U.S. patent application number 10/757280 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for window treatment panels.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Linda, Smith, Park B..
Application Number | 20040144505 10/757280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32737844 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Linda ; et
al. |
July 29, 2004 |
Window treatment panels
Abstract
A window treatment sized to fit over a window opening. In one
embodiment, the window treatment has a row of ties positioned
horizontally along the top portion of the window treatment. The
window treatment also has one or more rows of openings (e.g.,
grommets) positioned horizontally along a lower portion of the
window treatment. The rows of openings are fastened to the row of
ties, allowing the lower portion of the window treatment to be
removably secured in a raised position. This allows a portion of
the window to be exposed while the window treatment is positioned
over the window opening.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Linda; (New York,
NY) ; Smith, Park B.; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lewis Reff
Coudert Brothers LLP
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
32737844 |
Appl. No.: |
10/757280 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10757280 |
Jan 14, 2004 |
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10739602 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
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10739602 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
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10032336 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2009/2622 20130101;
A47H 13/00 20130101; A47H 2023/003 20130101; E06B 9/262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/348 |
International
Class: |
A47H 013/14 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A raisable window treatment sized to fit substantially over a
window opening, the window treatment capable of being raised or
lowered without the use of draw strings, the window treatment
comprising: (i) a row of ties and at least one row of openings for
removably securing at least a portion of the window treatment in a
raised position while the window treatment is positioned over the
window opening; (ii) the row of ties is affixed to the window
treatment along an upper portion of the window treatment; (iii) the
at least one row of openings is positioned along a lower portion of
the window treatment; (iv) the openings in the at least one row of
openings are adapted for receiving the ties therethrough; (v) the
window treatment is in a raised position when the row of ties is
fastened to the at least one row of openings, thereby causing the
lower portion of the window treatment to be removably secured in
the raised position while the window treatment is positioned over
the window opening; and (vi) the fastening of the row of ties to
the at least one row of openings is the only manner by which the
lower portion of the window treatment is removably secured in a
raised position while the window treatment is positioned over the
window opening.
2. The window treatment of claim 1, wherein the at least one row of
openings is a row of grommets.
3. The window treatment of claim 1, wherein the at least one row of
ties is arranged horizontally at a location which is about 0.1 to
about 12 inches from the top edge of the window treatment.
4. The window treatment of claim 1, further comprising a tab top
suspending sleeve for suspending the window treatment in front of
the window opening.
5. The window treatment of claim 1, further comprising multiple
rows of openings; the multiple rows of openings are arranged to
provide a window treatment having folded sections of substantially
equal size when the window treatment is in the raised position.
6. A raisable window treatment sized to fit substantially over a
window opening, the window treatment capable of being raised or
lowered without the use of draw strings, the window treatment
comprising: (i) a row of openings and at least one row of ties for
removably securing at least a portion of the window treatment in a
raised position while the window treatment is positioned over the
window opening; (ii) the row of openings is affixed to the window
treatment along an upper portion of the window treatment; (iii) the
at least one row of ties is positioned along a lower portion of the
window treatment; (iv) the openings in the row of openings are
adapted for receiving the ties therethrough; (v) the window
treatment is in a raised position when at least one row of ties is
fastened to the row of openings, thereby causing the lower portion
of the window treatment to be removably secured in the raised
position while the window treatment is positioned over the window
opening; and (vi) the fastening of the at least one row of ties to
one row of openings is the only manner by which the lower portion
of the window treatment is removably secured in a raised position
while the window treatment is positioned over the window
opening.
7. The window treatment of claim 1, wherein the row of openings is
a row of grommets.
8. A raisable window treatment sized to fit substantially over a
window opening, the window treatment capable of being raised or
lowered without the use of draw strings, the window treatment
comprising: (i) a row of ties and three rows of openings for
removably securing at least a portion of the window treatment in a
raised position while the window treatment is positioned over the
window opening; (ii) the row of ties is affixed to the window
treatment along an upper portion of the window treatment; the row
of ties extending horizontally across the upper portion of the
window treatment; (iii) the three rows of openings are positioned
below the row of ties; each row of openings extends horizontally
across the window treatment, and each row of openings is spaced
apart from the other rows of openings; (iv) the openings in three
rows of openings are adapted for receiving the ties therethrough;
(v) the window treatment is in a raised position when the row of
ties is fastened to the first, second or third row of openings,
thereby causing a lower portion of the window treatment to be
removably secured in the raised position while the window treatment
is positioned over the window opening; and (vi) the fastening of
the row of ties to the first, second or third row of openings is
the only manner by which the lower portion of the window treatment
is removably secured in a raised position while the window
treatment is positioned over the window opening.
9. The window treatment of claim 1, wherein the three rows of
openings are a rows of grommets.
10. A raisable window treatment sized to fit substantially over a
window opening, the window treatment capable of being raised or
lowered without the use of draw strings, the window treatment
comprising: (i) a row of openings and three rows of ties for
removably securing at least a portion of the window treatment in a
raised position while the window treatment is positioned over the
window opening; (ii) the row of openings is affixed to the window
treatment along an upper portion of the window treatment; the row
of openings extending horizontally across the window treatment and
each row of ties is spaced apart from the other row of ties; (iii)
the three rows of ties are positioned below the row of openings;
each row of ties extending horizontally across the window treatment
and each row ofties is spaced apart from the other row of ties;
(iv) the openings in the rows of openings are adapted for receiving
the ties therethrough; (v) the window treatment is in a raised
position when the first, second or third row of ties is fastened to
the row of openings, thereby causing a lower portion of the window
treatment to be removably secured in the raised position while the
window treatment is positioned over the window opening; and (vi)
the fastening of the first, second or third row of ties to the one
row of openings is the only manner by which the lower portion of
the window treatment is removably secured in a raised position
while the window treatment is positioned over the window
opening.
11. The window treatment of claim 1, wherein the row of openings is
a row of grommets.
12. The window treatment of claims 8, wherein the at least one row
of ties is arranged horizontally at a location which is about 0.1
to about 12 inches from the top edge of the window treatment.
13. The window treatment of claim 6, further comprising a tab top
suspending sleeve for suspending the window treatment in front of
the window opening.
14. The window treatment of claim 8, further comprising a tab top
suspending the window treatment in front of the window opening.
15. The window treatment of claim 10, further comprising a tab top
suspending sleeve for suspending the window treatment in front of
the window opening.
16. The window treatment of claim 8, wherein the three rows of
openings are arranged to provide a window treatment having folded
sections of substantially equal size when the window treatment is
in the raised position.
17. The window treatment of claim 8, wherein the three rows of
openings are positioned to permit the portion of the window
treatment to be raised at three different heights relative to the
top of the window treatment when the first, second or third row of
ties is fastened to the row of openings.
18. The window treatment of claim 10, wherein the three rows of
ties are positioned along the window treatment to permit the
portion of the window treatment to be raised at three different
heights relative to the top or the window treatment when the first,
second or third row of ties is fastened to the row of openings.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/739,602, filed Dec. 18, 2003, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/032,336, filed
Dec. 21, 2001. The entire disclosure of each of these prior
applications is incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Windows such as those found in residential settings are
typically provided with window treatments. The term "window
treatment," as used herein, includes, but is not limited to
curtains, drapes, fabric panels, blinds and valences. Any type of
drapery fabric, curtain fabric, wood, metal, jute, bamboo or other
natural or man-made material may be used to make the window
treatment of the invention.
[0003] The primary function of a window treatment is to restrict
the amount of light and visual access through windows. However, the
aesthetic effect of a window treatment is considered by most
purchasers as being the primary basis for selection of one of a
plurality of competing styles. Once a particular style is chosen,
it is usually not possible to vary the visual effect that a
particular style provides when the window treatment is placed in
front of a window. Examples of several prior art window treatments
are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,668,587; U.S. Pat. No. 2,611,428; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,142,210 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,988.
[0004] Generally, window treatments are cut to provide various
visual effects in that when the window treatment is placed in
position in front of a window, the window is `framed` by the
profile of the window treatment. The visual effect of a particular
window treatment may only be modified by using cloth tie backs or
means which allow for the horizontally movement of the window
treatment such as movable suspending means or traverse rods.
[0005] The applicants have devised a window treatment system which
has a plurality of fastening means that are arranged to allow for
the partial or complete raising of the window treatment. This
structure allows the user to select a number of positions which
vary the exposure of the window to admit varying amounts of light
or visual access to the window opening without having to remove the
window treatment from its fixed position in front of a window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a window treatment sized to fit
substantially over a window opening. The window treatment
comprising one or more first fastening means affixed to the window
treatment in order to allow a lower portion of the window treatment
to be raised vertically and affixed to a surface of the window
treatment. This enables at least a portion of the window opening to
be exposed. Generally, there will be one row of a second fastening
means capable of being affixed to the first fastening means. In one
alternative embodiment, the window treatment may comprise from 1 to
7, preferably 3 to 5 rows of a second fastening means. The first
fastening means and second fastening means are intended to hold a
lower portion of the window treatment to an upper portion of the
window treatment.
[0007] Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to
provide a window treatment that can be arranged in different
configurations when it is hung in front of a window.
[0008] It is also an object of the invention to provide a window
treatment that can be arranged in many configurations to provide
different visual impressions.
[0009] It is also an object of the invention to provide a window
treatment which may be easily opened and closed to act as a privacy
closure for a window as well as a decorative window treatment.
[0010] It is also an object of the invention to provide a window
treatment that provides at least two distinct visual impressions by
means of ties and openings in the panel (e.g., grommets) that may
be used to vary the area of the window opening that is exposed on
the inside of the window.
[0011] These and other objects of the invention will become
apparent from a review of the specification and accompanying
drawings. The drawings represent non-limiting embodiments of the
present invention. The drawings are merely illustrative, and are
not exhaustive of the various configurations the present invention
may take.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a fabric panel having tab
tops, a horizontal row of button means and the horizontal rows of
loop means.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fabric panel of FIG. 1 where
the three rows of loops have been fastened seriatim onto the button
means.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 which shows the
folded edges of the fabric panel when the rows of loops are
attached to the button means.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a panel having tab tops, a
horizontal row of ties and rows of grommets.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the panel of FIG. 4 where the ties
have been fastened Seriatim onto the grommets.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of FIG. 5 showing the folded
edges of the panel when the rows of ties are fastened to the
grommets
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 1 discloses an embodiment of a fabric panel 2 having
tab tops 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e having interacting means which
comprise button row 4 and loop rows 6, 6a and 6b. The buttons 5,
5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e are spaced at substantially equal intervals
in a horizontal direction across the fabric panel 2.
[0019] The loop rows 6, 6a and 6b are spaced at gradually
increasing intervals from the bottom of the fabric panel to the top
of the fabric panel in order to provide substantially equal amounts
of exposed fabric 10, 12 on the hidden panels 14, 16 which are
under folded sections 18 and 20 when the rows of loops 6, 6a and 6b
are all fastened to the button means 5, 5a, 5c, 5d and 5e. Front
sections 18, 20 and 22 result from the folding of the fabric panel
to allow for fastening of the loops onto the button means.
[0020] As best seen in FIG. 2, when all of the loops in rows 6, 6a
and 6b are fastened sequentially with the highest row being
fastened first and the lowest row being fastened last to the button
means the fabric panel presents a series of folded edges 10, 12
which provide an aesthetically pleasing front and side profiles to
the viewer. At the same time, the buttons and loops function to
provide a secure means of holding the fabric panel in one or more
open positions that may be used for control of the amount of light
that is allowed to pass through the window.
[0021] If desired, the fabrics may be printed in such a manner that
a preselected design may be formed when the window treatment is
placed in the `button up` position.
[0022] The embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown with a tab top suspending
means but any other type of ring or rod type suspending sleeve may
be used to provide a means for suspending the window treatments of
the invention.
[0023] In one alternative embodiment, the present invention
comprises a first fastening means and a second fastening means.
That is, the first fastening means is adapted to be removably
secured to the second fastening means, or vice versa. The fastening
means may include, but is not limited to any type of a protrusion
such as a post, button, knob, curved hook, Velcro etc. that is
capable of holding a loop or fabric loop or rope type loop, or a
loop of roping or thread, for example. The fastening means may also
comprise, a metal ring, snaps, buttons and button holes or Velcro
type fastening system.
[0024] The first fastening means and the second fastening means are
sized to allow for quick engagement and disengagement of each other
in order to facilitate the operation of the window treatment. In
one alternative embodiment, the first fastening means is a row of
buttons, and the second fastening means is one or more rows of
loops. Here, it is preferred to place the button means and loop
means as shown in FIG. 1. It is possible to reverse the positions
of the first fastening means and the second fastening means so that
rows of first fastening means are available to be affixed to a
single row of second fastening means located at the upper part of
the window treatment.
[0025] In another alternative embodiment, rows of buttons and loops
may be spaced as shown in FIG. 3 or in any type of spacing to
achieve any desired effect. The rows of buttons and loops are shown
in a horizontal arrangement but it is within the scope of the
invention to arrange the rows of buttons and loops in various
angled or arced configurations to achieve any desired visual
effect. Each row of buttons and loops may comprise from 3 to 10,
preferably 4 to 8 buttons and loops, depending on the weight of the
fabric, the width of the panel and the visual effect that is
desired.
[0026] It is preferred to use one row of buttons arranged
horizontally at a location which is within 0-12 inches, preferably
within four inches of the top edge of the means which are used to
suspend the panel in front of the window.
[0027] FIGS. 4-6 disclose an embodiment of a panel 2 having tab
tops 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e having interacting means which
comprise tie rows 4 and openings (e.g., grommets) 6, 6a and 6b. The
ties 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e are spaced at substantially equal
intervals in a horizontal direction across the fabric panel 2.
[0028] The rows of openings (e.g., grommets) 6, 6a and 6b are
spaced at gradually increasing intervals from the bottom of the
fabric panel to the top of the fabric panel in order to provide
substantially equal amounts of exposed fabric 10, 12 on the hidden
panels 14, 16 which are under folded sections 18 and 20 when the
rows of openings 6, 6a and 6b are all fastened to the ties 5, 5a,
5c, 5d and 5e.
[0029] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, when all of the rows of
openings 6, 6a and 6b are fastened sequentially with the highest
row being fastened first and the lowest row being fastened last to
the ties the fabric panel presents a series of folded edges which
provide an aesthetically pleasing front and side profiles to the
viewer. At the same time, the openings and ties function to provide
a secure means of holding the fabric panel in one or more open
positions that may be used to control the amount of light allowed
to pass through the window.
[0030] If desired, the fabrics may be printed in such a manner that
a preselected design may be formed when the window treatment is
placed in the `tie up` position.
[0031] The embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 are shown with a tab top
suspending means but any other type of ring or rod type suspending
sleeve may be used to provide a means for suspending the window
treatments of the invention.
[0032] As used herein the term "tie" or "ties" may include but is
not limited to a cord, rope, strap, string, bow, swath of material,
or any other similar means capable of securing a portion of the
panel in a raised position. The tie may comprise any type of fabric
and/or other natural or man-made material.
[0033] The objects to which the ties are secured may comprise any
type of a protrusion such as a post, button, knob, curved hook,
Velcro, a metal ring, snaps, buttons or any other suitable type of
fastening system. The ties may also be secured to one or more
openings in the panel. Such openings may include grommets. It is
understood that the present invention is not limited to grommets.
Any opening capable of receiving a tie therethrough is within the
scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "grommet"
may include, but is not limited to, any reinforced opening,
including, but not limited to, a reinforced eyelet. The grommet may
be reinforced with metal, plastic, fabric or any other suitable
material capable of maintaining the shape of the opening in the
panel.
[0034] The ties and the grommets are sized to allow for quick
engagement and disengagement of the ties in order to facilitate the
operation of the window treatment. It is possible to reverse the
positions of the rows of ties and the rows of grommets so that rows
of ties are available to be affixed to a single row of grommets
located at the upper part of the window treatment.
[0035] The rows of ties and grommets may be spaced as shown in FIG.
4 or in any other suitable spacing to achieve any desired effect.
The rows of ties and grommets are shown in a horizontal arrangement
but it is within the scope of the invention to arrange the rows of
ties and grommets in various angled or arced configurations to
achieve any desired visual effect. Each row of ties and grommets
may comprise from 3 to 10, preferably 4 to 8 ties and grommets,
depending on the weight of the fabric, the width of the panel and
the visual effect that is desired.
[0036] It is preferred to use one row of ties arranged horizontally
at a location which is within 0-12 inches, preferably within four
inches of the top edge of the means used to suspend the panel in
front of the window.
[0037] Throughout the description, where the present invention is
described as having, including, or comprising specific components,
or where processes are described as having, including, or
comprising specific process steps, it is contemplated that the
present invention also consists essentially of, or consists of, the
recited components or processing steps. Also, one or more steps or
elements may be omitted from the claimed invention, or the
invention described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence
of any component or step which is or is not specifically disclosed
herein, so long as the invention remains operable.
[0038] Further, the present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments and figures are
therefore to be considered illustrative rather than limiting the
invention described herein.
[0039] The content of each patent and non-patent document referred
to herein is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0040] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such
obvious modifications and variations are intended to be within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *