SOUND ABSORBING PANEL PARTITION

Abstract: A sound absorbing panel partition for use in houses and utility buildings, wherein said panels (1) are guided along a rail and adjoining one another at their side edges and wherein each panel (1) consists of a framework (7) closed on both sides by cover plates (12), which are fastened by means of a continuous edge profile (13) to the peripheral rim of the framework, whilst an externally manually or electrically actuable mechanism (20) is arranged between the cover plates (12) for drawing out or retracting in scissor-like fashion a lintel (17) and/or bottom rail having sound arresting means (18).

Description: Sound absorbing panel partition The invention relates to a sound absorbing separating wall for use in houses and utility buildings, sai wall mainly comprising panels guided along a rail and adjoi¬ ning one another at- their side edges. It is common practice with such a panel wall to displace the panels by means of a rail guide in the cei¬ ling and, if necessary, in the floor and to move each panel from a stock to the desired place and to arrange them side b side so that a continuous partition is formed. The invention has for its object to construct such a panel wall in a manner such that high sound absorptio is obtained. ' The partition according to the invention is distinguished in that"each panel consists of a framework clo sed on both sides by cover plates, which are fastened by means of a continuous edge profile to the peripheral rim of • -the framework, whilst an externally actuable mechanism is arranged between the cover-plates for drawing out or retrac¬ ting in scissor-like fashion a lintel and/or bottom rail wit sound arresting means between the plates. Owing to the use of the peripheral strips fas teneing of the cover plates to the framework is a comparati¬ vely simple operation, whilst the sound arresting effect is maintained in a simple manner. According to the invention contact sound is avoided by shaping the edge profile in a form such that a hollow joint is left free between the cover plate and the framework. Moreover, vibrations are considerably damped in this manner. Sound leakage is avoided by using movable lin tel and/or bottom rail. ' Sound leakage between the panels is avoided b providing the framework at the upright side edges with a groove having sealing means on one ' side and witn a spring on the other side. A particularly simple mechanism for actuating the -lintel and/or bottom rail is formed in accordance with the invention by a rod system actuated by a scissor mechanism and engaging the threshold rails. In order to permit of using standard panels of fixed widths the invention furthermore proposes to construct at least one panel in the form of a sound absorbing double folding wall. This folding wall can cover the desired remaining. free width between the wall of the fixed panels and the sidewall of the building. In order to facilitate the actuation one or more continuous pivotal strips in the folding wall may be provided with a protuding longitudinal strip serving as a handle. Thus not only the esthetical appearance of the wall partition is improved but also the .costs of the overall par¬ tition are lowered. The invention will be described more fully with reference to the figures showing some embodiments. The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the panel wall embodying the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a detail of the wall in the direction of the arrow II in fig. 1, Fig. 3 a vertical side elevation, parts of the panel wall being broken away, of a door frame with a door, in the direction of the arrow in fig.1, Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view taken on the line IV-IV fig. 1 , Fig. 5 a vertical cross-sectional view on the line V-V in fig. 1 , Fig. 6 a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of the sound absorbing folding wall used in the partition, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a detail of the pivotal strip used in the folding wall of fig. 1, Fig. 8 a perspective view corresponding with fig. 1 of the panel wall, wherein the actuating mechanism is controlled electrically. The partition wall shown in fig. 1 comprises number of separate panels 1 suspended in an upper rail 2 em¬ bedded in the ceiling (see fig. 2) and being displaceable along the same by means of a carriage 3 arranged on said rai One or more panels may be provided with a door 4 - or a win¬ dow frame (not shown) - for leaving a passage. Between the panels 1 and the fixed wall 5 of the building may be arrange a folding wall 6 of-, matching width. Each, panel 1 comprises a framework 7 having uprights 8 and girders 9 and a peripheral fillet 10 along th two outer sides of the framework 7. The uprights 8 have on one side a groove 36..with sealing means 10 -(fig. .4) and on the other side a spring 11. The spring 11 fits into a groove 36 of a neighbouring panel 1. The sealing means 10 join the side of the spring and thus ensure .a sound-tight connection. - The framework 7 is covered on both sides by a cover plate 12, which is connected by means of a peripheral strip 13 with the fillet 10 ' of the framework. The peripheral strip is provided with springs 14 if ramified" cross-section which extend into matching grooves in the longitudinal rims .. of the panel 12 or the fillet 10 respectively (see also fig. .4). The springs 14 are spaced apart so that a ca¬ vity 15 is left between the cover plate 12 and the fillet 10, and hence any contact sound across the material of the panel is avoided. Only the peripheral strips 13 of flexible synthe¬ tic resin or rubber are capable of transferring a contact sound, which is, however, effectively damped by said mate¬ rial. On the top and bottom sides the framework„7 has a groove 16, in which a threshold 17 with locking means 18 can be moved up and down. The threshold 17 is supported by a rod 19 linked to a scissor mechanism 20 arranged between the plates. The scissor mechanism 20 is provided with a screw spindle 21, which can be turned by means of a turning rod 22 which leads to the spring '11 of the framework 7 and termina¬ tes there in a sleeve 23 having means for receiving a turning key. By turning the rod 22 the rods of the mechanism 20 can Cfi -Δ - be moved towards and away from one another so that the rod 19 will move up and down and thus the threshold 17 is pressed with the packing means 18 against the underside of the rail 2 or conducted back into the groove 16 of the framework 7. Fig. 3 shows a panel 1 having a door frame 4, in which a door 24 is rotatably suspended by means of a con¬ tinuous pivotal element 25. The vertical side edge 26 of the door 24 remote from•the hinge 25 (see fig. 4) is also provi¬ ded with locking means 27 and in the closed position of the door it gets into contact with a longitudinal groove 28 de¬ signed so that sound leakage is avoided. The underside of the door panel 24 may be- provided with flexible closing strips 29 wiping along the floor of the building and thus preventing sound from leaking through. The remaining underside of the panel 1 of fig. 3 is provided with -a lower threshold 17' cor¬ responding with the threshold 17 of fig.2 and being movable up and down by means of rods 19' and a common scissor mecha¬ nism 20' . The folding door 6 at the end of the row of panels comprises four panels 30 pivoted to one another by means of hinges 31 and being connected along the vertical side edges by means of hinges 32 with an end piece 33 having a groove corresponding with the groove 36 and with an end strip 34 to be fastened to the wall of the building. Inter- nally the folding door may be provided with sound absorbing or sound resisting means and with flaps corresponding to the strips 29 at the top and at the bottom. The pivotal strips 31 are each provided with a continuous habdle 35 (see also fig- 7) so that the hinge with the strip can be formed from uninterrupted profile material, therefore, separate handles need not be fastened to the doors, whilst the aesthetic appearance is improved. The panels are arranged in place as follows. The panels 1 , assumed to be stored in a supply station (not shown) , can be moved along the rail 2 towards the place of destination. The first panel is placed on the left-hand side as viewed in fig. 1, after which by means of a wrench the scissor mechanism 20 can be actuated so that the lintel 17 - - and the bottom rail 17' are moved upwards and downwards res¬ pectively. The panel is thus firmly damped between the floor and -the ceiling. Then the next panel is put in place in the same manner, care being taken that the groove 36 grips aroun the protuding spring 11. Finally the right-hand panel is put in place so that the sleeve 23 can still be actuated. The wall is closed by shutting the folding door 6 already provi¬ ded. In fig- 8 each panel 1 is provided with a mechanism 20' to actuating the thresholds, which is controlle by means of an electrical motor 40. Said electrical motor 40 is connected to electrical wires 41 leading- to connectors in both standing edges of each panel. Said connectors of each panel will contact those in the adjacent panel and those of power source 42 in the sidewallportion 43; so when placing the left panel in fig. 8 and- thereupon the next panels a mo¬ tor 40 is powered each time the connectors come in contact with eachother. Pole-reversing means will reverse the direc¬ tion of rotation of the motors what will allow disconnection and displacement of the panels. The invention is not limited to the embodimen described above. For example, the door 4 need not be include in a panel and the folding door may have a width such that i can take over the extension function. Moreover, the folding door need not form part of the partition and the partition may solely comprise panels. The panel to be placed last should then have a screwthreaded sleeve 23 opening in the cover plates 12 in order to permit of actuating the thres¬ holds. The orthogonal transmission can be ensured in a simple manner by means of a worm and a worm wheel.

Claims: — o - HAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A sound absorbing partition for use in hou ses and utility buildings, said partition mainly comprising panels guided along a rail and adjoining one another by the vertical side edges characterized in that each panel compri- ses a framework closed on both sides by cover plates, which are fastened by means of an edge profile to the peripheral rims of the framework, an externally actuable mechanism bein arranged between the cover plates for sliding out or retrac¬ ting a lintel and/or bottom rail between the plates with sound arresting means- 2. A partition as claimed in claim 1 charac¬ terized in that the edge profile is designed so that a hollo joint is left free between a cover plate and the framework. 3. A partition as claimed in claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the framework has a door or a"window frame. 4. A partition, as claimed in claim 3 charac¬ terized in that 'said frame is provided with sound arresting • .continuous peripheral pivotal and groove strips. 5. A partition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims characterized in that at the vertical side rims the framework has on the one side a groove with sealing means and on the other hand a spring. 6. A partition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims characterized in that the mechanism is for¬ med by a rod system actuated by a scissor mechanism and enga ging the thresholds- 7. A partition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one panel is constructed in the form of a sound absorbing, double folding wall. 8. A partition as claimed in claim 7, charac¬ terized in that one or more continuous pivotal strips in the folding wall is (are) provided with a protuding longitidinal strip serving as a handle. 9. A partition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims characterized in that the actuating mecha¬ nism in each panel is actuated by an electrical motor. 10. A partition as claimed in claim 9, charac terized in that at least one side edge of each panel is pro vided with connectors of an electric wiring connected to sa motor, said connectors are adapted to be brought in contact with connectors of an adjacent panel.

Inventors: SAARLOOS PIETER, SAARLOOS, PIETER
Applicants: BREEDVELD BEHEER BV, BREEDVELD BEHEER B.V.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E04B2, E06B3