Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02329630 2000-12-27
DECORATIVE WINDOW SHUTTER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a decorative window shutter which is hinged on the
inside
surface of a window frame or other opening, for ready opening and closing
across the window or
opening and in particular a decorative window shutter which has a light
transmitting aperture of
decorative outline formed therethrough which may be covered by a decorative
translucent
background such as curtains, slats or the like.
Background of the Invention
Window shutters are well known as a suitable means for increasing privacy
within
a dwelling as well as reducing the affects of exterior temperatures upon the
interior temperature of
a dwelling. Heretofore, functionality of the shutter has generally taken
precedence over aesthetics.
This has generally resulted in the shutter being placed on the exterior of the
dwelling and the
shutter being constructed of a contiguous, planar and generally opaque window
covering surface
which is movable to a closed position over a window.
Such shutters suffer from several deficiencies, such as the inconvenience to
the user
of having to externally adjust the shutter, the inability to see through the
window, and the
attenuation of light entering the dwelling when the shutter is in its fully
closed position. There is
the further inability to easily adjust the shutter so as to selectively admit
varying levels of light
into the dwelling while still reducing the effects of external temperatures on
the inside temperature
of the dwelling. With presently available shutters of which applicant is
awaxe, the user cannot
conveniently and selectively decorate and adjust that portion of the shutter,
viewed in its closed
position, from inside the dwelling so as to compliment the furnishings of a
room within a
dwelling, adjust light transmission levels and degree of insulation. Further,
the shutter when
CA 02329630 2000-12-27
closed and viewed from the exterior of a dwelling provides privacy levels
which are adjustable
from inside the dwelling.
In the prior art within this field, the applicant is aware of United States
patents No.
4,699,195 and 5,063,985, both of which teach a blind, either fabric or
slatted, which is an internal
covering for an arched window. Such blinds, it is acknowledged, may be
manufactured from
material having decorative patterns, or the stationary components of such
blinds may have
removable decorative fixtures placed thereon.
Summary of the Invention
In the present invention, at least one rigid shutter frame is pivotally
mountable to a
window frame on the inside of a dwelling. The shutter may be pivoted from a
closed position
covering the window to an open position which may be generally parallel to a
portion of the wall
of a dwelling adjacent to the window frame. The shutter has at least one light
transmitting
aperture formed therethrough, the edges of which are not parallel to the edges
of the shutter frame
but are decoratively formed in outline within the light transmitting aperture
of the frame. The
shutter frame, in co-operation with its light transmitting aperture formed
therethrough, may be a
bi-fold shutter. The shutter frame may be decorated, separately or in
combination, with a
backdrop of light diffusing fabric sheer curtains sandwiching light inhibiting
curtains between the
sheer curtains and the frame. The sandwiched curtains may be centrally
gathered or may be
colorful murals made from translucent fabric panels or may be slats.
In summary, the present invention relates to a decorative window shutter which
can
be pivotally mounted to the inside surface of a window frame or other opening
such as a cupboard
or patio door.
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The shutter has a rigid frame having an outer and an inner perimeter edge and
may
be pivoted from a closed position lying generally parallel to and across the
window frame or other
opening, to an open position where the shutter is pivoted outwardly from the
window to lie
adjacent to and generally parallel to a portion of a wall immediately adjacent
to the window frame.
The shutter may be a pair of shutters. each of which is mounted to opposite
vertical
sides of the window frame and in a closed position extend across the window,
for example to a
substantially medial point laterally across the window. Depending upon the
lateral width of the
window, two or more shutters may be bi-fold shutters hingedly interconnected,
each bi-fold shutter
mounted to opposite vertical sides of the window frame.
The outer and an inner perimeter edge of the shutter frame define between them
a
front surface which is exposed into a room when said shutter is in the closed
position and a back
surface opposite to the front surface. The inner perimeter edge of the shutter
frame defines a light
transmitting aperture through the shutter frame. The perimeter edge of the
aperture are, at least in
part, not parallel to the outer perimeter edge of the shutter frame so to
thereby provide a decorative
shape or outline to the aperture. Alternatively, a portion of the perimeter
edge of the aperture may
define an object in outline which protrudes from the inner edge into the light
transmitting aperture.
The decorative outline, including one which is shaped as a recognizable obj
ect, is backlit by light
passing through the aperture from the back of the shutter frame.
Light permeable curtains or sheers may be mounted to the back surface of the
shutter frame so that light passing through the curtains will enhance the
outline of the decoratively
shaped aperture or obj ect. The light permeable curtains or sheers may
alternatively, be in the form
of either a multi-colored fabric mural or panels of translucent colored glass
or slats.
A gathered curtain, separately or in combination with a light permeable fabric
sheer
material, may be positioned on the back surface of the shutter frame between
the back surface of
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the shutter frame and the light permeable curtains, so as to be exposed
through the decoratively
shaped aperture. The gathered curtain may be sandwiched between the sheers and
the back surface
of the shutter frame. The gathered curtain layer may have its unattached edges
gathered medially
along a portion of its length by a ribbon or the like.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a partially open bi-fold shutter
according to
the present invention flush mounted to the inside of a window frame.
Figure 1 a is a perspective view of a bi-fold shutter, partially opened,
mounted to an
auxiliary frame mounted to the inside of a window.
Figure lb is an enlarged sectional view taken on line lb-lb of Figure la.
Figure 2 is a portion of the shutter of Figure 1 in a position approaching a
fully
open position.
Figure 3 is an elevational view of a shutter where the decoratively shaped
light
transmitting aperture is closed by an array of pivotally mounted slats.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a shutter where the decoratively
shaped light
transmitting aperture is backed by a curtain gathered medially along its
horizontal edges and
backed by light permeable sheer.
Figure 5 is an elevational view of a shutter where the decoratively shaped
light
transmitting aperture is an ellipse backed by curtains which are openable
along a vertical medial
line.
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Figure 6 is an elevational view of a shutter where the decoratively shaped
light
transmitting aperture is a parallelogram and curtains are attached to the
opposite parallel sides of
the aperture.
Figure 7 is an elevational view of a shutter having upper and lower light
transmitting apertures each containing a bi-fold shutter, wherein each bi-fold
shutter has vertically
aligned light transmitting apertures backed by selectively positionable
curtains which are backed
by fabric sheers.
Figure 8 is an elevational view of a shutter wherein one end of the
decoratively
shaped light transmitting aperture is arched and the aperture is backed by a
mural.
Figure 9 is an elevational view of a shutter formed in upper and lower
sections,
where the upper section is a pair of complementary bi-folds, each having a
decorative light
transmitting aperture, and the lower section is fixed and contains a
decorative opening backed by a
curtain and sheer.
Figure 10 is an elevational view of a shutter where the decoratively shaped
light
transmitting aperture is generally rectangular in shape and where a portion of
an inner edge is
formed so as to define a decorative object which protrudes from the inner edge
into the light
transmitting aperture.
Figure 11 is an elevational view of a bi-fold shutter containing light
transmitting
apertures and where the upper edge of the shutter is formed as an arch.
Figure 12 is an elevational view of a bi-fold shutter containing light
transmitting
apertures and where the shutter is circular.
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Figure 13 is an elevational view of a shutter where the light transmitting
aperture is
in the outlined shape of a decorative object.
S Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
With reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein similar reference
characters denote corresponding parts in each view, the decorative window
shutter 10, has a rigid
frame 12 having outer and inner perimeter edges 14 and 16 respectively.
Shutter 10 is, at a portion
of its outer edge 14, hingedly mounted to the vertical sides 18 of the inside
surface 20 of a window
frame 22, or similar opening. Alternatively, as may be seen in Figure 1 a,
shutter 10 may be
hingedly mounted to an auxiliary frame 24, which is mounted to surface 20 of
window frame 22,
to space shutter 10 inwardly toward a room of a dwelling from surface 20 of
window frame 22.
Shutter 10 may, depending upon the lateral width of the window, be a pair of
shutters, or a pair of bi-fold shutters as illustrated in Figures 1 and 1 a.
Each pair of bi-fold shutters
is hingedly mounted to one another and mounted to opposite vertical sides 18
of window frame
22. In a closed position shutter 10 extends across the window for example to a
substantially
medial point of the window, and in an open position, as generally illustrated
in Figure 2, is drawn
away from the window to lie generally parallel to a portion of a wall 26
immediately adjacent
window frame 22.
Shutter 10 has a front surface 30 which is exposed into a room when the
shutter is
closed and a back surface 32 opposite to the front surface. The inner
perimeter edge 16 defines a
decoratively shaped light transmitting aperture 34 through shutter 10. Light
permeable fabric
curtains 36 and/or sheers 38 may be mounted separately or in combination to
the back surface 32
of shutter 10. Aperture 34 allows visual exposure of the curtains 36 from
within a room enhancing
the esthetics of shutter 10. Curtains 36 may be partially gathered about a
horizontal or vertical
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medial point to enhance the decorative and pleasing visual effect. Fabric
sheers 38 are translucent
so as to permit diffused exterior day light into a room while still
maintaining privacy.
As seen in Figure 3, light transmitting aperture 34 may be generally
rectangular in
shape. A slatted blind 40 may be mounted to back surface 32 of shutter 10.
Slatted blind 40 may
be of the kind which may be biased into open or closed positions by pivoting
of the slats. Blind 40
is mounted behind shutter 10 and may be backed by a fabric sheer 38. Shutter
10 may contain
design elements, for example engravings, 40a, on front surface 30, which
provide additional visual
ornamental enhancement to the shutter.
In Figure 4, shutter 10 is depicted where inner perimeter edge 14 of frame 20
is
formed so as to create a light transmitting aperture 34 having a decoratively
sculptured shape.
Aperture 34 is backed by a curtain 36 which is gathered medially along its
horizontal edges and
backed by light permeable fabric sheer 38. Design elements 40a, on front
surface 30, provide
visual enhancement to the shutter.
In Figure 5 shutter 10 has inner perimeter edge 14 creating an aperture 34 in
the
shape of an ellipse. Aperture 34 is backed by curtains 36 which are openable
along a vertical
medial line and backed by a fabric sheer 38. Ribbons 41 or the like may by
utilized to keep
curtain 36 in an open position.
In Figure 6 shutter 10 has light transmitting aperture 34 in the shape of a
parallelogram backed by curtains 36 which extend between opposite parallel
sides 43 of aperture
34 to cross over at a medial point within aperture 34. Additional design
elements 40a, in
proportion to surface 30, may be inscribed or attached to shutter 10 forming a
decorative motif
therearound. Curtains 36 are backed by a fabric sheer 38.
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The shutter 10, of Figure 7, has upper and lower light transmitting apertures
34
which are fitted with small bi-fold shutters 44. Shutters 44 each have
vertically aligned light
transmitting apertures 34a backed by selectively positionable curtains 36.
Curtains 36, in each of
the small bi-fold light transmitting apertures 34a are backed by a fabric
sheer 38.
In Figure 8, shutter 10 has a generally rectangular light transmitting
aperture 34
with the longitudinal edges rounded or arch shaped at one end as at 46. The
aperture 34 is backed
by a colorful design or mural 48 made from pieces of fabric, glass or the
like. Additional design
elements 40a corresponding to the theme of the mural decoratively enhance the
front surface 30 of
shutter 10.
In Figure 9 an alternative form of shutter 10 is shown, having upper and lower
light
transmitting apertures 34. Upper aperture 34 is generally rectangular and
contains side by side bi-
fold shutters 44 where each bi-fold section contains a light transmitting
aperture 34a with rounded
ends. Each of these apertures 34a is backed by a fabric sheer 3 8. The lower
section of shutter 10
is non-openable but contains a relatively large light transmitting aperture 34
with complementary
rounded ends and backed by a fabric curtain 36 and sheer 38.
Figure 10 illustrates a shutter 10 which is a bi-fold shutter, where the
decoratively
shaped light transmitting aperture 34 is generally rectangular in shape. A
portion of an inner edge
16 of aperture 34 is formed so as to define a decorative object 50 which
protrudes from the inner
edge 16 into the light transmitting aperture 34 so as to be in relief as
viewed from the inside of the
dwelling. The example of coffee and tea pots, and receiving cups, are
illustrated. These may be
thematically cued to the room, such as a kitchen theme. Aperture 34 is backed
by fabric cottage
curtains 48 or the like.
The bi-fold shutter 10 of Figure 11 has an upper edge 54 formed as an arch.
The
light transmitting apertures 34 within shutters 10 have a complimentary curved
surface SOa, and
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are backed by fabric curtains 36 which can be drawn to one side to enhance
exterior light
transmission through a fabric sheer 38 and into a room of a dwelling.
Figure 12 illustrates a bi-fold shutter 10 formed in a circular configuration
where
the upper and lower edges of the shutter are formed as an arch. A portion of
an inner edge 16 is
formed so as to define objects 50, in this case flowers, which protrude from
the inner edge 16 into
the light transmitting apertures 34 formed in the shutter 10. Light
transmitting apertures 34 are,
again, backed by fabric curtains 36 and fabric sheer 38.
Figure 13 illustrates a rectangularly shaped shutter 10 where the inner edge
16 of
light transmitting aperture 34 conforms to the decorative outline of an
object. The front face 30 of
shutter 10 may have complimentary design elements 40a to enhance the shutter.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of
this invention
without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of
the invention is to be
construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
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