Black-out panels

Abstract

Blackout panels include a first blackout panel and a second blackout panel, each having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions. At least one of the vertical edge portions of each panel includes a first elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops. The elongate strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the panel and terminates a distance of between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the respective blackout panel.

1 . Blackout panels, comprising:
 a first blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein at least one of the vertical edge portions includes a first elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops, wherein the first elongate strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the panel and terminates a distance of between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the first blackout panel; and   a second blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein at least one of the second panel vertical edge portions includes a second elongate fastening strip with hooks or loops that releasably attach to the first fastening strip of the first blackout panel, wherein the second elongate fastening strip extends for at least a major portion of a length of the second blackout panel and terminates a distance between about 5-20 inches below the top portion of the second blackout panel, and wherein, in position, the first and second blackout panels substantially block light from passing through the attached blackout panels.   
   
   
       2 . Blackout panels according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate strips terminate at about 10 inches from the top portions of the respective panels. 
   
   
       3 . Blackout panels according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate strip of the first panel resides on a front surface spaced inwardly a distance from an inner vertical edge and the second elongate strip of the second panel resides on a rear surface of the second panel and is spaced inwardly a distance from an inner vertical edge, and wherein, when attached, the second panel inner vertical edge overlaps the first panel inner vertical edge a distance of at least about 2 inches. 
   
   
       4 . Blackout panels according to  claim 1 , wherein each panel has a first layer of an acrylic foam that defines the rear surface and a second layer comprising polyester and/or cotton that defines the front surface, and wherein the panel has a 99.9% light blocking rate when tested according to JIS L 1055 Method A. 
   
   
       5 . Blackout panels according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portions of the first and second panels include both: (a) rod pockets for receiving a curtain rod; and (b) hook attachment fabric for engaging hooks that attach to curtain rods, thereby allowing for use of different mounting configurations by an end user. 
   
   
       6 . A set of blackout panels, comprising:
 a first blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops; and   a second blackout panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein both of the vertical edge portions include an elongate fastening strip comprising hooks or loops, wherein, in position and aligned one of the elongate fastening strips on the first panel releasably engages one of the elongate fastening strips on the second panel.   
   
   
       7 . A set of panels according to  claim 6 , wherein the first panel elongate fastening strips both reside on a front surface and both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface. 
   
   
       8 . A set of panels according to  claim 6 , wherein one of the first panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof. 
   
   
       9 . A set of panels according to  claim 8 , wherein both of the second panel elongate fastening strips reside on a rear surface. 
   
   
       10 . A set of panels according to  claim 8 , wherein one of the second panel elongate fastening strips resides on a front surface and the other resides on a rear surface thereof. 
   
   
       11 . A set of releasably attachable blackout panels, comprising:
 a plurality of blackout panels, each panel having opposing inner and outer surfaces and first and second opposing vertical edge portions and top and bottom portions, wherein all the panels include at least one elongate fastening strip comprising hooks and/or loops on at least one vertical edge portion thereof, and wherein at least one of the panels includes at least two elongate fastening strips comprising hooks and/or loops, at least one on both of the opposing vertical edge portions whereby the panel with the strips on both of the vertical edge portions releasably engages the respective elongate strip of two panels on opposing lateral sides thereof.   
   
   
       12 . A set of panels according to  claim 11 , wherein a first one of the panels has a first elongate fastening strip that resides on a front surface and an adjacent panel has a corresponding elongate fastening strip that resides on a rear surface. 
   
   
       13 . A set of panels according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of blackout panels all have at least two elongate strips, with at least one on each vertical edge portion, and wherein at least one of the panels has the elongate fastening strips on a front surface and at least one other has the elongate fastening strips on a rear surface. 
   
   
       14 . A set of panels according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the panels has the elongate fastening strips all on a rear surface. 
   
   
       15 . A set of panels according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the panels has elongate strip that all resides on a front surface. 
   
   
       16 . A set of panels in combination with a curtain rod, wherein the curtain rod attaches to a wall and engages the top portion of the panels and suspends the panels over a window or door while allowing the panels to be slidably opened and closed.