Cellular Shade Having At Least Two Cellular Columns

Abstract

An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity.

1 . A cellular shade comprising:
 a plurality of first cell structures disposed longitudinally along the shade, the first cell structures being aligned vertically one above another, each of the first cell structures including a first side and a second side;   a plurality of second cell structures also disposed longitudinally along the shade and also being aligned vertically one above another, the second cell structures being positioned offset from the first cell structures such that each second cell structure is positioned in between two adjacent first cell structures, the second cell structures including a first side and a second side and wherein the first side of the first cell structures forms the second side of the second cell structures, and wherein the first cell structures and the second cell structures have a closed position when the shade is retracted and an open position when the shade is extended.   
     
     
         2 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising lift cords for vertically drawing the cell structure from a fully expanded configuration to a fully contracted configuration, the lift cords extending through the plurality of first cell structures. 
     
     
         3 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first cell structures are completely closed. 
     
     
         4 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the second cell structures are completely closed. 
     
     
         5 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first cell structures includes a first crease line located on the second side, and wherein the first cell structures collapse into a flat configuration along the crease lines. 
     
     
         6 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 5 , wherein each of the second cell structures includes a first crease line located on the first side, and wherein the second cell structures collapse into a flat configuration along the crease lines. 
     
     
         7 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first cell structures are connected together along junction lines between adjacent vertical cell structures and wherein the second cell structures are also connected together along junction lines between adjacent vertical cell structures. 
     
     
         8 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the first side of each of the second cell structures has a greater material length between the junction lines than the second side of the second cell structures. 
     
     
         9 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first side of the second cell structures has a material length that is at least 30% longer than the material length of the second side of the second cell structures. 
     
     
         10 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the first side and the second side of each of the first cell structures have approximately the same material length between the junction lines of the first cell structures. 
     
     
         11 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first side and the second side of each of the first cell structures have approximately the same material length between the junction lines of the first cell structures. 
     
     
         12 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the first side and the second side of each of the first cell structures have approximately the same material length between the junction lines of the first cell structures. 
     
     
         13 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first side of each of the second cell structures includes a first segment separated from a second segment along a first crease line, and wherein the first segment of the first side has a length less than the length of the second segment of the first side. 
     
     
         14 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first segment of the first side of the second cell structures is above the second segment of the first side in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         15 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first segment of the first side of the second cell structures is below the second segment of the first side in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         16 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each first cell structure is made from a single piece of material and wherein the second cell structures are offset from the first cell structures such that the second side of each second cell structure is comprised of two separate pieces of material that each form a complete first cell structure. 
     
     
         17 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each first cell structure is made from a single piece of material and wherein the second cell structures are offset from the first cell structures such that the second side of each second cell structure is comprised of two separate pieces of material that each form a complete first cell structure. 
     
     
         18 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the first side of each of the second cell structures is comprised of a single piece of material. 
     
     
         19 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the first cell structures fold along the junction lines of the second cell structures when in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the second cell structures fold along the junction lines of the first cell structures when in the closed position. 
     
     
         21 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein when the shade is retracted, the first cell structures stack together and form a flat horizontal structure and wherein the second cell structures stack together and form a flat structure that drapes over the stack of the first cell structures. 
     
     
         22 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first cell structures are made from a single piece of material, each of the first cell structures including a first segment separated by a second segment by a first crease line located on the second side of each of the first cell structures, and wherein the first segment has a length less than the length of the second segment. 
     
     
         23 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each of the first cell structures are made from a single piece of material, each of the first cell structures including a first segment separated by a second segment by a first crease line located on the second side of each of the first cell structures, and wherein the first segment has a length less than the length of the second segment. 
     
     
         24 . A cellular shade as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the first segment of the first cell structure transitions into a second segment of the second cell structures and wherein the second segment of the first cell structures transitions into the first segment of one of the second cell structures and wherein the second segment of the first cell structures transitions into a second segment of another one of the second cell structures.