Flat-shippable cornice or valance system

Abstract

A simplified and light-weight cornice or valance system that can be manufactured along with a window covering in colors and patterns to match, shipped flat, and easily installed with the window covering is disclosed. The cornice or valance system may include a single-piece core with a foldable region near each end, the foldable regions defining a central non-foldable region and an end return non-foldable region at each end of the central non-foldable region; and an angle bracket for coupling to each side of a selected foldable region to retain a desired angle between the central non-foldable region and the respective end return non-foldable region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cornice or valance system for use with or over a window treatment, the system comprising:
 a single-piece core with a foldable region near each end, the foldable regions defining a central non-foldable region and an end return non-foldable region at each end of the central non-foldable region;   a slot, associated with the single-piece core, to each side of each foldable region; and   an angle bracket for inserting into the slots to each side of a selected foldable region to retain a desired angle between the central non-foldable region and the respective end return non-foldable region.   
     
     
         2 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired angle is substantially 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the single-piece core is comprised of a sheet material with outer skins and a less substantial inner structure. 
     
     
         4 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 3 , wherein the sheet material includes a fluted polymer or a corrugated polymer. 
     
     
         5 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the core is covered with a fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 6 , wherein a pattern of the fabric matches a pattern of an associated window covering material of the window treatment. 
     
     
         7 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 6 , wherein the fabric is printed to order with a unique, buyer-specified pattern or color. 
     
     
         8 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot is provided by an assembly system attached to the single-piece core. 
     
     
         9 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 8 , wherein the assembly system receives a mounting bracket for attaching the single-piece core to a fixed support. 
     
     
         10 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 9 , wherein the mounting bracket engages a window treatment headrail. 
     
     
         11 . A cornice or valance system for use with or over a window treatment, the system comprising:
 a single-piece core with a pair of foldable regions near each end, the foldable regions defining a central region and two return regions;   an assembly system having a first piece coupled to each return region and a second piece coupled to the central region, each piece including a first, coupling portion for coupling to the single-piece core and a slot portion; and   an angle bracket for engaging adjacent slot portions of one of the return regions and the central region to retain a desired angle between the central region and the respective return region.   
     
     
         12 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the desired angle is substantially 90 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the single-piece core is comprised of a sheet material with outer skins and a less substantial inner structure. 
     
     
         14 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 13 , wherein the sheet material includes a fluted polymer or a corrugated polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the single-piece core is covered with a fabric. 
     
     
         16 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 14 , wherein a pattern on the fabric matches a pattern of an associated window covering material of the window treatment. 
     
     
         17 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is printed to order with a unique, buyer-specified pattern or color. 
     
     
         18 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first coupling portion receives a mounting bracket for attaching to a fixed support. 
     
     
         19 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 18 , wherein the mounting bracket engages a window treatment headrail. 
     
     
         20 . A method of creating a cornice or valance system for use with or over a window treatment, the method comprising:
 forming a pair of foldable regions near each end of a single-piece core, the foldable regions defining a central region and two return regions, the single-piece core includes one of a pattern and a fabric covering having a pattern;   coupling a first piece of an assembly system to each return region and coupling a second piece of an assembly system to the central region, each piece including a first, coupling portion for coupling to the single-piece core and a slot portion; and   providing for later assembly at least one angle bracket for engaging adjacent slot portions of one of the return regions and the central region to retain a desired angle between the central region and the respective return region.   
     
     
         21 . A cornice or valance system for use with or over a window treatment, the system comprising:
 a single-piece core with a foldable region near each end, the foldable regions defining a central non-foldable region and an end return non-foldable region at each end of the central non-foldable region; and   an angle bracket for coupling to each side of a selected foldable region to retain a desired angle between the central non-foldable region and the respective end return non-foldable region.   
     
     
         22 . A cornice of valance system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a slot, associated with the single-piece core, to each side of each foldable region, wherein the angle bracket is inserted into the slots to couple the angle bracket to each side of the selected foldable region. 
     
     
         23 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 22 , wherein the slot is provided by an assembly system attached to the single-piece core. 
     
     
         24 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 23 , wherein the assembly system receives a mounting bracket for attaching the single-piece core to a fixed support. 
     
     
         25 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 21 , wherein the desired angle is substantially 90 degrees. 
     
     
         26 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 21 , wherein the single piece core is comprised of a sheet material with outer skins and a less substantial inner structure. 
     
     
         27 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 26 , wherein the sheet material includes a fluted polymer or a corrugated polymer. 
     
     
         28 . A cornice or valance system according to  claim 21 , wherein the single-piece core is covered with a fabric having a pattern that matches a pattern of an associated window covering material of the window treatment.