connected to the bottom rail for adjustment of the desired maximum spacing of the top rail and bottom rail and the orientation of the bottom rail relative to the top rail so the rails can be easily maintained in a parallel relationship. The cord loop is also anchored to the bottom rail at a separate location in a manner so as to fix the maximum separation between the top and bottom rails so the covering desirably fits the size of the architectural opening in which it is mounted. alternative embodiments include top down/bottom up coverings and coverings including a middle rail in addition to top and bottom rails.

Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.

Abstract: An indexed limit stop for mounting on the headrail of a covering for architectural openings is easily connected to the headrail in overlying relationship with shade material wrapped on a roller in the headrail and has two elements that are pivotally interconnected and movable between selected fixed positions. The second element includes an abutment stop for engagement with the bottom rail of the shade material when the covering is fully retracted and can be positioned such that the abutment stop is spaced from the outer wrap of shade material to avoid damage to the shade material while being desirably positioned for intercepting movement of the bottom rail to limit retracting movement of the roller.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The control and suspension system also includes an apparatus to compensate for any undesirable skewing of the covering that might occur. Finally, the control and suspension system also includes a bottom rail that attaches to the bottom of the covering by trapping a portion of the covering between a compression plate and a bottom plate.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The control and suspension system also includes an apparatus to compensate for any undesirable skewing of the covering that might occur. Finally, the control and suspension system also includes a bottom rail that attaches to the bottom of the covering by trapping a portion of the covering between a compression plate and a bottom plate.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The control and suspension system also includes an apparatus to compensate for any undesirable skewing of the covering that might occur. Finally, the control and suspension system also includes a bottom rail that attaches to the bottom of the covering by trapping a portion of the covering between a compression plate and a bottom plate.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The apparatus for limiting over-retraction includes a threaded shaft and an internal, roll-bar-support wheel treaded on the threaded shaft. An intercepting ledge comprising part of the internal, roll-bar-support wheel, and a stopping ledge comprising part of the threaded shaft. Over retraction of the covering is prohibited when the intercepting ledge impacts the stopping ledge. The apparatus for limiting over-extension includes a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop pivotally mounted thereto.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The control and suspension system also includes an apparatus to compensate for any undesirable skewing of the covering that might occur. Finally, the control and suspension system also includes a bottom rail that attaches to the bottom of the covering by trapping a portion of the covering between a compression plate and a bottom plate.

Abstract: A double panel window shade is formed by shade panels wound on inner and outer coaxial rollers. The inner roller includes a shaft secured at each end and journaled in mounting brackets at each end of the inner roller. The outer roller includes end plates journaled on the inner roller shafts. The outer roller defines a slot for receiving and passing the inner shade when said outer shade is fully unrolled from the outer roller. Each shade panel includes a bottom rail. A pull cord is provided for raising and lowering the shades by rotating the rollers. The pull cord is operatively connected to the inner roller by a dual direction spring clutch. The rollers are formed by a pair of roller tubes aligned one inside the other and each having a central axis, the axis of rotation of each tube being the central axis of the inner tube, and the central axis of the outer tube being spaced from its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening such as a window or door is in the form of a vertically oriented fabric assembly having front and rear sheer fabrics interconnected by vertically extending vanes. The vanes can be tilted through a series of carriers mounted on a track rail from which the covering is suspended in order to adjust the spacing between the fabrics between open and closed positions and adjust the light transmitting characteristics of the covering. The covering can be extended across the opening by separating the carriers on the track rail and can be contracted by stacking the carriers toward one end of the track rail. A unique design of carrier allows the covering to fold on itself in the contracted state, in the manner of a conventional drape.

Abstract: A window covering including first and second sheer fabrics interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending vanes is disclosed. The sheer fabrics are connected to circumferentially spaced apart fixing elements on a wind up roll which is mounted with its longitudinal axis extending generally horizontally to one side of a frame of a skylight. Associated with the wind up roll at each end are cord reels and a control pulley at one end of a respective cord reel. Rotation of the wind up roll is effected by operation of a cord wrapped around the control pulley. Wrapped around the cord reels are tension cords which pass around fixed pulleys and are connected to opposite ends of an end rail having in its interior a tension spring to the end of which are attached the ends of the tension cords. Two parallel tracks extending generally perpendicular to the wind up roll is provided for guiding the end rail.