Abstract:
A removable window covering for an arched window is formed of a reinforcing frame and fabric enveloping the frame. The frame has joints to allow for folding of sections of the window covering for ease in transporting and storing the covering. An attachment means is provided to allow for the window covering to be installed over an arched window and easily removed when it is desired to have the window exposed. The window covering may also have UV resistant and thermally insulative properties.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Various window coverings have been devised for regulating the amount of light let into a building through a window, and to provide a degree of privacy. Sunlight, in particular, is one form of light that can be both beneficial and undesirable at times. For instance, sunlight can provide solar heating within a room of a building when the light rays are allowed to freely enter through a window. This heating may be desirable in colder seasons when the outside air temperature is rather low, but contrastingly, is undesirable in warmer seasons when the air within a building is constantly being cooled by an air conditioning system. Furthermore, ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight can cause damage to various items, including carpets, furniture, etc., when exposed to such UV rays over an extended period of time. Window coverings can thus reduce the exposure to UV rays by substantially blocking their pathway into a building.  
         [0004]     One window covering design popular for residential use involves hanging a curtain rod above one or more windows to allow various clips suspending one or more curtains to slid along the rod. Each curtain may be moved manually by pulling the curtain in one direction, or if the curtain rod has a track in which the clips may travel, by pulling on draw cords connected with the clips to slide the same within the track and move the curtain to expose the window. While the typical curtain rod arrangement works well for rectangular windows, for a number of reasons, it is utilized less frequently to cover arch shaped windows typically formed over traditional rectangular windows, as can been seen in the exemplary arrangement in  FIG. 1 . First, it is difficult to install a curtain rod at a height above such an arch shaped window, which often cannot be accessed without scaling a ladder. Additionally, having essentially “dual levels” of curtain rods—one over the arched window and one over the lower rectangular window—is not aesthetically pleasing, and a curtain long enough to cover both types of windows would not allow for independent light regulation for each window.  
         [0005]     Therefore, homeowners and the like often neglect to cover arched windows because of the difficulty in finding and installing an arched window covering that is aesthetically pleasing. While at times they may prefer to leave the arched window uncovered, at other times they could realize energy savings by blocking solar radiation from substantially entering their home and preserve their carpets, upholstery, and other items from UV degradation.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A removable window covering for an arched window is provided. The window covering includes a reinforcing frame having at least one joint, fabric secured around the frame, and attachment means for removable securing of the covering over an arched window. The covering is divided into sections so that it is easily foldable for transporting and storage.  
         [0007]     In one aspect, the window covering has four sections and can be separated into two separate pieces each comprising two sections and having a reinforcing frame. The sections of each piece are connected at the joint of the frame allowing the sections to be folded over atop one another. The two pieces each have attachment means, such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®) positioned therearound for mating with similar attachment means preferably mounted on the casement surrounding the window to allow for installation and removal of the window covering as desired.  
         [0008]     The window covering provides many advantages, including being lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, insulative, easy to install and remove, compact, easy to clean, and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicated like elements in the various views:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view showing the window covering of the present invention installed over an arched window and above a set of rectangular windows;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the window covering of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the window covering of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the arched window showing the attachment means to which the window covering may be secured;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the window covering removed from installation in a partially folded position for storage; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, showing the window covering frame and fabric covering the frame.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , a window covering  10  of the present invention is shown installed within an arched window casement  100  to cover an arched window (window  200 ,  FIG. 4 ) that is surrounded and framed by the casement. The window arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , including a set of rectangular windows  300  located below the arched window  200  along a wall  400 , is one common window arrangement, but is meant to be exemplary.  
         [0017]     As can be seen in more detail in  FIGS. 2-6 , the window covering  10  is formed of a generally planar semi-rigid or rigid frame  12  surrounded by fabric  14 . Preferably, the window covering  10  is divided into four wedge shaped sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  each having a component of the frame  12  therein. In one embodiment, sections  50  and  60 , and sections  70  and  80 , are secured together along a joint  16  to form sections  50  and  60  into a first component  90  of the covering  10  and form sections  70  and  80  into a second component  92  of the covering  10 . Each of the components  90 ,  92  are independently removably mountable onto the window casement  100  or other structure by an attachment means  18 . Also, the window covering  10  has a front side  20  configured to face away from the window and towards the interior of the building and a backside  22  configured to face towards the window and onto which the attachment means  18  is secured.  
         [0018]     The frame  12  can be formed of any lightweight material that is fairly rigid, such as cardboard, plastics or very thin plywood, and typically one frame portion is provided for each wedge shaped section  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  to define the overall shape of the respective section. The fabric  14  envelops each frame section and may be, for example, made of natural fibers, synthetics, or a combination of the two. In one arrangement, the fabric  14  may comprise a first general type of material overlaying the front side  20  of the window covering  10 , and a second UV resistant material (e.g., high-density polyethylene) overlaying the backside  22  of the covering that may be exposed to direct sunlight through the window. Alternatively, or in addition to having UV resistant characteristics, the second UV resistant material may be a thermally insulative fabric to aid in making the indoor environment less vulnerable to the influence of outdoor temperatures or to sunlight contacting the covering  10 .  
         [0019]     Attachment means  18  may be in the form of a hook and loop system, such as that commonly referred to under the brand name VELCRO®, where the hook component  24  is secured to one of the window covering  10  and the window casement  100 , and the loop component  26  is secured to the other of the covering and casement, as can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The hook and loop components  24 ,  26  are strategically positioned generally near a perimeter edge  28  of each of the first and second components  90 ,  92  of the window covering  10 —and in matching locations on the window casement  100 —to securely hold the covering  10  in place. One suitable configuration is for the attachment means  18  to be located on the window covering at “pressure points”, or near a lower outside corner  29 , lower inside corner  31 , upper inside corner  33 , and midpoint  35  of a curved portion  37  of the perimeter edge  28  near the joint  16 .  
         [0020]     One exemplary fabrication method for the window covering  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-6 . At a first step, the frame  12  is formed into the individual section pieces, one piece for each of the wedge shaped sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  of the window covering  10 . The size of the sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  will depend on the size of the arched window  200  and window casement  100 , so that preferably the finished window covering  10  will overlap onto the casement for attachment therewith at the locations shown in  FIG. 4 . For instance, when connected together, the section pieces of the frame can, in one embodiment, overlap one inch with the casement  100 . Then, sections  50  and  60  may be connected together to form first component  90 , and sections  70  and  80  may be connected together to form second component  92 , of the covering  10 . Each joint  16  (between sections  50  and  60 , and between sections  70  and  80 ) is formed by a structure that allows one section (e.g., section  50 ) to be folded over the adjacent section (e.g., section  60 ) of the respective component (e.g., first component  90 ) of the covering  10  so that the first and second components  90 ,  92  may be easily stored and transported when not in use. One partially folded component  90  or  92  is shown in  FIG. 5 , which upon unfolding to the position shown in  FIG. 3  is ready for installation over an arched window  200 . The structure of the joint  16  may include, in one embodiment, duct tape or a cloth-like tape that securely holds the sections together while allowing repeated folding of the sections with respect to one another at the joint. For example, the tape may be a light colored (e.g., white) tape so that it is not seen through the fabric that will surround the frame pieces. The tape is preferably applied to the frame pieces on both the front and backsides  20 ,  22  of the covering  10 . The sections  50  and  60 ,  70  and  80 , to form each joint  16 , should be spaced slightly apart at their matching edges to allow sufficient clearance for the folding. One spacing dimension found to be suitable in forming the joints  16  is a ⅛ inch gap between sections  50  and  60 , and between sections  70  and  80 , where the sections are taped together while maintaining the gap to form the first and second components  90 ,  92 . In an alternative arrangement, the joints  16  may be formed instead by mechanical hinges (not shown), one example of which would be a standard door hinge. Such a mechanical hinge would couple the pieces of the frame  12  together that form the first and second components  90 ,  92  (e.g., couple sections  50  and  60 , and sections  70  and  80 , together).  
         [0021]     The frame  12  forming the foundation for the first and second components  90 ,  92  of the window covering  10  is then enveloped by the fabric  14 . The fabric  14  is preferably sewn over the frame  12  as to surround both frame pieces forming the respective component  90  or  92  of the covering  10 . For instance, a first fabric piece  30  overlaying the covering front side  20  may be sewn to a second fabric piece  32  overlaying the covering backside  22 . The sewing takes place—for each of the components  90  and  92 —around the perimeter of the frame  12  forming the respective components  90  or  92 . Other attachment means, such as adhesives or glues may be used instead of sewing to secure the first and second fabric pieces  30 ,  32  together to envelop the frame pieces only if such adhesives or glues can withstand the elevated temperatures endured by the covering  10  when exposed repeatedly to radiation from incoming sunlight. Optionally, at the time of sewing the first and second fabric pieces  30 ,  32  together, or thereafter, a fabric ruffle  34  may be sewn around the edges of the sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80 .  FIG. 6  shows how the frame  12  and fabric  14  may be secured together.  
         [0022]     Finally, the hook and loop components  24 ,  26 , as attachment means  18 , can be secured to the first and second components  90 ,  92  of the window covering  10  on the backside  22  thereof as described above. In one arrangement, the hook components  24  are sewn (e.g., in 1 inch squares or circles) onto the second fabric piece  32  on the backside  22  of the covering  10 , and the loop components  26  are glued or adhered onto the window casement  100  near where the arched window  200  interfaces therewith. However, the location of the hook components  24  and loop components  26  could be reversed, such that the loop components  26  are secured to the covering  10  and the hook components  24  are secured on the casement  100 . One suitable adhesive for attaching the loop components  26  is that sold under the name “Perfect Glue 2, Liquid Nails” offered by ICI Paints of Cleveland, Ohio. Other glues or epoxies may also be used.  
         [0023]     The window covering  10  may be easily installed over an arched window  200  by unfolding the particular component (first component  90  or second component  92 ) to be flat, aligning the hook and loop components  24 ,  26  between the component  90  or  92  and the window casement  100 , and pressing the component  90  or  92  against the window casement  100 . Then, the other component  90  or  92  is aligned and pressed against the casement  100  over the uncovered part of the window  200  to complete the installation of the covering  10  over the window  200 . Because of a degree of rigidity provided by the frame  12 , and the lightweight nature of the covering  10 , each component  90 ,  92  can usually be lifted to a high location merely by holding onto a lower portion  36  of the particular component  90 ,  92 . When it is desired to see through the window  200  towards the outdoor environment, or to merely clean the window from the inside, each component  90 ,  92  may be independently pulled outward to overcome the gripping force of the hook and loop components  24 ,  26  and remove the covering  10  from attachment with the casement  100 . Then each component  90 ,  92  may be folded at the respective joint  16 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , so that the components  90 ,  92  may be transported and stored in a compact arrangement.  
         [0024]     It should be understood that the window covering  10  may, alternatively, be formed where all of sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  are attached together such that the first and second components  90 ,  92  become just a single body with another joint  16  formed therebetween. However, this design would have more bulk and weight, which may be noticeable when attempting to mount the covering  10  over the arched window  200 . In still another arrangement, the first and second components  90 ,  92  may be formed of more than four sections (i.e., more than sections  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80 ). For instance, six sections may be selected such that each of the first and second components  90 ,  92  may be divided into three sections, and an additional joint  16  would be required for each component  90 ,  92 .  
         [0025]     From the forgoing, it can be seen that the window covering  10  of the present invention provides an effective solution for covering an arched shaped window that is also easy to install and remove as desired. Furthermore, since certain changes may be made in the above invention without departing from the scope hereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.