DUAL CHANNEL ACOUSTIC BAFFLE COUPLER AND RELATED METHODS OF USE

Abstract

An acoustic baffle system that includes an acoustic baffle coupler, an acoustic baffle, and one or more fasteners to secure the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling. The acoustic baffle coupler includes a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a lower end, a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end, a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end, and a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end. An acoustic baffle is secured into the first and second channels of the acoustic baffle coupler. The one or more fasteners are disposed within the slot of the acoustic baffle coupler and the one or more fasteners are secured to the ceiling.

Claims

1. An acoustic baffle system comprising: an acoustic baffle coupler comprising: a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end; a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; an acoustic baffle secured into the first and second channels of the acoustic baffle coupler, wherein a first end of the acoustic baffle is secured into the first channel and a second end of the acoustic baffle is secured into the second channel; and one or more fasteners disposed within the slot of the acoustic baffle coupler to secure the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling.

2. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fasteners are bolts.

3. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel each comprise an upper wall and a lower wall.

4. The acoustic baffle system of claim 3, wherein a length of each upper wall is greater than a length of each lower wall.

5. The acoustic baffle system of claim 3, wherein the first channel and the second channel each further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend inward from the upper wall and the lower wall.

6. The acoustic baffle system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of teeth of the first channel and the second channel allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the first channel and the second channel but prevent movement of the acoustic baffle out of the first channel and the second channel.

7. The acoustic baffle system of claim 5, wherein each upper wall of the first channel and the second channel comprise four teeth that are spaced apart from each other and each lower wall of the first and second channel comprises two teeth that are spaced apart from each other.

8. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein walls of the first channel and the second channel comprise sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the walls when the acoustic baffle is inserted into the first channel and the second channel.

9. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel align with each other along a horizontal axis.

10. The acoustic baffle of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel are offset from a horizontal axis.

11. The acoustic baffle of claim 10, wherein first channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis at a predetermined angle, and wherein the second channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis opposite the predetermined angle.

12. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel have a width around inch.

13. The acoustic baffle system of claim 1, wherein the body of the acoustic baffle coupler is aluminum.

14. An acoustic baffle coupler comprising: a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end; a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end body, wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive and secure an acoustic baffle.

15. The acoustic baffle coupler of claim 14, wherein first channel and the second channel each further comprise a plurality of teeth that extend inward from an upper wall and an lower wall.

16. The acoustic baffle coupler of claim 14, wherein the plurality of teeth of the first channel and the plurality of teeth of the second channel allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the first channel and the second channel but prevent movement of the acoustic out of the first channel and the second channel.

17. The acoustic baffle coupler of claim 15, wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a triangular cross-section.

18. The acoustic baffle coupler of claim 14, wherein the first channel and the second channel align with each other along a horizontal axis.

19. The acoustic baffle coupler of claim 18, wherein first channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis at a predetermined angle, and wherein the second channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis opposite the predetermined angle.

20. A method of installing an acoustic baffle system comprising: inserting an acoustic baffle into a channel of an acoustic baffle coupler, the acoustic baffle coupler comprising: a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end; a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body, wherein the first channel and the second channel each further comprise a plurality of teeth that extend inward from an upper wall and an lower wall; wherein a first end of the acoustic baffle is inserted into the first channel and a second end of the acoustic baffle is inserted into the second channel; and hanging the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling by securing one or more fasteners in the slot and securing the fasteners to the ceiling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an acoustic baffle system that includes a plurality of acoustic baffle couplers that hang from a ceiling, each acoustic baffle coupler may secure a corresponding acoustic baffle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an acoustic baffle coupler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2B illustrates a top perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler of FIG. 2A.

[0007] FIG. 2C illustrates an end view of the acoustic baffle coupler of FIG. 2A.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an acoustic baffle system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an acoustic baffle coupler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4B illustrates a top perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler of FIG. 4A.

[0011] FIG. 4C illustrates an end view of the acoustic baffle coupler of FIG. 4A.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an acoustic baffle system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Many locations are filled with various sources of sound and/or noise, including people, vehicles, music players, computers, televisions, appliances, musical instruments, etc. These sounds may cause confusions, strain, anxiety, privacy concerns, and/or miscommunication. Accordingly, sound dampening and/or acoustic materials may be used to absorb, dampen, reflect, etc., sound energy in an attempt to control the sound in a desired manner.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to acoustic ceiling baffles used to absorb, dampen, and/or reflect sound energy in a ceiling suspension acoustic baffle system. The embodiments may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0015] The terms first, second, and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method. Furthermore, the terms comprise, include, and have, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0016] The phrase coupled to is broad enough to refer to any suitable coupling or other form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. Objects described herein as being adjacent to each other may be in physical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of ceiling suspension acoustic baffle system comprising a plurality of acoustic baffle systems 100. Each acoustic baffle system 100 may include an acoustic baffle 110, an acoustic baffle coupler 120, and one or more fasteners to secure the acoustic baffle coupler 120 to a ceiling. The acoustic baffle coupler 120 may be coupled to the acoustic baffle 110 and the one or more fasteners to form an assembled configuration. When the acoustic baffle coupler 120 is not coupled to the acoustic baffle 110 and/or the one or more fasteners, than the acoustic baffle system 100 is in an unassembled configuration. Each acoustic baffle system 100 may be hung from a ceiling in a variety of different manners, such as suspension wires or cables 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. The wires 102 may be coupled to the one or more fasteners. In some embodiments, the one or more fasteners may be coupled directly to the ceiling.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, each acoustic baffle system 100 may be suspended and/or hung from a ceiling or wall structure. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, each acoustic baffle system 100 is suspended by a plurality of wires 102. The wires 102 support each acoustic baffle system 100 at a predetermined distance from the ceiling or wall structure.

[0019] The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates four assembled acoustic baffle system 100 and five unassembled acoustic baffle systems 100 in which acoustic baffles 110 are not coupled to a corresponding acoustic baffle coupler 120. An acoustic baffle 110 may be coupled to the acoustic baffle coupler 120 to form an assembled acoustic baffle system 100. A plurality of acoustic baffle systems 100 may be used in conjunction with each other to form an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In some embodiments, this may include a plurality of acoustic baffle systems 100 equally spaced apart and parallel to each other to form the ceiling suspension acoustic baffle system. In some embodiments, the acoustic baffle systems 100 be arranged perpendicular to each other to form the ceiling suspension acoustic baffle system. A plurality of different arrangements are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] The acoustic baffle 110 may comprise various types of sound dampening materials. Exemplary sound dampening materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, cotton, rayon, acetate, nylon, wood, olefins (or polyolefins), polyesters, acrylics, fiberglass, petroleum based fibers, biofibers (e.g., fibers manufactured from soybean oil, corn oil, sugar cane, bamboo, etc.) and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 comprises polyester and/or fiberglass. In a particular embodiment, the acoustic baffle 110 comprises polyester. And in another particular embodiment, the acoustic baffle 110 comprises fiberglass. In certain embodiments, the sound dampening material is fibrous. For example, the acoustic baffles 110 may comprise fiberglass, a spunbonded olefin, or a spunbonded polyester sound dampening material. In some embodiments, the fibrous material can also be an extruded fibrous material.

[0021] The sound dampening material of the acoustic baffle 110, and/or layers of acoustic baffle 110, can also be non-woven. Non-woven materials can be useful in acoustic sound control due to their porous structure, high surface area, and low cost of production. The non-woven materials may also be porous. For example, non-woven materials can have a porosity greater than 70%, 80%, or 90%. This porosity can increase the amount of sound energy the acoustic baffle 110 may absorb.

[0022] In some embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 comprises mixtures of different types of sound dampening materials (such as mixtures of different types of polyesters). For example, the acoustic baffle 110 can comprise a high melt material and a low melt material (e.g., such as high and low melt polyesters). High melt materials can refer to materials having a melting point greater than about 330 F., such as between about 330 F. and about 450 F. Low melt materials can refer to materials having a melting point lower than about 320 F., such as between 220 F. and about 320 F. For instance, in a particular embodiment, the acoustic baffle 110 comprises a mixture of at least one high melt polyester having a melting point greater than about 330 F., such as between about 330 F. and about 450 F., and at least one low melt polyester having a melting point lower than about 320 F., such as between 220 F. and about 320 F. In some of these embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 may comprise between about 50% and 95%, or between about 70% and 90% by weight of a high melt material, and between about 5% and 50%, or between about 10% and 30% by weight of a low melt material.

[0023] The acoustic baffle 110 may also comprise acoustic materials having various weights, thicknesses, or deniers. For example, in certain embodiments, the acoustic materials can comprise a first portion of fibers having a first average denier and a second portion of fibers having a second average denier. In some of such embodiments, the first average denier is smaller than the second average denier. Additional sizes, such as a third average denier, fourth average denier, etc., can also be used.

[0024] As previously indicated, the acoustic baffle 110 may be configured to absorb, dampen, and/or reduce acoustic energy. In some embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 may reduce acoustic energy by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. In other embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 may reduce acoustic energy in an amount ranging from 50% to 90%. The standard for measuring such a reduction of acoustic energy may be a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) as tested under ASTM C423.

[0025] In some embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 can comprise a plurality of layers that are fabricated into a mat. In some of such embodiments, fabrication of the acoustic baffle 110 comprises disposing acoustic material into two or more layers. The acoustic material can then be treated. For example, the acoustic material can be compressed and/or subjected to heat or elevated temperatures, such as with a hot iron or heat press to form a mat. Other manufacturing methods and/or processes can also be used. For example, in some embodiments, acoustic materials can be entangled within a layer. Entanglement can occur prior to laying the adjacent layer (e.g., second layer) or after laying the adjacent layer.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the acoustic baffle 110 has a rectangular shape that is folded to form the acoustic baffle 110. The acoustic baffle 110 includes a first end 111, a first lateral side 112, a bottom edge 113, a second lateral side 114, and a second end 115. The first end 111 and the second end 115 are configured to be coupled to the acoustic baffle coupler 120. The first end 111 is inserted into a first channel and the second end 115 is inserted into a second channel. The acoustic baffle 110 may further include an aperture or cavity 116 that extends from a first end 117 to a second end 118 of the acoustic baffle 110. In some embodiments, the acoustic baffle 110 does not have an aperture. The present disclosure is not so limited, and the acoustic baffle 110 may have a variety of different shapes, such as square, triangular, circular, polygonal, etc., and sizes. For example, in some embodiments, each acoustic baffle 110 may have a different curvature along the length of a bottom edge 113, and a height of the first end 117 and the second end 118 may be different. This may provide a visual or aesthetic appeal to the acoustic baffle system 100 when installed.

[0027] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the acoustic baffle coupler 120. FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler 120. FIG. 2B illustrates a top perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler 120. FIG. 2C illustrates an end view of the acoustic baffle coupler 120.

[0028] The acoustic baffle coupler 120 includes a body 121 with an upper end 122, a lower end 123, a first lateral end 124, and a second lateral end 125. In some embodiments, the body 121 is an extrusion that extends from a first end 126 to a second end 127. The length of the body 121 may vary depending on the circumstances. In some embodiments, the length of the body 121 from the first end 126 to the second end 127 is around eight feet. In some embodiments, the length of the body 121 may range between one foot and 20 feet. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the length of the body 121 may be longer, as illustrated in the phantom lines, or the length of the body 121 may be shorter.

[0029] The body 121 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120 may be fabricated from aluminum. Aluminum provides sufficient strength for the acoustic baffle coupler 120, but is also lightweight and relatively inexpensive. However, the present disclosure is not so limited, the acoustic baffle coupler 120 may be fabricated from a number of materials that provide sufficient strength for the acoustic baffle coupler 120, such as steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, titanium, magnesium, brass, copper, alloys, thermoplastics, polymers, and the like. The body 121 can be extruded into shape, or formed via another manufacturing process.

[0030] The body 121 includes a slot 130 that is defined in the upper end 122 of the body 121. The slot 130 extends from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The slot 130 has a first opening 131 disposed at the first end 126 and a second opening 132 disposed at the second end 127. The slot 130 further comprises an upper opening 133 that extends along a length of the slot 130 from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The upper opening 133 has a width W1.

[0031] The slot 130 further comprises a cavity 134. The cavity 134 has a width W2 that is greater than a width W1 of the upper opening 133. The slot 130 is configured to receive one or more fasteners that are configured to slide into the slot 130.

[0032] The body 121 includes a first channel 140 that is defined in the first lateral end 124 of the body 121. The first channel 140 extends from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The first channel 140 has a first opening 141 disposed at the first end 126 and a second opening 142 disposed at the second end 127. The first channel 140 further comprises a side opening 143 that extends along a length of the first channel 140 from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The width of the first channel 140 may be around a inch to accommodate an acoustic baffle 110 around inch thick. The present disclosure is not so limited and the width of the channel 140 may be sized to accommodate a variety of different sized acoustic baffles 110.

[0033] The first channel 140 further comprises a plurality of teeth 144 that extend inward from walls 145 of the first channel 140. The first channel 140 comprises an upper wall 145A and a lower wall 145B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2C, a length of the upper wall 145A is greater than a length of the lower wall 145B. Further, due to the greater length of the upper wall 145A, the upper wall 145A has four teeth 144 and the lower wall 145B has two teeth 144. However, each wall 145 of the first channel 140 may comprise more than or less than the illustrated number of teeth 144. In some embodiments, each wall 145 of the first channel 140 may comprise an equal number of teeth 144 that are spaced apart from each other and opposite a corresponding tooth 144 from the other wall 145.

[0034] The teeth 144 may comprise a triangular cross-section. Each tooth 144 comprises a tapered portion 146 that extends upward from the wall 145 and a flat portion 147 that extends from an apex 148 of the tapered portion 146 toward the wall 145.

[0035] The body 121 further includes a second channel 150 that is defined in the first lateral end 124 of the body 121. The second channel 150 extends from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The second channel 150 has a first opening 151 disposed at the first end 126 and a second opening 152 disposed at the second end 127. The second channel 150 further comprises a side opening 153 that extends along a length of the second channel 150 from the first end 126 to the second end 127 of the body 121. The width of the second channel 150 may be around a inch to accommodate an acoustic baffle 110 around inch thick. However, the present disclosure is not so limited and the width of the channel 150 may be sized to accommodate a variety of different sized acoustic baffles 110.

[0036] The second channel 150 further comprises a plurality of teeth 154 that extend inward from walls 155 of the second channel 150. The second channel 150 comprises an upper wall 155A and a lower wall 155B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2C, a length of the upper wall 155A is greater than a length of the lower wall 155B. Further, due to the greater length of the upper wall 155A, the upper wall 155A has four teeth 154 and the lower wall 155B has two teeth 154. However, each wall 155 of the second channel 150 may comprise more than or less than the illustrated number of teeth 154. In some embodiments, each wall 155 of the second channel 150 may comprise an equal number of teeth 154 that are spaced apart from each other and opposite a corresponding tooth 154 from the other wall 155.

[0037] The teeth 154 may comprise a triangular cross-section. Each tooth 154 comprises a tapered portion 156 that extends upward from the wall 155 and a flat portion 157 that extends from an apex 158 of the tapered portion 156 toward the wall 155.

[0038] The first channel 140 and the second channel 150 align with each other along the horizontal axis when viewed from either end 126, 127 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled acoustic baffle system 100. The acoustic baffle 110 may be flat and be foldable into the rectangular shape with the aperture 116 disposed in the center of the acoustic baffle 110, the aperture 116 extends from the first end 117 to the second end 118. The first end 111 acoustic baffle 110 is configured to be slid into the first channel 140 and the second end 115 of the acoustic baffle 110 is configured to be slid into the second channel 150 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120. As the acoustic baffle 110 is slid into the first channel 140 and the second channel 150, the acoustic baffle 110 slides along the tapered portion 146. The apexes 148 of the plurality of teeth 144, 154 of the first channel 140 and the second channel 150 are configured to secure the acoustic baffle 110 into the corresponding channels 140, 150. In other words, the plurality of teeth 144, 154 allow movement of the acoustic baffle 110 into the channels 140, 150 but are configured to prevent movement of the acoustic baffle 110 out of the channels 140, 150. When the acoustic baffle coupler 120 is vertical as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of teeth 144, 154 allow horizontal movement of the acoustic baffle 110 into the channels 140, 150 but prevent horizontal movement out of the channels 140, 150.

[0040] The sides 145, 155 of the first channel 140 and the second channel 150 comprises sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the sides 145, 155 when the acoustic baffle 110 is inserted the channels 140, 150. In other words, the lateral sides 145, 155 do not bend, warp, or deform when the acoustic baffle 110 is inserted into the first channel 140 and the second channel 150. If desired, one or more fasteners, such as screws, may be inserted through the upper walls 155a, 154a and into the acoustic baffle 110 to further hold the acoustic baffle 110 in place.

[0041] The acoustic baffle coupler 120 may be secured to a ceiling by one or more fasteners that are disposed with the slot 130 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the one or more fasteners are bolts 160. A head 162 of the bolt 160 is configured to fit within the cavity 134 of the slot 130 and is dimensioned so that the head 162 cannot be pulled through the opening 133 of the slot 130. The bolt 160 is configured to slide into the slot 130 through the first opening 131 disposed at the first end 126 or the second opening 132 at the second end 127. The bolt 160 is secured to the wires 102 which are coupled to and secured to the ceiling. The bolts 160 may be further secured into the slot 130 by an adhesive. A number of different types of fasteners instead of bolts 160 may be used and be within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the fastener may be inserted into the slot 130 and then rotated to secure the fastener in the slot 130. In other words, the fastener comprises a first dimension that fits into the slot 130 and a second dimension that is bigger than the slot 130, thereby securing the fastener in the slot 130 when rotated.

[0042] FIGS. 4A-5 depict an embodiment of an acoustic baffle system 200 that resembles the acoustic baffle system 100 described above in certain respects. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to 2. For example, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A includes an acoustic baffle coupler 220 that may, in some respects, resemble the acoustic baffle coupler 120 of FIGS. 1-3. Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of acoustic baffle system 100 and related components shown in FIGS. 1-3 may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the acoustic baffle system 200 and related components depicted in FIGS. 4A-5. Any suitable combination of the features, and variations of the same, described with respect to the acoustic baffle system 100 and related components illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 can be employed with the acoustic baffle system 200 and related components of FIGS. 4A-5, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter, wherein the leading digits may be further incremented.

[0043] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the acoustic baffle coupler 220. FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler 220. FIG. 4B illustrates a top perspective view of the acoustic baffle coupler 220. FIG. 4C illustrates an end view of the acoustic baffle coupler 220.

[0044] The acoustic baffle coupler 220 includes a body 221 with an upper end 222, a lower end 223, a first lateral end 224, and a second lateral end 225. The some embodiments, the body 221 is an extrusion that extends from a first end 226 to a second end 227. The length of the body 221 may vary depending on the circumstances. In some embodiments, the length of the body 221 from the first end 226 to the second end 227 is around eight feet. In some embodiments, the length of the body 221 may range between one foot and 20 feet. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the length of the body 221 may be longer, as illustrated in the phantom lines or the length of the body 221 may be shorter.

[0045] The body 221 of the acoustic baffle coupler 220 may be fabricated from aluminum. Aluminum provides sufficient strength for the acoustic baffle coupler 220, but is also lightweight and relatively inexpensive. However, the present disclosure is not so limited, the acoustic baffle coupler 220 may be fabricated from a number of materials that provide sufficient strength for the acoustic baffle coupler 220, such as steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, titanium, magnesium, brass, copper, alloys, thermoplastics, polymers, and the like. The body 221 can be extruded into shape, or formed via another manufacturing process.

[0046] The body 221 includes a slot 230 that is defined in the upper end 222 of the body 221. The slot 230 extends from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The slot 230 has a first opening 231 disposed at the first end 226 and a second opening 232 disposed at the second end 227. The slot 230 further comprises an upper opening 233 that extends along a length of the slot 230 from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The upper opening 233 has a width W1.

[0047] The slot 230 further comprises a cavity 234. The cavity 234 has a width W2 that is greater than a width W1 of the upper opening 233. The slot 230 is configured to receive one or more fasteners that are configured to slide into the slot 230.

[0048] The body 221 includes a first channel 240 that is defined in the first lateral end 224 of the body 221. The first channel 240 is angled downward at a predetermined angle from a horizontal axis of the body 221. The first channel 240 extends from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The first channel 240 has a first opening 241 disposed at the first end 226 and a second opening 242 disposed at the second end 227. The first channel 240 further comprises a side opening 243 that extends along a length of the first channel 240 from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The width of the first channel 240 may be around a inch to accommodate an acoustic baffle 210 around inch thick. The present disclosure is not so limited and the width of the channel 240 may be sized to accommodate a variety of different sized acoustic baffles 210.

[0049] The first channel 240 further comprises a plurality of teeth 244 that extend inward from walls 245 of the first channel 240. The first channel 240 comprises an upper wall 245A and a lower wall 245B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4C, a length of the upper wall 245A is greater than a length of the lower wall 245B. Further, due to the greater length of the upper wall 245A, the upper wall 245A has four teeth 244 and the lower wall 245B has two teeth 244. However, each wall 245 of the first channel 240 may comprise more than or less than the illustrated number of teeth 244. In some embodiments, each wall 245 of the first channel 240 may comprise an equal number of teeth 244 that are spaced apart from each other and opposite a corresponding tooth 244 from the other wall 245.

[0050] The teeth 244 may comprise a triangular cross-section. Each tooth 244 comprises a tapered portion 246 that extends upward from the wall 245 and a flat portion 247 that extends from an apex 248 of the tapered portion 246 toward the wall 245.

[0051] The body 221 further includes a second channel 250 that is defined in the first lateral end 224 of the body 221. The second channel 250 is angled downward from the horizontal axis opposite the predetermined of the first channel 240. The second channel 250 extends from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The second channel 250 has a first opening 251 disposed at the first end 226 and a second opening 252 disposed at the second end 227. The second channel 250 further comprises a side opening 253 that extends along a length of the second channel 250 from the first end 226 to the second end 227 of the body 221. The width of the second channel 250 may be around a inch to accommodate an acoustic baffle 210 around inch thick. However, the present disclosure is not so limited and the width of the channel 250 may be sized to accommodate a variety of different sized acoustic baffles 210.

[0052] The second channel 250 further comprises a plurality of teeth 254 that extend inward from walls 255 of the second channel 250. The second channel 250 comprises an upper wall 255A and a lower wall 255B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4C, a length of the upper wall 255A is greater than a length of the lower wall 255B. Further, due to the greater length of the upper wall 255A, the upper wall 255A has four teeth 254 and the lower wall 255B has two teeth 254. However, each wall 255 of the second channel 250 may comprise more than or less than the illustrated number of teeth 254. In some embodiments, each wall 255 of the second channel 250 may comprise an equal number of teeth 254 that are spaced apart from each other and opposite a corresponding tooth 254 from the other wall 255.

[0053] The teeth 254 may comprise a triangular cross-section. Each tooth 254 comprises a tapered portion 256 that extends upward from the wall 255 and a flat portion 257 that extends from an apex 258 of the tapered portion 256 toward the wall 255.

[0054] The first channel 240 and the second channel 250 are offset from each other from the horizontal axis when viewed from either end 226, 227 of the acoustic baffle coupler 220.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates the assembled acoustic baffle system 200. The acoustic baffle 210 may be flat and be foldable into the diamond shape with a central cavity or aperture 216. The acoustic baffle 210 includes a first end 211, a first middle portion 212, a second middle portion 213 and a second end 214. The first end 211 acoustic baffle 210 is configured to be slid into the first channel 240 and the second end 214 of the acoustic baffle 210 is configured to be slid into the second channel 250 of the acoustic baffle coupler 220. As the acoustic baffle 210 is slid into the first channel 240 and the second channel 250, the acoustic baffle 210 slides along the tapered portion 246. The apexes 248 of the plurality of teeth 244, 254 of the first channel 240 and the second channel 250 are configured to secure the acoustic baffle 210 into the corresponding channels 240, 250. In other words, the plurality of teeth 244, 254 allow movement of the acoustic baffle 210 into the channels 240, 250 but are configured to prevent movement of the acoustic baffle 210 out of the channels 240, 250. When the acoustic baffle coupler 220 is vertical as illustrated in FIG. 5, the plurality of teeth 244, 254 allow angled movement of the acoustic baffle 210 into the channels 240, 250 but prevent angled movement out of the channels 240, 250.

[0056] The sides 245, 255 of the first channel 240 and the second channel 250 comprises sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the sides 245, 255 when the acoustic baffle 210 is inserted the channels 240, 250. In other words, the lateral sides 245, 255 do not bend, warp, or deform when the acoustic baffle 210 is inserted into the first channel 240 and the second channel 250. If desired, one or more fasteners, such as screws, may be inserted through the upper walls 255a, 254a and into the acoustic baffle 110 to further hold the acoustic baffle 110 in place.

[0057] The acoustic baffle coupler 220 may be secured to a ceiling by one or more fasteners that are disposed with the slot 230 of the acoustic baffle coupler 220. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the one or more fasteners are bolts 260. A head 262 of the bolt 260 is configured to fit within the cavity 234 of the slot 230 and is dimensioned so that the head 262 cannot be pulled through the opening 233 of the slot 230. The bolt 260 is configured to slide into the slot 230 through the first opening 231 disposed at the first end 226 or the second opening 232 at the second end 227. The bolt 260 is secured to the suspension wires or cables 202 which are coupled to and secured to the ceiling. The bolts 260 may be further secured into the slot 230 by an adhesive. A number of different types of fasteners instead of bolts 260 may be used and be within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the fastener may be inserted into the slot 230 and then rotated to secure the fastener in the slot 230. In other words, the fastener a first dimension that fits into the slot 230 and a second dimension that is bigger than the slot 230, thereby securing the fastener in the slot 230 when rotated.

[0058] The acoustic baffle system 100 and 200 may be installed in a number of different locations. The location of the acoustic baffle systems 100 and 200 may help reduce the sound that is produced in the area. The acoustic baffle system installation process may include inserting a first end 111, 211 of acoustic baffle 110, 210 into the first channel 140, 240 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120, 220 and inserting the second end 115, 214 of the acoustic baffle 110, 210 into the second channel 140, 240 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120, 220. The plurality of teeth 144, 154, 244, 254 are configured to secure the acoustic baffle 110, 210 into the channels 140, 150, 240, 250 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120, 220. The acoustic baffle coupler 120, 220 may be hung from a ceiling by securing one or more fasteners in the slot 130, 230 of the acoustic baffle coupler 120, 220 and securing the fasteners to the ceiling, for example, by the wires 102, 202.

[0059] Methods of using and/or making an acoustic system are also disclosed herein. In particular, it is contemplated that any of the components, principles, and/or embodiments discussed above may be utilized in either an acoustic system or a method of using and/or making the same.

[0060] It will be appreciated that any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described herein may be a separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Stated otherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method.

[0061] Reference throughout this specification to an embodiment or the embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0062] Similarly, it should be appreciated by one of skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.

[0063] Recitation in the claims of the term first with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.

[0064] Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may be modified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents.