An architectural covering with an operable vane having a fabric backing is provided. The vane may include a vane fabric and a backing material connected to the vane fabric by a layer of adhesive. The backing material may increase a machine-direction stiffness of the vane while slightly affecting a cross-direction stiffness of the vane. As such, the vane may have increased stiffness in its machine direction while simultaneously remaining flexible in its cross direction.

An architectural covering with an operable vane having a fabric backing is provided. The vane may include a vane fabric and a backing material connected to the vane fabric by a layer of adhesive. The backing material may increase a machine-direction stiffness of the vane while slightly affecting a cross-direction stiffness of the vane. As such, the vane may have increased stiffness in its machine direction while simultaneously remaining flexible in its cross direction.

A light blocking or blackout composite material is described. The light blocking material includes at least two metalized layers. In one embodiment, a polymer film is coated on both sides with a first metalized layer and a second metalized layer. The metalized layers may have matching or different optical densities. Other layers can be combined with the metalized layers in order to provide a finished surface and/or to protect the metalized layers.

A light blocking or blackout composite material is described. The light blocking material includes at least two metalized layers. In one embodiment, a polymer film is coated on both sides with a first metalized layer and a second metalized layer. The metalized layers may have matching or different optical densities. Other layers can be combined with the metalized layers in order to provide a finished surface and/or to protect the metalized layers.

A fastening system for a window shade includes a first and a second clipping base, and a first and a second clipping plate. In a first configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attached to each other with each of the first and second clipping plates respectively disposed between and in contact with the first and second clipping bases, whereby a first panel can be held between the first clipping base and the first and second clipping plates and a second panel can be held between the second clipping base and the first and second clipping plates. In a second configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attachable to each other without the first and second clipping plates, whereby a single panel of a window shade can be held between the first and clipping bases.

A fastening system for a window shade includes a first and a second clipping base, and a first and a second clipping plate. In a first configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attached to each other with each of the first and second clipping plates respectively disposed between and in contact with the first and second clipping bases, whereby a first panel can be held between the first clipping base and the first and second clipping plates and a second panel can be held between the second clipping base and the first and second clipping plates. In a second configuration, the first and second clipping bases are attachable to each other without the first and second clipping plates, whereby a single panel of a window shade can be held between the first and clipping bases.

A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.

A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.

An integrated building photovoltaic apparatus for closing an opening on a building facade and generating electricity from a solar radiation which pass through the opening, includes at least two panes that are at least partially transparent and joined to each other by an interposed spacer to form an internal chamber therebetween; a blind arranged inside the internal chamber and having movable photovoltaic slats to vary the amount of the solar radiation passing through the opening; and connection elements, configured to pull or push the photovoltaic slats. Each slat has a photovoltaic sheet with interconnection grooves which define thin film solar cells monolithically connected in series.

The thin film solar cells include at least two coupling thin film solar cells, each one having a through hole and a close-pattern isolation groove surrounding the through hole to define an inactive area of the coupling single thin film solar cell surrounding the through hole.

An integrated building photovoltaic apparatus for closing an opening on a building facade and generating electricity from a solar radiation which pass through the opening, includes at least two panes that are at least partially transparent and joined to each other by an interposed spacer to form an internal chamber therebetween; a blind arranged inside the internal chamber and having movable photovoltaic slats to vary the amount of the solar radiation passing through the opening; and connection elements, configured to pull or push the photovoltaic slats. Each slat has a photovoltaic sheet with interconnection grooves which define thin film solar cells monolithically connected in series.

The thin film solar cells include at least two coupling thin film solar cells, each one having a through hole and a close-pattern isolation groove surrounding the through hole to define an inactive area of the coupling single thin film solar cell surrounding the through hole.