Patent Publication Number: US-10760265-B2

Title: Folding variable acoustic assembly and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/413,681 filed on Oct. 27, 2016 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/207,311 filed on Jul. 11, 2016. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE) 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE) 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     No prior art is known to the Applicant. 
     None of the known inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A variable acoustic system for selectively controlling acoustic properties of an environment. Said variable acoustic system comprises a two side portions, a back portions and a variable expansion assembly. Said variable acoustic system further comprises a shell and a plurality of absorbers. Said variable acoustic system is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations. Said one or more configurations comprises at least a closed configuration and an open configuration. Said closed configuration comprises said two side portions closed with said shell exposed. Said open configuration comprises said two side portions open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers exposed. Said shell configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers. Said two side portions comprise a first side portion and a second side portion. Said two side portions each comprise at least an outer portions and a back absorbers. Said back absorbers are enclosed within a portion of said back portions. Said outer portions are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions. Portions of each of said two side portions are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges. 
     A variable acoustic system for selectively controlling acoustic properties of an environment. Said variable acoustic system comprises a two side portions, a back portions and a variable expansion assembly. Said variable acoustic system further comprises a shell and a plurality of absorbers. Said variable acoustic system is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations. Said one or more configurations comprises at least a closed configuration and an open configuration. Said closed configuration comprises said two side portions closed with said shell exposed. Said open configuration comprises said two side portions open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers exposed. Said shell configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers. Said two side portions comprise a first side portion and a second side portion. Said two side portions each comprise at least an outer portions and a back absorbers. Said back absorbers are enclosed within a portion of said back portions. Said outer portions are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions. Portions of each of said two side portions are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges. Said two side portions each comprise a middle portions, said outer portions and said back portions. Said outer portions comprise an outer absorbers. Said middle portions comprise an absorber. Said back portions comprise said back absorbers. Said plurality of absorbers comprise all of said outer absorbers, said absorber and said back absorbers. Said outer portions rotate relative to said middle portions on a second axis hinges. Said middle portions rotate relative to said back absorbers on a first axis hinge. Said two side portions expands and contracts on said plurality of axis hinges between said closed configuration and said open configuration. 
     A method of using an acoustic system comprising: managing acoustic energy by selectively expanding and contracting a two side portions between a closed configuration and an open configuration, reflecting a larger portion of incoming acoustic energy with a variable acoustic system in said closed configuration than in said open configuration. Exposing a plurality of absorbers in said open configuration, and enclosing said plurality of absorbers with said variable acoustic system in said closed configuration and thereby reflecting said incoming acoustic energy on a shell of said variable acoustic system. Wherein. Said variable acoustic system comprises said two side portions, a back portions and a variable expansion assembly. Said variable acoustic system further comprises said shell and said plurality of absorbers. Said variable acoustic system is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations. Said one or more configurations comprises at least said closed configuration and said open configuration. Said closed configuration comprises said two side portions closed with said shell exposed. Said open configuration comprises said two side portions open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers exposed. Said shell configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers. Said two side portions comprise a first side portion and a second side portion. Said two side portions each comprise at least an outer portions and a back absorbers. Said back absorbers are enclosed within a portion of said back portions. Said outer portions are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions. Portions of each of said two side portions are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges. Said two side portions each comprise a middle portions, said outer portions and said back portions. Said outer portions comprise an outer absorbers. Said middle portions comprise an absorber. Said back portions comprise said back absorbers. Said plurality of absorbers comprise all of said outer absorbers, said absorber and said back absorbers. Said outer portions rotate relative to said middle portions on a second axis hinges. Said middle portions rotate relative to said back absorbers on a first axis hinge. Said two side portions expands and contracts on said plurality of axis hinges between said closed configuration and said open configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective overview view of a closed configuration  120   a  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective overview view of a second configuration  120   b  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective overview view of a third configuration  120   c  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective overview view of an open configuration  120   d  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an elevated top side view of a closed configuration  120   a.    
         FIG. 5B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a second configuration  120   b.    
         FIG. 5C  illustrates an elevated top side view of a third configuration  120   c.    
         FIG. 5D  illustrates an elevated top side view of an open configuration  120   d.    
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a perspective overview of a top portions  600  in said closed configuration  120   a.    
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a perspective overview and an elevated top view of a top portions  600  in said second configuration  120   b.    
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective overview view of a top portions  600  in said third configuration  120   c.    
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective overview view of a top portions  600  in said open configuration  120   d.    
         FIG. 10  illustrates an elevated front side view of a cart  1000  with said variable acoustic system  100  in said open configuration  120   d , in a lifted configuration. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an elevated front side view of a cart  1000  with said variable acoustic system  100  in said open configuration  120   d , in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a perspective overview view of a back portions  1200 . 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a back portions  1200 . 
         FIG. 12C  illustrates an elevated first side view of a back portions  1200 . 
         FIG. 12D  illustrates an elevated front side view of a back portions  1200 . 
         FIG. 13A  illustrates a perspective overview view of a middle portions  1300 . 
         FIG. 13B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
         FIG. 13C  illustrates an elevated first side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
         FIG. 13D  illustrates an elevated front side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
         FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective overview view of an outer portions  1400 . 
         FIG. 14B  illustrates an elevated top side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
         FIG. 14C  illustrates an elevated first side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
         FIG. 14D  illustrates an elevated front side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an elevated front side view of a reflector plates  210 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective overview view of a shell portions  1600 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective overview view of a plurality of absorbers  1700 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates view of a block diagram  1800 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a flow chart view of a method of using an acoustic system  1900 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     These parts are illustrated in the figures and discussed below:
     a variable acoustic system  100     a two side portions  102     a first side portion  102   a      a second side portion  102   b      a shell  104     a variable expansion assembly  106     a one or more front shells  108     a first front shell  108   a      a second front shell  108   b      a lid portions  110     a back shell  112     a one or more configurations  120     a closed configuration  120   a      a second configuration  120   b      a third configuration  120   c      an open configuration  120   d      a closed width  122     an outer portions  202     a first outer portion  202   a      a second outer portion  202   b      a middle portions  204     a first middle portion  204   a      a second middle portion  204   b      a back absorbers  206     a first back absorber  206   a      a second back absorber  206   b      a hinges  208     a reflector plates  210     a first reflector plate  210   a      a second reflector plate  210   b      an open width  400     an incoming acoustic energy  402     a plurality of axis hinges  500     a first axis hinge  502     a first side first axis hinge  502   a      a second side first axis hinge  502   b      a second axis hinges  504     a first side second axis hinge  504   a      a second side second axis hinge  504   b      a top portions  600     a one or more brackets  602     a first bracket  602   a      a second bracket  602   b      a brackets  604     a first bracket  604   a      a second bracket  604   b      a brackets  606     a first bracket  606   a      a second bracket  606   b      an actuator assemblies  608     a first actuator assembly  608   a      a second actuator assembly  608   b      a rods  610     a first rod  610   a      a second rod  610   b      an interior axis  612     a first interior axis  612   a      a second interior axis  612   b      an exterior axis  614     a first exterior axis  614   a      a second exterior axis  614   b      an interior axis  616     a first interior axis  616   a      a second interior axis  616   b      an exterior axis  618     a first exterior axis  618   a      a second exterior axis  618   b      a cart  1000     a lift assembly  1002     a one or more wheels  1004     a first wheel  1004   a      a second wheel  1004   b      a third wheel  1004   c      a fourth wheel  1004   d      a back portions  1200     a one or more top lid portions  1202     a first top lid portion  1202   a      a second top lid portion  1202   b      a one or more bottom lid portions  1204     a first bottom lid portion  1204   a      a second bottom lid portion  1204   b      a middle portions  1300     a one or more top lid portions  1302     a first top lid portion  1302   a      a second top lid portion  1302   b      a one or more bottom lid portions  1304     a first bottom lid portion  1304   a      a second bottom lid portion  1304   b      an absorber  1306     an outer portions  1400     an outer absorbers  1402     a first outer absorber  1402   a      a second outer absorber  1402   b      a shell portions  1600     a plurality of absorbers  1700     a block diagram  1800     a controller  1802     a control signals  1804     a method of using an acoustic system  1900     a one or more steps  1902     a first step  1902   a      a second step  1902   b      a third step  1902   c      a fourth step  1902   d      

       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective overview view of a closed configuration  120   a  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said variable acoustic system  100 , said shell  104 , said variable expansion assembly  106 , said one or more front shells  108 , said lid portions  110 , said back shell  112 , said one or more configurations  120 , said closed configuration  120   a , said second configuration  120   b , said third configuration  120   c  and said open configuration  120   d.    
     In one embodiment, said two side portions  102  can comprise said first side portion  102   a  and said second side portion  102   b.    
     In one embodiment, said shell  104  can comprise said variable expansion assembly  106 , said lid portions  110  and said back shell  112 . 
     In one embodiment, said one or more front shells  108  can comprise said first front shell  108   a  and said second front shell  108   b.    
     In one embodiment, said one or more configurations  120  can comprise said closed configuration  120   a , said second configuration  120   b , said third configuration  120   c  and said open configuration  120   d.    
     In one embodiment, said closed configuration  120   a  can comprise said closed width  122 . 
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can transition between said one or more configurations  120  to change acoustic properties of an environment. Said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise a largely reflective sound profile in said closed configuration  120   a  and a largely absorbent profile in said open configuration  120   d.    
     Said variable expansion assembly  106  can be controlled remotely to move said variable acoustic system  100  through said one or more configurations  120 . 
     Said shell  104  can be a mostly solid shell to protect the absorbent portions within. 
     In one embodiment, said shell  104  can comprise one or more front shells  108 , lid portions  110  and other parts to be introduced below. In one embodiment, shell  104  can comprise an unibody construction. In one embodiment, shell  104  can be a plastic material or similar. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective overview view of a second configuration  120   b  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, said outer portions  202  can comprise said first outer portion  202   a  and said second outer portion  202   b.    
     In one embodiment, said middle portions  204  can comprise said first middle portion  204   a  and said second middle portion  204   b.    
     In one embodiment, said back absorbers  206  can comprise said first back absorber  206   a  and said second back absorber  206   b.    
     In one embodiment, said reflector plates  210  can comprise said first reflector plate  210   a  and said second reflector plate  210   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said second outer portion  202   b , said second middle portion  204   b , said hinges  208  and said hinges  208 . 
     Said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said outer portions  202 , said middle portions  204  and said back absorbers  206  folded into one another, as illustrated. One job of said variable expansion assembly  106  is to move said outer portions  202  and said middle portions  204  relative to one another in a very particular path. 
     Said outer portions  202  can comprise said reflector plates  210  which are designed to absorb and cancel sound, as is known in the art. 
     Said outer portions  202 , said middle portions  204  said back absorbers  206  rotate relative to one another on said hinges  208 , as shown. 
     In one embodiment, reflector plates  210  can be configured for binary amplitude reflection of incoming acoustic energy  402 . With variable acoustic system  100  in closed configuration  120   a , variable acoustic system  100  can be majority spatulated and almost completely non-absorbent. With variable acoustic system  100  in open configuration  120   d  said variable acoustic system  100  can be as almost completely absorbent and substantially non-spatulated. second configuration  120   b  and third configuration  120   c  an comprise portions spatulated and absorbent. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective overview view of a third configuration  120   c  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective overview view of an open configuration  120   d  of said variable acoustic system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, said closed configuration  120   a  can comprise said open width  400 . 
     With variable acoustic system  100  in open configuration  120   d , said variable acoustic system  100  can absorb incoming acoustic energy  402  with plurality of absorbers  1700 ; with variable acoustic system  100  in closed configuration  120   a  said incoming acoustic energy  402  can reflect off of a portion of shell  104 . 
     In one embodiment, open width  400  can be more than double closed width  122 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an elevated top side view of a closed configuration  120   a.    
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a second configuration  120   b.    
       FIG. 5C  illustrates an elevated top side view of a third configuration  120   c.    
       FIG. 5D  illustrates an elevated top side view of an open configuration  120   d.    
     In one embodiment, said plurality of axis hinges  500  can comprise said plurality of axis hinges  500 , said first axis hinge  502 , said second side first axis hinge  502   b  and said second axis hinges  504 . 
     In one embodiment, said first axis hinge  502  can comprise said first side first axis hinge  502   a  and said second side first axis hinge  502   b.    
     In one embodiment, said second axis hinges  504  can comprise said first side second axis hinge  504   a  and said second side second axis hinge  504   b.    
     In one embodiment, said two side portions  102  can comprise said plurality of axis hinges  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5C , said outer portions  202  can rotate relative to middle portions  204  on said second axis hinges  504 ; said middle portions  204  can rotate relative to back absorbers  206  on first axis hinge  502 . Accordingly, two side portions  102  can expand and contract on plurality of axis hinges  500  between closed configuration  120   a  and open configuration  120   d.    
     In one embodiment, plurality of axis hinges  500  can comprise substantially vertical rotating axes such that variable acoustic system  100  can open horizontally when mounted on a wall in a vertical position. Another way of considering this dynamic is to say that plurality of axis hinges  500  are perpendicular to the direction of movement of two side portions  102  as between one or more configurations  120 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a perspective overview of a top portions  600  in said closed configuration  120   a.    
     In one embodiment, said one or more brackets  602  can comprise said first bracket  602   a  and said second bracket  602   b.    
     In one embodiment, said brackets  604  can comprise said first bracket  604   a  and said second bracket  604   b.    
     In one embodiment, said brackets  606  can comprise said first bracket  606   a  and said second bracket  606   b.    
     In one embodiment, said actuator assemblies  608  can comprise said first actuator assembly  608   a , said second actuator assembly  608   b , said interior axis  616 , said exterior axis  618  and said second exterior axis  618   b.    
     In one embodiment, said rods  610  can comprise said interior axis  612  and said exterior axis  614 . 
     In one embodiment, said interior axis  612  can comprise said first interior axis  612   a  and said second interior axis  612   b.    
     In one embodiment, said exterior axis  614  can comprise said first exterior axis  614   a  and said second exterior axis  614   b.    
     In one embodiment, said interior axis  616  can comprise said first interior axis  616   a  and said second interior axis  616   b.    
     In one embodiment, said exterior axis  618  can comprise said first exterior axis  618   a  and said second exterior axis  618   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said top portions  600 . 
     In one embodiment, said two side portions  102  can comprise said second bracket  602   b , said second bracket  604   b , said second bracket  606   b  and said second actuator assembly  608   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable expansion assembly  106  can comprise said one or more brackets  602 , said brackets  604 , said brackets  606 , said actuator assemblies  608  and said rods  610 . 
     In one embodiment, each side of said two side portions  102  can comprise said one or more brackets  602 , said brackets  604 , said brackets  606 , said actuator assemblies  608  and said rods  610 . 
     In one embodiment, variable expansion assembly  106  can control movement of two side portions  102  through one or more configurations  120 . 
     In one embodiment, brackets  606  can selectively expand and contract to move portions of variable expansion assembly  106  through one or more configurations  120  between closed configuration  120   a  and  102   d/.    
     In one embodiment, brackets  606  can push portions of middle portions  204  away from back portions  1200 ; and rods  610  can guide movement of outer portions  202  relative to back portions  1200 , as illustrated. 
     In one embodiment, brackets  606  can rotateably mounted between back absorbers  206  and middle portions  204 . actuator assemblies  608  can be mounted to back absorbers  206  with interior axis  616  and to middle portions  204  with exterior axis  618 . Said interior axis  616  can be mounted across variable expansion assembly  106  with first middle portion  204   a  attached to second back absorber  206   b  and second middle portion  204   b  attached to first back absorber  206   a . Accordingly, actuator assemblies  608  can be configured to push middle portions  204  away from an opposite side of variable expansion assembly  106 . In one embodiment, rods  610  can be rotateably attached between a portion of back absorbers  206  and outer portions  202 , with interior axis  612  attaching back absorbers  206  to rods  610 , and exterior axis  614  rotateably attached to outer portions  202 . Accordingly, when actuator assemblies  608  selectively expand and contract, said middle portions  204  and outer portions  202  rotate and expand between closed configuration  120   a  and open configuration  120   d.    
     actuator assemblies  608  can comprise hydro-powered, pneumatic-powered and electric powered actuators, as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment actuator assemblies  608  are electric powered. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a perspective overview and an elevated top view of a top portions  600  in said second configuration  120   b.    
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective overview view of a top portions  600  in said third configuration  120   c.    
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective overview view of a top portions  600  in said open configuration  120   d.    
       FIG. 10  illustrates an elevated front side view of a cart  1000  with said variable acoustic system  100  in said open configuration  120   d , in a lifted configuration. 
     In one embodiment, said cart  1000  can comprise said lift assembly  1002  and said one or more wheels  1004 . 
     In one embodiment, said one or more wheels  1004  can comprise said first wheel  1004   a , said second wheel  1004   b , said third wheel  1004   c  and said fourth wheel  1004   d.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said cart  1000 . 
     Said cart  1000  can comprise a cart with a variable height setting for moving said variable acoustic system  100  up and down, as shown in  FIG. 10-11 . Said cart  1000  can be an off the shell part. 
     In another embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can be mounted to tracks or other mechanisms for movement up and down a wall, as is known in the art. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an elevated front side view of a cart  1000  with said variable acoustic system  100  in said open configuration  120   d , in a closed configuration. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a perspective overview view of a back portions  1200 . 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a back portions  1200 . 
       FIG. 12C  illustrates an elevated first side view of a back portions  1200 . 
       FIG. 12D  illustrates an elevated front side view of a back portions  1200 . 
     In one embodiment, said back portions  1200  can comprise said second top lid portion  1202   b.    
     In one embodiment, said one or more top lid portions  1202  can comprise said first top lid portion  1202   a  and said second top lid portion  1202   b.    
     In one embodiment, said one or more bottom lid portions  1204  can comprise said first bottom lid portion  1204   a  and said second bottom lid portion  1204   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said back portions  1200 . 
       FIG. 13A  illustrates a perspective overview view of a middle portions  1300 . 
       FIG. 13B  illustrates an elevated top side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
       FIG. 13C  illustrates an elevated first side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
       FIG. 13D  illustrates an elevated front side view of a middle portions  1300 . 
     In one embodiment, said middle portions  1300  can comprise said one or more top lid portions  1302 , said first bottom lid portion  1304   a  and said absorber  1306 . 
     In one embodiment, said one or more top lid portions  1302  can comprise said first top lid portion  1302   a  and said second top lid portion  1302   b.    
     In one embodiment, said one or more bottom lid portions  1304  can comprise said first bottom lid portion  1304   a  and said second bottom lid portion  1304   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said middle portions  1300 . 
     In one embodiment, said back portions  1200  can comprise said middle portions  1300 . 
       FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective overview view of an outer portions  1400 . 
       FIG. 14B  illustrates an elevated top side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
       FIG. 14C  illustrates an elevated first side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
       FIG. 14D  illustrates an elevated front side view of an outer portions  1400 . 
     In one embodiment, said outer absorbers  1402  can comprise said first outer absorber  1402   a  and said second outer absorber  1402   b.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said outer portions  1400 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an elevated front side view of a reflector plates  210 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective overview view of a shell portions  1600 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective overview view of a plurality of absorbers  1700 . 
     In one embodiment, said two side portions  102  can comprise said plurality of absorbers  1700 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates view of a block diagram  1800 . 
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said controller  1802  and said control signals  1804 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a flow chart view of a method of using an acoustic system  1900 . 
     In one embodiment, said one or more steps  1902  can comprise said first step  1902   a , said second step  1902   b , said third step  1902   c  and said fourth step  1902   d.    
     In one embodiment, said variable acoustic system  100  can comprise said method of using an acoustic system  1900 . 
     In one embodiment, said actuator assemblies  608  can comprise said one or more steps  1902 . 
     In one embodiment, method of using an acoustic system  1900  can comprise selectively expanding and contracting two side portions  102  between closed configuration  120   a  and open configuration  120   d ; reflecting a larger portion of incoming acoustic energy with variable acoustic system  100  in closed configuration  120   a  than in open configuration  120   d ; exposing said plurality of absorbers  1700  in said open configuration  120   d ; and enclosing said plurality of absorbers  1700  with variable acoustic system  100  in closed configuration  120   a  and thereby reflecting said incoming acoustic energy on shell  104  of variable acoustic system  100   
     The following sentences are included for completeness of this disclosure with reference to the claims. 
     A variable acoustic system  100  for selectively controlling acoustic properties of an environment. Said variable acoustic system  100  comprises a two side portions  102 , a back portions  1200  and a variable expansion assembly  106 . Said variable acoustic system  100  further comprises a shell  104  and a plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said variable acoustic system  100  is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations  120 . Said one or more configurations  120  comprises at least a closed configuration  120   a  and an open configuration  120   d . Said closed configuration  120   a  comprises said two side portions  102  closed with said shell  104  exposed. Said open configuration  120   d  comprises said two side portions  102  open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers  1700  exposed. Said shell  104  configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said two side portions  102  comprise a first side portion  102   a  and a second side portion  102   b . Said two side portions  102  each comprise at least an outer portions  202  and a back absorbers  206 . Said back absorbers  206  are enclosed within a portion of said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions  102 . Portions of each of said two side portions  102  are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges  500 . 
     Said variable acoustic system  100  further comprising a reflector plates  210 . Said reflector plates  210  configured to partially cover a portion of said plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said reflector plates  210  comprising a pattern configured to provide a binary amplitude reflection with a portion of said plurality of absorbers  1700  exposed and a portion reflecting. 
     Said reflector plates  210  covering a portion of said outer portions  202 . Said reflector plates  210  are partially exposed with said variable acoustic system  100  between said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d , but not at all with said variable acoustic system  100  in said closed configuration  120   a.    
     Said variable acoustic system  100  further comprising a controller  1802 . Said controller  1802  configured to send and receive a control signals  1804  from an actuator assemblies  608  of said variable acoustic system  100 . Said actuator assemblies  608  of said variable acoustic system  100  are configured to selectively move said variable acoustic system  100  between said one or more configurations  120 . 
     Said two side portions  102  each comprise a middle portions  204 , said outer portions  202  and said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  comprise an outer absorbers  1402 . Said middle portions  204  comprise an absorber  1306 . Said back portions  1200  comprise said back absorbers  206 . Said plurality of absorbers  1700  comprise all of said outer absorbers  1402 , said absorber  1306  and said back absorbers  206 . Said outer portions  202  rotate relative to said middle portions  204  on a second axis hinges  504 . Said middle portions  204  rotate relative to said back absorbers  206  on a first axis hinge  502 . Said two side portions  102  expands and contracts on said plurality of axis hinges  500  between said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d.    
     Each side of said two side portions  102  comprises a one or more brackets  602 , a brackets  604 , a brackets  606 , an actuator assemblies  608  and a rods  610 . Said variable expansion assembly  106  controls movement of said two side portions  102  through said one or more configurations  120 . Said brackets  606  selectively expands and contracts to move portions of said variable expansion assembly  106  through said one or more configurations  120  between said closed configuration  120   a  and  102   d/.    
     Said brackets  606  selectively pushes portions of said middle portions  204  away from said back portions  1200 . Said rods  610  guides movement of said outer portions  202  relative to said back portions  1200 . Said brackets  606  is rotateably mounted between said back absorbers  206  and said middle portions  204 . Said actuator assemblies  608  is rotateably mounted to said back absorbers  206  with an interior axis  616  and to said middle portions  204  with an exterior axis  618 . Said interior axis  616  is rotateably mounted across said variable expansion assembly  106  with a first middle portion  204   a  attached to a second back absorber  206   b  and a second middle portion  204   b  attached to a first back absorber  206   a . Said actuator assemblies  608  is configured to push said middle portions  204  away from an opposite side of said variable expansion assembly  106 . 
     Said rods  610  is rotateably attached between a portion of said back absorbers  206  and said outer portions  202  with an interior axis  612  attaching said back absorbers  206  to said rods  610 , and an exterior axis  614  rotateably attached to said outer portions  202 . 
     When said actuator assemblies  608  selectively expands and contracts, said middle portions  204  and said outer portions  202  rotate and expand between said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d.    
     Said variable acoustic system  100  comprises a cart  1000 . Said cart  1000  comprises a lift assembly  1002  and a one or more wheels  1004 . A variable acoustic system  100  for selectively controlling acoustic properties of an environment. 
     Said variable acoustic system  100  comprises a two side portions  102 , a back portions  1200  and a variable expansion assembly  106 . Said variable acoustic system  100  further comprises a shell  104  and a plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said variable acoustic system  100  is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations  120 . Said one or more configurations  120  comprises at least a closed configuration  120   a  and an open configuration  120   d . Said closed configuration  120   a  comprises said two side portions  102  closed with said shell  104  exposed. Said open configuration  120   d  comprises said two side portions  102  open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers  1700  exposed. Said shell  104  configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said two side portions  102  comprise a first side portion  102   a  and a second side portion  102   b . Said two side portions  102  each comprise at least an outer portions  202  and a back absorbers  206 . Said back absorbers  206  are enclosed within a portion of said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions  102 . Portions of each of said two side portions  102  are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges  500 . Said two side portions  102  each comprise a middle portions  204 , said outer portions  202  and said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  comprise an outer absorbers  1402 . Said middle portions  204  comprise an absorber  1306 . Said back portions  1200  comprise said back absorbers  206 . Said plurality of absorbers  1700  comprise all of said outer absorbers  1402 , said absorber  1306  and said back absorbers  206 . Said outer portions  202  rotate relative to said middle portions  204  on a second axis hinges  504 . Said middle portions  204  rotate relative to said back absorbers  206  on a first axis hinge  502 . Said two side portions  102  expands and contracts on said plurality of axis hinges  500  between said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d . A method of using an acoustic system  1900  comprising: 
     Managing acoustic energy by selectively expanding and contracting a two side portions  102  between a closed configuration  120   a  and an open configuration  120   d , reflecting a larger portion of incoming acoustic energy with a variable acoustic system  100  in said closed configuration  120   a  than in said open configuration  120   d . Exposing a plurality of absorbers  1700  in said open configuration  120   d , and enclosing said plurality of absorbers  1700  with said variable acoustic system  100  in said closed configuration  120   a  and thereby reflecting said incoming acoustic energy on a shell  104  of said variable acoustic system  100 . Wherein. Said variable acoustic system  100  comprises said two side portions  102 , a back portions  1200  and a variable expansion assembly  106 . Said variable acoustic system  100  further comprises said shell  104  and said plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said variable acoustic system  100  is configured to selectively transition through a one or more configurations  120 . Said one or more configurations  120  comprises at least said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d . Said closed configuration  120   a  comprises said two side portions  102  closed with said shell  104  exposed. Said open configuration  120   d  comprises said two side portions  102  open with a portion of said plurality of absorbers  1700  exposed. Said shell  104  configured to reflect more acoustic energy than said plurality of absorbers  1700 . Said two side portions  102  comprise a first side portion  102   a  and a second side portion  102   b . Said two side portions  102  each comprise at least an outer portions  202  and a back absorbers  206 . Said back absorbers  206  are enclosed within a portion of said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  are enclosed in a portion of said two side portions  102 . Portions of each of said two side portions  102  are configured to expand and contract on a plurality of axis hinges  500 . Said two side portions  102  each comprise a middle portions  204 , said outer portions  202  and said back portions  1200 . Said outer portions  202  comprise an outer absorbers  1402 . Said middle portions  204  comprise an absorber  1306 . Said back portions  1200  comprise said back absorbers  206 . Said plurality of absorbers  1700  comprise all of said outer absorbers  1402 , said absorber  1306  and said back absorbers  206 . Said outer portions  202  rotate relative to said middle portions  204  on a second axis hinges  504 . Said middle portions  204  rotate relative to said back absorbers  206  on a first axis hinge  502 . Said two side portions  102  expands and contracts on said plurality of axis hinges  500  between said closed configuration  120   a  and said open configuration  120   d.    
     Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”