Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SYSTEM FOR RETROFITTING A WALL TO
INCREASE SOUND ATTENUATION
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL
APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to members used in construction, especially in
applications where sound attenuation and sound isolation is important. In
particular,
the present invention relates to construction members used to construct
building
structures in which sound transmission from one room to another is to be
prevented
or reduced. The present invention also relates to a system and method for
retrofitting
a pre-existing standard wall with an improved stud construction which improves
sound attenuation characteristics across the wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Standard wall frame systems including a plurality of interconnected
individual studs have long been used to construct walls. Also, in general, it
is
conventionally known to resiliently mount a wall or ceiling in order to
isolate sound
or attenuate transmission therethrough.
U.S. Patent No. 3,445,975 to Nelsson discloses a partition in which first and
second lath panels are held against a metallic stud, channel, or furnng member
by a
clip fastener. One portion of the stud, channel, or furnng member is
cantilevered
away from the portion at which the lath panels are clipped thereto. According
to
Nelsson, this permits the free portion of the stud, channel, or furnng member
to flex
as the lath panels mechanically respond to sound waves incident thereon. The
remainder of the structure dampens this surface movement, reducing sound
transmission to the opposite surface of the partition.
U.S. Patent No. 3,324,615 to Zinn discloses a construction member having a
plurality of laterally extending supporting tabs by which wallboard segments
are
resiliently mounted.
U.S. Patent No. 3,046,620 to Tvorik et al. discloses a ceiling hanger member
whereby a furring strip (to which a ceiling member is attached) is resiliently
attached
to a joist, such that the weight of the furring strip and ceiling member
resiliently
separates the furring strip from the joist.
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Another known method of sound attenuation is to build a wall frame in which
individual studs are laterally staggered relative to a toe plate and head
plate.
Therefore, alternate studs are used to mount wall board on respective sides of
the
frame so that a given stud is spaced away from one of wall boards.
Unfortunately, the foregoing conventional methods of noise attenuation are
problematic in that they generally move away from basic construction methods
and
thereby increase complexity and cost.
Finally, a standard wall frame system must generally be completely torn
down to put a conventional sound attenuating systems into place. It would be
therefore desirable to be able to retrofit a standard wall frame system so as
to increase
its sound attenuation characteristics.
U.S. Patent No. 4,466,225 to Hovind discloses a structure for making
preexisting studs in effect wider, so as to define deeper spaces for
insulation
therebetween. Hovind is directed to modification of studs in a frame, and not
to a
system by which a preexisting wall system is retrofitted. Hovind does not
mention
that the metal channels are resilient, especially for the purpose of sound
attenuation.
In addition to retrofitting a preexisting stud frame, it would be also
desirable
to be able to retrofit a fully constructed wall (that is, where drywall or the
like has
already been installed).
In addition to the devices for sound attenuation described hereinabove, a
wood I-beam is commercially available (for example, under the brand name "BCI
Advantage" from Boise Cascade Corporation) that comprises a pair of wood
members with a rigid wooden panel extending therebetween. However, because the
wooden panel is essentially non-resilient, this I-beam offers little or no
sound
attenuation benefit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore most generally directed to a construction
member that relies on resilient flexibility in order to attenuate sound
transmission
therethrough, but also more closely conforms to conventional building members
in
order to minimize or eliminate the need for any special handling or the like
in use.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a system for retrofitting
a
preexisting wall comprises a system of construction members (for example,
without
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limitation, conventional 2"x4" (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm) wood beams) arranged in a
manner corresponding to the studs underlying the preexisting wall. Each
construction member includes one or more resilient members (for example,
resilient
webs, resilient channels) mounted thereon on one side thereof.
In general, each of the construction members is mounted (by way of the one
or more resilient members) on the preexisting wall in a location corresponding
to a
stud underlying the preexisting wall. Specifically, each resilient member is
fastened
to an underlying stud of the preexisting wall through the wall material (for
example,
drywall) in a conventional way (including, without limitation, bolts, screws,
nails,
staples). In this manner, the new construction members (as well as the wall
subsequently installed thereover) are at least partially decoupled from the
preexisting
wall so as to reduce the sound transmission path therebetween.
Finally, as mentioned above, wall board (including, without limitation,
drywall and plywood) is mounted on the thusly arranged construction members
thereby creating a new wall surface. It is particularly desirable to provide
insulation
between the thusly arranged construction members to enhance sound attenuation
characteristics and, secondarily, to enhance thermal insulation
characteristics.
Each resilient member may beneficially be provided with one or more
spacers thereon so that the corresponding construction member may be easily
positioned relative thereto (that is, "jigged").
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described in detail hereinbelow, with reference
to the drawings appended hereto, in which:
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an end of a construction beam
according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an end view of a beam according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a beam according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of a resilient web for linking
lateral members in a beam according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a framework for mounting wallboard
or the like, utilizing beams according to the present invention;
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Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a beam according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a beam according to the embodiment of the present
invention shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a variant of the beam shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a retrofit assembly including a lateral
member and a web, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a construction member according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 9;
Figure 11 is schematic perspective view of a preexisting wall, prior to
retrofitting according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of construction members, each
provided with resilient members on one side thereof, mounted on the
preexisting wall
in locations corresponding to studs of the preexisting wall, in accordance the
fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 13 schematically illustrates the provision of insulation between the
construction members shown in Figure 12 in accordance with the fifth
embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 14 schematically illustrates the mounting of a second wall member
over the arrangement of construction members and insulation shown in Figure 13
in
accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 15a-15c illustrate examples of a first variant of the resilient
members
used according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 16a and 16b illustrate examples of a second variant of the resilient
members used according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 17 illustrates a third variant of the resilient members used according
to
the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a portion of a beam 100 according to the present
invention. In general, beam 100 comprises lateral members 102 and 104 with a
web
106 spanning therebetween.
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Lateral members 102, 104 are generally rectangular or squared in cross-
sectional profile and preferably have at least the same thickness y (see
Figure 2).
Moreover, lateral beams 102, 104 are preferably identical so that each has the
same
width, proportionately spaced with web 106 therebetween so as to present an
overall
beam width x. Lateral members 102, 104 are preferably (but not necessarily)
identical in shape so as to facilitate manufacture of beam 100 from one source
of
stock.
Accordingly, beam 100 can present a cross section having a major dimension
x and minor dimension y corresponding to any standard beam size (for example,
2" x
4" (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm), 2" x 6" (5.08 cm x 15.24 cm), and so on, without
limitation).
According to the present invention, lateral members 102, 104 are elongate
rigid members. Accordingly, a variety of suitably rigid materials could be
used.
However, lateral members 102, 104 are preferably (but not exclusively) made
from
wood, (in part, in keeping with an intent of the present invention to present
a
construction member very similar to those conventionally used in the art).
Wood is
also desirable because it can be worked, generally, in more ways than
comparable
metal members (for example, it can be easily cut, driven with nails or
screws). Not
only can continuous lumber be used, but composite materials, such as plywood
or
wood particle board can be used. In addition, finger jointed wood members can
be
used according to the present invention. A plastic material reinforced with
glass
fibers may also be used in accordance with the present invention.
Web 106 is made from a relatively rigid material that has some flexibility. If
web 106 is relatively too flexible, lateral members 102, 104 have too much
relative
freedom of movement and beam 100 is no longer, overall, a rigid member. If web
106 is relatively too stiff, then the benefits of sound isolation/attenuation
are lost.
Generally, web 106 may be made from any suitably stiff and resilient material,
including (without limitation) rubber, asphalt, plastic or other resilient
polymeric
material.
In one example of the present invention, web 106 is made from galvanized 22
gauge steel. As seen in Figure 4, web 106 includes edge portions 106a and an
intermediate portion 106b. Edge portions 106a are embedded in lateral members
102, 104, and intermediate portion 106b extends obliquely between lateral
members
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102, 104. However, intermediate portion 106b may, most generally, extend
between
lateral members 102, 104 in any orientation so long as flexure between lateral
members 102, 104 is relatively easy (compared to, for example, an intermediate
portion extending straight across the gap between lateral members 102, 104,
which
does not readily flex).
It is noted that the use of galvanized steel as described here may offer
additional ancillary benefits, such as improved fire safety protection.
Edge portions 106a are embedded in lateral members 102, 104 in any
conventional manner. One possible method (not illustrated) is to form grooves
in
lateral members 102, 104 that are wider than the thickness of edge portions
106a.
Once edge portions 106a are suitably disposed in the respective grooves,
additional
strips of material (such as wood) are pressed into the remaining space in the
grooves,
such that edge portions 106a are wedged into place and retained in the
grooves.
Web 106 may extend continuously substantially the entire length of lateral
members 102, 104. However, when beams 100 are used in construction, it is
useful
to provide a plurality of spaced apart webs 106, such that piping, wiring and
the like
can be passed through the openings between webs 106 (see Figure 3).
Whether one or a plurality of webs 106 are provided, it is specifically
contemplated that beams 100 are provided in standardized lengths (for example,
8')
as seen in Figure 3 and can be cut down as required.
As mentioned above, it is an important feature of the present invention to
provide a construction member that can be used like conventional construction
beams. Accordingly, Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a frame work (as
might
be used for walls in a building).
As seen in Figure 5, beams 100a, 100b are mounted as studs on a laterally
extending beam (that is, a head plate or toe plate) 100c. (Another laterally
extending
beam (not shown) is provided at the other end of beams 100a, 100b.) The
structure
of each of beams 100a-100c is in accordance with the description of the
present
invention hereinabove, and will not be repeated here. Attention is drawn to
the
manner in which lateral members 102a and 102b and 104a and 104b are mounted
with respect to lateral members 102c and 104c, respectively, with nails,
screws or any
other conventional fasteners (not shown here). Accordingly, it can be
appreciated
that one side of the frame (that is, lateral members 102a-102c) are
resiliently
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separated by way of respective webs 106', 106", and 106"' from the other side
of the
frame (that is, lateral members 104a-104c). Accordingly, sound impinging on a
wall
member mounted on one side of the frame is attenuated upon transmission to the
other side of the frame because of the resilience of webs 106', 106", and
106"'.
Furthermore, it is possible to resiliently mount a wall so that it acts like a
diaphragmatic sound absorber. In particular, only one "side" of the frame
assembly
(for example, lateral member 104c and/or lateral members 104a, 104b) is fixed
to the
surrounding building structure, and the other side of the frame assembly has
wall
board or the like mounted thereon (that is, on lateral members 102a, 102b),
without
attachment to the surrounding structure. The wall is therefore mounted on the
"free"
or "floating" side of the studs.
In order to enhance the effect of decoupling the one side of the wall frame
from the surrounding structure, it is desirable to provide a soft gasket (made
from, for
example, foam rubber) between the lateral beam 100c and the surrounding
structure
(that is, the ceiling and/or floor). This promotes relatively free movement of
the one
side of the frame that is not fixed to the surrounding building structure.
To further enhance the effect of decoupling the wall from the surrounding
structure, it is preferable to provide flexible joint material at junctions
between wall
board segments (not illustrated here), including at corners of rooms.
Therefore the
wall surface is visually continuous, but physically decoupled, in order to
take
advantage of the resultant sound attenuation effects.
Also, it is very desirable to provide additional sound and/or thermal
insulation
in the spaces defined by the studs and end plates. Such insulation can be of
any
conventional type, including blown, rolled or batting, foam board The addition
of
such insulation enhances sound attenuation effects resulting from the present
invention.
Figures 6 and 7 are a partial perspective view and a partial plan view,
respectively, of beam 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present
invention.
The design concept underlying beam 200 is fundamentally similar to that of
beam 100. Like before, lateral members 202 and 204 are provided, and are
resiliently
spaced apart from each other by web 206. Unlike web 106 in beam 100, however,
web 206 is not embedded in lateral members 202, 204. Instead, web 206 is fixed
(by
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any conventional means, such as nails 205, as shown in Figures 6 and 7)
relative to
opposite faces of lateral members 202, 204 along the major dimension of the
beam
cross section.
As in the first embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart webs 206 may be
provided along the length of beam 200 (see, for example, Figure 7).
Web 206 is preferably made from a material that is slightly more flexible than
that used for web 106, such as 24 gauge galvanized steel.
Initial comparative testing has been undertaken comparing the sound
attenuation characteristics of conventional construction members versus beam
100
and beam 200, respectively. Initial results indicate that beam 100 has greater
than
expected attenuation characteristics, and that beam 200 should have even
better
attenuation performance than beam 100. This latter effect is thought to be
caused by
the shape and orientation of web 206, which more easily permits a normal
compression between lateral members 202, 204.
In addition, as a variation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the
plurality of webs are alternately arranged so that the portion of the webs
extending
obliquely thereacross alternates (thereby crossing each other, as seen from an
end of
beam 200) (see Figure 8). In Figure 8, beam 300 comprises lateral beams 302
and
304, and includes a plurality of first webs 306a which are spaced from and
alternate
with a plurality of second webs 306b. Accordingly, respective intermediate
portions
of webs 306a and 306b criss-cross as seen from an end of beam 300.
Inasmuch as sound that one seeks to attenuate or isolate is typically
physically
unique relative to particular environments (for example, a home theater room,
a
movie theater, a machine shop, a recording studio, a concert hall), it is an
important
feature of the present invention to provide a construction member that can be
"tuned"
in order to tailor its sound attenuation properties for a specific
environment. In other
words, a beam according to the present invention can be specifically
manufactured so
that its resilient properties (in terms of, for example, spring constant) are
made to
correspond to a particular kind of sound (especially in terms of its
frequency) so that
sound attenuation can be maximized.
Such "tuning" can be accomplished by varying the thickness of web 106, 206,
either uniformly or variably over the entire area of web 106, 206. In
addition,
notches, slits, or other openings can be formed in web 106, 206 to control the
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resilience of web 106, 206 in accordance with known principles of physics. In
addition, suitably sized perforations or openings in a continuous web can be
formed
so as to create a tunable Helmholtz resonator effect between adjacent cavities
defined
between studs in the framework illustrated in Figure 5. By altering the number
and/or size of the perforations or openings, a resultant Helmholtz resonant
frequency
can be controlled, at which attenuation of sound at that frequency is
maximized. It
should be noted that this is different from reference to a plurality of webs
as shown in
Figures 3, 7, and 8.
It can therefore be appreciated that adjoining rooms may be constructed (for
example, adjoining musical studios) such that each room can be tuned in
accordance
with its respective mode of use. In particular, this may be accomplished by
constructed "double wall" framework, where two frames of the structure
illustrated in
Figure 5 are constructed face-to-face, such that the respective opposing sides
of the
frames are fixed to the surrounding building structure and their respective
opposite
sides are left free floating in the manner discussed above.
Assembly of lateral members and resilient webs according to the present
invention is facilitated by providing at least one spacer on the resilient web
or webs
to orient the lateral members relative to the resilient web.
Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a beam 400, somewhat
similar to beams 200 and 300 in Figures 6-8. Here again, beam 400 comprises
lateral
members 402 and 404, and a resilient web 406 extending therebetween.
Resilient web 406 is attached to opposite facing sides of lateral members 402
and 404, respectively, by, for example, staples 408 (although any conventional
attachment method can be used, including, without limitation, screws, nails,
bolts,
and the like).
Resilient web includes a first portion 406a, a second portion 406b bent at an
angle to first portion 406a, and a third portion 406c bent at an angle to
second portion
406b and generally parallel with first portion 406a. Generally, lateral
members 402
and 404 are received in the bends defined by the first and second portions
406a and
406b, and by the second and third portions 406b and 406c, as shown in Figure
10.
It is a particular feature of this embodiment to provide a spacer 410 (412) on
at least one of first and third portions 406a and 406c to space a respective
at least one
of the lateral members 402 and 404 away from second portion 406b of the
resilient
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web 406. In general, the provision of spacers 410 (412) allows easy assembly
of the
lateral members and the resilient web (known in the art as "self jigging"). In
particular, the provision of spacers 410, 412 prevents the respective lateral
members
402, 404 from being placed in abutting relation to second portion 406b. If
such an
arrangement were to be had, then the abutment of the resilient members against
the
second portion 406b would undesirably retard the resilient sound-damping
characteristics of the resilient web 406.
It is noted that the slight spacing shown in Figure 10 between lateral members
402 and 404 and the resilient web 406 is for clarity of illustration only and
is not
illustrative of the present invention.
The arrangement of the present invention illustrated in Figure 10 can be
extended desirably to an apparatus and method for retrofitting standard beam
members, especially beam members already assembled into a standard wall frame
arrangement.
Figure 9 illustrates a retrofitting assembly 500 comprising a lateral beam
502,
to which at least one resilient web 506 is attached by staples 508 or the
like. Each
resilient web 506 as shown includes spacers 510 and 512.. However, the
provision of
spacers 512 is most important here. It is emphasized that assembly 500 in and
of
itself is not a construction member per se, but is used in conjunction with
standard
beams in order to provide a resilient beam arrangement.
As before, resilient web 506 may be made from any suitably resilient
material, including (without limitation) metal, rubber, asphalt, plastic, or
other
resilient polymeric material. In one example, spacers 510, 512 are protruding
tabs
formed integrally with the resilient web 506. In a specific example, spacers
510, S 12
may be punch-formed into the material of the resilient web 506 (especially,
but not
necessarily only, where the resilient web 506 is made from metal). The punch-
formed portions can simply be turned away from the web material as needed to
form
the required spacers.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 9, it is especially important to
provide
spacers 512 as shown. The assembly 500 is arranged relative to a single
standard
beam such as a 2"x4" (5.08cm x 10.16 cm) (not shown here) and fastened thereto
(again, by staples, screws, nails, bolts, or any known and suitable fastener).
The
arrangement of the assembly 500 relative to a standard beam is made simple by
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provision of spacers 512, especially where assembly 500 is coupled to a
standard
beam forming part of a conventional framework.
In addition, the resilient webs 506 may be provided in an alternating
arrangement, so that opposite sides of lateral member 502 are attached to
respective
resilient webs 506, as seen in Figure 9 (this is similar to the arrangement
illustrated in
Figure 8 and discussed above). With this arrangement, the assembly 500 may be
even more easily arranged relative to a standard beam by orienting the
assembly 500
so that respective free ends of the resilient webs 506 are arranged on
opposite sides of
the standard beam. Although the alternating arrangement of resilient webs 506
seen
in Figure 9 is beneficial (for reasons similar to those discussed above
relative to
Figure 8), it is not necessary according to the present invention. The present
invention is certainly operable with the resilient webs 506 all arranged in
like manner
along lateral member 502.
As with the other embodiments discussed above, lateral member 502 may be
rectangular or squared in cross-section, and may preferably be made from
continuous
lumber or a composite wood material, as well as plastic reinforced with glass
fibers.
In one example of the present invention, the spacers 410, 412, 510, 512 may
be arranged to space the respective lateral members about 0.25 inches (0.64
cm) from
the portion of the resilient web spanning the space between the lateral
members.
However, the present invention is not restricted to a specific spacing, except
for that
sufficient to prevent the respective lateral members from fully abutting the
resilient
web, as discussed above.
One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the resilient web 506 may be shaped
so as to be attached to lateral members of different profiles. In one example,
a lateral
member 502 which is rectangular or squared in cross-section attached to the
resilient
web 506 may be used so as to be attached to a conventional rigid I-beam
(discussed
above relative to the related art) or vice versa.
Although construction members according to the present invention have been
described hereinabove for wall frames and the like, they are also contemplated
for
use in mounting floating ceilings which are acoustically isolated from a
building
structure. In addition, construction members according to the present
invention may
also be used in floor construction.
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In particular, a construction member for mounting a floating ceiling may be
used by fixing one of the lateral members to the building structure and fixing
a
ceiling member to the free floating lateral member (that is, the lateral
member not
fixed to the building structure).
The use of substantially identical lateral members is contemplated according
to the present invention. However, use of dissimilar lateral members is also
expressly within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of the
lateral
members 102, 104 shown in Figure 2 may be replaced by a conventional wood I
beam of the type described above. In particular, web 106 may be embedded in
one
of the flange portions of the wood I-beam, in the manner disclosed above.
Although the present invention is directed primarily to construction members
made from non-metal materials, the design concepts may be of interest in the
manufacture of metal studs comprising a pair of metal members with a resilient
web
extending therebetween in accordance with the foregoing description. In
particular, a
metal stud using the inventive principles disclosed herein could be made from
a
single piece of sheet metal, formed into shape.
As mentioned above, retrofitting a preexisting wall is also desirable. Figures
11-14 illustrate a process of retrofitting a preexisting wall in accordance
with another
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a standard wall structure 600,
including first wall member 602, second wall member 604, and a plurality of
studs
606 therebetween in a conventional frame arrangement.
Figure 12 illustrates mounting a plurality of construction members 608 on
first wall member 602 in locations corresponding to studs 606. In particular,
construction member 608 each are provided with one or more resilient members
610
mounted on one side thereof. The resilient members 610 are fastened onto
construction members 608 in any conventional manner (such as, without
limitation,
nails, screws, staples, adhesive). In general, the resilient members 610 act
in the
same manner as the resilient webs described hereinabove to damp vibrations
thereacross. Accordingly, each construction member 608 is mounted by of the
one or
more resilient members 610 onto first wall member 602 (again, in any
conventional
manner, including, without limitation, screws, nails, staples, adhesive).
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Construction members 608 are arranged in locations corresponding to studs
606 because whatever fasteners are used to mount construction members 608 (by
way
of resilient members 610) are preferably driven through first wall member 602
into
respective studs 606 in order to create a high-strength arrangement. However,
where
mechanically suitable, it may not always be necessary to locate construction
members
608 in correspondence with studs 606.
As seen in Figure 12, construction members 608 define spaces therebetween
in a manner similar to those defined between studs 606. It is desirable,
therefore, to
provide additional insulation (including, without limitation, bans or blown
insulation)
between construction members 608 in order to increase sound and/or thermal
insulation characteristics. In this regard, Figure 13 illustrates an example
where
insulation bans (for example, fiberglass bans) 612 are provided between
construction
members 608.
Thereafter, as illustrated in Figure 14, a third wall member 614 is mounted by
way of construction members 608 in a conventional manner.
Third wall member 614 may be any type of conventional wall material, such
as, without limitation, drywall or plywood.
Resilient members 610 may be of any configuration that resiliently separates
construction member 608 from first wall member 602.
It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide construction
members 608 and resilient members 610 which are collectively sized and shaped
so
as to define a space between first wall member 602 and third wall member 614
suitable for providing sound and/or thermal insulation therebetween, as
discussed
above relative to Figures 13 and 14. In one example according to the present
invention, resilient members 610 space construction members 608 from first
wall
member 602 between 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches (3.81 cm to 6.35 cm) away.
Preferably, resilient members 610 are shaped so as to provide portions thereof
for readily mounting the resilient member 610 onto both construction member
608
and first wall member 602.
Figures 15a-15c illustrate examples of a resilient channel suitable for use as
resilient member 610.
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In Figure 1 Sa, construction member 608a and resilient channel 610a are
provided with aligned through holes 616a through which a fastener (such as,
without
limitation, a screw or nail) is passed for mounting the construction member
608a.
In Figure 15b, only resilient channel 610b is provided with a through hole
616b, again for passing a fastener therethrough. In this case, the resilient
channel
may be fastened to first wall member 602 before mounting a respective
construction
member 608b thereon.
In Figure 15c, resilient channel 610c includes a portion offset from the
mounting location of construction member 608c, in which a through hole 616c is
provided. Therefore, the resilient channel 610c need not be separately mounted
on
first wall member 602 from construction member 608c, unlike the arrangement
illustrated in Figure 15b.
Figures 16a and 16b are other examples of resilient channels 610d, 610e that
can used as resilient members 610, in accordance with the present invention.
Each
provides a first flange 618a, 618b spaced apart from a second flange 620a,
620b. The
first and second flanges provide mounting locations for construction member
608 and
first wall member 602.
In the alternative, a construction member 608 may be omitted when using
resilient channels 610d and 610e, such that one of the flanges is fastened to
the first
wall member 602 and one of the flanges is fastened directly to third wall
member
614.
Figure 17 is an example of a resilient web 610f somewhat similar to that
shown in Figures 9 and 10. Resilient web 610f includes a flange 624 by which
the
web 623 is attached to first wall member 602.
Resilient members 610 are made in accordance the considerations discussed
above relative to the resilient web of the resilient construction member.
Resilient members 610 may be beneficially provided with spacers as
discussed above relative to Figures 9 and 10.
The present invention being thusly described, it will be obvious that the same
may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from
the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be
obvious to
one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following
claims.
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