Plural Resilient Elements With Rigid Spacer Patents (Class 267/141.1)
  • Publication number: 20150131982
    Abstract: In one aspect, a tunable vibration damper may include a housing and a damper stack disposed within the housing. The damper stack may be formed from a viscoelastic material and may have a vertical stiffness and a horizontal stiffness. The damper stack may also include a plurality of column sections and a plurality of disk sections, with each pair of adjacent column sections being separated by one of the disk sections. The disk sections may extend radially outwardly relative to the column sections. In addition, at least one of the vertical stiffness or the horizontal stiffness may be tunable by adjusting a stiffness-related parameter of the damper stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Thomas Starns, Matthew Thomas Valente, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
  • Patent number: 9004468
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to ensure that a torque rod breaks downward when a predetermined load or greater is input thereto. A torque rod has a first annular portion (21), a second annular portion (22), a connecting stay portion (24) that interconnects the first annular portion (21) and the second annular portion (22), a first attachment member (31) that is connected via a first rubber elastic body (41) inside the first annular portion (21), and a second attachment member (32) that is connected via a second rubber elastic body (42) inside the second annular portion (22). The connecting stay portion (24) has an upper fork portion (24U) and a lower fork portion (24L), and the bending strength of the lower fork portion (24L) is less than that of the upper fork portion (24U). A cavity portion (30) to which part of the first annular portion (21) is exposed is formed between the upper fork portion (24U) and the lower fork portion (24L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kamei, Mutsuo Tezuka
  • Patent number: 8991800
    Abstract: An elastomeric bearing arrangement for the reduction of machine vibrations caused predominantly by externally acting forces. The bearing, due to its special design and construction symmetry, is capable of processing the forces occurring in all spatial directions with optimal material protection. The bearing is preferably suitable for a rotational connection of rotor/gearbox units to the support plate in wind turbines. The bearing has a sandwich element (5), a cone element (3), a cone piece (4) and a cylinder piece (4a) which interact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Patent number: 8973887
    Abstract: In a slide structure, a support structure and a seismically isolated structure, a first sliding surface (25) of a sliding member (21) is formed of a sliding body (24) made of synthetic resin. A film (27) made of synthetic resin and having a Young's modulus more than twice as large as that of the first sliding surface (25) is formed on the second sliding surface (28) of the counter member (22). At the same time, fine irregularities having a maximum height Rz of 3 ?m or higher are formed on the surface of the film (27). As a result, the lubricant is trapped in small pits of the irregularities to prevent the lubricant from flowing out, and a stable low friction state can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 8967599
    Abstract: A torque arm for an automobile is configured so that the axis of a first bush and the axis of a second bush are arranged so as to intersect each other. The torque arm includes a first outer tube, a second outer tube, and an outer-tube connection section which are each divided into halves. A rubber introduction opening connecting to a second space is formed in the introduction portion of the second outer tube. A rubber material poured toward the upper flat section of an upper outer-tube connection section, which is one of the halves of the outer-tube connection section, is led to the rubber introduction opening while being guided by the upper flat section. The led rubber material is filled into the second space after passing through the rubber introduction opening, and a second rubber elastic body is formed by the rubber material filled into the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenzo Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 8967598
    Abstract: A bushing suitable for use as a vehicle suspension mount comprises a hydraulic component in series with an outer rubber bushing. The series combination provides good absorption of shock loads without exceeding suspension system packaging constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Frank Roland Whear, David Boon
  • Patent number: 8950738
    Abstract: To provide a vibration-damping support device that requires a smaller space for its own installation. A vibration-damping support device is provided with a rubber mount, a support member supporting the rubber mount thereon, and stoppers. The rubber mount is to be attached to a mounting platform for an object which is installed in a hydraulic excavator and is to be damped, for example, an engine that vibrates in vertical and horizontal directions, and has an elastic member of a rubber or like member for absorbing vibrations of the engine. The support member can be, for example, a support bracket to be fixedly secured on an unillustrated revolving frame. The stoppers are arranged integrally with the support bracket, and prevent an excessive deformation of the elastic member of the rubber mount under vibrations of the engine. The stopper is arranged on an upper side of the support bracket, while the stopper is arranged on a lower side of the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8926180
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: R. J. Watson, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Fred Bradford
  • Patent number: 8919506
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vibration absorber for a drive train of a motor vehicle, including an internal carrier which can be rotated around a rotation axis, a mass ring which is coaxial to the internal carrier and which is arranged at a radial distance from the internal carrier, and a plurality of spring elements which connect the internal carrier and the mass ring to each other. The mass ring has at least one radial profile formation on the inner circumferential surface thereof to provide sliding support in the circumferential direction and is provided with an elastomeric damping layer arranged between the internal carrier and the mass ring, the layer being designed such that the mass ring slides at least in the region of the at least one radial profile formation thereof in the circumferential direction on the internal carrier during a relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SGF Sueddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Loew, Franz Kobus
  • Publication number: 20140339749
    Abstract: An anti-vibration device (10) is provided with a ring shaped resilient stopper body (30) that is disposed at an outer periphery of a second attachment member (14). The resilient stopper body (30) is clamped between one end of a first attachment member (12) and a vehicle body side plate (20), and is capable of movement relative to the second attachment member (14). Protruding portions (34) are provided to the inner peripheral face of the resilient stopper body (30), and protrude out from the inner peripheral face toward the second attachment member (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro SAITO
  • Publication number: 20140284858
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide an antivibration device that can realize low dynamic spring characteristics in a high vibration region while securing a damping force in a low vibration region. [Solution] In the case where a load input in the axial direction of a coupling member is a predetermined value or smaller, the dynamic spring constant of a first bush 10 is set larger than that of a second bush 20, and the loss factor of the second bush 20 is set larger than that of the first bush 10. On the other hand, in the case where the load input in the axial direction of the coupling member 30 exceeds the predetermined value, the dynamic spring constant of the first bush 10 is set smaller than that of the second bush 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Sakata
  • Publication number: 20140239566
    Abstract: A nail gun includes: a shell, a cylinder, a piston, a gear frame, and a stress relaxation device. The cylinder is disposed in the shell. The piston is disposed in the cylinder and includes a piston rod and a piston disc. The gear frame is coated on a front section of a cylinder exterior. The stress relaxation device is disposed in the cylinder. The stress relaxation device includes a first stress relaxation ring, a second stress relation ring and a stress relaxation unit. The first stress relaxation ring and the second stress relaxation ring are both connected with the stress relaxation unit and not in relative movement to the stress relaxation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: King Fai Kenneth Kok
  • Patent number: 8794607
    Abstract: A supporting device supports an in-vehicle mounted object on a vehicle body. The supporting device includes a bracket and an elastic member. The bracket has a side-plate part having an opening part. The elastic member is engaged with the first opening part so as to be provided between the bracket and the in-vehicle mounted object. The side-plate part includes a notch having one end connected to the opening part and the other end open outward. The notch does not intersect with a plane containing a line passing substantially a center of the opening part and extending in a main vibrating direction of the in-vehicle mounted object, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the side-plate part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohnosuke Sobajima, Yoshihiro Nakagiri, Toshiyuki Tetsuda, Hiroshi Shimofukasako, Katsuyuki Furuhata, Nobuhiko Yoshioka, Masashi Kodan
  • Patent number: 8783670
    Abstract: A compressible spring for at least absorbing and dissipating energy includes a plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other and a plurality of separator plates, with each plate being disposed between a pair of the adjacent pads. A plurality of first prongs are formed integrally with or secured to a first surface of each separator plate for attaching the plate to one pad and a plurality of second prongs are formed integrally with or secured to a second surface for attaching the plate to an opposed pad. An axial aperture is also formed through each plate with prongs positioned in an alternating manner on a peripheral edge of the axial aperture. Projections may be also provided on each surface of the plate and adapted with an axial aperture that continues through the plate for additional attachment of the plate to the pair of pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow
  • Publication number: 20140159293
    Abstract: A rotational and axial control spring includes a tubular casing, a shaft, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members. The casing comprises a first end, a second end, and a plurality of interior surfaces extending therebetween defining a casing interior. The first end is smaller than the second end, forming a frustum shaped tubular casing. The cross sectional shape of the casing can include three (3) or more sides. The shaft is fabricated having a series of exterior surfaces, wherein a cross sectional shape of the shaft is similar to the cross sectional shape of the casing. The elastomeric members are formed as cylindrical frustums. The shaft is inserted within the casing interior. Each elastomeric member is positioned contacting a respective shaft exterior surface and a pair of adjacent casing interior surfaces. The elastomeric members each provide a rotational spring with adjustable resistant force and dampening functions. The tapered features provide an axial retention function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. George
  • Publication number: 20140159294
    Abstract: A rotational and axial control spring includes a tubular casing, a shaft, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members. The casing comprises a tubular cross sectional equilateral convex polygon shape, the tubular shape extending uniformly between a first and second casing end. The shaft is fabricated having a cross sectional shape mimicking the equilateral convex polygon casing shape, a series of exterior surfaces extending longitudinally between a first smaller end and second larger end, wherein the exterior surfaces form a square frustum shape. The elastomeric members are formed as cylindrical frustums. The shaft is inserted within the casing interior. Each elastomeric member is positioned contacting a respective shaft exterior surface and a pair of adjacent casing interior surfaces. The elastomeric members provide rotational spring with adjustable resistant force and dampening functions. The tapered features provide an axial retention function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. George
  • Patent number: 8746663
    Abstract: A mechanically adjustable elastomer bearing based on a correspondingly arranged spring element whose spring stiffness can be adjusted or pretensioned individually by deformable elastomer bodies or elastomer layers. The deformation of the elastomer layers, and thus of the spring elements, is achieved by a pressure-generated device which is fully integrated into the spring element. The elastomer bearing are particularly suitable for use as bearings in rotor and gearbox for large wind turbines, but can also advantageously be employed in machine and vehicle construction, and in particular package clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Patent number: 8740200
    Abstract: A fluid-elastomeric damper assembly operable for damping relative motion between a first structure and a second structure including a housing structure grounded to the first structure and a plurality of elastomer seals coupled to the housing structure, the housing structure and the plurality of elastomer seals defining a fluid-elastomeric chamber operable for containing a fluid. The fluid-elastomeric damper assembly also including one or more piston structures disposed within the housing structure and the fluid-elastomeric chamber, the one or more piston structures grounded to the first structure and driven by the second structure, and the one or more piston structures each including a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber in communication via an orifice, the first substantially fluid-filled chamber and the second substantially fluid-filled chamber also in communication with the fluid-elastomeric chamber through a fluid backfiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Russell
  • Patent number: 8720937
    Abstract: A load cushion for a suspension system including a first cushion portion, a second cushion portion, a base plate having a flat top side and a bottom side, and a rate plate having a flat top side and a flat bottom side, wherein the top side of the base plate is parallel to the top side of the rate plate, wherein the first cushion portion extends away from the top side of the rate plate and has at least one vertical cross section having two tapering edges that extend towards each other as they extend upwardly from the top side of the rate plate until they end at an exposed upper surface, and wherein the second cushion portion extends between the top side of the base plate and the bottom side of the rate plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Ashley T. Dudding
  • Patent number: 8651469
    Abstract: A vibration damping device includes a vulcanized rubber molding and a resin molding integrally formed with the vulcanized rubber molding. The resin molding includes a sandwiched molding having a core layer and skin layers. The skin layers sandwich the core layer. The skin layer includes a resin composition (A) containing a first thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler. The core layer includes a resin composition (B) containing a second thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler. A volume ratio of the skin layers is 40 to 70% of the entire molding, and a bending modulus (E1) and a maximum bending strain (?1) of the skin layers, and a bending modulus (E2) and a maximum bending strain (?2) of the core layer satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2): 1<(E1/?1)<(E2/?2)<10??(1) ?1/?2>1??(2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8646761
    Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges defined by the inner and outer structural members that undergo shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner and outer structural members are designed to provide a travel stop for the elastomeric isolator in order to avoid compression of the shear hub during high loads. The elastomeric bushing can also include an optional integral elastomeric heat shield which protects the shear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Patent number: 8632062
    Abstract: An elastomeric high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing for rotary wing aircraft and method of making is provided. The elastomeric HCL bearing is mold bonded using structural adhesives with a given elastomeric subassembly tensile strength between a first metal first laminate end structural bond shim and a second metal distal laminate end structural bond shim. The structural adhesive has a limited elongation and a first end tensile strength ?elastomeric subassembly tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Frank O. James
  • Publication number: 20140015177
    Abstract: A torque arm for an automobile is configured so that the axis of a first bush and the axis of a second bush are arranged so as to intersect each other. The torque arm includes a first outer tube, a second outer tube, and an outer-tube connection section which are each divided into halves. A rubber introduction opening connecting to a second space is formed in the introduction portion of the second outer tube. A rubber material poured toward the upper flat section of an upper outer-tube connection section, which is one of the halves of the outer-tube connection section, is led to the rubber introduction opening while being guided by the upper flat section. The led rubber material is filled into the second space after passing through the rubber introduction opening, and a second rubber elastic body is formed by the rubber material filled into the second space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenzo Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 8622374
    Abstract: In a buffer for absorbing impacts, which comprises an elastic buffer element made of a material having a first e-module, and a force take-up axis, the buffer element being compressible at least in the direction of said force take-up axis, it is provided that at least one additional element having a second e-module is enclosed in said buffer element, the second e-module being larger than the first e-module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Acla-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kieffer
  • Patent number: 8534647
    Abstract: An elastomeric bush bearing, with hydraulic damping, comprises a metallic inner part (1), an elastomeric bearing element (2) encompassing the inner part (1) with a cage (3) for reinforcing the bearing element (2) vulcanized thereto. At least two chambers (5), for accommodating a fluid damping medium, are separated from one another by partitions (8), constructed between the bearing element (2), adhesively bonded to the inner part (1) by the vulcanization, but are mutually connected by a damping medium channel (7). A prestressing is applied to the elastomer of the bearing element (2). However, the prestressing is not applied over the bearing shell (4), but instead over the cage (3). Calibration takes places thus by a pressure force exerted on the cage, before assembly of the bearing element (2) in the outer shell (4), which is a deviation from the state of the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schnaars, Thomas Conrad
  • Patent number: 8511997
    Abstract: An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of elastomeric layers with an essentially equivalent fatigue life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cunningham, Francis Edward Byrnes
  • Patent number: 8505889
    Abstract: An intermediate cylinder 18 is interposed between an inner cylinder 12 and an outer cylinder 14. The inner cylinder has a first bulging portion 20 of a spherical zone shape. The intermediate cylinder has a second bulging portion 22 of a spherical zone shape enclosing the first bulging portion. The inner circumference of the second bulging portion has a first spherical recess 23 corresponding to the first bulging portion. The inner circumference portion of the outer cylinder 14 enclosing the second bulging portion has a second spherical recess 25 corresponding to the second bulging portion. A rubbery elastic member 16 has an inner elastic portion 26 connecting the inner cylinder 12 and the intermediate cylinder 18 and an outer elastic portion 28 connecting the intermediate cylinder 18 and the outer cylinder 14. The axial size D1 of the inner elastic portion is larger than the axial size D2 of the outer elastic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130161887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device (100) for mating an integrated deck to a jacket leg (51), characterized by: a hollow constraining cylinder (10) having a bottom closure (11), connected to the top of the jacket leg (51); an elastomer module (20) provided in the hollow constraining cylinder (10), wherein inner diameter of the hollow constraining cylinder (10) is larger than outer diameter of the elastomer module (20) thereby forming an annular space; a plurality of reinforcing plates (30) embedded within the elastomer module (20), vertically spaced apart from each other; a protective assembly comprising a elastomeric cap (41) and a minimum of one protective ring (42) mounted to the elastomeric cap (41); wherein during mating of the integrated deck to jacket leg (51), a support column (52) of the integrated deck abuts on the protective assembly and compresses the elastomer module (20) to secure the connection of the integrated deck to the jacket leg (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Lembaga Getah Malaysia (Malaysian Rubber Board)
    Inventors: Kamarudin Ab Malek, Ismaliza Ismail, Hon Fei Wong, Shamsul Kamaruddin
  • Patent number: 8444158
    Abstract: A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Diversified Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Anne Darcy-Sharma
  • Patent number: 8418999
    Abstract: A vibration damping system (10) includes a laminated body (16) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (12) and viscoelastic soft plates (14). At both ends in the laminating direction, the laminated body (16) is connected to a vibration generation section and a vibration receiving section, respectively. The soft plate (14) arranged in a region subjected to a higher isostatic stress is made thicker than the soft plates (14) arranged in other regions. Even when the vibration damping system (10) is applied with vibration having a large amplitude and prying deformation is thereby caused, the soft members (14) are prevented from isostatic fracture to provide a significantly improved durability of the vibration damping system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawada
  • Publication number: 20130026689
    Abstract: An adjustable vibration reduction device is provided to dampen and reduce vibration in order to maintain performance of equipment attached to a system. The vibration reduction device includes at least one resilient vibration dampener coupling an upper assembly to a lower assembly. The upper assembly is attached to an equipment mount frame via a pair of stop members extending through a pair of stop apertures in the lower assembly to control movement of the lower assembly relative to the upper assembly. The lower assembly is attached to a structure frame via a pair of fastening devices. The vibration reduction device may be adjusted by selectively including at least one resilient vibration dampener, such as an o-ring, having predetermined characteristics to maximize vibration reduction or isolation. A plurality of vibration reduction devices are provided in a system that causes or transfers vibration, such as a vehicle, having electronic equipment attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FREEFLY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: David Bloomfield, Tabb Firchau
  • Patent number: 8360404
    Abstract: A shock absorbing interposer is positionable between a manually manipulatable handle and a faucet of a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage. The interposer includes a faucet adapter mechanism for interconnecting to a lever of the faucet and a handle adapter mechanism for interconnecting to the handle. A shock absorbing member is operatively connected to the faucet adapter mechanism and the handle adapter mechanism to dissipate excessive forces applied to the handle as the handle is moved between a first operative position and a second operative position in order to reduce the likelihood that such excessive forces will be exerted on the faucet and handle. A faucet assembly including a faucet, handle and shock absorbing interposer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FYCM Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Motley, Christopher Martin
  • Patent number: 8336209
    Abstract: A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow
  • Patent number: 8317173
    Abstract: A vibration damping system includes a laminated body (3) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (4) and viscoelastic soft plates (5), and pair of shoe plates (1, 2) at both ends in the laminating direction of the laminated body (3), to form a vibration damping body (6). The show plates (1, 2) are connected to each other by a displacement restriction member (7), so as to applying a pre-compression to the laminated body. The vibration damping body (6) is divided into a plurality of segments (3A, 3B, 3C) in the laminating direction, for allowing the vibration-proof main body (6) to be separated and displaced at the parting faces (8), without causing an excessive tensile force in the vibration damping system, even if the displacement restriction member (7) has worn to degrade the pre-compression function and a tensile force is applied due to a prying deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 8308148
    Abstract: A plug-in hydraulic body to frame mounting assembly is mounted to a conventional elastomeric body mount device to increase the control of vibration from the operation of the automotive frame to the automotive component supported thereon. The connecting member of the hydraulic mounting assembly threads onto the end of the fastener passing through the conventional elastomeric body mount device and anchors the outer can to a bridging can connected to the underside of the frame offrigger bracket to provide a true plug-n-go vibration control enhancement that can be added to any desired body mount location. The deflection of the fastener during operation of the elastomeric body mount device drives the operation of the hydraulic mounting assembly to dampen the deflection of the fastener in the elastomeric body mount corresponding to the transfer of operational loads between the body component and the offrigger bracket to which the body component is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Shand
  • Patent number: 8292312
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing is provided which effectively reduces a torsional friction between a bushing body and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bushing includes a bushing body 16 made of a tubular elastic body, a sliding member 42 fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the tubular elastic body, and two partition members 26, 26 embedded in and bonded to a radially middle area of the bushing body 16. The partition members 26, 26 divide the bushing body 16 into an inner rubber portion 38 that is thin enough not to be elastically-deformed by a load applied thereto and an outer rubber portion 40 that is thicker than the inner rubber portion 38. Further, each of the partition members 26, 26 includes through holes 36a, 36b, 36c that are located so as to divide the partition member into a plurality of sections both in the axial and circumferential directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kato, Hiroaki Nagai, Hideo Yanagino, Katsuzo Okada, Kouichi Kobayashi, Yuji Homma, Shinji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8276927
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a spring module and a spring mount positioned within an opening in the spring module with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part, and a through-hole positioned in the inboard or outboard part to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough that has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between a first side wall of the spring mount and a first side wall of the opening, and also to compress a second shear spring between a second side wall of the spring mount and a second side wall of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding
  • Patent number: 8262112
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a frame attachment portion attached to spring module having an opening defined by two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, and a spring mount positioned within the opening with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part separate from the inboard part, and a through-hole positioned in at least one of the inboard or inboard parts to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough, wherein the connecting rod has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between the first side wall of the spring mount and the first side wall of the opening, and also to compress the second shear spring between the second side wall of the spring mount and the second side wall of the opening of the spring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding, Louis F. Mattia
  • Patent number: 8256795
    Abstract: A rubber spring device is formed by alternately laminating a plurality of layers of hard plates whose linear dimension W in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of each equalizer bar is shorter in plan view than a linear dimension H in a direction parallel to an axle direction, and rubber layers. The rubber spring device is disposed between an end portion of each equalizer bar and a center axle in an articulated dump truck, and is allowed to function as a suspension. Thus, even when the rubber spring device is deformed into an accordion shape, peak positions of an internal stress within each rubber layer can be dispersed and reduced, thereby preventing generation of cracks within each rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Moriyama, Minoru Tazawa
  • Patent number: 8246021
    Abstract: A plug-in hydraulic body to frame mounting assembly is mounted to a conventional elastomeric body mount device to increase the control of vibration from the operation of the automotive frame to the automotive component supported thereon. The connecting member of the hydraulic mounting assembly threads onto the end of the fastener passing through the conventional elastomeric body mount device and anchors the outer can to a bridging can connected to the underside of the frame offrigger bracket to provide a true plug-n-go vibration control enhancement that can be added to any desired body mount location. The deflection of the fastener during operation of the elastomeric body mount device drives the operation of the hydraulic mounting assembly to dampen the deflection of the fastener in the elastomeric body mount corresponding to the transfer of operational loads between the body component and the offrigger bracket to which the body component is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Harry Marx, Benjamin G. Hughes, Jon William Crouse, Enrico Kruse
  • Patent number: 8231115
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount has an upper support member and a lower support member. An upper elastomeric spring and a lower elastomeric spring are disposed between the upper support member and the lower support member to define an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber. A channel extends between the upper and lower chambers. During compression and extension of the hydraulic mount, fluid transfers between the upper and lower chamber to provide a damping force for the hydraulic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Goudie, Zoren E. Gaspar
  • Patent number: 8210507
    Abstract: The invention relates to spring elements and bearings which contain these spring elements, the spring stiffness of the bearings and spring elements being individually adjustable by deformable elastomer bodies or elastomer layers by prestressing. The deformation of the elastomer layers and hence of the spring elements is achieved by an appropriately designed hydraulic device. The leak-tightness of the spring elements and bearing elements according to the invention is achieved through special hydraulically prestressed sealing elements, use of a pressure membrane and special structural features of the elastomer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Publication number: 20120146269
    Abstract: An antivibration device (1) has a vehicle body-side fixing member (3) adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body. A shaft (6) extends to couple between a pair of sidewalls (11) of the vehicle body-side fixing member (3). An engine-side fixing member (2) is adapted to be fixed to an engine and is provided between the sidewalls (11) to surround around the shaft (6). An elastomer stopper (5) is provided integrally on an inner surface of the engine-side fixing member (2) to define an annular stopper surface (20) that surrounds the shaft (6) while leaving a given gap therebetween. An elastomer mount body (4) couples a base (10) of the vehicle body-side fixing member (3) and the engine-side fixing member (2) together. The antivibration device (1) adequately absorbs a vibrational load applied from the engine in various directions, while ensuring compactness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soma Prabhakar, Takashi Nishie
  • Patent number: 8196912
    Abstract: A cold formed railcar spring including a spring pad formed from a perform of thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a durometer hardness ranging between about 40 and about 45 on the Shore D scale and sandwiched between a pair of metal plates. Each metal plate has a generally centralized bore extending therethrough and includes a plurality of radially spaced mechanical fasteners formed as an integral part of each plate. Each fastener has first and second generally parallel surfaces and a barb extending from a side of the fastener such that, upon axial compression of the preform, the fastener is pressed axially inward of one end of the perform such that the barb on the fastener mechanically interlocks with the spring pad whereby securing the plate to the spring pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Carlstedt, Rodney K. Chesley, Erik D. Jensen, David M. Houck
  • Patent number: 8152195
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two shear springs, a progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Christopher W. Forrest
  • Patent number: 8152146
    Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges defined by the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner and outer structural members are designed to provide a travel stop for the elastomeric isolator in order to avoid compression of the shear hub during high loads. The elastomeric bushing can also includes an optional integral elastomeric heat shield which protects the shear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Publication number: 20120061892
    Abstract: A vibratory isolator in one example comprises at least one uniform mass inertia component and at least one uniform compliant component which are configured to exhibit a vibratory bandgap and which are configured to exhibit shear/bending coupling. A further implementation of the invention comprises a vibratory isolator comprised of an isolator and a plurality of disk inertias affixed to the isolator such that the vibratory isolator exhibits a vibrational bandgap in a predetermined frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Allen J. Bronowicki
  • Patent number: 8128076
    Abstract: A noise attenuator for attaching a side wall panel to a frame that is exposed to vibratory loads and which includes a rigid core having a sleeve with two radially disposed end plates. A bracket encircles a portion of said sleeve between the end plates and is in non-contiguous relationship with the core. An elastomeric bushing is bonded to a portion of the bracket and the core with the exception of the outer faces of the end plates, which remain exposed. Voids are passed through the rear plate and extend axially between the bracket and the sleeve some length into the sleeve. Due to the geometry of the unit, the non-voided sections of the bushing are loaded in either a combination of tension and shear or compression and shear when the core is connected to a vibrating frame and the bracket is connected to a side wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ITT Manfacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Sanetick, Jeffrey N. Weisbeck
  • Patent number: 8113495
    Abstract: A vibration damper comprises a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate disposed on the vibration dampening structure. The vibration dampening structure includes a slip resistant layer and at least one foam layer disposed between the slip resistant layer and the load bearing plate. A resilient mounting layer is disposed on the load bearing plate. The vibration damper may act directly between an underlying support surface and equipment or may act between the underlying support surface and a sheet of flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Paul C. Downey
  • Publication number: 20120001373
    Abstract: A mount assembly has a plurality of elastomeric members having a separator plate disposed between adjacent elastomeric members. The separator plate defines a flange which extends toward an adjacent separator plate to confine the elastomeric layer. A mounting plate is located at both ends of the mount assembly and can be used to attach the mount assembly to two components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Ronald J. McLaughlin