Patent Publication Number: US-7913740-B2

Title: Three dimensional shade

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a three dimensional shade and particularly to a three dimensional shade that provides a three dimensional layer structure and profile to enhance added value in use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2  for embodiments of conventional window shades  1  and  2 . They are simple and practical. By cooperating with different materials and patterns, they also can be matched with overall interior design and color configuration to enhance aesthetic appeal. However these days the window shade has evolved from the simple masking function in the past to become an important element of the overall interior design. While altering the pattern or color can enhance the aesthetic appeal, the structure still is formed in a simple plane fashion, and does not provide three dimensional visual effect and layer structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the aforesaid concerns, the present invention aims to provide a three dimensional shade that provides a three dimensional layer profile to enhance added value when in use. 
     To achieve the foregoing object, the invention includes a movable frame and a shade. The movable frame is installed on any two sliding docks movable on a track of a upper beam and can be drawn by a drawing element to retract and extend. 
     The movable frame has at least two coupling plates hinged together. Each of the coupling plates has two ends with a first hinge mechanism and a second hinge mechanism located thereon to allow two neighboring coupling plates to be coupled together to form a movable joint. The movable frame also has at least two clip fastening portions corresponding to the coupling plates to clip and fasten the sliding docks. Each of the coupling plates has at least one first anchor element. 
     The shade has at least one second anchor element at a top portion to couple with the first anchor element to hang the shade. 
     In one aspect the first anchor element is a hook. 
     In another aspect the second anchor element is an aperture. 
     The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a conventional window shade. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a conventional window shade. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the movable frame of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary sectional view of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary sectional view of the movable joint of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the movable frame in an extended condition. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the movable frame in a retracted condition. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the three dimensional shade according to the invention includes a movable frame  3  and a shade  4 . The movable frame  3  is installed on any two sliding docks  53  movable on a track  512  of a upper beam  51  and can be drawn by a drawing element  52  to retract and extend. 
     The movable frame  3  has at least two coupling plates  31  hinged together. Each of the coupling plates  31  has two ends with a first hinge mechanism A and a second hinge mechanism B located thereon to allow two neighboring coupling plates  31  to be coupled together to form a movable joint C. The movable frame  3  also has at least two clip fastening portions  311  corresponding to two coupling plates  31  to clip and fasten the sliding docks  53 . Each of the coupling plates  31  has at least one first anchor element  312 . 
     The shade  4  has at least one second anchor element  411  at a top portion  41  to couple with the first anchor element  312  to hang the shade  4 . 
     The sliding dock  53  has two sides which have respectively at least one wheel  531  located thereon to be rested on the track  512  of the upper beam  51  so that the sliding dock  53  can slide on the upper beam  51 . The sliding dock  53  further has a clip portion  532  at a lower side that is extended through an opening  511  of the upper beam  51 . The clip portion  532  has two sides each has a retaining rib  533  formed thereon. 
     The drawing element  52  is a bead chain or drawing rope to be fastened to the sliding dock  53  to allow users to draw the sliding dock  53  to retract and extend the shade  4 . 
     The movable joint C includes the first hinge mechanism A which has at least one first jutting rib A 1  and at least one first notch A 2  located at one coupling plate  31  and the mating second hinge mechanism B located at a neighboring coupling plate that has at least one second notch B 2  and one second jutting rib B 1  that are coupled through a pin  32  running through apertures A 11  and B 11  formed on the first and second jutting ribs A 1  and B 1  to form a swivel axis (referring to  FIG. 7 ). 
     By means of the construction set forth above, when in use for extending (referring to  FIGS. 8 and 10 ), by drawing the drawing element  52  the sliding dock  53  on the upper beam  51  can be moved to allow the movable frame  3  consisting of a plurality of the coupling plates  31  to form a closed profile in a fully extended condition. The profile of the shade  4  hung on the movable frame  3  can be changed to become a three dimensional layer structure. To retract the shade, move the sliding dock  53  in the reverse direction in the upper beam  51  through the drawing element  52 , the coupling plates  31  on the movable frame  3  are bent and retracted inwards about the movable joint C (referring to  FIG. 9 ) so that the movable frame  3  is shrunk to a smaller size, but still maintains the three dimensional profile in another shape. And the shade  4  hung on the movable frame  3  also is changed to another shape according to the corresponding position to form another three dimensional layer profile. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in order to enhance aesthetic appeal at least one lighting fixture  6  may be installed at one side of the upper beam  51 . When the lighting fixture  6  is set ON light can project downwards from the upper side of the shade  4  to allow the shade  4  to look like a lamp shade. Thus more aesthetic appeal and added value can be accomplished.