Control and suspension system for a covering for architectural openings

A control system for a retractable covering, wherein the retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening and wherein said control system is adapted to manipulate the covering through rotation of an element in the control system, said control system comprising

• a head rail;
• a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail, said roll bar comprising an elongated channel;
• and
• limiting means within said head rail for mechanically limiting a fully extended configuration of the covering, said limiting means comprising a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop pivotally mounted thereto.

A control system for a retractable covering, wherein the retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening and wherein said control system is adapted to manipulate the covering through rotation of an element in the control system, said control system comprising

• a head rail;
• a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail;
• limiting means within said head rail for mechanically limiting a fully retracted configuration of the covering,
• wherein said moveable meuser comprises an internal, roll-bar-support wheel having an outer ring that includes an alignment groove, wherein said internal, roll-bar-support wheel is slidably mounted in said roll bar with said alignment tongue riding in said alignment groove whereby said the internal, roll-bar-support wheel and said roll bar rotate substantially in unison.

A control system for a retractable covering, wherein the retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening and wherein said control system is adapted to manipulate the covering through rotation of an element in the control system, said control system comprising

• a head rail;
• a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail;
• and
• limiting means within said head rail for mechanically limiting a fully extended configuration of the covering, said limiting means comprising a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop mounted thereto;
• and
• wherein said head rail comprises a first end and wherein a first end cap is attached to said first ends and further wherein a substantially annular channel defined by a substantially annular channel wall is associated with said first end cap, and a portion of said down limit stop rides in said annular channel.

A retractable covering in combination with a control system therefor, wherein said covering comprises at least a first flexible sheet, wherein said retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening, and wherein said control system manipulates said covering through rotation of an element in said control system, said combination comprising

• a head rail;
• a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail, wherein said retractable covering is adapted to roll on and unroll from said roll bar;
• and
• limiting means within said head rail for mechanically limiting a fully extended configuration of said covering, said limiting means comprising a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop mounted thereto;
• wherein said head rail comprises a first end and wherein a first end cap is attached to said first end, and further wherein a substantially annular channel defined by a substantially annular channel wall is associated with said first end cap, and an arcuate arm comprising a portion of said down limit stop rides in said annular channel;
• wherein said roll-bar-end support wheel includes a mounting hole, and wherein said down limit stop further comprises a mounting tang for pivotally mounting said down limit stop to said mounting hole of said roll-bar-end support wheel and a wedge, wherein said arcuate arm connects said mounting tang with said wedge;
• and
• wherein a portion of said first flexible sheet presses against said wedge and thereby keeps said arcuate arm in said annular channel while said covering is rolled on said roll bar.

A retractable covering in combination with a control system therefor, wherein said covering comprises at least a first flexible sheet, wherein said retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening, and wherein said control system manipulates said covering through rotation of an element in said control system, said combination comprising

• a head rail;
• a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail, wherein said retractable covering is adapted to roll on and unroll from said roll bar, and
• limiting means within said head rail for mechanically limiting a fully extended configuration of said covering, said limiting means comprising a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop mounted thereto;
• wherein said roll bar comprises a first end, and wherein said roll-bar-end support wheel is partially inserted into said first end of said roll bar, and further wherein said down limit stop is mounted to said roll-bar-end support wheel such that a first portion of said down limit stop is inside said first end of said roll bar, and a second portion of said down limit stop is outside said roll bar;
• and
• wherein said roll bar further comprises an elongated channel, and wherein said second portion of said down limit stop is adapted to be pressed by said first flexible sheet into said elongated channel as long as said covering is rolled on said roll bar.