Abstract: A winding mechanism for an architectural covering such as a blind or shade in which a fixed shaft 10,110 is surrounded by an inner sleeve 16,116 and an outer sleeve 22,122. A one way clutch 20,32 is provided between the inner sleeve and the fixed shaft, and a cord 42,142 is wrapped around the outer surface 40,140 of the inner sleeve, and is connected at one end 44,144 to the outer sleeve 22,122 and at the other end 46,146 to drive member 12, 112 such as a bead pulley. The weight of the blind or shade tending to rotate the outer sleeve in one direction of rotation will tighten the helically wound cord 42,142 onto the outer surface 40, 140 of the inner sleeve locking it thereto and preventing, via the one way clutch 28,72, rotation of the outer sleeve until such time as the drive member 12,112 is rotated in one direction or the other to raise or lower the blind or shade.

Abstract: An operator for a window covering held on a roller or axle has a stationary member having a central cavity and a first bore sized and positioned so that the roller can pass through the bore into the central cavity. A release brake is positioned so that the axle or roller can pass through and be held by the release brake. An inertial ring within the central cavity of the stationary member, surrounds a coil spring which encircles the axle. A release member is provided adjacent the release brake and the inertial ring. The release member is sized and positioned so that when the release ring is in a first position the release member will not engage the inertial ring or the release brake and when the release member is moved in a selected direction the release member will engage and turn the release brake and the inertial ring. A spool is positioned within the central cavity of the stationary member adjacent the inertial ring.

Abstract: An improved bearing mechanism with both a relative larger axial force adjustment mechanism and a relatively smaller axial force adjustment mechanism, works in conjunction with the control rod of a vertical blind system or a roller shade system to provide superior bearing and load handling capability. A primary adjustment mechanism provides a first magnitude range of urging force of a bearing structure toward a housing as by the use of an axial bolt or the like. Inasmuch as this is difficult to adjust without removal of the roller shade and such adjustment is difficult gauge physically, a secondary adjustment structure enables tension adjustment over a second magnitude range of urging force and which is accessible without having to remove the roller. The secondary adjustment structure is a wedge which operates adjacent the main tension member.

Abstract: A safety clutch is provided for operating a window treatment having a headrail, a bottomrail and a window covering material extending therebetween. The safety clutch is mounted on a movable frame within the headrail and is moved to rotatably engage the tube lift cord spool on which lift cords are wound and unwound to raise and lower the bottomrail. A brake mechanism connected to the headrail prevents rotating of the tube lift cord spool, and the brake is automatically disengaged upon operation of the safety clutch. A single pull cord is used to operate the safety clutch and the pull cord is maintained in a raised location when not in use.

Abstract: An improved bearing mechanism works in conjunction with the control rod of a vertical blind system or a roller shade system to provide superior bearing and load handling capability. A conical bore has a plurality of grooves into the surface of the conical bore. A series of cylindrical rollers are supported within the grooves, and against a central rotational member having a conical surface for bearing against the rollers. A set screw is used to control the seating of the central rotational member within the conical bore, is used to make up any tolerance created through the manufacturing process, and can be used to increase the tension necessary to hold a roller shade in place.

Abstract: An improved bearing mechanism works in conjunction with the control rod of a vertical blind system or a roller shade system to provide superior bearing and load handling capability. A conical bore has a plurality of grooves into the surface of the conical bore. A series of cylindrical rollers are supported within the grooves, and against a central rotational member having a conical surface for bearing against the rollers. A set screw is used to control the seating of the central rotational member within the conical bore, is used to make up any tolerance created through the manufacturing process, and can be used to increase the tension necessary to hold a roller shade in place. A balanced bearing system uses two sets of roller bearings, which may be frusto-conical, to make for a more stable, more secure, and more evenly balanced roller shade assembly.

Abstract: The blind comprises a sheet wound on a tube which is supported at one end by a drive assembly and at the opposite end by an idle end mounting. The drive assembly is operated by a ball cord which is engaged over a flangeless pulley which, in turn, has an internal notch to pass over a braking spring. The idle end mounting includes a spring which holds the tube in position and which acts between a spigot and a shaft, both of which are keyed together. The spigot rotates on a drum which is mounted on a ribbed metal bracket, and a similar bracket supports the drive assembly.

Abstract: A recoiler for rolling shutter assemblies that includes a protective cover that reduces the risk of accidentally releasing the strap and, consequently, the shutter curtain. The protective cover is disposed over the locking mechanism to prevent the inadvertent unlocking of the mechanism either by intentionally forcing the mechanism to the unlocked position or the accidentally engaging the mechanism with another object. Additionally, the recoiler facilitates adjustment of the tension in the torsion spring of the take-up roll without the necessity of removing the take-up roll assembly from the strap recoiler housing. The recoiler provides access to the shaft so that a torque may be applied to rotate the shaft to increase and/or decrease the tension in the torsion spring.

Abstract: An operating arrangement for an electrically operated window screening device of the type comprising a flexible screening body (1) which is rolled up on a roller (2) positioned in or at an upper horizontal main frame or sash member of the window and in a free end is connected with a bottom rail (4) extending the width of the window. The operating arrangement comprises a cord or string-formed pull-element (12, 13; 24) acting on the screening body and being wound on a winding device (11; 22, 23) positioned at a lower main frame or sash member, with an accompanying electrical drive motor (9).

Abstract: A retractable cord take-up reel comprises a drive shaft and a first reel mounted on the drive shaft. The first reel has a central opening and a first side. A drive shaft gear is mounted on the drive shaft, and rotating the drive shaft gear causes the drive shaft to rotate. A first drive gear is mounted on the drive shaft between the first reel and the first drive shaft gear. The first drive gear has a central opening and a first side facing the first reel and a second side facing the drive shaft gear. One of the first side of the first reel and the first side of the first drive gear has an angled surface, and the other of the first side of the first reel and the first side of the first drive gear has a cog facing the one first side. The one first side has two steps for engaging the cog. A first one of the steps is at a low location on the angled surface, and a second one of the steps is at a high location on the angled surface.

Abstract: An improved bearing mechanism works in conjunction with the control rod of a vertical blind system or a roller shade system to provide superior bearing and load handling capability. A conical bore has a plurality of grooves into the surface of the conical bore. A series of cylindrical rollers are supported within the grooves, and against a central rotational member having a conical surface for bearing against the rollers. A set screw is used to control the seating of the central rotational member within the conical bore, is used to make up any tolerance created through the manufacturing process, and can be used to increase the tension necessary to hold a roller shade in place.

Abstract: An improved element for the connection of lift straps (28) of rolling shutters, placed in a container (12) provided with a lid (14), is constituted by a semirigid sheet with a quadrangular back portion (18) and a "T"-shaped front extension (20). The back portion (18) meets the wall (22) of a tongue (24) which extends towards the inside of container (12), while the "T"-shaped extension (20) protrudes from the container through an opening (26), approaching its perimeter surface. The "T"-extension (20) is hand-inserted into a slot (30) provided at the end (28') of the lift strap (28); the vertical branch (20') of the "T"-extension (20) is positioned under the end (28') and fits through the width of opening (26).

Abstract: A roller assembly for curtains and the like includes a rod jacket (1) on which the curtain is wound, a plate wheel (5) , a fixed shaft (2) , a chain wheel (3) , plates (6) and a spring (7). The plate wheel (5) is mounted on the shaft (2) so as to enable it both to rotate and to be axially displaced relative to the shaft. Every second plate (6) is attached to the fixed shaft (2) and the others to the plate wheel (5). Furthermore, the plates (6) operate in such a way that they cannot rotate relative to the part to which they are attached, but can be axially displaced. The curtain is fixed by the spring (7) pressing the plate wheel (5) leftwards. The plates (6) lock the plate wheel (5) at the fixed shaft (2) because of the frictional action. When the height of the curtain is to be changed the chain wheel (3) is rotated in relation to the plate wheel (5). The plate wheel (5) is moved rightwards, because the contact area between the chain wheel (3) and the plate wheel (5) is saw-toothed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a window shade drive with an automatically acting coupling, which has friction surfaces and is arranged between a stationary component (9) and a driving member (3) connected to the winding shaft, wherein two coupling elements are movable axially and in the direction of rotation in relation to one another to operate the coupling by rotating the drive member. In such a drive, one of the coupling members is connected to the drive member (8) by a member (7, 18), which generates a torque between this coupling element (disk 5) and the drive member (8) within a range, and the other coupling element is provided at an end disk of an assembly of a plurality of brake disks (1, 2), wherein the end disk is coupled nonrotatably, but axially displaceably with the driving member. The brake disks (1, 2) are alternatingly connected rotatably to the driving member (3) and to a stationary component (9).

Abstract: An automobile window shade system comprises a frame (20) formed of hollow horizontal elements (20a through 20d) and hollow vertical elements (22a through 22f) interconnected by T-shaped connectors (24a through 24f). The frame is installed inside the automobile and contains a beaded cord (128) with beads or expansions (130) rigidly attached to the cord. Two adjacent shades (142 and 144) are made of a light-impermeable flexible material and are attached to a yoke. An embodiment with a beaded thread (128) and an expandable spring-loaded C-shaped portion of the yoke makes it possible to shield and unshield windows selectively by fixing the yoke and pulling the beaded cord through the spring-loaded C-shaped hole of the yoke. As a result, the shades are shifted to a new initial position and then moved from this new position.

Abstract: The device includes a winding drum (1) on which there is fixed one end of the cord to be wound. This drum includes a smooth portion (8) having a diameter which is greater than the initial diameter of the drum (1), is located at a distance from the cord fixing point (12) and is limited by a shoulder (9). The cord (11) to be wound is guided approximately tangentially to this shoulder so that the turns (11a) formed on the portion of greater diameter are pushed back by the shoulder (9) under the effect of the load, the length of the portion of greater diameter (8) being such that the tension on the cord is zero in the turns (11b) leaving this portion of greater diameter. These loose turns are positioned beside each other on the portion (1) of the drum ensuring an even winding without overlapping of the cord.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a bay window to close an opening by moving a shutter curtain upward from a containing space in the bottom of the bay window and to open it by way of a downward movement of the curtain under the influence of a coil spring. The basic driving system for the shutter is located either in the roof or in the lower containing space of the bay window. Various devices are disclosed including a seal for sealing the space between the leading member of the curtain and the roof of the bay window, a structure for installing the driving motor, a structure for detachable connection of the driving shaft, hainging members used to raise and lower the curtain, a structure for supporting the winding drum on the driving shaft, as well as features to allow maintenance of the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A pulling device for a roll shaft for roller blinds or screens comprises a housing, a chain pulley situated in the housing and a chain slung around the pulley. The chain is formed by a cord with a number of beads distributed at regular interval along the length. The pulley is provided with a central channel and a series of notches at the periphery to receive the cord portion and the beads of the chain, respectively. The chain is readily pulled to drive the pulley and, in turn, the roller shaft, to wind up or to unwind a roller blind or screen. When the pulling force is released the pulley will be automatically braked by means of the chain itself by the gravity of the roller blind or screen.

Abstract: A roller blind for skylights, having a roller blind compartment (4) which can be fitted on the upper part of the blind, a winding shaft (6) rotatably mounted in the compartment and a strap drum (8) coaxially connected, for joint rotation, to the winding shaft for a pulling strap (9), has a plurality of strap deflecting elements (10, 11, 12 13) arranged in the roller blind compartment (4), which elements deflect the pulling strap (9), extending from the strap drum (8), with axial strap twisting, firstly substantially parallel to the winding shaft (6), then substantially parallel to the central plane of the strap drum and then substantially perpendicular to the plane of exit of the roller blind toward the window, whence, in the installed position, it runs through a strap opening (3a) in the outer covering of the frame upper piece between the latter and a cover part engaging underneath its outer covering directly to a strap winder, preferable fitted above the window.

Abstract: The strap winder has a base plate (1) with a recessed grip (2) which is arranged laterally alongside the usual spring-tensioned strap drum (11) and through which the pulling strap (3) passes transversely, the pulling strap running from the device to be operated via a strap clamping device to the recessed grip and from the latter via deflection rollers to the strap drum, so that the strap winder can, due to its relatively flat design, be fitted countersunk in a thin-walled lintel surface above a skylight and thus allowing for more convenient operation.

Abstract: A chain-operated window shade roller bracket and assembly including the same is disclosed wherein the bracket includes a back plate, a sprocket wheel assembly rotatably mounted thereon and a cover member affixed to the back plate. The roller is affixed to a drive shaft extension of the sprocket wheel assembly. A pressure shoe is provided which may be actuated to provide the roller with a selectively variable resistance to rotation or to lock the roller in position.

Abstract: A vertical blind mechanism using a traverse assembly with several louver carrying carriers that are interconnected with a pantograph and the louvers are rotated by the movement imparted by drive shaft disposed through the carriers. The drive wheel assembly includes two sprocket wheels, one of them freewheeling and the other one drives the shaft. Cords are routed through the carriers and connected to at least one of the carriers so that the movement to the others is transmitted through the pantograph. The sprockets have headed spring loaded terminations that are inserted through a bushing that is rigidly mounted to the drive assembly.

Abstract: A winch operating a drum around which a control cable is wound, the control cable controlling the opening and closing of shutters and smoke exhaust vents. The drum is driven by a gear train which may be immobilized by an electromagnetic brake or lock, such that the shutters or vents may be held closed or open, or in any intermediary position. In addition, the drum is provided with a ratchet wheel which can be immobilized by a solenoid operated rod. The electromagnetic brake or lock and the solenoid operating the ratchet wheel rod are controlled by push-buttons, and an emergency control is provided for releasing simultaneously the ratchet wheel and the electromagnetic brake or lock, such as to operate the drum for instantaneously opening the shutters and air vents to evacuate smoke and gases from the building.

Abstract: A roller shade return mechanism comprises a rotary roller shade rod (1) which is rotatably mounted in relation to a non-rotary member (4) carrying a profiled pin (5) to be received in a roller shade mounting bracket.

Abstract: This auxiliary control device for manually and rotatably driving, for example in case of failure of the current supply system, a motor and reduction gear unit kinematically connected for example to a winding door or grille, a sectional door, or the like, comprises a pulley adapted when rotated to cause the axial movement of a sliding member through the medium of a cam device disposed across the pulley and the sliding member. This sliding member comprises on the one hand a set of dogs of a first half-coupling which are adapted to engage the dogs of another set rigid with the main driven shaft, and on the other hand noses adapted to engage guiding projections formed on a rotary braking member disposed coaxially to the pulley. When the dogs of the two sets engage each other the noses are fully disengaged from the guiding projections and thus the rotary braking member does not exert any antagonistic torque likely to counteract the actuation of the auxiliary control device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shading system in which the shade cord and the winding coil spring are coaxially arranged along a winding shaft or hub for the shade cord. Additionally, the pair of end supports supporting the shade or shade roller or tube are provided with a series of horizontally-extending slots so that the shading device can be arranged to hang in directions other than just straight down from the mounting shade tube.

Abstract: A pulling device for a roll shaft for roller blinds or screens comprises a cord pulley situated in a housing provided with a passage opening for cord parts. A clamp is disposed in a chamber in said housing and about the said cord parts, said clamp becoming operative when turning the cord pulley by the weight of the blind or screen.

Abstract: A roller blind structure of the kind comprising an elongated tubular member, having secured thereto one end of a fabric web and being rotatably mounted in elongated openings in two spaced apart brackets so as to allow said tubular member to be also displaced towards and away from a window or the like and further having a flanged reel secured to said elongated member and a cord which has one end thereof secured to said reel and wound up in a direction opposite to the winding direction of the web. A cover with elongated upper and lower walls is provided to form an elongated recess for receiving the flanged reel in a manner to allow it to be displaced with the tubular member. The cover further has in the lower wall thereof an elongated opening permitting the passage of the cord in a substantially vertical direction independent of the actual displacement position of the reel.

Abstract: An electrically operated roller door driving mechanism for operating a roller door comprising a reversible electrical motor fixedly mounted to one of the roller door supporting drum wheels and housed within the core of the roller door curtain, the motor and drum wheel being arranged to rotate simultaneously, and a ring gear operatively associated with said motor via a reduction gear mechanism, the ring gear being capable of being held stationary with respect to the rotating drum wheel but also being capable of rotating in unison with the drum wheel to thereby enable the roller door to be manually opened and closed in the event of a motor malfunction or power failure.

Abstract: A shade roller having a chain operated mechanism at one end thereof for controlling the position of the shade on the window, and means for maintaining the chain operated mechanism against a bracket to help insure proper positioning and operation of the said mechanism.

Abstract: A torque reduction unit having small bevel gears is described, particularly for use in the operation of rolling shutters or blinds. Due to its reduced dimensions the reduction unit is located within the operating pulley for the winding up cylinder or drum, and comprises two crown gears which are respectively integral one with the rotable pulley and the other with the stationary or fixed box, crown gears externally of a central hub carrying three or more radial pins uniformly arranged and integral with said hub, the pins having as many bevel pinions rotably carried thereon, the teeth of the pinions meshing with the teeth of the crown gears.

Abstract: A roller blind has a roller with axially projecting trunnions each of which engages in an elongated slot in a respective end bracket mounting the blind on a supporting structure such as a window frame. One trunnion carries a keyed pulley upon which to wind a cord for operating the blind. To guide the cord there is provided a sleeve which surrounds the pulley in freely relatively rotatable manner and which has a radial opening through which the cord is fed onto, and from, the pulley. The improvement is that the sleeve is enabled to follow movement of the roller and pulley towards and away from the supporting structure but nevertheless remain secured against rotation. In a preferred form, the sleeve is secured for such purpose by a sheath, for the cord, attached at one end to the sleeve and at the other end to the supporting structure.

Abstract: A shade roller having a chain operated mechanism at one end thereof for controlling the position of the shade on the window, and means for maintaining the chain operated mechanism against a bracket to help insure proper positioning and operation of the said mechanism.

Abstract: A shade roller, comprised of a tube into which the motor drive is inserted into one end leaving it fully adjustable in length as it is slid in or out of the tube (Main Body), using any means of screw adjustment, shims etc. One end of the motor has a standard tip to fit into a standard shade mounting bracket, the other end is made to lock into a mounted drive block which is mounted within the main body of the roller. The locking of the motor with the drive block, can be accomplished with any means of connection that will result in the motor being unable to turn within the main body of the shade roller and at the same time leave the motor free to be adjusted in or out for the length adjustment. At the other end, a sliding shaft is inserted in much the same manner as the motor. It is fully adjustable for length as is the motor end, and is fully adjustable by similar means of shims, screw adjustments etc. as is the motor end.

Abstract: To prevent the pull cord for a roller blind or the like from jumping off its reel or pulley and becoming entangled, the reel is enclosed within a loosely mounted tubular member which closely peripherally surrounds the end flanges on the reel and maintains a substantial coaxial relation therewith with a clearance less than the thickness of the pull cord and is provided with an aperture through which the free end of the pull cord can pass. To prevent the cord from chafing against the edges of the aperture an external guide for the cord is preferably provided which prevents the cord, when taut, from touching the edges of the aperture.

Abstract: A shade roller having a chain operated mechanism at one end thereof for controlling the position of the shade on the window, and means for maintaining the chain operated mechanism against a bracket to help insure proper positioning and operation of the said mechanism.