Window covering having roll-up shade segments
A window covering has a plurality of shade elements, each having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The shade elements are positioned sequentially below a headrail, and each shade element is made of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge. A first rail or panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element and is connected to lowermost shade element or the bottomrail. A second rail or panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail and is attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element. Rungs extend between the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel such that there is one rung below and corresponding to each shade element. The first longitudinal edge of each shade element rests upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position. A control mechanism is connected to at least one of the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel. The control mechanism is capable of moving at least one of the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel. Such movement causes each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of the shade element. A flap may be attached to and extend from the second longitudinal edge of each shade element or the rungs.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/187,541, which was filed on Jul. 22, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to window blinds of the type having operable segments that can be moved between an open position and a closed position such as a venetian blind.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various vertical window blinds including venetian blinds, roller shades, roman shades, and the like are known. These window blinds commonly comprise a headrail, a bottomrail and a window covering material extending between them. Lift cords extend from the bottomrail into the headrail for raising and lowering the blind. The window covering material may be pleated or cellular material, woven woods or grasses or roman shade material that is raised and lowered or slats on ladders that can be raised and lowered as well as tilted for light control.
One popular type of window covering is the roll-up shade. This shade has a single panel of window covering material attached at its top edge to a headrail. Two or more looped cords extend from the headrail down one side of the panel of window covering material, around the bottom edge of the panel and up an opposite side of the panel of window covering material into the headrail. The cords may then pass through a cord lock in the headrail or wind around a cord collector within the headrail. Movement of the cords into the headrail will cause the panel of window covering material to roll-up and movement of the cords out of the headrail will cause the window covering material to unroll. It is quite common to use woven woods or grasses as the panel in a roll-up shade. An example of this type of shade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,312 to Judkins.
A venetian blind provides the widest range of light control. The slats can be raised to a fully open position, lowered to cover the entire window and tilted vertically to a fully closed position or lowered to a fully lowered or partially lowered position with the slats tilted at a selected orientation between vertical and horizontal. Roll-up, roman, pleated and cellular shades have a softer appearance than venetian blinds. However, a conventional roll-up shade, roman shade and other fabric shades can only be raised and lowered to cover all or a portion of the window. When any of these shades is in a fully lowered or partially lowered position, the shade cannot be controlled or adjusted to change the amount of light transmittance as occurs when one tilts the slats in a fully lowered or partially lowered venetian blind.
Although the slats in most venetian blinds are wood, aluminum or plastic, it is known to make fabric slats. One example of a fabric slat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,506 to Zorbas. Woven woods and woven grasses have been used for venetian blind slats, but are seldom seen in the marketplace. Venetian blind slats usually are not greater than two inches in width. Small widths of woven woods and woven grasses are difficult to work with and can come apart more easily than a panel of these materials such as are used in roll-up and roman shades. Like wood, aluminum and plastic slats, fabric slats are hung on ladders or attached to ladder rungs and may have transverse stiffeners. Venetian blinds having fabric slats operate in the same manner as venetian blinds having wood, aluminum or plastic slats.
There is a need for a window covering that has wide range of light control available in a venetian blind coupled with the softer appearance that can be achieved in a roll-up shade and in which the window covering material can be a woven wood or woven grasses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONI provide a window covering having a headrail, a plurality of shade elements, each having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The shade elements are positioned sequentially below the headrail, and each shade element is made of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge. I prefer to make each shade element a woven wood. A bottomrail may be positioned below the headrail and the plurality of shade elements. At least two first rails or a first panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element and is connected to lowermost shade element or the bottomrail. At least two second rails or a second panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail and is attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element. Rungs are connected between the rails or panels such that there is one rung below and corresponding to each shade element. The first longitudinal edge of each shade element rests upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position. A control mechanism is connected to at least one of the first panel, first rails, second rails or second panel. The control mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first panel, second panel, first rails or second rails. The movement caused by the control mechanism causes each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.
The first or second panel of fabric or film may be one segment of fabric or a plurality of fabric segments connected together. Preferably, the fabric segment or segments are made of a sheer fabric.
The plurality of shade elements may be woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods or woven grasses. I prefer to provide a stiffening bar or rod on each shade element adjacent the first longitudinal edge. This stiffener assists in causing the shade element to roll about the first longitudinal edge. For some materials such as woven woods the stiffener could be a length of tape that joins two or more pieces of wood or grass together.
At least one flap can also be provided on at least one of the rungs or at least one of the shade elements. Preferably, each flap is attached to the second longitudinal edge of a shade element. Each flap hangs from the shade element or rung to which it is attached and provides additional light control. The flaps can also improve the aesthetic effect of the shade.
One could provide a valance on the headrail. The valance could be made of the same material as the shade elements or a different material could be used. The valance could be configured so that the lower edge of the valance may be raised.
Other objects and advantages of the present window covering will become apparent from certain present preferred embodiments thereof shown in the drawings.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same.
A first present preferred embodiment of my window covering 1, shown in
If desired, one may connect the first rails 11 to a shaft 16 shown in dotted line in
The shade elements are made of any material that can be used as a window covering and that can be rolled up. I prefer to use woven woods or woven grasses. But, one could also use woven or non-woven fabric, plastic or a film.
The headrail 6 could be a box-like structure of the type used for venetian blinds. In that event, the cord locks 13, 19 and shaft 16 would be within the headrail. Alternatively, the headrail could be a block of wood or other solid structure such as is frequently used for roman shades. In that headrail, the cord locks 13, 19 and shaft 16 would be mounted to the bottom of the headrail.
I prefer to provide a valance 8 which covers the front of and extends from the headrail. I prefer that the valance 8 be of sufficient length so that all the shade elements 20 will be behind the valance 8 when the window covering is in a fully raised position, as shown in
The roll-up action of the shade elements can best be understood from
A second present preferred embodiment 2 is shown in
In a third present preferred embodiment, shown in
In yet another present preferred embodiment 40, shown in
In a fifth present preferred embodiment 50 the fabric panel 51 is provided as a back element, as shown in
As in the second present preferred embodiment, lift cords 15 extend from the bottomrail 14 into the headrail 6 where they pass through a cord lock 13. The lift cords can be on either side of the panel of fabric 51. In this embodiment the second longitudinal edge of each shade element is attached to one side of the second rails and the fabric panel is adjacent the opposite side of those rails. It should be noted that, if a bottomrail is not used, the panel of fabric 51 is attached to the lowermost shade element 20a. When lift cords 15 raise and lower the shade elements 20, they also raise and lower the panel of fabric 51. Preferably, the panel of fabric is fully extended when the shade elements are fully lowered, displaying a smooth surface as shown in
In another present preferred embodiment, the panel of fabric is attached to the headrail at one end, extends past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element, and is attached to the bottomrail or bottommost shade element. When the shade elements are fully lowered, the panel of fabric is preferably fully extended. When the shade elements are fully raised, the panel of fabric is preferably tightly bunched against the headrail 6 or wound on a roller within the headrail. This embodiment may or may not include the first rails 11. If the first rails are not used, then the rungs are attached to the fabric panel. If the rungs 11 are used, the fabric panel will be in front of the rungs.
In yet another present preferred embodiment, two panels of fabric can be used as shown in
Fabrics that are typically used for window covering material, such as linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, cotton, polyester and acrylic blends, and nylon, may be used. Preferably, the panel of fabric is made of a sheer fabric. The panel of fabric can be one segment of fabric or can be a plurality of segments of fabric connected together to form the panel. It should also be understood that a sheet of plastic or a film can be used instead of a panel of fabric.
In a seventh present preferred embodiment 70, shown in
I prefer that flaps not extend below the lowermost part of the blind. Thus, if a bottomrail is not used, the lowermost shade element will preferably not have a flap attached to it, as shown in
Preferably, each flap will be of a length that is not longer than the distance between two adjacent shade elements. Longer flaps can be used and attached to every other shade element.
As shown in
Flaps 68 can be used in combination with at least one panel of fabric. In such embodiments, flaps provide additional light control and, if colored differently than the panel of fabric, may also provide a shade capable of offering an increased array of aesthetic affects similar to the sixth present preferred embodiment and other embodiments discussed above.
Although I have described and shown certain present preferred embodiments of my window covering, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A window covering comprising:
- a headrail;
- a plurality of shade elements, each and every shade element having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the shade elements positioned sequentially below the headrail, each shade element comprised of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge;
- at least two rails extending from the headrail and being adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element;
- a panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to each shade element adjacent to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element;
- a plurality of rungs connected between the rails and the panel such that there is at least one rung below and corresponding to each shade element, the first longitudinal edge of each shade element resting upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position;
- a control mechanism connected to at least one of the rails and the first panel, the control mechanism being configured to move at least one of the rails and the first panel to cause each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of that shade element.
2. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from a lowermost shade element to the headrail.
3. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.
4. The window covering of claim 3 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.
5. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element, each stiffener also being attached to the back element.
6. The window covering of claim 5 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.
7. The window covering of claim 6, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element.
8. The window covering of claim 7, wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
9. The window covering of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of cords, one cord attached to at least one of each rail, and a cord lock attached to the headrail, the cords passing through the cord lock.
10. The window covering of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of a shaft within the headrail on which the rails are wound.
11. The window covering of claim 10 wherein the panel is connected to and can wind around the shaft.
12. The window covering of claim 1 wherein each shade element is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods and woven grasses.
13. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the panel of fabric is comprised of a plurality of segments of fabric.
14. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a valance attached to the headrail.
15. The window covering of claim 14 also comprising a connecting cord having one end attached to the valance and an opposite end attached to the rails.
16. The window covering of claim 14 wherein the valance is also comprised of an upper edge attached to the headrail, a front surface and a lower edge, and a cord loop, the cord loop of the valance having one end attached to the upper edge of the valance extending over the front surface of the valance, past the lower edge of the valance and an opposite end attached to the rails.
17. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a bottomrail to which the rails and panel are attached.
18. The window covering of claim 17 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from the bottomrail to the headrail.
19. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a front panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element.
20. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the front panel of fabric is comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of sheer fabrics, cotton, nylon, linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, polyester blends, and acrylic blends.
21. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the rungs are connected between the front panel and the panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.
22. The window covering of claim 1 further comprising at least one flap attached to one of the rungs.
23. The window covering of claim 22, wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
24. The window covering of claim 1, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element.
25. The window covering of claim 24, wherein each flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
26. The window covering of claim 1 further comprising at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the panel and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.
27. The window covering of claim 26 wherein the rungs are connected between the at least two rails and the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the panel and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.
28. A window covering comprising:
- a headrail;
- a plurality of shade elements, each and every shade element having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the shade elements positioned sequentially below the headrail, each shade element comprised of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge;
- a first panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element;
- a second panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element;
- a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second panels such that there is at least one rung below and corresponding to each shade element, the first longitudinal edge of each shade element resting upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position;
- a control mechanism connected to at least one of the first panel and the second panel, the control mechanism being configured to move at least one of the first panel and the second panel to cause each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of that shade element.
29. The window covering of claim 28 wherein each shade element is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods and woven grasses.
30. The window covering of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first panel and second panel is comprised of a plurality of segments of fabric.
31. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising a valance attached to the headrail.
32. The window covering of claim 31 also comprising a connecting cord having one end attached to the valance and an opposite end attached to the first panel.
33. The window covering of claim 31 wherein the valance is also comprised of an upper edge attached to the headrail, a front surface and a lower edge, and a cord loop, the cord loop of the valance having one end attached to the upper edge of the valance extending over the front surface of the valance, past the lower edge of the valance and an opposite end attached to the first panel.
34. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising a bottomrail to which the first panel and second panel are attached.
35. The window covering of claim 34 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from the bottomrail to the headrail.
36. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from a lowermost shade element to the headrail.
37. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.
38. The window covering of claim 37 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.
39. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element, each stiffener also being attached to the back element.
40. The window covering of claim 39 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.
41. The window covering of claim 40, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element.
42. The window covering of claim 41 wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
43. The window covering of claim 28 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of at least one cord, the at least one cord attached to at least one of the first panel and the second panel, and a cord lock attached to the headrail, the at least one cord passing through the cord lock.
44. The window covering of claim 28 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of a shaft within the headrail on which the first panel is wound.
45. The window covering of claim 44 wherein the second panel is connected to and can wind around the shaft.
46. The window covering of claim 28 wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is a panel of fabric comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of sheer fabrics, cotton, nylon, linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, polyester blends, and acrylic blends.
47. The window covering of claim 28, further comprising at least one flap attached to one of the rungs.
48. The window covering of claim 47 wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
49. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising a plurality of flaps wherein each rung of the plurality of rungs is connected to at least one of the flaps.
50. The window covering of claim 28, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element.
51. The window covering of claim 50, wherein each flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.
52. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising at least one rail, the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent to one of the first panel and the second panel.
53. The window covering of claim 52 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the at least one rail and one of the first panel and the second panel.
54. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the first panel and at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the second panel.
55. The window covering of claim 54 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the first panel and to the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the second panel.
56. The window covering of claim 28 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the first panel of fabric and is connected to the second panel of fabric.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2008
Inventor: David Pon (Tustin, CA)
Application Number: 12/080,889
International Classification: A47G 5/02 (20060101);