Abstract: A protective case arranged and configured to constrain, encapsulate, or at least partially encapsulate, a transmission and one or more motors (e.g., spring motors) associated with an operating system of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In use, the protective case is positioned about (e.g., receives) the transmission and one or more motors to prevent the transmission and motor(s) from excessive movement during, for example, shipping, installation, etc., and thus prevent the transmission and motor(s) from damage associated with the interlocking or intercoupling tabs breaking during, for example, shipping.

Abstract: An architectural-structure covering including a covering moveable between extended and retracted positions, a rotatable member coupled to the covering, an operating system coupled to the rotatable member, an operating element manipulatable by a user for rotating the rotatable member, and a track coupled to the operating element to restrain the operating element from being moved away from the track. In some embodiments, the operating element is a bead chain including a plurality of beads and a plurality of dog-bone shaped beads including first and second beads wherein the first bead is positioned within, and forms part of, the bead chain and the second bead is positioned within a channel formed in the track.