Field of Search:
160/166A,184,84,167,168,169,174,176,173
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A decorative window covering system comprising:
2. A decorative window covering system comprising:
3. The decorative window covering system of claim 2, wherein
4. The decorative window covering system of claim 2, wherein
5. The decorative window covering system of claim 2 wherein said louvers are opaque and said flexible covering material is translucent.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a window covering system. More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved means for providing a translucent drape-like covering which can selectively provide opaqueness.
Window covering systems have been traditionally separated into two groups. The first group includes drapes and curtains. The second group includes louvers such as the conventional Venetian blinds and vertically disposed louvers. Systems have also been developed for hanging the louver-like covering adjacent a drape-like covering. However, in these combined systems, the drapes are independent of the louvers and are required to be operated independently of the louvers. In these combined systems, it is necessary to make and hang the drapes in a conventional manner. Pinch pleats are necessary in such systems to achieve the drape-like effect. Further, because the translucent drapes are independent of the louvers, a specific effort must be made to achieve a uniform appearance of the drapes and louvers across any given window.
The present invention contemplates the operation of both the drapery system and the vertically disposed louver system as a single operative system providing a uniform and decorative covering which has the capability of varying the degree of opaqueness. Thus, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a single system which functions as both a drapery system and a vertically disposed louver system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of a window covering system which eliminates the need for pinch pleats. The effect of fullness derived from pinch pleating is given to the drape instead by attaching a significant portion of the upper edge of the drapery material to each of the louvers.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional vertical blind mechanism having louvers and draperies dependent therefrom.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the layout of the present system showing louvers in the open position.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the system of FIG. 2 with the louvers in the closed position.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternate louver and drape system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical blind mechanism presently used for conventional vertically disposed louvers. The vertical blind mechanism is contained within a channel member 10 which operates to support the mechanism and cover the top portion of the window covering system. The channel member 10 may be conventionally fixed directly to the building structure or window frame. The channel member 10 has an extended portion 12 which covers the upper edge of the drape and louver assembly to give a pleasing facade to the system. Two horizontal members 14 and 16 extend inward from the walls of the channel 10. These horizontal members 14 and 16 lie in a horizontal plane and extend a sufficient distance to support conventional vertically disposed louver trucks 18.
The conventional vertically disposed louver trucks 18 have wheels 20 which ride on the horizontal members 14 and 16. The horizontal members 14 and 16 are spaced to allow the trucks 18 to fit therein. The fit of the trucks 18 between the members 14 and 16 prevent angular rotation of the trucks 18 and keep the trucks 18 laterally aligned as well. A cord 24 is attached to the lead truck 18 which has extensions 26. The cord 24 is rigged in a conventional manner for drawing the vertically disposed louver system laterally across the window.
Means are preferably employed for controlling the angular orientation of each segment of the depending window covering. This control means may be provided by any one of the conventional systems associated with vertically disposed louvers. One such system uses a control rod 28 which is pivotally mounted to the channel member 10. The control rod 28 extends through each truck 18. The control rod 28 may be rotated by means of a pulley 30 which is operated by chain 32. Chain 32 extends to a convenient point for manual control at one end of the window covering system. Channels 34 are cut into the control rod 28 to give purchase to a gear 36 located within each truck 18. The gears 36 are allowed to slide with their respective trucks 18 along the control rod 28. The use of the channels 34 which cooperate with engaging means on the gears 36 allow positive engagement with a loose fit. Thus the control rod 28 can be made to reliably operate with the gears 36 without obstructing traverse travel of the trucks 18. The gears 36 engage worms located in the interior of each truck 18. Each worm is in turn attached to a pivot. As the control rod 28 is manipulated by the chain 32, the pivots 38 located within each truck 18 will be caused to vertically rotate simultaneously with respect to the trucks 18 and the channel member 10. Louver hooks 40 attach the pivots 38 to the louvers 42. Because the hooks 40 securely clamp the louvers 42 across a substantial width, the louvers 42 are caused to remain aligned on the pivots 38. Consequently, the louvers 42 may be controlled by the control rod 28 to remain mutually parallel with one another. In this way, a uniform degree of opaqueness is selectively obtained by manual manipulation of the chain 32 which determines the angular position of the vertically disposed louvers 42.
The vertically disposed louvers 42 are conventionally hung from each louver hook 40 respectively. The louvers 42 preferably extend the full height of the window or opening to be covered and are of sufficient width to overlap when pivoted to a closed position when the system is extended across the window. The louvers 42 may be planer to achieve a minimum profile when perpendicularly disposed with respect to the window or may be slightly curved to provide increased bending and torsional rigidity.
To provide a drape-like appearance, flexible drape material 44 is hung from the upper portion of each louver 42. Preferably the material 44 is of a translucent nature in order that the operation of the angular control device associated with the vertically disposed louver mechanism will have the effect of varying the degree of opaqueness of the overall covering system. The material 44 may be hung from the louvers 42 by any conventional means such as adhesives, rivets, snaps and drapery hooks. Because of the need to periodically launder the drapery material 44, it is advantageous to provide some means for attaching the drapery material 44 to the louvers 42 which will allow disassembly of the system. By attaching the drapery material 44 to the vertically disposed louvers 42, the system will retain a uniformity as it is drawn across the window. Further, the system is controlled through the use of only two mechanisms, the cord 24 and the cable 32. The cord 24 is used to control the traverse function while the chain 32 controls the angular disposition of the vertically disposed louvers 42 as mentioned above.
Various attachment configurations may be used to associate the vertically disposed louvers 42 and the drapery material 44. Attachment may be made at any desired point near the upper end of the louvers 42. It is esthetically pleasing to have the drapery material 44 extend upward to a point above the bottom edge of the extension 12 of channel member 10. Naturally, the drapery material 44 may be attached to the louvers along the full length of each louver 44. However, to achieve a full drapery-like effect, the drapery material 44 should be attached only at its upper edge. A simple configuration may be used for an inexpensive window covering system as shown in FIG. 4. The drapery material 44 is attached only at the front edge of each louver 42. Such a system lacks the full drapery-like effect, but provides a translucent drapery which combines the control of opaqueness available with the present system.
To achieve a decorative window covering system having the fullness normally associated with drapes, the drapery material 44 may be pinch pleated and attached at the front of each louver 42. This may be done by conventional drapery hooks which can attach to an eye located at the top front edge of each louver. When such a system is employed, it is not necessary that the channel member 10 extend down over the front edge of the drapery material 44. To more fully utilize the combined system concept associated with the present invention, the material 44 may be run back and forth about each louver 42. A great number of configurations are available; one such system is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The drapery material 44 is attached only at the top of each louver 42 and may have two louver widths or more of drapery material 44 gathered about each louver 42. In this manner, a fullness is achieved in the overall system which is similar to that achieved from a pinch pleated drapery without the need for pinch pleating. It is further advantageous to have a free length of drapery material 44 between each louver 42 which does not exceed the width of each louver 42 in order that the louvers, when rotated to a closed position, will overlap to exclude all light transmission through the system.
Thus, a decorative covering system is achieved which allows for varying degrees of opaqueness without giving the impression or operating requirements of a vertically disposed louver system positioned adjacent and behind a separate drapery system. Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I am not limited to the details herein set forth, but that my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.