GB2258254A

GB2258254A - Acoustic insulation of parallel structures,e.g.suspended ceilings

Info

Publication number: GB2258254A
Application number: GB9115477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin James Williams
Original assignee: HARTNELL AND ROSE Ltd
Current assignee: HARTNELL AND ROSE Ltd
Priority date: 1991-07-18
Filing date: 1991-07-18
Publication date: 1993-02-03
Also published as: GB9115477D0

Abstract

A panel structure has a framework with openings for locating facing panels. The panel structure may be used for a suspended ceiling or similar application creating a void acting as a reverberation chamber for sound transmitted through or around the edges of the facing panels. The facing panels (15) and/or backing panels (17) having sound insulation properties are provided with a deformable edge seal (19) for sealing against the frame members (12) around the panels. The edge seals of adjacent panels may meet above the frame members therebetween, as shown, or butt up against the sides thereof. The edge seal may be formed by the edge of a sheet of foam polyurethane (18) secured to the back of a plasterboard panel (17). <IMAGE>

Description

A PANEL STRUCTURE This invention relates to a panel structure and more particularly to a panel structure of the kind comprising a framework with openings for locating facing panels.

It is well known for a panel structure of this kind to be used as a suspended ceiling. The framework is a rectangular (possibly square) grid of inverted T-section carrier elements intersecting at right-angles to form rectangular openings in which are located with slight clearance facing panels resting on the flanges provided by the frame members. The framework is suspended at the requisite distance from the true ceiling to create a ceiling void. The ceiling void may act as a reverberation chamber for sound transmitted through or around the edges of the facing panels.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the sound insulation qualities of new or existing panel structures of the kind defined, particularly but not exclusively as utilised in suspended ceilings.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel structure of the kind defined wherein a deformable edge seal is provided for sealing against the frame members around the respective facing panel.

The facing panels may be backed by sound insulation panels and the edge seal may be carried by the facing panels and/or the sound insulation panels.

Preferably, the edge seal is provided by a layer of foam material overlying the rear face of a carrier board of the sound insulation panel and overlapping the edges thereof. The overlap may be sufficient to permit contact of the adjacent edges of the foam material to the rear of the frame member separating adjacent panels. In this case one or both of said contacting edges may be thickened, for example by the application of a spacer strip of the foam material, in order to improve the edge contact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel with deformable edge seal as defined in any one of the preceding paragraphs relating to the panel structure of the first aspect of the invention.

It will be appreciated that a panel structure of the invention may be created at the time of construction of the panel structure or subsequently by fitting the backing panels to an existing panel structure.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sound insulation panel in accordance with the invention in the course of fitment to a panel structure of the kind defined in order to create a first embodiment of panel structure, in this case a suspended ceiling, in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a corner detail of a second embodiment of backing panel in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 is a detail of a second embodiment of panel structure incorporating the panel of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the second embodiment of panel structure showing the contacting edges of adjacent backing panels.

Referring now to Fig. 1 and the inset thereto, a suspended ceiling comprises a framework 1 consisting of a plurality of inverted T-shaped frame members 2 suspended from the true ceiling (not shown) by wire hangers (not shown) so as to define rectangular openings 3 bounded by flanges 4 of the frame members 2. The flanges 4 support conventional facing panels 5 which may be made of rigid foamed plastics material. The facing panels 5 are a loose fit in the openings 3 such that a clearance gap exists between the edges of the panels 5 and the adjacent frame members 2. Sound transmission into the ceiling void occurs through and around the edges of the panels 5. As thus far described the suspended ceiling is a panel structure of known kind as discussed above.

In order to improve the sound insulation of the suspended ceiling the facing panels 5 are backed by sound insulation panels 6 comprising a rigid carrier board 7, which may be of plasterboard material, of rectangular shape corresponding to but preferably very slightly smaller than the facing panel 5. Overlying the carrier board 7 is a layer 8 of flexible foam material, for example acoustic quality impregnated polyurethane foam, the edges 9 of which overlap the carrier board 7 on all four sides. The backing panel 6 is a unitary structure with the foam material layer 8 adhesively connected to the carrier board 7.

The sound insulation panels 8 are lowered into the pockets 3 so as to rest upon the facing panels 5. During fitment the edges 9 of the oversize foam layer 8 are deflected upwardly to seal against the frame members 2 as shown in the inset to Fig. 1. Sound transmission around the edges of the panels 5, 6 is thereby reduced. In addition, sound transmission through the facing panel 5 is reduced by the carrier board 7 and the overlying foam layer 8.

It will be noted that in the embodiment just described the frame members 2 create a gap between adjacent panels 6. In the second embodiment this gap is closed by foam material as will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 . Corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals increased by 10 and are not further described. The four edges 19 of the foam layer 18 of each panel 16 overlap to a greater extent than in the first embodiment so as to project above the frame members 12 when the panels 16 are fitted.

Two adjacent edges 19a are thickened by an additional strip l9b which may be formed integrally with the edge 19a or applied thereto as a separate strip using adhesive. As best seen in Fig. 3, the function of the additional strip 19b is to bridge the gap which would otherwise exist between the adjacent edges 19 above the frame members 2. As indicated in Fig. 4, each edge 19a is in contact with an edge 19 of an adjacent panel 6.

Because of the additional weight of the suspended ceiling as a result of the provision of the sound insulation panels 6, 16, additional hangers may be provided as necessary.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the panel structure need not be a suspended ceiling but may be a wall or even a floor structure. If the sound insulating qualities of the facing panels 5, 15 and the carrier boards 7, 17 are adequate the continuous foam layer 8, 18 may be replaced by an edge strip of foam or other suitable material affording an edge seal for contact with the frame members and possibly each other as described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The edge seal may be provided on the facing panel instead of on a separate backing panel. In this case the edge seal may be provided by foam material in the same way mutatis mutandis as described for the backing panel in its two embodiments, i.e. as a plain sheet of foam material overlying the rear surface of the facing panel and optionally with thickened contacting edges.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A panel structure comprising a framework with openings and facing panels located in said openings, characterised in that a deformable edge seal is provided for sealing against the frame members around the respective facing panel.

2. A panel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge seal is carried by the facing panel.

3. A panel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing panels are backed by sound insulation panels and the edge seal is carried by the facing panels and/or the sound insulation panels.

4. A panel structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge seal is provided by a layer of foam material overlying at least the periphery of the rear face of the facing panel and/or a carrier board of the sound insulation panel and overlapping said periphery.

5. A panel structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the overlap is sufficient to permit contact of the adjacent edges of the foam material to the rear of the frame member separating adjacent panels.

6. A panel structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein one or both of said contacting edges is thickened.

7. A panel for use in a structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a deformable edge seal for sealing against the frame members of the structure.

8. A panel structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A panel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.