Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive hub having a dampener comprised of dampening material, wherein the drive hub engages with at least one of a shade tube or a brake hub. The dampener may include one or more tabs that engage the brake hub. The dampener may be configured to dampen the torque from a spinning of the shade tube. The dampener may be comprised of urethane. The dampener may be incorporated onto an outside surface of the drive hub. The dampener may be located within the drive hub. The drive hub may be in the form of a cap that fits over the dampener. The drive hub may include rounded corners. The dampener may be configured in the form of one or more cylindrical rods.

Abstract: A shade channel system and method provide interchangeability of use with a zippered shade and a regular or blackout shade, together with improved efficiency of installation. A guide channel accepts a shade and is configured with a tensioning mechanism to allow the guide channel to be retained at varying depths within a base channel. The system is suitable for providing polished, uniform looks throughout a room and allowing for use of standard-sized shades by allowing the guide channel to be placed at an adjustable depth within a base channel. Existing channels may be utilized, or new base channels may be coupled to existing mullions.

Abstract: A shade channel system and method provide interchangeability of use with a zippered shade and a regular or blackout shade, together with improved efficiency of installation. A guide channel accepts a shade and is configured with a tensioning mechanism to allow the guide channel to be retained at varying depths within a base channel. The system is suitable for providing polished, uniform looks throughout a room and allowing for use of standard-sized shades by allowing the guide channel to be placed at an adjustable depth within a base channel. Existing channels may be utilized, or new base channels may be coupled to existing mullions.

Abstract: The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.

Abstract: A safety device for a window shade system comprising a shade tube having a first end mounted to a first bracket 100 and a second end mounted to a second bracket. The system also includes a first plurality of catchpins 110 mounted to the first bracket, wherein the first plurality of catchpins 110 are mounted below the first end of the shade tube. In response to the first end of the shade tube disengaging from the first bracket, the first plurality of catchpins 110 catch the first end of the shade tube and prevent the first end of the shade tube from further falling.

Abstract: The window shade pocket system may comprise a pocket having an inside surface, a first wall and a second wall, wherein a roller shade is mounted within the pocket; and a first bracket removably affixed to the inside surface of the first wall of the pocket, wherein the first bracket retains a light source. The light source may include at least one of a light bulb, light bar, light strip, LED lighting or reflective device. The light source may be LED lighting that is modular or provides different colors over the window shade fabric. The light source may include a lens. The light source may be at least one of removeable from the first bracket or rotatable within the first bracket. The light source may be at least one of between the window shade and the window, or between the room and the window shade.

Abstract: The geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

Abstract: A safety device for a window shade system comprising a shade tube having a first end mounted to a first bracket and a second end mounted to a second bracket. The system also includes a first plurality of catchpins mounted to the first bracket, wherein the first plurality of catchpins are mounted below the first end of the shade tube. In response to the first end of the shade tube disengaging from the first bracket, the first plurality of catchpins catch the first end of the shade tube and prevent the first end of the shade tube from further falling.

Abstract: The geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

Abstract: The window shade pocket system may comprise a pocket having an inside surface, a first wall and a second wall, wherein a roller shade is mounted within the pocket; and a first bracket removably affixed to the inside surface of the first wall of the pocket, wherein the first bracket retains a light source. The light source may include at least one of a light bulb, light bar, light strip, LED lighting or reflective device. The light source may be LED lighting that is modular or provides different colors over the window shade fabric. The light source may include a lens. The light source may be at least one of removeable from the first bracket or rotatable within the first bracket. The light source may be at least one of between the window shade and the window, or between the room and the window shade.

Abstract: A desired range of lift force to raise a window shade is used to select the window shade hardware such as, for example, the optimal LAM. A desired lift force may be 5 pounds for ADA compliance. However, if the user wants to exert less effort to lift the window shade, the user may request an increased lift force of 6 or 7 pounds. Therefore, if a lift force range between 3-8.5 pounds is desired, the system selects the optimal LAM to maintain and guarantee that the lift force required to operate the shades will not exceed the desired range of between 3-8.5 pounds.

Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.

Abstract: The window shade pocket system may comprise a pocket having an inside surface, a first wall and a second wall, wherein a roller shade is mounted within the pocket; and a first bracket removably affixed to the inside surface of the first wall of the pocket, wherein the first bracket retains a light source. The light source may include at least one of a light bulb, light bar, light strip, LED lighting or reflective device. The light source may be LED lighting that is modular or provides different colors over the window shade fabric. The light source may include a lens. The light source may be at least one of removeable from the first bracket or rotatable within the first bracket. The light source may be at least one of between the window shade and the window, or between the room and the window shade.

Abstract: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.

Abstract: A window shade pocket system comprises a pocket having an inside surface, a bracket removably affixed to the inside surface of the pocket and a roller shade within the pocket. The bracket may retain cabling and/or electrical components within the bracket. The bracket may include a plurality of brackets along the inside surface of the pocket, wherein the cabling is retained within the plurality of brackets. The brackets may form a channel between the bracket and the inside surface of the pocket. The roller shade may be able to be removed after the bracket is removed. The pocket may also be comprised of a first component having a first engagement device and a second component having a second engagement device, wherein the first engagement device engages the second engagement device to form the pocket.

Abstract: The geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

Abstract: The geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

Abstract: A shade channel system and method provide interchangeability of use with a zippered shade and a regular or blackout shade, together with improved efficiency of installation. A guide channel accepts a shade and is configured with a tensioning mechanism to allow the guide channel to be retained at varying depths within a base channel. The system is suitable for providing polished, uniform looks throughout a room and allowing for use of standard-sized shades by allowing the guide channel to be placed at an adjustable depth within a base channel. Existing channels may be utilized, or new base channels may be coupled to existing mullions.

Abstract: To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

Abstract: A shade channel system and method of use to provide interchangeability of use with a zippered shade and a regular or blackout shade, together with improved efficiency of installation. A guide channel accepts a shade and is configured with a tensioning mechanism to allow the guide channel to be retained at varying depths within a base channel. The system is suitable for providing polished, uniform looks throughout a room and allowing for use of standard-sized shades by allowing the guide channel to be placed at an adjustable depth within a base channel.