Abstract: In one or more arrangements, an umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a upper hub that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by a lower hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the lower hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube, thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a rotational lock assembly configured to prevent rotation of the rotating tube when locked and permit rotation of the rotating tube when unlocked. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a counterbalance assembly that provides a counterbalance force positioned within a upper hub of the umbrella frame.

Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of tabs in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of tabs. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples of drapery systems one of which includes a drapery rod operatively connected to a structure by a first bracket and a second bracket. In one nonlimiting embodiment the drapery rod has an exterior surface with a guide structure and a hollow interior having a feature. At least one example drapery system includes a drive coupler and a motor operatively coupled to the drive coupler, wherein the drive coupler is configured to be inserted within the hollow interior of the drapery rod and the drive coupler is configured to engage the feature of the drapery rod, wherein when the motor operates the drive coupler rotates, and rotation of the drive coupler causes rotation of the drapery rod.

Abstract: A drapery system having a drive element extending the length that is connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. The drive element has a cylindrical shape with an exterior surface. The exterior surface of the drive element has a guide structure, which in one arrangement is a plurality of helical grooves. A plurality of rings are positioned around the drive element that are used to connect shade material to the drive element. The rings include a partial driver ring, a full driver ring and idler rings. In a center closing arrangement, partial driver rings are positioned as the inward most rings followed by full driver ring which is followed by a plurality of idler rings. The partial driver ring and the idler rings have a stabilizer that fits around the exterior surface of the drive element thereby providing smoother and quieter travel along the drive element.

Abstract: A system is presented that can be used to install pinch pleat drapery as well as ripplefold drapery onto a drapery rod as well as a drapery track. The system includes the use of a plurality of attachment members that have a center channel, a left channel and a right channel that are configured to receive a drapery pin therein. When a pinch pleat drapery is installed, drapery pins are placed in the center channels of the attachment members. When a ripplefold drapery is installed, drapery pins are installed in the attachment members in a pattern wherein adjacent drapery pins point in opposite directions thereby forming a pattern of drapery pins that point left, right, left, right and so on. In this way, a single system may be used that installs both pinch pleat drapery as well as ripplefold drapery onto a drapery rod as well as a drapery track.

Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A multi-function remote control system and mounting apparatus is presented. The remote control configured to magnetically attach and detach from an adhering plate or mounting plate located against a wall or other surface. The remote control is configured to self-center or self-orient in flush, planar engagement with an adhering plate or mounting plate. The remote control includes a plurality of push buttons wherein when pressed a plurality of window coverings are moved to a predetermined position. The mounting features of the remote control can be completely concealed from view for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The adhering plate includes an adhesive which adheres the adhering plate to the wall for easy and convenient installation.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, an umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a upper hub that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by a lower hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the lower hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube, thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a rotational lock assembly configured to prevent rotation of the rotating tube when locked and permit rotation of the rotating tube when unlocked. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a counterbalance assembly that provides a counterbalance force positioned within a upper hub of the umbrella frame.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a drapery system is presented including a drapery support rod having a plurality of segments joined by one or more splice connectors. The splice connector includes a first section, a stop at an intermediate point, and a second section. The first and second sections include features configured and arranged to engage and connect with interior surfaces of the first and second segments, thereby operably connecting the first and second segments of the drapery support rod. The drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface to move one or more of a plurality of ring members between an open and closed position, wherein the rings are configured and arranged to attach to an upper edge of a shade material and suspend the shade material from the drapery support rod.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a power efficient remote control system is presented. The remote control system has a touch based interface having a plurality of touch sensitive sensors. The remote control system is configured to operate in an active mode in response to user input and operate in a background mode in response to inactivity. In the active mode, a control circuit of the remote control system is configured to monitor touch activity by sampling signals from outputs from a plurality of touch sensitive sensors individually. In the background mode, power is saved by electrically connecting outputs of the plurality of touch sensitive sensors together and monitoring touch activity by sampling a signal from the connected outputs of the plurality of touch sensitive sensors together.

Abstract: A drapery support rod system is presented having a drapery support rod connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. Rings positioned around the drapery support rod are used to connect shade material to the drapery support rod. The rings have an upper end with an interior surface that is configured to fit closely around the exterior surface of the drapery support rod in a manner configured to facilitate smoother and quieter travel of the rings across the surface of the drapery support rod. When viewed from the sides, the rings have an oval shape that is elongated between an upper end and a lower end. The oval shape has a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end that is larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.

Abstract: A multi-function remote control system and mounting apparatus is presented. The remote control configured to magnetically attach and detach from an adhering plate or mounting plate located against a wall or other surface. The remote control is configured to self-center or self-orient in flush, planar engagement with an adhering plate or mounting plate. The remote control includes a plurality of push buttons wherein when pressed a plurality of window coverings are moved to a predetermined position. The mounting features of the remote control can be completely concealed from view for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The adhering plate includes an adhesive which adheres the adhering plate to the wall for easy and convenient installation.

Abstract: A drapery system having a drive element extending the length that is connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. The drive element has a cylindrical shape with an exterior surface. The exterior surface of the drive element has a guide structure, which in one arrangement is a plurality of helical grooves. A plurality of rings are positioned around the drive element that are used to connect shade material to the drive element. The rings include a partial driver ring, a full driver ring and idler rings. In a center closing arrangement, partial driver rings are positioned as the inward most rings followed by full driver ring which is followed by a plurality of idler rings. The partial driver ring and the idler rings have a stabilizer that fits around the exterior surface of the drive element thereby providing smoother and quitter travel along the drive element.

Abstract: A valance system for a window covering that can be folded and placed within the same shipping box as a wall bracket, top bracket and track sections. The valance extends a length between opposing ends and includes a clip feature that extends out from its rearward side. The clip feature is generally C-shaped or U-shaped when viewed from the side and includes a plurality of friction members in its exterior surface. The valance is covered with a covering material. An end cap having a hinge area that facilitates bending of the end cap is connected to the ends of the valance by connection of a tongue of the end cap to a slot of the valance. The clip feature is sized and shaped to frictionally fit within and be installed within a socket of a top bracket without any tools.

Abstract: A coupler for a drapery rod system that is configured to connect a pair of adjacent drapery rods and facilitate either independent rotation of the pair of rods in one configuration while facilitating rotation in unison in another configuration. In one arrangement, the coupler includes a lug connected to a bracket positioned at the middle of the adjacent drapery rods. The lug includes an axle extending a length between opposing ends and includes a bearing housing connected to each side of the axle. In one configuration a drapery rod is connected to each end of the axle and its respective bearing housing, which facilitates independent rotation of each rod. Another configuration, a coupler is connected to each side of axle, outside the bearing housing, which facilitates rotation of the adjacent rods in unison. In this way, the coupler facilitates installation of adjacent rods that may rotate independently or in unison.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples of drapery systems one of which includes a drapery rod operatively connected to a structure by a first bracket and a second bracket. In one nonlimiting embodiment the drapery rod has an exterior surface with a guide structure and a hollow interior having a feature. At least one example drapery system includes a drive coupler and a motor operatively coupled to the drive coupler, wherein the drive coupler is configured to be inserted within the hollow interior of the drapery rod and the drive coupler is configured to engage the feature of the drapery rod, wherein when the motor operates the drive coupler rotates, and rotation of the drive coupler causes rotation of the drapery rod.