Window covering with shade panels having free lower edges

Abstract

A window covering including a plurality of panels vertically suspended from a vertical securement member is provided. The plurality of panels is secured with the securement member about an upper longitudinal portion of the panels at spaced intervals along the securement member. The panels are freely suspended or dangle from the securement member such that a lower longitudinal portion of the panels is not connected with the securement member or the opening member. A weighted edge member may be included about the lower longitudinal portion of the panels. The window covering is opened by adjusting the opening member to rearwardly and vertically stack the plurality of panels.

1 . A window covering comprising: 
 a head rail including at least one control mechanism adapted to control vertical adjustment of at least one opening member;    a securement member;    a plurality of intermediate panels and a lowermost panel, each of the panels being secured with the securement member about an upper longitudinal portion of the panels, the panels being secured with the securement member at spaced intervals along the securement member, the panels freely suspended from the securement member such that a lower longitudinal portion of each of the panels is disconnected from the securement member; and    the lowermost panel secured with the opening member about an upper longitudinal portion.    
     
     
         2 . The window covering of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels are in an overlapping relationship.  
     
     
         3 . The window covering of  claim 1 , wherein the panels are detachably secured with the securement member with fastener modules.  
     
     
         4 . The window covering of  claim 1 , further including a second opening member, the second opening member being secured to a upper longitudinal portion of an upper panel and adapted to lower the upper panel relative to the head rail.  
     
     
         5 . The window covering of  claim 1 , wherein the lower longitudinal portion of the panels includes a weighted edge member.  
     
     
         6 . The window covering of  claim 1 , wherein the securement member is a securement cord and the opening member is an opening cord.  
     
     
         7 . The window covering of  claim 6 , wherein the securement cord comprises a plurality of spaced loops, whereby the upper longitudinal portion of each panel is operatively secured with a loop.  
     
     
         8 . The window covering of  claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the opening member causes the plurality of panels to be rearwardly stacked.  
     
     
         9 . A window covering comprising: 
 a securement member;    at least one opening member adapted to be retracted and extended;    a plurality of panels, each panel having an upper longitudinal portion secured with the securement member at spaced intervals along the securement member and having a lower longitudinal portion detached from the securement member; and    a lowermost panel of the plurality of panels secured with the opening member about an upper longitudinal portion.    
     
     
         10 . The window covering of  claim 9 , wherein the lower longitudinal portion of at least one panel overlaps the upper longitudinal portion of a lower adjacent panel.  
     
     
         11 . The window covering of  claim 10 , wherein the panels are detachably secured with the securement member with fastener modules.  
     
     
         12 . The window covering of  claim 9 , further including a second opening member, the second opening member being secured to an upper longitudinal portion of an upper panel and adapted to lower the upper panel relative to the lowermost panel.  
     
     
         13 . The window covering of  claim 9 , wherein the lower longitudinal portion of the panels includes a weighted edge member.  
     
     
         14 . The window covering of  claim 9 , wherein the securement member is a cord comprising a plurality of spaced loops, whereby the upper longitudinal portion of each panel is operatively secured with a loop.  
     
     
         15 . The window covering of  claim 9 , wherein adjustment of the opening member causes the plurality of panels to be rearwardly stacked.  
     
     
         16 . A window covering having an open position and a closed position, the window covering comprising: 
 a securement cord;    at least one opening cord adapted to be retracted and extended;    a plurality of freely suspended panels, at least one of the panels having an upper longitudinal portion secured with the securement cord and having lower longitudinal portion detached from the securement cord, whereby the lower longitudinal portion overlaps the upper longitudinal portion of an adjacent lower panel;    a lowermost panel of the plurality of panels secured with the opening cord about an upper longitudinal portion; and    the opening cord adapted to be adjusted to move the window covering from the closed position to the open position and adjustment of the opening cord rearwardly stacks the plurality of panels.    
     
     
         17 . The window covering of  claim 16 , wherein the panels are detachably secured with the securement cord with fastener modules.  
     
     
         18 . The window covering of  claim 16 , wherein the lower longitudinal portion of the panels includes weighted edge member.  
     
     
         19 . The window covering of  claim 16 , further including a second opening cord secured to an upper longitudinal portion of an uppermost panel, the second opening cord adapted to be adjusted to move the window covering from the closed position to the open position.  
     
     
         20 . A method for opening a window covering comprising an opening member, a securement member, a plurality of intermediate panels and a lowermost panel, each of the panels being secured with the securement member about an upper longitudinal portion of the panels, the panels being secured with the securement member at spaced intervals along the securement member, the panels freely suspended from the securement member such that a lower longitudinal portion of each of the panels is disconnected from the securement member, and the lowermost panel secured with the opening member about an upper longitudinal portion, the method comprising: 
 retracting the opening member and causing the lowermost panel to slide behind a first upper adjacent panel; and    continuing to retract the opening member such that the lowermost panel and the first upper adjacent panel slide behind and are stacked with a second upper adjacent panel.