An acoustic insulation device

Abstract

An acoustic insulation device comprising a frame and a fascia releasably connectable to the frame. An acoustic insulation section is contained within the frame. The fascia is connected to the frame by way of a plurality of connection mechanisms, each of the plurality of connection mechanisms comprising a first part of the connector arranged on the fascia and a second part of the connector arranged on the frame. The connection mechanisms may comprise clips which engage through slits in fabric coverings of the frame / fascia and which allow the fascias to be interchangeable.

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for acoustic insulation, particularly to an insulation panel, product or device that has a replaceable front section or fascia. Background to the Invention Acoustic insulation is used in commercial and domestic applications, and they may take the form of office dividers, pods, acoustic screens and / or panels. Some of these may be free-standing and others may be secured to a surface, such as a wall or a ceiling. Conventionally, acoustic panels comprise a frame section containing a sound absorbing medium therein, such as mineral wool, fibre glass, polyester, cellulose and / or open cell foam. The product is often arranged within a fabric covering and the product can then be mounted, for example, by fixings on the rear of the product, or they can be provided with a stand to allow the product to be free-standing. Oftentimes, when a user decides to redecorate or to change the look the room in which it is placed, the product is thrown-away, due to the colour or the design being wrong. Whilst it might be possible to recycle some or all of the product, often it is easier and cheaper to scrap the product. This creates a considerable amount of waste. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an acoustic insulation device comprising; a frame; a fascia releasably connectable to the frame; and an acoustic insulation section contained within the frame; wherein, the fascia connected to the frame by way of a plurality of connection mechanisms, each of the plurality of connection mechanisms comprising a first part of the connector arranged on the fascia and a second part of the connector arranged on the frame. By providing a fascia to the acoustic insulation product, the appearance of the product can be readily updated by simply changing the fascia. When a new design or theme is required, rather than taking down the whole structure and replacing it, the fascia can be removed and reapplied, which is not only quickly and easier than installing a new product, but it also allows for the facia to be readily recycled. It will be appreciated that the fascia is a front face element that can be attached to, and removed from, the frame or housing of an insulation product according to the present invention. In some arrangements, it may be desirable to have a front fascia and a rear fascia, for example, in a free-standing acoustic insulation panel or divider. Thus, the present invention provides a product that is simple to reuse, because the fascia can be readily replaced, thereby allowing a fresh look to be created quickly and in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the present invention reduces waste by allowing the product to be reused. Preferably, each of the plurality of connection mechanisms comprises a push-fit arrangement. Whilst other arrangements might be employed, for example, hook-and-eye connections or a secondary frame that fits over the frame, similar to a box lid, the use of a push-fit connection provides a secure and professional looking finish to the product, whilst also keeping the connection arrangement simple. Advantageously, the first part of the push-fit connector comprises a clip section having a recess with a first width and a neck section that opens onto the recess, the neck section having with a width less than the recess; and the second part of the push-fit connector comprises a stem and a flange adjacent the groove; wherein the neck section of the first part pushes over the groove so that the stem of the second part of the push-fit connector is received within the recess of the first part of the push-fit connector. A useful connection arrangement is one that employs a clip that can be fitted onto a stem. The clip should be resiliently yieldable to allow the neck of the clip to expand to fit around the stem, before returning to its original shape, which is narrower than the width of the stem, thereby engaging the stem. Such an arrangement is used in plinth clips and similar structures. Thus, a retaining member is provided, which may be in the form of a stem, and a receiving member is provided, which may be in the form of a yieldable clip. It is particularly beneficial that the retaining member, or stem, has at least one groove, recessed section, or flange thereupon, to locate the clip in the correct position. The bight of the clip, which is to say the internal span, or diameter, of the clip, will, preferably, be sized to fit the stem or any section thereupon. An acoustic insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second part of the connector is arranged within a sub-housing on the frame. In one arrangement, the frame is provided with a sub-housing in which the second part of the connector can be housed. This keeps any insulation material that is contained within the product from interfering with the connector. If the insulation material is allowed to expand into the connection mechanism, the connector may be obstructed, and it may not operate effectively. Therefore, by having a secluded section for the connection mechanism, the insulation material cannot interfere with the connecting of the fascia onto the device. It is preferably that the frame and the acoustic insulation section are both covered by a fabric material, and apertures are arranged in the fabric material to allow the respective parts of the connection mechanisms to engage. A fabric material covering can be applied 03 01 24 to the product, thereby enclosing the frame and the insulation material, with, optionally, a backing material; however, apertures can be provided that allow access to the second parts of the connectors to allow the fascia to be connected to the frame without being hindered by the fabric. For clarity, the fabric covering may be applied to the frame and extend over 5 the front of the product, with the rear of the product being provided with a backing material; however, the product may be fully enclosed in fabric material in some situations. Advantageously, the fascia extends over the acoustic insulation section and at least two sides of the external fascia are connected by cross-pieces. The removable fascia can have 10 two or more sides connected by a design thereupon. This provides some aesthetic benefits to the fascia, but also some structural rigidity, thereby reducing the risk of the fascia being damaged in transit or whilst being fitted or removed. Adjacent and / or opposing sides might be connected to one another, depending upon the desired result. The fascia will, preferably, cover part of the edge of the product, which provides a border 15 or frame on the front, or rear, surface. This framing allows the fabric edges to be hidden, thereby making the product look more professional. Furthermore, the fascia hides the edges of the fabric-covered frame, thereby requiring the edges to be less precise during manufacture. 20 The fascia may be constructed from one or more materials, which may include metal, wood, for example, plywood, or plastics material such as acrylic. The internal acoustic insulation section can be a conventional material. The device may be one of the items selected from a group comprising: office dividers; 25 pods; acoustic; screens; and panels. The present invention extends to a fascia having a connector affixed therefore, wherein the fascia can be connected to a product as described herein. The fascia is suitable for fixing to the housing of an acoustic insulation device as set out herein, and the fascia may 30 comprise a face section and a connector extending substantially orthogonally therefrom. Thus, the invention includes a fascia for connecting to the acoustic insulation device. The fascia will be suitable for substitution with an existing fascia on a device. The present invention may extend to an acoustic insulation device comprising a frame, an acoustic insulation section within the frame and a first part of a connection mechanism, wherein a fascia, as described herein, may be affixed to the device. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa diagram showing an acoustic insulation panel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the panel of Figure 1 with the fascia removed therefrom; Figure 3 is a view of a connector used in the device of Figure 1, with the connector in a disengaged position; Figure 4 is a diagram showing the connector of Figure 3 in an engaged position; Figure 5 is an image showing an embodiment of the present invention with the fascia disengaged from the frame; Figure 6 shows an example fascia for use with the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a further exemplary fascia for use with the present invention. Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Figures 1 to 7 show an acoustic insulation panel 10, comprising a frame 12 and a releasably connected fascia 14. Figures 1 to 4 show the frame 12 and the fascia 14 without the fabric covering or insultation material. The frame 12 has aside walls 16 that gives the frame 12 depth, and a rear border 18 is provided around that extends perpendicularly to the side walls 16. On the internal surface of the side walls 16 are sub-housing units 20 and within each subhousing unit 20 is the second part of a connection mechanism in the form of a retaining member, stem 22. The stem 22 is affixed to the side wall 16 of the frame 12, although it will be appreciated that it could be connected to the sub-housing unit 20. The stem 22 comprises a first section of a first width and a second, radially extending flange section 24 at the end of the first section, the flange section 24 having a larger width than the first section. Thus, the stem has a T-shaped cross-section with the base of the “T” connected to the side wall. The fascia 14 comprises a front border 26 and affixed to the back surface of the border section 26 are a plurality of receiving members, clips 28, having a main recess section 30 with a span S, and the recess section 30 having a neck section 32 with a neck span. The span S of the clips 28 extends orthogonally from the rear of the border section 26. The fascia 14 may further comprise at least one cross-piece 34. The cross-piece 34 may create an image or a pattern within the fascia border 26. The fascia 14 connects to the frame 12 by way of the respective parts of a connection mechanism, which is formed from the stem 22 and the clips 28. Thus, when the fascia 14 is applied to the frame 12, the neck section 32 of the clip 28 yields in a resilient manner so that the clip 28 can engage the first section of the stems 22. It should be noted that the span S of the clips 28 is substantially equal to the width of the stems 22 to avoid movement of the fascia 14 when applied to the frame 12. Therefore, the stem 22 is received snugly into the main recess section 30 of the clip 28. The front border section 26 of the fascia 14 sits substantially orthogonal to the side walls 16 of the frame, and substantially parallel to the rear border 18. As more clearly shown in Figure 5, the frame 12 is covered with a fabric material 34, which gives a more aesthetically pleasing appearance in addition to providing further acoustic absorption. The fabric material 34 is provided with elongate apertures 36 therein, that allow the passage of the clips 28 through the fabric 34 and into the subhousing units 20, where the clips 28 can then engage the stems 22. This allows a fascia 14 to be attached to a fabric-covered frame, thereby creating a product 10 with a readily replaceable fascia 14. It will be appreciated that a divider or free-standing panel may be provided with a fascia on each side. Similarly, a pod or other structure may be provided with a fascia on each side of each wall or panel used to construct the unit. Where different connectors are used, apertures in the fabric may not be required. For example, where hook-and-eye connectors are employed, one part may be arranged on the fabric surface, with the other part on the fascia, thereby negating the need to pass through the fabric.

Claims

1. An acoustic insulation device comprising;a frame;5                  a fascia releasably connectable to the frame; andan acoustic insulation section contained within the frame;wherein, the fascia connected to the frame by way of a plurality of connection mechanisms, each of the plurality of connection mechanisms comprising a first part of the connector arranged on the fascia and a second part of the connector10          arranged on the frame; andwherein the frame and the acoustic insulation section are both covered by a fabric material and apertures are arranged in the fabric material to allow the respective parts of the connection mechanisms to engage.15   2. An acoustic insulation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the pluralityof connection mechanisms comprises a push-fit arrangement.

3. An acoustic insulation device according to claim 2, wherein:the first part of the push-fit connector comprises a clip section having a20          recess with a first width and a neck section that opens onto the recess, the necksection having with a width less than the recess; andthe second part of the push-fit connector comprises a stem and a flange adjacent the groove;wherein the neck section of the first part pushes over the groove so that the25          stem of the second part of the push-fit connector is received within the recess ofthe first part of the push-fit connector.

4. An acoustic insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second part of the connector is arranged within a sub-housing on the frame.

305. An acoustic insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fascia extends over the acoustic insulation section and at least two sides of the externalfascia are connected by cross-pieces that are positioned over the acoustic insulation section and that are in addition to the sides.

6. A fascia for fixing to the frame of an acoustic insulation device according to any 5          preceding claim, wherein the fascia comprises a face section and a connectorextending substantially orthogonally therefrom.

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