Abstract: A motorized roller shade system is presented that includes a roller tube, shade material connected to the roller tube, a motor and a counterbalance assembly positioned within the roller tube, a motor controller connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The motorized roller shade system is powered by electrical connection to one or more batteries positioned either within the roller tube or external to the roller tube, or alternatively through an electrical connection to a lead that supplies power from an external power source. The motorized roller shade is controlled wirelessly through a wireless control as well as through a hardwired control when connected by a lead. The motorized roller shade may be installed in a variety of manners.

Abstract: A hardwired and wirelessly controlled motorized window shade system is presented that includes a plurality of motorized window shades that are connected by a cable, such as Ethernet cable, to a power panel and a hardwired control. Motorized window shades are also wirelessly connected to a wireless control through a gateway. This arrangement provides the motorized window shades with the advantage of receiving power and control signals through the cable, as well as giving the flexibility of being controlled through a wireless control.

Abstract: A hardwired and wirelessly controlled motorized window shade system is presented that includes a plurality of motorized window shades that are connected by a cable, such as Ethernet cable, to a power panel and a hardwired control. Motorized window shades are also wirelessly connected to a wireless control through a gateway. This arrangement provides the motorized window shades with the advantage of receiving power and control signals through the cable, as well as giving the flexibility of being controlled through a wireless control.

Abstract: A garage door cable drum is disclosed for a sectional overhead door of a type having a substantially non-linear lift-weight to lift-height characteristic. The drum includes a generally spiral cable groove having a variable minor radius. The groove minor radius at any intermediate point along the groove is sized to provide a lift-cable moment arm that yields a corresponding cable lift force that is slightly less than an instantaneous lift weight of the garage door at any intermediate door elevation.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering an opening in a structure may include spaced rails positioned at opposed sides of the opening. Each rail includes a channel and a is curtain movable along the rails to cover and uncover the opening. A locking bar is attached to one end of the curtain. The locking bar has opposed end portions received in the channels, and a locking channel is positioned close to the ends of each rail to receive the bar. The locking channel is disposed at an angle relative to the channel and the bar is selectively received in the locking channel to lock the curtain in a position covering the opening. In some embodiments the locking bar includes a length that spans the distance between the side rails and is selectively locked in the sill along at least thirty percent of the length.

Abstract: A garage door bottom seal retainer (10) comprises a seal cavity (36), a exterior tension member (38), and an interior tension member (40). In use, an installer slides a retaining member (20) of a seal (12) into the seal cavity (36). Then the installer seats an exterior gripping edge (58) of the exterior tension member (38) upon an exterior shelf (32) of a bottom surface (14) of a garage door (16). The installer then applies force to the interior tension member (40) so as to seat an interior gripping edge (66) into place upon an interior shelf (34) of the bottom surface (14). In this manner, the seal (12) is secured to the retainer (10) and the retainer (10) is then secured to the garage door (16) without the use of any tools or fasteners.

Abstract: A garage door bottom seal retainer (10) comprises a seal cavity (36), a exterior tension member (38), and an interior tension member (40). In use, an installer slides a retaining member (20) of a seal (12) into the seal cavity (36). Then the installer seats an exterior gripping edge (58) of the exterior tension member (38) upon an exterior shelf (32) of a bottom surface (14) of a garage door (16). The installer then applies force to the interior tension member (40) so as to seat an interior gripping edge (66) into place upon an interior shelf (34) of the bottom surface (14). In this manner, the seal (12) is secured to the retainer (10) and the retainer (10) is then secured to the garage door (16) without the use of any tools or fasteners.