Sound damper support

Abstract

An acoustic damper bracket includes: a first insulating material defining a first density; a second insulating material defining a second density different from the first density; and a bracket frame that supports the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to sound control. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sound damper bracket for improving the sound quality in a room or surrounding area. Background Art

[0002] Sound damping devices are configured to attenuate different sound frequencies within an area to improve the overall sound quality in the area, such as by reducing echo / reverberation, ambient noise, and / or low-end frequencies (e.g., bass traps). Sound damping devices are typically provided in the form of sound insulation panels that must be installed on surrounding walls and / or ceilings. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It should be understood that this Summary of the Invention is not an exhaustive overview of the present disclosure. The Summary of the Invention is exemplary and not restrictive, and it neither aims to identify the key or important elements of the present disclosure nor to depict its scope. The sole purpose of the Summary of the Invention is to explain and illustrate certain concepts of the present disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

[0004] Disclosed is a sound damper bracket comprising: a first insulating material defining a first density; a second insulating material surrounding the first insulating material and defining a second density different from the first density; and a bracket frame supporting the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

[0005] Also disclosed is a sound damper bracket comprising: a bracket frame; a first insulating material supported by the bracket frame and defining an internal insulating cavity; and a second insulating material disposed within the internal insulating cavity.

[0006] Disclosed is a sound damper bracket comprising: a first insulating material defining a first density; a second insulating material defining a second density different from the first density; and a bracket frame supporting the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

[0007] Additionally, disclosed is a method of assembling a sound damper bracket, the method comprising: providing a bracket frame comprising a first support panel, a second support panel, and a support rod extending between the first support panel and the second support panel; disposing a first insulating material between the first support panel and the second support panel, the first insulating material defining a first density; and substantially surrounding the first insulating material with a second insulating material, the second insulating material defining a second density different from the first density.

[0008] The various embodiments described in this disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages that are not necessarily explicitly disclosed herein but will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description and the drawings. All such systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this disclosure and protected by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The features and components of the following drawings are shown to emphasize the general principles of this disclosure. For consistency and clarity, corresponding features and components throughout the drawings may be designated by matching reference numerals.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sound damper bracket according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a top view of the support frame of the Figure 1 sound damper bracket in a disassembled configuration.

[0012] Figure 3 shows the first step of assembling the Figure 1 sound damper bracket.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the second step of assembling the Figure 1 sound damper bracket.

[0014] Figure 5 shows the third step of assembling the Figure 1 sound damper bracket.

[0015] Figure 6 shows the fourth step of assembling the Figure 1 sound damper bracket.

[0016] Figure 7 shows the fifth step of assembling the Figure 1 sound damper bracket.

[0017] Figure 8 shows a detailed top perspective view of a sound damper bracket according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 9 shows the Figure 8 stacking of two sound damper brackets in a sound damper bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present disclosure can be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, as well as the description before and after them. However, prior to disclosing and describing the apparatus, system, and / or method, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific apparatus, system, and / or method disclosed, unless otherwise specified, and thus may of course vary. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0020] The following description is provided as a facilitative teaching of the apparatus, system, and / or method of the present invention in its best, currently known aspects. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and understand that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the apparatus, system, and / or method described herein while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and, in some cases, even desirable and are part of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following description is provided as an illustration of the principles of the present disclosure rather than a limitation thereof.

[0021] As used throughout, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms “a / an” and “the” may include plural referents. Thus, for example, unless the context otherwise indicates, a reference to “an element” may include two or more such elements.

[0022] In this document, ranges may be expressed as from “about” a particular value and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, on the one hand, it includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it should be understood that the particular value forms on the other hand. It should be further understood that each endpoint of each range is significant relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0023] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a material property or dimension measurement that is about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale is within the range between X plus the industry standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus the industry standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Since tolerances can vary between different materials, processes, and different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within the tolerance range.

[0024] As used herein, the term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequent described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where the event or circumstance does not occur.

[0025] As used herein, the word "or" means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Additionally, it should be noted that conditional language, such as "can / could / might / may", unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood in the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include while other aspects do not include certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that the features, elements, and / or steps are necessary for one or more particular aspects in any case, or that one or more particular aspects must include logic for determining whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included in or are to be performed in any particular aspect, with or without user input or prompting.

[0026] Components that can be used to implement the disclosed methods and systems are disclosed. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it should be understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, although specific references to each distinct individual and collective combination and permutation of these components may not be explicitly disclosed, each combination and permutation is specifically contemplated and described herein for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application, including but not limited to the steps in the disclosed methods. Thus, if there are various additional steps that can be performed, it should be understood that each of these additional steps can be performed using any particular aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

[0027] A sound damper bracket and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatuses are disclosed. Example aspects of the sound damper bracket can include a bracket frame, a first insulating material, and a second insulating material. Those skilled in the art will understand that the sound damper bracket is described in several of many exemplary embodiments. No particular term or description should be considered to limit the scope of this disclosure or any claims issued from this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sound damper bracket 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. One or more of the sound damper brackets in the sound damper bracket 100 can be disposed in a room 905 (shown in Figure 9 or other surrounding areas to reduce desired sound frequencies within the room 905. Reducing certain frequencies by reducing echo / reverberation, ambient noise, "hum" caused by low-end frequencies, etc. can improve the sound quality in the room 905. In some aspects, one or more of the sound damper brackets in the sound damper bracket 100 can be stacked on top of each other to form a sound damper tower 900 (in Figure 9(shown in). In some aspects, the acoustic damper bracket 100 can serve as a speaker bracket and can support a speaker thereon. For example, in some aspects, the acoustic damper bracket 100 can be configured to support up to about 200 pounds.

[0029] The acoustic damper bracket 100 can define a first bracket end 102 and a second bracket end 104 opposite the first bracket end 102. In the orientation shown, the first bracket end 102 can be the upper bracket end 102, and the second bracket end 104 can be the lower bracket end 104. The acoustic damper bracket 100 can be configured to stand vertically upright as shown, with the lower bracket end 104 resting on a support surface 150 such as a floor 155 or a tabletop. In other aspects, the acoustic damper bracket 100 can be configured to be located on one of its sides. Example aspects of the acoustic damper bracket 100 can define a generally cylindrical shape extending from the upper bracket end 102 to the lower bracket end 104. However, in other aspects, the acoustic damper bracket 100 can define any other suitable shape, including but not limited to triangular or rectangular prisms, triangular or rectangular pyramids, etc.

[0030] The acoustic damper bracket 100 can include a first insulating material 420 (shown in Figure 4 ), a second insulating material 530 (shown in Figure 5 ), and a bracket frame 110 for supporting the first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530. The first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530 are described in further detail below. As shown, example aspects of the bracket frame 110 can include a wood material. In other aspects, the bracket frame 110 can include any other suitable material, including but not limited to metal, plastic, composite materials, etc. In some aspects, an outer covering 140 can be provided for covering and protecting the first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530. The outer covering 140 can cover and can also completely or partially cover the bracket frame 110. In this aspect, the bracket frame 110 can be partially exposed. Specifically, portions of the bracket frame 110 can be exposed at the upper bracket end 102 and the lower bracket end 104 of the acoustic damper bracket 100. In some aspects, the outer covering 140 can be decorative or aesthetic.

[0031] The first support panel 215 of the bracket frame 110 can be disposed at the upper bracket end 102, and the second support panel 220 of the bracket frame 110 (shown in Figure 2As shown (in [figure reference]), it can be arranged at the lower bracket end 104. In some aspects, the sealing ring 106 can surround each of the first support panel 215 and the second support panel 220. In an exemplary aspect, the sealing ring 106 can comprise a rubber material. In other aspects, the sealing ring 106 can define any other suitable material. According to an exemplary aspect, the sealing ring 106 can provide a seal between the first insulating material 420 and / or the second insulating material 530 and the bracket frame 110.

[0032] Figure 2 The bracket frame 110 is shown in a disassembled configuration. The bracket frame 110 can comprise a first support panel 215, a second support panel 220, and one or more support rods 235. In this aspect, the first support panel 215 can be the upper support panel 215, and the second support panel 220 can be the lower support panel 220. Each of the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 can be formed as a substantially planar disk that defines an outer panel surface 222 and an inner panel surface 224 opposite the outer panel surface 222. Each of the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 can further define an outer panel edge 226. In an exemplary aspect, the upper support panel 215 can define a width and / or diameter that is greater than the width and / or diameter of the lower support panel 220, as described in further detail below.

[0033] Each of the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 can further define one or more rod openings 228 that extend from the inner panel surface 224 through it to the outer panel surface 222. For example, each of the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 can define four rod openings among the rod openings formed therethrough. In this aspect, each of the rod openings 228 can be substantially rectangular (e.g., square). Additionally, the four rod openings 228 can be arranged in a square pattern, and each of the rod openings 228 can be equidistantly spaced from the center 230 of the corresponding upper support panel 215 or lower support panel 220. Some aspects of the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 can define a central hole 232 formed through its center 230. The central hole 232 can extend completely or partially through the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220. However, other aspects of the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 do not define a central hole 232.

[0034] In other aspects, the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 can define more or fewer rod openings 228, and the rod openings 228 can be arranged in any other suitable pattern. In other aspects, the rod openings 228 can define any other suitable shape, such as but not limited to circular or triangular. In other aspects, the rod openings 228 can only partially extend through the corresponding upper support panel 215 and lower support panel 220. For example, each of the rod openings 228 can be formed as a blind hole extending into the corresponding inner panel surface 224. In other aspects, the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 may not define a central hole 232. In other aspects, the diameter / size of the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 can be substantially equal, or the lower support panel 220 can define a larger diameter / size than the upper support panel 215.

[0035] Each of the support rods 235 can be substantially elongated and can define a first rod end 236 and a second rod end 238 opposite the first rod end 236. The first rod end 236 of each support rod 235 can be configured to engage a corresponding one of the rod openings 228 in the upper support panel 215, and the second rod end 238 of each support rod 235 can be configured to engage a corresponding one of the rod openings 228 in the lower support panel 220. Thus, in this aspect, the bracket frame 110 can include four of the support rods 235. In other aspects, the number of support rods 235 can vary based on the number of rod openings 228 provided. The first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238 of each support rod 235 can be shaped to substantially match the shape of the rod opening 228. For example, in this aspect, the first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238 can define a square cross-sectional shape to substantially match the square rod opening 228. Additionally, the size of the first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238 can be set to substantially match or be slightly larger than the size of the rod opening 228 such that the first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238 can be retained within the corresponding rod opening 228 by a friction fit. In other aspects, the support rods 235 can be coupled to the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220 by any other suitable fastener or fastening technique (such as but not limited to adhesives or screws).

[0036] In addition, in some aspects, the width W and / or the depth D of the support rod 235 (at Figure 3(shown in) may be reduced at the first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238 to define rod shoulders 240 adjacent to each of the first rod end 236 and the second rod end 238. Corresponding panel engagement portions 242 may be defined between each rod shoulder 240 and the corresponding first rod end 236 or second rod end 238 of the support rod 235. Each panel engagement portion 242 may engage one of the rod openings 228 of the corresponding upper support panel 215 or lower support panel 220, and adjacent rod shoulders 240 may abut the inner panel surface 224 of the corresponding upper support panel 215 or lower support panel 220. In some aspects, the rod shoulders and the panel engagement portions 242 may be machined (e.g., but not limited to by a CNC machine) into the support rod 235. Other aspects of the support rod 235 may not define the rod shoulders 240. Figure 3 The bracket frame 110 is shown in an assembled configuration, in which each of the support rods 235 may extend between the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220. In other aspects, the bracket frame 110 may not include the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220, or may define an adjustable-sized opening through the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 such that the sound damper bracket 100 (shown in Figure 1 ) may be substantially open at the upper bracket end 102 and / or the lower bracket end 104.

[0037] Figure 4 The first insulating material 420 assembled with the support frame portion is shown. In this aspect, the first insulating material 420 may include two material blocks 422a, 422b. In an exemplary aspect, each of the two blocks 422a, 422b may be cut from a flexible, substantially planar insulating blank. However, in other aspects, the first insulating material 420 may include a single material block or additional multiple material blocks. Each of the two blocks 422a, 422b of the first insulating material 420 may define a first insulating end 424 and a second insulating end 426 opposite the first insulating end 424. In some aspects, the first insulating ends 424 of the two blocks 422a, 422b may be joined together by any suitable fastener or fastening technique, including but not limited to adhesives such as tape or glue, such that the two blocks 422a, 422b may together define a continuous outer insulating layer 430 of the first insulating material 420. In this aspect, the first insulating ends 424 are not attached together, but may be held against each other by the outer cover 140 (shown in Figure 1 ) and / or the protective sheet 610 (shown in Figure 6 ).

[0038] The outer insulating layer 430 of the first insulating material 420 can be configured to wrap around the support rod 235 and be nested between the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220. The inner insulating surface 432 of the outer insulating layer 430 can define an internal insulating cavity 434, and the support rod 235 and the second insulating material 530 (shown in Figure 5 ) can be disposed within the internal insulating cavity. The second insulating ends 426 of the two blocks 422a, 422b can be free ends 428, which can be folded towards each other and later joined together during assembly to form the outer insulating layer 430 into a cylindrical shape, which can surround the internal insulating cavity 434 and the second insulating material 530 therein.

[0039] Example aspects of the first insulating material 420 can include foam insulating materials. In some aspects, the foam insulating material of the first insulating material 420 can be, for example but not limited to, rock wool insulating material. In other aspects, the first insulating material 420 can include any other suitable insulating material, including foam materials and non-foam materials. The first insulating material 420 can define a first density. In this aspect, the first density of the first insulating material 420 can be about 3 pounds per square foot. Other aspects of the first insulating material 420 can include any other suitable type of insulating material and / or can define a higher or lower first density as needed for specific acoustic properties.

[0040] Example aspects of the second insulating material 530 can also include foam insulating materials. In some aspects, the foam insulating material of the second insulating material 530 can be, for example but not limited to, rock wool insulating material. In other aspects, the first insulating material 530 can include any other suitable insulating material, including foam materials and non-foam materials. In an example aspect, the second insulating material 530 can define a second density that can be different from the first density. For example, in this aspect, the second density of the second insulating material 530 can be about 6 pounds per square foot. Other aspects of the second insulating material 530 can include any other suitable type of insulating material and / or can define a higher or lower second density as needed for specific acoustic properties. Insulating materials with a lower density can better absorb mid-frequency to high-frequency sounds, while insulating materials with a higher density can better absorb low-frequency sounds. Providing both the first insulating material 420 with a lower first density and the second insulating material 530 with a higher second density for the sound damper bracket 100 can have the benefit of absorbing low-frequency, mid-frequency, and high-frequency sounds. In other aspects, the densities of the first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530 can be equal to or approximately equal to the densities required for specific acoustic properties.

[0041] Figure 5Shows a second insulating material 530 disposed within an internal insulating cavity 434. In this aspect, the second insulating material 530 may comprise a plurality of elongated material strips 532. The elongated strips 532 may be substantially rectangular, as shown, or may define any other suitable shape. In an exemplary aspect, each of the elongated strips 532 may be cut from a flexible, substantially planar insulating blank. The elongated strips 532 of the second insulating material 530 may be disposed within the internal insulating cavity 434 defined by the first insulating material 420. Each of the elongated strips 532 may define a first strip end 534 and a second strip end 536. The first strip end 534 of each elongated strip 532 may face (and in some cases may be adjacent to) the inner panel surface 224 of the upper support panel 215, and the second strip end 536 of each elongated strip 532 may face (and in some cases may be adjacent to) the inner panel surface 224 of the lower support panel 220. A suitable number of elongated strips 532 may be provided to substantially fill the entire internal insulating cavity 434. However, the elongated strips 532 may be loosely packed within the internal insulating cavity 434 so as not to compress the elongated strips 532, as compressing the elongated strips 532 may affect the density of the second insulating material 530. In some aspects, the support bars 235 may assist in holding some or all of the elongated strips 532 within the internal insulating cavity 434.

[0042] In other aspects, the second insulating material 530 may comprise more or fewer material strips 532. Additionally, in other aspects, the elongated strips 532 may only partially fill the internal insulating cavity 434. Further, in other aspects, the second insulating material 530 may take any suitable form other than strips 532. For example but not limited to, the second insulating material 530 may be formed as a monolithic insulating material extending between the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220, formed as a plurality of insulating discs stacked vertically between the upper support panel 215 and the lower support panel 220, etc.

[0043] Figure 6 Shows an outer insulating layer 430, which comprises a first insulating material 420 (shown in Figure 4 completely wrapped around the acoustic damper bracket 100). The second insulating ends 426 of the outer insulating layer 430 (shown in Figure 4 may be folded towards each other to form the outer insulating layer 430 into a cylindrical shape that surrounds the internal insulating cavity 434 (shown in Figure 4 and encloses the second insulating material 530 (shown in Figure 5 and the support bars 235 (shown in Figure 2is shown) enclosed therein. In some aspects, the outer insulating layer 430 may include a protective sheet 610 wrapped around the first insulating material 420. The protective sheet 610 may be configured to protect the first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530 from dust, dirt, moisture, etc. The protective sheet 610 may be fixed around the first insulating material 420 using any suitable fastener or fastening technique, including but not limited to adhesives such as glue or tape (as shown in Figure 7 is shown). In some aspects, the sheet 610 may facilitate sliding the outer cover 140 (shown in Figure 1 is shown) onto the sound damper bracket 100. Other aspects of the sound damper bracket 100 do not include the protective sheet 610.

[0044] Referring to Figure 7 , in some aspects, the sound damper bracket 100 may be provided with an outer cover 140 for further covering and protecting the first insulating material 420 and the second insulating material 530 (shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 is shown), respectively. In this aspect, the outer cover 140 may be formed as a substantially cylindrical sleeve 740. In this view, the cylindrical sleeve 740 is shown sliding over the sound damper bracket 100. As shown, the cylindrical sleeve 740 may define a first sleeve end 742 and a second sleeve end 744 opposite the first sleeve end 742. When the cylindrical sleeve 740 has completely slid over the sound damper bracket 100 (as shown in Figure 1 ), the first sleeve end 742 may be seated at the upper bracket end 102, and the second sleeve end 744 may be seated at the lower bracket end 104. In an exemplary aspect, the first sleeve end 742 may be fastened above (such as with an elastic or drawstring) or attached to the upper support panel 215 of the bracket frame 110 (shown in Figure 2 ), and the second sleeve end 744 may be fastened above or attached to the lower support panel 220 of the bracket frame 110 to hold the outer cover 140 on the sound damper bracket 100, such as using an adhesive, nails, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other fasteners. In an exemplary aspect, the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 may be partially covered by the outer cover 140, while in other aspects, the upper support panel 215 and / or the lower support panel 220 may be completely covered by the outer cover 140.

[0045] In some aspects, the first insulating ends 424 of the first insulating material 420 (shown in Figure 4 ), shown in Figure 4 ), may not be attached to each other, and the second insulating ends 426 of the first insulating material 420 (shown in Figure 4As shown, they may not be attached to each other. In this aspect, the first insulating ends 424 may be held against each other, and the second insulating ends 426 may be held against each other by a cylindrical sleeve 740 around the first insulating material 420.

[0046] Figure 8 A close-up view of the upper bracket end 102 of the sound damper bracket 100 is shown. In some aspects, the sound damper bracket 100 may define a stacking recess 810 at the upper bracket end 102. As previously described, the upper support panel 215 of the bracket frame 110 may be disposed at the upper bracket end 102. As shown, the first rod end 236 of each support rod 235 may engage a corresponding one of the rod openings 228 in the upper support panel 215. The second rod end 238 of each support rod 235 (shown in Figure 2 may engage the lower support panel 220 (shown in Figure 2 in substantially the same manner. In this aspect, the first rod end 236 of each support rod 235 may be substantially flush with the outer panel surface 222 of the upper support panel 215. In other aspects, the first rod end 236 may be recessed into the corresponding rod opening 228. Additionally, as described with respect to Figure 2 in some aspects, the diameter of the upper support panel 215 may be greater than the diameter of the lower support panel 220 (shown in Figure 2 ). As shown, a positioning ring 820 may be mounted on the outer panel surface 222 of the upper support panel 215. In an exemplary aspect, the outer diameter of the positioning ring 820 may be approximately equal to the diameter of the upper support panel 215 such that the outer ring edge 822 of the positioning ring 820 may be aligned and substantially flush with the outer panel edge 226 of the upper support panel 215 (shown in Figure 2 ). The inner ring edge 824 of the positioning ring 820 may define a ring opening 826 that passes through the center of the positioning ring 820.

[0047] The inner ring edge 824 of the positioning ring 820 and the outer panel surface 222 of the upper support panel 215 may together define the stacking recess 810. According to an exemplary aspect, the diameter of the ring opening 826 may be approximately equal to or greater than the diameter of the lower support panel 220 such that the size of the lower support panel 220 may be configured to fit within the stacking recess 810. The lower support panel 220 of the second sound damper bracket 100b (shown in Figure 9 may be received within the first sound damper bracket 100a (shown in Figure 9within the stacked recess 810 (shown in FIG. ) to prevent lateral sliding of the lower support panel 220 and to allow the second sound damper bracket 100b to be stably stacked on the first sound damper bracket 100a. In other aspects, the stacked recess 810 may be formed in the lower support panel 220 such that when the second sound damper bracket 100b is stacked on the first sound damper bracket 100a, the upper support panel 215 of the first sound damper bracket 100a may engage the stacked recess 810 of the lower support panel 220 of the second sound damper bracket 100b. In other aspects, the stacked recess 810 may alternatively be formed by, for example but not limited to, machining the stacked recess 810 into the outer panel surface 222 of the upper support panel 215.

[0048] Figure 9 A first sound damper bracket 100a positioned on the floor 155 at the corner 910 of the room 905 is shown. As shown, the second sound damper bracket 100b may be stacked on top of the first sound damper bracket 100a as described above to form the sound damper tower 900. Other aspects of the sound damper bracket 100 may not include the stacked recess 810 and the second sound damper bracket 100b may simply rest on top of the first sound damper bracket 100a.

[0049] In one exemplary aspect, the sound damper bracket may include: a first insulating material that defines a first density; a second insulation that defines a second density different from the first density; and a bracket frame that supports the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

[0050] In a further exemplary aspect, the first insulating material may substantially surround the second insulating material, and the first insulating material may define an internal insulating cavity in which the second insulating material may be disposed. In a further exemplary aspect, a first density of the first insulating material may be less than a second density of the second insulating material. In a further exemplary aspect, each of the first insulating material and the second insulating material may comprise a foam material. In a further exemplary aspect, the second insulating material may comprise a plurality of strips of the second insulating material, and the first insulating material may substantially surround the plurality of strips of the second insulating material. In a further exemplary aspect, the bracket frame may comprise: a first support panel located at a first bracket end of the sound damper bracket; a second support panel located at a second bracket end of the sound damper bracket opposite the first bracket end; and a support rod extending between the first support panel and the second support panel. In a further exemplary aspect, each of the first insulating material and the second insulating material may extend between the first support panel and the second support panel. In a further exemplary aspect, the first support panel may define a first rod opening, the second support panel may define a second rod opening, the support rod may define a first rod end that engages the first rod opening, and the support rod may further define a second rod end that is opposite the first rod end and engages the second rod opening. In a further exemplary aspect, the support rod may define a first panel engagement portion located at the first rod end and a first rod shoulder adjacent the first rod end, the first panel engagement portion may engage the first rod opening, and the first rod shoulder may abut a first inner panel surface of the first support panel, the support rod may further define a second panel engagement portion located at the second rod end and a second rod shoulder adjacent the second rod end, and the second panel engagement portion may engage the second rod opening, and the second rod shoulder may abut a second inner panel surface of the second support panel. In a further exemplary aspect, the first support panel may be an upper support panel, the second support panel may be a lower support panel configured to rest on a support surface, and the support rod may extend vertically between the upper support panel and the lower support panel. In a further exemplary aspect, the upper support panel may define a stacking recess configured to receive the lower support panel of a second sound damper bracket such that the second sound damper bracket is vertically stackable on the sound damper bracket. In a further exemplary aspect, a width of the upper support panel may be greater than a width of the lower support panel. In a further exemplary aspect, the sound damper bracket may further comprise an outer cover that surrounds and protects the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

[0051] In another exemplary aspect, a method of assembling a sound damper bracket can include providing a bracket frame. The bracket frame can include a first support panel, a second support panel, and a support rod extending between the first support panel and the second support panel. The method can further include disposing a first insulating material between the first support panel and the second support panel. The first insulating material can define a first density. The method can further include substantially surrounding the first insulating material with a second insulating material. The second insulating material can define a second density different from the first density.

[0052] In another exemplary aspect, the first density of the first insulating material can be greater than the second density of the second insulating material. In another exemplary aspect, providing the bracket frame can include engaging a first rod end of the support rod with a first rod opening of the first support panel and engaging a second rod end of the support rod with a second rod opening of the second support panel. In another exemplary aspect, engaging the first rod end of the support rod with the first rod opening of the first support panel can further include abutting a first rod shoulder of the support rod against a first inner panel surface of the first support panel; and engaging the second rod end of the support rod with the second rod opening of the second support panel can further include abutting a second rod shoulder of the support rod against a second inner panel surface of the second support panel. In another exemplary aspect, disposing the first insulating material between the first support panel and the second support panel can include disposing a plurality of strips of the first insulating material within an internal insulating cavity of the sound damper bracket. In another exemplary aspect, substantially surrounding the first insulating material with the second insulating material can include wrapping one or more pieces of the second insulating material around the first insulating material to define the internal insulating cavity. In another exemplary aspect, the method can further include placing an outer cover over the first insulating material and the second insulating material to cover and protect the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

[0053] It should be noted that conditional language, such as “can / could / might / may,” unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include while other embodiments do not include certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply in any way that a feature, element, and / or step is necessary for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments must include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether such feature, element, and / or step is included in any particular embodiment or will be performed.

[0054] It should be emphasized that the embodiments described above are merely possible examples of implementation schemes, and are only elaborated for the purpose of clearly understanding the principles of the present disclosure. Any process description or box in the flowchart should be understood as representing a module, section or part of code including one or more executable instructions for implementing a specific logical function or step in the process, and depending on the functions involved as understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure, including alternative implementation schemes, where the function may not be included or executed at all, and may be executed in an order other than the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order. Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all the elements, features and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims for combinations of various aspects or elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An acoustic damper bracket, comprising: A first insulating material defining a first density; A second insulation defining a second density different from the first density; and A bracket frame supporting the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

2. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 1, wherein the first insulating material substantially surrounds the second insulating material, and wherein the first insulating material defines an internal insulating cavity in which the second insulating material is disposed.

3. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 2, wherein the first density of the first insulating material is less than the second density of the second insulating material.

4. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 3, wherein each of the first insulating material and the second insulating material comprises a foam material.

5. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 2, wherein the second insulating material comprises a plurality of strips of the second insulating material, and wherein the first insulating material substantially surrounds the plurality of strips of the second insulating material.

6. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 1, wherein the bracket frame comprises: A first support panel located at a first bracket end of the acoustic damper bracket; A second support panel located at a second bracket end of the acoustic damper bracket opposite the first bracket end; And A support rod extending between the first support panel and the second support panel.

7. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 6, wherein each of the first insulating material and the second insulating material extends between the first support panel and the second support panel.

8. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 6, wherein: The first support panel defines a first rod opening; The second support panel defines a second rod opening; The support rod defines a first rod end engaging the first rod opening; and The support rod further defines a second rod end opposite the first rod end and engaging the second rod opening.

9. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 8, wherein: The support rod defines a first panel engaging portion located at the first rod end and a first rod shoulder adjacent the first rod end; The first panel engaging portion engages the first rod opening, and the first rod shoulder abuts a first inner panel surface of the first support panel; The support rod further defines a second panel engaging portion located at the second rod end and a second rod shoulder adjacent the second rod end; and The second panel engaging portion engages the second rod opening, and the second rod shoulder abuts a second inner panel surface of the second support panel.

10. The acoustic damper bracket according to claim 6, wherein: The first support panel is an upper support panel; The second support panel is a lower support panel configured to rest on a support surface; And The support rod extends vertically between the upper support panel and the lower support panel.

11. The sound damper bracket according to claim 10, wherein the upper support panel defines a stacking recess configured to receive the lower support panel of a second sound damper bracket such that the second sound damper bracket is vertically stacked on the sound damper bracket.

12. The sound damper bracket according to claim 11, wherein the width of the upper support panel is greater than the width of the lower support panel.

13. The sound damper bracket according to claim 1, further comprising an outer cover that surrounds and protects the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

14. A method of assembling a sound damper bracket, the method comprising: providing a bracket frame including a first support panel, a second support panel, and a support rod extending between the first support panel and the second support panel; disposing a first insulating material between the first support panel and the second support panel, the first insulating material defining a first density; and substantially surrounding the first insulating material with a second insulating material, the second insulating material defining a second density different from the first density.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first density of the first insulating material is greater than the second density of the second insulating material.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein providing the bracket frame includes: engaging a first rod end of the support rod with a first rod opening of the first support panel; and engaging a second rod end of the support rod with a second rod opening of the second support panel.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: engaging the first rod end of the support rod with the first rod opening of the first support panel further includes abutting a first rod shoulder of the support rod against a first inner panel surface of the first support panel; and engaging the second rod end of the support rod with the second rod opening of the second support panel further includes abutting a second rod shoulder of the support rod against a second inner panel surface of the second support panel.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein disposing the first insulating material between the first support panel and the second support panel includes disposing a plurality of strips of the first insulating material within an internal insulating cavity of the sound damper bracket.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein substantially surrounding the first insulating material with the second insulating material includes wrapping one or more pieces of the second insulating material around the first insulating material to define the internal insulating cavity.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising placing an outer cover over the first insulating material and the second insulating material to cover and protect the first insulating material and the second insulating material.

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