BLACK-OUT PANELS
Blackout panels include a first blackout panel and a second blackout panel, each having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions. At least one of the vertical edge portions of each panel includes a first elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops. The elongate strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the panel and terminates a distance of between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the respective blackout panel.
Latest Springs Global US, Inc. Patents:
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/953,497, filed Aug. 2, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBlackout curtain or liner panels are designed to prevent unwanted light from entering a living space, such as a bedroom. By using appropriate material and mounting configurations, blackout curtains can be capable of substantially blocking outside light.
Blackout curtains or liner panels are commonly supplied as a set of two panels. The panels can be used alone or in conjunction with other window treatments. One advantage of panels is that they can be pulled apart a desired distance. This allows light to enter the living space and permits a view to the outside. The panels can then be drawn together to darken the living space.
However, one problem with blackout panels is that light may penetrate a gap between adjacent panels that have been drawn together. Another problem is that a set of two panels may not be wide enough to span a large window or a panel pair attachment feature, where used, may be relatively cumbersome, overly complex, and/or not have sufficient mechanical ability to reliably define a light “seal” between the panels upon closure. These problems can cause frustration and defeat the purpose of the product.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONBlackout panels include a first blackout panel and a second blackout panel, each having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions. At least one of the vertical edge portions of each panel includes a first elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops. The elongate strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the panel and terminates a distance of between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the respective blackout panel.
Other embodiments are directed to sets of blackout panels. The sets include: (a) a first blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops; and (b) a second blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops. In position and aligned one of the elongate fastening strips on the first panel releasably engages one of the elongate fastening strips on the second panel.
In some embodiments, the first panel elongate fastening strips both reside on a front surface and both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface. In some other embodiments, one of the first panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof. In some embodiments, both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface while in others one of the second panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof.
Yet other embodiments are directed to sets of releasably attachable blackout panels. The sets include a plurality of blackout panels, each panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions. All the panels include at least one elongate fastening strip comprising hooks and/or loops on at least one vertical edge portion thereof. The at least one of the panels includes at least two elongate fastening strips comprising hooks and/or loops, at least one on both of the opposing vertical edge portions whereby the panel with the strips on both of the vertical edge portions releasably engages the respective elongate strip of two panels on opposing lateral sides thereof.
In some particular embodiments of the sets, a first one of the panels has a first elongate fastening strip that resides on a front surface and an adjacent panel has a corresponding elongate fastening strip that resides on a rear surface.
In some embodiments, the plurality of blackout panels all have at least two elongate strips, with at least one on each vertical edge portion. At least one of the panels has the elongate fastening strips on a front surface and at least one other has the elongate fastening strips on a rear surface.
Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention. Features shown with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in other embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
In certain of the figures, the blackout panels have been noted to show a rear or front view. However, these panels can be turned or alternatively configured to reflect the opposite view (e.g., instead of a front view, they could alternatively also show a rear view or instead of an outwardly facing surface they show an inwardly facing surface). Also, although a feature is described with respect to one embodiment, this feature may be used with another embodiment.
Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate elements or features not visible from the presented view (e.g., on the opposite side) unless otherwise indicated. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected,” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly connected,” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. For ease of description, the word “front” refers to the side facing the interior space, while the word “rear” refers to the side facing the outside or light source.
The terms “blackout panels” (in the plural) or “blackout panel” in the singular refer to hanging or suspended panels that substantially block light from entering into an interior space from an external entry window, door or other light entering space. The blackout panels can be used as liners with other conventional drapery or window coverings or may be provided as draperies or curtain panels. The blackout panels can be configured to allow a user to slide the panels apart to allow light to enter and to slide the panels together to allow the panels to close and releasably attach to block substantially all light from entering through the panels into a target space (e.g., bedroom).
The blackout panels comprise at least one layer of material designed to block a light source, such as, for example, outside or external natural light sources or other light sources. The at least one layer of material may comprise, for example, an externally facing surface that comprises acrylic foam. Blackout panels may also comprise two-pass or three-pass acrylic foam that may provide an enhanced light blocking effect. The external surface can be of a light color, such as a pastel, white, off white, cream, beige, light grey, and the like, to increase light reflection outward. The blackout panels also include an internally facing surface, which, in some embodiments, can be defined by at least one additional layer of material directly attached to a first layer of material. The additional layer may comprise cotton, polyester, and blends thereof. The at least one additional layer of material may be made available in an assortment of colors to accommodate user preference and/or room decor. Alternatively, as noted above, the blackout panels may be used as a lining that fits behind or cooperates with conventional or existing drapery.
The term “hook or loop fasteners” refers to releasably attachable cooperating complementing fastener configurations that include a “hook” side, which is a piece of fabric covered with small densely spaced hooks, and a “loop” side, which is covered with small densely spaced loops. This term also includes the alternative fastener configuration whereby two hook sides form the releasable cooperating attachment or fastener mechanism. Where used, the loop side typically has a fiberous or “hairy” appearance. When the two sides are pressed together, the hooks catch in or engage the loops (or the other hooks) and securely hold the blackout panels together. The two cooperating fastener sides can be sized and configured to allow a user to repeatedly attach and separate (e.g., pull apart) the panels thereby providing a relatively long service life, typically of at least two years of normal daily use, and more typically, at least five years of normal daily use. A commercial example of a hook or loop fastener is VELCRO®. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437 to de Mestral, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.
Turning now to the figures,
As viewed from the front, the first panel 10 may include a front (interior facing) layer of material 12. The front layer of material 12 may be cotton, polyester, and blends thereof. In particular embodiments, the front layer of material 12 may comprise an 85% polyester/15% cotton blend.
The first panel 10 can include a first hook or loop fastening strip 16 positioned a distance A from the inner vertical edge 14. The distance A is typically between about ½ to 2 inches. In particular embodiments, the distance A may be approximately 1 inch. As illustrated in
As also shown, the hook or loop fastening strip 16 may also terminate a distance C from the bottom of the first panel 10. The distance C can be between about 8 to 16 inches. In particular embodiments, the distance C may be about 12 inches. The hook or loop fastening strip 16 has a width WS. The width WS is typically between about ⅛ to about 1¼ inches, and more typically is between about ½ to about ⅝ inches. In particular embodiments, the width WS can be about ⅜ inches. The hook or loop fastening strip 16 also has a length LS. The length LS can depend on the length L1 of the first panel 10. The length LS is typically more than a major portion of the length L1. So, for example, for a length of 60 inches, the length LS will be at least 30 inches (with the offsets B, C from the top and bottom edges as noted above). Thus, a suitable length LS can be determined by knowing the length L1 as well as the distances B, C of the first panel 10.
As shown, the hook or loop fastening strip 16 is affixed to the front of the first panel 10. In particular embodiments, the hook or loop fastening strip 16 may be sewn to the front of the first panel 10. Advantages of sewing the hook or loop fastening strip 16 to the first panel 10 may include increased durability and may allow machine washability without undue deterioration of the closure capacity of the strip 16.
As discussed with respect to the first panel 10, and as shown and viewed from the rear, the second panel 20 may also include a rear layer of material 22 that defines the rear surface 20r. The rear layer of material 22 can be substantially light blocking and may comprise acrylic foam, double-pass acrylic foam, or triple-pass acrylic foam, for example. In addition to its ability to darken a space, the rear layer of material 22 provides other advantages. For example, the rear layer of material 22 can protect furniture or drapes by preventing sun damage. Additionally, the rear layer of material 22 (alone or with the one or more layers such as first layer 12) can be configured to save energy by insulating against heat, cold, and moisture. Furthermore, the rear layer of material 22 (alone or with the one or more layers such as first layer 12) may have a noise reduction effect.
When viewed from the front, the second panel 20 may also include a front layer of material 12, similar to that associated with the first panel 10 as illustrated in
The second panel 20 includes a hook or loop fastening strip 26 (e.g., a VELCRO® R strip) complimentary to that of strip 16 and positioned a distance A from the inner vertical edge 24. The distance A is typically between about ½ to 2 inches. In particular embodiments, the distance A may be about 1 inch. As illustrated in
The hook or loop fastening strip 26 is affixed to the back of the second panel 20. As with strip 16, for example, the hook or loop fastening strip 26 may be sewn to the back of the second panel 20. Advantages of sewing the hook or loop fastening strip 26 to the second panel 20 include increased durability and the ability to machine wash the second panel 20.
Referring to
Although
As illustrated in
Referring back to
A rod 40 or other fixture may serve to suspend the first and second panels 10, 20. As illustrated in
It is contemplated that other mounting structures for holding the first and second panels 10, 20 over a window, door or other space may be used.
In some embodiments, the pockets or channels 18 or other mounting means are positioned on both the top and bottom of the first and second panels 10, 20. In this regard, the first and second panels 10, 20 can be rotated (180 degrees) and the top and bottom interchanged so as to be able to mount either in a top to bottom or bottom to top orientation, to the rod 40 or other mounting fixture. This may be advantageous, for example, to reduce wear, sun exposure, and the like and/or prolong the life of the panel set 30.
Further embodiments of blackout panels will now be discussed. In some embodiments, as shown in
A first hook or loop fastening strip 161 is positioned a distance A from the inner vertical edge 14 and a second hook or loop fastening strip 162 is spaced a distance A from the outer vertical edge 55. The distance A is typically between about ½ to 2 inches. In particular embodiments, the distance A may be about 1 inch. The first and second hook or fastening strips 161, 162, respectively, may be positioned a distance B from the top of the first panel 10′. The distance B can be as described with respect to
A first hook or loop fastening strip 261 is positioned a distance A from the inner vertical edge 24 and a second hook or loop fastening strip 262 is spaced a distance A from the outer vertical edge 65. The other features of panels 10′ and 20′ can be as described above with respect to panels 10, 20.
An underlying or overlying segment 34 may drape or be present due to the distance B that the first hook or loop fastening strips 161, 261 are spaced from the top of the first and second panels 10′, 20′ as discussed above with respect to
As further illustrated in
Serially connected panels are advantageous where windows are too wide to be covered by a standard pair of blackout panels or where more narrow blackout panels are used, for example. Although
It is contemplated that at least two of the panels may be configured with the same or different strip configurations i.e., the two fastening strips on each panel 10′, 20′, may comprise either the same type of hook or loop configuration or, alternatively, one of each type of hook or loop configuration. Also, a respective panel 10′, 20′ or 80, 90 can have two strips on the same surface, e.g., one panel can have both fastening strips on the front surface and another can have both on the rear surface.
For multi-panel (e.g., three or more) configurations, as shown in
In some embodiments, a blackout acrylic foam layer can be applied to the poly/cotton or other substrate layer so that a panel 10, 20, or 10′, 20′ etc. . . . , can be configured to block 99.9% (0.1×) of light when mounted as tested according to Japan Synthetic Textile Inspection Institute Method, JIS L 1055 Method A for evaluating the light blocking rate.
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. As such, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. Blackout panels, comprising:
- a first blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein at least one of the vertical edge portions includes a first elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops, wherein the first elongate strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the panel and terminates a distance of between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the first blackout panel; and
- a second blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein at least one of the second panel vertical edge portions includes a second elongate fastening strip with hooks or loops that releasably attach to the first fastening strip of the first blackout panel, wherein the second elongate fastening strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the second blackout panel and terminates a distance between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the second blackout panel, and wherein, in position, the first and second blackout panels substantially block light from passing through the attached blackout panels.
2. Blackout panels according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate strips terminate at about 10 inches from the top portions of the respective panels.
3. Blackout panels according to claim 1, wherein the first elongate strip of the first panel resides on a front surface spaced inwardly a distance from an inner vertical edge and the second elongate strip of the second panel resides on a rear surface of the second panel and is spaced inwardly a distance from an inner vertical edge, and wherein, when attached, the second panel inner vertical edge overlaps the first panel inner vertical edge a distance of at least about 2 inches.
4. Blackout panels according to claim 1, wherein each panel has a first layer of an acrylic foam that defines the rear surface and a second layer comprising polyester and/or cotton that defines the front surface, and wherein the panel has a 99.9% light blocking rate when tested according to JIS L 1055 Method A.
5. Blackout panels according to claim 1, wherein the top portions of the first and second panels include both: (a) rod pockets for receiving a curtain rod; and (b) hook attachment fabric for engaging hooks that attach to curtain rods, thereby allowing for use of different mounting configurations by an end user.
6. A set of blackout panels, comprising:
- a first blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops; and
- a second blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops, wherein, in position and aligned one of the elongate fastening strips on the first panel releasably engages one of the elongate fastening strips on the second panel.
7. A set of panels according to claim 6, wherein the first panel elongate fastening strips both reside on a front surface and both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface.
8. A set of panels according to claim 6, wherein one of the first panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof.
9. A set of panels according to claim 8, wherein both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface.
10. A set of panels according to claim 8, wherein one of the second panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof.
11. A set of releasably attachable blackout panels, comprising:
- a plurality of blackout panels, each panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein all the panels include at least one elongate fastening strip comprising hooks and/or loops on at least one vertical edge portion thereof, and wherein at least one of the panels includes at least two elongate fastening strips comprising hooks and/or loops, at least one on both of the opposing vertical edge portions whereby the panel with the strips on both of the vertical edge portions releasably engages the respective elongate strip of two panels on opposing lateral sides thereof.
12. A set of panels according to claim 11, wherein a first one of the panels has a first elongate fastening strip that resides on a front surface and an adjacent panel has a corresponding elongate fastening strip that resides on a rear surface.
13. A set of panels according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of blackout panels all have at least two elongate strips, with at least one on each vertical edge portion, and wherein at least one of the panels has the elongate fastening strips on a front surface and at least one other has the elongate fastening strips on a rear surface.
14. A set of panels according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the panels has the elongate fastening strips all on a rear surface.
15. A set of panels according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the panels has elongate strip that all resides on a front surface.
16. A set of panels in combination with a curtain rod, wherein the curtain rod attaches to a wall and engages the top portion of the panels and suspends the panels over a window or door while allowing the panels to be slidably opened and closed.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2009
Applicant: Springs Global US, Inc. (Fort Mill, SC)
Inventors: Barry Goodner (Fort Mill, SC), Barbara Koller (Fort Mill, SC)
Application Number: 12/178,993
International Classification: A47H 13/00 (20060101);