Patent Publication Number: US-10770054-B2

Title: Heat molded, transparent baffle for instrumental sound deflection

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/867,807 filed Jan. 11, 2018 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,388,263, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/445,089 filed Jan. 11, 2017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to sound deflection baffles. With current baffles, the problem in the industry is that unrestrained sound waves created from drum cymbals and guitar amplifiers are more than likely picked up by the singer&#39;s microphones. The traditional enclosures are large, bulky, and ugly; creating a sense of isolationism from the other members of the band. As such it is desired to create a single, molded baffle shield that reflects the sound in any direction the audio engineer decides. The baffle should also be capable of quickly mounting to allow for a quick sound check. The baffle should also be transparent. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One or more of the embodiments provided in the present invention relates to a process of manufacturing a sound baffle, which includes the steps: (a) providing a polycarbonate square sheet; (b) placing the square sheet on an oven bed over a circular puck positioned about the center of the square sheet; (c) heating the square sheet at a temperate of X degrees for a predetermined period of time to create a raised molded center; (d) cutting the square sheet into a circular disc; and (e) drilling a hole in the middle of a raised molded center. 
     In other aspects of the invention, the square sheet is ⅛″ to 3/16″ thick and is about a 30″×30″ square. Yet other aspect of the invention include the circular puck being about 2 inches in diameter and 1/16 inches to 2.25 inches in height. In yet further aspect, the circular disc is 24 inches to 30 inches in diameter. In addition to one or more of these aspects, the hole may be about ½ inch in diameter. Finally, the heating of the square sheet may be done at a temperate of 220° F. and the predetermined period of time to create the raised molded center is 1-4 minutes. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrated in various profiles a baffle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrated a baffle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated. 
     As stated above, the problem is unrestrained sound waves created from drum cymbals and guitar amplifiers that are picked up by the singer&#39;s microphones. The invention claimed here solves this problem. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1-7 , a Baffle  100  in accordance with one embodiment is a transparent, molded disc that is placed in front of cymbals and amplifiers to deflect the sound waves to the back of the stage versus in the singer&#39;s mic. 
     The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. Traditionally, a drummer is put inside a glass enclosure. They are isolated, tones are muffled, and the enclosures are aesthetically unpleasing. When a drummer is inside an enclosure, sound waves are reflecting off of multiple walls. The audio engineer is attempting to capture the best reflected and muffled tones bouncing around in the enclosure. 
     The Baffle  100  is a single, molded shield that reflects the sound in any direction the audio engineer decides. It is quickly mounted in one minute, transparent, and ready for sound check. The baffle  100  is a shield 24″ to 30″ in diameter and is almost invisible. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the baffle  100  is manufactured under the following steps, which include:
         1. A polycarbonate square sheet, ⅛″ to 3/16″ thick and 30″×30″ square.   2. The square sheet is placed on a heated oven bed; a circular puck 2″ in diameter and 1/16″ to 2.25″ in height is placed under the square sheet.   3. The sheet is heated between a temperate between 200° F. and 250° F., and more preferably at 220° F. Full baking of the sheet is usually completed in about 1-4 minutes.   4. The sheet once baked cures relatively quickly in about 4 to 8 minutes.   5. After the molded center is created, the large polycarbonate disc is molded to the desired height, it is cut into a circular disc 24″ to 30″ in diameter/per customer request.   6. A ½″ diameter hole is drilled in the middle of the raised molded area to allow for placement on a drum symbol stand.       

     A baffle  110  in accordance with this embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In this embodiment the cap  115  has a radius is about 2.106 inches; with a ½ inch hole or bore  120  drilled through the center. The base  125  has a diameter of about 24 inches but may be larger depending on the customer request. The height Z of the baffle  110  from a center line X is about 2.250 inches (or the height of the puck). As such the height of the baffle may change depending on the customer request. Baffle is 0.125 inches thick. The body  130  of the baffle rises from a base edge  135  to the cap edge  140  along an arcuate curvature of the body or sidewall. 
     An outer segment  145  of the body  130  (adjacent the base edge of the baffle) is configured with a radius of curvature which is relatively long. The outer segment transitions to an inner segment  150  of the body  130 , which has a shorter radius of curvature as compared with the outer segment and terminates with a base portion cap edge  140  having a radius of curvature of 0.250 degrees. 
     The Baffle as provided by one or more of the embodiment disclosed herein is a single component of polycarbonate that is molded to perform sound deflection. The rise of the center and the diameter of the baffle are determined by audio engineers for maximum performance. 
     In use, the user only needs to place the baffle into the correct location per the audio engineer. Additionally: All music technology can be manipulated. The cost to digitally create the sound cost far more that the simple use of a Baffle. 
     From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.