# US 5,701,940 A · Cellular shade > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,940 A - Document ID: US5701940A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/509,910 - Filed: 1995-08-01 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1994-03-10 - Assignees: Cooper Industries, Inc. - Inventors: James Arthur Ford; Don Lee Bertva; James Murrell Kennedy; Ronald Lynn Presdorf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701940A ## CPC - E06B 9/262: with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds {, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens} - E06B 9/323: Structure or support of upper box - E06B 9/388: Details of bottom or upper slats or their attachment - E06B 2009/2625: {Pleated screens, e.g. concertina- or accordion-like} - E06B 2009/2627: {Cellular screens, e.g. box or honeycomb-like} - Y10T 156/1003: by separating laminae between spaced secured areas [e.g., honeycomb expanding] - Y10T 428/24165: Hexagonally shaped cavities - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A cellular pleated shade material is provided for cellular pleated shades. Each pleat thereof is formed from a single strip of shade material which is folded longitudinally in half, and the edges thereof are glued together to form a fin. The side of one cell is affixed to the side of the next adjacent cell adjacent the centerline of the sides. The ratio of cell height to cell width may be varied, without affecting the overall aesthetic presentation of the shade, by varying the size of the fin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cellular pleated shade member having a plurality of cells, at least one of the cells comprising: a strip of shade material folded lengthwise to form an upper cell wall and a lower cell wall extending from a fold, each upper and lower cell wall having a free edge and a folded edge merging with the adjacent wall of the strip at said fold; said upper cell wall and lower cell wall of said strip connected adjacent their respective free edges and forming a fin at said connection; wherein said upper cell wall is attached to a lower cell wall of a first adjacent cell at an upper interconnection zone, said upper interconnection zone being located on said upper cell wall between said fin and said fold; and wherein said lower cell wall is attached to an upper cell wall of a second adjacent cell at a lower interconnection zone, said lower interconnection zone being located on said lower cell wall between said fin and said fold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade according to claim 1, wherein said upper cell wall includes a centerline midway between said free edges and said fold and said upper cell wall is attached to said first adjacent cell along said centerline. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade according to claim 1, wherein said upper cell wall includes a centerline midway between said free edges and said fold and said upper cell wall is attached to said first adjacent cell between said centerline and said fold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade according to claim 1, wherein said upper cell wall includes a centerline midway between said free edges and said fold and said upper cell wall is attached to said first adjacent cell between said centerline and said fin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade of claim 1, wherein said upper interconnection zone has two side terminations, said side terminations being on opposite sides of said longitudinal centerline of said upper cell wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade of claim 1, wherein said free edges of said upper cell wall and lower cell wall are connected by sonic welding. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cellular pleated shade of claim 1, wherein said free edges of said upper cell wall and lower cell wall are connected by an adhesive glue. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The cellular pleated shade of claim 5, further comprising: a pullcord disposed through said plurality of cells and through said upper and lower interconnection zones. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The cellular pleated shade of claim 2, wherein said lower cell wall is attached to said second adjacent cell by means a glue bead. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The cellular pleated shade of claim 2, wherein said lower cell wall is attached to said second adjacent cell by means of an adhesive strip. ### Claim 11 A cellular shade, having a plurality of interconnected fabric cells for covering a window, at least one of the cells comprising: a strip of nonwoven fabric shade material folded at a tip to form an upper cell wall and a lower cell wall, said upper cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge and said lower cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge; a fin, wherein said fin is formed by joining a portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall with a portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall; means for attaching said upper cell wall of said cell to a lower cell wall of a first adjacent cell; and means for attaching said lower cell wall of said cell to an upper cell wall of a second adjacent cell. ### Claim 12 A cellular shade for covering a window, said shade comprising: a plurality of interconnected fabric cells, wherein each cell has: a front side and a rear side; a crease forming a tip on said front side; an upper cell wall extending from said crease and having a rear edge, said upper cell wall having a longitudinal centerline equidistant along said upper cell wall from said crease and from said rear edge of said upper cell wall; a lower cell wall extending from said crease and having a rear edge, said lower cell wall and said upper cell wall being substantially equal in length; a fin on said rear side, wherein said fin is formed by joining a portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall with a portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall; and material located on at least one of said upper cell wall and said lower cell wall for attaching said each cell of said plurality of cells to an adjacent cell of said plurality of cells; wherein substantially all cells of said plurality of cells have for each cell an interconnection zone on said upper cell wall, said interconnection zone defined by said material when said material is located on said upper cell wall; and wherein said interconnection zone has an interconnection centerline. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cellular shade of claim 12, wherein the location of said interconnection centerline is forward of said longitudinal centerline. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cellular shade of claim 13, wherein said material is a high temperature, hot-melt thermo plastic polyester UV-stabilized adhesive. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The cellular shade of claim 13, wherein said material is an adhesive strip. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The cellular shade of claim 13, wherein the fabric of said interconnected fabric cells is a nonwoven fabric. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The cellular shade of claim 13, wherein the fabric of said interconnected fabric cells is polyester. ### Claim 18 A cellular shade for covering a window, said shade comprising: a plurality of interconnected fabric cells, wherein substantially all cells within said plurality of cells have for each cell: a from side and a rear side; a crease forming a tip on said front side; an upper cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said upper cell wall having an upper surface and an interior surface and having a longitudinal centerline equidistant along said upper cell wall from said tip and from said rear edge of said upper cell wall; a lower cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said lower cell wall having a lower surface and an interior surface, said lower cell wall and said upper cell wall being substantially equal in length; a fin on said rear side, wherein said fin is formed by joining a portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall with a portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall; an adhesive on said upper cell wall, said adhesive for connecting said each cell to an adjacent cell of said plurality of cells; and an interconnection zone defined by said adhesive, wherein said interconnection zone has an interconnection centerline and said interconnection centerline is forward of said longitudinal centerline; wherein when said cellular shade is extended, a portion of the interior surface of said upper cell wall and a portion of the interior surface of said lower cell wall define a six-sided polygon, said six-sided polygon having an upper rear side, an upper middle side, an upper front side, a lower front side, a lower middle side, and a lower rear side; and wherein said fin, said upper middle side and said lower middle side are substantially in parallel arrangement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cellular shade of claim 18, wherein an interior angle defined by said upper front side and said lower front side is approximately equal to an interior angle defined by said upper rear side and said lower rear side. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The cellular shade of claim 19, wherein said adhesive includes a plurality of glue beads. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The cellular shade of claim 20, wherein said glue beads extend longitudinally along said upper surface of said upper cell wall of said cell. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The cellular shade of claim 21, wherein said portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall is joined with said portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall by glue. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The cellular shade of claim 21, wherein said portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall is joined with said portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall by an adhesive strip. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The cellular shade of claim 21, wherein said portion of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall is joined with said portion of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall by sonic welding. ### Claim 25 A cellular shade for covering a window, said shade comprising: a plurality of interconnected fabric cells, wherein each cell within said plurality of cells is comprised of a nonwoven fabric and has: a front side and a rear side; a crease forming a tip on said front side; an upper cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said upper cell wall having an upper surface and an interior surface and having a longitudinal centerline equidistant along said upper cell wall from said tip and from said rear edge of said upper cell wall; a lower cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said lower cell wall having a lower surface and an interior surface, said lower cell wall and said upper cell wall being substantially equal in length; and a fin on said rear side, wherein said fin is formed by joining a first portion of said interior surface of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall with a first portion of said interior surface of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall; a high temperature adhesive on substantially all cells of said plurality of cells, said high temperature adhesive for connecting each cell of said substantially all cells to an adjacent cell of said plurality of cells; an upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly attached to an uppermost cell of said plurality of cells; a lower rail assembly, said lower rail assembly attached to a lowermost cell of said plurality of cells; and a pullcord, said pullcord for raising and lowering one of said upper and lower rail assembly in relation to the other of said upper and lower rail assembly. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The cellular shade of claim 25, wherein said high temperature adhesive extends longitudinally along said upper surface of said upper cell wall of said cell. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The cellular shade of claim 26, wherein said first portion of said interior surface of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall is joined with said first portion of said interior surface of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall by a high temperature adhesive. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The cellular shade of claim 27, wherein when said cellular shade is extended, a second portion of said interior surface of said upper cell wall and a second portion of said interior surface of said lower cell wall define a six-sided polygon, said six-sided polygon having an upper rear side, an upper middle side, an upper front side, a lower front side, a lower middle side, and a lower rear side. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The cellular shade of claim 28, wherein said fin, said upper middle side and said lower middle side are substantially in parallel arrangement. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The cellular shade of claim 28, wherein an interior angle defined by said upper front side and said lower front side is less than an interior angle defined by said upper rear side and said lower rear side. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The cellular shade of claim 28, wherein an interior angle defined by said upper front side and said lower front side is approximately equal to an interior angle defined by said upper rear side and said lower rear side. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The cellular shade of claim 29, wherein said upper middle side is approximately equal in length to said lower middle side. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The cellular shade of claim 32, wherein said high temperature adhesive on substantially all cells of said plurality of cells is on said upper surface of said upper cell wall of each cell of said substantially all cells and defines an interconnection zone for each cell of said substantially all cells, said interconnection zone having an interconnection centerline, and wherein said interconnection centerline is located forward of said longitudinal centerline on said upper surface. ### Claim 34 A cellular shade for covering a window, said shade comprising: a plurality of interconnected nonwoven fabric cells, wherein substantially all cells within said plurality of cells have for each cell: a front side and a rear side; a crease forming a tip on said front side; an upper cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said upper cell wall having an upper surface and an interior surface and having a longitudinal centerline equidistant along said upper cell wall from said tip and from said rear edge of said upper cell wall; a lower cell wall extending from said tip and having a rear edge, said lower cell wall having a lower surface and an interior surface; a fin on said rear side, wherein said fin is formed by joining a first portion of said interior surface of said upper cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said upper cell wall with a first portion of said interior surface of said lower cell wall adjacent said rear edge of said lower cell wall; and an interconnection zone on said upper surface, said interconnection zone having an interconnection centerline; an adhesive on substantially all cells of said plurality of cells, said adhesive for connecting each cell of said substantially all cells to an adjacent cell of said plurality of cells, wherein said adhesive includes a first high temperature glue bead on said upper surface of said upper cell wall and a second high temperature glue bead on said upper surface of said upper cell wall, said first and said second high temperature glue beads being on opposite sides of said longitudinal center line of said upper cell wall, said first and said second high temperature glue beads extending longitudinally along said upper surface of said upper cell wall; an upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly attached to an uppermost cell of said plurality of cells; a lower rail assembly, said lower rail assembly attached to a lowermost cell of said plurality of cells; a pullcord, said pullcord for raising and lowering said one of said upper and lower rail assembly in relation to the other of said upper and lower rail assembly; wherein when said cellular shade is extended: a second portion of said interior surface of said upper cell wall and a second portion of said interior surface of said lower cell wall define a six-sided polygon, said six-sided polygon having an upper rear side, an upper middle side, an upper front side, a lower front side, a lower middle side, and a lower rear side; the length of said upper middle side and said lower middle side are of approximately equal lengths, the length of said upper middle side being less than the length of either of said upper rear side and said upper front side, and the length of said lower middle side being less than the length of either of said lower rear side and said lower front side; and said fin, said upper middle side and said lower middle side are in substantially parallel arrangement; and wherein said interconnection centerline is forward of said longitudinal centerline on said upper surface.