Abstract: Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellular structure for window coverings has a plurality of cells formed by an upper vane and a lower vane each having a front edge and a rear edge. A C-shaped front wall has an upper end attached to the front edge of the upper vane and a lower end attached to the front edge of the lower vane to form an outwardly extending front tab at each end of the C-shaped front wall. The opposite end of each vane is attached to a rear wall. A C-shaped rear wall could be used for each cell. This structure is made by placing an edge of the vane between a pleat which is bonded to form each front tab and then preferably trimming the tab to a uniform width.

Abstract: A cellular structure for window coverings has a plurality of cells formed by an upper vane and a lower vane each having a front edge and a rear edge. A C-shaped front wall has an upper end attached to the front edge of the upper vane and a lower end attached to the front edge of the lower vane to form an outwardly extending front tab at each end of the C-shaped front wall. The opposite end of each vane is attached to a rear wall. A C-shaped rear wall could be used for each cell. This structure is made by placing an edge of the vane between a pleat which is bonded to form each front tab and then preferably trimming the tab to a uniform width.

Abstract: An adjustable shade comprising a pleated expandable and collapsible main shade and a pleated expandable and collapsible auxiliary shade on a lower end of the main shade, with the auxiliary shade arranged so that the pleats can fan outwardly from one side edge of the auxiliary shade. Expansion of the one side edge of the auxiliary shade is controlled so that it can form an inverted fan configuration with the one side edge of the shade adjacent the center of the fan configuration. The auxiliary shade is preferably formed in two auxiliary shade sections with each arranged so that it can be moved from a collapsed condition paralleling the pleats in the main shade to an expanded condition with the pleats radiating outwardly from one side edge through the arc of about 90 degrees. The auxiliary shade sections are preferably mounted on a lower rail attached to the lower end of the main shade.

Abstract: An adjustable shade comprising an upper headrail and a lower rail and a transversely pleated expandable and collapsible shade member attached to the upper headrail and to lower rail and extending therebetween. The lower rail means including two lower rail sections and a hinge device that interconnect the lower rail sections for swinging movement between a position in which the lower rail sections extend in relatively opposite directions parallel of the upper headrail and a position in which the lower rail sections extend downwardly from the hinge. One lift cord is attached to the hinge device and extends upwardly through the first row of cord guide openings to the upper headrail, and a first shade operating means connected to the first lift cord means for raising the proximate ends of the lower rail sections while allowing distal ends of the lower rail sections to swing downwardly and draw lower portions of the pleated shade member into an inverted fan configuration.