Suspension system

Abstract

A sound absorbing system comprising: A wall (5); A wall bracket (1) that is affixed to the wall, the wall bracket comprising a fixing plate (6) which is affixed to and lies along the wall surface; a spacer element (7) connected to and projecting from the fixing plate so as to extend away from the wall and a support element (8) connected to the spacer element; A panel bracket (2) comprising a hook element (11) arranged to hang on the support element of the wall bracket and at least one barb (12) connected to the hook element and extending away from the wall And an acoustic panel (4) affixed to the panel bracket by means of the at least one barb penetrating the panel; such that the acoustic panel is positioned spaced away from the wall at a distance X from the wall and generally parallel to the wall.

Claims

1. A sound absorbing system comprising: (a) a wall; (b) a wall bracket that is affixed to the wall, the wall bracket comprising: (i) a fixing plate which is affixed to and lies along the wall; (ii) a spacer element connected to and projecting from the fixing plate so as to extend away from the wall; (iii) a support element connected to the spacer element; (c) a panel bracket which is a unitary component comprising: (iv) a hook element arranged to hang on the support element of the wall bracket; and (v) at least one barb integrally formed with the hook element and extending away from the wall; (d) an acoustic panel affixed to the panel bracket by means of the at least one barb penetrating the panel; such that the acoustic panel is positioned spaced away from the wall at a distance X from the wall and generally parallel to the wall.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which at least two of said acoustic panels are attached to the wall, each acoustic panel being affixed by means of one of said wall bracket and one of said panel bracket.

3. A system according to claim 2 in which the two panels are positioned at different distances X from the wall, and preferably overlap.

4. A system according to claim 1 in which the wall bracket is a unitary component.

5. A system according to claim 1 in which the panel bracket is a unitary component.

6. A system according to claim 1 in which the spacer element is in the form of a plate which is substantially coextensive with the fixing plate.

7. A system according to claim 1 in which the spacer element extends from the fixing plate in a direction such that it is substantially perpendicular to the wall.

8. A system according to claim 1 in which the support element is a plate which extends upwardly from an edge of the spacer element that is distal from the wall, and which is substantially coextensive in length with the spacer element.

9. A system according to claim 8 in which the support element is a plate folded to provide a ridge which constitutes the uppermost point of the support element, on which the hook element of the panel bracket rests.

10. A system according to claim 1 in which the hook element is in the form of a single folded hook plate that has a length shorter than the length of the support element by an amount in the range 10 to 40 mm.

11. A system according to claim 1 in which the support element comprises two ends, a stop member at each end, and in which the hook element fits between the two stop members.

12. A system according to claim 1 in which the hook element is configured so that when installed it will provide a barb plate whose plane is substantially vertical and from which extends the at least one barb.

13. A system according to claim 12 in which substantially the full length of each barb is within the panel material and the barb plate lies along and is generally contiguous with the surface of the panel facing the wall.

14. A system according to claim 12 in which the wall bracket also includes a stabilisation member that extends downwardly from an edge of the spacer element that is distal from the wall and is in the form of a plate and is substantially parallel to the wall, such that the barb plate bears against the stabilization element.

15. A system according to claim 1 in which the at least one barb extends from the hook element upwardly such that the angle between the plane of each barb and the wall is in the range 20 to 50 degrees.

16. A system according to claim 1 in which the wall bracket is generally elongate and is positioned on the wall so as to be substantially horizontal.

17. A method of mounting an acoustic panel on a wall, the method comprising: providing a wall bracket comprising a fixing plate which has at least two apertures; a spacer element connected to and projecting from the fixing plate; and a support element connected to the spacer element; affixing the wall bracket to the wall by means of fasteners which pass through the apertures, such that the fixing plate lies along the wall and the spacer element extends in a direction away from the wall; providing an acoustic panel; providing a panel bracket which is a unitary component comprising a hook element and at least one barb integrally formed with the hook element; affixing the acoustic panel to the panel bracket by penetration of the at least one barb into the material of the acoustic panel; hanging the panel bracket with the acoustic panel affixed thereto on the support element of the wall bracket by means of hanging the hook element on the support element.

18. A bracket for mounting an acoustic panel, the bracket comprising: an elongate plate having first and second major surfaces and being of substantially rectangular perimeter having top and bottom long edges and short end edges; wherein the top and bottom long edges have length in the range 250 to 600 mm; and the top and bottom long edges have length from 3 to 10 times the length of the end edges; wherein the top edge is provided with a fold along substantially its entire length in the direction of the first major surface; and the plate is provided with at least two barbs in the form of cut-outs extending upwardly in a direction away from the second major surface and forming an angle with the second major surface in the range 20 to 50 degrees.

19. A system according to claim 1 in which the at least one barb is in the form of a cut-out in the hook element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view cross section of a wall bracket 1.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the wall bracket 1 of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a side view cross section of an alternative wall bracket 1.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the wall bracket of FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a side view cross section of a panel bracket 2. This is useful in the system and method of the invention and is a panel bracket of the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the panel bracket of FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a side view of a distancing element 3.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the distancing element of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 shows a side view of an acoustic panel 4 mounted on a wall 5 using the wall bracket 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel bracket 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the distancing element 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

(10) FIG. 10 shows an acoustic panel 4 mounted on a wall 5 using the wall bracket 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the panel bracket 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the distancing element 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

(11) FIG. 11 shows 2 acoustic panels 4 mounted on a wall 5, one being mounted using the wall bracket 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the panel bracket 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the other being mounted using the wall bracket 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the panel bracket 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(12) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of multiple acoustic panels 4 mounted on a wall 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(13) FIG. 1 shows a side cross section of a wall bracket 1 according to the invention. The fixing plate 6, the spacer element 7 and the support element 8 are formed integrally from a single sheet of steel.

(14) When in use the fixing plate 6 is fixed to a wall by means of fasteners being passed through apertures 9. As shown in FIG. 2 the apertures may be provided in different configurations so that different fastener types may be used. In this embodiment, three fasteners are used to attach the fixing plate to a wall. Generally the fixing plate 6 lies along the surface of the wall so that on a vertical wall the plane of the fixing plate is vertical.

(15) The wall bracket is generally elongate and is positioned on the wall so as to be substantially horizontal, i.e. the long edges of the fixing plate are substantially horizontal.

(16) The fixing plate 6 has a substantially rectangular perimeter with two opposed long edges and two opposed short edges. The lower long edge connects with the spacer element 7 which is also in the form of a plate, and which extends substantially perpendicularly from the fixing plate, and hence in use is substantially perpendicular to the wall. The fixing plate and the spacer element form a substantially L shaped profile.

(17) The spacer element is also substantially rectangular in perimeter and its long edges are substantially coextensive with the long edges of the fixing plate. The spacer element has one edge proximal to the wall and one edge distal to the wall. At its distal edge it connects with the support element 8.

(18) This support element 8 extends upwardly from the distal edge of the spacer element so as to form a ridge on which the panel bracket can hang by means of its hook element.

(19) The wall bracket is provided with stop elements 10 at each end of the support element 8. These extend upwardly at the ends of the support element 8.

(20) The panel bracket 2 comprises an elongate plate having first and second major surfaces. The hook element 11 of the panel bracket 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided by a fold in the direction of the first major surface, which is the surface that faces towards the wall bracket. The hook element hangs on the support element 8 in between the stop members 10. The stop members 10 prevent displacement of the panel bracket along the length of the wall bracket.

(21) For mounting of an acoustic panel 4 the panel bracket 2 is affixed to the panel 4 by means of the barbs 12. These are formed by cut-outs in the hook element 11. The hook element 11 comprises an angled plate whereby the top part is configured so as to hook onto the support element of the wall bracket and a barb plate 13, which is vertical in use, is provided with barbs 12 which extend away from the second plate and upwardly relative to the horizontal.

(22) The angle between the barbs 12 and the barb plate 13 of the hook element is desirably in the range 20 to 50 degrees, such as in the range 40 to 50 degrees, preferably near 45 degrees. This assists with ease of application of the panel bracket to the panel.

(23) The panel bracket preferably contains at least two barbs, more preferably at least three and in this example there are four. In the method of mounting, the barbs are pressed into the panel and penetrate the panel material so as to affix the panel bracket to the panel. Substantially the whole length of each barb penetrates into the panel, with the barb plate acting as a stop to penetration. The barb plate 13 lies along the surface of the panel and is substantially contiguous with it. Thus it ensures that the angle of the barbs within the panel and relative to the surface of the panel is maintained.

(24) For mounting the panel to the wall it is then simply necessary to hook the hook member onto the wall bracket. As well preventing lateral movement between the panel bracket and the wall bracket, the stop members also act as a guide for the installer in mounting the panel with attached panel bracket.

(25) The wall bracket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a relatively large spacing Z between the fixing plate and the support element, so that the distance X between the panel and the surface of the wall is relatively high, in comparison with the wall bracket shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this latter embodiment the distance Z, and consequently, distance X, is relatively short. The spacer element 7 has a very short extent and the support element 8 provides a very short distance between the panel and the wall in use.

(26) The wall bracket also includes a stabilisation member 14 which extends downwardly from the support element. Once the panel bracket is hooked onto the support element the barb plate 13 bears against the stabilisation member 14 so as to minimise rotational movement around the ridge of the support element.

(27) For further minimisation of such rotational movement, and in particular rotational movement that might lead to movement of the lower end of the panel towards the wall, it is possible to use distancing element 3 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

(28) The distancing element 3 has tines 15 which can penetrate the acoustic panel. These tines 15 extend from a flange 16 which limits penetration into the acoustic panel. Extending from the opposed face of the flange 16 is a spacer bolt 17, which may be adjusted in length by rotation of the spacer bolt 17 relative to the nut 18 at the flange 16. In the suspension system of the invention the distance Y between the surface of the flange 16 which is in contact with the panel and the end of the spacer bolt which is distal from that corresponds with the distance X, such that the position on the acoustic panel into which the spacer element is added is held at the same distance from the wall as the position at which the panel bracket is affixed. This distance can be adjusted and optimised by modifying the length of the spacer bolt 17.

(29) FIG. 9 shows a mounted panel 4 in side view. Having been impaled on the barbs 12 of the panel bracket 2, the panel 4 is mounted to the wall 5 by hanging the panel bracket 2 on the previously-affixed wall bracket 1. The panel bracket 2 is affixed to the panel 4 in an upper region of the panel surface. The barbs 12 are inserted into the surface of the panel to the maximum extent possible, and so that the barb plate 13 lies against the surface of the panel and is contiguous with it.

(30) The wall bracket 1 is affixed to the wall 5 by means of the fixing plate 6 being fastened to the wall 5 by means of fasteners (not shown) so that the fixing plate 6 lies along the surface of the wall 5. It can be seen that the wall bracket 1 as a whole is arranged substantially horizontally along the wall 5. As a result the panel bracket 2 is also arranged substantially horizontally along the wall 5.

(31) In a lower region a distancing element 3 is applied to the panel 4 by means of inserting into the panel, on the same surface as the surface into which the panel bracket is inserted, the tines 15. The distancing element is pressed into the surface of the panel as far as possible so that the surface of the flange 16 rests against the surface of the panel and is generally contiguous with it.

(32) Application of the distancing element 3 to the panel 4 takes place prior to application of the panel bracket 2 on to the affixed wall bracket 1. This means that the application of the panel 4 to the wall 5 is a straightforward matter of hanging the panel bracket 2 on to the wall bracket 1.

(33) The end of the spacer bolt 17 that is distal from the flange then bears against the wall 5. This prevents rotation of the lower part of the panel towards the wall 5 and maintains the distance X between the panel 4 and the wall 5 in the lower region also. The precise length of the spacer bolt 17 can be adjusted by turning the bolt 18.

(34) FIG. 10 shows a mounted panel 4 in side view in the same way as in FIG. 9, with the difference that the wall bracket used is that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, the distance X between the panel 4 and the wall 5 is smaller than in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

(35) FIG. 11 shows two panels 4u and 41 mounted to a single wall 5. The upper panel 4u is mounted as described in FIG. 9 and the lower panel 4l is mounted as described in FIG. 10, partially underneath the panel 4u. In this example the distance Xu between the upper panel and the wall is 65 mm and the distance XI between the lower panel and the wall is 15 mm. As a result, it is possible to overlap the panels.

(36) Overlapping is shown in perspective view in FIG. 12. As can be seen in FIG. 12 multiple panels may be arranged in any suitable pattern on the wall, including rotated as illustrated by the first and last panel shown. For a rotated panel the wall bracket would still be horizontal (namely, its long edges extend horizontally along the wall). The panel bracket would also be horizontal (namely, parallel with the wall bracket). Whereas the panels would be rotated in relation to the panel bracket, so the panel bracket is not parallel to the edges of the panel. It is an advantage of the invention that the same structure of wall bracket and panel bracket allows affixation of multiple panels at a variety of heights on the wall surface and at whichever angle is chosen by the installer.

(37) Dimensions for the panels in this example are: Square: 1160×1160×40 mm Rectangle: 1760×1160×40 mm Circles: Diameter 800 and 1160×40 mm Triangle: 1160×1160×40 mm XL panel: 2360×1160×40 mm