Sound proofing system and method

Abstract

A low-cost and easy to manufacture static structure and method for soundproofing walls, floors, and/or ceilings of rooms in new and/or existing construction utilizes an asphalt based flexible membrane as one or more sound absorbing layers which may be applied to an existing wall panel or first applied to one or more unmounted wall panels to form a laminated structure which is then affixed to the walls, floor or ceiling to be soundproofed. The wall panel is preferably gypsum wallboard. Each sound absorbing layer, in addition to soundproofing, may also serve to prevent or at least reduce air or water infiltration to and from the room.

1 . A soundproofing structure for interior walls, floors or ceilings of rooms in new and/or existing construction, comprising:
 a contiguous, sound absorbing layer and structural layer adhesively joined about substantially coextensive confronting major faces of said sound absorbing layer and said structural layer, said sound absorbing layer comprised of an asphalt based flexible membrane having opposing faces, at least one of said opposing faces of said asphalt based flexible membrane being self-adhesive, and wherein said structural layer is comprised of sheet like material having opposing major faces, and wherein one of the opposing major surfaces of said structural layer is substantially coextensive with and adhesively joined to said at least one self adhesive major face of said asphalt based flexible membrane.   
   
   
       2 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 1 , wherein said asphalt based flexible membrane includes two self-adhesive opposing faces, and further including a second structural layer attached to the other self-adhesive opposing face of said asphalt based flexible membrane. 
   
   
       3 . A soundproofing structure for interior walls, floors or ceilings of rooms in new and/or existing construction, comprising:
 a contiguous, sound absorbing layer and structural layer adhesively joined about substantially coextensive confronting major faces of said sound absorbing layer and said structural layer, said sound absorbing layer comprised of an asphalt based membrane having opposing faces, at least one of said opposing faces of said asphalt based membrane being self-adhesive, and wherein said structural layer is comprised of sheet like material having opposing major faces, and wherein one of the opposing major surfaces of said structural layer is substantially coextensive with and adhesively joined to said at least one self-adhesive major face of said asphalt based membrane.   
   
   
       4 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 3 , wherein said asphalt based membrane is a flexible membrane. 
   
   
       5 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 3 , wherein said asphalt based membrane is a semi-flexible membrane. 
   
   
       6 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 5 , wherein said semi-flexible asphalt membrane includes a filler. 
   
   
       7 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 6 , wherein said filler includes an inorganic filler. 
   
   
       8 . The soundproofing structure of  claim 7 , wherein said inorganic filler is selected from the group consisting of talc, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and crushed minerals. 
   
   
       9 - 18 . (canceled)