An enclosure for an endless loop blind control element for operating a blind operating mechanism, wherein the enclosure extends from a first end to a second end and said endless loop blind control element is enclosed within said enclosure from said first end to said second end and connected to said blind operating mechanism.

A blind having a blind operating mechanism and an endless loop blind control element for operating the blind mechanism, comprising: an enclosure extending from an upper end to a lower end, with the endless loop blind control element enclosed within the enclosure between the upper end to the lower end of said enclosure, when in a first position; a connector supporting the upper end of the enclosure adjacent to the blind operating mechanism and depending downwardly from it; and the lower end of said enclosure moveable from said first position towards that upper end to a second position so as to permit operation of said endless loop blind control element. The invention also relates to a lower housing displaceable towards the enclosure.

A roller shade system, a roller shade system for all types of glass or transparent windows, a roller shade system for bi-fold doors, a roller shade system for sliding doors, a roller shade system for rolls, a roller shade system for backdrops, process, and method of use are presented. The roller shade system comprises a roller tube, a fabric operably connected to the roller tube. The roller shade system further comprises a clutch connected to the roller tube and a bead chain or cord connected to the clutch for rotating the clutch, and thus the roller tube. The bead chain or cord includes a plurality of raindrop shaped actuators or teardrop shaped balls. The actuators are configured to rotate the clutch bi-directionaly. This arrangement facilitates the user in instantaneously recognizing or identifying which end of the cord needs to be pulled for moving the fabric upward and/or downward.

A blind lifting control module includes a transmitting wheel, an anti-backward unit and a driving unit disposed to a supporting unit. The transmitting wheel for connecting a blind reeled horizontal axle has ratchet portions respectively meshable with corresponding ratchet portions of an anti-backward wheel and a driving reel. A pull cord is reeled on the driving reel and has a free end passing through a thrust member and a hindering member, and is pulled to release the anti-backward wheel to permit lowering of a blind. The thrust member is turned by pulling of the pull cord to thrust the driving reel to mesh with the transmitting wheel for lifting the blind.

The window shade system may comprise a support connector and/or a first shade band. An adjustment arm may interface with the support connector and/or the first shade band. The adjustment device interfaces with the adjustment arm, wherein in response to adjusting the adjustment device, the adjustment arm is configured to rotate and adjust the support connector and/or the first shade band to an adjusted position.

The window shade system may comprise shade fabric with a first portion and a second portion. A rod may be configured to include the second portion of the shade fabric rolled around the rod. A hembar may receive the rod within a compartment of the hembar, wherein the compartment includes a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the rod and the second portion of the shade fabric rolled around the rod are supported between the first surface and the second surface.

A door braking system includes: a shaft; a brake pad configured to be mounted to the shaft; a plate for mounting on the shaft adjacent to the brake pad; a spring for urging the plate to the brake pad, the spring configured to be mounted on the shaft; a nut dimensioned and sized to be mounted on the shaft for adjusting an amount of force the spring urges the plate against the brake pad. A method of applying variable amount of braking force to a door includes: attaching a brake pad and brake plate to a shaft; configuring a spring to urge the brake plate against the brake pad; mounting an adjustment piece to the shaft; and configuring the adjustment piece to move axially on the shaft as the shaft rotates to thereby vary a force the spring urges against the brake plate.

A roller shade assembly includes a roller tube including a first end opposite a second end, the roller tube defining an opening longitudinally extending between the first and second ends, and an idler assembly partially received by the opening at the first end, the idler assembly including an idler housing, a plunger received by the idler housing, and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force onto the plunger, wherein the plunger is configured to slide relative to the idler housing, and the plunger is configured to selectively engage a bracket member.

A retaining device for an operating member of a window shade includes a casing having an opening, a sliding part having a first and a second inner cavity, and a spring respectively connected with the sliding part and the casing. The sliding part is assembled with the casing, and is movable between a first and a second position, wherein the sliding part in the first position occludes the opening and has the first inner cavity exposed for insertion of an operating member of a window shade, and the sliding part in the second position has the first inner cavity retracted toward an interior of the casing while the second inner cavity overlaps with the opening for facilitating travel of an operating member of a window shade through the opening and the second inner cavity. The spring is operable to urge the sliding part to move toward the first position.

In one aspect, a power assist module for covering for an architectural structure may include a spring and a spring shaft extending through the spring. Additionally, the power assist module may include a threaded shaft member coupled to the spring shaft and a follower member rotationally coupled to the threaded shaft member such that the follower member is moved axially along the threaded shaft member as the follower member is rotated relative to the threaded shaft member.