Acoustical panel assembly

• US 3,949,827 A
• Filed: 04/24/1975
• Issued: 04/13/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tibbet Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation (Owens Corning)
• Inventors: Witherspoon, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Lawrence R.
• Application Number:
  US05/571,121
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 52/239, 52/241, 160/135, 160/351, 181/33 G, 181/33 GA, 181/33 GB, 181/33 GE
• US Class Current: 181/284
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7437 with panels hooked onto posts E04B2/7438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts

Abstract

An acoustical panel assembly having improved structural, decorative and acoustical properties is disclosed. The panel assembly includes a perimeter frame. A thin septum member is supported in the center of the frame. A fibrous glass layer is positioned adjacent each side of the septum member. A molded, semi-rigid, fibrous glass diffuser member is positioned adjacent each of the fibrous glass layers. The assembly includes means for joining adjacent panel assemblies and, in one embodiment, an outer decorative fabric layer is positioned adjacent each of the outer surfaces of the diffuser members.

Claims

1. An acoustical panel assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of panels each including a septum member, a frame surrounding said septum member, a pair of fibrous glass layers positioned respectively adjacent opposite sides of said septum member, and a pair of semi-rigid fibrous glass diffuser members positioned respectively adjacent said fibrous glass layers, and means for joining adjacent ones of said panels.

2. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said septum member comprises a thin sheet of metal.

3. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 1, wherein each of said fibrous glass layers has a thickness of between one-half inch and two inches.

4. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 1, wherein each of said fibrous glass diffuser members comprises a molded semi-rigid member.

5. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said frame includes at least one frame side member and wherein said joining means includes a post and foot assembly, said post being positioned adjacent said frame side member, and attaching means on said post and said frame side member for removably mounting said frame to said post.

6. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 5, wherein said attaching means comprises at least two shoulder screws on one of said post and frame side members and complementary keyhole slots defined by the other of said post and frame side members.

7. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes a frame bottom member, a kick plate member attached to said frame bottom member, said kick plate member defining a bottom recess, and an alignment plate positioned in such bottom recess, said alignment plate defining an opening, said post extending through such opening.

8. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes two frame side members, a frame top member and a frame bottom member, a kick plate member connected to said frame bottom member, a pair of outer fabric layers positioned respectively adjacent said fibrous glass diffuser members, and means for securing said fabric layers adjacent said frame members.

9. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 8, wherein said frame top member defines a narrow slot along its upper surface, said fabric layers having their upper edges positioned within said slot, said securing means including a spline member positioned within said slot to frictionally hold the upper edges of the fabric layers in place.

10. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 8, wherein said securing means includes a top cap member which engages and holds the upper edges of said fabric layers.

11. An acoustical panel assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of panels each including a perimeter frame having a top frame member, a bottom frame member, and two opposed side frame members, a septum member received by said perimeter frame, said septum member comprising a thin metal sheet, a pair of fibrous glass layers positioned respectively adjacent opposite sides of said septum member, and a pair of semi-rigid fibrous glass diffuser members positioned respectively adjacent said fibrous glass layers, and means for joining adjacent ones of said panels.

12. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 11, wherein said joining means includes a vertical post having a foot support plate connected adjacent the bottom of said post, said vertical post being positioned adjacent one of said side frame members and attaching means on said post and said frame side member for removably mounting said frame to said post.

13. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 12, including a pair of outer fabric layers positioned respectively adjacent said fibrous glass diffuser members.

14. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 13, wherein said fibrous glass layers have a density between 3 and 8 pounds per cubic foot.

15. An acoustical panel assembly, according to claim 14, wherein each of said fibrous glass diffuser members comprises a molded fibrous glass board having a density between 12 and 25 pounds per cubic foot.

16. An acoustical panel comprising a septum, a frame surrounding the septum, a pair of fibrous glass layers positioned respectively adjacent opposite sides of the septum, and a pair of semi-rigid fibrous glass diffuser members positioned respectively adjacent the fibrous glass layers.

17. An acoustical panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the septum comprises a thin sheet of metal.

18. An acoustical panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the fibrous glass layers has a thickness of between one-half inch and 2 inches.

19. An acoustical panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the fibrous glass diffuser members comprises a molded semi-rigid member.

20. An acoustical panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame includes two side frame members, a top frame member, and a bottom frame member, and including a kick plate member connected to the bottom frame member, a pair of outer fabric layers positioned respectively adjacent the fibrous glass diffuser members, and means for securing the fabric layers adjacent the frame members.

21. An acoustical panel as claimed in claim 20, wherein the top frame member defines a narrow slot along its upper surface, the fabric layers having their upper edges positioned within the slot and the securing means including a spline member positioned within the slot and frictionally holding the upper edges of the fabric layers in place.