us United States cz) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2013/0161126 Al Wilson et al. oy 0s) 03) an @2) (86) G0) SOUND ABSORBENT BARRIER irphy, Surrey (GB) us er Wilson, Berkshire (GB); Andrew Assignee: ECHO BARRIER LIMITED, Appl. No, PCT Filed PCT No. $371 (ol), (2),(4) Date: Feb, 28, 2013 Sep. Cheam Surrey (GB) 137819,837 Sep.1,2011 PCTGB2011/001287 Forcign Application Priority Data 2010 (op) 10145597 2013 (43) Pub, Date Jun, 27, 2013 ication Classification (1) Ince OMB 184 2006.01) @) v. cee POdB 128409 (2013.01) USPC 181/290 on ABSTRACT A sound absorbeat barrier has a sound absorbent layer dis: posed between a porous lst eover and a second cover The barrier also hus a waterproof sound-permeable membrane between the first cover and the sound absorbent layer. The sound absorbent layer is thus protected from damage by the frst and second covers and water ingress is provented by the sound pemneable membrane. The second caver may be non- ports fo reflect sound waves which have passed through the Sound absorbent layer back through the sound absorbent layer. Altomatively, the second eover may be porous to enable absorption oF sous from Wo directionsUS 2013/0161126 AI Jun. 27,2013 Sheet 1 of 17 Patent Application Publication 7US 2013/0161126 AI Jun. 27,2013 Sheet 2 of 17 Patent Application Publication FIG. 2Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 30f17 US 2013/0161126 Al FIG. 3Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 4 of 17 180 FIG. 4 \ US 2013/0161126 AI 30 170 130 120 ex Lv c—Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet Sof 17 US 2013/0161126 Al +2120US 2013/0161126 AI Jun. 27,2013 Sheet 6 of 17 Patent Application Publication 9 DlaPatent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 70f17 US 2013/0161126 AlPatent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 8 of 17 US 2013/0161126 Al 30 40Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 9 of 17 US 2013/0161126 AlUS 2013/0161126 AI Jun. 27,2013 Sheet 13 of 17 Patent Application Publication FIG. 13Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 14 of 17 US 2013/0161126 A1 230Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 1S of 17 US 2013/0161126 AlPatent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 16 of 17 US 2013/0161126 Al FIG. 16Patent Application Publication Jun, 27,2013 Sheet 17 of 17 US 2013/0161126 Al FIG. 17US 2013/0161126 Al SOUND ABSORBENT BARRIER 10001) The present invention relates to 9 flexible sound absorbent hare. In particu, the preci ivention relates to sound absorbent haner forthe aeoustie sreening ot con- srtion sites and the like, The preseot invention is ely applicable to other uses, for example at music concerts ot sporting vents {0002} Typical aoise harriers for such applications include asolidmasshanierconsricted fom amtrial sich as ct plod or arylic gins in ordeeo prevent the tassios ‘Of noise, These bari tend 0 rellet rar than absor® Sound waves. Ths, theaveal level of noses ueneraly not reduce. Infact, noise levels within the enclosure dened by the barter may be inreasd by the presence of the barter. {0003] _Attrmatively, nose bariers may include a sound sbsorpton material t0 reduce the overall noise level. Typi- cally sch barriers inelude rock woo! o fibre glass a the Soundabsorbent. Although effective at sound absorption, ‘cautions mas be taken when handling these motels they can be absorbed into the body by ination and can inte the eyes skin and respiratory tract. Generally, this {ype of sound absorption material encased between 160 solid layers of materia, for example PVC t prevent water ingress and to prevent the escape of the sound absorbent material However, by encasing the sound absorbent mistrial in solid impenneable materials, the effectiveness ofthe ba rier as a sound absorber is reduced because sound cannot pone into the sound absorbent mater {0008} Some acoustic barers are known which have an Saproteted liver of acoustic absorbent material, However, these soak up water fom the rain which eauses problems with increased weal, leakage of water when the barers are being trnsportedin vehicles o stored and wih the mtr roting or going mou 10005} Some iid baries are known which nce thin plastic ln a a skin over the absorbent material. However, although the i is waterpoo it doesnot pass ar and here Tore rellets a signiical proportion of te sound, reducing the performance of the aduste absorbent materia, {0006} Conventionally. sound ubsorben noise barriers are folded ft for storage en transpor. Although thisredaces the barser's size o 0 degre, such barr are sll unwieldy ‘overly flexible and difficult to manage 10007} Funke, conventional sound absorbent aries are gery suspend fom suppoting site for example Scaffolding or Heras fencing, by means of abi tes. Thus, theirinsalation time-consuming and rirestie coopera. tion oF atleast two persons. This ean bea siniiantdsad- ‘anlage, paricully ifthe barr are to be asl and removed Within a shoe space o ine, fr example to sereen the sound rom ray uiatenane card out overght 10008} According tothe present invention thereisprovided alexible sound absorbent barrier comprising a ound-sbsor bent layer disposed betwen fist porous sound-pemmeable ‘over and a second cover and a Waterpro sound permeable textile membrane disposed betwesn the fist cover and the sound absorbent ier {0009} Withhis configuration the sound absorbent ayers protected from damage bythe first and sosond covers and ‘voter ingress prevented Pathe, the porous first over and Sound: permeahle membrane enable sound t penetrate othe sound absorbent layer rater than ta he elected back othe Jun. 27, 2013 {0010} Preferably, the sesond covers porous and sound permcable. With this arangement, both sides ofthe sod Sarier may provide sound absorption. {0OIT]Alismatvey the secon eoveris non-porous. Cone Sequel any sound which pases through the fst cover nd the sound absorbent layer is reflected hack by the second cover so that the soted passes though the sound absorbeat layer foca second time. Thus the sound attenuation provided by the Barer may be improved {0012} Preferably, a second waterproof sound-permeable textile membrane ix disposed between the second cover ad te sound absorbent ayer. Ths, water ingress to the sound absorbent later through the sacond cover aay be prevented ‘without significantly reducing the sound absorption charae- testis ofthe barce {0013} _ Preferably, the sound absorbent ayer comprises an open cel foam (0014) Preferably, the sound absorbeat layer comprises & rofl surfice including a pura of ridges or protrusions, {0015} Preferably, the sound absorbent barr is suc ciently flexible for itt he roll-up. [0016] Preferably. the sound absorbent barier further om Pikes fastening cans o retin the sound absorbent baer in roll-up state (0017) ‘Thus, the size ofthe barrier may he ediced and its strveturaliity may be increased when isnot in use. This tis storage and transportation ofthe barrier. Further, asta Javon ofthe baer may bemade easier since, onee hung fom 4 supposing stuctire twill aro wader is own Weight ‘whet the festening means is released {0018} Preferably. he second covers formed fr PVC {0019} A exible, non-porous third cover may be provide Adjacent to the second cover. The thied cover may be formed from PVC. [0020] Proferaby, the sound absorbent barter further com Prikes mounting device for banging the sound sbsorbeat bearer rom a supporting strate {002t] Preferably, the mounting device comprises hook rember {0022] Preferably, the mounting device furer comprises a Carriero which the hook member is slidably connected sh thatthe book member i slidable relative othe sound absor bent bauer in direction substontilly perpendicular to a plane of the sound absorbent Barer. The mounting device ‘may include @ detent means 10 resist sliding of the hook ‘memberandor wo divide the sliding displacement of thehook ‘mombr inta discrete increments. [0023] Preferably, the hook menber comprises a est hook {or haoging the border from supporting srictire ad second nok fr hanging the are fom te hook member [0024] Preferably, te fst and second hook members are different sizes andre arrange such that they may belied ove diferent size fence posts. {0025} Preferably, the porous inner covers formed fom a exible plastic materi. [0026] Preferably, the waterproof sound-permeable mem brane is foe from Gore-Tex® or equivalent materi {0027} A prefered embodiment of the presen invention Will now be described with eeference to the accompanying drawings in which (0028). FIG. isa front view ofa sound absorbent barierin cconlance with fist embodiment ofthe present iventioUS 2013/0161126 Al 10029] FIG. 2s front view ofthe sound absorbent barrier ‘of PIG. 1 with the fistening means and mounting devices removed far catty: [0030] FIG. 3isa part sectional view ofthe sound absorbent barrier of FIG. 10031] FIG. 4isa sectional view ofthe mounting devie of the sound sbsorbeat barrier of FIG. 1; [0032] FIG. Sisa front view of due mounting device of FIG. 4, with the majority ofthe carrer of the mounting device removed for earty: 10033] FIG. 6s. atop view of the mounting device of FIG. 4 10034] _ FIG. 7a sido view ofthe sound absorbomtbaioe ‘oTFIG. 1, showing the sound absorbent barrier na roll-up state: [1035] 1G, 8s side view ofthe sound absorbent basiee ‘ofFIG. 1 showing the sound absorbet Barer hangig oa ‘supporting structure, 10036] FIG. 9 s from view ofa sound absorbent layer having aided profile; 0037] FIG. 10s. par seetional view ofthe sound absor- Beat Liye o FIG. 9 10038) FIG. 11 isa prt sectional view of an altemative Sound absorbent baer n accordance with second embod ment ofthe invention: 10039] FIG. 12 isa part sections view of an altemative sound absorbent bari in accordance with a hid embodie ment ofthe invention: [0040] FIG. 13isa fom viewofthesoundabsorbent barrier ofFIG. 12; 10041) FIG. 14 sa sectional view ofan ltemative mount- ing device of the sound absorbent barrier of FIG. [0042] FIG. 15 isa sectional view ofa futher altemative ‘mounting device forthe sound absorbent basrier of FIG. 1 10043] FIG. 16 isa sectional view ofa further altemative ‘mounting device forthe sud absorbent barrier of FIG. 1 10048) FIG. 17 isa sectional view ofa farther atemative mounting device of the sound absorbent barrier of FIG. 1, shovving the mounting device in frst coafiguration 10045] FIG. 18isa sectional view ofthe mounting deviceof EIG. 15 ina second eontiguration 10045] It should be noted that the figures are illustrated schematically for simplicity and are not necessarily drawn 10 scale, 10047] FIG. 1 shows a sound absorbent barrier 10 of the present invention illistrating the main components of the barriee 10, The barr 10 has a screen body 20 for absorbing noise and mowing devices 30 for mounting the barier 10 ‘onto a supporting structure (not shown), such as fencing oF scaffolding. The barrier 10 also includes festening means 32 for securing the bacrier ina rolled-up state when its novia [0048] _Inthis example, the fastening means 32 comprises 2 two-piece plasticelip witha female part 34 attached toa strap ‘stone end of the barrier 10 and male part ¥6 attached 0 a adjustable strap which is fixed tothe barrier 10 towards the ‘opposite end of the barrier 10, Other festening means are possible, for example a hook an loop fastener, or a buckle, ‘ete. The straps of the fastening means 32 may’ also act as 3 handle for eanying the barrier wine itis roll-up. With this ‘arrangement, the barrier 10 can he kept sceurely rolled-p shen not in use, thus reducing the space require for storage and improving the ease of handling. This of particular use Jun. 27, 2013 ‘when the barrier 10s to be mounted 16 stactre to which secs Limited, such as scalfolding {0049} As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the screen body 20 comprises exible etangulr panel of sound sbsorbeat ‘aterial 40 encased between fit cover 80 and a second cover 60, The scree bay 2055 ypically 2.080 mm i length by 1.300 mm in width, allbough these dimensions can be changed to sit diferent applications. [0050] In this example, the sound absorbent panel 40 is formed from an opencell polyurethane foam, sbchas “Lame hoo” although other types of sound absorption materia, or Cxample a closed cel fom, sic as “Lamocell”, or equvae ent ay be used. However, an open ell foan oft the rctest sound absorption uate. [0081] The frst cover $0 comprises a suitably durable yet lightweight and flexible plastic sheet materi and is porous, 4 iL includes a plurality of apertures such tat sound waves ray be more easly transmifedthrowgh the cover 80 and ‘edving the amount of sound which is reflected by the fst over 80, Forexample, tay bes woven plastic shot with loose, open weaveto provide porosity Ths, the ist cover 80 ‘ay transmit the sound while forming a protective mesh over {he sound absorbent panel 4. Preferably, te apetires othe Jt cover 80 do not substantially exceed T mum in length or width {0082} ‘Thesecond cover 60s formes froma sutablethick- ess of non-porous, exible and Waterpro shoct material ‘ich that i acts asa mass hair to prevent race the ‘eansmission ofsound nth example, the secondeover60is formed from 900 gin® of PVC, altho a variety of ticks esses oF material preferably the second cover 60 is form! rom ne more than 1500 iar of PVC, {0083} ‘The second cover 60 may also inchude one or more Strips 62 of liahtefcetive material on its outer face, sich 28 Scotchlte to increase the visibility of the baer The reflective sis 62 may be paced to target the headlights a articular typeof vehicle. For example, a reflective stip 62 nay be placed a approximately 770 mm from the base ofthe barer inorder to reflect the headlights of cars andor at approximately 1300 mun rom te base ofthe Darin onder to rolet the headlights of heavy goods vehicles. [0054] The body 20 also comprises a waterpoot but a permeable and. sound-pereable. membrane 70 sits between the first cover 80 and the sound absorbent pane Themembrane 7 enables the tansmissionof sound waves 0 {he sound absorbent pane] 40 yet prevents water ingress. This ‘may be of panicular benefit the sound absorbent panel 40s Iydrophile sine water absorption may lessen the eectve- ness ofthe panel 40 as. ascend absorber and case the batier 1010 become very heavy and cific to handle. The men brane 70s formed fom asuitable thickness of watepmoo fair axl sound permeable textile material. In ths example, the ‘embrane 1s formed fom between approximately 10/5 ‘xd 100 gi of Gore-Tex o equivalent materi {008} ‘The fist cover 8, sseond cover 60 and membrane “Ware oversid and ited together sing thread 80. web- bing 90 may also be positions! around the edges ofthe body 2040 further strengthen the barre 10. second ro of thread 100 may be stitched through the covers 0,60 and the mem brane 7010 keep the panel 4 in a speci loaton, such as aligned inthe entra the screen body 20, a show FIG 2US 2013/0161126 Al 10086] The barrier 10 includes a number of eyelets 110 round the periphery of the screen 20. These eyeletsallow the barrier 1010 be fixed to Fencing, scaffolding or other support- ing structures, oto adjacent barriers 10, The barier 10 may be fixed by hooks, cable tes, or other fixing mechanisms. Preferably, the barrier 10 is fixed using mounting devices 30 as discussed below. Typically, the eyelets are 25 mm in diam= ‘ter. This size is sufficiently Inmge to aid the fxing of the barrier 10 to the supporting structure, orto enable adjacent barriers 10 to be more easily aligned and fixed together. The barrier 10 may'have one or more rows of atleast two evelets 110 to enable the relative positon and overlap of adjacent barriers 10 tobe adjusted, [0057] FIGS, 4nd showa mounting device 30connected to the screen body 20, The motinting device 30 comprises 2 ‘carrier 120 and a hook member 130. The carrier 120 may be formed from a plastic, or other suitable material, such as a material or stool and has substantially U-shaped ton to ft over the top edge ofthe burier 10, The ‘cartier 120 may be fixed othe body 20viaa fixing means 140, Which is connected to the earvier 120 and may pass though ‘oncof the eyelets 10 of the barrier 10, The fixing means 140 may comprise 0 lip or a nut and bolt arrangement, for ‘example, With this arrangement, the mounting device 30 can, be easily fixed to or removed from the sereen body 20 as required. [0058] The hook member 130 js formed from a suitable thickness of deformable material, sich as stel, plastic, oF ‘composite material, such that the hook member 130 will, ‘deform if tralden on or driven over, rather than breaking oF snapping, Further, the Nexibility ofthe barrier 10 allows the ‘mounting device 30 to move thus reducing the likelibood of ‘damage tothe mounting device 30 This prevents the mount- Jing device 30 from presenting a sharp edgeby which a worker ray be injured, or equipment may be damaged and prevents damage to the barier 10 itself. The hook member 130) lnchides top section 150 and at least one side ann section 160 projecting downwards from the top section 180, [0089] The top section 150 of the hook member 130 is supported within an aperture 170 of the easier 120 such that the hook member 180 is slidable relative tothe eater 120 in 4 direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the screen 20, With this artangement, the distance between the fide arm section 160 ofthe book member 130 and the carrier 120 may be varied to accommodate various sizes of support- ing structure. The relative movement of the carrer 120 and the hook member 130 isilustated in FIG. 6, shich shows the hook member in fist position Pl and w second position P2 [0060] As analtematve to the single-sided hook arrange- meat, the hook member 130 may be double-sided, ie. it may have two side arm sections 160, as shown in FIG. 4, This allows the barrier 10 to be installed on either side of the supporting structure A. [0061] The cartier 120 and the hook member 130 may be fied with a detent means (aot shown) to resist the sliding slisplacement othe hook member andor divide the dsplace- ‘ment ofthe hook meanber 130 ino discrete increments, This ‘vill enable the mounting device 30 to clamp the supporting Structure A thus fixing the barier 10 more securely. [0062] | Withreference PIGS. 7and 8, method ofinstall- ing the barier 10 wil be describe. 10063] |The barrier 10 is held by a user and caried to the desire location whilst ina roll-up state, as show in FIG. 7. The hook member 190 of each mounting device 30 oF the Jun. 27, 2013 buarier 10 is placed over the supporting siete AI the barrier 10s o beng inside the strctre A, for example inside the boundary fence of conseuction site, the hook members 130 ofthe mounting devies 40 should be located Gthe ease ofa single-sided hook rangement or extended (athe ease of a double-sided hook arangement) onthe side ofthe baer 10 conespondig tothe send eave 60.Con- ‘orc, fhe barrier 105 be hung outside the sopping Strut A, for example on the extemal side of scalolsing, {he hook members 130 shouldbe located or extended onthe side the barrier 10 comexponding tthe fist cover 50 This sures that he fist over 80 faves the soure of the noi {0058} Once positioned over the supporting stirs A cach hook member 130 can then be aljsted sch that it lamp the sipporting sic A. The fastening mans 328 then released sch that the barter 10 unfurl in dietion B tuner its own weight to the position shown in FIG. 8 {0065} "Similarly, funherbaners LO canbe istalles onthe supponing sructure A sh that adjacent bares 10 overlap to provide a continases layer of noise protection. Adjacat ‘atiers canbe fixe to one another ether by aligning the cysts 110 and employing sfavening device such a a cable tie through the eyelets 10, ory oer means such a Vler> ean [0066] Once the barr 10 is installed atthe desire Toea- ‘ion with the fist cover 80 fcing the soise sour, sound ‘waves passthrough the eepiormeshor be fist cover and ‘ue absorbed by the sound absorbent pael 40 wich disse ates a proportion ofthe energy ofthe indent sound waves 2s heat A proportion of the remaining sound waves are reflected bythe second cover 6 beck into the sound abso bent pane, ths enhancing th noise absorption {0067} If greater noise atemuation i equired or insane in close proximity to @ pariculary loud source of mois, _nuliplelavers of barrens 10 an be hung fom the sopping structs A In order todo 20, the hook members 130 of Second, or further, barier 10 may be extended 10a greater dlgre than those ofthe fit baer 10 so that they my slso fitoverthe supporting stcture A. Alteratvely. ia double- sided hook arrangement is employed further barr may Be installed onthe reverse side othe fence or seffolding {0068} With reference 9 FIGS, 9 and 10, a altmative Sound absorbent layer 4 i shown, Rater than presenting a fat surface tothe noise source the sound absorbent layer 40 nay have a profiled suefice, For example, the sound absor tetlayer 40 may havea plurality of ridges 180 or protrusions extending aerost the wih othe panel 40 inorder t increase the surlace ara ofthe sound absorber 40 ano change the abscebig characteristics Such ridges 180 also clita the any roling of the barr 10, The ridges 180 may have a ‘eure asshownby the ridges 182 alongthe mide of TIG. 10, oran treular roi, fr example beng formed as plurality of egg box-shaped protons, oras shown by the ridges 184 the top and bortom of FIG. 10 {0069} "FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of sound bar- ee 1. As with previously desribed barrier 10, the soreen body 20'of he soi harser 17 compiaes a Nexble panclo soundabsorbent material eneasedbereenafisteaver 0 dnd second cover 60 {0070 Inthis configuration, both te fist over $0 andthe second cover 60” comprise suitably durable ye lightweight tnd exible plastic sheet material whichis porbus ie. it Jncludess phimlity of aperture. A wateqnoot hat able and sound-permeable membrane 70" situated on eachUS 2013/0161126 Al side of the sound absorbent panel 401. Thus, the frst and second covers 80" and 60 form a sound-permeable protective mesh over the sound absorbent panel 40” and the membranes 70), while the membranes 70° prevent water ingsess. This ‘configuration enables both face’ ofthe sound barrier 107 to ‘absorb sound elletively 0071) ‘The harrier 10 may also include an impermeable ng the top or other edges ofthe barrier to Iherproofing and a surlace for printing. FIGS. 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of sound Tn this example, the sereen body’ 20" shown in (0072) bareioe 10" FIG. 11 may be attache to a exible, waterproof non-porous layer 65, for example a PVC layer, whieh is hung From @ supporting stricture (aot shown) using eyelets 110. The non- porous layer 68 aes asa mass layer, ie it restricts the trans- ‘mission of sound through the barrier 10", With the addition of the non-porous layer mass layer 6, sound which bas passed through the sereen20'is reflected back through the sergen 20° by the non-porous layer 68, Thus, the arrangement may pro- vide improved sound absorption in addition to reduces sound transmission. The non-porous layer 65 and the sereen may be ‘coextensive with the sercen 20 and both bung frm the sup= Porting structure using, as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the non-porous layer may be hung from a supporting structure andthe sereen 20' attached to the non- porous layer 68 using known technigues, such as Velero®, ties, poppers, andior clips (not shown). With the later ‘arrangement, the non-porous layer 65 can be sized to fit the requirements ofa given installation, 10073] Iwill be appreciated that the mounting device 30 ‘wih Hooks 130, and the Listening means 32 for securing the barriers 10 in a rolled upstate are features which could be applied (ogether or separately) to different types of barriers, sich as sound absorbing barriers which do not include @ ‘waterproof sound permeable layer, or bartiers used for other purposes such as visual screening 10074] FIG. 14 shows an alternative configuration of ‘motining device 230 connected to the sereen body 20. The ‘mounting device 230 is substantially the same as mounting device 130, However, instead of fixing the book member by means of a carrier, the fixing means 240 of the mounting ‘device 230 secures thehook member 235 directly othe eyelet 210 f the barrier 10, Alternatively, the fixing means fixes the hook member 238 toa hole through the barrier 10, ifno eyelet provided. In ether case, the hook member 238 isnot slid- able relative to the harrier asin the first embodiment, but is slidably fixed relative to the barrier. 10075] As shown in FIG. 14, one of the side arm seetions 260may be bent, fabricated, or moulded such that itis angled back towards the barrier 10 to suspend the barrier 10 more securely. 10076] FIG. 15 shows a furher alternative configuration of ‘mounting device 330. The mounting device 330 comprises & hook member 338, which includes rounded, frst se arm section 360 Tor placing ver the lop ofa supporting structure ‘Nanda second side arm section 365, atthe end of which is a barrier hook section 380 facing inwardly, i. toward the frst side arm section 360. The hook section 380 is passed through the eyelet 310 of te bavier 10, or simpy through olen the barrier 10; to suspendithebarriec 10 fromthe mounting device 330. 10077] _Altemtively, as shown in FIG. 16, the barter hook section 380 ofthe mounting device 3M may be configu to Jace outwardly, ie- away from the fist side arm section 360. Jun. 27, 2013 ‘With this configuration, the barrier 10 may be easily placed ‘over, or removed om, the harrier hook section 380" while the ‘mounting device 330" remains in place over the supporting structure A. [0078] FIGS. 17 and 18 show a further configuration of ‘mounting device 480, The mounting device 430 comprises a resilient and substantially S-shaped hook member 435 having fist and second hook sections 460, 465, The dimensions of the frst and second hook sections 460, 465 may be diferent and selected such that they clip over diferent diameter fence tubes B and C. For example, inthe UK constuction industry the fence tubes rypeally used are approximately 40 mm and 135 mm in diameter, respectively. Tas, if fist hook section 46a a diameter of slighty ess than 40 mm and the second hook section 465 has a diameter of slightly less than 3§ mim, the slightly resilient hook member 435 will beheld in tension and will grip t the fence post Bor [0079] The open ends 490, 49S of each hook section 460, 465 may be narower than the diameter ofthe respective tbe BorC, asshovin in FIGS, 17 and 18, to providea more secure clipping of the hook member 435 to ne fence tube B oF C. [0080] In use, one or more hook members 438 are vera fence tube B or C, using ether first or second hook scction 460,465, The selection of first or second hook section 4460, 465 will depend on the diameter of fence tube from the barrier 10 is to be suspended. The sereen 20 is then hooked over the hook section which isnot clipped over the ence tube. By way of example, FIG. 18 shows the first hook soction 460 clipped over fence tube Band the sereen 20 hung Irom the second hook section 465 [0081] Thus, the present invention provides a sound absor= ‘bent barrier tht is highly flexible and waterproof without compromising the seoustic absorption properties af the absorbent material. The flexibility allows the barrier to be ‘conformed to suit the supporting structure, typically fencing or scaffolding, and to be rolled or folded for transport or storage, 1. exible sound absorbent barrier comprising: sound absorbent layer disposed between a first porous Sounw-permeable cover anda second cover; and ‘waterproof sound-permeable textile membrane disposed ‘between the fist cover and the sound absorbent layer. 2. Alexible sound absorbent barrier acoording to claim 1, ‘wherein the second cover is porous and sound-permeable 3. flexible sound absorbent barrier according to claim 1, ‘wherein the second cover is non-porous 4.A flexible sound absorbent barrier according to claim 1, wherein a second waterproof sound-permeable textile mem brane is disposed between the second cover and the sound sahsorbent ler. 5. A flexible sound absorbent barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound absorbeat layer comprises aa open cell foam: 6. flexible sound absorbent harrier as claimed in claim ‘wherein the sound absorbent layer comprises profiled sur {ice including a purity of ridges or protrusions, 7.A flexible sound absorbeat hartier as claimed in claim I ‘wherein the sound absorbent barriers sufficiently exible for ito be rolled, 8.A flexible sound absorbent barrier as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the sound absorhent barrier further comprises fas. ‘ening means to retain the sound absorbent barrier in arolled- upstateUS 2013/0161126 Al 9. flexible sound absorbeat barrie ax claimed inclim 3, wherein the second cover i formed from PV 10.A flexible sound absorbent barieraecording claim 2, wherein a exible, non-porous tind cover is provided adjan ‘cent 10 the second caver, 11. A flexible sound absorbent harrier according wo elim 10, wherein the third cover is formed from PVC. 12. A flexible sound absorbent hartir as claimed in elim 1, wherein the sound absorbent barter Further comprises @ mounting device for hanging the sound absorbent barrier rom a supporting siructure 13. flexible souad absorbeat bartir as claimed in elim 12, wherein the mounting device comprises a hook member 14. flexible sound absorbeat barier as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mounting device further comprises a carrier to which thehook member is slidably connected such thatthe hook member is slidable relative to the sound absorbent bar Fier in adireetion substantially perpendicular a plane ofthe sound absorbent barrie. 15. A flexible sound absorbeat harrier as claimed in elim 14, wherein the mounting deviee comprises detent means to resist sliding ofthe hook member. Jun. 27, 2013 16. flexible sound absorbent barter as eaimed in chi 14, wherein the mounting device comprises detent means 10 divide the sliding displacement of the hook member into ‘serte increments 17. flexible sound absorbent barier according to claim 13, wherein the hook member comprises a frst hook for hanging the barrier from a supporting structure anda second book for hanging the barrie from the hook member 18, flexible sound absorbent barier according to claim 17, wherein the first and second hook members ae different 19. A sound absorbent barrier as claimed in claim 1 ‘wherein the first cover is formed froma flexible plastie mate- Fil. 20, A sound absorbent barrier as claimed in claim 1, ‘wherein the waterproof sound-permeable membrane is ormed from Gore-Tex or equivalent material 21. (canceled)