Abstract: An architectural covering includes a covering and an elongate mounting structure configured to support the covering. The elongate mounting structure includes an elongate main member having a lower receiving portion and an upper receiving portion positioned above the lower receiving portion, with the lower receiving portion defining a lower storage space of the elongate main member and the upper receiving portion defining an upper storage space of the elongate mounting structure. The elongate mounting structure further includes an overhang portion projecting from the elongate main member. A first assembly is received in the lower storage space defined by the lower receiving portion, and a second assembly is received in the upper storage space defined by the upper receiving portion such that the second assembly is supported within the elongate mounting structure above the first assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elongate mounting structure is elongated along a longitudinal direction and includes an elongate member having an elongate mounting member and a headrail member above the elongate mounting member. A longitudinal end of the elongate mounting member receives an extension mechanism to mount an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces and the headrail member receives a drive assembly for operating a covering. The elongate mounting structure further includes an overhang part protecting from the elongate main member in a lateral direction, with the overhang part comprising an attaching section for attaching said covering to the overhang part such that the covering can extend substantially vertically in front of the elongate main member.

Abstract: A counterbalancing device for a roller shade having a flexible sheet member and a roller shaft coupled to the flexible sheet member includes a stationary rod extending within the roller shaft, with the rod including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The counterbalancing device also includes a rod adjuster coupled to the first end of the stationary rod and a spring winder positioned adjacent to the first end of the stationary rod. The rod adjuster is configured to selectively rotate the stationary rod and the spring winder is configured to rotate with the roller shaft. Additionally, the counterbalancing device also includes a spring having a first spring end coupled to the spring winder such that the first spring end rotates with the spring winder, and a second spring end coupled to the stationary rod such that the second spring end rotates with the stationary rod.

Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces may include an elongate mounting member, and an extension mechanism operable between: i) a retracted state, and ii) an extended state in which the mounting element can be fastened to the architectural recess. The mounting element may also include an actuator rotatable about a rotation axis, and a conversion mechanism to convert a rotation of the actuator into a translatory movement of the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction and vice versa. The extension mechanism is arranged to abut one of the opposing mounting surfaces in the extended state when the mounting element is mounted between the opposing mounting surfaces.

Abstract: In one aspect, a spring assist module for a covering includes a torsion spring that is selected according to a protocol such that the torsion spring drives a driven part of the covering with a constant operating force. In another aspect, a roller blind includes a roller and a torsion spring operatively coupled to the roller, with the torsion spring having a spring characteristic(s) selected according to a protocol that matches the spring characteristic(s) to a torque curve associated with the roller blind to drive the roller with a constant operating force. In a further aspect, a method for selecting a spring for use within a roller blind includes determining a parameter(s) of the roller blind, determining a torque curve for the roller blind based at least partially on the parameter(s), and selecting a spring characteristic for a torsion spring of the roller blind that matches the torque curve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system for an architectural covering comprising a roller and a bearing for rotatably mounting the roller to a holding member. The bearing comprises a length variation member which is biased to be in a first state yielding a bearing length which allows the roller to be held by the holding member, and which can be manipulated into a second state, in which the bearing length is reduced such that the roller is removable from the holding member. The length variation member comprises at least one sloped portion that extends along at least part of its outer circumference and in the first state extends largely or completely outside the roller. The sloped portion is dimensioned such that the length variation member can be urged to the second state by applying a force on the sloped portion in a single direction.

Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces may include an elongate mounting member, and an extension mechanism operable between: i) a retracted state, and ii) an extended state in which the mounting element can be fastened to the architectural recess. The mounting element may also include an actuator rotatable about a rotation axis which is not parallel to the longitudinal direction, and a conversion mechanism to convert a rotation of the actuator into a translatory movement of the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction and vice versa. The extension mechanism is arranged to abut one of the opposing mounting surfaces in the extended state when the mounting element is mounted between the opposing mounting surfaces.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elongate mounting structure is elongated along a longitudinal direction and includes an elongate member having an elongate mounting member and a headrail member above the elongate mounting member. A longitudinal end of the elongate mounting member receives an extension mechanism to mount an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces and the headrail member receives a drive assembly for operating a covering. The elongate mounting structure further includes an overhang part protecting from the elongate main member in a lateral direction, with the overhang part comprising an attaching section for attaching said covering to the overhang part such that the covering can extend substantially vertically in front of the elongate main member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shading device for an architectural opening comprising a shade, a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between a first and second end position, a spindle, a first end stop, stationary connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle and at least one travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards, respectively away from the first end stop as the shade is extended, respectively retracted. The travelling nut is articulated in circumferential direction into segments, with at least two segments being detachably connectable to each other at one of their ends.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

Abstract: A counterbalancing device for a roller shade having a flexible sheet member and a roller shaft coupled to the flexible sheet member includes a stationary rod extending within the roller shaft, with the rod including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The counterbalancing device also includes a rod adjuster coupled to the first end of the stationary rod and a spring winder positioned adjacent to the first end of the stationary rod. The rod adjuster is configured to selectively rotate the stationary rod and the spring winder is configured to rotate with the roller shaft. Additionally, the counterbalancing device also includes a spring having a first spring end coupled to the spring winder such that the first spring end rotates with the spring winder, and a second spring end coupled to the stationary rod such that the second spring end rotates with the stationary rod.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

Abstract: A method of selecting one or more springs for a roller blind is provided. The method may include determining one or more parameters of the blind, determining a torque curve of the blind based on the one or more parameters of the blind, and selecting one or more springs having a wire diameter and a spring diameter. The method may further include determining a length of the one or more springs based on the torque curve, the wire diameter of the one or more springs, and the spring diameter of the one or more springs to ensure the blind operates with a constant operating force.

Abstract: A roller shade including a flexible sheet member having opposite parallel first and second edges, and a roller shaft rotatable in each of two opposite directions of rotation. The flexible sheet member being attached along its first edge to the roller shaft, while the second edge of the flexible sheet member is freely depending from the roller shaft. The roller shade further comprises a counterbalancing device for balancing a portion of the flexible sheet member that is unwound from the roller shaft. This counterbalancing device has means for storing a variable torque that is complementary to a variable weight of the portion of flexible sheet member that is depending from the roller shaft. The means for storing variable torque includes a helically wound tension spring operatively interposed between a stationary central rod and the roller shaft.

Abstract: A method of selecting one or more springs for a roller blind is provided. The method may include determining one or more parameters of the blind, determining a torque curve of the blind based on the one or more parameters of the blind, and selecting one or more springs having a wire diameter and a spring diameter. The method may further include determining a length of the one or more springs based on the torque curve, the wire diameter of the one or more springs, and the spring diameter of the one or more springs to ensure the blind operates with a constant operating force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system for an architectural covering comprising a roller and a bearing for rotatably mounting the roller to a holding member. The bearing comprises a length variation member which is biased to be in a first state yielding a bearing length which allows the roller to be held by the holding member, and which can be manipulated into a second state, in which the bearing length is reduced such that the roller is removable from the holding member. The length variation member comprises at least one sloped portion that extends along at least part of its outer circumference and in the first state extends largely or completely outside the roller. The sloped portion is dimensioned such that the length variation member can be urged to the second state by applying a force on the sloped portion in a single direction.

Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces may include an elongate mounting member, and an extension mechanism operable between: i) a retracted state, and ii) an extended state in which the mounting element can be fastened to the architectural recess. The mounting element may also include an actuator rotatable about a rotation axis which is not parallel to the longitudinal direction, and a conversion mechanism to convert a rotation of the actuator into a translatory movement of the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction and vice versa. The extension mechanism is arranged to abut one of the opposing mounting surfaces in the extended state when the mounting element is mounted between the opposing mounting surfaces.

Abstract: A spring assist module for window covering includes a stationary member, at least one torsion spring, and at least one rotatable member. The stationary member may be connectable to an operating member of the window covering. The at least one rotatable member may be keyable to a driven part of the window covering, such that rotation of the driven part rotates the at least one rotatable member. The at least one torsion spring may include a first end operatively coupled to the stationary member and a second end operatively coupled to the at least one rotatable member. The spring assist module may be pre-assembled as a self-contained unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system for an architectural covering comprising a roller and a bearing for rotatably mounting the roller to a holding member. The bearing comprises a length variation member which is biased to be in a first state yielding a bearing length which allows the roller to be held by the holding member, and which can be manipulated into a second state, in which the bearing length is reduced such that the roller is removable from the holding member. The length variation member comprises at least one sloped portion that extends along at least part of its outer circumference and in the first state extends largely or completely outside the roller. The sloped portion is dimensioned such that the length variation member can be urged to the second state by applying a force on the sloped portion in a single direction.