Abstract: A Venetian blind to be fitted to an architectural frame, including a first rail; a second rail; and a transfer mechanism, wherein: the first rail includes a tilt controller configured to control tilting of the blind, the second rail includes a control actuator, and the transfer mechanism mechanically couples the control actuator and the tilt controller to transfer movement of the control actuator to the tilt controller.

Abstract: A rail, such as a head rail, for an architectural covering. The rail includes a housing having elongate walls extending along a length of the housing and defining therebetween a width of the housing. A drive shaft is rotatable about a drive axis extending along the length of the housing and is configured to wind and unwind lift cords of the architectural covering. A spring assist module, e.g. a spring motor has an output shaft rotatable about an output axis with rotation of the drive shaft. The spring motor is mounted in the housing with the output axis parallel to the drive axis, but offset from the drive axis with respect to the width of the housing and the output shaft is connected directly to the drive shaft for rotation therewith.

Abstract: A tilt assembly for a blind including a first tilt ring and a second tilt ring, both rotatable about a drive axis for supporting a pair of tilt ladders, an input connector rotatable about the drive axis and configured to receive a drive shaft for rotating a lift spool and the input connector, a secondary input mechanism rotatable about the drive axis and configured to receive the drive shaft for rotating the secondary input mechanism with the input connector, a main clutch mechanism for releasably connecting the first tilt ring to the input connector and configured to release connection at each of two opposite rotational orientations of the first tilt ring, and a secondary clutch mechanism for releasably connecting the second tilt ring to the secondary input mechanism and configured to release connection at each of two opposite rotational orientations of the second tilt ring.

Abstract: A Venetian blind to be fitted to an architectural frame, including a first rail; a second rail; and a transfer mechanism, wherein: the first rail includes a tilt controller configured to control tilting of the blind, the second rail includes a control actuator, and the transfer mechanism mechanically couples the control actuator and the tilt controller to transfer movement of the control actuator to the tilt controller.

Abstract: A tilt assembly for a blind including a first tilt ring and a second tilt ring, both rotatable about a drive axis for supporting a pair of tilt ladders, an input connector rotatable about the drive axis and configured to receive a drive shaft for rotating a lift spool and the input connector, a secondary input mechanism rotatable about the drive axis and configured to receive the drive shaft for rotating the secondary input mechanism with the input connector, a main clutch mechanism for releasably connecting the first tilt ring to the input connector and configured to release connection at each of two opposite rotational orientations of the first tilt ring, and a secondary clutch mechanism for releasably connecting the second tilt ring to the secondary input mechanism and configured to release connection at each of two opposite rotational orientations of the second tilt ring.

Abstract: A mechanism for extending or retracting for a covering for an architectural opening with respect to architectural opening, including a rotatable drive shaft (5); at least one lift cord (11,13), at least one cord spool (7,9) for winding and unwinding the at least one lift cord, the cord spool being mounted for rotation with the drive shaft and being axially stationary. The cord spool has a first diameter end (21, 27) and a second diameter end (23, 29), the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and the spool has a first generally conical circumferential spool portion (33) therebetween, wherein the first spool portion (33) comprises a plurality of steps (35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45) each step having a tread (35A, 37A, 39A, 41A, 43A, 45A).

Abstract: A mechanism for extending or retracting for a covering for an architectural opening with respect to architectural opening, including a rotatable drive shaft (5); at least one lift cord (11,13), at least one cord spool (7,9) for winding and unwinding the at least one lift cord, the cord spool being mounted for rotation with the drive shaft and being axially stationary. The cord spool has a first diameter end (21, 27) and a second diameter end (23, 29), the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and the spool has a first generally conical circumferential spool portion (33) therebetween, wherein the first spool portion (33) comprises a plurality of steps (35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45) each step having a tread (35A, 37A, 39A, 41A, 43A, 45A).

Abstract: A tilter system for a window blind permits the slats of the blind to be tilted open or closed in a number of different configurations, including a double pitch configuration, depending on the routing of tilt cables or actuator cords.

Abstract: A tilter system for a window blind permits the slats of the blind to be tilted open or closed in a number of different configurations, including a double pitch configuration, depending on the routing of tilt cables or actuator cords.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a fixed stationary rail at one end of a plurality of slats and a movable rail at the opposite end of the slats with the slats being movable to and from the fixed rail to create extended and retracted positions of the architectural covering. At least one continuous drive cord is arranged in a loop with both its ends attached to the movable rail and at least one fixed cord return guide is provided. A drive spool adapted to be selectively rotatable in opposite directions of rotation and is operatively engaged with the drive cord so that the drive cord can be wrapped around the drive spool to establish driving engagement.

Abstract: A cord spool for winding a lift cord for lifting or lowering a window covering wherein the cord spool includes an elongated general cylindrical body with a large diameter end and a small diameter end and a circumferential outer surface of a given length extending therebetween. The circumferential outer surface having a plurality of generally parallely extending longitudinal ribs. The cord spool can be provided as part of a lifting and lowering mechanism for a blind further including a rotatable drive shaft and at least one lift cord. A support is provided for rotatably supporting the cord spool and the support may be attached to a head rail by means of a separate cord guiding grommet in the head rail. It may also include means for supporting a drive mechanism. The cord spool can be constructed from two halves and may also include an end plug, which can be snap-indexed between relative angular positions to adjust the cord length.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a fixed stationary rail at one end of a plurality of slats and a movable rail at the opposite end of the slats with the slats being movable to and from the fixed rail to create extended and retracted positions of the architectural covering. At least one continuous drive cord is arranged in a loop with both its ends attached to the movable rail and at least one fixed cord return guide is provided. A drive spool adapted to be selectively rotatable in opposite directions of rotation and is operatively engaged with the drive cord so that the drive cord can be wrapped around the drive spool to establish driving engagement.

Abstract: A cord connector for use in a covering for an architectural opening, the connector being designed to interconnect a plurality of operating cords with a single pull cord and wherein the connector includes two interconnectable members that when interconnected define an interior space in which a retainer can be positioned. The retainer anchors the ends of the operating cords and is releasable from confinement by the two members when the two members are separated so that the operating cords can also be separated from the retainer.

Abstract: A tassel for use in a covering for an architectural opening is provided with an opening in one end for receiving a flexible elongated member of the type used in operating such coverings and an opening of a different configuration in the opposite end for receiving a wand or similar rigid elongated member also used in operating coverings for architectural openings. An outer cover is also provided for covering at least a portion of the tassel body.

Abstract: A retractable blind assembly including a top section (3,103) with a vertically-extending blind covering material (23,123) extending between a fixed inclined head rail (5,105) and a middle rail (7,107) that is pivotable with respect to the head rail (5,105) about a pivot center that is adjacent to a lowermost end of the head rail, the head rail extending upwardly at an acute angle, the middle rail (7,107) being pivotable between a lower position, in which the middle rail extends horizontally, when the covering material is extended and an upper position, in which the middle rail extends upwardly at an acute angle and is adjacent the head rail, when the covering material is retracted, the covering material in the top section (3,103) having a generally triangular shape with an unattached short apex (13,113) about the pivot center and an opposite, unattached, long side (15,115) when the covering material is extended, a bottom section (9,109) with the covering material extending between the middle rail (7,107) and

Abstract: The invention relates to a electrically conductive steel-ceramic connection comprising a steel interconnector and an electrically conductive ceramic joining layer arranged thereon. The interconnector comprises a ferritic steel containing Cr in a quantity ranging from 18 to 24% by weight. The ceramic layer contains perovskite of a formula Ln1-xSrxMn1-yCoyO3-? or Ln1-xSrxFe1-yCOyO3-?, wherein 0.1?x?0.4, 0.1?y?0.6, 0???x/2 and Ln=La—Lu. The inventive steel-ceramic connection is usable for a high-temperature fuel cell and regularly exhibits good adhesive properties and a low transition resistance (initial transition resistance R approximately equal to 0.01 ?cm2). Said steel-ceramic connection makes it possible to advantageously introduce a ferritic steel into high-temperature fuel cells. The inventive method for producing said steel-ceramic connection consists in pre-treating an inserted ceramic powder exhibiting good sinterability during an assembly process and during the fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A venetian blind including vertically-extending slat-supporting ladders is described. Each ladder comprises (i) first and second vertical members connected by cross-rungs, (ii) slats, each slat being supported on a cross rung of each ladder, (iii) an adjusting mechanism for pivoting the slats about their longitudinal axes by moving the vertical members in opposite directions, (iv) a vertically-extending auxiliary tilt cord that is adjacent to the first vertical member, and (v) an engagement mechanism on the auxiliary tilt cord and the first vertical member for moving the first vertical member at an intermediate location along its length upwardly with upward movement of the auxiliary tilt cord to adjust the angular pivot of a section of the cross-rungs connected to the first vertical member above or below the intermediate location.