WO2019089063A1

WO2019089063A1 - Expanding window covering

Info

Publication number: WO2019089063A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/065830
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Snell; Matthew J. Carr
Original assignee: Umbra Llc
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: JP2019082097A; GB2570941A; CN208220597U; CN108104701A8; GB201802343D0; CA2988015A1; CN108104701A

Abstract

A window covering having an interior face and an exterior face including an outerframe portion, an inner frame portion, at least two outer louvers, at least two inner louvers and a tilt bar. The outer frame portion includes an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion. The inner frame portion includes an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion, the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion nestedly and slidably arranged within the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion. The at least two outer louvers each forming a cavity therein, while the at least two inner louvers are each nestedly and slidably arranged within the cavity of one of the at least two outer louvers. The tilt bar is pivotably connected to the at least two outer louvers or to the at least two inner louvers, and arranged adjacent the exterior face of the window covering.

Description

EXPANDING WINDOW COVERING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and Article 4 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of United States Patent Application No. 15/799,514, filed October 31, 2017, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention broadly relates to window coverings, more specifically to a telescoping window covering, and even more particularly to a mountable telescoping window covering having expandable louvers, a concealed tilt bar and an expansion limiter.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Louvered window shutters have been used for many years to control room lighting, privacy, security, environmental protection and aesthetics. Conventional window shutters suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, windows are manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes. As such, it is difficult to construct standard shutters that will fill the opening formed by each window. Thus, some customization must occur with each shutter in order for it to provide its desired characteristics, e.g., privacy and lighting level. Shutters are custom built to size, or may be formed by assembling multiple portions that collectively fill a window opening. Moreover, a variety of other window covering types are also available, e.g., curtains, shades, blinds, etc. All of the foregoing window coverings suffer from similar drawbacks as window shutters.

[0004] As can be derived from the variety of devices and methods directed at providing window coverings, many means have been contemplated to accomplish the desired end, i.e., convenient, cost effective and configurable arrangements. Heretofore, tradeoffs between flexibility in configuration and cost were required. Thus, there is a long-felt need for a window covering that can be modified to fit within and cover any window opening shape and/or size.

SUMMARY

[0005] The presently disclosed apparatus broadly comprises a window covering having an interior face and an exterior face including an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion, at least two outer louvers, at least two inner louvers and a tilt bar. The outer frame portion includes an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion. The inner frame portion includes an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion. The upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion are nestedly and slidably arranged within the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion. The at least two outer louvers each form a cavity therein, while the at least two inner louvers are each nestedly and slidably arranged within the cavity of one of the at least two outer louvers. The tilt bar is pivotably connected to the at least two outer louvers or to the at least two inner louvers, and arranged adjacent the exterior face of the window covering.

[0006] It is a general object of the present apparatus to provide a window covering that is aesthetically pleasing while solving drawbacks of known coverings, e.g., flexibility of size/shape.

[0007] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement and louvers in an open arrangement;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement and louvers in an open arrangement; Figure 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a present window covering;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along Line 6-6 having a tilt bar in an upper position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6 labeled FIG. 7;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6 labeled FIG. 8;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a present window covering similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along a line similar to Line 6-6 having a tilt bar in a lower position;

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 9 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 9 labeled FIG. 10;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement;

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 11 and taken generally along Line 12-12 having a tilt bar in an upper position;

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 11 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 12 labeled FIG. 13;

Figure 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting the window covering within a window frame;

Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting the window covering outside of a window frame;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of a wall and window within a frame in the wall, an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall within the window frame and an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall outside of the window frame;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of embodiments of present window coverings showing hinge adjustment plates included therewith; and,

Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a window including embodiments of window coverings installed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[00010] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodologies, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

[0011] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term "interior face", as used herein, is intended to mean the surface or face of a window covering closest to the interior of a room when the covering is arranged in front of a window in that room, i.e., the surface or face adjacent to the room. "Exterior face" is intended to mean the surface or face of a window covering farthest from the interior of a room when the covering is arranged in front of a window in that room, i.e., the surface or face adjacent to the window. Moreover, as used herein, the phrases "comprises at least one of and "comprising at least one of in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase "used in at least one of " is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, "and/or" is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0012] Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0013] Adverting now to the figures, Figure 1 shows a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement. Figure 2 shows a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement. Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement and louvers in an open arrangement. Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement and louvers in an open arrangement. Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a present window covering. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1 -5.

[0014] Window covering 50 includes interior face 52 and exterior face 54. As described above, interior face 52 is the face of window covering 50 viewable from inside a space within which window covering 50 is installed, e.g., inside of a living room, while exterior face 54 is the face of window covering 50 not viewable from inside that space, e.g., the face of window covering 50 adj acent window 56. Window covering 50 comprises outer frame portion 58, inner frame portion 60, at least two outer louvers 62, at least two inner louvers 64 and tilt bar 66. Outer frame portion 58 comprises upper horizontal frame extrusion 68, lower horizontal frame extrusion 70, and vertical frame extrusion 72 connecting upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58. Inner frame portion 60 comprises upper horizontal frame extrusion 74, lower horizontal frame extrusion 76, and vertical frame extrusion 78 connecting upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76, respectively, of inner frame portion 60. Upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76, respectively, of inner frame portion 60 are nestedly and slidably arranged within upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58. Each outer louver 62 forms cavity 80 therein. Each inner louver 64 is nestedly and slidably arranged within a complementary cavity 80 of one of outer louvers 62. It should be appreciated that a complementary cavity within an outer louver is a cavity that is generally aligned with an inner louver such that the combination of the inner louver within the outer louver forms a substantially horizontal louver 82. Tilt bar 66 is pivotably connected to outer louvers 62 or to inner louvers 64, and is arranged adjacent exterior face 54 of window covering 50. It should be further appreciated that "adjacent", as used in the present context, is intended to mean that tilt bar 66 is next to or near exterior face 54 and not next to or near interior face 52. It should be further appreciated that outer louvers 62 and inner louvers 64 may include features that permit the direct connection of tilt bar 66 thereto; however, a cap positioned at the distal ends of each outer and inner louver 62 and 64, respectively, may also be included thereby permitting connection between tilt bar 66 and outer and inner louver 62 and 64, respectively.

[0015] It should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement of tilt bar 66 relative to outer and inner louvers 62 and 64, respectively, and further relative to interior and exterior faces 52 and 54, respectively, generally conceals tilt bar 66 from view when window covering 50 is positioned in front of window 56. Thus, window covering 50 produces a desirable, clean aesthetic appearance where louvers 82 are unobstructed by tilt bar 68. Such an arrangement produces a clean appearance that is not possible with known window coverings, i.e., tilt bar 66 is not generally visible.

[0016] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along Line 6-6 having a tilt bar in an upper position. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6 labeled FIG. 7. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6 labeled FIG. 8. Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a present window covering similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along a line similar to Line 6-6 having a tilt bar in a lower position. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 9 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 9 labeled FIG. 10. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1-10.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one of upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58 comprise outer frame louver block 84 and at least one of upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76, respectively, of inner frame portion 60 comprises inner frame louver block 86. At least a portion of inner frame louver block 86 is nestedly arranged within outer frame louver block 84. (See, Figure 7). Outer and inner frame louver blocks 84 and 86, respectively, provide a convenient means to limit rotation of louvers 82 and further provide a means to ensure proper orientation of components during assembly, e.g., alignment of lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 relative to vertical frame extrusion 72.

[0018] In some embodiments, first end 88 of each of outer louvers 62 is pivotably secured to vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58 and first end 90 of each of inner louvers 64 is pivotably secured to vertical frame extrusion 78 of inner frame portion 60.

[0019] In some embodiments, tilt bar 66 is pivotably connected to first end 88 of each of outer louvers 62. In some embodiments, tilt bar 66 is pivotably connected to first end 90 of each of inner louvers 64.

[0020] Figure 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement. Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 11 and taken generally along Line 12-12 having a tilt bar in an upper position. Figure 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window covering depicted in Figure 11 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 12 labeled FIG. 13. Figure 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting the window covering within a window frame. Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting the window covering outside of a window frame. Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of a wall and window within a frame in the wall, an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall within the window frame and an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall outside of the window frame. Figure 17 is a perspective view of embodiments of present window coverings showing hinge adjustment plates included therewith. Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a window including embodiments of window coverings installed therein. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1 -18.

[0021] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises stopper pin 92 and stopper cap 94. Stopper pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98. Stopper cap 94 comprises through hole 100. First end 96 of stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to outer frame portion 58. Stopper pin 92 is arranged within through hole 100 of stopper cap 94 and stopper cap 94 is disposed on stopper pin 92 between first end 96 and second end 98. In some embodiments, stopper cap 94 is fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 or lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of inner frame portion 60.

[0022] In some embodiments, a window covering 50 further comprises a stopper pin and a stopper cap. The stopper pin comprises a first end and a second end. The stopper cap comprises a through hole. The first end of the stopper pin is fixedly secured to the inner frame portion. The stopper pin is arranged within the through hole of the stopper cap and the stopper cap is disposed on the stopper pin between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the stopper cap is fixedly secured within upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 or lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 of outer frame portion 58. It should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement is substantially similar in form and arrangement as the above described arrangement where stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to outer frame portion 58, with the differences being the securement of stopper pin 92 to inner frame portion 60 and the securement of stopper cap 94 to upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 of outer frame portion 58.

[0023] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises first stopper pin

92, second stopper pin 102, first stopper cap 94 and second stopper cap 104. First stopper pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper pin 102 comprises first end 106 and second end 108. First stopper cap 94 comprises first through hole 100, while second stopper cap 104 comprises second through hole 110. First end 96 of first stopper pin 92 and first end 106 of second stopper pin 102 are fixedly secured to outer frame portion 58. First stopper pin 92 is arranged within first through hole 100, while second stopper pin 102 is arranged within second through hole 110. First stopper cap 94 is disposed on first stopper pin 92 between first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper cap 104 is disposed on second stopper pin 102 between first end 106 and second end 108. In some embodiments, first stopper cap 94 is fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 of inner frame portion 60 and second stopper cap 104 is fixedly secured within lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of inner frame portion 60. It should be appreciated that as described above the foregoing arrangement may alternatively comprise the connection of first and second stopper pins 92 and 102, respectively, to inner frame portion 60, and the securement of first and second stopper caps 94 and 104, respectively, to upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 and lower horizontal frame extrusion 70, respectively.

[0024] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises corner bracket

112, stopper pin 92 and stopper cap 94. Corner bracket 112 is arranged to connect upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58 or to connect lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58. Stopper pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98, while stopper cap 94 comprises through hole 100. First end 96 of stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to corner bracket 112. Stopper pin 92 is arranged within through hole 100 of stopper cap 94 and stopper cap 94 is disposed on stopper pin 92 between first end 96 and second end 98. In some embodiments, stopper cap 94 is fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 or lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of inner frame portion 60.

[0025] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises first corner bracket 112, second comer bracket 114, first stopper pin 92, second stopper pin 102, first stopper cap 94 and second stopper cap 104. First corner bracket 112 is arranged to connect upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58, while second corner bracket 114 is arranged to connect lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58. First stopper pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper pin 102 comprises first end 106 and second end 108. First stopper cap 94 comprises first through hole 100, while second stopper cap 104 comprises second through hole 110. First end 96 of first stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to first comer bracket 112, while first end 106 of second stopper pin 102 is fixedly secured to second corner bracket 114. First stopper pin 92 is arranged within first through hole 100, while second stopper pin 102 is arranged within second through hole 110. First stopper cap 94 is disposed on first stopper pin 92 between first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper cap 104 is disposed on second stopper pin 102 between first end 106 and second end 108. In some embodiments, first stopper cap 94 is fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 of inner frame portion 60 and second stopper cap 104 is fixedly secured to lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of inner frame portion 60. It should be appreciated that as described above the foregoing arrangement may alternatively comprise the connection of first and second stopper pins 92 and 102, respectively, to a first corner bracket and a second corner bracket similarly used to connect upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 to vertical frame extrusion 78 and lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 to vertical frame extrusion 78, respectively. In those embodiments, first and second stopper caps 94 and 104, respectively, are secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 and lower horizontal frame extrusion 76, respectively.

[0026] In some embodiments, outer frame portion 58 is arranged to receive at least one hinge thereon, e.g., hinge 116, 118, 120 and 122, and the at least one hinge is arranged to connect first vertical surface 124 of window 56 or second vertical surface 126 of window 56 opposite first vertical surface 124. It should be appreciated that hinges 116 and 118 are arranged to secure window coverings 50 within frame 128 of window 56, while hinges 120 and 122 are arranged to secure window coverings 50 outside of frame 128 on walls 130. Moreover, if necessary for proper alignment, spacing, etc., hinges 116, 118, 120 and/or 122 may include hinge adjustment plates 132.

[0027] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the presently disclosed window coverings remove many of the drawbacks of known window coverings. Moreover, the arrangement of the present window covering permits a single assembly to be used on either side of a window or other type of opening, e.g., a doorway, without modification of the window covering. Thus, regardless of the side of an opening that is desired to be covered, the same window covering can be used. This arrangement simplifies manufacturing processes, reduces overall costs and provides for a convenient installation process. The present arrangement provides an expandable and contractible window covering that may be conformed to fit within a variety of opening sizes. The present window covering can be linearly expanded and contracted to fill an opening. However, it should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement may also include arcuate members thereby permitting a curved expansion and contraction of the covering.

[0028] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. A window covering having an interior face and an exterior face comprising:

an outer frame portion comprising an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion;

an inner frame portion comprising an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion, the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion nestedly and slidably arranged within the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion;

at least two outer louvers each forming a cavity therein;

at least two inner louvers each nestedly and slidably arranged within the cavity of one of the at least two outer louvers; and,

a tilt bar pivotably connected to the at least two outer louvers or to the at least two inner louvers, and arranged adjacent the exterior face of the window covering.

2. The window covering of Claim 1 wherein at least one of the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the outer frame portion comprise an outer frame louver block and at least one of the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the inner frame portion comprise an inner frame louver block, and at least a portion of the inner frame louver block is nestedly arranged within the outer frame louver block.

3. The window covering of Claim 1 wherein a first end of each of the at least two outer louvers is pivotably secured to the vertical frame extrusion of the outer frame portion and a first end of each of the at least two inner louvers is pivotably secured to the vertical frame extrusion of the inner frame portion.

4. The window covering of Claim 1 wherein the tilt bar is pivotably connected to a first end of each of the at least two outer louvers.

5. The window covering of Claim 1 wherein the tilt bar is pivotably connected to a first end of each of the at least two inner louvers.

6. The window covering of Claim 1 further comprising:

a stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end; and,

a stopper cap comprising a through hole,

wherein the first end of the stopper pin is fixedly secured to the outer frame portion, the stopper pin is arranged within the through hole of the stopper cap and the stopper cap is disposed on the stopper pin between the first end and the second end.

7. The window covering of Claim 6 wherein the stopper cap is fixedly secured to the upper horizontal frame extrusion or the lower horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion.

8. The window covering of Claim 1 further comprising:

a stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end; and,

a stopper cap comprising a through hole,

wherein the first end of the stopper pin is fixedly secured to the inner frame portion, the stopper pin is arranged within the through hole of the stopper cap and the stopper cap is disposed on the stopper pin between the first end and the second end.

9. The window covering of Claim 8 wherein the stopper cap is fixedly secured to the upper horizontal frame extrusion or the lower horizontal frame extrusion of the outer frame portion.

10. The window covering of Claim 1 further comprising:

a first stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end;

a second stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end; a first stopper cap comprising a first through hole; and,

a second stopper cap comprising a second through hole,

wherein the first end of the first stopper pin and the first end of the second stopper pin are fixedly secured to the outer frame portion, the first stopper pin is arranged within the first through hole, the second stopper pin is arranged within the second through hole, the first stopper cap is disposed on the first stopper pin between the first end and the second end, and the second stopper cap is disposed on the second stopper pin between the first end and the second end.

1 1. The window covering of Claim 10 wherein the first stopper cap is fixedly secured to the upper horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion and the second stopper cap is fixedly secured to the lower horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion.

12. The window covering of Claim 1 further comprising:

a corner bracket arranged to connect the upper horizontal frame extrusion and the vertical frame extrusion of the outer frame portion or to connect the lower horizontal frame extrusion and the vertical frame extrusion of the outer frame portion;

a stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end; and,

a stopper cap comprising a through hole,

wherein the first end of the stopper pin is fixedly secured to the comer bracket, the stopper pin is arranged within the through hole of the stopper cap and the stopper cap is disposed on the stopper pin between the first end and the second end.

13. The window covering of Claim 12 wherein the stopper cap is fixedly secured to the upper horizontal frame extrusion or the lower horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion.

14. The window covering of Claim 1 further comprising:

a first comer bracket arranged to connect the upper horizontal frame extrusion and the vertical frame extrusion of the outer frame portion;

a second corner bracket arranged to connect the lower horizontal frame extrusion and the vertical frame extrusion of the outer frame portion;

a first stopper pin comprising a first end and a second end;

a second stopper cap comprising a second through hole, wherein the first end of the first stopper pin is fixedly secured to the first corner bracket, the first end of the second stopper pin is fixedly secured to the second corner bracket, the first stopper pin is arranged within the first through hole, the second stopper pin is arranged within the second through hole, the first stopper cap is disposed on the first stopper pin between the first end and the second end, and the second stopper cap is disposed on the second stopper pin between the first end and the second end.

15. The window covering of Claim 14 wherein the first stopper cap is fixedly secured to the upper horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion and the second stopper cap is fixedly secured to the lower horizontal frame extrusion of the inner frame portion.

16. The window covering of Claim 1 wherein the outer frame portion is arranged to receive at least one hinge thereon, and the at least one hinge is arranged to connect a first vertical surface of a window or a second vertical surface of the window opposite the first vertical surface.