(19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 3 369 342 B1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
|
11.09.2019 Bulletin 2019/37 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 10.01.2018 |
|
(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
|
|
(54) |
SOUND BLOCKER
SCHALLBLOCKER
BLOQUEUR ACOUSTIQUE
|
(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
(30) |
Priority: |
01.03.2017 SE 1700042
|
(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
|
05.09.2018 Bulletin 2018/36 |
(73) |
Proprietor: Qvänstedt, Stig |
|
564 34 Bankeryd (SE) |
|
(72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Qvänstedt, Stig
564 34 Bankeryd (SE)
|
(74) |
Representative: Bergenstråhle Group AB |
|
P.O. Box 17704 118 93 Stockholm 118 93 Stockholm (SE) |
(56) |
References cited: :
JP-A- 2006 136 648 US-A1- 2009 056 071
|
JP-U- S 588 358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a sound blocker which prevents resonance and noise
from occurring, thus avoiding noise and scratch noise when moving or displacing chairs
and other furniture.
Technical background
[0002] All unwanted sound is called noise. It may be sound which "only" is disturbing or
sound that is harmful for the hearing. Noise is a big problem in many offices, restaurants,
bars and concert halls, exercise premises, at nursery schools and schools. Scratchy
chair feet in the school environment can have a negative impact on everything from
concentration to the effectiveness of both students and staff. Noise can cause deteriorated
sleep, memory, speech comprehension, learning, reading comprehension, as well as fatigue
and headache. One tries to avoid unnecessary noise from chairs and tables which are
handled on daily basis and which one wants as silent as possible, first of all in
schools or nursery schools, but also in other places where unnecessary noise disturbs
and causes damage, and where one uses furniture and chairs which causes a lot of noise.
A common solution is felt covered soles, so-called furniture pads, which are glued
and/or nailed under the legs of a chair or a table. Furniture pads are not well-suited
for chairs with metal tubes, which are often fitted with foot plugs that are applied
in the tube or foot caps that are threaded over the tube, as they are difficult to
attach to these. Furniture pads are used to protect the floor from damage caused by
the furniture that is moved along the floor. There are different sizes and variants
of furniture pads. In some cases, they are nailed under the legs of the chair or furniture
and in other cases they are attached with self-adhering tape. To some extent they
prevent noise, which occurs while moving the piece of furniture along the floor. There
are a number of additional solutions present at the market. There are different tricks
to keep the sound level low, as for example use of tennis balls attached to a chair
leg. One solution is for example an acoustic sock, which reminds of a ball, threaded
like a sock on the chair leg, to dampen scratch noise from chairs pulled along the
floor. They become quite bulky and can cause problems, for example, when chairs are
to be piled on top of each other. Document
JP2006 136648A can be regarded as useful to understand the invention.
Summary of the invention
[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sound blocker with
vibration dampening as well as sound absorber, which prevents that resonance and sound
occurs, and by that avoids noise and scratching noise, while moving or displacing
chairs and other furniture. The sound blocker is defined in claim 1 and is designed
in a viscoelastic material with good, as well as vibration dampening properties, and
consists of a round frame with a convex upper surface. The frame is provided with
air-dampening cavities/recesses and channels for air, which can pass in and out when
the chair or furniture is loaded or unloaded. This means that when for example a person
sits down on a chair provided with the sound blocker, the load from the weight of
the person presses the frame towards the floor and by that, air passes out from the
recesses via the air channels and out to the free. And opposite, when the person leaves
the chair, it gets unloaded and air passes in from the free, via the air channels
and into the recesses. The air channels extending from the recesses and to the outer
edge of the frame such as the air channels have contact to the free. The frame is
attached under respective leg of the chair/furniture, whereafter a furniture pad is
applied under the respective frame. The sound blocker preventing the generation of
noise, partly by that the furniture pad acts sound dampening, as the friction against
the floor is decreased, and partly by that the frame is dampening vibrations, occurring
when moving the chair/furniture, and the sound blocker further preventing "thud-sound"
generated while sitting down on the chair, or lifting and putting down the chair/furniture.
By the combination of the frame and the furniture pad of the sound blocker, especially
good sound and vibration dampening characteristics is achieved, and at the same time
it has other characteristics making it suitable for example in nursery schools and
schools.
Description
[0004] The sound blocker is designed in a viscoelastic material with good, as well as vibration
dampening characteristics, and consists of a round frame with an upperside having
a convex form. In the centre, the frame is provided with a through hole for a nail
or a screw. In the centre of the underside, the frame is provided with an open, round
recess around the hole, with room for a nail head or a screw head. Between this recess
and inside the rounded outer edge of the frame, the frame is all around provided with
arcuate, open, hollowed recesses, which constitutes air dampeners. From the outer
edge of the frame and inwards to the centre of the frame there are air channels, arranged
for air which may pass in and out while the chair or the furniture is loaded or unloaded
as described above. The air channels are connected to all hollowed recesses all around.
Around the periphery of the frame there is a thin rim. Inside the rim is a furniture
pad fitted when it shall be attached to the frame. The sound blocker is applied under
wooden chair legs/furniture legs, preferably with anchor nails, or is screwed by means
of a wood screw. Thereafter, a self-adhering furniture pad is fitted and attached
inside the rim, provided around and at the lower edge of the frame. For chairs with
steel tubes, a wooden plug is inserted into the end of the tube, whereafter the frame
is nailed to the plug, preferably with an anchor nail, or is attached with a wood
screw. Thereafter, a self-adhering furniture pad is fitted and attached inside the
rim, provided around and at the lower edge of the frame.
[0005] An embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter and is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, which according to
Fig. 1 is showing a side view of the sound blocker frame.
Fig. 2 is showing a sketch of the underside of the sound blocker frame and its construction.
Fig. 3 is showing a simplified section through the sound blocker frame and its cavities.
Fig. 4 is showing a simplified section through the sound blocker mounted under a wooden
leg of a chair.
Fig. 5 is showing a simplified section through the sound blocker mounted under a leg of
a chair made of a steel tube.
[0006] The sound blocker according to figure 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 represents the design used
in this particular example.
[0007] The sound blocker according to
figure 1 shows a round frame 2 of a sound blocker 1 and its convex upper surface 9. In a rounded
outer edge 12 of an underside 11 of the frame 2, is shown how air channels 10 is distributed
and opens out around the circumference of the frame 2.
[0008] The sound blocker according to
figure 2 shows the underside 11 of the round frame 2 of the sound blocker 1, with a centrally
positioned through hole 4, for a nail or a screw. The frame 2 has an open, round recess
5 in the middle, around the hole 4, with room for a nail head or a screw head. Between
this recess 5 and inside the rounded outer edge 12 of the frame 2, the frame 2 is
all around provided with arcuate, open, hollowed recesses 6, which constitutes air
dampeners. From the outer edge 12 of the frame 2 and inwards to the centre of the
frame 2 there are air channels 7 for air, which may pass in and out, while the sound
blocker is loaded or unloaded. The air channels 7 are connected to all hollowed recesses
6 all around. Around the periphery of the frame 2 there is a thin rim 8. Inside the
rim 8 is a furniture pad fitted, to be attached to the frame 2.
[0009] The sound blocker according to
figure 3 shows a simplified section through the round frame 2 of the sound blocker 1 and its
convex upper surface 9 and with the centrally positioned through hole 4, for a nail
or a screw. The frame 2 has the open, round recess 5 in the middle, around the hole
4, with room for a nail head or a screw head. Between this recess 5 and inside the
rounded outer edge 12 of the frame 2, the frame 2 is all around provided with arcuate,
open, hollowed recesses 6, which constitutes air dampeners. Around the periphery of
the frame 2 there is a rim 8.
[0010] The sound blocker according to
figure 4 shows a simplified section through the sound blocker 1, mounted under a wooden leg
of a chair 14. The round frame 2 of the sound blocker 1 is attached under the leg
of the chair 14 by means of a nail 13, whereafter a furniture pad 3 is fitted and
attached inside the rim 8, under the frame 2.
[0011] The sound blocker according to
figure 5 shows a simplified section through the sound blocker 1, mounted under a leg of a
chair 14 made of a steel tube 16. A wooden plug 15 is applied in the end of the steel
tube 16. The frame 2 is nailed to the plug 15 with a nail 13, whereafter a furniture
pad 3 is fitted and attached inside the rim 8, under the frame 2.
[0012] The invention has been described in conjunction with preferred summary and design
and it is understood that certain substitutions and changes may be made without departing
from the invention. The present embodiment shows, how the open hollowed recesses of
the frame, which constitutes air dampeners, are arcuate. Of course, the open hollowed
recesses may have the form of circles, squares, or other geometric forms. Also, the
attachment of the sound blocker frame may be accomplished by other arrangements in
form of for example sleeves, expanders or the like. The invention is not limited to
what is shown and described in the previous, but other similar variants are included
in the inventive concept and is considered to be included in the following claims.
1. Sound blocker of a viscoelastic material, characterized in that the sound blocker (1) comprises a round frame (2) with an upperside (9) having a
convex form, and with an underside (11) arranged for receiving a furniture pad (3),
and the frame (2) is in its centre provided with a through hole (4), for receiving
a nail (13) or a screw, and the frame (2) is in the underside (11) provided with an
open, round recess (5) in the centre around the hole (4), with room for a nail head
or a screw head, and between this recess (5) and inside a rounded outer edge (12)
of the frame (2), the frame (2) is provided with arcuate, open, hollowed recesses
(6), which constitutes air dampeners, and from the outer edge (12) of the frame (2)
and inwards to the centre of the frame (2) there are air channels (7), arranged for
air which may pass in and out while the sound blocker (1) is loaded or unloaded, and
the air channels (7) are connected to the hollowed recesses (6), and around a periphery
of the frame (2) there is a rim (8), and the frame (2) is arranged to receive a furniture
pad (3) inside the rim (8).
2. Sound blocker according to claim 1, characterized in that the air channels (7) which extends from the outer edge (12) of the frame (2) and
inwards to the centre of the frame (2) are distributed all around, such as they pass
over the hollowed recesses (6), and the air channels (7) are arranged such as to run
in between the frame (2) and the furniture pad (3), when a furniture pad (3) is arranged
under the frame (2).
3. Sound blocker according to claim 1, characterized in that when the sound blocker (1) is mounted under a wooden leg of a chair/furniture (14),
the frame (2) is nailed under the leg of the chair/furniture (14) by means of a nail
(13), whereafter a furniture pad (3) is fitted and attached inside the rim (8) under
the frame (2).
4. Sound blocker according to claim 1, characterized in that when the sound blocker (1) is mounted under a leg of a chair/furniture (16) made
of steel tubes, a wooden plug (15) is applied in an end of the steel tube (16), and
the frame (2) is nailed in the plug (15) by means of a nail (13), whereafter a furniture
pad (3) is fitted and attached inside the rim (8) under the frame (2).
1. Schallblocker aus einem viskoelastischem Material, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schallblocker (1) einen runden Rahmen (2) mit einer eine konvexe Form aufweisenden
Oberseite (9) und einer zum Aufnehmen einer Möbelauflage (3) angeordneten Unterseite
(11) umfasst und der Rahmen (2) in seiner Mitte mit einer Durchgangsbohrung (4) zum
Aufnehmen eines Nagels (13) oder einer Schraube versehen ist und der Rahmen (2) in
der Unterseite (11) mit einer offenen runden Ausnehmung (5) in der Mitte um die Bohrung
(4) herum mit Platz für einen Nagelkopf oder einen Schraubenkopf versehen ist und
der Rahmen (2) zwischen dieser Ausnehmung (5) und einer Innenseite eines abgerundeten
Außenrands (12) des Rahmens (2) mit bogenförmigen, offenen, hohlen Ausnehmungen (6),
die Luftbefeuchter darstellen, versehen ist und von dem Außenrand (12) des Rahmens
(2) nach innen zu der Mitte des Rahmens (2) Luftkanäle (7) vorliegen, die so angeordnet
sind, dass Luft ein- und austreten kann, während der Schallblocker (1) beladen oder
entladen wird, und die Luftkanäle (7) mit den hohlen Ausnehmungen (6) verbunden sind
und um einen Umfang des Rahmens (2) eine Kante (8) vorliegt und der Rahmen (2) so
angeordnet ist, dass er eine Möbelauflage (3) innerhalb der Kante (8) aufnimmt.
2. Schallblocker nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Luftkanäle (7), die sich von dem Außenrand (12) des Rahmens (2) nach innen zu
der Mitte des Rahmens (2) erstrecken, auf eine solche Weise ringsum verteilt sind,
dass sie über die hohlen Ausnehmungen (6) führen, und die Luftkanäle (7) auf eine
solche Weise angeordnet sind, dass sie nach innen zwischen den Rahmen (2) und die
Möbelauflage (3) verlaufen, wenn eine Möbelauflage (3) unter dem Rahmen (2) angeordnet
ist.
3. Schallblocker nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rahmen (2), wenn der Schallblocker (1) unter einem Holzbein eines Stuhls/Möbelstücks
(14) montiert wird, mit Hilfe eines Nagels (13) unter dem Bein des Stuhls/Möbelstücks
(14) angenagelt wird, wobei danach eine Möbelauflage (3) innerhalb der Kante (8) unter
dem Rahmen (2) eingepasst und angebracht wird.
4. Schallblocker nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn der Schallblocker (1) unter einem Bein eines Stuhls/Möbelstücks (16), das aus
Stahlrohren hergestellt ist, montiert wird, ein Holzstöpsel (15) in ein Ende des Stahlrohrs
(16) eingesetzt wird und der Rahmen (2) mit Hilfe eines Nagels (13) in den Stöpsel
(15) genagelt wird, wobei danach eine Möbelauflage (3) innerhalb der Kante (8) unter
dem Rahmen (2) eingepasst und angebracht wird.
1. Bloqueur acoustique en matériau viscoélastique, caractérisé en ce que le bloqueur acoustique (1) comprend un support arrondi (2) avec un côté supérieur
(9) présentant une forme convexe et avec un côté inférieur (11) agencé pour recevoir
un patin pour meuble (3), et le support (2) est en son centre doté d'un trou traversant
(4) destiné à recevoir un clou (13) ou une vis, et le support (2) est doté sur son
côté inférieur (11) d'un évidement rond ouvert (5) au centre autour du trou (4), avec
de la place pour une tête de clou ou une tête de vis, et entre cet évidement (5) et
l'intérieur d'un bord extérieur arrondi (12) du support (2), le support (2) est doté
d'évidements creux ouverts arqués (6) qui constituent des amortisseurs à air, et à
partir du bord extérieur (12) du support (2) et vers l'intérieur jusqu'au centre du
support (2), se trouvent des conduits d'air (7), disposés pour l'air qui peut entrer
et sortir lorsque le bloqueur acoustique (1) est chargé et déchargé, et les conduits
d'air (7) sont reliés aux évidements creux (6), et autour d'une périphérie du support
(2) se trouve une couronne (8), et le support (2) est agencé pour recevoir un patin
pour meuble (3) à l'intérieur de la couronne (8).
2. Bloqueur acoustique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les conduits d'air (7) qui s'étendent à partir du bord extérieur (12) du support
(2) et vers l'intérieur jusqu'au centre du support (2) sont répartis tout autour,
de façon à passer par-dessus les évidements creux (6), et les conduits d'air (7) sont
agencés pour s'étendre entre le support (2) et le patin pour meuble (3), lorsqu'un
patin pour meuble (3) est disposé sous le support (2).
3. Bloqueur acoustique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lorsque le bloqueur acoustique (1) est monté sous un pied en bois d'une chaise/d'un
meuble (14), le support (2) est cloué sous le pied de la chaise/du meuble (14) au
moyen d'un clou (13), puis un patin pour meuble (3) est ajusté et fixé à l'intérieur
de la couronne (8) sous le support (2).
4. Bloqueur acoustique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lorsque le bloqueur acoustique (1) est monté sous un pied d'une chaise/d'un meuble
(16) fait de tubes d'acier, un bouchon en bois (15) est appliqué dans une extrémité
du tube d'acier (16), et le support (2) est cloué au bouchon (15) au moyen d'un clou
(13), puis un patin pour meuble (3) est ajusté et fixé à l'intérieur de la couronne
(8) sous le support (2).

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description