AU727971B2

AU727971B2 - Roman shade fold forming batten

Info

Publication number: AU727971B2
Application number: AU44334/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Andrew Brownlie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-06
Filing date: 1997-11-05
Publication date: 2001-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-05
Also published as: AU4433497A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention title: ROMAN SHADE FOLD FORMING BATTEN The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: ROMAN SHADE FOLD FORMING BATTEN Field of the Invention The invention relates to a roman shade fold forming batten.

Background to the Invention Traditionally roman shades have been formed by providing integrally located transverse battens at predetermined distances down a length of material. By attaching drawing cords to the material or battens it is possible to give the appearance of discrete lengths of material which can be drawn successively. This is essential to the roman shade style of window covering.

10 However the traditional roman shade is very labour intensive to manufacture. It requires the formation of batten pockets and stitching to connect the cords. As such roman shades are usually manufactured in standard drops designed for the more common window length.

When the drop of a window is unconventional it is necessary to have the roman shade especially made. This is expensive and there are significant delays in the delivery times S.of such shades.

o Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to simplify the manufacture of roman shades.

The foregoing does not constitute an admission as to the state of common general knowledge in the art in Australia as it existed as at the priority date of a claim of this application.

Summary of the invention According to one form of the invention a roman shade fold forming batten comprising: retaining means having a front portion to receive and releasably retain a fold of material formed transversely in a length of material and (ii) a rear portion; and suspension mounting means having a first end connected to at least one predetermined location on the rear portion of the retaining means and (ii) a second end remote from the first end having an aperture formed therein to receive the suspension means.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension means has a first end which is a removable clip. Preferably the suspension means has a second end is a ring defining the aperture and having an internal diameter substantially greater then the diameter of the suspension means passing through the ring.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is an elongated member having at least one longitudinal open mouthed cavity to receive and releasably retain the fold of material. Typically the open mouth of the or each cavity has a width i 10 approximately equal to the width of the fold of material.

In a further preferred embodiment, the retaining means further includes locking means to retain the fold of material in the or each cavity. Typically the locking means includes at least one locking member locatable in the or each cavity and sandwiching the fold of material between the locking member and the or each cavity. Preferably the or each 15 locking member has a cross-sectional profile which approximates the cross-sectional o profile of the or each cavity. For example the cross-section may be circular.

Preferably the suspension mounting means is a clip or ring to receive the suspension means.

With this type of batten it is possible to quickly and easily manufacture the roman shade or provide a kit for doing so. It is also possible for consumers to create such a shade themselves without specialist assistance.

Description of the Drawings The invention will now. be further exemplified with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative practical embodiments and do not limit the concept of the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows the section with flange according to this invention.

Fig. 2 shows the solid round rod according to this invention.

Fig. 3 shows the application of the section to a piece of cloth.

Fig. 4 shows the solid round rod used in conjunction with the section locking the cloth into its position inside the section.

Fig. 5 shows a roman shade made of several attached sections.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the section 1 has a flange 2 with a node 3 allowing for the attachment of a cord guide ring at any position along its length.

Typically the section 1 has the shape of a /4 circle or the letter It has an opening 4 which is large enough to accommodate fabric 5 to be inserted along its length.

A round rod 6 may be fed in from either end of section 1.

Referring to Fig. 3 it can be seen that fabric 5 has been inserted into the opening of 4.

The section 1 thus forming a folding point in the fabric Referring to Fig. 4 it can be seen that the solid round rod 6 has been inserted into the section 1 to prevent the fabric 5 from escaping from the section 1.

Referring to Fig. 5 it can be seen that with several sections 1 attached with cord guide rings 7 it has created a roman shade 8. A cord 9 may be attached to the guide

S

15 rings 7.

The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

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Claims

1. A roman shade fold forming batten comprising: retaining means having a front portion to receive and releasably retain a fold of material formed transversely in a length of material and (ii) a rear portion; and suspension mounting means having a first end connected to at least one predetermined location on the rear portion of the retaining means and (ii) a second end remote from the first end. having an aperture formed therein to receive the suspension means.

2. A batten according to claim 1 wherein the suspension mounting means first end is a removable clip.

3. A batten according to claim 1 wherein the suspension mounting means second end is a ring defining the aperture and having an internal diameter substantially greater then the diameter of the suspension means passing through the ring. 15

4. A batten according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining means is an o elongated member having at least one longitudinal open mouthed cavity to receive and releasably retain the fold of material.

A batten according to claim 4 wherein the open mouth of the or each cavity has a width approximately equal to the width of the fold of material.

6. A batten according to either claims 4 or 5, wherein the retaining means further •includes locking means to retain the fold of material in the or each cavity. ooo•

7. A batten according to claim 6 wherein the locking means includes at least one ~locking member locatable in the or each cavity and sandwiching the fold of material between the locking member and the or each cavity.

8. A batten according to claim 7 wherein the or each locking member has a cross- sectionalprofile which approximates the cross-sectional profile of the or each cavity.

9. A batten according to claim 8, wherein the or each locking member and the or each cavity has a circular cross-section. Michael Andrew Brownlie 9 August 2000 r r~ r r r r r r