US20070251651A1

US20070251651A1 - Finial for Window Treatment

Info

Publication number: US20070251651A1
Application number: US11/380,310
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Kessler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-26
Filing date: 2006-04-26
Publication date: 2007-11-01

Abstract

A finial for a window treatment includes a decorative member. A connecting member is secured to the decorative member and is configured to removably secure the decorative member to, and support the decorative member from, a fabric portion of a window treatment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to window treatments, and, in particular, to a finial for a window treatment having an improved configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Finials for use with window treatments are well known, and typically comprise a decorative member formed of, for example, wood, plastic, or metal. The finial is typically secured to a frame from which a window treatment is suspended. One example of a common finial consists of a decorative wood member with a threaded screw projecting from a base end of the finial. The screw is threadingly received in the end of a rod from which drapes, curtains or other window treatments are hung.
It would be desirable to provide a finial for a window treatment that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.

SUMMARY

The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a finial for a window treatment with increased flexibility and portability, allowing a user to quickly and easily change the finial used on a particular window treatment, adapting to changing styles, new designs, or seasons, for example.
In accordance with a first aspect, a finial for a window treatment includes a decorative member. A connecting member is secured to the decorative member and is configured to removably secure the decorative member to, and support the decorative member from, a fabric portion of a window treatment.
In accordance with another aspect, a finial for a window treatment includes a decorative member formed of a lightweight material. A connecting member is secured to the decorative portion and is configured to removably secure the decorative member to a fabric portion of a window treatment.
In accordance with a further aspect, a finial for a window treatment includes a decorative member having a first recess formed therein and formed of a foam material. A connecting member includes a base portion secured in the first recess with adhesive and a pair of pins extending outwardly from the base portion. A pair of ribs is positioned on an exterior surface of the base portion.
Substantial advantage is achieved by providing a lightweight finial that can be removably secured to a window treatment. In particular, certain embodiments of a finial for a window treatment provide a user with the ability to easily and efficiently secure a finial to the fabric portion of a window treatment in a removable manner. This is highly advantageous since it allows the user to quickly change the finial for any number of reasons including the availability of new designs and styles or to provide a festive holiday look for a particular season.
These and additional features and advantages disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of finials secured to a window treatment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the finial of FIG. 1, shown prior to it being secured to the window treatment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in exploded form, of the finial of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view, shown partially cut away, of the window treatment of FIG. 1, with a finial secured to the fabric portion of the window treatment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the connecting member of the finial of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the connecting member of the finial of FIG. 1.
The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the finial depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Finials as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in various forms. An embodiment of a window treatment 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A finial 12 is removably secured at each of opposite ends of window treatment 10. In the illustrated embodiment, window treatment 10 is a valance, which is typically mounted proximate an upper edge of a window frame (not shown here). It is to be appreciated that any type of window treatment can be used in accordance with the present invention including, but not limited to, drapes, curtains, sheers, and swags.
Finial 12, seen in FIG. 2 prior to being secured to window treatment 10, is formed of a decorative member 14 and a connecting member 16. Decorative member 14 as seen here is a ball. It is to be appreciated that decorative member 14 can have any desired configuration, e.g., pineapple or acorn shaped, or any other desired shape, and that decorative member 14 may have any desired color or combination of colors.
In the illustrated embodiment, connecting member 16 includes a pair of pins 18 extending outwardly from decorative member 14. In use, as seen in FIG. 1, pins 18 are pierced into the gathers 17 of the fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10, thereby removably securing finial 12 to window treatment 10, as well as serving to support finial 12 from the fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10. Pins 18 may be formed of metal, e.g., stainless steel, or any other material with suitable strength and rigidity to support the weight of finial 12 as it is suspended from the fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10. Pins 18 can have any desired length. In certain embodiments, pins 18 are between approximately 3½″ and 4½″ long.
Decorative member 14 may be formed of a lightweight or ultra-lightweight material, thereby allowing the weight of finial 12 to be supported from fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10 by way of pins 18. In certain embodiments, decorative member 14 is formed of a rigid foam material, e.g., polystyrene or urethane. In other embodiments, decorative member 14 can be formed of plastic, e.g., hollow plastic, latex foam, natural foams such as soy or rice, or any combination thereof. For example, decorative member could have a foam interior core with a plastic exterior cover. Such a plastic cover can be clear or have any desired color. Other suitable materials for decorative member 14 to provide a very light finial that can easily be supported by pins 18 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
One embodiment of connecting member 16 is seen in FIG. 3, and includes a base portion 20 from which pins 18 extend. Base portion 20 may be formed of any suitable material including, for example, plastic. Base portion 20 may be received in a first recess 22 formed in decorative member 14. In certain embodiments, such as those in which decorative member 14 is formed of a pliable or compressible material such as a foam, first recess 22 may not be pre-formed in decorative member 14 but, rather, is formed by pushing base portion 20 into decorative member 14.
Base portion 20 may be secured within first recess 22 with adhesive 24 or simply held in place by friction-fit with decorative member 14. It is to be appreciated that other fastening means may be used to secured base portion 20 to decorative member 14, and other suitable fastening means will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, base portion 20 may include one or more projections such as ribs 26. Ribs 26 serve to increase the surface area of base portion 20, thereby improving the securing of base portion 20 to decorative member 14.
The securing of finial 12 to window treatment 10 is shown in FIG. 4, where it can be seen that the gathers 17 of fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10 are seen surrounding a curtain rod 28. Curtain rod 28 is supported on a wall (not shown) or other suitable surface in known fashion with a bracket or other suitable means. Pins 18 pierce gathers 17, thereby securing finial 12 to window treatment 10 in removable fashion. Thus, it can be seen that finial 12 can easily and quickly be installed on and removed from window treatment 10, thereby providing flexibility and ease of use for the user.
In certain embodiments, as seen in FIG. 4, decorative member 14 may include a second recess 30 configured to mate with an exterior of window treatment 10, allowing finial 12 to be positioned close to window treatment 10, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of finial 12 and window treatment 10. As illustrated here, second recess 30 is curved with a radius R, allowing finial 12 to be snugly fit against a corner of window treatment 10.
Another embodiment of connecting member 16 is seen in FIG. 5. Connecting member 16 has a longitudinal axis L extending substantially parallel to pins 18. In this embodiment, base portion 20 is curved about longitudinal axis L. It is to be appreciated that connecting member 16 can have any desired shape.
Another embodiment of connecting member 16 is seen in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, each pin 18 has a substantially U-shaped form with a first leg 30 secured within base portion 20 and a second leg 32 extending substantially perpendicular to longitudinal base portion 20. With such a configuration, legs 32 of pins 18 are inserted vertically down into fabric portion 19 of window treatment 10. In certain embodiments, legs 32 may actually extend over and capture curtain rod 28 upon which window treatment 10 is suspended.
In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of various embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A finial for a window treatment comprising, in combination:

a decorative member;

a connecting member secured to the decorative member and configured to removably secure the decorative member to, and support the decorative member from, a fabric portion of a window treatment.

2. The finial of claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a pin configured to pierce a fabric portion of a window treatment to removably secure the decorative member to the window treatment.

3. The finial of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises a base portion secured to the decorative member and at least one pin extending outwardly from the base portion.

4. The finial of claim 3, further comprising at least one rib on an exterior surface of the base portion.

5. The finial of claim 3, wherein the base portion is secured to the decorative member with adhesive.

6. The finial of claim 3, wherein the connecting member has a longitudinal axis, the base portion being curved about the longitudinal axis.

7. The finial of claim 3, wherein each pin is substantially U-shaped having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg being secured to the base portion.

8. The finial of claim 1, wherein the decorative member includes a second recess configured to receive a portion of a window treatment to which the finial is secured.

9. The finial of claim 8, wherein the second recess is curved.

10. The finial of claim 1, wherein the decorative member is formed of a foam.

11. The finial of claim 1, wherein the decorative member is formed of plastic.

12. A finial for a window treatment comprising, in combination:

a decorative member formed of a lightweight material;

a connecting member secured to the decorative portion and configured to removably secure the decorative member to a fabric portion of a window treatment.

13. The finial of claim 12, wherein the connecting member comprises a base portion secured to the decorative member and at least one pin extending outwardly from the base portion.

14. The finial of claim 13, further comprising at least one rib on an exterior surface of the base portion.

15. The finial of claim 13, wherein the base portion is secured to the decorative member with adhesive.

16. The finial of claim 13, wherein the connecting member has a longitudinal axis, the base portion being curved about the longitudinal axis.

17. The finial of claim 12, wherein the decorative member includes a second recess configured to receive a portion of a window treatment to which the finial is secured.

18. The finial of claim 17, wherein the second recess is curved.

19. The finial of claim 12, wherein the decorative member is formed of one of a foam and plastic.

20. A finial for a window treatment comprising, in combination:

a decorative member having a first recess formed therein and formed of a foam material; and

a connecting member comprising:

a base portion secured in the first recess with adhesive;

a pair of pins extending outwardly from the base portion; and

a pair of ribs on an exterior surface of the base portion.