Abstract:
The present invention describes a window covering which is useful for securing to objects having windows without using permanent attachment devices. The window covering preferably contains a plurality of magnets arranged along the upper end and along the lower end. The magnets are arranged so that they are coupleable or securable to a metal part of a window itself or a metal surface which houses the window as well as one or more additional magnets positioned within the window covering.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 61/556,905 entitled “MAGNETIC CURTAIN” filed on Nov. 8, 2011. The contents of each of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to window coverings, and more particularly to window covering devices useful for windows having or are associated with metal frames. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Window coverings are a popular means of providing decoration and privacy. Window shades are the simplest and cheapest form of covering windows and include a wound-up material that can be pulled down to cover a window and pulled up to allow light to pass through. In addition to providing decoration and privacy, window coverings have been designed to reduce heat absorption and/or to prevent heat dissipation. Window blinds are a common commercially used window covering. For example, Venetian blinds, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,815 or U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,663, include a plurality of horizontal slats positioned one above another and suspended by strips of cloth or cords. Another common type of window blind is the vertical blind. These blinds include vertical hanging materials, typically plastic, that rotate between open and closed configurations. 
     In addition to windows being placed within walls, it is common for doors to have windows as well. Door windows can be covered using window blinds or shades securable to the door. U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,417 describes a shutter assembly which is designed to install over an arched window. Arched-windows are commonly installed in both conventional rectangular windows and above doorways. Like all window coverings, arched-window coverings are designed to limit the amount of sunlight that passes through the window, provide privacy, limit the amount of heat produced from the sun, or reduce fading of carpeting or wood flooring. Typical window coverings require some type of mounting brackets to secure a curtain over a window. The arched window shutter described by the &#39;417 patent also includes hardware to secure and stabilize the shutter. While such arrangement may provide for a relatively secure covering, it is disadvantageous because it permanently damages the door or wall near the window and prevents a user from quickly and easily replacing such coverings if desired. 
     U.S. Patent Application 2012/0090796 discloses a magnetic curtain of light interrupting material. The curtain is described as having a plurality of magnets positioned in its periphery with the magnets sized to magnetically adhere to the interior surface of a steel entrance door. While the &#39;796 application describes a magnetic curtain, such embodiment is limited to magnets attached along the periphery. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention describes a magnetic curtain window covering which will cover a window in a steel door without using permanent attachment devices, such as curtain rods attached to the door with screws and mounting hardware. The window covering in accordance with the present invention contains a plurality of coupling members which allow the window covering to be arranged in multiple configurations, thereby allowing one or more portions of the window to be covered and/or uncovered at one time. The window covering preferably contains a plurality of magnets positioned along the upper end, preferably upper end corners, and along the lower end, preferably at the lower end corners. The magnets along the upper end are arranged so that they are coupleable or securable to a metal part of the window itself or a metal surface which houses the window, as well as one or more magnets positioned at the bottom end of the window covering. This arrangement allows the magnetic window covering to be attached to a steel object, such as a steel door, without the need for hanging hardware. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a window covering which can cover a window without the need for affixing structures, such as screws, hardware, or a curtain rod. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a magnetic window covering which can cover a window without the need for affixing structures, such as screws, hardware, or a curtain rod. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a magnetic window covering which can be arranged in multiple configurations to cover one or more portions of a window without the need for affixing structures, such as screws, hardware, or a curtain rod. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a magnetic window covering which allows the user the ability to quickly and easily decorate a window. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a magnetic window covering which can be changed by the user thereby providing window coverings with different shapes, sizes, and decorations. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates the magnetic window covering in its initial stage of construction, shown as a single sheet; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates the single sheet shown in  FIG. 2A  in a folded position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the connection of two sewn pockets containing a magnet and positioned along the two bottom corners of the window covering; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the magnetic window covering turned inside out and sealed along the upper edges to form an upper fastening member panel receiving area; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a fully assembled magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the fully assembled magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention and shown with the bottom edge secured to a portion of the upper edge; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the fully assembled magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention and shown with the lower portion secured to the upper portion; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the fully assembled magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention positioned over a semi-circular window located in a metal door; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the fully assembled magnetic window covering in accordance with the present invention secured to the metal door below the semi-circular window; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the fully assembled magnetic window covering exemplified in  FIG. 8  and shown with a bottom edge secured to a portion of the upper edge and/or the metal door, thereby revealing a portion of the window. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a magnetic curtain window covering referred to generally as  10 , is shown. The magnetic curtain window covering  10  is shown having a generally rectangular shape, however, such shape is illustrative only. The magnetic curtain window covering may be made of any known material including but not limited to fire proof material, materials that limit the amount of natural or artificial light or totally prevent light from traveling through, and may be solid or textured, such as having a weave pattern. The magnetic curtain window covering  10  contains a first upper end  12  and a second lower end  14 . Separating the first upper end  12  and the second lower end  14  are side ends  15  and  16 . The magnetic curtain window covering  10  further contains a front surface  17 A and a back surface  17 B, see  FIGS. 1 and 6 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic window covering  10  is designed to couple to a metal door. Accordingly, the magnetic window covering  10  contains a plurality of attachment members, illustrated herein as magnetic members such as a permanent magnet. The plurality of magnets  18 A-D, collectively referred to as  18 , is placed at or near the upper end  12  and along the lower end  14  (see  31 A and  31 B). Each of the magnets  18  is orientated such that they not only bind to the door but also bind to each other. 
       FIGS. 2-4  show an illustrative example of the magnetic window covering  10  being constructed. The magnetic window covering  10  is preferably constructed from a single sheet of material, generally referred to as  20 , see  FIG. 2A . The material may be fabrics, plastics, or other materials which are useful for covering a window. Additionally, the material may include decorative images, such a colored pattern or theme-based images, written words or phrases, or combinations thereof. The materials can be designed to prevent light from passing through or allow varying amounts of light to pass through. The single sheet  20  is folded in half, along the direction of arrows  22  to form the desired shape and size, see  FIG. 2B . Once in the folded position, the sheet  20  can be sealed on each side to form side ends  15  and  16 , and an interior portion  23 , see  FIG. 3 . 
     Sealing of the sides can be accomplished through stitching  24 , chemical fastening means, heat sealing, or other sealing means known to one of skill. The stitching along the side creates an enclosed, bag-like structure having an open end  26 . Two magnet holding members,  28 ,  30 , illustrated herein as pouches, are attached to the second lower end  14  at each of the corners. In an illustrative example, the first end  29 A of the pouch  28  is coupled to a portion of the magnetic window covering  10 . A second end  29 B remains uncoupled and extends into the interior portion  25 . Pouch  30  may be constructed and secured in the same manner. Magnets  31 A and  31 B are placed inside each of the pouches  28  and  30  and sealed within. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pouches are located on the outside of the bag-like structure  20 . To place the pouches on the inside, the manufacturer simply turns the bag-like structure  20  inside out so that the pouches are located on the inside, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pouches are preferably located at the bottom corners and extend within the interior of the magnetic window covering  10  which prevents winds from flipping the magnetic window covering  10  over the top of the door. A longitudinal stitching  29  is placed near the first upper end  12  to seal the bag-like structure  20  at a predetermined position. A portion of the upper end maintains the opening  26 . The longitudinal stitching  29  creates a third pouch or channel  33  which is sized and shaped to receive a magnet holding member  32 . Preferably, the third pouch or channel  33  is formed within the interior portion  25 . Alternatively, the magnetic window covering  10  can be made of two pieces of fabric material and secured together along the periphery. Formation of the third pouch or channel  33  as well as use of the pouches  28  and  30  may be utilized in this construction as well. 
     The magnet holding member  32  is sized and shaped to fit within the third pouch or channel  33  to provide connection capability along the upper end  12  to a metal surface. The magnetic holding member  32  and the magnetic window covering  10  may be constructed of a different material. Alternatively, the magnetic holding member  32  may be of the same material as the magnetic window covering  10 . Preferably, the magnetic holding member  32  is made from a rigid material, such as pleading material. The rigid nature of the material fixes the magnets in place as well as helps retain the overall shape. Additionally, the magnet holding member  32  may be constructed of a semi-rigid or flexible material. The magnets  18  may be secured to the magnet holding device  32  by any means known to one of skill in the art, including chemical means or stitching. In a preferred manner, the magnets  18  are placed in a plurality of pockets  34 . The magnets  18  may be equally spaced apart, but need not be. The magnet holding member  32  is placed into the third pouch or channel  33  and sealed, thereby forming the magnetic window covering  10 . Use of the magnet holding member  32  provides a mechanism to secure magnets within the body of the magnetic window covering  10 , i.e. within the interior portion  25 , as the magnet holding member  32  positions one or more magnets therein, i.e. longitudinally from, for example, side  15  to side  16 . 
     The unique design of the magnetic window covering  10  allows the user the capability to couple the magnets  31 A and  31 B positioned at each of the corners to one or more of the magnets located along the upper end  12 , as well as a metal frame. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the lower right corner is shown lifted and moved in the direction of arrow  36 . Moving the lower corner in such direction allows the magnet  31 B to engage and connect with magnet  18 C located along the upper end  12 , see position A. Alternatively, the lower right corner could secure to a portion of the door represented by position B. Similarly, the entire lower end  14  of the magnetic window covering  10  may be lifted upwardly toward the upper end  12 , see arrows  38  on  FIG. 7 , so that magnet  31 A couples to magnet  18 A and magnet  31 B couples to magnet  18 D, or secures to portions of the metal door. Additionally, the unique design of the magnetic window covering  10  allows the user to attach the window covering  10  to a metal door frame to cover a window within the door without the need for affixing permanent attachment structures to the door, thereby eliminating the need to alter the structure of the door or create permanent holes within. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an illustrative example of a door  40  is shown. The door  40  contains a semi-circular shaped window  42  located at or near the top of the door and a handle  44 . Coupled or secured to the semi-circular shaped window  42  is the magnetic window covering  10 . The magnetic window covering  10  is secured to the door  42  through magnets  18 ,  31 A, and  31 B contacting a metal surface  46  of the door  40 . In this position, the magnetic window covering  10  completely covers the window. Depending on the material used, this prevents all or some of the light from traveling through the window, and may prevent others from looking in/out through the window  42 . In an illustrative example, the material is selected to exhibit light diffusing properties so as to allow soft light to enter into an area. This provides for prevention of harsh sun glare and results in protection of objects such as paintings or photos from fading as a result of the harsh sunlight. As demonstrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , portions of the magnetic window covering  10  may be manipulated to allow various portions of the magnetic window covering  10  to be lifted and coupled to other parts of the magnetic window covering  10 . Alternatively, portions of the magnetic window covering  10  may be manipulated to secure to the metal portion of the door. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the magnetic window covering  10  is shown removed from the semi-circular shaped window  42  and secured to the door  42 . The magnetic window covering  10  may remain in such position where it continually hangs until covering of the window is required. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bottom right portion of the magnetic window covering  10  is lifted so that magnet  31 B couples to magnet  18 C or to a portion of the door  40 . As the magnet  31 B is secured to magnet  18 C or the portion of the door  40 , a portion of the window  42  is exposed and is no longer covered by the magnetic window covering  10 . It is understood that the magnetic window covering  10  can be arranged in multiple positions so that various portions of window  42  can be exposed and/or covered simultaneously through lifting and repositioning of one or more portions of the magnetic window covering  10 . The flexibility that the window covering  10  provides allows the user the ability to quickly and easily decorate a door window by using window coverings  10  having different shapes, colors, and/or decorations. Additionally, the magnetic window covering  10  allows a user the ability to cover or uncover the window quickly and easily. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.