Button-up window treatment

Abstract

The window treatment has a flexible panel adapted to be situated over a window. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set of substantially vertically arranged buttons are affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panel surface. The strap has at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from the button set on the front of the panel to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised position determined by the button selected.

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 and more particularly to a window treatment such as a shade that can be raised to various levels and secure at the raised level by a simple system of buttons and straps.

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

Window treatments of various types are well known in the art. They include curtains, shades, drapes, fabric panels, blinds, valances and they like and may be made of fabric, wood, metal, jute, bamboo or the like. Such window treatments are usually employed to reduce the amount of light passing through the window over which they are mounted and often utilize mechanisms including systems of draw strings and pulleys to permit the window treatment to be raised to a desired level and to be secured at that level.

Such mechanisms are costly and complicated. Further, they are prone to breaking, especially after years of use. Moreover, they can be dangerous because small children can get their head tangled in the draw strings and hang themselves.

I am aware of a window treatment designed to be raised to different levels and secured using sets of horizontally arranged buttons and loops, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,642 issued Dec. 21, 2004 to Titus et al. entitled: “Window Treatment Panels.” However, the Titus window treatment is limited in the levels at which the panels can be secured, is difficult to use and generally not aesthetically pleasing in appearance.

It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a window treatment that can be raised and secured at different levels utilizing a simple, inexpensive, easy to operate and aesthetically pleasing button system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window treatment that can be raised and secured at different levels that is not dangerous to small children.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window treatment that can be raised and secured at different levels that is made up of a small number of simple parts that cooperate together reliably to provide a window treatment with a long useful life.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, those objects are achieved through the use of a simple button and strap system that permits the lower edge of the window treatment to be rolled up to the desired level and then to be secured at that level by simple inserting buttons into selected button holes on the straps.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a window treatment is provided including a flexible panel. Means are provided for securing the top of the panel such that the panel is situated over a window. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set of substantially vertically arranged buttons are affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panel surface. The strap has at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from the button set on the front of the panel to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised position determined by the button selected.

A second set of substantially vertically arranged buttons is preferably affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A second strap extends along the back panel surface. The second strap has at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from the second set.

Preferably, the second set of buttons is spaced from the first set of buttons and the second strap is spaced from the first strap.

Means are provided for attaching one end of the first strap proximate the top of the panel. Means are also provided for attaching one end of the second strap proximate the top of the panel.

Preferably, a strip of binding material is situated on the front panel surface. The buttons of the first set are fixed to the front panel surface through the binding strip. Likewise, a second strip of binding material is situated on the front panel surface and the buttons of the second set are fixed to the front panel surface through the second binding strip.

The second set of buttons is preferably affixed along a substantially vertical line at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. The second set of buttons is spaced from the first set of buttons. The second strap is spaced from the first strap.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a window treatment is provided including a flexible panel. Means are provided for securing the top of the panel such that the panel is situated over a window. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set of substantially vertically arranged buttons is affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panel surface. The strap has at least two button holes adapted to respectively receive a selected two of the buttons to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised position determined by the buttons selected.

Preferably, a second set of substantially vertically arranged buttons is affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. The window treatment also has a second strap extending along the back panel surface. The second strap has at least two button holes adapted to respectively receive a selected two buttons of the second set of buttons.

Preferably, the second set of buttons is spaced from the first set of buttons and the second strap is spaced from the first strap.

Means are provided for attaching one end of the first strap proximate the top of the panel. Means are also provided for attaching on end of the second strap to the top of the panel.

A strip of binding material is situated on the front panel surface. The buttons of the first set are fixed to the front panel surface through said binding strip. Likewise, a second strip of binding material is situated on the front panel surface. The buttons of the second set are fixed to the front panel surface through the second binding strip.

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 button-up window treatment 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 a front isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention as it would appear mounted on a window with the bottom edge rolled and secured;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of one edge of the window treatment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one edge of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing one of the button holed straps extended outwardly to show the double button hole configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of one edge of the window treatment of FIG. 3 showing the strap of the second preferred embodiment being pulled under the roller portion of the panel; and

FIG. 5 shows the strap of the second preferred embodiment attached to two buttons on the front of the panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in the drawings, the window treatment of the present invention is shown for purposes of illustration in the form of a Roman shade with narrow wooded slates, As seen in FIG. 1, the shade is adapted to be mounted over a window by suspending it from a conventional curtain support rod 10. It comprises a flexible panel 12 with a front surface 14 and a back surface 16.

The top of the panel is provided with a plurality of spaced loops 18. Loops 18 are adapted to receive rod 10 so as to suspend panel 12 from rod 10 in a conventional manner.

Three sets of spaced, vertically aligned buttons 20 are affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface 12. One set of buttons 20 is situated proximate each edge of the front panel surface. The third set of buttons 20 is situated approximately in the middle of the panel.

Preferably, a three binding strips are situated on the front panel surface, one at each edge and one in the middle. The sets of buttons 20 are fixed to the panel surface through the binding strips 22. Some of the rod-receiving loops 18 are preferably formed as part of the binding strips.

Three straps 24 are provided. A different one of the straps 24 is aligned with each of the binding strips 22. Each of the straps 24 is attached at its top end to the top of panel 12 and preferably is integral with, and a part of, the binding strip 22 with which it is aligned.

The straps 24 are each provided with at least one button hole 26. In the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each strap 24 has a single button hole 26. In the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, each strap 24 has two spaced button holes 26.

The operation of the window treatment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. After the window treatment is mounted over the window, the bottom portion of panel 12 is rolled up to the desired level. The bottom portion of each of the straps 24 is pulled under the rolled portion of the panel and parallel to the buttons on the aligned binding strip 22. The button holes 26 on each strap 24 are lined up with the nearest button on the binding strip and the buttons are received through the button holes to secure the rolled portion of the panel in the desired position. One or two buttons per set are secured, depending upon the number of button holes on the strap. Of course, only a single button per set can be utilized, even if two button holes are provided on the strap, if desired.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a window treatment that can be raised and secured at different levels utilizing a simple, inexpensive, easy to operate and aesthetically pleasing button system. The structure is such that it is not dangerous to small children because no draw strings are involved. Further, it is made up of a small number of simple parts that cooperate together reliably to provide a window treatment with a long useful life.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have 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 flexible panel, means for securing the top of said panel such that said panel is situated over a window, said panel having a front surface and a back surface, a set of substantially vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panel surface and a strap extending along said back panel surface, said strap having at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of said buttons from said set to retain a rolled portion of said panel in a raised position determined by the button selected.

2. The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising a second set of substantially vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panel surface.

3. The window treatment of claim 2 further comprising a second strap extending along said back panel surface, said second strap having at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of said buttons from said second set.

4. The window treatment of claim 2 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced from said set of buttons.

5. The window treatment of claim 3 wherein said second strap is spaced from said strap.

6. The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching one end of said strap proximate the top of said panel.

7. The window treatment of claim 3 further comprising means for attaching one end of said second strap proximate the top of said panel.

8. The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising a strip of binding material situated on said front panel surface wherein said buttons of said set are fixed to said front panel surface through said binding strip.

9. The window treatment of claim 8 further comprising a second set of buttons affixed along a substantially vertical line at spaced intervals on said front panel surface.

10. The window treatment of claim 9 further comprising a second strip of binding material situated on said front panel surface, wherein said buttons of said second set are fixed to said front panel surface through said second binding strip.

11. The window treatment of claim 2 further comprising a second strap extending along said back panel surface, said second strap having at least one button hole.

12. The window treatment of claim 11 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced from said set of buttons.

13. The window treatment of claim 12 wherein said second strap is spaced from said strap.

14. The window treatment of claim 13 further comprising means for attaching one end of said strap proximate the top of said panel.

15. The window treatment of claim 14 further comprising means for attaching one end of said second strap proximate the top of said panel.

16. The window treatment of claim 15 further comprising a strip of binding material situated proximate one side of said front panel surface wherein said buttons of said set are fixed to said front panel surface through said binding strip.

17. The window treatment of claim 16 further comprising a second strip of binding material situated proximate the other side of said front panel surface, wherein said buttons of said second set are fixed to said front panel surface through said second binding strip.

18. A window treatment comprising a flexible panel, means for securing the top of said panel such that the panel is situated over a window, said panel having a front surface and a back surface, a set of substantially vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panel surface and a strap extending along said back panel surface, said strap having at least two button holes adapted to respectively receive a selected two of said buttons to retain a rolled portion of said panel in a raised position determined by the buttons selected.

19. The window treatment of claim 19 further comprising a second set of substantially, vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panel surface.

20. The window treatment of claim 19 further comprising a second strap extending along said back panel surface, said second strap having at least two button holes adapted to respectively receive a selected two buttons of said second set of buttons.

21. The window treatment of claim 18 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced from said set of buttons.

22. The window treatment of claim 20 wherein said second strap is spaced from said strap.

23. The window treatment of claim 8 further comprising means for attaching one end of said strap proximate the top of said panel.

24. The window treatment of claim 20 further comprising means for attaching one end of said second strap proximate the top of said panel.

25. The window treatment of claim 18 further comprising a strip of binding material situated on said front panel surface, wherein said buttons of said set are fixed to said front panel surface through said binding strip.

26. The window treatment of claim 25 further comprising a second set of vertically arranged buttons affixed on said front panel surface.

27. The window treatment of claim 26 further comprising a second strip of binding material situated on said front panel surface, wherein said buttons of said second set are fixed to said front panel surface through said second binding strip.