Including Load Sustaining Bearing Or Guide Patents (Class 248/580)
  • Patent number: 6595483
    Abstract: A vibration isolator including a bearing support and an elastic member that communicates with a vibration source. The elastic member is capable of bending from an original position to assume a more or less bowed position in response to changes in a load applied to the midportion of the elastic member intermediate its ends and returning essentially to its original position when the original load is restored. The elastic member engages a friction-resistant bearing surface on the bearing support at a distance spaced from each of its ends and moves relative to the bearing surface in response to a bending of the elastic member. The apparatus may be tuned to effectively isolate a particular vibration frequency, for example, by altering the properties of the elastic member or by changing the distance between the points on the bearing support that engage the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: John Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6533256
    Abstract: A damping system is disclosed which includes a housing that receives vibrations, a mounting platform movably disposed with respect to the housing, at least one bearing surface on or attached to one of the housing and the platform, and at least one frictional member on or attached to the other of the housing and the platform in contact with the bearing surface. The system frictionally dampens vibrations received by the housing and isolates the platform from vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Warren, Lee D. Peterson, Jason D. Hinkle
  • Patent number: 6364274
    Abstract: A flat-type seismic isolator for exhibits includes a lower face plate installed on a foundation; an upper face plate that is installed to the lower surface of a seismic isolation object and placed above the lower face plate; an intermediate plate placed between the upper face plate and the lower face plate; and elastic restoring means and damping means provided for returning the plates to their original positions and placed in a lower area between the lower face plate and the intermediate plate and an upper area between the intermediate plate and the upper face plate, respectively. In the lower area, one lower linear guide rail is disposed in the center of the area and guide rails and rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the lower linear guide rail in parallel relation therewith for smoothly moving the intermediate plate with respect to the lower face plate in one linear direction. In the upper area, one upper linear guide rail is disposed in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Omi, Minoru Ohiraki
  • Patent number: 6220563
    Abstract: A vibration isolator including a bearing support and an elastic member that communicates with a vibration source. The elastic member is capable of bending from an original position to assume a more or less bowed position in response to changes in a load applied to the midportion of the elastic member intermediate its ends and returning essentially to its original position when the original load is restored. The elastic member engages a friction-resistant bearing surface on the bearing support at a distance spaced from each of its ends and moves relative to the bearing surface in response to a bending of the elastic member. The apparatus may be tuned to effectively isolate a particular vibration frequency, for example, by altering the properties of the elastic member or by changing the distance between the points on the bearing support that engage the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: John Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6149120
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a device having a first and second upright, a support rail connecting the first upright and the second upright, and a vertical spacer having a first edge, a second edge and a bearing surface. A portion of the first edge is disposed on the first upright and a portion of the first edge is disposed on the second upright. A guide rail having a top surface is disposed along the second edge of the vertical spacer. The guide rail extends over the bearing surface. The device further includes a sliding support member having a first roller, a second roller and a third roller. The first roller engages the top surface of the guide rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only vertical forces from the sliding support member to the top surface. The second roller engages the support rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only horizontal forces from the sliding support member to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6123313
    Abstract: A seismic isolation apparatus is structured such that a pair of seismic isolation mechanisms are formed each having a pair of upper and lower clamping members formed in the shape of a rectangular frame, wherein upper and lower roller guide surfaces, in each of which a longitudinal central portion is formed as a concavely arcuate curved surface and portions respectively extending therefrom are formed as convexly arcuate curved surfaces, are formed on the four sides of the upper and lower clamping members, and wherein rollers each having a circular cross section are respectively interposed between the upper and lower roller guide surfaces. The pair of seismic isolation mechanisms are installed by being superposed on top of each other such that the rolling directions of the rollers in the two seismic isolation mechanisms are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignees: Okumura Corporation, Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Otsuka, Kunio Hayakawa, Ikuo Shimoda, Kiyoharu Suzuki, Masami Mochimaru, Mitsuru Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6000670
    Abstract: A foot structure for an apparatus including a bolt member, a slide cup, and a flange member in one embodiment. The bolt member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the bolt member is fixed to the apparatus. The slide cup has at its upper portion a recess for slidably supporting the second end of the bolt member and has at its lower portion a substantially flat lower surface and a rodlike projection projecting downward from a substantially central portion of the lower surface. The flange member has a slide surface with which the lower surface of the slide cup is in slidable contact and a wall surface projecting downward from the slide surface to define an opening area for accommodating the rodlike projection with play. The flange member is mounted on a substantially horizontal floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5458313
    Abstract: A disc spring constant compensating and hanging apparatus comprises a fixed frame, two swinging frames, two spring units, a movable platen, a hanger plate and two displacement guide bars. The spring unit consists of front platen, rear platen, disc spring and spring rod with its one end extending outward through the center of the disc spring. The two spring units are disposed symmetrically about the vertical central line of the hanging apparatus and connected with the fixed frame. The two swinging frames are pivoted symmetrically on both sides of the fixed frame through the main shafts. One end of each swinging frame abuts against the movable platen via the loading shaft and the wheel, and the other end is rotatably connected to the extending end of the spring rod by a coupling shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: Ronjun Tie, Rongping Tie
  • Patent number: 5409283
    Abstract: A body mounting structure of an automotive vehicle includes upper and lower insulators disposed on and below a mount bracket fixed to a vehicle frame. A floor panel forming part of a vehicle body is securely mounted on the upper insulator. A vertical bolt is disposed passing through the insulators, the mount bracket and the floor panel thereby to connect them as a single unit. The bolt has a bolt head located below the lower insulator and provided with a cup-shaped washer for the bolt head. Additionally, a stopper bracket fixed to the vehicle frame. It extends below the lower insulator and is formed with a support hole. The cup-shaped washer is located inside the periphery of the support hole in such a manner that it comes into contact with the periphery of the support hole when a large horizontal force input is made to the vehicle frame or the vehicle body, thereby suppressing a generally horizontal displacement between the vehicle frame and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukimasa Ban
  • Patent number: 5158030
    Abstract: A damped flexible seal assembly for a torpedo isolates the tailcone thereof rom vibrational energy present in the drive shaft assembly. A pair of outside flanges, each of which include an inwardly facing groove and an O-ring constrained therein, provide a watertight seal against the outer non-rotating surface of the drive shaft assembly. An inside flange includes an outwardly-facing groove and an O-ring constrained therein, and provides a watertight seal against the inner surface of the tail cone. Two cast-in-place elastomeric seals provide a watertight seal between the flanges and further provide a damping barrier between the outside flanges and the inside flanges for damping vibrational energy present in the drive shaft assembly before the energy can reach the tailcone through the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Neil J. DuBois, Antonio M. Amaral
  • Patent number: 5065555
    Abstract: An elasto-plastic damper is adapted to be used in a structure, such as a building and other facilities, for absorbing vibration energy created by earthquake tremors and other ground vibrations. The damper is a centrally bulged and generally cone-shaped hollow body of revolution so that its section modulus changes substantially porportional to a bending moment created in the damper body due to horizontal stresses, thus permitting a maximum degree of deformability. This elasto-plastic damper is compact in size and demonstrates a high degree of vibrational energy absorbability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kajima Corporation
    Inventors: Takuji Kobori, Shunichi Yamada, Shigeru Ban, Koji Ishii, Isao Nishimura, Masatoshi Ishida, Kuniaki Sato, Yasuo Takenaka, Shozo Maeda, Jun Tagami
  • Patent number: 5037060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load distribution composite. This comprises a plurality of lower wedges with their broader bases disposed in a slideable spaced-apart relation along a resting plane. Superposed in reverse slideable relation between adjacent pairs of the lower wedges are a plurality of upper wedges. A guide rod extends laterally between a pair of fixed supports at opposite ends of the composite of upper and lower wedges which are aligned along the base in contiguous relation. The upper wedges are internally slotted to permit them restricted vertical and horizontal movement in slideable relation against the surfaces of the lower wedges, in response to the selective application of load pressure along the surfaces of the upper wedges.The principles of the invention has wide application to supporting or buffering surfaces. Examples include chairs, beds and vehicle interiors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Fikri Yalvac
    Inventor: Fikri Yalvac
  • Patent number: 5005326
    Abstract: A vibration proofing/suppressing system including a first rigid member extending and translatable in a first direction, a second rigid member extending parallel to the first rigid member and translatable in the first direction relative to the first member, a third rigid member interposed between the first and second rigid member, and a fourth member interposed between the first and second rigid members. Guide means are interposed between the first and third and fourth members and the second and third and fourth members for guiding translation of the third and fourth members along the direction of relative movement between the first and second members. At least one first lever means connects the first member to the fourth member, the at least one first lever means being pivotally connected to a first point on the third member such that the at least one first lever means is swingable about the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventors: Shinji Ishimaru, Takahiro Niiya, Kazuko Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 4881350
    Abstract: An anti-earthquake structure insulating the kinetic energy of earthquake from buildings, which is constructed between a building and the construction site thereof, including a plurality of supporting layers having multiple ball seats, plural ball members correspondingly disposed on and pressed between said ball seats with extremely small rolling friction thereagainst, and a plurality of sliding block linkages disposed between the building and the supporting layers, whereby horizontal displacement of the construction site can apply no horizontal force to the supporting layers, and consequently, the building will remain stable and rigid, the sliding block linkages further converting vertical wobbling force into horizontal force, permitting the horizontal force to be absorbed by multiple buffer springs via lever devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Chyuang-Jong Wu
  • Patent number: 4865466
    Abstract: A spring support system for a compliant hydrodynamic gas lubricated bearing comprises a plurality of cylindrical spring elements that are retained by floating control rods in circumferential and axially extending arrays for the support of a compliant foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Williams International Corporation
    Inventor: Allen M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4822200
    Abstract: At least one torsion spring is traversely mounted between first and second elements of an overload protector. One end of the spring is elongated to form a pressure arm which bears against the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Berner
  • Patent number: 4807841
    Abstract: An omnidirectionally tilting pedestal mechanism for supporting a chair seat, including a tubular pedestal member, first and second tilt/swivel assemblies, each mounted within the pedestal member for limited tilting movement, a flexure shaft for connecting the first and second tilt/swivel assemblies within the pedestal member, and mounting means for connecting the flexure shaft to a chair seat, such that as the chair seat is tilted, the deflection force acts to tilt one end of the flexure shaft within one of the tilt/swivel assemblies for bowing the flexure shaft between the first and second tilt/swivel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Serge Abend
    Inventor: Andrew Edstrom
  • Patent number: 4805707
    Abstract: A wrecking implement for attachment to the lift mechanisms of a loader machine comprises a generally rectangular plate having a mounting tube projecting therefrom. A boom having a hammer head carried on its distal end is telescopingly received within the mounting tube such that it extends outwardly of the plate and loader machine. Resilient pads are interposed between the boom and mounting tube and the boom has a metal tubular sleeve transversely through one end thereof which is secured to the mounting tube by passing a bolt through the metal tubular sleeve facilitating limited pivotable movement of the boom relative to the mounting tube and plate. A resilient tubular sleeve is positioned between the bolt and the metal tubular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventors: Dennis W. P. Davis, Timothy Tough
  • Patent number: 4613117
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an engine bearing in particular for motor vehicles which has hydraulic damping and at least one chamber which is filled with liquid and has an approximately conically-shaped, rubber elastic peripheral wall which acts as a bearing spring, the front face of which chamber is sealed by a bearing plate. The present invention provides that the bearing plate has a thrust element on its upper surface, which thrust element is rigid in the axial direction in comparison with the bearing spring and accomodates the mounting and has adjustable radial rigidity to independently set the axial and radial rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Metzeler Kautschuk GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Andra, Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4601362
    Abstract: A device for damping an oscillatory system is described. The device comprises a first connection member connectable to part of a spring and a second connection member connectable to a surface on which the spring is mounted. One end of a first bearing member is rotatably mounted in the first connection member and the other end is fixed in a mounting block. One end of a second bearing member is rotatably mounted in the block to extend perpendicularly of the first bearing member. The other end of the second bearing member is fixed in part of a planar component which is pivotally connected by a flexible joint to a second planar component. The device is symmetrical about the pivot line so that a third bearing member and a fourth bearing member corresponding to the second and first bearing member, respectively, are provided between the second planar component and the second connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Garrard Products Limited
    Inventor: John P. Wren
  • Patent number: 4526503
    Abstract: A support structure utilized for checking and repairing rotatable objects of various kinds, such as a turbine for power generator or a blower fan, includes a roll support base which rotatably supports one end of the rotatable object thereon by means of a pair of rolls which are supported on an adjustable surface plate of a base frame by means of a spherical support mechanism. Due to the spherical support mechanism, the rolls on the support bases can uniformly support both ends of the rotatable object without imparting any thrust to the rolls even when horizontal levelling is not achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Hoko Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Muraguchi
  • Patent number: 4511115
    Abstract: A passive support structure comprises rigid compression members in which only compressive forces are generated, and extendable tensile members, which elongate as necessary to accommodate externally applied forces. The structure incorporates two spaced members, a lower base member and an upper support member, interconnected by a plurality of rigid compression members, the ends of which are pivotally attached to both the base and the support member. Because of the pivotal connections, only axial compressive forces can be generated within the compression members. Also interconnecting the base and support members are elastic tensile members, which yield as necessary to accommodate the applied force, and in which energy absorbing and dissipating elements can be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: John S. Ludwigsen
  • Patent number: 4511314
    Abstract: In a compressor assembly, the motor compressor unit is vertically supported by lower bearing head which receives the crankshaft of the compressor. The lower bearing head is vertically supported by a positioning plate which is in turn vertically supported by a spring which is received in a recess in the casing. The mounting structure comprising the head, the plate and the spring coact to provide the sole vertical support of the motor compressor unit. This single vertical support is stable because the center of gravity of the compressor is coaxial with the centerline of the spring. The position plate may be rotated to accommodate compressors having different centers of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Howard H. Fraser, Jr., George A. Anderson, III
  • Patent number: 4493471
    Abstract: A speaker stand for supporting a speaker enclosure on the floor comprising a rigid planar member (11) supporting a waffled cushion pad (12) on the top surface with the pad including peaks 17 and valleys 19. Semiresilient rails (13, 14, 15, 16) positioned to the side of said pad support and stabilize the speaker enclosure such that the pad is depressed sufficiently to form air pockets between the pad and speaker enclosure in the areas of the valleys to attenuate vibratory motion and acoustic sound wave transmissions between the speaker and floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Inventor: Donald E. McInnis
  • Patent number: 4474354
    Abstract: A gimbaled cup supporting device for holding cups in a level position in a moving vehicle while at the same time isolating the cup from shock and vibration transmitted from the moving vehicle to the support mechanism. A shock absorber is described in which the central portion supports a collar and shaft attached to the cup holding mechanism and an annular ring portion displaced from the central portion is attached to a supporting shaft that is removably attached to the supporting vehicle. The rubber shock absorber isolates the supporting shaft from the gimbaled cup supporter while supporting it in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Stanley R. Field
  • Patent number: 4452558
    Abstract: A support structure utilized for checking and repairing rotatable objects of various kinds, such as a turbine for power generator or a blower fan, includes a roll support base which rotatably supports one end of the rotatable object thereon by means of a pair of rolls which are supported on an adjustable surface plate of a base frame by means of a spherical support mechanism. Due to the spherical support mechanism, the rolls on the support bases can uniformly support both ends of the rotatable object without imparting any thrust to the rolls even when horizontal levelling is not achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Hoko Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Muraguchi
  • Patent number: 4401290
    Abstract: A seat secured to a permanent floor by a seat stabilizer which provides increased comfort by absorbing the static shock and/or vibration created between the permanent structure and the seat cushion. The seat stabilizer comprises a plurality of steel bolts firmly supported in the permanent floor structure, each bolt being enclosed by a coil spring contacting the permanent floor structure and the seat cushion frame positioned around each bolt, thereby causing the seat cushion to float vertically along the bolt in response to sudden shocks or vibrations. A bushing mounted on the portion of each seat frame contacting the stabilizing bolts prevents wear due to the vertical movement of the floating seat cushion frame. The stabilizing bolts and associated spring are enclosed by an elastic boot thereby eliminating dust particles and the corrosive effects of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: 4-S Oil Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack B. Butler
  • Patent number: 4377933
    Abstract: The reservoir has three fastening elements, on the upper part of the reservoir and the two others on the lower part of opposed end faces.The fastening elements are provided at the ends of an axle mounted in elastic support means and in a tubular passage parallel to the adjacent face of the housing and parallel to the axis of the turbojet engine, secured to the reservoir and passing through it from end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: Societe Nationale D'Etude et De Construction De Moteurs D'Aviation, "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventor: Yves J. Lojou
  • Patent number: 4223762
    Abstract: In an air or gas spring having a metal cylinder with a rigid gas-tight closure at one end and a flexible convoluted diaphragm seal and piston at the other end, the piston has an inner floating member restrained vertically by hardened roller balls that ride in a hardened ball race and horizontally by elastomer spring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Inventor: Maurice Gertal
  • Patent number: 4210698
    Abstract: The resistance of structural elastomer products, such as bearing blocks, to compressive forces is reduced by incorporating therein a plurality of small, separate, reinforcing elements of relatively hard material. Such materials include crushed rock, concrete, glass or certain slags and small metal pieces. The reinforcing elements are congregated in an interior section or core which is covered by a marginal section substantially free from reinforcing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Watson Bowman Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart C. Watson
  • Patent number: 4187573
    Abstract: A high load bearing for bridges and other structures comprising upper and lower plates and a load bearing elastomer pad between them. The pad has a concave periphery, and the bearing is provided with means preventing shearing between the upper and lower plates but permitting rotational movement between them. Means are provided which mechanically abut the elastomer pad to limit or prevent lateral movement of the upper and lower surfaces of the elastomer pad without preventing bulging of its periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Watson Bowman Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Fyfe, Stewart C. Watson