NZ517279A - System for retrofitting a wall to increase sound attenuation with first and second walls and studs between having third wall attached via damping members - Google Patents

Abstract

A retrofit wall system (600) and a method for retrofitting a preexisting wall to increase sound attenuation characteristics includes resiliently mounting construction members (608) onto a preexisting wall surface and mounting a new wall surface (for example, drywall) thereover. It is desirable to provide insulation (612) (thermal and/or acoustic) between the construction members to further increase sound attenuation. The construction members may be conventional members (606) (for example, a 2"x4" (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm)) resiliently mounted using a resilient channel or web (610), or they may simply be resilient members directly fastened to the new and old wall surfaces, respectively.

Description

PCTYUSOO/23144 SYSTEM FOR RETROFITTING A WALL TO INCREASE SOUND ATTENUATION TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to members used in construction, especially in applications where sound attenuation and sound isolation is important. In particular, 5 the present invention relates to construction members used to construct building structures in which sound transmission from one room to another is to be prevented or reduced. The present invention also relates to a system and method for retrofitting a pre-existing standard wall with an improved stud construction which improves sound attenuation characteristics across the wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Standard wall frame systems including a plurality of interconnected individual studs have long been used to construct walls. Also, in general, it is conventionally known to resiliently mount a wall or ceiling in order to isolate sound or attenuate transmission therethrough.

U.S. Patent No. 3,445,975 to Nelsson discloses a partition in which first and second lath panels are held against a metallic stud, channel, or furring member by a clip fastener. One portion of the stud, channel, or furring member is cantilevered away from the portion at which the lath, panels are clipped thereto. According to Nelsson, this permits the free portion of the stud, channel, or furring member to flex 20 as the lath panels mechanically respond to sound waves incident thereon. The remainder of the structure dampens this surface movement, reducing sound transmission to the opposite surface of the partition.

U.S. Patent No. 3,324,615 to Zinn discloses a construction member having a plurality of laterally extending supporting tabs by which wallboard segments are 25 resiliently mounted.

U.S. Patent No. 3,046,620 to Tvorik et al. discloses a ceiling hanger member whereby a furring strip (to which a ceiling member is attached) is resiliently attached to a joist, such that the weight of the furring strip and ceiling member resiliently separates the furring strip from the joist.

PCT/USOO/23144 Another known method of sound attenuation is to build a wall frame in which individual studs are laterally staggered relative to a toe plate and head plate. Therefore, alternate studs are used to mount wall board on respective sides of the frame so that a given stud is spaced away from one of wall boards.

Unfortunately, the foregoing conventional methods of noise attenuation are problematic in that they generally move away from basic construction methods and thereby increase complexity and cost.

Finally, a standard wall frame system must generally be completely torn down to put a conventional sound attenuating systems into place. It would be 10 therefore desirable to be able to retrofit a standard wall frame system so as to increase its sound attenuation characteristics.

U.S. Patent No. 4,466,225 to Hovind discloses a structure for making preexisting studs in effect wider, so as to define deeper spaces for insulation therebetween. Hovind is directed to modification of studs in a frame, and not to a 15 system by which a preexisting wall system is retrofitted. Hovind does not mention that the metal channels are resilient, especially for the purpose of sound attenuation.

In addition to retrofitting a preexisting stud frame, it would be also desirable to be able to retrofit a fully constructed wall (that is, where drywall or the like has already been installed).

In addition to the devices for sound attenuation described hereinabove, a wood I-beam is commercially available (for example, under the brand name "BCI Advantage" from Boise Cascade Corporation) that comprises a pair of wood members with a rigid wooden panel extending therebetween. However, because the wooden panel is essentially non-resilient, this I-beam offers little or no sound 25 attenuation benefit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is therefore most generally directed to a construction member that relies on resilient flexibility in order to attenuate sound transmission therethrough, but also more closely conforms to conventional building members in 30 order to minimize or eliminate the need for any special handling or the like in use.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a system for retrofitting a preexisting wall comprises a system of construction members (for example, without limitation, conventional 2"x4" (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm) wood beams) arranged in a manner corresponding to the studs underlying the preexisting wall. Each construction member includes one or more resilient members (for example, resilient webs, resilient channels) mounted thereon on one side thereof.

In general, each of the construction members is mounted (by way of the one or more resilient members) on the preexisting wall in a location corresponding to a stud underlying the preexisting wall. Specifically, each resilient member is fastened to an underlying stud of the preexisting wall through the wall material (for example, drywall) in a conventional way (including, without limitation, bolts, screws, nails, 10 staples). In this manner, the new construction members (as well as the wall subsequently installed thereover) are at least partially decoupled from the preexisting wall so as to reduce the sound transmission path therebetween.

Finally, as mentioned above, wall board (including, without limitation, drywall and plywood) is mounted on the thusly arranged construction members 15 thereby creating a new wall surface. It is particularly desirable to provide insulation between the thusly arranged construction members to enhance sound attenuation characteristics and, secondarily, to enhance thermal insulation characteristics.

Each resilient member may beneficially be provided with one or more spacers thereon so that the corresponding construction member may be easily 20 positioned relative thereto (that is, "jigged").

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described in detail hereinbelow, with reference to the drawings appended hereto, in which: Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an end of a construction beam 25 according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of a beam according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a beam according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of a resilient web for linking 30 lateral members in a beam according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a framework for mounting wallboard or the like, utilizing beams according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a beam according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of a beam according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of a variant of the beam shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a retrofit assembly including a lateral member and a web, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a construction member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is schematic perspective view of a preexisting wall, prior to retrofitting according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of construction members, each provided with resilient members on one side thereof, mounted on the preexisting wall in locations corresponding to studs of the preexisting wall, in accordance the fifth 15 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 schematically illustrates the provision of insulation between the construction members shown in Figure 12 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 schematically illustrates the mounting of a second wall member 20 over the arrangement of construction members and insulation shown in Figure 13 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figures 15a-15c illustrate examples of a first variant of the resilient members used according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figures 16a and 16b illustrate examples of a second variant of the resilient 25 members used according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 17 illustrates a third variant of the resilient members used according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 30 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a portion of a beam 100 according to the present invention. In general, beam 100 comprises lateral members 102 and 104 with a web 106 spanning therebetween.

Lateral members 102, 104 are generally rectangular or squared in cross-sectional profile and preferably have at least the same thickness y (see Figure 2). Moreover, lateral beams 102, 104 are preferably identical so that each has the same width, proportionately spaced with web 106 therebetween so as to present an overall 5 beam width x. Lateral members 102, 104 are preferably (but not necessarily) identical in shape so as to facilitate manufacture of beam 100 from one source of stock.

Accordingly, beam 100 can present a cross section having a major dimension x and minor dimension y corresponding to any standard beam size (for example, 2" x 10 4" (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm), 2" x 6" (5.08 cm x 15.24 cm), and so on, without limitation).

According to the present invention, lateral members 102, 104 are elongate rigid members. Accordingly, a variety of suitably rigid materials could be used. However, lateral members 102, 104 are preferably (but not exclusively) made from 15 wood, (in part, in keeping with an intent of the present invention to present a construction member very similar to those conventionally used in the art). Wood is also desirable because it can be worked, generally, in more ways than comparable metal members (for example, it can be easily cut, driven with nails or screws). Not only can continuous lumber be used, but composite materials, such as plywood or 20 " wood particle board can be used. In addition, finger jointed wood members can be used according to the present invention. A plastic material reinforced with glass fibers may also be used in accordance with the present invention.

Web 106 is made from a relatively rigid material that has some flexibility. If web 106 is relatively too flexible, lateral members 102, 104 have too much relative 25 freedom of movement and beam 100 is no longer, overall, a rigid member. If web 106 is relatively too stiff, then the benefits of sound isolation/attenuation are lost. Generally, web 106 may be made from any suitably stiff and resilient material, including (without limitation) rubber, asphalt, plastic or other resilient polymeric material.

In one example of the present invention, web 106 is made from galvanized 22 gauge steel. As seen in Figure 4, web 106 includes edge portions 106a and an intermediate portion 106b. Edge portions 106a are embedded in lateral members 102, 104, and intermediate portion 106b extends obliquely between lateral members 102, 104. However, intermediate portion 106b may, most generally, extend between lateral members 102, 104 in any orientation so long as flexure between lateral members 102, 104 is relatively easy (compared to, for example, an intermediate portion extending straight across the gap between lateral members 102, 104, which 5 does not readily flex).

It is noted that the use of galvanized steel as described here may offer additional ancillary benefits, such as improved fire safety protection.

Edge portions 106a are embedded in lateral members 102, 104 in any conventional manner. One possible method (not illustrated) is to form grooves in 10 lateral members 102, 104 that are wider than the thickness of edge portions 106a. Once edge portions 106a are suitably disposed in the respective grooves, additional strips of material (such as wood) are pressed into the remaining space in the grooves, such that edge portions 106a are wedged into place and retained in the grooves.

Web 106 may extend continuously substantially the entire length of lateral 15 members 102, 104. However, when beams 100 are used in construction, it is useful to provide a plurality of spaced apart webs 106, such that piping, wiring and the like can be passed through the openings between webs 106 (see Figure 3).

Whether one or a plurality of webs 106 are provided, it is specifically contemplated that beams 100 are provided in standardized lengths (for example, 8') 20 as seen in Figure 3 and can be cut down as required.

As mentioned above, it is an important feature of the present invention to provide a construction member that can be used like conventional construction beams. Accordingly, Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a frame work (as might be used for walls in a building).

As seen in Figure 5, beams 100a, 100b are mounted as studs on a laterally extending beam (that is, a head plate or toe plate) 100c. (Another laterally extending beam (not shown) is provided at the other end of beams 100a, 100b.) The structure of each of beams 100a-100c is in accordance with the description of the present invention hereinabove, and will not be repeated here. Attention is drawn to the 30 manner in which lateral members 102a and 102b and 104a and 104b are mounted with respect to lateral members 102c and 104c, respectively, with nails, screws or any other conventional fasteners (not shown here). Accordingly, it can be appreciated that one side of the frame (that is, lateral members 102a-102c) are resiliently PCT/USOO/23144 separated by way of respective webs 106", 106", and 106"' from the other side of the frame (that is, lateral members 104a-104c). Accordingly, sound impinging on a wall member mounted on one side of the frame is attenuated upon transmission to the other side of the frame because of the resilience of webs 106', 106", and 106"'.

Furthermore, it is possible to resiliently mount a wall so that it acts like a diaphragmatic sound absorber. In particular, only one "side" of the frame assembly (for example, lateral member 104c and/or lateral members 104a, 104b) is fixed to the surrounding building structure, and the other side of the frame assembly has wall board or the like mounted thereon (that is, on lateral members 102a, 102b), without 10 attachment to the surrounding structure. The wall is therefore mounted on the "free" or "floating" side of the studs.

In order to enhance the effect of decoupling the one side of the wall frame from the surrounding structure, it is desirable to provide a soft gasket (made from, for example, foam rubber) between the lateral beam 100c and the surrounding structure 15 (that is, the ceiling and/or floor). This promotes relatively free movement of the one side of the frame that is not fixed to the surrounding building structure.

To further enhance the effect of decoupling the wall from the surrounding structure, it is preferable to provide flexible joint material at junctions between wall board segments (not illustrated here), including at corners of rooms. Therefore the 20 wall surface is visually continuous, but physically decoupled, in order to take advantage of the resultant sound attenuation effects.

Also, it is very desirable to provide additional sound and/or thermal insulation in the spaces defined by the studs and end plates. Such insulation can be, of any conventional type, including blown, rolled or batting, foam board The addition of 25 such insulation enhances sound attenuation effects resulting from the present invention.

Figures 6 and 7 are a partial perspective view and a partial plan view, respectively, of beam 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The design concept underlying beam 200 is fundamentally similar to that of beam 100. Like before, lateral members 202 and 204 are provided, and are resiliently spaced apart from each other by web 206. Unlike web 106 in beam 100, however, web 206 is not embedded in lateral members 202, 204. Instead, web 206 is fixed (by 7 PCT/USOO/23144 any conventional means, such as nails 205, as shown in Figures 6 and 7) relative to opposite faces of lateral members 202, 204 along the major dimension of the beam cross section.

As in the first embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart webs 206 may be 5 provided along the length of beam 200 (see, for example, Figure 7).

Web 206 is preferably made from a material that is slightly more flexible than that used for web 106, such as 24 gauge galvanized steel.

Initial comparative testing has been undertaken comparing the sound attenuation characteristics of conventional construction members versus beam 100 10 and beam 200, respectively. Initial results indicate that beam 100 has greater than expected attenuation characteristics, and that beam 200 should have even better attenuation performance than beam 100. This latter effect is thought to be caused by the shape and orientation of web 206, which more easily permits a normal compression between lateral members 202, 204.

In addition, as a variation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the plurality of webs are alternately arranged so that the portion of the webs extending obliquely thereacross alternates (thereby crossing each other, as seen from an end of beam 200) (see Figure 8). In Figure 8, beam 300 comprises lateral beams 302 and 304, and includes a plurality of first webs 306a which are spaced from and alternate 20 with a plurality of second webs 306b. Accordingly, respective intermediate portions of webs 306a and 306b criss-cross as seen from an end of beam 300.

Inasmuch as sound that one seeks to attenuate or isolate is typically physically unique relative to particular environments (for example, a home theater room, a movie theater, a machine shop, a recording studio, a concert hall), it is an important 25 feature of the present invention to provide a construction member that can be "tuned" in order to tailor its sound attenuation properties for a specific environment. In other words, a beam according to the present invention can be specifically manufactured so that its resilient properties (in terms of, for example, spring constant) are made to correspond to a particular kind of sound (especially in terms of its frequency) so that 30 sound attenuation can be maximized.

Such "tuning" can be accomplished by varying the thickness of web 106, 206, either uniformly or variably over the entire area of web 106, 206. In addition, notches, slits, or other openings can be formed in web 106, 206 to control the PCT/USOO/23144 resilience of web 106, 206 in accordance with known principles of physics. In addition, suitably sized perforations or openings in a continuous web can be formed so as to create a tunable Helmholtz resonator effect between adjacent cavities defined between studs in the framework illustrated in Figure 5. By altering the number 5 and/or size of the perforations or openings, a resultant Helmholtz resonant frequency can be controlled, at which attenuation of sound at that frequency is maximized. It should be noted that this is different from reference to a plurality of webs as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8.

It can therefore be appreciated that adjoining rooms may be constructed (for 10 example, adjoining musical studios) such that each room can be tuned in accordance with its respective mode of use. In particular, this may be accomplished by constructed "double wall" framework, where two frames of the structure illustrated in Figure 5 are constructed face-to-face, such that the respective opposing sides of the frames are fixed to the surrounding building structure and their respective opposite 15 sides are left free floating in the manner discussed above.

Assembly of lateral members and resilient webs according to the present invention is facilitated by providing at least one spacer on the resilient web or webs to orient the lateral members relative to the resilient web.

Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a beam 400, somewhat 20 similar to beams 200 and 300 in Figures 6-8. Here again, beam 400 comprises lateral . ~ members 402 and 404, and a resilient web 406 extending therebetween.

Resilient web 406 is attached to opposite facing sides of lateral members 402 and 404, respectively, by, for example, staples 408 (although any conventional attachment method can be used, including, without limitation, screws, nails, bolts, 25 and the like).

Resilient web includes a first portion 406a, a second portion 406b bent at an angle to first portion 406a, and a third portion 406c bent at an angle to second portion 406b and generally parallel with first portion 406a. Generally, lateral members 402 and 404 are received in the bends defined by the first and second portions 406a and 30 406b, and by the second and third portions 406b and 406c, as shown in Figure 10.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment to provide a spacer 410 (412) on at least one of first and third portions 406a and 406c to space a respective at least one of the lateral members 402 and 404 away from second portion 406b of the resilient PCT/USOO/23144 web 406. In general, the provision of spacers 410 (412) allows easy assembly of the lateral members and the resilient web (known in the art as "self-jigging"). In particular, the provision of spacers 410, 412 prevents the respective lateral members 402, 404 from being placed in abutting relation to second portion 406b. If such an 5 arrangement were to be had, then the abutment of the resilient members against the second portion 406b would undesirably retard the resilient sound-damping characteristics of the resilient web 406.

It is noted that the slight spacing shown in Figure 10 between lateral members 402 and 404 and the resilient web 406 is for clarity of illustration only and is not 10 illustrative of the present invention.

The arrangement of the present invention illustrated in Figure 10 can be extended desirably to an apparatus and method for retrofitting standard beam members, especially beam members already assembled into a standard wall frame arrangement.

Figure 9 illustrates a retrofitting assembly 500 comprising a lateral beam 502, to which at least one resilient web 506 is attached by staples 508 or the like. Each resilient web 506 as shown includes spacers 510 and 512.. However, the provision of spacers 512 is most important here. It is emphasized that assembly 500 in and of itself is not a construction member per se, but is used in conjunction with standard 20 beams in order to provide a resilient beam arrangement.

As before, resilient web 506 may be made from any suitably resilient material, including (without limitation) metal, rubber, asphalt, plastic, or other resilient polymeric material. In one example, spacers 510, 512 are protruding tabs formed integrally with the resilient web 506. In a specific example, spacers 510, 512 25 may be punch-formed into the material of the resilient web 506 (especially, but not necessarily only, where the resilient web 506 is made from metal). The punch-formed portions can simply be turned away from the web material as needed to form the required spacers.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 9, it is especially important to provide 30 spacers 512 as shown. The assembly 500 is arranged relative to a single standard beam such as a 2"x4" (5.08cm x 10.16 cm) (not shown here) and fastened thereto (again, by staples, screws, nails, bolts, or any known and suitable fastener). The arrangement of the assembly 500 relative to a standard beam is made simple by the PCT/USOO/23144 provision of spacers 512, especially where assembly 500 is coupled to a standard beam forming part of a conventional framework.

In addition, the resilient webs 506 may be provided in an alternating arrangement, so that opposite sides of lateral member 502 are attached to respective 5 resilient webs 506, as seen in Figure 9 (this is similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 8 and discussed above). With this arrangement, the assembly 500 may be even more easily arranged relative to a standard beam by orienting the assembly 500 so that respective free ends of the resilient webs 506 are arranged on opposite sides of the standard beam. Although the alternating arrangement of resilient webs 506 seen 10 in Figure 9 is beneficial (for reasons similar to those discussed above relative to Figure 8), it is not necessary according to the present invention. The present invention is certainly operable with the resilient webs 506 all arranged in like manner along lateral member 502.

As with the other embodiments discussed above, lateral member 502 may be 15 rectangular or squared in cross-section, and may preferably be made from continuous lumber or a composite wood material, as well as plastic reinforced with glass fibers.

In one example of the present invention, the spacers 410, 412, 510, 512 may be arranged to space the respective lateral members about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) from the portion of the resilient web spanning the space between the lateral members. 20 However, the present invention is not restricted to a specific spacing, except for that sufficient to prevent the respective lateral members from fully abutting the resilient web, as discussed above. ^ One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the resilient web 506 may be shaped so as to be attached to lateral members of different profiles. In one example, a lateral 25 member 502 which is rectangular or squared in cross-section attached to the resilient web 506 may be used so as to be attached to a conventional rigid I-beam (discussed above relative to the related art) or vice versa.

Although construction members according to the present invention have been described hereinabove for wall frames and the like, they are also contemplated for 30 use in mounting floating ceilings which are acoustically isolated from a building structure. In addition, construction members according to the present invention may also be used in floor construction. 11 PCT/USOO/23144 In particular, a construction member for mounting a floating ceiling may be used by fixing one of the lateral members to the building structure and fixing a ceiling member to the free floating lateral member (that is, the lateral member not fixed to the building structure).

The use of substantially identical lateral members is contemplated according to the present invention. However, use of dissimilar lateral members is also expressly within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of the lateral members 102, 104 shown in Figure 2 may be replaced by a conventional wood I-beam of the type described above. In particular, web 106 may be embedded in one 10 of the flange portions of the wood I-beam, in the manner disclosed above.

Although the present invention is directed primarily to construction members made from non-metal materials, the design concepts may be of interest in the manufacture of metal studs comprising a pair of metal members with a resilient web extending therebetween in accordance with the foregoing description. In particular, a 15 metal stud using the inventive principles disclosed herein could be made from a single piece of sheet metal, formed into shape.

As mentioned above, retrofitting a preexisting wall is also desirable. Figures 11-14 illustrate a process of retrofitting a preexisting wall in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a standard wall structure 600, including first wall member 602, second wall member 604, and a plurality of studs 606 therebetween in a conventional frame arrangement. .

Figure 12 illustrates mounting a plurality of construction members 608 on first wall member 602 in locations corresponding to studs 606. In particular, 25 construction member 608 each are provided with one or more resilient members 610 mounted on one side thereof. The resilient members 610 are fastened onto construction members 608 in any conventional manner (such as, without limitation, nails, screws, staples, adhesive). In general, the resilient members 610 act in the same manner as the resilient webs described hereinabove to damp vibrations 30 thereacross. Accordingly, each construction member 608 is mounted by of the one or more resilient members 610 onto first wall member 602 (again, in any conventional manner, including, without limitation, screws, nails, staples, adhesive). 12 PCT/USOO/23144 Construction members 608 are arranged in locations corresponding to studs 606 because whatever fasteners are used to mount construction members 608 (by way of resilient members 610) are preferably driven through first wall member 602 into respective studs 606 in order to create a high-strength arrangement. However, where 5 mechanically suitable, it may not always be necessary to locate construction members 608 in correspondence with studs 606.

As seen in Figure 12, construction members 608 define spaces therebetween in a manner similar to those defined between studs 606. It is desirable, therefore, to provide additional insulation (including, without limitation, batts or blown insulation) 10 between construction members 608 in order to increase sound and/or thermal insulation characteristics. In this regard, Figure 13 illustrates an example where insulation batts (for example, fiberglass batts) 612 are provided between construction members 608.

Thereafter, as illustrated in Figure 14, a third wall member 614 is mounted by 15 way of construction members 608 in a conventional manner.

Third wall member 614 may be any type of conventional wall material, such as, without limitation, drywall or plywood.

Resilient members 610 may be of any configuration that resiliently separates construction member 608 from first wall member 602.

It is a particular feature of the present invention to. provide construction members 608 and resilient members 610 which are collectively sized and shaped so as to define a space between first wall member 602 and third wall member 614 suitable for providing sound and/or thermal insulation therebetween, as discussed above relative to Figures 13 and 14. In one example according to the present 25 invention, resilient members 610 space construction members 608 from first wall member 602 between 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches (3.81 cm to 6.35 cm) away.

Preferably, resilient members 610 are shaped so as to provide portions thereof for readily mounting the resilient member 610 onto both construction member 608 and first wall member 602.

Figures 15a-15c illustrate examples of a resilient channel suitable for use as resilient member 610. 13 WO 01/16440 PCT/USOO/23144 In Figure 15 a, construction member 608a and resilient channel 610a are provided with aligned through holes 616a through which a fastener (such as, without limitation, a screw or nail) is passed for mounting the construction member 608a.

In Figure 15b, only resilient channel 610b is provided with a through hole 5 616b, again for passing a fastener therethrough. In this case, the resilient channel may be fastened to first wall member 602 before mounting a respective construction member 608b thereon.

In Figure 15c, resilient channel 610c includes a portion offset from the mounting location of construction member 608c, in which a through hole 616c is 10 provided. Therefore, the resilient channel 610c need not be separately mounted on first wall member 602 from construction member 608c, unlike the arrangement illustrated in Figure 15b.

Figures 16a and 16b are other examples of resilient channels 610d, 610e that can used as resilient members 610, in accordance with the present invention. Each 15 provides a first flange 618a, 618b spaced apart from a second flange 620a, 620b. The first and second flanges provide mounting locations for construction member 608 and first wall member 602.

In the alternative, a construction member 608 may be omitted when using resilient channels 610d and 610e, such that one of the flanges is fastened to the first 20 wall member 602 and one of the flanges is fastened directly to third wall member 614.

Figure 17 is an example of a resilient web 61 Of somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 9 and 10. Resilient web 610f includes a flange 624 by which the web 623 is attached to first wall member 602.

Resilient members 610 are made in accordance the considerations discussed above relative to the resilient web of the resilient construction member.

Resilient members 610 may be beneficially provided with spacers as discussed above relative to Figures 9 and 10.

The present invention being thusly described, it will be obvious that the same 30 maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 14

Claims (27)

12-10-2001 2001 15:14 FR PfiTENT DEPT- 740 321 ^ 'U US0023144 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wail system (600) comprising: a first wall member (602); a second wall member (604); / a plurality of stud members (606) arranged therebetween; 5 a third wall member (614); and a plurality of construction damping members (608) mounted between said first wall member and said third wall member; each damping construction member comprising a rigid portion and at least one resilient portion for damping transmission of sound between said first wail member and said third wall member, wherein said 10 resilient portion of said damping member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of metal or a resilient polymeric material.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each said construction member (608) comprises: a main member; and 15 at least one resilient member (610) provided on one side of said main member, said at least one resilient member being fastened to said first wall member (602) such that said construction member is resilient mounted on said first wall member.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein spaces are defined by said 20 first (602) and third (614) wall members and said plurality of resiliently mounted construction members (608).

4. The system according to claim 1, comprising insulation (612) provided in said spaces.

5. The system according to claim 4, where said insulation (612) is 25 thermal.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein said insulation (612) is acoustic.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein said insulation (612) is in the form of batts. 30 8. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one resilient member (610) is a resilient channel. I

S AMENDED SHEET 1 9. 0k i, 12-10-2001 15i» ^ PflTENT DEFT- 740 321 BB2* W US0023144

9. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one resilient member (610) is a resilient web.

10. The system according to claim 2, wherein said main member (608) is made from wood. 5

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of construction members (608) are resiliently moimted on said first wall member (602) in locations corresponding to respective said stud members (606).

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of construction members (608) are resiliently mounted with fasteners driven through 10 said first wall member (602) into said respective stud members (606).

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein each said construction member (608) is a resilient web (610) including a first portion (618a, 618b) for fastening to said first wall member (602) and a second portion (620a, 620b) for mounting said third wall member (614) thereon, and a third portion (610d, 610e) 15 spanning between said first and second portions.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein each said resilient web (610) is made from metal or a resilient polymeric material.

15. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one resilient member (610) is fastened to said first Wall member (602) using one or more of 20 staples, nails, adhesive, rivets, screws, and bolts.

16. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one resilient member (610) includes a spacer thereon for orienting said main member (608) relative to said resilient member.

17. The system according to claim 2, wherein said main member (608) is 25 spaced from l.S to 2.5 inches (3.81 cm to 6.35 cm) apart from said first wall member (602) by said at least one resilient member.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein said resilient web (610) spaces apart said first (602) and third (614) wall members by between 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.81 cm to 6.35 cm). 30

19. A method for retrofitting a preexisting wall including first (602) and second (604) wall members and a plurality of stud members (606) arranged therebetween, the method comprising: 16 AMENDED SHEET r.-i.♦ n fiH . 91:fi:< , n„, 74ra -321 8024 TO 9r' 1.498923994465 P. 06/0P 12-10-2001 ! 2001 15=14 FR PfT DEPT. 740 321 lu [ US0023144 9 resiliently mounting, on a first wall member (602), a plurality of damping construction members (608) comprising a rigid portion and at least one resilient portion; and mounting a third wall member (614) on the plurality of damping construction 5 members wherein said damping construction members damp the transmission of sound between said first wall member and said third wall member, wherein said resilient portion of said damping member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of metal or a resilient polymeric material.

20. The method according to claim 19, comprising providing insulation 10 (612) between adjacent resiliently mounted construction members (608),

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the insulation (612) is thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein resiliently mounting the construction members (608) comprises resiliently mounting the construction 15 members at locations corresponding to respective ones of the stud members (606).

23. The method according to claim 22, comprising resiliently mounting the construction members (608) using a fastener driven through a portion of a respective construction member, through the first wall member (602), and into a respective one of the stud members (606). 20

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein each construction member (608) comprises a main member and a resilient member (610) provided on one side thereof.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the main member (608) is made from wood. 25

26. The method according to claim 19, wherein the construction member (608) is a resilient member (608) having one end portion fastened to the first wall member (602) and a second end portion fastened to the third wall member (614).

27. The method according to claim 19, wherein mounting a third wall member (614) comprises spacing apart the third wall member from the first wall 30 member (602) by between 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.81 cm to 6.35 cm). END OF CLAM! 17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. " 3 APR 2003 RECEIVED AMENDED SHEET • . i a n i. a 'ii • it j