(NOT APPLICABLE)
The invention relates to a valance assembly secured adjacent a window frame positioned in a window opening and, more particularly, to a valance kit and mounting assembly including a universal mounting block for securing the valance.
It is desirable in many environments to add window treatments to windows for aesthetic reasons and/or for privacy shades or blinds. Various types of window treatments exist, including roller shades, pleated shades, mini-blinds, etc. Typically, mounting the various window treatments requires different hardware and the like for each treatment type.
A valance assembly can be added to a window treatment to cover unsightly brackets and the like and to provide an overall improved appearance of the window. Existing valance assemblies, however, are not easily mounted and include numerous parts that add to production costs.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a universal mounting block that is readily securable to a window frame and is adaptable to various window treatment types. Moreover, a valance assembly includes a plurality of shrouds that are securable to the mounting block and may additionally support and/or guide components of the window treatment.
In an exemplary embodiment, a valance kit and mounting assembly secures a valance adjacent a window frame positioned in a window opening and has a clamp ring cavity. The valance kit and mounting assembly includes a mounting block securable in the clamp ring cavity of the window frame. The mounting block has a frame side, an outer side opposite from the frame side, and top and bottom sides. The mounting block includes a snap connector on the frame side thereof and a valance groove in each of the top and bottom sides. The valance grooves extend in a width direction across the mounting block and have a depth dimension parallel with a plane of the window opening. A valance assembly includes a plurality of shrouds that together define the valance, where each of the shrouds has a pair of snap ridges disposed facing each other and spaced substantially corresponding to a space between the top and bottom sides of the mounting block. The snap ridges are sized and positioned to engage the valance grooves in a snap fit.
The plurality of shrouds may include a pair of side shrouds, a top shroud, a bottom shroud, and valance corners connected between the side shrouds and the top and bottom shrouds, where the valance kit and mounting assembly may include at least one mounting block for each of the plurality of shrouds. The valance kit and mounting assembly may include two mounting blocks for each of the top and bottom shrouds and three mounting blocks for each of the side shrouds.
The valance grooves may be defined by posts respectively extending from the top and bottom sides of the mounting block, where the posts adjacent the outer side of the mounting block may be angled to define a cam surface. The posts may be staggered across the width direction of the mounting block. The assembly may include three of the posts adjacent the outer side of the mounting block on each of the top and bottom sides of the mounting block and two of the posts adjacent the frame side of the mounting block on each of the top and bottom sides of the mounting block.
The mounting block may further include a roller shade connector on the outer side thereof. The plurality of shrouds may include a top shroud positionable over a roller shade secured to the roller shade connector, where the top shroud has a shade guide that is positioned to engage the roller shade. The plurality of shrouds may include side shrouds, where the side shrouds may include a shade track extending along a length dimension thereof that is sized to receive ends of the roller shade.
The plurality of shrouds may include a top shroud, where the top shroud has a cavity that is sized and configured to support a pleated shade or a mini-blind. The plurality of shrouds may further include side shrouds connected to the top shroud, and the side shrouds may include a shade track extending along a length dimension thereof that is sized to guide ends of the pleated shade or mini-blind.
In another exemplary embodiment, a valance kit and mounting assembly includes a mounting block securable in the clamp ring cavity of the window frame, where the mounting block has a frame side, an outer side opposite from the frame side, and top and bottom sides. The mounting block has a snap connector on the frame side thereof, a valance groove in each of the top and bottom sides, and a roller shade connector on the outer side. The valance grooves extend in a width direction across the mounting block and have a depth dimension parallel with a plane of the window opening. The assembly also includes a valance assembly with a plurality of shrouds that together define the valance, where each of the shrouds has a pair of snap ridges disposed facing each other and spaced substantially corresponding to a space between the top and bottom sides of the mounting block. The snap ridges are sized and positioned to engage the valance grooves in a snap fit. The plurality of shrouds include a top shroud having a cavity that is sized and configured to support a pleated shade or a mini-blind.
These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With continued reference to
The mounting block 26 is also provided with one or more roller shade connectors 32 on the outer side 26B of the mounting block 26. The roller shade connectors 32 are configured to receive an elongated beam 34, which forms part of the roller shade assembly 24. The construction of the roller shade assembly 24 including the elongated beam 34 is the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/507,408 filed Jul. 10, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Referring again to
Generally, the valance assembly 36 is made up of a plurality of shrouds that together define the valance. Specifically, with reference to
With continued reference to
The universal mounting block provides a single mounting structure for supporting various window treatments. Additionally, at least the side shrouds may be configured to support and/or guide the various window treatments. As a consequence, in addition to facilitating assembly, manufacturing costs can be reduced.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/809,808, filed Feb. 25, 2019, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62809808 | Feb 2019 | US |