With Exposed Configuration Having Acoustical Function Patents (Class 52/144)
  • Patent number: 5724783
    Abstract: A wall building panel apparatus includes a plurality of elongated panel frame members attached together to form a panel framework and having at least one stud attached between two panel frame members and having a panel side covering at least one side of the framework. A waste recycle aggregate material in a portland cement panel layer is formed in the panel to provide a prefabricated panel using waste recycle materials. A plurality of aggregate material and cement panel layers may be formed using recycled materials including used fiberglass insulation, recycled polystyrene, rubber tires, and old carpet material. The waste materials are converted to an aggregate through chopping, shredding, or with a hammer mill. A wall building process includes selecting waste recycling materials, such as used fiberglass insulation, used rubber tires, waste polystyrene, or waste carpet materials and converting the selected waste recycling materials into an aggregate material by chopping, shredding, or with a hammer mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Theodore O. Mandish
  • Patent number: 5715638
    Abstract: A fabric wall panel system which mounts wall panels by means of releasable hanger. The fabric wall panel system includes a wall panel and a hanger. The fabric wall panel comprises a frame and a flat filler insert. The frame comprises a plurality of linear frame members. Each frame member has a spine with an elongated opening, a side edge, and a front edge which together define a groove. The flat filler insert is fitted within the groove of each frame member. Fabric is stretched over the frame and insert and is bonded to the back of each frame member to complete the finished fabric wall panel. The hanger has a flat base and a perpendicularly extending tongue with an enlarged head. A number of hangers are affixed on the wall using an adhesive. The slit on the fabric wall panel is aligned with the tongue of hanger on the wall, and the fabric wall panel is affixed to the wall by pressing the slit over the tongue on the hanger. The fabric wall panels can be prefabricated or installed in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Andy Anderson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5713161
    Abstract: A noise-protection screen (1) provided with a number of sound-damping elements (2) and over the length of the noise-protection screen, spaced at a distance from each other with girders for the support of the elements, and a sound-damping element for a noise-protection screen. The noise-protection screen includes an air cavity (8) delimited at one side by the sound-damping elements (2) and at the other side by panel-like elements (9). At the side of the sound-damping elements the air cavity is preferably in contact with the surroundings by means of air openings, preferably in the form of air gaps running longitudinally along the noise-protection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Durisol Materials Limited
    Inventor: Arend Johan Veldhoen
  • Patent number: 5700527
    Abstract: A sound absorbing glass building component or transparent synthetic glass building component is provided with holes penetrating through it and is disposed at a distance from a surface, such as a wall, ceiling, window or door. The glass building component is formed as a panel having microperforated holes having a diameter of 0.1-2.0 mm, the holes being spaced 2-20 mm apart and the panel having a thickness of 0.2-30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Helmut Fuchs, Xuegin Zha
  • Patent number: 5678363
    Abstract: A sound barrier panel includes an acoustic layer that comprises chipped rubber and cord fiber from tires and a structural concrete layer bonded to the acoustic layer by a combination composite bond that includes both a mechanical portion and a chemical portion. The panel is formed in a special process that can define panels of various sizes, such as twelve feet by twenty-five feet in size. The panel has a high sound absorption capability and a high sound transmission loss, especially at low frequencies, and is extremely weather resistant and durable. The panel is also durable and cost effective and utilizes what otherwise would be potential hazardous waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Paul Ogorchock, Steve McCowin
  • Patent number: 5672228
    Abstract: Vibration-damping layers are stored as a continuous elongated strap in cod condition for supply to subsequently fabricated structural products. Such strap is formed from high modulus layer constrainment segments encapsulated within a viscoelastic material contributing to establishment of the vibration-damping property and flexure of the strap between the segments thereof to accommodate coiling during storage. The strap is uncoiled from its storage condition during a supply phase to a preselected surface of the fabricated structural product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Aleksander B. Macander, Thomas N. Tinley, Steven S. Chiu
  • Patent number: 5664397
    Abstract: A sandwich plate has a pair of relatively dense, stiff, thin, and generally parallel longitudinally extending skins, and a less dense core body having a pair of generally parallel faces bonded to the skins and formed with longitudinal and transverse cavities connected together in a Z-shape and forming central longitudinally extending tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Rudiger Holz
  • Patent number: 5657582
    Abstract: A rain gutter downspout noise attenuation apparatus is provided formed by a section of downspout made of sheet metal, or other suitable material, lined with artificial grass and a fastening screw or clip. The sheet metal, shaped in the form of a 160 degree angle, is designed as such that it easily fits into the base of the downspout, with the curve segment situating in the curve of the elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Mark L. Chitwood
  • Patent number: 5644872
    Abstract: A self-supporting sound-absorbing panel intended to be attached to indoor walls and ceilings of buildings includes a core assembly made from a mat of rockwool having four straight perimeter edges disposed in a rectangular array, and sheets of non-woven interadhered fiberglass bonded to front and rear surfaces of the mat. A rigid rectangular frame surrounds and secures the core assembly. A cloth facing is tautly disposed upon the front surface of the panel, extends around the edges of the frame, and is bonded to the rear of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Jay Perdue
  • Patent number: 5641950
    Abstract: An acoustical panel system, including panels formed out of relatively thin sheet material, that can be utilized to construct walls, fences, and other structures. A frame structure has one or more openings to receive the acoustical panels. Each acoustical panel has at least one raised body portion, all or part of which is corrugated to disburse sound and provide structural integrity, and an edge portion surrounding the body portion. A pair of acoustical panels can be adjoined back-to-back to form a hollow block to provide both enhanced sound and heat insulating properties. A hollow bezel extends around the periphery of the body portion of the panel and is spaced from the body portion of the panel and has one or more openings into which sounds are received and trapped within the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Quilite International Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Rodman W. Kotter
  • Patent number: 5598669
    Abstract: In order to improve an acoustic insulation performance of a box with parallel faces such as an insulating glazing, the box is equipped with a waveguide. Preferably, the waveguide is situated at the periphery and communicates with the gap of the box via localized orifices situated on each of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage International "Les Miroirs"
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hamdi, Hamid Bouhioui, Marc Rehfeld
  • Patent number: 5579614
    Abstract: An acoustical surface is formed by securing a series of half cones, preferably truncated, to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Gordon J. Dorn
  • Patent number: 5575121
    Abstract: A wall-like sound barrier for placement along the shoulders of a highway is formed of a plurality of arcuate tire sections arranged in stacked rows to define a vertically-extending wall of such tire sections. The concave, partly open face of each tire section is oriented in confronting opposition to a source of sound or noise to be damped and reflected, such as a roadway. Each tire section may be inclined so as to encourage runoff of rainwater and the like that could otherwise collect in the interior of the tire section. The inclination may be defined by orienting each tire section so that its convex exterior is elevated above its concave interior, and/or by orienting each tire section so that one of its ends is elevated above the other of its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Philippe Lajaunie
  • Patent number: 5572847
    Abstract: A rapidly erectable, removable, reusable, and raisable acoustical wall system is provided that comprises a plurality of wall panels, each of which has opposing side edges which include a front edge and a back edge, a plurality of panel support posts having pairs of parallel flanges for receiving the side edges of the wall panels to form a wall, and a plurality of wedging members for forcefully securing the front side edges of the panels into an acoustically-obstructing engagement with the front flanges of the panel support posts. Wedge-receiving recesses are provided at the top and bottom of each of the back side edges of the panels, the top recesses of one panel being registrable with the bottom recesses of another panel when two panels are stacked between the same support posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: JTE, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Elmore, Alan Veatch, William C. Clements
  • Patent number: 5572842
    Abstract: A hollow floor composed of a profiled false floor (1) which is arranged between a top floor (2) and a sub floor (3) and is designed to be plate-shaped, the false floor (1) having cup-shaped depressions (4) that are joined together by essentially flat edge areas (5). The depressions (4) are filled in with a sound-deadening filler material (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Reinhard Stief, Manfred Wagner, Hans Heckmann
  • Patent number: 5564241
    Abstract: A sound-barrier panel includes an acoustic layer that comprises chipped rubber and cord fiber from tires and a structural concrete layer bonded to the acoustic layer by a combination composite bond that includes both a mechanical portion and a chemical portion. The panel is formed in a special process that can define panels of various sizes, such as twelve feet by twenty-five feet in size. The panel has a high sound absorption capability and a high sound transmission loss, especially at low frequencies, and is extremely weather resistant and durable. The panel is also durable and cost effective and utilizes what otherwise would be potential hazardous waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventors: Paul Ogorchock, Stephen McCousin
  • Patent number: 5551198
    Abstract: This invention deals with novel sound collecting blocks and their use, in conjunction with novel connector blocks, to build inexpensive, decorative sound walls. This invention also deals with retaining walls which are constructed from the novel connector block, and other non-sound absorbing solid blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Cecil F. Schaaf, Craig R. Schaaf
  • Patent number: 5540027
    Abstract: An apparatus for wedging a road barrier panel between opposed flanges of an I-beam post that includes a spring biased arm retained in a recess hole within the back side of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Reinforced Earth Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Christensen, Jerry J. McNeal, Gary S. Figallo, Michael J. Cowell
  • Patent number: 5539163
    Abstract: Decreased weight, improved sound transmission loss, and maintained sound absorption and durability are all achieved by a highway barrier incorporating a new acoustic barrier panel. The panel remains of the type suitable for being forms, in combinations of multiple panels and multiple, earth-anchored or structure-mounted support posts, into sound barrier walls for use along highways, other rights of way, and the like. The invented acoustic barrier panel comprises a sandwich of slabs. The sandwich comprises a central slab, a first, outer slab sandwich alongside the central slab, and a second, outer slab sandwiched alongside the central slab, opposite the first outer slab. Uniquely, a first grout curtain is interposed between and joins the central slab and the first, outer slab, while a second grout curtain is interposed between and joins the central slab and the second, outer slab. As most preferred, all slabs constitute Durisol.TM. wood concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Reinforced Earth Company
    Inventors: Peter L. Anderson, Gary S. Figallo, Jerry J. McNeal, Jr., Eugene A. Lamberson
  • Patent number: 5533306
    Abstract: The invention provides a panel section having an internally disposed open region concealed by a flexible member possessing sufficient porosity to be permeable to a flow of air therethrough. The panel section may be made by cutting an opening from an acoustical ceiling tile panel and then covering the opening with a porous and flexible member such as a cloth piece. The porous and concealed opening allows for detectable substances from utilities such as air, light and audio waves to pass through the flexible member and opening of the panel section. The panel sections are particularly useful in concealing utilities in suspended ceiling systems from view. The decorative patterns, styles, colorings, finishes, and decor of the permeable panel sections of this invention are distinctly unique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel L. Aspenson
  • Patent number: 5521338
    Abstract: First, sound absorbing plates made of a hard material are fixed to both side plates of shaped steel members extending upward from a sound insulation wall at intervals that are equal to arrangement spans of the shaped steel members. Then, sound absorbing members that have been formed into a predetermined shape and length are attached to outer surfaces of the sound insulation plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shono, Masahito Watanabe, Kohei Yamamoto, Naoyuki Furuta
  • Patent number: 5512715
    Abstract: A sound absorber arrangement includes a plurality of sound absorbing layers of porous materials such as glass wool, rock fiber or cellular plastic, and high-polymer films, are alternately laminated in a direction perpendicular to a sound incidence plane. The layer thicknesses are increased in order in a direction away from the sound incidence plane. The sound absorber arrangement makes it possible to make a sound absorbing coefficient constant over the low to high frequency sound range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takewa, Yutaka Torii
  • Patent number: 5502931
    Abstract: An integral structural element having improved sound and/or vibration dampening capacity and being composed of two support plates (1, 2) having therebetween spaced layers (3) of a viscoelastic material formed by a liquid synthetic elastomeric material having good adhesive properties and having a temperature resistance high enough to stand the temperature rise occuring due to the internal friction of the material while subjected to vibrations. The viscoelastic material between said two support plates (1, 2) is formed as strings of elastomeric material which are spaced from each other by a distance of 50-500 mm leaving space between the two support plates (1, 2) in the areas between adjacent strings of viscoelastic material (3). Each string (3) of dampening material has a material thickness of 1-5 mm, and a width of 10-50 mm. The structural element may, at the surface thereof to be mounted on a structural base, carry a mat of a natural or synthetic felt fibre material, having a product weight of 300-1200 g/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Hussain Munir
  • Patent number: 5491309
    Abstract: An acoustical panel system, including panels formed out of relatively thin sheet material, that can be utilized to construct walls, fences, and other structures. A frame structure has one or more openings to receive the acoustical panels. Each acoustical panel has at least one raised body portion, all or part of which is corrugated to disburse sound and provide structural integrity, and an edge portion surrounding the body portion. A pair of acoustical panels can be adjoined back-to-back to form a hollow block to provide both enhanced sound and heat insulating properties. A hollow bezel extends around the periphery of the body portion of the panel and is spaced from the body portion of the panel and has one or more openings into which sounds are received and trapped within the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Quilite International Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Rodman W. Kotter
  • Patent number: 5467567
    Abstract: An apparatus for wedging a road barrier panel between opposed flanges of an I-beam post includes a spring biased arm retained in a recess hole within the back side of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Reinforced Earth Company
    Inventor: Stephen M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 5438171
    Abstract: A sound absorbing device for use as a sound barrier. The device includes at least one elongated tubular member of fiber reinforced, thermosetting resin formed by pultrusion and having a hollow interior able to receive sound absorbing material. The hollow interior is filled with sound absorbing material including particulate, recycled polymer firmly compacted within and substantially filling the hollow interior of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Carsonite International Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 5426267
    Abstract: An elongated outdoor acoustic barrier for erection along a roadway or the periphery of an airport, for reflecting and absorbing sounds emanating from the roadway or airport, includes a plurality of substantially vertical columns arrayed at spaced intervals along the barriers' length, each having a recessed groove extending along its exposed above-ground lateral surface facing an adjacent spaced column; and a plurality of elongated flat rectangular panels arranged in a vertical edgewise array at least one panel in height, having opposite panel ends each securely embraced in a respective recessed grooves of a pair of adjacent columns, at least one of said panels being formed of extruded pre-stressed hollow core concrete plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventors: George R. Underhill, Bruce T. Barit, Edward A. Landers
  • Patent number: 5423151
    Abstract: A tackable tile for mounting to a frame to provide a tackable surface to a wall having one or more of such tiles is disclosed. The tile includes a frame defining an open central portion, and a composite tackable member conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof. The composite tackable memeber includes a resilient pierceable layer of material, and a layer of noise reducing acoustic material. The layer of pierceable material has a front and a rear side, and the acoustic material is adhered to the rear side of said resilient pierceable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor V. Caro, David Boruta, William Ellis, John VanderWal, Randy Barnard
  • Patent number: 5392572
    Abstract: A rapidly erectable, removable, reusable, and raisable acoustical wall system is provided that comprises a plurality of wall panels, each of which has opposing side edges which include a front edge and a back edge, a plurality of panel support posts having pairs of parallel flanges for receiving the side edges of the wall panels to form a wall, and a plurality of wedging members for forcefully securing the front side edges of the panels into an acoustically-obstructing engagement with the front flanges of the panel support posts. Wedge-receiving recesses are provided at the top and bottom of each of the back side edges of the panels, the top recesses of one panel being registrable with the bottom recesses of another panel when two panels are stacked between the same support posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: JTE, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Elmore, Alan Veatch, William C. Clements
  • Patent number: 5359819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound and vibration damping device using unit structures comprised of tires, portions of tires or similar elements as far as the shape and absorbing characteristics of the material are concerned, characterized in that said unit structures (1) are arranged in at least one incombustible box (C1) so as to define elementary sound-deadening chambers, said box having a so called "front", wall (6) provided with openings (7) facing a noise source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Roland Beyler
  • Patent number: 5327698
    Abstract: A mobile erectable stage. In one preferred embodiment, in a stored condition, the stage has the form of a trailer which can be transported from one location to another. At least one bell crank assembly is used to erect the stage by raising at least one side wall panel and the interconnected roof panel, so that a stage with a sloped roof canopy which overhangs the stage floor is deployed. The stage floor can be enlarged by adding floor panels. The stage contains a powered light truss which extends out beyond the stage floor toward the audience to shine light back onto the stage. Further, the stage contains reversible acoustic panels, one side of which is used when the stage performers are using microphones to deflect audio waves to reduce possible echoing through the microphones and the other side of which is used when the stage performers are not using sound amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Century Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Uhl
  • Patent number: 5274971
    Abstract: A rapidly erectable, removable, reusable, and raisable acoustical wall system is provided that comprises a plurality of wall panels, each of which has opposing side edges which include a front edge and a back edge, a plurality of panel support posts having pairs of parallel flanges for receiving the side edges of the wall panels to form a wall, and a plurality of wedging members for forcefully securing the front side edges of the panels into an acoustically-obstructing engagement with the front flanges of the panel support posts. Wedge-receiving recesses are provided at the top and bottom of each of the back side edges of the panels, the top recesses of one panel being registrable with the bottom recesses of another panel when two panels are stacked between the same support posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: JTE, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Elmore, Alan Veatch, William C. Clements
  • Patent number: 5272284
    Abstract: A sound wall for placement along a roadside for reducing the transmission of sound from a traffic area wherein the sound wall comprises a plurality of stiff, resilient containment members respectfully configured with the channel configuration and having an enclosed channel volume and continuous open side. Each channel volume is filled with a composite composition of rubber chips and binder compressed within the channel and substantially filling the channel volume. These containment members are stacked in nesting relationship to form a wall structure, with the open side being oriented toward the traffic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Carsonite International Corp.
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 5259157
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a plurality of roof deck panels assembled in side-by-side relationship and secured to roof supports with each panel including a plurality of parallel and spaced apart perforated flat sections. Each flat section is separated from its adjacent flat section by a rib section, and has a width as measured in the plane of the flat section at least three times and preferably five times greater than the width of the rib section. Lengths of insulation are positioned between adjacent ribs and a wire mesh spacer is positioned within the space between each perforated flat section and the insulation to maintain the insulation in spaced relationship to the flat section. Insulation cover plates may also be included between adjacent ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Epic Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Ault
  • Patent number: 5226267
    Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of structural acoustical cinder blocks including locking blocks which are intended to be assembled together through the use of mortar to provide a diffusor of desired shape and configuration. Each diffusor includes a plurality of wells, the depths of which are determined through the use of number theory sequences, such as, for example, the quadratic-residue sequence developed by Karl Frederick Gauss. The surface irregularities formed in the blocks are unique in that they provide a flat power spectrum and constant scattered energy in the diffraction directions. Each of the blocks including wells also includes a low frequency sound absorbing chamber. The blocks are installed such that there is a stacked bond on the diffusing face and a running bond on the structural rear face. If desired, a single block may be made which includes an entire sequence of wells and dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D'Antonio, John H. Konnert, Jorge E. Pardo
  • Patent number: 5214894
    Abstract: The core of the wall construction is formed by the four layers, fibreboard (1) with inside surface coating (5) of cement, acoustic barrier layer (2) made of flexible, fibrous material, particle insulation layer (3) made of loosely blasted-in wood particles and outer covering layer (4). By this specially developed construction, a non-load-bearing external wall of a building is achieved, which has an excellent heat and sound insulation, a great heat-retention capacity of the inner layer and a fire resistance value of at least F30 despite the light construction method. The wall construction can be provided on the inside with an additional layer (6) which enhances the heat conduction and increases the conduction of heat given off by a heating device (7) into the heat-retaining fibreboard (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Erika B. Glesser-Lott
  • Patent number: 5193318
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of structural acoustical cinder blocks including blocks which are intended to be assembled together through the use of mortar to provide a diffusor of desired shape and configuration. Each diffusor includes a plurality of wells, the depths of which are determined through the use of number theory sequences, such as, for example, the quadratic-residue sequence developed by Karl Frederick Gauss. The surface irregularities formed in the blocks are unique in that they provide a flat power spectrum and constant scattered energy in the diffraction directions. Each of the blocks also includes a low frequency sound absorbing chamber. As the blocks are installed, a structural stacked bond is formed on both the diffusor face and the rear structural face. If desired, a single block may be made which includes an entire sequence of wells and dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D'Antonio, John H. Konnert
  • Patent number: 5187905
    Abstract: This invention relates to a complex sound-insulating material comprising a first lower sub-assembly, itself comprising at least one layer of a bituminous product, and a second upper layer which covers said first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly comprises a first upper layer, a first intermediate layer and a first lower layer, whilst a) each of the first upper and lower layers is made of oxidized bitumen reinforced with first fibers and has a surface mass of between 500 and 1000 g/m.sup.2 ; b) the first intermediate layer is made of an organic binding agent, such as a bitumen, and by second fibers which are embedded in said binding agent and are in a non-woven form; and c) the second upper layer is made of an elastic foam.One application of the invention is the production of a sound-insulated tiled flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Tomecanic
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Pourtau, Thierry E. Pourtau
  • Patent number: 5174086
    Abstract: A fabric tile which is formed of a metal pan having tightly stretched thereover a fabric sock. The fabric sock is attached to the metal pan by way of mounting or attachment clips which are sewed and glued to edge portions of the fabric sock and which are engaged over terminal return flanges of the metal pan. Each clip is elongated and extends a major portion of an edged dimension of the metal pan and is of a J-shaped cross section. Each clip includes an elongated stem which terminates in a generally U-shaped hook. The hook includes a first leg which is a continuation of the stem and a second leg disposed in spaced parallel relation to the first leg by way of an integral base. The second leg has a terminal free edge portion which is flared relative to the first leg so as to facilitate engagement of the clip with the metal pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Payne, Cathy A. Ptacek, Daniel J. Mack
  • Patent number: 5146721
    Abstract: The panel with thermoacoustic insulation characteristics comprises an insulating layer made of foamed plastic material which has a succession of corrugated portions which are joined by reduced thickness portions. Metallic nets are associated with the opposite faces of the corrugated portions of the insulating layer and are mutually connected by transverse elements which pass through the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Monolite S.r.l.
    Inventor: Angelo Candiracci
  • Patent number: 5144777
    Abstract: A grommet assembly for a wall panel and method of installation. The grommet assembly includes a grommet structure for insertion into the aperture made through a wall panel and includes pivotal locking arms for locking at the back face of the wall panel. An insert sleeve provides a circular wall that upon insertion into the grommet pivots the pivotal lock arms of the grommet. The insert sleeve is further provided with snap-engagement members that snap-engage to the circular wall of the grommet so that the grommet assembly is fastened together and to the wall panel. A retention ring may be used prior to cutting an aperture in the wall to secure fabric, or other wall coverings, around the aperture to be cut to prevent displacement or tearing, and to protect the outer wall surface. The method includes the field installation of the grommet assembly from one side of a wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Allsteel Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Fishel, Nancy K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5136821
    Abstract: A noise attenuation barrier for control of noise along expressway or other noise sources is provided in which the panel sections are suspended on vertical posts installed in earth berms. The bottoms of the panels, which are shaped to match the contour of the berm are partly buried in a particulate, sound-absorbing layer. The panels include an imperforate rear wall, spaced away from which is a sound-absorbing layer held in place by edge strips that are fit over the tops and bottoms of the layer before it is put in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: CECCO Trading, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Child
  • Patent number: 5131194
    Abstract: The present sound barrier double-pane window includes panes wherein each pane is of a different thickness or a different density or a combination thereof. Since panes of different thicknesses or densities block or dampen different sounds, the double-pane window provides a quieter interior environment than a conventional double-pane window. The present sound barrier window also includes a peripherally mountable gasket with multiple peripheral ribs and cusped, pane-receiving surfaces to provide a sound-deadening seal between the exterior and interior environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: MacArthur Company
    Inventor: Robert B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5129202
    Abstract: A fabric tile which is formed of a metal pan having tightly stretched thereover a fabric sock. The fabric sock is attached to the metal pan by way of mounting or attachment clips which are sewed and glued to edge portions of the fabric sock and which are engaged over terminal return flanges of the metal pan. Each clip is elongated and extends a major portion of an edged dimension of the metal pan and is of a J-shaped cross section. Each clip includes an elongated stem which terminates in a generally U-shaped hook. The hook includes a first leg which is a continuation of the stem and a second leg disposed in spaced parallel relation to the first leg by way of an integral base. The second leg has a terminal free edge portion which is flared relative to the first leg so as to facilitate engagement of the clip with the metal pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Payne, Cathy A. Ptacek, Daniel J. Mack
  • Patent number: 5115616
    Abstract: Acoustical panels made of a low density fiberglass core are disclosed. A banding is applied to the edges of the core using a suitable adhesive. The panel can then be covered with paint, a woven fabric or a material impermeable to water and/or the transmission of loose fibers. Also disclosed are techniques for easily modifying such panels in the field for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Michael T. Nixon
  • Patent number: 5111579
    Abstract: A formed panel construction and method are provided for portable acoustic partitions of the type which are assembled and configured to create workstations in open office plans. Each partition panel includes a freestanding, open frame with a pair of formed cover panels detachably connected to the opposite sides of the frame to enclose the partition. Each cover panel comprises a laminated composite sheet, which includes a sound absorbant backing sheet constructed from heat fusible fibers, and an overlying upholstery sheet with a finished exterior surface. The composite sheet is heated to soften or plasticize the heat fusible fibers, and is compressed and molded while heated to a predetermined geometrically solid shape, such as a five-sided panel having a flat face and four marginal flanges extending at an angle therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Carl W. Andersen
  • Patent number: 5108802
    Abstract: An internally damped structure having a thin, segmented layer of high modulus composite material acting as a constraining layer and bonded on both sides to layers of viscoelastic damping layers acting as shear layers. The arrangement forms a triple layer sandwich which is embedded in the wall of the structure. A compliant filler is positioned between adjacent segments of the composite constraining layer.In an alternate embodiment two such sandwich arrangements are embedded in the wall of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley S. Sattinger
  • Patent number: 5069011
    Abstract: A lightweight portable acoustical panel for stage or theatrical use which can be oriented in either an upright position or in a sideways position is provided with a weighted supporting base having a roller thereon which is disposed at one corner only of the panel structure whereby the structure can be easily moved about.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Grosh Scenic Studios, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Jenne
  • Patent number: 5056279
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel panel for ceiling assemblies, wall assemblies or the like. The panel comprises a self-supporting core of a soft filling material and reinforcement elements, preferably plastic strips, for defining the shape of the panel after a film is applied surrounding said core and reinforcement elements. Moreover the present invention relates to a novel method of fabricating such a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: George G. Veldhoen
  • Patent number: 5035298
    Abstract: A sound absorptive structure for installation on room wall structure to reduce low frequency wave energy and enhance room acoustics. A fibrous, sound absorptive member is of curved section and terminates in tapered side edges for inserted engagement with wall mounted strips. The structure may be segmented with partitions between the segments. Alternatively T-shaped divider strips may interconnect adjacent segments. A further modification utilizes a flat base for wall attachment with end portions of the base folded perpendicularly to the base to provide closures for the ends of a sound member. Intersections between segments of a sound absorptive structure may be accomplished by corner mounted box structures or may be mitered for endwise abutment with one another. Openings in the room wall structure increase the volume of the present wall mounted structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Arthur M. Noxon