US20120193038A1

US20120193038A1 - Window shade assembly and side channel therefor having light-absorbing surface

Info

Publication number: US20120193038A1
Application number: US13/014,783
Authority: US
Inventors: John A. Corey; Richard D. Watkins
Original assignee: Comfortex Corp
Current assignee: Comfortex Corp
Priority date: 2011-01-27
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

Embodiments of a window shade assembly include a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material. A pair of opposed vertical, opaque side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaque shade material. Each side channel includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates generally to window shades, and more particularly, to a window shade assembly and side channel therefor having light-absorbing surface(s).
2. Background Art
A cellular window shade is an effective style of window covering with both decorative and functional aspects. Cellular shades comprise a series of collapsible-expandable generally tubular cells that are concatenated in a generally planar continuous array, i.e., a sheet, that is cut to fit, when expanded, into a window opening. Generally rectangular, such shades also typically comprise a headrail, fastened to the horizontal top edge of the window opening and the upper edge of the sheet of cellular material. A bottom rail is also typically attached to the lower edge of the cellular material and by cords or other tension elements to the headrail. A cord-lock or other restraining means can immobilize the cords and thereby position the bottom rail to any position intermediate the headrail and the lower edge (sill) of the window opening. By operation of the cords, the bottom rail is raised and lowered, and thereby the cellular material is collapsed or expanded, respectively, to reveal or shade the window.
Another, older form of window shading includes a roller shade, in which a flat, rectangular piece of material (typically fabric or film) is stored in rolled form on a substantially cylindrical roller core at the top edge of a window and unrolled when desired to cover the window to block a view or modulate light. These window shades are inexpensive to manufacture and can utilize a wide range of shade materials, some of which can be decorated with images or be made environmentally responsive, e.g., with self-darkening films. Spring-loaded and ratcheted roller cores are common because they eliminate the need for any visible actuating mechanism or the safety concerns of exposed cords. Corded clutch drives are also popular.
For ease of manufacture and to accommodate window openings that are not perfectly rectangular, shades are typically sized with a deduction in width, relative to the actual window opening width. This enables free operation of the shade without drag or distortion by contact with the window opening's side surfaces. For shades made of light-filtering material, which pass but diffuse the light they shade, this side gap is of no concern. But when the fabric of the shade is made opaque, with the intent to darken the room by blocking substantially all of the light through the window, these side gaps (and to a lesser degree, gaps and tolerances of fit at the headrail and bottom rail) are a major performance limitation.
One approach to addressing these limitations of both cellular and roller shades has been to provide C-channels that envelope the lateral sides of the shade material. For example, C-channels have been used with roller shades with, in some instances, fibrous wipers (i.e., fuzz-bars) used therein. The fuzz-bars provide a barrier to air movement and also assist in room darkening. Cellular shade materials are more difficult to seal than roller shades because the cellular material does not present either a flat surface or a consistent thickness. In particular, the cells typically have pleated folds that constitute their external surface topology. The expansion-collapse of the cells in the plane of the sheet (that is, in a direction generally parallel to the window) implies a thinning-thickening of the sheet of cells (that is, in a direction generally perpendicular to the window). Further the very expandability of the cellular material (compared, to flat, stable roller shade material) makes uniform hang and operation of a cellular shade much more sensitive to uneven drags at the edges, which can easily produce uneven expansion-collapse of the cells, with subsequent entanglement of cords and an unacceptable appearance. Due to the necessity of the channel width being sufficient to enclose the cells at their thickest (collapsed) condition, a large visible gap is present when they are extended. High-drag light seals, whether of the resilient film type or fibrous wiper type, suffer the above-described flaws in operation and appearance, as well as poor sealing function with regard to the pleated, and inconstant faces of cellular materials.
Further recent increase in concern for potential safety risks of exposed cords, especially where young children are present, has led to an increased demand for so-called ‘cordless’ shades, where only internal tension cords are present, typically counterbalanced by spring motors or other internal devices that enable pulling the shade down or lifting it by overcoming internal friction only with the friction sufficing to maintain a position once attained. Such cordless shades are much more sensitive to variance in external frictions like that of conventional side seals, and typically require a further extension, to release the internal devices before raising the shade; which action is prevented in shade assemblies with side tracks in the presence of a bottom sill.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure provides a window shade assembly comprising: a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material; and a pair of opposed substantially vertical, substantially opaque side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaque shade material, each side channel including at least one light-absorbing inner surface.
A second aspect of the disclosure provides a side channel for a window shade assembly, the side channel comprising: an opening configured to receive at least a portion of an edge of a substantially opaque shade material, the opening including at least one light-absorbing inner surface.
A third aspect of the disclosure provides a cellular window shade assembly comprising: a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque cellular shade material, the cellular shade material including a slot positioned in each edge thereof; and a pair of opposed substantially vertical, substantially opaque and substantially concave side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame, each side channel configured to receive at least a portion of a respective edge of the substantially opaque cellular shade material with a first leg of a respective side channel extending into the slot, wherein each side channel includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface.
The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a window shade assembly and side channel therefor according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shade assembly and side channel therefor according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shade assembly and side channel therefor according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shade assembly and side channel therefor according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show cross-sectional views of one embodiment of a window shade assembly 100 according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view and FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view.
According to one embodiment, window shade assembly 100 includes a headrail 102 (FIG. 1) coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material 104 (FIG. 1). As used herein “substantially opaque” indicates that the material in question prevents the passing through its thickness of most if not all of the light to which it is exposed. In one embodiment, shown FIGS. 1 and 2, the shade material includes a cellular shade material 106. Cellular shade material 106 may include any now known or later developed cellular material, which may include, for example, a series of collapsible-expandable generally tubular cells that are concatenated in a generally planar continuous array, i.e., a sheet. As will be described herein, however, the teachings of embodiments of the invention are also applicable to other shade materials. As known in the art, headrail 102 is mounted to an upper portion 110 of a surrounding frame 112, e.g., by a bracket 113 and adhesive or screws (as shown). Surrounding frame 112, i.e., a window opening, also mounts any now known or later developed window sash 114. A bottom rail 116 may also be attached to a lower edge 118 of cellular shade material 106 and by cords (not shown) or other tension elements to headrail 102. Conventional fabric wipers (i.e., fuzz bars or other known gasket means) 117 may be used to prevent light passage where necessary, e.g., on headrail 102 and bottom rail 116.
A cord-lock or other restraining means (not shown) can immobilize the cords and thereby position bottom rail 116 to any position intermediate headrail 102 and a lower edge (sill) 120 of surrounding frame 112. By operation of the cords, the bottom rail is raised and lowered, and thereby the cellular material is collapsed or expanded, respectively, to reveal or shade the window. Other now known or later developed positioning mechanisms may be employed also.
Window shade assembly 100 also includes a pair of opposed substantially vertical, substantially opaque side channels 130. Each side channel 130 is open in a direction facing one another (one shown facing where other is positioned in FIG. 1) and is configured to be mounted to surrounding frame 112 for receiving at least a portion of an edge 132 (FIG. 2) of shade material 106. In one embodiment, each side channel is substantially concave, having an opening 162 for receiving a portion of shade material 106. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each side channel is substantially concave, and more particularly, substantially C-shape, having an opening 162 for receiving a portion of shade material 106. As used herein and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, “substantially C-shape” indicates the side channel has a bight or spine portion 134 with a first leg 136 and a second leg 138 extending therefrom. This shape may also be referred to as “U-shape”. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, first and second leg 136, 138 are substantially equal in length, substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to bight portion 134. However, as shown in FIG. 4, neither of these features are necessary in all embodiments. In some cases, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be possible for side channels 130 to be substantially L-shaped, i.e., with a first leg 140 and a second substantially perpendicular second leg 142, providing a concavity. Other shapes may also be possible.
In one embodiment, side channels 130 are permanently coupled to surrounding frame 112 in a known fashion, e.g., using screws or adhesive or any other now known or later developed fixing structure. In an alternative embodiment, however, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each side channel 130 may be removably mounted to surrounding frame 112 by, for example, mating magnet strips 144A, 144B (as described herein), hook-and-loop fasteners or other means known in the art for removable attachments. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described window shade assembly 100 using the removable mounting of side channels 130 is that it allows, for example, unobstructed tilting of a window sash 114 through surrounding frame 112 (where that feature is provided) when each side channel 130 is removed. In one embodiment, each side channel 130, i.e., bight portion 134 (FIG. 2) or leg 140 (FIG. 3), is removably mounted to surrounding frame 112 by a pair of separable magnetic strips 144A, 144B. In this case, one magnetic strip 144A may be coupled to side channel 130, and the other magnetic strip 144B may be coupled to surrounding frame 112. Magnetic strip 144A may be permanently, for example, adhesively, coupled to side channel 130 during manufacture, while magnetic strip 144B may be provided with an adhesive (not shown) with a peel-off layer (not shown) such that an installer can peel off the peel-off layer, adhere magnetic strip 144B to surrounding frame 112 and then magnetically couple magnetic strips 144A, 144B to position side channel 130. In this fashion, when window sash 114 must be accessed, e.g., for cleaning or repair, side channels 130 can be easily removed, leaving a very narrow and unobtrusive magnetic strip 144B. Consequently, sash 114 can be easily accessed, and can even tilt in where that feature is provided. When complete, side channel 130 can be easily and accurately re-installed by re-engaging magnetic strips 144A, 144B. The process can be repeated frequently without difficulty or damage. Small extension(s) 146 of leg(s) 136, 138, 142 of side channels 130 may optionally extend over strips 144A, 144B towards surrounding frame 112 to cover them from view.
In one embodiment, each side channel 130 includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface 150 (illustrated by thick, black lines). Other surfaces of each side channel 130 may not be light-absorbing, i.e., side channel 130 is only light-absorbing at inner surface 150 and no where else. Each light-absorbing inner surface 150 acts to absorb light that may be transmitted through each side channel 130, i.e., through gaps between side channels 130 and shade material 106. Collectively, side channel 130 and light-absorbing inner surface(s) 150 act to block substantially all light passage. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each side channel 130 may include a pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces 150. For example, pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces 150 may include a first inner surface 152 of the substantial concavity (C-shape) facing window sash 114 within surrounding frame 112 and a second inner surface 154 coterminous with bight portion 134 of the substantial concavity (C-shape). (A third surface 156 does not include a light-absorbing surface.) In this fashion, two surfaces within each side channel 130 act to absorb light, but at least one light-absorbing inner surface, e.g., 152 (and perhaps all of the light-absorbing inner surfaces 150) may not be visible from a position inside of surrounding frame 112 relative to a window sash 114 therein. That is, when shade material 106 is retracted, a person looking along view point VP (arrow) toward and/or through window sash 114 cannot see light-absorbing surfaces 150 because leg 138 blocks their sight. In this fashion, window shade assembly's aesthetic nature is not compromised by revealing light-absorbing surfaces 150. It is understood, however, where aesthetic beauty is not considered significant or light passage prevention is paramount, each surface within side channels 130 may include a light-absorbing inner surface 150.
Each side channel 130 may be made of any now known or conventional material, e.g., plastic or wood, that is substantially opaque. Light-absorbing inner surfaces 150 may act to absorb light in any now known or later developed fashion. In one embodiment, each light-absorbing inner surface 150 has a substantially black coloration. “Substantially black” means nearly black or a dark shade of a color that is dark enough to absorb a substantial portion of incident light. Further, each light-absorbing inner surface 150 may be formed in a number of ways. For example, surfaces 150 may be formed by a layer coupled in the side channel 130 such as a tape, fabric, flocking, anti-reflective coating or paint coating. Alternatively, surfaces 150 may be formed as a co-extruded (dark) layer with side channel 130 (e.g., of polymer), resulting in side channel 130 being one color and surfaces 150 being another color. In another example, layers 150 may be formed by a thermal alteration of a surface of side channel 130, e.g., blackening by heating or burning. In another example, layers 150 may be formed by a texturing of a surface of side channel 130, e.g., indentations, angled surfaces, etc.
As noted herein, in FIGS. 1-3, substantially opaque shade material 104 may include cellular shade material 106. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, cellular shade material 106 may include a slot 160 positioned in each edge 132 thereof. Slots 160 are shown about half way through a thickness of material 106 where typically expansion and collapse of cells has minimal effect, but this is not necessary in all cases. Conventionally, a blade (not shown) would be mounted to surrounding frame 112 for engagement in slot 160, or a C-channel that fully encloses the thickness of the shade material without a blade-in-slot arrangement would be provided. These conventional arrangements provide an unattractive front and/or poor thermal protection and light blocking function. In contrast, embodiments of the invention provide each slot 160 configured to receive a first leg 138 of a respective substantially concave side channel 130, with a second leg 136 extending behind (relative to window sash 114) of material 106, thereby partly enclosing material 106. In other words, an opening 162 of each side channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an edge 132 of shade material 106. The edge 132 and slot 160 engagement does not impact the varying thickness of shade material 106, as exhibited in FIG. 1, as it expands and collapses. The sinuous path created by side channel 130 and edge 132 and slot 160 prevents movement of shade material 106 perpendicular to its face, and prevents substantially all light from passing therethrough but without presenting a visible or unattractive feature, like the conventional enclosing, loose-fitting C-channel. The sinuous path also provides additional thermal protection. Consequently, side channel 130 functions partly as a blade (thus getting good, close sealing on the one part of the cellular material that does not thin and thicken with movement), and provides the light-blocking of a conventional C-channel (enclosing a portion of the shade edge, on the lit side with second leg 136 and with second leg 138 in the blade position), without the aesthetic disadvantage of a visible C channel wrapped over the front of the shade.
Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment in which substantially opaque shade material 104 includes a flexible, planar shade material 206 is illustrated. Flexible, planar shade material 206 is mounted as known in the art using a roller core (not shown). In this case, side channel 130 may be varied as shown in FIG. 4 or substantially similar to that of FIGS. 1-2, except it is only as wide as necessary to accommodate flexible shade material 206.
Side channels 130 with light-absorbing surface(s) 150 provide an inexpensive and easy-to-install sealing system to block substantially all of the light that would otherwise pass around the edges of a room-darkening cellular and planer window shades, but without imposing either excessive frictional drag or presenting an unacceptable aesthetic appearance. Ancillary benefits of improved energy efficiency, compared to unsealed shades, but without bulky or inconvenient operational interference from the seals, are also achieved.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A window shade assembly comprising:

a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material; and

a pair of opposed substantially vertical, substantially opaque side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaque shade material, each side channel including at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

2. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein each side channel is substantially C-shape.

3. The window shade assembly of claim 2, wherein each side channel includes a pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces.

4. The window shade assembly of claim 3, wherein the pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces include a first inner surface of the substantially C-shape facing a window sash within the surrounding frame and a second inner surface coterminous with a bight portion of the substantially C-shape.

5. The window shade assembly of claim 2, wherein the substantially opaque shade material includes a cellular shade material including a slot positioned in each edge thereof configured to receive a first leg of the substantially C-shape of a respective side channel.

6. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein each light-absorbing surface has a substantially black coloration.

7. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light-absorbing inner surface is selected from a group consisting of: a layer coupled in the side channel, a co-extruded layer with the side channel, a thermal alteration of a surface of the side channel and a texturing of a surface of the side channel.

8. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially opaque shade material includes a flexible, planar shade material.

9. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one light-absorbing inner surface is not visible from a position inside of the surrounding frame relative to a window sash therein.

10. A side channel for a window shade assembly, the side channel comprising:

an opening configured to receive at least a portion of an edge of a substantially opaque shade material, the opening including at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

11. The side channel of claim 10, wherein each opening is substantially C-shape.

12. The side channel of claim 11, wherein each opening includes a pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces.

13. The side channel of claim 12, wherein the pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces include a first inner surface of the substantially C-shape facing a window sash and a second inner surface coterminous with a bight portion of the substantially C-shape.

14. The side channel of claim 11, wherein the substantially opaque shade material includes a cellular shade material including a slot positioned in each edge thereof configured to receive a first leg of the substantially C-shape of a respective side channel.

15. The side channel of claim 10, wherein each light-absorbing surface has a substantially black coloration.

16. The side channel of claim 10, wherein the at least one light-absorbing inner surface is selected from a group consisting of: a layer coupled in the side channel, a co-extruded layer with the side channel, a thermal alteration of a surface of the side channel and a texturing of a surface of the side channel.

17. The side channel of claim 10, wherein at least one light-absorbing inner surface is not visible from a position inside of the surrounding frame relative to a window sash therein.

18. A cellular window shade assembly comprising:

a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque cellular shade material, the cellular shade material including a slot positioned in each edge thereof; and

a pair of opposed substantially vertical, substantially opaque and substantially concave side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame, each side channel configured to receive at least a portion of a respective edge of the substantially opaque cellular shade material with a first leg of a respective side channel extending into the slot,

wherein each side channel includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

19. The cellular window shade assembly of claim 18, wherein each side substantially concave channel includes a pair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces.

20. The cellular window shade assembly of claim 18, wherein each substantially concave side channel is substantially C-shape.