US4832152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic tile
Assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
•
Filing: 1988-03-22
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Granted: 1989-05-23
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Expires: 2008-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic tile that provides soundproofing in a modular wall, such as is used in a modular panel office system, comprises a rigid rectangular metallic frame, a septum formed of a calcium carbonate-filled molded synthetic rubber polymer, a layer of low-density fiberglass and a layer of high-density fiberglass. The front of the frame is covered by fabric, and the back of the frame has fittings to attach the acoustic tile to a wall panel.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Schuelke
- 👤 Randy H. Barnard, III
- 👤 Kenneth E. Kleinke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:07
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B83/00; A47B83/001; E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04F; E04F13/00; E04F13/07; E04F13/08; E04F13/0867; E04B2002/7483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An acoustic tile for mounting to a rigid frame to provide sound transmission attenuation and sound-deadening characteristics to a wall comprising one or more of said acoustic tiles, said tiles comprising: a relatively rigid frame defining an open central portion; a first acoustic layer of a high-density acoustic material conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof, said first acoustic layer being relatively rigid and providing structural rigidity to said rigid frame; a second acoustic layer of a relatively compressible, low-density acoustic material, conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said first acoustic layer; a septum formed of a flexible sound-transmission blocking material, also conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame, and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said second layer of acoustic material; said first acoustic layer, said second acoustic layer and said septum being of densities and thicknesses to provide sound-transmission class rating of at least 28.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An acoustic tile for mounting to a rigid frame to provide sound transmission attenuation and sound-deadening characteristics to a wall comprising one or more of said acoustic tiles, said tiles comprising: a relatively rigid frame defining an open central portion; a first acoustic layer of a high-density acoustic material conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof, said first acoustic layer being relatively rigid and providing structural rigidity to said rigid frame; a second acoustic layer of a relatively compressible, low-density acoustic material, conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said first acoustic layer; a septum formed of a flexible sound-transmission blocking material, also conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame, and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said second layer of acoustic material; said first acoustic layer, said second acoustic layer and said septum being of densities and thicknesses to provide sound-transmission class rating of at least 28.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 1 wherein said septum is made of a moldable rubbery polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 2 wherein said septum is a mineral-filled rubbery polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 3 wherein said mineral is calcium carbonate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 4 wherein the septum has at least one pan-shaped depression at a central portion thereof and said depression is filled with said second acoustic layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 5 wherein the septum has a thickness of about 0.05 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 6 wherein said first acoustic layer has a thickness of about 0.5 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 7 wherein said first acoustic layer has a density of about 3.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 8 wherein said second acoustic layer has a maximum thickness of about 1 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 9 wherein said second acoustic layer has a density of about 0.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 10 and further comprising a fabric wrap surrounding said frame and said first acoustic layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 8 wherein said second acoustic layer has a density of about 0.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 3 wherein said first acoustic layer has a density of about 3.6 pounds per cubic foot and said second acoustic layer has a density of about 0.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 13 and further comprising a fabric wrap surrounding said second frame and said first acoustic layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 4 wherein said septum has a thickness of about 0.05 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An acoustic file according to claim 15 wherein said first acoustic layer has a density of about 3.6 pounds per cubic foot and said second acoustic layer has a density of about 0.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 16 wherein said first acoustic layer has a thickness of about 0.5 inches and said second acoustic layer has a maximum thickness of about 1 inch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
An acoustic tile for mounting to a rigid frame to provide sound transmission attenuation and sound-deadening characteristics to a wall comprising one or more of said acoustic tiles, said tiles comprising: a relatively rigid frame defining an open central portion; a first acoustic layer of a high-density acoustic material conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof, said first acoustic layer being relatively rigid and providing structural rigidity to said rigid frame; a second acoustic layer of relatively compressible, low-density acoustic material, conforming to the perimetrical shape of said frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said first acoustic layer; a septum formed of a flexible sound-transmission blocking material, also conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame, and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said second layer of acoustic material, said septum being made of a moldable rubbery polymer and being relatively yieldable to deform when forced against components in said wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
172 words
An acoustic tile for mounting to a rigid frame to provide sound transmission attenuation and sound-deadening characteristics to a wall comprising one or more of said acoustic tiles, said tiles comprising: a relatively rigid frame defining an open central portion; a first acoustic layer of a high-density acoustic material conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof, said first acoustic layer being relatively rigid and providing structural rigidity to said rigid frame; a second acoustic layer of relatively compressible, low-density acoustic material, conforming to the perimetrical shape of said frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said first acoustic layer; a septum formed of a flexible sound-transmission blocking material, also conforming to the perimetric shape of said frame, and mounted in the open central portion thereof in facing relationship to said second layer of acoustic material, said septum being made of a moldable rubbery polymer and being relatively yieldable to deform when forced against components in said wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 18 wherein said septum is a mineral-filled rubbery polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 19 wherein said mineral filler is calcium carbonate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 18 wherein said first acoustic layer has a density of 3.6 pounds per cubic foot and said second acoustic layer has a density of about 0.6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 21 wherein said first acoustic layer has a thickness of about 0.5 inches and said second acoustic layer has a maximum thickness of about 1 inch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acoustic tile according to claim 22 and further comprising a fabric wrap surrounding said frame and said first acoustic layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-22 | 1992-11-21 | 1993-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-22 | 1996-11-21 | 1997-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-22 | 2000-11-21 | 2001-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |