U.S. patent application number 14/594721 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for sound arresting barrier having a spacer bracket.
The applicant listed for this patent is M.H. Corbin, Inc.. Invention is credited to Maxwell H. Corbin, JR., Marshall M. Corbin.
Application Number | 20150376848 14/594721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54929908 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20150376848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corbin, JR.; Maxwell H. ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
Sound Arresting Barrier Having A Spacer Bracket
Abstract
A sound barrier includes a plurality of vertically extending
posts, wherein each post has an I-shaped cross section defined by a
central web and spaced apart pairs of flanges that define
oppositely disposed channels for receiving the end portions of
sound wall sections. At least one wall section may be received
within each channel. The wall sections may have a thickness that is
less than the width of the respective channel, so that a space or
gap is created between the wall section and one of the flanges of
the post. At least one bracket is positioned in the space and
attached to the wall section to retain the wall section within the
channel.
Inventors: |
Corbin, JR.; Maxwell H.;
(Milford Center, OH) ; Corbin; Marshall M.; (Plain
City, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M.H. Corbin, Inc. |
Plain City |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54929908 |
Appl. No.: |
14/594721 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62018153 |
Jun 27, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/210 ;
29/525.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 8/0023 20130101;
E01F 8/0011 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01F 8/00 20060101
E01F008/00 |
Claims
1. A sound barrier, comprising: a plurality of vertically extending
posts, each post having a generally I-shaped cross section defined
by a central structural web and spaced apart pairs of flanges
extending generally perpendicular to said central web to define
first and second oppositely disposed channels along said post for
receiving a distal end portion of a wall section therein such that
said wall section is retained between adjacent, spaced posts; at
least one wall section received in said channel of at least one of
said plurality of posts; wherein said wall section comprises a
thickness that is substantially less than a width of said channel,
such that a space is defined between said wall section and one of
said flanges; and at least one first bracket positioned within said
space and attached to said wall section; wherein said first bracket
comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to
said base portion, and wherein said first arm is substantially
longer than said second arm.
2. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein said first arm of said
first bracket engages said wall section and said second arm of said
first bracket engages a stop surface such that said wall section is
positioned within said channel and engages one of said flanges of
said post.
3. The sound barrier of claim 2, wherein said stop surface is one
of said flanges of said post.
4. The sound barrier of claim 2, wherein said stop surface is
defined by a second bracket coupled with said post.
5. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein said first arm of said
first bracket is coupled to said wall section.
6. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one
second bracket coupled to said central web of at least one of said
posts and cooperating with at least one of said flanges to define a
space for receiving said wall section therebetween, said bracket
including a first leg extending along said central web, and a
second leg extending perpendicular to said central web; wherein
said first bracket is positioned between said wall section and said
second bracket.
7. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of said wall
section or said first bracket comprises glass-reinforced polymeric
material.
8. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one
shim positioned between said second arm of said first bracket and
said flange.
9. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one
elongate post cover coupled with one of said plurality of posts and
disposed over an outer surface thereof.
10. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising: a post cap
having an open end; said post cap received on an upper, free end of
one of said plurality of posts with said free end of said post
extending within said open end of said post cap.
11. A method of retrofitting a sound barrier, comprising: inserting
at least one wall section into a channel of at least one post,
wherein the post has a generally I-shaped cross section defined by
a central structural web and spaced apart flanges extending
generally perpendicular to the central web to define the channel
along the post; wherein the wall section has a thickness that is
substantially less than a width of the channel, such that a space
is defined between the wall section and one of the flanges; and
operatively coupling at least one first bracket with the wall
section and the post in the space, wherein the first bracket
comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to
the base portion, and wherein the first arm is substantially longer
than the second arm.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: engaging the first
arm of the first bracket with the wall section; and engaging the
second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface such that the
wall section is positioned within the channel and engages a flange
of the post.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the second arm of the
first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm
with a flange of the post.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the second arm of the
first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm
with a second bracket that is coupled with the central structural
web.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein operatively coupling the first
bracket includes coupling the first arm of the first bracket to the
wall section.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein each post further includes at
least one second bracket coupled to the central web of the post and
including a first leg extending along the central web and a second
leg extending perpendicular to the central web, and wherein
inserting at least one first bracket within the space includes
inserting the first bracket between the second leg of the second
bracket and the wall section.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising inserting at least
one shim between the second arm of the first bracket and the
flange.
18. The method of claim 11, further comprising removing a
per-existing panel retained by the post before inserting at least
one wall section into the channel of the post.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/018,153 filed Jun. 27, 2014
(pending), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to acoustic
structures, and more particularly to a sound barrier for
eliminating or reducing noise emanating from roadways, railways,
airports, or other noise generating areas.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sound barrier walls are known in the art and have been
utilized to eliminate or reduce noise emanating from roadways,
railways, airports, or other such areas adjacent residential and/or
business communities. These sound barriers are typically
constructed in the form of elongate wall structures interposed
between a noise source and an area that is desired to be protected
from the noise. Conventional sound barriers have been constructed
using I-beam shaped posts and concrete wall sections interposed
between the posts. These conventional sound barrier walls are heavy
and difficult to install. In addition, when it is desired to repair
or replace sections of such conventional sound barrier walls, the
heavy concrete wall sections make it difficult to remove and
replace. The construction of such conventional sound barrier walls
makes it difficult to retrofit existing sound walls if there are
imperfections in the construction materials used to make the sound
wall.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other
shortcomings and drawbacks of conventional sound arresting barriers
heretofore known. While the invention will be described in
connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the
invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents
as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0005] In one embodiment, a sound barrier includes a plurality of
vertically extending posts, wherein each post has an I-shaped cross
section defined by a central web and spaced apart pairs of flanges
that define oppositely disposed channels for receiving the end
portions of sound wall sections. At least one wall section may be
received within each channel. The wall section may have a thickness
that is less than the width of the respective channel, so that a
space or gap is created between the wall section and one of the
flanges of the post. At least one bracket is positioned in the
space and attached to the wall section to retain the wall section
within the channel.
[0006] In another embodiment, a method of retrofitting a sound
barrier includes inserting at least one wall section into a channel
of a post, wherein the wall section has a thickness that is less
than the width of the channel so that a space is defined between
the wall section and a flange of the post. The method further
includes coupling a first bracket with the wall section and the
post in the space to thereby retain the wall section within the
channel.
[0007] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily understood after reading the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary sound barrier
installed along a roadway, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary spacer bracket
for use in the sound barrier of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sound
barrier of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4,
depicting another exemplary sound barrier.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5,
depicting yet another exemplary sound barrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary sound barrier 10 according to
the present invention and utilized along a roadway 12 to eliminate
or reduce noise transmitted from the roadway 12 to the adjacent
area on the opposite side of the sound barrier 10. The sound
barrier 10 comprises a series of elongate wall sections 14 disposed
between generally vertically extending posts 16. In this
embodiment, the wall sections 14 comprise a plurality of sound
arresting members 18 arranged end-to-end and stacked in a vertical
direction, one atop another, to create a wall or partition between
the noise generating area and the area to be protected. The sound
arresting members 18 are supported at their respective ends by the
spaced apart posts 16, which have been arranged along the boundary
between the noise source and the protected area. In FIG. 1, the
sound barrier 10 is constructed along the side of the roadway 12
and is positioned atop a parapet or retaining wall 20. It will be
recognized however that the sound barrier 10 may alternatively be
erected directly upon the ground surface, or in various other
configurations, as may be desired.
[0015] A sound barrier 10 in accordance with the principles of the
present invention is suitable not only for new installations, but
may also be used to retrofit existing sound walls, for example,
when it is desired to repair or replace portions of an existing
sound wall or an entire sound wall all together. In the exemplary
embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-6, the sound barrier 10 comprises at
least one generally vertically extending post 16 spaced apart along
the boundary of an area where it is desired to locate the sound
barrier 10. Each post 16 has a generally I-shaped cross-section
defined by a central structural web 30 and having spaced apart
pairs of flanges 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d extending generally
perpendicular to the central web 30 to define first and second
oppositely disposed channels 34a, 34b along the vertical length of
the post 16.
[0016] A sound barrier 10 may also include a post cap 17 and/or a
post cover 19, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,360, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, and with continued reference
to FIG. 1, a spacer bracket 22 for use in sound barrier 10 may
include a base portion 24, a first arm 26, and a second arm 28. The
first and second arms 26, 28 may be substantially perpendicular to
the base portion 24 such that the spacer bracket 22 may have a
generally U-shaped cross section. Moreover, the first arm 26 may
comprise a length that is substantially greater than the length of
the second arm 28 to provide clearance for attaching mounting
hardware, such as a rivet 29, through the first arm 26 into a wall
section 14, as depicted in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the
longitudinal length L of the bracket 22 may be substantially equal
to the height H of a corresponding wall section 14. In one
embodiment, the U-shaped bracket 22 may comprise a glass-reinforced
polymeric material, such as fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). It
will be appreciated, however, that spacer bracket 22 may
alternatively be made from various other materials suitable for
supporting a wall section 14 as described below.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 4, a sound barrier 10 may comprise
wall sections 14a, 14b received in channels 34a, 34b along post 16.
The sound barrier 10 may further include brackets 42 disposed
within the channels 34a, 34b. In the embodiment shown, the brackets
42 have generally L-shaped cross-sections. First legs 44 of the
L-shaped brackets 42 may be secured to the posts 16 along the
central web 30, while second legs 46 of the L-shaped brackets 42
may extend perpendicular to the central web 30. The brackets 42 may
cooperate with flanges 32c, 32d to define spaces within channels
34b, 34a sized to receive wall sections therebetween. For example,
the right side of FIG. 4 depicts a wall section 14b having a
thickness T that is substantially equal to the distance between a
bracket 42 and a flange 32d and that is received in channel 34b in
the space between the bracket 42 and flange 32d. In one embodiment,
the wall section 14b may comprise concrete. The left side of FIG. 4
depicts a wall section 14a having a thickness t that is
substantially less than the distance between a bracket 42 and a
flange 32c and that has been installed in channel 34a in the space
between the bracket 42 and the flange 32c to replace a thicker wall
section that was originally disposed in channel 34a. The wall
section 14a may be thinner and lighter than the wall section 14b.
In one embodiment, the wall section 14a may comprise a
glass-reinforced polymeric material (e.g. fiberglass). Sound
barrier 10 may further include a U-shaped spacer bracket 22
positioned within the channel 34a between the wall section 14a and
the L-shaped bracket 42. In this manner, the L-shaped bracket 42
may provide a stop surface to the second arm 28 of the U-shaped
bracket 22 such that the wall section 14a may engage a flange 32c
of the post. The first arm 26 of the U-shaped bracket 22 may be
coupled with the wall section 14a for support, such as by rivets 29
or other fasteners. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the
first arm 26 may be coupled with the wall section 14a by any other
suitable method of attachment, such as by adhesion or welding. In
addition, one or more shims 47 may be positioned between the second
arm 28 of the U-shaped bracket 22 and the second leg 46 of the
L-shaped bracket 42 to provide a tight fit.
[0019] In many instances, it may be desirable to replace a thick
wall section 14b with a thinner wall section 14a. For example, a
thick wall section 14b made of concrete may be heavy and difficult
to maintain, repair, or replace after being exposed to damage or
weathering. Conversely, a thinner wall section 14a made of
fiberglass may be lightweight and easily replaceable. Referring now
to FIG. 5, and with continued reference to FIG. 4, the wall section
14b may be replaced with a second wall section 14a having a
thickness t that is substantially less than the distance between a
bracket 42 and flange 32d. Sound barrier 10 may further include
U-shaped brackets 22 positioned within the channels 34a, 34b
between the wall sections 14a and the L-shaped brackets 42. In this
manner, the L-shaped brackets 42 may provide stop surfaces to the
second arms 28 of the U-shaped brackets 22 such that the wall
sections 14a may engage the flanges 32c, 32d of the post 16.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 6, wherein similar features are
similarly numbered, sound barrier 110 may comprise at least one
generally vertically extending post 116 spaced apart along the
boundary of an area where it is desired to locate the sound barrier
110. Each post has a generally I-shaped cross-section defined by a
central structural web 130 and having spaced apart pairs of flanges
132a, 132b, 132c, 132d extending generally perpendicular to the
central web 130 to define first and second oppositely disposed
channels 134a, 134b along the vertical length of the post 116.
Sound barrier 110 may further comprise wall sections 14a received
in channels 134a, 134b along post 116. The wall sections 14a may
have thicknesses t substantially less than the widths of channels
134a, 134b. Sound barrier 110 may further include U-shaped brackets
22 positioned within the channels 134a, 134b between the wall
sections 14a and the flanges 132b, 132a. In this manner, the
flanges 132b, 132a may provide stop surfaces to the second arms 28
of the U-shaped brackets 22 such that the wall sections 14a may
engage the flanges 132c, 132d of the post 116. The first arms 26 of
the U-shaped brackets 22 may be coupled with the wall sections 14b
for support, as previously described. In addition, one or more
shims 47 may be positioned between the second arms 28 of the
U-shaped brackets 22 and the flanges 132a, 132b to provide a tight
fit. In one embodiment, the wall sections 14a may comprise a
glass-reinforced polymeric material (e.g. fiberglass).
[0021] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of one or more exemplary embodiments, and while the
embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are
not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed
herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional
advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled
in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not
limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and
method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,
departures may be made from such details without departing from the
scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.
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