Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

A modular shade includes at least one module that consists of a head rail unit, a foot rail unit, at least one intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of slat components. A top slat may be coupled to the head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit, and a bottom slat component may be coupled to the intermediate rail unit and the foot rail unit. Further, additional intermediate rail units and intermediate slat components may be added to the module to alter the shape and size of the module, and the module may be coupled to one or more additional modules to change the overall shape and size of the modular shade.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric-potential driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. If shutter coil skew is detected, voltage(s) may be applied one or more areas of the on-glass transparent conductor to compensate for or otherwise attempt to correct the detected coil skew.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers, supported by one or more resilient polymer-based layers. A first set of electrostatic forces help cause the shutter to extend and remain in an extended position, whereas an electric field can be setup to help encourage the retraction of the shutter from an extended or at least partially extended position.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and layers on opposing surfaces thereof. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position.

Disclosed is a panel enclosure system for enclosing partially unenclosed structures. The system includes a panel member assembly preferably comprising at least two panel members and a securing member that removably secures the panel member assembly over the unenclosed portion of a structure. The panel members of the panel member assembly may be individually removed to vary the degree of exposure to outdoor weather and environmental conditions. Preferably, the panel members comprising the panel member assembly vary in degree of transparency such that users may vary the level of visual exposure to the surrounding outdoor environment by adding or removing panel members.

A range of motorized-drive devices (100, 200, 300) for screening blinds comprises: at least one first drive device (100) for driving a first screening blind, comprising a first support (102), a first shaft (104) rotating about a first axis of revolution (106) with respect to the first support (102), at least a winding drum (108) for winding a drive cord of the first screening blind, rotating as one with the first shaft (104), a first geared motor unit (110) for driving the first shaft (104), housed in the first support (102) and kinematically connected to the first shaft (104), preferably via an overdrive (112), and a first electronic control module (114) fixed remote from the first geared motor unit (110), and at least one second drive device (200) for driving a second screening blind, comprising a second support (202), a winding tube (204) for the second screening blind mounted in the second support (202) so as to rotate about a second axis of revolution (206) with respect to the second support (202), a second geared motor unit (210) for driving the winding tube (204), housed inside the winding tube (204), and a second electronic control module (214) fixed remote from the second geared motor unit (210). The first geared motor unit (110) and the second geared motor unit (210) are identical and define a model of geared motor unit (10) that is common to the motorized-drive devices (110, 210) of the range.

The present invention provides an under-structure of a blind apparatus.

An under-structure of a blind apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first bar that holds the lower end of a screen; a plug that is coupled to an end of the first bar and has a first through-hole at the center; a second bar that receives the first bar and has a slit through which the screen comes out; a cover that is fixed to an end of the second bar and has a second through-hole communicating with the first through-hole; and a wrench plug that is coupled to the outside of the cover and is fitted in the first through-hole through the second through-hole to transmit torque.

A retractable privacy system for roll-up walls and doors is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a retractable privacy system includes one or more drums rotated by one or more motors to draw in or let out one or more flexible sheets from the drum. Multiple motors and drums may work in synchronization to achieve a desired result. In certain embodiments, various inputs are used to automatically open or close roll-up walls and doors. In other embodiments, the retractable privacy system interfaces with a thermostat or security system to achieve a desired result.

A zebra curtain comprises a curtain rolling device, an upper rail, two fixing brackets, a lower rail and a curtain sheet. Two ends of the curtain sheet are respectively fixed on the upper rail and the curtain rolling device. The upper rail comprises a first shaft sleeve and a second shaft sleeve. The first shaft sleeve comprises a first protruding shaft, and the second shaft sleeve comprises a bearing, a second protruding shaft, a spring and a positioning piece. The curtain sheet comprises light-transmitting parts and light-impermeable portions arranged at intervals. The second protruding shaft moves inside the bearing by the spring pressing to be separated from the fixing bracket and to take off the zebra curtain, then adjusting the light-transmitting parts and the light-impermeable parts, and releasing the second protruding shaft to be axially connected with the fixing bracket, thereby completing the assembly of the zebra curtain.