Customizable row assembly and method of manufacturing a window covering

Abstract

A customizable width panel and anchor member for a window covering. The panel is customizable in width and preferably comprises a plurality of spaced openings along a longitudinal portion thereof. The anchor member, which is restrainedly positionable with a control member has a selectable width and is restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal portion of the panel.

1 . A customizable width row assembly suitable for use in a window covering including at least one control member, the row comprising: 
 an adjustable width flexible panel having a central portion and at least one longitudinal portion, wherein the longitudinal portion defines a plurality of spaced openings;    at least one anchor member having a selectable width that is positioned substantially parallel with the spaced openings and restrainedly positioned with the at least one longitudinal portion of the panel; and    wherein the anchor member is adapted to be connectable with the at least one control member through at least one of the spaced openings of the panel.    
     
     
         2 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the control member is a cord including a plurality of spaced loops and the anchor member is operatively connected to the cord by positioning the anchor member through at least one of the spaced loops.  
     
     
         3 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the control member is adapted to be connectable to the anchor member with a fastener module.  
     
     
         4 . The row of  claim 3 , wherein the control member is a cord that includes a plurality of spaced loops and the fastener module includes an engagement member, whereby the fastener module is restrainedly positioned with the control member by passing the engagement member through at least one of the spaced loops.  
     
     
         5 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member includes a substantially rigid rod and at least one tubular member connected with the rod.  
     
     
         6 . The row of  claim 5 , wherein the tubular member is threadably engaged with the substantially rigid rod.  
     
     
         7 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member includes a plurality of rods in adjustable sliding engagement with a mounting sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member comprises a trimmable rod.  
     
     
         9 . The row of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor member further includes a plurality of score lines.  
     
     
         10 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member extends transversely across substantially the entire longitudinal portion of the panel.  
     
     
         11 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member is removable from the panel.  
     
     
         12 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the panel further includes: 
 a second longitudinal portion defining a plurality of spaced openings, the second longitudinal portion located opposite the central portion from the first longitudinal portion; and    a second anchor member adapted to be connectable with a second control member through at least one of the spaced openings.    
     
     
         13 . The row of  claim 1 , wherein the panel further includes: 
 a second longitudinal portion defining a plurality of spaced openings, the second longitudinal portion formed with the central portion; and    a second anchor member adapted to be connectable with a second control member through at least one of the spaced openings.    
     
     
         14 . A customizable width panel suitable for use in a window covering including at least one control member, the panel comprising a longitudinal portion and defining a plurality of spaced openings, the openings being positioned along the longitudinal portion of the panel, wherein the control member is operatively connected with the panel through at least one of the plurality of openings and the opening through which the control member is connected with the panel is adjacent to at least one other opening free of connection to a control member.  
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the control member is operatively connected to an anchor member restrainedly positioned with a longitudinal portion of the panel.  
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the control member is a cord including a plurality of spaced loops and an anchor member is operatively connected therewith by positioning the anchor member through at least one of the spaced loops and the anchor member is restrainedly positionable with the longitudinal portion of the panel.  
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the control member is operatively connected to the anchor member with a fastener module.  
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 17 , wherein the fastener module includes an engagement member, whereby the fastener module is restrainedly positioned with the control member by passing the engagement member through at least one of the spaced loops.  
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor member includes a substantially rigid rod and at least one tubular member connected with the rod.  
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member is threadably engaged with the substantially rigid rod.  
     
     
         21 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor member includes a plurality of rods in adjustable sliding engagement with a mounting sleeve.  
     
     
         22 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor member comprises a trimmable rod.  
     
     
         23 . The panel of  claim 22 , wherein the anchor member further includes a plurality of score lines.  
     
     
         24 . An anchor member for a window covering including a plurality of customizable rows and at least one control member, wherein the plurality of customizable rows include at least one adjustable width panel having at least one longitudinal portion, the anchor member comprising: 
 one or more substantially elongated members restrainedly positionable with the longitudinal portion of the panel,    wherein the width of the anchor member is set by adjusting the overall width of the one or more elongated members, and    wherein the anchor member is adapted to be connectable with the at least one control member.    
     
     
         25 . The anchor member of  claim 24 , further including a substantially rigid rod and at least one tubular member connected with the rod.  
     
     
         26 . The anchor member of  claim 25 , wherein the tubular member is threadably engaged with the substantially rigid rod.  
     
     
         27 . The anchor member of  claim 24 , further including a plurality of rods in sliding engagement with a mounting sleeve.  
     
     
         28 . The anchor member of  claim 24 , further including a trimmable rod.  
     
     
         29 . The anchor member of  claim 28 , further including a plurality of score lines.  
     
     
         30 . A method of assembling a customizable width window covering comprising a plurality of rows and at least one control member, the plurality of rows including an anchor member and a panel defining a plurality of spaced openings, the method comprising: 
 obtaining measurements of a window space;    adjusting the width of the plurality of panels in accordance with the measurements of the window space;    restrainedly positioning an anchor member with each of the plurality of panels at a longitudinal portion of the panel; and    restrainedly positioning at least one of the plurality of anchor members with the at least one control member through at least one of the spaced openings.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein restrainedly positioning at least one of the plurality of anchor members with the at least one control member includes removably securing a fastener module to the control member and securing the fastener module with the anchor member.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the fastener module includes a transverse rod and the control member defines at least one loop, and securing the fastener module to the control member includes engaging the transverse rod with the control member by guiding the transverse rod through the at least one loop.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein a portion of the fastener member is guided through an opening in the panel, and the portion of the fastener member is secured with the anchor member.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30  further including adjusting the width of the anchor members.  
     
     
         35 . A window covering comprising: 
 a plurality of rows;    a headrail;    at least one control member suspended from the headrail and connecting the plurality of rows to the headrail;    wherein at least one of the plurality of rows includes an adjustable width flexible panel and an adjustable width anchor member; 
 the panel having a central portion and at least one longitudinal portion, wherein the longitudinal portion defines a plurality of spaced openings; and  
 at least one anchor member positioned substantially parallel with the plurality of spaced openings and restrainedly positioned with the longitudinal portion of the panel; and  
 wherein the anchor member is adapted to be connectable with the at least one control member through at least one of the spaced openings.  
   
     
     
         36 . The window covering of  claim 35 , wherein the control member is a cord including a plurality of spaced loops and the anchor member is operatively connected to the cord by positioning the anchor member through at least one of the spaced loops.  
     
     
         37 . The window covering of  claim 35 , wherein the control member is adapted to be connectable to the anchor member with a fastener module.  
     
     
         38 . The window covering of  claim 37 , wherein the control member is a cord that includes a plurality of spaced loops and the fastener module includes an engagement member, whereby the fastener module is restrainedly positioned with the control member by passing the engagement member through at least one of the spaced loops.  
     
     
         39 . A method for manufacturing a window covering, the method comprising: 
 providing a roll of fabric having at least one longitudinal portion defining a plurality of spaced openings;    separating a portion of the roll of fabric along a line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion thereby forming a customized panel, whereby the panel includes a longitudinal mounting portion defining a plurality of spaced openings;    restrainedly positioning an anchor member with the longitudinal mounting portion; and    operatively connecting a control member to the anchor member.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the width of the anchor member is adjusted according to the longitudinal mounting portion.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein operatively connecting the control member to the anchor member comprises removably securing the control member to a fastener module and removably securing the fastener module to the anchor member.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the longitudinal portion of the roll of fabric defines a hollow loop.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein restrainedly positioning the anchor member with the longitudinal mounting portion includes inserting the anchor member through the loop.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein operatively connecting the control member to the anchor member includes removably securing a fastener to the anchor member through one of the plurality of spaced openings.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the control member is a control cord.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the control cord defines a plurality of spaced loops.