U.S. patent application number 11/408898 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for window treatment having pinch pleats with grommets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ex-Cell Corporation. Invention is credited to Charles Barrese.
Application Number | 20070246174 11/408898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618357 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070246174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barrese; Charles |
October 25, 2007 |
Window treatment having pinch pleats with grommets
Abstract
A window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, designed to
be used with a rod for suspending the window treatment over a
window is provided. The window treatment includes one or more
fabric panels. Each panel has a plurality of portions folded
relative to each other in side-by-side relation to form spaced
pleats. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets
is situated in the opening in a different one of the pleats. The
grommets are aligned to receive the rod.
Inventors: |
Barrese; Charles;
(Huntington, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Ex-Cell Corporation
|
Family ID: |
38618357 |
Appl. No.: |
11/408898 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 1/02 20130101; A47H
13/14 20130101; A47H 23/08 20130101; A47H 1/142 20130101; A47H
13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/330 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Claims
1. A window treatment comprising a panel having a pleat situated
proximate the top thereof, said pleat being formed by first and
second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation and
a grommet extending through an opening in said first and second
folded portions.
2. The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising means for
joining said first and second folded portions of said pleat to each
other.
3. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means
comprises a stitch line.
4. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means
comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.
5. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means
comprises said grommet.
6. A window treatment comprising a panel having a plurality of
spaced pleats situated proximate the top thereof, each of said
pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel
folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets,
each of said grommets extending through an opening in a different
one of said pleats.
7. The window treatment of claim 6 further comprising means for
joining each of said first and second folded panel portions of each
of said pleats to each other.
8. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means
comprises a stitch line.
9. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means
comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.
10. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means
comprises said grommet.
11. In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the
window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a
plurality of spaced pleats proximate the top thereof, each of said
pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel
folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets,
each of said grommets being situated in an opening in a different
one of said pleats, such that said grommets align to receive said
rod.
12. The combination of claim 11 further comprising means for
joining each of said first and second portions of each of said
pleats to each other.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means
comprises a stitch line.
14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means
comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.
15. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means
comprises said grommet.
16. In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the
window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a
top section comprising a plurality of spaced pleats and a
non-pleated portion, and a plurality of grommets, each of said
grommets being situated in an opening in a different one of said
pleats, wherein said non-pleated portion of said top section of
said panel is entirely situated on one side of said rod, when said
grommets are aligned to receive said rod.
17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said pleats are situated in
substantially spaced, parallel planes, when said panel is extended
along said rod.
18. The combination of claim 16 wherein said top section is
situated in a plane substantially parallel to said rod, when said
panel is extended along said rod.
19. The combination of claim 16 wherein each of said pleats is
formed of first and second portions of said panel folded into
side-by-side relation.
20. The combination of claim 19 further comprising means for
joining said first and second folded portions in each of said
pleats to each other.
21. A window treatment comprising a panel having a top section
comprising first and second spaced pleats and a non-pleated
portion, and first and second grommets extending through openings
in each of said pleats, respectively, wherein said non-pleated
portion is situated on one side of said grommets, when said
grommets are aligned and spaced from each other.
22. The window treatment of claim 21 wherein each of said pleats is
formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into
side-by-side relation.
23. The window treatment of claim 22 further comprising means for
joining said first and second portions of each of said pleats to
each other.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING", A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to window treatments such as
drapery and curtains and more particularly to a unique window
treatment structure consisting of one or more panels each having a
top section with plurality of forwardly extending, spaced parallel
pinch pleats with aligned grommets adapted to receive a curtain
rod, wherein the top section is always situated entirely on one
side of the rod.
[0006] 2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed
Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] Window treatments, including drapery and curtains,
consisting of one or more fabric panels, each panel having a
plurality of spaced pinch pleats along the top section thereof, are
well known in the art. The pleats give the panels an aesthetically
pleasing appearance and, at the same time, provide sites for
receiving drapery hooks that are used to hang the panel from a
curtain rod.
[0008] The panels are designed to be suspended from, and in many
cases, movable relative to, a horizontally extending curtain rod.
The rod is attached to the wall or to the window frame above or in
front of the window. The curtain rod may be formed of a single part
or may include two interengaging sections which are telescopically
connected such that the effective length of the rod can be adjusted
to accommodate different size windows.
[0009] Drapery hooks are utilized to suspend the panel from the
rod. Each of the drapery hooks has a portion that is shaped to
engage the curtain rod and a generally upwardly extending pin-like
portion adapted to penetrate the fabric of the panel. The drapery
hooks are received in the rear of the panel fabric, at spaced
intervals along the top section of the panel, at the location of
each of the pleats. The pleats form the site for receiving the
pin-like portion of the drapery hook.
[0010] It is also known to use grommets situated at spaced
intervals along the top section of a panel. The grommets are
aligned to receive a horizontal curtain rod to support the panel.
Since the grommets are essentially hollow rigid rings, they are
often used with curtain rods having a circular cross-sectional
configuration. The grommets eliminate the need to use drapery hooks
to hang the panel.
[0011] Grommets are commonly made of metal. Each grommet is placed
within a different opening spaced along the top of the panel. The
grommet has a circumferential channel adapted to engage the edge of
the panel that defines the opening. The panel is situated such that
the spaced grommets align. The curtain rod is then received through
the grommets to support the panel.
[0012] In order to align the grommets, the panel must be folded in
a generally serpentine manner with a generally "U" shaped panel
portion (as seen from above) situated between each grommet pair.
After the curtain rod is received through the grommets, adjacent
"U" shaped panel portions are situated on opposite sides of the
curtain rod. Thus, when the rod is received through the aligned
grommets to support the curtain panel, the top section of the panel
assumes a wavy configuration, as viewed from above.
[0013] As far as is presently known, grommets have not been used in
panels that also have pinch pleats designed to receive drapery
hooks because the presence of both the grommets and the hooks would
be redundant means of supporting the panel. Only one or the other
of these is necessary to provide the structure to support the panel
on a rod.
[0014] However, it would be advantageous to provide a window
treatment having a panel with pinch pleats in which the grommets
are affixed to the pinch pleats because the resulting panel would
have the aesthetically pleasing appearance of a conventional
pleated window treatment panel and, at the same time, have the ease
of hanging the panel without drapery hooks, obtained from the use
of the grommets.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to
provide a window treatment having the aesthetically pleasing
appearance of pinch pleats and the ease of hanging without drapery
hooks obtained by the use of grommets.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a
plurality of spaced aligned pleats with grommets in which the top
section is situated on one side of the curtain rod when the rod is
received within the grommets.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a
plurality of spaced pleats each formed of first and second
side-by-side panel portions and a grommet situated through each of
the pleats.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a
plurality of spaced pleats extending from the top section in
generally parallel relation when the top section is extended.
[0019] In general, the above objects are achieved by the unique
structure of the window treatment of the present invention which
utilized grommets instead of hooks to attach the window treatment
to the support rod.
[0020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
window treatment is provided. The window treatment includes a panel
having a pleat situated proximate the top thereof. The pleat is
formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into
side-by-side relation. A grommet extends through an opening in the
first and second folded portions of the pleat.
[0021] Means are provided for joining the first and second folded
portions of the pleat to each other. The joining means may take the
form of a single stitch line, substantially perpendicular stitch
lines or may be the grommet itself.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a window treatment is provided. The window treatment includes a
panel having a plurality of spaced pleats situated proximate the
top thereof. Each of the pleats is formed by first and second
portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation. A
plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets extends
through an opening in a different one of the pleats.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment
are provided in combination. The window treatment includes a panel
having a plurality of spaced pleats proximate the top thereof. Each
of the pleats is formed by first and second portions of the panel
folded into side-by-side relation. A plurality of grommets is
provided. Each of the grommets is situated in an opening in a
different one of the pleats so that the grommets align to receive
the rod.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment
are provided in combination. The window treatment includes a panel
having a top section comprising a plurality of spaced pleats. A
plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated
in an opening in a different one of the pleats. In this manner, the
top section of the panel is entirely situated on one side of the
rod when the grommets are aligned to receive the rod.
[0025] The pleats are situated in substantially spaced parallel
planes, when the top section of the panel is extended.
[0026] The top section of the panel is situated in a plane
substantially parallel to the rod, when the panel is extended.
[0027] Each of the pleats is formed of first and second portions of
the panel folded into side-by-side relation. Means are provided for
joining the first and second folded portions in each of the pleats
to each other.
[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a window treatment is provided including a panel having a top
section with first and second spaced pleats and a non-pleated
portion. First and second grommets extend through openings in each
of the pleats, respectively. When the grommets are aligned and
spaced from each other, the non-pleated portion of the top section
is situated on one side of the aligned grommets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS
[0029] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter
appears, the present invention relates to a window treatment having
pinch pleats with grommets as described in detail in the following
specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts and in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prior art curtain panel
with grommets, as it would appear mounted on a rod over a
window;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the front of two panels of
the window treatment of the present invention as they would appear
mounted on a rod over a window;
[0032] FIG. 3 is an isometric, partial cut-away view of the front
and top of a potion of the top section of the window treatment of
FIG. 2, as it would appear with the panel fully extended along the
rod; and
[0033] FIG. 4 is an isometric, partial cut-away view of the rear
and top of a portion of the top section of the window treatment of
FIG. 2, as it would appear with the panel partially extended along
the rod.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art curtain panel,
generally designated A, with grommets, generally designated B,
mounted on a curtain rod, generally designated C. The grommets B
are spaced along the top of the curtain panel A. When the grommets
B are received on the curtain rod C, "U" shaped panel portions are
formed in the top section of the panel between each pair of
adjacent grommets. Adjacent "U" shaped panel portions are situated
on opposite sides of the rod. That creates a serpentine
configuration, when viewed from the top of the panel.
[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the present invention relates
to a window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, formed of
one or more panels A', two of which are shown as 10 and 12. The
panels may be formed of any flexible sheet material, such as
fabric, vinyl or the like. Each of the panels 10, 12 has a top
section 14 with plurality of spaced, generally planar pinch pleats
16 formed therein. Each of the pleats 16 is formed of a first panel
portion 16a and second panel portion 16b that are folded into
side-by-side relation.
[0036] An opening 18 is formed in each pleat 16. A grommet B is
situated within each opening 18. The grommet B is a rigid ring with
a circumferential channel (not shown) which receives the peripheral
edge of the side-by-side folded panel portions 16a, 16b that define
the opening in each pleat 16. The walls of the grommet channel are
squeezed together or crimped in order to permanently capture the
peripheral edges of the panel portions therein. Accordingly, the
grommet itself acts as a means for joining the side-by-side panel
portions 16a, 16b that form each pleat to each other.
[0037] However, it may be advantageous to join the side-by-side
panel sections to each other by stitching, as well. The drawings
illustrate two generally perpendicular stitch lines 22, 24 in each
pleat for this purpose. In each pleat, the stitch line 22 extends
parallel to the horizontal top edge of the panel. A second stitch
line 24 extends perpendicular to the top edge of the panel at the
junction between the pleat 16 and the non-pleated portion 15 of the
top section 14 of the panel from which the pleat extends. A single
stitch line 22 may extend across the entire width of the top
section 14 of the panel, if desired. Further, a third stitch line
26 may extend down the front edge of the pleat, parallel to stitch
line 24.
[0038] Rod C is provided to support the panels A'. Rod C preferably
has a circular cross-section. Brackets 30 are fixed to the wall, or
to the window frame, at either side of the window to support the
rod C in a plane spaced from and in front of the window.
[0039] When grommets B are aligned, the rod C can be received
through the grommets. This may require temporary removal of one of
the rod end pieces. The rod is then situated on brackets 30, such
that the panels 10, 12 are supported by the rod and can be moved
relative to the rod to open and close the panels as the grommets
are moved along the length of the rod.
[0040] As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, with the window
treatment structure of the present invention, the non-pleated
portion 15 of the top section 14 of the panel is always entirely
situated on one side of rod C, when grommets B (and thus the
pleats) are aligned in spaced parallel planes, perpendicular to
non-pleated portion 15, so as to receive the rod.
[0041] Further, when the panel is fully extended along the rod, as
seen in FIG. 3, the non-pleated portion 15 of top section 14 is
generally planar. That portion is generally parallel to, but spaced
from the rod. Pleats 16, and the grommets therein, are situated in
spaced parallel planes. Those planes extend from the plane of
non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 20 of the panel in a
direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the non-pleated
portion 15.
[0042] Even when the panel is not fully extended, as seen in FIG.
4, the non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 20 of the panel is
always located on one side (behind) the rod. However, in that
instance, the portions between the pleats may be rounded, instead
of planar.
[0043] It will now be appreciated that the present invention
relates a window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain,
designed to be used with a rod for supporting the window treatment
over a window. The window treatment includes one or more fabric
panels. Each panel has a plurality of portions folded relative to
each other in side-by-side relation to form spaced pleats. A
plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated
in the opening in a different one of the pleats. The grommets are
aligned to receive the rod.
[0044] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present
invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is
obvious that many modifications and variations could be made
thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and
variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *