US 9,309,669 B2 · Acoustic panel, partition, and system

Abstract

The invention(s) disclosed herein include various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound (e.g., before it enters an area and/or a room). For example, some embodiments include a movable partition that is comprised of a plurality of panels that each hang from the ceiling, where the interface between two partitioned panels includes various gaskets, damping elements, and perforations that mitigate sound transmission from one side of the partition to the other. Other features of the partition (and panels that make up the partition) include upper and lower drops seals that in some embodiments have a labyrinth-like design and thus mitigate the flow of air between the partition and the ceiling/floor. Also, a membrane positioned inside the panel is disclosed that is especially effective at mitigating low frequency sound, for example.

A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including:

(i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes:
(a) a first panel body portion that includes:
(1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;
(2) a second end of the first panel;
and,
(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel;
(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;
and,
(c) a first panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;
(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes:
(a) a second panel body portion that includes:
(1) a first end of the second panel;
(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member;
and,
(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel;
(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion;
and,
(c) a second panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion;
(iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels;
(iv) a second gasket that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second gasket is connected to one of the two upper drop seals of the two panels;
(v) a third gasket that is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels;
(vi) a fourth gasket that is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels;
wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion, (d) the first panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (e) the second panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:
(vii) the first gasket is positioned such that the first portion of the first gasket is in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;
(viii) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage;
(ix) the second gasket is positioned such that the first portion of the second gasket is in an upper passage, wherein the upper passage is between the first panel upper drop seal and the second panel upper drop seal;
(x) the first portion of the second gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the upper passage;
(xi) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel;
(xii) the third gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
(xiii) the fourth gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
(xiv) the second portion of the first gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets;
(xv) the second portion of the second gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets;
and,
(xvi) there is a substantially airtight seal that at least partially includes the second portion of the first gasket, the second portion of the second gasket, the third gasket, the fourth gasket, the first panel member of the first panel, and the second panel member of the second panel, wherein the seal at least substantially impedes air from entering an area that is between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel.

31 more elements

Facts

Application

13/684,151Filed 21 Nov 2012 · us provisional application

Priority

19 Jul 2012

Published

US 2014/0137495 A122 May 2014

Granted

12 Apr 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

E04B 2/7403
Assembled using panels without a frame or supporting posts, with or without upper or lower edge locating rails: with special measures for sound or…
E04B 1/74
Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor: heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection ; Other…
E04B 1/82
Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection ; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g.…:…
E04B 1/8209
Specifically with respect to sound only: sound absorbing devices

Acoustic panel, partition, and system

Life of this patent

Acoustic panel, partition, and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33