Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
  • E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
  • E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
  • E06B9/262—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
  • E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
  • E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
  • E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
  • E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
  • E06B9/38—Other details
  • E06B9/384—Details of interconnection or interaction of tapes and lamellae
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
  • E06B9/262—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens
  • E06B2009/2622—Gathered vertically; Roman, Austrian or festoon blinds

Definitions

• This invention relates to a customizable row assembly and method of manufacturing a window covering. More particularly, this invention relates to panel and anchor members for rows in a window covering that may be customized in size to fit a variety of window spaces.
• window coverings are popular items for providing privacy and blocking light. These window coverings take on various forms, such as Roman shades, Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, honeycomb shades, and the like. Typically, window coverings include a panel or plurality of rows of panels that cover an opening, which are connected to an adjustment mechanism in a headrail with one or more control members, such as cords.
• one popular type of window covering is known as a Roman shade.
• This type of shade consists of a fabric material suspended along its top edge from a head rail and is gathered at spaced intervals to provide a series of soft folds across the face of the fabric. Consequently, the typical Roman shade has a cascaded or softly pleated appearance.
• Such Roman shades are constructed so that when they are raised, they gather from the bottom in generally horizontal folds or pleats until the entire shade resides near the top of the window covering. In some versions, the top of the window covering may also be lowered.
• the shades are operated by pulling on control members, which are attached to the shade.
• the control members are usually secured to a bottom portion of the panel with adhesive, ultrasonic welding, sewing, tying or the like.
• Venetian blinds are typically constructed of a plurality of slats supported by a pair of ladders, which are controlled by an adjustment mechanism in a head rail.
• the ladder typically includes a pair of parallel cords suspended from the head rail and connected to a bottom rail. A number of rungs span across the parallel cords and support the slats.
• An alternative to the conventional Venetian blind is disclosed in co-pending application serial no. 10/413,200 filed on April 14, 2003, and issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,792,996, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• the blind disclosed therein utilizes non-ladder control members and has a configuration that allows the rows of slats to conceal the control members and holes for the control cords when the rows of slats are closed.
• window coverings need to be custom ordered to fit a particular window space.
• Venetian blinds the head rail, bottom rail and blind slats would need to be cut to particular widths, and then assembled by the manufacturer.
• This custom process requires a substantial amount of time to custom build blinds for each particular window because an order must be placed with a retailer, which then sends the customer order to the manufacturer for assembly of the blind. Several days or even weeks may pass between when the customer chooses the window coverings and when the finished window covering is finally received.
• the present invention solves the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a row assembly that is are easily customized in width to fit a variety of window spaces.
• each row assembly of the window covering includes a panel that is customizable in width, such as to fit the width of a desired window opening.
• Window coverings with which the row assembly of the present invention is suitable for use typically include at least one control member, such as a cord. Examples of suitable window coverings are described above.
• the panel includes a main or central portion and at least a first longitudinal portion, where the first longitudinal portion defines a plurality of spaced openings.
• the panel also includes a second longitudinal portion on the opposite side of the main portion from the first longitudinal portion.
• a second longitudinal portion is positioned within the main portion.
• the second longitudinal portion also defines a row of spaced openings. The openings are preferably spaced at regular intervals.
• the panel may be formed of any trimmable or foldable material, but is preferably formed of a relatively thin flexible material, such as woven or non- woven fabric, film, paper, or the like. Alternatively, the panel may be formed of thin strips of woods.
• An anchor member is also typically included with the row, and the control member is restrainedly positioned with the anchor member through at least one of the spaced openings.
• the anchor member may also be adjustable in width and is positioned in substantially parallel relationship with the at least one row of spaced openings and restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal portion of the panel.
• an appropriate width anchor member can be selected for a customized panel.
• the anchor member may be restrainedly positioned with the panel by securing an edge portion of the panel to the panel body to form a loop within which an anchor member is guided.
• the anchor ' member may be fixedly secured to the panel by way of adhesive, sewing or the like.
• the anchor member could also be formed integrally with the panel such that it is actually a part of the panel. It is preferred that the anchor member is removable from the panel.
• the anchor members can be configured in various different manners.
• the anchor members can include interconnected tube and rod members. These tube and rod members can be secured in position with one another by factional engagement, threaded engagement, or the like.
• the width of the anchor members which preferably extends across all or most of the width of the panel may be are selected by sliding the tube over the rod to shorten the overall width, or by threading the tube onto the rod.
• the anchor members may be adjusted by trimming portions of the tube.
• the anchor member can be formed from a plurality of elongated members, such as rods, operatively connected by a mounting sleeve. The overall width of the elongated members can be adjusted by sliding one member relative to another.
• the anchor member may be formed of a trimmable material, such that adjustment of the anchor member is accomplished by cutting.
• Anchor members can also be provided in various stock widths, such that the appropriate width anchor members are selected and utilized.
• scoring lines may be provided to aid in cutting or breaking of the extra width. It should be noted that for the sake of consistency in terminology, the foregoing description of the width of the anchor member denotes the axial measure of the anchor member. The plurality of spaced openings enables stock widths of panels for window coverings to be sold that can be easily narrowed to custom widths at the point of sale or by the customer.
• an entire roll of panel material can be provided and appropriate mounting widths, i.e., the size of panel for a particular window space, cut as desired.
• the plurality of spaced openings enables stock widths of panels to be narrowed or a desired width of material to be selected from a fabric roll, and the control members of the window covering to be restrainedly positioned with the panels through whichever one of the spaced openings corresponds to the control hardware found in the headrail of the window covering.
• a head rail may have hardware that suspends a pair of control cords from positions 5 inches from opposite edges of the head rail.
• a stock width panel can be trimmed to fit within the window space and secured with the control cords at the openings positioned approximately 5 inches from the edges of the panel.
• narrowing the width of the panels may be accomplished in a number of ways.
• One method is to trim the extra width of material with shears or other mechanical cutting implement.
• Another is to fold excess material over the main portion of the panel and adhere the folded over material to the main portion.
• Yet another alternative is to include perforations extending from top to bottom across the panel that enable easy and controlled tearing of marginal portions of the panel. The same trimming or cutting methods may be employed where the panel material is provided as a roll of fabric.
• One particular advantage of such a row of a window covering is that stock widths of panels or an entire roll of material and anchor members may be obtained, and rather than requiring the customer to place an order for special width panels and anchor members and wait for their completion, the widths of the panels and anchor members can be customized quickly at the store or by the customer at home. It should be noted that rather than customize the anchor members a supply of anchor members of various widths can be provided such that no trimming of the ' anchor members is required. Instead, suitable width anchor members may be chosen. As such, selecting the suitable anchor member can be done by adjusting the width of an anchor member or simply choosing an appropriate width anchor member. It should be noted that the width of the anchor member does not necessarily have to exactly or even substantially match the width of the panel.
• the present invention is particularly advantageous in that it allows easy replacement of rows of a window covering. For example, if a panel of a window covering requires replacement due to damage, wear, or staining, an appropriate width of panel may be purchased and installed into the existing window covering without requiring a special order for the' replacement. Other advantages are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a row assembly of a window covering with a panel and an anchor member according to the present invention, a portion of the panel is partially cut away;
• FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the anchor member of FIGURE 1 in a fully extended state
• FIGURE 3 is a perspective rear view of the row assembly of FIGURE 1, with the anchor member in a shortened state;
• FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of an anchor member of FIGURE 3;
• FIGURE 5 is a perspective rear view of the row assembly of
• FIGURE 1 wherein a portion of the panel and anchor members are trimmed to the desired width
• FIGURE 6 is an alternative embodiment of a row assembly including a panel and alternative anchor members according to the present invention, a portion of the panel partially cut away;
• FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of the anchor member of FIGURE 6 in a fully extended state
• FIGURE 8 is a schematic perspective view of the row assembly of FIGURE 6 with the panel narrowed by folding and gluing;
• FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view of an alternative anchor member having threaded members;
• FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of yet another alternative anchor member having scoring lines for trimming
• FIGURE 11 is a schematic perspective view of another alternative anchor member having a pair of parallel rods operatively connected by a mounting sleeve;
• FIGURE 12 is a cross sectional view of another alternative anchor member formed of a cuttable material
• FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view of a panel and anchor member restrainedly positioned with a control member
• FIGURE 14 is an enlarged view of an alternate method of restrainedly positioning a panel and anchor member with a control member
• FIGURE 15 is a perspective front view of a Roman style shade embodiment of a window covering comprising rows including the panels and anchor members;
• FIGURE 16 is a perspective front view of another Roman style shade embodiment of a window covering comprising rows including the panels and anchor members;
• FIGURE 17 is an enlarged partial view of a row of a Venetian type blind according to the present invention.
• the row 1 includes a panel 10 that includes a main or central portion 11 and a longitudinal portion 12.
• the longitudinal portion 12 forms a loop and defines a plurality of spaced openings 14.
• the loop may be formed by overlapping a portion of the panel 10 over itself and securing an edge to the main portion 11 of the panel 10 through any means known in the art such as gluing, welding, sewing or the like.
• Inserted within longitudinal loop portion 12 is anchor member 16.
• anchor member 16 is formed of a pair of sleeve or tube members 18 and 20, and a central rod member 22.
• Each of tube members 18 and 20, as well as central rod member 22 may be formed of any suitable relatively rigid material such as plastic, polyurethane, thermoplastic resin, polypropylene, lightweight metal, wood, or the like.
• Panel 10 further includes a plurality of spaced openings 24 along a lower longitudinal loop portion 26 of the panel 10. This lower or second longitudinal portion is on the opposite side of the main portion 11 from the first longitudinal portion 12.
• the lower longitudinal loop portion 26 is formed in a similar manner as described above.
• an anchor member 28 is inserted within loop portion 26, which is formed of a pair of sleeve or tube members 30 and 32, and a central rod member 34 (all shown in phantom).
• FIGURE 2 a cross section of anchor member 16 is shown in its fully extended state. As shown, the central rod member 22 is partially inserted into each of tube members 18 and 20. If it is desired to have a window covering of narrower width, the width of anchor members 16 and 28 may each be shortened as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. In particular, the central rod member 22 is more fully inserted into each of tube members 18 and 20 such that the overall width of the anchor members 16 and 28 is decreased. ' The panel 10 may be trimmed to the desired width by any suitable means. For example, the extra width of material may be trimmed with scissors or fabric shears as shown in FIGURE 3, or paper trimmer-type cutter. In some cases it may not be necessary to shorten the anchor members as discussed above.
• the material forming the tube members, such as tube members 18 and 20 can be formed of a cuttable material such as polypropylene such that the panel 10 and anchor members 16 and 28 are cut manually, such as shown in FIGURE 5.
• the spaced openings 14 of panel 10 are shown as not extending across the entire width of the panel 10 for ease of illustration, however, in the preferred embodiment the spaced openings are positioned across the entire width of the panel 10. For example, if the panel material is provided in the form of a roll, the spaced openings are positioned all along the longitudinal portion so as to enable any width of panel to be cut therefrom.
• FIGURES 6 and 7 Shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 is an alternate embodiment for the panel and anchor members.
• panel 110 is essentially the same as in the previous embodiment.
• anchor member 116 Disposed within longitudinal loop portion 112 is an anchor member 116.
• anchor member 116 includes a central tube 122 connecting a pair of rods 118 and 120. Each of rods 118 and 120 may be slid into central tube 122 such that the overall anchor member 10 is of the desired width.
• panel 110 includes a second anchor member 128 positioned within longitudinal loop portion 126.
• FIGURE 8 an alternate method of adjusting the width of the panel 110 is shown. Rather than cutting away the extra material, a portion 111 of the panel 110 may be folded over and adhered to the panel 110. This adhesion process can be done by any method known in the art such as gluing, adhesive tape, sewing, or the like. This folding process can also be utilized to provide a cleaner edge to a previously trimmed panel.
• FIGURE 9 shows an anchor member 216 including a pair of tube members 218 and 220 which are connected by a central rod member 222.
• Tube members 218 and 220 each include an internal thread portion 219 and 221, respectively, Similarly, central rod member 222 includes threaded portions 223 and 224. Adjustment of the overall width of anchor member 216 can thus be accomplished by threading the tube members 218 and 220 onto the central rod member 222 as necessary.
• FIGURE 10 shows an anchor member 316 which is a single rod, but includes a plurality of scoring lines 318.
• anchor member 316 may be shortened by trimming or snapping the rod at the desired scoring lines.
• Anchor member 416 includes a pair of rods 418 and 420 operatively connected in a laterally adjustable sliding relationship with mounting sleeve 422.
• anchor member 450 can be a uniform width of material such as shown in FIGURE 12.
• the anchor member 450 is formed of a material cuttable with conventional hand tools.
• the anchor member 450 may be formed of polyurethane, polypropylene, or other lightweight plastic or wood.
• FIGURE 13 Row 500 includes panel 510 and anchor member 516 positioned within longitudinal loop portion 512.
• fastener module 642 includes a clip portion 644 that grasps anchor member 616.
• Fastener module 642 further includes a housing 646 and a transverse rod 648.
• control cord 640 defines at least one loop 641 through which transverse rod 648 is guided, thereby restrainedly positioning the panel 610 and anchor member 616 with the control cord 640.
• FIGURE 15 Shown in FIGURE 15 is an embodiment of a window covering 700 according to the present invention comprising a headrail 702, control wands 704 and 706, and a plurality of rows 710 that may be customized in any of the ways discussed above.
• the particular embodiment shown is a Roman style shade such as disclosed in co-pending application serial no. 10/427,829.
• FIGURE 16 is an alternate embodiment of a Roman style shade. The primary difference is the mechanism for raising and lowering the control cords.
• the control wands 754 and 756 of window covering 750 extend from opposite sides of headrail 752.
• FIGURE 17 is yet another embodiment of a row 800 according to the present invention.
• the row 800 is a slat from a Venetian type blind such as is disclosed in co-pending application serial no. 10/413,200 filed on April 14, 2003, and issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,792,996.
• the first longitudinal portion 812 is at a edge portion of the row 800, and a second longitudinal portion 826 is formed within the main portion of the panel 810.
• panel 810 is made of a flexible material that may be adjusted in width.
• Each of the longitudinal portions 812 and 826 are operatively connected to control cords 802 and 804, respectively.
• Control cord 802 is restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal portion 812 by engaging anchor member 806 with control cord 802 by passing the anchor member 806 through a loop 808 formed therein.
• Control cord 804 is operatively connected with the second longitudinal portion 826 by engaging a fastener module 830 therewith, and engaging the fastener module 830 with anchor member 816 through opening 814.
• Anchor members 806 and 816 may take any of the forms of anchor members discussed above.
• the panel is described as defining a plurality of spaced openings, it is contemplated that such spaced openings may, in some embodiments not be necessary.
• the fastener module could be operatively connected with the anchor member by being secured thereto over the panel.
• the customizable width panel and anchor member may be provided in various forms.
• the panel material may be provided in the form of a roll, or in various stock widths.
• a seller at the point of sale upon receiving an order, cuts sections of panel material from the roll to the desired width.
• Anchor members such as those described above are secured with the longitudinal portions of the cut panels. Rather than adjust the width of the anchor member, it is also possible that a supply of anchor members of different fixed widths can be provided to accommodate different window spaces.
• a supply of control cords with fastener members secured therewith are also provided.
• the assembly of a window covering with the panels, anchor members and control cords may be done at any point in the supply chain, or by the final consumer.
• the window space measurements are obtained and widths of panel material are trimmed or customized to fit within the desired window space.
• desired widths of fabric are unrolled off a roll of fabric.
• customizing of the width may also be done to pre-cut panel widths, such as by trimming the pre-cut panel with scissors, or by folding and gluing, or the like.
• anchor members are restrainedly positioned with opposed longitudinal portions of the panel such as by guiding the anchor member through loops formed in the fabric.
• the width of the anchor member as discussed above, may also adjusted ' by any of the methods discussed above.
• Each panel is also secured to a cord member.
• the preferred method of accomplishing this is by securing a fastener module to the anchor member through an opening in the longitudinal portion of the panel.
• the fastener module is also restrainedly positioned with a cord member.
• the anchor member when the anchor member is guided through the loop in the fabric panel, it may also be guided through a loop in the cord member.
• the cord members are also installed with the headrail for the window covering by guiding the cords through the given hardware, such as cord locks, rotatable drums, or the like.
• the various components of the window covering can vary.
• the cords can be installed with the window hardware and the customized panels attached to the cords suspended in the window space.
• the entire window covering can be assembled and then installed in the window space.
• the securement of the cords to the anchor member depends on whether the cords include fastener members or not. The order of assembly will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• a roll of fabric is provided.
• the roll of fabric includes at least one longitudinal portion defining a plurality of spaced openings.
• a portion of the roll of fabric is separated along a line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion.
• widths of fabric panels are cut or otherwise separated from the roll such that a customized panel is formed.
• the customized panel which was separated from the roll, also defines a longitudinal portion having a plurality of spaced openings and may be referred to as a longitudinal mounting portion.
• An anchor member is restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal mounting portion.
• the longitudinal portion preferably defines a loop through which the anchor member is inserted.
• the width of the anchor member may be adjusted to fit the customized panel if necessary.
• a control member such as a cord, is connected to the anchor member. As discussed above, this is preferably accomplished through the use of a fastener module that is removably secured to the control member and the anchor member through one of the spaced openings. It is alsp preferred that the control cord defines a plurality of spaced loops as discussed above, and individual fastener modules are secured at each of the spaced loops. To assemble, the desired length of control cord with pre-hung fastener modules is cut and the fastener modules secured to the anchor members of the rows of the window covering.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Blinds (AREA)
• Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
• Securing Of Glass Panes Or The Like (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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Citations (3)

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• 2004
  • 2004-11-09 US US10/984,066 patent/US20060096716A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2005
  • 2005-02-16 AU AU2005305373A patent/AU2005305373A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-02-16 WO PCT/US2005/004710 patent/WO2006052268A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-06-01 JP JP2005161522A patent/JP2006138198A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-06-08 DE DE102005026438A patent/DE102005026438A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-06-08 NL NL1029214A patent/NL1029214C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-16 CA CA002510265A patent/CA2510265C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-10-14 TW TW094136080A patent/TWI300704B/zh active
  • 2005-11-07 CN CNB2005101162911A patent/CN100435699C/zh active Active
  • 2005-11-08 FR FR0511327A patent/FR2881377A1/fr active Pending

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