Acoustic attenuation system

Abstract

An acoustic attenuation system and a method for attenuating or isolating vibration, including one or more multilayer laminate sheets having at least one rigid layer and at least one soft layer. The rigid layer may contain urethane foam, fibrous material and optionally other fillers, while the soft layer may be made of open or closed cell polymeric foam. The attenuation system includes the laminate sheets in place of or in addition to building partition materials such as flooring, drywall, and the like. In addition, the laminate sheets may be used to isolate vibration from transferring beyond objects, for example amplifiers, speakers, musical instruments and mechanical equipment located on surfaces or floors. Further, the laminate sheets may be used as exercise boards to protect the joints of the exerciser as well as isolate vibration created during physical training on the board.

1 . An acoustic attenuation system comprising at least one laminate sheet comprising:
 a first urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a second layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a layer of second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and 
 urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials; and 
 a layer of soft foam disposed on an outer surface of the first urethane sheet. 
   
     
     
         2 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one laminate sheet further comprises a second urethane sheet, wherein the layer of soft foam is disposed between the first and second urethane sheets, the second urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material;   a second layer of a first fibrous material;   a layer of a second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and   urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials.   
     
     
         3 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 2 , wherein the first urethane sheet has a density between about 9 pounds per cubic foot and about 100 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         4 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 3 , wherein the first urethane sheet has a density of about 20 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         5 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 3 , wherein the first urethane sheet has a density of about 48 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         6 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one laminate sheet has a sound transmission class (STC) of at least 50 when tested according to ASTM method E90-04, E90-2004 or E492-04. 
     
     
         7 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fibrous material comprises continuous strand non-woven glass and the second fibrous material comprises lofted glass. 
     
     
         8 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft foam comprises a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, ethylene propylene diene, styrene butadiene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, nitrile, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft foam layer is affixed to the outer surface of the first urethane sheet with an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive comprises at least one filler material that attenuates sound, the at least one filler material selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, thermoplastic dust, Balsa wood dust, urethane sanding dust, wood chips, tires, ceramics, aluminum, copper, iron, lead, steel, basalt, granite, Woolastonite, Cinnabar, gypsum, limestone, potash, dry sand, gravel, metal sheets, metal screens, fiberglass screens and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The acoustic attenuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first urethane sheet further comprises a filler material selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, thermoplastic dust, Balsa wood dust, urethane sanding dust, wood chips, tires, ceramics, aluminum, copper, iron, lead, steel, basalt, granite, Woolastonite, Cinnabar, gypsum, limestone, potash, dry sand, gravel, metal sheets, metal, screens, fiberglass screens and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A method for attenuating vibration comprising the step of: affixing at least one laminate sheet comprising:
 a first urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a second layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a layer of a second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and 
 urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials; and 
   a layer of soft foam disposed on an outer surface of the first urethane sheet to at least one structure selected from the group consisting of a floor framing, a ceiling framing, a wall framing, a floor, a ceiling and a wall.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wall framing comprises at least one stud comprising wood or metal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the wall framing further comprises an insulator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wall comprises at least one layer of drywall. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the floor framing comprises at least one wood truss. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ceiling framing comprises at least one wood joist. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one laminate sheet further comprises a second urethane sheet, wherein the layer of soft foam is disposed between the first and second urethane sheets, the second urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material;
 a second layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a layer of a second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and 
 urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first urethane sheet has a density between about 9 pounds per cubic foot and about 100 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise board comprising at least one laminate sheet comprising:
 a urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a second layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a layer of a second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and 
 urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials; and 
   a layer of soft foam disposed on an outer surface of the first urethane sheet.   
     
     
         21 . The exercise board of  claim 20 , further comprising a fabric cover disposed over at least one outer surface of the at least one laminate sheet. 
     
     
         22 . A method for isolating vibration comprising the step of:
 placing at least one object on an outer surface of at least one laminate sheet comprising:   a urethane sheet comprising:
 a first layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a second layer of a first fibrous material; 
 a layer of a second fibrous material disposed between the first and second layers of a first fibrous material; and 
 urethane foam disposed within and substantially surrounding the first and second fibrous materials; and 
   a layer of soft foam disposed on an outer surface of the first urethane sheet;   wherein the at least one object is capable of producing vibration.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one object is selected from the group consisting of at least one drum, at least one guitar, at least one amplifier, at least one audio speaker and combinations thereof.