An apparatus to assist in the raising or lowering of a roller shade. The apparatus comprises a grab plate secured or securable to a bottom bar and a wand that is releasably securable to the grab plate. The grab plate comprising a receiver to releasably receive an upper end of the wand such that when wand’s upper end is moved vertically upward the roller shade is retracted, and when the wand is moved vertically downwardly the roller shade is lowered. The receiver comprises a mating surface against which a flange on the upper end of the wand bears when the wand is moved vertically upward. The receiver further comprises a retainer into which a locking member on the upper end of the wand is seatable when the wand is moved vertically downward.

An apparatus to assist in the raising or lowering of a roller shade. The apparatus comprises a grab plate secured or securable to a bottom bar and a wand that is releasably securable to the grab plate. The grab plate comprising a receiver to releasably receive an upper end of the wand such that when wand’s upper end is moved vertically upward the roller shade is retracted, and when the wand is moved vertically downwardly the roller shade is lowered. The receiver comprises a mating surface against which a flange on the upper end of the wand bears when the wand is moved vertically upward. The receiver further comprises a retainer into which a locking member on the upper end of the wand is seatable when the wand is moved vertically downward.

A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.

A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.

A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.

A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.

A manual drive assembly for a manually-operated window treatment based on a drive chain formed as a loop, may incorporate one or more intermediate tensioners disposed between two ends of the loop. The loop may be formed between a manual clutch mechanism coupled to the window treatment and an end tensioner. The one or more intermediate tensioners may serve to limit slack in the loop such that sides of the loop cannot be pulled to create a large loop, for example, having a gap of four inches or greater, between the hanging sides of the cord.

A manual drive assembly for a manually-operated window treatment based on a drive chain formed as a loop, may incorporate one or more intermediate tensioners disposed between two ends of the loop. The loop may be formed between a manual clutch mechanism coupled to the window treatment and an end tensioner. The one or more intermediate tensioners may serve to limit slack in the loop such that sides of the loop cannot be pulled to create a large loop, for example, having a gap of four inches or greater, between the hanging sides of the cord.

A window shade includes a reel and a roller pivotally connected with a head frame at two spaced-apart positions, a clutch operatively connected with the roller and switchable between an engaged state preventing the roller from rotating in a first direction and a disengaged state for rotation of the roller in an opposite second direction, and a panel assembly including multiple transversal vanes respectively connected with a first and a second panel. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly with the first panel remaining in contact with the roller. The panel assembly is switchable between an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage by rotating the transversal vanes. The reel is rotatable in an unwinding direction while the roller is kept stationary by the clutch in the engaged state for switching the panel assembly from the closed to open state.

A window shade includes a reel and a roller pivotally connected with a head frame at two spaced-apart positions, a clutch operatively connected with the roller and switchable between an engaged state preventing the roller from rotating in a first direction and a disengaged state for rotation of the roller in an opposite second direction, and a panel assembly including multiple transversal vanes respectively connected with a first and a second panel. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly with the first panel remaining in contact with the roller. The panel assembly is switchable between an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage by rotating the transversal vanes. The reel is rotatable in an unwinding direction while the roller is kept stationary by the clutch in the engaged state for switching the panel assembly from the closed to open state.