Self-supporting interior surface panel

• US 5,832,685 A
• Filed: 08/03/1995
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lars S. Hermanson
• Original Assignee: Lars S. Hermanson
• Inventors: Hermanson, Lars S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/510,961
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 52/506.07, 52/506.06, 52/144, 52/145, 52/783.1, 52/791.1, 52/797.1, 52/800.12, 52/630, 52/393, 52/DIG. 13, 428/224, 428/246, 428/463, 428/221
• US Class Current: 52/506.07
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2009/0492 with fabrics tensioned on frames
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/001 characterised by provisions for heat or sound insulation
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/045 being laminated
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/244 comprising sealing means between the supporting construction and the slabs, panels, sheets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-supporting, sound absorbing interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric may be laminated to a facing fabric using a heat activated thermoplastic adhesive, or the panel may be provided with a micro-porous top-coat finish. The panel of the invention may be provided with a vibration absorbent perimeter edge which may be shaped in an accordion-like fashion integrally with the rest of the panel, or manufactured separately of a flexible but resilient material and attached to the panel. The invention further relates to a suspended ceiling module comprising a support structure, such as a tee bar grid, and a panel of the invention which could be supported within the module in either tegular or coffered orientation. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the self-supporting interior surface panel.

Claims

1. A self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric as a supporting material, the panel being provided with a vibration absorbent perimeter edge.

2. A self-supporting interior surface panel according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbent perimeter edge is shaped of the non-woven fibre fabric integrally with the rest of the panel.

3. A self-supporting interior surface panel according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbent perimeter edge comprises a flexible but resilient material which is attached to the panel.

4. A self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric laminated to a facing fabric, the panel being provided with an integrally shaped vibration absorbent perimeter edge, and having an acoustic impedance of approximately 30 to 100 Rayl and a bending stiffness of between 1 and 500 MN/m².

5. A self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric, the panel being provided with an integrally shaped vibration absorbent perimeter edge and a micro-porous top-coat finish, and having an acoustic impedance of approximately 30 to 100 Rayl and a bending stiffness of between 1 and 500 MN/m².

6. A suspended ceiling module comprising a self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric laminated to a facing fabric, the panel being provided with an integrally shaped vibration absorbent perimeter edge, and having an acoustic impedance of approximately 30 to 100 Rayl and a bending stiffness of between 1 and 500 MN/m², said panel being suspended in a tee bar grid.

7. A suspended ceiling module comprising a self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric, the panel being provided with an integrally shaped vibration absorbent perimeter edge, and a micro-porous top-coat finish, and having an acoustic impedance of approximately 30 to 100 Rayl and a bending stiffness of between 1 and 500 MN/m², said panel being suspended in a tee bar grid.

8. A suspended ceiling module comprising a self-supporting interior surface panel comprising a non-woven fibre fabric as a supporting material, said panel being suspended in a suspension structure.

9. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein the suspension structure comprises a tee bar grid.

10. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, further comprising a facing fabric laminated to the non-woven fibre fabric, said facing fabric being a polyester or polyamide fabric.

11. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein the non-woven fibre fabric is further provided with a micro-porous top-coat finish.

12. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein self-supporting interior surface panel further comprises a vibration absorbent perimeter edge.

13. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 12, wherein the vibration absorbent perimeter edge is shaped of the non-woven fibre fabric integrally with the rest of the panel.

14. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 12, wherein the vibration absorbent perimeter edge comprises a flexible but resilient material which is attached to the panel.

15. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein the depth of a substantially unobstructed air space behind the panel is at least 25 mm.

16. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein the panel is supported in a tegular orientation.

17. A suspended ceiling module according to claim 8, wherein the panel is supported in a coffered orientation.