Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.

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: 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: A solar energy collector and thermal storage device for placement in a building's exterior architectural opening is provided, having an insulating cavity including a first lite on the device exterior side and a second lite spaced inwardly therefrom, defining a depth of the insulating cavity, and being substantially filled with an insulating gas. A provided thermal storage cavity includes the second lite and a third lite spaced inwardly therefrom, defining a depth of the thermal storage cavity which is at least the same size as the insulating cavity depth, and is substantially filled with a thermal storage medium, which is a hydrogel adhering to the second lite and the third lite and having cohesion characteristics such that it is self supporting and maintains its shape within the thermal storage cavity. A low-emissivity coating disposed on the insulating cavity side of the second lite inhibits exterior thermal radiation transfer.

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

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 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 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: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.

Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.

Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.

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

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: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.