Abstract: A uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical bearing suitable for supporting structures such as bridges comprises a removable cassette comprising a sliding layer composed of a low friction material such as PTFE. The removable cassette allows for the replacement of the sliding layer without needing to remove or replace the entire bearing. The bearing can be part of a kit that includes a replacement cassette having a varying thickness that corresponds to the uneven wear on the sliding layer of the removable cassette and compensates for an eccentric pressure on the bearing when under load.

Abstract: A rubber bump stop composed of at least two components (“Durobumps”) and used as a suspension product is disclosed that greatly extends suspension life of the vehicle and increases vehicle stability in rough terrain or harsh driving conditions. Preferably, the rubber bump stop has at least four components and include cast in place metal hardware for use in fastening to the vehicle.

Abstract: A damping bearing in convertible antiseismic mode and a damping bridge apparatus. The damping bearing includes a bearing body, a damping component, a hydraulic component, and a connecting piece. The bearing body includes a first bearing, a second bearing, and a third bearing. The damping component includes an arc damping member. The arc damping member is located between the first bearing and the second bearing. One end of the arc damping member is connected to the second bearing, the other end of the arc damping member is connected to the first bearing by using the connecting piece, and after the connecting piece is cut off, the arc damping member is capable of sliding relative to the first bearing. The hydraulic component is connected to the arc damping member and the second bearing respectively.

Abstract: A bearing preset system for inhibiting movement of bearings in a construction comprises a first plate (1) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the upper surface (3) of the first plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to a lower surface of a first bearing member and a second plate (2) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the lower surface (5) of the second plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to an upper surface of a second bearing member and wherein the conformation of the lower surface (7) of the first plate and the conformation of the upper surface (9) of the second plate are such as to prevent movement in at least one shear direction between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A shock suppressor has a first base, a second base, a sliding tray and a slider. The first base has a first guiding recess. The second base is mounted above the first base at an interval and has a second guiding recess facing the first guiding recess of the first base. The sliding tray is slidably mounted in the first guiding recess of the first base and has a sliding recess and a convex surface slidably mounted on and abutting against the first base in the first guiding recess. The slider is slidably mounted between the sliding recess of the sliding tray and the second guiding recess of the second base and has two convex faces. The abutments between the first base, the sliding tray, the slider and the second base can provide three concave sliding mechanisms to the shock suppressor.

Abstract: The disclosed seismic isolation bearing includes an upper base plate, a lower base plate, a disc bearing core, and at least one shear spring. The upper and lower base plates each have an upper surface and a lower surface. The disc bearing core is centrally positioned with respect to the planes of the upper and lower base plates and is in contact with the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, where the disc bearing core allows the lower surface of the upper base plate to slide along the disc bearing core. The shear spring is coupled to the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, deforms in shear upon lateral movement of the upper base plate relative to the lower base plate, and exerts a lateral return force on the upper base plate when laterally displaced.

Abstract: The disclosed seismic isolation bearing includes an upper base plate, a lower base plate, a disc bearing core, and at least one shear spring. The upper and lower base plates each have an upper surface and a lower surface. The disc bearing core is centrally positioned with respect to the planes of the upper and lower base plates and is in contact with the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, where the disc bearing core allows the lower surface of the upper base plate to slide along the disc bearing core. The shear spring is coupled to the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, deforms in shear upon lateral movement of the upper base plate relative to the lower base plate, and exerts a lateral return force on the upper base plate when laterally displaced.

Abstract: A bearing preset system for inhibiting movement of bearings in a construction comprises a first plate (1) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the upper surface (3) of the first plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to a lower surface of a first bearing member and a second plate (2) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the lower surface (5) of the second plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to an upper surface of a second bearing member and wherein the conformation of the lower surface (7) of the first plate and the conformation of the upper surface (9) of the second plate are such as to prevent movement in at least one shear direction between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A sliding bearing for structural engineering applications, in particular for civil works such as bridges, buildings, structures that are required at the same time to withstand vertical loads and to allow relative movements and/or rotations, and structures to be protected against seismic events, said bearing having a low friction coefficient and being suitable for being used in severe operating conditions, both due to the loads applied and to particularly high operating temperatures. The bearing, which is of the type comprising a first part (2) connected to a supporting structure (P), a second part (3) connected to an element (G) to be supported by the supporting structure (P) and means suitable for allowing said second part (3) to translate and/or rotate with respect to said first part (2), the means comprising plates (4) and/or strips of a low-friction polymer material, is characterized in that the low-friction material is a polyamide.

Abstract: An auto-centering structural bearing transfers vertical loads to a supporting structure while preventing transfer of lateral loads. In one embodiment, the structural bearing includes: parallel lower, middle, and upper bearing plates; a lower roller bed sandwiched between the lower and middle bearing plates and laterally displaceable in a first direction; an upper roller bed sandwiched between the middle and upper bearing plates and laterally displaceable in a second direction; lower centering means including springs compressible by lateral displacement of the middle bearing plate and the lower roller bed in the first direction; and upper centering means comprising springs compressible by lateral displacement of the upper bearing plate and the upper roller bed in the second direction. Upon removal of loads causing such lateral displacements, the springs will rebound to their unstressed states, thereby returning the displaced bearing plates and roller beds to their centered positions.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing has a lower plate and an upper plate separated by a slider. The lower plate has an upward facing concave surface. The upper plate has a downward facing concave surface. The slider includes a first member and a second member separated by a shock absorbing pad. The first member has an upper convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the upper plate. The second member has a lower convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the lower plate. In the event of an earthquake, the lower plate and the upper plate are intended to move relative to each other via the slider to dissipate the horizontal seismic energy. In addition, the shock absorbing pad can deform to absorb the vertical seismic energy. Thus, the seismic isolation bearing can increase its ability to isolate seismic energy.

Abstract: A bridge assembly is made up of stackable components that are arranged together to span substantially any size and type of geological formation. The bridge assembly is made up of one or more support columns having respective saddle members at their upper ends. Each saddle member has a lower bearing surface that engages the support column and permits variations in their relative positioning. Each saddle member further has an upper bearing surface for receiving at least one cross beam having a lower bearing surface, which bearing surfaces permit movement between a given saddle member and the cross beams it supports. The bridge components can be pre-formed out of concrete, and are typically assembled by stacking the various components.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing has a lower plate and an upper plate separated by a slider. The lower plate has an upward facing concave surface. The upper plate has a downward facing concave surface. The slider includes a first member and a second member separated by a shock absorbing pad. The first member has an upper convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the upper plate. The second member has a lower convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the lower plate. In the event of an earthquake, the lower plate and the upper plate are intended to move relative to each other via the slider to dissipate the horizontal seismic energy. In addition, the shock absorbing pad can deform to absorb the vertical seismic energy. Thus, the seismic isolation bearing can increase its ability to isolate seismic energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetically controlled base isolation system that in a simple, practical, and cost effective way significantly reduces the lateral forces transmitted to buildings, bridges, and other structures during earthquakes. It comprises sliding bearings that are constructed with steel elements, elastomeric O-rings, and permanent magnets; contain a pressurized fluid; and slide over electricity-conducting metallic base plates. It also comprises permanent magnets disposed at the periphery of the metallic base plates. The pressurized fluid carries the bulk of the vertical load supported by each bearing, minimizing thus the magnitude of the frictional forces that resist the bearings' sliding. The motion of the permanent magnets in the sliding bearings over the electricity-conducting base plates generates damping forces that reduce the bearings' relative displacements to practical levels.

Abstract: Bearing retention devices and methods for their use in isolation bearings such as seismic bearings. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes a sleeve structure assembly secured by a plurality of elastic straps to upper and lower plates or pans of a rolling ball isolation bearing. The sleeve component is structured to retain the rolling ball within the circumference or area of the bearing plates of each the upper and lower bearing portions of the bearing while permitting the ball to freely roll in any direction during a seismic event.

Abstract: An auto-centering structural bearing transfers vertical loads to a supporting structure while preventing transfer of lateral loads. In one embodiment, the structural bearing includes: parallel lower, middle, and upper bearing plates; a lower roller bed sandwiched between the lower and middle bearing plates and laterally displaceable in a first direction; an upper roller bed sandwiched between the middle and upper bearing plates and laterally displaceable in a second direction; lower centering means including springs compressible by lateral displacement of the middle bearing plate and the lower roller bed in the first direction; and upper centering means comprising springs compressible by lateral displacement of the upper bearing plate and the upper roller bed in the second direction. Upon removal of loads causing such lateral displacements, the springs will rebound to their unstressed states, thereby returning the displaced bearing plates and roller beds to their centered positions.

Abstract: Provided is a motion guide device having a low rigidity in the vertical direction and a low rigidity in the horizontal direction. The motion guide device has: a raceway rail 15 having a bottom surface 30a, side surfaces 30b and an upper surface 30c and being mounted on one of a base 12 and a moving body 11; and a moving block 16 having a center portion 16a facing the upper surface 30c of the raceway rail 15 and side wall portions 16b facing the side surfaces 30b of the raceway rail 15 and being mounted linearly or curvilinearly movable relative to the raceway rail 15. On a side surface of the moving block 16, a displacement absorbing mechanism 17, 38 is provided.

Abstract: Improved isolation bearings, platforms, and tracks are disclosed for protecting a payload, for example delicate computer equipment such as a hard disk drive, from damage due to vibrations, such as seismic vibrations, as well as weaker vibrations due to HDD, motorized equipment, air conditioning, heating systems, and the like. The isolation platforms and bearings combine a plurality of shapes on their load bearing surfaces to increase stability of the payload even when subjected to vibrations of high velocity or intensity, and preferably have an elastomeric coating on all but a central portion of the load-bearing surfaces of the bearing plates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support structure for a transportation passageway supported by a column. The support structure includes a bearing, a bracket and a cap. The bearing includes an anchor, a bracket base, and a bearing axis of rotation. The anchor is shaped to fix the bearing to the column. The bracket includes a column face and an arcuate face. The column face is shaped to rotate about the bearing axis of rotation relative to the bracket face of the bearing. The cap includes a top and a bottom wherein the top includes at least one beam support and the bottom includes an arcuate bottom portion. The arcuate bottom portion is shaped to accept the arcuate face of the bracket and includes a radial center point that defines a cap axis of rotation. The arcuate bottom portion is shaped to rotate about the radial center point relative to the arcuate face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sliding bearing for structural engineering applications, in particular for civil works such as bridges, buildings, structures that are required at the same time to withstand vertical loads and to allow relative movements and/or rotations, and structures to be protected against seismic events, said bearing having a low friction coefficient and being suitable for being used in severe operating conditions, both due to the loads applied and to particularly high operating temperatures. The bearing, which is of the type comprising a first part (2) connected to a supporting structure (P), a second part (3) connected to an element (G) to be supported by said supporting structure (P) and means suitable for allowing said second part (3) to translate and/or rotate with respect to said first part (2), said means comprising plates (4) and/or strips of a low-friction polymer material, is characterized in that said low-friction material is a polyamide.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having upper and lower bearing seats and a sliding load bearing member between the seats. The sliding member is fitted with an elastic self-centering element. The assembly in operation damps relative horizontal movement between the upper and lower seats, the self-centering element returning the sliding member to a centered position at rest. Typically a structure rests upon and is secured to the upper seat and the lower seat rests upon or is fixed to a foundation. The relative horizontal movement may be caused by earthquakes, wind loads or the like.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, and a cylindrical roller in rolling contact with an upwardly facing, bearing surface of the lower plate and a downwardly facing surface of the upper plate. The lower plate is fixable to a base, while the upper plate is fixable to a superstructure. One or both bearing surfaces are sloped to form a central trough at which the cylindrical roller resides under normal weight of the superstructure, and toward which the roller is biased when displacement between the plates occurs. A pair of sidewall members are fixed to the lower plate to withstand strong forces directed laterally with respect to the isolation axis along which rolling displacement occurs, and a pair of sliding guides carried one at each end of the roller provide dry frictional damping as they engage an inner wall surface of a corresponding sidewall member.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing assembly includes a frame unit including upper and lower frames and defining a plurality of upper and lower sub-frames, and a plurality of bearing units, each of which is mounted in a mounting cell defined by a respective one of the upper sub-frames and a respective one of the lower sub-frames, and each of which includes spaced apart upper and lower load plates and a bearing interposed between and in sliding contact with the upper and lower load plates. The upper load plate is secured to the respective one of the upper sub-frames. The lower load plate is secured to the respective one of the lower sub-frames.

Abstract: An adjustable bearing composed of top plate, top seat, ball hinge, stud, locking nut, stud seat and locking screw, the adjustable bearing of the invention can be steplessly adjusted vertically and horizontally, making the installation, replacement and adjustment more convenient, it has the special feature of low compression deformation, high precision, low cost and maintenance-free.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, and a cylindrical roller in rolling contact with an upwardly facing bearing surface of the lower plate and a downwardly facing surface of the upper plate. The lower plate is fixable to a base, while the upper plate is fixable to a superstructure, for example a bridge deck. One or both bearing surfaces are sloped to form a central trough at which the cylindrical roller resides under normal weight of the superstructure, and toward which the roller is biased when relative displacement between the lower and upper plates occurs to provide a constant restoring force. A pair of sidewall members are fixed to the lower plate to withstand strong forces directed laterally with respect to the isolation axis along which rolling displacement occurs, and a pair of sliding guides carried one at each end of the roller provide dry frictional damping as they engage an inner wall surface of a corresponding sidewall member.

Abstract: A rocking hinge bearing system is provided. The rocking hinge bearing system comprises a first base plate, a second base plate, and a compressible member. A pintle mechanism aligns the first base plate, the second base plate and the compressible member and prevents relative horizontal movement between the first base plate, the second base plate and the compressible member. A tensioning mechanism inhibits axial separation of the first base plate relative to the second base plate and promotes returning the first base plate into its original position relative to the second base plate after rocking.

Abstract: A friction damper comprises a channel member including at least one friction channel and a wedge member including at least one friction wedge received by a corresponding friction channel for sliding motion along the channel relative to the channel member. Each friction channel has a pair of internal sidewalls connected by an internal transverse wall, wherein at least one of the pair of sidewalls forms an obtuse angle with the transverse wall. In a preferred construction, the sidewalls are symmetrically convergent as they approach the connecting transverse wall. Each friction wedge includes a pair of external sidewalls parallel to the internal sidewalls of the channel, wherein the external sidewalls of the friction wedge are movable into surface-to-surface engagement with the internal sidewalls of the friction channel by adjusting the depth of receipt of the friction wedge in the friction channel.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, and a cylindrical roller in rolling contact with an upwardly facing bearing surface of the lower plate and a downwardly facing surface of the upper plate. The lower plate is fixable to a base, while the upper plate is fixable to a superstructure, for example a bridge deck. One or both bearing surfaces are sloped to form a central trough at which the cylindrical roller resides under normal weight of the superstructure, and toward which the roller is biased when relative displacement between the lower and upper plates occurs to provide a constant restoring force. A pair of sidewall members are fixed to the lower plate to withstand strong forces directed laterally with respect to the isolation axis along which rolling displacement occurs, and a pair of sliding guides carried one at each end of the roller provide dry frictional damping as they engage an inner wall surface of a corresponding sidewall member.

Abstract: A bearing assembly has a bottom base, a lower plate, an upper plate and a top base. At least one first locking device is configured between the lower plate and the bottom base. At least one second locking device is configured between the upper plate and the top base. Accordingly, the bearing assembly can bear a large shear stress by means of the locking devices. Enlarging the diameter of the bolts for attaching the lower plate to the bottom base or for attaching the upper plate to the top plate is not needed. The bearing assembly can bear a larger shear stress with fewer bolts than a conventional bearing assembly. The cost to manufacture the bearing assembly with a high structural strength is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided an elastomeric bearing installed at an upper girder of a bridge or between upper and lower parts of a building, for supporting a load in a stable manner. The elastomeric bearing includes a cylinder member having a plurality of cylindrical hollows, elastomeric members seated on the respective cylindrical hollows of the cylinder member, a plurality of pistons inserted into the respective cylindrical hollows of the cylinder member to hermetically seal the elastomeric members seated thereon, and elasticity reinforcement elements integrally formed with the cylinder member and the plurality of pistons, for accommodating the same, the cylinder member having a plate-shaped body and a plurality of cylinders having cylindrical hollows formed therein, the plurality of cylinders protruding from the bottom of the body. Since buckling occurs only in one direction while supporting a higher load by constricting expansion, the safety can be enhanced.

Abstract: An energy absorbing bearing with a primary application in the seismic isolation of structure from the ground or parts of other structures. It may also be used to dampen other forces on structures on which it is installed. The bearing consists of end plates separated by a laminate of resilient and stiffening layers. There is a plastically deformable insert within the laminate. The laminate interfaces with the end plates in each bearing and is secured near the central axis from end plate to end plate, but not near the peripheries. The advantage provided is allowing a wider range of forces to be absorbed than with known bearings of this type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bearing system, particularly suited to bridges and other civil engineering applications, which more readily stands hostile environments over extended periods. The bearing system includes one or more contact surfaces (34) in which the contact surface is formed from a fiber reinforced material. The use of fabric reinforced thermosetting resins is preferred. The contact surface (34) may additionally be provided with a series of recesses (5) filled with lubricating material.

Abstract: A roller guide apparatus comprises: a track rail comprising a rail body extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and having a section in a width direction thereof in shape of circular arc protruding downward in an installed state and a base portion supporting a lower surface of central portion of the rail body in the width direction thereof, the rail body having an upper surface and lower surfaces extended in the width direction from the base portion, the upper and lower surfaces of the rail body having concentric circular arc shapes; a movable block body comprising a block body arranged so as to straddle the rail body and having a lower surface, in an assembled state, opposing to the upper surface of the rail body, a pair of bilateral leg portions extending downward from bilateral end portions of the block body with the track rail being interposed therebetween, a pair of support piece portions extending towards the track rail so as to oppose to the extended portions of the rail body; at least one barrel

Abstract: A two-axis stage assembly includes a generally planar horizontally mounted base plate; a stage plate generally parallel to the base plate, the stage plate having a first axis and second orthogonal axis; a set of spaced bearings depending from a bottom surface of said stage plate, the bearings each having an arcuate bottom surface in rocking contact with a facing support surface of the base plate; a joint attached to the bottom surface of the stage plate and pivotably mounting each bearing, the joint being positioned at the center of curvature of the arcuate bottom surface of the associated bearing; and where an axial movement of the stage plate rocks the bearing arcuate bottom surfaces with respect to the facing support surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A two-axis stage assembly includes a generally planar horizontally mounted base plate; a stage plate generally parallel to the base plate, the stage plate having a first axis and second orthogonal axis; a set of spaced bearings depending from a bottom surface of said stage plate, the bearings each having an arcuate bottom surface in rocking contact with a facing support surface of the base plate; a joint attached to the bottom surface of the stage plate and pivotably mounting each bearing, the joint being positioned at the center of curvature of the arcuate bottom surface of the associated bearing; and where an axial movement of the stage plate rocks the bearing arcuate bottom surfaces with respect to the facing support surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced elastomeric seismic isolation bearing and method protects structures and their contents from the damaging effects of earthquakes. The bearing is a block of a specially designed composite material consisting of an elastomer matrix in which are embedded, through its depth, high stiffness pretensioned fibers extending in various horizontal directions. This produces a device which has a very low horizontal stiffness compared to its vertical stiffness. The isolator is mounted between, and connected to, the structure it supports and the foundation upon which it bears. Because of its low horizontal stiffness the bearing decouples the structure which it supports from the damaging horizontal components of the ground motion associated with an earthquake while the benign vertical motion is transmitted into the structure almost unchanged.

Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing for structures consisting a steel ball sandwiched between two horizontal, steel load plates. The load plates have a shallow, concave, conical recess of vertical, collinear axis. The cone axis passes through the ball centerline at rest. The load plates are bolted the structure under and above. Gravity restores the bearing's displacement in the lack of external forces. Lateral bearing forces are independent of displacements.

Abstract: A structural bearing including a first, rigid-support member for mounting on a structure on which the bearing is supported; a layer of first elastomeric material mounted on top of the first support member; a second, rigid-support member for operative engagement with a structure supported by the bearing mounted on top of the layer of elastomeric material; a pin rigidly attached to one of the support members and extending through the layer of first elastomeric material; a ring, extending from the rigid-support member to which the pin is not attached, to surround the pin and remain spaced-apart therefrom and extending at least partially about the free end thereof to form a cavity thereabout; and, a ring-shaped layer of second elastomeric material interposed the ring and the pin and in contact with the layer of first elastomeric material for sharing the components of the vertical, horizontal, rotational and torsional loads on the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spheric cap bearing device for safely connecting elements of bridges, viaducts, buildings and the like, which comprises a bottom element, in which there is provided a recess in which is engaged a spheric cap coupling element the bottom of which is slidably supported on the bottom of the recess.At the top of the bottom element there is arranged a top element provided, on the bottom side thereof, with a concave recess mating with the spheric surface of the coupling element.

Abstract: An articulated bearing for the articulated transfer of heavy loads, e.g., from a bridge superstructure to a bearing pad, includes a pot connected to the bearing pad and a cover connected to the bridge. The cover extends vertically into the pot to form a sealed space vertically therebetween. A deformable, non-compressible cushioning medium (e.g., liquid or plastic) occupies the space and is loaded by the cover. Horizontal forces are withstood by a journal formed on the cover (or on the pot) and extending into a recess formed in the pot (or in the cover). The journal extends within the recess for less than the recess height to form a gap which is also occupied by the deformable medium to maximize the supporting area of that medium. A channel communicates the gap and space to equalize the pressure of the medium.

Abstract: The self-lubricating bearing suitable for marine applications, such as supporting hatch covers, has a bearing surface defined by a flexible woven pad. This woven pad is draped over a pillow plate and captured in position by a sheet metal member which is folded over and thus engages the edge regions of the pad. The sheet metal member is affixed to the pillow plate and an underlying base plate.

Abstract: A laminated rubber bearing comprising a columnar-shaped viscoelastic body 5, a plurality of viscoelastic members 4, and an external binding body 1 disposed in the periphery of these components. The external binding body 1 is a laminated body consisting of alternating rigid plates 3 and rubber-like elastic plates 2 with rubber-like elastic plates 2 disposed between external peripheral regions of the rigid plates 3. The viscoelastic members 4 are disposed inside of those rubber-like elastic plates 2 of the external binding body 1 so that the viscoelastic members 4 fill up clearance between the rigid plates 3 inside of respective rubber-like elastic plates 2. A cylindrical cavity 6 open at both ends thereof extends through the viscoelastic members 4 and the rigid plates 3. A viscoelastic body 5, an elastic body, or viscous substance having cubage greater than that of the cylindrical cavity 6 is forcedly inserted in the cylindrical cavity 6.

Abstract: An isolation bearing for structures includes interlocking channels arranged in pairs of rows in which adjoining pairs of rows can be aligned or staggered. A transverse anchor rod controls the deformation of the side walls of the channels. Kinetic energy is absorbed in the bearing by deformation of the elastomer, deformation of the metal components, and by friction. Elastomer bulge is controlled by plates at the ends of the channels. Stress distribution in the walls of the channels is controlled by oppositely slanted slots. The channels are made from metal tubing or I-beams.

Abstract: An earthquake bearing with a spherical ball (26) located between two elastomer layers (18,19) in the shape of half-shells. The elastomer layers each include a cylindrical elastomeric pad. The earthquake bearing further includes a spherical clearance (25) facing the ball (26), with bearing housings or halves (11,12) being mutually braced by elastomer bearings (24) in order to achieve compliant, progressive damping. This system is capable of gently moving out of the way both vertically and horizontally. The bearing halves (11,12) are prestressed by tension bars (23) which pass centrally through the bearings (24). The elastomer bearings (24) include of a plurality of columns defined by panes of elastomers and panes of steel. Outwardly directed head bolts (15) are held on the base plates (13,14) of the bearing housings (11,12) and are anchored into the adjoining components.

Abstract: A structural shock isolation system that may be used in building structure, or in other applications requiring load supporting elements is disclosed. The shock isolation elements of the system are divided into a plurality of parts that are keyed together with the respective parts separated by an elastomeric material. Each individual element of the structural system, while performing its load bearing function, provides shock and vibration isolation; further, since the parts of each element are keyed, the parts act as a whole in each structure to provide the required design strength for the system. The structural shock isolation system may be used in building structures as part of the superstructure of the building.

Abstract: The width of a pot bearing seal (8) is restricted to a minimum in such manner that it seals off the gap (18) between the internal pot wall (16) of a bearing pot (2) and a bearing cap (4) of a pot bearing (14) while providing a minimum overlapping between the pot bearing seal (8) and the bearing cap (4), whereas the height of the pot bearing seal (8) is such that the cylindrical surfaces (22) of the pot bearing seal (8) abuts the internal pot wall (16) even when the bearing cap (4) is inclined with respect to the horizontal line. Hereby the wear of the pot bearing seal is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A building structure shock isolation system is disclosed incorporating aseismic bearings for positioning between major structural components of the building and between such components and the building foundation. The aseismic bearings include opposing plates having interlocking cross-sectional configurations with respect to each other to form a keyed shear and uplift proof element positioned between the foundation and the structural elements. An elastomeric layer is placed between the plates to provide shock and vibration isolation and energy dissipation.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the effect of vibrations between a building structure and its foundation is disposed between the foundation and the building structure. A plate is fixedly secured to a lower surface of the building structure. A hollow member having a rectangular cross-section is fixedly secured to the plate. An elastomeric bearing is disposed between and fixed to the hollow member and an upper surface of a foundation. A cable, anchored to the foundation, is centrally disposed within the elastomeric bearing and the hollow member, and has a stop attached to the free end thereof. The stop is disposed within the hollow member. The stop serves to limit horizontal and vertical movement of the elastomeric bearing. In a modified apparatus for limiting the effect of vibrations between the building structure and the foundation, an elastomeric material is disposed between the stop and the base of the hollow member to distribute a load applied by the stop through the deflection of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A structural bearing assembly in which a center plate is located upon a support 11. The support comprises an elastomeric core and a reinforcing outer layer 13 made up of a spirally wound cord of KEVLAR material embedded in a matrix of an elastomeric material which may or may not be the same as that of the core.