ASSEMBLIES, DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATING TO SOUND ISOLATION BETWEEN FLOORS OF A BUILDING

Abstract

Noise/vibration reduction acoustic isolators including assemblies and systems that improve the IIC Rating within a building by reducing transmission of noise and/or vibration or otherwise improve the acoustic isolation properties between floors of buildings. The acoustic isolators, systems, assemblies, etc., herein are particularly useful for raised access floor (RAF) systems in structures such as residential buildings, office buildings, and institutional buildings such as college and higher education, libraries and government facilities.

Claims

1. A raised access floor (RAF) pedestal, wherein the RAF pedestal comprises a RAF pedestal base plate, a RAF pedestal head and a pedestal body therebetween, and wherein the RAF pedestal further comprises at least one of a first acoustic isolator attached to a bottom surface of the RAF pedestal base plate and a second acoustic isolator attached to an upper surface of the RAF pedestal head, wherein each of the first acoustic isolator and the second acoustic isolator is sized and configured to have a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the corresponding RAF pedestal base plate or RAF pedestal head, respectively, and is sized and configured to significantly reduce noise and vibration transmission between a ceiling below and operably connected to the raised access floor (RAF) pedestal a floor above and operably connected to the raised access floor (RAF) pedestal.

2. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of claim 1 wherein the raised access floor (RAF) pedestal further comprises both the first acoustic isolator and the second acoustic isolator.

3. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the RAF pedestal is steel.

4. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator comprise substantially only a same acoustic isolator material.

5. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator is comprised of a first acoustic isolator material and the second acoustic isolator is comprised of a second, different acoustic isolator material.

6. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator each comprise more than one acoustic isolator material.

7. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are each primarily one of plastic or rubber.

8. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are each vinyl.

9. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and the second acoustic isolator are from about 1/16″ thick to about ½″ thick.

10. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of claim 9 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are about ⅛″ thick.

11. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator substantially cover the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

12. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator do not touch a perimeter of the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

13. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator, and the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively, comprise cooperatively located holes for mechanical fasteners.

14. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator cover less than 50% of the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

15. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator have an empty-space shape or an S-shape.

16. The raised access floor (RAF) pedestal of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator have an X-shape.

17. A noise and vibration reduction assembly in a multi-floor building, the assembly comprising a subfloor, a raised access floor (RAF) and an array of RAF pedestals therebetween, the RAF pedestals comprising a RAF pedestal base plate, a RAF pedestal head and a pedestal body therebetween, and wherein the assembly further comprises at least one of a first acoustic isolator disposed between the subfloor and a bottom surface of the RAF pedestal base plate or a second acoustic isolator disposed between an upper surface of the RAF pedestal head and a raised access floor (RAF) panel of the raised access floor (RAF).

18. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 17 further comprising both the first acoustic isolator and the second acoustic isolator.

19. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are the same material.

20. The noise and vibration reduction assembly claim 18 wherein the wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are different materials.

21. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are each primarily one of plastic or rubber.

22. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are each vinyl.

23. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and the second acoustic isolator are from about 1/16″ thick to about ½″ thick.

24. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator are about ⅛″ thick.

25. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator substantially cover the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

26. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator do not touch a perimeter of the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

27. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator, and the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively, comprise cooperatively located holes for mechanical fasteners.

28. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator, and the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively, comprise cooperatively located holes for mechanical fasteners.

29. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator cover less than 50% of the RAF pedestal head or the RAF pedestal base plate, respectively.

30. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator have an empty-space shape or an S-shape.

31. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the first acoustic isolator and second acoustic isolator have an X-shape.

32. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of wherein at least one of the first acoustic isolator directly contacts the subfloor or the second acoustic isolator directly contacts the raised access floor (RAF) panel.

33. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 32 wherein the first acoustic isolator directly contacts the subfloor and the second acoustic isolator directly contacts the raised access floor (RAF) panel.

34. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein at least two occupied levels of the multi-floor building do not have therebetween an acoustic, substantially floor-wide mat made of a noise and vibration reduction isolation material.

35. The noise and vibration reduction assembly of claim 18 wherein the multi-floor building comprises mass timber slabs between a lower first floor and a higher second floor of the multi-floor building.

36. A noise and vibration reduction acoustic isolator for at least one of a bottom surface of a raised access floor (RAF) pedestal base plate or an upper surface of a raised access floor (RAF) pedestal, the noise and vibration reduction acoustic isolator having a thin cruciform shape between about 1/16′ and ¼″ thick and about 3″ to 5″ in diameter, and consisting essentially of ribbed vinyl.

37. A method comprising constructing a multi-floor building wherein the construction comprises installing an array of raised access floor (RAF) pedestals of any one of claims 1 to 2 between adjacent subfloor and raised access floor (RAF) of the multi-floor building.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the adjacent subfloor and raised access floor (RAF) of the multi-floor building separate occupied spaces within the multi-floor building.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the method further comprises not installing an acoustic, substantially floor-wide mat made of a noise and vibration reduction isolation material between the adjacent subfloor and the raised access floor (RAF) of the multi-floor building.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of one example of an embodiment of the current systems herein.

[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict top plan and perspective views one example of an embodiment of a pedestal head for the current systems herein.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a top perspective view of several examples of acoustic isolators suitable for use with the current systems herein.

[0031] FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of several examples of acoustic isolators suitable for use with the current systems herein.

[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a side plan view of a pedestal suitable for use with the current systems herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present systems, devices and methods, etc., provide noise and vibration reducing acoustic isolators, and assemblies and systems comprising such noise and vibration reducing acoustic isolators. The noise and vibration reducing acoustic isolators, assemblies, etc., significantly reduce transmission of noise and/or vibration or otherwise improve the acoustic insulation properties between floors of buildings, such as mass timber buildings.

[0034] In some aspects, such improvement can be referred to as improving Impact Insulation Class rating (“the IIC rating”) or Sound Transmission Class rating (“the STC rating”, together the “IIC-STC rating”), which is an acoustical rating that measures the sound insulation and transmission of impact noise, such as vibrations or footsteps, on a floor-ceiling assembly. https://knowledgebank.materialbank.com/terms/iic-rating/ ,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_transmission_class .

[0035] For example, the assemblies, etc., herein can be tested as follows:

[0036] Test Procedure for Lab Testing: The test chambers consist of one reverberation room located directly above another reverberation room with a test opening between them. The product or assembly is installed into a test frame which is then placed in the opening between the test chambers. Care is taken that the only significant sound transmission path between the rooms is by way of the test specimen. The tapping machine is operated in four different locations on the floor (as specified in the standard) while the sound pressure levels are measured at four microphone locations in the room below. With the test specimen in place, the sound absorption and the background sound levels are also measured in the receiving room. The tapping machine sound pressure levels and the sound absorption in the receiving room are used to calculate the normalized sound pressure level, Ln, at the standard ⅓ octave band frequencies from 100 to 3150 Hertz.

[0037] End Result: The test report will include the normalized sound pressure level from 100 to 3150 Hertz, and the IIC rating. The ISO 10140-3 test can also be performed and the normalized impact sound pressure level, Ln can be calculated in accordance with ISO 717-2. Sound transmission loss measurements may be conducted at some lower frequencies if requested in advance.

[0038] Another test procedure, particularly for Floor-Ceiling systems in buildings:

[0039] Test Procedure for Field-Testing: Testing is typically performed on two adjacent rooms, one directly above the other but there may be occasions where the receiving is not located directly below the tapping machine. The tapping machine is operated in four different locations on the floor (as specified in the standard) while the sound pressure levels are measured at four microphone locations in the room below (receiving room). The sound absorption and the background sound levels are also measured in the receiving room. The tapping machine sound pressure levels measured in the receiving room used to obtain the impact sound pressure levels (ISPL). The tapping machine sound pressure levels and the reverberation time (normalized to 0.5 seconds) in the receiving room are used to calculate the reverberation time normalized impact sound pressure levels (RTNISPL). The tapping machine sound pressure levels and the sound absorption measured in the receiving room are used to calculate the absorption normalized impact sound pressure levels (ANISPL).

[0040] End Result: The test report will include the impact sound pressure level (ISPL), reverberation time normalized impact sound pressure level (RTNISPL) and/or absorption normalized impact sound pressure level (ANISPL) values from 100 to 3150 Hertz, and the corresponding the impact sound rating (ISR), the normalized impact sound rating (NISR) and/or apparent impact isolation class (AIIC) ratings respectively.

[0041] In some embodiments, the noise/vibration reduction assemblies and systems herein meet or exceed IIC ratings/IIC-STC ratings of about 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70. This includes floor-ceiling assemblies, particularly for separating dwelling units or commercial or office buildings having multiple floors.

[0042] Surprisingly, the thin acoustic isolators herein can be as or more effective than relatively thick full-floor isolators. More specifically, testing found: [0043] The baseline performance of a “naked”, 5-ply mass timber slab is about STC 39, IIC 25; the system performance with a bare (no final floor finish) TecCrete access floor with 1″ gypcrete topping (no mats) applied directly to 5-ply mass timber slab is STC 53, IIC 39. Thus, adding the 1″ gypcrete and TecCrete improved performance by +14 in STC and +14 in IIC compared to the “naked”, 5-ply mass timber slab. [0044] System performance for a bare (no final floor finish) TecCrete access floor with 1″ gypcrete topping and a ¼” thick USG Sam acoustic mat installed above 5-ply mass timber slab is STC 55, IIC 42. Thus, 1″ gypcrete with ¼” isolator mat and TecCrete improved performance by +16 in STC and +17 in IIC compared to the “naked”, 5-ply mass timber slab. (Note this is for a “full-floor” installation of the mat material.) [0045] Comparing those results to the systems, devices, etc., herein: System performance for a bare (no final floor finish) TecCrete access floor with ⅛″ thick, X-shaped, vinyl isolators installed beneath the pedestal base plates (only) and a 1″ gypcrete topping above 5-ply mass timber slab was STC 53, IIC 45. Thus, 1″ gypcrete with no isolator mat and with TecCrete with ⅛″ vinyl isolators improved performance by +14 in STC and +20 in IIC. Surprisingly, these results met or exceeded the results found with the ¼″ thick, full floor acoustic isolator system. In other words, with a STC-IIC performance goal of 50, the small, ⅛″ vinyl pedestal isolators outperformed ¼”, full-floor isolator mats.

[0046] Turning to the acoustic isolators themselves, they can be any desired shape, and are typically thin. For example, the acoustic isolators can have cruciform shapes, and S-shapes and empty-space shapes, as well as shapes that extend precisely to, or beyond, or do not extend to and therefore do not touch, the perimeter of the pedestal head or base plate. Such shapes can be advantageous for high volume manufacturing with little or no scrap/manufacturing waste. Further, such shapes can permit desirable amounts of pedestal adhesive to be distributed between the pedestal base plate and subfloor topping (or between the pedestal head and RAF) for an effective bond. Such shapes can also be particularly forgiving for installation. In addition, providing acoustic isolators only beneath the pedestal base or between the pedestal head and RAF panel above, such as a TecCrete.sup.® panel, instead of placing an acoustic, floor-wide mat made of an acoustic isolation material, i.e., a noise and vibration reduction material, to substantially cover the full subfloor whether a concrete or wood or other slab material, for example the mat covering at least about 80%, 90%, 95% up to about 100% of the area of the subfloor or RAF, which drastically reduces the cost and quantity of acoustic dampening material ensconced in the building. The systems, etc., herein can comprise acoustic isolators disposed between the pedestal base plate and a building subfloor - including a topping on the subfloor such as a gypsum topping on such building subfloor, and/or acoustic isolators disposed between the raised access floor panel and the pedestal head which can be height adjustable.

[0047] Various materials can be selected for the acoustic isolator, for example rubber, plastic, etc. The acoustic isolator can be configured in different shapes, thicknesses, hardness, etc., as desired, to accomplish the sound wave disruption. In some embodiments, the acoustic isolators can comprise rubber gasket types of material, or small “feet” configurations that do not provide a full gasket.

[0048] In the example of an RAF system forming part of a ceiling-to-floor construction, an access floor panel sits on pedestals that which in turn sit on the building subfloor (which can also be the ceiling of the occupant space below). The building subfloor can be a mass timber slab assembly and can include a topping such as a gypsum topping. The steel pedestals themselves, however, act as noise transmitter from the raised access floor to the ceiling below (and vice-versa).

[0049] The devices, assemblies, etc., herein are useful for any building construction having pedestals, which can be load-bearing pedestals (e.g., weight for vertical loads or seismic for horizontal forces), that conduct noise or vibration from one end of the pedestal to another, and therefore from one location in the building to another. Exemplary locations include between floors (typically from a floor to a ceiling or vice-versa) or through walls separating one room from another. The systems, assemblies, etc., herein can be particularly useful for mass timber buildings, as well as for concrete, steel, and other surfaces and materials.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the systems, etc., herein comprise acoustic isolators disposed between the pedestal base plate and the building subfloor and/or acoustic isolators disposed between the raised access floor panel and the pedestal head. The embodiments herein also include pedestals, or other spacers, having such acoustic isolators, as well as RAF systems having such acoustic isolators, wall systems having such acoustic isolators and buildings having such acoustic isolators.

[0051] Various materials can be selected as the acoustic isolator, for example rubber, plastic, cork, vinyl, closed cell foam, etc. The acoustic isolator can be configured in different shapes, thicknesses, hardness, etc., as desired, to accomplish the sound wave disruption. In some embodiments, the acoustic isolators can comprise rubber gasket types of material, or small “feet” configurations that do not provide a full gasket. Pedestal heads can be flat or can have non-flat features such as embossments or contours that locate the access floor panel in the correct location on the pedestal head.

[0052] Turning to some further examples and the Figures herein, FIG. 1 schematically depicts a side plan view of one example of an embodiment of the current systems herein. FIG. 1 depicts a noise and vibration reduction assembly 2 in a multi-floor building 4. The noise and vibration reduction assembly 2 comprises a raised access floor (RAF) pedestal 6 disposed between subfloor 16, here having a Gypcrete® or concrete topping 18 above an acoustic, substantially floor-wide mat made of a noise and vibration reduction isolation material 20 which in turn is above a mass timber slab 22, and a raised access floor (RAF) panel 24.

[0053] The RAF pedestal 6 in this embodiment is substantially an I-shaped, and comprises a RAF pedestal base plate 14, a RAF height adjustable pedestal head 12 and a pedestal body 28 therebetween. The upper acoustic isolator 10 is disposed between the RAF pedestal head 12 of the RAF pedestal 6 and the raised access floor (RAF) panel 24, here being directly attached/abutting each. The lower acoustic isolator 8 is disposed between the RAF pedestal base plate 14 of the RAF pedestal 6 and the subfloor 16, here directly attached to/abutting the RAF pedestal base plate 14 and the topping 18. In other embodiments, the lower acoustic isolator 8 can directly abut the acoustic floor-wide mat made of a noise and vibration reduction isolation material 20, or the mass timber slab 22. In some embodiments, topping 18 and/ or acoustic floor-wide mat made of a noise and vibration reduction isolation material 20 can be omitted entirely or with spaces or cutouts provided in the mat to allow access of the lower acoustic isolator 8 to a desired attachment point and/or material. Similar access holes can be provided above the RAF pedestal 6 if desired. The noise and vibration reduction assembly 2 in this embodiment further comprises an air seal 30 for RAF panels 24 that are above a raised access floor (RAF) space 32 having an underfloor air/HVAC system; the air seal 30 prevents or inhibits undesired flow of such air/HVAC into the occupied space 34.

[0054] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict top plan and perspective views one example of an embodiment of a RAF pedestal 6 having a RAF adjustable height pedestal head 12 and an upper acoustic isolator 10. RAF pedestal 6 can be shortened or lengthened via extension element 36. RAF pedestal head 12 and upper acoustic isolator 10 comprise cooperatively located holes 38, 40 for installation of mechanical fasteners that retain the access floor panel. RAF pedestal head 12 and upper acoustic isolator 10 also have cooperatively located structures, here slots 42 in the upper acoustic isolator 10 corresponding to locator bumps 44 on the RAF pedestal head 12.

[0055] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict top perspective views of several examples of acoustic isolators 8, 10 suitable for use with the current systems herein. The acoustic isolators 8, 10 can have square shapes 46 or truncated square shapes 50 , with or without empty space 48 therein to provide empty-space shapes. The acoustic isolators 8, 10 can also have S-shapes 52 or X-shapes 54

[0056] FIG. 5 depicts a side plan view of a raised access floor (RAF) pedestal 6 having a RAF pedestal base plate 14 and a pedestal tube 26. The system also comprises mechanical securing elements 56 for securing the RAF pedestal 6 to a desires subfloor, RAF panel, etc., as desired.

[0057] Also included herein are methods comprising making or using the systems, assemblies, devices, etc. For example, such methods include constructing multi-floor buildings such as mass timber buildings including installing and utilizing the acoustic isolators herein wherein the construction comprises installing an array of raised access floor (RAF) pedestals herein between adjacent subfloor and raised access floor (RAF) of the multi-floor building. In some embodiments, the multi-floor building comprises mass timber slabs between a lower first floor and a higher second floor of the multi-floor building, for example where the mass timber slabs form the subfloor of the given level of the building, and in some instances the ceiling of the room below. The adjacent subfloor and raised access floor (RAF) of the multi-floor building can separate occupied spaces within the multi-floor building.

[0058] All terms used herein are used in accordance with their ordinary meanings unless the context or definition clearly indicates otherwise. Also unless expressly indicated otherwise, in the specification the use of “or” includes “and” and vice-versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed as limiting unless expressly stated, or the context clearly indicates, otherwise (for example, “including,” “having,” and “comprising” typically indicate “including without limitation”). Singular forms, including in the claims (if any), such as “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless expressly stated, or the context clearly indicates, otherwise.

[0059] Unless otherwise stated, adjectives herein such as “substantially” and “about” that modify a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment, indicate that the condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended.

[0060] The scope of the present devices, systems and methods, etc., includes both means plus function and step plus function concepts. However, claims are not to be interpreted as indicating a “means plus function” relationship unless the word “means” is specifically recited in a claim, and are to be interpreted as indicating a “means plus function” relationship where the word “means” is specifically recited in a claim. Similarly, claims are not to be interpreted as indicating a “step plus function” relationship unless the word “step” is specifically recited in a claim, and are to be interpreted as indicating a “step plus function” relationship where the word “step” is specifically recited in a claim.

[0061] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments have been discussed herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the discussion herein.