The present invention relates to a sound attenuation stud.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
In buildings such as high rise apartment blocks, sound (esp. noise) undesirably carries between building elements such as hollow walls, ceilings or floors that can separate rooms.
AU 2004203463 discloses a sound attenuation stud for engaging within a building element. The stud includes a sound attenuation formation which substantially deforms in use to provide sound attenuation.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a more structurally stable sound attenuation stud.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sound attenuation stud including two engagement portions for engaging within a building element and two sound attenuation formations located between the engagement portions, each sound attenuation formation including a first portion relative to which second and third portions extend, wherein the second and third portions are less than half the length of the engagement portions.
For a given stud thickness, the lengths of the first, second and third portions may be small enough to resist substantial deformation in use to thereby provide a structurally stable sound attenuation stud. The stud may engage with another like stud to form a box-like beam which also resists deformation.
Preferably, the second and third portions extend orthogonally from the first portion.
Preferably, the sound attenuation stud includes exactly two sound attenuation formations. The second and third portions of a first one of the sound attenuation formations may be of greater length than the second and third portions of a second one of the sound attenuation formations. The first portion of a first one of the sound attenuation formations may be of greater length than the first portion of a second one of the sound attenuation formations.
In one embodiment, the sound attenuation stud further includes a bridge portion bridging the two sound attenuation formations. The sound attenuation stud may further include a pair of interconnection portions interconnected between respective engagement portions and sound attenuation formations. The bridge portion and interconnection portions may be co-linear. The sound attenuation stud may further include a pair of lip portions inwardly extending from respective engagement portions.
Each portion may be generally straight, with each adjacent portion pair interconnecting in a curved manner. Each portion may be either parallel or orthogonal with all the other portions. The stud may be roll formed from metal or extruded from non-metallic material (e.g. polymeric material). The stud may be of uniform thickness.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sound attenuation stud including two engagement portions for engaging within a building element, and two sound attenuation formations, each sound attenuation formation including a first portion relative to which second and third portions extend, wherein the second and third portions are less than half the length of the engagement portions.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a box-like beam including two of the studs engaged together. The engagement portions may be of different length to facilitate mating of the studs together.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an extruded metal (e.g. steel or aluminium) sound attenuation stud 2 as shown in
With particular reference to
The sound attenuation stud 2 further includes a bridge portion 16 bridging the two sound attenuation formations 8a, 8b. Further, the sound attenuation stud 2 further includes a pair of interconnection portions 18a, 18b interconnecting respective engagement portions 4 and sound attenuation formations 8. The bridge portion 16 and interconnection portions 18a, 18b are co-linear. The sound attenuation stud 2 further includes a pair of lip portions 20a, 20b inwardly extending from respective engagement portions 4a, 4b.
Each portion 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is generally straight, with each adjacent portion pair interconnecting in a curved manner. Each portion 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is either parallel or orthogonal with all the other portions.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.
Applicant has found that the stud 2 shown in
In one embodiment, the stud 2 may be formed from sheet metal. In another embodiment, the stud may be extruded from material other than metal (e.g. polymeric material).
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2010901257 | Mar 2010 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/AU2011/000287 | 3/15/2011 | WO | 00 | 8/14/2012 |