Window blinds with extendable edges

A window shade with extendable edges or inserts is described. A set of cellular inserts 2 are slidably displaced within the cells 12 of a honeycomb shade 10. The inserts 2 have a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the honeycomb shade cells 12. The inserts 2 extend within the cells longitudinally a distance 22. At a distal edge 6 of the honeycomb shade 12 the inserts 2 are connected together. A notch 5 is attached to the inserts along near distal edge 6. The notch 5 allows a user to pull the inserts 2 in a uniform manner out from the cells 12 of the honeycomb shade 10 a preferred extended distance 66. The user is thereby able to extend the sunblocking ability of the honeycomb shade.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to shades and blinds for windows. In particular, the invention relates to extendable inserts for window shades to provide increased coverage capabilities of the shade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous ways for consumers to cover the windows of their homes. Curtains are popular, as are various types of shades and blinds. Most window coverings take one of two approaches: extend vertically from the top or bottom of a window, or extend horizontally from the right or left hand side of a window. Curtains, for example, often comprise two large pieces of fabric, attached to a horizontal bar above a window. The pieces of fabric can be displaced along the horizontal bar to cover the window and block the sunlight entering. Alternatively, the pieces of fabric can be positioned to the side or edge of the window allowing sunlight to enter a room. There are also vertical blinds. Vertical blinds are a series of long flat strips of material (often plastic), usually measuring several inches in width, and at least several feet in length, hanging lengthwise and perpendicular to the floor from a rail system positioned above a window. The rail system allows the blinds to be moved in front of the window to block sunlight. The blinds are often rotatable about their hanging connection to the rail system. Other types of coverings extend vertically from the bottom or top of a window. Roller blinds, honeycomb shades, roman blinds, venetian blinds, and others move vertically up and down in front of a window.

Users choose to cover their windows for a variety of reasons. Sunlight entering through a window may raise the temperature of a room and the user may wish to cool the room temperature. Users may wish to watch a movie or other program on a television and blocking sunlight can make for a more enjoyable watching experience. A user may wish to block sunlight because it is entering a room at eye level and distracting a person working at a desk.

There are numerous control systems for window covers. Track blinds are common as they allow slats to be moved along a track to cover a window or to the side of the window and allow sunlight through. Many coverings like venetian blinds use a turning rod for adjusting the angle of the slats while lift cords lower or raise the slats vertically in front of the window. Honeycomb shades often require lift cords but not a turning rod. Roller binds use cords to lower and raise the blind. When raised, the roller blind rolls into a roll near the top of a window in a stowed position. Roman blinds often use lift cords. Roman blinds can be raised vertically into a stowed position near the top of a window, similar to roller blinds. But with Roman blinds the pieces of fabric resemble long rectangles of material and when stowed can appear like a pile of fabric planks or a slightly askew pile of several pieces of paper.

Window coverings can use various materials. Venetian blinds and honeycomb shades can use plastic, wood, fabric or other materials. Curtains most often use some type of fabric or textile. Venetian blinds are constructed with a series of slats, often plastic or wood. Roman blinds often use a textile but can also use plastics and woods.

One problem in the prior art is that each type of window covering will have a weakness in blocking sunlight. Venetian blinds often have small spaces between the slats where sunlight can enter. Blinds can also sometimes be sized improperly or aren't available in the exact size needed by a user. Honeycomb shades and other blinds can often let sunlight pass around the edges of the shade.

Another problem in the prior art is that very few systems are adjustable in terms of the coverage area they offer. For example, honeycomb shades have a fixed coverage area. Once a size of honeycomb shade is chosen, 2 feet by 3 feet for example, the shade is not extendable beyond that area. A honeycomb shade may be displaceable vertically, extended in full coverage, or pulled into its stowed position. But once a honeycomb shade is extended vertically it cannot extend any further in a horizontal direction. Similarly, once a set of curtains is installed they have a fixed coverage area which cannot be extended. The lack of adjustability on window coverings can be a problem because light often comes through the sides of the window cover. There is a need for a window cover with increased adjustability in terms of the coverage area it offers. Some of the prior art offers solutions for venetian blinds. For example, EP 0 491 096 Al and US 2007/0113989 Al disclose venetian style blinds with adjustable widths. These applications do not offer a solution for honeycomb shades. Furthermore, the solutions described require adjustment of each slat in a venetian blind separately - this can be a time-consuming task. Some users prefer honeycomb shades for aesthetic reasons. In addition, honeycomb shades can collect less dust than venetian blinds.

Another problem is that some windows are so large that one window cover cannot cover it. In these situations several sets of blinds are often hung next to each other vertically to cover the window. In these situations there is a gap of space between each vertically hung set of blinds. This allows unwanted sunlight to enter. There is a need for a blind that, in these circumstances, can be adjusted to cover the gaps.

A further problem with some window coverings is the tendency to collect large amounts of dust. Venetian blinds are particularly susceptible to this. Dusting off each horizontal slat individually can be arduous.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a window shade having extendable edges is described. The window shade comprises a shade body comprised of a plurality of collapsible tubular cells stacked to form a vertical shade, each of the tubular cells having at least one open distal end. An insert comprises a second plurality of collapsible tubular cells, each of the insert cells sized to insert into the open distal end of the tubular cells of the shade body. The inserts can extend a distance beyond the distal end of the shade body to increase the effective width of the window shade. Furthermore, the insert can be moved relative to the shade body to vary the distance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to a shade with extendable edges or inserts. The extendable inserts can maintain the same approximate cross-sectional shape and pattern of the shade. In a preferred embodiment, a honeycomb shade with extendable edges is described. The extendable edges of the honeycomb shade are comprised of a series of cellular inserts, with a cross-sectional shape slightly smaller than the honeycomb cells of a honeycomb shade, such that the inserts can fit within the cells of a honeycomb shade and be slidably extended out of the edges of the honeycomb shade. Thus extending the coverage area of the shade. This is accomplished while maintaining the appearance, shape, pattern and shading of the honeycomb shade.

Honeycomb shades are well known and provide an attractive window covering that blocks sunlight well and may collect less dust than other types of blinds. A honeycomb shade will typically be placed on the interior side of a window, although the invention will work with exterior honeycomb shades as well. Honeycomb shade cells generally have a hexagonally shaped cross-section. The cross-section of the entire honeycomb shade will often appear as a series of approximately hexagonally shaped cells piled vertically upon one another. Other shapes are possible for the cross-section of the shade cells. Various circular, square, and other shapes are possible as well. Other types of shades can be used with the invention as well, pleated shades for example. The shade portion of a honeycomb shade is usually composed of a fabric or textile. Strings or cords will be passed through the fabric of the shade and connected to a top and bottom rail portion. The strings or cords will be connected to pull-strings or draw-cords for lowering and raising, as is common in many types of shades and blinds. The pull-string will be extended through a top or bottom rail, often the top rail, and the user can pull the string, lifting the shade and bottom rail, and pulling the shade into a stowed position. When stowed, the fabric cells of a honeycomb shade flatten to take up much less space than when extended. The pull-string will be connected to a locking mechanism. Such that the shade can be locked in the stowed position. The user can then unlock the pull-string, often with a slight pull, allowing the string to lower the bottom rail and shade, extending the shade to cover a window and block sunlight. The locking mechanism allows a user to lock the shade at any chosen height. Various types of locking mechanisms and pull-string or draw-cord configurations are within the scope of the invention. Some pull-string configurations resemble a pulley system. Other configurations are loose-hanging cords, extending down from the top rail. Various locking mechanisms are used for blinds and shades and are well known in the prior art and can be used with the current invention. Honeycomb shades can take a top-down configuration, a bottom-up configuration, or another configuration. The invention is compatible with various of these configurations. Other window shades have cordless lift systems and the invention is adaptable to these configurations as well.

In some embodiments the extendable inserts will comprise cellular shaped inserts of six pleats. Other embodiments will comprise inserts of two pleats disposed vertically against the vertical edges of each honeycomb cell. The more edges or pleats that are used for each insert in each honeycomb cell the more sunlight that will be blocked. The invention can also be applied to double or multiple honeycomb shade configurations.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. A set of cellular inserts2are shown, slidably displaced within the cells12of a honeycomb shade10. The inserts2have a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the honeycomb shade cells12. The inserts2extend within the cells longitudinally a distance22. The distance22can extend from a few inches to approximately half the width of the honeycomb shade, but many different lengths are compatible with the invention. At a distal edge6of the honeycomb shade12the inserts2are connected together. A notch5is attached to the inserts along near distal edge6. The notch5allows a user to pull the inserts2in a uniform manner out from the cells12of the honeycomb shade10a preferred extended distance66. The user is thereby able to extend the sunblocking ability of the honeycomb shade.

Referring now toFIG. 2, with continuing reference toFIG. 1, the cross-section of each cell12can be hexagonally shaped. Each cell has six sides or pleats4. The top and bottom pleats of each cell12are connected to adjoining cells12. The cells can be connected by means of various types of adhesives, a mechanical connection such as a staple or sewn connection. Alternatively, adjacent cells can share a pleat4, such that the top pleat4of one cell12is the bottom pleat4of another cell12, and so forth. In addition, the invention can be realized with inserts2that have no physical connection to adjacent inserts2. Each cell has two pleats disposed toward the window and two pleats4disposed away from the window. These four pleats4will be generally vertically disposed when the shade10is extended and covering a window. When the shade10is pulled into its stowed position these four pleats4will fold flat into a horizontal position. The pleats44of the inserts2have a similar construction and can be pulled into a stowed position with the shade10and will fold flat.

Within each cell12is a cellular insert2. The insert2has dimensions and shape approximately similar to the cross-section of the cells12of the honeycomb shade10. The inserts2will likely be at least a little bit smaller than the honeycomb shade cells12, allowing the inserts2to slide in and out of the cells12. The inserts2have a similar shape as the cells12, but embodiments wherein the insert2has a different shape or cross-section can be implemented as well. The inserts2extend inward, along the length of each cell a distance22. Distance22can be any given distance preferred by a user but will often vary from a few inches up to approximately half the width of the honeycomb shade. The insert2should be long enough to help the user in expanding the coverage area of the honeycomb shade10. The length of inserts2may be limited by practical considerations. Depending on the weights of the materials used to construct the honeycomb shade10and the inserts2, an insert extending too far within or too far outside a cell12may prove too heavy and may deform the shade10or the insert2or may be unstable and fall out of the cells12.

As shown inFIG. 1, inserts2within adjacent cells are connected at a distal edge6of the shade. This connection can take a variety of forms. It is possible to sew inserts together, or to use glue or an adhesive, or to use a staple, or any other appropriate means. Another form of connection is a cap covering and connecting all the edges of each insert. This cap could be formed of plastic. The edge of each insert may be glued into the cap.

A notch or nub5connected to the inserts2. The nub5can provide the means for a user to manually slide the insert(s)2in and out of the honeycomb shade's cells12. The user can thereby choose how much to extend the inserts2, depending on how much sunlight to block or how much extra coverage is needed to cover the window. The nub5can take a variety of forms. As shown inFIG. 1, the nub5can extend upward from the topmost insert2. Nub5could also extend sideways from the inserts2or extend downward from the bottom insert2. Nub5can take a variety of forms and various shapes. A variety of materials can comprise nub5including plastic, wood or metal. The connection for nub5can take a variety of forms including glue, adhesive, staple or another mechanical connection.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4Bshow an embodiment of the invention including a background piece30. Sometimes a large window requires multiple shades to cover it. In these situations the invention helps extend the coverage area of a shade10by use of inserts2. In addition, background piece30can close the gap between two shades10. Even when using inserts2to narrow the gap between two shades10there may still be a thin gap between shades10or inserts2, allowing sunlight to pass through. Background piece30, by attaching to inserts2or cells12in a shade10can close this gap. The extension33will extend behind (or in front of) a neighboring shade10or insert2to block the sunlight in that gap. As shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, background piece30can be placed in cells12or be integrated as an extension to inserts2. Background piece30and extension33can extend the entire vertical length of shade10.FIG. 3Ashows a top down view of background piece30in close proximity to cell12.FIG. 3Bshows a top down view of background piece30inserted into cell12. As can be seen, when cell12is next to a cell12of another shade10, the background piece30and extension33can reach behind the neighboring shade10to block sunlight in the space between the shades.FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a side-angular view of the embodiment inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

In another embodiment of the invention, as seen inFIGS. 5A and 5B, each insert102comprises two pleats144in each cell, not six pleats. In this embodiment the insert102comprises two vertically disposed pleats144along the window-facing edge of the cell112. As in other embodiments, an insert102can be placed in each cell112of the honeycomb shade110, and the inserts102connected together at a distal edge106of the shade110.FIG. 5Ashows the inserts102in a stowed position within the cells112of the shade110.FIG. 5Bshows the inserts102in an extended position for use to block sunlight. A nub5can be connected to the two pleat embodiment in similar ways to the six pleat embodiments.

Another embodiment of the invention, seen inFIGS. 6A and 6Bis implemented on a pleated shade170. In this embodiment the extendable edge or insert192is attached to the face or back of shade170. The insert192closely matches the pleats184of shade170. The attachment for insert192can comprise a variety of forms. Glues or various adhesives can be used. Mechanical connections such as staples or sewing are available as well.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a shade with a wider backing face than the front face. For example, in a honeycomb shade, the back face, comprising two pleats from each cell, will have a width of 26 inches. The front face will comprise full, six-pleated cells extending for a width of 24 inches. The extra two inches on the back can extend behind neighboring window shades, thereby blocking the sunlight passing through the gaps between the shades. This embodiment can be carried out with extra length on each distal edge of the shade, or just on one distal edge.

In another embodiment of the invention the inserts202are not placed within the cells212of the honeycomb shade210, but are instead attached outside of the cells212on a face or backing250of the shade210.FIGS. 7A, 7B, show examples of this embodiment. In this embodiment the inserts202are attached to the face/backing250of the cells212of the honeycomb shade210. Various means for attachment are compatible with the invention. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7Athe shade210is shown without an attachment.FIG. 7Bshows the inserts202attached to the shade210. The inserts202comprise two pleats244for each cell212, with pleats244matching the pleats204of the honeycomb shade210. A possible attachment may be by adhesive or mechanical attachment at the top or bottom of the honeycomb shade210. In this embodiment the inserts202are attached to the face/backing250of the honeycomb shade210and extend beyond the distal edge206of the shade210, increasing the coverage area of the shade210. This embodiment can be used in combination with other window shades, such that inserts202extend from one shade210and go behind the edge of a neighboring window shade. This will block the sunlight coming through the gap between the window shades.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8A and 8B, the inserts302comprise a two-pleat344embodiment that is slidably attached to the shade310on its face/backing350.FIG. 8Ashows the inserts302in a stowed position, unextended.FIG. 8Bshows the inserts302extended from the edge306of the shade310and providing more coverage area. Similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 7A and 7B, the inserts ofFIGS. 8A and 8Bcan extend behind the edge of a neighboring window shade to block the sunlight passing through the gap between the window shades.

In many embodiments of the invention, it will be possible to have extendable edges or inserts installed on both distal edges of a honeycomb shade. In such an embodiment the inserts can be extended from each edge of the shade, greatly increasing the coverage area of the shade.

The invention is also adaptable to double honeycomb, triple honeycomb, and multiple honeycomb shade arrangements. As seen inFIG. 9, inserts402can be placed into each cell412in a multiple honeycomb shade410and connected as in other embodiments such that the inserts402are able to slide out of the cells412of the honeycomb shade410. In multiple honeycomb shades410many pleats404are shared by adjoining cells412. Inserts402can use similar construction techniques with inserts402from adjacent cells412being connected together at a distal edge406of the shade410. Other details and embodiments regarding shapes and construction can be implemented on a multiple honeycomb shade similar to single honeycomb embodiments described in this specification.

The extendable edges or inserts of the invention can be composed of a variety of materials. The typical user will likely prefer the inserts to match the pattern and material of the honeycomb shade they are attached to. Possible materials for honeycomb shades are various textiles and fabrics. Cotton, linen, polyester blends, nylon and other materials can be used. Some embodiments may user harder materials such as plastic, metal mesh, wood or a variety of other materials.

Inserts as seen inFIGS. 6A-8Bmay be slidable with respect to the window. To make the inserts slidable each pleat of the insert will be slidably inserted into tracks along each pleat, or a tab165maybe located along the bottom edge of each pleat to hold the insert in place while permitting slidable movement. Other means are possible as well that permit slidable movement while maintaining the inserts in place within the cells or along the back of the window shade.

The typical honeycomb shade uses a hexagon shaped cell. But other shapes can be used as well. Cells with a circular or rounded cross-section can be implemented as can squares, triangles, and a variety of other shapes or combinations of shapes. Variously shaped cross-sections can be implemented in keeping with the spirit of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention can involve multiple groups of inserts connected together along an edge of a honeycomb shade. For example, if a honeycomb shade comprises fifty tubular cells, the extendable inserts can be grouped into groups of ten. In this arrangement the top group of ten inserts will be connected together, with their own nub, and can be slidably adjusted independent from inserts in the other cells. The next ten inserts can be connected together, and so on. In this arrangement the groups of inserts provide the user with increased adaptability and multiple configurations for covering a window.

Some honeycomb shades use double-layered fabric to increase the amount of sunlight blocked or increase the strength of the shade or for some other purpose. The invention can be implemented with double-layered fabric similar to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, it is possible to implement multiple layers of inserts within a single cell. In such embodiments a user can extend one insert from a cell, or multiple inserts from the same cell to increase the sunlight blocked by the extended edges.

As discussed above, there are numerous ways that honeycomb shades implement lift functionality. Often the strings are passed through the cells of the shade, through holes in the top and bottom pleats of each cell. There are often four sets of string: two generally on the left hand side of the shade and two more generally on the right hand side of the shade. These are often placed several inches or more from each distal edge of the shade. The extendable inserts or edges of the invention can be configured in a variety of ways to not impede the lift functionality of the shade. In one embodiment the insert does not extend within the cells of the shade a distance long enough to encroach upon the drawstrings. Alternatively, if the inserts are long enough to encroach upon the drawstrings, then the inserts may need to be adjusted accordingly. One possible embodiment is to use inserts2with only two pleats4such as an embodiment described above and inFIGS. 5A and 5B. Another embodiment is to use a cellular insert with a cross section that is substantially thinner than the cell of the shade, such that the drawstrings will pass through the cell and be spaced apart a width larger than the width of the cross section of the insert. It is also possible to provide slits lengthwise along the top and bottom pleats of the inserts, such that space is provided for the drawstrings to pass and the inserts can still be slidably displaced along the length of the cells of the shade.