Hunter Douglas,inc.

Caridianbct, Inc.

Jeffrey Lee Spray

Kevin M Dann

Joseph E Kovach

Daniel Fluckey

Wendell B Colson

Michael J Siebenaller

Mark A Schwandt

Matthew DiFrancesco

Fred Bould

James M Anthony

Terrence Martin Drew

Kwan Hon Anson Cheung

Charles Culver Gidden Cooper

Todd Michael Nelson

Paul D Mischo

Jon C Fearnow

Stephen P Smith

Clark D Brace

Patrick E Foley

Paul A Brayford

David B Mcneill

Suzanne M Fujita

Daniel A Huber

Coty Church

Douglas J Lorenz

Michael True

Sheryl Wisecup

Linnea Wolken

Matthew A Difrancesco

Karen Melissa Nerbonne

Cameron Joseph Bennethum

Natalie Hatmaker

Laura Larson

Dan Musselwhite

Kristen Wozny

Jessica Lukon

An architectural-structure covering may include a covering moveable between retracted and extended positions, and between closed and open configurations. The covering may include front and rear sheets and a plurality of vanes extending therebetween. In the extended position, the covering may be configured so that the vanes are opened such that they are positioned substantially perpendicular to the incoming light. The architectural-structure covering may also include a rotatable member and an external booster movable between a first state of operation wherein the external booster stores potential energy and a second state of operation wherein the external booster releases the stored potential energy to rotate the rotatable member in a predetermined direction to effect additional rotation of a covering.

Architectural-structure coverings, and components thereof

A method implemented in an architectural covering. The method comprising powering down, prior to transitioning to a sleep mode, a position tracking device configured to generate output data indicating a position of at least one of a covering or a motor. The method further comprising transitioning from an operational mode to the sleep mode, the sleep mode associated with a lower power consumption than the operational mode. The method further comprising exiting the sleep mode based on a trigger and powering up, after exiting the sleep mode, the position tracking device. The method further comprising receiving the output data from the position tracking device. The method further comprising determining whether the position has changed since the transitioning to the sleep mode. The method further comprising continuing to operate outside of the sleep mode if the position has changed, or returning to the sleep mode if the position has not changed.

Methods and apparatus for controlling architectural opening coverings in more than one mode

Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.

Rail assemblies for motorized architectural coverings and related methods

A wand assembly for use with an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The wand assembly may include a first operating element (e.g., an operating cord) for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions and a second operating element (e.g., a tilt wand) for adjusting rotation of the covering between open and closed configurations. The first and second operating elements are coupled to a handle assembly via separate and distinct coupling mechanisms so that manipulation of the second operating element does not affect the first operating element thereby preventing twisting of the first operating element about the second operating element. The wand assembly may include a first, inner rotatable wand and a second, stationary outer wand. The inner wand is rotatable relative to the outer wand so that rotation of the inner wand does not rotate the outer wand, and hence the first operating element coupled to the outer wand.

Wand assembly for use with a vertical architectural-structure covering

Methods and apparatus to operate a covering of an architectural covering are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a clutch to disengage a motor from moving a covering to facilitate manual operation of the covering of an architectural covering when the motor is not in use; and a controller: to track a covering position based on a first encoder measurement from a first encoder; and to track a motor position when the motor disengages based on a second encoder measurement from a second encoder different from the first encoder.

A transmission for use with an architectural-structure covering for moving a covering of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position is disclosed. The transmission may include a drive shaft, a driven shaft including a tapered shaft portion, a transmission cord operatively coupled to the drive shaft and the driven shaft for transferring rotation between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a geared assembly. The geared assembly may include an intermediate member, first and second gears coupled to the intermediate member, a first shaft, and an end cover coupled to the intermediate member and the housing.

Transmission for an architectural-structure covering

A tensioner for use with an architectural-structure covering including an operating element (e.g., a cord, a chain, or the like) is disclosed. The tensioner selectively securing a position of the operating element relative to the tensioner. In one embodiment, the tensioner includes a body, a slider, a bearing, and an optional biasing member. The body may include a first body member coupled to a second body member. The slider is movably positioned within the body between first and second positions to selectively enable movement of the operating element relative to the tensioner. The bearing includes a projection for coupling to the second body member to prevent the second body member from being decoupled from the first body member. In this manner, when the bearing is enclosed within the body, a user cannot readily open the body (e.g., a user cannot readily separate the first and second body members).

Tensioner for an architectural-structure covering

Handle for a covering for an architectural opening

A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.

A covering for an architectural opening may include a shade movable between extended and retracted positions, and a wand having a rod with a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the wand may be operatively coupled to the shade via an operating cord and movable to actuate the operating cord to move the shade between the extended and retracted positions. A handle may be coupled to the bottom end of the rod.

Wand for architectural covering

A handle assembly for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a shade member, a movable rail attached to the shade member, and a handle secured to the movable rail. The handle may be secured to the rail in a manner that results in a smooth, relatively uninterrupted appearance.

Handle assembly for an architectural opening

An operating control system for a retractable shade including a roller reversibly rotatable within a headrail includes a clamp system for gripping an endless operating cord in a neutral position to prevent rotation of the roller and a tensioner if properly mounted in a fixed position will release the clamp system to permit rotation of the roller while positioning the runs of the endless cord in a closely spaced relationship to minimize the risk of an infant or child becoming entangled in the cord.

Operating cord system for retractable coverings for architectural openings

An adjustable anchor for anchoring a lift cord in a movable rail of a covering for an architectural opening includes a housing which is releasably positionable interiorly of the movable rail in alignment with a lift cord for the covering with the anchor including a rotatable drum within the housing and around which the lift cord can be wrapped or unwrapped by rotating movement of the drum with a tool. Two distinct systems are provided for releasably securing the drum in any selected position to retain the amount of lift cord wrapped therearound with the two system acting in mutually perpendicular planes for reliable anchoring of the lift cord.

Adjustable lift cord anchor for movable rails in coverings for architectural openings

Cord tensioning systems are provided for top down/bottom up coverings to prevent entanglement of lift cords about associated wrap spools by correlating rotation of the wrap spools with translating threaded nuts mounted on threaded shafts rotating in unison with the wrap spools whereby abutment of nuts associated with lift spools prevent over movement of rails associated with the spools and thus entanglement of the lift cords associated therewith.

Growing community of inventors

Erie, CO, United States of America

Jeffrey Lee Spray