Mobile carriage for acoustic panels

Abstract

A carriage is disclosed for moveably supporting an acoustical panel. The carriage comprises a frame having rolling members for movably for supporting the acoustical panel. A first and a second pair of support legs extend angularly from the frame for enabling a plurality of carriages to orientate acoustical panels in a linear or angular relationship. Each of the unique acoustical panels provides sound absorption as well inhibiting sound transmission.

Claims

1. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel on a surface, the acoustical panel having a panel frame extending about the acoustical panel for defining an acoustical aperture to receive and dissipate acoustical energy, the carriage comprising: a frame having a horizontal support extending between a first and a second end and a vertical support; a first and a second pair of support legs extending angularly from said frame for enabling a plurality of carriages to orientate acoustical panels in a linear or angular relationship; a first and second plurality of rolling members secured to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling said frame to be moved along the surface; a plurality of fasteners securing said panel frame of said acoustical panel to said frame; and a flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame for occupying the gap between said frame and the surface.

2. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first pair of support legs extend from a first end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame; and said second pair of support legs extend from a second end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame for enabling said carriage to be orientated with a second carriage at an angle of ninety degrees.

3. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel on a surface, the acoustical panel having a panel frame extending about a perimeter of the acoustical panel for defining an acoustical aperture to receive and dissipate acoustical energy, the carriage comprising: a frame having a horizontal support and a vertical support extending between a first and a second end of said frame; a first pair of support legs extending from said first end of said frame and forming an acute angle with said frame; a second pair of support legs extending from said second end of said frame and forming an acute angle with said frame; a first and second plurality of rolling members secure to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling said frame to be moved along the surface; said horizontal support and said vertical support receiving a portion of the panel frame of said acoustical panel; a plurality of fasteners securing said panel frame of said acoustical panel to said frame; a first and a second arm extending from said first and second support legs and secured to the panel frame of said acoustical panel for stabilizing the acoustical panel on said frame; and a flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame for occupying the gap between said frame and the surface.

4. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a generally major U-shape frame having said horizontal support and a plurality of said vertical supports.

5. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a generally major U-shape frame having said horizontal support and a plurality of said vertical supports for receiving the portion of the acoustical panel; and said plurality of fasteners securing said panel frame of said acoustical panel to said plurality vertical supports of said frame.

6. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a generally minor U-Shape portion for receiving said flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame.

7. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a generally minor U-Shape portion for receiving said flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame; and an adhesive for securing said flexible acoustical blocking material within said generally minor U-Shape portion.

8. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a generally major U-shape frame having said horizontal support and a plurality of said vertical supports for receiving the portion of the acoustical panel; said frame comprises a generally minor U-Shape portion for receiving said flexible acoustical blocking material depending from said frame; and said generally major U-shape portion disposed in an upward orientation and said minor U-Shape portion is disposed in a downward orientation.

9. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame is formed by an extrusion process.

10. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plurality of fasteners include bolts and nuts for securing said panel frame of said acoustical panel to said frame.

11. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first pair of support legs extend from said first end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame; and said second pair of support legs extend from said second end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame for enabling said carriage to be orientated with a second carriage at an angle of ninety degrees.

12. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first pair of support legs extend from said first end of said frame toward said second end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame; and said second pair of support legs extend from said second end of said frame toward said first end of said frame and form an angle of forty-five degrees with said frame.

13. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first arm comprises a pair of first arms extending from said first pair of support legs, respectively; and said second arm comprises a pair of second arms extending from said second pair of support legs, respectively.

14. A carriage for moveably supporting an acoustical panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second plurality of rolling members include casters secured to said first and second pair of support legs for enabling said frame to be move along the surface.

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; and

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

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

DETAILED DISCUSSION

(20) 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.

(21) 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.

(22) 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.

(23) The generally U-shaped element 30 is upwardly facing and dimensioned to receive the panel frame portion 11 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.

(24) 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.

(25) 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 50B. 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 50B 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.

(26) 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.

(27) 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.

(28) 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 50B extend from the first end 21 of the frame 20 in a direction generally toward the second end 22 of the frame 20.

(29) 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.

(30) 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.

(31) 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 elements 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 elements 12 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6.

(32) 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 elements 14 of the peripheral frame 10 of the acoustical panel 6.

(33) 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.

(34) 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.

(35) FIGS. 10-11 illustrating 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, 50B, 60A and 60B enable the two adjacent mobile carriages 5 and 5 to be orientated an angle of ninety degrees.

(36) 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

(37) 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.

(38) 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

(39) 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 angles other than forty-five (45) degrees. Different angles will produce acoustical barriers in the shape of pentagon, octagons, and the like.

(40) 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.