Sound damping and vibration isolation structural support

Abstract

A channel strut includes a support member with a first tab and a second tab coupled to the support member. A layer of material, such as foam, is disposed on the channel strut. The support member has a low profile and is configured to be attached to successive wall studs via the first and second tabs. The channel strut is attached to wall studs proximate a location with frequent occurrences of sound and vibration, such as studs behind kitchen cabinets, behind door stops, or behind dresser drawings. The layer of material is configured to provide a damping force to reduce sound and vibration at the installed location.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a support member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   a first tab coupled to the support member;   a second tab coupled to the support member; and   a foam layer on at least one of the first surface, the second surface, the first tab, and the second tab of the support member,   wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to wall studs in a location of a storage device with the foam layer configured to dampen sound or vibration from the storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first tab and the second tab are coplanar with the first surface of the support member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the foam layer is only on the first surface of the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the foam layer is only on the first tab and the second tab of the support member. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the foam layer is only on the second surface of the support member. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the location corresponds to a position of a hinge of the storage device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one extension strut received within the support member, the extension strut structured to slide relative to the support member. 
 
     
     
         8 . An assembly, comprising:
 a channel strut assembly, including:
 a channel strut; 
 an extension strut received in the channel strut and structured to slide relative to the channel strut; 
 a first protrusion coupled to the channel strut; 
 a second protrusion coupled to the extension strut; and 
 a layer of material on the channel strut and the extension strut configured to dampen sound or vibration, 
   wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs via the first protrusion and the second protrusion.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the layer of material is foam. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs in a location corresponding to hinges of a cabinet. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs in a location corresponding to one or more closures of a dresser. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs in a location corresponding to a door stop. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs proximate a door opening. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first protrusion is planar with a surface of channel strut and the second protrusion is planar with a surface of the extension strut. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly, comprising:
 a channel strut assembly, including:
 a central strut; 
 a first extension strut received in the central strut and structured to slide relative to the central strut; 
 a second extension strut received in the central strut and structured to slide relative to the central strut; 
 a first protrusion coupled to the first extension strut; 
 a second protrusion coupled to the second extension strut; and 
 a layer of material on at least one of the central strut, the first extension strut, and the second extension strut configured to dampen sound or vibration, 
   wherein the channel strut assembly is configured to be coupled to wall studs via the first protrusion and the second protrusion.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the second extension strut is telescopically received in the first extension strut and structured to slide relative to the first extension strut. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the channel strut assembly has a minimum length in a retracted configuration, an end of the first extension strut spaced from an end of the second extension strut in the retracted configuration of the channel strut assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the channel strut assembly has a maximum length in an extended configuration, the maximum length being at least twice the minimum length. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the layer of material is foam and is on only the central strut. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the layer of material is on the central strut, the first extension strut, and the second extension strut.