Abstract: A roman shade comprises an operation box section for rotating a rotation gear as a driving ball chain (25) is pulled down; a rotation shaft (40) fitted into the rotation gear; a frame surrounding the operation box and the rotation shaft (40) and secured to a wall or ceiling; and a ball chain box section including an inside gear which is fitted around the rotation shaft (40), a driven ball chain (22) which has balls to be engaged into grooves defined on the inside gear so that the driven ball chain (22) is moved vertically as the inside gear is rotated, and a ball chain box in which the driven ball chain (22) is compiled without being entangled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring motor and control for use especially with window blinds. The motor comprises a storage drum having a first axis, an output drum mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. A spring member is connected to and between the storage drum and the output drum to form a spring motor. The spring motor has laterally extending, spaced apart drum supports on opposite sides of the drums to support them for rotation. A coupled drive is connected to the storage and output drum whereby rotation of one of the drums in a first direction about its axis effects rotation of the other of the drums about its axis and in an opposite direction to cause winding and unwinding of the spring member between the drums.

Abstract: A non-pull cord operable window blind structure comprises lift cords assembled onto corresponding positions of a head rail, a bottom rail, and a blind body wherein a cord-winding control device with an operational cord attached thereto, and a fixed seat are mounted to both end sides of an accommodating channel of the head rail with a movable seat situated to slide there-between. The fixed and movable seats respectively have multiple guiding elements for the winding of the lift cords. An insert block attached at one end of the operational cord and an insert cavity defining one side of the movable seat are correspondingly engaged with each other, permitting the operational cord actuated by the sliding of the movable to move in linkage to the lift cords. Therefore, the bottom rail is simply pushed or pulled by hands to adjust the blind body into a desirable collected or expanded position thereby.

Abstract: A window coverings includes an upper and a lower elongated members, a slat assembly, a first lift cord, a second lift cord and a lift cord retracting and releasing control means. The lift cord retracting and releasing control means is located at the upper elongated member and cooperative with the first and second lift cords to control movement of the slat assembly. The first lift cord has one end fastened to the lift cord retracting and releasing control means and other end threading through the upper elongated member. The second lift cord has one end fastened and wound around the lift cord retracting and releasing control means and threading through the upper elongated member. Through coupling relationship between the first and second lift cords and the lift cord retracting and releasing control means the slat assembly already rolled up or extended at a selected elevation can be altered to another elevation.

Abstract: A cord spool for winding a lift cord for lifting or lowering a window covering wherein the cord spool includes an elongated general cylindrical body with a large diameter end and a small diameter end and a circumferential outer surface of a given length extending therebetween. The circumferential outer surface having a plurality of generally parallely extending longitudinal ribs. The cord spool can be provided as part of a lifting and lowering mechanism for a blind further including a rotatable drive shaft and at least one lift cord. A support is provided for rotatably supporting the cord spool and the support may be attached to a head rail by means of a separate cord guiding grommet in the head rail. It may also include means for supporting a drive mechanism. The cord spool can be constructed from two halves and may also include an end plug, which can be snap-indexed between relative angular positions to adjust the cord length.

Abstract: A cordless window covering system with a secondary mechanism to adjust the position of the window covering, to allow manual adjustment of the window covering when the bottom bar is out of reach by hand. In one embodiment, the secondary adjustment system includes a hooked hand tool that engages with a loop in the bottom bar. In another embodiment, the secondary adjustment system includes an exposed beaded corded coupled to the internal mechanisms of the system, so that pulling of beaded cord causes internal mechanisms to move and adjust the position of the window covering.

Abstract: A reeling device for curtain cords has multiple dual-layer guiding wheels arranged in line and multiple S-shaped resilient coils. Two adjacent guiding wheels are meshed with each other by gear teeth. Each guiding wheel has a cord winding thereon so that the cords can be operated synchronously. Each S-shaped resilient coil is secured on two adjacent guiding wheels and provides the resilient force to balance the curtain weight. Therefore, the cords are adapted to longitudinally attach on the curtain and to control the extension or contraction of the curtain.

Abstract: A pull cord device for controlling raising and lowering of a base rail of a window covering includes a locking wheel having a toothed segment turnable between locked and unlocked positions to engage and disengage from a cord spool, respectively, a cord-release controlling member having a cord retaining region to engage a pull cord to be movable along a linear running path when the pull cord is pulled in the unlocked position, a guideway disposed in the locking wheel, and including an angularly extending first route and a looped route, a guided member having a key end disposed in the guideway, and a linkage coupling the controlling member with the locking wheel such that when the controlling member is moved, the locking wheel is turned from the locked position to the unlocked position, and such that, in the unlocked position, the cord retaining region remains unmoved in each of regions in the looped route.

Abstract: A non-pull cord operated window blind structure comprises a head rail with a blind body attached to the underside and actuated by a collecting cord wherein a cord-winding control device actuated by an operating cord, and a fixed seat are respectively mounted at both ends of the head rail with a movable seat situated there-between. One end of the operating cord is attached to the movable seat, and both ends of the collecting cord are synchronically wound through the fixed seat and the movable seat and located at the fixed seat, permitting the operating cord and the collecting cord to associate with each other in linking operation. Therefore, a bottom rail is simply pushed or pulled by hands to loosen or tighten the collecting cord and actuate the operating cord therewith, permitting a state of counterbalance formed there-between for easy adjustment of the blind body into a desirable position thereby.

Abstract: A reel device includes a reel rotatably supported in a casing of a blind. A guide is mounted on an end of the reel. The guide includes an abutting point against which a cord of the blind abuts. The guide further includes an extension extending toward the other end of the reel. A line passing the abutting point and an end edge of the guide is at an acute angle with a line orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the reel. When a section of the cord reaches the abutting point and the end edge of the guide, an acute angle is created, and this acute angle of the section of the cord avoids two forces that act on the cord in opposite direction from acting on the same line. Thus, overlapping of the turns of the cord on the reel is avoided.

Abstract: A suspension system for a window covering that eliminates the use of pull cords is provided. The suspension system includes a control module having a winding drum and a spring disposed about an axle. A friction member or reaction member is also provided to offset difference in the force exerted by the spring on a suspension cord versus the weight of the window covering member.

Abstract: A window covering with spring-assisted roll-up devices at upper and lower rails at least includes an upper rail, blind cord sets, a blinds set, a lower rail and spring-assisted roll-up devices, wherein the spring-assisted roll-up devices are respectively installed inside the upper and lower rails and the rolling wheel sets are installed at the two ends of each the upper and lower rails, and the ends of the blind cord sets are respectively fixed at the upper rail and at the lower rail which are adjacent to the blinds set and the blind cord sets may connect the blinds set. Thereby, through the spring-assisted roll-up devices dispersing the rolling strength, the user can synchronously control the roll-up and pulling of the cordless window covering for providing the user a better convenience.

Abstract: A lifting cable winding mechanism of a solar radiation shielding device capable of uniformly winding lifting cables for lifting solar radiation shielding materials on the peripheral surfaces of winding drums and minimizing the extra lengths of the lifting cables remaining in a head rail when the solar radiation shielding materials are lowered to a lower limit, wherein a case (2) is fixed in the head rail (1), the winding drums (4) are fitted to a drive shaft (3) axially passed through the inside of the head rail (1) so as to be rotated integrally with each other, slits (6) are provided at the bottom part of the case (2), rings (7) are fitted to the winding drums (4) so as to be rotated integrally with each other and slidably moved in axial direction, guides (11) suspended from the bottom part openings (10) of the head rail (1) are formed at one end parts of the case (2), and the tips of the lifting cables (5) inserted from the slits (6) into the case (2) through the guide (11) are fixed to the rings (7).

Abstract: A cordless window blind structure comprises a blind body having a positioning cord mounted to both lateral sides respectively wherein the positioning cord is fixed to a head rail at one end. A bottom rail has both end sides drilled with a cord passage respectively and both sides of the bottom surface respectively equipped with a gliding element, and a clip element. The positioning cords mounted at both sides thereof and led through the cord passages can be respectively guided to run around the gliding element and firmly held in place by clip portions of the clip element. Moreover, cord-winding devices each having a torsion spring and a rotary member are fixed to the bottom surface of the bottom rail to which the positioning cords are attached at the bottommost ends. Therefore, the bottom rail and the windowsill can be accurately kept cordless to ensure the best application state thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a venetian blind, the device comprising a top module for transforming rotary movement of a horizontal drive roller into rotary movements in a determined direction a horizontal driven roller. According to the invention, the top module contains first and second epicyclic gear trains connected in series, each gear train presenting a set of parallel-shafted planet gears meshing in a respective ring and containing a rotary planet carrier, the direction of rotation of the planet gears of one of the trains being reversed relative to that of the planet gears of the other one of the trains by mutual meshing, the planet gears of the second rotary planet carrier being rotated by the horizontal drive roller, while the second rotary planet carrier is constrained to rotate with the horizontal driven roller.

Abstract: A combination structure of a spring power assembly and a head rail is provided. A revolving shaft of a power spring is made to be perpendicular to a major axis of the head rail, so as to reduce the height of the head rail. The head rail has a first gripping part and the spring power assembly has a second gripping part corresponding to the first gripping part and a bayonet pin, which prevents the spring power assembly from being placed into the head rail along a wrong direction and/or prevents the spring power assembly from rotating along a wrong direction, so as to avoid damages to the spring power assembly caused by errors in the assembling process.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problem of the high friction and the interference fit on the wind-up spool due to the cords wound up on it. This is accomplished by implementing a spool shaped like a hollow cylinder except for the two parallel side sections perpendicular to the otherwise circular cross sections, defining a hollow inner chamber, two parallel rectangular surfaces, and two otherwise cylindrical surfaces. The two rectangular surfaces span over the sides of the spool, acting as a friction-reducing buffer between the spool and the cords. By having the diameter of the inlet and the hole configured in relation to the diameter of one end of the cord associated with the spool, the cord engage with the spool by such an end.

Abstract: A guide roller seat for a window covering includes a seat body, and a plurality of guide rollers rotatably mounted in the seat body to guide movement of a cord which is extended between an automatic winding mechanism and a covering body of the window covering. Thus, the cord is kept with a determined tension by the drawing action of the guide rollers, so that the cord is drawn by guidance of the guide rollers so as to fold or extend the covering body smoothly and evenly, thereby preventing the covering body from being tilted during the drawing action of the cord.

Abstract: A control device for Venetian blinds and a control method includes a position unit, a rope-control unit and a movement limit unit. The position unit is fixed in an upper rail. The rope-control unit consists of a wind wheel, a rope, an engage wheel and a clutch. The wind wheel is pivotally connected to the position unit, and the rope has one end fixed with the wind wheel and the other end hanging down for a user to handle. The rope rotates the wind wheel, and the engage wheel fits with the wind wheel and fixed with the hanging unit. The clutch is connected with and can be rotated by the wind wheel in a first direction, or the wind wheel and the engage wheel does not rotate together in case of rotation in a second direction. The movement limit unit has a lever member swung by the rope to engage with or disengage from the ratchet for the hiding unit to rise up or move down and be positioned stably.

Abstract: A winding apparatus for retractable shades that is simply structured and can be fabricated easily at a lower material cost includes an anchor dock, an elastic element, a rotary wheel and a cord winding dock. The anchor dock is installed on a transverse rod to be coupled by the elastic element and the rotary wheel, and has an anchor axle to hold the cord winding dock. The cord winding dock has at least one trough to be wound by a drawing cord of a retractable shade. By pulling an operation element of the rotary wheel the cord winding dock can be rotated to retract and extend the shade.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism is provided for a window covering which allows a bottom rail of the window covering to maintain a static position unless raised or lowered by a user. The lifting mechanism is included within either a top or bottom rail of the window covering. The lifting mechanism includes cords which pass from a rail including the lifting mechanism to a rail not including the lifting mechanism and about cord redirectors located within the rail including the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes spools and associated springs for gathering excess portions of the cord thereon. A progressive resister is coupled to the spools with the progressive resister providing different amounts of resistance to spool rotation depending on the amount of cord upon each spool.

Abstract: A pulling cord winding apparatus for window shades is installed on a bottom rail of a window shade includes a upper cap and a lower seat, two elastic take-up reels, two elastic coils held in the elastic take-up reels having two ends latched thereon, an elastic reed bridged a post located on one side of the center housing compartment and each of two brake elements; and a push rod located between two brake elements to form a forced contact. The push rod is depressible forwards and retractable rearwards to retract and press the brake elements to allow a coarse surface formed on an outer side of the brake elements to be spaced from or compressed on the two elastic take-up reels to form a braking or rotating condition and allow the two elastic coils to be retracted or extended to extend or retract the window shade to a selected location.

Abstract: A cord-winding device for winding of cords of a window blind includes first and second reel members adapted to wind and unwind the cords, respectively, two first gears connected coaxially and respectively to the reel members for simultaneous rotation, and two torsion springs connected coaxially and respectively to the reel members for urging the reel members to rotate in a winding direction. A synchronizing wheel unit includes a second gear disposed between and meshed with the first gears, and a roller connected between the torsion springs for pulling the torsion springs against spring forces of the torsion springs. A press unit has an engaging member to engage releasably and to stop rotation of the synchronizing wheel unit.

Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled form a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.

Abstract: A pulling cord winding apparatus for window shades includes an upper cap, a lower seat, two elastic take-up reels, two elastic coils, a brake member, and a push rod. The brake member has two arched pressing plates on two sides extended outwards to form respectively a cord pressing member which has second teeth on one side to engage with first teeth formed on cord clamping members on two outer sides of the housing compartment. When pushing the push rod, the brake member is moved and escapes to enable the two elastic take-up reels to rotate and brake. Through the arched pressing plates, cord pressing members and cord clamping members, pulling cords may be retracted smoothly without entangling or forming knobs. When the two elastic take-up reels retract the cords at the maximum force, the pulling cords do not slip, and the window shade may be extended and retracted as desired.

Abstract: A non-pull cord operable window blind structure comprises lift cords assembled onto corresponding positions of a head rail, a bottom rail, and a blind body wherein a cord-winding control device with an operational cord attached thereto, and a fixed seat are mounted to both end sides of an accommodating channel of the head rail with a movable seat situated to slide there-between. The fixed and movable seats respectively have multiple guiding elements for the winding of the lift cords. An insert block attached at one end of the operational cord and an insert cavity defining one side of the movable seat are correspondingly engaged with each other, permitting the operational cord actuated by the sliding of the movable to move in linkage to the lift cords. Therefore, the bottom rail is simply pushed or pulled by hands to adjust the blind body into a desirable collected or expanded position thereby.

Abstract: A folding device for a cordless blind includes a string spool and a force-return mechanism. The force-return mechanism includes a transmission shaft coupled to the string spool to turn therewith. A smaller bevel gear is connected to the transmission shaft and meshes with a larger bevel gear rotatable about a vertical axis. A first bobbin is coupled to the larger bevel gear to turn therewith. A spiral spring has two ends respectively engaged with the first bobbin and a second bobbin. Thus, the folding device can be used with a blind having a long shade. The smaller bevel gear presses against the larger bevel gear in a vertical direction and cooperates with the weight of the shade to provide an optional braking effect for the shade in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A Venetian blind includes a control, a square transmission shaft joined to the control, an external tube, and a reel tube having an external spiral groove, along which a lift cord is wound; the external tube has two elongate protrusions parallel to an axis thereof on an outer side; the elongate protrusions define a tunnel in between, and have opposing gaps on the edges thereof, and they are formed with such a shape that a lengthways-extending aperture is provided between edges thereof; a tilt cord is passed over, and joined to the external tube with a middle knot thereof being detained in the tunnel of the external tube, and with two ends thereof being passed through the gaps of the elongate protrusions of the external tube; thus, the tilt cord will always move together with the external tube.

Abstract: A venetian blind includes a covering unit, and a cord-winding device. The covering unit includes a plurality of slats and two lifting cords. The cord-winding device includes a casing fixed on the headrail, a plurality of spring-surrounding members disposed rotatably within the casing, a plurality of co-rotatable gears sleeved respectively and fixedly on the spring-surrounding members, and a spiral spring disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring is disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members, and has two ends fastened respectively to the casing and the one of the spring-surrounding members. Each of the lifting cords has two ends connected respectively to the bottom rail and a corresponding one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring imparts a spring force to substantially balance the total weight of the bottom rail and the covering unit so as to maintain the bottom rail at any position.

Abstract: A system for assuring removal of a cord from its wrapping in an external thread of a spool utilizes a follower having an internal thread that moves along the spool upon rotation of the spool with the follower having a slot through which the cord is passed and a catch on the internal surface of the follower adjacent to the slot in the follower that projects into the external thread of the spool to force a removal of the cord from the thread. Preferably, the catch comprises one end of the internal thread in the follower which by its very nature projects into the external thread of the spool for engagement with a cord received in the external thread.

Abstract: Provided is a lifting mechanism for a shade including a plurality of continuous slats and two lift cords. The mechanism comprises a winding assembly, and a hoisting assembly fixedly attached to an inner surface of a lowest slat, the hoisting assembly comprising an elongated, hollow member of rectangular section including a bottom rectangular opening and two holes on its upper surface proximate both ends of the opening, and a channel fitted in the hollow member, the channel including a plurality of rollers across two raised walls thereof. The winding assembly is fixedly attached to an outer surface of the lowest slat. Either lift cord has one end terminated at a left (or right) portion of a topmost slat and the other end terminated at the winding assembly by passing left (or right) portions of the slats.

Abstract: A cord seat assembly includes a seat, a spool rotatably supported by the seat, and a cord. The seat includes an end wall and a through-hole in a bottom thereof. The cord extends through the through-hole of the seat. The cord is wound around the spool and includes an end fixed to a first end of the spool. The end wall of the seat includes a lateral extension wall extending from a side of the end wall along a lateral side of the seat. The lateral extension wall is adjacent to the through-hole and includes a guiding face facing a second end of the spool. The cord that has passed through the through-hole abuts against and is guided by the guiding face onto the spool when the spool is turned in the retrieving direction of the cord, avoiding the cord from overlapping or getting stuck.

Abstract: A pull cord operation mechanism for blinds includes a fixing mount having a pair of slide grooves and a pivoting groove concaved at the upper edge of left/right sidewalls and a central reinforcing plate thereon respectively for retaining left/right roller ends and a linking shaft of a control member thereby, and a base board with a rectangular through hole precisely defined by the adjacent reinforcing support plate and one sidewall thereof. The fixing mount also has a pair of C-shaped engaging slots with lower openings disposed at the reinforcing support plate and one sidewall thereof to be registered with a pivoting rod of a retaining member thereby. The control member has a pair of cord passages symmetrically disposed at one side of the left/right roller ends thereon, and a pair of limiting stop rings of larger diameters protruding at one corresponding side of the two cord passages thereof.

Abstract: A reversible pull cord mechanism adapted for rotating a shaft in one direction when the pull cord is pulled in a first direction and rotating the shaft in the opposite direction when the pull cord is pulled in a second direction.

Abstract: A reeling unit for a blind has a base (30) and a roller (40). The base (30) has a bottom plate (31), two side brackets (34, 35), and a string hole (33) defined in the bottom plate (31). The roller (40) has two ends (44, 43) pivotally mounted on the two side brackets (34, 35) of the base (30) and has a tapered body (41) wound with a string (50). By sliding on the tapered body (41), the string (50) is automatically and orderly arranged on the roller (40) to avoid tangles and overlaps of the string (50). Additionally, because each reeling unit (20) individually collects a single string (50), even multiple reeling units (20) mounted on a window accessory will not interfere with each other so that tangling problem of the string (50) between elements of the window accessory is avoided.

Abstract: A cordless activating device for a venetian blind has a central reeling device, two string-guides and a main string. The central reeling device has a U-shaped mounting bracket, a resilient coiling device and a clutch. The resilient coiling device comprises a spring spool, a take-up reel and a specifically designed S-shaped recoiling spring. The clutch selectively locks the resilient coiling device in place and activates the resilient coiling device. The string-guides are mounted on opposite ends of the central reeling device. The main string is attached to and controlled by the central reeling device, is wound around the two string-guides and the resilient coiling device and is connected to two draw strings that extend down through the venetian blind. When the clutch activates the resilient coiling device, the resilient coiling device winds the main string onto the take-up reel, and the venetian blind automatically rises.

Abstract: A spool forming part of a lift cord drum for a covering for an architectural opening has a generally cylindrical body about which the lift cord is adapted to be wrapped and a frustoconical end encouraging the wrapped cord to shift in a predetermined direction. A longitudinal slot in the cylindrical body retains one end of the lift cord and allows the end of the lift cord to slide along the slot as wrapped cord is increased or decreased so as to minimize the possibility of the cord becoming entangled in itself.

Abstract: A slat control mechanism for Venetian blinds includes a control assembly, guide sliding assemblies, a linkage drawing plate, and abutting members wherein first rope ladders are suspended between upper and lower beams of a Venetian blind for the abutting position of a plurality of slats in an equal space thereto and are located to adjusting seats with adjusting rods attached thereto so as to tilt the slats into different angles thereby. A lift cord is sequentially led through each slat thereof and wound through a pulley seat adapted at one end of the upper beam to extend downwards there-from so as to lift or expand the slats thereby.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus for controlling the lift and tilt of a horizontal window blind. A tilting drum, conic cord-gathering shaft, torsion spring and support cradle may be combined to provide lift and tilt adjustment with a single rotational control. An angular surface near one end of the cord-gathering shaft deflects winding coils of a lifting cord down the length of the cone. The torsion spring and spring stops in the device allow tilt adjustment to take place in conjunction with the rotation of the cord-gathering shaft. The preferred embodiment includes a cord cover to guide the coils as the diameter of the cord-gathering shaft decreases.

Abstract: A Venetian blind includes a main body, a transmission mechanism, and a motorized drive mechanism. The motorized drive mechanism is operated to lift and lower the slats automatically. Thus, the Venetian blind does not need a lift cord, thereby preventing a child from being tangled by the lift cord so as to ensure the environmental safety of the house.

Abstract: A cordless blind contains one or more spring motors, one or more cord collectors and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism has a button or lever or two buttons or levers which when pressed and released will change the lock from a locked position, wherein the lift cords are restrained from being collected on or released from the cord collector, and has an unlocked position that allows the lift cords and cord collector to freely move when pressed again the button or lever will change the lock mechanism from the unlocked position to the locked position. A cord or wand may be connected to the button or lever. Then the operator can place the bottomrail or moving rail of the blind at any desired location between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position.

Abstract: A window covering including a head rail, a bottom rail, a window covering material extending between the head rail and bottom rail, a first and second lift cords extending between the head rail and the bottom rail, a spring motor configured to bias the bottom rail toward the head rail, mounted in the bottom rail, and operatively coupled to the first and second lift cords, and a brake mounted in the bottom rail and configured to releasably couple to the first lift cord to prohibit the spring motor from taking up the first cord, prohibiting the bottom rail from being raised or lowered.

Abstract: A window covering, a lifting mechanism for a window covering and a locking device for a lifting mechanism are disclosed. The lifting mechanism includes main body, a pair of cord spools rotatably mounted to the main body, and a pair of coil springs that rotate a member separate from the cord spools, and the member rotates the spools to wind the cord onto the spools.

Abstract: A cordless blind comprising a headrail, a bottom rail suspended from the headrail by a first cord and a second cord. A window covering disposed between the headrail and the bottom rail, a drive actuator including a spring motor and a spool for accumulating the cords is coupled to the spring motor. A one-way tensioning mechanism is mounted and coupled to the drive actuator and the bottom rail wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to provide a resistant force on movement of one of the first and second cords in one direction. Another embodiment of the cordless blind provides the one-way tensioning mechanism comprising a mechanism bracket with the mechanism bracket having a base and a first upright and second upright coupled to the base. Each upright defines an aperture proximate a distal end of each upright and further each upright including a pawl with one pawl aligned in facing relationship with the other pawl. A pulley is mounted between the two uprights.

Abstract: An anti-reverse transmission for use in a window blind includes a fixed axle, a rotatable input shaft, an output shaft sleeved onto the fixed axle, a transmission shaft sleeved onto the output shaft and coupled to a linking rod of a window blind, the transmission shaft having a protrusion inserted into an opening in the output shaft, and a spiral spring fitted on the fixed axle within the output shaft. The spiral spring has two end tips suspended in the opening such that the spiral spring is radially expanded to disengage the output shaft from the fixed axle for rotation with the transmission shaft and the input shaft upon rotation of the input shaft, and the spiral spring is radially compressed to stop the output shaft from rotation when the transmission shaft receives a biasing force from the gravity weight of a blind body of the window blind.

Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled form a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.

Abstract: A headrail suitable for use with a roller shade or a blind of the type having at least two spaced apart lift cords has a roller attached to the headrail in a manner to permit rotation of the roller and prevent movement of the roller in a longitudinal direction. The outer surface of the roller is free of threads and other projections such that roller shade material can be wrapped about the roller. A plurality of cord collection spools are provided on the roller. The spools can be slid off one end of the roller and may be moveable in a longitudinal direction or fixed to the roller by a set screw or clamp. If fixed to the roller the cord collection spool has a conical shape and an attachment position for a lift cord that is offset in a transverse direction along the roller from the hole in the bottom of the headrail through which a lift cord passes onto the cord collection spool.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the vertical height of a window shade having a top and bottom, which includes providing shade upper support structure at or proximate the shade top; providing at least one substantially vertically elongated shade support line extending downwardly from the upper support structure, and providing shade lower support structure at or proximate the shade bottom; elevating or lowering the shade lower support structure relative to one or more support lines; and securing the shade lower support structure to the line or lines at a selected height position relative to the line length above the lower support structure, whereby the height of the shade bottom can be quickly manually adjusted by adjustment of the height of the shade lower support structure effective securement to line or lines.

Abstract: A blind lift rod control lock includes a housing having an axle hole, a rotating member revolvably mounted in the axle hole of the housing, the rotating member having a non-circular through hole, which receives a lift rod for enabling the rotating member to be synchronously rotated with the lift rod, a reverse ratchet, and a forward ratchet, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a follower member, a first hooked portion adapted to engage the reverse ratchet, and a second hooked portion adapted to engage the forward ratchet. The follower member is selectively controlled to force the first hooked portion into engagement with the reverse ratchet or the second hooked portion into engagement with the forward ratchet.