Abstract
A portable acoustical blocking system is disclosed for use with a support comprising a sheet of acoustical blocking material bound by material edge. A reinforcing tape is affixed to the sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to the material edge. A decorative component comprising a flexible substrate with a decorative image is located adjacent to the acoustical blocking material. A plurality of hangers are secured to the sheet of acoustical blocking material and extending through the reinforcing tape and the sheet of acoustical blocking material for hanging the sheet of acoustical blocking material and the decorative component from the support for inhibiting the flow of acoustic energy between the first and second sides of the acoustical blocking material.
Claims
1. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system for use with a support, comprising: a sheet of acoustical blocking material having a first and a second side and bound by material edge; a reinforcing tape affixed to said first side of said sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to said material edge; a decorative component affixed to one of said first and second sides of said sheet of acoustical blocking material; said decorative component comprising a flexible substrate with a decorative image affixed to said flexible substrate; a plurality of hangers secured to said sheet of acoustical blocking material and extending through said reinforcing tape and said sheet of acoustical blocking material for hanging said sheet of acoustical blocking material from the support for inhibiting the flow of acoustic energy between said first and second sides of said acoustical blocking material.
2. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support is a chain link fence.
3. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said material edge of said sheet of acoustical blocking material includes a first through fourth edge defining a perimeter of said sheet of acoustical blocking material.
4. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material is flexible for enabling said sheet of acoustical blocking material to be rolled for transportation.
5. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system 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.
6. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sheet of acoustical blocking material has a thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch; and said sheet of acoustical blocking material comprising a barium free formulation mineral filled to have a density of greater than one pound per square foot.
7. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing tape is heat welded to said first side of said sheet of acoustical blocking material.
8. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing tape comprises a woven polyester material.
9. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of hangers comprises a grommet defining a grommet aperture.
10. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality of flexible ties for securing said plurality of hangers to the support.
11. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said decorative component comprises an illustration secured to one of said first and second sides of said sheet of acoustical blocking material.
12. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said decorative component comprises an acoustically transparent substrate with a decorative image affixed to said substrate.
13. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said decorative component comprises a substrate with a decorative image affixed to said substrate; and said substrate being secured to said sheet of acoustical blocking material by a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
14. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said decorative component comprises a substrate with a decorative image affixed to said substrate; and said substrate being heat sealed to said sheet of acoustical blocking material.
15. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said decorative component comprises a substrate with a decorative image affixed to said substrate; and said substrate being adhesively affixed to said sheet of acoustical blocking material.
16. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system for use with a support, comprising: a sheet of acoustical blocking material having a first and a second side and bound by material edge; a reinforcing tape affixed to said first side of said sheet of acoustical blocking material adjacent to said material edge; a decorative component affixed to one of said first and second sides of said sheet of acoustical blocking material; a generally U-shape hanger secured to said sheet of acoustical blocking material for hanging said sheet of acoustical blocking material from the support for inhibiting the flow of acoustic energy between said first and second sides of said acoustical blocking material.
17. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said generally U-shape hanger secured to said acoustical blocking material by an adhesive.
18. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said generally U-shape hanger secured to said acoustical blocking material by a mechanical fastener.
19. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said generally U-shape hanger secured to said acoustical blocking material by a magnetic fastener.
20. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said generally U-shaped hanger is a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical channel.
21. A portable decorative acoustical blocking system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said generally U-shaped hanger is a longitudinally extending partially rectangular channel.
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 portable acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 is a magnified view along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
(5) FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the portable acoustical blocking system 10 of the present invention secured to a support shown as a fence;
(6) FIG. 5 is a graph of sound transmission loss as a function of frequency for the portable acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(7) FIG. 6 is a graph of sound absorption as a function of frequency for the portable acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(8) FIG. 7 is a front view of a first embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system incorporating a decorative component of the present invention;
(9) FIG. 8 is a front view of a second embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system incorporating a decorative component of the present invention;
(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8;
(11) FIG. 10 is a front view of a third embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system incorporating a decorative component of the present invention;
(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG. 10;
(13) FIG. 12 is a front view of a portion of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system of FIG. 7 illustrating a grid frame affixed to the acoustical blocking material;
(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view along line 13-13 in FIG. 12;
(15) FIG. 14 is a sectional view along line 14-14 in FIG. 12;
(16) FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the projections shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;
(17) FIG. 16 is a front view of a portion of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system of FIG. 7 illustrating a three dimensional synthetic plant growth;
(18) FIG. 17 is a rear view of FIG. 15;
(19) FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating the connection of the three-dimensional synthetic plant growth of FIG. 16 and the grid frame of FIG. 12;
(20) FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating the removable connection of the three-dimensional synthetic plant growth of FIG. 16 and the grid frame of FIG. 12;
(21) FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a front decorative component for a fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(22) FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the portable acoustical blocking material secured to a support shown as a fence;
(23) FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the front decorative component affixed in front of the acoustical blocking component for forming a fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(24) FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the front decorative component located adjacent to the sound blocking material for forming the fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(25) FIG. 24 is variation of FIG. 23 illustrating an optional sound absorbing component interposed between the front decorative component and the sound blocking material of FIG. 23;
(26) FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a front decorative component for a fifth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system of the present invention;
(27) FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the acoustical blocking material;
(28) FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of the front decorative component affixed to the sound blocking component;
(29) FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the fifth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system secured to a support shown as a fence;
(30) FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system secured to a support shown as a chain link fence;
(31) FIG. 30 is a side sectional view of FIG. 29; and
(32) FIG. 31 is a side sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system secured to a support shown as a picket fence.
(33) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DISCUSSION
(34) FIGS. 1-3 are various views of the portable acoustical blocking system 5 of the present invention. The portable acoustical blocking system 5 comprises sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 having a first side surface 11 and a second side surface 12. The sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 is bound by a material edge 20. In this example, the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 is bound by a top material edge 21, side material edges 22 and 23 and a bottom material edge 24. The material edges 21-24 define a perimeter of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10. Although the parameter defined by the material edges 21-24 are shown as a rectangular configuration, it should be understood by those skilled in the art and that the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 may take various configurations.
(35) FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. In this example, the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 has a thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch. The acoustical blocking material 10 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 10 is flexible for enabling the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 to be rolled for transportation and/storage.
(36) An important aspect of the present invention is the addition of a reinforcing tape 30 affixed to the first side of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 adjacent to the material edge 20. In this example, reinforcing tapes 31-34 are affixed adjacent to the material edges 21-24 respectively. The reinforcing tape 30 is heat welded to the first side 11 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10. In the heat welding process, both the first side 11 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 and the reinforcing tape 30 are simultaneously heated to an appropriated temperature. After the acoustical blocking material 10 and the reinforcing tape 30 are simultaneously are heated to the appropriated temperature, the reinforcing tape 30 is pressed upon the first side 11 of the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10. 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 30.
(37) Referring back to FIG. 1, a plurality of hangers 40 are secured to the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10. The plurality of hangers 40 enable the sheet of acoustical blocking material to be suspended from a support for inhibiting the flow of acoustic energy between the first side surface 11 and second side surface 12 of the acoustical blocking material 10.
(38) FIG. 3 is a magnified view along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 further illustrating one of the plurality of hangers 40. Each of the plurality of hangers 40 extends through the reinforcing tape 30 and the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10. The reinforcing tape 30 provides structural strength to the plurality of hangers 40 for suspending the sheet of acoustical blocking material from a support.
(39) In this example, the plurality of hangers 40 are shown as grommets having grommet apertures 42. Although the plurality of hangers 40 are shown as grommets having grommet apertures 42, it should be understood by those skilled in the art and that the plurality of hangers 40 may take various configurations.
(40) FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the portable acoustical blocking system 10 of the present invention secured to a support shown 60 as a fence. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that virtually any support may be used to suspend the portable acoustical blocking system 10 including scaffolding, staggered wood shadow box privacy fences, handrails, horizontal supports and the like. The portable acoustical blocking system 10 finds particular use along rail and road transportation.
(41) A plurality of flexible ties 50 secure the plurality of hangers 40 to the support 60 by extending through the grommet apertures 42 and encircling the support 60. In one example, the plurality of flexible ties 50 are metallic cable ties although various types of flexible ties may be used in the present invention.
(42) FIG. 5 is a graph of sound transmission loss as a function of frequency for the portable acoustical blocking system 5 of the present invention. The portable acoustical blocking system 5 been tested in independent certified acoustical labs and the sound transmission coefficient (STC) of 30 represents a 87.5% reduction of sound to the human ear.
(43) FIG. 6 is a graph of sound absorption as a function of frequency for the portable acoustical blocking system 5 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 10 transforms low frequency sound waves into mechanical movement and internal friction energy within the acoustical blocking material 10. Laboratory tests indicate that this transformation process reduces these low frequencies from penetrating the acoustical blocking material 10 by over 60 percent relative to the human ear. In addition the acoustical blocking material 10 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 10 has a 0.078 NRC (noise reduction coefficient) at the very low freq of 40 Hz and a NRC (noise reduction coefficient) of 0.063 at 100 Hz. The acoustical blocking material 10 not only reduces sound as a barrier, but also acts as an acoustical absorbent material at very low frequencies. Very low frequencies are not reflected as other sound barriers. In contrast to a ridged barrier, the acoustical blocking material 10 mass flexes at low frequencies transforming the acoustical energy into inaudible internal friction energy.
(44) FIG. 7 is a front view of a first embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system 5A incorporating a decorative component 70A of the present invention. The decorative component 70A is affixed to the acoustical blocking material 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4. The decorative component 70A provides a pleasant appearance to the acoustical blocking material 10.
(45) In this first embodiment of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5A, the decorative component 70A comprises a decorative element 80A supported by a grid frame 90A. The decorative element 80A is shown as a synthetic three-dimensional element representing a synthetic plant growth 80A. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the synthetic plant growth 80A is removeably affixed to the acoustical blocking material 10 by the grid frame 90A.
(46) FIGS. 8 and 9 are front and side views of a second embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system 5B incorporating a decorative component 70B. In this second embodiment of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5B, the decorative component 70B is shown as a three-dimensional advertisement 80B affixed to the acoustical blocking material 10. The three-dimensional advertisement 80B may be either removeably affixed or may be permanently affixed to the acoustical blocking material 10. In one example, three-dimensional advertisement 80B is permanently secured to the acoustical blocking material 10 by a conventional adhesive.
(47) FIGS. 10 and 11 are front and side views of a third embodiment of a portable acoustical blocking system 5C incorporating a decorative component 70C. In this second embodiment of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5C, the decorative component 70B is shown as a two-dimensional work of art 80C permanently affixed to the acoustical blocking material 10. The two-dimensional work of art 80C may be an original artwork, a copy of fine art work or may be street art as found in many urban areas.
(48) FIG. 12 is a front view of a portion of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5A of FIG. 7. The grid frame 90A supports the decorative element 80A to form the decorative component 70A. The grid frame 90 provides a grid matrix for removeably affixing the decorative element 80A.
(49) FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a portion of FIG. 12 illustrating a staple 96A affixing the grid frame 90A to the acoustical blocking material 10. The staples 96A permanently affix the grid frame 90A to the acoustical blocking material 10. A plurality of projections 92A extend from multiple positions of the grid frame 90A.
(50) FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a portion of FIG. 12 illustrating an adhesive 98A affixing the grid frame 90A to the acoustical blocking material 10. The adhesive 98A permanently affixes the grid frame 90A to the acoustical blocking material 10.
(51) FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the plurality of projections 92A extending from the grid frame 90. Each of the plurality of projections 92A extends from a proximal end 93A and a distal end 94A. The distal ends 94A include an enlarged portion 95A.
(52) FIGS. 16 and 17 are front and rear views of the decorative element 80A of the portable decorative acoustical blocking system of FIG. 7. The decorative element 80A comprises a plurality of leaves 82A interconnected by connectors 83A. In this example, the connectors 83A include major connectors 84A and minor connectors 85A. The minor connectors 85A connect the leaves 82A to the major connectors 84A. A plurality of rings 86A extend from the major connectors 84A. Each of the plurality of rings 86A has an aperture 88A.
(53) Preferably, the plurality of leaves 82A including the major and minor connectors 84A and 85A as well as the plurality of rings 86A are formed from a one piece polymeric material. Only a portion of each of the plurality of rings 86A is affixed to the major connectors 84A enabling the rings 86A and the aperture 88A to be resiliently expanded. The smaller dimension of the aperture 88A enables the aperture 88A to resiliently engage the projections 92A.
(54) FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating the removable connection of the three dimensional synthetic plant growth of FIG. 15 and the grid frame of FIG. 12. The aperture 88A is forces over the enlarged portion 95A at the distal end of the projection 92 enabling the rings 86A to resiliently expand and to subsequently engage the projections 92A.
(55) FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating the removable connection of the three dimensional synthetic plant growth of FIG. 15 and the grid frame of FIG. 12. The plurality of leaves 82A function to dissipate acoustical energy prior to impinging upon the acoustical blocking material 10 as indicated by the arrows. The addition of the plurality of leaves 82A dissipating acoustical energy increases the acoustical performance set forth in the graph in FIGS. 5 and 6.
(56) FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating the removable connection of the three-dimensional synthetic plant growth of FIG. 16 and the grid frame of FIG. 12.
(57) FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a front decorative component 80D of a fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5D of the present invention; The front decorative component 80D comprises an acoustically transparent substrate 100D with a with a two-dimensional work of art 105D printed, painted or otherwise affixed to the acoustically transparent substrate 100D. An example of the acoustically transparent substrate 100D is a UV resistant PVC type mesh.
(58) FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the portable acoustical blocking system 5 secured to a support shown as a fence as shown in FIG. 4;
(59) FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the front decorative component 80D affixed in front of the acoustical blocking material 10 for forming the fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5D of the present invention. In this example, the front decorative component 80D is affixed in front of the acoustical blocking material 10 by the plurality of flexible ties 50. The front decorative component 80D may be affixed to the acoustical blocking component contemporaneously with the mounting of the acoustical blocking material 10 by the plurality of flexible ties 50 or maybe retrofitted onto an existing portable acoustic blocking system 5 as shown in FIG. 4.
(60) FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the front decorative component 80D located adjacent to the sound blocking material 10 for forming the fourth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5D of the present invention. In this example, the acoustically transparent substrate 100D includes a reinforcing tape 30D located about the peripheral edge of the acoustically transparent substrate 100D for added strength to add the plurality of hangers 40D. In the alternative, the acoustically transparent substrate 100D may include an internal lamination adding mechanical strength to the entire acoustically transparent substrate 100D thereby eliminating the need for the reinforcing tape 30D.
(61) The front decorative component 80D located adjacent to the sound blocking material 10 allows for the change of the Image for variety and or for possible advertising images. Furthermore, the decorative component 80D can be added to one side or both sides of the portable sound blocking material 10
(62) FIG. 24 is variation of FIG. 23 illustrating an optional sound absorbing component 120D interposed between the front decorative component 80D and the sound blocking material 10. The optional hydrophobic sound absorbing component 120D includes a plurality of hangers 40D for securing the optional sound absorbing component 120D with a plurality of flexible ties 50. The optional sound absorbing component 120D adds a sound absorbing quality to the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5D.
(63) FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5E of the present invention. The front decorative component 80E comprises a flexible substrate 100E with a two-dimensional art work of art 105E printed, painted or otherwise affixed to the substrate 100E. An example of the substrate 100E is a thin sheet of PVC with a UV tolerant image affixed thereto.
(64) FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the acoustical blocking material 10 as the acoustical blocking material 10 is manufactured.
(65) FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of the front decorative component 80E affixed to the sound blocking material 10 to form the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5E of the present invention. The front decorative component 80E is affixed to the sound blocking material 10 by various means such as adhesives or heat fusion or heat sealing or the like. Preferably, the front decorative component 80E hot laminated to the sound blocking material 10 as the sound blocking material 10 exits the hot rollers during production of the sound blocking material 10. Accordingly, the front decorative component 80E may be affixed to the sound blocking material 10 without the need for additional adhesives or process steps. After the front decorative component 80E is affixed to the sound blocking material 10 the reinforcing tape 30D and the plurality of hangers 40D are added to the portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5E.
(66) FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the fifth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5E secured to a support shown as a fence by the plurality of flexible ties 50.
(67) FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5F secured to a support shown as a chain link fence. A generally U-shape hanger 40F is secured to the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 for hanging the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 from the support 60. The generally U-shape hanger 40F is secured to the sheet of acoustical blocking material 10 by various means such as a mechanical fasteners or an adhesive. Alternately, self-taping screw, industrial hook and loop fasteners, industrial magnetic strips or the like may be used to secure the generally U-shape hanger 40F to the acoustical blocking material 10.
(68) FIG. 30 is a side sectional view of FIG. 29 illustrating the generally U-shape hanger 40F as a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical channel 40F. The partially cylindrical channel 40F is dropped onto an upper support 60 of the chain link fence.
(69) FIG. 31 is a side sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a portable decorative acoustical blocking system 5G secured to a support shown as a picket fence 130. In the example, the picket fence includes a top rail 131, a picket 133, a bottom rail 135 and a post 137. In this example, the generally U-shape hanger 40G is illustrated as a longitudinally extending partially rectangular channel. The partially rectangular channel 40G is dropped onto the top rail 131 of picket fence 130. The acoustical blocking material 10 may be extended to provide a noise gasket 140 to close a gap between the bottom rail 135 and the ground 145.
(70) 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.
