Acoustic panel

• US 5,009,043 A
• Filed: 07/12/1990
• Issued: 04/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Kurrasch, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/551,916
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 52/145, 52/239, 52/144, 181/290, 181/291, 181/294
• US Class Current: 52/145
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/8227 screens E04B2/74 takes precedence; for road or railway traffic E01F; Arrangements of sound-absorbing elements, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/86 slab-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7416 with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/8452 with peripheral frame members
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/045 being laminated

Abstract

An acoustic panel having highly desirable sound absorption characteristics. The panel is preferably formed of an open frame, there being at least one septum centrally located within the frame opening and in contact with the frame members. On each side of the septum are expanded fiberglass batts. Both sides of the frame are faced with perforated hardboard sheets which, in turn, are covered by an open-cell foam layer and a layer of scrim material comprising metal foil and a tear-resistant backing. The panels can be covered with a decorative fascia such as fabric or synthetic sheet materials.

Claims

1. In an acoustic wall panel comprising a peripheral frame having opposed sides and defining an opening, a septum mounted in said opening to restrict sound transmission therethrough, an inner sound-absorbing filling received within said opening, a rigid perforated facing secured to each side of said peripheral frame to permit sound to pass therethrough and to rigidify said frame, and an outer decorative fascia secured to said frame,

the improvement which comprises:

a sound-transmitting spacer layer overlying each facing and a thin gas impervious foil layer overlying said sound-transmitting spacer layer layer to provide fire retardancy to said panel.

2. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said perforated facings are each formed of hardboard.

3. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said perforated facings are each formed of hardboard with perforations being on the order of 0.25-0.75 inch in diameter.

4. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 3 wherein said perforated facings are each formed of hardboard having an open area in the range of 15-30%.

5. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said perforated facings are each formed of hardboard having an open area in the range of 15-30%.

6. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said inner filling is formed of an expanded fiberglass.

7. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said inner filling is formed of an expanded fiberglass having a density on the order of at least 0.6 lb/ft³.

8. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said septum tightly engages said frame.

9. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said septum tightly engages said frame and is formed of solid hardboard.

10. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said sound-transmitting spacer layer comprises a thin foam layer.

11. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 10 wherein said foam layer is an open-cell foam.

12. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 10 wherein said foam layer is an open-cell foam having a thickness on the order of 0.06 inch.

13. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 10 wherein said foam layer is an open-cell foam having a density on the order of 1.2 lb/ft³.

14. Ah acoustic wall panel according to claim 10 wherein said foil layer includes an aluminum foil layer with a coating selected from fiberglass and vermiculite.

15. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 14 wherein said aluminum foil layer is in facing contact with said foam layer.

16. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said frame is formed of pressed particle board.

17. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 16 wherein said particle board members have pressed surfaces which face outwardly and said decorative fascia and at least one of said fascia and foil layers is mechanically fastened to said outwardly facing pressed surfaces of said frame.

18. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 1 wherein said foil layer has a thickness in the range of 2 to 25 thousands of an inch.

19. An acoustic wall panel comprising a peripheral frame, sound absorbing means and soundtransmission reduction means within said frame, and an outer decorative fascia, the improvement which comprises a thin foam layer and a metal foil layer between said foam layer and said decorative fascia.

20. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 19 wherein said foam layer is an open-cell foam having a density on the order of 1.2 lb/ft³.

21. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 20 wherein said foil layer includes an aluminum foil layer with a coating selected from fiberglass and vermiculite, said coating being adjacent said fascia.

22. An acoustic wall panel according to claim 21 wherein said foil layer has a thickness in the range of 2 to 25 thousands of an inch.