Abstract: A shade bracket and support system includes a shade, a shade tube, at least two bracket assemblies, and a plurality of roller assemblies. The shade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shade tube is coupled to the shade and rotates in a first direction to retract the shade and a second direction to extend the shade. The bracket assemblies mount to a structure and support the shade tube and shade. The roller assemblies are provided between the bracket assemblies and support the shade and the shade tube along a longitudinal axis of the shade tube. At least one of the roller assemblies rotates in the same direction as the shade tube when the shade is being retracted or extended.

Abstract: A bracket is configured to be coupled to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket comprises a side configured to bear against the support surface such that the bracket extends away from the support surface and is adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly. A passage extends through the bracket from the side to an area of the bracket adjacent the roller window shade assembly. The passage is configured to receive electrical wire therethrough such that the electrical wire can pass from the support surface to the roller window shade assembly to power a motor of the roller window shade assembly, and the bracket is configured to obscure the electrical wire when the bracket is coupled to the support surface and supports the roller window shade assembly.

Abstract: A window shade system includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to a structure, a shade tube bracket configured to rotatably couple with the mounting bracket, and a shade coupled to the shade tube bracket and having a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically coupled with an external system via the shade tube bracket and the mounting bracket. The solar panel is configured to receive solar energy, transform the solar energy into electricity, and provide the electricity to the external system.

Abstract: A bracket is configured to be coupled to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket comprises a side configured to bear against the support surface such that the bracket extends away from the support surface and is adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly. A passage extends through the bracket from the side to an area of the bracket adjacent the roller window shade assembly. The passage is configured to receive electrical wiring therethrough such that the electrical wiring can pass from the support surface to the roller window shade assembly to power a motor of the roller window shade assembly, and the bracket is configured to obscure the electrical wiring when the bracket is coupled to the support surface and supports the roller window shade assembly.

Abstract: A shade and curtain storage and deployment system includes a shade assembly, a curtain assembly, and a panel, each disposed within a recess formed in a ceiling. The panel has a visible surface occupying a plane. The curtain assembly includes a track configured to support a curtain. A first gap provided between a first edge of the panel and the ceiling is configured to enable a shade of the shade assembly to extend from the recess to an area below the ceiling. A second gap provided between a second edge of the panel and the ceiling is configured to enable the curtain to extend along the second edge. The track extends along the second edge and above the plane.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting element includes a mount portion configured to couple to a support surface and a bracket portion configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket portion includes a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end, a first surface at the first end configured to bear against the support surface, a second surface between the first end and the second end where the second surface is configured to extend adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly, and a member coupled with the bracket portion. The member extends outward from the second surface, and the member is configured to engage and limit rotation of at least a portion of the roller window shade assembly. The combination of the bracket portion and the roller window shade assembly completely obscures at least a portion of the mount portion to an observer.

Abstract: A bracket is configured to be coupled to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket comprises a side configured to bear against the support surface such that the bracket extends away from the support surface and is adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly. A passage extends through the bracket from the side to an area of the bracket adjacent the roller window shade assembly. The passage is configured to receive electrical wiring therethrough such that the electrical wiring can pass from the support surface to the roller window shade assembly to power a motor of the roller window shade assembly, and the bracket is configured to obscure the electrical wiring when the bracket is coupled to the support surface and supports the roller window shade assembly.

Abstract: A shade and curtain storage and deployment system includes a shade assembly, a curtain assembly, and an access panel, each disposed within a recess formed in a ceiling. A visible surface of the access panel occupies the same plane as a visible surface of the ceiling. The curtain assembly includes a track having a plurality of hangers configured to translate on the track and support a curtain. A first gap provided between a first edge of the access panel and the ceiling is configured to enable a shade of the shade assembly to extend from the recess to an area below the ceiling. A second gap provided between a second edge of the access panel and the ceiling is configured to enable the curtain to extend along the second edge. The track extends along the second edge and is disposed entirely above the plane.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a roller window shade includes a mounting bracket, a motor coupled with a shade tube of the shade, and a wire. The mounting bracket includes a body having a first surface and a second surface and a protrusion fixedly coupled with the body and extending perpendicularly from the second surface. The first surface bears against a flat surface. A passage extends between the first surface and the second surface. The motor defines a recess that receives the protrusion. The wire extends through the passage and couples with the motor. The mounting bracket and the motor obscure the wire from view. The passage extends at least one of proximate and through the protrusion such that the wire extends into the recess when the wire is coupled with the motor and when the recess receives the protrusion.

Abstract: A shade bracket and support system includes a shade, a shade tube, at least two bracket assemblies, and a plurality of roller assemblies. The shade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shade tube is coupled to the shade and rotates in a first direction to retract the shade and a second direction to extend the shade. The bracket assemblies mount to a structure and support the shade tube and shade. The roller assemblies are provided between the bracket assemblies and support the shade and the shade tube along a longitudinal axis of the shade tube. At least one of the roller assemblies rotates in the same direction as the shade tube when the shade is being retracted or extended.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide for a system of fastening devices, e.g., mounts, brackets, and assemblies for installing roller window shades. In one embodiment, the fastening device system comprises two one-piece, disk-shaped mounting brackets, one for each end of a shade tube, wherein the mounting brackets are configured such that, in use, the outer circumference of the brackets are visible; the mounting means being largely hidden within the bracket or by the shade. In a particular embodiment, the fastening system is designed for use with motorized shades, wherein one mounting bracket is configured to key the shade motor, and one mounting bracket is configured to receive the idler pin.

Abstract: A shade and curtain storage and deployment system includes a shade assembly, a curtain assembly, and an access panel, each disposed within a recess formed in a ceiling. A visible surface of the access panel occupies the same plane as a visible surface of the ceiling. The curtain assembly includes a track having a plurality of hangers configured to translate on the track and support a curtain. A first gap provided between a first edge of the access panel and the ceiling is configured to enable a shade of the shade assembly to extend from the recess to an area below the ceiling. A second gap provided between a second edge of the access panel and the ceiling is configured to enable the curtain to extend along the second edge. The track extends along the second edge and is disposed entirely above the plane.

Abstract: A window shade storage and deployment system includes a recess formed in a ceiling and an access panel. The recess houses a window shade movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The access panel is removably attached to a surface of the recess such that a visible surface of the access panel occupies substantially the same plane as a visible surface of the ceiling surrounding the recess. A gap is provided between an edge of the access panel and the ceiling. The gap enables the window shade to extend through the gap from the recess to the area below the visible surface of the ceiling when the window shade is in the extended position. The visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling include the same or a similar material such that the visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling are visibly substantially identical.

Abstract: The invention relates to intracellular lipid binding proteins that bind retinoids and/or dye ligands and that are modified to transmit or emit light at a variety of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A minimal access tool includes a frame arranged to be attached to an arm of a user, a tool shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, where the tool shaft proximal end is connected to the frame. The tool further includes an input joint having a first end connected to the frame and a second end arranged to receive user input, the input joint including a virtual center-of-rotation (VC) mechanism which provides a center of rotation that generally coincides with a wrist joint of the user. An output joint is connected to the tool shaft distal end, where the output joint is coupled to the input joint via a mechanical transmission connected therebetween to correlate motion of the input joint to motion of the output joint.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide for a system of fastening devices, e.g., mounts, brackets, and assemblies for installing roller window shades. In one embodiment, the fastening device system comprises two one-piece, disk-shaped mounting brackets, one for each end of a shade tube, wherein the mounting brackets are configured such that, in use, the outer circumference of the brackets are visible; the mounting means being largely hidden within the bracket or by the shade. In a particular embodiment, the fastening system is designed for use with motorized shades, wherein one mounting bracket is configured to key the shade motor, and one mounting bracket is configured to receive the idler pin.

Abstract: A window shade storage and deployment system includes a recess formed in a ceiling and an access panel. The recess houses a window shade movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The access panel is removably attached to a surface of the recess such that a visible surface of the access panel occupies substantially the same plane as a visible surface of the ceiling surrounding the recess. A gap is provided between an edge of the access panel and the ceiling. The gap enables the window shade to extend through the gap from the recess to the area below the visible surface of the ceiling when the window shade is in the extended position. The visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling include the same or a similar material such that the visible surface of the access panel and the visible surface of the ceiling are visibly substantially identical.

Abstract: The invention relates to intracellular lipid binding proteins that bind retinoids and/or dye ligands and that are modified to transmit or emit light at a variety of different wavelengths.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide for a system of fastening devices, e.g., mounts, brackets, and assemblies for installing roller window shades. In one embodiment, the fastening device system comprises two one-piece, disk-shaped mounting brackets, one for each end of a shade tube, wherein the mounting brackets are configured such that, in use, the outer circumference of the brackets are visible; the mounting means being largely hidden within the bracket or by the shade. In a particular embodiment, the fastening system is designed for use with motorized shades, wherein one mounting bracket is configured to key the shade motor, and one mounting bracket is configured to receive the idler pin.