Patent Publication Number: US-10329836-B2

Title: Window covering positional adjustment apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/177,575. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present innovation relates to window coverings. For example, the present innovation relates to window coverings, mechanisms utilized to help facilitate the positional adjustment of window covering material, and methods of making and using the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Window coverings can be configured so that a material is moveable to partially or fully cover a window. Examples of window coverings can be appreciated from U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,984,745, 7,331,370, 7,311,133, 7,228,797, 7,108,038, 7,025,107, 7,021,360, 6,761,203, 6,725,897, 6,644,373, 6,644,372, 6,601,635, 6,571,853, 6,289,965, 6,234,236, 6,283,192, 6,129,131, 6,024,154, 5,706,876, 5,482,100, 3,129,750, 2,420,301, and 13,251 and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2012/0111509, 2010/0243177, 2007/0056692, and 2007/0051477. 
     Spring motors that may be employed in window coverings can often include spring elements that can add substantial cost to the spring motor unit. For instance, the spring member of the spring motor unit may require use of a substantial transmission system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,192 or may require use of a type of spring member that has a special construction that can be expensive to help facilitate the support of the variable load of the window covering material as that material is raised or lowered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     I have determined that a new window covering design is needed that can permit effective height adjustment of window covering material while also permitting the use of a less expensive spring element and have developed a new window covering, window covering positional adjustment mechanism, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the window covering can be configured as a cordless window covering that does not have any exposed operator cord. In other embodiments, the window covering can include exposed lift cords, an exposed operator cord or operator wand, and/or exposed venetian blind ladder cords or ladder tape. 
     In some embodiments, a window covering includes a first rail, window covering material that is connected to the first rail such that the window covering material is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a positional adjustment mechanism connected to the first rail. The positional adjustment mechanism can include a spring motor unit, a first lift cord pulley connected to the spring motor unit, a first lift cord collection mechanism comprising a first roller positioned in the first rail, and a first lift cord having a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end where the first terminal end of the first lift cord is connected to the first lift cord pulley. The first lift cord can extend from the first lift cord pulley through the window covering material such that a portion of the first lift cord passes along the first roller. The first roller can be configured such that the first roller rotates in a first rotational direction when the window covering is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The first roller can also be configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction for only a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position such that the first roller no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction during retraction of the window covering material. 
     In a number of embodiments, the first lift cord may move along the first roller during retraction and extension of the window covering material. For instance, the first lift cord may move along an exterior surface of the first roller during retraction and extension of the window covering material. 
     The pre-selected number of revolutions can be any of a number of possible pre-selected numbers. For instance, the pre-selected number of revolutions can be one of: five revolutions, three revolutions, 1 revolution, 0.5 revolutions, 0.25 revolutions. The pre-selected number of revolutions can also be another number such as, for example, 10 revolutions, 2 revolutions, or 0.1 revolutions. 
     The first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism can have a number of different configurations. In some embodiments, the first roller can include a first outer tubular body and a second inner tubular body positioned within the first outer tubular body such that the first outer tubular body is rotatable relative to the second inner tubular body. The second inner tubular body can have a groove defined in an exterior surface of the second inner tubular body. A ball can be positioned within the groove between the first outer tubular body and the second inner tubular body. The ball can be moveable within the groove during rotation of the first outer tubular body. The first roller can also include a rod positioned within the first outer tubular body to contact the ball during rotation of the first outer tubular body to drive motion of the ball within the groove. The groove can be configured to have different depths within the second inner tubular body. In some embodiments, the groove can be configured so that the rod contacts the ball and binds against the ball to prevent rotation of the first outer tubular body after the first outer tubular body has rotated in the second rotational direction no more than the pre-selected number of revolutions. The groove can also be configured such that the rod passes over the ball when the first outer tubular body rotates in the first rotational direction. 
     In other embodiments, the first roller can be configured to include a first outer tubular body, a second inner tubular body positioned within the first outer tubular body such that the first outer tubular body is rotatable relative to the second inner tubular bod, and a plurality of balls. The second inner tubular body can have a plurality of teeth positioned adjacent a plurality of slots defined within the first outer tubular body and the balls can be positioned within the slots of the first outer tubular body and the second inner tubular body such that the balls are moveable along an outer surface of the second inner tubular body when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the first rotational direction. The balls can be bindable (e.g. in contact with, in engagement with, etc.) against the teeth when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the second rotational direction after the first outer tubular body has rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions (e.g. 0.2 revolutions, 0.3 revolutions, 0.4 revolutions, 0.75 revolutions, 0.9 revolutions, 1.0 revolutions, etc.) to prevent the first outer tubular body to further rotate to prevent further rotation of the first roller in the second rotational direction. In some embodiments, each of the balls may be positioned in a first end of a respective one of the slots when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the first rotational direction and is located in the second end of the respective one of the slots after the first outer tubular body is rotated in the second rotational direction that pre-selected number of revolutions so that the ball binds against a respective tooth of the teeth of the second inner tubular body. In other embodiments, the slots of the first outer tubular body can be configured to be in communication with immediately adjacent slots so that the balls are moveable through all of the slots during rotation of the first outer tubular body in the first rotational direction and are configured to be held in an end of a respective one of the slots after the first outer tubular body has rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions to bind against a respective one of the teeth of the second inner tubular body to prevent further rotation of the first outer tubular body in the second rotational direction. The balls may move along an outer surface of the second inner tubular body as the first outer tubular body rotates in the first rotational direction and pass over the teeth or distal points of the teeth as they move from one slot to an immediately adjacent slot as the first outer tubular body rotates in the first rotational direction. 
     Embodiments of the window covering can include other elements. For instance, the window covering can include a second rail. The second rail may be a bottom rail in some embodiments. For such embodiments, the first rail may be a headrail or an intermediate rail of a top down bottom up window covering. 
     Some embodiments of the window covering can include one or more second rail pulleys. For example, some embodiments can include a first second rail pulley positioned in a second rail. A portion of the first lift cord can extend along the first second rail pulley such that the first lift cord has at least two vertically extending segments passing through the window covering material between the first rail and the second rail. 
     The first cord collection mechanism can also comprise a second roller. The second terminal end of the first lift cord can be connected to the second roller. The first lift cord collection mechanism can also have a housing. The first roller can be connected to the housing and the second roller can be connected to the housing such that the second roller is above the first roller. 
     The spring motor unit can include a number of possible configurations. For instance, the spring motor unit can include a first spring motor pulley, a second spring motor pulley, and a spring member extending between the first and second spring motor pulleys. The first spring motor pulley can be connected to the first lift cord pulley such that the first lift cord pulley rotates in a same direction as the first spring motor pulley when the first spring motor pulley rotates. In yet other embodiments, the spring motor unit can include a number of different spring motors that each include first and second spring motor pulleys and a spring member extending therebetween. The multiple spring motors may be aligned in parallel so that the first spring motor pulleys are all rotatable along the same rotational axis defined by the same rotational axle and the second spring motors are all rotatable along the same rotational axis defined by the same rotational axle. 
     Embodiments of the window covering can also include a second lift cord pulley connected to the second spring motor pulley and a second lift cord collection mechanism comprising a first roller positioned in the first rail. A second lift cord having a first terminal end connected to the second lift cord pulley can also be included in such embodiments. The second lift cord can extend from the second lift cord pulley through the window covering material such that a portion of the second lift cord passes along the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism. The second lift cord can also have a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. The first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can be configured such that the first roller rotates in a first rotational direction when the window covering is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism also configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction for only a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted such that the first roller no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction during retraction of the window covering material. The second lift cord may move along the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism during retraction and extension of the window covering material. 
     The second spring motor pulley can be connected to the second lift cord pulley such that the second lift cord pulley rotates in a same direction as the second spring motor pulley when the second spring motor pulley rotates. In some embodiments, such a connection can be provided by at least one gear between the second spring motor pulley and the second lift cord pulley or by teeth that may intermesh that extend between the second spring motor pulley and the second lift cord pulley. 
     For some embodiments of the spring motor unit, the spring member can have a first end connected to the first spring motor pulley and a second end connected to the second spring motor pulley such that the first and second sprint motor pulleys rotate in a same rotational direction when the window covering material is retracted and also rotate in a same rotational direction when the window covering material is retracted. For such embodiments, the first lift cord pulley can have teeth that intermesh with teeth extending from the first spring motor pulley to connect the first lift cord pulley to the first spring motor pulley and the second lift cord pulley can have teeth that intermesh with teeth extending from the second spring motor pulley to connect the second lift cord pulley to the second spring motor pulley. Alternatively, there may be one or more gears that are positioned between the first spring motor pulley and the first lift cord pulley and one or more gears positioned between the second spring motor pulley and the second lift cord pulley to provide such a connection between the first and second lift cord pulleys and the spring motor unit so that the pulleys of the spring motor unit rotate in a same direction as the first and second lift cord pulleys during retraction and extension of the window covering material. 
     In some embodiments of the window covering, there may also be a second second rail pulley positioned in the second rail. A portion of the second lift cord can extend along the second second rail pulley such that the second lift cord has at least two vertically extending segments passing through the window covering material between the first rail and the second rail. For such embodiments, the second lift cord collection mechanism can also comprise a second roller. The second terminal end of the second lift cord can be connected to the second roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism. The second lift cord collection mechanism can also have a housing. The first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can be connected to the housing of the second lift cord collection mechanism and the second roller can be connected to the housing of the second lift cord collection mechanism such that the second roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism is above the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism. 
     Embodiments of the window covering can also be configured to include a first rail, window covering material that is connected to the first rail such that the window covering material is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, a second rail, and a positional adjustment mechanism connected to the first rail. The positional adjustment mechanism can include a spring motor unit having a first spring motor pulley, a second spring motor pulley, and a spring member extending between the first and second spring motor pulleys, a first lift cord pulley connected to the first spring motor pulley of the spring motor unit, a second lift cord pulley connected to the second spring motor pulley of the spring motor unit, a first lift cord collection mechanism comprising a first roller positioned in the first rail adjacent a first end of the first rail and a second lift cord collection mechanism comprising a first roller positioned in the first rail adjacent a second end of the first rail, a first lift cord having a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end where the first terminal end of the first lift cord is connected to the first lift cord pulley and the first lift cord extends from the first lift cord pulley through the window covering material such that a portion of the first lift cord passes along the first roller, and a second lift cord having a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end where the first terminal end of the second lift cord is connected to the second lift cord pulley and the second lift cord extends from the second lift cord pulley through the window covering material such that a portion of the second lift cord passes along the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism. The first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism can be configured such that the first roller rotates in a first rotational direction when the window covering is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and the first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism is also configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction for only a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position such that the first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction during retraction of the window covering material. The first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can be configured such that the first roller rotates in a first rotational direction when the window covering is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism is also configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction for only a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position such that the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction during retraction of the window covering material. 
     Embodiments of the window covering can include a first second rail pulley positioned in the second rail such that a portion of the first lift cord extends along the first second rail pulley such that the first lift cord has at least two vertically extending segments passing through the window covering material between the first rail and the second rail. Such embodiments can also include a second second rail pulley positioned in the second rail. A portion of the second lift cord can extend along the second second rail pulley such that the second lift cord has at least two vertically extending segments passing through the window covering material between the first rail and the second rail. 
     The first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism and the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can each include a first outer tubular body and a second inner tubular body positioned within the first outer tubular body such that the first outer tubular body is rotatable relative to the second inner tubular body. The second inner tubular body can have a groove defined in an exterior surface of the second inner tubular body. A ball can be positioned within the groove between the first outer tubular body and the second inner tubular body such that the ball is moveable within the groove during rotation of the first outer tubular body. The first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism and the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can each also include a rod positioned within the first outer tubular body to contact the ball during rotation of the first outer tubular body to drive motion of the ball within the groove. 
     In other embodiments, the first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism and the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism can each be configured to include a first outer tubular body, a second inner tubular body positioned within the first outer tubular body such that the first outer tubular body is rotatable relative to the second inner tubular bod, and a plurality of balls. The second inner tubular body can have a plurality of teeth positioned adjacent a plurality of slots defined within the first outer tubular body and the balls can be positioned within the slots of the first outer tubular body and the second inner tubular body such that the balls are moveable along an outer surface of the second inner tubular body when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the first rotational direction. The balls can be bindable (e.g in contact with, in engagement with, etc.) against the teeth when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the second rotational direction after the first outer tubular body has rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions to prevent the first outer tubular body to further rotate to prevent further rotation of the first roller in the second rotational direction. In some embodiments, each of the balls may be positioned in a first end of a respective one of the slots when the first outer tubular body is rotated in the first rotational direction and is located in the second end of the respective one of the slots after the first outer tubular body is rotated in the second rotational direction that pre-selected number of revolutions so that the ball binds against a respective tooth of the teeth of the second inner tubular body. In other embodiments, the slots of the first outer tubular body can be configured to be in communication with immediately adjacent slots so that the balls are moveable through all of the slots during rotation of the first outer tubular body in the first rotational direction and are configured to be held in an end of a respective one of the slots after the first outer tubular body has rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions to bind against a respective one of the teeth of the second inner tubular body to prevent further rotation of the first outer tubular body in the second rotational direction. The balls may move along an outer surface of the second inner tubular body as the first outer tubular body rotates in the first rotational direction and pass over the teeth or distal points of the teeth as they move from one slot to an immediately adjacent slot as the first outer tubular body rotates in the first rotational direction. 
     The first lift cord pulley, the second lift cord pulley, the first spring motor pulley, and the second spring motor pulley can be configured to all rotate in a same direction when the window covering material is extended and are also configured to rotate in a same direction when the window covering material is retracted. For such embodiments, the first roller of the first lift cord collection mechanism and the first roller of the second lift cord collection mechanism may also be configured to rotate in the same rotational direction during retraction and extension of the window covering material. The rotational direction of the first rollers of the first and second lift cord collection mechanisms may be a different rotational direction that the rotational direction of the first and second lift cod pulleys and first and second spring motor pulleys. 
     Embodiments of the window covering may also have other configurations. For instance, some embodiments of the window covering can include a first rail, window covering material that is connected to the first rail such that the window covering material is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a positional adjustment mechanism connected to the first rail. The positional adjustment mechanism can include a spring motor unit, a first lift cord pulley connected to the spring motor unit, a first lift cord collection mechanism comprising a first roller positioned in the first rail, and a first lift cord having a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. The first terminal end of the first lift cord can be connected to the first lift cord pulley. The first lift cord can extend from the first lift cord pulley through the window covering material such that a portion of the first lift cord passes along the first roller. The first roller can be configured such that the first roller rotates in a first rotational direction when the window covering is moved from the extended position to the retracted position and the first roller can be configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction for only a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the retracted position to the extended position such that the first roller no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from the retracted position to the extended position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction during extension of the window covering material. In some embodiments of this window covering, the first rail may be a bottom rail of the window covering. In other embodiments, the first rail may be an intermediate rail or other rail of a window covering. 
     Embodiments of the window covering can also include a slat control mechanism. In some embodiments, the slat control mechanism can include a shaft or a tilt rod connected to at least one ladder cord tilt pulley or a plurality of spaced apart ladder cord tilt pulleys. For instance, a first ladder cord tilt pulley can be positioned adjacent a housing to which a first roller is connected. The first ladder cord tilt pulley can be located above the first roller. The first ladder cord tilt pulley can be connected to the shaft or the tilt rod such that rotation of the shaft causes the first ladder cord tilt pulley to rotate. An operator wand may be connected to the shaft or tilt rod via an operator wand gear connected to the operator wand having teeth intermeshed with teeth of a gear attached to the tilt rod or the shaft so that rotation of the wand in one rotational direction causes the operator wand gear to rotate about a vertically extending axis in a first direction to drive rotational motion of the tilt rod or shaft about a horizontal axis in a first direction and rotation of the wand in an opposite rotational direction causes the operator wand gear to rotate about the vertically extending axis in a second direction to drive rotational motion of the tilt rod or shaft about a horizontal axis in a second direction. The rotation of the tilt rod or shaft can cause ladders that support slats to change positions to effect titling of slats between open and closed positions. The ladders can be cord ladders. The cord ladders may be composed of tape or cords. In some embodiments, each ladder can include a single cord or tape that has different segments form front and rear rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, the front and rear rails of the ladder can be composed of interconnected cords or tape. Rungs of the ladder may be composed of cord or tape that extends between the front and rear rails for supporting a slat thereon. 
     Other details, objects, and advantages of the window covering, window covering positional adjustment mechanism, and methods of making and using the same will become apparent as the following description of certain exemplary embodiments thereof proceeds. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the window covering, window covering positional adjustment mechanism, and methods of making the same are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of my window covering in a first extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of my window covering in a second retracted position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of my window covering with the window covering material cut away to better illustrate lift cord components of the window covering. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary component of the window covering positional adjustment mechanism that is utilized in the first and third exemplary embodiments of my window covering and includes elements used in the second exemplary embodiment as well. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the third exemplary embodiment of my window covering with the window covering material cut away to better illustrate lift cord components of the window covering. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the second exemplary embodiment of my window covering, which is configured as a blind, with the slats of the window covering material cut away to better illustrate lift cord and ladder cord components of the window covering. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an exemplary component of the window covering positional adjustment mechanism that can be utilized in embodiments of my window covering. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the exemplary component of the window covering positional adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 7  that can be utilized in embodiments of my window covering. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the exemplary component of the window covering positional adjustment mechanism shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to illustrate a roller in a locked position that prevents the roller from rotating in a rotational direction after a pre-selected number of revolutions (e.g. 0.1 revolutions, 0.25 revolutions, 0.5 revolutions, etc.). 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 9  of the exemplary component of the window covering positional adjustment mechanism that illustrates the roller in an unlocked position in which it can freely rotate in two different rotational directions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 1-10 , embodiments of the window covering can include a height adjustment mechanism for controlling the raising and lowering of window covering material. Embodiments of the window covering can be configured to permit the window covering material to be raised and lowered without use of lift cords passing through a cord lock and/or without use of any exposed operator cord. Some embodiments may also be configured so that there is no exposed cord that a child could manipulate. Other embodiments may include one or more exposed cords, such as exposed lift cords or exposed venetian blind slat ladder cords or exposed venetian blind ladder tape. 
     Embodiments of the window covering  1  can include a first rail  3 , a second rail  5 , and window covering material  7  that is moveably attached to the first rail  3 . In some embodiments, the first rail  3  can be configured as a headrail and the second rail  5  can be configured as a bottom rail. In embodiments of the window covering in which the window covering is configured as a top down bottom up shade, there may also be a third rail positioned above the first rail  3  such that the first rail is an intermediate rail and the upper third rail is a headrail. The first rail can have a length L, a width W, and a height H. The length L can be greater than the width W and can also be greater than the height H. 
     The second rail  5  can be connected to the window covering material  7  and/or may be coupled to the first rail  3  such that the window covering material  7  and second rail  5  are moveable relative to the first rail. The window covering material  7  can be moveable between a fully lowered, or fully extended first position, and a fully retracted, or fully raised second position. The window covering material  7  may be connected to the first rail  3  via a positional adjustment mechanism  11  so that the window covering material  7  is adjustably positioned in any number of other positions between the fully raised and fully lowered positions. The second rail  5  can also be connected to the positional adjustment mechanism to be moved relative to the first rail as the window covering material position is adjusted. 
     The positional adjustment mechanism  11  can be considered a height adjustment mechanism for controlling the raising and lowering of window covering material  7  for at least some embodiments of the window covering  1 . The positional adjustment mechanism  11  can include a spring motor unit and lift cord collection mechanisms  31  located in the first rail  3  and/or second rail pulleys  40  located in the second rail  5 . In other embodiments, the spring motor unit  12  and the lift cord collection mechanisms  31  can be located in the second rail  5  and second rail pulleys  40  can be positioned in the first rail  3 . Yet other embodiments may not include any second rail pulleys  40  such as the exemplary embodiment of the window covering shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The window covering material  7  can be any type of suitable material, such as slats on ladders, pleated material, cellular material, fabric material, non-woven fabric material, woven wood, woven bamboo, or other type of material. One or more lift cords may extend from the positional adjustment mechanism  11  located within the first rail  3  through the window covering material  7  to connect the window covering material to the positional adjustment mechanism  11 . In some embodiments, the one or more lift cords may be directly connected to the window covering material. In other embodiments, the one or more lift cords may be pass through the window covering material  7  and also be connected to the second rail  5  and/or pass through the second rail  5  to facilitate a connection of the positional adjustment mechanism  11  to the window covering material  7  and the second rail  5 . 
     Some embodiments of the window covering  1  can include a first lift cord  27  and a second lift cord  29 . Other embodiments may utilize more than two lift cords. Other embodiments, may utilize only one cord that is manipulated via one or more pulleys or other mechanism to route that cord to provide two runs, or lines, to function as multiple lift cords. Each lift cord may be a cord, a segment of a cord, a tape, a polymeric filament, or other type of flexible elongated member. 
     The window covering  1  can be configured so that each lift cord has a first portion coupled to a spring motor unit  12  of the positional adjustment mechanism  11  positioned in the first rail  3 , a second portion that passes through the window covering material  7 , a third portion that is positioned in the second rail  5 , a fourth portion that extends from the second rail  5  through the window covering material  7  and into the first rail  3 , and a fifth portion coupled to another component of the positional adjustment mechanism  11  within the first rail. The third portion of each lift cord positioned in the second rail  5  may be entrained by or in contact with a pulley  40  within the second rail  5 . Motion of the one or more lift cords can result in retraction or extension of the window covering material to raise or lower the window covering. A user may grasp the window covering material  7 , the second rail  5 , or a handle connected to the second rail  5  or the window covering material  7  to provide a downward force that overcome the force of the spring motor unit of the positional adjustment mechanism  11  to lower the window covering material  7  and second rail  5 . This force provided by the user to lower the window covering drives motion of the lift cords to effect the lowering, or extension, of the window covering material  7  and the lowering of the second rail  5 . To raise the window covering material  7  and second rail  5 , a user may provide an upward force sufficient so that the force of one or more springs of the spring motor causes the lift cords to be moved to retract the window covering material  7  and second rail  5 . When a user removes the force he or she has provided for raising or lowering the window covering, the positional adjustment mechanism  11  can be configured to keep the lift cords stationary after the user has removed the applied force to maintain the window covering material  7  and the second rail  5  at the user selected position of the window covering material  7  and the second rail  5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , the positional adjustment mechanism  11  can include a spring motor unit  12  and lift cord collection mechanisms  31 . A first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  can be spaced apart from a first side  12   a  of the spring motor unit  12  adjacent a first end  3   a  of the first rail  3  and a second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  can be positioned to be spaced apart from a second side  12   b  of the spring motor unit  12  adjacent a second end  3   b  of the first rail  3  such that the first and second lift cord collection mechanisms  31   a  and  31   b  are located on opposite sides (e.g. left and right sides) of the spring motor unit  12 . 
     The spring motor unit  12  can include a spring member  13  that extends between a first spring motor pulley  15  and a second spring motor pulley  17 . A first end of the spring member  13  can be coupled to the first spring motor pulley  15  and the second end of the spring member  13  that is opposite its first end can be coupled to the second spring motor pulley  17 . The first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  may each have teeth that extend from a side or other portion of the pulley. The teeth  15   a  of the first spring motor pulley  15  may intermesh with the teeth  17   a  of the second spring motor pulley  17  so that both pulleys are rotatable at the same time in the same direction at the same rate of speed or substantially the same rate of speed (e.g. within 5%, within 10% or within 15% of being the same rate of speed). The intermeshing of the teeth may also add friction into the window covering material positional adjustment system of the window covering  1 . 
     The first spring motor pulley  15  can be connected to a first lift cord pulley  20  via gear teeth  15   a  that may extend from a side of the first spring motor pulley  15  to intermesh with gear teeth  20   a  that extend from a side of the first lift cord pulley  20 . Alternatively, the first lift cord pulley  15  can be connected to a first gear  18  that has teeth that intermesh with the teeth  15   a  that extend from the first spring motor pulley  15 . The second spring motor pulley  17  can be connected to a second lift cord pulley  21  via gear teeth  17   a  that may extend from a side of the second spring motor pulley  17  to intermesh with gear teeth  21   a  that extend from a side of the second lift cord pulley  21 . Alternatively, the second lift cord pulley  21  can be connected to a second gear  19  that has teeth that intermesh with the teeth  17   a  that extend from the second spring motor pulley  17 . In yet other embodiments, the first spring motor pulley  15  can be coupled to the first lift cord pulley  20  via at least one first gear  18  positioned between the first spring motor pulley  15  and the first lift cord pulley  20  that is coupled between those pulleys via intermeshing gear teeth and/or other attachment mechanisms. The second spring motor pulley  17  can also be coupled to the second lift cord pulley  21  via at least one second gear  19  positioned between the second spring motor pulley  17  and the second lift cord pulley  21  that is coupled between those pulleys via intermeshing gear teeth and/or other attachment mechanisms. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second gears  18  and  19  can be configured to provide a pre-selected gear ratio so that the length of the spring member  13  can shorter for facilitating positional adjustment of longer sized window covering material  7  and/or to facilitate the addition of friction into the positional adjustment system to help accommodate precision in the maintaining of the window covering material in a user selected position between the extended and retracted positions. In yet other embodiments, multiple intermeshed gears may be positioned between a spring motor pulley and a lift cord pulley to provide a desired gear ratio and frictional operational parameter to an embodiment of a window covering for transmission of the motion of the spring motor pulleys driven by motion of the spring member  13  to the lift cords to meet a particular set of design criteria. 
     The first lift cord pulley  20  may have a first end of a first lift cord  27  attached thereto such that the first lift cord  27  is windable about the first lift cord pulley  20  when the first lift cord pulley  20  rotates in the first rotational direction and is unwindable from the first lift cord pulley  20  via rotation of the pulley in the second rotational direction. The second lift cord pulley  21  may have a first end of a second lift cord  29  attached thereto such that the second lift cord  29  is windable about the second lift cord pulley  21  when the pulley is rotated in the first rotational direction and is unwindable from the second lift cord pulley  21  via rotation of the pulley in the second rotational direction. 
     The first lift cord  27  can extend from the first lift cord pulley  20 , through the window covering material  7  to a pulley  40  in the second rail  5 , such as a first second rail pulley  41  located entirely within the second rail  5 , and may then extend from the second rail  5  back through the window covering material  7  to return to the first rail. A second end of the first lift cord  27  may be connected to a pulley of the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  within the first rail  3 . The second lift cord  29  can extend from the second lift cord pulley  21 , through the window covering material  7  to a pulley  40  in the second rail  5 , such as a second second rail pulley  43  located entirely within the second rail  5 , and may then extend from the second rail  5  back through the window covering material  7  to return to the first rail  3 . A second end of the second lift cord  29  may be connected to a pulley of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  within the first rail  3 . The second rail  5  may have at least one first opening  5   a  formed therein to permit the first lift cord  27  to extend into the second rail  5  for entrainment about the first second rail pulley  41  and passing out of the second rail  5  toward the window covering material  7  and first rail  3  such that first and second segments  27   a  and  27   b  of the first lift cord  27  vertically extend through the window covering material between the first rail  3  and the second rail  5 . The second rail  5  may have at least one second opening  5   b  formed therein to permit the second lift cord  29  to extend into the second rail  5  for entrainment about the second second rail pulley  43  and passing out of the second rail  5  toward the window covering material  7  and first rail  3  such that first and second segments  29   a  and  29   b  of the second lift cord  29  vertically extend through the window covering material  7  between the first rail  3  and the second rail  5 . 
     Rotation of the second spring motor pulley  17  and/or first spring motor pulley  15  driven by motion of the spring member  13  about the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  can drive the rotation of the first lift cord pulley  20  and the second lift cord pulley  21  via the intermeshing teeth and/or other connection between the spring motor unit  12  and those lift cord pulleys. In some embodiments, rotation of the first lift cord pulley  20  and rotation of the second lift cord pulley  21  may be driven by a user providing a force for lowering the window covering  1  and this user applied force can also drive rotation of the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  via the connection between the first lift cord pulley  20  and the first spring motor pulley  15  and the connection between the second lift cord pulley  21  and the second spring motor pulley  17 . The user applied force may have to be greater than the counterbalance force provided by the spring member  13  to effect such a motion of the spring motor pulleys and lift cord pulleys. 
     The first and second lift cord pulleys  20  and  21  and the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  can be configured so that they all rotate in the same first rotational direction during raising of the window covering material and may all rotate in the same second rotational direction that is opposite this first rotational direction during lowering of the window covering material. For instance, the spring member  13  can be coupled to the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  such that the spring member  13  is biased to move in a first direction to be wound upon one of the first spring motor pulley  15  and the second spring motor pulley  17  such that this motion of the spring member  13  results in the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  rotating in a first rotational direction (e.g. clockwise or counterclockwise). When a user exerts a force to lower the window covering material  7 , the force may overcome the spring member biasing force to cause the spring member  13  to unwind from the spring motor pulley to which it is biased to wind upon and wind upon the other spring motor pulley by the user force causing rotation of the lift cords to extend further from the first rail to drive rotation of the first and second lift cord pulleys  20  and  21  in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction (e.g. the second rotational direction is clockwise if the first rotational direction is counterclockwise, the second rotational direction is counterclockwise if the first rotational direction is clockwise, etc.). This motion of the lift cord pulleys can cause the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  to rotate in the second rotational direction via the interconnection of the lift cord pulleys to the spring motor pulleys (e.g. via the intermeshing gear connection between the first lift cord pulley  20  and the first spring motor pulley  15  and the intermeshing gear connection between the second lift cord pulley  21  and the second spring motor pulley  17 ). This rotational motion of the spring motor pulleys may also cause the spring member to move so that the spring member unwinds from one spring motor pulley and is further wound upon the other spring motor pulley. 
     For instance, if the spring member  13  is configured to wind upon the second spring motor pulley  17  to provide a force for raising the window covering and/or maintaining a position of the window covering material, the user exerted force to lower the window covering material may cause the spring member  13  to unwind from the second spring motor pulley  17  and wind upon the first spring motor pulley  15 . As another example, if the spring member  13  is configured to wind upon the first spring motor pulley  15  to provide a force for raising the window covering and/or maintaining a position of the window covering material, the user exerted force to lower the window covering material  7  may cause the spring member  13  to unwind from the first spring motor pulley  15  and wind further upon the second spring motor pulley  17  in response to the lowering of the window covering material  7 . 
     The spring motor unit  12  may be retained within a housing located within a channel or cavity of the first rail. The first and second lift cord pulleys and/or first and second gears  18  and  19  can also be positioned in this housing located within the first rail  3 . The housing of the spring motor unit  12  may have posts or other type of axles or may have axles attached therein that define axes of rotation for the first and second spring motor pulleys  15  and  17  and also for the first and second lift cord pulleys  20  and  21  and, if present, also for any gears that may be positioned between those pulleys. 
     The positional adjustment mechanism  11  can also include lift cord collection mechanisms  31  positioned in the first rail  3  or positioned adjacent the first rail  3 . For instance, the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  can be within the first rail  3  such that it is located within the first rail  3  so that the first lift cord pulley  20  is between the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  and the first spring motor pulley  15 . The second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  can be positioned in the first rail  3  so that the second lift cord pulley  21  is between the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  and the second spring motor pulley  17 . 
     Each lift cord collection mechanism  31  can include a housing  32  that is positionable in the first rail  3  that is coupled to a second roller  35  and a first roller  37 . The housing may be coupled to these rollers such that the length of the second roller  35  may be considered to extend along its length such that its length extends along the length L of the first rail  3  and the first roller  37  can be considered to have its length extend along the width W of the first rail  3 . Such an arrangement of the first and second rollers  37  and  35  can be configured so that the axis about which the second roller  35  rotates is perpendicular or is substantially perpendicular (e.g. within 10° of being perpendicular) to the axis about which the second roller rotates. Other configurations of the first and second rollers  37  and  35  that orient the first and second rollers  37  and  35  differently are also possible to meet a particular set of design criteria. 
     The housing  32  of each lift cord collection mechanism  31  can have a plurality of openings defined therein for attachment of different components and to permit a lift cord to pass into and out of the housing. Each lift cord collection mechanism  31  can also include a second roller  35  and a first roller  37 . Each roller can be configured so that a lift cord may be entrained about or passed along a surface of that roller. The second roller  35  can have a first end  35   a  and a second end  35   b . These end portions of the second roller  35  may be projections or protuberances in some embodiments. The first end  35   a  can be sized to be received and retained within a first upper opening  33   a  formed in the upper part of the housing in a first side of the housing  32  and the second end  35   b  can be sized to be received and retained within a second upper opening  33   b  formed in the upper part of the housing in a second side of the housing  32  that is opposite the first side of the housing. The second roller  35  can be rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. In other embodiments, the second roller  35  can be a tubular structure that has an axle positioned therein to extend from the first upper opening  33   a  to the second upper opening  33   b  to form an axle that defines the axis of rotation for the second roller  35 . 
     The housing  32  of each cord collection mechanism  31  can also include a lift cord aperture  33   c  in the first side of the housing  32  below the first opening  33   a  or formed in the second side of the housing that is below the second opening  33   b . For example, the lift cord aperture  33   c  of the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  is formed in the second side below the second opening  33   b  and the lift cord aperture  33   c  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  is formed in the first side of the housing  32  below the first opening  33   a.    
     The lift cord aperture  33   c  can be sized and configured to permit the first lift cord  27  or the second lift cord  29  to pass into the housing. The housing  32  of each lift cord collection mechanism  31  may also have a first hole  33   d  defined in a third side of the housing that is located between the first and second sides of the housing. In some embodiments, the third side of the housing may extend between the first and second sides of the housing. The housing can also have a fourth side that is opposite the third side that extends between the first and second sides of the housing. The fourth side may have a second hole  33   e  that is aligned with the first hole  33   d  defined in the third side of the housing  32 . The housing  32  may also have a bottom that is attached to the lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the housing. The bottom may have one or more apertures (e.g. at least one slot, at least one hole, etc.) Alternatively, the housing  32  may not include such a bottom side. 
     The first roller  37  can include a first tubular outer roller body  37   a  that has a central channel  37   b  and a groove  37   c  within the body that is in communication with the central channel  37   b . The external outer surface of the first tubular outer roller body  37   a  can be configured to contact a lift cord for entrainment of the lift cord and/or so that the lift cord can pass along the first roller  37 . The first roller  37  also includes a second inner tubular body  38  that has an inner channel  38   d  that is sized to receive a shaft  39  so that the shaft  39  can be passed through the second tubular body such that the shaft  39  can extend from the first hole  33   d , through the second inner tubular body  38 , and to and/or through the second hole  33   e  to suspend the first roller within the housing and define an axis of rotation about which the first tubular body  37   a  is rotatable in first and second rotational directions (e.g. clockwise and counterclockwise directions, forwardly and backwardly rotational directions, etc.). The inner channel  38   d  can be shaped to matingly receive the shaft  39  such that the second tubular body  38  does not rotate or move about the shaft  39  such that the first tubular outer roller body  37   a  is rotatable relative to the shaft  39  and the second inner tubular body  38 . For instance, the inner channel  38   d  can have a polygonal shape that corresponds to a polygonal cross sectional shape of the shaft  39  in some embodiments so that the shaft  39  matingly interlocks with the second inner tubular body  38 . The first and second holes  33   d  and  33   e  may also have corresponding polygonal shapes to matingly receive portions of the shaft  39  for attaching the shaft  39  to the housing for coupling the first roller  37  to the housing. The first and second holes  33   d  and  33   e  may be positioned below the first and second upper openings  33   a  and  33   b  so that the first roller  37  is located below the second roller  35 . 
     The second inner tubular body  38  can have a groove  38   c  formed along an outer surface of the body. In some embodiments, the groove  38   c  may be defined so that it is spaced apart from the inner channel  38   d  and is not in communication with the inner channel  38   d . The groove  38   c  can have different segments of different depth within the outer surface of the second inner tubular body  38  so that a ball  38   a  that rolls or otherwise moves within the groove may extend a different distance out of the groove  38   c  at different locations along the groove  38   c  as the ball rolls or moves along the groove  38   c . In some embodiments, the groove  38   c  can be configured to define a path of travel for a ball  38   a  or other type of moveable body that may move along the groove  38   c  between the second inner body  38  and the first outer tubular body  37   a  within the central channel  37   b  of the first outer tubular body  37   a . In some embodiments, the groove  38   c  may define a path that is curved about a helically shaped path that extends along the outer surface of the second inner tubular body  38 . The ball  38   a  may be a spherical shaped body or other rounded body that may roll along the groove  38   c  in the central channel  37   b  between the second inner tubular body  38  and the interior surface of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that defines the central channel  37   b.    
     A rod  38   b  can also be positioned in the central channel  37   b  between the inner surface of the first outer tubular body  37   a  and the second inner tubular body  38 . The rod  38   b  may have a cylindrical body such as a solid cylindrical body or a tubular cylindrical body. The rod  38   b  can be positioned within a groove  37   c  define in the interior surface of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that is in communication with the central channel  37   b . The rod  38   b  can be configured to contact the ball  38   a  during rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  relative to the second inner tubular body  38  to drive motion of the ball  38   a  along the groove  38   c.    
     The path of motion for ball  38   a  defined by the groove  38   c  can be configured so that when the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates in a first rotational direction relative to the second inner tubular body  38 , which can be a direction of rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that occurs during the extension of window covering material  7  (e.g. lowering of window covering material), the first outer tubular body  37   a  is not impeded from rotation at any time by the ball  38   a  directly contacting or engaging the rod  38   b . The rotational motion of the first outer tubular body  37   a  during extension of the window covering material can correspond with the motion of the lift cord entrained about the first roller  37  that occurs during extension of the window covering material. 
     The path defined by the groove  38   c  can also be configured so that when the first outer tubular body  37   a  is rotated in a second rotational direction that is opposite this first rotational direction and may correspond to the direction of rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that occurs during the raising of the window covering material  7 , the first outer tubular body  37   a  is able to rotate for a maximum distance or a maximum number of revolutions (e.g. one full revolution, up to 3 full revolutions, no more than five full revolutions, no more than half a revolution, etc.) before the ball  38   a  is stopped in a terminal end of the groove  38   c  and the rod  38   b  contacts the ball  38   a  or otherwise engages the ball  38   a  to bind the first outer tubular body  37   a  to the second inner tubular body  38  to prevent further rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  so that the first roller  37  is only able to rotate a limited amount in the second rotational direction. In some embodiments, the depth of the groove  38   c  may be configured to change so that the ball  38   a  is positioned in a shallow section of the groove  38   c  when the first outer tubular body  37   a  is rotated in the second direction such that the ball  38   a  contacts the rod  38   b  sufficiently to bind with the rod  38   b  for preventing further rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  relative to the stationary second inner tubular body  38  at the shallow terminal end of the groove  38   c . The groove  38   c  can also be configured so that the ball  38   a  is positioned via contact with the rod  38   a  during rotation of the outer tubular body  37   a  in the first rotational direction to move along the path defined by the groove  38   c  from the first shallow terminal end along the groove  38   c  to one or more deeper sections of the groove that position the ball  38   a  to permit the rod  38   b  to contact the ball  38   a  while also passing over the ball  38   a  or along the ball  38   a  when the ball  38   a  reaches a deeper second terminal end of the groove that is deeper than the shallower first end of the groove such that the first outer tubular body  37   a  is always able to rotate any number of revolutions or any desired distance in the first rotational direction even after the ball  38   a  is located in the second deeper terminal end of the groove  38   c  via the motion of the rod  38   b.    
     In other embodiments, the first outer tubular body  37   a , second inner tubular body  38 , ball  38   a , rob  38   b  and groove  38   c  can be arranged so that the ball  38   a  moves along the groove  38   c  such that binding engagement between the rod  38   b  and ball  38   a  occur only when the outer tubular body  37   a  is rotated in the second rotational direction instead of the first rotational direction. For instance, the path of motion for ball  38   a  defined by the groove  38   c  can be configured so that when the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates in a first rotational direction relative to the second inner tubular body  38 , which can be a direction of rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that occurs during the raising of window covering material  7 , the first outer tubular body  37   a  is not impeded from rotation at any time by the ball  38   a  directly contacting or engaging the rod  38   b . The path defined by the groove  38   c  can also be configured so that when the first outer tubular body  37   a  is rotated in a second rotational direction that is opposite this first rotational direction and may correspond to the direction of rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  that occurs during the lowering of the window covering material  7 , the first outer tubular body  37   a  is able to rotate for a maximum distance or a maximum number of revolutions (e.g. one full revolution, up to 3 full revolutions, no more than five full revolutions, no more than half a revolution, etc.) before the ball  38   a  is stopped in a terminal end of the groove  38   c  and the rod  38   b  contacts the ball  38   a  or otherwise engages the ball  38   a  to bind the first outer tubular body  37   a  to the second inner tubular body  38  to prevent further rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  so that the first roller  37  is only able to rotate a limited amount in the second rotational direction. The second rotational direction can correspond to a direction of motion of the lift cord entrained about the first roller  37  moves when the window covering material  7  is being retracted. 
     Each lift cord collection mechanism  31  can be configured so that at least one lift cord extends from a lift cord pulley coupled to the spring motor unit  12  to the second roller to pass along the outer surface of the first outer tubular body  37   a  of the first roller  37  and subsequently pass out of the housing and the first rail  3  and into the window covering material  7 . A first segment of the lift cord may then extend through the window covering material and into the second rail. The lift cord may then wrap around a pulley  40  in the second rail, and subsequently pass out of the second rail  5  back into the window covering material. A second segment of the lift cord may then pass through the window covering material to the first rail  3  parallel or substantially parallel to the first segment of the lift cord. The lift cord may then enter the first rail and the housing of the lift cord collection mechanism and wrap around or wind around the second roller  35 . A terminal end of the lift cord may be coupled to the second roller  35  and the opposite terminal end of the lift cord may be coupled to the lift cord pulley from which it extends so that the lift cord can be wound upon the second roller  35  during raising of the window covering material and unwound from the second roller  35  during lowering of the window covering material. Alternatively, the lift cord may be coupled between the second roller  35  and the lift cord pulley from which it extends at its opposite terminal ends such that the lift cord can be unwound from the second roller  35  during raising of the window covering material and wound upon the second roller  35  during lowering of the window covering material. 
     In some embodiments, the lift cord may be coupled between the second roller  35  and lift cord pulley to which it is attached so that the lift cord may wind about the second roller  35  at a different rate of accumulation as compared to the rate at which it is unwound the lift cord pulley. For example, it is contemplated that the lift cord can be configured to wind upon the second roller  35  at one rate of winding while being unwound upon the lift cord pulley at another rate of unwinding to effect a lengthening of vertically extending segments of that lift cord that extend between the first and second rails  3  and  5  to provide for a lowering, or extending, of the window covering material. As another example, it is contemplated that the lift cord can be configured to unwind upon the second roller  35  at one rate of unwinding while being wound upon the lift cord pulley at another rate of winding to effect a lengthening of vertically extending segments of that lift cord that extend between the first and second rails  3  and  5  to provide for a lowering, or extending, of the window covering material. 
     This differential rate may also occur to effect raising of the window covering material such that the rate at which the lift cord is unwound upon the second roller  35  may differ from the rate that the lift cord is wound upon the lift cord pulley to which it is attached during raising of the window covering material. For example, it is contemplated that the lift cord can be configured to be wound upon the second roller  35  at one rate of winding while being unwound upon the lift cord pulley at another rate of unwinding to effect a shortening of the vertically extending segments of that lift cord that extend between the first and second rails  3  and  5  to provide for retracting, or raising, the window covering material. As another example, the lift cord can be configured to be unwound upon the second roller  35  at one rate of unwinding while being wound upon the lift cord pulley at another rate of winding to effect a shortening of the vertically extending segments of that lift cord that extend between the first and second rails  3  and  5  to provide for retracting, or raising, the window covering material. 
     For instance, referring to  FIG. 3 , the first lift cord  27  can have a first terminal end connected to the first lift cord pulley  20  and a second terminal end connected to the second roller  35  of the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a . A first portion of the first lift cord  27  can be wound upon the first lift cord pulley  20 . A second portion of the first lift cord  27  may extend from the first lift cord pulley  20  through the first lift cord aperture  33   c  facing toward the first lift cord pulley  20  and into the housing  32  of the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  to the first roller  37  of the first lift cord control mechanism  31   a . A third portion of the first lift cord  27  can pass over the first roller  37  via contacting the first roller  37  to change direction from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction for passing out of the first rail  3  and housing  32  of the lift cord collection mechanism and into the window covering material  7 . A fourth portion of the first lift cord  27  may extend through the window covering material  7  from the first rail  3  to the second rail  5 . This fourth portion of the first lift cord  27  may be a first vertically extending segment  27   a  of the first lift cord  27  that extends between the first and second rails  3  and  5 . A fifth portion of the first lift cord  27  may extend through a first opening  5   a  in the second rail  5 , pass along a first second rail pulley  41  in the second rail  5 , and extend from the first second rail pulley  41  out of the first opening  5   a . It should be understood that the fifth portion of the first lift cord  27  within the second rail  5  may have two vertically extending segments, one extending from the first opening  5   a  to the first second rail pulley  41  and a second vertically extending segment extending form the first second rail pulley  41  to the first opening  5   a . A sixth portion of the first lift cord  27  may extend through the window covering material  7  between the second rail  5  and the first rail  3 . This sixth portion of the first lift cord may be a second vertically extending segment  27   b  of the first lift cord  27  that extends parallel to or substantially parallel to the first segment  27   a . A seventh portion of the first lift cord may extend form the first rail  3  through the housing  32  and around the second roller  35  to its second terminal end of the first lift cord  27  attached to the second roller  35 . When the window covering material  7  is lowered, the first lift cord  27  may be unwound from the first lift cord pulley  20  and have a further amount of the lift cord extend from the first lift cord pulley  20  as it is unwound from the first lift cord pulley  20  and pass over the first roller  37  as the first lift cord  27  is extended out of the first rail  3  during lowering of the window covering material such that the first roller  37  rotates in a first direction as the lift cord is moved. A portion of the lift cord may also move along the first second rail pulley  41  as the window covering material  7  is lowered so that the first and second segments  27   a  and  27   b  increase in length as the second rail is lowered and the window covering material is more fully extended during lowering of the window covering material  7 . It is contemplated that the second roller  35  of the first lift cord collection mechanism  31   a  may also rotate during lowering of the window covering material  7  to collect a portion of the first lift cord during the lowering of the window covering material  7 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that the second roller  35  may not substantively rotate during the lowering of the window covering material  7 . 
     When the window covering material  7  is raised, the first lift cord  27  may be wound upon the first lift cord pulley  20  such that the length of the first and second segments  27   a  and  27   b  shorten. A portion of the first lift cord  27  may move along the first second rail pulley  41  during the raising of the window covering material  7  that results in shortening of the length of the first and second segments  27   a  and  27   b  of the first lift cord  27 . The portion of the first lift cord that is retracted back into the first rail  3  for winding upon the first lift cord pulley  20  during raising of the window covering may also pass along the first roller  37  as it moves from first rail for winding upon the first lift cord pulley  20 . The first roller  37  may rotate initially during the raising of the window covering material in a rotational direction that is opposite the direction it rotates during the lowering of the window covering material for a pre-selected maximum amount of revolutions or distance (e.g. 1 revolution, 3 revolutions, not more than 5 revolutions, etc.). Thereafter, the ball  38   a  may bind against the rod  38   b  as the ball  38   a  is moved within the groove  38   c  such that further rotation of the first roller  37  is prevented. This can increase the friction imparted as the lift cord is moved along the first roller  37  to improve the precision of the spring member  13  facilitating a maintaining of the position of the window covering material after a user stops providing an upward force to stop adjustment of the raising of the window covering material  7 . 
     The second lift cord  29  may be routed to pass through the first rail  3 , window covering material  7  and second rail  5  in a manner similar to the first lift cord  27 . For instance, the second lift cord  29  can have its first terminal end connected to the second lift cord pulley  21  and its second terminal end connected to the second roller  35  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b . A first portion of the second lift cord  29  can be wound upon the second lift cord pulley  21 . A second portion of the second lift cord  29  may extend from the second lift cord pulley  21  through the first lift cord aperture  33   c  facing toward the second lift cord pulley  21  and into the housing  32  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  to the first roller  37  of the second lift cord control mechanism  31   b . A third portion of the second lift cord  29  can pass over the first roller  37  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  via contacting the first roller  37  to change direction from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction for passing out of the first rail  3  and housing  32  of the lift cord collection mechanism and into the window covering material  7 . A fourth portion of the second lift cord  29  may extend through the window covering material  7  from the first rail  3  to the second rail  5 . This fourth portion of the second lift cord  29  may be a first vertically extending segment  29   a  of the lift cord that extends vertically between the first and second rails  3  and  5 . A fifth portion of the second lift cord  29  may extend through a second opening  5   b  in the second rail  5 , pass along a second second rail pulley  43  in the second rail  5 , and extend from the second second rail pulley  43  out of the second opening  5   b . It should be understood that the fifth portion of the second lift cord  29  within the second rail  5  may have two vertically extending segments, one extending from the second opening  5   b  to the second second rail pulley  43  and a second vertically extending segment extending form the second second rail pulley  43  to the second opening  5   b . A sixth portion of the second lift cord  29  may extend through the window covering material  7  between the second rail  5  and the first rail  3 . This sixth portion of the second lift cord may  29  be a second vertically extending segment  29   b  of the second lift cord  29  that extends parallel to or substantially parallel to the second segment  29   a . A seventh portion of the second lift cord  29  may extend form the first rail  3  through the housing  32  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  and around the second roller  35  to its second terminal end of the second lift cord  29  attached to the second roller  35  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b . When the window covering material  7  is lowered, the second lift cord  29  may be unwound from the second lift cord pulley  21  and have a further amount of the lift cord extend from the second lift cord pulley  21  as it is unwound from the second lift cord pulley  21  and pass over the first roller  37  as the lift cord is extended out of the first rail  3  during lowering of the window covering material such that the first roller  37  rotates in a first direction as the lift cord is moved during extension of the window covering material. A portion of the second lift cord  29  may also move along the second second rail pulley  43  as the window covering material  7  is lowered so that the first and second segments  29   a  and  29   b  of the second lift cord  29  increase in length as the second rail  5  is lowered and the window covering material  7  is more fully extended during lowering of the window covering material  7 . It is contemplated that the second roller  35  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  may also rotate during lowering of the window covering material to collect a portion of the second lift cord  29  during the lowering of the window covering material  7 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that the second roller  35  may not substantively rotate during the lowering of the window covering material  7 . 
     When the window covering material  7  is raised, the second lift cord  29  may be wound upon the second lift cord pulley  21  such that the length of the first and second segments  29   a  and  29   b  shorten during raising of the window covering material  7 . A portion of the second lift cord  29  may move along the second second rail pulley  43  during the raising of the window covering material  7  that results in shortening of the length of the first and second segments  29   a  and  29   b  of the second lift cord  29 . The portion of the second lift cord  29  that is retracted back into the first rail  3  for winding upon the second lift cord pulley  21  during raising of the window covering may also pass along the first roller  37  as it moves from first rail  3  for winding upon the second lift cord pulley  21 . The first roller  37  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31   b  may rotate initially during the raising of the window covering material in a rotational direction that is opposite the direction it rotates during the lowering of the window covering material  7  for a pre-selected maximum number of revolutions (e.g. 0.25 revolutions, 0.5 revolutions, 1 revolution, 3 revolutions, 5 revolutions, etc.) or distance. Thereafter, the ball  38   a  of the first roller  37  may bind against the rod  38   b  as the ball  38   a  is moved within the groove  38   c  such that further rotation of the first roller  37  is prevented. This can increase the friction imparted as the second lift cord  29  is moved along the first roller  37  to improve the precision of the spring member  13  facilitating a maintaining of the position of the window covering material  7  after a user stops providing an upward force to stop adjustment of the raising of the window covering material  7 . 
     Alternatively, when the window covering material  7  is lowered, the first and second lift cords  27  and  29  may be configured to unwind from the second rollers  35  of the lift cord collection mechanisms  31  to which they are attached and wind upon these second rollers  35  when the window covering material  7  is raised. The cord path of the first and second lift cords may be the same, but their direction of motion may be altered for opposite motion by such an embodiment. For instance, in such an alternative configuration, the first and second lift cord pulleys  20  and  21  may not rotate during the lowering of the window covering or may rotate to collect a portion of the lift cords as the window covering material is lowered and may also rotate when the lift cords are moved to further wind upon the second roller  35  during raising of the window covering material  7 . The first rollers  37  for such a configuration may be configured to freely rotate during lowering of the window covering material and may be configured to only rotate up to a pre-selected maximum number of revolutions (or distance) prior to stopping rotation in an opposite rotational direction during raising of the window covering as the lift cords move during retraction such that they are further wound upon the first rollers for collection therein during raising of the window covering material  7 . 
     In some embodiments, the lift cord collection mechanisms  31  can be configured to help provide tension during the raising of the window covering material by being configured so that the rotation of the first rollers  37  via rotation of the first outer tubular roller body  37   a  in each lift cord collection mechanism is prevented after the raising of the window covering material is initiated (e.g. after a short distance of raising of the window covering material  7 ) to increase the friction applied to the lift cords. The increased friction provided by the non-rotatable first roller  37  during raising of the window covering material  7  can help facilitate an increased precision in height adjustment by helping the spring member  13  provide a force sufficient to keep the window covering material  7  maintained at a new user selected location immediately after a user stops providing the upward force for facilitating the raising of the window covering material  7 . Further, the first rollers  37  can be configured to always rotate in the opposite direction of rotation of the roller that occurs when the window covering material is lowered. The configuration of the first roller  37  can help ensure that friction incurred by motion of the lift cords is reduced for lowering of the window covering material while increasing friction incurred by motion of the lift cord during raising of the window covering material. 
     In other embodiments, the lift cord collection mechanisms  31  can be configured to help provide tension during the lowering of the window covering material by being configured so that the rotation of the first rollers  37  via rotation of the first outer tubular roller body  37   a  in each lift cord collection mechanism is prevented after the lowering of the window covering material is initiated (e.g. after a short distance of raising of the window covering material  7 ) to increase the friction applied to the lift cords. The increased friction provided by the non-rotatable first roller  37  during lowering of the window covering material  7  can help facilitate an increased precision in height adjustment by helping the spring member  13  provide a force sufficient to keep the window covering material  7  maintained at a new user selected location immediately after a user stops providing the downward force for facilitating the raising of the window covering material  7 . Further, the first rollers  37  can be configured to always rotate in the opposite direction of rotation of the roller that occurs when the window covering material is raised. The configuration of the first roller  37  can help ensure that friction incurred by motion of the lift cords is reduced for raising of the window covering material while increasing friction incurred by motion of the lift cord during lowering of the window covering material. Embodiments in which increased tension is provided during lowering of window covering material  7  may be of particular use when the spring motor unit  12  and lift cord collection mechanisms  31  are located in a bottom rail and the second rail pulleys  40  are located in an upper rail (e.g. an intermediate rail or a head rail). 
     The first roller  37  of each lift cord collection mechanism  31  can have other configurations to provide increased friction that applies to a lift cord entrained about the outer surface of the first roller  37  when the lift cord moves during retraction of window covering material and freely rotates to provide a lesser amount of friction on the lift cord entrained about that roller  37  when the lift cord moves during extension of window covering material  7 . For instance, referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , each first roller  37  can include a first outer roller body  37   a  that has a central channel  37   b  that receives a second inner tubular body  38  that is configured as a gear-type body having a profile that defines a plurality of teeth  38   e . Each of the teeth  38   e  can be configured so that a portion  38   f  of the outer body of the second inner tubular body  38  is curved from a distal point of a tooth to the distal point of an immediately adjacent tooth. Each curved portion  38   f  can be defined or structured to define a shape in the exterior surface of the second inner tubular body  38  that may be considered a groove, furrow, or other type of recess defined in the outer surface of the second inner tubular body  38  to shape the teeth of the inner tubular body  38 . 
     The first outer tubular body may have a plurality of slots  37   d  defined therein. Each slot  37   d  can be configured to receive a ball  38   a  so that the ball  38   a  can be positioned between teeth  38   e  of the second inner tubular body  38  and the first outer tubular body  37   a . Each slot  37   d  can be defined to have a shape that permits the ball  38   a  to move within the slot in multiple directions. The depth or orientation to define a path of motion for all the balls  38   a  or just one ball  38   a  that is to always be located within a respective one of the slots  37   d . For this configuration of the first roller  37 , the first and second tubular bodies  37   a  and  38  are configured to permit the first roller  37  to rotate freely in one direction that corresponds to extending of window covering material  7  and only rotate a pre-selected number of rotations or a pre-selected number of revolutions (e.g. 0.1 revolutions, 0.2 revolutions, 0.5 revolutions, etc.) in a direction that corresponds to the retraction of window covering material  7 . 
     For example, the slots  37   d  defined by the first outer tubular body  37   a  can be shaped so that during rotation in a first rotational direction the balls  38   a  move along one slot  37   d  from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot  37   d  between immediately adjacent teeth of the second inner tubular body along the curved portion of the exterior surface of the second inner tubular body that extends between the distal points of the teeth  38   e  as the first outer tubular body  37   a  is rotated during motion of the lift cord that occurs when the window covering material  7  is extended. The slot  37   d  and shape of the teeth  38   e  and portions  38   f  can be configured so that each ball is driven by the rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  so that it moves from the first end of the slot to the second end of the slot  37   d  until it reaches the second end of that slot. The slot depth and curvature of the teeth and portions  38   f  can be configured so that the ball  38   a  is held in the second end as the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates about the second inner tubular body  38  such that the balls  38   a  and outer tubular body  37   a  are able to freely rotate about the second inner tubular body  38 . In some embodiments the depth of the slots  37   d  and their configuration are provided so that the balls  38   a  each stay at the second end of the slot  37   d  retaining that ball as the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates. In other embodiments, the slots  37   d  can be configured to each be in communication with each other so that each ball  38   a  can be moved from the second end of the slot  37   d  to an immediately adjacent slot  37   d  so that the ball  38   a  is able to pass from one slot to another slot during rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  relative to the second inner tubular body  38  when the outer tubular body is rotated during extension of the window covering material. For such embodiments, each ball  38   a  may move along a path defined by the plurality of slots  37   d  that are arranged around the second inner tubular body  38  so that the balls  38   a  move along this path by passing into and through each of the slots  37   d  as the first outer tubular body freely rotates during the extension of the window covering material  7 . 
     The slots  37   d  may be shaped in conjunction with the shaping of the outer surface of the second inner tubular body  38  so that when the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates in another rotational direction that corresponds with the motion of the lift cord entrained about that body that occurs during retraction of window covering material, the first outer tubular body  37   a  rotates a pre-selected number of revolutions (or a pre-selected number of rotations) until each ball  38   a  is at a first end of a respective one of the slots  37   d  (e.g. a first ball is in the first end of a first slot, a second ball is in the first end of a second slot, a third ball is in the first end of a third slot, the fourth ball is in the first end of the fourth slot, etc.). The shape of the first end and the teeth  38   e  and/or the curved portions  38   f  can be configured so that once each ball  38   a  is at the first end of a respective one of the slots  37   d , the balls  38   a  bind against a respective distal point of a respective one of the teeth of the second inner tubular body  38  to prevent further rotation of the first outer tubular body  37   a  relative to the second inner tubular body  38  during retraction of the window covering material. Such a configuration can prevent further rotation of the first roller  37  in the rotational direction that corresponds with retraction of window covering to provide an increased friction on the motion of the lift cord entrained about the first roller  37 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , some embodiments of the window covering  1  can be configured to not include second rail pulleys  40 . Those embodiments may be configured so that each lift cord only has one segment vertically extending through the window covering material between the first rail  3  and the second rail  5 . Such embodiments may also not include the second roller  35  in each lift cord collection mechanism. Instead, each lift cord collection mechanism may only utilize the first roller  37  as one terminal end of each lift cord may be coupled to the second rail  5  and the opposite terminal end may be coupled to the spring motor unit  12  via a lift cord pulley connected to a spring motor pulley of the spring motor unit  12 . For instance, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the first lift cord may extend from the first lift cord pulley  20  to pass along the first roller  37  and extend out of the first rail to the second rail via a single first segment  27   a . The first terminal end of the first lift cord can be connected to the first lift cord pulley  20  and the second terminal end can be connected to the second rail  5 . The second lift cord  29  can have its first terminal end connected to the second lift cord pulley  21  and extend from the second lift cord pulley  21  to pass along the first roller  37  of the second lift cord collection mechanism  31  and then pass out of the first rail  3  to extend through window covering material  7  via a single first segment  29   a  and have its second terminal end coupled to the second rail  5 . The first and second lift cord collection mechanisms  31   a  and  31   b  may not include second rollers  35 . Alternatively, they may include these second rollers  35  and the second rollers  35  may be utilized for another purpose, such as coupling cord ladders for venetian blind slats to the first rail  3  as may be appreciated from  FIG. 6 . For such embodiments, retraction of the lift cords by winding the lift cords about the lift cord pulleys causes each lift cord to move along the first roller  37  to which it is entrained. The non-moving of the first roller  37  after the first outer tubular body  37   a  has rotated its pre-selected number of revolutions (or pre-selected number of rotations) via ball  38   a , rod  38   b  and groove  38   c  can increase the friction on the lift cord as it moves along the first roller  37  during retraction of window covering material to improve the precision of the ability of the spring motor unit  12  to maintain the window covering material at a user selected location. When the lift cords are extended to extend the window covering material, the first roller  37  may freely rotate. In yet other embodiments of the design shown in  FIG. 5 , the spring motor unit  12  and lift cord collection mechanisms  31  can be located in a bottom rail and the terminal ends of the lift cords that extend from that rail can be affixed to the headrail. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , embodiments of the window covering can be configured for use in connection with blinds such as mini blinds or venetian blinds that have slats supported on ladder cords that are tiltable between open and closed positions in addition to being adjustable between raised and lowered positions, or retracted and extended positions. For instance, the window covering  1  can include slats as its window covering material and can have a first ladder cord  61   a  positioned adjacent a first side of the window covering and a second ladder cord  61   b  positioned adjacent a second side of the window covering to support the slats that are suspended from the first rail  3  via the first and second ladder cords  61   a  and  61   b  and the lift cords. Such embodiments may utilize a slat tilt control mechanism  51  that can be incorporated into the positional adjustment mechanism  11  or be usable in conjunction with that mechanism. The slat tilt control mechanism can be connected to the ladders that support the slats and be configured to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of the slats between open and closed positions. 
     Each ladder cord  61  may be coupled to a respective second roller  35 , or ladder cord tilt pulley  55 , for extending from the first rail  3  and supporting the slats. For instance, such embodiments of the window covering  1  can be configured so that second rollers  35  are ladder cord tilt pulleys  55  that are coupled to a tilt rod  53  that is positioned in the first rail  3  for facilitating an adjustment in the position of the ladder cords  61  to facilitate tilting of slats between their open and closed positions. 
     In some embodiments the housing  52  of the slat tilt control mechanism  51  can include a first and second spaced apart walls  52   a  and  52   b  that have apertures that are aligned for receiving an end portion of the tilt rod  53 . The tilt rod gear  54  can be integral to the tilt rod or attached to the tilt rod end portion so that when that gear rotates the tilt rod rotates. The tilt rod may extend from adjacent the first end of the rail to the second end of the rail. Each tilt rod pulley may have an inner channel that receives a portion of the tilt rod for being attached to the tilt rod. In other embodiments, each tilt rod pulley  55  can be defined by a portion of the body of the tilt rod or otherwise attached or affixed to the tilt rod. The tilt rod pulleys  55  may have protrusions sized for being received within the first and second upper openings  33   a  and  33   b  of the housing  32  of the lift cord collection mechanism  31  for supporting the tilt rod  53  and tilt rod pulleys  55  in the first rail  3 . 
     The tilt rod  53  may be a shaft or other type of elongated member that has a circular, elliptical, oval, or polygonal cross sectional shape that is positioned in the first rail to support ladder cords  61  that are configured to hold a plurality of slats about rungs  63  of the ladder cords  61  that extend between front and rear rails  65  and  67  of the ladder cords. The ladder cords  61  can be movable to adjust the orientation of the rungs to tilt the slats from an open position in which their front and rear edges are parallel or substantially parallel such that there are gaps defined between immediately adjacent slats and to a tilted position in which the front edges of the slats are vertically higher or lower than the rear edges to close gaps between immediately adjacent slats. In some embodiments, the front edge of a slat can contact an immediately adjacent lower slat&#39;s rear edge when the slats are in the tilted position and the slats&#39; rear edge may contact the front edge of an immediately adjacent upper slat when in the tilted, closed position In other embodiments, the front edge of a slat can contact an immediately adjacent upper slat&#39;s rear edge when the slats are in the tilted position and the slats&#39; rear edge may contact the front edge of an immediately adjacent lower slat when in the tilted, closed position. 
     The lift cords can be configured to pass between the front and rear rails  65  and  67  of a respective ladder cord  61  or may pass alongside or adjacent a respective ladder cord  61  when passing through the slats to the bottom rail  5 . For instance, the first lift cord  27  can have a first segment  27   a  that extends from the first rail  3 , through the slats between the front and rear rails  65  and  67  of a first ladder cord  61   a  that extend from a first ladder cord tilt pulley  55   a  that is coupled to the tilt rod  53  to the second rail  5 . The second lift cord  29  can have a first segment  29   a  that extends from the first rail  3 , through the slats between the front and rear rails  65  and  67  of a second ladder cord  61   b  that extend from a second ladder cord tilt pulley  55   b  that is coupled to the tilt rod  53  to the second rail  5 . 
     The tilt rod  53  can be connected to an operator wand  57 . The slat tilt control mechanism  51  can include a housing  52  that is positionable in the first rail  3  and configured to connect a rotatable tilt rod gear  54  to the tilt rod such that rotation of the tilt rod gear  54  drives rotation of the tilt rod  53  for causing the tilt rod pulleys  55  connected to the tilt rod  53  to rotate about an axis defined by the rotatable tilt rod  53 . The tilt rod gear  54  can be positioned to have its teeth  54   a  intermesh with teeth  56   a  of a tilt wand gear  56  that is connectable to an operator wand  57  so that rotation of the wand  57  that may be effected by a user manipulating the operator wand  57  drives rotation of the tilt wand gear  56  about an axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an axis about which the tilt rod gear  54  rotates. For instance, the axis about which the tilt wand gear  56  rotates may be perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the axis about which the tilt rod  53  and tilt rod pulleys  55  rotate. The axis about which the tilt rod  53  and tilt rod pulleys  55  rotate may be a horizontally extending axis while the axis about which the tilt wand gear  56  rotates may be perpendicular to that horizontal axis, be a vertically extending axis, or be an axis that is at least vertically extending at an angle that is 20°-90° or 30°-60° relative to the horizontal axis of the tilt rod  54  and tilt rod pulleys  55 . The rotation of the tilt wand gear  56  powered by the user&#39;s manipulation of the operator wand  57  can drive rotation of the tilt rod gear  54 , which causes the tilt rod  53  and tilt rod pulleys  55  to rotate. Rotation of the operator wand in a first direction can drive rotation of the tilt wand gear  56  in a first direction about its axis of rotation and also drive rotation of the tilt rod gear  54 , tilt rod  53 , and tilt rod pulleys  55  about their axis of rotation in a first direction to effect an adjustment to the tilt of the slats from between their closed positions to their open positions. Rotation of the operator wand  57  in a second direction can drive rotation of the tilt wand gear  56  in a second direction about its axis of rotation and also drive rotation of the tilt rod gear  54 , tilt rod  53 , and tilt rod pulleys  55  in a second direction about their axes of rotation to effect tilting of the slats from between their open positions and closed positions. The rotation of the tilt rod pulleys  55  can cause the front rails  65  of the ladder cords  61  to move relative to the rear rails  67  so that the orientation of the rungs  67  changes from a horizontal orientation (e.g. a slat open position) to an inclined or declined position (e.g. a slat closed position) to effect tilting of the slats to a closed position for facilitating the tilting of the slats between their opened and closed positions. 
     It should be appreciated that embodiments of the window covering  1 , positional adjustment mechanism  11 , and method of making and using the window covering can vary to account for different design objectives. For example, the type of window covering material that is utilized may be any of a desired number of different types of material to provide a desired aesthetic effect and/or a desired insulative property. The material may be sheer, may be light filtering, may be light blocking, or may have other properties as well. As another example, the first rail  3  can be composed of a wood, be an extruded metal rail, or be a polymeric rail and also have any number of different structural shapes and configurations (e.g. an elongated beam, a bar, a rod, etc.). The first rail  3  may have an internal conduit defined therein, may have a channel, and may have a cross section that is rounded, circular, oval, polygonal, or have another type of shape. As another example, the second rail  5  can be composed of a wood, be an extruded metal rail, or be a polymeric rail and also have any number of different structural shapes and configurations (e.g. an elongated beam, a bar, a rod, etc.). The second rail  5  may have an internal conduit defined therein, may have a channel, or may be a solid structure with separate cavities formed therein for the position of pulleys  40  and have a cross section that is rounded, circular, oval, polygonal, or have another type of shape. 
     As yet another example, the first spring motor pulley  15  and the first lift cord pulley  20  may be aligned on the same rotational axis and the second spring motor pulley  17  and second lift cord pulley  21  may be aligned on the same rotational axis. For instance, the first lift cord pulley  20  may be a portion of a double or triple pulley and be a portion of that pulley that also includes a portion that functions as the first spring motor pulley  15  and the second lift cord pulley  21  may be a portion of a double or triple pulley and be a portion of that pulley that also includes a portion that functions as the second spring motor pulley  17 . 
     In embodiments of the window covering that may utilize more than two lift cords, the window covering may have only two lift cord collection mechanisms  31  or more than two such mechanisms. For instance, for embodiments of the window covering  1  that utilize four or six lift cords or more than six lift cords, there may only be first and second lift cord collection mechanisms that interact with multiple lift cords at opposite ends of the first rail  3  or there may be multiple lift cord collection mechanisms  31  located at opposite sides of the first rail  3 . Each lift cord collection mechanism  31  may be configured to only be coupled to a single respective lift cord or may be coupled to multiple respective lift cords in such embodiments. 
     As yet another example, the lift cord collection mechanisms  31  can have different configurations. For instance, it is contemplated that the first and second upper openings  33   a  and  33   b  can be holes defined in middle or lower opposite sides of the housing so that the first and second holes  33   d  and  33   e  may be positioned above these openings so that the first roller  37  is located above the second roller  35  in some embodiments. As another example, it is contemplated that the second roller  35  can be arranged so it extends along its length along the width W of the first rail  3  while the first roller  37  extends along the length L of the first rail in alternative embodiments. 
     As yet another example, for embodiments that utilize ladder cords  61 , each of the ladder cords may be composed of a single cord that has cord segments that defines front and rear rails  65  and  67  of the ladder cord and have spaced apart rungs that are composed of cords or tape that extend between those cord segments. In other embodiments, each of the ladder cords  61  may be composed of tape or be composed of inter connected cords that are connected together to define the front rail  65 , rear rail  67  and the rungs  63 . 
     As yet another example, it should be understood that some embodiments of the window covering that do not utilize any slat tilting may not include the slat tilt control mechanism  51  or gear assembly relating to use of an operator wand. For instance, such embodiments may not include a tilt rod  53  or any ladder cord tilt pulleys  55 . 
     Thus, while certain exemplary embodiments of window covering  1 , positional adjustment mechanism  11 , and methods of making and using the same have been shown and described above, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.