U.S. patent application number 11/398079 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for segmented roman window shade.
Invention is credited to John A. Corey, Thomas J. Marusak, Richard D. Watkins.
Application Number | 20060225846 11/398079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36741363 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marusak; Thomas J. ; et
al. |
October 12, 2006 |
Segmented Roman window shade
Abstract
A window covering is described having a carrier grid and a
plurality of horizontal strips of fabric secured to the carrier
grid. The strips are disposed in overlapping and vertically spaced
relation to cover an area of a window.
Inventors: |
Marusak; Thomas J.;
(Loudonville, NY) ; Watkins; Richard D.; (Lake
Luzerne, NY) ; Corey; John A.; (Melrose, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
39533 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 140
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-0610
US
|
Family ID: |
36741363 |
Appl. No.: |
11/398079 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11348145 |
Feb 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
11398079 |
Apr 5, 2006 |
|
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60669189 |
Apr 6, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2009/2625 20130101;
E06B 9/262 20130101; E06B 2009/2627 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/126 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Claims
1. A window covering comprising: a carrier grid having a plurality
of tabs extending outwardly from said carrier grid; a plurality of
horizontal strips of fabric secured to said tabs, said strips being
in overlapping and vertically spaced relation to cover an area of a
window, each of said plurality of horizontal strips having an upper
edge and a lower edge; and whereby at least one of said edges is
secured to at least one of said tabs.
2. The window covering of claim 1, wherein at least one of said
tabs includes a stiffener.
3. The window covering of claim 2, wherein each of said tabs
includes an upper surface and a lower surface and said stiffener is
disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface.
4. The window covering of claim 1, wherein said carrier grid
includes spacing cords for spacing and securing each of said
plurality of horizontal strips.
5. The window covering of claim 1, wherein said carrier grid is a
backing material.
6. The window covering of claim 5, wherein said backing material
includes at least one side that is pleated.
7. The window covering of claim 5, wherein said backing material is
a cellular backing material.
8. The window covering of claim 5, wherein said cellular backing
material includes a plurality of cell-wall ligaments.
9. The window covering of claim 1, wherein at least one of said
upper edge and said lower edge is secured to said tab by a backing
clip.
10. The window covering of claim 9, wherein said backing clip
includes at least two generally "C" shaped portions.
11. The window covering of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality
of horizontal strips includes a stiffener proximate at least one of
an upper edge and a lower edge.
12. The window covering of claim 11, wherein a backing clip is
secured between one of said horizontal strips and one of said
tabs.
13. The window covering of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality
of horizontal strips includes a first stiffener proximate an upper
edge and a second stiffener proximate a lower edge.
14. A window covering comprising: a carrier grid having a plurality
of tabs extending outwardly from said carrier grid, each of said
tabs having a stiffener; at least one horizontal strip of fabric
secured to at least one tab, said at least one horizontal strip
selectively covering an area of a window, said at lest one
horizontal strip having a stiffener proximate at least one of an
upper edge and a lower edge; at least one spacing cord for
selectively securing said at least one horizontal strip; and
whereby at least one of said upper edge and said lower edge is
secured to at least one of said tabs by a backing clip.
15. The window covering of claim 14, wherein each of said tabs
includes an upper surface and a lower surface and said stiffener is
disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface.
16. The window covering of claim 14, wherein said carrier grid is a
backing material.
17. The window covering of claim 16, wherein said backing material
includes at least one side that is pleated.
18. The window covering of claim 16, wherein said backing material
is a cellular backing material.
19. The window covering of claim 16, wherein said cellular backing
material includes a plurality of cell-wall ligaments.
20. The window covering of claim 14, wherein said backing clip
includes at least two generally "C" shaped portions.
21. The window covering of claim 14, wherein at least two strips of
said at least one horizontal strip are different colors or
different styles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/669,189, filed Apr. 6, 2005, and U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/348,145 filed Feb. 6, 2006, which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The embodiments herein are directed to a retractable window
covering that can be manufactured from strips of material arranged
in overlapping relation to cover an area of a window.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An ancient, but ever-popular form of window covering is
known as a Roman shade. This type of shade conventionally includes
a fabric sheet at least as wide as the window to be covered and as
long as or longer than the window. A fabric is fitted with
periodically-spaced rings or their equivalents on the back
(outward-facing) surface of the fabric, aligned in vertical
columns. Cords are passed through the rings and attached at the
bottom of the fabric or sometimes to a rigid bar. When the cords
are pulled (the cords being typically directed through a top rail
and cord free ends of the locking device, so as to be pulled by an
operator), the shade is raised, permitting view through the window
and cleaning. A variant, called `hobbled` adds a second set of
cords or a second fabric layer with shorter periodicity, joined to
the back of the first fabric, to form a sequence of billows in the
front fabric. The periodic spacing of the rings causes the fabric
to be taken up in sequential folds as lower rings are lifted into
contact with rings just above and held together by the cord passing
through. Because this type of shade is readily made from any
fabric, Roman shades have been associated with expensive custom
treatments made by hand in custom-chosen fabrics. As such, they are
perceived as having a very desirable appearance.
[0004] In recent years, some attempts have been made to improve the
manufacturability and function of Roman shades. One example is
given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,735 to Jelic and now manufactured by
Comfortex Corporation. The shade uses U-section ribs pressed onto
the fabric in a spaced array, combined with snap-on beaded cords
that connect to the ribs to set the billows or flat spacing of the
flat fabric. Lift cords extending through eyes in the clips perform
the usual Roman gathered lift. This design simplifies the assembly
of a Roman shade without altering its basic appearance, but the
cutting and measuring of a fabric piece and positioning of the ribs
remain labor-intensive.
[0005] Other disadvantages of Roman shades include low thermal
insulating value, fragility in shipping as the fabric is gathered
in folds and easily crushed or creased in packaging, low solar
reflectance (enhanced reflectance is often obtained, for instance
in cellular shades, with a white outward surface despite choice of
interior face colors), accessible cords (potential safety hazard),
and an unattractively large, bulging accumulation of folded fabric
when raised. The embodiments described herein address some or all
of these shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0006] In the exemplary embodiments described, a window covering is
employed having a carrier grid and a plurality of horizontal strips
of fabric secured to the carrier grid. The strips are disposed in
overlapping and vertically spaced relation to cover an area of a
window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed
description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a
brief description:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment
of a partially assembled window covering;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second exemplary
embodiment of a partially assembled widow covering showing material
strips on a cellular backer material and internal lift cords;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a detailed side view of the window covering of
FIG. 2 showing a detail area 2A of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a detailed side view of the window covering of
FIG. 2 showing a detail area 2B in FIG. 2A;
[0012] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a third exemplary
embodiment of a window covering showing a partially assembled
window covering having lift cords not internal to the ligaments or
cells and tabs extending outward from a surface of the window
covering;
[0013] FIG. 2D is a detailed side view of the window covering of
FIG. 2C showing a detail area 2D in FIG. 2C;
[0014] FIG. 2E is a detailed side view of the window covering of
FIG. 2C showing a detail area 2E in FIG. 2D;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the window covering of FIG. 2C in
an extended position showing material strips secured to the tabs by
a backing clip;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a side view of the window covering of FIG. 2C in
a retracted position proximate a headrail;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of a first example of
a material strip having two folded-over pockets;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective detailed view of a second example of
a material strip having pockets formed from joining two smaller
pieces of material;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective detailed view of a third example of
a material strip having a pocket on a first side and an attachment
strip on a second side;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary
embodiment of a partially assembled window covering having a
stiffener at both the upper edge and lower edge of the material
strip;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective detailed view of an exemplary
connection between a pocket segment of the fourth exemplary
embodiment of a window covering and the material strip using an
elongated backing clip;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of a first example of the backing clip
of FIGS. 3, 3A, and 8;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of a second example of the backing
clip of FIGS. 3, 3A, and 8; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side view of a third example of the backing
clip showing a larger opening adapted to receive two
stiffeners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are
shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments,
the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may
be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative
aspect of an embodiment. Further, the embodiments described herein
are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict
the invention to the precise form and configuration shown in the
drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.
[0026] The embodiments described herein are directed to a window
covering 20 having a plurality of horizontal, overlapping and
vertically-spaced material strips 22 secured to a carrier grid 24
that maintains their spacing as shown in FIG. 1. The window
covering 20 may include lift cords 26 secured to a lowermost strip
28 or a rail 30 that draws up the strips 22 into a nested stack
when the cords 26 are pulled in a downward direction. The lower
edges 32 of the strips 22 are free-hanging, having either a plain
edge or an edge with a stiffening rib, as further described below,
so that the strips 22 remain free-hanging when the they are drawn
up. In another example of the strips 22, the lower edges 32 of the
strips 22 are secured to the carrier grid 24 also, for instance
near an upper edge 34 attachment of the next lower strip 22, so as
to provide a folding of each strip 22 when drawn up, and
optionally, a hobbled look when the strips 22 are lowered. In the
embodiment of the window covering 20 shown in FIG. 1, the
free-hanging lower edge 32 of each strip 22 generally covers and
overlaps the upper edge 34 of the strip directly below it.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a partially-assembled window covering 20 of a
basic type, according to a first embodiment. The material strips 22
are shown having edge stiffeners 36 secured to spacing cords 38 by
engagement clips 40. A headrail 42 is disposed at an upper portion
of the window covering 20 and is formed from a material such as
plastic, metal, wood, polyamide resin or the like. The headrail 42
guides lift cords 44 from a cordlock 46 and pull tassels 48 through
spaced drops 50 to bottom rail 30. The pull tassels 48 are provided
to move the window covering 20 between an open and closed
orientation, as known in the art. For ease of understanding, four
upper strips and one lower strip are omitted from this partial
assembly. The engagement of clips 40 to the first strip 52 and
stiffener 36 can be seen at the uppermost first strip 52 shown.
Further, the securement stiffener 36 of strip 22 is from an
exterior orientation of spacing cords 38. In other words, the
strips 22 are not secured within the spacing cords 38 so that each
strip 22 may not be easily removed independently of the other
strips 22. Each strip 22 is secured by the engagement clips 40
allowing a user to remove a single target strip 22 without removing
the entire window covering 20 from an installed orientation or
disassembling the window covering 20 in order to access the target
strip 22. By providing a window covering 20 that permits the
removal of a single strip 22 without removal or disassembly of the
window covering 20, the user saves time and effort in the
replacement of the strip 22. The engagement clips 40 may be any
clipping mechanism adapted to secure the strips 22 to the carrier
grid 24. In one example, the engagement clips 40 may be secured to
the carrier grid 24 by molding, pressure-sensitive adhesive,
heat-sensitive adhesive, stitching, clipping, or the like at a
predetermined location along the vertical length of the carrier
grid 24. The engagement clips 40 may be formed from plastic,
polyamide resin, metal, or the like. In one illustrated example,
the engagement clips 40 include the space drop 50 for guiding the
cord 44 and a generally C-shaped body having a predetermined
horizontal width for engaging the stiffener 36 of the strip 22. The
engagement clips 40 are relatively short in horizontal width and
may include any cross-section including the cross-section shown in
FIG. 11 for securement of two strips 22. Furthermore, the clips 40
may include two generally C-shaped segments (not shown) for
securement of an upper strip 22 and a lower strip 22 at one
predetermined location along the vertical length of the window
covering 20.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, a second exemplary embodiment of
the window covering 20 is shown. The covering 20 includes a
plurality of material strips 22. Two strips 22 have been removed to
reveal other parts of the covering 20 in an area 2A. The covering
20 further includes a cellular backing material 54 with internal
lift cords 56. The internal lift cords 56 are similar to lift cords
44. In the second exemplary embodiment, the cellular backing
material 54 is adapted to generally extend over the length of the
window covering 20. Because of the weight of the bottom rail 60,
cell-wall ligaments 58 are pulled downwardly into general
alignment, providing a uniform pitch of exterior ligaments 58a and
58b so that the cell-wall ligament 58 spacing becomes generally
uniform in an extended position as shown.
[0029] Cellular backing material 54 includes internal ligaments in
the form tabs 59 that are disposed generally perpendicular to the
generally vertical cell-wall ligaments 58. As illustrated in FIGS.
2A and 2B, the joint or seam 59a, which forms each tab 59 may be
provided by welding, sewing, gluing or other suitable methods of
joining at least two materials. In one example, the joint 59a is
formed by ultrasonic welding the two pieces of material at a
predetermined position, forming the joint or seam 59a between the
folded materials. Likewise, in one example, the exterior ligament
58a is secured to its respective cell-wall ligament 58 at a
predetermined location by welding, sewing, gluing or other suitable
methods of joining at least two materials. The length (T) of the
tabs 59 will vary with the desired application, the length T may be
in the range of 0.001'' to 5/16'' and pleat sections may have a
length (L) after the tabs 59 are formed in the range of 1/4'' to
2''.
[0030] Each of the tabs 59 includes at least one cord hole 59b
formed therein. The exact number of cord holes 59b will vary with
the horizontal width of the covering 20 and the rigidity of the
cellular backing material 54. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.
2, 2A, and 2B, two cord holes 59b disposed through the tabs 59 are
shown. The cord holes 59b in the tabs 59 are aligned so that the
internal lift cords 56 may pass therethrough. In addition to
passing through the cord holes 59b in tabs 59, the cords 56 enter
the headrail 42 in a generally conventional fashion and pass over
conventional mechanisms including locking mechanisms in the
headrail 42 and out of the side thereof to control the raising and
lowering of the covering 20. Cords 56 may also pass through
approximately the center portion of bottom rail 60. The lower ends
of cords 56 may be knotted (not shown), may be attached to rings
(not shown) or washers (not shown), or may be held in bottom rail
60 in another conventional fashion. Cords 56 passing through the
cellular backing material 54 permit the bottom rail 60 to hang
generally straight when the shade is lowered.
[0031] In FIG. 2, the material strips 22 secured to
consistently-separated cell-wall ligaments 58 also obtain a
generally uniform spacing in the fully extended position.
Specifically, the cellular backing material 54 includes the
ligaments 58 that are under a predetermined tension by the weight
of the bottom rail 60 and are generally vertical while allowing
slack for the pitched exterior ligament 58a and 58b. The securement
of the material strips 22 to the cellular backing material 54 is
discussed in more detail below.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2E, a third exemplary
embodiment of the window covering 20 is shown. The covering 20
includes a plurality of material strips 22. Two strips 22 have been
removed to reveal other parts of the covering 20 in an area 2D. The
covering 20 further includes a cellular backing material 54 with
lift cords 56. The cellular backing material 54 is adapted to
generally extend over the length of the window covering 20. Because
of the weight of the bottom rail 60, cell-wall ligaments 58 are
pulled downwardly into a generally vertical orientation, providing
a uniform pitch of the exterior ligaments 58a so that the cell-wall
spacing becomes generally uniform and generally similar to the
second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 described above.
[0033] In FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2E, a first portion of a continuous
material forms the pleat of exterior ligaments 58a and a second
portion of continuous material forms the generally vertical
cell-wall ligaments 58. Generally, each exterior ligament 58a
includes tabs 59 formed between the pleats and disposed generally
perpendicular to the cell-wall ligaments 58. However, the tabs 59
are flexible and may rest in any generally horizontal position. The
tabs 59 are formed in a folded orientation as shown in FIG. 2E by
at least one of the first portion of material that forms the
exterior ligaments 58a and the second portion of material that
forms the cell-wall ligaments 58. The joint or seam 59a that forms
the tabs 59 may be provided by welding, sewing, gluing or other
suitable methods. In one example, the joint 59a is formed by
ultrasonic welding the two pieces of material at a predetermined
position forming the joint or seam 59a between the folded
materials. Further, the stiffener 36 may be disposed within the
joint 59a between the folds of either the first portion of material
or the second portion of material for securing at least one strip
22 to the cellular backing material 54 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A.
As discussed above, the length (T) of the tabs 59 will vary with
the desired application; the length T may be in the range of
0.001'' to 5/16'' and pleat sections may have a length (L) after
the tab 59 is formed in the range of 1/4'' to 2''. The tab 59
counterbalances the pleat and thereby improves the appearance and
operation of the cellular backing material 54.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, and 4, the stiffener 36 may be
included at the lower edge 32 of each strip 22 to maintain its
general vertical orientation and uniformity and to prevent
excessive flapping of the strip 22 in a breeze. Attachment to the
cellular backing material 54 by any known method such as adhesive,
stitching, clamping, fastening, and the like provides securement of
the upper edge 34 of the strip 22. Further, the stiffener 36 may be
included in the upper edge 34 for securing the strip 22 to the
cellular backing material as further discussed below. The
combination of cellular backing material 54 and the material or
strip 22 provides excellent thermal insulation.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the window covering 20 of
FIG. 2C showing the window covering in the extended position having
the strips 22 secured to the tabs 59 by a backing clip 74. The
backing clip 74 is described in more detail below and is
illustrated enlarged for clarity. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the strip 22 includes a stiffener 36 at both the lower edge 32 and
the upper edge 34. The lower edge 32 of the strip 22 generally
covers the upper edge 34 of the strip 22 above it in the extended
position. The vertical length of the strip 22 may be varied
depending on the user's requirements. The strip 22 is shown to be
secured to every second tab 59 at a securement point. However, the
predetermined vertical length of the strip 22 dictates the number
of tabs between securement points. The tab 59 may include a
stiffener 36 for attaching the backing clip 74. The stiffener may
be disposed between the material that forms the exterior ligaments
58a or between the material that forms the cell-wall ligaments 58
at the tab 59. In FIG. 3A, the window covering 20 of FIG. 2C is
shown in a retracted position having the upper edges 34 of each
strip 22 relatively closer than in the extended position of FIG.
3.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a first exemplary embodiment of
the material strip 22 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 2C. The material strip 22
includes edge pockets 64 that may be formed by folding the lower
edge 32 and upper edge 34 of the strip 22 and joining each portion
at an attachment area 66. Any joining method may be used including
sewing, using an adhesive, adhesive heat welding, stitching,
mechanically attaching and the like. The strip 22 may be laminated
or include a printed material that presents a white or reflective
face on one side and an attractive color or texture on the other
side.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a second exemplary embodiment of
the material strip 22 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 2C. The material strip 22
includes a face material 68 and may include at least a
partially-laminated back material 70. The material may be fabric,
plastic, vinyl, polyester, a woven and non-woven film, or the like.
Attachment areas 66 are adapted to form pockets 64 and may be
formed by any joining method including sewing, using an adhesive,
adhesive heat welding, stitching, mechanically attaching or the
like. The back material may be white for reflectivity or any color
for uniformity.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a third exemplary embodiment of
the material strip 22 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 2C. The material strip 22
includes the face material 68, at least one stiffener 36, and at
least one attachment strip 72. The stiffener 36 is disposed inside
pocket 64 between attachment areas 66. The attachment strip 72 is
shown to be secured to the upper edge 34. However, the attachment
strip 72 may be secured to the strip 22 at any location along the
horizontal width of the strip 22 by any known attachment method,
including using pressure-sensitive or heat-sensitive adhesive,
stitching, and the like.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a fourth exemplary embodiment of a window covering
20. The window covering 20 includes stiffeners 36 at both the upper
edge 34 and the lower edge 32. Each edge 34, 32 is secured to the
carrier grid 24. The carrier grid 24 may include spacing cords 38
or a cellular backing material 54 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2C and
described above. When the vertical width of the strip 22 is greater
than the distance between engagement clips 40, represented by grid
pitch P, the strips 22 form billows 72a and resemble conventional
hobbled Roman shades. When the vertical width of the strip 22 is
generally the same length as grid pitch P, then the strip 22
resembles a conventional flat Roman shade. In one example, the
stiffeners 36 engage one another within the engagement clip 40. The
upper edge 34 of a first strip 22 having a first stiffener 36 abuts
the lower edge 32 of an adjacent strip 22 having a second stiffener
36. This can be achieved, for instance, by making the strips 22
interlocking along their length. Alternatively, the stiffeners 36
may be adjacent and clipped together by the carrier grid 24. Where
the carrier grid 24 is cellular material, one or both of the edge
stiffeners 36 may be omitted.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a fourth exemplary embodiment
of a window covering 20. Specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a
detailed view of an exemplary connection between a pocket segment
73 of the cellular backing material 54 using an elongated backing
clip 74 and the material strip 22. The elongated backing clip 74
may have any length from the horizontal width of the window
covering 20 to any predetermined length desired by the user. The
pocket segment 73 represents any ligament including exterior
ligaments 58a and 58b of FIGS. 2-3A. The backing material 54
includes a plurality of pocket segments 73. A section of cellular
backing material 54 is shown securing one material strip 22. The
material strip 22 includes the face material 68 projecting in a
downward direction from the backing clip 74. The stiffener 36 is
disposed within the pocket 64 thereby securing the strip 22 to a
first elongated body portion 76 of the backing clip 74. A second
elongated body portion 78 of the backing clip 74 is secured to the
cellular backing material 54 by a stiffener 36 placed inside the
pocket segment 73 and secured within the second portion 78 of the
backing clip 74. The backing clip 74 captures the cellular backing
material 54 at a predetermined line of connection. A first portion
opening 80 is sized to secure the strip 22 and the stiffener 36 and
minimize any slipping between the strip 22 and the backing clip 74.
A second portion opening 82 is sized to secure the pocket segment
73 to the backing clip 74 and minimize distortion of the cellular
backing material 54. However, there are other attachment methods
that may secure the material strip 22 to the pocket segment 73
including clipping, welding, sewing, gluing or other suitable
methods.
[0041] In operation, the backing clip 74 is slid over the pocket 64
and stiffener 36, thereby securing the strip to the backing clip
74. The backing clip 74 is then slipped over the pocket segment 73
and stiffener 36, thereby securing the backing clip to the cellular
backing material 54. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, to enable the
above described assembly, the backing clip 74 includes at least two
receiving openings: the first portion opening 80 and the second
portion opening 82. A first portion mouth 84 is configured to allow
the stiffener 36 and pocket 64 to pass through during installation
while providing securement of the stiffener 36 and pocket 64 in the
installed orientation. A second portion mouth 86 is configured to
allow the stiffener 36 and a portion of the pocket segment 73 to
pass through during installation while providing securing of the
stiffener 36 and the pocket segment 73 in the installed
orientation. The first portion 76 and the second portion 78 are
shown to be generally perpendicular to one another. However, any
angle between the first portion 76 and the second portion 78 is
contemplated. FIG. 9 shows a first portion 76 generally larger than
the second portion 78, and FIG. 10 shows the first portion 76 to be
generally equal in size to the second portion 78. However, any
combination of the first portion 76 and the second portion 78 is
contemplated. Furthermore, in yet another example, one or both ends
of the openings 80, 82 may be sealed, either at the time of segment
cutting to length or later to retain the stiffeners 36. For
material segments, cutting to length may be done with a sealing
cutting. By way of example, hot wire cutters, ultrasonic cutters,
and the like may be used to seal the pocket ends at generally the
same time. A small slit (not shown) may also be made in the
backside of the pocket 64 to insert the stiffener 36.
[0042] Three distinct appearances are achieved by the exemplary
embodiments described above: hobbled, flat-continuous, and
flat-shingled. One example includes having the hobbled appearance
as illustrated in FIG. 7. The clip 74 (not shown) or 40 is disposed
at both the lower edge 32 and the upper edge 34 of each strip 22,
with the lower edge 32 secured to a pocket segment 73 (not shown)
at generally the same location (the clips 74 or 40 being proximate
one another) as the upper edge 34 of the next lower strip 22, and
at a distance smaller than the vertical width of the strip 22, such
that each strip 22 bows out over the next lower strip 22, at least
generally covering the clip 74, 40 with a billow. Another example
of the hobbled appearance includes providing a continuous material
having stiffeners 36 disposed at predetermined locations along the
vertical length of the material for securing to the clips 74 or 40
disposed along the vertical length of the window covering 20 in the
same manner described above. Yet another example of the hobbled
appearance includes providing the clip 74 or 40 having a
cross-section of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 for
selectively securing both the upper edge 34 of a first strip 22 and
the lower edge 32 of a second strip as illustrated in FIG. 11 and
further described below. For the flat-continuous application formed
from strips 22, two smaller-diameter stiffeners 36 may be used to
fit the lower edge 32 of one strip 22 and the upper edge 34 of the
adjacent strip 22 into a single larger opening 80 of clip 74 as
shown of FIG. 11 showing two adjacent strips 22 sharing the opening
80. Alternatively, the clips 74 and 40 may have three pockets (not
shown), with the two pockets for adjacent strips 22. Further, the
strip 22 may be secured to the carrier grid 24 by any method
including molding, pressure-sensitive adhesive, heat-sensitive
adhesive, stitching, clipping, or the like.
[0043] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the described
embodiments, though having the particular advantages of compactness
and convenience, are not the only embodiments or arrangements that
fall within the scope of the present invention. Some exemplary
variants may include: a) use of a pleated grid in place of the
cellular backing material 54 for spacing; b) using external instead
of internal, pocketed stiffeners 36; c) including quilted or other
multi-layer material strips 22; d) having non-linear (wavy or
scalloped) free edges 32, 34 on strips 22, especially for the
flat-shingled embodiment; e) using rigid or resilient, stiff strips
22 instead of a fabric material, especially on the flat-shingled
embodiment where the strips 22 are generally flat; f) having
top-down instead of bottom-up actuation; and g) the use of two
spacer cords in the hobbled embodiment, instead of one set sharing
attachments, whereby raising the spacer set attached to the lower
edges 32 of the strips 22 provides a Venetian-like view-through
mode by opening gaps between adjacent strips 22.
[0044] The embodiments described above offer a number of advantages
over various prior art shades. Some of these advantages are
aesthetic and others are practical, either in manufacturing cost or
serviceability of the end product. Below are some exemplary
elements of the described embodiments with notes of comparison to
earlier approaches.
[0045] Rollable strips: The strips 22 as described above could
provide the appearance and function of a single sheet covering an
entire window; but are made instead from controlled strips 22 of
material allowing efficient use of goods and minimal scrap in
fabrication. Strips 22 (before insertion of stiffeners 36) also
ease packaging and stock storage before fabrication because they
can be stored in rolls. Damage is easily replaced at minimal cost,
rather than losing the entire window covering 20.
[0046] Fast assembly: In comparison to the handling of a
conventional Roman window covering, made from a single, large sheet
of material equal in extent to a window, a strip-fabricated system
can be built rapidly with minimal floor space demand and convenient
equipment. No large flat cutting table is required. No marking and
measuring of the broad goods is required to locate multiple rings
or other attachments that are automatically located by the
dimensions intrinsic to the strips.
[0047] Insulation: By comparison to ordinary Roman window
coverings, the cellular-backed embodiments provide multiple air
cells behind the facing to significantly increase the thermal
insulation value of the product.
[0048] White back: In modern homes, interior rooms are commonly
decorated in different colors, yet the house presents a more
formal, uniform face to the outside world. Products which can
present a white outer face sustain that uniformity, even as the
interior faces carry differing room colors. Many condominium and
homeowner associations require a uniform external appearance of
window treatments. The embodiments described above enable such a
dichotomy through their layered or laminated construction.
[0049] Cord contained: Safety is a primary concern in the window
coverings 20. One of the primary risks is associated with
accessible cords that can entangle small children in a choking
hazard. The cellular-backed embodiments fully encapsulate the cords
that lift the covering 20 within the cells, unlike any other
Roman-style product, reducing that hazard. The second example of
the cellular backed embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, though not
completely encapsulating cords, nonetheless shields them from
accidental entanglements by enclosing them between the strips 22
and backing material 54.
[0050] View-through option: Conventional Roman-look shades are made
from continuous material. The embodiments described, by mimicking
the look of such a continuous piece, although made from multiple
strips, offer the option of independent articulation of those
strips to allow a view-through mode more like that of a Venetian
blind.
[0051] Multiple product looks from same stock: The embodiments
described may all be assembled from the same basic parts (material
strips, cord or cellular backing material, and hardware), providing
a significant economy of scale and lower stock-carrying costs for
fabricators and retailers. This latter feature is of particular
importance in lowering the costs of such custom-made window
treatments through direct finishing at the retail level and
elimination of one level in the distribution.
[0052] Multiple product looks from assembly of different strips:
The embodiment descried may all be assembled from multiple strips
22, each having a different color or style of fabric providing
flexibility for the user to be more creative with the assembly of
the strips 22.
[0053] Low waste from strip construction, including flaw removal
and cutting efficiency: When large rectangles must be cut from yard
goods, as in the conventional Roman process, there is always a
higher waste factor as differing sizes of rectangle are fitted to
finite-width goods. In the embodiments described, continuous ribbon
is cut to strips of window size, with little or no waste between
succeeding strips. Even when a flaw occurs in the ribbon, the loss
can be no more than the length of one strip, where in a broadgoods
cutting, an inconveniently located flaw can prevent the usage of a
large area of fabric.
[0054] Unlimited width and length: In conjunction with to the low
waste with ribbon-strip construction comes the better orientation
of raw material run with respect to finished product dimension. If
cut from broad goods, either the vertical length or horizontal
width is constrained by the horizontal width of the source
material. With ribbons to strips, the unlimited length of their
ribbons (corresponding to the production run direction of the
original material) is oriented to the width of the window covering
20 and so can provide unlimited width to the shade. Because the
window covering 20 length is then built up from unlimited numbers
of such strips, the length of the shade, too, is unlimited. This is
becoming more important in modern homes where "window walls" are
part of the design: high and wide glass areas too large for
conventional window coverings.
[0055] Ready replacement of damaged or soiled areas without total
loss: This is another feature of economy and convenience that
derives from the strip construction. Not being a single expanse of
material, a window covering 20 may be repaired at low cost by
replacing only those strips 22 that suffer damage or discoloration
in service. With some materials, it may even be possible to remove
individual strips 22 for cleaning and replacement.
[0056] The present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are
merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the
invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described
herein may be employed in practicing the invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the following claims. It is intended that the following claims
define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus
within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered
thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to
include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements
described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later
application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these
elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and
no single feature or element is essential to all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later
application.
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