Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Plural strip – slat – or panel type – Strip or slat structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-11-20
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Plural strip, slat, or panel type
Strip or slat structure
C160S17810R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318441
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to window covering systems and in particular to horizontal window blinds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Window covering systems exist primarily to shield interior spaces from direct sunlight and to prevent others from viewing inside through the window. Conventional systems such as venetian blinds, drapes and shades may block direct sunlight effectively but do not permit diffuse light to enter for illumination purposes when they are closed. It is known that occupants tend to set conventional venetian blinds in a closed position and seldom adjust them.
Many examples of prior art window covering systems exist which attempt to block direct sunlight while allowing natural illumination. It is known to use a slat which is semi-transparent as a result of numerous pores being punched into the slat, known in the art as a “punched slat”. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,367 issued to Kataoka et al. on Jun. 13, 1995, a partially punched slat is disclosed. In this patent, the slats are angle shaped and formed of a first punched section and a second non-light transmitting section wherein the two sections are joined at an angle. Thus, if the slats are rotated in one direction, the blind will appear semi-transparent and if they are rotated in another direction, the blind will appear closed. This system still requires user adjustment to provide interior illumination and cannot provide good illumination without compromising privacy and allowing direct sunlight to enter the room.
A similar approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,526 issued to Reeves. In this patent, the slat is partially or completely made of a transparent plastic such as a polycarbonate. This slat may be adjusted such that the blind is transparent or completely blocking if the slat also comprises an opaque portion. Again, these slats cannot provide illumination without compomising privacy or allowing direct sunlight to enter.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a window covering system which permits diffuse light to enter and illuminate a room while blocking direct sunlight from entering the room and maintaining a privacy screen when desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general terms, the invention comprises a window covering system which includes a plurality of slats which may be adjusted for tilt to control the entry and processing of light into the interior of a room.
In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a slat for use in a venetian blind window covering system, wherein said slat comprises:
(a) an interior longitudinal portion comprising an opaque material;
(b) an exterior longitudinal portion comprising a light processing material and which is curved around a longitudinal axis such that an upper surface of the exterior portion is convex;
wherein the interior portion and the exterior portion are joined lengthwise to form the slat.
In one embodiment, the exterior portion may comprise a plurality of corrugations. The interior portion may comprise a shield portion and a reflecting portion. The shield portion may comprise a first shield portion and an intermediate shield portion wherein the first shield portion and the reflecting portion are approximately parallel and not co-planar and are joined by the intermediate shield portion. The intermediate shield portion may be at a substantially right angle to both the first shield portion and the reflecting portion.
In one embodiment, the exterior portion joins the first shield portion at an angle not more than about 35° and preferably about 25°.
In one embodiment, the exterior portion may be comprised of a transparent or translucent plastic, which may be an acrylic. The interior portion may be a plastic or a metal and may be aluminum.
In one embodiment, the slats may be spaced apart such that when the slats are partially open, the interior edge of the interior portion of a first slat is horizontally level with the exterior edge of the exterior portion of the slat immediately below or above the first slat.
In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a plurality of slats which are held in a parallel spaced apart relationship by means for supporting the slats.
In one embodiment, the invention further comprises:
(a) a head box and side frames depending from the ends of the head box;
(b) supporting cords depending vertically from the head box;
(c) wherein each slat is positioned such that the exterior portion faces the exterior and the interior portion faces the interior; and
(d) means for adjusting the angle of all or a group of the slats;
wherein an upper group of slats are fixed are at a fixed angle so as to prevent direct beam transmission of sunlight into the interior but may still permit diffused sunlight to enter and a lower group of slats are adjustable by the angle adjusting means.
In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a window covering system having a head box and exterior and interior support cords depending therefrom comprising:
(a) a plurality of horizontal slats each having an exterior strip with an exterior edge facing the window and an interior strip with a interior edge facing inwards;
(a) a plurality of exterior fasteners attached to the exterior strips wherein at least one exterior support cord is fixed to the slats by the exterior fasteners such that the slats are supported and spaced apart;
(b) a plurality of interior fasteners attached to the interior strips wherein at least one interior support cord is fixed to the slats by the interior fasteners such that the slats are supported and spaced apart; and
(c) means for raising or lowering the interior support cords while simultaneously moving the exterior support cord in the opposite direction, wherein said means are associated with the head box.
In one embodiment, the support cords do not pass through an opening in any slat such that an individual slat may be removed from the system by disconnecting the exterior and interior fasteners attached to that slat.
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patent: 4572267 (1986-02-01), Stein et al.
patent: 4621672 (1986-11-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 4799526 (1989-01-01), Reeves
patent: 5119868 (1992-06-01), Werner
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patent: 5209282 (1993-05-01), Franco et al.
patent: 5402840 (1995-04-01), Jortner et al.
patent: 5423367 (1995-06-01), Kataoka et al.
patent: 5485874 (1996-01-01), Whitmore
patent: 5657806 (1997-08-01), Hung
patent: 6006816 (1999-12-01), Biro et al.
patent: 1220085 (1960-05-01), None
Ermoli Victor
Love James
Bennett Jones LLP
Johnson Blair M.
University Technologies International Inc.
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