Patent Publication Number: US-7721782-B2

Title: Arched window covering

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Moveable window coverings such as blinds, shades and the like are well known. One type of window covering is the cellular or honeycomb shade. This type of window covering typically comprises a rectanguler shade panel constructed of woven or non-woven material formed into a plurality of contiguous cells. In cross-section, the cells typically have a polygonal shape such as a heptagon. The cells provide insulation and prevent light penetration. Plural layers of cells may be used in the panel to increase the insulating and light impermeability characteristics of the panel. 
   In a typical bottom up shade, the shade panel is supported along its upper edge by a head rail and has its lower edge secured to a bottom rail. The head rail is secured to an architectural feature such as a window frame to support the window covering adjacent to the architectural feature being covered. A plurality of lift cords extend from the head rail and are connected to the bottom rail to raise and lower the bottom rail thereby opening and closing the window covering. In one typical arrangement the lift cords are connected to draw cords that extend from the head rail such that they can be grasped by a person to cause the blinds to raise and lower. It is also known to use a spring motor or an electric motor to raise and lower the blinds. As the blind panel is moved from an extended or closed position to a retracted or open position, the panel material folds to collapse the cells against the head rail. Such window shades are suitable for use on rectangular architectural features such as doors or windows. However such shades are not suitable for use on arched architectural features such as arched windows or the like. 
   Arched window coverings are known. However, the known arched window coverings are complex and expensive to manufacture or do not perform well when installed. The window covering should be easily and smoothly extended and retracted to selectively cover and uncover the architectural feature and relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture. Moreover, the window covering must be able to be adapted to various arch shapes and sizes. 
   Thus, an improved arched window covering is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The arched window covering of the invention comprises a head rail that is mounted to a wall, window frame, door or other architectural feature. A mounting track is mounted to the arched architectural feature and a slider track is snap fit to the mounting track. The slider track includes support portions extending therefrom that slidably support a plurality of sliders such that the sliders can be moved relative to the slider track. The sliders are connected to a shade panel such that movement of the sliders on the slider track results in the extension and retraction of the shade panel. The shade panel may comprise a cellular shade formed to have an arched shape with radially extending cells. A ball joint is formed on one of the sliders that can be engaged by a control wand such that the opening and closing of the shade may be accomplished from a distance to allow the window covering to be mounted in hard to reach areas. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an embodiment of an arch window covering of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the window covering of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the partially assembled window covering in an arched window. 
       FIG. 4  is a section view taken along line  4 - 4 of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of portion B of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the slider used in an arched window covering like that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view showing the slider used in an arched window covering like that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the window covering of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the window covering of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   The window covering of the invention is shown generally at  1  in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  and includes a head rail or valance  2  made of a rigid material such as aluminum, wood or the like. The head rail  2  is typically mounted to an architectural feature  4  such as an arched window such that the window covering may selectively cover the architectural feature. While the window covering  1  is shown with an arched window it is to be understood that the architectural feature may be a door, alcove or any other feature. The head rail  2  is typically secured to the architectural feature using screws  6  or other fastener although any mounting mechanism may be used. The head rail  2  includes a channel  3  that extends for substantially the entire length of the head rail and is dimensioned to receive the shade panel  10  as will hereinafter be described. 
   In the illustrated embodiment the shade panel  10  is a cellular shade where a plurality of contiguous cells  12  extend radially along a line extending from a central point P to create an arched configuration. The shade  10  panel moves about axis P as it is opened and closed. The panel  10  may be made of a woven or non-woven material that is constructed to form the cells  12  where the cells have a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Each cell  12  is formed of a plurality of faces  12   a  that are joined at fold lines such that the cell can collapse when the shade is retracted and expand when the shade is extended. While cells  12  having six faces are illustrated it is to be understood that the cells may have a fewer or greater number of faces and that the specific shape of the cells can vary. The interior of each cell  12  is typically open although it is known to include additional layers of material inside the cells to increase thermal insulation or light impermeability. Moreover, while a single cell configuration is illustrated the shade of the invention may be configured as a double or triple cell shade. A double cell configuration has two layers of cells while a triple cell configuration has three layers of cells. The cellular panel  10  may be created by any known method and is typically made by stitching, gluing, mechanically fastening or otherwise joining multiple pieces of the material together to form the cells. Moreover while a cellular shade panel is illustrated it is to be understood that the panel  12  may have other constructions. For example the shade may be a pleated shade, slatted shade or the like. 
   The shade panel  10  may be created from a standard rectangular shade panel where the panel is “fanned” to create the arched window covering. Specifically, the top edge of the rectangular panel forms first end  10   a , the bottom edge of the rectangular panel forms second end  10   b , one side of the rectangular panel forms curved free edge  10   c  and the other side of the rectangular panel forms an inner curved edge  10   d . In the illustrated embodiment the shade panel  10  is fanned about point P to create a centrally located void  14  defined by inner edge  10   d . The shade panel  10  as formed has a partial annular shape. The void  14  is substantially covered by the head rail  2  when the shade is closed to limit the amount of light that can pass through the window covering. A separate valance  11  may be provided to provide a decorative finish to the window covering where the valance also covers void  14 . 
   The first end  10   a  of shade panel  10  is located at one end of head rail  2  in channel  3  and the second end  10   b  is located at the opposite end of head rail  2  in channel  3  such that the shade panel extends for substantially the entire length of the head rail. One end of the shade panel, either first end  10   a  or second end  10   b , may be fixed to the head rail with the opposite end free to move relative thereto such that the shade can be opened and closed from the free end. The end of the shade panel  10  that is fixed to head rail  2  may be secured thereto using any suitable connection device such as adhesive, two sided tape, mechanical fastener or the like. 
   Alternatively, both ends  10   a  and  10   b  of shade panel  10  may be free to move relative to the head rail  2  such that the shade may be opened and closed from either or both ends of the shade panel to create a split shade. The split shade arrangement also allows both ends of the shade panel to be moved toward one another such that when the shade is opened, the shade panel is retracted to a central portion of the window. 
   To support the free edge of the panel  10   c  for movement of the shade, a mounting track  16  is secured to the arched surface of the architectural feature  4  by fasteners such as screws  18 . The mounting track  16  extends for the length of the architectural feature  4  and may be made flexible so as to be able to fit arches having different shapes. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mounting track  16  comprises a base portion  22  that extends for substantially the length of the architectural feature  4  and includes apertures  20  for receiving the fasteners  18 . The base portion  22  abuts the architectural feature to which the track is mounted. Extending from the base portion  22  for substantially the entire length thereof is a first side wall  24  and a second side wall  26 . The first sidewall  24  includes a first flange  28  and a second flange  30  extending therefrom approximately perpendicularly to sidewall  24 . Likewise, the second side wall  26  includes a first flange  32  and a second flange  34  extending therefrom approximately perpendicularly to sidewall  26  and opposed to the flanges  28  and  30  extending from the first sidewall  24 . The first sidewall  24 , second sidewall  26  and flanges  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  define an interior space  36  for receiving a mating flange formed on the slider track  40  as will hereinafter be described. 
   The slider track  40  may be made of a flexible material such as molded plastic and extends for substantially the length of the mounting track  16 . Slider track  40  comprises a track portion  42  that includes a first support portion  42   a  that extends beyond one sidewall of the mounting track  16  and a second support portion  42   b  that extends beyond the other sidewall of the mounting track  16 . The support portions  42   a  and  4   b  are angled slightly towards the mounting track  16  and are rigid enough to support the shade panel  10 . A rib  44  connects the track portion  42  to a flange  46  that extends along the track portion  42  for substantially the length of the slider track  40 . Flange  46  is dimensioned so as to be closely received in the interior space  36  of the mounting track  16 . The slider track  40  may be mounted to the mounting track  16  by snapping the flange  46  into the interior space  36 . Specifically, the flange  46  and rib  44  of the slider track  40  have a generally T-shape where extending portions of flange  46  are trapped between flanges  28  and  30  and  32  and  34  of mounting track  16 . The outer corners of flanges  30  and  34  are beveled to allow flange  46  to spread the flanges  30  and  34  apart far enough to allow the flange  46  to enter space  36 . Once flange  46  is located in space  36  the flanges  30  and  34  move back to their original position to lock flange  46  to mounting track  16 . 
   A plurality of sliders  50  are mounted on the slider track  40  such that they can reciprocate relative to the slider track by sliding on support portions  42   a  and  42   b . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each slider  50  comprises an elongated member  52  having a relatively flat profile. The elongated member  52  is fixed to the shade panel  10  to support the shade panel for movement relative to the slider track  40 . In the illustrated embodiment the elongated member  52  is inserted into one of the cells  12  of the shade panel  10  and is secured thereto by adhesive, staples or the like. Sliders  50  may also be secured to the outside of the shade panel  10 . If the shade panel  10  comprises an element other than a cellular shade, the elongated member  52  may be connected to the shade panel  10  other than by insertion into a cell. For example with a pleated shade the slider may be secured to the back surface of the shade. The number of sliders  50  used to support the shade panel  10  will depend on the size, weight and structure of the shade panel. Typically, a slider  50  is located at the apex of the shade panel  10  and in or near the leading cell. The leading cell is the first cell on the movable end of the shade panel. Other sliders  50  may also be used to support the remainder of the shade panel  10 . 
   Attached to the distal end  52   a  of the elongated member  52  and extending at an angle relative thereto is a track engagement structure  54 . The track engagement structure  54  may be formed integrally with the elongated member  52  such as by molding a unitary plastic element. Alternatively the components could be formed separately and joined together. The track engagement structure  54  includes a support surface  56 . A first bearing surface  58  is mounted to the support surface by a first flange  60  and a second bearing surface  62  is mounted to the support surface by a second flange  64 . The bearing surfaces  58  and  62  are spaced from the support surface  56  such that the support track  42  is closely received between the support surface  56  and the bearing surfaces  58  and  62  but where the slider  50  can slide relative to the slider track  40 . In one embodiment the support surface  56  defines protrusions  64  and  66  that are opposed to the bearing surfaces  58  and  62 , respectively, such that the track portion  42  is closely held therebetween. The track portion  42  also closely fits between flanges  60  and  64  such that lateral movement of the slider  50  relative to the slider track  40  is limited. Sliders  50  extend substantially perpendicularly from slider track  40  such that they extend radially along lines extending from point P. 
   Selected ones of the sliders  50  are provided with a ball joint  70  that extends from the track engagement structure  54  and is exposed toward the user. Note, the slider of  FIGS. 6 and 7  is shown with the ball joint while the slider of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is shown without the ball joint. The ball joint  70  may be inserted into the socket  72  of a control wand  74  such that a user may manipulate the control wand to move the shade panel between open and closed positions. Where the shade panel is designed to open only from one end only one end slider is provided with a ball joint. Where the shade panel is designed to open from either end, both of the end sliders are provided with a ball joint. An “end slider” is a slider  50  located near or at either or both ends of the shade panel  10  and is the slider that is manipulated to open or close the shade panel. The control wand is particularly advantageous in those situations where the arched window covering is located in a hard to reach location. If the window covering is accessible to the user the user may manipulate the shade by hand without using the control wand. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5  to facilitate opening and closing of the shade a cord  80  may be connected between the sliders  50  such that when an end slider is moved, the movement is transmitted to the next adjacent slider via the cord  80 . Cord  80  transmits the force to move the shade panel between the sliders  50  such that the shade panel is not subjected to these forces. As best shown in  FIG. 5  the cord  80  is disposed above the track portion  42  such that it is hidden from view in the assembled wall covering. To connect the cord  80  to the sliders, slider  50  is provided with three through holes  81  formed in bearing surface  58 . Cord  80  is threaded through three holes  81  such that the cord is prevented from moving relative to slider  50 . Specifically, cord  80  enters a first hole from a first side of slider  50 , passes across the opposite side of the slider and is inserted through a second of the holes, passes across the first side and is inserted through the third hole. A greater number of holes may also be used. Use of the multiple hole connection fixes the cord  80  to the sliders  50  without the need for knots, mechanical fasteners or other connectors. 
   An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 8  where like reference numerals are used to identify like elements previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 7 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8  a pull cord is used to move the slide panel  10  rather than by hand or using wand  74 . Pull cord  85  is threaded through aperture  62   a  formed in bearing surface  62  and is tied or otherwise secured to the end slider that is mounted in the end of shade panel  10  that is intended to move. Pull cord  85  is formed as a loop where a portion  85   a  of the pull cord extends from the window covering where it can be manipulated by a user. Pulling on one leg  87  of the exposed portion  85   a  will retract the shade panel  10  and pulling on the other leg  89  of the portion  85   a  will extend the shade panel  10 . For a split shade where both end portions of the shade panel  10  move, two such cords may be used. 
   An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 9  where like reference numerals are used to identify like elements previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 7 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9  cord  90  is threaded through aperture  62   a  formed in bearing surface  62  and is tied or otherwise secured to the end slider that is mounted in the end of shade panel  10  that is intended to move. Cord  90  is formed as a loop and is connected to a motor  91  such that actuation of the motor  91  may pull one leg  94  of cord  90  to retract the shade panel  10  and pull the other leg  96  to extend the shade panel  10 . Motor  91  may be located in head rail  2 . Motor  91  may comprise a reversible electric motor powered by batteries and may be actuated remotely using an infrared or RF remote control  98  or similar remote control device. For a split shade where both end portions of the shade panel  10  move, two such cords may be used. 
   To install the shade on an architectural feature the mounting track  16  is secured to the architectural feature  4  by fasteners  18 . The head rail  2  is also connected to the architectural feature  4  in alignment with the mounting track  16  by fasteners  6 . In a typical installation the head rail  2  will be located directly below the mounting track  16  although the actual spatial orientation will depend on the orientation of the architectural feature  4 . The sliders  50  are slid onto the end of the slider track  40  and are positioned relative to the shade panel  10 . The sliders  50  are connected to the shade panel  10  at spaced intervals using adhesive, staples or the like. With a cellular shade the sliders  50  may be inserted into cells  12 . Cord  81 ,  85  and or  90  may be attached to the sliders  50 . Note, cord  80  may be used with either cord  85  or cord  90  such that both cords are attached to sliders  50  as previously described. The first and second ends  10   a  and  10   b  of the shade panel  10  are inserted into channel  3  of the head rail  2  and the slider track  40  is snapped into the mounting track  16 . Where motor  91  is used, the motor may be located in head rail  2 . One end, either first end  10   a  or second end  10   b , of the shade panel  10  may be fixed to the head rail  2 . 
   The shade panel  10  may be opened and closed by engaging the ball joint  70  in the socket  72  of the control wand  74  or by physically grasping the ball joint  70  or shade panel  10 ; by manipulating pull cord  85 ; or by actuating motor  91 . The window covering may be opened by pulling or pushing the first end  10   a  toward the second end  10   b  (or visa versa) such that the sliders  50  slide on slider track  40  to retract the shade panel  10 . The shade may be closed by pulling or pushing the first end  10   a  away from the second end  10   b  such that the sliders  50  slide on slider track  40  to expand the shade panel  10 . In a split shade design both ends of the shade panel  10   a  and  10   b  are movable such that the ends of the shade panel may be moved to the middle of the window to open the shade. To close the shade both ends of the shade panel are moved toward the head rail  2 . 
   Specific embodiments of an invention are described herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. In fact, many embodiments and implementations are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.