System, method and apparatus for acoustical frame element

Abstract

A stud for a partition or wall has at least two frame members coupled together by a compliant member formed from a material that increases resilience between the frame members. The coupled frame members form a stud for the partition. The partition has a first stud with rigid first frame members coupled together by the compliant material. A second stud is joined to the first stud to form a frame. The second stud rigid second frame members are coupled together by the compliant material. Boards are joined to the frame on opposite sides thereof to form the partition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stud for a partition, comprising:
 at least two frame members coupled together by a compliant member to form a stud for a partition, the compliant member being formed from a material that is softer than the frame members, and the compliant member having:   a density in a range of about 30 kg/m 3  to about 600 kg/m 3 ;   a porosity in a range of about 10% to about 95%; and   a Young's modulus in a range of about 10 kPa to about 5 MPa, at 20° C. and 1 Hz.   
     
     
         2 . The stud of  claim 1 , wherein each frame member has a generally U-shaped sectional profile and the compliant member is in a tension-compression configuration, or each frame member has a generally L-shaped sectional profile, and each frame member has a flange and a web, the webs are substantially parallel to each other, the flanges are substantially parallel to each other, and the webs are perpendicular to the flanges. 
     
     
         3 . The stud of  claim 2 , wherein each frame member has two flanges and a web connecting the two flanges, and the compliant member is located between one of the flanges of each frame member, such that the webs are substantially parallel to each other and all of the flanges are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The stud of  claim 3 , wherein one flange of each frame member has a first length, and the other flange of each frame member has a second length that differs from the first length. 
     
     
         5 . The stud of  claim 1 , wherein the stud further comprises a third frame element, and the compliant member: (a) increases resilience between the frame members, (b) dampens structure-borne transmissions between the frame members, and (c) has a thermal conductivity that is lower than that of the frame members. 
     
     
         6 . The stud of  claim 5 , wherein the third frame element is joined to a first frame element with a first compliant member, and the third frame element is joined to a second frame element with a second compliant member. 
     
     
         7 . The stud of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second frame elements has a generally V-shaped sectional profile, and the third frame element has a generally C-shaped sectional profile. 
     
     
         8 . The stud of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second frame elements has a web and a flange, and the first and second compliant members are joined to the webs. 
     
     
         9 . The stud of  claim 6 , wherein each first frame element has a generally L-shaped sectional profile, the third frame element is flat, and the first and second compliant members are located on a same side of the third frame element and are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         10 . The stud of  claim 1 , wherein each frame member has a generally V-shaped sectional profile with a flange, a web extending from the flange, and a wing portion extending from the web, and the wing portions are joined together by the compliant member, such that the flanges are substantially parallel and the wing portions are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The stud of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frame members is scored with pre-cut slits, and wherein the compliant member comprises a resilient foam or adhesive tape comprising a plurality of layers, the resilient foam is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl-chloride, polyethylene, acrylic and polyurethane, and the adhesive tape is a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising acrylic, butyl, rubber, epdm, eva, silicone, nitrile rubber or a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The stud of  claim 1 , wherein the density in a range of about 140 kg/m 3  to about 500 kg/m 3 , and the porosity in a range of about 30% to about 80%. 
     
     
         13 . A partition, comprising:
 a first stud having a plurality of rigid first frame members coupled together by a compliant member;   a second stud joined to the first stud to form a frame, the second stud having a plurality of rigid second frame members coupled together by another compliant member;   the compliant members are formed from a material that is softer than that of the frame members, and the compliant members have:
 a density in a range of about 30 kg/m 3  to about 600 kg/m 3 ; 
 a porosity in a range of about 10% to about 95%; and 
 a Young's modulus in a range of about 10 kPa to about 5 MPa, at 20° C. and 1 Hz; and 
   boards joined to the frame on opposite sides thereof to form the partition.   
     
     
         14 . The partition of  claim 13 , wherein each frame member has a generally U-shaped sectional profile in a tension-compression configuration, or each frame member has a generally L-shaped sectional profile, each frame member has a flange and a web, the webs are substantially parallel to each other, the flanges are substantially parallel to each other, and the webs are perpendicular to the flanges. 
     
     
         15 . The partition of  claim 14 , wherein each frame member has two flanges and a web connecting the two flanges, and the compliant members are located between one of the flanges of each frame member, such that the webs are substantially parallel to each other and all of the flanges are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The partition of  claim 15 , wherein one flange of each frame member has a first length, and the other flange of each frame member has a second length that differs from the first length. 
     
     
         17 . The partition of  claim 13 , wherein the stud further comprises a third frame element. 
     
     
         18 . The partition of  claim 17 , wherein the third frame element is joined to a first frame element with a first compliant element, and the third frame element is joined to a second frame element with a second compliant element. 
     
     
         19 . The partition of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second frame elements has a generally V-shaped sectional profile, and the third frame element has a generally C-shaped sectional profile. 
     
     
         20 . The partition of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second frame elements has a web and a flange, and the first and second compliant elements are joined to the webs. 
     
     
         21 . The partition of  claim 17 , wherein each first frame element has a generally L-shaped sectional profile, the third frame element is flat, and the first and second compliant elements are located on a same side of the third frame element and are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         22 . The partition of  claim 17 , wherein the compliant members comprise a resilient foam or adhesive tape comprising a plurality of layers, and the compliant members: (a) increase a resilience between the frame members, (b) dampen structure-borne transmissions between the frame members, and (c) have a thermal conductivity that is lower than that of the frame members. 
     
     
         23 . The partition of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the frame members is scored with pre-cut slits, the density of the compliant members is in a range of about 140 kg/m 3  to about 500 kg/m 3 , and the porosity in a range of about 30% to about 80%. 
     
     
         24 . The partition of  claim 13 , wherein each of the compliant members is parsed into at least two separate pieces, such that an air gap extends between them.