Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting rolled window shades, and the rollers on which they are mounted, includes a shade holder having a generally cylindrical tubular handle with a longitudinal central opening and a disc-like, annular cutting guide extending transversely outward from the end of the handle. In one form of the apparatus, the handle and guide are longitudinally split into two pieces and hinged at one side of the guide so the shade holder can swing open to receive a shade. In another form, the handle and guide are slotted longitudinally so as to be diametrically variable. A generally annular blade holder has a circumferential guide groove opening inwardly towards the center of the blade holder for engaging the outwardly-extending cutting guide on the shade holder. The blade holder supports a blade having a cutting edge positioned normal to the longitudinal axis of the shade holder and adjacent the end of the shade holder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting rolled window shades, and the rollers on which they are mounted, includes a cutting member with a cutting edge and a support member with a supporting bed rotationally coupled to each other by a pin and elastically biased toward each other. Each member has a handle with a finger indentation to provide for turning of the cutting device circumferentially around a shade and roller positioned perpendicularly between the members, at a location where a cut is desired.

Abstract: A window shade support roller having an improved spring motor construction and method of manufacture includes a spring retaining structure which holds a driving spring and a spear structure having an integral spear. The spear structure and the spring retaining structure cooperate together, and with a ball, to form a ball clutch mechanism. The spring retaining structure has ball-receiving recesses with canting floors which simplify assembly. Assembly steps include inserting balls into the spring retaining structure, inserting the spear structure into the spring retaining structure, inserting a dowel into the spear structure, positioning a spring around the dowel, and inserting one end of such spring between portions of the spring retaining structure, which uniquely capture and retain the end without other securement, for torsional winding of the spring.