Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Pleating type – Fan type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-22
2001-07-10
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Pleating type
Fan type
C160S084010, C160S084030, C052S204610
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257301
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular window blind or shade assembly. In the prior art, it is well known to add shades, blinds and other window treatments to an existing window having its own frame. However, installation of such devices is often difficult and cumbersome and, in many cases, the results are less than satisfactory, particularly when the installed window treatments do not fit properly within the opening in which they are installed.
As such, a need has developed for a system allowing installation of window treatments within the existing frame of the window in such a manner that installation time is drastically reduced while the quality of the finished product, as installed, is improved. It is with this need in mind that the present invention was developed.
The following prior art is known to Applicant:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,609,877 to Kendall discloses a circle head window shade including a semi-circular shade mounted within a corresponding arched-like portion of a window frame and including a centrally located curved bar designed to guide movements of the shade in an arcuate fashion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,611 to Bassett discloses a drapery rod assembly for architectural apertures that includes a peripheral arcuate rod designed to receive peripheral portions of a semi-circular drape.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,092 to Jelic discloses an arched window blind with a specific cording design and including a track to which is attached a fitting affixed to an end of the blind to allow controllable pivoting movements thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,789 to Faircloth discloses an arched shutter assembly including a semi-circular support for a semi-circular set of louvers that may be pivoted between open and closed positions therewithin.
The present invention differs from the teachings of these patents as contemplating, in one aspect, an arcuate frame designed to hold a correspondingly sized shade that is guided in a peripheral channel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular window blind or shade assembly. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:
(1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates two embodiments of self-contained modular shade systems including a generally rectangular opening containing a blind system with horizontal slats that may be pivoted or reciprocated, or both, to control transmission of light through the opening. In each of these embodiments, above the generally rectangular portion is an arcuate portion containing a further blind. In one of the embodiments, the further blind includes a plurality of horizontal slats that may be pivoted to control light transmission. In the other embodiment, a fan-like shade is contained within the arcuate opening and is fastened to the back side of a face frame in a fixed closed position.
(2) In each of the embodiments described above, the blinds or shades are contained within a frame sized and configured to fit within the existing frame of an existing window for easy assembly. Each of these systems is easily fabricated based upon known dimensions of an existing window so that they fit comfortably and accurately therein.
(3) In the embodiment wherein the shade system is of a fan-type a pair of centrally located, spaced, upstanding arcuate hubs are provided that facilitate support of the fan-shaped shade to eliminate a space that the shade material creates.
(4) In a further aspect, a decorative molding is provided to be installed within the inner walls of the existing window frame to provide an aesthetic appearance in front of the shade assembly that is installed therein.
Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a modular window shade assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an assembly wherein a pre-formed shade assembly contained within its own frame is easily installed within the existing frame of an existing window.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a shade assembly with a molding installed on the existing window frame to provide an aesthetic appearance for the shade assembly.
These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
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International Wood Shutters, Inc.
Larson James E.
Larson & Larson P.A.
Lev Bruce A.
Redman Jerry
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