U.S. patent application number 14/005428 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for window covering configured to be magnetically attached to a window frame of a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Victor Harris. Invention is credited to Victor Harris.
Application Number | 20140060760 14/005428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46827524 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140060760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harris; Victor |
March 6, 2014 |
WINDOW COVERING CONFIGURED TO BE MAGNETICALLY ATTACHED TO A WINDOW
FRAME OF A VEHICLE
Abstract
A window covering is configured for attachment to a window frame
of a vehicle to cover an opening defined in the window frame. The
window covering includes a casing, a panel, a first magnet, and a
second magnet. The casing includes a first member and a second
member. The casing includes a ferromagnetic material. The panel is
attached to first and second members and covers the hole. The first
magnet and second magnet are magnetically attached to the
respective first member and second member. The first and second
magnets are configured to be magnetically attached to the window
frame. The magnets are permanent magnets. Each magnet is configured
to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to
the window frame of the vehicle such that the casing of the window
covering does not move relative to the window frame during motion
of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Harris; Victor; (Dubai,
AE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harris; Victor |
Dubai |
|
AE |
|
|
Assignee: |
NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION,
INC.
San Clemente
CA
NSV LLC
Dubai
|
Family ID: |
46827524 |
Appl. No.: |
14/005428 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2011/002326 |
371 Date: |
November 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/370.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01F 7/0252 20130101;
B60J 1/2011 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/370.21 |
International
Class: |
B60J 1/20 20060101
B60J001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2011 |
US |
13050154 |
Claims
1. A window covering configured for attachment to a window frame to
at least partially cover an opening defined in the window frame,
the window covering comprising: a casing including a first member
having a first outer member surface and a second member having a
second outer member surface, wherein the second member extend in
spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole between
the first member and the second member; wherein the first outer
member surface of the first member defines a first channel and the
second outer member surface of the second member defines a second
channel, facing in a generally opposite direction from the first
channel; a panel operatively attached to each of the first member
and the second member and covering the hole; a first magnet and a
second magnet; wherein the first and second magnets each present an
outer magnet surface; wherein the first magnet is disposed in the
first channel of the first member such that the outer magnet
surface is generally coplanar with the first outer member surface;
and wherein the second magnet is disposed in the second channel of
the second member such that the outer magnet surface is generally
coplanar with the second outer member surface; wherein the first
and second magnets are configured to be magnetically attached to
the window frame at the respective outer magnet surface; wherein
the panel extends about each of the first member and the second
member and covers the first and second magnets such that the panel
is disposed between each of the first and second magnets and the
window frame when the covering is attached to the window frame; and
wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is
configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window
covering to the window frame such that the casing of the window
covering does not move relative to the window frame.
2. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the casing
further includes: a third member interconnecting the first member
and the second member; and a fourth member extending in spaced
relationship to the third member and interconnecting the first
member and the second member; wherein the third member and the
fourth member cooperate with the first member and the second member
to further define the hole therebetween.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. A window covering, as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of the
first magnet and the second magnet include a rare earth metal.
6. A window covering, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of the
first magnet and the second magnet is a neodymium magnet including
an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron.
7. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the
outer magnet surfaces has an area substantially equal to 125 square
centimeters.
8. A window covering, as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of the
first magnet and the second magnet is block shaped and includes a
length, a width, and a thickness such that the area is defined by
the length and the width.
9. A window covering, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first
magnet and the second magnet each include a ledge extending
longitudinally.
10. A window covering, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the panel
extends about each of the first member, the second member, the
third member, and the fourth member and covers the first magnet and
the second magnet such that the panel is disposed between each of
the first magnet and the second magnet and the window frame when
the window covering is attached to the window frame.
11. A window covering, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the panel
includes: a covering portion configured to substantially cover the
hole when the window covering is attached to the window frame; and
a border configured to operatively attach the covering portion to
the casing.
12. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising
an attachment clip configured for attachment to the window frame
and including a ferromagnetic strip having a ferromagnetic
material; wherein one of the first magnet and the second magnet is
configured to be magnetically attached to the respective one of the
first member and the second member and configured to be
magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic strip of the attachment
clip.
13. A window covering, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
attachment clip is a first attachment clip and a second attachment
clip; wherein the first magnet is configured to be magnetically
attached to the first member and the ferromagnetic strip of the
first attachment clip; and wherein the second magnet is configured
to be magnetically attached to the second member and the
ferromagnetic strip of the second attachment clip.
14. A window covering, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
attachment clip includes a connection surface defining a
longitudinally extending groove and the ferromagnetic strip is
fixedly disposed in the groove.
15. A window covering, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the
attachment clip extends between a first end and a second end;
wherein the groove is partially surrounded by a pair of
longitudinally extending walls and a shelf interconnecting the pair
of longitudinally extending walls, proximate the first end such
that the walls and the ledge cooperate to locate and retain the one
of the first magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the
attachment clip; and wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate
the second end.
16. A window covering configured for attachment to a window frame
to at least partially cover an opening defined in the window frame,
the window covering comprising: a casing including a first member
having an outer member surface and a second member extending in
spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole
therebetween; wherein the outer member surface of the first member
defines a channel; a panel operatively attached to each of the
first member and the second member and covering the hole; a magnet
presenting an outer magnet surface; wherein the magnet is disposed
in the channel of the first member such that the outer magnet
surface of the magnet is generally coplanar with the outer member
surface of the first member; wherein the magnet is configured to be
magnetically attached to the window frame at the outer magnet
surface; wherein the panel extends about each of the first member
and the second member and covers the magnet such that the panel is
disposed between the magnet and the window frame when the window
covering is attached to the window frame; and wherein the magnet is
configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window
covering to the window frame.
17. A window covering, as set forth in claim 16, further comprising
an attachment clip configured for attachment to the window frame;
wherein the attachment clip includes a ferromagnetic strip having a
ferromagnetic material; and wherein the magnet is configured to be
magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic strip of the outer
magnet surface when the attachment clip is attached to the window
frame such that the magnet is configured to be magnetically
attached to the window frame via the attachment clip.
18. A window covering, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the
attachment clip includes a connection surface defining a
longitudinally extending groove and the ferromagnetic strip is
fixedly disposed in the groove.
19. A window covering, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the
attachment clip extends between a first end and a second end;
wherein the groove is partially surrounded by a pair of
longitudinally extending walls and a shelf interconnecting the pair
of longitudinally extending walls, proximate the first end such
that the walls and the ledge cooperate to locate and retain the one
of the magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the
attachment clip; and wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate
the second end.
20. A window covering system comprising: an attachment clip
configured for attachment to a window frame, the attachment clip
including a ferromagnetic material; and a window covering
configured for attachment to the attachment clip to at least
partially cover an opening defined in the window frame, the window
covering including: a casing including a member having an outer
member surface defining a channel; a panel operatively attached to
the first member; a magnet presenting an outer magnet surface;
wherein the magnet is disposed in the channel of the member such
that the outer magnet surface of the magnet is generally coplanar
with the outer member surface of the member; wherein the magnet is
configured to be magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic
material of the outer magnet surface when the attachment clip is
attached to the window frame; wherein the panel extends about the
member and covers the magnet such that the panel is configured to
be disposed between the magnet and the ferromagnetic material of
the attachment clip when the window covering is attached to the
attachment clip; and wherein the magnet is configured to exert a
pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the
attachment clip.
21. A window covering system, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
attachment clip includes a ferromagnetic strip having the
ferromagnetic material; and wherein the attachment clip includes a
connection surface defining a longitudinally extending groove and
the ferromagnetic strip is fixedly disposed in the groove.
22. A window covering system, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
attachment clip extends between a first end and a second end;
wherein the groove is partially surrounded by a pair of
longitudinally extending walls and a shelf interconnecting the pair
of longitudinally extending walls, proximate the first end such
that the walls and the ledge cooperate to locate and retain the one
of the magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the
attachment clip; and wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate
the second end.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a window covering configured to be
magnetically attached to a window frame of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles may include one or more visors for protecting
occupants by shading them from the sun or other bright light. Some
visors can be lowered over part of the windshield by the driver or
front passenger to block the sun and some may be swung sideways to
block sun entering windows of front doors of the vehicle.
[0003] Other sun shades may be adhered directly to the window glass
of the vehicle to block the sun. Some of these sun shades may be
cut and adhered as a film to the window glass. Other types of sun
shades may be attached with suction cups and removed when the
window glass needs to be lowered and raised.
SUMMARY
[0004] A window covering is configured for attachment to a window
frame of a vehicle to at least partially cover an opening defined
in the window frame. The window covering includes a casing, a
panel, a first magnet, and a second magnet. The casing includes a
first member and a second member extending in spaced relationship
to the first member to define a hole therebetween. The casing is
rigid and includes a ferromagnetic material. The panel is
operatively attached to each of the first member and the second
member and covers the hole. The first magnet is magnetically
attached to the first member and is configured to be magnetically
attached to the window frame. The second magnet is magnetically
attached to the second member and is configured to be magnetically
attached to the window frame. Each magnet is a permanent magnet.
Each magnet is configured to exert a pull force sufficient to
retain the window covering to the window frame of the vehicle such
that the casing of the window covering does not move relative to
the window frame during motion of the vehicle.
[0005] A window covering system includes a window frame of a
vehicle and a window covering. The window frame includes a header
and a footer. The window covering is configured for attachment to
the header and the footer of the window frame to at least partially
cover an opening defined between the header and the footer. The
window covering includes a casing, a panel, a first magnet, and a
second magnet. The casing includes a first member and a second
member extending in spaced relationship to the first member to
define a hole therebetween. The casing is rigid and includes a
ferromagnetic material. The panel is operatively attached to each
of the first member and the second member and covers the hole. The
first magnet is magnetically attached to the first member and is
also configured to be magnetically attached to the header of the
window frame. The second magnet is magnetically attached to the
second member and is also configured to be magnetically attached to
the footer of the window frame. Each magnet is a permanent magnet.
Additionally, each magnet is configured to exert a pull force
sufficient to retain the window covering to the respective header
and footer of the window frame of the vehicle such that the casing
of the window covering does not move relative to the window frame
during motion of the vehicle.
[0006] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a window covering
including a plurality of magnets;
[0008] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a window covering system
including the window covering of FIG. 1 magnetically attached to a
window frame of a vehicle by the plurality of magnets;
[0009] FIG. 2B is a schematic partial side view of the window
covering system of FIG. 2A with the window covering magnetically
attached to the window frame;
[0010] FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of the window covering of
FIG. 2 detached from the window frame of the vehicle;
[0011] FIG. 3B is a partially exploded schematic side view of the
window covering system of FIG. 3A with the window covering detached
from the window frame;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of one of the magnets
of the window covering of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment clip
configured for being secured to the window frame and for use with
the window covering of claim 1, in an alternative embodiment of the
window covering system of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of
the alternative embodiment of the window covering system of FIG. 2
with the window covering magnetically attached to the attachment
clip of FIG. 5, where the attachment clip is secured to the window
frame;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the alternative
embodiment of the window covering system of FIG. 3, with the window
covering detached from the attachment clip of FIG. 5 and the
attachment clip secured to the window frame; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the alternative
embodiment of the window covering system of FIG. 3 with the window
covering magnetically attached to the attachment clips of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like elements, a window covering 10 is shown generally at
10 in FIG. 1 and is configured for selectively covering (as shown
in FIG. 2A) and uncovering (as shown in FIG. 3A) an opening 12
defined in a vehicle 14.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, the vehicle 14
includes a window covering system 16 having a window frame 18,
defining the opening 12, and the window covering 10. The window
frame 18 has a header 20 and a footer 22 which define the opening
12 therebetween. The window covering 10 is configured to be
magnetically attached to the header 20 and the footer 22 of the
window frame 18 to at least partially cover the opening 12, as
shown in FIG. 2A. The window frame 18 may be formed as a part of a
vehicle 14 door 24, such as a front door of the vehicle 14. It
should be appreciated that the window frame 18 may also be part of
a rear door (not shown) of the vehicle 14 or any other opening 12
defined in the vehicle 14. Since the window covering 10 is
magnetically attached to only the header 20 and the footer 22 of
the window frame 18, a corresponding window 26 of the vehicle door
24 is still capable of being rolled up or down, without disturbing
or otherwise interfering with the placement of the widow covering
10. Additionally, as will be explained in more detail below, the
window covering 10 is easily detached from the header 20 and footer
22 of the window frame 18, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the
opening 12 of the window 26 needs to be accessed, e.g., to allow
access to a parking ticket machine, fast food drive-thru, and the
like. Likewise, once access to the opening 12 is no longer
required, the window covering 10 is quickly and easily magnetically
reattached to the window frame 18.
[0019] The window coverings 10 are configured to be sized to fit
the window frames 18 of specific model vehicles 14. More
specifically, the window coverings 10 are sized such that, once
attached to the window frame 18, any gap 82 defined between the
window covering 10 and the respective header 20 and footer 22 is
held substantially equal to a predefined tolerance. By way of a
non-limiting example, the tolerance may be limited to be
substantially equal to 3 mm. It should be appreciated that other
tolerances may also be obtained. The window coverings 10 are formed
based on measurements of the opening 12 defined between the header
20 and footer 22 of the window frames 18 of the specific vehicle
14. The specific vehicle 14 may be based on model and model year.
The measurements may be obtained based on tracing the window
opening 12, coordinate numerical control (CNC) measurement, and the
like. These measurements are used to create the window covering 10
that is customized to fit the specific vehicle 14 which may be
based on model and model year.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, the window covering 10 includes a
casing 28, a panel 30, and a plurality of magnets 32. The casing 28
includes a first member 34 and a second member 36 extending
generally horizontally in spaced relationship to the first member
34 to define a hole 38 therebetween. The casing 28 may also include
a third member 40 and a fourth member 42. The third member 40
extends generally vertically to interconnect the first member 34
and the second member 36. The fourth member 42 extends vertically
in spaced relationship to the third member 40 and interconnects the
first member 34 and the second member 36. The first member 34, the
second member 36, the third member 40, and the fourth member 42
form the casing 28 and define the hole 38 therebetween. Each member
34, 36, 40, 42 is substantially rigid and the members 34, 36, 40,
42 are interconnected to one another such that the casing 28 is
also substantially rigid. The casing 28 includes a ferromagnetic
material 43. The ferromagnetic material 43 may be steel, such as
mild steel, and the like. The ferromagnetic material 43 is
configured such that there is a sufficient pull force F between
each of the magnets 32a, 32b and the respective first member 34 and
second member 36 to retain the window covering 10 to the window
frame 18.
[0021] The panel 30 is operatively attached to the first member 34,
the second member 36, the third member 40, and the fourth member 42
such that the panel 30 covers the hole 38. The panel 30 includes a
covering portion 44 and a border 46. The covering portion 44 is
configured to substantially cover the hole 38. The border 46 is
configured to operatively attach the covering portion 44 to the
casing 28. The covering portion 44 may be formed from a material
48, such as a fabric. More specifically, the fabric may include a
nylon material, such as a nylon mesh 50, which extends to cover the
hole 38. The nylon mesh 50 is configured to form a screen which
allows visibility and airflow therethrough. Therefore, the air is
allowed to flow between an interior of the vehicle 14 and an
exterior of the vehicle 14, through the nylon mesh 50, while also
providing an occupant of the vehicle 14 the benefits of a sun
shade. However, other materials 48 in addition to the nylon mesh 50
may also be used. The covering portion 44 may include edges 56
which extend along a perimeter. The edges 56 are generally disposed
proximate each of the members 34, 36, 40, 42. The border 46 may be
formed from a textile, such as cloth. The border 46 may be folded
onto itself and disposed to extend about each of the members 34,
36, 40, 42 of the casing 28, the respective magnets 32a, 32b, and
the respective edge 56 of the covering portion 44. The border 46
may be folded onto itself and stitched to the corresponding edges
56 of the covering portion 44 with stitching 58 such that the
covering portion 44 is held substantially taut and retained across
the hole 38. By wrapping each of the members 34, 36, 40, 42 such
that the magnets 32a, 32b are covered by portions of the panel 30,
the panel 30 is disposed between each of the magnets 32a, 32b and
the window frame 18 when the window covering 10 is attached to the
window frame 18 of the vehicle 14. This prevents the magnets 32a,
32b from directly contacting the window frame 18, which may
otherwise cause scratching or damage to the window frame 18.
Additionally, covering the magnets 32a, 32b with the border 46
captures and retains each magnet 32a, 32b to the window covering
10, which prevents the magnets 32a, 32b from becoming accidentally
dislodged from the casing 28 when the window covering 10 is
detached from the window frame 18. It should be appreciated that
the panel 30 may be formed as a single piece, such that the
covering portion 44 and the border 46 are a single continuous
piece. Alternatively, the panel 30 may be formed such that the
covering portion 44 and the border 46 are separate pieces that are
connected to one another via the stitching 58.
[0022] Still referring again to FIG. 1, the magnets 32 (FIG. 4) may
include a pair of first magnets 32a and a pair of second magnets
32b. It should be appreciated that the window covering 10 may
include more or less magnets 32a, 32b. The first magnets 32a are
magnetically attached to the first member 34 and are also
configured to be magnetically attached to the header 20 of the
window frame 18, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The second magnets
32b are magnetically attached to the second member 36 and are
configured to be magnetically attached to the footer 22 of the
window frame 18.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the magnets 32 are permanent magnets
which are configured to exert a pull force F sufficient to retain
the window covering 10 to the window frame 18 such that the casing
28 of the window covering 10 does not move relative to the window
frame 18 during motion of the vehicle 14. More specifically, as the
vehicle 14 is driving, the pull force F exerted by the magnets 32
is sufficient to magnetically retain the window covering 10 to the
window frame 18 such that the window covering 10 remains
stationary, relative to the window frame 18, even when the vehicle
14 is driving on rough roads, driving through pot holes,
accelerating, decelerating, exposed to strong winds, and the like.
The magnets 32 include a rare earth metal 52, such as neodymium and
the like. The magnets 32 may be neodymium magnets which include an
alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the magnets 32 may be generally
block shaped and include a length L, a width W, and a thickness T.
The magnets 32 present an outer magnet surface 60 configured to
face and be magnetically attached to the window frame 18. The
magnets 32 may also be formed to include a ledge 62 extending along
the length L of the outer magnet surface 60. Magnets 32 having
other shapes may also be used. In order to provide sufficient pull
force F, the outer magnet surfaces 60 may each have an area A
substantially equal to 125 square centimeters. The area A is
defined by the length L and the width W of the magnet 32. By way of
a non-limiting example, the length L may be 25 centimeters (cm),
the width W may be 5 cm, and the thickness T may be 3 cm.
[0025] Referring again to FIG. 1, the first member 34 of the casing
28 defines a pair of first channels 64 and the second member 36 of
the casing 28 defines a pair of second channels 66. The first
member 34 presents a first outer member surface 68 and the second
member 36 presents a second outer member surface 70. The first
magnets 32a are disposed in the first channel 64 and are
magnetically attached to the first member 34 such that the first
outer member surface 68 of the first member 34 and the outer magnet
surface 60 of the first magnets 32a are substantially planar with
one another. Likewise, the second magnets 32b are disposed in the
second channel 66 and are magnetically attached to the second
member 36 such that the second outer member surface 70 of the
second member 36 and the outer magnet surface 60 of the second
magnets 32b are substantially planar with one another.
[0026] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, when the
header 20 and/or the footer 22 are formed from a non-ferromagnetic
material 43, e.g., plastic, or are otherwise covered by a
non-ferromagnetic material 43, attachment clips 72, shown in FIG.
5. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the attachment clips 72 may include a
pair of first attachment clips 72a and a pair of second attachment
clips 72b. The first magnets 32a are configured to be magnetically
attached to the first member 34 and are also configured to be
magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic strip 74 of respective
first attachment clip 72a. Likewise, the second magnets 32b are
configured to be magnetically attached to the second member 36 and
are also configured to be magnetically attached to the
ferromagnetic strip 74 of the respective second attachment clip
72b. The attachment clips 72a, 72b may be attached to the
non-ferromagnetic header 20 and/or footer 22. The attachment clips
72a, 72b may be attached to the window frame 18 via an adhesive
(not shown) and the like. Each attachment clip 72a, 72b may have
ferromagnetic properties.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, the attachment clip 72 may include a
ferromagnetic strip 74 which includes a ferromagnetic material 43
having ferromagnetic properties. The ferromagnetic strip 74 may be
fixedly attached to the attachment clip 72. The ferromagnetic
material 43 may be steel, such as mild steel, and the like. The
ferromagnetic material 43 is configured such that there is
sufficient pull force F between the magnet 32a, 32b and the
respective ferromagnetic strip 74 to retain the window covering 10
to the window frame 18, as previously described above. The
ferromagnetic strip 74 presents an attachment surface 76 and the
outer magnet surface 60 of the corresponding magnet 32a, 32b is
configured to be magnetically attached to the attachment surface 76
of the ferromagnetic strip 74. The attachment clip extends
longitudinally between a first end 88 and a second end 90 and
includes a connection surface 78. The ferromagnetic strip 74 is
disposed on the connection surface 78. The connection surface 78
defines a longitudinally extending groove 79 and the ferromagnetic
strip 74 is fixedly disposed in the groove 79. The groove 79 is
partially surrounded by a pair of longitudinally extending walls 84
and a shelf 86 interconnecting the pair of longitudinally extending
walls 84, proximate the first end 88 such that the walls 84 and the
shelf 86 cooperate to locate and retain the corresponding
ferromagnetic strip 74 within the groove 79. The groove 79 includes
a ramp 80, proximate the second end 90, to provide a lead-in
between the first end 88 of the attachment clip 72 and the groove
79 to facilitate attaching and detaching the window covering 10
to/from the attachment clips 72 disposed on the window frame
18.
[0028] While FIGS. 5-8 illustrate that the attachment clips 72 are
attached to the header 20 and the footer 22, it should be
appreciated that if there is a header 20 having ferromagnetic
properties and a footer 22 with non-ferromagnetic properties,
attachment clips 72 may be used with only the footer 22, while the
first magnets 32a are directly magnetically attached to the header
20, without the aid of the attachment clips 72. Likewise, the
attachments may similarly be used if the header 20 has
non-ferromagnetic properties and only the footer 22 has
ferromagnetic properties.
[0029] Other configurations of the window covering system 16 may
also be used. By way of a non-limiting example, in another
embodiment, the magnets 32a, 32b are not directly retained to the
casing 28 by the border 46 of the panel 30. Instead, the magnets
32a, 32b are attached directly to the window frame 18 or the
attachment clips 72. Subsequently, the casing 28 and the panel 30
are magnetically attached to the magnets 32a, 32b, already attached
to the window frame 18.
[0030] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *