Sound attenuation barrier with improved ease of assembly

Abstract

Abstract Embodiments relate to a plastic wall panel, comprising a hollow body having external walls and defining an internal cavity. The external walls include: a first major side wall, a second major side wall opposite the first major side wall, a minor top wall, a minor bottom wall, a first minor end wall and a second minor end wall opposite the first minor end wall. The minor top wall and the minor bottom wall each define mating structure to mate and align with another adjacent panel so that multiple panels can be tiled together to form at least part of a sound attenuation barrier. The hollow body defines a passage extending between the first and second major side walls and through the first and second minor end walls to receive a reinforcing beam. Abstract Embodiments relate to a plastic wall panel, comprising a hollow body having external walls and defining an internal cavity. The external walls include: a first major side wall, a second major side wall opposite the first major side wall, a minor top wall, a minor bottom wall, a first minor end wall and a second minor end wall opposite the first minor end wall. The minor top wall and the minor bottom wall each define mating structure to mate and align with another adjacent panel SO that multiple panels can be tiled together to form at least part of a sound attenuation barrier. The hollow body defines a passage extending between the first and second major side walls and through the first and second minor end walls to receive a reinforcing beam. 20 24 21 93 32 03 S ep 2 02 4 A b s t r a c t 0 3 S e p 2 0 2 4 2 0 2 4 2 1 9 3 3 2

Claims

1. A method of forming a sound attenuation barrier, comprising:erecting a plurality of vertical support beams at a site;transporting a plurality of rotationally moulded panels to the site, wherein each panel includes a hollow body having a thickness less than a width, having external walls and defining an internal cavity, the external walls including: a first major side wall, a second major side wall opposite the first major side wall, a minor top wall, a minor bottom wall, a first minor end wall and a second minor end wall opposite the first minor end wall, wherein external faces of one or both of the first major side wall and the second major side wall include varied indicia or patterns, wherein the hollow body defines a first passage and a second passage extending between the first and second major side walls, wherein at least one of the first and second passages is open to the internal cavity, and at least one of the first and second passages is to receive a beam;slotting each of the panels in slotted relation to flanges of the vertical supports, so that a plurality of the panels are held in vertical positions by the flanged vertical supports and the panels form the sound attenuation barrier; andcapping an uppermost panel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein capping an uppermost panel comprises clamping acap over the uppermost panel.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first passage is configured to receive afirst reinforcing beam and the second passage is configured to receive a second reinforcing beam.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second minor end wallshave a first length that is less than a second length of the minor top wall and the minor bottom wall.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising receiving the reinforcingbeam in the first passage and / or the second passage.2024219332   31 Jul 20266.      The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcing beam is slidinglyreceived in the first passage and / or the second passage without being affixed to the panel.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least one bridgingportion where the first major side wall meets the second major side wall, the at least one bridging portion being located between the minor bottom and top walls and between the first and second minor end walls.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first major side wall is formedto define a front face and the second major side wall is formed to define a back face, wherein the panel defines at least one projecting flange that extends laterally beyond a lateral extent of the back face.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one projecting flange extends parallel toa plane of the front face.

10. The method of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first and second minor end wallsdefine respective first and second ends of the first passage and / or the second passage to receive the reinforcing beam.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a projecting portion of the reinforcing beamextends through an aperture formed in the first and / or second minor end walls, wherein the projecting portion is spaced apart from the at least one projecting flange to define a gap configured to receive a portion of the flange of the vertical supports in a clearance or nearclearance fit.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the panel is configured to engagewith a support flange of a support structure in a clearance fit.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging the panel with the supportflange of the support structure.2024219332   31 Jul 202614.     A method of forming a sound attenuation barrier, comprising:erecting a plurality of vertical support beams at a site;transporting a plurality of rotationally moulded panels to the site;wherein each panel includes a hollow body having a thickness less than a width, having external walls and defining an internal cavity, the external walls including: a first major side wall, a second major side wall opposite the first major side wall, a minor top wall, a minor bottom wall, a first minor end wall and a second minor end wall opposite the first minor end wall, wherein external faces of one or both of the first major side wall and the second major side wall include varied indicia or patterns;slotting each of the panels in slotted relation to flanges of the vertical supports, so that a plurality of the panels are held in vertical positions by the flanged vertical supports and the panels form the sound attenuation barrier; andcapping an uppermost panel, whereby each panel is held in place by a beam.

15. A method of forming a sound attenuation barrier, comprising:erecting a plurality of vertical support beams at a site;transporting a plurality of rotationally moulded panels to the site, wherein each panel includes a hollow body having a thickness less than a width, having external walls and defining an internal cavity, the external walls including: a first major side wall, a second major side wall opposite the first major side wall, a minor top wall, a minor bottom wall, a first minor end wall and a second minor end wall opposite the first minor end wall, wherein external faces of one or both of the first major side wall and the second major side wall include varied indicia or patterns, wherein the hollow body defines a passage extending between the first and second major side walls to receive a beam;slotting each of the panels in slotted relation to flanges of the vertical supports, so that a plurality of the panels are held in vertical positions by the flanged vertical supports and the panels form the sound attenuation barrier; andcapping an uppermost panel.

16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising at least one bridging portionwhere the first major side wall meets the second major side wall, the at least one bridging portion being located between the minor bottom and top walls and between the first and second minor end walls.2024219332   31 Jul 202617.     The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the first major side wall isformed to define a front face and the second major side wall is formed to define a back face, wherein the panel defines at least one projecting flange that extends laterally beyond a lateral extent of the back face.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one projecting flange extends parallel toa plane of the front face.

19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the panel is configured to engagewith a support flange of a support structure in a clearance fit.

20. A sound attenuation barrier formed by the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images