Roman or hobble shade

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved guide to be used in assembly of various types of window treatments, including roman and hobble shades. In particular, the invention provides for a slotted arcuate guide, a shade including such a guide, and assembly of a shade using such a guide. The improvement in the guide results in faster assembly. Each arcuate guide is slotted to permit the vertical cord or a loop to be fed through it after the remainder of the shade is assembled.

1 . A window covering comprising:
 a flexible panel having a bottom;   a plurality of rods affixed in parallel to said flexible panel;   a cord having one end secured to said bottom and arranged for selectively raising and lowering said panel; and   a plurality of cord guides, each cord guide being attached to one of said rods and, each cord guide having the shape of a closed loop with a slot for receiving said cord.   
     
     
         2 . The window covering of  claim 1  wherein said cord has a thickness and said slot has a width that is approximately equal to said width. 
     
     
         3 . The window covering of  claim 1  wherein said cord has a thickness, one of said cord guide and said cord is made of a flexible material and said slot has width smaller than said thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The window covering of  claim 1  wherein said cord has a thickness, and said slot has a first portion having a width smaller then said thickness and a second portion that is wider then said first portion to receive said cord. 
     
     
         5 . The window covering of  claim 1  wherein said slot has a convoluted shape. 
     
     
         6 . A window covering comprising:
 a flexible panel;   a plurality of rigid supports attached in parallel to said panel;   a lifting cord arranged to selectively raise and lower the panel; and   a plurality of cord guides attached to said rigid supports and arranged to guide said cord along said panel to effectuate said raising and lowering, each cord guide consisting of a closed loop with a slot receiving said cord.   
     
     
         7 . The window covering of  claim 6  wherein said cord guides include a curved member with the slot formed through said curved member. 
     
     
         8 . The window covering of  claim 6  wherein each cord guide is D-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The window covering of  claim 6  wherein said cord guides are made of a rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . The window covering of  claim 6  wherein said cord guides are flexible and said slots having a width smaller then a thickness of said cord. 
     
     
         11 . The window covering of  claim 6  wherein said cord extends through said cord guides without any knots. 
     
     
         12 . The window treatment of  claim 6  wherein said cord is formed with closed cord loops between said cord guides. 
     
     
         13 . A roman shade comprising:
 a panel;   A plurality of parallel rods attached to said panel at predetermined spacings;   a lifting mechanism including a plurality of vertical cords; and   a plurality of guides attached to said rods, each having an arcuate shape defining an opening and a slot extending outwardly from said opening, said slot being sized and shaped to receive one of said vertical cords into said opening.   
     
     
         14 . A method for assembling a shade, comprising:
 attaching a plurality of parallel rods to a panel at predetermined spacings;   attaching a plurality of guides to said rods, each said guide being formed with an opening and a slot extending through said guide from said opening;   attaching at least one vertical cord to an end of said panel; and   passing said cord laterally through said slots into said openings, said cord being constructed and arranged for selectively raising and lowering said panel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said cord extends between said guides without knots. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising providing said cord with closed loops between said guides.