Abstract:
Among other things, there is disclosed temporary, easy to make and decorate coverings for windows and similar purposes. Exemplary coverings are of sturdy paper having a series of vertical folds. An upper portion may be folded to increase strength along a portion where hangers or rods are placed to suspend the covering. The coverings permit easy personalization or other decoration, and are disposable when the user wishes to replace them.

Description:
[0001]    The present disclosure relates in general to temporary window coverings. More particularly, this disclosure relates to window coverings that are inexpensive, easy to put up, and decorable or customizable to the user&#39;s decorating taste. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/058,740, filed Jun. 4, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When homeowners or renters first move in to a new residence, there are many initial expenses that must be provided for. Certain expenses, such as essential kitchen appliances and furniture, cannot be delayed and often consume a major portion of the homeowner&#39;s budget. Another item that tends to be quite expensive is window coverings. Homeowners often choose to delay purchase of the window coverings not only to save on initial expenses, but also so that they may choose the color and style to coordinate with not-yet-purchased furniture or other decor. In addition, parents of small children may choose to wait until the children reach a certain age or maturity level before investing in expensive drapery or other window treatments, which might otherwise be damaged due to day-to-day child play. Renters (including college students) want to avoid spending significant sums on window coverings for lodgings that may be relatively short-term or temporary, and that may not easily fit windows or decor in later homes. 
         [0003]    Despite the common choice to delay or avoid purchase of permanent, expensive drapery, residents still desire or require some sort of covering for windows to maintain privacy and shield from external light during the period after moving in but before permanent window coverings (if any) are purchased and installed. Residents often choose to cover the windows with bed linens, newspaper or other available and unused textiles or objects. However, these materials are not aesthetically appropriate. For example, newspaper is inked with text, which generally provides no aesthetic benefit, and advertisements, which may be somewhat bright or flamboyant, or present undesirable images. The ink rubs off onto persons and materials that come in contact with it, and the ink impedes or prohibits personalization through painting, marking or other aesthetic change. Newsprint is also thin, and so substantial light easily passes through. The result is undesirable, with more light than preferred entering the room and highlighting text or images on both sides of the paper. Linens may be in short supply, and if old linens are used as window coverings, then expensive new linens must be purchased for use as linens. Available old linens may be stained, damaged or otherwise unpresentable for display in a publicly-viewable window, and the cloth in such linens are not generally easy to decorate or personalize with paint or stickers in a lasting manner, due to the fluid nature and the weave of the fabric. 
         [0004]    These items are also not mechanically practical. Newspaper or linens are not designed to be attached to or hung in front of windows, and thus additional steps or structures are needed to use them in that way. Tape or glues can be used to attach newsprint to a window or to the casing outside the window. However, in addition to potential damage to the window or casing, a substantial amount of tape or glue must be placed in order to avoid having the newsprint come away from the window or uncover a portion of it. The problems of tapes or glues are somewhat greater with respect to linens, as they are heavier and much more likely to sag, droop or fall away from the window. Staples cannot be used in the window itself, and also cause damage to walls or casings, if they can be forced into metal casing edges or wall joists. Even if a curtain rod is already placed above a window and arranged so that newspaper or linens can be draped over them, a double length of newspaper or linen is needed so that the entire window can be covered without a significant disparity in the length extending down from either side of the curtain rod, since such disparities will result in the covering falling down under the pull of gravity on the longer side. 
         [0005]    Other options for non-drapery window coverings can include expensive Venetian-style blinds, which may be of metal, wood or plastic. No Venetian-style paper blinds are known, likely because of the fact that the stresses placed on the sides (and sometimes middle) of the slats by the strings will rip paper slats. There are Roman-style paper blinds, but such products also have shortcomings as temporary window coverings. For example, they are not adjustable horizontally. Portions must be manually clipped together in order to remain in a raised or not-entirely-extended position. Perhaps more importantly, they are susceptible to tearing due to repeated folding and unfolding of the horizontal folds as the blinds are used. Repeated folding and unfolding causes the integrity of the material to weaken at the fold. Since those horizontal folds carry at least some of the weight of the blinds as well as gravitational and other stresses as the blinds are raised and lowered, tearing of the blinds at the folds is common. Further, blinds generally have to be specially made or cut for a window, to ensure that the blinds cover all of the window yet remain less conspicuous and not covering significant parts of the adjacent wall. 
         [0006]    However, no products are known in the art which provide a low-cost vertically pleated paper window covering that is easily decoratable to the end-user individual&#39;s taste and room&#39;s requirements. There exists the need for a size-adaptable, inexpensive, and easy to install temporary window covering that is decoratable and provides a satisfactory appearance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Among other things, a temporary window covering constructed from inexpensive materials, such as paper, is disclosed. The user may compress or expand the covering horizontally, much like an accordion, in order to expose more or less of the window opening. Customization by the user, by altering the size or by decorating the paper, is possible to provide a sturdy, inexpensive covering that meets the taste or style of the user. 
         [0008]    Included in this disclosure is a temporary window treatment including a window covering made of paper of a sturdy weight (e.g. approximately 110-120 pound text weight paper or similar weight) and having upper, lower and two side edges, with a series of vertical folds extending from the upper edge to the lower edge The vertical folds are parallel to each other and to the side edges, with each adjacent pair of folds defining a panel between them. The window covering has an upper portion extending from the upper edge toward the lower edge, and has at least a part that is thicker than the paper of the window covering part that is not in the upper portion. The upper portion includes a plurality of holes therethrough, each being between a respective pair of folds. A plurality of ring assemblies is provided, each inserted into a respective one of the holes. A support rod is inserted through the ring assemblies to hold the window covering. The window covering is closed by collapsing the folds to bring two or more of the panels generally together, and is opened by expanding the folds to move two or more of the panels generally apart. 
         [0009]    Additionally, a temporary window treatment is disclosed having a window covering made of paper of a sturdy weight (e.g. approximately 110-120 pound text weight paper or similar weight) and having upper, lower and two side edges, with a series of at least five vertical folds extending from the upper edge to the lower edge. The vertical folds are parallel to each other and the side edges, with each adjacent pair of folds defining a panel between them that extend from the upper edge to the lower edge. The window covering also has an upper portion extending from the upper edge toward the lower edge and having at least a part that is thicker than the paper of the window covering part not in the upper portion. The upper portion has a respective hole through each of the panels, each of the holes being between and equidistant from a respective pair of folds. The window covering has a fully collapsed configuration in which each of the panels is contacting its adjacent panel(s) at points other than on their common fold, and in that fully collapsed configuration the holes are in a straight line. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, holes need not be provided in the upper portion of the window covering. Where holes are not provided, spring-loaded clips or clamps can be used to grip the upper portion of the window covering adjacent the upper edge. Such clips or clamps are then connected to a support rod. 
         [0011]    Methods are also disclosed, such as a method of making a temporary window treatment including providing a window covering made of paper of a sturdy weight (e.g. approximately 110-120 pound text weight paper or similar weight) and having upper, lower and two side edges, and a series of vertical folds extending from the upper edge to the lower edge. The vertical folds are parallel to each other and to the side edges, and the window covering has an upper portion with a plurality of holes, each being between a respective pair of folds. Such methods can also include customizing the window covering by its user, and hanging the window covering adjacent a window by connecting the holes to a support rod. Customization can include alteration of size (length or width, or by splitting) and decoration, as by painting, drawing, placing stickers, stenciling or the like. The holes can be directly placed on the support rod, or clips, rings, or similar structure can be placed in respective holes and on the rod. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering utilizing clip ring assemblies to hang the window covering. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering according to  FIG. 1  of two parts fixed together. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering utilizing holes to hang the window covering on a support rod. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering according to  FIG. 2  utilizing rings or ring assemblies in holes to hang the window covering on a support rod. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering having a hemmed portion and holes. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a temporary window covering incorporating customized embellishments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claims is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are intended to be protected. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a window treatment including a window covering  100  provided for use in conjunction with window opening  110 . Window covering  100  is constructed of a heavy paper or paper-based material, in a single sheet  102  or multiple sheets  103  fixed to each other at a seam  104  ( FIG. 1   a ). One preferred material is paper of approximately 110-120 pound text paper weight, and thicker materials such as card-stock weight may be used but can be more difficult to configure. Such paper is thicker than newsprint and sturdier than both newsprint and other papers and woven fabrics, while allowing easy, defined folding. It is much lighter in weight than standard draperies and many other fabrics, allowing it to be hung in several different ways. It has been found to provide better shielding than newsprint or other thin papers when placed in a window. 
         [0021]    The illustrated embodiment of window covering  100  includes a plurality of parallel equidistant vertical folds  120 . Each fold extends from an upper edge  122  to a lower edge  124 , and in the illustrated embodiment the set of folds  120  are spaced between side edges  126 . By “equidistant” is meant that the distances between adjacent folds measured perpendicular to the folds is substantially the same, i.e. the distance measured between each respective pair of adjacent folds is substantially uniform. That distance may also be the distance between the side-most folds and the respective side edges  126 . It has been found that a distance of four to eight inches between folds  120  is easy to collapse and expand, is easy to make since the folds do not interfere with each other, and do not intrude too far into a room or interfere with the surface of a window. It may be said that this embodiment of window covering  100  has a series of essentially congruent panels  128 , with each panel bounded by one or two folds  120 . As seen in the drawings, folds  120  are sharp folds between panels  128 , creating a defined line along the fold and a variable angle between the panels. In an embodiment in which the folds are six inches apart from each other and the edges, and the overall width of window covering  100  is four feet, eight panels  128  would be in window covering  100 . A typical number of folds is seven, providing a total of eight panels, which has been found to preserve the stretchability or springiness of the covering while providing a good fit and a proper look in a window, without damage to the paper or interference among the folds. Seven folds has been found to be acceptable in a covering of about 36 to about 40 inches in width, as one example. It will be seen that the width of the covering  100  and/or the given window may require a different number of folds and panels. In many embodiments, five or more folds  120  are desirable, in other wider coverings seven or more folds are desirable, and in still other wider coverings nine or more folds are preferable. 
         [0022]    The folds  120  enable an end-user to expand or compress window covering  100  horizontally in order to adjust the portion of window opening  110  that is obscured by window covering  100 . When compressed, adjacent panels  128  approach each other as the fold  120  between them closes. A maximum compression for a section of window covering  100  is reached when adjacent panels  128  in the section contact each other, or for the entire window covering  100  when every panel  128  contacts its adjacent panel(s)  128 . When expanded, folds  120  open and adjacent panels  128  rotate away from each other. A maximum expansion for a section of window covering  100  is reached when adjacent panels  128  in that section are approximately or actually planar with each other, or for the entire window covering  100  when every panel  128  is approximately or actually planar with respect to its adjacent panel(s)  128 . 
         [0023]    Adjacent to upper edge  122  is an upper portion  130  by which window covering  100  is hung. Upper portion  130 , in one embodiment ( FIG. 2 ), is a reinforced or multiple ply section that includes multiple holes  132 , through which clip ring assemblies  134  are placed. In one embodiment, upper portion  130  is reinforced by horizontally folding over a portion  136  of the paper, so that the horizontal fold becomes upper edge  122 , and the flap of folded-over paper may be glued or otherwise attached to portion  130 , as at hem  138  ( FIGS. 3A ,  3 B). Alternatively, a separate length(s) of paper may be attached to the upper portion  130 , so that upper portion  130  is thicker compared to the rest of window covering  100 . 
         [0024]    Holes  132  may be placed at various points along upper portion  130 , and good results have been experienced when holes  132  are placed in each panel  128  substantially equidistant from adjacent folds  120 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  3 A. Holes  132  may be reinforced in addition to or instead of a reinforcement of the whole upper portion  130 , as described above. Such specific reinforcement of holes  132  can include paper rings around the edges of holes  132 , or grommets or other inserts that are thicker than the paper of window covering  100  placed in holes  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, each clip ring assembly  134  includes a single ring which extends through an individual hole  132 . Clip ring assemblies may include multiple rings, with one ring through an individual hole  132  and additional ring(s) through the ring in the hole. The term “ring” as used herein includes substantially whole-circular structures that are closed or have small gaps, as illustrated, as well as items that are open, S-shaped or less than a full circle or other shape, or that have spring-loaded closures (e.g. a carabiner). Clip ring assemblies  134  are further attached to a support rod  140 , providing vertical support, and at the same time, horizontal adjustability for window covering  100 . 
         [0025]    In other embodiments, holes  132  need not be provided in window covering  100 . Instead, spring-loaded clips or clamps  134   a  ( FIG. 1 ) can be used to grip upper portion  130  adjacent upper edge  122 . A clip or clamp  134   a  has one portion on each side of window covering  100  so that upper portion  130  is pressed between them. Clips or clamps  134   a  are connected to a support rod  140 , in one example by an open or closed ring  135 , and a chain, wire or link may connect clamp  134   a  and ring  135 . 
         [0026]    Window covering  100  may be pre-manufactured and sold to individuals, or may be constructed initially by the individual. In the former case, the manufacturer can prepare window covering  100  out of a single sheet of relatively heavy paper, as previously noted, or from multiple sheets glued or otherwise fixed together. Such fixing together may preferably be done so that any seam between the sheets is approximately parallel to and between the folds  120 , so that stress on the seam can be minimized in the folding process or use of window covering  100 . The manufacturer can fold the paper so that it has folds  120 , and perhaps additional folds as may be necessary for packaging purposes. Alternatively, the manufacturer can place score lines, printed lines, or other indications on the paper to indicate where the user should make folds  120 . The manufacturer similarly can make the reinforced upper portion  130  as described above, or by giving instructions and indications on the paper to the user to do so. Holes  132  are formed by punching or other technique by the manufacturer, or by the individual with instructions and indications from the manufacturer as suggested above. Construction by the individual end-user from scratch includes the same or similar steps as noted above, once the individual has the appropriate raw materials. 
         [0027]    Once window covering  100  has been formed by the user, removed from a package or otherwise obtained, the user can adapt it to his or her particular tastes and needs. A single covering  100  may be used to extend across some or all of the width of a window. If window covering  100  is too long or too wide for the window, the user can cut off a bottom portion or a side portion of the window covering  100  to suit the window size and the amount of window (if any) to be unobstructed when the window covering is closed or extended. If the user prefers to have two separate coverings on each side of the window, he or she can provide two different window coverings  100  and hang one on the right and one on the left. Alternatively, if the width of window covering  100  will permit, the user can cut window covering  100  (preferably along a fold) into left and right parts, which may or may not be of equal size. If window covering  100  is not of sufficient size, a second window covering  100  or part of one can be used along with a first (as indicated above) or may be attached to the side or bottom of the first to create a larger window covering. 
         [0028]    In addition to adjustment of size, the user may decorate window covering with paint, marker, crayon, stickers, stencils, and/or many other decorating items, styles or techniques. Paper, particularly the sturdy paper preferred for window covering  100 , will accept such items and techniques, particularly paint, marker and stickers, much easier and with much better result than with thin paper like newsprint, through which such items can soak or tear, or with woven materials like linens, to which stickers may not stick and other decorations are difficult to apply with aesthetic skill. 
         [0029]    Examples of such decorations or embellishments  400  may be seen in  FIG. 4 . Embellishments  400  may be the artistic work and design of the user to his or her personal taste, or they may be provided as pre-packaged themed kits. Such themes might include, as non-limiting examples, various sports or sports teams, animals, holiday seasons, hobbies, or school affiliations. Themes might also reflect a user&#39;s personal preference for different patterns, such as floral, retro, geometric, alternative art, or natural elements. Furthermore, users may simply color or mark directly on the window covering material itself. Materials for such self-creation, such as paints, stencils, markers or other materials noted above, may be included in a kit with window covering  100  or as a separate adjunct. Embellishments  400 , if used on or with window covering  100 , provide an enjoyable way for users and their families to share creative expressions, to personalize these inexpensive window treatments, and to easily create new treatments after moving or redecorating. Children may particularly benefit from the opportunity to customize their own room window coverings, without substantial cost to their parents. The extent of design possibilities is virtually limitless. 
         [0030]    When window covering  100  is properly sized and decorated, it may be hung from an existing rod  140  or other support above or in a window. If such a support is not in place, one can be installed prior to hanging window covering  100 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , which uses clip ring assemblies  134 , such assemblies are inserted into holes  132  (if not already done by the manufacturer of window covering  100 ). Rod  140  is inserted through assemblies  134  and placed in its established place in or over the window. In embodiments in which assemblies  134  are open or can be clipped onto rod  140 , rod  140  may remain in its established place, and assemblies  134  can be placed on it. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the sized and decorated window covering  100  is clipped to individual clips or clamps  134   a , with one clamp  134   a  for every other panel  128 . Rod  140  is inserted through rings  135  and placed in its established place in or over the window. In both cases, collapsing window covering  100  so that panels  128  generally move together (somewhat like an accordion) unblocks the window, while expanding window covering  100  so that panels  128  move generally apart obstructs the window. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a further embodiment of window covering  100 , in which no clip ring assemblies are used. In this embodiment, holes  132  are provided at points between vertical folds  120 . Support rod  140  is inserted through holes  132  in an alternating fashion, i.e., so that if one fold  120  is on one side of rod  140 , the adjacent fold(s)  120  is on the other side of rod  140 . Window covering  100  may be compressed by moving holes  132  together so that adjacent panels  128  move together fully, and it may be expanded to a substantial degree by moving holes  132  apart so that adjacent panels  128  move apart. In this embodiment, a full expansion to the point where panels  128  are substantially or actually planar with each other is not possible in light of the interference of rod  140 . This embodiment of window covering  100  has an upper portion  130  that is thicker or reinforced, as described above. Also as noted previously, holes  132  may be reinforced in addition to or instead of a full reinforcement of upper portion  130  to prevent tearing. 
         [0032]    It will be seen that window covering  100 , provided with the folded-over section  136  and hem  138 , has a pocket  139  ( FIG. 3B ) defined between section  136  and the rest of window covering  100 . Pocket  139  can also be used to accommodate a rod  140  or other support, particularly if the section  136 , hem  138  and/or the part of window covering  100  that is adjacent section  136  is reinforced. Rod  140  can be inserted through pocket  140  and then placed in its established location on the wall or in the window casing, as described above. However, in this embodiment the opportunity to open window covering  100  will be limited, since rod  140  will interfere with the bending of folds  120  and the moving together of panels  128 . Accordingly, this embodiment may be preferable for windows that should remain substantially obstructed. If pocket  139  is intended to accommodate support rod  140 , it may not be necessary to include holes  132 . However, a window covering  100  that includes both pocket  139  and holes  132  allows for the greatest range of connection to support rod  140 , whether via pocket  139 , assemblies  134  through holes  132 , or clamps  134   a  clipped onto upper portion  130  of covering  100 . 
         [0033]    Thus, the window covering may be installed on a standard horizontal drapery or support rod using a variety of methods. Ring clips may simply be attached at points between the vertical folds. In other embodiments, the upper portion of the covering may be reinforced by folding over a strip of material at the top of the covering to create a pocket or hem through which a support rod can be inserted. In a further embodiment, holes can be placed at points between the vertical folds. This enables the covering to hang from a rod inserted through the holes in an alternating fashion, with each subsequent vertical panel of the covering substantially angled from the previous panel when the covering is compressed. 
         [0034]    The vertically-pleated configuration of the disclosed window coverings provides increased durability and tear resistance when compared with horizontally-pleated shades, and better aesthetics than newsprint or linens, all while being much more inexpensive than draperies, blinds and other standard treatments. With horizontally-pleated shades, each horizontal fold bears the weight of the covering material below it, including any clips or hardware at the bottom. As such shades are raised and lowered, the horizontal folds become weakened from repetitive folding motion. They are naturally susceptible to tearing because the weight of the shade acts perpendicular to the fold, the weakest part of the shade, and those folds become weaker over time, making them even more susceptible. This limitation is overcome by removing the vertical gravitational stress from the folds, thereby reducing the chance of a rip or tear in the material. The vertical folds in the window covering of the present disclosure are less susceptible to tearing since the folds are not subjected to the perpendicular stress of gravity while hanging. 
         [0035]    The use of paper or similar materials in the present invention also allows users to easily and readily customize both the size and appearance of the window covering without a substantial monetary investment. Users may embellish the basic window covering by printing, painting, marking or otherwise directly treating the paper material, or by attaching various types of decorations to embellish the basic material. 
         [0036]    Kits may be created which include one or more window coverings  100 , clip ring assemblies  134 , paints, stickers or other embellishments, instructions or ideas for use, or any subset of these items. Separate embellishment kits may be provided, apart from window coverings  100 , with themes corresponding to the user&#39;s personal taste. 
         [0037]    It will be seen that a number of benefits over existing devices are provided by the above-disclosed embodiments. Not only are they less expensive, easily customizable, and longer-lasting than existing devices, they are easier to hang and use. They also provide additional environmental benefits. The embodiments described above are of a material that can easily be recycled, and can be made of post-consumer content. They also have significant insulating qualities arising from the thickness of the paper and the folded configuration. 
         [0038]    While the term “window” and “window covering” has been used throughout this specification, it is noted that the disclosed embodiments will also be useful with glass doors and similar openings. 
         [0039]    While the embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.