Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA Application
Blakes Ref: 68849/00162
EXPANDING WINDOW COVERING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention broadly relates to window coverings, more
specifically to a
telescoping window covering, and even more particularly to a mountable
telescoping window
covering having expandable louvers, a concealed tilt bar and an expansion
limiter.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Louvered window shutters have been used for many years to
control room
lighting, privacy, security, environmental protection and aesthetics.
Conventional window
shutters suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, windows are
manufactured in a
variety of sizes and shapes. As such, it is difficult to construct standard
shutters that will fill the
opening formed by each window. Thus, some customization must occur with each
shutter in
order for it to provide its desired characteristics, e.g., privacy and
lighting level. Shutters are
custom built to size, or may be formed by assembling multiple portions that
collectively fill a
window opening. Moreover, a variety of other window covering types are also
available, e.g.,
curtains, shades, blinds, etc. All of the foregoing window coverings suffer
from similar
drawbacks as window shutters.
[0003] As can be derived from the variety of devices and methods
directed at providing
window coverings, many means have been contemplated to accomplish the desired
end, i.e.,
convenient, cost effective and configurable arrangements. Heretofore,
tradeoffs between
flexibility in configuration and cost were required. Thus, there is a long-
felt need for a window
covering that can be modified to fit within and cover any window opening shape
and/or size.
SUMMARY
[0004] The presently disclosed apparatus broadly comprises a window
covering having
an interior face and an exterior face including an outer frame portion, an
inner frame portion, at
least two outer louvers, at least two inner louvers and a tilt bar. The outer
frame portion includes
an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower horizontal frame extrusion, and a
vertical frame
extrusion connecting the upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions of the
outer frame portion.
The inner frame portion includes an upper horizontal frame extrusion, a lower
horizontal frame
extrusion, and a vertical frame extrusion connecting the upper and lower
horizontal frame
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extrusions of the inner frame portion. The upper and lower horizontal frame
extrusions of the
inner frame portion are nestedly and slidably arranged within the upper and
lower horizontal
frame extrusions of the outer frame portion. The at least two outer louvers
each form a cavity
therein, while the at least two inner louvers are each nestedly and slidably
arranged within the
cavity of one of the at least two outer louvers. The tilt bar is pivotably
connected to the at least
two outer louvers or to the at least two inner louvers, and arranged adjacent
the exterior face of
the window covering.
[0005] It is a general object of the present apparatus to provide a
window covering that is
aesthetically pleasing while solving drawbacks of known coverings, e.g.,
flexibility of size/shape.
[0006] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be readily
appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the
invention and from
the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will
now be more fully
described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with
the accompanying
drawing figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan
view of
an embodiment of a present window covering in a compressed arrangement;
Figure 2 is a front elevational view, a side elevational view and a top plan
view of
an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded arrangement;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in a compressed arrangement shown with louvers in a closed
arrangement and louvers
in an open arrangement;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in an expanded arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement
and louvers in
an open arrangement;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a present window covering;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window
covering depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along Line 6-6 having a tilt
bar in an upper
position;
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Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present
window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of
Figure 6 labeled FIG.
7;
Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present
window covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of
Figure 6 labeled FIG.
8;
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a present window
covering
similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along a
line similar to Line 6-
6 having a tilt bar in a lower position;
Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present
window covering depicted in Figure 9 and shown in the encircled region of
Figure 9 labeled FIG.
10;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in
an
expanded arrangement;
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present window
covering depicted in Figure 11 and taken generally along Line 12-12 having a
tilt bar in an upper
position;
Figure 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present
window covering depicted in Figure 11 and shown in the encircled region of
Figure 12 labeled
FIG. 13;
Figure 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting
the window
covering within a window frame;
Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting
the window
covering outside of a window frame;
Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of a wall and window within a frame in the
wall, an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall within
the window frame
and an embodiment of a present window covering secured to the wall outside of
the window
frame;
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Blakes Ref: 68849/00162
Figure 17 is a perspective view of embodiments of present window coverings
showing hinge adjustment plates included therewith; and,
Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a window including embodiments of
window coverings installed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different
drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements
of the invention.
While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently
considered to be the
preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not
limited to the
disclosed aspects.
[0009] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular
methodologies, materials and modifications described and as such may, of
course, vary. It is also
understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which
is limited only by the
appended claims.
[0010] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to
which this invention
belongs. It should be appreciated that the term "interior face", as used
herein, is intended to
mean the surface or face of a window covering closest to the interior of a
room when the
covering is arranged in front of a window in that room, i.e., the surface or
face adjacent to the
room. "Exterior face" is intended to mean the surface or face of a window
covering farthest from
the interior of a room when the covering is arranged in front of a window in
that room, i.e., the
surface or face adjacent to the window. Moreover, as used herein, the phrases
"comprises at least
one of' and "comprising at least one of' in combination with a system or
element is intended to
mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed
after the phrase. For
example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second
element; and, a third
element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural
arrangements: a device
comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device
comprising a third
element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device
comprising a first
element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second
element and a third
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element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A
similar interpretation
is intended when the phrase "used in at least one of:" is used herein.
Furthermore, as used
herein, "and/or" is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to
indicate that one or more
of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a
device
comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is
intended to be construed
as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a
first element; a device
comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device
comprising a first
element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third
element; a device
comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device
comprising a
second element and a third element.
[0011] Although any methods, devices or materials similar or
equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the
preferred methods,
devices, and materials are now described.
[0012] Adverting now to the figures, Figure 1 shows a front
elevational view, a side
elevational view and a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in a
compressed arrangement. Figure 2 shows a front elevational view, a side
elevational view and a
top plan view of an embodiment of a present window covering in an expanded
arrangement.
Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in a
compressed arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement and louvers
in an open
arrangement. Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
present window
covering in an expanded arrangement shown with louvers in a closed arrangement
and louvers in
an open arrangement. Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a
present window
covering. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1-5.
[0013] Window covering 50 includes interior face 52 and exterior face
54. As described
above, interior face 52 is the face of window covering 50 viewable from inside
a space within
which window covering 50 is installed, e.g., inside of a living room, while
exterior face 54 is the
face of window covering 50 not viewable from inside that space, e.g., the face
of window
covering 50 adjacent window 56. Window covering 50 comprises outer frame
portion 58, inner
frame portion 60, at least two outer louvers 62, at least two inner louvers 64
and tilt bar 66.
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Outer frame portion 58 comprises upper horizontal frame extrusion 68, lower
horizontal frame
extrusion 70, and vertical frame extrusion 72 connecting upper and lower
horizontal frame
extrusions 68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58. Inner frame
portion 60 comprises
upper horizontal frame extrusion 74, lower horizontal frame extrusion 76, and
vertical frame
extrusion 78 connecting upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76,
respectively, of
inner frame portion 60. Upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76,
respectively, of
inner frame portion 60 are nestedly and slidably arranged within upper and
lower horizontal
frame extrusions 68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58. Each
outer louver 62 forms
cavity 80 therein. Each inner louver 64 is nestedly and slidably arranged
within a complementary
cavity 80 of one of outer louvers 62. It should be appreciated that a
complementary cavity within
an outer louver is a cavity that is generally aligned with an inner louver
such that the combination
of the inner louver within the outer louver forms a substantially horizontal
louver 82. Tilt bar 66
is pivotably connected to outer louvers 62 or to inner louvers 64, and is
arranged adjacent
exterior face 54 of window covering 50. It should be further appreciated that
"adjacent", as used
in the present context, is intended to mean that tilt bar 66 is next to or
near exterior face 54 and
not next to or near interior face 52. It should be further appreciated that
outer louvers 62 and
inner louvers 64 may include features that permit the direct connection of
tilt bar 66 thereto;
however, a cap positioned at the distal ends of each outer and inner louver 62
and 64,
respectively, may also be included thereby permitting connection between tilt
bar 66 and outer
.. and inner louver 62 and 64, respectively.
[0014] It should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement of tilt
bar 66 relative to
outer and inner louvers 62 and 64, respectively, and further relative to
interior and exterior faces
52 and 54, respectively, generally conceals tilt bar 66 from view when window
covering 50 is
positioned in front of window 56. Thus, window covering 50 produces a
desirable, clean
aesthetic appearance where louvers 82 are unobstructed by tilt bar 68. Such an
arrangement
produces a clean appearance that is not possible with known window coverings,
i.e., tilt bar 66 is
not generally visible.
[0015] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the
present window
covering depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along Line 6-6 having a tilt
bar in an upper
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Blakes Ref: 68849/00162
position. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of
the present window
covering depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6
labeled FIG. 7.
Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the embodiment of the present
window covering
depicted in Figure 1 and shown in the encircled region of Figure 6 labeled
FIG. 8. Figure 9 is a
cross sectional view of an embodiment of a present window covering similar to
the embodiment
depicted in Figure 1 and taken generally along a line similar to Line 6-6
having a tilt bar in a
lower position. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the
embodiment of the present
window covering depicted in Figure 9 and shown in the encircled region of
Figure 9 labeled FIG.
10. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1-10.
to [0016] In some embodiments, at least one of upper and lower
horizontal frame extrusions
68 and 70, respectively, of outer frame portion 58 comprise outer frame louver
block 84 and at
least one of upper and lower horizontal frame extrusions 74 and 76,
respectively, of inner frame
portion 60 comprises inner frame louver block 86. At least a portion of inner
frame louver block
86 is nestedly arranged within outer frame louver block 84. (See, Figure 7).
Outer and inner
frame louver blocks 84 and 86, respectively, provide a convenient means to
limit rotation of
louvers 82 and further provide a means to ensure proper orientation of
components during
assembly, e.g., alignment of lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 relative to
vertical frame
extrusion 72.
[0017] In some embodiments, first end 88 of each of outer louvers 62
is pivotably
secured to vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58 and first end
90 of each of inner
louvers 64 is pivotably secured to vertical frame extrusion 78 of inner frame
portion 60.
[0018] In some embodiments, tilt bar 66 is pivotably connected to
first end 88 of each of
outer louvers 62. In some embodiments, tilt bar 66 is pivotably connected to
first end 90 of each
of inner louvers 64.
[0019] Figure 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a present window
covering in an
expanded arrangement. Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of
the present
window covering depicted in Figure 11 and taken generally along Line 12-12
having a tilt bar in
an upper position. Figure 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the
embodiment of the
present window covering depicted in Figure 11 and shown in the encircled
region of Figure 12
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labeled FIG. 13. Figure 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
present window
covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges adapted for mounting
the window
covering within a window frame. Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an
embodiment of a
present window covering in a compressed arrangement and including hinges
adapted for
mounting the window covering outside of a window frame. Figure 16 is a cross
sectional view
of a wall and window within a frame in the wall, an embodiment of a present
window covering
secured to the wall within the window frame and an embodiment of a present
window covering
secured to the wall outside of the window frame. Figure 17 is a perspective
view of
embodiments of present window coverings showing hinge adjustment plates
included therewith.
Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a window including embodiments of
window coverings
installed therein. The following is best understood in view of Figures 1-18.
[0020] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises
stopper pin 92 and
stopper cap 94. Stopper pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98.
Stopper cap 94
comprises through hole 100. First end 96 of stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured
to outer frame
portion 58. Stopper pin 92 is arranged within through hole 100 of stopper cap
94 and stopper cap
94 is disposed on stopper pin 92 between first end 96 and second end 98. In
some embodiments,
stopper cap 94 is fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 or
lower horizontal
frame extrusion 76 of inner frame portion 60.
[0021] In some embodiments, a window covering 50 further comprises a
stopper pin and
a stopper cap. The stopper pin comprises a first end and a second end. The
stopper cap
comprises a through hole. The first end of the stopper pin is fixedly secured
to the inner frame
portion. The stopper pin is arranged within the through hole of the stopper
cap and the stopper
cap is disposed on the stopper pin between the first end and the second end.
In some
embodiments, the stopper cap is fixedly secured within upper horizontal frame
extrusion 68 or
lower horizontal frame extrusion 70 of outer frame portion 58. It should be
appreciated that the
foregoing arrangement is substantially similar in form and arrangement as the
above described
arrangement where stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to outer frame portion 58,
with the
differences being the securement of stopper pin 92 to inner frame portion 60
and the securement
of stopper cap 94 to upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 of outer frame
portion 58.
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[0022] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises first
stopper pin 92,
second stopper pin 102, first stopper cap 94 and second stopper cap 104. First
stopper pin 92
comprises first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper pin 102
comprises first end 106
and second end 108. First stopper cap 94 comprises first through hole 100,
while second stopper
cap 104 comprises second through hole 110. First end 96 of first stopper pin
92 and first end 106
of second stopper pin 102 are fixedly secured to outer frame portion 58. First
stopper pin 92 is
arranged within first through hole 100, while second stopper pin 102 is
arranged within second
through hole 110. First stopper cap 94 is disposed on first stopper pin 92
between first end 96
and second end 98, while second stopper cap 104 is disposed on second stopper
pin 102 between
first end 106 and second end 108. In some embodiments, first stopper cap 94 is
fixedly secured
to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 of inner frame portion 60 and second
stopper cap 104 is
fixedly secured within lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of inner frame
portion 60. It should
be appreciated that as described above the foregoing arrangement may
alternatively comprise the
connection of first and second stopper pins 92 and 102, respectively, to inner
frame portion 60,
and the securement of first and second stopper caps 94 and 104, respectively,
to upper horizontal
frame extrusion 68 and lower horizontal frame extrusion 70, respectively.
[0023] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises
corner bracket 112,
stopper pin 92 and stopper cap 94. Corner bracket 112 is arranged to connect
upper horizontal
frame extrusion 68 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58
or to connect lower
.. horizontal frame extrusion 70 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer
frame portion 58. Stopper
pin 92 comprises first end 96 and second end 98, while stopper cap 94
comprises through hole
100. First end 96 of stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to corner bracket 112.
Stopper pin 92 is
arranged within through hole 100 of stopper cap 94 and stopper cap 94 is
disposed on stopper pin
92 between first end 96 and second end 98. In some embodiments, stopper cap 94
is fixedly
secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 or lower horizontal frame
extrusion 76 of inner
frame portion 60.
[0024] In some embodiments, window covering 50 further comprises first
corner bracket
112, second corner bracket 114, first stopper pin 92, second stopper pin 102,
first stopper cap 94
and second stopper cap 104. First corner bracket 112 is arranged to connect
upper horizontal
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frame extrusion 68 and vertical frame extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58,
while second
corner bracket 114 is arranged to connect lower horizontal frame extrusion 70
and vertical frame
extrusion 72 of outer frame portion 58. First stopper pin 92 comprises first
end 96 and second
end 98, while second stopper pin 102 comprises first end 106 and second end
108. First stopper
cap 94 comprises first through hole 100, while second stopper cap 104
comprises second through
hole 110. First end 96 of first stopper pin 92 is fixedly secured to first
corner bracket 112, while
first end 106 of second stopper pin 102 is fixedly secured to second corner
bracket 114. First
stopper pin 92 is arranged within first through hole 100, while second stopper
pin 102 is arranged
within second through hole 110. First stopper cap 94 is disposed on first
stopper pin 92 between
first end 96 and second end 98, while second stopper cap 104 is disposed on
second stopper pin
102 between first end 106 and second end 108. In some embodiments, first
stopper cap 94 is
fixedly secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 74 of inner frame portion
60 and second
stopper cap 104 is fixedly secured to lower horizontal frame extrusion 76 of
inner frame portion
60. It should be appreciated that as described above the foregoing arrangement
may alternatively
comprise the connection of first and second stopper pins 92 and 102,
respectively, to a first
corner bracket and a second corner bracket similarly used to connect upper
horizontal frame
extrusion 74 to vertical frame extrusion 78 and lower horizontal frame
extrusion 76 to vertical
frame extrusion 78, respectively. In those embodiments, first and second
stopper caps 94 and
104, respectively, are secured to upper horizontal frame extrusion 68 and
lower horizontal frame
extrusion 76, respectively.
[0025] In some embodiments, outer frame portion 58 is arranged to
receive at least one
hinge thereon, e.g., hinge 116, 118, 120 and 122, and the at least one hinge
is arranged to connect
first vertical surface 124 of window 56 or second vertical surface 126 of
window 56 opposite
first vertical surface 124. It should be appreciated that hinges 116 and 118
are arranged to secure
window coverings 50 within frame 128 of window 56, while hinges 120 and 122
are arranged to
secure window coverings 50 outside of frame 128 on walls 130. Moreover, if
necessary for
proper alignment, spacing, etc., hinges 116, 118, 120 and/or 122 may include
hinge adjustment
plates 132.
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[0026] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the
presently disclosed
window coverings remove many of the drawbacks of known window coverings.
Moreover, the
arrangement of the present window covering permits a single assembly to be
used on either side
of a window or other type of opening, e.g., a doorway, without modification of
the window
covering. Thus, regardless of the side of an opening that is desired to be
covered, the same
window covering can be used. This arrangement simplifies manufacturing
processes, reduces
overall costs and provides for a convenient installation process. The present
arrangement
provides an expandable and contractible window covering that may be conformed
to fit within a
variety of opening sizes. The present window covering can be linearly expanded
and contracted
to fill an opening. However, it should be appreciated that the foregoing
arrangement may also
include arcuate members thereby permitting a curved expansion and contraction
of the covering.
[0027] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are
efficiently obtained,
although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent
to those having
ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the
spirit and scope of the
.. invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description
is illustrative of the
present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other
embodiments of the
present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present
invention.
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