US 4,428,454 A · Acoustical panel construction

Abstract

An acoustical panel construction which, in its preferred form, comprises a preformed body portion or shell, the outwardly extending edges of which are formed of thin, but dense, acoustical material. The density, thickness and configuration of the edges provides the necessary rigidity and structural strength to enable a panel formed from the body portion or shell to be properly edge supported on, and conform to, a grid system. The body portion or shell advantageously is formed with a central area of acoustical material which is thicker, but less dense than the edge areas, to enhance the acoustical properties of the finished panel. The body portion or shell is adapted to receive a sheet or layer of an acoustical material having a preselected density and thickness such that the finished panel will be able to meet the sound absorption and resistance to fire, among other demands, of the environment in which the panel is installed. The sheet or layer of acoustical material desirably is bonded to the acoustical material comprising the central area of the shell, and advantageously is provided with a metallic film or foil backing. The exposed surface of the shell has a facing material adhered thereto which imparts both decorative and added functional features to the finished panel. Septa may be incorporated in the panel construction to improve the acoustical properties of the panel, and to inhibit the passage of dirt-laden air through the panel.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An acoustical panel construction adapted to be edge supported as a unit on a grid system, comprising:

a preformed body portion which defines the exposed surface area of the panel, said body portion being formed of an acoustical material having a preselected density and thickness and having a facing material on the outer surface thereof for enhancing the rigidity, dimensional stability and structural strength of the body portion, a layer of an acoustical material having a preselected density and thickness carried on the body portion, the density and thickness of said layer being such as to enable it to be carried on the body portion without causing the body portion to sag or warp and to provide in cooperation with the acoustical material of the body portion sufficient sound absorption capabilities to the panel to meet the predetermined acoustical demands of substantially any room in which the panel is installed, and distinctly defined edge portions integrally joined to the margins of the panel, said edge portions extending laterally outwardly along the margins of the panel and being defined by the side margins of the body portion and said layer of acoustical material, said side margins, having a preselected density and thickness such that when the edge portions are positioned on the horizontal panel supporting surface of a rail, or the like, of a grid system they will by themselves have sufficient structural strength to support the panel as a unit on a grid system without sagging or warping of the panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Acoustical panel construction

Life of this patent

Acoustical panel construction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13