Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A motorized wand system is presented for connecting to conventional horizontal and vertical blinds. The motorized wand system includes a housing that houses a motor, a gear box and a motor controller. The wand is twistably connected to the housing. An extender is removably connected to the lower end of the wand to extend the length thereof. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional horizontal blind by a hook member connected to the tilt knob of the blind and adhering a mounting flange to the head rail of the blind. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional vertical blind by a mounting member connected to a clip and tilt knob of the vertical blind and a bellows that connects the mounting member and upper end of the motorized wand system. The motorized wand system is controlled individually, or in groups, by twisting, or by a remote.

Abstract: A shade system includes a plurality of shade assemblies each including an elongated shade tube having an inner surface defining an inner cavity, an outer surface for winding receipt of a flexible shade, at least one coupling end, and an axis of rotation; a connector assembly having a first coupling unit secured to the inner surface at the coupling end of a first shade tube and a second coupling unit secured to the inner surface at the coupling end of a second shade tube substantially adjacent the first shade tube, the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit cooperating to transfer an applied torque from the first shade tube to the second shade tube; an end bracket for rotatably supporting a free end portion of a shade tube when attached to a supporting structure; and a mounting bracket for adjusting the connector assembly.

Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.

Abstract: A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.

Abstract: A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit for use with motorized window shades includes an antenna connected to a motor controller having a printed circuit board, a receiver or transceiver, a microprocessor and memory that are connected to and operate a motor. The ESD circuit is connected to the line-in between the antenna and the downstream components of the printed circuit board. The ESD circuit includes an inductor in parallel with two anti-parallel diodes in reverse polarity to one another. The ESD circuit shunts damaging signals or ESD events to ground by providing a lower impedance or lower resistance path to ground for these signals, whereas the ESD circuit allows the signals of interest to pass by the ESD circuit as the ESD circuit provides a higher impedance or higher resistance path to ground as compared to the signal of interest passing through the receiver or transceiver of the motor controller.

Abstract: A drapery system that operates by rotating a rod having one, or a pair of left hand twist helical grooves, and one or a pair of right hand twist helical grooves, where the left hand twist and right hand twist helical grooves cross one another in equal spaced alignment across the length of the rotating rod. A plurality of idler rings and at least one driver ring are positioned around the drapery rod. The idler rings have a smooth interior surface whereas the driver rings include at least one tooth that engages a helical groove of the rotating rod. As the rotating rod is rotated, the driver ring is driven across the length of the rotating rod, thereby opening and closing the system. The system also includes a mounting bracket allows for extending the drapery past the inward edge of the inward most ring.

Abstract: A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.

Abstract: The invention advantageously provides a deployable screen system that includes a roller tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the roller tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket. The deployable screen system is operable by tugging, manual movement and wireless control. The DC gear motor is underpowered by a plurality of batteries positioned within the roller tube. In this way a novel, useful and nonobvious deployable screen system is presented.

Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.

Abstract: A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.

Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.

Abstract: A motorized window covering is presented having an elongated hollow rod. A battery tube is positioned within the hollow rod. The battery tube has a hollow interior with an elongated spring therein and a stop positioned adjacent an open end of the battery tube. An end cap closes the open end of the battery tube. A plurality of batteries are inserted in end-to-end alignment into the hollow interior of the battery tube. As each battery is inserted, the stop deflects thereby allowing the battery past the stop. Once each battery passes the stop, the stop moves into a stop position thereby holding the battery within the battery tube. To remove each of the plurality of batteries, the stop is deflected and the spring forces the battery out of the hollow interior of the battery tube. The battery tube is electrically connected to a motor that when activated rotates the rod thereby operating the window covering.

Abstract: A motorizable tilt shade system includes a header system where the header system includes an integral header attachment connection. At least one cord spool is provided within the header system and is connected with at least one suspension cord. A shade is suspended from the at least one suspension cord and a tilt cord pulley is connected with the at least one cord spool. A tilt cord is connected with the tilt cord pulley and with the shade such that the tilt cord and tilt cord pulley cooperate to tilt the shade. A drive shaft receiver is connected with the tilt cord pulley such that movement of the drive shaft receiver moves the tilt cord pulley. A counterbalance assembly including a negative gradient spring is connected to the drive shaft thereby providing an approximately constant tension on the tilt cord pulley.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove. Further specific embodiments include a sensor, such as an accelerometer, that detects a disturbance or vibration on the drive element, such as a tug, slide or tap, and activating the motor in response to the disturbance.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A battery holder apparatus and method includes a sleeve with an inside surface and an outside surface where the sleeve is flexible. A battery receiving space is created within the sleeve where the battery receiving space expands and the sleeve flexes to accommodate a battery when inserted therein and the inside surface at least partially contacts the battery. And a connection device is provided on the outside surface of the sleeve.