Splice connector system for architectural covering support rods

A drapery system, comprising:

• a support rod;
• wherein the support rod is an elongated tube having a generally cylindrical exterior surface extending between an opposing first end and a second end;
• wherein the support rod includes a first segment extending from the first end to an intermediate point;
• wherein the support rod includes a second segment extending from the intermediate point to the second end;
• wherein the support rod includes a helical guide structure formed by:
• a first deformation along a first helical path on an exterior surface of the first segment of the support rod;
• and
• a second deformation along a second helical path on an exterior surface of the second segment of the support rod;
• wherein the first deformation forms a first recess in the exterior surface of the first segment of the support rod along the first helical path;
• wherein the first deformation forms a first protrusion in an interior surface of the first segment of the support rod along the first helical path:
• wherein the second deformation forms a second recess in the exterior surface of the second segment of the support rod along the second helical path;
• wherein the second deformation forms a second protrusion in an interior surface of the second segment of the support rod along the second helical path:
• wherein the support rod includes a splice connector configured and arranged to operably connect the first segment to the second segment at the intermediate point;
• wherein the splice connector is configured to engage the first protrusion of the first segment and engage the second protrusion of the second segment to secure the connection between the first segment to the second segment at the intermediate point:
• a plurality of ring members;
• wherein the plurality of ring members are configured and arranged to attach at and/or near an upper edge of a shade material and suspend the shade material from the support rod;
• wherein one or more rings of the plurality of ring members are configured to engage with the first recess and/or second recess in a manner causing the one or more rings to:
• move the shade material laterally to a closed position in response to rotation of the support rod in a first direction;
• and
• move the shade material laterally to an open position in response to rotation of the support rod in a second direction.