SM Acoustical flat & S panel system
The present invention is unique, novel and proprietary flat panel system, known as the SM Acoustical Flat & S Panel System (“AFSP System”) which provides a series of parts, hardware and fabrics to be used as either a room divider system or as a window treatment system, to achieve the specific results of the consumer. The present invention, and system as a whole, contains the following core categorical pieces of hardware, all of which are customizable to the specific needs and desires of the consumer: (a) a track mounting system, of which profile can be felt or wood, or any shape desired, which can be surface mounted (wall or ceiling), recessed, drop ceiling suspended, free-hanging (tension), or mounted by way of suspension (suspension rods); (b) a customizable track designed to fit with specialty gliders; (c) a customizable carrier further designed to fit with those specialty gliders; (d) fully customizable panels, made up of either solid material or soft fabric, fastened together using double sided sticking tape, self-fastening material or screen clamps, with such solid material or soft fabrics ranging from 12 mm thick to 1 mm thick; (e) a fully customizable system that is held into place by tension, floor mounted, gravity weighted or free-standing product, and (f) that such fully customizable system has a preferred stackable pattern which not only ensures a clean finished look, but also safely secures the product in a collapsed position. The objectives of this invention is to provide the industry with a new and novel system and product, to be used as a window treatment or room divider, of which looks to reconcile the aesthetic and utility properties for the customer, but also the ease of installation and functionality for the technician. In the end, the present invention, the AFSP System, as used in the area of window treatments or room dividers, is expected to result in reduction in costs, faster and easier installs, faster repairs, stronger connections, greater fluidity and functionality of the product, reduced claims of damage, and greater durability going forward.
The current invention can be summarized as a unique, novel and proprietary flat panel system, known as the SM Acoustical Flat & S Panel System (“AFSP System”) which provides a series of parts, hardware and fabrics/material to be used in a variety of ways, to achieve the specific results of the consumer. The system contains the following core categorical pieces of hardware, all of which are customizable to the specific needs and desires of the consumer: (a) a track mounting system, of which profile can be felt or wood, or any material desired, which can be surface mounted (wall or ceiling), recessed, drop ceiling suspended, free-hanging (tension), or mounted by way of suspension (suspension rods); (b) a customizable track designed to fit with specialty gliders; (c) a customizable carrier further designed to fit with those specialty gliders; (d) fully customizable panels, made up of either solid material or soft fabric, fastened together using double sided sticking tape, self-fastening material, staples, or screen clamps, with such solid material or soft fabrics ranging from 12 mm thick to 0.1 mm thick; (e) a fully customizable system that is held into place by tension, floor mounted, gravity weighted or free-hanging product, and (f) that such fully customizable system has a preferred stackable pattern which not only ensures a clean finished look, but also safely secures the product in a collapsed position.
This invention was borne after observing a variety of industry problems, including but not limited to (a) difficulty of installation, specifically concerning the fabrics; (b) delays due to logistical errors in custom build products; (c) increased control for the user over the spatial distance between the mounted surface and the product, to control the amount of lighting, air, or transparency in a space; (d) issues concerning installation surface, for when surface is not level or contains other problems hindering proper installation; (e) issues concerning material shortages; (f) the strength and durability of current systems, which are problematic; (g) the inability to carefully balance the desires for aesthetics with functionality and durability; (h) the consistent issues of goods being damaged in transport due to fragile build and unique designs; and (i) the ability to currently repair, replace or modify existing systems, on site, which is impossible to do since they are installed as a functional whole, and not in limited parts that can be disconnected and addressed.
A description of the drawings are as followed:
Continuing to move down the contemplated invention/system, the following images show how the panel material, whether it be fabric or solid, is attached. As stated above, the solid panel material sizes are between 12 mm to 2 mm in thickness. The contemplated invention/system utilizes a fastening method of either self-fasteners or double stick tape.
The images that follow show the variety of ways the panels can be stacked. In other words, when the user desires to close the system, to otherwise open up the area it is designed to separate, how will those panels collapse.
Continuing to move down the structure of the Invention, the following images present to the user the options available for stability and functionality of the Invention.
Using a standard flat panel to show how the system is secured in place, in
Special attention is made in
This utility patent introduces the unique and novel SM Acoustical Flat & S Panel System (“AFSP System”). This system was designed to create a truly unique, personable and customizable product, in the area of window treatment and spatial dividers. This unique and novel AFSP System was pursued originally after technical frustration over the installation of room dividers, and window treatment products.
In the realm of window treatments, visual presentation is key, and this often results in end users desiring very specific visual specifications. While visual presentation is typically paramount in recent times, usability for the end user is also important because once the usability function begins to degrade overtime, the visual presentation suffers, as the user is required to tug on the product, aggressively move and disturb the product, and it simply just becomes worse over time.
In the realm of spatial dividers, there simply is no product out there right now that can meet the market demands of visual presentability, customization, and specific user interest. Every single end user, purchaser, of a Spatial divider has a unique need or desire that is different from the next. While all purchasers desire a beautifully aesthetic product, and all purchasers desire a product that is easy to use, some customers desire products with more sound proofing, some with less, some customers desire products with greater breathability, others desire a more tight and concealed design. During the age of COVID, this becomes increasingly important as room, or spatial dividers not only serve an aesthetic function, but it also can contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the users in the environment.
The contemplated invention looks to cure all these issues, and by utilizing our propriety AFSP System and design, which creates a preferred environment for this particular system, this will achieve that goal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAs discussed in the summary, the current invention can be summarized as a unique, novel and proprietary flat panel system, known as the SM Acoustical Flat & S Panel System (“AFSP System”) which provides a series of parts, hardware and fabrics to be used in a variety of ways, that provide the customer with a fully customizable, safe, secure, long lasting, durable and functional product, to serve as a room divider or window treatment product.
As indicated, the AFSP System, while it has many unique elements based on what the end user desires, the entire system as a whole contains the following core categorical pieces of hardware (a) a track mounting system, of which profile can be felt or wood, or desired material, which can be surface mounted (wall or ceiling), recessed, drop ceiling suspended, free-hanging (tension), or mounted by way of suspension (suspension rods); (b) a customizable track designed to fit with specialty gliders; (c) a customizable carrier further designed to fit with those specialty gliders; (d) fully customizable panels, made up of either solid material or soft fabric, fastened together using, staples, double sided sticking tape, self-fastening material or screen clamps, with such solid material or soft fabrics ranging from, all different sizes including but not limited to, 12 mm thick to 0.1 mm thick; (e) a fully customizable system that is held into place by tension, floor mounted, gravity weighted or free-standing product, and (f) that such fully customizable system has a preferred stackable pattern which not only ensures a clean finished look, but also safely secures the product in a collapsed position.
Going into greater detail, as we walk through each category of products, it begins with what the end user desires to use the system for. We start with the hardware. Starting from the top of the AFSP System to the bottom, we begin with how the track is mounted. The top track could be mounted in a recessed fashion, as shown in
Note that depending on the amount of panels, width of the location of the area for installation, and particular end result desires, the user will have the option to install different track profiles using the AFSP System.
Once the desire mounting location is selected, the next critical elements will be the gliders, See
The material, which can be either fabric or solid, which can be all different sizes including but not limited to, 0.1 mm to 12 mm in thickness is then placed into the carriers, and connected with either self-fasteners (PFS60V), screw clamps (PFS60T), or double sided stick tape (PFS60D). End caps are placed on the material, to give it a finished look.
A critical stylistic decision to make by the user is how the panels will stack. For those instances in which the user desires to open the location, to create more space, and simply to create more room, they will have the option to stack the panels to their particular preference. Aside from just the aesthetic look, the user will also have to consider things like the amount of space they have for stacking, or the amount of acoustical sound they desire to remain in the area, as the panels have certain sound blocking qualities, or even the amount of fresh air they want to let in the room, which is affected by the type of, and location of, the stack as placed. The AFSP System offers 4 possible stacking methods which the user can customize to their desires by selecting one of the multiple stacking options provided.
You can see in
There are instances where the user has no desire to stack, and in one option, we offer a “Column Style,” see
Once the panel material or fabric is selected, the desired stacking is selected, we now determine how the user wants to secure the system in place. Using a standard flat panel to show how the system is secured in place, in
The Locke System
While part of the patent overall, the Locke System is truly a unique system desired with the installer in mind.
The Locke System utilizes a “tension cable” to not only permanently fit the panels properly, but the tension also serves to “self-correct” the panels, in the event they are physically disturbed from their installation. In other words, the Locke System uses tension reducing technology to alleviate many user concerns, such as fabric stretching. This allows for a larger variety of materials to be used and improves the longevity of the material and overall system.
The Suspension System
In the adjustable tension wire anchor,
When wanting The Shuttle to be suspended like The Column you can marry the 2 tracks using the method as seen in
The Locke Frame Bracket
In the Locke Frame Brackets in
Desired Improvements Necessitating the Invention.
The present invention, the AFSP System, was designed and created to address a variety of industry wide problems that we have discovered over the years. As far as problems and the proposed solutions by way of this invention, they are as followed:
Problem 1. Installation. Current installation of systems are difficult as they require the fabrics/material to be pre-sewn with self-fastener or pockets in order for them to attach to the carriers. This causes an extensive labor charge in addition to time delays due to the logistics of coordinating said labor.
Our Solution: The Shuttle, The Column and Gemini system options of our panel system all offer the special PFB carrier options allowing you to mount the fabric without having to sew pockets or self-fasteners. As the manufacturer, or technician, you can order an entire roll of fabric, cut it to the desired size, you can fasten it in any method mentioned above (double stick tape, self fasteners, blades, staples or screw clamps) and mount any panel in minutes as opposed to the entire day of labor and logistic issues.
Problem No. 2. Mounting. Current tracks use swivel clamps forcing unforgivingly precise measures to me made, in order to ensure that such clamps are a specified space away from the wall to ensure that the swivel clamp has clearance.
Our Solution. The AFSP System is designed with a flat back and a guide for drilling directly through the track profile.
Problem No. 3. Adjustability. When mounting the panels there are issues with the ceiling height not being consistent. These issues are often discovered after the expense and logistics of fabrication is completed. With the current set up they would need to be re-fabricated to adjust the height accordingly.
Our Solution: Since the design allows for the fabric to be cut and shortened on-site, as the unfinished bottom and top of the fabric is fully concealed inside of the carrier, this resolves the need for additional delays on installations.
Problem 4. Material Compatibility. Carriers limit your use of material without the labor of modifying the material off site in order for it to be compatible with the carriers.
Our Solution: The design allows for the material to be mounted on site to the carrier without the need to do additional off-site work to the material for compatibility.
Problem 5. Material Contortion. Generally, the material being used has to be strong enough to hold a bottom weight bar and/or it's own weight throughout the material. This can become a problem with a more flexible or stretchy material.
Our Solution: The Locke solution by using either the Locke wire or the rod support takes the weight of the system off of the fabric. This allows for a much larger range of material that can now be used.
Problem 6. Stability. When mounting a panel of material the material being operated can cause it to fall off a self-fastener face attachment. The way people have tried to correct this is by adding screws and/or glue which is not aesthetically pleasing and/or not practical. Additionally even with the glue and/or screws the material can crease or get damage by having unnecessary strain on specific touch points and still come undone.
Our Solution: The material is mounted inside a channel surrounded by a sturdy profile. This allows for the material to be evenly supported throughout the carrier reducing creasing or damage to the material by having unnecessary strain on specific touch points of the carrier and material.
Problem 7. Repairs. If the material is damaged the constant removal of material from carriers can reduce the effect of the adhesive whether it be double stick tape or self-fastener which are generally clamped into the carriers. Once the adhesive effect diminishes, a new carrier must be ordered to replace it in addition to new material. When replacing the carriers the entire system must be taken down.
Our Solution: Since the material can be adapted to the carrier the carrier can have new material put in easily. The self-fastener or double stick tape strips offered allow you to easily replace the fabric and rather than the expense of a whole new carrier you simply replace the strips when/if needed. Additionally due to our round glider technology in addition to the easy clip on clip off connection the carriers can easily be removed and or put up without the need to take down the entire system.
Problem 8. Damage in transport. The carrier is shipped pre-attached to the track which it traverses on leaving room for the carriers to break in transport.
Our Solution: Since our carriers have an easy click on click off mechanism this allows the carriers to ship detached from the track profile reducing the chances of damage occurring on the track.
Problem 9. Partial installation. When installing into a partial construction zone The carrier is shipped and mounted pre-attached to the track which it traverses on. This can allow for unnecessary damage to occur during install.
Our Solution: Since our carriers have an easy click on click off mechanism this allows the carriers to ship separately from the track profile. By taking advantage of this reducing the chances of damage occurring on the track.
Claims
1. A device, system and invention comprised of a (a) a track, which is mounted by way of surface mount, recessed, drop ceiling suspension, free-hanging, tension, or suspension rods; (b) customizable and unique gliders; (c) a customizable carrier designed to serve as a carriage for the gliders; (d) a panel system made using any type of solid, soft or textile fabric, (e) attached using a specific fastener, and (f) which may be held in place using weight for gravitational pull, floor mount, free-standing, or tension wires.
2. The track as set forth in claim 1 may be manufactured out of aluminum, brass, copper, steel, iron, plastic, acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or plyvinyl chloride (“PVC”).
3. The track as set forth in claim 1 may have a valance or other coverage over the face for surface mount applications made from wood, felt or other textile fabric.
4. The suspension rods as set forth in claim 1 may be manufactured out of aluminum, brass, copper, steel, iron, plastic, acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC.
5. The gliders as set forth in claim 1 may be manufactured out of aluminum, brass, copper, steel, iron, plastic, acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or plyvinyl chloride PVC.
6. The panels as set forth in claim 1 may be constructed out of a solid materials, such as wood, fabric, plexiglass, framed canvas, pleated fabric, mirrors, PVC, plastic, other acrylic, or any other solid materials.
7. The panels as set forth in claim 1 may be constructed out of any variety of fabric textile materials, such as canvas, linen, cashmere, chenille, chiffon, cotton, silk, wool, damask, lace, leather, modal, organza, satin, suede, velvet, rayon, or similar textile products.
8. The panels as set forth in claim 1, whether they are comprised of solid materials or fabric, the panels may be attached to the carrier by way of self-fastener, screw clamp or double sided stick tape.
9. The carrier as set forth in claim 1 may be manufactured out of aluminum, brass, copper, steel, iron, plastic, acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC.
10. The panels as set forth in claims 1, 6 and 8 may have an apparatus attached at the bottom of the panel to hold it in place, of which such apparatus may be a standard weight for gravitational pull, floor mount, inverted suspension rods, free-standing, or tension wires.
11. The panels as set forth in claims 1, 6 and 8 may be designed to enable a stackable pattern, one of which is identified as a Shuttle, Gemini, Column or S-Curtain, according to the invention herein.
12. The device, system and invention as set forth in claims 1 through 11 may also be installed and constructed using a tension wire system, in which the user has the ability to use the install the system and enable the mechanical features as specified in claim 1 through claim 11 using tension wires, as specified in the invention.
13. Specifically, the device, system and invention as set forth in claims 1 through 11, to be attached to either a headrail, or alternative, a vertically running track, perpendicular to the headrail, designed for room dividers or window treatments, whether motorized or non-motorized;
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2020
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2022
Inventor: Jonathan Locke (Bronx, NY)
Application Number: 16/974,153