Abstract: A drapery opening and closing system for opening and closing a single drape or two drapes, and a method of opening and closing a drape. A reversible electric motor, to which a winch member is rotatably coupled, is affixed to a wall proximate a window at an approximate mid-vertical height of such window. An elongate cord having a first end fixed to the wall and another coupled to such winch member, encircles the drape. Upon actuate of the motor, adjustable timing means permits operation of the motor for a predetermined interval of time to allow the elongate cord to be wound onto such winch member, thereby causing the cord encircling the drape to constrict and thereby bunching the drape together thereby drawing it from the window. Reversal of the direction of the winch allows unwinding of the cord to thereby allow the drape to fall back into position thereby covering the window.

Abstract: A drapery actuator to open and close draperies, comprising a housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord coupled to a drape. A motor, typically a D.C. motor, is supported by the housing for providing torque to reversibly rotate the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme (typically closed) position and a second extreme (typically open) position. A first electrical switch operatively connected to the motor functions as a cut-out switch and reversing switch to stop the motor from continued turning in a given direction and thereafter switching polarity, to allow the motor to turn in an opposite direction when the switch is re-activated. A torque-activated mechanism is provided, adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first position, and is further adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second position.

Abstract: A drapery actuator to open and close draperies and the like, comprising a housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord. A motor is supported by the housing for reversibility rotating the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme position and a second extreme position. A first electrical switch is operatively connected to the motor and a second electrical switch is also operatively connected to the motor. Switch actuator cooperate with the drive pulley such that the first electrical switch is actuated when said drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first extreme position and the second electrical switch is actuated when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second extreme position whereby when the drapery cord is in the first extreme position and the second extreme position the motor is deactivated and the drapery cord ceases moving.