IP Library Granted Patent US 11,655,634
Granted Patent B2
US 11,655,634 · App. 17/348,485 · Granted May 23, 2023

Acoustic panels and related methods

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,655,634
App. No.
17/348,485
Filed
Jun 15, 2021
Granted
May 23, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3635
USPC
52/506.08
Abstract

Acoustic panels are disclosed herein. The acoustic panels can include a base, a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of hinges, and a plurality of connection interfaces. The acoustic panels can include an unassembled configuration in which the acoustic panels are substantially planar or flat. Prior to installation, the acoustic panels can be transitioned to an assembled configuration by folding the sidewalls. The acoustic panels can be coupled to a building structure, such as a ceiling, wall, or suspension system.

Claims (53)

1. An acoustic panel comprising:

a base;

a plurality of sidewalls coupled to the base;

a plurality of hinges coupling the sidewalls to the base; and

a plurality of connection interfaces configured to couple the acoustic panel to a building structure;

wherein the acoustic panel comprises a unassembled configuration and an assembled configuration, wherein the acoustic panel is substantially planar in the unassembled configuration and wherein the sidewalls are oriented perpendicular to the base in the assembled configuration;

wherein each hinge comprises a cutout formed in a first side in the acoustic panel that extends partially through the acoustic panel; and

wherein each connection interface comprises a cutout formed in a second side of the acoustic panel opposite the first side that partially extends through the acoustic panel.

2. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the hinges are living hinges.

3. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the cutout of each hinge comprises a V-shaped cross-section.

4. The acoustic panel of claim 3 , wherein walls of the V-shaped cross-section are disposed at angles of between about 40 and about 50 degrees relative to the base.

5. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein each connection interface comprises a channel.

6. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic panel comprises 4 sidewalls with each sidewall being perpendicular to two adjacent sidewalls in the assembled configuration, and

wherein each connection interface aligns with and touches each connection interface of the two adjacent sidewalls in the assembled configuration.

7. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the hinges extend along a longitudinal length of the sidewalls.

8. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic panel is configured to be coupled to a grid structure.

9. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein a height of the acoustic panel is between about 2 inches and about 24 inches.

10. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein the base of the acoustic panel is substantially rectangular in shape.

11. The acoustic panel of claim 1 , wherein each sidewall comprise a pair of extension members disposed on opposing ends of each sidewall, and

wherein each connection interface of the plurality of connection interfaces are disposed at an upper edge of a corresponding sidewall and below the extension member.

12. A method of assembling an acoustic panel, comprising:

obtaining an acoustic panel in an unassembled configuration, the acoustic panel comprising:

a base;

a plurality of sidewalls;

a plurality of hinges; and

a plurality of connection interfaces;

wherein each hinge comprises a cutout formed in a first side in the acoustic panel that extends partially through the acoustic panel;

wherein each connection interface comprises a cutout formed in a second side of the acoustic panel opposite the first side that partially extends through the acoustic panel; and

wherein the acoustic panel in the unassembled configuration is substantially planar;

folding the plurality of sidewalls to transition the acoustic panel from the unassembled configuration to an assembled configuration.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the hinges are living hinges.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cutout of each hinge comprises a V-shaped cross-section.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein each connection interface comprises a channel.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising aligning each connection interface with connection interfaces on adjacent sidewalls.

17. A method of installing an acoustic panel, comprising:

obtaining an acoustic panel in an unassembled configuration, the acoustic panel comprising:

a base;

a plurality of sidewalls;

a plurality of hinges; and

a plurality of connection interfaces;

wherein each hinge comprises a cutout formed in a first side in the acoustic panel that extends partially through the acoustic panel; and

wherein each connection interface comprises a cutout formed in a second side of the acoustic panel opposite the first side that partially extends through the acoustic panel;

assembling an acoustic panel, comprising:

folding one or more sidewalls at the hinge of each sidewall from an unassembled configuration to an assembled configuration;

coupling the acoustic panel to a building structure, comprising:

inserting a portion of the acoustic panel in an opening of a grid, and

coupling the grid to the connection interface of the acoustic panel.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the grid comprises a plurality of runners, and wherein coupling the grid comprising disposing a runner within the connection interface.

19. The method of claim 17 , comprising:

assembling a second acoustic panel; and

coupling the second acoustic panel to the building structure,

wherein a height of the second acoustic panel differs from a height of the acoustic panel.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising aligning each connection interface with connection interfaces on adjacent sidewalls.