VALANCE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A valance structure is provided which fits over an existing longitudinally extending head piece of a typical store purchased vertical blind assembly. The valance structure comprises flexible material and includes a stretchable pocket for accepting the longitudinally extending head piece. In practice, the head piece is removed from the existing valance assembly and the new valance structure is fit over the head piece and adjusted utilizing the stretch fabric for a clean fitment. The head piece, with the new valance structure, is then replaced on the valance assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application references U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/743,640 filed on Sep. 10, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a retrofit valance for a vertical blind assembly and, more particularly, to a valance structure that is decorative in appearance and easily adaptable to existing vertical blind assemblies.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Valances are used in many instances to conceal the carrier assembly and actuating mechanism for vertical blind installations. The valances in many instances are not decorative in nature and usually are purchased with the blind assembly. Typically the valances are the same solid color as the blinds themselves.

The valances typically are made of solid plastic materials that are not decorative in appearance. Thus, the valances are not pleasing to the eye. In addition, the valances typically include returns that make the installation of decorative fabric over the valances extremely difficult. In view of the foregoing disadvantages associated with presently available valance structures, it has become desirable to develop a valance structure which is decorative and can easily be retrofit to existing blind structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general purpose and primary object of the present invention to provide a decorative valance structure. The valance structure is configured to fit easily over existing blind structures.

In accordance with the present invention, a valance structure is provided which fits over an existing longitudinally extending head piece of a typical store purchased vertical blind assembly. The new valance structure comprises flexible material and includes a stretchable pocket for accepting the longitudinally extending head piece. In practice, the head piece is removed from the valance assembly and the new valance structure is fit over the head piece and adjusted utilizing the stretch fabric for a clean fitment. The head piece, with the new valance structure, is then replaced on the valance assembly.

In one embodiment, a valance structure, in combination with a vertical blind assembly, includes a front pocket portion extending a length of a head piece of the assembly and at least a height of the head piece. The valance structure also includes a rear pocket portion fabricated of stretchable material extending the length and height of the head piece. The rear pocket portion is attached to the front pocket portion at both an upper seam and a lower seam along the length. The head piece is displaced between the front and rear pocket portions. Clips of the blind assembly serve to secure the rear pocket portion and the head piece to the assembly.

The valance structure can include a fringe portion that extends a distance perpendicular to the upper seam along the length of the valance structure. The valance structure can also include an extension portion that extends a distance perpendicular to the lower seam along the length of the valance structure. The fringe portion, the front pocket portion and the extension portion can be fabricated from a single continuous piece of material.

The rear pocket portion is stretchable in a single direction perpendicular to the upper and lower seams. The stretch can be in the range of 20 percent to 30 percent. Also, the distance between the upper and lower seams can be about ¼ inch greater than the height of the head piece.

In one embodiment, a vertical blind assembly includes a valance structure having a pocket formed therein. A rear portion of the pocket is formed of a stretchable material. A head piece can be enclosed within the pocket. The valance structure, the pocket and the head piece extend along a length of the assembly. The assembly also includes one or more clips that are attached to a rail of the assembly. The head piece and the rear portion of the pocket are secured within a channel portion of the clips.

The rear portion of the pocket is stretchable in a single direction along a height of the pocket. The rear portion can be stretchable between 20 percent and 30 percent. The height of the pocket is greater than the height of the head piece and can be on the order of ¼ inch greater than the height of the head piece.

The valance structure can include a fringe attached at a top of the pocket and an extension attached at a bottom of the pocket. The fringe, extension and a front portion of the pocket can be fabricated from a continuous piece of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereto will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like references numerals and symbols designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a valance assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the valance assembly of FIG. 1, taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a valance structure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the valance structure of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic top view of valance assembly 100. Valance structure 102 is fitted over head piece 12 of prior art vertical blind assembly 10, such that head piece 12 is shown dashed where covered by valance structure 102.

In addition to head piece 12, vertical blind assembly 10 includes rail 14, a series of vertical blinds 16 (one of which is designated in FIG. 1) and clips 18. As is known to those of skill in the art, vertical blinds 16 are generally rotatably suspended from rail 14 and movable along rail 14. Clips 18 are secured to rail 14 and fit over enclosed head piece 12 to attach valance structure 102 and head piece 12 to rail 14.

Referring also to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic cross sectional view of valance assembly 100 taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As described previously herein, vertical blinds 16 are suspended from rail 14 by rotating member 20. Horizontal member 18a of clip 18 is secured to rail 14 and extends from rail 14 to a point beyond vertical blind 16. Channel member 18b of clip 18 extends perpendicularly from horizontal member 18a to a point beyond a top edge 16a of blind 16.

As is known to those of skill in the art, head piece 12 can be secured within channel member 18b, serving to hide both rail 14 and top edge 16a of vertical blinds 16 from a frontal view (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). Additionally, return portions 12a of head piece 12 (shown in FIG. 1) hide rail 14 and top edge 16a from a side view (in either of the directions shown by arrows B and C in FIG. 1). For valance assembly 100, head piece 12 is enclosed by respective forward and rear pocket portions 102a and 102b of valance structure 102, such that both head piece 12 and valance structure 102 can be secured within channel member 18b.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross sectional view of valance structure 102, similar to that of FIG. 2, but without head piece 12. Valance structure 102 includes respective forward and rear pocket portions 102a and 102b, top fringe portion 102c, and extension portion 102d. Rear pocket portion 102b is fabricated of a stretch material and is connected to forward pocket portion 102a at respective upper and lower seams 102e and 102f.

When head piece 12 is inserted between forward and rear pocket portions 102a and 102b, rear pocket portion 102b can stretch such that head piece 12 (including return portions 12a) can be readily fit between forward pocket portion 102a and rear pocket portion 102b throughout the length of valance structure 102. Once head piece 12 is fully inserted between forward pocket portion 102a and rear pocket portion and 102b, the elasticity of rear pocket portion 102b can hold head rail 12 firmly in place. In addition, stretching of rear pocket portion 102b allows for clips 18 to fit over enclosed head piece 12, as indicated in FIG. 2.

It has been found that material that can stretch approximately 25 percent in the direction between top seam 102e and bottom seam 102f is suitable for securing head piece 12 between front pocket portion 102a and rear pocket portion 102b. This amount of stretch also allows for valance structure 102 to be more easily fit over corner pieces 12b of head rail 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1). As is known in the art, corner pieces 12b provide stability to return portions 12a of head rail 12.

Additionally, having a distance D between top seam 102e and bottom seam 102f somewhat greater than a height h of head piece 12 (as shown in FIG. 2) allows for ease of insertion of head piece 12 between front pocket portion 102a and rear pocket portion 102b. It also has been found that a difference of approximately ¼ inch between height h and distance D is satisfactory.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of valance structure 102. When installed on clips 18, the fabric of top fringe portion 102c, front pocket portion 102a and extension portion 102d can be adjusted such that any view of the connection of clips 18 onto head piece 12 and rear pocket portion 102b is minimized. Top fringe portion 102c, front pocket portion 102a and extension portion 102d can be fabricated of decorative fabric and can include pleats, folds, ruffles and the like (illustrated by lines 102g in FIG. 4), as may be found on prior art decorative window curtains.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention may become apparent in light of the above teachings. For example, top fringe portion 102c, front pocket portion 102a and extension portion 102d can be fabricated from a single piece of fabric, or can each be fabricated of differing fabric. Rear pocket portion 102b can be attached during or after fabrication of portions 102c, 102a and 102d. The style and fabric of valance structure 102 can be varied to suit most decor.

Additionally, the amount of stretch of rear pocket portion 102b and the distance D between upper seam 102e and lower seam 102f can vary somewhat depending on manufacturing tolerances. Generally, the amount of stretch can vary from about 20 percent to about 30 percent and still adequately secure head piece 12, while allowing for ease of insertion of head piece 12 between front pocket portion 102a and rear pocket portion 102b. Similarly, distance D can vary by plus or minus 10 percent.

What has thus been described is a valance structure, which fits over an existing longitudinally extending head piece of a typical store purchased vertical blind assembly. The valance structure comprises flexible material and includes a stretchable pocket for accepting the longitudinally extending head piece. In practice, the head piece is removed from the existing valance assembly and the new valance structure is fit over the head piece and adjusted utilizing the stretch fabric for a clean fitment. The head piece, with the new valance structure, is then replaced on the valance assembly.

It will be understood that many additional changes in details, materials and arrangements of parts which have been described herein and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A valance structure in combination with a vertical blind assembly, comprising:

a front pocket portion extending a length of a head piece of said assembly and at least a height of said head piece; and

a rear pocket portion fabricated of stretchable material extending said length and said height, said rear pocket portion attached to said front pocket portion at both an upper seam and a lower seam along said length, said head piece being displaced between said front pocket portion and said rear pocket portion, wherein clips of said assembly secure said rear pocket portion and said head piece to said assembly.

2. The valance structure of claim 1, further comprising a fringe portion extending a distance perpendicular to said upper seam along said length.

3. The valance structure of claim 2, wherein said fringe portion and said front pocket portion comprise a continuous piece of material.

4. The valance structure of claim 1, further comprising an extension portion extending a first distance perpendicular to said lower seam along said length.

5. The valance structure of claim 4, wherein said extension portion and said front pocket portion comprise a continuous piece of material.

6. The valance structure of claim 4, further comprising a fringe portion extending a second distance perpendicular to said upper seam along said length.

7. The valance structure of claim 6, wherein said fringe portion, said front pocket portion and said extension portion comprise a continuous piece of material.

8. The valance structure of claim 1, wherein said rear pocket portion is stretchable in a single direction perpendicular to said upper seam and said lower seam.

9. The valance structure of claim 8, wherein said rear pocket portion is stretchable between 20 percent and 30 percent.

10. The valance structure of claim 1, wherein a distance between said upper seam and said lower seam is ¼ inch greater than said height of said head piece.

11. The valance structure of claim 10, wherein said rear pocket portion is stretchable between 20 percent and 30 percent in a single direction perpendicular to said upper seam and said lower seam.

12. A vertical blind assembly, comprising:

a valance structure having a pocket formed therein, a rear portion of said pocket being formed of a stretchable material;

a head piece enclosed within said pocket, said valance structure, said pocket and said head piece extending along a length of said assembly; and

at least one clip attached to a rail of said assembly, wherein said head piece and said rear portion of said pocket are secured within a channel portion of said at least one clip.

13. The vertical blind assembly of claim 12, wherein said rear portion is stretchable in a single direction along a height of said pocket.

14. The vertical blind assembly claim 13, wherein said rear portion is stretchable between 20 percent and 30 percent.

15. The vertical blind assembly of claim 14, wherein said height is greater than a height dimension of said head piece.

16. The vertical blind assembly of claim 15, wherein said height is ¼ inch greater than said height dimension of said head piece.

17. The vertical blind assembly of claim 16, wherein said valance structure comprises:

a fringe attached at a top of said pocket; and

an extension attached at a bottom of said pocket.

18. The vertical blind assembly of claim 17, wherein said fringe, said extension and a front portion of said pocket comprise a continuous piece of material.