A temperature system for a window shade includes temperature sensors coupled to a side seal for the window shade. The side seal is selectively movable into and out of position relative to the window shade. The temperature sensors convey temperature information to a controller for operating the window shade and the side seal. The controller operates the window shade and the side seals based at least in part upon the temperature information.

A power transfer device for a fire door operator having a pair of drive gears includes a bridge gear box having a drive shaft suitable for being coupled to an external drive. An idle spur gear is fixed to the drive shaft. A pair of spur gears are coupled to the idle spur gear to rotate in response to rotations of the idle spur gear. Spur gear shafts are coupled to the spur gears and arranged to be coupled to the drive gears of the operator so that rotation of the drive shaft by an external drive is translated to simultaneous rotations of the drive gears of the operator.

A power transfer device for a fire door operator having a pair of drive gears includes a bridge gear box having a drive shaft suitable for being coupled to an external drive. An idle spur gear is fixed to the drive shaft. A pair of spur gears are coupled to the idle spur gear to rotate in response to rotations of the idle spur gear. Spur gear shafts are coupled to the spur gears and arranged to be coupled to the drive gears of the operator so that rotation of the drive shaft by an external drive is translated to simultaneous rotations of the drive gears of the operator.

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.

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 motor drive system for operating a mechanism for raising and lowering window coverings includes a motor operating under electrical power and an electrically powered drive system. The motor drive system advances a continuous cord loop in response to positional commands from a controller. An input-output device includes a capacitive touch strip that receives user inputs along an input axis, and an LEDs strip aligned with the input axis. A group mode module communicates the positional commands to other motor drive systems within an identified group to operate respective other mechanisms of the other motor drive systems. A set control module enables user calibration of a top position and a bottom position of travel of the window covering. The input-output device extends vertically on the exterior of a housing for the motor drive system, and the housing supports input buttons of the group mode module and the set control module.

A motor drive system for operating a mechanism for raising and lowering window coverings includes a motor operating under electrical power and an electrically powered drive system. The motor drive system advances a continuous cord loop in response to positional commands from a controller. An input-output device includes a capacitive touch strip that receives user inputs along an input axis, and an LEDs strip aligned with the input axis. A group mode module communicates the positional commands to other motor drive systems within an identified group to operate respective other mechanisms of the other motor drive systems. A set control module enables user calibration of a top position and a bottom position of travel of the window covering. The input-output device extends vertically on the exterior of a housing for the motor drive system, and the housing supports input buttons of the group mode module and the set control module.

A clutch assembly for a roller door operator, the clutch assembly providing selective engagement with a drive wheel, the clutch assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft rotatable relative to the drive wheel; a clutch disc supported in a clutch lever and arranged to rotate with the rotatable shaft, the clutch disc and clutch lever configured to rotate relative to one another around the axis of rotation of the shaft; and a clutch cam supported in a clutch base, the clutch base configured to permit operative rotation of the clutch cam around the axis of rotation of the shaft in a first direction; wherein the clutch lever is operatively associated with the clutch cam so that rotational movement of the clutch lever in a second direction opposite to the first direction actuates movement of the clutch disc and the clutch lever axially along the rotatable shaft to engage or disengage the clutch disc with the drive wheel, and subsequent rotational movement of the clutch lever in the first direction actuates rotational movement of the clutch cam relative to the clutch base in the first direction.

A window covering is described. The window covering has a first tube and a second tube rotatably coupled to the first tube. The first tube and the second tube are disposed along parallel axes. A fabric is fastened at a first end to the first tube and at a second end to the second tube. A tensioning bar is slidably disposed along the fabric in between the first end and the second end. A bracket suspends the first tube and the second tube above the tensioning bar. The described window covering can be made to provide varying levels of privacy along an upper portion or lower portion of a window to be covered.

A window covering is described. The window covering has a first tube and a second tube rotatably coupled to the first tube. The first tube and the second tube are disposed along parallel axes. A fabric is fastened at a first end to the first tube and at a second end to the second tube. A tensioning bar is slidably disposed along the fabric in between the first end and the second end. A bracket suspends the first tube and the second tube above the tensioning bar. The described window covering can be made to provide varying levels of privacy along an upper portion or lower portion of a window to be covered.