Nonmetallic Resilient Element Patents (Class 248/632)
  • Patent number: 6601818
    Abstract: A tilting mount for controlling the angular tilting or rocking displacement of a support member. The tilting mount comprises an outer elastomeric member and an inner sleeve with an annular flange. An end of the support member is inserted in a bore that extends through the sleeve. The mount is adapted to be seated in a base, and a cup substantially overlays the mount. As the support member is tilted and displaced from its vertical position, diagonally disposed portions of the mount member are compressed between the flange and both the cup and base in order to facilitate and control the angular displacement of the support member. The elastomeric member provides snubbing that limits the angular displacement of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Atle Larsen
  • Patent number: 6592285
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device is provided for removably connecting a first and second component. The device includes a holding arm adapted to be attached to the first component; a receiving element adapted to be attached to the second component; and at least one vibration-damping element of elastic material coupled to the holding arm. The holding arm is insertable into the receiving element, whereby the at least one vibration-damping element is slidable along at least a surface of the receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Schwarz Verbindungs-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6585222
    Abstract: In a vibration isolator wherein an inner and an outer cylindrical fittings are connected by a rubber elastomer between both fittings; in the rubber elastomer above and below the inner cylindrical fitting, hollow spaces are formed circumferentially in a larger width, in a cross-section square to the axial direction, than an outside diameter of the inner cylindrical fitting; and lateral portions as support arms of the rubber elastomer between the hollow spaces support the inner cylindrical fitting to the outer cylindrical fitting, in order to lower the dynamic spring rate in the lateral direction square to the axial direction and facilitate the tuning of rigidity, without changing the vibration-isolating characteristics in the vertical direction and without deteriorating the durability, small vacancies are provided in the lateral portions at a distant position inboard from the outer cylindrical fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Tire and Rubber Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Ihara, Hironori Kato
  • Patent number: 6536594
    Abstract: A vibration damping bushing including an elastic body of generally cylindrical shape formed of an elastic material and having a bore through which there is inserted a shaft member whose vibration is to be damped, and an outer mounting surface which extends in an axial direction of the elastic body and at which the elastic body is fixed to a mounting bracket, wherein a plurality of engaging jaws are formed integrally with the elastic body, on respective peripheral portions of the outer flat mounting surface of the elastic body, such that the engaging jaws extend from the mounting surface and are elastically engageable with respective engaging portions of the mounting bracket, so that the elastic body is fixed to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6525931
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cover for a hard disk drive which can prevent the outflow of a damping resin material and the loosening of a screw fixing the cover to a storage-enclosing case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kokoku Intech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumihiko Yagenji, Takuya Funatsu, Takumi Unno
  • Patent number: 6513769
    Abstract: A camera pedestal having a vibration dampening steering ring. The steering ring is vibrationally isolated from most vibrations caused by the mechanisms of the camera pedestal. The spokes of the steering ring have vertical flex to further dampen vibrations. The steering ring is covered with a vibration dampening cover to further dampen vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6499714
    Abstract: A system for and method of mounting a machine to a base. A mounting bolt is provided for extending through the base, the mounting bolt includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, and an enlarged head attached to the second end of the shaft. A grommet having an aperture for receiving the shaft of the mounting bolt and having a groove for receiving the machine is provided. A nut attaches to the shaft of the mounting bolt adjacent the first end thereof to secure the grommet to the mounting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Wike
  • Patent number: 6501645
    Abstract: When supporting an HDA including an H/DA and an electronic control circuit board for controlling the same in a fixed frame (drive bay) of upper level apparatus by means of elastic or “soft” fixation, counterforce of an FPC cable gives it bad influence. When rigidly securing the HDA in a translational motion direction while attaining soft fixation in a direction of rotation, the HDA is rotatably supported with its center of gravity being as the center of rotation in a soft secure/support mechanism as taught from Published Japanese Patent Application No. 8-161880 (JP-A-8161880) for example; however, in the case of employing one of commercially available general purpose HDAs, this is disposed so that a bent or curved portion of its cable is identical in position to the rotation center or placed at a nearby location of the gravity center to thereby preclude the stiffness of an FPC cable hardly affects such rotatable support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Hanazawa, Masahiko Sega, Toshiaki Kojima, Yasuhiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6498719
    Abstract: A portable computer housing including an enclosure with a support wall and a strike zone including a first protrusion in the support wall. A support member is attached to the enclosure. The support member includes a base wall positioned in close proximity to the support wall of the enclosure. A second protrusion is formed in the base wall of the support member. The second protrusion is offset from the base wall by a first distance with at least a portion of the second protrusion being received within the first protrusion. A recess in the second protrusion is offset from the base wall by a second distance. The second distance is less than the first distance. The potential for impact-related failure of components in the portable computer is greatly reduced. Also, the configuration of the strike zone reduces the magnitude of the shock from an impact and eliminates a portion of the high frequency content that is known to damage components such as the hard drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventor: John W. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20020190185
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a seat suspension that includes a first section and a second section which are moveably connected. A deformable isolator is located between the sections. The isolator is held in place by a retaining means such a ring, post and in other ways. The isolator is comprised of a plurality of gaps separating solid sections which cooperate to resist the movement of at least one of the sections. This may be accomplished by resisting the movement of the section as it is urged against the isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Dale Ropp
  • Patent number: 6435470
    Abstract: A tunable mass coupled to a body subjected to forced vibrations that reduces the vibration amplitudes of the body in the forced vibration frequency band. The mass includes a container having a plurality of cavities with grooves in the lower surfaces and notched side walls. Each cavity is filled with spherical elements which are restrained by the grooves and notches. The tunable mass is constructed to respond in a spring like manner so that vibration frequencies of the mass are tunable to provide counter vibrations in the forced vibration frequency band. Vibration frequency amplitude reduction is provided by vibrations of the mass that are in phase opposition to the vibrations of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Jamil I. Lahham, Lloyd S. Sikes, Stephen J. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20020100854
    Abstract: A furnace mounting system to elevate the furnace above the floor. In one form the furnace mounting system includes a furnace mounting block including a vibration dampening feature to prevent the transmission of noise and vibration from the furnace to the mounting block. The furnace mounting block includes a locating feature and is adhered to the bottom surface of the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Stansbury
  • Patent number: 6405487
    Abstract: A driving arrangement for moving at least one object, which is positioned movably inside a runner rail, in particular a sliding door, a sliding window, or a partitioning wall, comprising an electric motor (1) that drives a traction element (4) by way of a drive pulley (3) that is arranged at one end of the runner rail, which traction element circulates around a reversing device arranged at the other end of the runner rail and moves the object, characterized in that the rotor shaft for the electric motor (1) drives a driven shaft (6) by way of a gear (5). The axis (14) of the driven shaft extends at a right angle to the axis (13) of the rotor shaft and drives the drive pulley (3) by way of a transmission arrangement (9, 10, 11), wherein the gear (5) is positioned such that it can pivot elastically and at a specific angle around the axis (14) of driven shaft (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Heinrich Reisinger
  • Patent number: 6381915
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a molding, a molding, and a mounting system including the mounting device and the molding. A method for mounting the molding using the mounting device is also provided. The mounting device is adapted for mounting to a surface and has a protective lip to retain and protect an inner edge of the molding. The mounting device also has a snap-catch for securing the molding. The molding has a decorative top surface and an underside adapted to receive the snap-catch of the mounting device and to prevent interference of the molding with fasteners used to secure the mounting device to the surface. The arrangement provides for quick, snap mounting and/or demounting the molding to the mounting device without the need for removal of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Selectrim Corporation
    Inventor: James Wood
  • Patent number: 6311945
    Abstract: A passive vibration isolation device includes a support frame, an instrument support platform and a plurality of vibration isolators. The support frame is adapted to rest on a support surface. The instrument support platform is adapted to support an instrument thereon. The vibration isolators are spaced apart from one another and disposed between and interconnect the support frame and the instrument support platform such that the instrument support platform is suspended by the vibration isolators in a position spaced from the support frame and above the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ted Pella, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D'Angelo
  • Publication number: 20010030274
    Abstract: A machine mount is disclosed. The mount is ideally suited for naval applications but is generally applicable to any type of equipment. The shock and vibration absorbing part of the mount is made of elements of molded urethane or similar material that change shape as static loading increases. The mount has elements shaped to give a smooth but non-linear, increasing response in static loading. As the static load is applied the extra deformation increases the mount stiffness in two ways, there is an increase in load to mount surface contact area and the elements of the mount change from flex loading to shear and compression as the shape of the elements change under load. The natural frequency of the mount in loading is low and relatively constant over a wider range of static loads then prior art mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Kelli Corona-Bittick, Jim Dorr, Colin Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 6290296
    Abstract: A chair height control mechanism has a gas cylinder with a valve control finger extending from an upper end overlain by a tilting actuator. A resilient pad is adhered to the upper end of the gas cylinder surrounding the valve control finger and maintains a spacing between the valve control finger and actuator when the actuator is not in use to avoid rattle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Northfield Metal Products Limited
    Inventor: Ken A. Beggs
  • Patent number: 6264164
    Abstract: A ring-shaped elastomer body is defined by an outer wall and an inner wall and includes two diametrically opposed suspension poles and two equatorial zones. The suspension poles and the equatorial zones are arranged such that the suspension poles move away from each other and the equatorial zones approach each other when the suspension lug is subjected to tensile loading. A flexible insert is embedded in the elastomer body such that the insert transmits tensile forces from one of the suspension poles to the other of the suspension poles through the equatorial zones when the suspension lug is subjected to tensile loading. The distance of the insert from the inner wall of the elastomer body decreases steadily from the suspension poles to the equatorial zones. As a result, no harmful tensile stress can occur anywhere in the elastomer body when the suspension lug is subjected to tensile loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: SGF Süddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Steinmaier
  • Patent number: 6201691
    Abstract: A removable electronic subassembly is designed for placement into a data processing system which requires said removable electronic subassembly to fit into an aperture defining a selected form factor. The removable electronic subassembly comprises a rigid enclosure which encloses interior components of the removable electronic subassembly. The rigid enclosure has exterior dimensions which are smaller than the selected form factor. A layer of resilient material is mounted to an exterior of the rigid enclosure. The layer of resilient material and the rigid enclosure have at least one exterior dimension which exceeds the selected form factor in an uncompressed state wherein the resilient material may be compressed such that the at least one exterior dimension conforms to the selected form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Subrahmanyan Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 6145182
    Abstract: Bolted mounting assemblies for use between two mounted components wherein one of the components experiences vibration typically use rubber shock absorbers to dampen the vibration transfer between the components. The rubber shock absorbers are expensive and complicated to manufacture and are limited in flexibility control. The present invention overcomes this and other problems by providing an adhesive with damping capabilities between washers in a bolt assembly. The bolt assembly is used to mount first and second components with the washers therebetween. The adhesive is spaced a predetermined distance from a longitudinal axis of a bolt and has a non-uniform thickness which increases as the distance from the longitudinal axis increases to provide protection from bending loads about the axis. The washers with adhesive form a washer assembly with damping and flexibility characteristics controlled through variations in the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephane L. Mandon
  • Patent number: 6129326
    Abstract: Bolted mounting assemblies for use between two mounted components wherein one of the components experiences vibration typically use rubber shock absorbers to dampen the vibration transfer between the components. The rubber shock absorbers are expensive and complicated to manufacture and are limited in flexibility control. The present invention overcomes this and other problems by providing an adhesive with damping capabilities between washers in a bolt assembly. The bolt assembly is used to mount first and second components with the washers therebetween. The adhesive is spaced a predetermined distance from a longitudinal axis of a bolt and has a non-uniform thickness which increases as the distance from the longitudinal axis increases to provide protection from bending loads about the axis. The washers with adhesive form a washer assembly with damping and flexibility characteristics controlled through variations in the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephane L. Mandon
  • Patent number: 6078498
    Abstract: A low sway space isolation chassis adapter is disclosed to facilitate the mounting of a disc drive in a mounting environment, the disc drive having a base deck to which a printed circuit board is affixed. A mounting plate is secured to mounting features of the base deck so that the printed circuit board is disposed between the mounting plate and the base deck. The mounting plate includes a central web to which a damping layer is affixed. A chassis plate is disposed between the mounting plate and the printed circuit board, the chassis plate having a central web which is affixed to the damping layer and mounting flanges facilitating the mounting of the disc drive. The damping layer and the central webs of the chassis plate and mounting plate form a laminate which provides constraint layer damping for the disc drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Scott Eckerd, Kenneth Lee Pottebaum
  • Patent number: 6070849
    Abstract: A resilient suspension device for the exhaust pipe of any vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the device comprising a resilient body provided with fastener means for fastening both to the structure of the vehicle and to said exhaust pipe. The device is characterized in that it includes at least one transverse bar 8 carrying a counter-oscillating mass M, the end 9 of said bar remote from said mass M being included in a zone 16 of said body which is subject to vibration, and said bar 8 being held in a location situated between said zone 16 and said mass M by a relatively fixed portion 10 of said body, forming a pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Franck Larmande, Christophe Roquain
  • Patent number: 6056259
    Abstract: A tuned additive mass to a body subjected to forced vibrations that reduces the vibration amplitudes. The mass is coupled to the body in a manner that establishes a node at the previous maximum response of the body to the applied forces. The mass is constructed to respond in a spring like manner so that vibration frequencies of the mass is tunable to provide counter vibrations in the vibration frequency band. Vibration amplitude reduction is establish by vibrations of the mass that are in phase oppositions of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Sperry Marine Inc.
    Inventor: Jamil I. Lahham
  • Patent number: 6017013
    Abstract: A damped instrument kinematic mount providing novel damping features to protect instruments from damaging flight loads. The mounting scheme utilizes any number of identical strut elements to greatly reduce manufacturing complexity and costs. Improved kinematic mount performance is achieved by arranging the six strut configuration to approximately uncouple the mount suspension modes. A spherical joint damper is located at strut flexure locations and utilizes a viscoelastic damping material that deforms in shear. Alternatively, cylindrical slot mount dampers are placed at strut flexure locations. The cylindrical slot mount dampers use o-rings or washers placed within the slotted machined mount bar stock. The kinematic mounts can then be arranged in a classical truss arrangement pattern or other configuration providing desired damping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Stepan S. Simonian
  • Patent number: 5999004
    Abstract: The electrical impedance of a dumbbell-shaped rubber sheet (1) is measured, and the deterioration of the dumbbell-shaped rubber sheet (1) is detected from the result of the measurement. The present invention relates to a method of detecting a change in the property of a rubber member or a rubber member of a rubber bearing, such as a change in the shape or dimensions thereof, a change in the state of the stress and strain thereof, deterioration thereof, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Atomic Energy Research Insittute
    Inventors: Yoshinao Okawa, Youichi Akutsu, Ikuo Shimoda, Masayoshi Ikenaga
  • Patent number: 5974610
    Abstract: A counterbalance weight is provided for a laundry washing machine tub. The weight includes a weighted body securable to the tub with a foam impact-absorbing member mounted on the body in a position below the tub so as to absorb impact forces on the tub. The body of the counterbalance weight includes a pair of open slots adapted to receive bolts extending from the tub so as to slidably mount the counterbalance weight onto the tub. In an alternative embodiment, impact-absorbing members are provided on the bottom of a hung strut tub to absorb impact to the tub and to maintain the vibration-absorbing function of the strut springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Troy A. Johnson, Greg K. Harmelink, Stephen D. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 5944297
    Abstract: A mount for isolating a vibrating member from its support. An elastomeric element is made up of four components that are preferably bonded to the inclined outer surface of an inner member and the inclined inner surface of an outer member. One of the inner and outer members is bifurcated and drawing the two halves into mating engagement results in the elastomeric components being preloaded simultaneously in compression and shear. The elastomeric element is preferably formed with portions which snub movement in each of three orthogonal directions. The dimensions of the pair of elastomeric components above or below the vibrating member may be different than the other pair since the greater compression strain on one pair of components will make its stiffness characteristics more critical to determining the effective stiffness of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace C. Flower, Paul J. Balczun, Thomas A. David, Holly M. Carlson, Ulrich A. Kuester
  • Patent number: 5934028
    Abstract: A toggle linkage for incorporation into a frame of a structure, such as a building, including a first link having a shock absorber therein, a first end on the first link connected to a first area of the frame, a second link having a first end connected to a second area of the frame remote from the first area, a second end on the second link, a third link having a first end connected to a third area on the frame remote from the first and second areas, and a second end on the third link. The second ends of the second and third links are connected to each other by a metal plate structure which has a bending axis, and the second end of the first link is pivotally connected to the second ends of the second and third links along an axis which is coincident with the bending axis of the metal plate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Tayco Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5870863
    Abstract: A toggle linkage for incorporation into a frame of a structure, such as a building, including a first link having a shock absorber therein, a first end on the first link connected to a first area of the frame, a second link having a first end connected to a second area of the frame remote from the first area, a second end on the second link, a third link having a first end connected to a third area on the frame remote from the first and second areas, a second end on the third link, a second end on the first link connected proximate the second end of the second link, and the second ends of the second and third links being connected to each other by a metal plate which is welded therebetween and which flexes in the direction of its thickness and not in the direction of its width so as to maintain the longitudinal axes of the second and third links in the same plane when the toggle linkage is activated by a seismic event as before the toggle linkage was activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Tayco Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5797228
    Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing including a top load plate (11A) for securing the bearing to a structure to be supported, a lower load plate (11B) for securing the bearing assembly to the foundation, and a steel reinforced rubber bearing body (13) sandwiched therebetween. The rubber bearing body (13) performs the bearing and restorative functions of the seismic isolation bearing. A steel midplate (14) extends radially from the middle of the bearing body laminated stack, and includes a plurality of holes (35) proximate the outer circumaference of the midplate. A first series of yield pins (12T) are anchored to the top load plate and extended downwardly toward the bottom load plate, and a second series of yield pins (12B) are anchored to the bottom load plate and extend upwarlly towards to the top load plate. The yield pins (12T, 12B) are received within the oversized holes (35) disposed about the periphery of the midplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Tekton
    Inventor: Zoltan A. Kemeny
  • Patent number: 5769519
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet having a framework secured on a frame-like base. The framework has branches and is closed or closable by wall elements and at least one door. In order to design a switchgear cabinet that is as earthquake-proof as possible, a bottom side of the branches of a lower frame of the framework is connected by a plate-like damper frame to the top side of the base, which in turn may be fixed to a cabinet supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Nicolai
  • Patent number: 5762312
    Abstract: A machinery mounting pad for heavy machinery formed of an elastic deformable material having load supporting elements homogeneously defined thereon of various vertical height whereby the extent of compression of the pad elements under a vertical load may be visually observed, and measured, and as the deformation and compression of the pad is known with respect to predetermined magnitudes of load, the weight imposed upon the pad may be approximately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Unisorb Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne H. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5758861
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for mounting equipment (12) to a foundation (14) and for isolating the equipment from shock loads and acoustic vibrations comprises an outer retaining member (16) secured to the equipment, an intermediate retaining member (18) secured to the foundation and an inner retaining member (20) secured to the equipment. A first resilient member (22) is secured in position for sliding contact with an inner surface (86) of the outer retaining member during static loading, axial loading causing movement of the foundation and/or equipment toward the other or transverse loading, whereby the first resilient member is loaded predominately in compression. A second resilient member (24) is secured in position for sliding contact with an inner surface (96) of the intermediate retaining member during axial loading causing movement of the foundation and/or equipment away from each other or transverse loading, whereby the second resilient member is loaded predominately in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
    Inventor: Thomas Daniel Feldhaus
  • Patent number: 5746411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension pad designed to be placed in a cavity (8) formed by two structural elements (1, 3; 2, 4), in particular by a frame and a container tank, and to prevent the transmission of vibrations and shocks from one structural element to the other. This pad comprises two parallel supporting surfaces (5), a lateral surface which is provided with an annular groove (7) equidistant from the supporting surfaces and is defined by two coaxial and opposing cone trunks, the small bases of which join up with the supporting surfaces (5) and the large bases of which join up with the sides of the annular groove (7), and a central orifice (9) intended to permit the passage of connecting means (11, 12) designed to connect the structural elements (1, 3; 2, 4) to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Michel Bruas
    Inventors: Michel Y. Bruas, Henri J. Cainaud
  • Patent number: 5738330
    Abstract: An improved machinery mount for supporting a load on a substructure such as a building floor, having a support member engagable with at least a portion of said load, and a bearing member disposed beneath said support member and spaced therefrom. A damper disposed between the bearing member and the substructure includes a plurality of compressible resilient members and at least one rigid member interposed between the resilient members, the uppermost resilient member disposed adjacent the bearing member and the lowermost resilient member disposed adjacent the substructure. The resilient members, being preferably rubber or plastic, are bonded to the adjacent rigid member, preferably being a metal. Preferably, the damper is secured to the bearing member, and the bearing member is secured to the support member, the three components thereby forming an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Vibro/Dynamics Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Folkens, Harold E. Reinke, Wayne A. Fetters
  • Patent number: 5722631
    Abstract: A single-piece elastomeric mount installed over a plurality of openings has a like plurality of reinforcing plates to permit the elastomeric rib between the plates' edges to flex. The apertures in the mount can then be aligned with holes in a support having wider tolerances on their end positions. The mount may include two sets of plates: an upper load-distribution set and a lower wear-reducing set, each set being bonded to the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Dorton
  • Patent number: 5694267
    Abstract: A removable disk drive is combined with a protective device for use in a computer. The protective device is constructed as a jacket made of resilient material, the jacket enclosing at least a portion of the surface of the disk drive. In one embodiment, the disk drive includes a substantially rigid disk in a housing having a footprint that includes a first dimension of about 35 mm. In another embodiment, the removable disk drive includes a housing and a substantially rigid disk having a diameter in the range of from about 33 mm to about 34 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Integral Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Morehouse, David M. Furay, James A. Dunckley, John A. Mount, Bernard J. Rondestvedt, Steven B. Volk
  • Patent number: 5690304
    Abstract: A mounting system comprising an adjustment means adaptable for assuming a load, a supporting member and a bearing member in spaced relationship, and a compressible resilient member is disposed in supporting relationship with the bearing member. A portable fluidic cylinder is adaptable for connection and disconnection to a fluid source means, and an opening between the bearing member and the supporting member, such as an opening in a side wall of the supporting member, is of sufficient size to accommodate the cylinder. The fluidic cylinder is portable and adaptable for interposition between the bearing member and the supporting member and extendable to space the supporting member in a direction away from the bearing member without reducing deflection or compression of the resilient member, thereby permitting adjustment of extremely heavy loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Vibro/Dynamics Corp.
    Inventor: Jerry D. Folkens
  • Patent number: 5682712
    Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing for bridges, buildings and machines with steel reinforced rubber body and external or internal tapered steel pin uniform yielders. The pins are fixed to load plates and intersect in mid plate or in the bearing body. External pins may be threaded ended to be used with nuts and other hardware as temporary press for assembly. Also as temporary ties for handling before installation or as anchorbolts. Vertical bearing stiffness is greatly controlled by the size of a central hole, passing vertically through the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: MM Systems of Arizona
    Inventor: Zoltan A. Kemeny
  • Patent number: 5681023
    Abstract: A support member for use in groups of three or more to support and sonically damp a speaker enclosure. Each support member includes an intermediate piece which is preferably generally conical, a resilient damper element disk overlaying the piece upper, larger end and a pin extending downwardly from the piece lower, smaller end. The dimensions of the three principal components are selected such that a speaker enclosure is supported just above a carpet with the pin extending down through the carpet, through any backing or pad beneath the carpet and to an underlying rigid floor, typically concrete. This serves to directly couple the speaker enclosure to the massive substructure. The diameter of the pin is preferably no more than about one-eighths inch in order to prevent significant damage to the carpet and underlying pad. Preferably, the resilient damper element is fabricated from a urethane-based polymer material which achieves controlled additional damping in the critical bass frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Alexei Sheydayi
  • Patent number: 5657958
    Abstract: A seat post assembly attaching a seat to a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes an elastomeric shock absorbing subassembly bonded to a curved bar which is received in a tube of the bicycle at one end and attaches to a seat at the other. The subassembly is also retained on the inside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Monroe Clevite Elastomers Division of The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. McLaughlin, Kevin J. Jaworski
  • Patent number: 5583742
    Abstract: A computer including a body case housing a display, an outer member formed of an impact-resistant material integrally formed on the outside surface of the body case, and an outwardly-projecting cushioning portion formed at each corner of the outside member. Each of the cushioning portions has a first protective portion extending outwardly from the body case, and a second protective portion projecting curvilinearly with respect to the first protective portion and extending onto a surface or a back side of the body case. The cushioning portions are formed of an elastic material. Further, vent holes are formed in the body case which are sealed with a porous film which is permeable to gas but not permeable to water. The vent holes provide an escape path for gas produced by a battery, such as a nickel-hydrogen battery, in the event that the battery explodes within the body case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Noda, Hitoshi Funaki, Naoyoshi Sainokami
  • Patent number: 5580028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a jounce plate fastener retention system and method of installation. A bushing is disposed within a cradle isolator of the fastener retention system. A plurality of radially spaced legs are formed from the bushing and extend outward therefrom. A fastener extends through a rigid fastener surround and a fastener retainer washer. Moreover, a jounce plate that is vertically spaced from the cradle isolator is also provided. The bore of the jounce plate is of a diameter that is less than the diameter of the fastener so that an interference fit is created between the jounce plate and the fastener when the fastener is inserted through the bore of the jounce plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Dara M. Tomczak, Michelle L. O'Connor, Mark F. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 5566919
    Abstract: A motor mount for reducing vibration and noise associated with motor load imbalances. The mount includes a one-piece elastomeric support having a motor attachment portion from which a plurality of supporting legs extend. Prior to assembly, the amount has a planar configuration. In assembly, the motor attachment portion is positioned around and secured to the motor by a clamp. Brackets are provided to secure the legs to a base. The mount provides the motor with pivotal freedom of motion but prevents substantial vertical displacement of the motor. The motor mount is well suited for use in centrifuges and other apparatus in which load imbalances cause vibration. In one embodiment, the mount includes three legs so that, in assembly, the mount is tripod-like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Norfolk Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry E. Shephard
  • Patent number: 5558310
    Abstract: A radiator support bracket includes a bracket body and a stopper member. The bracket body is uniformly made of resin and has a plate-like base portion to be fixed to the vehicle frame, a transformable arm portion that extends from the base portion, and a support portion that holds the upper side of the radiator. The stopper member can also be made of resin uniformly with the bracket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneichi Furuie, Masato Ueno, Takashi Maeno, Yutaka Ogasawara, Masaki Inoue, Naoki Mori
  • Patent number: 5546711
    Abstract: A barrier system provides protection for isolators from fire and heat. Insulative panels are positioned about said isolator and are attached thereto and to one another in such a manner so as to allow the isolator to distort without compromising the barrier's ability to effectively shield the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Paul S. Heller
  • Patent number: 5490356
    Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing for bridges, buildings and machines with steel reinforced rubber body and external or internal tapered steel pin uniform yielders. The pins are fixed to load plates and intersect in mid plate or in the bearing body. External pins may be threaded ended to be used with nuts and other hardware as temporary press for assembly. Also as temporary ties for handling before installation or as anchorbolts. Vertical bearing stiffness is greatly controlled by the size of a central hole, passing vertically through the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: MM Systems of Arizona
    Inventor: Zoltan A. Kemeny
  • Patent number: 5461835
    Abstract: A composite seismic isolator for a structure having a column or wall to be supported on a foundation comprising first and second seismic isolators having vertical axes. The first seismic isolator is constructed so that it is relatively soft in a horizontal direction transverse to the vertical axis in comparison to the second seismic isolator. A restraint is provided by the second seismic isolator for restraining transverse movement of the first seismic isolator between predetermined limits. The composite seismic isolator is mounted between the foundation and the wall or column to be supported by the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Alexander G. Tarics
  • Patent number: 5433414
    Abstract: A bracket for vertically mounting an object to various structural supports such as a wall, a vertical beam or a floor stand. The device comprises two rigid "L" shaped brackets mounted in opposing fashion which clamp the object using vertical tension applied by the resiliency of both steel and rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Richard S. Vieira