Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Abstract: A modular covering for architectural openings includes a peripheral frame that supports a plurality of rotatable elements that might support strips or sheets of flexible material or rigid slats. The peripheral frame includes a drive system for rotating the members about their longitudinal axis and the members are mounted in the peripheral frame and joined to the drive system in a releasable manner so that they can be replaced. The covering elements supported by the rotatable members can therefore be easily replaced in the covering by replacing the pivotal member itself so as to allow for varied aesthetics and functionality.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail with a take-up roller therein and an intermediate rail with both the intermediate rail and bottom rail suspended from the head rail, a fabric material interconnecting the intermediate rail with the bottom rail and being adapted to be wrapped around the roller in the bottom rail, said fabric including a pair of vertically oriented sheets that are horizontally spaced by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal vanes with the vanes being movable between open and closed positions by opposite vertical movement of the sheets of material. In a first embodiment a first control system is provided for raising and lowering the bottom rail and a second control system for raising and lowering the intermediate rail as well as tilting the intermediate rail to effect an opening or closing of the vanes.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail with a take-up roller therein and an intermediate rail with both the intermediate rail and bottom rail suspended from the head rail, a fabric material interconnecting the intermediate rail with the bottom rail and being adapted to be wrapped around the roller in the bottom rail, said fabric including a pair of vertically oriented sheets that are horizontally spaced by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal vanes with the vanes being movable between open and closed positions by opposite vertical movement of the sheets of material. A first control system is provided for raising and lowering the bottom rail and a second control system for raising and lowering the intermediate rail as well as tilting the intermediate rail to effect an opening or closing of the vanes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an architectural covering insert primarily adapted for use in simulated divided light openings is disclosed. The insert includes an outer framework with horizontal and vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontally or vertically disposed shade components associated with one or more dividers and control means for moving the shade components between extended and retracted positions across simulated openings defined by the vertical and horizontal dividers. The shade components can be of the roller shade type or collapsible cellular type with the net result being that, from a visual standpoint, there are shade components associated with each individual simulated opening defined by the horizontal and vertical dividers, as opposed to a single shade that covers the entire architectural opening.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail with a take-up roller therein and an intermediate rail with both the intermediate rail and bottom rail suspended from the head rail, a fabric material interconnecting the intermediate rail with the bottom rail and being adapted to be wrapped around the roller in the bottom rail, said fabric including a pair of vertically oriented sheets that are horizontally spaced by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal vanes with the vanes being movable between open and closed positions by opposite vertical movement of the sheets of material. In a first embodiment a first control system is provided for raising and lowering the bottom rail and a second control system for raising and lowering the intermediate rail as well as tilting the intermediate rail to effect an opening or closing of the vanes.

Abstract: A modular covering for architectural openings includes a peripheral frame that supports a plurality of rotatable elements that might support strips or sheets of flexible material or rigid slats. The peripheral frame includes a drive system for rotating the members about their longitudinal axis and the members are mounted in the peripheral frame and joined to the drive system in a releasable manner so that they can be replaced. The covering elements supported by the rotatable members can therefore be easily replaced in the covering by replacing the pivotal member itself so as to allow for varied aesthetics and functionality.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail, a bottom rail with a take-up roller therein and an intermediate rail with both the intermediate rail and bottom rail suspended from the head rail, a fabric material interconnecting the intermediate rail with the bottom rail and being adapted to be wrapped around the roller in the bottom rail, said fabric including a pair of vertically oriented sheets that are horizontally spaced by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal vanes with the vanes being movable between open and closed positions by opposite vertical movement of the sheets of material. A first control system is provided for raising and lowering the bottom rail and a second control system for raising and lowering the intermediate rail as well as tilting the intermediate rail to effect an opening or closing of the vanes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an architectural covering insert primarily adapted for use in simulated divided light openings is disclosed. The insert includes an outer framework with horizontal and vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontally or vertically disposed shade components associated with one or more dividers and control means for moving the shade components between extended and retracted positions across simulated openings defined by the vertical and horizontal dividers. The shade components can be of the roller shade type or collapsible cellular type with the net result being that, from a visual standpoint, there are shade components associated with each individual simulated opening defined by the horizontal and vertical dividers, as opposed to a single shade that covers the entire architectural opening.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an architectural covering insert primarily adapted for use in simulated divided light openings is disclosed. The insert includes an outer framework with horizontal and vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontally or vertically disposed shade components associated with one or more dividers and control means for moving the shade components between extended and retracted positions across simulated openings defined by the vertical and horizontal dividers. The shade components can be of the roller shade type or collapsible cellular type with the net result being that, from a visual standpoint, there are shade components associated with each individual simulated opening defined by the horizontal and vertical dividers, as opposed to a single shade that covers the entire architectural opening.