Mobile acoustical panel

Abstract

A moveable acoustical panel is disclosed for location on a surface comprising a frame having a lower support supporting an upper horizontal support by a first and a second vertical support. A first and second pair of support leg extends angularly from said first end of said frame with first and second plurality of rolling members secure thereto for enabling said frame to be moved along the surface. A flexible acoustical blocking material for blocking acoustical sound is secured to the supports.

Claims

1. A moveable acoustical panel for location on a surface, comprising: a frame having a lower horizontal support extending between a first and a second end; a first and a second vertical supports extending from said first and a second end of said frame; an upper horizontal support extending between a first and a second end and supported by said first and second vertical supports; a first pair of support legs extending angularly from opposed sides of said first end of said frame; a second pair of support legs extending angularly from opposed sides of said second end of said frame; a first and a second plurality of rolling members secured to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling the moveable acoustical panel to be moved independently along the surface; a flexible acoustical blocking material for blocking acoustical sound; a plurality of fasteners securing said flexible acoustical blocking material to said supports; said first pair of support legs extending from said first end of said frame to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame and angled toward said second end of said frame; said second pair of support legs extend from said second end of said frame to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame and angled toward said first end of said frame; said first and second pair of support legs enabling said frame of the moveable acoustical panel to be orientated with a frame of a second moveable acoustical panel at an angle of ninety degrees whereby one side of said second pair of legs of the moveable acoustical panel being adjacent to one side of a first pair of legs of the second moveable acoustical panel; a connector for interlocking the moveable acoustical panel with the second moveable acoustical panel at an angle of ninety degrees or a linear orientation; and said connector comprising a coupling for overlying a portion of the moveable acoustical panel and the second moveable panel to interlock the mobile acoustic panels with the second moveable acoustical panel by a removeable fastener.

2. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second vertical supports are removably secured to said first and a second end of said frame; and said upper horizontal support being removably secured to said first and second end of B said first and second vertical supports.

3. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, including a first and a second arm extending from said first and second support legs and secured to said first and second vertical supports for stabilizing said supports.

4. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second plurality of rolling members include casters secured to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling the moveable acoustical panel to be move along the surface.

5. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, including a second flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame for occupying the gap between said frame and the surface.

6. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material has a thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch and a density of greater than one pound per square foot.

7. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material comprises a sheet of flexible barium free formulation mineral filled to have a weight greater than one pound per square foot.

8. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material has a first and a second side and bound by material edge; a flexible reinforcing tape permanently affixed to said first side of said sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to said material edge; and said sheet of acoustical blocking material and said reinforcing tape being flexible for enabling the entire acoustical blocking material including said sheet of acoustical blocking material and reinforcing tape to be rolled as a single unit for transportation.

9. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material having a first and a second side and bound by material edge; a flexible reinforcing tape permanently affixed to said sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to said material edge; and said plurality of fasteners extending through said reinforcing tape and said sheet of acoustical blocking material for securing said flexible acoustical blocking material to said supports for inhibiting the flow of acoustic energy between said first and second sides of the acoustical blocking material.

10. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, including a reinforcing tape comprises a woven polyester material.

11. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, including a reinforcing tape heat welded to said acoustical blocking material.

12. A moveable acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material and said reinforcing tape are flexible for enabling said sheet of acoustical blocking material and said reinforcing tape to be rolled for transportation.

13. A moveable acoustical panel for location on a surface comprising: a frame having a lower horizontal support extending between a first and a second end; a first and a second vertical supports extending from said first and a second end of said frame; an upper horizontal support extending between a first and a second end and supported by said first and second vertical supports; a first pair of support legs extending angularly from opposed sides of said first end of said frame; a second pair of support legs extending angularly from opposed sides of said second end of said frame; a first and A second plurality of rolling members secured to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling the moveable acoustical panel to be moved independently along the surface; a flexible acoustical blocking material; a flexible reinforcing tape permanently affixed to said sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to a material edge; a plurality of fasteners extending through said flexible reinforcing tape and said flexible acoustical blocking material for securing said flexible acoustical blocking material to said supports; a first and a second arm extending from said first and second support legs and secured to said first and second vertical supports for stabilizing said flexible acoustical blocking material; a second flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame for occupying the gap between said frame and the surface; said first pair of support legs extending from said first end of said frame to form an acute angle with said frame and angled toward said second end of said frame; said second pair of support legs extend from said second end of said frame to form an acute angle with said frame and angled toward said first end of said frame; said first and second pair of support legs enabling said frame of the moveable acoustical panel to be orientated with a frame of a second moveable acoustical panel at an acute angle whereby one side of said second pair of legs of the moveable acoustical panel being adjacent to one side of a first pair of legs of the second a connector for interlocking the moveable acoustical panel with the second moveable acoustical panel at an acute angle or at a linear orientation; and said connector comprising a coupling for overlying a portion of the moveable acoustical panel and the second moveable panel to interlock the mobile acoustic panel with the second moveable acoustical panel by a removeable fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile carriage of the present invention supporting an acoustic panel;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 is a magnified view along line 8-8 in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating two adjacent mobile carriages interlocking two acoustic panels at an angle of ninety degrees;

(12) FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is a magnified top view of a portion of FIG. 11 illustrating a connector for interlocking two adjacent acoustic panels;

(14) FIG. 13 is a front view of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates three adjacent mobile carriages interlocking three acoustic panels in a linear orientation;

(16) FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 14;

(17) FIG. 16 is a magnified top view of a portion of FIG. 15 illustrating a connector for interlocking two adjacent acoustic panels;

(18) FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 is a front view of a mobile acoustical panel of the present invention;

(20) FIG. 19 is a top view of FIG. 18;

(21) FIG. 20 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

(22) FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 18;

(23) FIG. 22 is a top view of FIG. 21;

(24) FIG. 23 is a left side view of FIG. 21;

(25) FIG. 24 is a right side view of FIG. 21;

(26) FIG. 25 is a front exploded view of an acoustical panel frame;

(27) FIG. 26 is a front view of a flexible sound blocking material for the acoustical panel;

(28) FIG. 27 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 26 illustrating the forming of the acoustical blocking panel by affixing the acoustical blocking material to the acoustical panel frame;

(29) FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of the horizontal support of the mobile carriage; and

(30) FIG. 29 is a view of the insertion of the acoustical panel into a mobile carriage;

(31) FIG. 30 is a graph of sound transmission loss as a function of frequency for the acoustical blocking panel of the present invention; and

(32) FIG. 31 is a graph of sound absorption as a function of frequency for the acoustical blocking panel of the present invention.

(33) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

(34) FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an improved carrier 5 for moving an acoustical blocking panel 6 on a surface 8. The improved carrier 5 facilitates the movement of large vertical acoustic panels 8 and for arranging a plurality of acoustical panels 6 in an interconnected and interlocking configuration. The improved carrier 5 comprises a frame 20 extending between a first end 21 and a second end 22.

(35) FIG. 8 is a magnified sectional view along line 8-8 in FIG. 1 illustrating an example of an acoustical panel 6. The acoustical panel 6 include a peripheral frame 10 defined by first through fourth frame elements 11-14 defining an acoustical aperture 15. The acoustical panel 6 has a sound absorbing member 16 and a sound blocking member 17. Preferably, the sound absorbing member 16 and the sound blocking member 17 are enclosed by a porous screen 18 and a solid sheet 19. A fuller disclosure of a suitable acoustical panel 6 for of use with improved carrier 5 of the present invention are set forth in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,063,184, 7,503,428, 7,513,082 and 8,739,924 which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Although the improved carrier of the present invention has been set forth with reference to a particular type of acoustical panel, it should be understood that the present invention is suitable for us with various types of acoustical panels and non-acoustical panels.

(36) FIG. 9 illustrates the frame 20 having a generally U-shaped element 30 formed from a horizontal support 31 and plural vertical supports 32 and 33. The vertical supports 32 and 33 are disposed at opposed ends of the horizontal support 31 thereby defining the generally U-shaped frame element 30.

(37) The generally U-shaped element 30 is upwardly facing and dimensioned to receive the panel frame portion II of the panel frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6. The acoustical panel 6 is secure to the frame 20 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

(38) The frame 20 has a generally U-shaped minor element 40 formed from a horizontal component 41 and plural vertical component 42 and 43. The vertical components 42 and 43 are disposed at opposed ends of the horizontal component 41 thereby defining the generally U-shaped frame element 40. The generally U-shaped element 40 is downwardly facing and dimensioned to receive an acoustical blocking material 45 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Preferably, the frame is formed by an extrusion process.

(39) Referring back to FIGS. 1-7, a first pair of legs 50 extend from the first end 21 of the frame 20. The first pair of legs 50 comprises a leg 50A and a leg SOB. The leg 50A extends between a proximal end 51A and a distal end 52A. The proximal end 51A is secured to the first end 21 of the frame 20 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. The leg SOB extends between a proximal end 51B and a distal end 52B. The proximal end 51B is secured to the first end 21 of the frame 20 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. Preferably, the conventional fasteners are removable fasteners for shipping in a smaller container.

(40) Rolling members 54A and 54B are secured to the distal end 52A and 52B of the legs 50A and 50B for moving the acoustical panel 6 over the surface 8. Preferably, the rolling members 54A and 54B are casters for facilitating movement of the acoustical panel 6 over the surface 8.

(41) A second pair of legs 60 extends from the second end 22 of the frame 20. The second pair of legs 60 comprises a leg 60A and a leg 60B. The leg 60A extends between a proximal end 61A and a distal end 62A. The proximal end 61A is secured to the second end 22 of the frame 20 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. The leg 60B extends between a proximal end 61B and a distal end 62B. The proximal end 61B is secured to the first end 61 of the frame 20 by suitable means. Rolling members 64A and 64B are secured to the distal end 62A and 62B of the legs 60A and 60B for moving the acoustical panel 6 over the surface 8. Preferably, the rolling members 64A and 64B are casters for facilitating movement of the acoustical panel 6 over the surface 8.

(42) As best shown in FIG. 5, the first pair of the support legs 50 extends from the first end 21 of the frame 20 to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame 20. The distal ends 52A and 52B of the support legs 50A and SOB extend from the first end 21 of the frame 20 in a direction generally toward the second end 22 of the frame 20.

(43) The second pair of support legs 60 extends from said second end 22 of the frame 20 to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame 20. The distal ends 62A and 62B of the support legs 60A and 60B extend from the second end 22 of the frame 20 in a direction generally toward the first end 21 of the frame 20.

(44) A first and second pair of arms 70 and 80 provides support and stabilizes the acoustic panel 6. The first pair of arms 70 comprise arms 70A and 70B is located at the first end 21 of the frame 20 whereas the second pair of arms 80 comprise arms 80A and 80B is located at the second end 21 of the frame 20.

(45) The arm 70A extends between a lower end 71A and an upper end 72A. The lower end 71A is secured to the distal end of the leg 52A by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 72A is secured to the second frame element 12 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6. The arm 70B extends between a lower end 71B and an upper end 72B. The lower end 71B is secured to the distal end of the leg 52B by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 72B is secured to the second frame element 12 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6.

(46) The arm 80A extends between a lower end 81A and an upper end 82A. The lower end 81A is secured to the distal end of the leg 60A by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 82A is secured to the fourth frame elements 14 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6. The arm 80B extends between a lower end 81B and an upper end 82B. The lower end 81B is secured to the distal end of the leg 60B by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 82B is secured to the fourth frame element 14 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6.

(47) Referring back to FIGS. 6 and 9, the rolling members 54A, 54B, 64A and 64B elevate the frame above the surface 8. The sheet of the acoustical blocking material 45 between the frame 20 and the surface 8 inhibits acoustical energy from passing under the improved carrier 5.

(48) The generally U-shaped minor element 40 formed in the frame 20 receives a sheet of the acoustical blocking material 45. The sheet of the acoustical blocking material 45 is retained within the U-shaped minor element 40 by suitable means such as friction, adhesives or the like. Preferably, the sheet of the acoustical blocking material 45 is longer than the distance between the frame 20 and the surface 8 for insuring constant contact of the sheet of the acoustical blocking material 45 with the surface 8.

(49) FIGS. 10-11 illustrate two adjacent mobile carriages 5 and 5′ interlocking two acoustic panels 6 and 6′ at an angle of ninety degrees. The forty-five (45°) degree angle of the support legs 50A, SOB, 60A and 60B enable the two adjacent mobile carriages 5 and 5′ to be orientated an angle of ninety degrees.

(50) FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a connector suitable for interlocking the two adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′. In this example, a corner coupling 90 is secured to the adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′ by fasteners 92 shown as bolts. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various types of connectors are suitable for interlocking the two adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′

(51) FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate three adjacent mobile carriages 5, 5′ and 5″ interlocking three acoustic panels 6, 6′ and 6″ in a linear orientation. The forty-five (45°) degree angle of the support legs 50A, 50B, 60A and 60B enable the two adjacent mobile carriages 5 and 5′ to be orientated in a linear orientation.

(52) FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a connector suitable for interlocking the two adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′. In this example, a linear coupling 100 is secured to the adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′ by fasteners 102 shown as bolts. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various types of connectors are suitable for interlocking the two adjacent acoustic panels 6 and 6′

(53) Although the support legs 50A, 50B, 60A and 60B have been shown to be orientated an angle of forty-five (45°) degrees relative to the frame 20, it should appreciated by those skilled in the art that the support legs 50A, 50B, 60A and 60B may be orientated at different acute angles other than forty-five (45°) degrees. Different acute angles will produce acoustical barriers in the shape of pentagon, octagons, and the like.

(54) FIGS. 18-20 illustrate a mobile acoustical panel 103 comprising mobile carrier 105 and an acoustical blocking panel 106. The mobile carrier 105 facilitates the movement of a large vertical acoustical blocking panel 106 on a surface 108 and for arranging a plurality of mobile acoustical panels 103 in an interconnected and interlocking configuration.

(55) FIGS. 21-24 are enlarged views illustrating the mobile carrier 105 comprising a frame 120 extending between a first end 121 and a second end 122. As best shown in FIG. 28, the frame 120 is a generally U-shaped element 130 formed from a horizontal support 131 and plural vertical supports 132 and 133. The vertical supports 132 and 133 are disposed at opposed ends of the horizontal support 131 thereby defining the generally U-shaped frame element 130. The generally U-shaped element 130 is upwardly facing and dimensioned to receive the acoustical blocking panel 106. The acoustical panel 106 is secure to the frame 120 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

(56) A first pair of legs 150 extends from the first end 121 of the frame 120. The first pair of legs 150 comprises a leg 150A and a leg 150B. The leg 150A extends between a proximal end 151A and a distal end 152A. The proximal end 151A is secured to the first end 121 of the frame 120 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. The leg 150B extends between a proximal end 151B and a distal end 152B. The proximal end 151B is secured to the first end 121 of the frame 120 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. Preferably, the conventional fasteners are removable fasteners for shipping in a smaller container.

(57) Rolling members 154A and 154B are secured to the distal end 152A and 152B of the legs 150A and 150B for moving the mobile carrier 105 over the surface 8. Preferably, the rolling members 154A and 154B are casters for facilitating movement of the mobile carrier 105 over the surface 108.

(58) A second pair of legs 160 extends from the second end 122 of the frame 120. The second pair of legs 160 comprises a leg 160A and a leg 160B. The leg 160A extends between a proximal end 161A and a distal end 162A. The proximal end 161A is secured to the second end 122 of the frame 120 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners, welding or the like. The leg 160B extends between a proximal end 161B and a distal end 162B. The proximal end 161B is secured to the first end 161 of the frame 120 by suitable means. Rolling members 164A and 164B are secured to the distal end 162A and 162B of the legs 160A and 160B for moving the mobile carrier 105 over the surface 108. Preferably, the rolling members 164A and 164B are casters for facilitating movement of the mobile carrier 105 over the surface 108.

(59) As best shown in FIG. 22, the first pair of the support legs 150 extends from the first end 121 of the frame 120 to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame 120. The distal ends 152A and 152B of the support legs 150A and 150B extend from the first end 121 of the frame 120 in a direction generally toward the second end 122 of the frame 120.

(60) The second pair of support legs 160 extends from said second end 122 of the frame 120 to form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame 120. The distal ends 162A and 1628 of the support legs 160A and 160B extend from the second end 122 of the frame 120 in a direction generally toward the first end 121 of the frame 120.

(61) A first and second pair of arms 170 and 180 provides support and stabilizes the acoustic blocking panel 106. The first pair of arms 170 comprise arms 170A and 1708 is located at the first end 121 of the frame 120 whereas the second pair of arms 180 comprise arms 180A and 180B is located at the second end 121 of the frame 120.

(62) The arm 170A extends between a lower end 171A and an upper end 172A. The lower end 171A is secured to the distal end of the leg 152A by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 172A is secured to the panel frame 110 of the acoustical blocking panel 106 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The arm 170B extends between a lower end 171B and an upper end 172B. The lower end 171B is secured to the distal end of the leg 152B by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 172B is secured to the to the panel frame 110 of the acoustical blocking panel 106.

(63) Similarly, the arm 180A extends between a lower end 181A and an upper end 182A. The lower end 181A is secured to the distal end of the leg 160A by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 182A is secured to the panel frame 110 of the acoustical blocking panel 106. The arm 180B extends between a lower end 181B and an upper end 182B. The lower end 181B is secured to the distal end of the leg 160B by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The upper end 182B is secured to the panel frame 110 of the acoustical blocking panel 106.

(64) FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the acoustical panel frame 110. The acoustical panel frame 110 comprises a lower horizontal panel support 111, a first and second vertical panel support 112 and 113 and an upper horizontal panel support 114. The lower horizontal panel support 111 is assembled to the first and second vertical panel supports 112 and 113 by lower connectors 191 and 192. The upper horizontal panel support 114 is assembled to the first and second vertical panel supports 112 and 113 by upper connectors 193 and 194. An optional intermediate lower horizontal panel support 115 is assembled to the first and second vertical panel supports 112 and 113 by intermediate connectors 195 and 196. The lower connectors 191 and 192, the upper connectors 193 and 194 and the optional intermediate connectors 195 and 196 may be any suitable type of fastener for securing the supports 111-115. The acoustical panel frame 110 defines an open acoustical aperture 116.

(65) FIG. 26 is a front view of the acoustical blocking material 200. The acoustical blocking material 200 has a first side surface 201 and a second side surface 202. The sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 is bound by a material edge 220. In this example, the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 is bound by a bottom material edge 221, side material edges 222 and 223 and a top material edge 224. The material edges 221-224 define a perimeter of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200. Although the parameter defined by the material edges 221-224 are shown as a rectangular configuration, it should be understood by those skilled in the art and that the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 may take various configurations.

(66) In this example, the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 has a thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch. The acoustical blocking material 200 comprise a heavy mineral filled, barium free visco elastic acoustical material having a density of greater than one pound per square foot. The sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 is flexible for enabling the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 to be rolled for transportation and/storage.

(67) A reinforcing tape 230 affixed to the first side 201 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 adjacent to the material edge 220. In this example, reinforcing tapes 231-234 are affixed adjacent to the material edges 221-224 respectively. The reinforcing tape 230 is heat welded to the first side 201 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200. In the heat welding process, both the first side 201 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 and the reinforcing tape 230 are simultaneously heated to an appropriated temperature. After the acoustical blocking material 200 and the reinforcing tape 230 are simultaneously are heated to the appropriated temperature, the reinforcing tape 230 is pressed upon the first side 201 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200. In one example, the reinforcing tape comprises a woven polyester material but it should be understood that various other materials may be used as a reinforcing tape 230.

(68) FIG. 27 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 26 illustrating the forming of the acoustical blocking panel 106 by affixing the acoustical blocking material 200 to the acoustical panel frame 110. A plurality of fasteners 240 extend through the reinforcing tape 230 and the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 into the acoustical panel frame 110. The reinforcing tape 230 provides structural strength to the plurality of fasteners 240 for suspending the sheet of acoustical blocking material 200 on the acoustical panel frame 110.

(69) In this example, the plurality of fasteners 240 are shown as screws but it should be understood by those skilled in the art and that the plurality of fasteners 240 may take various configurations. For example, the fasteners 240 may take the form of adhesives such as conventional adhesives, double back tape, hook and loop fasteners and the like.

(70) FIG. 28 illustrates the generally U-shaped element 130 of the carriage frame 120 formed by horizontal support 131 and plural vertical supports 132 and 133. The vertical supports 132 and 133 are dimensioned to receive the acoustical blocking panel 106.

(71) The rolling members 154A, 154B, 164A and 164B elevate the frame 120 above the surface 108 as previously described with reference to FIGS. 18-24. The sheet of the acoustical blocking material 145 between the frame 120 and the surface 108 inhibits acoustical energy from passing under the mobile carrier 105.

(72) FIG. 29 is a view of the insertion of the acoustical panel into a mobile carriage 105. The lower edge of the acoustical blocking panel 106 is inserted into the generally U-shaped element 130 of the carriage frame 120. Thereafter, the first and second pair of arms 170 and 180 are secured to the panel frame 110 of the acoustical blocking panel 106 by suitable means such as conventional fasteners. The first and second pair of arms 170 and 180 provide support and stabilizes the acoustic blocking panel 106.

(73) FIG. 30 is a graph of sound transmission loss as a function of frequency for the acoustical blocking panel 106 of the present invention. The acoustical blocking panel 106 been tested in independent certified acoustical labs and the sound transmission coefficient (STC) of 28 represents a 85% reduction of sound to the human ear.

(74) FIG. 31 is a graph of sound absorption as a function of frequency for the acoustical blocking panel 106 of the present invention. In frequencies of 50 Hz and below, the heavy limp acoustical blocking material 10 begins to vibrate from low frequency sound waves. The acoustical blocking material 110 transforms low frequency sound waves into mechanical movement and internal friction energy within the acoustical blocking material 110. Laboratory tests indicate that this transformation process reduces these low frequencies from penetrating the acoustical blocking material 110 by over 60 percent relative to the human ear. In addition the acoustical blocking material 110 becomes as an absorbent material in these frequencies with test results showing in an NRC (noise reduction coefficient) as high as 0.78 (1.00 being the max). The acoustical blocking material 110 not only reduces sound as a barrier, but also acts as an acoustical absorbent material 110 at very low frequencies. Very low frequencies are not reflected as other sound barriers.

(75) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.