The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for covering a window. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and apparatus for providing a valance that can pivot to selectively provide access to the bracket assembly supporting the window cover and hide the bracket assembly supporting the window cover.
Window coverings serve multiple functions. For example coverings are used to limit light from coming in through the window. The window coverings are also used to provide privacy. In addition to these functions, window coverings also provide a decorative touch to a room.
Common window coverings include blinds and roller shades. Both blinds and roller shades use a bracket assembly located at the top or above the window to support the blinds or roller shade. The bracket assembly is usually roughly finished and unsightly. In order to cover the bracket assembly and the retracted blinds or roller shade a valance is often used. The valance provides an aesthetic feature to cover the utilitarian features of the window covering.
One problem that may be associated with some types of valances is that they may hinder access to the bracket assembly and or window covering. From time to time it may be desirable to be able to easily access the support brackets and/or the window covering. For example, during installation, removal and/or to maintain or adjust these features.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that allows the use of a valance to cover the more unsightly portions of a window covering system yet provides relatively easy access to portions of the window system that is covered by the valance.
Further, in the case of roller shades, springs are often employed to assist in rotating the roller shades. As such, sometimes the roller shades may over rotate and spin when the roller shade is already fully retracted. This can cause excessive wear and/or potentially damage the window covering system.
Accordingly it may be desirable to provide a mechanism to prevent the roller shade from spinning when it is in a fully refracted position, but allow the roller shade to rotate when it is not in a fully retracted position.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect a method and apparatus is provided that allows the use of a valance to cover some of the unsightly portions of a window covering system yet provides relatively easy access to portions of the window system that is covered by the valance.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect a method and apparatus is provided that prevents a roller shade from spinning when it is in a fully retracted position, but allows the roller shade to rotate when it is not in a fully retracted position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for supporting a window covering is provided. The system includes: a bracket assembly having a stationary portion and a pivoting portion; a valance pivotally connected to the bracket assembly; a first lock configured to lock the valance to the pivoting portion of the bracket assembly; and a second lock that, when engaged, locks the valance to the stationary portion of the bracket assembly.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of concealing a window covering may also be provided. The method may include: providing a bracket assembly configured to support the window covering; providing a valance attached to the bracket assembly; pivoting the valance on the bracket assembly to selectively expose and conceal the window covering; locking the valance to a pivoting portion of the bracket assembly; and locking the valance to a stationary portion of the bracket assembly.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for supporting a window covering may be provided. The system may include a means for supporting the window covering having a stationary portion and a pivoting portion; a concealing means pivotally connected to the means for supporting the window covering; a first means for locking configured to lock the concealing means to the pivoting portion of the means for supporting the window covering; and a second locking means that, when engaged, locks the concealing means to the stationary portion of the means for supporting the window covering.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a left and right bracket assembly for supporting a window covering. The left and right bracket assembly is concealed, at least in part, by a valance. The valance is configured to pivot to alternately expose and conceal the bracket assemblies and window covering.
The bracket assemblies 12 and 14 also support a valance 18 and end covers 20. The valance 18 and the end covers 20 hide the bracket assemblies 12 and 14 when the shade/blind assembly 10 is installed at a window.
The bracket 22 as has a hard stop 28 and a slot 30. The hard stop 28 is configured to contact a thicker portion or bar 74 (see
The pivot arm 38 has a projection 44 and a slot 46 in the projection. The pivot arm 38 also has a slot 42. When the pivot arm 38 is rotated to a down position, the slot 42 on the pivot arm 38 will align with the slot 30 on the bracket 22.
The end plate 20 has alignment projections 48, 50, and 52. The alignment projections 48, 50, and 52 assist in aligning the end plate 20, the pivot arm 30, the bracket 22, and the valance 18. In some embodiments, the alignment projections 48, 50, and 52 may also provide support for one or more of these features. In some embodiments, the alignment projections 48, 50, and 52 may provide a stop to halt the rotation of the valance 18 in toward the window covering 16. In some embodiments, the alignment projection 50 fits into trench 54 on the back of the projection 44.
The valance 18 includes a first slide lock 56 having a locking protrusion 58. The first slide lock 56 slides between rails 60 and 62. The valance 18 also has a second slide lock 64. The second slide lock 64 is C-shaped and has a projection 66. The projection 66 fits into slots 30 and 42 to lock the valance 18 and pivot arm 38 to the bracket 22 as shown in
In some embodiments, both locks 56 and 64 are normally engaged, and the valance 18 is normally in a down position covering the roller shade or blinds 16. When a user desires to pivot the valance 18, the second lock 64 is slid to an unlocked position. A second lock 64 is associated with both the right and left side, thus, both second locks 64 are unlocked. The valance 18 then free to pivot. The valance 18 may be returned to the down position and the second locks 64 may be engaged to lock the valance 18 in place.
If it is desired to remove the valance, both locks 56 and 64 on each the right and left sides will be disengaged. Likewise to reinstall the valance 18, both locks 56 and 64 on each side will be engaged.
As shown in
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.