TECHNOLOGY WITH SPRING

BLINDS BY BORONIA
Michelle Macready, Sales Manager at Blinds by Boronia Group is clear about the advances spring assist technology is bringing to the roller category.

“Often a bit of a murky area, for some time Lift Assistance was barely understood by many of the people selling it. Is it a spring or is it a geared mechanism? And with a legal precedent changing what was available from many sources, very quickly, some years ago, it’s not surprising.”

“Most manufacturers will now offer their clients at least one form of assistance that’s based upon a spring. If you are fortunate enough to be offering a blind using the SunBoss Roller Blind System from Blinds by Boronia then of course you can now offer Zero Gravity.”

“What a change this amazing product is making! Spring assistance is good. Zero Gravity takes child safety from an addedon part to being at the core of the blind. Zero Gravity is an ergonomic change to the way we use blinds. Not an add-on but a revolutionary change. Being able to simply nudge a blind upwards or down changes the whole dynamic of how we handle blinds.”

BLINDWARE
The inventor of the ZeroGravity system describes it as “A ground-breaking innovation in spring assist systems.” Blindware Managing Director Grant Norton created the ZeroGravity technology after seeing a gap in the market for premium, child safe roller blind systems that require little to no effort to operate.

“The beauty of ZeroGravity lies in its simplicity,” Norton says. “By perfectly balancing the spring with the fabric, it allows the blind to be opened or closed, or anything in between, with almost no effort whatsoever.”

Creating tangible sales opportunities for customers, ZeroGravity has distinct consumer targets, particularly amongst parents of young children, who are concerned about child safety in the home. “The danger of blind chains/ cords is very real, so much so that since April this year, they have been outlawed in Canada, with USA also severely restricting their use,” Norton says. “With many children in Australia being harmed by blind chains and cords every year, there is a very real and significant opportunity to offer parents of children under five a safe roller blind product that is also beautiful to operate and completely versatile, and capable of working on blinds up to 3.6 metres wide.”

Available in both chainless and chain operated modes, ZeroGravity is perfectly suited to the aged care or disability markets, from those who simply require the lightness of ZeroGravity to allow them to lift and lower their blinds themselves, through to patients in dementia facilities where cords can pose a real danger. “This offers greater liveability to those who would otherwise be dependent on staff or family to do simple things like raising or lowering a blind, creating the opportunity to feel a little more independent and safe in their environment,” Norton says.

“ZeroGravity is making significant traction both in the Australian market and overseas. In a market where consumer confidence is down, some enduring consumer realities will not change, like the importance of keeping loved ones safe. In North America this is being realised in a very real way with blind manufacturers and retailers recognising the importance of good quality, child-safe cordless blinds that can become the new standard in roller blinds. There is little doubt Australia will follow suit in the near future, and ZeroGravity is making its mark as an innovation that has changed the roller blind forever.”

ROLLEASE ACMEDA
Rollease Acmeda Communications Specialist Alex Hanna and Internal Hardware Product Manager Gary Lam confirm that the RB12 Universal Spring booster is starting to grow in popularity with more of the market becoming interested in semi-automatic functionality. “Our signature suite of RB12 operated systems cover a large range of applications. Coupled with our limiter, RB12 operated systems are the very top-tier of manual operation, especially thanks to the ability to control these systems from two control points where available (Chain/wand and weight bar override).”

Key factors to note include the rising popularity of semi-automatic systems and technology. “As the trend increases, more of the market are inclined to install the latest in manual technology. Our RB12 booster is the main component that’s selling best thanks to this trend. It is the key to the smooth ‘auto-rise’ function which is seen in the Aero, Easy Spring Ultra and Easy Spring Wand.

Semi-automatic systems and technology also mean less user involvement and effort. “‘Autorise’ allows the shades to be raised at a controlled speed and stop without causing damage or jamming, all with one light pull from the user. This is becoming increasingly popular, as old/ traditional spring-based systems are starting to look primitive by comparison.”

“Semi-automatic functionality also takes traditional manual rollers and brings them closer to the motorised experience.

It falls in between motorisation and manual. The systems operate effortlessly, opposed to traditional systems that invite more user effort.”

“Child Safety is another critical factor. Innovating traditional systems to be more child safe, Aero reduces the number of chains or removes them completely. The wand is especially functional in the childsafe category. It removes the chain, but still enables easy reach and control for high/tall shade applications.”

There are a number of systems currently utilising RB12 USPs:

Award winning Aero Dual Shades – Dual shades reinvented

• ‘One chain, two shades’ – Innovative design provides a minimal look requiring only one chain for the system. Thanks to the intricately designed mechanisms, you can independently control two shades with one chain to lower or raise either shade.
• Auto-Rise – Aero is a ground-breaking roller shade series that boasts an ‘Autorise’ feature with built-in decelerator, self-rising with a light pull of the hem bar or chain in one system (or hem bar only for Chain free configuration). The shades will automatically stop at your pre-set desired position. The Chain system allows for weight bar override for control at any time.
• Single and chainless options available – No chain, no hazard, for the ultimate in child-safety, Aero is available as a chainless option, or as a single shade system. The single and chainless options both employ the ‘Auto-Rise’ mechanic to ensure the signature smooth ascent.
• German design award winner

Easy Spring Wand

• Perfect for child proofing the home, without sacrificing accessibility; removing the hazard without removing reach, our wand system allows two points of control, either by wand or hem bar, and is a great addition to lounge rooms, kids’ bedrooms, schools or health care facilities where safety is a vital element.
• The ultimate childsafe solution, it eliminates potential choking hazards (loose chains/cords), complying with latest industry standards and regulations. This patented system resets the standard in child safe shades with user-friendly controls and slim line aesthetics, eliminating the need for free-hanging cords or chains.
• Auto-rise functionality ensures a smooth and controlled ascent, stopping the blind at the ideal top position. The technologically advanced Auto-rise feature ensures smooth and controlled selfrising with only a light pull of the weight bar or wand, stopping at the ideal top position.
• Easy installation and tuning – accessible wheel for top limit adjustments for efficient on-site maintenance and easy one-person installation.

Easy Spring Ultra

• Superior to traditional springoperated rollers, our Easy Spring Ultra system is child safe and semi-automatic. Smooth operation thanks to ‘auto-rise functionality and intuitive top limit setting to ensure your shade stops at the ideal top position. Perfect for small applications around the home, whether it be a bathroom, laundry or powder room.
• Child Safe solution – Our latest chain-free system uses the weight bar to operate the shade providing the perfect child-safe solution and features an engineered design for a smooth ascent and improved functionality.
• Auto-rise functionality – built in decelerator, enables the shade to come to a controlled stop at a desired top limit with one simple touch. The advanced technology of the simple and intuitive top limit setting function creates an effortless experience.
• Easy installation and tuning – Accessible wheel for top limit adjustments for efficient on-site maintenance. Easy one-person installation.

TOSO AUSTRALIA
Toso is the supplier of componentry of the premium Japanese Mytec 01 roller blind system which is designed for commercial, residential and aged care applications, confirms Malcolm Young, Managing Director of Toso Australia, who is responsible for the Australian and New Zealand market.

“The Toso Mytec 01 was designed for a Japanese woman to operate, with only three kg of pressure being applied to the chain to both raise and lower the blind, which is like using your fingertips in operation. Each blind has a spring assist, with the size of the spring dependent on the size of the blind, with eight different sizes, A through to H. This, combined with a geared chain housing, allows the blind to be raised or lowered, with less pulls of the chain and is up to 70% quicker than a standard blind system. Also, with its fast gearing, it is possible to have the chain ending 1600mm off the floor, thereby alleviating the need of installing a safety restraint.”

Toso offers both a 42mm and 46mm top tube, and in combination with the G and H springs, this superior system can now do larger sizes both as a single or linked system, whilst still maintaining its unique features of fast, smooth and light operation. Young says that even with a linked blind five metres in width, users can still use their fingertips to raise and lower the blind.

“Also the chain housing allows both the use of its stainless steel chain and a plastic chain in operating the blind.” In Japan, most chains are the plastic variety, he adds, whilst the Australian market predominantly uses metal chain, and with Toso, stainless steel. However there are circumstances, such as is in an indoor pool area where a plastic chain would be a better alternative.”

“We’ve noticed a recent trend with some interior designers, where roller blinds are now being combined with curtains on the same window, when furnishing a residential house or apartment, with the blinds being used during the day, and the curtains closed at night.”

“There’s also a change in the market where price is now not the only factor, and consumers are looking at quality again, both in the fabric offered on the blind, and also on the blind mechanism being offered.”

“Retailers love having the system in their showroom, as it gives them the opportunity to upsell a superior blind system to their prospective customers, and this can be easily achieved when both a standard system and the Toso Mytec 01 sit side by side, and the respective chains are pulled at the same time. It also gives retailers a point of difference from their competitors who only offer one standard system in their showroom.”

LUXAFLEX
Vera Meharg, Marketing Communications Manager, Luxaflex Window Fashions comments:

“Following the banning of window coverings with cords from accessible purchasing in 2018, there has been a significant increase in demand for cordless blinds that offer safety with functionality and style. As the pioneer of innovative technology, child safety and on-trend designs, Luxaflex Edge LiteRise Roller Blinds offer the perfect solution.”

“With its simple but innovative design, the Edge LiteRise Roller Blind offers an even and balanced light gap of around. 11mm, providing improved aesthetics whilst minimising light streaming in from the outside. The absence of a chain and chain tensioner delivers a clean and uncluttered appearance at the window.”

Luxaflex Window Fashions also contributed to the market with its QMotion technology. Offering flawless functionality, QMotion simplifies the operation of window coverings using cutting-edge motorisation technology. “The first super quiet battery powered blind on the market, QMotion technology allows for symmetrical light gaps of only 14mm on each side, resulting in a perfectly balanced roller blind system that operates seamlessly without any unsightly cords or wires.”

Ease of Operation
“Championing ease and aesthetic, the Luxaflex Edge LiteRise Roller Blind operating system features a unique spring mechanism that allows for integrated and granular control of the shade, allowing users to raise and lower the shade stopping at any desired point. Similar to Duette LiteRise Shade, the patented design means no cords, ease of operation and instinctive control by simply raising and lowering by hand at the bottom rail.”

“QMotion technology enables the consumer complete control, personalising the function of the blinds with ease to suit their needs. Through its patented design, QMotion technology is the only motorised roller blind that offers a unique dualoperating feature that allows you to operate the blind by hand without damage to the shade or motor, meaning you have the precision of manual operation if needed. Similarly, the use of the counterbalance power springs allows battery life to last longer if used when drawing the blinds remotely, and act in line with safety for use around children with the absence of cords.”

Meanwhile, Luxaflex Roller Blinds with QMotion ZigBee technology are the answer to integrating QMotion into Control4 automation systems. QMotion ZigBee motors communicate natively with Control4, which means no additional accessories are required for direct wireless communication, resulting in the process for the automation integrator being easy, straightforward and trouble free.

Fabric Collections
“Luxaflex Edge LiteRise Roller Blinds are available across the range of both Luxaflex fabrics and Sunscreens, and can be colour coordinated with most of the Luxaflex product range including Pirouette Shadings, Silhouette Shadings, Duette Shades and even their external range with Evo Awnings. With such a vast choice of fabrics, design and affordability Luxaflex Window Fashions are more accessible than ever.”

TURNILS
Turnils Quantum roller blinds with light lift operating option are designed to offer a blend of the iconic Turnils Quantum hardware design with lasting aesthetic appeal. The Light Lift operating option features an innovative spring system for enhanced user experience and child safety.

The patented spring system features smooth granular control for precise operation, easily tensioned in the tube during fabrication and maintaining its pre-set tensions during the simple on-site installation process.

The roller blind can be raised or lowered to any desired position using the bottom rail, without the need for complex release mechanisms. The slimline control and idle end design means the system has extremely small light gaps of approximately 10mm, evenly balanced for minimal light intrusion in the reveal.

Kim Henretty, Brand Manager for Hunter Douglas comments:

“The Turnils Quantum Light Lift features patented componentry engineered for effortless control offering the ultimate in child-safe technology for roller blinds. Users effortlessly raise and lower the blind by gently moving the bottom rail which fits neatly in the hand. Blinds can be easily moved into the exact position for chain-free light and privacy control.”

Turnils Quantum Light Lift offers efficient fabrication and installation processes by utilising universal componentry across the Quantum range, Henretty adds “This allows for easy on-site adjustments as a unique ball bearing idle end provides an additional 14mm tolerance should installation corrections be required.”

Light Lift operation is available across single or dual roller blinds in standard or reverse application and is compatible with side channels for a superior room darkening solution.