Abstract:
The present invention provides a sheet material mounting system having a lifting sleeve, a center support bracket, an engaging rod and two or more lifting cords. The outer circumference of a left portion of the lifting sleeve is greater than the outer portion of a right portion of the lifting sleeve. The outer surface of the lifting sleeve forms a smooth concave surface. The lifting sleeve is configured to support a winding tube during operation of the mounting system. The lifting sleeve abuts against the center support bracket. The center support bracket includes guides for directing the lift cords onto the lifting sleeve. The lift cords are attached to a bottom leveling system for ensuring that the shade material remains parallel during system operation. As the shade is raised, the lifting cords wind around the outer surface of the lifting sleeve. The center support guides ensure that the lifting cords contact the lifting cone at an angle ensuring that the cords are wound (and unwound) unstacked during mounting system operation. The cords are wound in unison and the shade remains parallel during raising and lowering.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,228, filed Sep. 29, 1999. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for mounting sheet material to a support structure and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for assembling the components of a window covering system, such as a Roman shade window covering system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The prior art contains various devices for mounting, lifting, and folding flexible sheet material in association with blinds, curtains, draperies, and other window coverings. Some of these window shade devices include guide cables and lift cords in conjunction with a fabric-gripping device. These cables/cords are typically threaded through rings sewn to the shade fabric. Alternatively, the cables/cords are threaded through apertures in the fabric pleats, wherein the pleats may be formed or stiffened with slats. The lattice formed by the attachment of the shade fabric to these guide cables and lift cords constitutes a mobile support structure which allows the shade to travel between raised and lowered positions.  
           [0004]    Roman shades are a particular type of window covering which incorporates a mobile support structure such as a lattice for gathering sheet fabric into substantially horizontal folds. One example of the construction of a contemporary Roman shade is a cloth fabric hanging from a head rail, with a lower end having weights at predetermined lateral intervals. Drawing up a lift cord can raise this type of Roman shade such that large, loose folds in the fabric are formed at approximately equal vertical distances to provide a neatly pleated aesthetic appearance. A common configuration for connecting the cord to the shade is to sew at least two sets of rings or connectors in vertical lines along the back of the fabric material as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,321,800 entitled CURTAIN HANGER issued to Andress, et al. on Nov. 18, 1919. In this type of Roman shade, a lift cord passes from a head rail through each set of rings and is then either fastened to the bottom edge of the fabric or wrapped around the bottom edge of the fabric and returned up the front face of the shade to the head rail. Alternatively, each set of rings or connectors is sewn to the sheet fabric and attached to a lift cord at predetermined vertical intervals. As the shade travels through raised positions, the interval between the connectors may be reduced.  
           [0005]    However, due to the extensive time and labor to sew connectors to the back of the sheet material of a Roman shade, the art has developed other methods and devices to connect sheet fabric to a mobile support structure. In the shade system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,545 entitled ATTACHMENT OF RINGS WITHOUT SEWING issued to Dernis on Sep. 22, 1987, a set of U-shaped filaments is inserted through the fabric from the front face. The ends of each filament are gathered in a tube, bent over the end of the tube and held in place by a sleeve that fits over the tube.  
           [0006]    Another alternative for attachment includes one or more horizontal ribs to provide support and to maintain spacing between the cords which are oriented vertically across the back of the fabric. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,256 entitled SAFETY DEVICE FOR A RAISABLE CURTAIN DOOR issued to Kraeutler on May 4, 1993, the ribs are placed in vertically spaced, transverse pockets in the sheet material. However, in this system, the pockets must be sewn into the sheet material, thereby substantially adding to the time, effort, and expense of manufacture.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,096, entitled APPARATUS FOR GRIPPING SHEET FABRIC issued to Thomsen et al. on Dec. 28, 1993, discloses a tubular member having a longitudinal opening which receives the fabric and a rod, thereby gripping the fabric between the member and the rod. The backsides of the tubular members each include loops through which the lift cords pass. However, as shown in FIG. 10, if this system is used on a Roman shade for a large window, the combined weight of the tubular member and the rod will often cause tilting of the mounting device, thereby adding substantial friction to the lift cord and making it more difficult to raise the shade. More particularly, the fabric mounting device found in Thomsen et al. and other Roman shade systems employ designs wherein the center of gravity of the fabric mounting device causes the device to tilt asymmetrically as the shade is raised, distorting the fabric being held and thereby adding friction to the lift cord. Thus, the size of a Roman shade is often limited by the friction incident upon the lift cord caused by the tilting of one or more of the rings, connectors, loops, or spacers used to mount the fabric to the lift cord.  
           [0008]    Several prior art methods purport to provide a system for uniformly raising a window shade, such as a Roman shade, thereby eliminating the tilting affect and increased friction on the lifting cords. One such prior art method, uses an angled off-set of a pair of lift cords to ensure that the lift cords may be raised without substantial cord overlapping. In particular, the method involves attaching the cord pair to a leveling rod positioned at the shade bottom. The cords are affixed equidistant from the opposing ends of the leveling rod. That is, when measured from the right and left borders of the shade, the left lift cord is affixed to the leveling rod at a distance, X, when measured from the left border, and the right lift cord is affixed to the leveling rod at a distance X, when measured from the right border. The tops of the cords are attached to a winding tube positioned at the upper most portion of the shade material. In this instance, the left lift cord is affixed at a distance, X-Y, from the left border, and the right cord is affixed at a distance, X-Y, from the right border. Thus, the line drawn by the left (and alternatively, the right) cord forms an angle with the winding tube. In this configuration, the prior art system purports to provide a method for raising the shade uniformly, since the cords will not be permitted to roll over each other during the raising and lowering of the shade. However, this method is not suitable for shades which require the lifting cords to be perpendicular to the lift tube during operation.  
           [0009]    Another prior art system for lifting a shade with two lift cords involves using a traversing lifting tube in combination with lift cords which move relatively perpendicular to the lifting tube during operation. In this instance, at the top and bottom of the shade material, the left lift cord is affixed equidistant from left border, and the right lift cord is affixed equidistant from the right border. The lift cords are preventing from rolling over each other by the traversing motion of the winding tube. That is, as the winding tube is raised (or lowered) during operation of the system, the winding rod not only rotates to lift the cords, but also traverses in a left (or right) horizontal direction to ensure that the lift cords do not overlap during the winding process. When unwinding, the lift tube traverses in the opposite direction. However, this method is not suitable for shades which operate in a confined area. In particular, additional room is need for the traversal of the winding tube, preventing the use of this system within a narrow shade mounting area.  
           [0010]    Yet another prior art system uses a segmented lift cone design in its winding mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,113 issued Jul. 12, 1994 to Villette, and assigned to Somfy is exemplary of this design. The circumference of the outer lift cone is greater at the point where the lift cone is nearest the wall, and becomes narrower in the direction toward the shade material. Key to this design is the segmented characteristic of the lift cone. That is, the lift cone can be seen as multiple cones where the portion of each cone with the greatest outer circumference is joined to the portion of the preceding cone with the least outer circumference. In this configuration, where the cones are joined, there is a pronounced drop-off from the first cone to the subsequent cone. The drop-off purports to reduce the friction on the lift cords as the cords are wound, since the cords become wound around progressively narrower cone structures.  
           [0011]    However, the Somfy cone poses some challenges. For example, the cone is expensive to produce since the overall structure involves joining several facets into a single cone structure. Further, the design of the cone structure with particular drop offs from cone to cone provides room for error. That is, where the cones are joined at an improper angle, the cone system would be deviated from its original design, and, thus, made less effective.  
           [0012]    A need exists for a lightweight, sheet-material gripping apparatus which can be quickly assembled by the manufacturer and which includes both lightweight and inexpensive spacers that can be connected to the sheet material without sewing. Moreover, the gripping apparatus components should reduce the lift cord friction which often increases asymmetric tilting of the sheet-material connectors as the apparatus is raised. Additionally, there is a need for an apparatus and method for easily and rapidly assembling tightly fitted components of a sheet material gripping apparatus such that, once assembled, the components of each sheet material gripping apparatus are capable of maintaining vertical alignment with respect to other sheet material gripping apparatus comprised by the window covering system. Moreover, there is a need for an apparatus and method for easily adjusting and re-aligning assembled components of a sheet material gripping apparatus. Further still, there is a need for a sheet material winding structure which is inexpensive and which enables the operator to lift two or more lift cords while keeping the sheet material absolutely uniform as the sheet material is raised an lowered.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention provides a sheet material mounting device having two channels, namely, a mounting channel for receivably engaging a rod for gripping the sheet material and a spacer channel for receivably engaging a spacer support configured to engage a lift cord and, optionally, a spacer cord. The spacer channel may be positioned above the mounting channel such that the center of gravity of the mounting device is located above the center of the mounting channel, thereby reducing asymmetric tilt of the sheet material engaged by the mounting channel and reducing function against the lift cord. Alternatively, the mounting channel may be positioned above the spacer channel. The mounting channel and the spacer channel are preferably both C-shaped, and each channel has an opening which faces in a direction opposite the direction faced by the opening of the other channel. Thus, a side view of the mounting device may resemble either an “S” or a reverse “S.” The lifting cord is attached to a cylindrical lifting sleeve for use in raising and lowering the shade sheet material. The outer surface of the cylindrical lifting sleeve is concave such that the arc formed by the outer surface represents a circular segment. As the sheet material is raised, the cord wraps around the lifting sleeve and traverses the sleeve from the distal end to the proximal end, facilitating the winding of the cord while minimizing or eliminating any cord stacking or overlap. This, in turn, provides a uniform and level lifting means of the fabric bands, with two or more lift sleeve and cord assemblies.  
           [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for assembling the components of a sheet-material mounting device, such that the assembled components of each sheet material mounting device are capable of maintaining vertical alignment with respect to every other sheet material mounting device comprised by the window covering system. Moreover, there is provided an apparatus and method for adjusting and re-aligning assembled components of a sheet material gripping apparatus. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The features and advantages of the present invention reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully depicted, described, and claimed below, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a three-quarter-perspective view of an exemplary shade clamp according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary spacer according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an exemplary spacer with the lug portion removed according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a three-quarter-perspective view of a portion of an exemplary rod according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a three-quarter perspective, exploded view of an exemplary sheet-material mounting apparatus depicting the positional relationship of the component parts according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a three-quarter-perspective view with arrows depicting an exemplary method of receivably engaging a V-spring and spacer within opposed shade clamp channels according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an exemplary shade clamp prepared to receive a welting of sheet material for subsequent gripping with a rod according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an exemplary shade clamp having receivably engaged a V-spring and a welting of sheet material according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an exemplary shade clamp attached to a support structure and having receivably engaged a V-spring, a welting of sheet material and a spacer, wherein the spacer includes a lift cord and spacer cord, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an exemplary shade clamp attached to a support structure and having receivably engaged a v-spring, a welting of fabric and a spacer, wherein the spacer includes a lift cord and spacer cord, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a side view of a prior art device showing the asymmetric tilting of the gripping devices;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11A is a bottom view of a center support bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11B is a front view of a center support bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11C is a rear view of a center support bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the housing assembly showing the end caps and wall brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is a side cut-away view of a support assembly showing a center support bracket, housing and shade clamp according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    FIGS.  14 A-E illustrate a side perspective view of an exemplary tool for assembling and aligning the components of a sheet material mounting device;  
         [0033]    FIGS.  15 A-D illustrate side, front and rear perspective views of the lifting sleeve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the center support assembly and the lifting sleeve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]    The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation, and the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims.  
         [0036]    The present invention preferably includes an apparatus and method for reducing a shade clamp&#39;s tilt and reducing the excess friction between a shade clamp (or channel guide) and a lift cord. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the shade clamp may be any device or combination of devices suitably configured to hold sheet material. For example, any clamp, clip, ring, fastener, mechanical device, electrical device, magnetic device, VELCRO™ device and/or the like. Moreover, the shade clamp is comprised of any suitable material which provides sufficient characteristics for holding the sheet material, such as, for example, any type or combination of plastic, metal, rubber, wood, magnet, textile, glass and/or the like. Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the sheet material is any material capable of being held by shade clamp, such as, for example, any type or combination of cloth, textile, roman shade, pleated roman shade, wood, metal, animal skin, plastic, mesh, weave, and/or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet material is a piece of material in the form of a roman shade.  
         [0037]    A suitable support structure is any structure capable of supporting the shade clamp and material, such as a headrail, cord, and/or spacers. With momentary reference to FIGS.  13 ,  15 A-C, and  16  an exemplary embodiment of a shade system in accordance with the present invention is shown. The exemplary shade system preferably includes shade clamp  1  (only one shown), housing  90 , center support bracket  71 , lift tube  112 , facie  110 , and other components of the system which will be described in more detail below. As depicted in FIG. 16, the exemplary shade system may further include a lifting sleeve  300  (shown in FIGS.  15 A-C). The lifting sleeve  300  may surround the lift tube  112  to facilitate collecting and releasing of the lifting cord  65 . The present system may be used in conjunction with any shade operator device, such as a wrap spring shade operator as in “Wrap Spring Shade Operator” with inventors Joel Berman, Vincent J. Brown, Victor Erlikh and John Wilk filed on Aug. 23, 1999 having U.S. Ser. No. 09/379,065, the entire application is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 1, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a shade clamp  1  grips and mounts flexible sheet material  60  to a hanging support structure. The S-shaped shade clamp  1  is preferably rotationally symmetric about the central axis of clamp  1  and has opposed channels  45   a ,  45   b , wherein mounting channel  45   b  reciprocally receives a welting of sheet material  60  and spacer channel  45   a  receives a spacer support  5 , shown in FIG. 4. The clamp  1  preferably includes interior retaining lips  35   a ,  35   b  and peripheral retaining lips  40   a ,  40   b  wherein an interior and peripheral retaining lip pair secures the welting of sheet material  60  or the spacer support  5  within opposed channels  45   a ,  45   b  by restricting the exit path. Each interior lip  35  and peripheral lip  40  pair defines opposed lateral openings  30   a ,  30   b  which provide access to opposed channels  45   a ,  45   b , respectively. The welting of sheet material  60  is releasably nested in the mounting channel  45   b  with a positive pressure against the inside surface of the channel requiring no further tension or clamping. The interior lip  35   b  and peripheral lip  40   b  of the mounting channel lateral opening  30   b  serve the dual purpose of preventing random release of the secured welting and providing for the neat pinching of the exterior sheet material so as to obscure the view of rod  10 , shown in FIG. 3, within the mounting channel  45   b . In a preferred embodiment, the welting of sheet material  60  and the spacer support  5  are removably held within opposing channels  45   a ,  45   b  by interior lips  35   a ,  35   b  and peripheral lips  40   a ,  40   b , respectively; however, those skilled in the art will also recognize various other means and methods that may be alternatively or conjunctively used within the scope of the present invention, such as any device or combination of devices suitably configured to restrict the exit path of material  60  or spacer support  5 . For example, the device or combination of devices may include a release pin, clasp, snaps, adhesive and/or the like.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, spacer support  5  is configured for guiding the lift/guide cord  65 , optionally attaching to spacer cord  70 , and being receivably engaged by spacer channel  45   a . As best shown in FIG. 2A, the spacer support  5  has an enlarged cylindrical end  25  which tapers down on its outside edge, thereby forming an arrowhead like configuration. Cylindrical end  25  is configured for nesting within spacer channel  45   a  between the inside surface of spacer channel  45   a , the interior channel lip  35   a  and the peripheral channel lip  40   a . Those skilled in the art will also recognize various other means and shapes that may be alternatively or conjunctively used which are considered as being within the scope of the present invention, such as any device or combination of devices suitably configured to engage the spacer channel  45   a . For example, such a device or combination of devices may include a pin, rod, clasp, adhesive, and/or the like. Moreover, spacer support  5  can be integral with shade clamp  1  as a single-piece construction. Spacer support  5  itself can also be of single piece construction. In a preferred embodiment, spacer support  5  is clear rigid PVC material with UV protection; however, any suitable material such as plastic, metal, wood and/or the like is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0040]    With reference to FIGS. 2A and 4, a planar flange  50  is attached to the longitudinal surface of cylindrical end  25 , such that flange  50 , when spacer support  5  is inserted into spacer channel  45   a , protrudes outwardly from the channel opening  30   a . In a preferred embodiment, spacer flange  50  includes an aperture  20  which receives lift cord  65  therethrough. The lift cord aperture  20  is positioned on the spacer flange  50  at a predetermined distance away from cylindrical end  25 . In a preferred embodiment, spacer support  5  is molded around spacer cord  70 , thereby providing a secure attachment between cord  70  and spacer support  5 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, spacer support  5  includes a cylindrical projection  53  which extends above and below spacer support  5 . In this embodiment, cylindrical projection  53  is also molded around spacer cord  70 , thereby increasing the support by spacer support  5  around spacer cord  70 . Cylindrical projection  53  may be any suitable material, may project above and/or below spacer support  5 , may be molded as a single unit with spacer support  5 , may be a separate component (such as a dowel, washer, etc.), and may be located anywhere on spacer support  5 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present system can include more than one lift cord  65  or more than one spacer cord  70 , and aperture  20  can be of any size, located anywhere on spacer support  5 , additional apertures can exist on spacer support  5  or cords  65 ,  70  may be suitably attached, by clip, glue and/or the like, to any portion of the spacer support  5 . Moreover, spacer support  5 , or any portion of spacer support  5 , may be formed around, and fused to, spacer cord  70  and/or lift cord  65 , thereby eliminating the need for the aperture  20 .  
         [0041]    With particular reference to FIG. 2B, spacer support  5  preferably includes an elliptical notch  54  on the cylindrical end  25  which receives a plate  52 . Notch  54  preferably includes a protruding, convex ridge along its inner circumference for receiving the side-slotted groove along the outer circumference of the side surface of plate  52 . Plate  52  is preferably an elliptical device with a first rounded end with a flat upper and lower surface and a second enlarged cylindrical end  25  which tapers down on its outside edge, thereby forming an arrowhead like configuration. In a preferred embodiment, if a spacer cord  70  is used, plate  52  and cylindrical projection  53  (as discussed above) is molded around spacer cord  70  such that spacer cord  70  travels through the flat upper and lower surface of plate  52 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the plate  52  and notch  54  configuration can be any configuration and can include any suitable means for attaching plate  52  to spacer support  5  (groove, clip, etc.), or alternatively, spacer support  5  can be a one piece configuration without a removable plate  52 .  
         [0042]    More particularly, if it is desired that sheet material  60  lay flat without pleating or the like (for example, in the case of sheet material  60  comprising a detailed pattern), plate  52  and spacer cord  70  may be eliminated from the system. However, if pleating or the like is desired (for example, in the case of sheet material  60  comprising a solid color), the incorporation of plate  52  and spacer cord  70  into spacer support  5  helps form the pleats.  
         [0043]    Rod  10  is any device configured for securing sheet material  60  within the mounting channel  45   b  of the shade clamp  1 . As best shown in FIG. 3 (which shows a portion of the elongated rod  10  in a V-spring clip embodiment), rod  10  is preferably one piece and has a length equal to the width of the shade. Alternatively, rod  10  is many clips, rods, or the like which are inserted into mounting channel  45   b  at various locations. Rod  10  is preferably a V-spring having depressible wings  55   a ,  55   b  for releasably securing a welting of the sheet material  60 . As best shown in FIG. 6, the V-spring wings  55   a ,  55   b  are compressed to collapse the rod  10  for subsequent insertion into the mounting channel  45   b  through the mounting channel lateral opening  30   b . After insertion into channel  45   b , the rod  10  is released and the wings  55   a ,  55   b  expand to provide a force against the inner surface of channel  45   b , thereby sandwiching the sheet material  60  in mounting channel  45   b  and restricting the movement of sheet material  60 . Those skilled in the art will also recognize various other means and shapes that may be alternatively or conjunctively used which are within the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, a rod, a pin, clasp, VELCRO™, adhesive, snaps and/or the like. Alternatively, rod  10  could be eliminated and material  60  can be wrapped around the outside of mounting channel  45   b  and optionally clamped to the outside of mounting channel  45   b  by any of the aforementioned clamping devices.  
         [0044]    The positional arrangement of the component parts of the sheet material mounting apparatus is best shown in FIG. 4. Spacer support  5  receivably engages through side insertion into spacer channel  45   a  of shade clamp  1  and the rod  10  receivably engages through side insertion the mounting channel  45   b  of the clamp  1 . An alternative method of receivably engaging both the spacer support  5  and the rod  10  in their respective channels  45   a ,  45   b  is shown by the arrows of FIG. 5 wherein the components are pushed into their respective channels through openings  30   a ,  30   b , respectively. Those skilled in the art will also recognize various other methods that may be alternatively or conjunctively used which are within the scope of the present invention, such as any arrangement or methods for receivably engaging, such as, for example, rotating the components into the channels, permanent single-piece construction and/or the like.  
         [0045]    As is best shown in FIG. 6, prior to receivably engaging a welting of sheet material  60 , the sheet material  60  is placed between the mounting channel  45   b  and the rod  10 . As the upper wing  55   a  and lower wing  55   b  of the rod  10  are compressed, the rod  10  is pushed through the lateral opening  30   b  of the mounting channel  45   b  or slid through the side, forcing a welting of fabric  60  into the mounting channel  45   b  as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, a welting of sheet material  60  can be wrapped around the exterior surface of the rod  10  and then depressed and forced through the lateral opening  30   b  (or slid through the side).  
         [0046]    With the guide spacer channel  45   a  opening the opposite direction to the sheet-material mounting channel  45   b , the receivably engaged spacer support  5  is positioned to bear a large percentage of the weight of the sheet material  60  at a point approximately directly above the point of sheet material attachment within channel  45   b . This configuration positions the center of gravity of the apparatus more directly above the mounting channel  45   b  which has the effect of reducing asymmetric tilting of the sheet-material mounting apparatus as the lift cord  70  is raised. This in turn reduces the friction incident upon the lift cord  70  as the shade travels through raised positions and reduces the pulling force needed to lift the shade.  
         [0047]    One method of attachment of clamp  1  to the support structure of a lift cord  65  and spacer cord  70  is shown in FIG. 8. As the lift cord  65  is raised, the spacer support  5  is engaged at a predetermined point to raise and travel with the lift cord  65 . The spacer cord  70  is a static line that provides a guide for a plurality of spacer supports  5  to travel along as the shade is moved through raised positions. The spacer cord  70  also assists with preventing torquing of the spacer supports  5  as the lift cord  65  is raised.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 shows an alternative configuration for reducing friction incident upon the lift cord  70 . In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the receivably engaged spacer support  5  is positioned to bear the weight of the sheet material  60  at a point directly below the point of sheet material attachment to mounting channel  45   b . This configuration positions the center of gravity of the apparatus more directly below the mounting channel  45   b  which similarly has the effect of reducing asymmetric tilting of the sheet-material mounting apparatus as the lift cord  65  is raised. The alternative embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 9 reduces the friction incident upon the lift cord  65  as the shade travels through raised positions as well.  
         [0049]    With respect to FIGS.  11 A-C, various views of a center support bracket  71  is shown. Center support bracket  71  is any suitable device configured to support the lift tube  112  (shown in FIG. 13), housing  90 , facie  110  (shown in FIG. 13), spacer support  5 , and fabric mount while providing a guide for the lift cords  65 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that bracket  71  is of any configuration and comprised of any suitable material. Moreover, bracket  71  can be one molded multi-functional component or can be a plurality of components which perform one or more of the aforementioned functions. In a preferred embodiment, bracket  71  includes a central circular opening  76  for supporting the lift tube  112 . Top and rear rectangular plates  78  are attached to opening  76  by a lattice structure which is perpendicular to the surface of opening  76 . Rectangular plates  78  include lips around its periphery such that plates  78  are suitably configured to attach bracket  71  to housing  90  by slidably engaging the lips into channels  94 . The front of bracket  71 , as best seen in FIG. 11B, preferably includes a rectangular facie plate  80  with a lip on its periphery for slidably engaging facie. One skilled in the art will appreciate that plates  78  and  80  can attach to other parts by any suitable means, including for example, snaps, VELCRO™, adhesives and/or the like, or can be integral with the other components. Below plate  80 , towards the bottom of bracket  71 , is an angled ledge  82  which is configured to support the fabric mounting spline. In one exemplary embodiment, the sheet material may be wrapped around the fabric mounting spline  60  and secured to the spline using an adhesive, staples, tacks, nails, VELCRO™, snaps and/or any such means suitable for such securing. Once the sheet material is affixed, the spline may be mounted securely in the angled ledge  82 . In one embodiment, the spline may be secured by inserting the spline including the sheet material  60  into the angled ledge and mounting the facie  110  to the bracket  71 . As best seen in FIG. 11A, below ledge  82 , and on the bottom of bracket  71 , are two opposing notches  72  which open to the outside surfaces of bracket  71  and a circular slot  73 . Notches  72  and slot  73  are suitably configured to retain spacer support  5 . Also, in an exemplary embodiment, on the bottom of bracket  71  and further towards the rear surface, there may be included four apertures  74  and  75 . Aperture  74  may be suitably configured to guide the lift cord  65  during the raising and lowering of the sheet material  60 .  
         [0050]    With respect to FIG. 12, an exemplary housing assembly  90  is shown. Housing assembly  90  is any suitable device or combination of devices in any suitable configuration for supporting center bracket  71  and facie  110  and comprised of any suitable material such as plastic, PVC, metal, aluminum, wood, and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment, housing  90  includes L-shaped plate  92  comprised of extruded aluminum, end caps  96  comprised of plastic, and wall brackets  104  comprised of metal. Plate  92  includes various channels  94  for slidably engaging plates  78  and  80  of center bracket  71 , wall bracket  104 , and plates  98  of end caps  96 . End caps  96  preferably include plates  98  for slidably engaging plate  92  and pins  100  for attaching to the shade drive end bracket.  
         [0051]    In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the present invention, FIGS.  14 A-E illustrate an exemplary insertion tool  200 . Insertion tool  200  may be used for assembling components of a sheet material mounting device, such as shade clamp  201  and spacer support  205 . However, it will be appreciated that insertion tool  200  may be used in any of several contexts. For example, insertion tool  200  may be used to insert or assemble hardware components within an opening in a wall or similar structure. Insertion tool  200  may also be configured for use with components used in microdevices, such as integrated circuits. Referring now to FIG. 14A, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, tool  200  comprises a base member  202  having a working end  204  and a handle end  206 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that tool  200  may be comprised of any suitable material or combinations of materials, such as, for example, plastic, metal, wood, concrete, rock, and/or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, tool  200  is molded of Delrin. Moreover, tool  200  may be comprised of a single molded, shaped, or formed unit, or it may comprise any number of pieces permanently or releasably attached to each other.  
         [0052]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, handle end  206  is configured to be gripped by the hand of a person, though other embodiments of handle  206  may permit use of tool  200  by a machine or automated device. In one embodiment, handle end  206  permits insertion of a hand through an open center portion  208  and around handle portion  210 . Handle portion  210  may comprise any suitable surface contour or configuration, such as rounded or bulbous, cylindrical, rectangular, conical, and/or the like. In another embodiment, center portion  208  is a solid portion which permits handle end  206  to be grasped in the palm of the hand. For example, in this embodiment, handle portion  210  may be held by being pressed against the palm of the hand while the fingers of the hand grasp one side of center portion  208  and the thumb grasps an opposite side of center portion  208 . Handle end  206  may be of any suitable dimension or size. In one embodiment, handle end  206  is thicker than working end  204  to suitably accommodate the grip or grasp of a human hand, a machine, or an automated device.  
         [0053]    Working end  204  is distal from the handle end  206  and is configured to receivably engage and releasably retain a part or component, such as spacer support  205 , such that working end  204  and the component are then capable of being inserted into and receivably engaged by an opening, such as spacer channel  245   a  for example. As described herein, the insertion of a component into a spacer channel illustrates an exemplary use for and method of using tool  200  in accordance with the present invention. However, tool  200  may be used to insert and adjust or align parts or components in conjunction with other types of openings, channels, or holes having a variety of shapes or configurations, such as circular, rectangular, square, oblong, triangular, etc., and still fall within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, working end  204  includes a pair of spaced apart protruding members  212  which are each configured to be inserted into or slid through the spacer channel  245   a  of shade clamp  201 , as best illustrated in FIG. 14D. The protruding members  212  extend outwardly from the working end  204  of base member  202  and may be of any suitable shape or configuration, such as rectangular, cylindrical, conical, square, and/or the like.  
         [0054]    In one embodiment, protruding members  212  are substantially rectangular. In this embodiment, the protruding members  212  each comprise an outer edge  214 , an inner edge  215 , an upper surface  216 , a lower surface (not shown), an inner side surface  218 , and an outer side surface  219 . In one embodiment, outer edge  214  has a rounded surface. In another embodiment, upper surface  216  is gradually sloped upward relative to a level lower surface, such that thickness T of protruding member  212  gradually increases along the width of protruding member  212  between outer edge  214  and inner edge  215 . In one embodiment, upper surface  216  is gradually sloped upward at an angle ranging from about 2 degrees to about 15 degrees relative to the lower surface and the longitudinal axis of the base member  202 . Preferably, upper surface  216  is sloped upward at an angle of from about 3 degrees to about 7 degrees and, more preferably, from about 3 degrees to about 4 degrees. In another embodiment, the lower surface (not shown) of the protruding member  212  is gradually sloped downward relative to a level upper surface  216 , such that thickness T of protruding member  212  gradually increases along the width of protruding member  212  between outer edge  214  and inner edge  215 . In this embodiment, the lower surface is gradually sloped at an angle ranging from about 2 degrees to about 15 degrees relative to the upper surface  216  and the longitudinal axis of the base member  202 . Preferably, the lower surface is sloped at an angle of from about 3 degrees to about 7 degrees and, more preferably, from about 3 degrees to about 4 degrees. In yet another embodiment, both the upper surface  216  and the lower surface of protruding member  212  are gradually sloped away from each other and relative to the longitudinal axis of the base member  202  such that each protruding member  212  has a substantially conical configuration.  
         [0055]    In an exemplary embodiment, protruding members  212  are spaced apart by a recess  222  in the working end  204  of base member  202 . Recess  222  may be of any suitable shape or configuration, such as square, rectangular, semi-circular, and/or the like. In one embodiment, a rear surface  224  and a pair of opposing side surfaces  226  in the working end  204  define recess  222 . In an exemplary embodiment, opposing side surfaces  226  each include means for engaging and retaining a spacer support  205 , which means may include a plurality of retaining members adapted to support the spacer support  205  within recess  222 , a suitably dimensioned channel or track which may be inset into each of the opposing side surfaces  222  and into which the spacer support  205  may be inserted, or the like. In an alternate embodiment, rear surface  224  may also include suitable means for releasably retaining spacer support  205 , such as retaining members or a suitably dimensioned inset channel or track. Recess  222  and the means for engaging and retaining spacer support  205  are suitably adapted to releasably engage the spacer support  205 .  
         [0056]    In one embodiment, the means for engaging and retaining a spacer support  205  comprise a plurality of retaining members  228  extending from each of the opposing side surfaces  226 . The retaining members  228  may be arranged in any suitable configuration capable of receivably engaging and retaining the spacer support  205  within recess  222 . As illustrated in FIG. 14B, retaining members  228  may be arranged in a V-shaped configuration such that a pair of spaced apart upper retaining members  228   a  are coupled with a lower retaining member  228   b  which is placed beneath the space  230  that separates the pair of upper retaining members  228   a . A space or track having height H 2  is created between upper retaining members  228   a  and lower retaining member  228   b . Height H 2  is slightly greater than the thickness H 1  of spacer support  205 . In this manner, the spaces or tracks created by the opposing side surfaces  226  may stabilize and retain the spacer support  205  within the recess  222 , such that when spacer support  205  is inserted within the recess  222 , an upper portion, such as that provided by the retaining members  228   a , exerts a downward force on spacer support  205  while a lower portion, such as provided by retaining member  228   b , exerts an upward force on spacer support  205 . Alternatively, retaining members  228  may be arranged such that a pair of spaced apart upper retaining members is coupled with a spaced apart pair of lower retaining members. In a further embodiment, retaining members  228  may be adapted such that a single upper retaining member on each of the opposing sides  226  is coupled with a single lower retaining member on each of the opposing sides  226  to suitably engage and retain spacer support  205  within recess  222 . Recess  222  and retaining members  228  are suitably dimensioned to permit spacer support  205  to be slidably inserted within and removed from the recess  222 . In one embodiment, recess  222  has a width W 2  that is slightly greater than a width W 1  of spacer support  205  and a length L 2  that is substantially similar to a length L 1  of spacer support  205 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that retaining members  228  illustrate an exemplary means for engaging and retaining a spacer support  205  within recess  222  in accordance with the present invention and that other structures, such as an inset track or channel within each of opposing side surfaces  226 , which perform similar functions may be employed and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0057]    As seen in FIG. 14C, spacer support  205  may be inserted within recess  222  such that planar flange  250  is supported by retaining members  228  and cylindrical end  225  occupies the space between the protruding members  212 . In one embodiment, the outer edge  227  of cylindrical end  225  is substantially flush with the outer edges  214  of protruding members  212 . Spacer support  205  may be inserted into the tool  200  either with or without a spacer cord (not shown) being inserted through cylindrical projection  253  and/or a lift cord (not shown) being inserted through lift cord aperture  220 .  
         [0058]    Referring next to FIG. 14D, tool  200 , with spacer support  205  retained within recess  222 , can be used to insert spacer support  205  within spacer channel  245   a  of shade clamp  201 . In one embodiment, one of the protruding members  212  of the working end  204  of tool  200  is brought into contact with a spacer channel end  247  and is inserted or slid into spacer channel  245   a  between peripheral lip  240   a  and inner lip  235   a . In this embodiment, the protruding member  212  may be used to open or slightly pry apart the lips  240   a  and  235   a  at one end  247  of the spacer channel  245   a , such that a first protruding member  212  slides into the spacer channel  245   a , followed by spacer support  205  and then a second protruding member  212 .  
         [0059]    Alternatively, the working end  204  of tool  200  with spacer support  205  retained within recess  222  may be brought into contact with the spacer channel  245   a  such that the protruding members  212  and the spacer support  205  exert a perpendicular force in the direction of arrow  232  against lips  240   a  and  235   a . As one skilled in the art will appreciate, in the context of using tool  200  with other types of openings and other types of parts or components, the working end  204  of tool  200  may be brought into contact with the outer edges of the opening, such that the protruding members  212  and the component exert a perpendicular force against the outer edges of the opening to enable the tool  200  and the component to be inserted into the opening. The tool  200  may be inserted into an opening with or without the aid of an additional tool, such as a hammer or mallet for example (not shown). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14D, the working end  204  of the tool  200  may be used to insert the spacer support  205  substantially at the desired location or position within the spacer channel  245   a . That is, protruding members  212  are used substantially simultaneously to open or pry apart lips  240   a  and  235   a  at a selected location along spacer channel  245   a  to permit the insertion of the protruding members  212  and spacer support  205  into the spacer channel  245   a . However, in either of these embodiments, once inserted within the spacer channel  245   a , tool  200  permits the spacer support  205  to be suitably moved or selectively positioned within spacer channel  245   a . Thus, tool  200  may be used to selectively position spacer support  205  within the spacer channel  245   a  during the insertion step or, alternatively, the tool  200  may be used to selectively position spacer support  205  anywhere along the length of spacer channel  245   a  subsequent to the insertion step. Moreover, tool  200  may be used consecutively to similarly insert and position multiple spacer supports  205  within spacer channel  245   a.    
         [0060]    Once spacer support  205  has been suitably positioned within spacer channel  245   a , the tool  200  may be suitably removed from the spacer channel  245   a . In one embodiment, tool  200  is removed by the exertion of a force on tool  200  that is perpendicular to and away from the spacer channel  245   a . In this manner, the tool  200  is pulled directly out of and away from the spacer channel  245   a  in the direction of arrow  234  of FIG. 14E. As further illustrated in FIG. 14E, since recess  222  and retaining members  228  are adapted to releasably engage spacer support  205 , spacer support  205  remains suitably positioned within spacer channel  245   a  when tool  200  is removed from the spacer channel  245   a.    
         [0061]    Once a part or component has been inserted into the appropriate opening, such as spacer channel  245   a , the component may require adjustment or re-alignment with respect to other components of the window covering system. The tool  200  also may be used to adjust or re-align these already-assembled components. The tool  200  provides leverage and a gripping surface to assist in shifting the arrangement of assembled components. To accomplish this, the tool  200  is extended into the opening and brought into contact with the component such that the component is retained by the working end  204  and capable of being moved by the tool  200  to an alternate position within the channel or opening without being bound by the opening. In this manner, the tool  200  permits adjustment and realignment of tightly fitting assembled components.  
         [0062]    FIGS.  15 A-D depict exemplary embodiments of a lifting sleeve  300  which may be used with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15A, lifting sleeve  300  may be cylindrical in shape, and may include a circular proximal end  302  (shown in FIG. 15C) and a circular distal end  304  (shown in FIG. 15D), where the outer diameter of the proximal end  302  may be greater than the outer diameter of the distal end  304 . Lifting sleeve  300  may further include an open passageway  310 . The passageway  310  may be formed from the proximal end  302  to the distal end  304 , or alternatively, the passageway  310  may be formed partially from the distal end  304  terminating within the body of sleeve  300 . In one exemplary embodiment, the passageway  310  may be of constant diameter from the proximal end  302  to the distal end  304 . In another exemplary embodiment of the lifting sleeve  300  shown in FIG. 15B, passageway  112  may be tapered along a portion of the passageway  312  length. Such tapering may include the diameter of the passageway  310  at the proximal end  302  being different from the diameter at the distal end  304 . In either configuration, the diameter of the passageway  310  at its distal end  304  may be such that the open passageway  310  permits the partial or full insertion of a lift tube  112  (shown in FIG. 16). In this context, lifting sleeve  300  may be suitably configured to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the lift tube  112 . Lifting sleeve  300  may be configured to freely rotate during operation of the support structure.  
         [0063]    The proximal end  302  of lifting sleeve  300  may be further configured such that the proximal end  302  may abut, mate with, engage or lie flush against the opening  76  of support bracket  71 . As shown in FIG. 16, when abutting against opening  76 , the lifting sleeve  300  and the opening  76  may permit the partial or full insertion of lifting tube  112  into the passageway  310  and/or partially or fully into the opening  76 . In addition, lifting sleeve  300  may be aligned against opening  76  such that lift cord  65  may be guided onto the proximal end  302 . Further included on the proximal end  302  of sleeve  300  may be a shoulder  308  for ensuring that the lift cord  65  remains engaged with an outer surface  306  of the lifting sleeve  300 , where the outer surface  306  extends from the shoulder  308  to the distal end  304 . In this arrangement, the first winding is made to abut against the surface of the shoulder  308  nearest the distal end  304  of the sleeve. That is, the shoulder  308  may be configured such that the shoulder  308  is positioned against the support bracket  71  preventing the cord  65  from lodging between the support bracket  71  and lifting sleeve  300 . More particularly, the portion of the lift cord  65 , traversing from aperture  74  to the outer surface  306 , may be permitted to engage the surface  306  of lifting sleeve  300  tangentially.  
         [0064]    In an exemplary embodiment, outer surface  306  of the lifting sleeve  300  forms a continuous uninterrupted surface. More particularly, the contour of surface  306  forms a continuous arc (e.g., circle segment) of suitable radius, wherein the chord  312  of the arc may be drawn from the shoulder  308  to the lifting sleeve distal end  304 .  
         [0065]    It should be noted that although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with respect to a first and second winding, it should be understood that the first and second winding may represent any numbered winding which includes successively wound cords. Thus, the use of first winding and second winding is done for illustrative purposes only.  
         [0066]    During operation, a first winding of lift cord  65  may traverse the circumference of the lifting sleeve  300  at the sleeve proximal end  302  on the side of shoulder  308  nearest the distal end  304 . The cords are lifted uniformly, in order to lift the sheet material  60  while keeping the bottom of the sheet material absolutely parallel with the horizontal. As the shade sheet material  60  is raised from a lowered position, additional windings of lift cord  65  may further engage the lifting sleeve in similar fashion as is described above with respect to a first winding. The first winding may experience moving forces resulting from the tangential and perpendicular force components of gravity, which may cause the first winding to move from its position abutting the shoulder  308  and move closer to the distal end  304  of the sleeve  300 . That is, as the sleeve  300  rotates about its central axis, a second winding of cord  65  may seek to stack on the first winding of cord  65 . The weight of shade material  60  causes the second winding to exert at least a substantially downward contact force as well as a substantially tangential force on the first winding. The tangential force being exerted by the first winding may be directed from the shoulder of sleeve  300  and may be substantially tangential to the portion of the arc surface  306  with which the first winding is in contact. In this manner, the combination of the downward and tangential forces exerted by the second winding causes the first winding to move from its position near the shoulder  308  and traverse in a direction down the surface  306  toward the distal end of the sleeve  300 . This process is repeated as additional winding engage the lifting sleeve  300  permitting the lift cord  65  to be raised at any desired distance. Once raised, the lift cord  65  may be positioned on sleeve  300  in a substantially unstacked fashion.  
         [0067]    During the lowering of the shade material  60 , the sleeve  300  may rotate in a direction opposite the rotational direction experienced by the sleeve  300  during the raising of the material  60 . That is, the cord  65  may be unwound from the sleeve  300  as the shade material is lowered to any desired position. As the sleeve  300  is rotated, the second winding may be guided from the sleeve surface  306  to the aperture  74 . The movement of the first winding may substantially facilitate the traversal of the first winding into a position nearer to and/or abutting sleeve shoulder  308 . With continued winding of the sleeve  300  the first winding may be guided from surface  306  to aperture  74 , in similar manner as is described with respect to the second winding, permitting the cord  65  to be in a substantially unwound position.  
         [0068]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention and that the invention encompasses all such modifications. No single feature, function, or property of any disclosed embodiment is required for the practice of the present invention unless specifically described herein as “essential” or “critical.”