Window treatment having pinch pleats with grommets

Abstract

A window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, designed to be used with a rod for suspending the window treatment over a window is provided. The window treatment includes one or more fabric panels. Each panel has a plurality of portions folded relative to each other in side-by-side relation to form spaced pleats. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated in the opening in a different one of the pleats. The grommets are aligned to receive the rod.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to window treatments such as drapery and curtains and more particularly to a unique window treatment structure consisting of one or more panels each having a top section with plurality of forwardly extending, spaced parallel pinch pleats with aligned grommets adapted to receive a curtain rod, wherein the top section is always situated entirely on one side of the rod.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Window treatments, including drapery and curtains, consisting of one or more fabric panels, each panel having a plurality of spaced pinch pleats along the top section thereof, are well known in the art. The pleats give the panels an aesthetically pleasing appearance and, at the same time, provide sites for receiving drapery hooks that are used to hang the panel from a curtain rod.

The panels are designed to be suspended from, and in many cases, movable relative to, a horizontally extending curtain rod. The rod is attached to the wall or to the window frame above or in front of the window. The curtain rod may be formed of a single part or may include two interengaging sections which are telescopically connected such that the effective length of the rod can be adjusted to accommodate different size windows.

Drapery hooks are utilized to suspend the panel from the rod. Each of the drapery hooks has a portion that is shaped to engage the curtain rod and a generally upwardly extending pin-like portion adapted to penetrate the fabric of the panel. The drapery hooks are received in the rear of the panel fabric, at spaced intervals along the top section of the panel, at the location of each of the pleats. The pleats form the site for receiving the pin-like portion of the drapery hook.

It is also known to use grommets situated at spaced intervals along the top section of a panel. The grommets are aligned to receive a horizontal curtain rod to support the panel. Since the grommets are essentially hollow rigid rings, they are often used with curtain rods having a circular cross-sectional configuration. The grommets eliminate the need to use drapery hooks to hang the panel.

Grommets are commonly made of metal. Each grommet is placed within a different opening spaced along the top of the panel. The grommet has a circumferential channel adapted to engage the edge of the panel that defines the opening. The panel is situated such that the spaced grommets align. The curtain rod is then received through the grommets to support the panel.

In order to align the grommets, the panel must be folded in a generally serpentine manner with a generally “U” shaped panel portion (as seen from above) situated between each grommet pair. After the curtain rod is received through the grommets, adjacent “U” shaped panel portions are situated on opposite sides of the curtain rod. Thus, when the rod is received through the aligned grommets to support the curtain panel, the top section of the panel assumes a wavy configuration, as viewed from above.

As far as is presently known, grommets have not been used in panels that also have pinch pleats designed to receive drapery hooks because the presence of both the grommets and the hooks would be redundant means of supporting the panel. Only one or the other of these is necessary to provide the structure to support the panel on a rod.

However, it would be advantageous to provide a window treatment having a panel with pinch pleats in which the grommets are affixed to the pinch pleats because the resulting panel would have the aesthetically pleasing appearance of a conventional pleated window treatment panel and, at the same time, have the ease of hanging the panel without drapery hooks, obtained from the use of the grommets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a window treatment having the aesthetically pleasing appearance of pinch pleats and the ease of hanging without drapery hooks obtained by the use of grommets.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a plurality of spaced aligned pleats with grommets in which the top section is situated on one side of the curtain rod when the rod is received within the grommets.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a plurality of spaced pleats each formed of first and second side-by-side panel portions and a grommet situated through each of the pleats.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window treatment formed of a panel with a top section having a plurality of spaced pleats extending from the top section in generally parallel relation when the top section is extended.

In general, the above objects are achieved by the unique structure of the window treatment of the present invention which utilized grommets instead of hooks to attach the window treatment to the support rod.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a window treatment is provided. The window treatment includes a panel having a pleat situated proximate the top thereof. The pleat is formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation. A grommet extends through an opening in the first and second folded portions of the pleat.

Means are provided for joining the first and second folded portions of the pleat to each other. The joining means may take the form of a single stitch line, substantially perpendicular stitch lines or may be the grommet itself.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a window treatment is provided. The window treatment includes a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats situated proximate the top thereof. Each of the pleats is formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets extends through an opening in a different one of the pleats.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment are provided in combination. The window treatment includes a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats proximate the top thereof. Each of the pleats is formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated in an opening in a different one of the pleats so that the grommets align to receive the rod.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment are provided in combination. The window treatment includes a panel having a top section comprising a plurality of spaced pleats. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated in an opening in a different one of the pleats. In this manner, the top section of the panel is entirely situated on one side of the rod when the grommets are aligned to receive the rod.

The pleats are situated in substantially spaced parallel planes, when the top section of the panel is extended.

The top section of the panel is situated in a plane substantially parallel to the rod, when the panel is extended.

Each of the pleats is formed of first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation. Means are provided for joining the first and second folded portions in each of the pleats to each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a window treatment is provided including a panel having a top section with first and second spaced pleats and a non-pleated portion. First and second grommets extend through openings in each of the pleats, respectively. When the grommets are aligned and spaced from each other, the non-pleated portion of the top section is situated on one side of the aligned grommets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a window treatment having pinch pleats with grommets as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prior art curtain panel with grommets, as it would appear mounted on a rod over a window;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the front of two panels of the window treatment of the present invention as they would appear mounted on a rod over a window;

FIG. 3 is an isometric, partial cut-away view of the front and top of a potion of the top section of the window treatment of FIG. 2, as it would appear with the panel fully extended along the rod; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric, partial cut-away view of the rear and top of a portion of the top section of the window treatment of FIG. 2, as it would appear with the panel partially extended along the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art curtain panel, generally designated A, with grommets, generally designated B, mounted on a curtain rod, generally designated C. The grommets B are spaced along the top of the curtain panel A. When the grommets B are received on the curtain rod C, “U” shaped panel portions are formed in the top section of the panel between each pair of adjacent grommets. Adjacent “U” shaped panel portions are situated on opposite sides of the rod. That creates a serpentine configuration, when viewed from the top of the panel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the present invention relates to a window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, formed of one or more panels A′, two of which are shown as 10 and 12. The panels may be formed of any flexible sheet material, such as fabric, vinyl or the like. Each of the panels 10, 12 has a top section 14 with plurality of spaced, generally planar pinch pleats 16 formed therein. Each of the pleats 16 is formed of a first panel portion 16a and second panel portion 16b that are folded into side-by-side relation.

An opening 18 is formed in each pleat 16. A grommet B is situated within each opening 18. The grommet B is a rigid ring with a circumferential channel (not shown) which receives the peripheral edge of the side-by-side folded panel portions 16a, 16b that define the opening in each pleat 16. The walls of the grommet channel are squeezed together or crimped in order to permanently capture the peripheral edges of the panel portions therein. Accordingly, the grommet itself acts as a means for joining the side-by-side panel portions 16a, 16b that form each pleat to each other.

However, it may be advantageous to join the side-by-side panel sections to each other by stitching, as well. The drawings illustrate two generally perpendicular stitch lines 22, 24 in each pleat for this purpose. In each pleat, the stitch line 22 extends parallel to the horizontal top edge of the panel. A second stitch line 24 extends perpendicular to the top edge of the panel at the junction between the pleat 16 and the non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 14 of the panel from which the pleat extends. A single stitch line 22 may extend across the entire width of the top section 14 of the panel, if desired. Further, a third stitch line 26 may extend down the front edge of the pleat, parallel to stitch line 24.

Rod C is provided to support the panels A′. Rod C preferably has a circular cross-section. Brackets 30 are fixed to the wall, or to the window frame, at either side of the window to support the rod C in a plane spaced from and in front of the window.

When grommets B are aligned, the rod C can be received through the grommets. This may require temporary removal of one of the rod end pieces. The rod is then situated on brackets 30, such that the panels 10, 12 are supported by the rod and can be moved relative to the rod to open and close the panels as the grommets are moved along the length of the rod.

As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, with the window treatment structure of the present invention, the non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 14 of the panel is always entirely situated on one side of rod C, when grommets B (and thus the pleats) are aligned in spaced parallel planes, perpendicular to non-pleated portion 15, so as to receive the rod.

Further, when the panel is fully extended along the rod, as seen in FIG. 3, the non-pleated portion 15 of top section 14 is generally planar. That portion is generally parallel to, but spaced from the rod. Pleats 16, and the grommets therein, are situated in spaced parallel planes. Those planes extend from the plane of non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 20 of the panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the non-pleated portion 15.

Even when the panel is not fully extended, as seen in FIG. 4, the non-pleated portion 15 of the top section 20 of the panel is always located on one side (behind) the rod. However, in that instance, the portions between the pleats may be rounded, instead of planar.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates a window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, designed to be used with a rod for supporting the window treatment over a window. The window treatment includes one or more fabric panels. Each panel has a plurality of portions folded relative to each other in side-by-side relation to form spaced pleats. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated in the opening in a different one of the pleats. The grommets are aligned to receive the rod.

While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A window treatment comprising a panel having a pleat situated proximate the top thereof, said pleat being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation and a grommet extending through an opening in said first and second folded portions.

2. The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising means for joining said first and second folded portions of said pleat to each other.

3. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.

4. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.

5. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.

6. A window treatment comprising a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats situated proximate the top thereof, each of said pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets extending through an opening in a different one of said pleats.

7. The window treatment of claim 6 further comprising means for joining each of said first and second folded panel portions of each of said pleats to each other.

8. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.

9. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.

10. The window treatment of claim 7 wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.

11. In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats proximate the top thereof, each of said pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets being situated in an opening in a different one of said pleats, such that said grommets align to receive said rod.

12. The combination of claim 11 further comprising means for joining each of said first and second portions of each of said pleats to each other.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.

16. In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a top section comprising a plurality of spaced pleats and a non-pleated portion, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets being situated in an opening in a different one of said pleats, wherein said non-pleated portion of said top section of said panel is entirely situated on one side of said rod, when said grommets are aligned to receive said rod.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said pleats are situated in substantially spaced, parallel planes, when said panel is extended along said rod.

18. The combination of claim 16 wherein said top section is situated in a plane substantially parallel to said rod, when said panel is extended along said rod.

19. The combination of claim 16 wherein each of said pleats is formed of first and second portions of said panel folded into side-by-side relation.

20. The combination of claim 19 further comprising means for joining said first and second folded portions in each of said pleats to each other.

21. A window treatment comprising a panel having a top section comprising first and second spaced pleats and a non-pleated portion, and first and second grommets extending through openings in each of said pleats, respectively, wherein said non-pleated portion is situated on one side of said grommets, when said grommets are aligned and spaced from each other.

22. The window treatment of claim 21 wherein each of said pleats is formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation.

23. The window treatment of claim 22 further comprising means for joining said first and second portions of each of said pleats to each other.