Abstract:
The cornice frame readily installs upon a wall and allows many fabric coverings to decorate the top of a window. The cornice frame has a wooden, two wooden side struts at each end, a foam board, in the header, locking hardware for joining the struts and the header, and mounting hardware connecting the struts to an adjacent wall. Upon the inside of the struts and the header, a groove runs substantially along the perimeter in which foam cord fits to secure fabric. The locking hardware operates as interlocking male and female fittings. The mounting hardware has a male fitting that fits a female fitting upon a wall. Plastic flange fasteners with a washer and a screw secure decorations to the foam board. Homeowners can assemble and install the cornice frame with minimal tools in a short time.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This nonprovisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/566,006, which was filed on Apr. 28, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The cornice frame relates to window decorations in general and more specifically to an improved frame for a cornice above a window. A unique aspect of the present cornice frame is a foam board within a header.  
         [0003]     People install valances, or cornices near windows for decoration. Homeowners decorate windows to fit a theme of a room that pleases the eye. A homeowner coordinates the decorations of a window with the fashions in the room: linen, furniture, and wall treatment. Cornices attach to the wall above a window and visually separate the window from the ceiling in a room. Cornices also reflect the taste of a homeowner. From time to time, people install or change cornices to follow fashion. A homeowner installs a cornice upon a wall and decorative items upon the cornice. When fashions change, a homeowner removes the cornice from the wall and changes the decorations upon the cornice. Present models of cornice have proven labor intensive and limited in fabric choices.  
         [0004]     The present art overcomes the limitations of the prior art. That is, the art of the present invention, a cornice frame, assembles readily and provides for prompt changing of fabric with quick demounting of the frame from a wall, and fabric from a frame.  
         [0005]     The difficulty in providing a cornice frame is shown by the operation of a typical frame. A homeowner chooses a location for a frame and the frame has a central member and two side members. The homeowner attaches brackets to the wall near a window with screws. The homeowner then slips fabric around and along the central member to decorate it and connects the side members to the ends of the central member with bolts. Connecting the side members to the brackets with bolts, an existing frame takes position above a window. To change a cornice, a homeowner demounts the existing frame from the brackets by undoing the bolts and then removes the side members to change the fabric. Homeowners require some mechanical skill to mount, use, demount, and change cornices on existing frames. The prior art reveals many different frames and methods to assemble them.  
         [0006]     The patent to Ashby, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,002, shows a cornice covering the headrail of a window treatment such as Venetian blinds. This patent has a front panel and two side panels. This patent discloses slots on the back of the front panel for mounting clips and the slots may support foam cords. However, this patent has separate end pieces to complete the ninety degree connection of a front to a side panel and mounting clips that attach the front panel to the headrail.  
         [0007]     The patent to Attal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,548, shows a cornice again covering a headrail above a window. This patent has front and side panels, and slots on the back of the front panel. This patent discloses slots on the front panel again and the snap fitting of parts. Unlike the present invention, this patent has a front panel with top and bottom flanges, no foam in the front panel interior, covers on the end plates, and dovetailed corner pieces.  
         [0008]     The patent to John, U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,687, shows a narrow member that has flanges for a valance in the same vein as Attal&#39;s &#39;548 patent. As before, this patent has a front panel supported on two sides to the wall. In contrast, this patent uses a projecting rib to connect valance parts, has a wider upper flange and corner pieces, and lacks foam.  
         [0009]     The patent to Badalamenti, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,245, shows a foam cornice fitting over an existing valance bar. Similar to the present invention, this patent discloses a cornice of foam construction with slots in the back to tuck in fabric. This patent discloses foam having fabric secured in slots while the present invention has the slots in the header panel. However, in this patent, the foam does not have a frame surrounding the cornice and the foam rests upon a separate valance.  
         [0010]     The patent to Smiley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,213, describes a window cornice with a taut fabric covering. The present invention has a similar front section and two side sections and fabric upon the sections. However, this invention emphasizes fabric held taught by clips and elastic while relying upon a separate valance bar, corner pieces, and support strips to reinforce front and side section connections.  
         [0011]     The patent to Santoro, U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,204, shows a foam board that has a fabric cover with decorations. The foam board serves as the header and has multiple lengths, and has pin on fabric as decoration. Unlike the present invention, the foam board has no frame about its perimeter, no end members connected to the foam board, no longitudinal grooves in the foam board, and more intricate side brackets.  
         [0012]     The present invention overcomes the difficulties of installation, assembly, and decoration encountered in existing frames.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The cornice frame readily installs upon a wall and allows many fabric coverings to decorate the top of a window. The cornice frame has a header, two side struts at each end of the header, a foam board, locking hardware, and mounting hardware. The header has an open center section filled with a foam board. Upon the inside of the struts and the header, a groove runs generally along the perimeter. Pieces of foam cord fit within the groove to secure fabric to the header. The locking hardware joins the struts to the header by pins grasped by cylinders. The mounting hardware attaches to the struts opposite the locking hardware. A male fitting joins the top of a strut and fits a female fitting upon a wall. Fasteners with a washer and a screw secure the decorative items to the foam board.  
         [0014]     In use, a homeowner installs the mounting hardware then the locking hardware. Next, the homeowner places the struts at the locking hardware and draws the struts towards the header. The foam board is attached to the header and fabric is already applied over the header and struts. With pieces of foam cord in grooves, the homeowner secures the fabric to the invention, then the invention to a wall. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the interior of the preferred embodiment of the cornice frame constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the interior of the upright struts of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows an unassembled view of the interior of the upright header and accessories of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of a decorated header of the present invention taken along line  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 3 ; and,  FIG. 4B  shows a detailed view of the cord securing the fabric within a groove of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a foam board within a header over which fabric is secured by pieces of foam cord. Turning to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the cornice frame  1  is shown in a view of the interior. The header  2  has a generally rectangular shape oriented upright. That is, the thickness of the header  2  is parallel to the horizontal. The header  2  has a left end  3  and an opposite right end. Between the left end  3  and the right end, the header  2  has an opening  5  filled with a core or a foam board  6 . The foam board  6  can be accessed from both sides. The left end  3  and the right end  4  each have two spaced apart female locking fittings  17  as locking hardware. Parallel to the foam board  6 , the header  2  has two spaced apart and mutually parallel grooves  7   a ,  7   b.    
         [0020]     At the left end  3 , a left strut  8  joins to the header  2 . The left strut  8  has a generally rectangular shape, a front end  9  and an opposite back end  10 , and an upright orientation to match the header  2 . Parallel to the longitudinal axis, the left strut  8  has two spaced apart and parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d . Opposite the joint to the header  2 , the left strut  8  has a groove  7   e  spanning between the two parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d  and a male mounting pin  14  upon the back end  10  serving as means to mount  11  the present invention upon a wall. The grooves  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   e  are proximate to the perimeter of the left strut  8 . The two parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d  in the left strut  8  align with the two grooves  7   a, b  in the header  2 . The male mounting pin  14  attaches to the left strut  8  opposite the header  2  and extends perpendicular to the surface of the strut. The male mounting pin  14  defines the top of the present invention.  
         [0021]     Opposite from the left strut  8 , a right strut  12  joins to the header  2  at the right end. The right strut  12  has a generally rectangular shape, a front end  9  and a back end  10 , and an upright orientation to match the header  2 . Opposite the joint to the header  2 , the right strut  12  has a male mounting pin  14  as a part of the means to mount  11  the present invention  1  upon a wall. The male mounting pin  14  attaches to the right strut  12  opposite the header  2  and extends perpendicular to the surface of the strut. With the present invention assembled, the mounting pins  16  of the left strut  8  and the right strut  12  are coaxial. As in the left strut  8 , the male mounting pin  14  defines the top of the present invention. Preferably, the header  2 , the left strut  8 , and the right strut  12  are made of yellow pine  14 .  
         [0022]     Moving to  FIG. 2 , the left strut  8  has a generally rectangular shape and orientation to match the header  2 . Parallel to the longitudinal axis, the left strut  8  has two spaced apart and mutually parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d . Opposite the joint to the header  2 , the left strut  8  has a groove  7   e  spanning between the two parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d  across the back end  10 . The grooves  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   e  are proximate to the perimeter of the left strut  8 . The two grooves  7   c ,  7   d  in the left strut  8  align with the two grooves  7   a ,  7   b  in the header  2 . At the joint with the header  2 , the left strut  8  has two spaced apart male locking pins  16 . The male locking pins  16  mate with the female locking fittings  17  in the left end  3  of the header  2 . Opposite the male locking pins  16 , the left strut  8  has a male mounting pin  14  located at the top of the present invention. The male mounting pin  14  extends perpendicular to the surface of the strut and generally towards the interior of the present invention. The male mounting pin  14  engages a female mounting bracket  15  attached to a wall above a window [not shown] as the mounting means  11 . The female mounting bracket  15  has a slot  15 A to receive the male mounting pin  16  temporarily.  
         [0023]     Opposite the left strut  8 , the cornice frame  1  has a right strut  12 . The right strut  12  has a generally rectangular shape and orientation to match the header  2 . Parallel to the longitudinal axis, the right strut  12  has two spaced apart and parallel grooves  7   f ,  7   g . Opposite the joint to the header  2 , the right strut  12  has a groove  7   h  spanning between the two parallel grooves  7   f ,  7   g . The grooves  7   f ,  7   g  are proximate to the perimeter of the right strut  12 . The two grooves  7   f ,  7   g  in the right strut  12  align with the two grooves  7   b ,  7   b  in the header  2 . At the joint with the header  2 , the right strut  12  has two spaced apart male locking pins  16 . The locking pins  16  mate with the female locking fittings  17  in the right end  4  of the header  2 . Opposite the locking pins  16 , the right strut  12  has a male mounting pin  14  located at the top of the present invention. The male mounting pin  14  extends perpendicular to the surface of the strut and generally towards the interior of the present invention  1 . The male mounting pin  14  engages a female mounting bracket  15  attached to a wall above a window [not shown]. The female mounting bracket  15  has a slot to receive the male mounting pin  14  temporarily. The right strut  12  is a mirror image of the left strut  8 .  
         [0024]     Turning to  FIG. 3 , the header  2  has a generally rectangular shape with an upright orientation. Parallel to the longitudinal axis, the header  2  has an opening  5  filled with a foam board  6 . The opening  5  has a generally rectangular shape within the two parallel spaced apart grooves  7   a ,  7   b . The present invention permits access to the foam board  6  from the interior and the exterior of the invention. Proximate to the left end  3 , the header  2  has a pair of spaced apart female locking fittings. The female locking fittings have a location inside of the parallel grooves  7   a ,  7   b . Proximate to the right end, the header  2  has a second pair of spaced apart female locking fittings. The female locking fittings have a generally cylindrical shape with a circumferential slice  18  to accept the male locking pins  16 . Upon one end of the cylindrical shape, the female locking fittings  17  have a slot to receive an edge of a coin or screwdriver for turning. Upon turning, a female locking fitting  17  draws tight a male locking pin  16  to secure a strut  8 , 12  to the header  2 .  
         [0025]     The present invention includes accessories to mount fabric and decorations. A plurality of washers with screws  13  fastens decorations and fabric to the foam board  6 . A screw inserts into a central hole in the round washer  13 . The screw has wide threading to grasp the foam board  6  and a slot in the head to permit turning by the same screwdriver as in the female locking fittings  17 . Preferably, the washer  13  and screw are plastic. Alternatively, the fasteners  13  can be hook and loop material applied to the foam board  6  and cooperating with decorative items A plurality of foam cords  12  secures fabric to the groove  7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   e ,  7   f ,  7   g ,  7   h  in the header  2 , the left strut  8 , and the right strut  12 . At a minimum the plurality contains two short cords  12 , four medium cords  12 , and four long cords  12 . The short cords  12  fill the groove  7   e ,  7   h  in the left strut  8  and the right strut  12  between the parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   f , and  7   g . The medium cords  12  fill the parallel grooves  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   f ,  7   g  in the left strut  8  and the right strut  12 . The long cords  12  fill the parallel grooves  7   a ,  7   b  in the header  2 . Generally, each cord  12  has a length similar to that of the groove to be filled. With the cords  12  being handled during use, the plurality includes extra cords  12  in the event of a loss.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  illustrates the connection of fabric and decorations to the cornice frame  1 , here through the header  2 . Fabric stretches over the exterior face of the header  2  including the foam board  6 . The fabric folds over the top and the bottom of the header  2  and across the parallel grooves  7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   f ,  7   g . Pressing the fabric into the grooves  7 , a cord  12  placed over the fabric and into the groove  7  secures the fabric to the interior of the header  2 . The cord  12  secured in a groove  7   a ,  7   b  of the header  2  also applies to the grooves  7   c ,  7   d ,  7   e ,  7   f ,  7   gf ,  7   h  in the left strut  8  and the right strut  12 . For decorations, a homeowner places the decoration upon the fabric on the foam board  6 , typically towards the exterior of the present invention. With the decoration generally fabric, a homeowner gently inserts a screw through the decoration and into the foam board  6 . The homeowner advances the screw until the washer  13  seats firmly against the decoration.  
         [0027]     Moving to  FIG. 4B , fabric stretches over the exterior face and top of the header  2  in more detail. The fabric folds over the top of the header  2  and across the parallel groove  7   a ,  7   b  for example illustrating the connection with all grooves  7 . Pressing the fabric into the groove  7   a ,  7   b , a piece of cord  12  placed over the fabric and wedged into the groove  7   a ,  7   b  secures the fabric to the interior of the header  2 . Friction between the piece of cord  12 , fabric, and groove  7  releasably secures the fabric in place upon the header  2 .  
         [0028]     To utilize the present invention, a homeowner places the male fittings  16  of the left strut  8  into the left end  3  of the header  2  with the male mounting pin  14  up. A homeowner then turns the female locking fitting  17  of the left end  3  with a screwdriver to secure the left strut  8  to the left end  3 . The homeowner repeats this with the right strut  12  on the right end  4 . Next, the homeowner applies fabric to the present invention  1  with the fabric across the exterior of the present invention  1  top to bottom. Holding fabric over the grooves  7  on the interior of the cornice frame  1 , the homeowner emplaces cords  12  in the parallel and upright grooves  7 . The homeowner then secures decorations to the foam board  6  using the washers  13  with screws as described in  FIG. 4A .  
         [0029]     With female mounting hardware or bracket  15  upon a wall above a window, the homeowner grasps the decorated present invention  1  with male mounting pins  14  up and positions the present invention  1  so the male mounting pins  14  fit within a slot  15   a  of the bracket  15 . The homeowner then rests the left strut  8  and the right strut  12  against the wall so the decorated header  2  extends into a room and augments the decor of a room.  
         [0030]     From the aforementioned description, a cornice frame has been described. The cornice frame is uniquely capable of rapid assembly by homeowners and securing decorations to a foam board. The cornice frame and its various components may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to yellow pine, sheet metal, polymers, high density polyethylene HDPE, polypropylene PP, polyvinyl chloride PVC, nylon, polyurethane foam, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites.