Dual channel acoustic baffle coupler and related methods of use

Abstract

An acoustic baffle system that includes an acoustic baffle coupler, an acoustic baffle, and one or more fasteners to secure the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling. The acoustic baffle coupler includes a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a lower end, a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end, a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end, and a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end. An acoustic baffle is secured into the first and second channels of the acoustic baffle coupler. The one or more fasteners are disposed within the slot of the acoustic baffle coupler and the one or more fasteners are secured to the ceiling.

1 . An acoustic baffle system comprising:
 an acoustic baffle coupler comprising:
 a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end; 
 a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and 
 a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and 
 a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; 
   an acoustic baffle secured into the first and second channels of the acoustic baffle coupler, wherein a first end of the acoustic baffle is secured into the first channel and a second end of the acoustic baffle is secured into the second channel; and   one or more fasteners disposed within the slot of the acoustic baffle coupler to secure the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling.   
     
     
         2 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fasteners are bolts. 
     
     
         3 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel each comprise an upper wall and a lower wall. 
     
     
         4 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 3 , wherein a length of each upper wall is greater than a length of each lower wall. 
     
     
         5 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 3 , wherein the first channel and the second channel each further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend inward from the upper wall and the lower wall. 
     
     
         6 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of teeth of the first channel and the second channel allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the first channel and the second channel but prevent movement of the acoustic baffle out of the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 5 , wherein each upper wall of the first channel and the second channel comprise four teeth that are spaced apart from each other and each lower wall of the first and second channel comprises two teeth that are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the first channel and the second channel comprise sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the walls when the acoustic baffle is inserted into the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         9 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel align with each other along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The acoustic baffle of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are offset from a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The acoustic baffle of  claim 10 , wherein first channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis at a predetermined angle, and
 wherein the second channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis opposite the predetermined angle.   
     
     
         12 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel have a width around ½ inch. 
     
     
         13 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the acoustic baffle coupler is aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . An acoustic baffle coupler comprising:
 a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end;   a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and   a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and   a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end body,   wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive and secure an acoustic baffle.   
     
     
         15 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 14 , wherein first channel and the second channel each further comprise a plurality of teeth that extend inward from an upper wall and an lower wall. 
     
     
         16 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of teeth of the first channel and the plurality of teeth of the second channel allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the first channel and the second channel but prevent movement of the acoustic out of the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         17 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 14 , wherein the first channel and the second channel align with each other along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 18 , wherein first channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis at a predetermined angle, and
 wherein the second channel is angled downward from the horizontal axis opposite the predetermined angle.   
     
     
         20 . A method of installing an acoustic baffle system comprising:
 inserting an acoustic baffle into a channel of an acoustic baffle coupler, the acoustic baffle coupler comprising:
 a body comprising an upper end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a lower end; 
 a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; and 
 a first channel defined in the first lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and 
 a second channel defined in the second lateral end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body, 
 wherein the first channel and the second channel each further comprise a plurality of teeth that extend inward from an upper wall and an lower wall; 
 wherein a first end of the acoustic baffle is inserted into the first channel and a second end of the acoustic baffle is inserted into the second channel; and 
   hanging the acoustic baffle system to a ceiling by securing one or more fasteners in the slot and securing the fasteners to the ceiling.