Modular window blind or shade assembly

A modular window shade assembly has two embodiments. One includes a frame with a generally arcuate opening containing a blind system with horizontal slats that may be pivoted to control transmission of light through the opening. In the other embodiment, an arcuate portion contains a fixed fan shade within the arcuate opening. In each of the embodiments, the frame is sized and configured to fit within an existing window opening juxtaposed to the window for easy assembly. A decorative molding is provided to be installed within the inner walls of the existing window frame to provide an aesthetic appearance in front of the shade assembly as installed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a modular window blind or shade assembly.
 In the prior art, it is well known to add shades, blinds and other window
 treatments to an existing window having its own frame. However,
 installation of such devices is often difficult and cumbersome and, in
 many cases, the results are less than satisfactory, particularly when the
 installed window treatments do not fit properly within the opening in
 which they are installed.
 As such, a need has developed for a system allowing installation of window
 treatments within the existing frame of the window in such a manner that
 installation time is drastically reduced while the quality of the finished
 product, as installed, is improved. It is with this need in mind that the
 present invention was developed.
 The following prior art is known to Applicant:
 U.S. Pat. No. 1,609,877 to Kendall discloses a circle head window shade
 including a semi-circular shade mounted within a corresponding arched-like
 portion of a window frame and including a centrally located curved bar
 designed to guide movements of the shade in an arcuate fashion.
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,611 to Bassett discloses a drapery rod assembly for
 architectural apertures that includes a peripheral arcuate rod designed to
 receive peripheral portions of a semi-circular drape.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,092 to Jelic discloses an arched window blind with a
 specific cording design and including a track to which is attached a
 fitting affixed to an end of the blind to allow controllable pivoting
 movements thereof.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,789 to Faircloth discloses an arched shutter assembly
 including a semi-circular support for a semi-circular set of louvers that
 may be pivoted between open and closed positions therewithin.
 The present invention differs from the teachings of these patents as
 contemplating, in one aspect, an arcuate frame designed to hold a
 correspondingly sized shade that is guided in a peripheral channel.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a modular window blind or shade assembly.
 The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects
 and features:
 (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates two embodiments
 of self-contained modular shade systems including a generally rectangular
 opening containing a blind system with horizontal slats that may be
 pivoted or reciprocated, or both, to control transmission of light through
 the opening. In each of these embodiments, above the generally rectangular
 portion is an arcuate portion containing a further blind. In one of the
 embodiments, the further blind includes a plurality of horizontal slats
 that may be pivoted to control light transmission. In the other
 embodiment, a fan-like shade is contained within the arcuate opening and
 is fastened to the back side of a face frame in a fixed closed position.
 (2) In each of the embodiments described above, the blinds or shades are
 contained within a frame sized and configured to fit within the existing
 frame of an existing window for easy assembly. Each of these systems is
 easily fabricated based upon known dimensions of an existing window so
 that they fit comfortably and accurately therein.
 (3) In the embodiment wherein the shade system is of a fan-type a pair of
 centrally located, spaced, upstanding arcuate hubs are provided that
 facilitate support of the fan-shaped shade to eliminate a space that the
 shade material creates.
 (4) In a further aspect, a decorative molding is provided to be installed
 within the inner walls of the existing window frame to provide an
 aesthetic appearance in front of the shade assembly that is installed
 therein.
 Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a
 modular window shade assembly.
 It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an assembly
 wherein a pre-formed shade assembly contained within its own frame is
 easily installed within the existing frame of an existing window.
 It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a
 shade assembly with a molding installed on the existing window frame to
 provide an aesthetic appearance for the shade assembly.
 These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will
 be better understood from the following detailed description of the
 preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing
 figures.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 With reference, first, to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, a first embodiment of shade
 assembly is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and is seen
 to include a frame 11 having two straight vertical frame members 13 and
 15, a horizontal bottom frame member 17, a horizontal top frame member 19,
 and an arcuate upper frame member 21. The upper frame member 21 can be a
 semicircle or tending more towards an elliptical shape.
 Disposed within the frame members 13, 15, 17 and 19 is a generally
 rectangular shade 23 having slats 25 (FIG. 1) and provided with a cord 27
 (FIG. 3) that is pulled to lift the shade assembly 23 or lower it, as the
 case may be, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
 With further reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the arcuate upper frame 21
 encloses a sun shade element which is a fan-like shade 30 having a pleated
 configuration.
 With reference to FIG. 9, in particular, the frame 21 has an internal
 channel 31 surrounded by a rear molding 33 and a front molding 35. A
 support hub 37 is mounted on an upper surface 36 of the horizontal frame
 member 19 and includes two spaced upstanding arcuate hubs 39 and 41. With
 reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the shade 30 has a semi-circular recess 43
 adapted to fit between the hubs 39 and 41 as best seen with reference to
 FIG. 8. The peripheral edge 45 of the shade 30 (FIG. 7) fits within the
 channel 31 of the frame 21 as enclosed therein by the moldings 33 and 35
 and is fastened to a back surface of molding 35. The shade 30 is enclosed
 between the hubs 39 and 41 to prevent light transmission therethrough. The
 shade 30 has a bottom edge 49 (FIG. 7).
 With reference, now, to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the second embodiment of modular
 window shade assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present
 invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 60 and is seen
 to include a frame 61 including vertical frame members 68 and 65,
 horizontal frame members 67 and 69, and an arcuate upper frame member 71.
 Within the frame members 63, 65, 67 and 69 is a generally rectangular
 shade assembly 70 including a plurality of horizontal slats 72 pivotable
 or reciprocable to allow adjustments of light transmission through the
 opening formed by these frame members.
 Above the top horizontal frame member 69 and within the upper arcuate frame
 member 71, a substantially semi-circular opening 73 is provided that
 contains a substantially semicircular sun shade element which is a blind
 assembly 75 having a plurality of horizontal slats 77 as best seen in
 FIGS. 2 and 13. These slats are fixed. The slats 77 are supported within
 grooves 76 in vertical members 78. As seen in FIG. 13, about three
 vertical members 78 can support slats 77. However, additional vertical
 members 78 can be employed.
 As best seen in FIG. 6, the upper frame assembly 71 includes a molding 81
 that is aesthetically pleasing and a semicircular portion 83 behind the
 molding 81 and enclosing the opening 73.
 With reference to FIG. 12, the frame members 13 and 15 are seen to include
 an L-shaped cross-section. In FIG. 12, the existing window frame is
 designated by the reference numeral 1 and includes inner walls 2, 3 that
 receive outer surfaces 14, 16 of the frame members 13 and 15. The frame
 members 13 and 15 also include rear faces 32 and 34 that abut against
 front surfaces 5 and 6, respectively, of the existing window frame 1. The
 frame members 13, 15 as depicted in FIG. 12, are shown as separate
 aesthetic elements unconnected to the support for the shade assembly 23.
 If desired, the frame members 13 and 15 may be separate structures merely
 provided for aesthetics or may be integrally formed with the structure
 that supports the shade assembly 23.
 FIG. 10 shows a front view of a molding assembly 100 having the same
 cross-sectional configuration as the frame members 13 and 15 depicted in
 FIG. 12 and designed to cover an existing semi-circular opening 134 or
 134a at the top of a window frame for aesthetic purposes as seen in FIGS.
 15 and 16. FIG. 16 also shows shade assembly 132 and front molding 107a.
 The molding assembly 100 includes a horizontal portion 101, vertical
 portions 103 and 105, an arcuate portion 107, and horizontal portions 109
 and 111 as seen in FIG. 10 or angled trim portions 136 and 138 seen in
 FIGS. 14-17. The molding 100 is installed within an existing window frame
 in the manner explained with reference to FIG. 12.
 FIG. 11 shows a modified frame assembly 140 having an upper frame member
 21a, a front molding 35a, a vertical center post 142, movable shutters 144
 and vertical hand rods 146 to control movement of the shutters 144. The
 shutters 144 pivot on each side by pivot pins 148 as shown in FIG. 17.
 Multiple vertical posts 142a can be employed to widen the frame assembly
 140a as seen in FIG. 16. Additional hand rods 146a and expanded shutter
 assembly 132 are employed with frame assemble 140a.
 The frame assembly 140 shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 contains a shade element
 assembly 130 having a central vertical post 142 with side holes (not
 shown) in which pins 148 (FIG. 17) pivot. In like manner, the side wall
 31a contains opposed holes for receipt of shutter pivot pins. Arcuate
 member 145 above side wall 31a also contains holes for shutter pins. In
 this way, the shutters 144 open and close in response to movement of hand
 rods 146. The frame assembly 140, as shown in FIG. 15, has a side wall 31b
 and is designed for placement in a wall opening having a side wall 150
 corresponding to the exterior side wall 154 of frame assembly 140. A
 portion of the horizontal base 101 of the frame 140 rests on and is
 fastened to the window sill 152, or on top of the shutter frame as shown
 in FIGS. 18 and 19. The frame assembly 140 rear portion is juxtaposed
 against the window 134.
 In a wider version of a frame assembly 140a the exterior side wall 154a of
 the frame 140a conforms to the window frame. The upper frame member 21b
 conforms in depth to the window sill 152a so that front molding 35b covers
 any space between side wall 154a and side wall 150a. The frame assembly
 140a has longer vertical connecting members 105a and 103a than in frame
 assembly 140.
 The frame assembly 140 or 140a can be easily removed from sills 152 or 152a
 respectively, for cleaning of the assembly 140 or 140a and the window 134
 or 134a respectively, merely by pulling the frame assembly outwardly away
 from the window 134 or 134a. The frame assembly 140 or 140a can be
 fastened to the window sill 152 or 152a with easily removable screws or in
 like manner to the top of a lower frame assembly.
 In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an existing
 window frame is augmented through the addition of a modular window shade
 assembly sized and configured to exactly fit the dimensions of the window
 frame opening for ease of installation and for enhancement of aesthetics.
 Either the fan-shaped shade assembly 30 of FIG. 1 or the similarly shaped
 but differently operating shade assembly 75 of FIG. 2 may be suitably
 employed within the arcuate opening thereof, but in each instance the
 shade assembly is not attached to control ropes or pulleys.
 In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural
 portions of the frame of the inventive window shade assembly can be made
 of suitable wood materials, although plastic such as polyvinyl chloride
 and metal also can be employed.
 As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments
 thereof which fulfill each and every one of the objects of the invention
 as set forth hereinabove and provide a new and useful modular window shade
 assembly of great novelty and utility.
 Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings
 of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art
 without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof.
 As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the
 terms of the appended claims.