Patent Description:
Within the technical field of acoustic panelling, it is known to manufacture acoustic panels from a backing panel of a hard material, such as wood and a number of elongated acoustic elements connected to the wooden panel. The elongated acoustic elements are typically connected to the hard wooden panel via fastening means, such as adhesive or nails/screws, in order to secure the acoustic elements to the backing panel.

However, one major factor in manufacturing acoustic panels is the process of connecting and fastening the elongated acoustic elements to the wooden backing plate. Such process is time-consuming and hereby costly in human labour, which influences the overall cost of the acoustic panels. Further, the wooden panels are stiff and heavy and hereby difficult and time consuming to install and due to the stiffness of the panels, the installation is difficult if the surface for installation is not substantially planar.

One example of prior art disclosing similar acoustic panels and methods for producing such, is disclosed in <CIT>. The document discloses strip ceiling system comprising a sheet and a plurality of elongate strips. A part of the side face of an individual strip is sized and configured to fit and fasten into an individual longitudinal groove in the sheet surface of the sheet. When mounted in the parallel longitudinal grooves, each elongate strip is configured such that a space is formed between neighbouring elongate strips, thereby allowing the sheet to be visible there through. The document does not disclose a method according to the claimed invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for assembling an acoustic panel, which overcomes the above-defined problems. It is thus an object to provide a method for assembling an acoustic panel, where the assembly of the panel is easy and fast, the panel being lightweight and easy to install, and which acoustic panel may adapt to the mounting surface, such as a curvature of the mounting surface.

The above object and advantages, together with numerous other objects and advantages, which will be evident from the following description, are according to a first aspect not covered by the present invention obtained by:
An acoustic panel for installation on a wall or ceiling surface, the acoustic panel comprising a sheet element having a first side for facing the wall or ceiling and a second side for facing away from the wall or ceiling, and a plurality of individual elongated acoustic elements connected to the sheet element on the second surface,.

The acoustic panel comprises a sheet element serving as a backing panel, and which is suitable to be hastened to a surface of a building where the acoustic panel is to be installed. The panel thus comprises a first side for facing the building surface, such as a wall or ceiling surface, and a second side which comprises a number of longitudinal grooves, into which a number of individual elongated acoustic elements is installed.

The shape of a part of the grooves corresponds substantially to the shape of a part of the elongated acoustic elements, which part preferably comprises fastening/locking means, which engage corresponding fastening/locking means arranged in the longitudinally grooves, such that the elongated acoustic elements are connected to the sheet element.

The sheet element is arranged flexibly, and preferably arranged from a flexible material such as polyester or a similar material. By the term flexible is meant that the sheet element may be bent around an axis below one of the grooves and in the direction thereof, to such a degree that the openings of the grooves on the second side of the sheet element increase without the integrity of the sheet element being compromised.

When comparing the flexible sheet to e.g., a wooden backing panel, the wooden panel is not flexible to such an extend that the wooden panel may be bent to the same extend without the result of cracking.

The sheet element is further arranged elastic, such that after the sheet element has been bent around a longitudinal axis parallel and below one elongated groove, and after an elongated acoustic element has been inserted into the groove, the sheet element is able to resume its original planar shape without external forces, whereby the width of the opening of the longitudinal groove decreases and the elongated acoustic element interconnects therewith.

In order to insert the individual acoustic elements, preferably one at a time, the sheet is bent around an axis being parallel with the longitudinal direction of the grooves, the axis being arranged towards the first side of the sheet, at a location parallel to and "below" the groove, such that when the sheet is being bent, the groove opens up. When the groove is open, an acoustic element is inserted into the groove in a direction substantial perpendicular to the second surface, and in a direction substantial toward the axis which the sheet is bent around.

The elongated acoustic elements may be arranged from hard material such as wood, aluminum, etc., or a combination thereof.

Alternatively, the elongated acoustic elements may be arranged from a foamed material, such as polyurethane foam.

In a further alternative embodiment, the elongated acoustic elements may be arranged from both a hard material and a foamed material. In such an embodiment, the parts of the elongated acoustic elements, which connects with the sheet elements, are preferably arranged from the hard material, and the remaining part of the elongated acoustic elements, which contributes to the acoustic properties of the acoustic panel, is arranged from the foamed material.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the walls of the grooves comprise first locking means arranged as one or more projections and/or recesses for cooperating with one or more second locking means formed as projections and/or recesses arranged on the elongated acoustic elements.

In order to interconnect the sheet element and elongated acoustic elements, the groove is arranged with projections and/or recesses which, when the elongated acoustic elements are arranged in the grooves, cooperate with corresponding projections or recesses.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the grooves comprise a bottom surface having a downwards sloping surface, such that when said sheet element being bent around an axis below a specific elongated groove, said bottom surface of said groove assumes a second shape having a less slopping surface.

The sheet element, which is arranged flexibly, such that it may be bent in order to enlarge the opening of the elongated grooves, is arranged with grooves having downwards sloping bottoms. A groove having a substantially plane bottom surface and which is bent such that the opening of the groove increases, will in the bent configuration have a bottom surface assuming a substantially convex shape, which results in that the bottom surface of the groove projects towards the opening of the groove, i.e., the distance from the bottom of the groove to the opening of the groove decreases, whereby the elongated acoustic element is prevented from being correctly inserted into the groove. Therefore, arranging the grooves with a bottom surface, which has a downwards sloping shape, has the effect that even though the distance from the bottom of the groove to the opening of the groove decreases when the sheet element is being bent, the distance is still sufficient for the elongated acoustic elements to be inserted in the grooves.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the downwards sloping surface has a concave shape or a V shape, the concave shape having a first radius of curvature, such that when the sheet element being bent around an axis below a specific elongated groove, the bottom surface of the groove assumes a second shape different from the concave shape with the first radius of curvature, said V-shape defining a first angle, such that when the sheet element being bent around an axis below a specific elongated groove, the V-shaped bottom surface of the groove assumes a second shape different from the first V-shape.

The downwards sloping bottom surface of the grooves preferably has a concave shape or V-shape, such the when the sheet element is bent, the opening of the grooves increases and the concave or V-shaped bottom surface assumes a shape which has a less downwards sloping surface, e.g., substantially planar. The elongated acoustic elements are thus inserted into the grooves until the lower surface of the elongated acoustic elements abuts the e.g., substantially planar "bend" bottom surface. The bent sheet element is brought back to its original substantially planar configuration, and the elongated acoustic elements are locked in the grooves.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the second shaping has a concave shape with a larger radius of curvature compared to the first radius of curvature.

The concave bottom surface of the elongated grooves may be arranged such that the bottom surface of the groove, when the sheet element is bent, is concave but with a larger radius of curvature compared to the non-bent configuration. Hereby, it is possible to arrange e.g., wires or smaller conduits running within the channels before inserting the elongated acoustic elements.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the distance/gap between opposing projections and/or recesses of the grooves, respectively, and the thickness of the elongated acoustic elements at a level through the cooperating projections and/or recesses, is arranged such that when the sheet element has a substantially planar shape and the elongated acoustic elements are locked in the grooves, the projections and/or recesses of the grooves exert a force on the cooperating projections and/or recesses of the elongated acoustic elements.

By arranging the distance/gap between opposing projections and/or recesses of the grooves slightly smaller than the thickness of the elongated acoustic elements at a level through the cooperating projections and/or recesses, has the technical effect, that the opposing projections and/or recesses in the grooves bias against the elongated acoustic elements, which hereby are held tightly in place.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the grooves comprise at least one second projection and/or recess cooperating with a second projection and/or recess on the elongated acoustic elements for preventing movement of the elongated acoustic elements in relation to the sheet element in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elongated acoustic elements.

In order to prevent the elongated acoustic elements to slide within the grooves, e.g., during installation, the grooves and the elongated acoustic elements are arranged with at least one cooperating second projection and/or recess, respectively.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the sheet element comprises a polymer, such as a polyester, preferably a polyethylene.

The sheet element comprises a polyester material, such as polyethylene. The part of the sheet element which constitutes the sheet material of the bottom of the grooves comprises the polyester material. Arranging the sheet material of the bottom of the grooves from a polyester results in the sufficient flexibility and elasticity of the sheet element in the area of the grooves.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the majority of the sheet element is made from a polymer, such as a polyester, preferably a polyethylene.

Preferably, not only the sheet material defining the bottom of the grooves are arranged from a polyester material, but the major part and even the main part, preferably substantially the entire sheet element, are arranged from polyester.

Arranging the major part of the sheet element from polyester provides the necessary flexibility and elasticity, but also has the technical effect that the sheet element, and hereby the acoustic panel, can easily be adapted to the mounting surface, such as a mounting surface which is not planar.

According to a second aspect not according to the present invention, the above objects and advantages are obtained by:.

The above defined sheet element has the technical effect that it may be used as a backing panel in an acoustic panel as defined according to the first embodiment.

According to a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the grooves comprise a bottom surface having a downwards sloping surface, such as a concave shape or V-shape, such that when said sheet element being bent around an axis below a specific elongated groove, said bottom surface of said groove assumes a second shape having a less slopping surface.

As disclosed earlier, the downwards sloping bottom surface of the grooves preferably has a concave shape or V-shape, such the when the sheet element is bent, the opening of the grooves increases and the concave or V-shaped bottom surface assumes a shape, which has a less down sloping surface, e.g., substantially planar. The elongated acoustic elements are thus inserted into the grooves until the lower surface of the elongated acoustic elements abuts the e.g., substantially planar "bent" bottom surface. The bent sheet element is brought back to its original substantially planar configuration, and the elongated acoustic elements are locked in the grooves.

According to the aspect of the present invention, the above objects and advantages are obtained by:
A method for assembling an acoustic panel, the method comprising the following steps:.

The above defined method provides the possibility to manufacture an acoustic panel in an easy and fast manner with minimal manual labor.

The sheet element may be arranged according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect.

The elongated acoustic elements are preferably arranged from a hard material, such as wood, aluminum, etc., or a combination thereof.

The elongated acoustic elements may alternatively be arranged from a foamed material, such as polyurethane foam. In an even further alternative embodiment, the elongated acoustic elements be arranged from both a hard material and a foamed material. In such embodiment, the parts of the elongated acoustic elements which connects with the sheet elements, are preferably arranged from the hard material, and the remaining part of the elongated acoustic elements, which contributes to the acoustic properties of the acoustic panel are arranged from the foamed material.

The flexible sheet element is bent around an axis below the panel and substantially below at groove, the axis being parallel with the longitudinal direction of the groove. Any suitable equipment may be used for bending the sheet, and preferably for automatically bending the sheet. One example of such equipment may be a roller, where the sheet element is conveyed over the roller, with the longitudinal direction of the grooves being substantial parallel with the rotational axis of the roller. The part of the sheet which passes the roller is bent by the roller, such that the sheet is bent in the region of contact with the roller.

When a part of the sheet having a groove passes over the roller, that part of the flexible sheet is bent by the roller, whereby the opening of the groove increases.

When the opening of the grooves has sufficiently increased, an elongated acoustic element is inserted into the "opened" groove. Thereafter, the bended part of the flexible sheet is brought back to its original configuration, whereby the opening of the groove decreases and the elongated acoustic element interconnects with the groove. The process continues for the remaining grooves of the sheet element.

In another embodiment covered by the aspect of the present invention, the sheet element is bent over the whole surface of the sheet, such that all grooves "open up". In such a situation, the sheet is not necessarily "rolled" over a roller, where the elongated acoustic elements are inserted one at the time but may be inserted into the grooves at the same time.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like elements will thus not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

<FIG> is perspective view of an acoustic panel <NUM>. The acoustic panel <NUM> comprises a flexible sheet <NUM> functioning as a backing plate and is illustrated with a number of acoustic elements <NUM>.

The sheet element <NUM> is arranged flexibly and is preferably flexibly elastic, such that the sheet element <NUM> may be bent and automatically resume its original configuration once the bending force is terminated. The sheet element <NUM> is thus preferably arranged from a flexible material such as polyester or similar material.

The elongated acoustic elements <NUM> may have any desired shape, which provides the desired acoustic and visual properties and is preferably arranged from a hard material such as wood, aluminum, etc., or a combination thereof.

The elongated acoustic elements <NUM> may in an alternative be arranged from a foamed material, such as polyurethane foam or in an even further alternative embodiment, be arranged from both a hard material and a foamed material. Arranging the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> from a foam material increases the acoustic properties and arranging the part of the elongated acoustic elements <NUM>, which interconnects with the grooves <NUM> from a hard material, such as wood, ensures that the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> and the sheet element <NUM> are properly interconnected.

The elongated acoustic elements <NUM> are shown having two different shapes, it is however evident that the claimed invention is not limited to such shapes, and the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> may thus have any desired shape. The elongated acoustic elements <NUM> may be arranged being massive, such as made entirely from a wooden material or may be arranged being hollow, such as hollow aluminum profiles.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a part of two interconnected acoustic panels <NUM>. The acoustic panels <NUM> shown in <FIG> are similar to the one shown in <FIG> with the exception of having a number of square elongated acoustic elements <NUM>.

The figure shows a junction between two substantially similar acoustic elements <NUM>. The edge of the sheet element <NUM> is shown with an angle, such that one side of an acoustic panel <NUM> is supported and kept in place by the side of the abutting acoustic panels. Hereby, fewer fastening means, such as screws, may be use when installing the acoustic panels <NUM>. The angled side edge has the further technical advantage that the junction between the two acoustic panels <NUM> is visually hidden by an elongated acoustic element <NUM> when installed.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a sheet element <NUM> having concave-shaped grooves <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> have a downwards sloping bottom surface which are concave-shaped, such the when the sheet element <NUM> is bent, the opening of the grooves <NUM> increases and the concave-shaped bottom surface assumes a shape, which has a less downwards sloping surface, e.g., substantially planar or a concave shape having a larger radius of curvature. A number of elongated acoustic elements <NUM> may thus be inserted into the grooves <NUM> until the lower surface of the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> abuts the e.g., substantially planar "bent" bottom surface. The bent sheet element <NUM> may thereafter be brought back to its original substantially planar configuration, and the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> are locked in the grooves <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a sheet element <NUM> having V-shaped grooves <NUM>'. The grooves <NUM>' shown in <FIG> have the same technical function as disclosed in relation to <FIG>, but illustrates an alternative configuration than an concave-shaped bottom surface.

<FIG> is a first cross-sectional view of a panel assembly. The sheet element <NUM> corresponds to the sheet element shown in <FIG>. The figure shows bending means <NUM>, illustrated as a roller, which is used for bending the sheet <NUM>. The sheet element <NUM> is conveyed over the roller <NUM> with the longitudinal direction of the grooves <NUM> being substantial parallel with the rotational axis of the roller <NUM>. The part of the sheet element <NUM> which passes the roller <NUM> is then bent by the roller <NUM>, such that the sheet <NUM> is bent in the region of contact with the roller <NUM>. The sheet element <NUM> is conveyed over the roller towards the left side, where a number of elongated acoustic elements <NUM> has been installed, and a new elongated acoustic element <NUM> is brought in position for installation in the bended region of the sheet element <NUM>.

The shape of a part the grooves <NUM> substantially corresponds to the shape of a part of the elongated acoustic elements <NUM>. The grooves are shown with first locking means <NUM> means, which engage corresponding second locking means <NUM> arranged on the elongated acoustic elements <NUM>. It is hereby ensured that once the sheet element <NUM> is bent back to its original substantially planar shape, the elongated acoustic elements <NUM> are held in place by the first and second locking means.

Claim 1:
A method for assembling an acoustic panel (<NUM>), said method comprising the following steps:
• providing a sheet element (<NUM>) having a first side for facing a wall or ceiling and a second side for facing away from said wall or ceiling, and having a number of longitudinal grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') on said second side,
• providing a number of elongated acoustic elements (<NUM>), said grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') having a shape being complementary with a shape of said elongated acoustic elements (<NUM>), such that when said elongated acoustic elements (<NUM>) are connected to said sheet element (<NUM>) on said second side, said acoustic elements are locked to said sheet element (<NUM>) in a direction substantially perpendicular to said second side,
• bending said sheet element (<NUM>) around an axis facing said first side, said axis being parallel with said longitudinally grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') and facing said first side in the area of the sheet element (<NUM>) behind a groove (<NUM>,<NUM>'), such that the width of the opening of said groove on said second side increases,
• arranging one of said elongated acoustic elements (<NUM>) in said groove (<NUM>,<NUM>') in a direction substantially perpendicular to said second surface,
• bending of said sheet element (<NUM>) back to an initial substantially planar shape decreasing said width of said openings, whereby said elongated acoustic elements (<NUM>) are locked to said sheet element (<NUM>) in a direction perpendicular to said second side.