Abstract: A double-pane window having a light-control assembly within its peripheral frame. The light-control assembly has an upper section which is adapted to redirect light entering the window through the outside pane so that the light, exiting the window through the inside pane, is reflected upwardly against a ceiling surface of the interior of a room, on the wall of which the window is mounted and a lower section which is adapted to inhibit light entering the window through the outside pane from exiting the window through the inside pane. The lower section and optionally the upper section can each comprise a plurality of laterally-extending slats which can be pivoted about their laterally-extending axes to inhibit or redirect light entering the window. If desired, the slats of the lower section can be pivoted independently of the slats of the upper section. The slats of at least the upper section preferably have a transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: An automatic control apparatus for window coverings where the control apparatus is mounted in the space between a headrail and a window. The control apparatus is mounted to the rear surface of the headrail so as to overlie the rear surface of the headrail and is blocked from view by the headrail. A battery pack may be mounted to the control apparatus along the rear surface of the headrail and would also be blocked from view by the headrail.

Abstract: An electrical control arrangement for a curtain assembly has a reversible electric, preferably DC, drive motor, drive devices for connecting the motor to one or more curtains for movement of the curtains in opening and closing directions in response to rotation of the motor in respective opposite directions, and a control device for the motor. The control device includes first, user-operable, preferably remotely-operable, switch device for selecting opening and closing directions of curtain movement, and second switch device positionable for operation by a curtain upon reaching a limit position of its movement in an opening and/or a closing direction.

Abstract: Motorized device (2) for rolling up cords or tapes (13, 15) of Venetian or folded blinds, equipped with an automatic stopping device detecting a blockage of the motor. This automatic stopping device consists of a screw (6) carrying a traveling nut (7) rotationally retained in a tubular housing (9). Stoppage of the motor is caused by the detection of a blockage of the motor by the travelling nut (7) rotationally retained in a tubular housing (9). Stoppage of the motor is caused by the detection of a blockage of the motor by the travelling nut (7), or the blind, coming up against the casing. The bottom stopping point is adjusted by unblocking the cage (9) and rotationally driving it.

Abstract: A powered angling rod readily connected in combination with a new or existing window Venetian blind unit, replacing the original manual-only angling rod, wherein, the window blind includes a head rail and parallel slats pivotally mounted. The powered angling rod comprises an elongated small size tubular main housing preferably closely visually resembling current manual-only control rods. Preferably a vertically adjustable hook structure is provided for readily connecting the powered angling rod to rotatable drive shafts protruding from the head rail, which vary widely in length between manufacturers of Venetian/mini-blinds. The adjustable hook structure also serves as a rotating power shaft for tilt angling the blind slats and is coupled to a motor shaft arrangement for rotational power. The motor is partially confined within the upper terminal end of the main housing.

Abstract: A universal motorized window blind system having a motor with an output shaft operatively attached to a mechanism for opening and closing horizontal mini blinds, and having adjustable limit switches to control the amount the blinds are opened or closed, and a hollow tube is connected at one end to the output shaft of the motor and connected at the other end to the mechanism for opening and closing the blinds. In a second embodiment a motorized system for opening and closing vertical blinds has adjustable limit switches to control the amount the blinds are opened or closed, and a wheel attached to the output shaft of the motor and the usual flexible endless loop of material for opening and closing the vertical blinds is looped around the wheel.

Abstract: A cordless, balanced venetian blind or shade with a constant, or a variable force spring motor includes conventional window covering components without the outside hanging lifting cords or cord locking mechanisms. One or more spring motors are employed. A cord spool, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled to one of the spring drums to serve to wind the cords to cause the blind to be raised or lowered, simply by manipulation of the bottom bar of the blind system. Due to the spring forces, the system compensates for the increasing weight on the cords as the window covering is raised and for the decreasing weight as it is lowered.

Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides controls for driving roller blinds, rolling shutters and doors. The controls include a two directional motor, a control panel, switches, power supply, and a logic processing unit which are all interconnected to allow the user to partially or fully raise and lower the blinds. The direction of the blinds can be changed at any time and also stopped at any time.

Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal.

Abstract: An automatic vertical blind controller with memory, particularly an automatic vertical blind controller with automatic/manual operated memory for control of vertical blind turning and movement automatically by referring to a reference data in the memory representing the upper limit degree of turning/movement set up by its user, comprising an outer casing, an inner casing and a control circuit board, in which the control circuit board is composed of an infrared receiver circuit, a manual operated push button control circuit, a single-chip microprocessor, two relay motor driving circuits, a music control circuit, and a power supply; the inner casing is incorporated with two d.c.

Abstract: An electrically operated driving shaft control device includes a casing having a driving shaft vertically journalled therein and a driving means for rotating it. A movable plate member has a first end with an upward projecting plate and a bearing seat with two first oval-shaped openings on both sides. A second plate provided on the movable plate has a first end distal from the projecting plate and a second end fixed in the casing. The second plate has a second oval-shaped opening and two threaded hole on both sides of the oval-shaped opening. The driving shaft has one end connected to the driving means and another end passing through the bearing seat of the movable plate member and the second oval-shaped opening of the second plate. A guiding roller is fixed to the driving shaft on the second plate. A rope encircles the guiding roller and connects to a blind. A means for breaking an electric circuit when a predetermined tension of the rope is reached during rotation of the driving shaft.

Abstract: A solar cell panel assembly for supplying power to a motor-driven screen apparatus mounted for movement between an inside glass plate and an outside glass plate spaced therefrom in a double-glazed sliding door unit includes a belt-like sheet of solar cell panels having its bottom edge portion disposed via a plurality of mount members so as to be held in contact with the lower inside portion of the outer glass plate, extending in the horizontal direction along the lower inside portion of the outer glass plate, and inclined in such manner that its top end portion extends toward the inner glass plate. Preferably, the solar cell panel is provided with a glass panel mounted in tight contact with an outer light receiving surface of the solar cell panel, and transparent resin having a refractive index equivalent to that of glass is filled by potting in a wedge-shaped space formed between the glass panel and the inner surface of the outer glass plate.

Abstract: A solar cell panel assembly for supplying power to a motor-driven screen device incorporated in a double-glazed sliding door unit, comprises a strip-like solar cell panel provided in a lower portion of an inner surface of an outer windowpane of the door unit so as to abut on the inner surface of the outer windowpane in facing engagement therewith; and an elongated solar collector or Fresnel lens a rear surface of which abuts on a lower portion of an outer surface of the outer windowpane in front of the strip-like solar cell panel. The solar cell panel assembly further comprises: a strip-like sunlight reflector provided below the elongated solar collector, which reflector has a reflective surface facing upward.

Abstract: A vertical Venetian blind employs a plurality of slats adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position. When the slats are in their closed position, pivotally mounted spacer bars maintain a predetermined center-to-center distance between adjacent slats. A rotatable drive shaft, which is employed to move the slats between their open and closed positions, can be supported along substantially its entire length by a bearing to thereby prevent the drive shaft from sagging.

Abstract: A multiple glazed window unit and venetian blind assembly in which a rectangular glass spacer frame has at least one of its upper and lower frame members connected to at least one of the side frame members by at least one electric motor unit, each motor unit including a housing and an electric motor, the housing being connected, to one of the horizontal frame members and one of the side frame members, so that the housing forms a corner of and a structural part of the frame. The electric motor is used to operate a venetian blind mounted between the panes of glass carried by the glass spacer frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Venetian blind controller and, more particularly to a Venetian blind controller directly attached to a Venetian blind for controlling the opening and closing of the Venetian blind and for controlling the angular position of the blades through wireless remote control operation or alternatively through manual operation during power failure without detaching the controller from the Venetian blind, of which the structure includes two magnetic clutch fitted DC motors, two guide wheels, two pressure wheels, one chain wheel, one pull rope wheel, one receiving circuit, and a remote controller.

Abstract: An overhead blind in which not only the slats can be tilted, but also all of the slats can be shifted to open and close the blind which further includes a tilting control means and opening-and-closing control means for permitting tilting and opening-and-closing operations to be automatically controlled.

Abstract: A remote control system for window blinds including a control unit provided for each of a plurality of blinds which are opened and closed freely, each blind further including rotatable slats. The control unit is provided with a signal receiver, and through the use of a transmitter, which is provided separately, the control unit controls the individual blind as well as slats thereof, and a plurality of control units can be successively actuated so that two or more blinds and the slats thereof can be controlled at the same time from a distance. By means of this remote control system, a centralized control of the blinds can be performed without requiring a special control board, and erroneous operation can be avoided as blind operation is done after the blind number is designated. When the blind operation is completed, the system is automatically reset for the next operation command.

Abstract: For the purpose of giving the user of an electric control of a venetian blind in a window the possibility of adjusting the angular position of the slats independently of raising or lowering the venetian blind by utilizing an electric motor, spring clutches, and corresponding lift cords, the electric control includes a control circuit with a three position switch controlled by the user. The control circuit is arranged so as to drive the motor at a low speed during a first predetermined time interval for adjusting the angle of the slats and thereafter to drive the motor at an increased speed for raising or lowering the venetian blind.

Abstract: In a group of blinds each blind consists of a number of thin slats suspended from a horizontal shaft. The slats are attached to cords fixed to the shaft and the slats are turnably adjustable by rotating the shaft, which is connected to both a hand-operated mechanism and automatic drive unit. Said automatic drive unit is provided with a torque limiting device. Moreover, a timing device is connected to said drive unit for all blinds in the group for automatic actuation of all said drive units at determined points of time and setting of the slats in all blinds to closed or open position irrespective of their existing position set by said hand-operated mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit arrangement and the associated mechanism for slaving the angles of rotation of the slats of a plurality of centrally controlled sun or window blinds. The driving motor of each blind is provided with current via a corresponding operational amplifier and related circuit. The motor operates the slats to achieve balance between an input control voltage and a voltage depending on the angular position of the slats. An automatic version in which the control voltage is generated by a photoelectric sensor and several circuit variations are shown.