GB2467525A

GB2467525A - A Roman blackout blind with masked seams

Info

Publication number: GB2467525A
Application number: GB0901560A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Lock; Kevin Salmon
Original assignee: Hillarys Blinds Ltd
Current assignee: Hillarys Blinds Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-30
Filing date: 2009-01-30
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-30
Also published as: GB2467525B; GB0901560D0

Abstract

A roman blind (10) comprises a flexible panel (12) having a blackout liner (14, figure 1) secured by at least one seam (20), which defines a sub-panel (22) at either side and has a masking element (24) overlying the stitches (26). Also included is a method of constructing the above described roman blind. Preferably the masking element is woven and secured to the blackout liner by an adhesive. Preferably each masking element includes a retaining element which includes an integrally formed elongate conduit extending along the length of the masking element to retain an elongate filiform member parallel with the corresponding seam. Preferably the roman blind includes an actuator assembly for opening and closing the blind and each masking element includes a plurality of loop guiding elements to maintain the position of the actuator assembly relative to the flexible panel.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A ROMAN BLIND

This invention relates to a roman blind, in particular but not exclusively for covering a light transmitting aperture, and a method of constructing such a blind.

A roman blind typically includes a fabric panel which gathers into pleats when opened.

The panel of such blinds may be lined with a blackout material to inhibit the transmission of light through the panel. Blinds of this type are typically known as "blackout" roman blinds and are often installed in a bedroom where it is desirable to minimise the amount of light entering the room during, e.g. periods of sleep.

However, one drawback with a conventional roman blind is that in defining a plurality of sub-panels which form the pleats the panel and blackout material is punctured. The apertures created by the puncturing allow light to pass through the blind, and so reduces its effectiveness as a blackout blind, i.e. reduces its ability to minimise the amount of light entering a room.

There is a need, therefore, for an improved roman blind which more effectively inhibits the transmission of light than a conventional roman blind.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a roman blind, for covering a light transmitting aperture, comprising a flexible panel having a blackout liner secured thereto by at least one seam, the or each seam defining a sub-panel at either side thereof and having a masking element overlying the stitches thereof.

The inclusion of a masking element overlying the or each seam covers holes created in the flexible panel and blackout liner by the stitches of the seam, and so prevents the transmission of light through these holes. As a result the roman blind of the invention is able to inhibit the transmission of light more effectively than a conventional roman blind.

Preferably the or each masking element is secured to the blackout liner. Such an arrangement ensures that the flexible panel is not obscured by the masking element, thereby allowing the flexible panel to have a uniform and/or decorative appearance that is visible to a user in use Optionally the or each masking strip is secured to the blackout liner by an adhesive. Use of an adhesive prevents any further puncturing of the blackout liner by, e.g. stitching, and may be readily applied in a manufacturing operation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the or each masking element includes a retaining element to retain an elongate filiform lying parallel with the corresponding seam.

Conveniently the retaining element includes an integrally formed elongate conduit extending along the length of the masking element.

The foregoing features improve the definition of the pleats created in the blind while in an open configuration, and so improve the overall appearance of the blind.

The roman blind may include an actuator assembly operable to, in use, move the flexible panel between open and closed positions, the or each masking element including at least one guide element to maintain the position of the actuator assembly relative to the flexible panel.

The inclusion of one or more guide elements in the or each masking element obviates the need for a discrete guide arrangement requiring separate securing to the blind, and so reduces the manufacturing complexity of the blind.

Preferably the or each guide element includes a loop secured to the corresponding masking element. Such an arrangement is readily manufacturable.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the or each masking element includes a plurality of loops secured along the length thereof. The provision of a plurality of loops secured along the length of the or each masking element allows for a degree of variation in positioning of the actuator assembly relative to the flexible panel according to the requirements of a given installation. In addition, such an arrangement permits the or each masking element to be formed simply by cutting an elongate strip having the desired features to an appropriate length.

Preferably the or each masking strip is or includes a woven fabric strip. This arrangement is readily manufacturable to a required length, and/or can be cut to length as required. In addition, a fabric strip has a desired degree of flexibility so as not to effecting the formation of pleats in the blind during opening.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a roman blind, for covering a light transmitting aperture, comprising the steps of: (a) securing a blackout liner to a flexible panel with at least one seam, the or each seam defining a sub-panel at either side thereof; and (b) overlying the stitches of the or each seam with a masking element.

The second aspect of the invention shares the benefits of the first aspect of the invention.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a reverse side of a roman blind according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged portion of a masking element of the blind shown in Figure 1 in a first, partially constructed, configuration; and Figure 3 shows the masking element shown in Figure 2 in a fully constructed configuration.

A roman blind according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated by the reference numeral 10.

The roman blind 10 includes a flexible panel 12 which has a blackout liner 14 secured thereto.

In the embodiment shown the flexible panel 12 is a fabric panel 16, and the blackout liner 14 is secured around its peripheral edge 18 to the fabric panel 16 by stitching (not shown).

In addition the blackout liner 14 is secured to the fabric panel 16 by three seams 20 so as to define four sub-panels 22. Respective sub-panels 22 in adjacent pairs lie either side of each seam 20. In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the blackout liner 14 may be secured to the fabric panel 16 by fewer than three seams 20, or more than three seams 20 with a corresponding change in the number of sub-panels 22.

Each seam 20 has a masking element 24 which overlies the stitches 26 of the seam 20.

In the embodiment shown each such masking element 24 is secured to the blackout liner 14 by an adhesive. A preferred type of adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive which is designed to be melted by the application of heat, e.g. by an iron or heat press.

Each masking element 24 includes a retaining element 28 in the form of an integrally formed elongate conduit 30 which extends along the length of the masking element 24.

In other embodiments the retaining element 28 may include a plurality of shorter elongate conduits arranged along the length thereof.

In the embodiment shown, each elongate conduit 30 is able to receive and retain an elongate filiform member (not shown) in a configuration lying parallel and essentially coterminous with the corresponding seam 20.

The roman blind 10 shown in the drawing figures also includes an actuator assembly 32 which is operable to move the fabric panel 16, and the blackout liner 14 secured thereto, between open and closed positions.

The actuator assembly 32 includes a pair of cords 34 which are secured at a first end 36 to a lower portion of the fabric panel 16 which, in the example shown, is an, in use, lowermost seam 38. A second end (not shown) of each cord 34 is secured to a roller (not shown) which a user may rotate to selectively raise and lower the first end 36 of each cord 34 so as to selective raise and lower the fabric panel 16, i.e. open and close the blind 10. Conveniently the actuator assembly 32 further includes a chain 40 which is operable to cause rotation of the said roller.

Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) may omit the roller and chain elements and instead rely on a user moving the second end of each cord so as to move each first end 36 to open and close the blind 10. A cleat (not shown) may be provided to allow a user to secure the second ends of the cords 34 is a desired position, e.g. while the blind 10 is in an open configuration.

Each masking element 24 includes a pair of guide elements 42 in the form of a pair of loops 44 which are secured to the masking element 24. In the embodiment shown each masking element 24 includes a plurality of such loops 44 secured along the length of the masking element 24.

The masking elements 24 included in the embodiment shown are each formed from a In use, each masking strip 24 covers the holes 46 created in the fabric panel 16 and blackout liner 14 by the stitches 26 of each seam 20, and so prevents the transmission of light through these holes 46.

The roman blind 10 shown in the drawing figures is constructed by securing the blackout liner 14 to a flexible panel 12, e.g. a fabric panel 16, with three seams such that the seams 20 define a sub-panel 22 at either side thereof; and by overlying the stitches 26 of each seam 20 with a corresponding masking element 24.

Of course, roman blinds having a differing number of seams 20 may be constructed in a similar manner.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A roman blind, for covering a light transmitting aperture, comprising a flexible panel having a blackout liner secured thereto by at least one seam, the or each seam defining a sub-panel at either side thereof and having a masking element overlying the stitches thereof.
2. A roman blind according to Claim 1 wherein the or each masking element is secured to the blackout liner.
3. A roman blind according to Claim 2 wherein the or each masking strip is secured to the blackout liner by an adhesive.
4. A roman blind according any preceding claim wherein the or each masking element includes a retaining element to retain an elongate filiform member parallel with the corresponding seam.
5. A roman blind according to Claim 4 wherein the retaining element includes an integrally formed elongate conduit extending along the length of the masking element.
6. A roman blind according to any preceding claim further including an actuator assembly operable to, in use, move the flexible panel between open and closed positions, the or each masking element including at least one guide element to maintain the position of the actuator assembly relative to the flexible panel.
7. A roman blind according to Claim 6 wherein the or each guide element includes a loop secured to the corresponding masking element.
8. A roman blind according to Claim 7 wherein the or each masking element includes a plurality of loops secured along the length thereof.
9. A roman blind according to any preceding claim wherein the or each masking strip is or includes a woven fabric strip.
10. A method of constructing a roman blind, for covering a light transmitting aperture, comprising the steps of: (a) securing a blackout liner to a flexible panel with at least one seam, the or each seam defining a sub-panel at either side thereof; and (b) overlying the stitches of the or each seam with a masking element.