A noise absorbing panel for use in a sound absorbing guard rail system

Abstract

A noise absorbing panel for use in a sound absorbing guard rail structure having a series of supporting posts, that are preferably vertically oriented, and a series of longitudinal guard rail beams mounted on the side of the guard rail structure facing the road, wherein the noise absorbing panel is mountable to the two adjacently situated supporting posts.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A noise absorbing panel for a guard rail system for installation at a lateral side or median of a road, the guard rail system of the type having a series of supporting posts and a series of longitudinal guard rails mounted on a side of the guard rail system facing the road, the guard rail system comprising:
 at least one noise absorbing panel configured to be mounted to the supporting posts, the noise absorbing panel comprising a noise absorbing material encased in an energy absorbing material provided with openings.   
     
     
         19 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the noise absorbing material is a mineral wool fibre material provided as a board, foam material, integrated or partial rubber material, integrated or partial plastic material, or other noise absorbing material resistant in regard to weather conditions and wear effects next to traffic ways. 
     
     
         20 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the energy absorbing material provided with openings comprises a mesh, a grid or a perforated material. 
     
     
         21 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the energy absorbing material is a stretch-metal netting encasing the noise absorbing material board. 
     
     
         22 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 21 , wherein the stretch-metal is a ductile metal capable of absorbing energy while being plastically deformed. 
     
     
         23 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 21 , wherein the stretch-metal is galvanised steel. 
     
     
         24 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the energy absorbing material is a perforated metal sheet, a plastic netting and/or a combination thereof, encasing the noise absorbing material board. 
     
     
         25 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 21 , wherein the netting is a panel which at least encloses main sides and a top side of the noise absorbing material board. 
     
     
         26 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the encasing is made from a stretch-metal netting panel which is bent into the box-like shape around the noise absorbing material board and with mounting panels provided at each of the end sides. 
     
     
         27 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the encasing is made from a stretch-metal netting panel which is cast into an insulation material made by a wet-felt process and with mounting panels provided at each of the end sides of the stretch-metal netting panel. 
     
     
         28 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 21 , wherein the stretch-metal netting panel is produced with non-stretched areas at each of the end sections for receiving the mounting panels at each end for mounting the sound absorber to the supporting posts. 
     
     
         29 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the noise absorbing panel is approx. 90 cm in height and in length approx. 130 cm, approx. 260 cm, approx. 520 cm or approx. 530 cm. 
     
     
         30 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the noise absorbing material is a mineral wool fibre board comprising stone wool and is provided with a density within the range of 60-150 kg/m 3 , 80-120 kg/m 3 , or 80-100 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         31 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the board is provided with a protective fabric on its road-facing side. 
     
     
         32 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 31 , wherein the protective fabric has a structured surface having different appearances depending on an actual line of vision. 
     
     
         33 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the noise absorbing panel is provided in a planar configuration or a curved or polygonal configuration. 
     
     
         34 . A noise absorbing panel according to  claim 18 , wherein the noise absorbing panel is provided at the respective axial end portions with end profiles, wherein the end profiles may have a I-, H-, U- or C-shape.