A method of making illumination systems for illuminating building interiors comprises positioning first and second opaque, rigid reflective side walls at a distance from one another with reflective surfaces facing each other. The method further comprises positioning a reflective grid panel with parallel longitudinal walls and parallel transverse walls joining the longitudinal walls between the side walls, defining rectangular light-transmitting openings. The method also includes positioning an LED light source above the grid panel to illuminate it at incidence angles ranging from 0 to at least 45. Additionally, the method comprises positioning a light diffusing sheet of optically transmissive dielectric material approximately coextensive with the grid panel parallel to the grid panel between the side walls above the grid panel. The transverse walls of the grid panel and the reflective side walls are configured to diffusely reflect portions of light transmitted through the rectangular openings.

An LED-based illumination system includes a layered optical sheet-form structure and a light source. The sheet-form structure comprises a first optically transmissive sheet with parallel channels formed in its first major surface. Each channel has a triangular cross-section with opposing planar walls configured for total internal reflection. A second optically transmissive sheet is bonded to the first sheet's surface using an optically transmissive adhesive, at least partially encapsulating the channels. An optically transmissive light diffusing sheet is provided as part of the sheet-form structure. The second sheet's outer surface has light deflecting microstructures. The light source comprises multiple LEDs configured to illuminate the layered structure at incidence angles from 0 to at least 75 degrees. The layered optical sheet-form structure may include additional features such as perpendicular channel arrays or specularly reflective side walls.

An optical article for illuminating building interiors including a reflective grid and a light diffusing element positioned between the reflective grid and a light source. The reflective grid includes one or more arrays of transverse reflective surfaces and is configured to partially transmit and partially redirect incident light over a broad angular range.

An arched window covering comprising a panel (e.g., having a series of elongated cells) positioned in a fan arrangement defining a central space near a center of rotation of the fan arrangement, a base positioned in the central space, and a support member supported by the base and positioned to provide support to the panel. Preferably, the arched window covering further comprises a rail secured to at least one of two ends of the panel. In one embodiment, the base defines an opening adapted to receive the support member. The support member preferably comprises an elongated member extending from the base toward a radially outer portion of the panel, and a spacer member supported by the elongated member and adapted to hold the elongated member spaced from the panel. In one arrangement, a position of the spacer member relative to the elongated member is adjustable.

A privacy screen system for inhibiting an extraneous observer from viewing a display on an electronic device includes an electronic device that has a display and the display may be viewed. A pair of screens is provided and each of the screens is removably coupled to the electronic device. Thus, each of the screens inhibits an extraneous observer from viewing the display.

An arched window covering comprising a panel (e.g., having a series of elongated cells) positioned in a fan arrangement defining a central space near a center of rotation of the fan arrangement, a base positioned in the central space, and a support member supported by the base and positioned to provide support to the panel. Preferably, the arched window covering further comprises a rail secured to at least one of two ends of the panel. In one embodiment, the base defines an opening adapted to receive the support member. The support member preferably comprises an elongated member extending from the base toward a radially outer portion of the panel, and a spacer member supported by the elongated member and adapted to hold the elongated member spaced from the panel. In one arrangement, a position of the spacer member relative to the elongated member is adjustable.

A non rectangular controllable window covering, for a window frame of corresponding non rectangular shape and having a covering frame defining a base frame segment and a non rectangular frame segment together forming a covering frame to fit the non rectangular window frame, and a window covering supported in the covering frame, consisting of a first covering panel and a second covering panel spaced apart from one another, one of the covering panels being movable relative to the other, and, a control element connected to the moveable covering panel.

A privacy screen system for inhibiting an extraneous observer from viewing a display on an electronic device includes an electronic device that has a display and the display may be viewed. A pair of screens is provided and each of the screens is removably coupled to the electronic device. Thus, each of the screens inhibits an extraneous observer from viewing the display.

A vertical blind (10) includes a plurality of strip-shaped vertically arranged shading elements (14, 15) which are held in pivot hooks (18) pivotable about a vertical axis. Two shading elements (14, 15) are arranged in each case on mutually remote longitudinal sides of a strip-shaped intermediate element (16) and together with the latter form a blind element (12). Easy assembly and disassembly of the shading elements (12) can be achieved by the fact that multiple blind elements (12) are provided separated from one another. Shading elements (14, 15) adjacent to one another are held by a common swivel hook (18). The swivel hook (18) has a receiving device (21) for the two adjacent shading elements (14, 15).

A solar energy collecting blind arrangement includes a blind housing, blind slats, and a retraction arrangement. Each of the blind slats includes a top layer and bottom layer. The top layer is designed to be positioned to face substantially toward a window and the bottom layer is designed to be positioned to face substantially toward an interior space. The top layer includes a solar-collecting material designed to absorb solar energy. The bottom layer includes a heat-emitting material designed to transfer heat energy into passing air in an interior space to thereby heat the interior space.