US20100186909A1

US20100186909A1 - Panels of fabric and associated assemblies for a window treatment

Info

Publication number: US20100186909A1
Application number: US12/360,517
Authority: US
Inventors: Denise Marie Stoughton
Original assignee: Croscill Acquisition LLC
Current assignee: Croscill Acquisition LLC
Priority date: 2009-01-27
Filing date: 2009-01-27
Publication date: 2010-07-29
Also published as: US20100224331A1

Abstract

Assemblies and valances for a window treatment are provided. The window treatment includes one or more assemblies. Each assembly may include a drapery panel and a sheer panel. The drapery panel is configured to hang from a curtain rod above a window. The sheer panel is attached to the drapery panel only at fixed end of the sheer panel such that the sheer panel is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the sheer panel is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the fixed end of the sheer panel remains fixed to the drapery panel. The window treatment may further include a valance or other panel of a fabric configured to extend along the curtain rod and a pair of brackets supporting the curtain rod such that the support brackets are less visible to homeowners and others.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to window treatments and more specifically to panels of fabric and hardware of the window treatments.
In general, window treatment is the accenting of a window. Common methods and elements of window treatment include window blinds, shutters, curtains, and draperies. Draperies may include a pair of drapes configured to hang from a curtain rod. Drapes are typically panels of opaque fabric that may be evenly spread across the windows for privacy or gathered to either end of the window and held in place with tie backs that are attached to the wall. In addition to drapes, one or more panels of a sheer fabric, sometimes referred to simply as sheers, may be used. Sheers may hang down between the window and the drapes from the same curtain rod as the drapes or an additional curtain rod. Due to the type of fabric, sheers may extend across the window to provide accent without blocking light from the window itself. Drapery may also include a valance. In general, a valance is one or more additional panels of fabrics that extend along the top of the window in front of the drapes. The valance may be intended to help block sight of the curtain rod and any hardware supporting the drapery or to provide more accent to the window treatment.
The particular elements of drapery used to collectively form the window treatment varies based on the purpose and aesthetic taste or preferences of the homeowner or designer. However, the preferences may change over time or change based on other changes, such as furniture or wall coloring, within the room having the window. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have elements of the window treatment that are relatively flexible in accommodating different styles and other design preferences without necessarily obtaining or purchasing new elements for the window treatment. Also, it would be beneficial to provide elements of the window treatment that improves the aesthetic quality of the window treatment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments provide elements of a window treatment that may support several different design configurations or improve the overall aesthetic quality of the window treatment. For example, according to an embodiment an assembly for a window treatment is provided. The window treatment is configured to hang from a curtain rod above a window. In this embodiment, the assembly includes a first panel of fabric and a second panel of fabric. The first panel extends from a first end of the first panel to a second end of the first panel. The first panel includes a support element proximate the first end configured to engage the curtain rod such that the first panel hangs from the curtain rod. The second panel extends from a first end of the second panel to a second end of the second panel. The second panel is attached to the first panel only at the first end of the second panel such that the second panel is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the second panel is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the first end of the second panel remains fixed to the first panel.
In a substantially flat configuration, the first panel and the second panel may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The first end of the second panel includes a first edge of the second panel and the first panel includes a first edge of the first panel. The first edge of the first panel may be substantially parallel with the first edge of the second panel. For example, the first edge of the first panel and the first edge of the second panel may be substantially aligned with each other. In an embodiment, the first end of the second panel is sewn to the second panel. In other embodiments, the first end is attached to the second panel through one or more removable fasteners e.g., buttons, hooks, loops, Velcro® and zippers.
In other embodiments, the first edge of the first panel may be weighted. The fabric of the first panel and the fabric of the second panel may vary. For example, according to an embodiment, the fabric of the first panel is an opaque fabric and the fabric of the second panel is a sheer fabric and, according to another embodiment, the fabric of the first panel is a sheer fabric and the second panel is an opaque fabric.
The support element may include a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, or a plurality of ties. In other embodiments, the support element may define a pocket in the first panel configured to receive the curtain rod.
The first end of the first panel to the second end of the first panel defines a length of the first panel and the first end of the second panel to the second end of the second panel defines a length of the second panel. The length of the first panel may be substantially equal to the length of the second panel. In other embodiments, the lengths may differ.
In another embodiment, a window treatment is provided. The window treatment may include one or more of the assemblies disclosed herein. For example, the window treatment may include a first assembly and a second assembly. Each of the assemblies includes a first panel of a fabric extending from a first end of the first panel to a second end of the first panel and defining a channel proximate the first end configured to engage the curtain rod such that the first panel hangs from the curtain rod and a second panel of a fabric extending from a first end of the second panel to a second end of the second panel. The second panel is attached to the first panel only at the first end of the second panel such that the second panel is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the second panel is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the first end of the second panel remains fixed to the first panel.
The window treatment may further include a third assembly and a fourth assembly. As more examples, the fabric of the first panel may be an opaque fabric and the fabric of the second panel may be a sheer fabric. The first edge of the second panel may be sewn to the first edge of the second panel. In a substantially flat configuration, the first panel and the second panel may be substantially perpendicular to each other.
In yet another embodiment, a window treatment is provided that is configured to hang from a curtain rod above a window. The curtain is supported by first and second support brackets extending from a wall. The window treatment includes a panel of fabric, e.g., a valance or a drapery panel. The panel of fabric comprises a rod pocket and a hanging portion extending below the rod pocket. The rod pocket extends from a first end and a second end and defines a channel configured to receive the curtain rod. The channel extends from a first opening of the rod pocket to a second opening of the rod pocket. A portion of the panel extending from the first opening of the rod pocket to the first end of the rod pocket defines a first flange and a portion of the valance extending from the second opening of the rod pocket to the second end of the rod pocket defines a second flange. In a hanging configuration, the first and second flanges are configured to extend generally perpendicular from the curtain rod along the first and second support brackets such that the first and second support brackets are substantially covered by the first and second flanges and the curtain rod extends through the openings and the channel of the rod pocket.
As additional examples, each of the first and second openings may be a button hole, the hanging portion may include a plurality of pleats, and each of the first and second flanges may define a channel configured to receive at least a portion of a support bracket.
In additional embodiments, the window treatment may include any combination of panels disclosed herein. For example, the window treatment may include a valance having the flanges configured to substantially cover the support brackets and one or more of the assemblies having the first and second panels attached to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first panel of a fabric and a second panel of a fabric according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a first configuration of a window treatment having two assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a second configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a third configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fourth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fifth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sixth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a seventh configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a eight configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a ninth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a tenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an eleventh configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a twelfth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a thirteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a fourteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a fifteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 is a sixteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 is a seventeenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 19 is an eighteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 20 is a nineteenth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a twentieth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 22 is a twenty-first configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 23 is a twenty-second configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 24 is a twenty-third configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 25 is a twenty-fourth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 26 is a twenty-fifth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a twenty-sixth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a twenty-seventh configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a twenty-eighth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a twenty-ninth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a thirtieth configuration of the window treatment of FIG. 2 including third and fourth assemblies according to an embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a frontal view of a window treatment having a valance;

FIG. 33 is a side view of the window treatment of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the window treatment of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a frontal view of a valance according to an embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a side view of a window treatment that includes the valance of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the window treatment of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a frontal view of a pair of drapery panels according to an embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a side view of the pair of drapery panels of FIG. 38 on a curtain rod; and

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the pair of drapery panels of FIG. 38 on a curtain rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention or inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Embodiments provide one or more assemblies for a window treatment. For example and as illustrated in FIG. 1, an assembly 100 comprises a first panel 110 of a fabric and a second panel 120 of a fabric. As explained in more detail below, the assembly 100 is configured to hang from a curtain rod as part of an element of a window treatment. As shown in FIG. 2, the window treatment 50 may include two assemblies 100, 200, one on one side of the window and the other on the other side of the window. The first and second panels of fabric of each assembly are attached in such a manner to allow the second panel to hang from the first panel in various configurations, also referred to as design configurations. As shown in FIGS. 2-31, the design configurations may be used to provide different aesthetic looks to the window treatment 50.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the first panel 110 extends from a first end 112 to a second end 114 and from a first side 116 to a second side 118. Each of the ends 112, 114 and sides 114, 116 may include edges 132, 134, 136, 138 of the fabric. The length of the first panel may be defined by the distance from the first end 112 of the first panel to the second end 114 of the first panel or, more specifically, from the edge 132 of the first end to the edge 134 of the second end. The width of the first panel may be defined by the distance from the first side 116 of the first panel to the second side 118 of the first panel or, more specifically, from the edge 136 of the first side to the edge 138 of the second side. Although the first panel in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 is generally rectangular in shape (i.e., the width of the first panel is constant from the first end to the second end), the overall shape of the panel may vary. As examples, the first panel may be generally trapezoidal in shape or the first side may be longer than the side size such that the second end is angular in appearance. As yet another example, the width may vary to provide a tapered end (e.g., the width of the first panel may be greater at the first end of the first panel than the width of the first panel at the second end of the first panel). One or more of the edges 132, 134, 136, 138 may be hemmed 135, 137, 139, i.e., an edge may be folded over and sewn together. One or more edges 132, 134, 136, 138 may be weighted. For example, a weight 160, such as a lead insert, may be attached or held to or near and edge such that the edge is heavier. As a more specific example, a weight may be held into the hemmed edge at the second end or in the hemmed edge at the first side of the first panel. The weighted edge may help the first panel of fabric to stretch out more completely when hanging from the curtain rod.
The first panel 110 also defines a channel or support element 150, e.g., proximate the first end, configured to receive a curtain rod. The channel 150 may be continuous or non-continuous. For example, a continuous channel formed from a pocket in the fabric, also referred to as a rod pocket. As another example, a non-continuous channel may be formed by loops, hooks, or ties extending from the fabric. As yet another example, the channel may be formed by folding over the first end onto itself to form the channel. The fold may be held in place by one or more fasteners such as, hooks and loops, Velcro®, pins, buttons, or zippers.
The second panel 120 extends from a first end 122 to a second end 124 and from a first side 126 to a second side 128. Each of the ends 122, 124 and sides 124, 126 may include edges 142, 144, 146, 148 of the fabric. The length of the second panel may be defined by the distance from the first end 122 of the second panel to the second end 124 of the second panel or, more specifically, from the edge 142 of the first end to the edge 144 of the second end. The width of the second panel may be defined by the distance from the first side 126 of the first panel to the second side 128 of the first panel or, more specifically, from the edge 146 of the first side to the edge 148 of the second side. Although the second panel in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 is generally rectangular in shape, the overall shape of the panel may vary. As another example, the width may vary to provide a tapered end. Like the first panel of the fabric, one or more edges of the second panel of the fabric may be hemmed or weighted.
The fabric and the color of the fabric of the first panel and the second panel may vary depending on the preferences of the homeowner or designer. For example, the fabric may be a sheer fabric (i.e., semi-transparent and flimsy cloth) or an opaque fabric (i.e., non-transparent fabric). The fabric of the first panel may be the same or different than the fabric of the second panel. For example, the fabric of the first panel may be an opaque fabric and the fabric of the second panel may be a sheer fabric or vice versa.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the first and second panels 110, 120 in a flat configuration in which the first and second panels 110, 120 are substantially flat, i.e., without any folds or bends in the fabric. According to the illustrated embodiment, in the flat configuration, the first and second panels 110, 120 are generally perpendicular to each other forming an overall L-shape. As mentioned above, the first panel 110 of fabric and the second panel 120 of fabric are attached. For example, the first panel 110 and the second panel 120 may only have one location of attachment. As a more specific example and according to the illustrated embodiment, the first end 122 of the first panel is attached to a side of the second panel 116, while the length of the rest of the first panel 120 from the first end 122 (but not including the first end) to the second end 124 is unattached. Also, as illustrated, the edge 142 of fixed end may be generally aligned with an edge 136 of the first panel proximate to an end 112 of the first panel. In other embodiments, in the flat configuration, the first and second panels may have an angular relationship other than ninety degrees. For example, the first and second panels may be generally at forty-five degrees with each other.
The first end 122 may be attached through a process known in the art as ruching (i.e., a sewing technique in which fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern to form scallops or petals) or other sewing technique. Rather than relying on sewing, in other embodiments, the attachment may be made through the use of other types of fasteners, including removable fasteners, such as hooks and loops, Velcro®, pins, buttons, and zippers.
For illustrative purposes and due to their attachment or lack thereof with the first panel 110, the first end 122 of the first panel may be referred to as the fixed end 122 and the second end 124 of the first panel may be referred to as the free end 124. Again referring to FIG. 1, first panel 114 defines a channel 150 for engaging a curtain rod. The channel 150 is near an end 112 of the first panel, the same end 112 in which the attachment with the second panel is near. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the first panel is configured to hang from the curtain rod from the channel 150 and, thus, that end 112 with the channel 150 may be referred to as the top end, and the opposite end 114 of the panel may be referred to as the bottom end 114 of the first panel. Also, the illustrated embodiment, the fabric of first panel 110 is an opaque fabric and the first panel 110 is configured to hang directly from the curtain rod. Therefore, the first panel may be referred to as a drapery panel 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric of the second panel 120 is a sheer fabric and may be referred to as a sheer panel 120.
Due to the single location attachment between the drapery panel 110 and the sheer panel 120, as the drapery panel 110 hangs from the curtain rod, the sheer panel 120 hangs from the drapery panel as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an unsupported configuration because the free end 124 and the length of the sheer panel 120 is unsupported such that the sheer panel 120 generally hangs from the fixed end attachment with the drapery panel 110 down toward the ground. FIGS. 4-7 are examples of the sheer panel 120 in supported positions, i.e., in addition to the attachment of the sheer panel with the drapery panel at the fixed end, one or more portions of the sheer panel along its length are supported. For example, the sheer panel 120 may be looped around the curtain rod as in FIGS. 4 and 5 or a hook of the wall as in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the unsupported and supported configurations is also referred to as a design configuration because, as evident by the figures, each configuration provides a different aesthetic design of the window treatment.
In general, FIGS. 2-31 illustrate examples of the numerous variations in design configurations of the window treatment 50 provided by the use of one or more assemblies 100 and the selective attachment between the panels 110 and 120 of the assemblies 100. As evident by the numerous illustrated examples, the assembly or assemblies allows a user to change the look of his or her window treatment by simply moving around the sheer panels and without necessarily obtaining different elements. For example, the sheer panel 120 may extend from the inner side of the drapery panel 110 (e.g., FIG. 8) or may extend from the outer side of the drapery panel 110. The sheer panel 120 may extend across the drapery panel 110 (e.g., FIG. 13) or away from the drapery panel 110 (e.g., FIG. 7). Therefore by attaching the sheer panel 120 to the drapery panel 110 only at fixed end 122 of the sheer panel, the sheer panel 120 is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the sheer panel 120 is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the fixed end 122 of the second panel remains fixed to the drapery panel 110, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4-17 and 19-31.
As mentioned, the window treatment 50 may have one or more assemblies, e.g., two assemblies 100, 200 as illustrated in FIG. 24 or four assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400 as illustrated in FIG. 30.
As shown in FIGS. 32 through 34, in addition to or rather than having one or more of the assemblies described above, a window treatment 500 may include another panel of fabric 510, also referred to as a valance, configured to extend along the curtain rod 520 such as in front of a pair of drapery panels 530, 540 of the window treatment. The curtain rod 520 is typically attached to the wall through support brackets or arms 522, 524 that engage or support the ends of the curtain rod 520. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 32 through 34, the valance 510 generally extends along and, thus, covers the curtain rod. In some embodiments, the only portions of the curtain rod 520 that is visible are the ends 522, 524, or more specifically the decorative ends (such as finials) of the curtain rod. In embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33, the valance 510 does not cover the support brackets 522, 524. Therefore the support brackets 522, 524 are generally visible to the homeowners and others, especially from the side as illustrated in FIG. 33.
In other embodiments, the valance 610, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 35 through 37, may be configured to substantially cover the support brackets 522, 524 such that the support brackets are less likely to be visible. For example and as illustrated, the valance 610 may include a rod pocket 612 and a hanging portion 614 extending below the rod pocket 612. The hanging portion 614 may be pleated to form a plurality of pleats 616. The rod pocket 612 defines a channel 618 extending at least a first opening 620 and a second opening 622. Openings may be button holes or similar separations in the rod pocket sized to permit the passage of the curtain rod through. The first opening 620 is a predetermined distance from a first end 624 of the valance and the second opening 622 is a predetermined distance from a second end 626. The portion of the valance from the first opening 620 to the first end 624, including the portions of the hanging portion 614 and rod pocket 618 between the first opening 620 and the first end 624 of the valance defines a first flange 628 of the valance and the portion of the valance from the second opening 622 to the second end 626 of the valance, including the portions of the hanging portion 614 and the rod pocket 618 between the second opening 622 to the second end 626 of the valance, defines a second flange 630 of the valance. The first and second flanges 628, 630 are configured to substantially cover the support brackets 522, 524, such that the support brackets are less visible to the homeowners or guests. The predetermined distances between the openings 620, 622 and the ends 624, 626 generally form the distance or length of the flanges 628, 630. Therefore the predetermined distances between the openings 620, 622 and the ends 624, 626 may be based on achieving a desired length of the flanges 628, 630 such as the expected length of the support brackets 522, 524 to allow the flanges 628, 630 to be long enough to substantially cover the support brackets 522, 524.
As best shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the curtain rod 520 is configured to enter through one of the first and second openings 628, 630 and then extend through the channel 618 such that the curtain rod 520 extends along the channel 618 and exiting through the other opening 628, 630. In some embodiment such as the illustrated embodiment, the only portions of the curtain rod 520 not in the channel 618 (and thus not covered by the channel 618) are the ends 522, 524 of the curtain rod. In a hanging configuration (i.e., when the curtain rod is contained substantially within the channel), the first and second flanges 628, 630 are configured to extend substantially along the first and second support brackets 522, 524 respectively such that the first and second flanges 628, 630 at least substantially cover (i.e., make less visible) the first and second support brackets 522, 524. For example, the ends 624, 626 of the rod pocket or the flanges may be attached to the wall or one of the support brackets 522, 524 near the wall such that the flanges 628, 630 are held perpendicular to the curtain rod 520 between the curtain rod and the wall such that the flanges 628, 630 substantially cover the support brackets 522, 524. As a more specific example, hooks may be secure to either the wall or the support brackets and the ends 624, 626 of the valance or the flanges may be configured to attach to the hooks such that the flanges are held in place along the support brackets 522, 524. As another example, the flanges may define channels and at least a portion of the support brackets may extend through the channels such that the flanges are perpendicular the curtain rod. By at least substantially covering the support brackets with the flanges of the valance, less of the hardware, such as the support brackets, is visible to the homeowners or others and, thus, may provide a more aesthetically pleasing window treatment. In other embodiments, the valance may include more than two openings along multiple locations of the rod pocket in order to more readily accommodate different size curtain rods.
Although the illustrated and described embodiment is a valance, any element of the window treatment having a rod pocket may be further configured to include one or more flanges for substantially covering the support brackets. For example, a panel of fabric, such as a drapery panel, sheer panel, or valance, may include one or more flanges. As a more specific example and as illustrated in FIGS. 38 through 40, the window treatment 710 may include a first drapery panel 730 and a second drapery panel 740. The first drapery panel 730 may include a rod pocket 712, a hanging portion 714, and a flange 738 configured to substantially cover a support bracket 522. The rod pocket 712 of the first drapery panel defines channel 718 extending from an opening at inner end 725 of the first drapery panel to another opening 720 at a predetermined distance from the outer end 724 of the first drapery panel. The channel 718 is configured to receive a portion of the curtain rod 520. The flange 728 extends from the opening 720 that is a predetermined distance from the outer end 724 to the outer end 724. The second drapery panel 740 may include a rod pocket 713, a hanging portion 715, and a flange 730 configured to substantially cover a support bracket 524. The rod pocket 713 of the second drapery panel defines channel 719 extending from an opening at inner end 727 of the second drapery panel to another opening 722 at a predetermined distance from the outer end 726 of the second drapery panel. The channel 719 is configured to receive a portion of the curtain rod 520. The flange 730 extends from the opening 722 that is a predetermined distance from the outer end 726 to the outer end 726. During use, the first drapery panel 730 may substantially hang from the left side of the curtain rod 520 and substantially cover the left support bracket 522 and the second drapery panel 740 may substantially from the right side of the curtain rod 520 and substantially cover the right support bracket 524. Together, the first and second drapery panels 730, 740 extend along the curtain rod 520 and substantially cover the pair of brackets 522, 524 supporting the curtain rod 520.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. An assembly for a window treatment configured to hang from a curtain rod above a window, the assembly comprising:

a first panel of a fabric defining a first end of the first panel and a second end of the first panel, wherein the first panel includes a support element proximate the first end configured to engage the curtain rod such that the first panel hangs from the curtain rod; and

a second panel of a fabric defining a first end of the second panel and a second end of the second panel, wherein the second panel is attached to the first panel only at the first end of the second panel such that the second panel is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the second panel is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the first end of the second panel remains fixed to the first panel.

2. The assembly according to Claim 24, wherein in a substantially flat configuration, the first panel and the second panel are substantially perpendicular to each other.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the second panel defines a first edge of the second panel and the first panel defines opposed first and second edges extending between the first and second ends of the first panel, wherein the first edge of the second panel is attached proximate one of the first and second edges of the first panel proximate the first end of the first panel.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first edge of the first panel and the first edge of the second panel are substantially aligned with each other.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the second panel is sewn to the first panel.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the second panel is attached to the first panel with one or more removable fasteners.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fabric of the first panel is an opaque fabric and the fabric of the second panel is a sheer fabric.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fabric of the first panel is a sheer fabric and the fabric of the second panel is an opaque fabric.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support element includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, and a plurality of ties.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support element is a pocket defined by the first panel that is configured to receive at least a portion of the curtain rod.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first end of the first panel and the second end of the first panel defines a length of the first panel and wherein a distance between the first end of the second panel and the second end of the second panel defines a length of the second panel, wherein the length of the first panel is substantially equal to the length of the second panel.

12. A window treatment configured to hang from a curtain rod above a window comprising:

a first assembly and a second assembly, wherein each assembly includes:

a second panel of a fabric defining a first end of the second panel and a second end of the second panel,

wherein, in each assembly, the second panel is attached to the first panel only at the first end of the second panel such that the second panel is configured to support a plurality of design configurations in which the second panel is movable to a plurality of supported positions while the first end of the second panel remains fixed to the first panel.

13. The window treatment according to claim 12 further comprising a third assembly and a fourth assembly.

14. The window treatment according to claim 12, wherein, in each assembly, the fabric of the first panel is an opaque fabric and the fabric of the second panel is a sheer fabric.

15. The window treatment according to claim 12, wherein, in each assembly, the first end of the second panel is sewn to the first panel.

16. The window treatment according to claim 12, wherein, in each assembly, in a substantially flat configuration, the first panel and the second panel are substantially perpendicular to each other.

17-23. (canceled)

24. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a substantially flat configuration, the first panel and the second panel are arranged at an angle to each other.

25. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first panel defines opposed third and fourth edges extending along the first and second ends, respectively, of the first panel, and wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth edges is weighted.

26. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein, in each assembly, the support element includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, and a plurality of ties.

27. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein, in each assembly, the support element is a pocket defined by the first panel that is configured to receive at least a portion of the curtain rod.