Universal headrail and drive system

Abstract

A mounting and drive system for a window covering is provided. The mounting and drive system has an elongated body that has a first end and a second end and is configured to releasably retain a window covering that has window covering material connected to a rotating element such that rotation of the element raises or lowers the window covering material. A drive mechanism is permanently attached to one end of the elongated body. The drive mechanism is configured to be releasably coupled to the rotating element of the window covering such that the drive mechanism can turn the element to raised or lower the shade.

1 . A mounting and drive system for a window covering comprising:
 an elongated body, the elongated body having a first end and a second end, the elongated body sized and configured to releasably retain a window covering of a type having a rotating element which is turned to raise and lower window covering material; and   a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism being permanently attached to the first end of the elongated body, the drive mechanism being configured to be releasably coupled to the rotating element of the window covering such that the drive mechanism can turn the rotating element when the rotating element is coupled to the drive mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism is further comprised of a drive device selected from the group consisting of a loop cord drive, a motor, and a crank operated drive. 
   
   
       3 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one mounting device being connected to at least one of the elongated body and the drive mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 3  wherein the at least one mounting device is a bracket or clip. 
   
   
       5 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  wherein the elongated body has at least one of at least one recess and at least one shoulder sized to receive a portion of a cartridge shade. 
   
   
       6 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  further comprising a sidewall, the sidewall being attached to the second end of the elongated body. 
   
   
       7 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 6  wherein the sidewall has at least one recess sized to receive a portion of the window covering. 
   
   
       8 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism has a bore of a polygonal shape sized to receive the rotating element of the window covering. 
   
   
       9 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  further comprising a cartridge shade, the cartridge shade being comprised of a headrail, a window covering material connected to the headrail, and a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the window covering material, the lift mechanism being comprised of lift cords wound about a shaft, the lift cords being connected to the window covering material, the shaft of the lift mechanism being connected to the headrail of the cartridge shade, the headrail of the cartridge shade being releasably coupled to the elongated body, and the shaft of the lift mechanism being releasably coupled to the drive mechanism such that the cartridge shade is removable from the elongated body. 
   
   
       10 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 9  wherein the cartridge shade is a window covering selected from the group consisting of roman shades, pleated shades, cellular shades, roll-up shades, venetian blinds, and mini blinds. 
   
   
       11 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 9  also comprising a spring loaded coupler connected between the shaft of the lift mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  further comprising a cartridge shade, the cartridge shade being comprised of a window covering material wound on a roller, the roller having a stub shaft extending from an end of the roller, the roller being releasably coupled to the elongated body, the stub shaft being releasably coupled to the drive mechanism such that the cartridge shade is removable from the elongated body. 
   
   
       13 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 12  wherein the roller of the cartridge shade is a tubular roller. 
   
   
       14 . The mounting and drive system of  claim 1  wherein the elongated body is configured to releasably retain a window covering having a rotating element that is one of a roller, a tube, a shaft, and a shaft having a drum.