Double window shade assembly with independent shade movement

Abstract

A window shade assembly is provided that includes a pair of independently movable shades, which are located in a front-to-back relationship. The front shade is made of a substantially translucent or light passing material while the back shade is made of a substantially opaque or light blocking material. The user of the window shade assembly is able to adjust one or both of the front and back shades to control where outside light is able to pass through the assembly including the amount of outside light that passes through the front shade or passes directly into the room without passing through the front shade.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A window shade assembly adapted to be used with a window frame having a first end and second end, comprising: a first .[.pleated.]. shade;   first means for moving said first .[.pleated.]. shade;   a second .[.pleated.]. shade independently movable relative to said first pleated shade, said first and second .[.pleated.]. shades being positioned in a front-to-back relationship;   second means for moving said second .[.pleated.]. shade;   first header beam means connected to said first .[.pleated.]. shade and movable relative to the window frame with said first .[.pleated.]. shade; and   second header beam means connected to said second .[.pleated.]. shade and movable relative to the window frame with said second .[.pleated.]. shade;   wherein said first header beam means has a width greater than the width of said second header beam means and is detached therefrom, with said second header beam means being movable relative to said first header beam means but, when said first header beam means is moved in a substantially vertical direction, said second header beam means is adapted to be contacted by portions of said first header beam means so that said first header beam means and said second header beam means are able to move vertically together using said first header beam means movement.   
     
     
       2. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first .[.pleated.]. shade is substantially comprised of a light-passing material and said second .[.pleated.]. shade is substantially comprised of a light-blocking material.   
     
     
       3. An assembly, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said light-blocking material prevents the passage of at least about 50% of the light incident thereon.   
     
     
       4. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first means for moving includes cord means for moving said first .[.pleated.]. shade, wherein said first .[.pleated.]. shade includes a number of pleated panels and in which said cord means is disposed through said pleated panels in an off-center position.   
     
     
       5. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said second means for moving includes cord means and means for locking said cord means to prevent unwanted movement of said cord means.   
     
     
       6. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said cord means includes a free end adapted to be moved to enable said cord means and said second .[.pleated.]. shade to be moved.   
     
     
       7. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said second header beam means includes a first header beam adapted to be moved between the first end and the second end of the window frame and wherein said first header beam is located adjacent to the first end of the window frame when said second .[.pleated.]. shade is in a substantially unfolded state.   
     
     
       8. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said second header beam means includes a second header beam adapted to be moved between the first end and the second end of the window frame and wherein said second header beam is located adjacent to the second end of the window frame when said second .[.pleated.]. shade is in a substantially unfolded state.   
     
     
       9. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said second header beam means includes a first header beam and a second header beam with said first and second header beams adapted to be moved between the first and second ends of the window frame, said first header beam is located more adjacent to the first end of the window frame than is the second header beam and said second header beam is located more adjacent the second end of the window frame than is said first header beam.   
     
     
       10. A window shade assembly adapted to be used with a window frame having a first end and a second end, comprising: a first .[.pleated.]. shade;   first means for moving said first .[.pleated.]. shade;   a second .[.pleated.]. shade independently movable relative to said first .[.pleated.]. shade, said first and second .[.pleated.]. shades being positioned in a front-to-back relationship;   second means for moving said second .[.pleated.]. shade;   first header beam means connected to said first .[.pleated.]. shade and movable relative to the window frame with said first .[.pleated.]. shade; and   second header beam means connected to said second .[.pleated.]. shade and movable relative to the window frame with said second .[.pleated.]. shade;   wherein said first header beam means has a width greater than the width of said second header beam means and is detachable therefrom, with said second header beam means being movable relative to said first header beam means and in which said second means for moving includes portions connected to said first header beam means for aligning and guiding said second .[.pleated.]. shade during movement of said second .[.pleated.]. shade. .Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first shade is pleated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A window shade assembly adapted to be used with a window frame and including a front side and a back side comprising:   a first shade having a width;   a second shade having a width and being independently movable relative to said first shade, said first and second shades being positioned in a front-to-back relationship;   header beam means connected to said first shade, said header beam means including a front side and a first end, said header beam means having a length and a width with said length being greater than said width and said length extending along said widths of said first and second shades;   first means for moving said first shade substantially vertically, said first means being positioned to be operated from the front side of the window shade assembly, said first means including at least a first cord and a second cord; and   second means for moving said second shade substantially vertically, said second means being positioned to be operated from the front side of the window shade assembly, said second means including at least a third cord and a fourth cord;   wherein each of said first and second cords has a cord length that extends firstly from said first shade in a direction greater along said length than said width of said header beam means and then secondly in a direction greater along said width than said length of said header beam means and each of said third and fourth cords has a length that firstly extends in a direction greater along said length than said width of said header beam means from said second shade and then secondly in a direction greater along said width than said length of said header beam means, said first cord length extending along said length of said header beam means relatively more adjacent to said front side of said header beam means than does said third cord length and in which substantially all of said third and fourth cord lengths are disposed outwardly in said header beam means relative to said first and second cord lengths whereby substantially no contact is made among said third and fourth cord lengths and said first and second cord lengths, with portions of said third and fourth cord lengths extending toward said front side of said header beam means being more adjacent to said first end of said header beam means than are   
     
     
        portions of said first and second cord lengths. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  An assembly, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: each of said first, second, third and fourth cords exits said header beam means adjacent said first end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. An assembly, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:   said first and second cords are operatively connected to said first shade and said third and fourth cords are operatively connected to said second shade and said second shade is in back of said first shade. .Iaddend.