Abstract:
The present invention provides a scalable, preformed, mold covered with fabric to form a window treatment. The fabric is cut to fit the mold and adhered to its contours in order to obtain the shape of the desired window treatment. The fabric can also have alignment tabs in order to make attachment to the mold easier. One or more rod hooks can be adhered to the fabric covering the mold or integrated into the mold. The rod hook attaches the window treatment to any standard curtain rod. Optional side extensions allow the creation of fuller pieces. The mold is designed to look attractive on the underside as well as the top side (front-back).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of window treatments and, in particular, to preformed window treatments.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Consumers desiring to use window treatments are limited to either purchasing window treatments that are ready-made, which may or may not fully suit their tastes or needs, custom made, which are extremely expensive, or making their own. Even currently available do-it-yourself kits limit the consumers&#39; fabric choices and may severely limit their size choices. Additionally, the available do-it-yourself kits do not ensure that the window treatment will be balanced (i.e. have evenly-spaced pleats/folds), which often results in an unattractive product. Moreover, current window treatments will often lose their shape when cleaned or vacuumed. Finally, currently available window treatments are not easily removed, replaced, modified or transported.  
           [0003]    Accordingly, there is a need for a window treatment that allows the consumer unlimited fabric choice. There is a need for window treatments that can be economically created and customized to suit individual preferences. Additionally, there is a need for a window treatment that ensures the final product will be attractive and usable. There is also a need for window treatments that can be cleaned without losing their shape. Finally, there is a need for window treatments that can be easily removed, replaced, modified and transported.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides a window treatment, a window treatment kit and method of creating a window treatment that allows the consumer unlimited fabric choice. The present invention provides window treatments that can be economically created and customized to suit individual preferences. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of creating window treatments that ensures the final product will be attractive, usable and easily reproducible. The present invention also provides window treatments that can be cleaned without losing their shape. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the need for measuring and sewing. Finally, the window treatment of the present invention can be easily removed, replaced, modified and transported.  
           [0005]    More specifically, the present invention provides a scalable, preformed mold covered with fabric. The fabric is cut to fit the mold and adhered to its contours in order to obtain the shape of the desired window treatment. The fabric can also have alignment tabs in order to make attachment to the mold easier. One or more rod hooks can be either adhered to the fabric covering the mold or integrated into the mold. The rod hook can then be used to attach the window treatment to any standard curtain rod. Optional side extensions allow the creation of filler pieces.  
           [0006]    The present invention also provides a scalable, preformed, mold covered with fabric. The mold has one or more concentric humps. The fabric is cut to fit the mold and adhered to its contours in order to obtain the shape of the desired window treatment. Alignment tabs on the fabric make attachment to the mold easier. One or more rod hooks can be either adhered to the fabric covering the mold or integrated into the mold. The rod hook can then be used to attach the window treatment to any standard curtain rod.  
           [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for creating window treatments. The steps are: cutting a piece of fabric to match a pattern, aligning the piece of fabric to a scalable preformed mold and adhering the piece of fabric to contours of the scalable preformed mold. The method may also include the step of attaching one or more rod hooks to the piece of fabric adhered to the scalable preformed mold if the rod hooks are not integrated into the mold.  
           [0008]    In addition, the present invention provides a window treatment having multiple pieces, which can be of the same or differing sizes and/or configurations. Each piece is a scalable preformed mold covered by fabric. The multiple pieces are hung together using a rod hook to form a full window treatment.  
           [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The above and further advantages of the present invention may be understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to the corresponding parts in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 depicts a representative swag window treatment in accordance with the present invention mounted on a window;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a mold form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 depicts cross-sectional view of the mold form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 depicts a pattern in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method of creating a window treatment in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 6A, 6B and  6 C depict an embodiment of a rod hook and its connection to a window treatment in accordance with the present invention  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 depicts an expanded view of the scoring of a side extension piece in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the scoring of a side extension piece in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 9A and 9B depict an embodiment of a side extension and its connection to a window in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0020]    FIGS.  10 A- 10 F depict various shapes of the preformed mold in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed herein in terms of swag window treatments, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and are not meant to limit its scope in any way.  
         [0022]    The present invention provides a window treatment, a window treatment kit and method of creating a window treatment that allows the consumer unlimited fabric choice. The present invention provides window treatments that can be economically created and customized to suit individual preferences. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of creating window treatments that ensures the final product will be attractive, usable and easily reproducible. The present invention also provides window treatments that can be cleaned without losing their shape. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the need for measuring and sewing. Finally, the window treatment of the present invention can be easily removed, replaced, modified and transported.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 depicts a representative window treatment in accordance with the present invention mounted on a window  30 . Swag window treatment  20  is shown with three (3) preformed window treatments  40  and two (2) cascade side extensions  50 . FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a preformed mold form  60  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which is used to create the window treatments  40  of the swag window treatment  20  as shown in FIG. 1. Preformed mold  60  is shown as a quarter-circle (90°) with three (3) alignment tabs  70  and evenly spaced concentric “humps,” such as  80 . The preformed mold  60  can be provided in any number of decorative shapes, such as semi-circular (shown), elliptical, U-shaped, large, small, with humps in the lower portion but not the top portion, etc. Exemplary preformed mold  60  measurements are also shown in FIG. 2. Alignment tabs  70  may be slots, markings or adhesives, such as VELCRO. Alignment tabs  70  may be located anywhere on preformed mold  60 . Exemplary spacing and height of humps  80  are shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0024]    The cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 shows a preformed mold  60  with eight (8) humps  80 . Each hump  80  is of uniform height and depth and is equally spaced from each adjoining hump  80 . Preformed mold  60  edge  84  corresponds to the shortest hump  80  (FIG. 2) of preformed mold  60  as shown in FIG. 2. Preformed mold  60  edge  86  corresponds to the longest hump  80  (FIG. 2) of preformed mold  60  as shown in FIG. 2. The dimensions of preformed mold  60  (FIGS. 2 and 3) allow easy alignment of patterned fabrics. For example, a stripe running in a straight vertical line down a piece of fabric will also run in a straight vertical line down a swag window treatment  40  (FIG. 1) when attached to preformed mold  60  (FIGS. 2 and 3) because of the preformed mold dimensions. The line will not waver from hump  80  (FIGS. 2 and 3) to adjoining hump  80  (FIGS. 2 and 3).  
         [0025]    Preformed mold  60  can be less than a quarter-circle or more (for example, 180°). The preformed mold  60  may include one or more pieces that allow a multitude of shapes to be created. Moreover, the multiple preformed molds  60  can be overlapped. In addition, the preformed mold  60  can be formed in many decorative shapes as shown in FIGS.  10 A-F. Moreover, preformed mold  60  can be formed from a variety of lightweight materials, such as a polymeric or fibrous material. In addition, preformed mold  60  can be formed through methods such as injection molding and vacuum formation. These methods result in a lightweight, semi-rigid to rigid preformed mold  60 . An alternative material for use as the preformed mold  60  is a lightweight rubberized material. This alternative modifies the way the window treatment is assembled, but does not degrade the finished product. The size of the window treatment is scaled by the addition or removal of the humps  80 . The humps  80  can be removed by cutting the preformed mold  60  or separating the humps  80  at preformed perforations in the preformed mold  60 . In other words, more humps  80  result in a larger window treatment and less humps  80  make a smaller window treatment. Alternatively, the additional humps  80  can be attached to, abutted to, or overlapped to increase the size of the preformed mold  60 . Multiple preformed molds  60  can also be used to cover larger window areas.  
         [0026]    The present invention may be in the form of a kit. Such a kit could contain a preformed mold  60 , a pattern matched to preformed mold  60  and one or more rod hooks. The rod hooks may be part of the preformed mold  60  or separate units as described in reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. The kit could also contain an adhesive. The adhesive may be a separate component, integrated with the pattern or a combination thereof.  
         [0027]    The consumer can select any fabric for the window treatment. To assemble the window treatment, the consumer would have to cut a piece of fabric to conform to the desired window treatment style. For example, a swag treatment pattern  400  could appear as shown in FIG. 4. It would be basically fan-shaped. Its dimensions would vary to accommodate preformed mold  60 . A larger fan-shaped swag treatment pattern  400  would be required to fit a larger preformed mold  60 . Additionally, in order to facilitate attachment to the rod hook, a swag treatment pattern  400  would have an additional length of material  410  and  420  at the smaller end of the fan shape. Length of material  420  would wrap further around the rod hook then length of material  410 . The attachment of the rod hook is discussed in greater detail in reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and  6 C, below. Alignment tabs  470  on the pattern  400  correspond to alignment tabs  70  (FIG. 2) on preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2). Each point, such as  480 , would be mirrored on the opposite side of the pattern  400  and would correspond to a hump  80  (FIG. 2). The pattern  400  could also double as a method to adhere the fabric to preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), thereby also providing additional shaping support. If the pattern  400  contains adhesive on both sides, one side can be affixed to the fabric to hold the pattern in place while the fabric is cut. Then, the adhesive on the other side can be used to adhere the fabric to the preformed mold. In this case, the pattern  400  would also require some form of “peel-away” backing over the adhesive in order to keep it from sticking to everything. Alternatively, a separate adhesive may be applied to either the fabric or preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2).  
         [0028]    A flowchart of the steps of an embodiment of the method for creating a window treatment is shown in FIG. 5. The assembly method begins in termination  505 . If adhesive has been pre-applied to the pattern, as determined in decision point  510 , the consumer adheres the pattern to a piece of fabric in block  515 . If adhesive has not been pre-applied to the pattern, as determined in decision point  510 , the consumer can either decide to apply adhesive, in decision point  555 , and then proceed to adhere the pattern to a piece of fabric in block  515  or the consumer can attach the pattern to the piece of fabric in block  560  using an alternative method, such as pins. The consumer then cuts the fabric in accordance with the pattern in block  520 . If the adhesive is already on the fabric, as determined in decision point  525 , the consumer then aligns the fabric with the window treatment form in block  530 . If the adhesive is not on the fabric, as determined in decision point  525 , the consumer applies adhesive in block  565  and then aligns the fabric with the window treatment form using the alignment tabs on the fabric and those on preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) in block  530 . Not only do the alignment tabs correctly align the fabric to preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), but they also help to ensure that patterned fabrics, particularly stripes, appear balanced and aligned after attachment to preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2). The consumer next adheres the fabric to the window treatment form in block  535 .  
         [0029]    For a semi-rigid to rigid preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), beginning at one end of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) and moving individually to each adjoining hump  80  (FIG. 2), the consumer then smoothes the fabric, pressing lightly but firmly, along the contours of each hump  80  (FIG. 2) until each hump  80  (FIG. 2) is covered in fabric. The fabric edges are affixed in block  540 . More specifically, the fabric along longest hump  80  (FIG. 2) or edge  84  (FIG. 3) is affixed to the preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) by tucking the fabric edges into a lip of the preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), thus creating a finished edge. Both sides of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) can be covered in fabric in this manner. Alternatively, two preformed molds  60  having fabric on opposing sides can be attached or cupped together wherein the fabric edges are tucked in between the cupped preformed molds  60  (FIG. 2). An adhesive may be used in either method to further secure the fabric. The fabric does not -need to be identical on each side (front and back). Further, longest hump  80  (FIG. 2) or edge  84  (FIG. 3) of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) can be narrower to allow for the addition of such decorative accents as fringe. In the case where preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) is a quarter-circle, the fabric will form folds extending up and out from preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), making the quarter-circle into a half-circle.  
         [0030]    If the rod hooks  70  (FIG. 2) are not already attached to or integrated with the preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3), the rod hooks are attached in block  545 . The rod hook attachment process is describe in more detail in reference to FIGS.  6 A- 6 C. A single window treatment fabric-mold assembly is then complete in termination  550 .  
         [0031]    In the case of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) made of rubberized material, or other material having a positional memory, the fabric attachment procedure would differ slightly. A pattern might not be necessary, because rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) could be temporarily stretched out to a flattened state and used as its own pattern. Whether or not a pattern is used to cut the material, the actual fabric to rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) attachment would be performed by stretching rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) to a flattened state, adhering the fabric to rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) and then releasing rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2). This allows rubberized preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2) to resume its preformed molded shape and to shape the adhered fabric into the desired configuration.  
         [0032]    An embodiment of a rod hook  600  as a piece of semi-rigid to rigid material, the length of which preferably matches the longest edge of the fabric-mold combination is illustrated in FIG. 6A. The rod hook  600  may be a single attachment, primarily L-shaped, although other configurations, such as a square or circle can be used. The L-shaped sections  610  of such a rod hook extend in from each end toward the center, each L-shaped section  610  ending at an opposite inner edge of shortest hump  80  (FIG. 2) of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2). L-shaped sections  610  allow individual preformed molds  60  (FIG. 2) to overlap by enabling each rod hook  600  to lay on top of another rod hook  600 , under another rod hook  600  or adjacent to another rod hook  600 . This allows the consumer to adjust the width of multiple piece window treatments, such as that shown in FIG. 1. From each inner edge of shortest hump  80  (FIG. 2) of preformed mold  60  (FIG. 2), the rod hook  600  is preferably C-shaped, although other configurations that would enable the rod hook  600  to be easily hooked to and unhooked from any standard curtain rod can be used. The C-shaped section  620  enables the rod hook  600  to clip to any standard curtain rod. The rod hook  600  is attached to the fabric-mold combination along the top edge of the fabric-mold combination. One method of attachment would be adhesive. The sections of the rod hook  600  to which fabric will be attached could be pre-coated with adhesive (and possibly covered with a “peel-away” backing) or the consumer could apply the adhesive.  
         [0033]    In either case, the rod hook  600  is positioned on the material such that the outer edge forming the C-shape section  620  on the rod hook is approximately twice its size from the free edge of the extended fabric piece. The C-shaped section  620  is disposed between two (2) L-shaped sections  610 . For example, if the edge forming the C-shape section  620  is a half-inch in size, then that edge would be attached approximately one inch from the free edge of the extended fabric piece. The remaining one inch of fabric is then smoothed along and wrapped around the C-shaped section  620  and attached along the inside of the C-shaped section  620  as shown in FIG. 6B. Next, while holding the fabric firmly against the inside of the C-shaped section  620 , the consumer pulls the fabric  650  taut and rolls the rod hook up, adhering the back edge of the C-shaped section  620  and short leg of the L-shaped section  610  to the fabric  650 . Finally, continuing to hold the fabric  650  taut, the consumer rolls the rod hook  600  further up, adhering the long-leg of the L-shaped section  610  to the fabric  650 . From the side, the resulting attachment appears as in FIG. 6B, with fabric  650  adhered to and pulled taut against both C-shaped section  620  and L-shaped section  610 . From the back, the window treatment appears as in FIG. 6C with fabric folds  615  adhered to both L-shaped section  610  and C-shaped section  620 . The single piece window treatment is complete. Multiple fabric-covered preformed molds  60  (FIG. 2) can be combined to create window treatments of various sizes and configurations, such as that as shown in FIG. 1.  100241  Side extensions, such as those shown as cascades  50  in FIG. 1, can be used to form additional decorative accents. The material used to form the preformed mold of the side extensions must be capable of holding its shape but not appear stiff. Such a material would have characteristics similar to TYVEK. Cascades  50  (FIG. 1) are pleated. In order to form even, balanced pleats, side extension pieces should be scored and folded along balanced lines. FIG. 7 depicts an expanded view of the scoring, such as  710 , of a side extension piece  700  of the present invention. Exemplary measurements are also shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the scoring of a side extension piece  800  of the present invention. Up-score  810  forms the visible side of pleat  805 . Pleat point  830  is formed at the intersection of up-score  810  and down-score  820 . Down-score  820  forms the underside of pleat  805 . Successive pleats  850  are formed from linked up-scores and down-scores. Pleats  805  and  850  are folded flat on top of each other. Fabric is cut to fit a pattern matched to the side extension piece  800  core, shown expanded as side extension piece  700  (FIG. 7). The fabric is attached to the side extension piece  800  core in its expanded state as shown in FIG. 7. The side extension piece  800  core then resumes its shape, giving the appearance of pleats. The side extension piece  800  core material may also function as a pattern. The side extension piece  800  core material may also have an adhesive pre-applied and covered with a “peel-away” backing. This pre-applied adhesive would be used to attach the fabric to the side extension piece  800  core.  
         [0035]    Side extension piece  900  may lay flat (i.e. parallel to the window and the wall). Alternatively, side extension piece  900  may conform to the contours of the portion of a standard curtain rod that connects to the wall. For example, as shown in, FIG. 9A, a standard curtain rod has side pieces  930  and length piece  940 . The standard curtain rod with sides pieces  930  and length piece  940  may connect to a wall  910  at one end of each side piece  930 . Side pieces  930  extend perpendicular to wall  910  for a length of one or more inches and then form a right angle  935  parallel to wall  910 , turning to span window  920  with length piece  940 . Side extension pieces  900  may connect to either or both ends of length piece  940  and then may conform to the right angle and, as one continuous piece, also connect to either or both side pieces  930 .  
         [0036]    A rod hook with L-shaped sections  960  and C-shaped sections  970  for side extension piece  900  is shown in FIG. 9B. C-shaped sections  970  attach to standard curtain rod  950 . Side extension piece  900  is adhered to L-shaped sections  960  and C-shaped sections  970  as described above in relation to FIGS. 6A and 6B. The rod hook with L-shaped sections  960  and C-shaped sections  970  may be a single attachment. Configurations other than L-shaped or C-shaped can be used as long as side extension piece  900  can be attached to the rod hook and the rod hook can be easily attached to and removed from standard curtain rod  950 . Standard curtain rod  950  has a length piece  940  and two (2) side pieces  930  (only one is shown). A single attachment rod hook for side extension piece  900  could have “bend points” at differing locations in order to conform the rod hook to right angle turn  935 . Right angle  935  can occur at varying distances from approximately one or more inches from a wall, such as  910  in FIG. 9A. Alternatively, separate rod hooks could be used to attach side extension piece  900  to side piece  930  and the rest of side extension piece  900  to length piece  940 .  
         [0037]    Now referring to FIGS.  10 A- 10 F, various shapes of the preformed mold are shown in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10A depicts an implementation of the present invention using a semi-circular shaped preformed mold. FIG. 10B depicts an implementation of the present invention using a preformed mold that is hung over a pole-type rod. FIG. 10C depicts an implementation of the present invention using a semi-circular shaped preformed mold having humps in the lower portion and no humps in the upper portion. FIG. 10D depicts an implementation of the present invention using an elliptical shaped preformed mold. FIG. 10E depicts an implementation of the present invention using a U-shaped preformed mold. FIG. 10F depicts an implementation of the present invention using a small semi-circular shaped preformed mold without lower humps.  
         [0038]    While specific alternatives to steps of the present invention have been described herein, additional alternatives not specifically disclosed but known in the art are intended to fall within the scope of this invention. Thus, it is understood that other applications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon the reading of the described embodiments and a consideration of the appended claims and drawings.