Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A flexure assembly that is particularly useful in vibration testing equipment provides a noiseless, frictionless support that allows motion in a desired direction while restricting motion in other directions. The flexure assembly includes a flexure arm that is made from a material that is at least partially flexible in one direction while being stiff in at least two other directions, which are generally perpendicular to the one direction. A first end of the flexure arm is adapted to be rigidly secured to a moving portion in a vibration testing device, for example. A second end of the flexure arm is rigidly secured to a mounting block. The mounting block is also rigidly secured to two flexure leaves, which are also made from a material that is at least partially flexible in one direction while being stiff in at least two other, generally perpendicular, directions.