Abstract: A shaft-mounted overhead door operator is disclosed having a motor, a torque transfer component such as a gear train, and a clutch that is axially movable to engage or disengage the clutch. While the door operator has power, the clutch is engaged to ensure door operator can raise, lower, and stop the overhead door as directed from a remote control. The clutch can be released in the event of a loss of power or by direction from the remote control in which case the clutch releases the shaft of the overhead door. The shaft-mounted overhead door is small, having a width no greater than three times the diameter of the shaft to which it is mounted.

Abstract: A window shade assembly includes a top box with two end members respectively connected to two ends of the top box, a shaft, a shade and a scrolling unit. The scrolling unit is received in the shaft and located between the two end members. The scrolling unit includes two end parts, a head, a spring and a movable member. By rotating the head to activate the spring to store a scrolling force, such that when pulling the shade, the end part drives the shaft to rotate and lower the shade. The spring does not pulls the shade upward and keeps its scrolling force at a level. When the shade is pushed upward, the shade is lifted automatically.

Abstract: A power assist module for use in roller tube driven products, such as roller shades. The module may be pre-wound prior to installation in a roller tube and retains its pre-wound condition, even after use, when removed from the roller tube.

Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.

Abstract: A cord drive mechanism to convert linear motion to circular motion for use in coverings for architectural openings. Various controls are used to provide a braking force on the cord. Some of the embodiments incorporate a capstan.

Abstract: A decelerating device integrated with a blind structure includes a blind structure comprising a batten and a blind fabric disposed at the batten; a first decelerating unit disposed at an end of the batten; a winding unit coupled to an end of the first decelerating unit and disposed in the batten; and a second decelerating unit disposed at another end of the batten. The decelerating device prevents window blind damage and promotes user safety by precluding instantaneous upward winding of a blind fabric, as precluding instantaneous upward winding of the blind fabric follows increasing winding-induced resistance by first and second decelerating units while a batten is winding in the blind fabric by means of a winding mechanism.

Abstract: A barrier operating system having a diagnostic performance feature includes a motorized barrier movable between limit positions and a counterbalance system coupled to the barrier. A disconnect mechanism may be interposed between the motor and the counterbalance system so that the barrier can be moved manually without assistance from the motor. A position detection device is coupled to either the barrier or the counterbalance system and generates a barrier position signal. One of the motor and the position detection device generates operational parameter values for the barrier moving in either direction. A controller receives the operational parameter values and the barrier position signal, and as the barrier is manually moved, the controller compares operational parameter values for each direction of movement at a given position and generates a diagnostic signal based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening is disclosed in a roll-up configuration so the shade can be rolled about a roller in a head rail while having the ability to raise and lower top and bottom rails between which the shade material extends independently of each other. The roller is utilized to raise and lower the bottom rail by wrapping about or unwrapping the shade material from the roller and a control system for raising and lowering the top rail is confined within the roller. The invention is disclosed in embodiments that include a single operating element or a pair of operating elements but in each instance the top and bottom rails are independently movable so the shade material can be extended to any degree between the top and bottom rails and positioned at desired locations within the architectural opening in which the covering is mounted.

Abstract: A power window apparatus is provided for detecting pinching in accordance with the opened/closed position of the window and a state of rotation of a motor, the apparatus having a position sensor which detects a safety-control suspension region of the window and which is an accurate sensor. A spiral guide groove is formed in the inner surface of a housing opposite to a rotational plate which is rotated by an output shaft of a motor which opens/closes a window. A follower which is guided by the spiral guide groove is able to move along a straight guide groove provided for the rotational plate in the radial direction. Terminals in the form of conductive films are provided for a printed circuit board accommodated in the housing. When the rotational plate has been rotated, the follower is guided by the spiral guide groove so as to be moved in the straight guide groove. Thus, a slide member provided for the follower is brought into contact with the terminals so that the terminals are conducted with each other.

Abstract: An internal entrapment system for a garage door operator (30) includes a motor (48) for transferring a garage door (12) between first and second positions. Also included is a pulse counter (62) for detecting a speed of the garage door (12) during transfer between first and second positions; a potentiometer (56) for determining a plurality of positional locations of the garage door (12) during transfer between first and second positions separate from the pulse counter (62); and a control circuit (50) for calculating a motor torque value from the speed for each of the plurality of positional locations to compare with a plurality of door profile data points. The control circuit (50) takes corrective action if the difference between the motor torque value for each of the plurality of positional locations and the plurality of door profile data points exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A bi-directional sprang clutch further including a ratchet and pawl so as to permit substantial torque to be transmitted to the shade roller only in one direction. In the other direction, the roller is nearly free to rotate so that the weight of the shade material depending from one side of the roller exerts a torque on the roller which prevents reverse rolling.

Abstract: A spring clutch assembly with reduced radial bearing forces is described. The clutch includes a shaft, at least first and second helically wound axially mounted springs for making frictional contact with the shaft, and engaging means corresponding to each of the first and second springs for selectively applying a tightening force to one end of each of the springs in order to prevent rotation with respect to the shaft. Each of the engaging means is radially and symmetrically disposed along the shaft for eliminating radial bearing force induced by the spring ends.