US20080271858A1

US20080271858A1 - Window covering having roll-up shade segments

Info

Publication number: US20080271858A1
Application number: US12/080,889
Authority: US
Inventors: David Pon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-22
Filing date: 2008-04-07
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A window covering has a plurality of shade elements, each having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The shade elements are positioned sequentially below a headrail, and each shade element is made of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge. A first rail or panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element and is connected to lowermost shade element or the bottomrail. A second rail or panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail and is attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element. Rungs extend between the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel such that there is one rung below and corresponding to each shade element. The first longitudinal edge of each shade element rests upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position. A control mechanism is connected to at least one of the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel. The control mechanism is capable of moving at least one of the first rail or panel and the second rail or panel. Such movement causes each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of the shade element. A flap may be attached to and extend from the second longitudinal edge of each shade element or the rungs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/187,541, which was filed on Jul. 22, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to window blinds of the type having operable segments that can be moved between an open position and a closed position such as a venetian blind.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various vertical window blinds including venetian blinds, roller shades, roman shades, and the like are known. These window blinds commonly comprise a headrail, a bottomrail and a window covering material extending between them. Lift cords extend from the bottomrail into the headrail for raising and lowering the blind. The window covering material may be pleated or cellular material, woven woods or grasses or roman shade material that is raised and lowered or slats on ladders that can be raised and lowered as well as tilted for light control.
One popular type of window covering is the roll-up shade. This shade has a single panel of window covering material attached at its top edge to a headrail. Two or more looped cords extend from the headrail down one side of the panel of window covering material, around the bottom edge of the panel and up an opposite side of the panel of window covering material into the headrail. The cords may then pass through a cord lock in the headrail or wind around a cord collector within the headrail. Movement of the cords into the headrail will cause the panel of window covering material to roll-up and movement of the cords out of the headrail will cause the window covering material to unroll. It is quite common to use woven woods or grasses as the panel in a roll-up shade. An example of this type of shade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,312 to Judkins.
A venetian blind provides the widest range of light control. The slats can be raised to a fully open position, lowered to cover the entire window and tilted vertically to a fully closed position or lowered to a fully lowered or partially lowered position with the slats tilted at a selected orientation between vertical and horizontal. Roll-up, roman, pleated and cellular shades have a softer appearance than venetian blinds. However, a conventional roll-up shade, roman shade and other fabric shades can only be raised and lowered to cover all or a portion of the window. When any of these shades is in a fully lowered or partially lowered position, the shade cannot be controlled or adjusted to change the amount of light transmittance as occurs when one tilts the slats in a fully lowered or partially lowered venetian blind.
Although the slats in most venetian blinds are wood, aluminum or plastic, it is known to make fabric slats. One example of a fabric slat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,506 to Zorbas. Woven woods and woven grasses have been used for venetian blind slats, but are seldom seen in the marketplace. Venetian blind slats usually are not greater than two inches in width. Small widths of woven woods and woven grasses are difficult to work with and can come apart more easily than a panel of these materials such as are used in roll-up and roman shades. Like wood, aluminum and plastic slats, fabric slats are hung on ladders or attached to ladder rungs and may have transverse stiffeners. Venetian blinds having fabric slats operate in the same manner as venetian blinds having wood, aluminum or plastic slats.
There is a need for a window covering that has wide range of light control available in a venetian blind coupled with the softer appearance that can be achieved in a roll-up shade and in which the window covering material can be a woven wood or woven grasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I provide a window covering having a headrail, a plurality of shade elements, each having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The shade elements are positioned sequentially below the headrail, and each shade element is made of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge. I prefer to make each shade element a woven wood. A bottomrail may be positioned below the headrail and the plurality of shade elements. At least two first rails or a first panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element and is connected to lowermost shade element or the bottomrail. At least two second rails or a second panel of fabric or film extends from the headrail and is attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element. Rungs are connected between the rails or panels such that there is one rung below and corresponding to each shade element. The first longitudinal edge of each shade element rests upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position. A control mechanism is connected to at least one of the first panel, first rails, second rails or second panel. The control mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first panel, second panel, first rails or second rails. The movement caused by the control mechanism causes each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.
The first or second panel of fabric or film may be one segment of fabric or a plurality of fabric segments connected together. Preferably, the fabric segment or segments are made of a sheer fabric.
The plurality of shade elements may be woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods or woven grasses. I prefer to provide a stiffening bar or rod on each shade element adjacent the first longitudinal edge. This stiffener assists in causing the shade element to roll about the first longitudinal edge. For some materials such as woven woods the stiffener could be a length of tape that joins two or more pieces of wood or grass together.
At least one flap can also be provided on at least one of the rungs or at least one of the shade elements. Preferably, each flap is attached to the second longitudinal edge of a shade element. Each flap hangs from the shade element or rung to which it is attached and provides additional light control. The flaps can also improve the aesthetic effect of the shade.
One could provide a valance on the headrail. The valance could be made of the same material as the shade elements or a different material could be used. The valance could be configured so that the lower edge of the valance may be raised.
Other objects and advantages of the present window covering will become apparent from certain present preferred embodiments thereof shown in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a fully lowered, fully closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a fully lowered, fully closed position.

FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 showing the window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a fully raised position.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a fully raised position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a woven wood shade element that could be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a completely rolled-up position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one end of the shade element shown in FIG. 8 in a partially rolled-up position.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a second present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a third present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an upper portion of a fourth present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a fifth present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

FIG. 13 is a back view of the fifth present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully closed position, with the shade elements behind the panel of fabric shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a sixth present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position, with a portion of the front panel of fabric cut away to show a rung attached to each panel of fabric below a shade element.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a seventh present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an eighth present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully closed position.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a ninth present preferred embodiment of my window covering in a fully lowered, fully open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first present preferred embodiment of my window covering 1, shown in FIGS. 1 thru 6 has a headrail 6, and a plurality of shade elements or shade segments 20 positioned sequentially below the headrail. Every shade element has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, a first longitudinal edge 21 and a second longitudinal edge 22. Rails 11 extend from the lowermost shade element 20 a past the first longitudinal edge of the shade elements and are attached to the headrail. The second rails 12 are attached to the second longitudinal edge 22 of each shade element and extend from the lowermost shade elements 20 a. In this embodiment each rail 11 is connected to a corresponding rail 12. The rails could be any material that has been used for rails in ladders for venetian blinds, including polyester cord or fabric tape. It should be apparent from FIG. 1 that a pair of rails 11 and 12 can be formed from a single strip of material. Rungs 10 extend between the rails 11 and 12. Two lift cords 15 extend from the lowermost shade element 20 a into the headrail where they pass through a cord lock 13. The lift cords could be on either side of the rails 12, but are shown in dotted line near rails 12 so that they may be seen more easily in the drawings. The lift cords 15 raise and lower the shade elements 20 in much the same manner as lift cords in a venetian blind raise and lower the slats. A tilt or roll-up cord 17 is attached to the upper end of each first rail 11 and passes through a second cord lock 19. Pulling these cords lifts the first rails. The relative movement of the first rails 11 relative to the non-moving second rails 12 causes the shade elements to roll up. In an alternative embodiment, the first rails 11 and second rails 12 can be connected to the roll-up cord 17 such that both the first rails 11 and second rails 12 move to cause the shade elements to roll up and unroll. In yet another alternative embodiment, the second rails 12 can be connected to the roll-up cord 17 so that the second rails can be moved relative to non-moving first rails 11 to cause the shade elements to roll up and unroll.
If desired, one may connect the first rails 11 to a shaft 16 shown in dotted line in FIG. 1, so that rotation of the shaft would lift the rails. Alternatively, both the first rails 11 and second rails 12 could be connected to the shaft 16. Then rotation of the shaft would move both rails causing the shade elements to roll up or unroll.
The shade elements are made of any material that can be used as a window covering and that can be rolled up. I prefer to use woven woods or woven grasses. But, one could also use woven or non-woven fabric, plastic or a film.
The headrail 6 could be a box-like structure of the type used for venetian blinds. In that event, the cord locks 13, 19 and shaft 16 would be within the headrail. Alternatively, the headrail could be a block of wood or other solid structure such as is frequently used for roman shades. In that headrail, the cord locks 13, 19 and shaft 16 would be mounted to the bottom of the headrail.
I prefer to provide a valance 8 which covers the front of and extends from the headrail. I prefer that the valance 8 be of sufficient length so that all the shade elements 20 will be behind the valance 8 when the window covering is in a fully raised position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The valance may have a pocket 9 along its lower edge in which a rod is inserted. The rod (not shown) serves as a weight keeping the valance in a fully extended position.
The roll-up action of the shade elements can best be understood from FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8. When the shade is in the fully lowered closed position shown in FIG. 3, each shade element 20 is positioned above a rung 10. The second longitudinal edge 22 of the shade element is attached to rails 12. The first longitudinal edge 21 is free, but rests on the rung 10. As the first rails 11 are raised relative to the second rails 12 the first longitudinal edge 21 of the shade element folds back upon the shade element. Continued movement of the first rails causes the shade elements to roll up. In the woven wood shade elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 I prefer to provide a fabric tape 24 adjacent the first longitudinal end of the shade element. The fabric tape 24 covers several of the wood sticks 25 in the shade element 20. This tape acts as a stiffener which assists in causing the shade elements to roll evenly. When the shade elements are a fabric or film I provide a stiffener along both the first longitudinal edge 21 and the second longitudinal edge 22. The stiffener may be a rod or bar in a pocket similar to the pocket 9 in the valance 8.
A second present preferred embodiment 2 is shown in FIG. 9. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment 2 a bottomrail 14 is provided. Consequently, the rails 11, 12 and lift cord 15 extend to and are attached to the bottomrail. This embodiment operates in the same manner as the first embodiment.
In a third present preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the valance 38 is raised and lowered with the shade segments 20. As in the previous embodiments the shade segments are positioned on rungs that extend between first rails 11 and second rails 12. The first longitudinal edge 21 of the shade segment is free and the second longitudinal edge 22 of the shade segment is attached to rail 12. In this embodiment a looped tape or cord 37 is attached to the upper edge 36 of the valance which in turn is attached to headrail 6. The opposite end of the cord or tape 37 is attached to rail 11. Thus, as rail 11 is raised or lowered the attached end of loop cord or tape 37 is raised or lowered. As a result, valance 38 is rolled up as the shade segments 20 are being rolled up and unrolled as the shade segments are unrolled.
In yet another present preferred embodiment 40, shown in FIG. 11, a cord 47 connects the lower edge of valance 48 to first rails 11. One such cord would be provided at the location of each first rail 11. Consequently, as the first rail 11 is raised the lower edge of the valance is pulled upward by cord 47. Moving the first rail down would lower the valance.
In a fifth present preferred embodiment 50 the fabric panel 51 is provided as a back element, as shown in FIG. 12. The panel is preferably a sheer material. The panel of fabric 51 is attached to headrail 6 at one end and the bottomrail 14 at the other end. The second longitudinal edge 22 of each shade segment 20 is also attached to the panel of fabric 51. The first longitudinal edge 21 of each shade element 20 is free, but rests on rung 10. Rungs 10 are connected to the panel of fabric 51 and front rails 11. Alternatively one could provide a second set of rails (not shown) adjacent the lift cords 15 and panel 51 to which the rungs are attached. These rails would be similar to the second rails 12 in the previous embodiment.
As in the second present preferred embodiment, lift cords 15 extend from the bottomrail 14 into the headrail 6 where they pass through a cord lock 13. The lift cords can be on either side of the panel of fabric 51. In this embodiment the second longitudinal edge of each shade element is attached to one side of the second rails and the fabric panel is adjacent the opposite side of those rails. It should be noted that, if a bottomrail is not used, the panel of fabric 51 is attached to the lowermost shade element 20 a. When lift cords 15 raise and lower the shade elements 20, they also raise and lower the panel of fabric 51. Preferably, the panel of fabric is fully extended when the shade elements are fully lowered, displaying a smooth surface as shown in FIG. 13. When the shade elements are fully raised, the panel of fabric 51 may be tightly bunched against the headrail 6. It is also possible to attach the fabric panel 51 and rails 11 to a roller such that they and the shade elements can be wound on the roller to raise the shade.
In another present preferred embodiment, the panel of fabric is attached to the headrail at one end, extends past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element, and is attached to the bottomrail or bottommost shade element. When the shade elements are fully lowered, the panel of fabric is preferably fully extended. When the shade elements are fully raised, the panel of fabric is preferably tightly bunched against the headrail 6 or wound on a roller within the headrail. This embodiment may or may not include the first rails 11. If the first rails are not used, then the rungs are attached to the fabric panel. If the rungs 11 are used, the fabric panel will be in front of the rungs.
In yet another present preferred embodiment, two panels of fabric can be used as shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the front and back panels of fabric 52, 53 can be the same material to provide a consistent aesthetic effect or can be different materials to provide varying aesthetic effects and light control properties. For example, the front panel 52 can be a red colored fabric and back panel 53 can be a green colored fabric so that the light that passes through panels 52 and 53 when the blind is lowered and in an open position is displayed in a third color, yellow. Of course, each panel of fabric may also be a panel of multi-colored fabric or include segments of different colored fabric. The panels can be used without rails 11 and 12 as shown in FIG. 14 or with either or both rails. If rails are not used the rungs are attached to the fabric panel or panels.
Fabrics that are typically used for window covering material, such as linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, cotton, polyester and acrylic blends, and nylon, may be used. Preferably, the panel of fabric is made of a sheer fabric. The panel of fabric can be one segment of fabric or can be a plurality of segments of fabric connected together to form the panel. It should also be understood that a sheet of plastic or a film can be used instead of a panel of fabric.
In a seventh present preferred embodiment 70, shown in FIG. 15, flaps 68 may be used to provide an additional aesthetic effect to the shade 70. As in previous embodiments, the shade segments 20 are positioned on rungs 10 that extend between the first rails 11 and second rails 12. The first longitudinal edge 21 of each shade segment is attached to at least one stiffening rod 66 and is free to move. The second longitudinal edge 22 of each shade element is attached to at least one stiffening rod 67. Flaps 68 are attached to the second longitudinal edge of the shade elements and extend to the adjacent shade element. Flaps 68 can be of various sizes and made of different material. Preferably, each flap of blind 70 is the same size and all flaps are made of the same type of material, typically a sheer fabric. One may also use other woven fabrics, non-woven fabric and films through which light may pass. A pocket is preferably provided on the lower edge of the flap and contains a stiffening rod 69.
I prefer that flaps not extend below the lowermost part of the blind. Thus, if a bottomrail is not used, the lowermost shade element will preferably not have a flap attached to it, as shown in FIG. 15. In contrast, when a bottomrail is used, the lowermost shade element preferably does have a flap attached to it.
Preferably, each flap will be of a length that is not longer than the distance between two adjacent shade elements. Longer flaps can be used and attached to every other shade element.
As shown in FIG. 16, flaps 68 can also be attached to the rungs 10. Flaps are sized to fit within the space between the rungs so that the flaps may block light when the shade elements are in an open position. The flaps can also be sized and placed so that the flaps are visible from the front of the shade when the shade elements are in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, the flaps can be sized and attached to the shade element or rung so that they are not visible from the front of the shade when the shade elements are moved to a closed position.
Flaps 68 can be used in combination with at least one panel of fabric. In such embodiments, flaps provide additional light control and, if colored differently than the panel of fabric, may also provide a shade capable of offering an increased array of aesthetic affects similar to the sixth present preferred embodiment and other embodiments discussed above.
Although I have described and shown certain present preferred embodiments of my window covering, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A window covering comprising:

a headrail;

a plurality of shade elements, each and every shade element having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the shade elements positioned sequentially below the headrail, each shade element comprised of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge;

at least two rails extending from the headrail and being adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element;

a panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to each shade element adjacent to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element;

a plurality of rungs connected between the rails and the panel such that there is at least one rung below and corresponding to each shade element, the first longitudinal edge of each shade element resting upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position;

a control mechanism connected to at least one of the rails and the first panel, the control mechanism being configured to move at least one of the rails and the first panel to cause each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of that shade element.

2. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from a lowermost shade element to the headrail.

3. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.

4. The window covering of claim 3 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.

5. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element, each stiffener also being attached to the back element.

6. The window covering of claim 5 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.

7. The window covering of claim 6, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element.

8. The window covering of claim 7, wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

9. The window covering of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of cords, one cord attached to at least one of each rail, and a cord lock attached to the headrail, the cords passing through the cord lock.

10. The window covering of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of a shaft within the headrail on which the rails are wound.

11. The window covering of claim 10 wherein the panel is connected to and can wind around the shaft.

12. The window covering of claim 1 wherein each shade element is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods and woven grasses.

13. The window covering of claim 1, wherein the panel of fabric is comprised of a plurality of segments of fabric.

14. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a valance attached to the headrail.

15. The window covering of claim 14 also comprising a connecting cord having one end attached to the valance and an opposite end attached to the rails.

16. The window covering of claim 14 wherein the valance is also comprised of an upper edge attached to the headrail, a front surface and a lower edge, and a cord loop, the cord loop of the valance having one end attached to the upper edge of the valance extending over the front surface of the valance, past the lower edge of the valance and an opposite end attached to the rails.

17. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a bottomrail to which the rails and panel are attached.

18. The window covering of claim 17 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from the bottomrail to the headrail.

19. The window covering of claim 1 also comprising a front panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element.

20. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the front panel of fabric is comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of sheer fabrics, cotton, nylon, linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, polyester blends, and acrylic blends.

21. The window covering of claim 19 wherein the rungs are connected between the front panel and the panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.

22. The window covering of claim 1 further comprising at least one flap attached to one of the rungs.

23. The window covering of claim 22, wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

24. The window covering of claim 1, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element.

25. The window covering of claim 24, wherein each flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

26. The window covering of claim 1 further comprising at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the panel and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.

27. The window covering of claim 26 wherein the rungs are connected between the at least two rails and the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the panel and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element.

28. A window covering comprising:

a headrail;

a first panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and adjacent the first longitudinal edge of each shade element;

a second panel of fabric or film extending from the headrail and attached to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element;

a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second panels such that there is at least one rung below and corresponding to each shade element, the first longitudinal edge of each shade element resting upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position;

a control mechanism connected to at least one of the first panel and the second panel, the control mechanism being configured to move at least one of the first panel and the second panel to cause each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of that shade element.

29. The window covering of claim 28 wherein each shade element is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, plastics, woven woods and woven grasses.

30. The window covering of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first panel and second panel is comprised of a plurality of segments of fabric.

31. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising a valance attached to the headrail.

32. The window covering of claim 31 also comprising a connecting cord having one end attached to the valance and an opposite end attached to the first panel.

33. The window covering of claim 31 wherein the valance is also comprised of an upper edge attached to the headrail, a front surface and a lower edge, and a cord loop, the cord loop of the valance having one end attached to the upper edge of the valance extending over the front surface of the valance, past the lower edge of the valance and an opposite end attached to the first panel.

34. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising a bottomrail to which the first panel and second panel are attached.

35. The window covering of claim 34 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from the bottomrail to the headrail.

36. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one lift cord extending from a lowermost shade element to the headrail.

37. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.

38. The window covering of claim 37 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.

39. The window covering of claim 28 also comprising at least one stiffener, each stiffener being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element, each stiffener also being attached to the back element.

40. The window covering of claim 39 wherein the at least one stiffener is a rod or a bar.

41. The window covering of claim 40, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element.

42. The window covering of claim 41 wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

43. The window covering of claim 28 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of at least one cord, the at least one cord attached to at least one of the first panel and the second panel, and a cord lock attached to the headrail, the at least one cord passing through the cord lock.

44. The window covering of claim 28 wherein the control mechanism is comprised of a shaft within the headrail on which the first panel is wound.

45. The window covering of claim 44 wherein the second panel is connected to and can wind around the shaft.

46. The window covering of claim 28 wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is a panel of fabric comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of sheer fabrics, cotton, nylon, linen, lace, chiffon, silk, rayon, polyester blends, and acrylic blends.

47. The window covering of claim 28, further comprising at least one flap attached to one of the rungs.

48. The window covering of claim 47 wherein the at least one flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

49. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising a plurality of flaps wherein each rung of the plurality of rungs is connected to at least one of the flaps.

50. The window covering of claim 28, also comprising at least one flap, each flap being attached to a shade element of the plurality of shade elements adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the shade element.

51. The window covering of claim 50, wherein each flap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, films, non-woven fabrics, and sheer fabrics through which light may pass.

52. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising at least one rail, the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent to one of the first panel and the second panel.

53. The window covering of claim 52 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the at least one rail and one of the first panel and the second panel.

54. The window covering of claim 28 further comprising at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the first panel and at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the second panel.

55. The window covering of claim 54 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the first panel and to the at least one rail extending from the headrail adjacent the second panel.

56. The window covering of claim 28 wherein each of the plurality of rungs is connected to the first panel of fabric and is connected to the second panel of fabric.