Acoustic baffle assembly

Abstract

1. A circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly for suspension above an occupied space, comprising a plurality of baffle panel units each radiating away from a common center and lying in a generally vertical plane, the upper edges of the baffle panel units lying in a common imaginary plane of rotation about the center, the baffle panel units joined by common inner and outer arcuate ribs concentric with the center, and the radially inner and radially outer ends of the baffle panel units lying on an imaginary circle concentric with the center.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspended acoustic panel assembly for reducing airborne noise.

[0002] [Prior Art] Typically, in large occupied spaces within commercial, industrial, or organizational buildings, acoustic baffles are suspended from the overhead structure.

[0003] The baffles are intended to minimize echo, reduce reverberation, and generally improve the overall sound quality. Generally, baffles that can be a rigid or semi-rigid panel or a drape-like fabric structure are aligned in a parallel or linear arrangement.

[0004] There is a need for a design of a suspended acoustic baffle that departs from the conventional linear or rectangular layout. Ideally, when the design is relatively large, it should be fabricated in a factory at a reasonable cost and transported to the installation location for each component.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a cloud-shaped circular acoustic baffle design or assembly that can be constructed in various sizes and can attach acoustic panels of any color and any desired lower outer shape. The lower outer shape of the acoustic panel collectively creates the contour of the lower surface of the assembly.

[0006] As disclosed, the baffle panels are arranged around a common center. The baffle panels are held together by circular ribs that are concentric with the center. The ribs have a relatively narrow cross-section and are disposed at the upper edge of the baffle panel so as to be relatively unobtrusive when the assembly is suspended overhead. Further, the concentricity of the ribs visually enhances the circular characteristics of the baffle assembly within the observed range.

[0007] Preferably, the baffle assembly is constructed of angled segments sized to be conveniently transportable and easily combinable into a circular assembly at the installation site.

[0008] In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle panels are arranged in an annular pattern, leaving a central circular opening through which lighting fixtures, air ducts, or other devices can be visually integrated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an acoustic baffle assembly 10 is shown formed by a circular array of baffle panel units 11 held in place by annular ribs 12a, b, c (hereinafter sometimes identified individually and / or collectively by the number 12). The baffle panel units 11, which can be identical, include a planar sound-absorbing board 13 and a reverse metal channel 15, both of which are approximately equal in length.

[0011] The plate 13 can be, for example, a PET felt sound-absorbing panel commercially available under the COLORTEX (trademark) brand with a nominal thickness of 1 / 2 inch and a rating up to 0.85 NRC. Channels 15 made of, for example, 18-gauge steel are preferably assembled with an interference fit on the upper longitudinal edges of the respective plates 13. In addition to the interference fit, the plates 13 and the channels 15 can be fixed together by assembling mechanical fasteners such as a set of bindle barrels and screws through aligned holes at the longitudinal ends and central portions of the opposing legs of the channels 15 and the plates 13. In a normal installation, the baffle assembly 10 is in a horizontal orientation or in a horizontal plane, while the baffle panel unit 11 is in a vertical plane.

[0012] The baffle panel units are fixed to each other by at least two annular ribs 12 depending on the outer diameter of the assembly 10. The baffle assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a nominal outer diameter of 12 feet and has three annular ribs 12a, b, c. The ribs 12 can preferably be made of 18-gauge steel or other suitable metal or material and can have a right-angled portion with a vertical leg that is half the width of the horizontal leg.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a method of fixing the rigid annular ribs 12 to the baffle panel units 11. Mechanical fasteners such as self-drilling sheet metal screws fix the horizontal legs of the ribs 12 to the webs of the channels 15 of each lower baffle panel unit. The same fastening technique can be used to fix the other ribs 12b, c and the panel units 11 in their desired relative positions.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the baffle panel units 11 and the arcuate portions of the ribs are assembled to form an angled segment 18 of the circular baffle assembly 10. In the illustrated configuration, the ends of each rib portion along one side of the segment 18 are cantilevered from the outer baffle unit 11.

[0015] The baffle assembly segment 18 is manufactured by the manufacturer with a maximum width small enough to be conveniently handled, packaged, and economically transported. At the location where the baffle assembly 10 is installed, those parts are joined by assembling an arcuate splice 21 (shown in FIG. 5) on the butting ends of the rib portions. The shape of the splice 21 made of sheet metal such as the rib 12 preferably conforms to the radius and cross-section of each rib. The splice can be attached to the rib ends using the same fasteners used to attach the rib ends to the baffle panel unit. The various parts are configured such that when they are joined, there is a central opening in the assembly 10 that can surround a lighting fixture, an air duct, or other device.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical leg of the rib 12 has an opening for receiving a suspension wire for suspending the assembly 10 from an overhead structure. Alternatively, openings can be provided in the splice or the rib and the splice to provide a point of acceptance for the suspension wire.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the longitudinally extending lower edge of the baffle plate is shaped to have the same curved shape that collectively creates a three-dimensional contour shape on the lower surface of the assembly visible to an observer below the assembly 10. For example, other edge configurations can be considered where the edge of the baffle plate is angled or straight.

[0018] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the baffle assembly 30. The same numbers used previously to designate the parts of the first embodiment are used to designate the same or equivalent parts in this second embodiment. The baffle assembly 30 has a smaller outer diameter and a nominal diameter of 9 feet. The baffle assembly 30 differs from the assembly 10 described first by having segments 31 with fewer angles and annular ribs 32 with fewer angles. The construction, assembly, suspension, and use of the baffle assembly are essentially the same as those described for the first baffle assembly 10.

[0019] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, this has been for the purposes of illustration and not limitation, and other variations and modifications of the specific embodiments shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

**Claim 1** A circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly for suspension above an occupied space, comprising a plurality of baffle panel units each radiating radially away from a common center and being in a substantially vertical plane, an upper edge of the baffle panel units being in a common virtual rotational plane around the center, the baffle panel units being joined by common inner and outer arcuate ribs concentric with the center, a radially inner end and a radially outer end of the baffle panel units being on a virtual circle concentric with the center, portions of the inner and outer arcuate ribs being fixed to a portion of the total number of the baffle panel units to form an angled segment, the angled segments being arrangeable side by side to form an annular pattern, an end of the arcuate rib portion of one angled segment being joined to an end of the arcuate rib portion of an adjacent angled segment, the ends of the arcuate rib portions being joined by arcuate splice elements, the arcuate rib portions and / or the splice elements having vertical legs, a circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly. **Claim 2** The circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer ribs are constructed and arranged to be supported by suspension wires extending upward. **Claim 3** The circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the radially inner end of the baffle panel unit is spaced from the center, thereby enabling an instrument to be located at the center. **Claim 4** The circular multi-panel acoustic baffle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the baffle panel unit includes sound-absorbing tex. **Claim 5** A kit for assembling a circular multi-panel acoustic baffle for suspension above an occupied space, A plurality of baffle panel units, including a reverse metal channel surrounding the upper ends of each of the plurality of baffle panel units, and a plurality of arcuate ribs attached to the reverse metal channel of the baffle panel unit to form an angled segment, wherein the angled segments can be arranged side by side to form an annular pattern, and an end of the arcuate rib portion of one angled segment is joined to an end of the arcuate rib portion of an adjacent angled segment, the plurality of baffle panel units; A splice element having a vertical leg joined to an end of the arcuate rib portion; The arcuate rib portion and the splice element have a vertical leg including an opening for receiving a suspension wire, a kit.

6. The kit according to claim 5, including a mechanical fastener for joining the splice element to the segment.

7. The kit according to claim 6, wherein the angled segments are constructed and arranged to form a central empty space in which an instrument can be positioned when joined side by side.

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