Window treatment having pinch pleats with grommets

Abstract

A window treatment, such as a drapery or a curtain, designed to be used with a rod for suspending the window treatment over a window is provided. The window treatment includes one or more fabric panels. Each panel has a plurality of portions folded relative to each other in side-by-side relation to form spaced pleats. A plurality of grommets is provided. Each of the grommets is situated in the opening in a different one of the pleats. The grommets are aligned to receive the rod.

1 . A window treatment comprising a panel having a pleat situated proximate the top thereof, said pleat being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation and a grommet extending through an opening in said first and second folded portions.  
     
     
         2 . The window treatment of  claim 1  further comprising means for joining said first and second folded portions of said pleat to each other.  
     
     
         3 . The window treatment of  claim 2  wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.  
     
     
         4 . The window treatment of  claim 2  wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.  
     
     
         5 . The window treatment of  claim 2  wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.  
     
     
         6 . A window treatment comprising a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats situated proximate the top thereof, each of said pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets extending through an opening in a different one of said pleats.  
     
     
         7 . The window treatment of  claim 6  further comprising means for joining each of said first and second folded panel portions of each of said pleats to each other.  
     
     
         8 . The window treatment of  claim 7  wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.  
     
     
         9 . The window treatment of  claim 7  wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.  
     
     
         10 . The window treatment of  claim 7  wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.  
     
     
         11 . In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a plurality of spaced pleats proximate the top thereof, each of said pleats being formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets being situated in an opening in a different one of said pleats, such that said grommets align to receive said rod.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11  further comprising means for joining each of said first and second portions of each of said pleats to each other.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said joining means comprises a stitch line.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said joining means comprises substantially perpendicular stitch lines.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said joining means comprises said grommet.  
     
     
         16 . In combination, a window treatment and a rod for supporting the window treatment, said window treatment comprising a panel having a top section comprising a plurality of spaced pleats and a non-pleated portion, and a plurality of grommets, each of said grommets being situated in an opening in a different one of said pleats, wherein said non-pleated portion of said top section of said panel is entirely situated on one side of said rod, when said grommets are aligned to receive said rod.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said pleats are situated in substantially spaced, parallel planes, when said panel is extended along said rod.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said top section is situated in a plane substantially parallel to said rod, when said panel is extended along said rod.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein each of said pleats is formed of first and second portions of said panel folded into side-by-side relation.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19  further comprising means for joining said first and second folded portions in each of said pleats to each other.  
     
     
         21 . A window treatment comprising a panel having a top section comprising first and second spaced pleats and a non-pleated portion, and first and second grommets extending through openings in each of said pleats, respectively, wherein said non-pleated portion is situated on one side of said grommets, when said grommets are aligned and spaced from each other.  
     
     
         22 . The window treatment of  claim 21  wherein each of said pleats is formed by first and second portions of the panel folded into side-by-side relation.  
     
     
         23 . The window treatment of  claim 22  further comprising means for joining said first and second portions of each of said pleats to each other.