Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Space absorbers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-09-04
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Space absorbers
C181S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283247
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to acoustical treatments for rooms and the like in a structure. More particularly, a fabric retainer is disclosed which retains a fabric cover for covering acoustical material mounted on walls, ceilings, and the like, and which provides for the installation of wiring and cabling within the retainer. Mounting configurations for the various disclosed embodiments of retainers are also disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Acoustical treatment of enclosed spaces has long been recognized as desirable. It is generally known that a room or the like may be acoustically treated, or “tuned” by selectively placing patterns of acoustical material on the interior walls. Tuning enhances or otherwise controls the sound quality within the room, such as the sound quality of a home theater system.
Arrangements of acoustical treatment generally include segments of acoustical material mounted on the walls, ceilings, or other surfaces of a room. The acoustical material may, for example, diffuse, selectively reflect, or absorb sound.
After the acoustical material is mounted, it is covered by a fabric. The fabric may be selected to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the room, such as by covering the acoustical material with fabrics of differing patterns and colors. In addition, the fabric keeps dirt and dust from collecting in the acoustical material.
The fabric is supported by retainer members having grooves in which the fabric edges are secured. Prior to covering the acoustical material with fabric, retainer members are mounted around the periphery of the pattern of acoustical material. A sheet of fabric is then placed over the acoustical material, and the edges of the fabric are tucked into the grooves in the retainer members, which secures the fabric over the acoustical material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,002 to McGrath et al. discloses acoustical material in the form of paneling, and methods of installing the paneling. The acoustical paneling is mounted on wall surfaces to change room acoustics, and is covered by fabric material
100
. The fabric material
100
is held within fabric retainers
96
, as shown in
FIG. 10
of McGrath et al.
FIGS. 17-19
of this application show conventional fabric retainers used in an acoustical treatment. The conventional retainer
10
in
FIG. 17
has a fabric retainer groove
5
and a pocket
7
to store tucked fabric
8
. The fabric retainer groove
5
is formed by opposed members
9
,
11
having opposed rows of teeth
13
,
15
. It is difficult to tuck fabric into the fabric retainer groove
5
of this retainer because of the offset in height
18
between the two opposed members
9
,
11
. Fabric may only be tucked into the fabric retainer groove
5
from one side of the retainer- the side of the groove having the shorter of the two opposed members
9
,
11
. The direction of insertion is indicated generally by the arrow.
FIGS. 18 and 19
are cross-sectional and top views, respectively, of a conventional fabric retainer
20
. Fabric retainer
20
has a fabric retainer groove
25
formed by opposed members
21
,
29
, and a pocket
27
for storing fabric. Fabric must be inserted into fabric retainer
20
in the direction generally indicated by the arrow.
Fabric retainers
10
and
20
do not allow for the insertion of wires, and any wires must be installed by some other means. This is inconvenient because acoustical treatment is often used in rooms which require additional wiring, such as speaker and control wires for a home theater system.
Therefore, a fabric retainer which can additionally act as a conduit or the like for wiring and the like is desirable. A fabric retainer which allows for the insertion of fabric from either side of the retainer groove is also desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The fabric retainer and methods for installing retainers disclosed in this application overcome the above disadvantages and provide further advantages not contemplated by conventional devices.
The present invention is therefore directed to a fabric retainer that supports fabric in a fabric retaining portion. In addition to the fabric retaining portion, the fabric retainer has a chase in which wires, cables, and the like can be run. The present invention allows for acoustical materials mounted in a structure to be quickly and easily concealed, and for wiring to be contained in the retainer without the need for additional wiring conduits.
The present invention is also directed to the use of different types of fabric retainers within a single system of fabric retainers. Fabric retainer types are selected and installed in certain parts of a room according to their specific characteristics.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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patent: D. 315960 (1991-04-01), Heidmann
patent: 2081765 (1937-05-01), Prudden
patent: 2710335 (1955-06-01), Wong
patent: 3573145 (1971-03-01), Witkosky et al.
patent: 3712846 (1973-01-01), Daniels et al.
patent: 3721050 (1973-03-01), Perina
patent: 3934382 (1976-01-01), Gartung
patent: 4018260 (1977-04-01), Baslow
patent: 4197923 (1980-04-01), Harris et al.
patent: 4661392 (1987-04-01), Kapstad
patent: 4788806 (1988-12-01), Sease
patent: 5029422 (1991-07-01), Scherrer
patent: 5117598 (1992-06-01), Livingston et al.
patent: 5214892 (1993-06-01), Livingston et al.
patent: 5230377 (1993-07-01), Berman
patent: 5272284 (1993-12-01), Schmanski
patent: 5606833 (1997-03-01), Andersson
patent: 5606841 (1997-03-01), Carter, Jr.
patent: 5923002 (1999-07-01), McGrath et al.
patent: 23 03 639 A (1974-08-01), None
patent: 2 051 914 A (1981-01-01), None
McGrath Ralph D.
O'Brien-Bernini Frank C.
Barns Stephen W.
Eckert Inger H.
Lockett Kim
Nappi Robert E.
Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc.
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