A control mechanism adapted for actuating a window covering, the control mechanism comprising: a drive axle that extends along a longitudinal axis and rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom member and respectively retracting or extending a shade element; a housing including a sidewall and a key member, the side wall including a first gripping structure; a clutch module assembled within the housing and engaged with the key member, wherein the clutch module comprises a reciprocator and a coupling element which includes a second gripping structure disposed on an end portion of the coupling element, whereby the second gripping structure axially facing the first gripping structure, the coupling element and the second gripping structure being rotationally dependent of the drive axle, the coupling element further being movable with the second gripping structure along the drive axle between a first position and a second position driven by the rotation of the drive axle, wherein the first and second gripping structures (68, 64) are axially spaced apart from each other and rotation of the drive axle is permitted when the coupling element is in the first position, and the first and second gripping structures (68, 64) are engaged with each other and rotation of the drive axle is blocked when the coupling element is in the second position; whereby the reciprocator is disposed about the coupling element and driven in rotation by the coupling element via a locking arrangement between the coupling element and the reciprocator, the locking arrangement comprising a coil spring mounted between the reciprocator element and the coupling element, with the coil spring mounted around the coupling element and having an end portion connected with the reciprocator element; and whereby the reciprocator defines a guide track engaging with the key member, wherein rotation of the reciprocator causes relative movement of the key member in the guide track so as to cause axial movement of the coupling element and the second gripping structure with respect to the drive axle between the first and second positions, the locking arrangement being operable to decouple the reciprocator from the coupling element and allow rotation of the coupling element in a first direction when abutment of the key member with a portion of the guide track blocks rotation of the reciprocator in the first direction. a drive axle that extends along a longitudinal axis and rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom member and respectively retracting or extending a shade element; a housing including a sidewall and a key member, the side wall including a first gripping structure; a clutch module assembled within the housing and engaged with the key member, wherein the clutch module comprises a reciprocator and a coupling element which includes a second gripping structure disposed on an end portion of the coupling element, whereby the second gripping structure axially facing the first gripping structure, the coupling element and the second gripping structure being rotationally dependent of the drive axle, the coupling element further being movable with the second gripping structure along the drive axle between a first position and a second position driven by the rotation of the drive axle, wherein the first and second gripping structures (68, 64) are axially spaced apart from each other and rotation of the drive axle is permitted when the coupling element is in the first position, and the first and second gripping structures (68, 64) are engaged with each other and rotation of the drive axle is blocked when the coupling element is in the second position; whereby the reciprocator is disposed about the coupling element and driven in rotation by the coupling element via a locking arrangement between the coupling element and the reciprocator, the locking arrangement comprising a coil spring mounted between the reciprocator element and the coupling element, with the coil spring mounted around the coupling element and having an end portion connected with the reciprocator element; and whereby the reciprocator defines a guide track engaging with the key member, wherein rotation of the reciprocator causes relative movement of the key member in the guide track so as to cause axial movement of the coupling element and the second gripping structure with respect to the drive axle between the first and second positions, the locking arrangement being operable to decouple the reciprocator from the coupling element and allow rotation of the coupling element in a first direction when abutment of the key member with a portion of the guide track blocks rotation of the reciprocator in the first direction.