Fenestration unit demonstration methods and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11604168-B2
Application number	US-201916701202-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 3, 2019
Priority date	Dec 3, 2019
Publication date	Mar 14, 2023
Grant date	Mar 14, 2023

Abstract

Various systems and methods for demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit are provided herein. A system includes a sound demonstration apparatus having a sound insulating member defining an acoustic chamber, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus includes at least one open face. The system also includes a sound emitter operable to be positioned in the acoustic chamber of the sound demonstration apparatus, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to engage the fenestration unit at the open face of the sound demonstration apparatus. The method includes positioning the sound demonstration apparatus and a fenestration unit, such that the fenestration unit and the sound demonstration apparatus are operably engaged and form an acoustic chamber. The method includes activating a sound emitter.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A method of demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit, the method comprising:
arranging a fenestration unit with a sound demonstration apparatus having a sound emitter and a sound insulating member, the fenestration unit and the sound demonstration apparatus fully enclosing the sound emitter such that the fenestration unit is engaged with the sound insulating member and exposed to sound waves emitted from the sound emitter; and
activating the sound emitter to produce sound waves such that the sound waves are directed toward the fenestration unit.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising altering the level of sound passing through the fenestration unit by opening or closing the fenestration unit.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sound emitter is a speaker or tuning forks and activating the sound demonstration apparatus includes activating the speaker or tuning forks of the sound demonstration unit.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein activating the speaker or tuning forks includes emitting sound waves at predetermined frequencies.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein activating the speaker includes emitting sound waves imitating one or more of road traffic, pedestrian traffic, air traffic, music, construction, yard care, weather events, nature sounds, or combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the sound demonstration apparatus includes operating the sound emitter using a wireless controller.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating the sound emitter of the sound demonstration apparatus prior to arranging the fenestration unit with the sound demonstration apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating the sound emitter of the sound demonstration apparatus when the fenestration unit is in the open position.

9. A method of demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit, the method comprising:
positioning a sound demonstration apparatus and a fenestration unit such that the sound demonstration apparatus is operatively engaged with the fenestration unit, the sound demonstration apparatus including a sound emitter and a sound insulating member, the sound emitter being enclosed between the fenestration unit and the sound insulating member when the sound demonstration apparatus is operatively engaged with the fenestration unit such that the fenestration unit and the sound demonstration unit completely surround the sound emitter such that sound emitted from the sound demonstration apparatus is directed toward the fenestration unit;
forming an acoustic seal between the sound demonstration apparatus and the fenestration unit; and
activating the sound demonstration apparatus such that the sound demonstration apparatus emits sound waves.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising disrupting the acoustic seal between the sound demonstration apparatus and the fenestration unit.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein positioning the sound demonstration apparatus and the fenestration unit includes arranging the fenestration unit horizontally over the sound demonstration unit.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein activating the sound demonstration apparatus includes activating a sound emitter of the sound demonstration unit.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein activating the sound emitter includes emitting sound waves at predetermined frequencies.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein activating the sound emitter includes emitting sound waves imitating one or more of road traffic, pedestrian traffic, air traffic, music, construction, yard care, weather events, nature sounds, or combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein activating the sound demonstration includes operating the sound emitter using a wireless controller.

16. The method of claim 9 , further comprising activating the sound emitter of the sound demonstration apparatus prior to positioning the sound demonstration apparatus and the fenestration unit.

17. The method of claim 9 , further comprising reducing sound waves emanating from closed faces of the sound demonstration apparatus by providing sound insulation to the closed faces of the sound demonstration apparatus.

18. A method of demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit, the method comprising:
arranging a sound emitter on an acoustically non-transmissive surface;
activating the sound emitter; and
placing the fenestration unit over the sound emitter such that the sound emitter is enclosed by the fenestration unit and the acoustically non-transmissive surface.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising altering the level of sound passing through the fenestration unit by opening or closing the fenestration unit.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein arranging the fenestration unit over the sound emitter includes laying the fenestration unit horizontally over the sound source position on a ground surface including an acoustically non-transmissive surface comprising carpet.

21. A method of demonstrating acoustic principles of a fenestration unit, the method comprising:
displaying a fenestration unit having at least a first glass panel and a second glass panel, wherein the first glass panel has a first thickness and the second glass panel has a second thickness defining a glass thickness ratio of the first glass panel relative to the second glass panel, and wherein the first panel is thinner relative to the second panel;
striking a first, unmodified tuning fork; and
striking a second, modified tuning fork having a first tine and a second tine, wherein the second, modified tuning fork is modified to have a tine thickness ratio equal to the glass thickness ratio, and wherein the tine thickness ratio is defined by a first tine thickness of the first tine relative to a second tine thickness of the second tine.

22. A system for demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit, the system comprising:
a sound demonstration apparatus including a sound insulating member defining an acoustic chamber, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus includes a single, open face; and
a sound emitter operable to be positioned in the acoustic chamber of the sound demonstration apparatus,
wherein the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to engage the fenestration unit at the single, open face of the sound demonstration apparatus.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the sound demonstration apparatus includes a receiving surface operable to form an acoustic seal with the fenestration unit.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the receiving surface of the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to abut a glass panel of the fenestration unit.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the receiving surface of the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to engage with a frame of the fenestration unit.

26. The system of claim 22 , wherein the sound emitter includes a speaker.

Assignees

• Pella Corp

Inventors

• Kolb Brian L

Classifications

• G01M7/00

  Vibration-testing of structures; Shock-testing of structures (G01M9/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G10K15/00 Primary

  Acoustics not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G01M99/001

  Testing of furniture, e.g. seats or mattresses · CPC title

• G01H17/00

  Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• G01N29/4427

  with stored values, e.g. threshold values · CPC title