Abstract: Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example an architectural covering comprises a rotatable member, a covering mounted to said rotatable member, a motor to rotate a drive shaft, and a drive shaft coupling structured to: couple the drive shaft to said rotatable member to rotate said rotatable member to raise said covering when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction, and substantially prevent the drive shaft from applying torque to said rotatable member when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a second direction to lower said covering.

Abstract: Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example an architectural covering comprises a rotatable member, a covering mounted to said rotatable member, a motor to rotate a drive shaft, and a drive shaft coupling structured to: couple the drive shaft to said rotatable member to rotate said rotatable member to raise said covering when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction, and substantially prevent the drive shaft from applying torque to said rotatable member when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a second direction to lower said covering.

Abstract: Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example architectural opening covering apparatus includes a rotatable member, a covering mounted to the rotatable member, a motor having a drive shaft which is capable of rotating the rotatable member in a first direction to raise the covering and in a second direction opposite the first direction to lower the covering, and a drive shaft coupling substantially preventing the motor from applying torque in the second direction.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a roller, a sheet attached to the roller, and at least two slats attached to the sheet. The at least two slats may extend lengthwise across a full width of the sheet. The at least two slats may be spaced vertically apart from one another to define a gap between adjacent slats of the at least two slats. Each slat of the at least two slats may have an arcuate profile. The at least two slats and the sheet may be rolled onto and unrolled from the roller. The at least two slats may be rigid or semi-rigid to provide stiffness to the support sheet.

Abstract: Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example architectural opening covering apparatus includes a rotatable member, a covering mounted to the rotatable member, a motor having a drive shaft which is capable of rotating the rotatable member in a first direction to raise the covering and in a second direction opposite the first direction to lower the covering, and a drive shaft coupling substantially preventing the motor from applying torque in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering 50 for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly 92, an operating element handling assembly 94, and a vane handling assembly 96. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station 100 to attach one portion of a vane 54 to the operating elements 56, and another portion of the vane 54 to the support structure 52, allowing movement of one portion of the vane 54 relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: A horizontally slatted blind for an opening, such as a window, has a plurality of slats suspended from points on their two ends. One such point is the rear corner, and the other is between the front and rear corners. The edges of the slats between the rear corners are provided with stiffeners, which makes the slats rigid and provides them with additional weight. The axes of rotation of the slats lies between the points of suspension, and the slats are balanced relative thereto because of the extra weight provided by the stiffeners.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a panel of interconnected tubular vanes and cord ladders for use in a Venetian blind includes a vane-forming system where a strip of vane material is supplied, folded, and pressed into a desired configuration prior to being cut to a predetermined length. The length is determined by the width of the panel to be formed and is effected by a vane-sizing system including a template for positioning a plurality of cord ladder assemblies at predetermined locations for connection to tubular slats formed upstream from the assemblies. The tubular vane material has inert adhesive along a flap on one edge which is heated to activate the adhesive and after having been folded along a generally longitudinal centerline, the flap is folded over the corresponding upper edge of the vane and secured thereto in a sliding compressor.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating tubular vanes and adhering the vanes to a plurality of associated ladder tapes for use in a blind assembly for an architectural opening is described. The apparatus includes a first section for unrolling resin impregnated fabric tape, folding the tape, and cutting the tape to a predetermined length. In a second section of the apparatus, the cut and folded tape is bonded to together along its longitudinal edges to form a tubular vane. In the third and final section, the completed vane is positioned between the vertical cords of a plurality of associated ladder tapes and the vane is adhesively bonded to a cross rung of each. After the vane has been bonded to the cross rungs, the ladder tapes are advanced and prepared for receipt of the next vane. The resulting subassembly of vanes is used to fabricate blind assemblies through the addition of headrails and bottom rails.

Abstract: A covering for architectural surfaces as well as a method of forming and applying the covering is described in various embodiments and arrangements wherein fabric can be utilized and folded to provide a three-dimensional appearance with hollow or padded cells and wherein folds in the material used to make the covering or reveal strips conceal otherwise distractive seams between adjacent strips of the covering material.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.