U.S. patent application number 13/022873 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for roman shade lift system.
Invention is credited to William Edward Williams, III.
Application Number | 20110192550 13/022873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44352745 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, III; William
Edward |
August 11, 2011 |
ROMAN SHADE LIFT SYSTEM
Abstract
A roman shade includes a panel, a plurality of clips attached to
the panel, the clips forming elongated, narrow guides on the back
side of the panel and a plurality of tapes. The panel is mounted on
a headrail that also includes a rotating tube. Each tape is
attached to the bottom of the panel at one end and to the tube at
the other end and passes through the narrow guides to cause the
panel to form successive folds or pleats as the bottom of the panel
is raised by the tapes by the rotation of the tube.
Inventors: |
Williams, III; William Edward;
(Garland, TX) |
Family ID: |
44352745 |
Appl. No.: |
13/022873 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61302898 |
Feb 9, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/84.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/40 20130101; A47H
2/00 20130101; E06B 9/262 20130101; E06B 2009/2622 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/84.04 |
International
Class: |
A47H 23/04 20060101
A47H023/04 |
Claims
1. A roman shade comprising; a headrail extending horizontally and
including a support frame and a tube attached to the frame and
arranged and configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis; a
panel having a top edge attached to the head rail and a bottom end;
a plurality of clips attached to said panel and spatially aligned
along a vertical axis and respective narrow horizontal guides
arranged behind the panel; and at least one tape having a width
that is much larger than its thickness and two opposed ends
including a first end attached to said bottom end of said panel and
a second attached to said tube, said tape passing through said
narrow guides, said tube being arranged and constructed to
selectively raise or lower said tape by winding or unwinding said
tape as said tube is rotated in one direction or another to thereby
raise and lower said bottom end.
2. The shade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tapes
arranged vertically and having a lower end attached to said bottom
end and an upper end attached to said tube, each of said tapes
being raised or lowered dependent on whether the tube rotates in
one direction or another.
3. The shade of claim 1, further comprising a tube end member
disposed at one axial end of the tube and an elongated cord trained
around said tube end member, said tube end member and said cord
cooperating to rotate said tube about its longitudinal axis when
said cord is selectively pulled.
4. The shade of claim 1, wherein said frame includes an elongated
horizontal opening and said tapes pass through said opening before
being picked up by said tube.
5. The shade of claim 1, further comprising a hembar attached to
said bottom end, with said tapes are attached to said hembar.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/302,898 filed Feb. 9, 2010 entitled Shade
Lift System and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to a window covering generally
referred to as a roman shade in which instead of relatively thin
cords, tapes are used for lifting portions of a panel.
[0004] B. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Typically, roman shades include a panel, a header from which
the panel is supported and control cords. The cords have one end
tied to a rod disposed at the bottom of the panel (generally known
as the hembar), and pass through loops attached at regularly spaced
intervals on the back side of the panels. The panels and cords
cooperate so that as the cords are pulled, they lift the hembar and
cause portions of the panel to overlap creating a series of folds
or pleats oriented toward the front of the panel.
[0006] A problem with existing panels is that even though the cords
are normally hidden behind the panel, it may be possible for an
infant to get to them and get injured. The present invention
overcomes this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An improved roman shade is provided in which, instead of
cords, tapes are provided as a means of lifting and pleating a
panel. The tapes pass through special clips attached behind the
panel. The clips are arranged in sets, each set extending
horizontally on the panel to define crease or fold lined, with each
tape passing through a respective clip of each set. Each clip forms
a narrow horizontal guide for the respective tape.
[0008] Preferably the tapes are about 4-6'' wide. The tapes have
two opposed ends, one end being attached to the bottom of the
panel.
[0009] A headrail is provided to support the panel and to
facilitate rolling up or releasing the tape. The headrail includes
a tube rotating about its longitudinal axis and arranged
horizontally. The second ends of the tapes are attached to the tube
and arranged so that the tapes can be raised and lowered at will to
cause the panel to raise and lower as well.
[0010] A separate cord may be used to rotate the tube in one
direction or another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a somewhat diagrammatic view of a conventional
roman shade;
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an orthogonal front view of the roman
shade with and without a valence;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an orthogonal back view of the shade of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a somewhat diagrammatic front view of the roman
shade of FIGS. 2-4;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a clip attached to the panel of
the roman shade of FIGS. 2-5;
[0016] FIG. 7A shows an orthogonal view of the frame used in the
headrail of the roman shade of FIGS. 2-6;
[0017] FIG. 7B shows a back view of the frame of FIG. 7A; and
[0018] FIG. 7C shows a front view of the frame of FIG. 7A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The term "roman shade" as used herein refers to a window
treatment consisting of a flat panel made of a woven or non-woven
fabric, or other material such as woven wood, plastic, etc., which
is selectively lifted by a user (either by manual or motorized
means) in a manner that causes horizontal sections of the panel to
generate successive folds or pleats.
[0020] A typical prior art roman shade 200 is shown somewhat
diagrammatically in FIG. 1 and it consists of a panel 212 made of a
fabric or other decorative material that is relatively supple, as
describe above. At the bottom of the panel 212, there is provided a
hembar 213 or other elongated member extending along the width of
the panel 212 to maintain the panel 212 in a stretched and
relatively planar configuration when opened, and to also assist in
the operation of the shade. A headrail (not shown) is provided on
the top for supporting the panel 212 after mounting.
[0021] As is conventional with such window coverings, the panel 212
is partitioned into several, preferably equal, horizontal sections
212' by rods 216 sewn, attached to or embedded in panel 212. The
hembar 213 and rods 216 each have a plurality of rings 215. Each
ring on the hembar 213 or rods 216 is aligned with a respective
ring of the other rods.
[0022] Shade 200 further include a plurality of cords 218 having
one end secured to the hembar 213 by respective rings 215 (or other
means) and are threaded through the rings of the successive rods
216 all the way to the top of panel 212. At the top of the panel,
the cords are gathered together and are passed to one side, or
attached to some other lifting means. Pulling the cords 218 or some
other control member causes the cords 218 to be lifted, thereby
hoisting the hem bar 213 upwardly. As the cords pass through the
respective rings 215, the hembar 213 rises until it hits the bottom
most rod 216. The hembar 213 and the bottom most rod 216 then
continue to rise until the next rod 216 and so on; during this
process, the respective panel sections 212' are gathered and fold
over in sequence or in a cascade of folds or panels thereby
creating an attractive decorative look. The size of the folds
depends on the spacing between the rods 216. Preferably, the cords
218 are disposed in the back of the panel 212 and are not visible
from the front.
[0023] A roman shade 10 constructed in accordance with this
invention includes, as illustrated generally in FIGS. 2-5, a panel
12 made of preferably of a woven fabric or other decorative
material that is relatively supple, as discussed above, and having
a structure similar to the structure of the conventional shade
shown in FIG. 1, except as noted. At the bottom of the panel 12,
there is provided a bar 13 or other weight extending along the
width of the panel 12 to maintain the panel in a stretched and
relatively planar configuration when opened, and to otherwise
assist in the operation of the shade. A headrail 14 is provided on
the top for supporting the panel 12 after mounting, and for housing
the lifting mechanism.
[0024] As is conventional with such window coverings, the panel is
partitioned into several, preferably equal, segments 12' by clips
20 sewn to the back surface or embedded in panel 12 (the clips 20
are described in more detail below).
[0025] Panels 10 further include a plurality of tapes 18. In the
prior art, conventionally cords were used instead of these tapes.
The cords have one end secured to the bar 13 and are threaded
through a shaped retainer in a manner such that when they are
pulled up, they are free to pass through the retainers. As the bar
travels upward, it comes into contact with the first rod 16.
Thereafter, as the cords are continuously pulled up, the bar 13 and
rod 16 keep moving up until they hit the next rod 16 and so forth.
This movement causes the panel portions 16 to successively fold
over themselves and form adjacent loops having a unique artistic
look.
[0026] In the present invention, the cords are replaced by wide
lifting tapes 18. The lifting tapes 18 operate in the same manner
as the cords 15 in FIG. 1 in order to raise and lower the panel
sections 212'. Importantly, in the preferred embodiments, the width
of these tapes is selected to reduce or eliminate the risk to
children that has been associated with the use of cords in
conventional roman shades, and other prior shade lift systems.
[0027] Each tape consists of a strip of a relatively supple,
non-stretch material at least 4'' wide, and more preferably are 5''
wide, although one skilled in the art may adjust the width upwardly
or downwardly based on design criteria, safety considerations,
system application, aesthetics, and the like. Various materials, as
described below, may be used for the tapes 18.
[0028] In one preferred embodiment, the tapes 18 are made of a mesh
material that allows a consumer, positioned on the front side of
the shade 10, to look through the panel 12 (e.g., and out through
the window adjacent the shade rear side) and to see out through the
shade with minimal visual distraction. For example, where windows
are covered with a screen, a mesh material may be relatively
camouflaged.
[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the tape may be a fabric
having a finish, such as a bronze finish. Moreover, in other
preferred embodiments, the fabric is woven to generate a
predetermined pattern or is printed with a pattern that is either
similar or substantially matches a pattern formed on the panel 12.
If the tape has a pattern and color or color combination that
matches the pattern and color combination of the panel, then the
tape can visually blend in with the surface of the back of the
panel 12, as viewed from the back side of the shade (e.g., from
outside a window covered by the shade) thereby becoming
substantially invisible.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the tape 18 may be
constructed of either a translucent or transparent material,
including a clear plastic material. Such a tape will allow
unobstructed visibility even through the panel 12 as viewed from
the inside. This is especially important when the preferred
embodiment shade material is a sheer material. Such an embodiment
also may be desirable to withstand heat and ultraviolet rays from
the sun, and potentially also to avoid any visual interference
between the tape and a screen used on the window that is protected
by the shade. The tapes 18 are preferably thin so that they are not
very visible. Typically, each tape may be 1/8 inch thick or
less.
[0031] In the figures the panel 12 is shown with two tapes 18, but
more or less tapes may be used as well. The size and number of
tapes 18 is dependent on the weight of the panel 12, the width and
height of the panel, etc. The bottom of each tape 18 is attached to
the hembar 13 by sewing by an adhesive, screws or any other well
known means.
[0032] As previously mentioned, the tapes 18 pass or slide through
clips 18. Preferably, the clips are sewn or otherwise attached to
the shade material. Each clip 18 is made of three sections: two end
sections 22A and a central section 22B. Section 22B is formed of a
center bar 22C and two arms 22D connecting the center bar 22C to
the end sections 22A. Each clip 22 is preferably approximately
8-9'' long. The ends 22A have a length of about of about 1-2'' and
the center section 22C is about 6-7''. The length of arms 22D are
selected so that they offset the center bar 22C by a sufficient
amount to allow the tapes 18 to slide freely through the clip 20
without causing undue friction with the clip or the panel 12.
Ultimately, when the tapes 18 are raised enough, these clips
support a proportionate part of the total weight of the panel 12.
For example, the sections 22D may be about 1/2'' long and form a
horizontal narrow guide for the tapes.
[0033] Preferably, the clips 20 are formed from a desirable gauge
wire, and one skilled in the art may select an appropriate gauge
based on various considerations of the system. Clips 20 may be made
of metal, hard impact plastic or other similar material that will
hold the tapes 18 in place as the panel sections are moved upwardly
and downwardly. The ends 22C are sized and shaped so that they are
easily attached to the panel 12. As discussed above, a row of these
clips defines the boundary between one of the panel sections 12'
and the next panel section. Preferably, the clips 20 are sized and
shaped so that they can be positioned laterally close to each, in
an almost abutting position so the demarcation line between
adjacent panel secions 12' is clearly defined.
[0034] Once each clip 20 is mounted, it forms a somewhat
rectangular horizontal guide for the respective tape 18 that allows
the tape to move up and down through the clip 20 without moving the
clip. The clip 20 is only moved up and down as it is supported by
the clip immediately below and, eventually, by the hembar 13.
[0035] The panel 12 is supported on the headrail 14 in a
conventional manner. In the present invention, the headrail 14 is
further used to support a mechanism for selectively lifting and
lowering the tapes 18. Details of the headrail 14 are shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7A-7C. It includes a frame 30 that is generally
L-shaped and it includes two legs 30A, 30B. The overall
cross-sectional dimension of the frame may be 21/2 h.times.11/2 w
inches, each leg being 3/4 inch thick. Leg 30B extends vertically
and is formed with an elongated cutout 32 having a width of about
1/4-3/8 inches. The frame 30 can be made of wood or other suitable
material.
[0036] Brackets (not shown) mounted on the frame 30 attach the
shade 10 to a window or other desired architectural opening.
[0037] As seen in FIG. 5, a tube 34 is attached to leg 30B by end
brackets 36. At one end, the tube 34 is also provided either with a
tube end member such as a pulley or a clutch mechanism, such as one
available from Rollease of Stamford, Conn. Trained around a clutch
or pulley 38 is a beaded cord 40. A clutch is preferred if a
mechanical advantage is desired. For example, if the panel 12 is
very wide and/or long, it may be difficult to raise and lower using
a simple pulley.
[0038] Typically the headrail 14 is mounted so that, as viewed from
a room, the leg 30A is in the back and the tube 34 is in front of
the tube 34. In order to hide this tube, a valance 42 may be
attached to the leg 30B as shown in FIG. 4. The panel 12 is
attached to leg 30A.
[0039] The shade 10 is used as follows. The shade is mounted so
that only the panel 12, valence 42 and beaded cord 40 are seen. The
beaded cord 40 is conveniently disposed on one side or the other so
that it can be operated easily, but is relatively unobtrusive. The
tapes 18 are disposed behind the panel 12 so that they are not
visible, unless the panel 12 is made of transparent or translucent
material, as discussed above. The top ends of the tapes 18 pass and
slide through the slot 32 in leg 30A and are affixed to tube 34.
When a user wants to raise the panel 12, he pulls down on one side
of the beaded chain 40. The chain causes the pulley or clutch 38 to
rotate tube 34 in a direction (most likely clockwise, as viewed in
FIG. 2) causing the tape 18 to wind around the tube 36 and thereby
causing the hembar 13 to rise. As a result, the panel 12 goes up
and forms folds or pleats as described hereinbefore.
[0040] Moving the bead cord 40 in the opposite direction causes the
panel 12 to be lowered.
[0041] In an alternate embodiment, the panel 12 could be mounted so
that it is disposed in front of the tube 34. However in this case,
the cord 40 must be disposed behind the panel 12 and it would
therefore be more difficult to operate.
[0042] Numerous modifications may be made to the invention without
departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *