Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a rigid core extending through and fixed within a shock absorbing body, the opposite ends of the rigid core projecting from the opposite ends of the shock absorbing body for coupling between first and second mounting member. The shock absorber further includes a coupling member coupling one end of the rigid core to its respective mounting member such that a force applied in a compressing direction is transmitted to the latter mounting member in a non-cushioned manner, whereas the force applied in the opposite or tensioning direction is transmitted in a cushioned manner via the shock absorbing body. One advantage of the described construction is that, should the shock absorbing body be destroyed by the shock, the mounting members can still be disassembled in a simple and convenient manner.

Abstract: A hydraulically damped motor mount for motor vehicles, and similar elastic supports having a controlled damping device, the free cross-sectional flow of which is statically closed off by a flexible diaphragm which is held with a certain freedom of movement between rigid support plates. In order to improve the acoustical behavior of such mountings, and to suppress the noise associated with the change in direction of the spring movements, the inner peripheral region of the support plates which embrace the diaphragm, and which overlap the edge of the latter, is provided with successive indentations in the form of gaps between teeth in such a way that the frictional forces generated by the approach of the diaphragm onto the support plates in the damping fluid is kept low. The inventive configuration of the support surfaces results in the elimination of undesirable tapping noises when the placement of the diaphragm has advanced partially.

Abstract: Machines and work surfaces may be isolated from vibration effects by coupling them to a vibration damping device. A bracket is connected to the object to be isolated. An accelerometer which supports a mass is coupled to the bracket and senses the acceleration of the mass. An electromechanical transducer is connected between the bracket and the floor on which the object rests. The transducer responds to the sensed acceleration of the mass to generate forces to counter the acceleration.

Abstract: A frictional damping assembly operated by a load bearing spring assembly, either an elastomerically damped coil spring or a reinforced elastomeric spring, together provide damped, resilient load bearing support for a telescoping load bearing assembly. The strut is particularly suitable for use in front and/or rear suspensions of light weight passenger vehicles.

Abstract: A vibration isolating apparatus employed for mounting, for example, the engine of an automobile includes a tube communicated with a hollow chamber which is expanded and contracted by vibrations generated in the engine. The tube is provided therein with a mass member which has a larger density than that of a fluid sealed inside the hollow chamber. The mass member is movable by means of the circulation of the fluid inside the tube. Accordingly, the mass member encourages the occurrence of resonance of the fluid inside the tube, whereby the vibrations are absorbed by means of the air-column resonance.

Abstract: An anti-vibration apparatus for reducing seismic acceleration is disclosed wherein X-axis direction linear motion means are horizontally displaceably mounted on X-axis direction rails installed on a foundation, and mounted on the X-axis direction linear motion means are Y-axis direction rails through Y-axis direction linear motion means or directly, and X- and Y-axis direction tension springs are disposed between the foundation and the X-axis direction rails and between the X-axis direction linear motion means and the machinery mounting platform, whereby the X- and Y-axis direction linear motion means are adapted to support transverse upward as well as downward loads together with the X- and Y-axis direction rails. The machinery mounting platform may additionally pivotally carry thereon another machinery mounting platform through articulated lever mechanisms using the former platform as a support frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antivibration device particularly adapted for mounting motorcar engines, comprising a shaft (2) fixed to a base and supporting above it a metallic plate (3), fixing one extremity of a metallic container cylinder (4) inside which there is axially positioned a shaft (5) bearing the static work preload by means of a spacer spring (7) interposed between the plate (3) and a plate (6) held at one extremity of the same shaft (5), rigid revolving elements (9) being disposed between a viscoelastic material rolling race (10), preferably sheathing the shaft (5), and a metallic sliding race (8) consisting of a groove made in the inner wall of the container cylinder (4) in which the said rigid revolving elements are housed.

Abstract: An isolator for use in protecting buildings and other structures from the effects of vibration and shock due to an earthquake. The isolator comprises a stack of elastic bearings interconnected at their outer peripheries and located between and coupled to an upper plate and a lower plate. The junctions between adjacent elastic bearings and between the upper and lower elastic bearings and the upper and lower plates are provided with intermediate plates extending beyond the outer peripheries of the elastic bearings. The intermediate plates have aligned holes near their outer peripheries for receiving vertical rods whose lower ends are releasably coupled to rod-holding devices mounted on the lower plate. The rods provide lateral stiffness for the isolator and, by proper selection of the lengths of the rods, the stiffness of the isolator can be adjusted as desired.

Abstract: A first speed detecting means detects whether the engine speed has fallen below a prescribed level. A second speed detecting means detects whether an accelerator pedal angle has been changed at a speed higher than a predetermined value. A third speed detecting means is provided to detect whether the speed of the automobile is equal to, or higher than, a predetermined value. Upon receipt of the output signals from the first, second and third speed detecting means, a solenoid drive circuit drives engine vibration absorbers for a predetermined period of time. More specifically, the circuit energizes solenoids for this period. The solenoids rotate the thus rotary valves of the absorbers, thus closing the orifices of the absorbers. As a result, the absorbers generate great forces damping the back-and-forth motion of the engine. The vibrations of the engine are therefore not transmitted to the chassis of the automobile.

Abstract: A fluid-sealed engine mounting has a connector adapted to be connected to an engine, a base adapted to be connected to a vehicle frame, an elastic member joined between the connector and the base and elastically deformable in response to vibrations transmitted thereto, the connector, the base, and the elastic member jointly defining a fluid chamber in which a fluid is sealed, and a partition dividing the fluid member into a first chamber adjacent to the connector and a second chamber adjacent to the base, the partition having an orifice through which the first and second chambers communicate with each other. The engine mounting also includes a diaphragm mounted on the base or the connector for varying the volume of one of the first and second chambers when vibrations are transmitted to the engine mounting.

Abstract: A floor structure for reducing vibration comprises a panel for mounting a load thereon and a plurality of shock absorbers elastically supporting the panel over a base floor, each shock absorber comprising a base plate slidably mounted on the base floor, a longitudinal spring fitted between the panel and the base plate and a damper swingably connected at respective ends thereof to the panel and the base plate respectively. At least one of the shock absorbers includes a plurality of horizontal springs normally maintaining such shock absorber at a predetermined position with respect to the base floor.

Abstract: A support for a hi-fi turntable base or the like and having an open frame member disposed adjacent the upper surface of a base plate member, a fluid filled endless tube member disposed on the upper surface of the base member and within the interior of the frame and preferably arranged in a serpentine configuration to achieve a proper disbursement of the fluid during use of a support apparatus, the outer diameter of the tube being greater than the thickness of the frame whereby the tube projects above the outer limit of the frame for receiving a floating support plate thereon. A centrally disposed post or bolt extends loosely between the base plate and the floating plate for securing the floating plate to the base plate, the floating plate being adapted for receiving the turntable base thereon for isolating the turntable base from vibration caused by walking across the floor or the like, the elements of the turntable support apparatus being constructed from materials having different frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping apparatus incorporated in the crossing of diagonal members such as braces of a framed structure for damping vibration imparted by external force such as an earthquake or a strong wind. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable members or discs, a resistive body disposed between the discs, and a pair or pairs of link bars causing relative rotation of the discs in response to the impartation of the external force, whereby the vibration is damped by the resistance force of the resistive body resisting to the external force.

Abstract: Molded resin vibration dampener is mounted on coiled tension window balance springs arranged within spring covers. A resin wall of the vibration dampener, shaped for fitting around the tension spring, has a slot oriented longitudinally of the spring, and the wall is flexible enough to allow the slot to be spread open so that the body can be pressed onto a mid-region of the spring. Resilient fins extend obliquely outward from the body far enough to engage an interior surface of the spring cover and thereby hold the body and the spring spaced away from the spring cover to prevent rattling of the spring within the cover.

Abstract: In a suspension system for a gyrocompass or similar device, a plurality of sway rods, springs and shock snubbers are combined to isolate the gyrocompass or similar device from vibrations having low frequencies in all directions.

Abstract: A fixed base is formed at its upper surface with a recess portion, and a bottom surface of said recess portion is normally formed into a plane. A movable plate is disposed in the recess portion of said fixed base with a moving region left therein. Spacers are projectingly embedded in the lower surface of said movable plate, and a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the recess portion of the fixed base and the lower surface of the movable plate, said gap being filled with a viscous material. A pipe is disposed on the movable plate through a support base. The vibration of the pipe is transmitted to the movable plate to produce a relative motion between two surfaces, one being the lower surface of the movable plate and the other being the bottom surface of the recess portion of the fixed base. The viscous shearing resistance of the viscous material resulting from said motion displays an excellent vibration-absorbing action.

Abstract: A three piece snubber is provided with two frictional surfaces, a low frictional surface and a high frictional surface and said snubber is held between a frame of an automatic washer and a suspended mass such that small movements between the frame and the mass causes movement between the parts of the snubber at the low friction area and large movement between the frame and the mass results in movement of the snubber as a whole with the high friction area contacting a support pad and resulting in the desired snubbing action.

Abstract: Vibrational movements of a spring biased lever, which is selectively positionable by a stitch length control lever and controls the operation of feed regulating mechanism in a sewing machine accordingly, are dampened by the operation of a plunger that is carried by said control lever and has a camming surface thereon to engage and lift the spring biased lever when the control lever is moved.

Abstract: The combination of a cylindrical casing, a rod member axially reciprocable in the casing, a rotary member fitted in the casing and rotatable therein in relation with axial displacement of the rod member, an inertia member rotatably fitted in the casing opposingly to the rotary member, and a rotation control member interposed between the rotary and inertia members and adapted to rotate the inertia member with the rotary member in rotation at a low speed and to move the inertia member axially away from the rotary member in rotation at a high speed to abut the inertia member against a wall portion of the casing to restrict the rotation of the rotary member. An intermediate brake is provided between the rotary and inertia members to apply a force resistive to relative rotational displacement of the rotary and inertia members.

Abstract: When detecting means detects that changes have been achieved by an automatic transmission in lever position and/or gear position, a solenoid drive circuit is actuated for a predetermined period of time to drive shock absorbers which control the rolling of the engine of an automobile. More specifically, when it is actuated, the solenoid drive circuit energizes solenoids, whereby the rotary valves of the shock absorbers are rotated for said period. As a result, one of the two orifices of either shock absorber is closed, thus increasing the force damping the vibrations of the engine. Hence, the vibrations caused by a large torque of the engine are not transmitted to the chassis of the automobile.

Abstract: A damping installation for earthquake-endangered buildings providing for a vibration insulator between the foundation and the building.

Abstract: A motion snubbing device in which an inertia mass is rotatably mounted on a rotary shaft through a slide bearing and opposite to a flexible member fixed to the rotary shaft. The shaft rotates in accordance with the relative reciprocating movement of paired strut members. The inertia mass and the flexible member are coupled by an acceleration-responsive coupling means comprising balls and recesses provided between them. The inertia mass is continuously and elastically urged in an axial direction by a spring member secured to the rotary shaft. The urging force of the spring member is adjustable by a spring mounting member screwed into the rotary shaft.

Abstract: An assembly that mounts a wet cell type battery member on a vehicle frame such that jarring of the frame does not transmit substantial damage-causing shock to the battery. A first part of the assembly is fixedly secured to the vehicle frame, but a second part of the assembly is movably mounted relative to the first part. The second, movably mounted, part supports the battery, and the first and second parts are interconnected by a shock attenuating means so that force imparted to the first part by a jarring of the vehicle frame is transmitted in attenuated amounts to the battery.

Abstract: An elastically damping device for the suspension of an engine comprises a conical first fluid chamber which is formed in the bottom portion of a frustoconical elastically deformable block, and a second fluid chamber which is formed on the upper surface of the block by fixing the open end of an elastically deformable thin sheet thereto. The top portion of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber are interconnected to each other by way of an open passageway which is formed in the block. The first fluid chamber, the second fluid chamber and the open passageway are filled with a liquid. This device is supported on a body of a vehicle by a first supporting plate which is connected to the under surface of the block and the engine is mounted on the block by a second supporting plate which is connected to the upper surface of the block.

Abstract: An engine mount device comprises first and second base plate members; an elastic block securely interposed between the first and second base plate members and formed with a cavity; a partition plate member connected to one of the first and second base plate members and formed with an orifice; a diaphragm member connected to the one of the first and second base plate members and defining an auxiliary chamber between it and the partition plate member, the auxiliary chamber being in communication with the fluid chamber through the partition plate member orifice, at least a part of the fluid and auxiliary chambers being filled with a fluid; and a rigid ring disposed around the intermediate section of the elastic block thereby restricting the expansion of the elastic block; the elastic block and the rigid ring serving as a dynamic damper for damping vibration having predetermined frequencies, thereby rendering unnecessary installing the dynamic damper independent from the engine mount device.

Abstract: A multi-directional vibration attenuator seat is capable of limited, restrained movement in any direction within a generally horizontal plane in response to vibration and other motions of the seat and the vehicle in which the seat is mounted. The limited movement is made possible by a seat arrangement in which an intermediate assembly is disposed on top of and slidable relative to a base assembly along a first axis with a seat supporting upper assembly being disposed on and slidable relative to the intermediate assembly along a second axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the first axis. The seat is normally maintained in and is restrained from movement out of a nominal position relative to the base assembly by a plurality of springs. A pair of shock absorbers disposed generally perpendicular to each other damp movement of the seat along the first and second axes respectively.

Abstract: A seat suspension system includes a seat frame movably supported on a base in a fore and aft direction by guide rollers supported on the base and received into rails on the seat frame. A seat attenuating device supported on seat frame includes a rod rotatably supported on spaced brackets and having a lug extending rotatably therefrom between the supports with first and second coil springs telescoped over the rod and located between the lug and the respective supports. An accumulator is connected at one end to a rod and at the opposite end to one of the brackets, while a plate is supported on the base and has notches for receiving at least a portion of the lug to define a plurality of adjusted positions for the seat frame on the base. A lock-out member cooperates with the lug on the rod and is supported on the seat frame to fix the seat frame with respect to the base when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping mechanical oscillations vibrations or pulstations with magnetic suspension railways having vehicles movable to float along elevated tracks using magnetic levitation or suspension technique as well as having supplemental suppression device suppression devices to eliminate oscillation. Each supplemental oscillation suppression device has an additional mass in the form of a hollow body or solid material, and is suspended by means of steel or rubber springs on the longitudinal vehicle support or on the longitudinal track beam. One end face of that supplemental oscillation suppression device associated with the vehicle is provided with a buffer in the horizontal plane of the longitudinal axis thereof, and respective stops are arranged on both longitudinal sides and are fastened to the longitudinal support, with the end face of the hollow body facing the buffer being closed by a base plate, the opposite end face being tightly closable with a screw cap.

Abstract: An engine mounting has a first armature, a second armature, a bellows interposed between the first and second armatures, and an inertia mass. The inertia mass is mounted on the bellows and vibrates independently with the first and second armatures. A partition wall formed with a passageway is disposed within the interior of the bellows and divides same into two chambers. A valve is mounted on the partition wall to open or close the passageway. The valve is responsive to a difference in pressure between the two chambers and decreases the effective area of the passageway during vibrations of the bellows with large amplitudes.

Abstract: A vibration isolator of the dynamic antiresonant type, for reducing the transmission of vibratory forces along a given line of action between two bodies having a component of vibration relative to one another along such line, includes an inertia bar driven by a crank and having its center of gravity so arranged as to allow the bar to be oriented at any angle to the line of action. This gives the isolator the capability of being designed to make it adaptable to the limitations of the space available between the vibrating bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to damped elastic supports, comprising essentially, between two bases fixable to assemblies to be supported on one another, on the one hand a flexible wall defining one chamber designed to cooperate with another chamber and, on the other hand, at least one fluid-flow restricting orifice. This assembly is also completed outwardly by two elastic domes of elastomer combined with one mass. The assembly of this mass with another mass and with the damper device and the elastic membranes is calculated so as to permit a certain flexibility to be maintained, both for low frequencies and high frequencies. The invention is particularly applicable to automobile engine supports.

Abstract: A compact, planar, multi-directional vibration attenuator seat support permits attenuating movement of an attached seat in any direction within a horizontal plane in response to vibration and other motions. The seat support includes a thin, generally planar seat supporting frame having opposite sides which mount the opposite ends of a first plurality of rods slidably received within a first plurality of bearings coupled to the opposite ends of an intermediate frame so that the seat supporting frame is movable along a first axis relative to the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame which is substantially completely contained within the plane of the seat supporting frame has opposite sides mounting the opposite ends of a second plurality of rods slidably received within a second plurality of bearings which mount the entire seat support and which permit movement of the intermediate frame along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A mechanical shock and sway arrestor to be interposed between piping, related equipment and a stationary support, the parts of which are constructed and arranged to automatically change the effective length of the arrestor in response to thermally induced movements of the piping and to subtantially instantaneously convert the arrestor into a rigid strut in the event that the piping is subjected to shock-loading or vibration of substantial amplitude.The arrestor includes a housing for a ball screw and a ball nut threaded over the ball screw or equivalent acme screw. The ball screw is resiliently mounted and has a flywheel secured thereto centrally diposed between two clutch plates which engage the flywheel when the screw moves in response to movement of the piping thereby effectively arresting such motion and altering the effective length of the arrestor.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a mount secured to the assemblage of working parts of the machine and adapted to move with the assemblage during operation of the machine and a cabinet structure enclosing the assemblage of working parts and having a base. An intermediate member is positioned between the mount and the base for movably supporting the mount and the assemblage of moving parts from the base. The base and intermediate member are formed with a first set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween and the mount and the intermediate member are formed with a second set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween. One set of the support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively short radius of curvature to form a first node for movement of the mount and the other set of support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively long radius of curvature to form a second node for movement of the mount.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a cabinet structure for enclosing the various working parts of the machine and a mount secured to the assembly of working parts of the machine for movement therewith. The cabinet base has an upwardly facing generally spherical bearing surface and the mount includes a generally spherical lower support surface. An intermediate member is positioned between the bearing surface and support surface and is formed with opposed spherical faces complimentary to the bearing surface and to the support surface respectively.

Abstract: An earthquake isolation floor comprises a horizontal plate-like support frame having a generally circular or polygonal configuration, a support frame having a horizontal surface with a similar configuration to that of the fundamental frame in a plan view, but of relatively smaller dimensions, a number of horizontal springs disposed radially between the fundamental and support frames with each of the springs being kept in a preset state, and a number of horizontal dampers disposed radially between the fundamental and the support frames, whereby machinery and tools, etc. to be protected against vibration such as caused by an earthquake are adapted to be mounted on the support frame.

Abstract: The device and related process for the manufacture of vibration-damping and shockproof mountings formed of metal cable spirals comprise a generator of low speed rotational motion; a spindle formed of at least two portions, parallel longitudinally developing and adjustably matchable to each other, having outer surfaces corresponding to those of the cable spirals to be formed, and at least two planar zones along two diametrically opposite generatrices, each of such zones for the bearing thereon of one of the terminal forming bars connecting with the bar, the pairs of bars having the matching surfaces provided with semicylindrical connecting seats for accommodating and firmly tightening for a short length the cable spirals, but without any distortion to the elementary wires thereof; a braking system for holding the in-coming cable under tension, slidable on two parallel shafts, to supply the spiral winding on the spindle body; a clamp for securing the cable to be wound up at the operation start and a spacer down

Abstract: A shock absorber for attenuating a shock effect between a fixed point and a movable element which comprises a casing, a threaded element mounted for axial movement within the casing, and a first engagement member and a second engagement member mounted for rotary and axial movement within the casing in response to a shock effect, the first engagement member being in normal contact engagement with the threads of the threaded element for converting the axial movement of the threaded member into a rotary movement of the second engagement member and the second engagement member being adapted to engage the threads of the threaded element, whereby upon the application of the shocking effect above a predetermined amount, the second engagement member abuts against the threads of the threaded element to block further rotational movement of the second engagement member by becoming lockingly engaged with the threads of the threaded element while the shocking force is applied thereto.

Abstract: A system for attenuating the inherent vibration associated with a mechanical refrigeration unit employed to cryogenically cool sensitive instruments used in measuring chemical constituents of the atmosphere. A modular system including an instrument housing 13 and a reaction bracket 14 with a refrigerator unit 15 "floated" therebetween comprise the instrumentation system. A pair of evacuated bellows 20,25 "float" refrigerator unit 15 and provide pressure compensation therefor at all levels of pressure from sea level to the vacuum of space. Vibration isolators 27 (FIG. 1) and 57 (FIG. 2) when needed provide additional vibration damping for refrigerator unit 15. Flexible thermal strap 38 (20.degree. K.) serves to provide essentially vibration free thermal contact between cold tip 32 of refrigerator unit 15 and the instrument component 37 mounted on TDL mount 36. Another flexible strap 41 (77.degree. K.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting a carried element on a carrying element in an automotive vehicle or the like. The device comprises a resiliently deformable support secured to two frame members so as to define a fluid-tight chamber, the chamber containing a fluid and being divided into two portions by a separating partition formed of a resilient annular portion affixed to one frame member and which carries a block member having at least one orifice through which the fluid is adapted to pass from one chamber portion to the other. The block member has a certain inertial mass such that the resilient portion will oscillate substantially following the displacement of the carried element when the latter vibrates at a frequency less than a particular frequency but will oscillate independently of the displacement of the carried element when the latter vibrates at a frequency greater than the particular frequency.

Abstract: A seat suspension system, which includes a height adjustment valve for positioning a seat at a desired height in response to manual positioning of a height adjustment lever by controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid supplied to a cylinder having a piston therein coupled to the seat, provides damping of vertical motion of the seat by an accumulator coupled to the cylinder via a conduit so as to receive the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder and two different valves disposed in the conduit. A manually adjustable flow control valve has an adjustable orifice within the conduit for providing the seat with a nominal amount of damping.

Abstract: An earthquake isolation floor comprises a horizontal plate-like support frame having a generally polygonal configuration, a support frame having a horizontal surface with a similar configuration to that of the fundamental frame in plan view, but of relatively smaller dimensions and slidably mounted thereon, and horizontal tensile springs disposed between the fundamental and support frames each in a prestressed condition such that when the support frame is moved relative to the fundamental frame by an earthquake, etc. the springs are caused to be elongated by the fact that their one end in the direction of the movement does not encounter any resistance to the movement, while the other end opposite to the movement is prevented from moving.

Abstract: A cryogenic vacuum pump has an expander module suspended from the vacuum chamber of an electron microscope by a metal bellows which dampens the vibrations transmitted to the electron microscope from the expander module. A weight mounted on the expander module and disposed around the bellows counters the lifting force of the atmospheric pressure acting on the expander module and protects the bellows. The expander module is maintained in a centered position by vibration damping isolators disposed symmetrically around the expander module and which are attached to a support extending down from the vacuum housing. In one embodiment the isolators are bar magnets which repel magnetic ring attached to the expander module. In another embodiment the isolators are ladders in which the rungs are wire cables tensioned between a side members attached respectively to the expander module and to the support.

Abstract: A motion snubbing device using an inertia mass, which is disposed within a housing and supported for free rotation on a shaft which is rotated with relative motion of telescoped support members. A spring plate is secured to the shaft and faces one end of the inertia member. A plurality of torque transmission balls are each interposed between each of recesses formed in the plate member near the periphery thereof and each of recesses formed in the corresponding end face of the inertia mass at corresponding positions. The plate is provided on its side opposite its recesses and near its periphery with brake shoes, and the housing has a frictional surface facing and adapted to cooperate with these brake shoes.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolation system having a plurality of isolators supporting a utilization device is disclosed. Each isolator has two gas driven pistons, pivotally mounted in a frame and is connected to an accumulator/controller that supplies controlled amounts of pressurized gas. A sensor in each isolator senses the position of the utilization device with respect to a base sitting on the ground, and the accumulator/controller adds gas to or exhausts gas from the pistons to counteract changes in position detected by the sensor. An electronic control circuit is connected between the sensor and the accumulator/controller to supply a properly compensated signal from the sensor to control the accumulator/controller.

Abstract: Earthquake protector for protecting apparatus such as a circuit-breaker. The apparatus to be protected is mounted on a support member (2) which is connected to a plate assembly via jack 4. The plate assembly is supported on a base member (8,9) itself firmly connected to a foundation 1 on the ground. The plate assembly comprises a first plate (3) and a second plate (17) which are horizontally movable relative to the base member. The first plate has a first sole plate (5) on its lower surface which engages a second sole plate (7) on the other surface of the base member. Said sole plates are arranged to present a very low coefficient of friction to relative horizontal motion. The second plate (17) is fast with the first plate (3) and is connected therebelow by a connection means (15) passing through corresponding openings in the sole plates (5 and 7).

Abstract: A method of producing a vibration attenuating material having the steps of forming a multiplicity of grooves in the surface of a ductile raw material and subjecting the raw material to a drawing or rolling work to form a multiplicity of minute friction interfaces in the surface region of the vibration attenuating material. An improved vibration attenuating performance is ensured by a suitable selection of numerical values of factors such as relationship between the maximum depth of the friction interface and the thickness of the vibration attenuating material, pitch of the friction interfaces and so forth.

Abstract: A protective device for an inertia wheel rotating about an axis and mounted inside an enclosure comprising at least two anchoring frames, wherein the said device comprises a cowling of generally semicylindrical form whose axis is parallel to that of the said wheel and which surrounds the latter and a horizontal arm the first end of which is rigidly fixed near the top of the said cowling and at least three shock absorber sets, one of the said sets being fixed between the second end of the said arm and one of the said frames and operating in a horizontal direction, two other sets being fixed between the lower edges of the said cowling and another frame, while each shock absorber set may operate in both directions.

Abstract: A motion snubbing device in which an internal gear is fixed on a shaft rotating in accordance with relative axial movement of a pair of support members, and an inertia mass is rotated by operation of a planetary gearing mechanism with the internal gear as an input gear thereof on its own axis. When the level of drastic external force applied to the device exceeds a critical value, the planetary gearing mechanism starts revolving induced by retarded rotation of the inertia mass. An actuating lever connected to the planetary gearing mechanism applies initial force for constrictive winding to a clutch spring which is normally at a standstill, thereby causing the spring to wind automatically around a brake drum fixed on the shaft so that the shaft is prevented from rotation through the drum.

Abstract: An energy absorbing element such as a spring, shock absorber or vibration damper in the form of a laminated structure comprising at least one rigid non-elastomeric layer such as a reinforced plastic material bonded to a visco-elastic layer such as a vulcanizable elastomer in which twisted fiber bundles are embedded in the visco-elastic layer. Preferably the twisted fiber bundle comprises a steel cord having an elongation at rupture between 1.5 and 8%. An anchoring layer between the visco-elastic layer and the non-elastomeric layer may be employed.