Patent Publication Number: US-2003234087-A1

Title: Multipanel window shade

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to devices for controlling light passing through an architectural opening. It particularly relates to rolling shades adapted to cover a window opening.  
       [0003] 2. State of the Art  
       [0004] Various types of window coverings are available to control entry of light through a window opening and into a room. Such devices include louver blinds, drapes, and roll-up shades. However, the commercially available window coverings fail to provide a desired degree of control, in a desired form-factor, over light entering through a window.  
       [0005] Louver blinds have a plurality of generally flat slats disposed in a parallel and rotatable arrangement either to permit or prevent entry of light into a room. Many consumers are displeased with the bar-like appearance of the louver elements, and desire window treatments having a more soothing appearance.  
       [0006] Drapes typically are arranged as panels of material slidably suspended from a rod to open from the center or side of a window. Drapes may also include two overlapped panels of material to provide a variety of light screening options. A heavy inner panel may be used for complete or substantial blockage of entering light, or to provide complete privacy from external observation for the occupants of a room. A generally light-weight, or somewhat opaque, panel (known as a shear or shears) sometimes may be disposed between the inner panel and the window. The shear can permit entrance of a certain amount of incident light while providing a certain amount of privacy during daylight hours to the room occupants. While providing a desirable range in control over light transmission into a room, drapes are deemed by many consumers as being rather formal, and typically represent an expensive investment in window coverings.  
       [0007] A window shade is a form of window blind which typically suspends a panel of material (the shade) from a typically spring-biased roller operable to permit lowering or raising of the shade to cover or uncover a window. Commercially available window shades generally provide an all-or-nothing control for entering light. Either the panel is disposed over the window and blocking light, or it is not. To provide a second blocking option, e.g. to block a different amount of light or to permit entry of a portion of incident light, a separate shade, having different light blocking capabilities from the first shade, must be disposed in parallel to the first shade. Such a dual shade mounting arrangement can be difficult to accomplish without causing an unsightly protrusion into the room from the window. Furthermore, a consumer faces the additional expense of a second window shade and its mounting hardware.  
       [0008] Attempts have been made in certain window coverings to provide alternative structure to control light entering through a window opening. Variable aperture sizes may be created by a shade-like device constructed according to teachings of de Kimpe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,607. de Kimpe et al. disclose a window blind having a shade constructed of a flexible sheet of covering material that can be tensioned to open a plurality of apertures. Their shade material is anchored at one end, with the other end of the shade being rolled onto a roller to apply tension to the shade to open the apertures. A concern for this type of blind is the tendency of materials to lose elasticity over time. As a shade looses its elasticity, the apertures will fail to return to a small, or closed, position, thereby failing completely to block impinging light.  
       [0009] A low cost window covering providing the stable and reliable control of light entering a window accorded to drapes having a shear is still desired. A device with such capabilities and having an informal appearance would be an improvement over currently available window coverings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] The present invention provides an apparatus for a window blind. A blind according to the invention includes a first roller, a second roller, and a roller actuator. The roller actuator generally is a pull loop arranged to rotate one of the first and second rollers. One currently preferred roller actuator further includes a clutch mechanism operable to resist undesired rolling and unrolling of a roller. A shade is disposed between the first and second rollers for being rolled onto the second roller as the shade is unrolled from the first roller. A shade includes a first light blocking area and a second light blocking area, typically both such areas being sized in approximate agreement with a light transmitting area of the window. Desirably, the first light blocking area is operable to block transmission therethrough of a first amount of light, and the second blocking area is operable to block transmission therethrough of a second amount of light. In any case, it is preferred to include a biasing mechanism operable automatically to roll the shade onto one of the first and second rollers as the shade is unrolled from the other of the first and second rollers.  
       [0011] In certain embodiments of the invention, the first light blocking area permits transmission of a portion of light impinging thereon, and the second light blocking area blocks transmission of substantially all light impinging thereon. Some embodiments are constructed so that the first blocking area permits transmission therethrough of a first portion of impinging light, and the second blocking area permits transmission therethrough of a second portion of impinging light, wherein the first and second portions are different quantities. A workable blocking area can be a rollable sheet of a material having spaced apart apertures. One currently preferred shade has a first blocking area formed from a material having apertures of a first size, and a second blocking area formed from a material having apertures of a second size, with the first and second sizes of the first and second apertures being different, to permit aggregate transmission through the first and second light blocking areas of respective first and second quantities of light. Alternatively, the first light blocking area can include a first material having a first translucency and the second light blocking area can include a second material having a second translucency.  
       [0012] Certain embodiments of the invention can include a quick-detach coupling mechanism operable to space the second roller apart from the first roller. One workable quick-detach coupling mechanism includes coupling structure anchored at a location spaced apart from the first roller and adapted for coupling to roller suspension or roller holding structure associated with one of the rollers. Sometimes the coupling structure is anchored to structure associated with the window (e.g. the frame). Other times a component of the coupling structure can be anchored to a wall or some other handy location. In certain embodiments of the invention, a side shield may be disposed to block impinging light from entering a room, in a straight path, past a side edge of the shade. The side shield can also operate as a spacing structure to space the rollers apart.  
       [0013] The invention may also be embodied generally as a blind to cover an opening. Such a blind typically includes a first roller, a second roller, a roller actuator arranged to rotate one of the first and second rollers; and a shade disposed between the first and second rollers for being rolled onto the second roller as the shade is unrolled from the first roller. Generally, a shade includes a first light blocking area sized in approximate agreement with a light transmitting area of the opening; and a second light blocking area. Desirably, the first light blocking area is operable to block transmission therethrough of a first amount of light, and the second blocking area is operable to block transmission therethrough of a second amount of light. It is desirable for a roller actuator to include a pull loop arranged to override a clutch mechanism, with the clutch mechanism operating to resist undesired rolling and unrolling one of the first and second rollers. Furthermore, a biasing mechanism operable to -roll the shade onto one of the first and second rollers as the shade is unrolled from the other of the first and second rollers desirably is included in the blind. Sometimes a side shield disposed to block impinging light from entering a room, in a straight path, past a side edge of the shade is included in a blind. The side shield also can function to space the rollers apart. Otherwise, it generally is desirable to include a quick-detach coupling mechanism operable to space the second roller apart from the first roller. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] In the drawings, which illustrate what are currently considered to be the best modes for carrying out the invention:  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view in perspective of a first embodiment of the invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially exploded and partially in section, of a second embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a window shade or blind according to the invention, generally indicated at  100 , includes a first roller  104  and a second roller  106 . A shade, generally indicated at  110 , is arranged for transfer between the rollers  104  and  106  leaving a span  108  between the rollers  104  and  106  operable to cover a window (not illustrated). As a convenience, the invention will generally be described with reference to embodiments having a vertical installed orientation, although such is not a requirement. A shade according to the instant invention is equally suited for a horizontal installation, or at any other orientation.  
     [0018] The shade  110  desirably includes two or more panels of material, such as panels  112  and  114 , with each panel having different light blocking characteristics. The panels  112  and  114  may be joined at a seam, generally indicated at  116 . As illustrated, panel  112  is partially rolled up on roller  104 , and panel  116  is partially rolled up on roller  106 . It is currently preferred for each panel to have sufficient length to cover the window, although shorter panels are operable.  
     [0019] The window shade  100  may be installed either inside (flush mounting) or outside of a window opening (overlapping mounting). One way to suspend a window shade  100  to cover a window is illustrated in FIG. 1, where top roller  104  is suspended from brackets  120  and  122  which can be mounted to a wall or to window structure. A drive mechanism, generally indicated at  125 , operable to roll and unroll roller  104  can be located between bracket  120  and roller  104 . The illustrated drive mechanism  125  includes a commercially available wrap-spring friction clutch  127  which supportingly fits inside an open end of roller  104 . An opposite open end of roller  104  can receive a plug  129  which carries an axle  130  for rotatable reception and anchoring by bracket  122 .  
     [0020] Lower roller  106  can be supported by brackets  132  and  134  which can directly be mounted to wall or window structure at the bottom of a window to space the two rollers apart. However, as illustrated, it currently is preferred to mount brackets  132  and  134  to a housing, such as mounting plate  138 . Mounting plate  138  can then conveniently be mounted to wall or window structure by one or more quick-release fasteners  140  to facilitate moving the shade  110  to provide cleaning access to the window pane.  
     [0021] Illustrated quick-release fasteners  140  have locking lugs  141  that are rotated by moving lever handle  143  to secure lugs  141  in engagement with receiving structure carried by mounting plate  138 . One workable receiving structure is the lug receiving channel generally indicated at  144 . Of course, other mounting structure and fastening methods are also workable to secure a window shade  100  in position to cover a window. A workable quick-detach coupling mechanism can be a simple toggling turnbuckle head that is inserted through an aperture and rotated to trap a base plate  138  or a bracket, such as mounting brackets  132  or  134 . Alternatively, one or more spring biased clips can be used to secure a mounting base  138 . One or more fasteners, such as a screw, may also be used.  
     [0022] It currently is preferred to provide a biasing mechanism, such as the commercially available coil spring mechanism generally indicated at  146 , to tension the shade  110  in blocking position over the window. Similar to clutch  127 , one end of rollup spring mechanism  146  can fit in plug fit reception in bottom roller  106 , with an opposite end being anchored by bracket  132 . A mechanism  146  may also be formed as an integral portion of a roller  106 . Rotating the roller  106  winds and unwinds a spring in mechanism  146 . An opposite end of roller  106  generally is rotatingly suspended from bracket  134  by a second plug  129 , although a second spring element  146  may be used in certain embodiments. In any case, it is desired that the friction clutch  127  can resist the spring mechanism(s)  146  to hold a shade  110  in any desired rolled or unrolled position between rollers  104  and  106 .  
     [0023] One way to operate the rolling or drive mechanism  125  is by pulling on one side or the other of a pull loop or chain  148 . As illustrated, pull loop  148  is a bead chain, although other materials are operable, including rope, leather straps, plastic, and rubber or rubber-like materials, and such materials in combination. In certain embodiments of the invention, the pull loop  148  can be fashioned as an endless loop. In other embodiments, a loop closure may be too large to pass through teeth of the drive wheel  150 . In the former case, three or more panels can be rolled or unrolled to cover the window opening even if the pull loop  148  is no longer than about half of the window height. In the latter case, it is generally desired that the loop formed in chain  148  is sufficiently long, typically greater than about half of the window height, to permit a complete change between panel  112  to panel  114  and back again.  
     [0024] A panel of a shade  110 , such as panel  112  or  114 , desirably is constructed to resist transmission through itself of a certain portion of light impinging through the window. The transmissibility of a panel may vary anywhere between zero, to effect a complete blockage of impinging light, to infinite, to effect no blocking at all, e.g. as a clear or completely translucent panel. Typically, a substantially opaque panel is combined with a panel providing at least partial transmission of light to form a shade  110 . When constructed with three or more panels, the individual panels of a shade  110  each desirably provide varying degrees of transmission of the impinging light.  
     [0025] Panels of a shade  110  may be manufactured from many different materials to create a desired appearance and light screening effect. Materials suitable for use in a panel must simply be able to roll up around a roller, such as roller  104 . Cloth, paper, plastics, and woven materials such as reeds or grasses are all workable to form a panel. Materials may also be used in a combination, e.g. plastic coated cloth. Certain panels may be formed from a material providing spaced apart apertures, similar to a mesh or screen. Apertures can be stamped out from a sheet of material, or formed by a weaving process. Such apertures can be sized and spaced apart as desired to define an amount of transmissibility for light impinging on the panel. Apertures may be configured to have a shape to create interesting or decorative light and shadow patterns. Panels may also be translucent, like oilskin or wax paper, to permit transmission of a portion of impinging light.  
     [0026] Some embodiments of a multi panel window shade, according to the invention, may include side-blocking structure configured to reduce light “leaking” around the edges of a shade  110 . For example, certain windows may have a window pane with very little border at the perimeter of the pane in the window opening. An undesired amount of light might be able to shine through such a window pane and be not sufficiently blocked by the edge of a blocking panel, such as a panel  114 . One way to resist entrance of such edge-bypass light is to provide structure that can form a frame around a perimeter portion of the window blind to create an overlap at the blind edges. An overlap can also be formed at the top and bottoms of a blind, if desired to block light from bypassing the rollers.  
     [0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and generally indicated at  200 , certain embodiments of the invention may have box-like housings around either or both of the top and bottom rollers. Such housings can operate to create a more refined and polished appearance, and also further to block light. Top roller  104  is contained in top housing  202 , and a bottom roller is contained inside bottom housing  204 . The housings  202  and  204  and their rollers can be attached to wall or window structure with fasteners or quick-detach mechanisms. Alternatively, and as illustrated, housings  202  and  204  can be spaced apart by vertically disposed side flaps  208  and  210  to secure the blind  200  in, or over, a window opening. The illustrated side flaps, or side shields  208  and  210 , form a channel  212  in which to receive an edge  214  of a shade  110 . Therefore, a convoluted path is imposed on impinging light to reduce light “leaking” past the edge of the panel. Channels  212  can be configured to fit in close proximity to front and rear surfaces of a shade  110  to further reduce such bypass light. A single overlapping edge flap is also workable to reduce edge bypass light.  
     [0028] Window shade  200  is illustrated having a crank mechanism  220  operable to roll roller  104  and change a position of shade  110  between top roller  104  and a bottom roller. It should be noted that both manual and motorized roll actuating mechanisms are operable. A rolling mechanism may be disposed for rolling operation of either a top roller, or a bottom roller, or even both rollers at the same time. Various crank mechanisms may be used, including those arranged for remote operation. Provision may be made to use a pull-type chain or loop as an alternative to the illustrated rolling mechanism  220 . For example, an aperture can be made in side flap  210  to receive a pull loop. Also, a pull chain mechanism can be mounted to replace crank mechanism  220 , to maintain the loop on a single side of the shade  110 .  
     [0029] As with the first embodiment  100 , shade  200  desirably includes a stopping mechanism, such as a friction clutch, to resist undesired rolling or unrolling of the shade  110 . Again, a biasing element typically is disposed to roll one roller in response to a user rolling the other roller to maintain the shade  110  stretched in blocking position over the window opening. An end cap, such as cap  222 , can function as a roller suspension bracket. Illustrated cap  222  is adapted to hold an end plug  129  for roller  104 .  
     [0030] While the invention has been described in particular with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, such is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.