Patent Publication Number: US-10765246-B2

Title: Adjustment and alignment system for a roller blind

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/045,830 having a filing date of 26 Jul. 2018, which claims priority on and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/539,022 having a filing date of 31 Jul. 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/616,004 having a filing date of 11 Jan. 2018. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates to the field of roller blinds, including systems and devices for their adjustment and alignment. 
     Prior Art 
     Roller blinds, or roller shades as they are sometimes referred to, are commonly placed about windows and other openings for the purpose of privacy, to limit light intrusion, and for aesthetic reasons. Roller blinds have more recently become commonly used in association with large and multiple pane windows, such that in many instances multiple roller tubes are mounted end-to-end, with their blind fabrics being raised or lowered in unison by a drive mechanism at one end of the blind. In commercial applications, and to some extent in residential situations, electric motors are used to raise and lower the blind fabric. When multiple roller tubes are mounted end-to-end, installation can become increasingly difficult and laborious. Typically, an end bracket is positioned at the extreme left and right ends of the multiple tube blind to hold the outer ends in place within a window frame or other structure. Middle brackets are then commonly deployed between the end brackets at the point of juncture between adjacent roller tubes. 
     It will be appreciated that a misalignment of the end brackets and the middle bracket can cause difficulty in terms of both installing the roller tubes in an end-to-end fashion and also in operation of the tubes. Blinds having three or more individual roller tubes, necessitating the use of two or more middle brackets, can further enhance installation difficulties, causing installers at times having to resort to removing middle brackets and repositioning them. In other instances, installers must loosen fasteners that hold the middle brackets in place, re-position the middle brackets to account for the lack of alignment (or longitudinal positioning relative to the end brackets), and then once again tighten the fasteners to secure the middle brackets. 
     Further, for multi-roller tube blinds it will be appreciated that slight differences in the relative position blind fabric on adjacent roller tubes can result in the bottom bars of each individual blind segment being misaligned, causing a less than desirous visual appearance. In such cases installers are typically required to remove an individual blind segment and adjust the winding of the blind fabric about that individual roller tube in an attempt to rectify the misalignment problem. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the invention provides an alignment bracket for a roller blind, the alignment bracket comprising a base portion having a mounting face, for mounting to a surface upon which the roller blind is to be secured, and an opposed roller tube support surface, and a roller tube support releasably securable to said roller tube support surface, one of said tube support surface and said roller tube support having a first coupling member that is releasably securable to a second coupling member on the other of said tube support surface and said roller tube support to releasably secure said roller tube support to the roller tube support surface, said first and said second coupling members permitting an adjustment of the alignment of said roller tube support, and the end of a roller tube mounted thereon, relative to the base portion. 
     In another aspect the invention provides an alignment bracket for a roller blind that includes a pair of roller tubes mounted in an end to end configuration, the alignment bracket comprising a base having a mounting surface, for mounting to a surface upon which the roller blind is to be secured, and an opposed roller tube support surface, said roller tube support surface including a slot thereon; and a roller tube support including a tongue that is releasably receivable within said slot of said roller tube support surface to releasably secure said roller tube support to said roller tube support surface, said roller tube support including one or more mounts to support the two roller tubes in the end-to-end configuration, the receipt of said tongue within said slot permitting an adjustment of the roller tube support relative to the base to accommodate the support of the roller tubes in the end to end configuration. 
     There is also provided a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind, the alignment device comprising a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the roller blind, when secured to the roller tube rotation of said drive coupling body causing a corresponding rotation of the roller tube; a driven member mounted to said drive coupling body, said driven member securable to a source of transfer rotational torque; a torque transfer mechanism secured to said driven member such that rotation of said driven member causes rotational torque to be transferred to said drive coupling body through said torque transfer mechanism; and an adjuster positioned on said drive coupling body, said torque transfer mechanism transferring rotational torque from said driven member to said drive coupling body through said adjuster, said adjuster permitting an alteration of the rotational position of said driven member relative to said drive coupling body. 
     In yet a further aspect the invention concerns a blind fabric alignment device for a roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind, the alignment device comprising a drive coupling body securable to an end of a roller tube of the roller blind, when secured to the roller tube rotation of said drive coupling body causing a corresponding rotation of the roller tube; a pin rotationally received within said drive coupling body and having an end securable to a source of rotational torque, said pin having a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drive coupling body, said pin including a radially oriented flange; and a pair of opposed posts threadably secured to said drive coupling body, wherein rotational torque applied to said pin in a first direction causes the engagement of said flange with one of said opposed posts causing said drive coupling body to rotate in a first direction, and wherein rotation of said pin in an opposite direction causes said flange to bear against the opposite of said posts causing said drive coupling body to rotate in said opposite direction, whereby altering the position of said posts relative to said drive coupling body alters the rotational point of contact between said flange and said posts and the relative rotational position of said pin with respect to said drive coupling body and a roller tube secured thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present invention in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper side perspective view of a roller blind comprised of two individual roller tubes mounted end-to-end; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of a dual tube roller blind assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein, for illustrative purposes, the roller tubes have been removed, showing the blind end brackets and the base portion of the blind&#39;s middle bracket; 
         FIG. 3  is a lower perspective exploded view of an alignment bracket constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a plan view of the roller tube support of the alignment bracket shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a plan view of the base portion of the alignment bracket shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4 c    is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 4   b;    
         FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of a roller blind demonstrating the relative engagement of the blind tube with an end bracket and the alignment bracket of  FIG. 3  wherein the roller tube is misaligned; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  wherein the roller tube has been aligned through operation of the alignment bracket; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side view demonstrating a method of installation of the roller blind using the alignment bracket of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  demonstrating how through use of the alignment bracket of  FIG. 3  a single roller tube of a multi-tube roller blind can be removed for servicing; 
         FIG. 9 a    is a side view of a dual shade roller blind demonstrating an alignment of the bottom bars of the two blind fabrics; 
         FIG. 9 b    is a detail view of portion “E” of  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIG. 10 a    is a view similar to  FIG. 9  showing a misalignment of the bottom bars of the two bland fabrics; 
         FIG. 10 b    is a detail view of portion “D” of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11 a    is a side view of the roller blind shown in  FIG. 9  wherein the blind fabrics are wound upon their respective roller tubes; 
         FIG. 11 b    is an enlarged detailed view of portion “B” of  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 11 c    is a partial exploded view of  FIG. 11 b    having the roller tubes removed; 
         FIG. 12  is an upper end perspective view of the roller blind drive coupling of the left roller tube of  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 13  is a partial exploded view of the drive coupling shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14 a    is a side view of the drive coupling shown in  FIG. 12  wherein the driven member is at a neutral position relative to the drive coupling body; 
         FIG. 14 b    is a right end view of the drive coupling shown in  FIG. 14   a;    
         FIG. 15 a    is a side view of the drive coupling shown in  FIG. 12  wherein the driven member has been rotationally offset from a neutral position relative to the drive coupling body; 
         FIG. 15 b    is a right end view of the drive coupling shown in  FIG. 15   a;    
         FIG. 16  is an upper side perspective view of a roller blind comprising two individual roller tubes mounted end-to-end where the roller tubes are at an angle, as would typically be the case when used in association with a bay window; 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevation view of the roller blind shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the roller blind shown in  FIG. 17  with the blind fabric removed; 
         FIG. 19  is a partially exploded view similar to  FIG. 18  showing the angular orientation of the two roller tubes; 
         FIG. 20  is an upper end perspective view of the angular roller tube end coupling for the angularly oriented roller tube; and 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the angular roller tube end coupling shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be embodied in a number of different forms. The specification and drawings that follow describe and disclose some of the specific forms of the invention. 
     With reference to the attached drawings, there is shown a roller blind  1  that is comprised generally of a roller tube  2  having wound thereon blind fabric  3 . The roller tube  2  is attached to a window frame or other structure through use of a pair of end brackets  4 . Where roller blind  1  is a multi-tube, multi-roller or multi-shade blind (containing two or more roller tubes mounted end-to-end), one or more middle brackets  5  will be positioned between the respective ends of two adjacent roller tubes. 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 2 through 10   b , there is depicted a middle bracket  5  that comprises an alignment bracket. Middle or alignment bracket  5  may be formed from a base portion  6  and a roller tube support  7 . Base portion  6  has an upper mounting face  8  that will be secured to the window frame or other structure about which the blind is to be fastened, typically through the use of screws passing from an opposed lower tube support surface  9  through holes  10  in base portion  6 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, roller tube support  7  is releasably securable to lower tube support surface  9 . Further, one of tube support surface  9  and roller tube support  7  will have or be fitted with a first coupling member  11  that is releasably securable to a second coupling member  12  on the other of the tube support surface and the roller tube support. The engagement or interaction between the first and second coupling members releasably secures roller tube support  7  to lower tube support surface  9 . 
     In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the attached FIGS., first coupling member  11  comprises a slot  13  on lower support surface  9 . In the same embodiment, second coupling member  12  comprises a tongue  14  upon roller tube support  7 . Here, tongue  14  is generally at right angles to support arm  15  of roller tube support  7 . Support arm  15  may include a bearing and/or bushing  16  (or other similar structures commonly found on roller tube brackets) for purposes of mounting the end of a roller tube. In application, tongue  14  will be sized and configured so as to be releasably receivable within slot  13 . Middle or adjustment bracket  5  may further include a lock to fix the relative positions of tongue  14  and slot  13  when the tongue is received within the slot. It will be appreciated that a variety of different locks and locking mechanisms could be utilized. In the embodiment of the attached drawings, the lock comprises a screw  17  received within tongue  14  and bearing against lower tube support surface  9  of base portion  6  to cause a frictional engagement therebetween. 
     It will thus be appreciated that when tongue  14  is received within slot  13  and base portion  6  is secured to the window frame or other structure about which roller blind  1  is to be mounted, support arm  15  will provide a means to support the adjacent ends of two roller tubes that are mounted longitudinally in an end-to-end configuration. It will further be appreciated by one skilled in the art that in embodiments other than that specifically shown in the attached drawings, alternate forms of first and second coupling members could be utilized. In a further alternate embodiment of the invention, tongue  14  could be incorporated into lower tube support surface  9  of base portion  6 , with slot  13  incorporated into roller tube support  7 . 
     Through the releasable securing of roller tube support  7  to base portion  6 , the longitudinal position of support arm  15  relative to each of the end brackets  4  can be adjusted in order to safely and effectively secure the two ends of the adjacent roller tubes, particularly in instances where base portion  6  may not have been screwed to the window frame (or other structure about which lower blind  1  has been mounted) in precisely the correct location. That is, the interaction between the respective first and second coupling members permits a degree of longitudinal movement or adjustment of support arm  15  to accommodate slight discrepancies in the mounting position of base portion  6 . Further, in an embodiment of the invention one of slot  13  and tongue  14  includes at least one convex surface that engages a surface of the other of the slot and tongue when the tongue is received within slot  13 . In the attached drawings, the opposed outer ends  18  of tongue  14  are convex. As shown most particularly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in instances where base portion  6  has not been secured to the window frame (or the surface about which lower blind  1  is to be mounted) at a location that it permits a longitudinal alignment of adjacent roller tubes, the engagement of one or both of convex ends  18  of tongue  14  with the interior edges  19  of slot  13  permits an “adjustment” of the alignment of roller tube support  7 , and the ends of roller tubes mounted hereon, relative to base portion  6 . That is, the convex nature of the ends  18  of tongue  14  will permit a degree of “twisting” of roller tube support  7  relative to base portion  6  that can be beneficial in helping to align the ends of the roller tubes. In other instances, it may be desirable to construct the overall “length” of tongue  14  such that it is smaller in dimension than the “length” of slot  13  to permit a degree of “play” between the tongue and slot to further assist in the alignment of adjacent roller tubes. Once the roller tubes have been sufficiently aligned, lock  17  can be engaged to fix the relative position of roller tube support  7  with respect to base portion  6 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3, 4   b  and  4   c , in one embodiment of the invention, slot  13  is formed from two spaced apart flanges  20 , where at least one of the flanges is releasably securable to base portion  6 . One of the flanges  20  is constructed from a separate component that is secured to base portion  6  by way of screws or bolts  21 . Further, as noted in  FIGS. 3 and 4   b , base portion  6  may be fitted with one or more suspension tabs  22  for receiving one or more roller tube suspension hooks  23  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). In this particular embodiment, suspension tabs  22  contain holes  24  through which the ends of a generally semi-circular or U-shaped roller tube suspension hook can be received and supported. 
     The combination of one or more removable flanges  20  forming slot  13 , in conjunction with suspension tabs  20 , facilitates both the installation of the roller blind and also its disassembly for servicing. With particular reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , installation of a multi-tube blind merely requires that one end of a roller tube be secured to or received by an end bracket, with the opposite end of the roller tube engaged and held in place by a roller tube suspension hook secured to suspension tabs  22 . The installer is then able to install the adjacent roller tube by inserting one end into a fixed end bracket and then simultaneously secure the ends of the two adjacent tubes within support arm  15  of roller tube support  7 . Thereafter one end of tongue  14  can be inserted into a fixed flange  20  (or a removable flange that has been previously fixed in place) on base portion  6 , while the other end of tongue  14  is held against the lower tube support surface  9  until removable flange  20  can be bolted, screwed or otherwise fastened to base portion  6 . 
     It will be understood that disassembly of a full installed multi-tube roller blind will also be facilitated by the above described structure. In order to disassemble an installed blind, one must merely remove screws or bolts  21  from removable flange  20 , permitting tongue  14  to be slid from slot  13  to allow the adjacent ends of two end-to-end mounted roller tubes to be lowered. A roller tube suspension hook  23 , previously secured to suspension tabs  22  of base portion  6 , can then hold the end of one of the roller tubes while the other roller tube is removed from the blind assembly. 
     Middle or adjustment bracket  5  presents not only the ability to support adjacent ends of end-to-end mounted roller tubes, but it also provides a means by which to “adjust” the ends of the roller tubes to facilitate their alignment in situations where the middle bracket has not been mounted to a window frame or other structure in the precise location that enables a desired degree of alignment of the roller tubes. The structure of base portion  6  and roller tube support  7  further facilitate both the installation and disassembly of a multi-tube roller blind by a single individual. 
     In  FIGS. 9 a , 9 b , 10 a  and 10 b    there is shown a typical double-tube or dual roller blind wherein the blind is comprised of two roller tubes  2  that are driven by a single drive mechanism  25  at the end of one of the roller tubes. The roller tubes are mounted longitudinally end-to-end such that activation of drive mechanism  25  causes the two roller tubes to be rotated in unison. Drive mechanism  25  may be a standard clutch mechanism drive by a chain or chord, or alternatively, may be an electric motor driven.  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    demonstrate a situation where the blind fabric  3  wound upon adjacent roller tubes is aligned such that the bottom bars  26  are horizontally aligned.  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    demonstrate the situation where the adjacent bottom bars are misaligned horizontally. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, there is also provided a blind fabric alignment device  27  that can be utilized to address the misalignment on bottom bars on a multi-tube roller blind, and that permits an adjustment to aid in re-aligning misaligned bottom bars. 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 11 a  through 15 b   , there is shown a blind fabric alignment device comprised generally of a drive coupling body  28 , a driven member  29 , a torque transfer mechanism  30  and an adjuster  31 . Drive coupling body  28  is configured to be releasably secured to an end of a roller tube of the roller blind to the extent that when secured to the roller tube rotation of the drive coupling body causes a corresponding rotation of the roller tube. A wide variety of different mechanisms could be employed to achieve such function. In the attached drawings, drive coupling body  28  is fitted with a number of longitudinally oriented spines  32  that engage corresponding splines or ribs on the inside of the roller tube so that when a first end  33  of the drive coupling body  28  is inserted into the hollow end of the roller tube, the two components will be rotationally locked together, with the second end  34  of drive coupling body  28  positioned exterior to the end of the roller tube. 
     As shown, driven member  29  is mounted to drive coupling body  28  and is designed to be securable to a source of rotational torque supplied by the adjacent roller tube. In the attached drawings, driven member  29  is a pin  35  rotationally received within drive coupling body  28 . Outer end of pin  35  is in the form of a tongue  36  that may be received within a slot or yoke on the drive coupling  39  of an adjacent roller tube  40 . Through the receipt of tongue  37  in slot  38 , the two roller tubes will be locked together rotationally such that rotational torque will be transferred from drive mechanism  25 , through adjacent roller tube  40 , through drive coupling  39 , through the engagement of tongue  37  within slot  38  and then ultimately through driven member  29  to drive coupling body  28 . 
     In an aspect of the invention, torque transfer mechanism  30  is secured to pin  35  to act as a means for the transference of rotational force from pin  35  to drive coupling body  28 . That is, rotation of pin  35  causes rotational torque to be transferred to drive coupling body  28  through torque transfer mechanism  30 . In the particular embodiment shown in the attached drawings, torque transfer mechanism  30  comprises a radial flange  41  secured to pin  35 . Flange  41  extends outwardly from the surface of pin  35  at a generally right angle to a longitudinal axis of the pin. Flange  41  may be secured to pin  35  through inserting one end of flange  41  into the pin body and securing it in place through use of an adhesive or a mechanical fastener, or by threading it in place. In other embodiments, flange  41  could be of uniform construction with pin  35 . Other possible structures of flange  41  and pin  35  could also be used. 
     The invention further permits adjuster  31  to alter the rotational position of flange  41  (and hence pin  35 ) relative to drive coupling body  28 . In the embodiment shown, adjuster  31  includes a pair of opposed posts  42  and  43 , at least one of which flange  41  will engage when pin  35  is rotated. That is, when pin  35  is rotated in a first direction, one side of flange  41  engages one of posts  42  and  43  transferring rotational torque from flange  41  to the drive coupling body and causing the drive coupling body to rotate in the first direction. Similarly, when flange  41  is rotated in a second opposite direction, the other side of flange  41  transfers torque to the other posts  42  or  43  causing drive coupling body  28  to rotate in the opposite direction. 
     Posts  42  and  43  may be adjustable with respect to their position relative to drive coupling body  28  to alter the rotational contact points between flange  41  and posts  42  and  43 , and to thereby alter the rotational position of pin  35  relative to drive coupling body  28 . Since pin  35  is effectively rotationally connected or otherwise secured to drive  39  of adjacent roller tube  40 , it will be appreciated that by adjusting the contact points between flange  41  and posts  42  or  43  the rotational relationship between the two adjacent roller tubes can be altered. In the attached drawings, posts  42  and  43  are threadably received within shoulders  44  and  45  of drive coupling body  28  (see  FIGS. 13-15 ). Threading posts  42  and  43  into or out of shoulders  44  and  45  will have the effect of altering the relative rotational position of the two adjacent roller blind tubes and the blind fabric received thereabout. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b   , flange  41  is spaced approximately equal distance from each of shoulders  43  and  45 , with posts  42  and  43  threaded an approximate equal distance into each of the shoulders. In this instance, flange  41  is in a “neutral” position between the two shoulders. If in order to horizontally align the bottom bars of the blind fabrics of the two roller tubes, it is desirous to rotate a portion of the blind fabric back onto the roller tube to lift bottom bar  26  (as shown in  FIG. 15 b   ) the uppermost of the posts can be threadably withdrawn from its respective shoulder with the lower most post threaded further into the shoulder to effectively cause a rotation of the roller blind tube and to place fabric back onto the roller tube, thereby raising the elevation of bottom boar  26 . If desired, the relative rotation of the two posts  42  or  43  could be reversed to remove fabric from the roller tube and lower the elevation of bottom bar  26 . 
     Drive coupling body  28  may include graduation indicators  46  providing a visual indication of the rotational position of flange  41  relative to drive coupling body  28 . Further, it will be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, posts  42  and  43  could be of different structures and different configurations and could be secured to drive coupling body  28  by means other than by threadably receiving the posts within shoulders  44  and  45 . 
     It will thus be appreciated that through the employment of the above described invention, the alignment of the bottom bars of a multi-roller tube roller blind can be adjusted through merely adjusting one or both of posts  42  or  43 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 through 21  there is shown an embodiment of a roller blind that is comprised generally of a first roller tube  50  and a second roller tube  51 , wherein the two roller tubes are at an angle to one another, and not in a parallel configuration as in the more traditional roller blind structure. It will be appreciated that such angular configurations are useful, for example, in bay window applications. In this embodiment the outer ends of the roller tubes are mounted to a pair of end brackets  4 , with the adjacent ends of the roller tubes mounted to a middle bracket  5 . First roller tube  50  is mounted to middle bracket  5  by means of driven member  29  of drive coupling  28  that is received through middle bracket  5 . The opposite end of roller tube  50  may be mounted to an end bracket  4  by a drive mechanism, which may be a chain and clutch drive or an electric motor. Second roller tube  50  has its outer end secured to end bracket  4  by means of idle end  52  and its inner end secured to driven member  29  of drive coupling  28  by means of an angular roller tube end coupling  53 . 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , there is shown in detail the structure of angular roller tube end coupling  53 . End coupling  53  includes a generally cylindrical hollow body  54  that is received within the end of second roller tube  51 . The exterior of body  53  may be fitted with one or more ribs or ridges  55  that may mate with longitudinally oriented ribs or channels on the inside diameter of roller tube  51  to effectively lock end coupling  53  to the roller tube such that rotation of end coupling  53  causes a corresponding rotation of second roller tube  51 . 
     Positioned within the hollow interior of cylindrical body  54  is a nested pair of gimballed sleeves,  56  and  57  respectively. In the attached drawings sleeve  56  is of a larger diameter and has an axis of rotation defined by a pair of pins  58  that are received through openings  59  within cylindrical body  54  in order to secure sleeve  56  within the hollow interior of the cylindrical body. Alternately, a single pin  58  could be used. The exterior surface of sleeve  56  may have a concave curvature to allow the sleeve a greater range of rotational movement when received within cylindrical body  54  than would be the case if a sleeve were in the shape of a right cylinder. It will be appreciated from a review of  FIGS. 20 and 21  that by equipping cylindrical body  54  with a plurality of openings  59 , the degree to which sleeve  56  can be received within the hollow interior of cylindrical body  54  can be adjusted. That is, by mounting pins  58  through openings  59  further away from the front face  60  of cylindrical body  54 , sleeve  56  can be positioned such that when rotated about pins  58  its outer surface  61  remains generally close to the plane of front surface  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , gimballed sleeve  57  is received within the hollow interior of gimballed sleeve  56 . Further, sleeve  57  is retained within sleeve  56  through the use of a pair of pins  62  that are received through holes or openings  63  in sleeve  56 . Alternately, a single pin  62  could be used. In the attached drawings, gimballed sleeve  57  is ball or sphere-like in shape, however, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments it could have an overall shape or curved exterior surface somewhat similar to sleeve  56 . 
     From an understanding of the invention and an examination of  FIGS. 21 and 22 , it will be understood that the axis of rotation of sleeves  56  and  57  as defined by pins  58  and  62  are orthogonal. Further, gimballed sleeve  57  is fitted with a bore  64  that is of a shape complementary to that of driven member  29  such that the driven member may be received within bore  64  causing sleeve  57  to rotate with rotation of the driven member. It will be further appreciated that the mounting of sleeve  57  within sleeve  56  and the mounting of sleeve  56  within cylindrical body  54  will thus result in a rotation of second roller tube  51  upon the rotation of driven member  29 . Accordingly, it will be further understood that as a result of the described structure, first and second roller tubes  50  and  51  will rotate in unison. 
     The above described structure of angular roller tube end coupling  53  presents a means for connecting second roller tube  51  with first roller tube  50  so that the two roller tubes can be rotated together in unison. Further, end coupling  53  also presents the ability for the two roller tubes to be offset in a horizontal and/or vertical plane, if desired. The nesting of gimballed sleeves  56  and  57  within the hollow interior of cylindrical body  54 , in conjunction with the orthogonal relationships of pins  58  and  62  upon which sleeves  56  and  57  rotate, permits a horizontal and/or offset of second roller tube  51  relative to first roller tube  50 , while still allowing rotational torque from first roller tube  50  to be transmitted to second roller tube  51 . Such is the situation shown in  FIG. 16  where the depicted blind is for use in a bay window application.  FIG. 19  also demonstrates an offset of second roller tube  51  relative to first roller tube  50  and the receipt of driven member  29  within bore  64  to permit rotational energy to be transmitted from first roller tube  50  to second roller tube  51 . The formation of gimballed sleeve  57  with a ball or generally spherical shaped exterior surface permits an enhanced angular offset of second roller tube  51  without outer surface  65  of gimballed sleeve  57  coming into contact with the interior surface of sleeve  56 , as could occur if sleeve  57  had a shape more closely resembling a right cylinder. 
     It will thus be appreciated that the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 through 21  allows for flexibility in terms of the angular offset between second roller tube  51  relative to first roller tube  50 , while still ensuring a secure connection between the roller tubes so that a drive mechanism operatively associated with first roller tube  50  results in second roller tube  51  being simultaneously driven. 
     It is to be understood that what has been described are the preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.