Abstract: An apparatus includes at least two disk spring washers, at least one ring-shaped outer spacer coupled to the outer edges of one or two of the disk spring washers, and at least one ring-shaped inner spacer coupled to the inner edges of one or two of the disk spring washers. The apparatus also includes a central shaft concentric with the disk spring washers, the outer spacers, and the inner spacers. The apparatus also includes a bottom attachment portion coupled to the bottom of the central shaft to support the at least two disk spring washers, and a top attachment portion configured to slide vertically along the central shaft. The top attachment portion is configured to, with an application of a downward force, compress the at least two disk spring washers.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle device, in particular for a hand-held power tool, has an auxiliary handle and a damping unit with at least one absorber mass element. The absorber mass element is designed in the shape of a sleeve along a main extension direction of the auxiliary handle device.

Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing and a rotor rotatable in the housing. A clutch is movable toward and away from the housing when said rotor is rotated in first and second directions.

Abstract: A single-end-mount seismic isolator for protecting a structure from the effects of seismic shock or other external applied forces includes a load shaft that is secured at its first end to a mounting surface on which the structure is supported. So secured, the load shaft projects beyond a base of the structure, on which an actuator is supported. A resilient element, such as a friction spring, is operably interposed between the load shaft and the actuator to allow relative motion between the structure and the mounting surface in the event of a seismic shock or other external applied force. The resilient element also absorbs energy of such motion. The single-end-mount design facilitates seismic retrofitting of existing structures and servicing of seismic isolators in the field. In dual-action embodiments, the resilient element includes primary and secondary resilient elements for damping in two directions.

Abstract: A telescoping column includes a first tube and a second tube arranged in telescoping fashion. A locking structure is disposed between a surface formed on the first tube and a ramp disposed on the second tube. The locking structure contacts the ramp at a first elongated area of contact, and the locking structure contacts the surface at a second elongated area of contact. Relative movement of the first and second tubes in response to an impact force applied to one of the first and second tubes causes the locking structure to become wedged between the ramp and the surface, and at least a portion of the impact force between the first and second tubes is transmitted through the first and second elongated areas of contact.

Abstract: A surface effect damper comprising a housing having a wall that defines a chamber, the housing having a first end, a second end and an axis; at least one contact element movable through the chamber between the housing ends in a first direction and in a second direction; and at least two damping elements substantially surrounding each contact element, each of the at least two damping elements being movable away from the axis and into frictional engagement with the wall as the at least one contact element is moved in a first direction and each of the at least two damping elements being movable toward the axis as the at least one contact element is moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A railcar cushioning device with a gas charged cylinder and a piston contained in the cylinder for cushioning buff and draft impacts. A spring assembly is contained in the cylinder between the piston and an end of the cylinder to locate the piston in a neutral position.

Abstract: A double acting shock isolator that includes a cylindrical housing having a radially expanded chamber therein. The housing is closed at one end and open at the other end and a connector is mounted at the closed end. A stack of friction rings are mounted in a preloaded condition between the ends of the expanded chamber and a rod passes into the open end of the housing and through the stack. A pair of spaced apart raised flanges are mounted upon the rod that engages either end of the stack. A second connector is mounted upon the distal end of the rod outside of the housing so that the stack of friction rings is further compressed uniformly when either a tensile force or a compressive force is applied to the connectors.

Abstract: The strut includes a bidirectional frictional damping assembly which provides frictional damping under rebound and jounce conditions. A separate rebound frictional damping assembly, or a separate jounce frictional damping assembly, or both, provide differential rebound and jounce damping, with and without bidirectional frictional damping.