Patent Publication Number: US-2011061300-A1

Title: Energy-saving vertical valance assembly

Description:
The vertical valence assembly reduces energy exchange between indoors and outdoors because of combination of the way it is attached to window frames with properties of the valance material. This energy-saving function was unexpectedly discovered while exploring ways to attach, and materials for, a vertical valance assembly conceived to merely cover gaps at edges of drawn window shades. 
    
    
     
         FIG. 1  shows the vertical valance assembly on a window. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a valance mounting grip and vertical valance panel. 
     
    
    
     The window shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  has a window casing  51 , a window stop  52 , a window pane  53 , a window stile  54 , and a window shade  61 . When the window shade  61  is drawn, gaps are present along edges of the window shade  61 . The panel covers these gaps, reducing air circulation at these gaps, thus reducing energy exchange between indoors and outdoors. 
     The vertical valance assembly includes a vertical valance panel and a valance mounting grip. When mounted on a window, the panel  11  extends from the window casing  51  towards the window pane  53 . The panel  11  can overlap the window casing  51 . The panel  11  can have a mounting leg  12 , which extends away from the panel  11  towards- the window stop  52 . 
     The valance mounting grip also depicted in  FIG. 3  includes a clip  21  and a support  22 . The valance mounting grip can be secured on the window stop  52  by the support  22  of the valance mounting grip. The clip  21  of the valance mounting grip can engage with the mounting leg  12  of the vertical valance, thus securing the panel  11  of the vertical valance against the window stop  52 . 
     The panel extends over the gap at drawn shade edges. The panel can also extend over this gap and extend over part of the window casing. The panel can also extend over this gap and have the mounting leg extending over part of the window stop. The panel can extend over the gap, extend over part of the window casing, and have the mounting leg extending over part of the window stop. In all and each of these four options the panel can be attached to the window by various fasteners including adhesives and by various fastening assemblies. 
     Attaching the panel with the mounting clip as shown in the figures holds the panel against parts of the window stop and the window casing. Thus, when the panel is made of a material having a higher R-value than the parts of the window stop and window casing contacted by the panel, the panel reduces radiation and conduction energy exchanges between indoors and outdoors. When the panel is made of a flexible and contour-fitting and easily trimmed material this improves the contact and improves the reduction of energy exchanges. 
     The vertical valance assembly comprises a panel mounted on a window, the window having a window pane, a window casing, and a window stop. The panel extends towards the window pane to overlap portions of the window pane proximal the window stop not covered by a drawn window shade. 
     The panel can also overlap a portion of the window casing. The a panel can have a mounting leg along the panel and extending substantially orthogonally to the panel to overlap the window stop. The mounting leg can be secured to the window stop. 
     The assembly can also comprise a mounting grip having a support and a clip. The support is for securing the mounting grip to the window stop, and the clip is for securing the panel against the window stop. 
     The panel can be made of a material with higher R-value than materials of the window stop and the window casing. The panel can be made of a flexible, and contour-fitting material.