U.S. patent application number 10/825918 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for acoustical ceiling diffusor.
Invention is credited to Bird, Richard Rives, Huston, Christopher.
Application Number | 20050016110 10/825918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34083035 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050016110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huston, Christopher ; et
al. |
January 27, 2005 |
Acoustical ceiling diffusor
Abstract
A ceiling diffuser that can be retrofit into an existing
ceiling. Angled blocks are installed between the existing joists.
The diffuser comprises a layered structure of sheetrock, sound
deadening material, high frequency sound absorptive material and
angled blocks. A plurality of diffuser elements may be installed
between the joints. The diffuser is installed such that it is
symmetrical on the right and left side of a virtual centerline. The
angled blocks come together to form a "v" or inverted "v" at the
centerline.
Inventors: |
Huston, Christopher;
(Brentwood, TN) ; Bird, Richard Rives;
(Coralville, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ORUM & ROTH
53 W. JACKSON BLVD
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
34083035 |
Appl. No.: |
10/825918 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60463823 |
Apr 18, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/34 20130101; E04B
9/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/633 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An acousical ceiling diffuser element comprising: a frame, a
plurality of equally spaced paddles secured to the frame, said
frame adapted to be installed between a pair of ceiling joists;
said paddles secured at an angle of between about 15.degree. and
about 40.degree. from horizontal and said paddles all secured at
the same angle.
2. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 1 wherein the
paddles are all angled the same direction.
3. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 1 wherein the
paddles are angled between about 30.degree. to about 35.degree.
from horizontal.
4. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 1 wherein the
paddles are angled about 350 from horizontal.
5. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 2, wherein said
frame has a first end and a second end, said plurality of paddles
each having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of a first
paddle is substantially aligned with the first end of said frame,
the lower end of a last paddle is substantially aligned with a
second end of said frame, and the upper end of the paddles is
substantially aligned with the lower end of the adjacent
paddle.
6. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 5 wherein the
element has a depth greater than about 4 inches.
7. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 6 wherein the
paddles are 12 inches apart.
8. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 7 wherein the
length of the element is 48 inches, the width is 141/2 inches and
the depth is 5 inches.
9. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 7 wherein the
element is adapted to be separated between said paddles.
10. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 5 wherein the
frame and paddles are made of non-absorptive material, minimally
absorptive material, semi-absorptive material, or combinations
thereof.
11. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 10 wherein the
frame and paddles are made of plastic or wood.
12. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 10 wherein the
paddles are integral with the frame.
13. The acoustical ceiling diffuser element of claim 2 wherein the
frame comprises a base and two side walls.
14. An acousical ceiling diffuser comprising: a plurality of joists
in a ceiling, and a plurality of paddles secured in cavities formed
between adjacent joists, said ceiling having an imaginary
centerline perpendicular to said joists, said paddles secured at an
angle of between about 15.degree. and about 40.degree. from
horizontal and said paddles all secured at the same angle, said
plurality of paddles comprising a plurality of first side center
paddles, a plurality of second side center paddles and a plurality
of remaining paddles.
15. The acousical ceiling diffuser of claim 14 wherein each paddle
has an upper end and a lower end, one first side center paddle is
installed on one side of the centerline and one second side center
paddle is installed on an opposite side of the centerline such that
at the centerline either an upper end of the one first side center
paddle is adjacent to an upper end of the one second side center
paddle or a lower end of the one first side center paddle is
adjacent to a lower end of the one second side center paddle, and
said remaining paddles are installed with the paddles angled in the
same direction as the adjacent paddle.
16. The acousical ceiling diffuser of claim 15 wherein in adjacent
cavities the pattern of paddles is reversed such that at the
centerline the upper ends of the center paddles are adjacent and at
the centerline in the adjacent cavities the lower ends of the
center paddles are adjacent.
17. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 16 wherein the
paddles are angled between about 30.degree. to about 35.degree.
from horizontal.
18. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 16 wherein the
paddles are angled about 35.degree. from horizontal.
19. The acousical ceiling diffuser element of claim 16 wherein the
diffuser has a depth greater than about 4 inches.
20. The acousical ceiling diffuser of claim 16 wherein the paddles
are 12 inches apart.
21. The acoustical ceiling diffuser of claim 14, further comprising
a layer of sound absorptive material above the paddles.
22. The acoustical ceiling diffuser of claim 14, further comprising
a layered construction of: a first sheetrock layer, a sound
deadening material layer, a high frequency sound absorptive
material layer, wherein the sheetrock layer is attached to the
joists, and the sound deadening material and the absorptive
material are attached to the sheetrock, and the paddles are
attached below the layers.
23. The acoustical ceiling diffuser of claim 22 further comprising
insulating material between the joists above the sheetrock
layer.
24. The ceiling diffuser of claim 14 further comprising
acoustically neutral fabric covering the ceiling.
25. A method of installing an acousical ceiling diffuser comprising
the steps of: obtaining a plurality of acousical ceiling diffuser
elements comprising a frame and a plurality of angled paddles, each
said paddle having a upper side and a lower side; installing the
acousical ceiling diffuser element between pairs of ceiling joists
in a symmetrical pattern about an imaginary centerline running
perpendicular to the joists.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the steps of:
installing a first acousical ceiling diffuser element between a
pair of ceiling joists at a first side of the imaginary centerline,
installing a second acousical ceiling diffuser element at the
opposite side of the imaginary centerline between the pair of
joists, such that at the centerline an upper side of a first paddle
of the first acousical ceiling diffuser element is adjacent to an
upperside of a first paddle of the second acousical ceiling
diffuser element to form an inverted V-shape or such that at a the
centerline a lower side of a first paddle of the first acousical
ceiling diffuser element is adjacent to a lower side of a first
paddle of the second acousical ceiling diffuser element to form a
V-shape; installing additional acousical ceiling diffuser elements
between the pair of joists such that the paddles angle the same
direction as the paddles in the adjacent acousical ceiling diffuser
elements; repeating the steps of installating acousical ceiling
diffuser elements between the remaining pairs of joists, and
alternating the V-shape, inverted V-shape between adjacent
joists.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of
continuing installing acousical ceiling diffuser elements from the
centerline to the wall.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of: cutting
the acousical ceiling diffuser elements to be installed closest to
the wall to an appropriate length.
29. The method claim 27, comprising the additional step of:
covering the ceiling with acoustically neutral fabric.
30. The method of claim 29 comprising the step of installing a
plurality of acoustically neutral fabric panels.
Description
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/463,823 filed Apr. 18, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to acoustical listening
environments. Specifically, the present invention relates to an
acoustical ceiling diffuser than can be retrofit into an existing
ceiling without adversely affecting ceiling height.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In an acoustical listening environment there is the need for
absorption and diffusion. Absorption is very easily accomplished,
but diffusion not so much so. In order to achieve the necessary
diffusion for an appropriate sound field, the diffusers are often
large, cumbersome, and frequently unattractive.
[0006] One of the problem areas is the need for diffusion on the
ceiling. Having proper diffusion on the ceiling offers the
following benefits:
[0007] 1. It breaks the first reflection point from the listener to
the speaker at broader bandwidths than purely absorption.
[0008] 2. It does not overly attenuate the high frequencies.
[0009] 3. It increases spaciousness in terms of the sound field.
The room and ceiling height will sound larger and higher than what
is actually there by balancing reverberation times throughout the
frequency spectrum, particularly the mid range.
[0010] 4. It breaks up the room mode caused by the parallel nature
of the floor to the ceiling. However, the diffuser must cover a
large area of the ceiling to be effective for this point.
[0011] Conventional diffusers, depending on well spacing and
bandwidth desired can be 12 inches deep or even deeper. Many people
who enjoy music set up listening rooms in the basement or other
less used parts of the house. Because these rooms typically were
not originally designed to be used for this purpose, they often
have low ceilings. If a ceiling is low, one can not add a
conventional diffuser without adversely affecting the ceiling
height. Thus, many listening rooms do not have the luxury of
including a conventional diffuser.
[0012] Thus, there is a need for a diffuser that can be used in a
space having a low ceiling. There is also a need for a system which
allows the user to add absorption along with diffusion.
[0013] There is a need for a cost effective, easy to install
ceiling diffuser. There is a need for a ceiling diffuser which can
be retrofit into an existing ceiling. There is also a need for a
ceiling diffuser which can be quickly installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is a ceiling diffuser that can be
retrofit into an existing ceiling by installing the inventive
diffuser between the existing joists and covering the ceiling with
scrim wrap or other acoustically transparent material.
[0015] In one embodiment, the ceiling diffuser of the present
invention is coupled with sound absorption. A layered structure is
installed between the joists. The structure comprises a layer of
insulation, a layer of sheetrock, a layer of sound deadening
material, a layer of high frequency sound absorptive material and a
layer of angled blocks. Preferably, the layered structure is
enclosed on three sides by a frame. In the preferred embodiment,
the angled blocks are formed integrally with the frame. In an
alternative embodiment, the frame houses the angled blocks. The
frame including the diffuser can then be installed between the
joists. Preferably, the ceiling is covered by an acoustically
neutral fabric.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the speakers to be used with
the system are placed parallel with the joists.
[0017] A virtual perpendicular centerline of the room intersects
the joists. The angled blocks come together in a "V" or inverted
"V" at the centerline. The angled pattern is reversed between
successive joists. Thus, between every other joist pair the blocks
either all angle toward the bearing wall or all away from the
bearing wall. The resulting pattern is symmetrical on the right and
left side of a virtual centerline.
[0018] By mounting the ceiling diffuser between the joists, it
accomplishes the following goals:
[0019] 1. It takes up essentially no space in terms of ceiling
height.
[0020] 2. The angled pattern offers directionality (or wave guide
transmission) of the diffusion.
[0021] 3. It offers ample bandwidth going from approximately 350 Hz
up to 2 kHz with diffusion coefficients of approximately 0.35 to
0.70
[0022] 4. It offers absorption at high frequencies from 2 k to 20 k
with absorption coefficients of approximately 0.5 to 0.9.
[0023] 5. It is aesthetically pleasing as it is covered with scrim
wrap or other acoustically transparent fabric, and thus appears as
a cloth covered ceiling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a ceiling with the inventive
diffuser installed between the joists.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a diffusing panel along line
II-II of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the inventive ceiling
diffuser.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a listening room.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross section of a series of panels installed to
angle away from the walls.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross section of a series of panels installed to
angle toward the walls.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the diffuser installed between
the joists.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a top view of the diffuser installed between the
joists.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an end view of a panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] A ceiling 10 typically comprises of a sub-floor 14 from the
floor above and a series of parallel joists 12. The joists 12 rest
on bearing walls (not shown) and are typically made of 2.times.10
wood boards. The depth and spacing of the joists 12 may be dictated
by engineering requirements, local building code or design choice.
In most homes, the ceiling joists 12 are about 16 inches apart and
about 10 inches deep. The present invention is a diffuser 50 that
can be built into a ceiling between the joists 12.
[0034] While, the inventive diffuser 50 is especially useful in
rooms 30 with low ceilings 10, the inventive diffuser 50 can be
used in any room 30. It is not necessary that the room 30 have a
low ceiling 10, nor is it necessary that there be a sub-floor 14
above.
[0035] In one embodiment, the diffuser 50 is combined with
absorption and a layered structure installed between the joists 12.
In a first preferred embodiment, a diffuser is installed between
the joists 12. The first layer is a layer of insulating material
18. Preferably, the insulating material is Fiberglass batt
insulation. The next layer is a layer of sheetrock 20. The
sheetrock is attached to the joists 12 using blocks 16. Typically,
the block is a 2 inch by choice board and is run the length of the
joist 12. The sheetrock 20 is attached to the block 16. Next a
layer of sound deadening material 22 is laid. Preferably, one
half-inch sound deadening board 22 such as Celotex is used. A
second layer of sheetrock 20 is then laid. Preferably, the
sheetrock 20 layers use {fraction (5/8)} inch sheetrock. Next a
high frequency sound absorptive material 26 is laid between the
joists 12. Preferably, a semi-rigid pressed fiberglass board is
used for the sound absorptive material 26 as the rigidity of the
board makes it easy to install.
[0036] The next layer is a plurality of angled paddles 24. The
paddles 24 are made of wood, plastic or other known material. The
paddles 24 are installed at an angle .alpha.. Preferably, the
paddles 24 are angled 15.degree. and 40.degree. from horizontal.
More preferably, the paddles are angled 30.degree.-35.degree.. Most
preferably, the paddles are angles 35.degree..
[0037] Preferably, one paddle 24 is attached directly over the area
where the previous paddle 24 ends. The paddles 24 are individually
installed between the joists 12 or one or more paddles 24 may be
attached as part of a preformed unit. The paddles 24 are angled in
a symmetrical pattern about an imaginary centerline 42
perpendicular to the joists 12. Between each successive pair of
joists 12, the pattern reverses with the paddles 24 angled toward
the centerline 42 between one pair of joists 12 and away from the
centerline 42 between the next pair of joists 12.
[0038] It is preferable that the diffuser 50 subtract less than 2
inches from the ceiling 10 height. More preferably, the diffuse 50
subtracts less than 1 inch from the ceiling 10 height. Most
preferably, the diffuser 50 does not reduce the ceiling 10
height.
[0039] The finished ceiling 10 with the diffuser 50 is covered with
an acoustically neutral material 28 such as scrim wrap. Preferably
the material 28 is stretched over a frame 32, such as a frame made
of pine or other wood and panels are installed. Preferably, the
diffuser 50 is installed between the joists and the frame is
installed on top of the joists.
[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cross section of a ceiling with the
inventive diffuser 50 with absorption installed between the joists
12. The angled paddles 24 are made of a standard blocking material
installed within the joists 12 and are angled between
15.degree.-40.degree. from horizontal. The preferred angle is
30.degree.-35.degree.. The degree of angulation has a small effect
of the bandwidth.
[0041] The angled pattern shown is reversed in every other cavities
44 between the joists 12. In every cavity the panels are either all
angled toward or all away from the bearing walls. The centerline 42
of the room 30 is where the angled panels come together to form a
"V" or an inverted "V". Thus, the pattern is symmetrical on the
left side and right side of the virtual centerline 42 of the
listening room 30, and provides a symmetrical diffusion
pattern.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a diffusing panel 50. In a
second preferred embodiment, a pre-fabricated diffusing element 52
is used. The diffusing element is easy to install. The system may
be installed for an entire ceiling 10 in a matter of a few hours.
The diffusing elements 52 are reversible and thus can go in either
direction and create the alternating "V" and inverted "V" patterns
as desired. Preferably, each element 52 is about 4 feet long and
can be cut into shorter lengths, preferably 1-foot lengths. This
allows the system to be adapted to just about any room 30 or
ceiling 10. Preferably, the diffusing element 52 comprises a frame
54 with angled paddles 56.
[0043] Preferably, the paddles 56 are pre-formed. Preferably, a
U-shaped or three-sided frame 54 with a plurality of angled paddles
56 is used. However, other shaped frames 54 could be used such as a
flat base from which the paddles project or an open frame. The
paddles 56 and the frame 54 can be made from the same or different
materials. Preferably, the frame 54 and paddles 56 are made of a
rigid non-absorptive or minimally absorptive material. In another
preferred embodiment, the frame 54 and paddles 56 are made of a
rigid semi-absorptive material. For example, the paddles 56 and/or
frame 54 could be made of wood, plastic or other known material. In
an alternative embodiment, the frame 54 and/or paddles 56 could be
a laminated structure. In an alternative embodiment, a portion of
the frame 54 is made of or is laminated to a sound absorptive
and/or sound isolation material. It is also preferable that the
frame 54 is made of a non-resonating material. The thickness of the
frame 54 can be adjusted to limit resonance or preferably a
material with different resonant properties than the frame could be
laminated or adhered to the frame. Preferably, the diffusing
element 52 is vacuum molded. Alternatively, they could be injection
molded or molded using any known technique.
[0044] Preferably, the paddles 56 are formed integrally with the
frame 54. Alternatively, the paddles 56 could be attached to the
frame 54. In one alternative embodiment, the frame would have a
series of apertures (not shown) and the paddles 56 would have
cooperating projections (not shown). In yet another embodiment, the
paddles 56 could be affixed to the frame with adhesive or other
known attachment means such as nails or bolts.
[0045] Preferably, the diffusing element 52 is made in four-foot
lengths and the angled paddles 56 are approximately 12 inches
apart. The elements 52 could be longer or shorter. More preferably,
they can be cut into shorter lengths, such as one-foot lengths with
the paddles 56 placed at intervals to facilitate cutting between
them. The distance between the paddles 56 can be varied with the
angle of the paddles 56 and depth of the diffusing element 52.
Preferably, one paddle 56 begins where the previous paddle 56
ended. This allows for the elements 52 to be cut into smaller
lengths and for the elements 52 to cooperate with other elements
52. For example, for a 4-foot element 52 with paddles 56 placed at
1 foot intervals could be cut into 1, 2 or 3-foot lengths. Element
52 could be cut as needed to complete the room 30.
[0046] Preferably, the paddles 56 are angled 15.degree.-40.degree.
from horizontal. More preferably, they are angled
30.degree.-35.degree..
[0047] The typical ceiling joist 12 is 10 inches deep. Preferably,
the diffusing element 52 has a depth of at least 4 inches. More
preferably, the diffusing element 52 has a depth of approximately
4-5 inches. Most preferably, the diffusing element 52 has a depth
of about 5 inches. The deeper the diffusing element 52, the more
diffusion. In an alternative embodiment, the diffuser has a depth
of 8 inches.
[0048] Most preferably, the diffusing element 52 is about 4 feet
long, about 141/2 inches wide, has a depth of approximately 5
inches, and angled paddles 56 approximately 12 inches apart with an
angle .alpha. of about 35.degree. from horizontal. However, the
diffusing element 56 can be any size shaped to fit between the
ceiling joists 12.
[0049] In one embodiment, the diffusing element is combined with
absorptive material 26 and/or sound isolation material 22, and the
layer element 56 is fit between the joists 12 so as to not
adversely impact ceiling height. Preferably, reducing the ceiling
10 height by less than one inch.
[0050] The pre-formed diffusion elements 52 could be stapled to the
ceiling 10 between the joists 12. Alternatively, other known
attachment methods could be used such as adhesive, nails, etc., to
attach the diffusion elements 52 to the ceiling. Preferably, the
diffusion element 52 is attached to the joist 12. In the preferred
embodiment, it is not necessary to isolate the diffusers 50 from
the joist 12 or from any sub-floor 14 or roof (not shown).
[0051] The diffusion elements 52 are installed in the cavity
between a pair of joists 12 from the virtual centerline 24 toward
the walls (not shown). One element 50 is placed on each side of the
virtual centerline 24 to form the "V" or inverted "V". The next
element 52 is installed with the paddles 56 angled in the same
direction as the adjacent element. Each element 52 is installed
with the paddles 56 angled in the same direction as the adjacent
element 52. In the next cavity, the paddles 56 will be angled in
the opposite direction.
[0052] In an alternative embodiment, the diffusing element 52 could
be used in conjunction with absorptive material 26 and/or material
for sound isolation 22. The absorbtive and/or sound isolation
material could be installed between the joists 12 and then the
elements 52 installed. In another embodiment, the diffusing element
could have absorptive material and/or sound isolation material
laminated to the frame. For example, fiberglass batting or other
material could be attached to the base of the frame.
[0053] Scrim wrap or other acoustically neutral material 28 could
be placed on each diffusing element 52. Alternatively, acoustically
neutral material 28 could be stretched to cover the entire ceiling
10 at one time. In yet another embodiment, the material 28 is
stretched on frames 32 that are then attached to the ceiling
10.
[0054] The preferred diffuser 50, 52 makes use of diffusion and has
wave guide properties. This is the preferred system when the
speakers 34 of a sound system are aligned parallel with the joists
12. In other rooms, where that configuration for the sound system
is impossible or undesirable (for aesthetic, room flow, or other
reasons) a quadratic diffuser or other type of diffuser could be
adapted to be fit between the joists 12. The ceiling would then be
covered with the scrim wrap or other acoustically neutral material
28.
* * * * *