Abstract: An elastomer coupling (20) including an outer member (40) including a leading contact face (38), and an elastomer component (30) including a driving elastomer contact face (41) opposing and adapted for operable unbonded contact with said leading contact face (38), the driving elastomer contact face (41) including a thin polyurethane coating (50). In another aspect, the elastomer coupling (20) has an elastomer member (30) preferably having a plurality of parallel-sided bonded lugs (47) having thin elastomer driving and following skins (46, 46′) received in preferable line fit relationship in a plurality of parallel-sided recesses (44) formed in a preferably plastic outer member (40) for transmitting torques, accommodating slight parallel and angular misaligninents, and isolating vibrations thereof.

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing. The bearing which may be used to support a railway car body includes first and second members and an elastomeric member interposed in a cavity defined between the first and second members. The second member has a recess formed therein which communicates with the cavity. The elastomeric member includes a working section positioned in the cavity and a non-working section integral with the working section and disposed in the recess. The non-working section serves as a sprue location site during the molding process to avoid locating surface defects associated with the sprue in the working section.

Abstract: A railway car side bearing includes a lower housing member, an upper housing member spaced apart from the lower housing member, and an elastomeric spring member interposed between the upper and lower housing members that buckles upon application of vertical loading to provide a spring rate that softens within a range of compressive loads. The upper and lower housing members cooperate with each other to allow for relative vertical movement therebetween, but restrain lateral and rotational movement therebetween. The elastomeric spring member has a first set of spring rates when subjected to axial loads within a first range. However, when the side bearing is subjected to axial loads within an second range, the elastomeric spring member buckles and exhibits a second set of substantially softer spring rates.

Abstract: A tuned vibration absorber and vibration-reduced pipeline system utilizing same. The tuned vibration absorber includes a support frame, a tuning mass mounted for pivotal movement relative to the support frame about a pivot; the tuning mass including a lever, and a spring contacting the lever. In the vibration-reduced pipeline system, the absorber's support frame is preferably secured atop of the pipeline section, preferably by at least one strap, to absorb vibrations thereof. In a preferred aspect, the tuning mass includes an arm extending from the pivot in a first direction and a weight repositionably mounted thereon. The lever extends from the arm along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Preferably the line of action (along A--A) of the spring extends substantially parallel to the first direction. An adjuster is provided for readjusting a position of the tuning mass relative to said support frame due to drift in the spring.

Abstract: An isolator for use in a hand-held vibrating device for providing optimum vibration isolation by utilizing elastomeric sections. Six embodiments are shown which utilize elastomer sections to enhance vibration isolation along an axial direction of vibration. A first embodiment includes a frustoconical section, while the second employs a W-shaped buckling element. A third embodiment includes use of a tuned fluid inertia which is tuned to substantially coincide with a predominant operating frequency of the vibrating device and produces forces to substantially reduce the vibration transmission, while three other embodiments employ metallic buckling springs. Another embodiment employs a tuned vibration absorber and still another combines a tuned mass with a buckling column.

Abstract: A continuous strip of generally rectangular body portion which is foam filled can be serpentinely wrapped around the handle or steering wheel of a tool or vehicle to isolate the transmission of high frequency vibrations from the user's hands. This will significantly reduce the incidence of occupational disabilities associated with the use of these tools and hand steered vehicles.

Abstract: An isolator for use in a hand-held vibrating device for providing optimum vibration isolation by utilizing elastomeric buckling sections which operate in a buckled mode during normal use. The buckled elastomer sections significantly reduce the spring rate within an operating load range thus substantially reducing the vibration transmitted to the user. Six embodiments are shown which utilize buckling sections to enhance vibration isolation along an axial direction of vibration. A first embodiment includes a frustoconical section, while the second employs a W-shaped buckling element. A third embodiment includes use of a tuned fluid inertia which is tuned to substantially coincide with a predominant operating frequency of the vibrating device and produces amplified counter inertial forces to substantially reduce the vibration transmitted to the user, while three other embodiments employ metallic buckling springs.

Abstract: An elastomeric bumper restricts movement of large objects such as diesel engines to .+-.0.5" along the bumper's axis. The bumper includes a solid elastomeric button, an elastomeric sleeve spaced therefrom by a gap, and a rigid, tight fitting cup which surrounds the sleeve and limits the outward bulging of the elastomer. The button has an axial length which exceeds the length of the sleeve by an amount which defines a first volume of elastomer. That volume is designed to be equal to the volume of the gap. When the movement of the large object has caused the equivalent of the first volume of elastomer to flow into the gap, additional movement of the object is resisted by bulk loading of the elastomer which behaves as an incompressible fluid and resists additional motion with the full weight of the support to which the bumper is attached.

Abstract: A hybrid elastomer-and-metal spring isolator with a low natural frequency. A fully bonded sandwich mount has cored pockets that receive metal coil springs. Extruded cavities on the lower and upper plates of the sandwich mount extend into the pockets within the interior of the coiled springs and receive a tension bolt and double lock-nut assembly to secure the separate lower cavities to the isolator. A preload retention nut engages a protruding portion of the tension bolt and preloads the coil springs to an amount equal to their static load. This hybrid isolator has particular application in mounting large (30 ton) diesel engines; the isolator assembly provides a natural frequency that is between 3 and 5 Hz, outside the normal idling frequencies of the engine so as to avoid resonance.

Abstract: An auxiliary damper is provided for a passenger cab on heavy equipment or the like, the damper being contained within the confines of the primary suspension system and being secured to a first one of a supported element and a support to provide surface-effect damping as needed to damp high-amplitude, low-frequency vibration in the region of the resonant frequency of the primary suspension. An elastomeric sleeve is bonded to a rigid sleeve member which surrounds the securement bolt for the primary mount. A spool member with internal protrusions engagingly surrounds the elastomeric sleeve. The spool has upper and lower flanges which overlie and underlie, respectively, in non-engaged relationship, the second of a supported element and a support. When there is low-amplitude, high frequency motion of the support, this non-engaged relationship allows the supported element to be isolated from such motion.

Abstract: Three embodiments of a shock-isolating caster. A surface-effect damper engages at least one of a wheel element and an intermediate structural member to dampen vibration and shock loads which would otherwise be transmitted from the wheel element through the intermediate structure and mounting member to the equipment supporting cart. A first embodiment positions the damper between an outer wheel rim and an inner wheel hub. Second and third embodiments mount the wheel on a pivotable arm and dampen the movement of the arm. Capability to adjust damping levels is provided.