Rubber Patents (Class 267/153)
  • Patent number: 5409199
    Abstract: A marine fender is disclosed which protects a vessel and a dock from damage caused by an impact. The fender is in the form of a tube with a substantial thickness, is comprised of polyurethane and has a uniform arrangement of cavities or openings in its outer surface. The cavities are formed by a web of walls and have substantial depth but do not penetrate through the thickness of the tube to the interior. The fender may also be comprised of four layers. The first layer is comprised of a Shore A hardness of between 80 and 90 and is approximately 25 mm thick. The second layer is comprised of a Shore A hardness of between 75-80 and is approximately 50 mm thick. The third layer is comprised of a Shore A hardness of between 55-75 and is approximately 50 mm thick. The fourth layer is comprised of a Shore A hardness of between 80 and 90 and is approximately 25 mm thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Manfred Kahmann
  • Patent number: 5375823
    Abstract: An improved damper, of the type comprising elements for progressively resisting, in exponential manner, the advance of a piston under the effect of a force of axial compression, which functions as a stop opposing any displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined value, in an intervertebral stabilization device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Societe PSI
    Inventor: Fernand Navas
  • Patent number: 5351940
    Abstract: A vibration damping material represents a high vibration damping property (loss factor .eta.) in a plurality of temperature ranges. A viscoelastic material layer between two constraining plates or between a constraining plate and a vibrating body is in the form of a bubble-contained adhesive layer containing bubbles. Near the glass transitional point (Tg), the bubble-contained adhesive layer is changed from a glass status to a rubber status and represents a first peak of the loss factor. In a temperature range above Tg, a second peak of the loss factor appears by virtue of consumption of vibration energy caused by friction at the interface between air bubbles and polymer attendant to expansion and contraction. That is, peaks of the loss factor appear at two temperatures, and the temperature dependency is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yano, Takahiro Niwa, Seiji Sakurada
  • Patent number: 5330165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper consisting only of elastomeric parts of different hardnesses without any metal parts and comprising basically a layer of laterally spaced bodies (1) in the form of spheres, cubes, diamond studs, pyramids or the like distinct bodies, said layer of bodies (1) being sandwiched between two plate elements (2) of a harder elastomer than that of the said bodies (1), wherein the facing sides of the layer and the plate elements are geared to one another in such a way that the contact between them is limited to point-shaped or at the most line-shaped places of contact and for the rest the softer elastomeric bodies (1) are substantially freely deformable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Willy van Goubergen
  • Patent number: 5318282
    Abstract: In a vibration damper, a load-attachment unit carried by a spring member has an axially supported fixing screw with a threaded section pointing upwards, the head of the fixing screw being accessible by way of openings in a fastening part supporting the fixing screw, the spring member and a base plate from the underside of the vibration damper, so that the vibration damper may be located on those machine parts in which there is no possibility of access to the support point from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Stop-Choc Schwingungstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Lothar Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5308048
    Abstract: An automotive suspension strut upper mounting assembly providing increased stroke length and enhanced spring rate tunability with the major working area of the mount being located above the body panel attachment surface. The mount comprises a housing including upper and lower closures readily assembled to enclose a composite isolator mount comprising an inner metal cup bonded to an outer elastomeric ring. The composite ring has a concentric sleeve embedded therein defining inner and outer body portions providing an increased spring rate for stiffening lateral vehicle motion caused by handling maneuvers. The inner and outer body portions are each formed with a pair of diametrically opposed fore and aft voids selectively reducing the spring rate thereby softening longitudinally imposed impact loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Weaver, Donald A. Spravsow, Robert L. Carter
  • Patent number: 5280890
    Abstract: A radial compression spring having a formed of an elastomer having a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain that is greater than 1.5 to 1 into a hollow body having oriented wall sections that include a bend as a result of radial precompression. The spring is precompressed to overcome the compression set characteristics of the elastomer and to orient its molecular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal E. Wydra
  • Patent number: 5261648
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an isolating device comprising an isolator designed to reciprocatively support the housing of a computer by means of an insert member inserted into the body of the isolator and having the bottom end of the insert member compressibly and extensibly supported therein. The insert member comprises a base mounted to the bottom of the computer housing and two stems extending downward from the base for insertion into two insert cavities within the body of the isolator. Square-like flanges are provided on the bottom corners of the stems such that they define a reception cavity between the flanges at the end of the stems and an upward rim on the opposing sides of each stem. The isolator comprises two insert cavities within the body of the isolator having a plug extending upward from the bottom wall of each cavity for insertion into the support cavities of the stems when the insert member is inserted into the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Kardos
  • Patent number: 5261650
    Abstract: A resilient mount is described as having a special spring steel retainer spring for locking the mount in a frusto-conically shaped opening which is defined by a hollow truncated rigid metal sleeve which has an annular abutment at its free outer edge. The mount has inner and outer rigid metal sleeves to which a resilient rubber insert is bonded. The insert essentially encases the outer sleeve and has a circumferential recess which extends inwardly of the insert adjacent the annular abutment. The recess is designed to receive the retainer spring which has a plurality of radially extending fingers for engaging the annular abutment to limit axial movement of the mount in one direction. The insert is also provided with an integral annular flange for engaging the opposite end of the truncated sleeve to limit axial movement of the mount in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Hein
  • Patent number: 5251742
    Abstract: A conveyor installation includes an endless belt wound around head and tail pulleys which extends between an impact station wherein material is placed on the belt and a drop off zone wherein the material is removed from the belt. Shock absorbers are disposed beneath the belt at the impact station to dissipate energy imparted on the belt by the material. In one embodiment, the belt is formed of flexible, textile reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of rectangular elements having a generally planar upper surface for supporting substantially the entire undersurface of the belt in the impact station. In another embodiment, the belt is formed of rigid steel reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of closely spaced rollers. In both embodiments, downstream of the impact station are located idler rollers for supporting the belt at spaced locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: CP Rubber, a Div. of Starcan Corporation
    Inventor: Noel B. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5251865
    Abstract: A transmission mount that consists of a rubber core incorporating a top plate for attachment to the transmission housing and a bottom plate for attachment to the supporting cross-arm in the frame of the vehicle. The top plate features two slots designed to match the geometry of the mounting bolts of at least 93 different transmissions; the bottom plate features three threaded apertures designed to accommodate the mounting bolts in the standard cross-arms used to support them; and the overall shape of the mount is designed to fit within the space allowed by the particular structure of each transmission/cross-arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: H. L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5248134
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for quickly mounting a damper to a support structure in a vehicle includes an upper mount assembly mounted on a piston rod of a damper prior to assembly of the damper to a mounting tower. As the piston rod is guided through an opening in the mounting tower, a resilient ring is compressed until it passes through the opening. When the ring clears the opening, it expands radially outwardly to a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening, thereby quickly mounting the piston rod and damper to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Ferguson, Eugene M. Klco, Jack E. Smith, Richard M. Kleber, Paul J. Mura, Troy M. Hill
  • Patent number: 5246214
    Abstract: A rubber block is shaped as a segment of a circular washer wherein opposite ends of the segment are surfaces against which torsional forces are applied to the blocks. A plurality of hollow ducts extend through the block and all the ducts are parallel to each other and essentially perpendicular to a main plane of the block. The main plane is perpendicular to the load bearing surfaces. The hollow ducts are intersected by cavities having cross-sectional areas larger than the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the ducts intersecting these cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: WOCO Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz J. Wolf, Hubert Pletsch
  • Patent number: 5240269
    Abstract: A suspension device employed between the rear wheel and the frame of a mountain bike. A lever arm pivoted to the frame carries the rear wheel at one end and the suspension device at the other. The rear wheel portion of the lever arm is about four times as long as is the suspension device portion. The suspension device includes a hollow elongated elastomeric spring carrying an aluminum telescoping portion. The telescoping portion supports the elastomer while allowing reciprocating movement along a major axis, but not allowing any rotational movement around that same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald W. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5238233
    Abstract: A resilient, elastomeric jounce bumper is described as having a cylindrical head which protrudes from a larger diameter cylindrical body which has a cylindrical extension which surrounds at least a portion of the head in spaced radial relation, such that an annular void is formed around the head in the area of the body extension. The outer, free annular end of the body extension curves inwardly towards the head and terminates in close proximity to the head to prevent harmful particulate matter from entering the annular void. The body extension is provided with at least one, circular metal ring which is embedded in the extension adjacent the curved end of the extension to restrict radial expansion of the head, when the bumper is place under a heavy load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Hein
  • Patent number: 5232073
    Abstract: A composite structure of elastic and viscoelastic components in which dynamic loads are effectively damped by transmission through the viscoelastic components. The structure includes a continuous sandwich comprised either of a single elastic layer enclosed by two viscoelastic layers or of a single viscoelastic layer enclosed by two elastic layers such that the sandwich has little stiffness in any intended direction of loading, and two segmented elastic layers having stiffness in a desired loading direction. The segmented layers have alternating segments and gaps and are disposed one on each side of the viscoelastic layer in such a manner that the gaps of one segmented layer overlap the segments of the other segmented layer. Dynamic loads in the loading direction are transmitted back and forth from one segmented layer to the other, through the continuous sandwich layer containing the viscoelastic material, which thereby provides a high degree of damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Allen J. Bronowicki, Abner Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5222762
    Abstract: A suspension system for compensating road-borne loads applied selectively to one end of a vehicle wheeled axle. The suspension system includes a pair of elongated rigid tubes, extending longitudinally over opposite sides of the wheel axle, and supported thereover by corresponding upright posts anchored to the intermediate section of the wheel axle. Each post and associated tube have a number of lateral interdigitating hollow ears, wherein the tube and post are pivotally interconnected by a lengthwise rubber shaft. A bottom frame beam from the vehicle body extends laterally outwardly of each corresponding tube, and includes a plurality of ears interdigitating with additional ears from the proximate tube for through engagement by another rubber shaft, for pivotally interconnecting the beam to the tube. In normal condition, each beam ear rubber shaft is downwardly offset relative to the post ear rubber shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Fernand Dion
  • Patent number: 5213315
    Abstract: A method for varying the spring rigidity of an elastomer engine mount, such as for motor vehicles, includes bringing one of two at least intermittently simultaneously loadable parallel-connected spring bodies into continuous engagement with supports and bringing the other of the two spring bodies into intermittent contact with supports as a function of predetermined operating parameters, for absorbing induced forces in parallel with the two spring bodies. The other spring is connected in parallel with a force brought to bear separately from the outside for causing it to contact its supports. An elastic engine mount for motor vehicles includes a hollow-cylindrical spring body and a solid-cylindrical spring body disposed concentrically relative to one another between an engine mount plate and a support plate to be fixed to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Metzeler Gimetall AG
    Inventors: Volker Hartel, Matthias Richter, Mathias Gugsch
  • Patent number: 5201489
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface bearing 1 comprising a rubber strip or plate material penetrated by hollow channels 3 and cavities 2. The cavities 2 and hollow channels 3 all lie in a single surface at least essentially parallel or complementary in shape to the principal surface of the sheet material, each cavity 2 being penetrated in each case by only one hollow channel 3. The hollow channels 3 are open on at least one side and have a clear cross-sectional area which is at least a quarter of the largest cross-sectional area of the cavities 2 penetrated by this hollow channel 3. The hollow channels 3 can extend non-parallel to at least one longitudinal axis or to the longitudinal axis of the surface bearing, thus, for example, can form an angle of 90.degree. or 45.degree. with the latter, while they are parallel or non-parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Woco Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz J. Wolf, Hubert Pletsch
  • Patent number: 5192057
    Abstract: A bellows shaped compression spring having a variable spring rate and formed of an elastomer having tensile characteristics such that the ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain is greater than 1.5 to 1, said spring being particularly adapted for use in the strut assemblies of light weight, low profile automobiles for minimizing noise, vibration and impact forces otherwise transmitted from the wheel to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal E. Wydra, David W. Geick
  • Patent number: 5184799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface bearing 1 comprising a rubber strip or plate material penetrated by hollow channels 3 and cavities 2. The cavities 2 and hollow channels 3 all lie in a single surface at least essentially parallel or complementary in shape to the principal surface of the sheet material, each cavity 2 being penetrated in each case by only one hollow channel 3. The hollow channels 3 are open on at least one side and have a clear cross-sectional area which is at least a quarter of the largest cross-sectional area of the cavities 2 penetrated by this hollow channel 3. The hollow channels 3 can extend non-parallel to at least one longitudinal axis or to the longitudinal axis of the surface bearing, thus, for example, can form an angle of 90.degree. or 45.degree. with the latter, while they are parallel or non-parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: WOCO Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz J. Wolf, Hubert Pletsch
  • Patent number: 5167424
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for skis including a rigid plate for supporting ski boot bindings and having at least two holes which act as seats for at least one rigid spacer. At least one resilient member is arranged coaxially to the rigid spacer, and the spacer interacts with a screw for interconnection with the ski and for supporting the resilient member. The resilient member has a washer for supporting the rigid plate. The device thus allows the optimum damping of the vibrations which occur along an axis which is vertical with respect to the ski, without altering the possibility of transmitting the efforts imparted along different axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Baggio, Roberto Gorza, Mirco Battistella
  • Patent number: 5158269
    Abstract: A shock absorber mount is described as having two pressed fittings which are mounted in end-to-end relationship. Each insert has two rigid, radially spaced cylindrical sleeves which are separated by a resilient rubber insert. The inner sleeve of the vertically lowermost fitting, when the fittings are properly mounted on, for example, an automobile frame, extends upwardly beyond the associated outer sleeve and is coated with rubber to enter a hollow bore formed by the inner sleeve of the upper fitting. The extension allows the lower fitting to initially absorb an upwardly applied axial force until it moves into shock absorbing relation with the upper fitting. The extension also acts to bolster the radial shock absorbing characteristics of the upper fitting to provide improved shock absorbing characteristics of the mount; namely, low axial shock absorption and high radial shock absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Hein, Bradley G. Hampton, Tony R. Jones, James R. Goewey
  • Patent number: 5156380
    Abstract: A mounting to hang an engine to a frame, adapted to insulate the frame from predetermined high-frequency and small-amplitude vibrations. The mounting comprises an envelope, a cover in the form of an elastomeric diaphragm associated with the side walls of the envelope, a pin adapted to receive the engine weight, engagement parts connecting the envelope to the frame. The mounting is comprised of a rocking system consisting of two masses and three elastomeric bodies with rigidities K2, K3, K4. The two masses are connected to each other by one elastomeric body and are in parallel to the elastomeric diaphragm being connected to the pin and envelope by interposition of the two other elastomeric bodies. The diaphragm and the parallel system when high-frequency and small-amplitude vibrations occur, give rise to a dynamic rigidity defined by two peaks and a valley therebetween; one of the peaks has a lower height than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Pirelli Sistemi Antivibranti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Cerruti, Giovanni Vanessi
  • Patent number: 5156371
    Abstract: A triaxially-equalized action shock and vibration-insulation mount is provided for the protection of a dynamic load-sensitive component, such as a mass-storage device, from external multidirectional dynamic loads above a predetermined magnitude. A substantially uniform, attenuated response of the component to such dynamic loads is the result, regardless of the direction of application of the loads. In order to achieve substantially uniform reactions to such external loads applied along any of the three orthogonal spatial axes, and further in order to achieve higher structural integrity of the mount by reducing flexural, tensile and/or shear stresses, the shock mount comprises a body of elastic, preferably foamed elastomer material, which is confined at its periphery in a rigid, stationary shell, substantially symmetrical relative to the orthogonal spatial axes and partially open at one side. The elastic material body is shaped at its geometrical center to provide a tight, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Victor M. Samarov
  • Patent number: 5152510
    Abstract: A cylindrical elastic mount with a vibration damper, including radially spaced-apart inner and outer sleeves, an elastic body interposed between the inner and outer sleeves so as to elastically connct the two sleeves, and a generally cylindrical rigid split member disposed between the inner and outer sleeves and elasticallly supported by the two sleeves through the elastic body, such that the elastic body is divided by the rigid split member into radially inner and outer portions. The rigid split member and the elastic body cooperate with each other to provide the vibration damper. The generally cylindrical rigid split member consists of a plurality of rigid segments which are embedded in the elastic body such that adjacent segments of the plurality of rigid segments abut on each other at circumferentially opposed end faces thereof so as to assume a generally cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Komabashiri
  • Patent number: 5149069
    Abstract: A jounce bumper is described as being formed of resilient eleastomeric material. The bumper comprises a cylindrical head protruding from a hollow cylindrical body which terminates at an outstanding annular flange. An annular extension of the body extends from the body in spaced relation around the head to form an annular void around the head. The body extension has a free marginal edge which curves inwardly towards the head and terminates in close proximity to the head to prevent particulate matter from entering the void which is sized to have a volume which is correlated to the displacement of the head when a predetermined load is applied against the head. Voids are placed in the head and body to provide the deflection control characteristics desired. A rigid metal sleeve is encased in the extension of the body to prevent radial displacement of the head beyond filling of the void around the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Hein
  • Patent number: 5129479
    Abstract: A suspension system includes an engine and transmission assembly mounted transversely in a vehicle and having a main axis of moment of inertia extending in a left and right direction of the vehicle, a single first mount located at a first end of the engine and transmission assembly and at least one additional mount located in the vicinity of an opposite second end of the assembly. The center of gravity of the assembly is located on a main axis of moment of inertia of the assembly extending between the first and second ends and is closer to the first end than to the second end. The mount is a bushing-type mount and is oriented so that the central axis of the mount extends parallel to the main axis of moment of inertia of the assembly so that the mount supports the assembly in a front and rear direction of the vehicle to suppress rocking of the assembly during acceleration and deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Fujii, Tetsuya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5127637
    Abstract: The instantaneous load sensor of a motor vehicle is incorporated in a suspension assembly of the vehicle, and comprises a suspension element (1) fastened via an elastic mechanism (3) to a rod (5) carried by a yoke (7). The rod (5) is a blind hollow tube, in which a slot (12) has been made substantially in the axis of the suspension element (1) and opposite the latter, so as to allow the elastic mechanism (3) to penetrate into the tube (5), a sensor (10) of the pressure prevailing in the tube hermetically closing the open end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Bendix Europe Services Techniques
    Inventor: Philippe Castel
  • Patent number: 5123625
    Abstract: A resilient material element with graded stiffnesses is disclosed comprising radial substructures carried by the body of the element and separated by radial gaps, these substructures themselves carrying studs of more reduced cross section. When the element is subjected to compression forces in the axial direction, the studs are crushed, then the substructures, which confers on the element sudden increases of stiffness. An additional increase of stiffness is provided when, with the substructures expanded laterally, their facing walls come into mutual abutment, which completely closes the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Paulstra G.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Ralf Spaltofski
  • Patent number: 5110660
    Abstract: In order to obtain a particularly soft spring characteristic the rubber spring element consisting of relatively hard material having good mechanical strength is traversed by cavities and hollow channels, which intersect said cavities, in such a manner that the area of the inside cross-section of the hollow channels amounts to at least 25% of the area of the largest inside cross-section of the nearest cavity traversed by this hollow channel, while the hollow channels may directly intersect in the rubber matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: WOCO Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz J. Wolf, Hubert Pletsch
  • Patent number: 5108077
    Abstract: A resilient alveolar block is provided for filtering vibrations, intended particularly to support an engine-gear box unit in a vehicle, wherein, in a rubber or elastomer block (1) cells (4, 5) are provided capable of communicating with the outside through passages for the moulding cores (respectively 2 and 3), the purpose of these cells being to obtain a very low constant stiffness of the block. The cells and their respective passages are distributed in identical superimposed layers, with two adjacent layers being offset by 90.degree. through rotation about the axis of the block so that, seen in projection, the spherical cells may be narrowly interleaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Paulstra GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Spaltofski
  • Patent number: 5104101
    Abstract: A buffer cartridge for absorbing energy having a hydraulic component coupled with an energy-absorbing material component, the hydraulic component having a cylinder-piston arrangement, the cylinder being surrounded by a stack of pads made from resilient energy-absorbing material, each pad being separated by a spacer. The free end of the piston emerging from the cylinder is connected to an intercoupling member which can simultaneously apply a force to both the piston and the stack of pads. A stretchable accumulator seal surrounds a piston rod within the cylinder and provides a sealing sliding path for the piston rod to isolate the moving portion of the piston rod from hydraulic fluid. The piston rod terminates in a piston having a piston hub encapsulated in resilient material and provided with orificed passageways for flow of fluid to both sides of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Anderson, Hente Braam
  • Patent number: 5104139
    Abstract: A device for mounting a ski boot (2) on a ski (1), comprising a longitudinal intermediate support plate (5), on the two end sections of which two bindings (3, 4) are mounted, and a layer of an elastic shock-absorbing material (6) inserted between the intermediate support plate (5) and the upper surface of the ski (1). The layer of elastic shock-absorbing material (6) has a localized stiffness (R) which decreases (or increases) progressively and uniformly beginning at a single intermediate zone of the layer of shock-absorbing material (6), where the thickness value is greatest (or least), and extending in the direction of each of the two ends of this layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Brischoux
  • Patent number: 5092644
    Abstract: A net for carrying personnel and cargo having a [cushioning means] compressible member which is removably attached to and extending downwardly from the base of the net for absorbing the landing shock of the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Apollo Marine Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin Melerine
  • Patent number: 5080335
    Abstract: A supporting bearing for resiliently supporting parts to be connected to one another, such as the body and rear axle housing of a motor vehicle, includes two bearing parts to be arranged on mutually opposite bearing surfaces of one part, coaxially to a bore traversing the latter. These bearing parts are each equipped with an annular elastomer element arranged between two supporting parts and can be clamped to the part in which the bore has been made using a clamping bolt traversing the bearing parts and the bore with radial clearance. The elastomer elements of the two bearing parts are, on the one hand, vulcanized to one of the supporting parts accommodating them between them and, on the other hand, rest on the other supporting part by an integrally formed surface region projecting at their free front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Otto Solleder, Helmut Flemming, Einhard Kleinschmit
  • Patent number: 5080334
    Abstract: A sliding type bushing including an inner sleeve having an axially intermediate large-diameter portion, a race disposed radially outwardly of the inner sleeve, and radially spaced from the large-diameter portion, and a sliding sleeve formed of a fiber reinforced resin material between the large-diameter portion and the race. The sliding sleeve has an outer surface fixed to the race, and an inner surface which faces an outer surface of the large-diameter portion with a predetermined clearance therebetween, such that the sliding and inner sleeves are freely slidable relative to each other about the axis of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Mihara, Kiyohiko Yoshida, Ryouji Kanda
  • Patent number: 5065988
    Abstract: A spring for compression and tension mainly in an axial direction and made of a material having a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 39 GPa, such as metal, steel, glass, plastic or reinforced plastic is disclosed. The spring is in the form of a tube or ring of generally constant thickness. In cross-section, each ring is made up of oppositely directed inner and outer U-shaped spring parts with contiguous axial projections. A spring is provided which has minimal elastic hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Anders S. Wedell
  • Patent number: 5066708
    Abstract: A process of using compositions comprising certain thermoplastic elastomeric polymers for damping and damping compositions comprising soft thermoset polymer containing microscopically discrete segments of said thermoplastic elastomeric polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Koller, Sr., Carl P. Hemenway
  • Patent number: 5062507
    Abstract: A vibration and shock absorber device, comprising a metal body constituted by one or more helically wound lengths of cable (1) and two bars (10, 20) interconnecting the turns in two diametrically opposite zones, with a layer of elastomer material (30) coating the structure and leaving a central orifice (31, 32, 33, 34). The turns of the lengths of cable (1) are greased or otherwise treated to prevent them from adhering to the elastomer material (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Vibrachoc
    Inventor: Andre Roche
  • Patent number: 5058867
    Abstract: A cylindrical vibration damping bushing is provided which has an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder coaxially disposed within the outer cylinder, and having a radially outwardly expanded portion in its axially central portion, a pair of vibration damping rubber members press-fitted between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder from both ends of the outer cylinder, and a pair of inserts, each being made of a resin material having good slidability and embedded in an inside end portion of each vibration damping rubber member so that an inside end surface thereof abut on each other. Each insert has a concave surface having a configuration conforming to that of the spherical outer surface of the expanded portion of the inner cylinder to enable the inserts to be slid on the spherical outer surface of the expanded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Hadano, Masato Ueno
  • Patent number: 5054753
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing damping device comprises a basic body which delimits a liquid-filled chamber, the basic body being provided with channels opening onto the outside of the basic body, the channels ensuring communication with a medium which deforms elastically under the pressure of the liquid. To enhance the cost-effectiveness of the damping device, the channels are designed as narrow, flow-restricting channels and the elastically deformable medium is an elastically extensible diaphragm sealed around it periphery and covering the external openings of the flow-restricting channels. The energy of an impact or a blow is absorbed by the liquid being forced through the narrow flow-restricting channels and by extension of the elastic diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Michael Polus
  • Patent number: 5052652
    Abstract: An adjustable device for vibration damping and leveling of machines consisting of an elastic element with a constant thickness, with notches which facilitate its separation in order to obtain the correct support surface and so that the deformation in all the supports is constant, maintaining the horizontal leveling of the machine and good absorption of vibrations. The elastic elements include cavities distributed along the length thereof, in which elastic inserts adjusted to the geometry thereof can be housed in order to appropriately increase the total contact surface and resistance to deformation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jose Sevilleja, Jose M. Sandoval
  • Patent number: 5052665
    Abstract: A bumper rubber is disclosed and includes: a bumper rubber body being elastically deformable and having a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the bumper rubber body is inserted into a rod extending from a top end portion of a cylinder of a shock absorber, a top end surface thereof is brought into contact with a bottom end portion of a suspension insulator disposed on a vehicle body, and a bottom end surface thereof is brought into contact with a top end portion of the cylinder, thereby being elastically deformed and absorbing the excessive displacements of the shock absorber; and a rigid ring integrally insert-molded on an outer periphery surface of the bumper rubber body and having an engagement groove on an exposed outer periphery surface thereof to be engaged with a dust cover, and the engagement groove going round on the exposed outer periphery surface of the rigid ring in a ring-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 5044598
    Abstract: A resilient motor mount suitable for use as a vibrational insulating motor mount. The mount connects a motor to a support structure by using a support fixture and a motor stud separated by a flexible member. A plurality of portions of the flexible member surround the support fixture and motor stud to lessen vibrational transfer from the motor to the structure fixture and to lessen metal fatigue caused by metal to metal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Karman Rubber
    Inventors: David W. Mann, Bruce J. Senecal
  • Patent number: 5040824
    Abstract: Resiliently compliant swivel bearings have particular resilience in one radial direction are used in vehicle construction, for example, for link mounting. An elastomeric spring element is firmly adhered between inner and outer bearing elements. Two diametrically opposite, elongate recesses passing axially through a space between the two bearing elements are molded into the springing element. Two radial webs remaining due to these molded recessed support upright forces, with the maximum radial resilience made possible by the recesses being selected so that the radial webs are not overloaded by shear stress. The outer bearing element is connected in resiliently compliant fashion, in each case adjacent to one of the elongate recesses of the springing element, to a carrier which can be secured on a vehicle part in order to impart to the inner and outer bearing elements a radial resilience greater than the maximum possible radial deflection of the inner bearing element relative to the outer bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johann Suss
  • Patent number: 5033722
    Abstract: Resilient mount assemblies provide absorption of induced loads while permitting some degree of relative rotation between the elements. It is desirable to have resilient mount assemblies which can withstand heavy operating loads while having high angular rotation. In this arrangement, a resilient mount assembly is provided having a segmented assembly interconnecting a first member having a spherical outer surface with a second member having a transverse bore therein. The segmented assembly includes first and second semi-circular half shells with first, second, third, and fourth semi-circular elastomeric layers disposed on respective first and second sides thereof. The first and second semi-circular half shells and their respective first, second, third, and fourth semi-circular elastomeric layers are disposed in intimate contact with the spherical outer surface of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan G. Lammers
  • Patent number: 5023128
    Abstract: Am impact-absorbing pad includes a plurality of parallel, elongated, individually sealed hollow pneumatic tubes with coextensive webbing. Each tube includes opposing lengthwise interior ridges. Upon compression of a tube, the trapped air is compressed and the ridges contact each other, resisting compression and pressing outwardly to spread the force of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Competitive Athletics Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wade T. Fatool
  • Patent number: 5017328
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement that is particularly well-suited for use in environments wherein extremely high loads are encountered. Particularly, a motor mount for use with water craft is disclosed. The mounting arrangement comprises a base plate, and a resilient member is affixed to the base plate. The resilient member is generally comprised of a rubber-like compound, or the like, that provides for dampening of vibration. The resilient member is generally bonded to the base plate, and preferably, a vulcanization process is employed to secure the two components. A disk-like member, or insert, is secured in the resilient member. The insert has a cove disposed around the periphery of the edge thereof and into which the resilient member is disposed that provides a mechanical linkage therebetween. The insert is also preferable bonded to the resilient member by means of the vulcanization process at the same time as the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: John D. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 5014967
    Abstract: In a spring element according to the present invention, all channels formed in the elastomer block are mutually parallel and all cavities formed in the elastomer block, too, which are intersected by said channels, are arranged like a cubic-free-centered sphere packing in reverse order. Comprising a good mechanical lateral rigidity, a spring element according to the present invention shows exceptionally good acoustic insulating and damping facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: WOCO Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz J. Wolf, Hubert Pletsch