Patent Publication Number: US-8534342-B2

Title: Retractable arcuate window covering

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/255,075 filed on Oct. 26, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a window covering for an arched window, and more particularly, to a window covering for an arched window which is retractable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Window coverings, also referred to as window treatments, are typically employed in homes and buildings to regulate the amount of light passing through a window and to provide a degree of privacy. Such window coverings may be in the form of curtains, drapes, blinds or shades. Window covering used on rectangularly-shaped windows are typically retractable to some degree to selectively expose or cover the window. The window covering may be mounted above the window and moved up and down by way of a cord or spring-loaded roller. 
     Semi-circular or arch-shaped windows present unique challenges for retractable window coverings. Various designs to cover arch-shaped windows with retractable coverings have been attempted. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,650,922, 5,662,153, and 5,050,661 disclose window shades that can be opened and closed. However, in each of these devices, the shade includes panels arranged in a fan-like configuration so that the panels are moved to one or both sides to open the shade. This creates a window covering with a series of radially extending lines which may not be desirable. In addition, the shade may include a number of segmented slats or panels that are intricately formed and joined together adding to the difficulty and expense of manufacturing. The segmented slats form an interrupted and unsmooth surface. 
     A further attempt to cover an arch-shaped window with a retractable shade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,071. In this patent a multi-segmented header is attached to a shade. As the header is pulled up with a cord, the header segments move to form an arch-shape member. This design requires a number of elements which would be complex and costly to manufacture. 
     The solutions of the prior art are not suitable for flat roman-type shades which have substantially flat appearance when closed. A roman shade is a tailored, fabric window shade that hangs as a flat panel and is raised by cords to fold accordion-style. The prior art fails to provide a suitable solution for an arched window that both retracts and matches the aesthetic of flat roman shades. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a window covering for arched windows which is aesthetically pleasing and can be retracted to selectively cover and uncover the window. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a retractable window covering for an arcuate window. 
     The present invention also provides a retractable covering for an arched window including a first and a second panel formed of pliable material. A flap of the first panel overlaps a flap of the second panel. The first and second panels together have a generally arch-shaped upper perimeter adapted to be secured to a support structure and a have a generally straight lower perimeter. A retracting mechanism moves the first and second panels between a closed position wherein the arched window is substantially covered and an open position wherein the arched window is substantially uncovered. The retracting mechanism includes a first cord secured to the first panel flap, and a second cord secured to the second panel flap. The retracting mechanism having a first operating state to position the first and second panels in the open position and a second operating state wherein the first and second panels are positioned in the closed. The retracting mechanism further includes a cord guide through which at least a portion of the first and second cords extend. The cord guide guides the first and second cords along the arched perimeter of the first and second panels. 
     The present invention further provides a retractable covering for an arched window including an arch-shaped support structure adapted to be secured to a window frame. A first and a second panel is formed of pliable material. A flap of the first panel overlaps a flap of the second panel. The first and second panels together have a generally arch-shaped upper perimeter secured to the support structure and a generally straight lower perimeter. The first and second panels have a closed position wherein the arched window is substantially covered, and have an open position wherein the arched window is substantially uncovered. A retracting mechanism moves the first and second panels between the open and closed position. The retracting mechanism includes a first cord secured to the first panel flap, and a second cord secured to the second panel flap. The retracting mechanism has a first operating state to position the first and second panels in the open position and a second operating state wherein the first and second panels are in the closed position. The retracting mechanism further includes a cord guide through which at least a portion of the first and second cords extend. The cord guide guides the first and second cords along the arched perimeter of the first and second panels. 
     The present invention still further provides a retractable covering for a window including a support structure having a generally arch-shaped configuration adapted to be secured about at least a portion of a perimeter of the window. A first and a second panel formed of pliable material are fixedly secured to the frame in an overlapping manner. The first and second panels have a closed position wherein the window is substantially covered, and have an open position wherein the window is substantially uncovered. A retracting mechanism moves the first and second panels between the open and closed position. The retracting mechanism extends along at least a portion of the support structure in a guided manner and being operably secured to the first and second panels. The retracting mechanism lifts the first and second panels from the closed position in a direction toward the support structure and to the open position to expose the window. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a window covering shown in the open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the window covering shown in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view of a first window covering panel. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front elevational view of a second window covering panel. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the window covering shown in the closed position and a retracting mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail elevational view of a window panel and retracting mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the window covering shown in the closed position and a retracting mechanism, where the widow is the shape of a trapezoid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a retractable window covering  10  for an arcuate window  12  is shown. The window  12  to be covered may have a generally semicircular shape and may be positioned within a home or building by its self, or it may be disposed atop a rectangular window. The retractable window covering  10  includes a first panel  14  and a second panel  16  formed of a pliable material. This material may include a fabric of the type which is commonly used to make window coverings, and in particular, roman shade style window coverings. The material may be of a type which hangs generally flat providing a smooth, planar covering surface. The window covering  10  may be in the form of a shade, drape, curtain or other window coverings or treatments. The first and second panels  14  and  16  may include overlapping flaps  30  and  32  respectively. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3A , the first panel  14  may include first and second intersecting side  20  which are generally straight. The angle α formed by the first and second side is preferably greater than 90 degrees. The first and second sides  20  may be joined by an arcuate side  22  which forms an upper perimeter of the first panel. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , the second panel  16  may be formed similarly to the first panel by the mirror image thereof. Accordingly, the second panel may include first and second substantially straight sides  24  which are joined by an arcuate side  26  joining the ends of the straight sides. The angle α formed by the first and second sides is preferably greater than 90 degrees. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first and second panels  14  and  16  may be secured to a support structure  28  such as a frame having an arcuate configuration. In this embodiment, the arcuate frame  28  may be formed of a continuously curved member ( FIG. 4 ). In an alternative embodiment described below, the frame may be formed of a plurality of linear segments  78   a  joined together ( FIG. 6 ). The frame may be secured at opposite ends  29   a  and  29   b  to a base  31  to help maintain the frame in an arch shape. The frame may define an arcuate opening which coincides with the shape of the window  12 . The arcuate sides  22  and  26  of the first and second panels may be secured to the frame  28  by gluing, stapling, nailing or any other means for securing pliable material to a rigid structure as known in the art. 
     The frame  28  may be secured to a wall or trim surrounding the arched window  12  and the shape of the frame may be formed to approximate the curvature of the window. In this embodiment, the ends  29   a  and  29   b  of the arched portion of the frame would be secured directly to the window or window trim. In an alternative embodiment, the ends of the arched frame may be secured to the base  31  having a generally straight and planar configuration as shown in  FIG. 4 . The base  31  provides rigidity to the arch portion of the frame. In order to install the window covering, the base  31  and frame  28  may be secured to a window or surrounding structure by fasteners, brackets or other devices known in the art. Alternatively, the support structure may include the trim or a portion of the wall surrounding the window  12 . In this case, the fabric could be secured directly to the trim or window frame or wall which has an arched configuration. 
     The first panel  14  when installed on the frame  28  is in the shape of the arched window with a straight cut that runs from a point on the arcuate frame roughly ⅔ of the way from right to left along the arcuate frame, to a point on the base  31  slightly to the left of the center point, CP. The second panel  16  when installed on the frame is a mirror image of the first panel and in the shape of the arched window with a straight cut that runs from a point on the arcuate frame roughly ⅔ of the way from left to right along the arch, to a point on the base  31  slightly to the right of a center point, CP. 
     The first and second panels  14  and  16  may be secured to the frame  28  such that flap  30  on the first panel overlaps flap  32  of the second panel. Accordingly, when the first and second panels are in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 , they substantially cover window  12  to which the window covering  10  is applied. When the first and second panels  14  and  16  are secured to the support structure  28 , a portion of the outer panel (or first panel  14 ) is visible on the outer surface of the window covering, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The window covering  10  may further include a retracting mechanism  40  for moving the first and second panels  14  and  16 . The retracting mechanism may have a first operating state wherein the first and second panels  14  and  16  are in a closed position such that the arched window is substantially covered ( FIG. 2 ) and a second operating state wherein the first and second panels  14  and  16  are in an open position such that the arched window is substantially uncovered ( FIG. 1 ). With reference to  FIG. 4 , the retracting mechanism  40  may include a first cord  42  secured to the first panel flap  30  and the second cord  44  secured to a second panel flap  32 . A cord guide  46  is provided in order to direct the position of the first and second cords. The cord guide  46  includes a first portion  48  which is secured to the frame  28  and guides the path of the first and second cords along the arcuate frame. The cord guide  46  further includes a second portion  50  which guides the direction of the first and second cords as they travel along a portion of the first and second panels. The cord guide first portion  48  may include a series of eye hooks  52  secured to the frame  28  and cord guide second portion  50  may include a plurality of loops  54  sewn into the back of the first and second panel. The hooks  52  and loops  54  allow the cords to extend therethrough and slide there within. While eye hooks and loops are shown herein, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that other structures which allow a cord to pass there-through may be employed as cord guide  46 . Accordingly, the cord guide allows the first and second cords  42  and  44  to move in a guided manner. By guiding the path of the cords, the first and second panels  14  and  16  may be retracted in a manner that permits a substantial portion of the window to be exposed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first cord  42  extends through a series of spaced eye hooks  52  secured to the frame  28  such that the first cord travels in a generally arcuate path along the arcuate frame  28 . At a point approximately ⅓ along the frame from end  29   a , the first cord  42  then extends from the frame and the arcuate perimeter  22  of the first panel in a generally radial direction along the inside of the first panel toward the corner  55  in which the first panel first and second sides  20  intersect. As the first cord  42  extends across the first panel it is guided by the loops  54  which form the cord guide second portion  50 . Adjacent this intersection, the first cord end  56  is fixedly secured to the first panel  14 . Accordingly, when the first cord  42  is moved downwardly in an opening direction, as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 1 , the corner  55  of the first panel will be drawn in a generally radial direction toward the curved perimeter of the first panel and likewise towards the support structure. This movement of the first cord  42  has a vertical component which pulls the first panel  14  upwardly and a horizontal component which pulls the first panel away from the second panel  16 . Since the first panel material is pliable, it will tend to fold as the first cord  42  is moved in the opening direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second cord  44  extends further along the arcuate perimeter of the support structure to a point approximately ⅓ of the way from the second end of the frame  29   b . The second cord  44  then extends from the frame in a generally radial direction along the back of the second panel  16  through cord guide loops  54  until it terminates at a corner  58  formed at the intersection between the second panel first and second sides  24 . The second cord  44  is fixedly secured to the second panel adjacent the corner  58 . When the second cord  44  is pulled in the open direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 1 , the corner  58  is drawn in a generally radial direction toward the curved perimeter of the second panel. This movement of the second cord  44  has a vertical component which pulls the second panel  16  upwardly and a horizontal component which pulls the first panel away from the first panel  14 . The second panel  16  being formed of a pliable material will tend to fold as the second cord is operated on. 
     Accordingly, with the first and second cords  42  and  44  moved to an open position, the first and second panels  14  and  16  move upwardly toward the frame and away from each other and assume an open position wherein the window would be substantially uncovered. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the open state, the folded first and second panels  14  and  16  form essentially three bunches of material that provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     The retracting mechanism  40  is preferably disposed on a back side of the window covering such that it is not visible to one viewing the front of the window. The only portion that may be visible are the first and second cords  42  and  44  which would hang below the window  12  in order to provide axis for a user to operate the retracting mechanism. 
     The outer arcuate perimeter of the first and second panels  22  and  26 , which are fixedly secured to the arcuate frame  28 , may include an unattached portion  59  adjacent the first and second frame ends  29   a  and  29   b  wherein the panel material in not fixedly secured thereto. This improves the extent to which the first and second panels can be raised by allowing the first and second panels to be moved fully into the open position and create a larger opening, thereby exposing more of the window. Alternatively, near the base of the arcuate frame, the first and second panels can be attached to a wire guide (not shown) via eyehooks, to allow the bottom corners of the panels to be pulled up slightly along the arch when the shades are raised. 
     In order to close the window covering  10  the retracting mechanism  40  may be moved to the second operating state wherein the first and second panels  14  and  16  are positioned in a closed position substantially covering the window  12 . In order to assume this second or closed position, the first and second cords are released and gravity pulls the first and second panels  14  and  16  back down to their flat resting positions as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this closed position, the flaps  30  and  32  of the first and second panel overlap, thereby covering the window  12 . Depending on the type of fabric and the amount of friction along the first and second cords, it may be desirable to attach weights  60  into the bottom of the panels to assist in moving the panels back into the closed position. The weight  60  may be secured to the first and second panels adjacent the intersection between the first and second substantially straight sides, as shown for example in  FIG. 5 . It is also within the contemplation of the present invention that additional weights may be attached along the bottom edges of the first and second panels to improve their ability to assume the closed position under the influence of gravity. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second cords  42  and  44  are guided such that they extend down the same side of the window cover  10 . Accordingly, a user would be able to actuate both first and second panels  14  and  16  by accessing one side of the window. In this embodiment, the first and second cords  42  and  44  may be joined or secured to each other such that they would both be pulled together to open the first and second panels simultaneously. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the routing of the first and second cords  42  and  44  may be separate such that the first cord  42  controlling the first panel  14  may be on one side of the window  12  and the second cord for controlling the second panel  16  may be on the second side of the window  12 . 
     In the present invention, each of the first and second panels  14  and  16  may be formed of a fabric material which has a continuous and uninterrupted panel surface. When the first and second panels  14  and  16  assume the closed position, the fabric lies substantially flat and smooth. This provides the desirable aesthetic of a roman shade. There is no need for pleats, multiple slates or other complicated structures in order to allow the window covering to move between the open and closed position. 
     While the retractable window covering  10  of the present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing cover for arched windows, it may also be employed to cover other nonrectangular-shaped windows. For example, with reference to  FIG. 6 , the present invention is shown applied to a trapezoidal-shaped window. The window covering  70  may be formed in a manner similar to window covering  10  described above; however, the configuration of the frame and first and second panels is modified to accommodate the particular shape of the window. Window covering  70  includes a first panel  72  and second panel  74  which partially overlap when in the closed position. The first and second panels are configured so that they together form the shape of the window when in the closed position. 
     A portion of the perimeter of the first and second panels is fixedly secured to a frame  78 . The frame  78  may include a plurality of linear segments  78   a  which are joined end to end forming a generally arch-shaped perimeter sized to match the perimeter of the window to be covered. The bottom ends  79   b  of the frame may be secured to a linearly extending base  79 . The first and second panels  72  are unattached to the base and free to move relative thereto to permit the window to be uncovered. 
     The first and second panels  72  and  74  may be lifted to an open position by way of a retracting mechanism  80 . Retracting mechanism  80  may be formed in a manner similar to the retracting mechanism  40  described above. The retracting mechanism  80  may included first and second cords  82  and  84  which extend through a cord guide  86 . The cord guide  86  may include a plurality of spaced hooks  88  and loops  90  fixedly secured to the frame  78  and first and second panels. The first and second cords  82  and  84  are free to travel in a guided manner through the cord guide  86 . The first cord  82  may have an end secured to a bottom portion of the first panel  72 , and the second cord  84  may have an end secured to a bottom of the second panel  74 . A user may open the window covering  70  to expose the window by pulling down on the first and second cords  82  and  84 , which lifts the first and second panels toward the frame  78  and away from each other. When the first and second cords  82  and  84  are released, the weight of the first and second panels returns them to the closed position shown in  FIG. 6 . Weights  92  may be added to the bottom edges of the first and second panels to assist in the closing of the panels. When in the closed position, the first and second panels  72  and  74  provide a flat interrupted surface for the window covering. 
     Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.