GaVoe noise abatement block

Abstract

A composite noise abatement block (12)(13), containing at least one embedded sound absorbing medium (18) and at least one orfice (19) which partially exposes the embedded sound absorbing medium (18). The composite noise abatement block (12)(13) has connecters (14)(15)(16) (17) allowing multiple blocks to be connected to form an imbricated noise abatement wall (FIG. 9). The functional design of the orfice (19) allows sound to enter the orfice (19) directly into the sound absorbing medium (18) where sound quickly dissipates with less resonance than existing noise abatement systems. The noise abatement block walls are used to absorb sound in or on highways, airports, sound studios, theaters and other commercial and non commercial uses.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] Applicant has not received any federally sponsored research or development assistance.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0002] Applicant does not have a microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] Applicant's invention relates to the manufacturing, composition of matter, recycling, and new use fields; particularly, a noise abatement block containing sound absorbing material, and used for constructing noise abatement structures.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] There are many structures and components used for noise abatement structures; concrete, concrete with a sound absorbing medium embedded or attached, rubber, polystrene, plastics, combinations of these materials, and other organic and inorganic compounds. The disadvantages of the existing structures and compounds are their durability, sound absorbing qualities, mass, and costs.

[0007] Applicant's noise abatement blocks are durable, have excellent sound absorbing qualities, and are cost effective. In theory, Applicant's blocks allow sound to travel through its orfice, directly to an exposed sound absorbing medium embedded into the composite block. Ordinarily, sound is somewhat refracted from a rigid composite material before absorption, however, by providing an orfice to expose the embedded sound absorbing medium, will increase sound absorption before refraction can take place. The bulk of the sound absorbing medium is embedded and unexposed inside the composite block, sound will dissipate faster than having to penetrate a composite block material before reaching a fully encased sound absorbing medium.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A method and means for constructing and using composite sound absorbing blocks, consisting of; one or more embedded sound absorbing mediums, which are exposed on one or more sides, by one or more orfices. The composite blocks are constructed in a mold, of a fluid compound which is formed into a rigid shape. Concrete or a mixture thereof, would make an excellent, cost effective compound. The composite blocks may be reinforced with metal or fiber reinforcement materials for extra strength. The sound absorbing medium may be formed using organic or inorganic substances or materials, or combinations of materials or substances. The composite blocks may be formed in any shape or size, depending on the intended use. The composite blocks can be aesthetically designed for any application.

[0009] The composite block, with its orfice leading to the partially exposed sound absorbing medium, theoretically allows sound to enter the orfice directly into the sound absorbing medium. As the sound enters the sound absorbing medium, it is rapidly distributed throughout the unexposed portion of the sound absorbing medium and little refraction occurs.

[0010] Typical uses for these composite blocks consist of; highway noise abatement walls, airport noise abatement walls, building walls such as; auditorium, gymnasium, recording studios, or any other commercial or private noise abatement uses.

[0011] Further objects and advantages of Applicant's noise abatement block will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing descriptions.

DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1: A side view.

[0013] FIG. 2: A front or rear view.

[0014] FIG. 3: A front or rear view.

[0015] FIG. 4: A side view.

[0016] FIG. 5: A perspective view.

[0017] FIG. 6: A perspective view.

[0018] FIG. 7: A perspective view.

[0019] FIG. 8: A perspective view.

[0020] FIG. 9: A perspective view.

[0021] FIG. 10: A perspective view.

[0022] FIG. 11: A perspective view.

[0023] 1. Elements of the Components:

[0024] No. 12: A noise abatement block.

[0025] No. 13: A double noise abatement block

[0026] No. 14: A top raised block connecter.

[0027] No. 15: A bottom recessed block connecter.

[0028] No. 16: A front raised block connecter.

[0029] No. 17: A rear recessed block connecter.

[0030] No. 18: Embedded sound absorbing medium.

[0031] No. 19: Orfice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIG. 1: A side view of a noise abatement block 12, with a top raised block connecter 14, a bottom recessed block connecter 15 by hidden line, a front raised block connecter 16, and a rear recessed block connecter 17 by hidden line. Block connecters will allow multiple blocks to be connected. An embedded sound absorbing medium 18, can be any sound absorbing compound formed from organic or inorganic materials or combinations thereof. An orfice 19, allows sound to directly enter the exposed portion of the embedded sound absorbing medium 18.

[0033] FIG. 2: A front or rear view of a noise abatement block 12, 13, with a top raised block connecter 14, which can be any shape or size as long as it allows multiple blocks to be connected. A bottom recessed block connecter 15, is nearly equal in dimensions as the top raised block connecter 14, leaving adequate space for a binding agent which allows multiple blocks to be securely connected. A single orfice 19, is represented by hidden line.

[0034] FIG. 3: A front or rear view of a noise abatement block 12, 13, with a top raised block connecter 14, and a recessed bottom block connecter 15. A double orfice 19, is represented by hidden lines. This noise abatement block would be used as a dividing wall where both sides are utilized to absorb sound, such as in multiple sound studio rooms or theaters.

[0035] FIG. 4: A side view of a double noise abatement block 13, with double top raised block connecters 14, double recessed block connecters 15, by hidden lines, a front raised block connecter 16, and a rear recessed block connecter 17, by hidden lines. There are two embedded sound absorbing mediums 18, which are partially exposed by equal orfices 19. The noise abatement block or FIG. 1, and the double noise abatement block 13, can be molded in the same mold simply by using a partition to separate the double noise abatement block mold, which will permit two noise abatement blocks 12, to be formed at one time.

[0036] FIG. 5: A perspective view of a noise abatement block 12, detailing a top raised block connecter 14, a front raised block connecter 16, embedded sound absorbing medium 18, and an orfice 19.

[0037] FIG. 6: A perspective view of a double noise abatement block 13, detailing double top raised block connecters 14, a front raised block connecter 16, two embedded sound absorbing mediums 18, and two orfices 19.

[0038] FIG. 7: A perspective view of a noise abatement block 12, by hidden lines, detailing the embedded sound absorbing medium 18, position in relation to the noise abatement block material surrounding it. The embedded sound absorbing medium 18, has a greater perimeter than the perimeter of the orfice. The embedded sound absorbing medium 18, with a greater perimeter than the orfice, will theoretically allow greater sound absorption, than by having equal perimeters, thereby producing less resonation.

[0039] FIG. 8: A perspective view of a double noise abatement block 13, by hidden lines, detailing two embedded sound absorbing mediums 18, and their relative positions to the double noise abatement block material surrounding them.

[0040] FIG. 9: A perspective view of multiple noise abatement blocks and multiple double noise abatement blocks constructed in a typical imbricated block construction formation, into a wall. Depending on the height and length of the desired noise abatement wall, supporting columns may be necessary for linear and lateral rigidity. An additional footer may be also necessary for areas with uneven or unstable soil conditions.

[0041] FIG. 10: A perspective view of a noise abatement block 12, detailing a round orfice 19 embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 11: A perspective view of a double noise abatement block 13, detailing multiple orfice embodiments 19, and embedded sound absorbing mediums 18, as examples of the functional aesthetic diversity available for these noise abatement blocks.

Claims

1: A noise abatement block, comprising; a. a sound absorbing medium suitable for sound absorption, embedded into a rigid composite shell; b. said rigid composite shell having at least one orfice; c. said orfice partially exposing said sound absorbing medium, and; d. a connecter means to attach multiple noise abatement blocks.

2: The noise abatement block of claim 1, wherein said noise abatement block contains multiple embedded sound absorbing mediums.

3: The noise abatement block of claim 1, wherein said noise abatement block contains multiple orfices, which partially expose multiple sound absorbing mediums.

4: A molding means for constructing a noise abatement block comprising; a rigid mold suitable for molding one or more noise abatement blocks with one or more orfices, wherein; a. one or more sound absorbing mediums are suspended by suspension means, in said rigid mold, and; b. a fluid bonding material, suitable for pouring is poured into the rigid mold and let cure.

5: The molding means for contructing a noise abatement block of claim 4, wherein said cured noise abatement block is removed from said mold.

6: The molding means for constructing a noise abatement block of claim 4, wherein a metal or fiber reinforcement means is incorporated into said noise abatement block matrix, prior to pouring said fluid bonding material.