Single 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 and a lower end, a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end, and a channel defined in the lower end and extending from the first end to the second end. The acoustic baffle is secured into the channel 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 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 channel defined in the lower end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; 
   an acoustic baffle secured into the channel of the acoustic baffle coupler; 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 slot comprises a recess defined in a lower surface of the slot that extends from the first end to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second fastener that extends from the recess of the slot into the acoustic baffle to further secure the acoustic baffle into the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fasteners are bolts. 
     
     
         5 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend inward from lateral sides of the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of teeth allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the channel but prevent movement of the acoustic baffle out of the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 5 , wherein each lateral side of the channel comprise three teeth that are vertically spaced apart from each other and have a height that corresponds to a tooth from the other lateral side. 
     
     
         8 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein lateral sides of the channel comprises sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the lateral sides when the acoustic baffle is inserted into the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a width around one inch. 
     
     
         10 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a width around ½ inch. 
     
     
         11 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the acoustic baffle coupler is aluminum. 
     
     
         12 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic baffle coupler further comprises a pair of slots defined in the upper end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 12 , wherein a first slot of the pair of slots is disposed on a first side of the slot and a second slot of the pair of slots is disposed on a second side of the slot, opposite the first side of the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The acoustic baffle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a clip that is configured to couple adjacent acoustic baffle couplers. 
     
     
         15 . An acoustic baffle coupler comprising:
 a body comprising an upper 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 channel defined in the lower end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body,   wherein the channel is configured to receive and secure an acoustic baffle.   
     
     
         16 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 15 , wherein the channel further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend inward from lateral sides of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of teeth allow movement of the acoustic baffle into the channel but prevent movement of the acoustic baffle out of the channel. 
     
     
         18 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 15 , wherein each lateral side of the channel comprise three teeth that are vertically spaced apart from each other and have a height as a corresponding tooth from the other lateral side. 
     
     
         19 . The acoustic baffle coupler of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of teeth each comprise a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         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 and a lower end; 
 a slot defined in the upper end and extending from a first end to a second end of the body; 
 a recess defined in a lower surface of the slot that extends from the first end to the second end of the body; 
 the channel defined in the lower end and extending from the first end to the second end of the body; and 
 a plurality of teeth that extend inward from lateral sides of the channel, wherein the plurality of teeth secure the acoustic baffle in the channel; 
   inserting one or more first fasteners that extend from the recess of the slot into the acoustic baffle to further secure the acoustic baffle in the channel; and   hanging the acoustic baffle coupler to a ceiling by securing one or more second fasteners in the slot and securing the second fasteners to the ceiling.