Having Rigid Spacer Plate Between Plural Elastomeric Segments Patents (Class 267/294)
  • Patent number: 7213867
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a vehicle, absorbing an axial compression load by means of plastic deformation in order to absorb an impact energy, is hollowed and has an octagonal cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Masashi Neo
  • Patent number: 7201367
    Abstract: A resilient mount including a first mounting member and a second mounting member is provided. The mount may include a first plurality of stiffening elements located between the first and second mounting members. At least a first stiffening element may be non-parallel to a second stiffening element. The mount may also include a resilient material located between and coupled to adjacent stiffening elements of the first plurality of stiffening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 7162399
    Abstract: A pneumatic device selection system has a computer, first through sixth databases connected to the computer and storing data of at least pneumatic devices, a coordinate input unit and a keyboard connected to the computer, for entering input data based on an input action of an operator into the computer, and a display unit connected to the computer, for displaying information from the computer. The pneumatic device selection system functionally has a first selection processor for selecting a cylinder operating system based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like, and a second selection processor for selecting a shock absorber based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like and/or a selection result from the first selection processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Huping Zhang, Mitsuru Senoo, Naotake Oneyama
  • Patent number: 7137624
    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 substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Russell, Peter Jones, Eric Seitter
  • Patent number: 7128312
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring assembly for a railcar apparatus is disclosed. The elastomeric spring assembly includes an elongated body of elastomeric material having a series of axially spaced members coaxially arranged and wholly embedded within the body of elastomeric material. The majority of the embedded members are configured to resist radial outward movement of said elastomeric material while causing the elastomeric material to react in an axial direction between confronting surfaces defined by the members upon axial deflection of the elastomeric spring whereby enhancing performance characteristics of the spring assembly. A method of making an elastomeric spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Salis
  • Patent number: 7108253
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for use within a suspension system having a frame member, a control arm, and an elongated suspension member extending between the frame member and the control arm is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a cup, a seal, a resilient element, and a fastener. The cup includes an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall, and an open end. The seal is disposed within the cup and is configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member. The resilient element is at least partially disposed within the cup and is substantially encapsulated by the cup and the seal. The fastener is configured to couple the cup, the seal, and the resilient element between the elongated suspension member and one of the frame member and the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Oshkosh Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Jesse Knoble
  • Patent number: 7097169
    Abstract: An elastomeric bearing having inner and outer races and a core. The core has a plurality of resilient laminae and a plurality of non-resilient laminae interleaved with one another. Each of the lamina has an axially inner cylindrical portion of a given diameter, an axially outer cylindrical portion of a greater diameter than the given diameter and, lying between the inner and outer laminae, an angled portion joining the axially inner and outer laminae to each other. The laminae are continuous and of one piece. In this way, the elastomeric bearing has comparatively small resistance to torsional movement, but great resistance to both radial and axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7090208
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes first and second bushing components that are fixed to a central pin. The pin is supported on a suspension component and includes pin ends that are mounted to an axle housing component. A washer is supported on the pin between the first and second bushings and abuts against inboard edges of the first and second bushings. An outer retaining tube surrounds the first and second bushings and the washer. The outer retaining tube includes opposing deformed end portions that directly engage outboard edges of the first and second bushings to form axial load carrying surfaces for the first and said second bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Michael Kiddle
  • Patent number: 7083165
    Abstract: In a side bearing pad assembly two housings are provided, each having a bore of such size and orientation that the housings slide telescopically one within the other. When assembled the bores constitute a single internal cavity which houses resilient members. Each housing is mounted onto a load bearing member. The biasing resilient members urge the load bearing members apart when a compressive load is imposed on either of such members. The resilient members respond in a non-linear manner to force exerted on them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Palinkas
  • Patent number: 7048265
    Abstract: A mount assembly having a support structure mounted to a frame of a vehicle and a carrier mounted to a vehicle body. The support structure is displaceable relative to the carrier along a line of travel. An insulator is disposed between the support structure and the carrier for coupling the carrier to the support structure. The insulator has a first portion defining a first resistance for isolating the vibrations of the support structure during an application of a first force along a line of travel. The insulator also has a second portion defining a second resistance with the second resistance being greater than the first resistance for controlling the maxiumum displacement of the support structure after the application of the first force and during an application of a second force along the line of travel wherein the second force is greater than the first force. The insulator also provides for tunability of the nature and location of the transition between the first resistance and the second resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Anand Huprikar
  • Patent number: 7040608
    Abstract: A bearing for wheel suspensions in a motor vehicle includes a metallic housing with a pot-shaped vertical section, a rubber buffer arranged in the housing, and an inner part. The inner part can be connected to a piston-and-cylinder unit and is fixed in the rubber buffer. A reinforcing part, which is supported axially and/or radially at the inner wall of the housing, is arranged in the rubber buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Boge Elastmetall GmbH
    Inventor: Christof Schāfer
  • Patent number: 7017891
    Abstract: A motor vehicle equipment module having at least first and second components in which first and second fixing zones are designed to be fixed to a structural element of the vehicle with a common fixing element. The module includes links which link together the two components when the module is to be mounted on the vehicle structural element. An elastic element is axially interposed between the links and the second component. The links are interposed between the common fixing element and the structural element when the module is fixed on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 6962358
    Abstract: A coupling device for elastic interconnection of, e.g., arms (66) which are linked to a frame (60) of the vehicle. The coupling device (92) substantially comprises two annular, conical portions (112, 114) of a rubber elastic material and an axle (94). A radially internal side of these annular material portions (112, 114) abuts against contact portions (98, 100) at the ends of the axle (94). The coupling device (92) further comprises two axially opposite rings (124, 126) which are arranged to abut against respective external sides of the annular material portions (112, 114). The axle (94) and the rings (124, 126) have attachment areas (96, 121 and 123 respectively), via which they can be attached to the wheel axle housing (82) and the frame (60) respectively. The attachment area (96) for the axle (94) is located between the first contact portions (98, 100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ASA
    Inventor: Sven Bjørkgård
  • Patent number: 6953187
    Abstract: An elastomer spring, particularly for rail vehicles, comprises a core made of metal or plastic; an outer sleeve that also consists of metal or plastic; a cushion made of elastomer material, in the form of a layered spring that is arranged between the core and the outer sleeve; as well as a base chamber that is configured below a core offset. The elastomer spring is configured in multiple steps in the vertical direction X, specifically consisting of at least a first spring and a second spring, whereby a chamber is present between two springs, in each instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Phoenix AG
    Inventors: Michael Groth, Andre Sanz
  • Patent number: 6938888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper, in particular for a helicopter rotor, the damper comprising both a driving element and a rigid element and including a damper assembly functionally interconnecting the driving element and the rigid element, the damper assembly comprising firstly a hydraulic damper device disposed in at least one viscous fluid cavity and a laminated flexible device. The hydraulic damper device comprises first and second sets of interleaved plane vanes. In the invention, the hydraulic damper device also has at least one damper element which is disposed in one of said viscous fluid cavities and which is secured to the driving element, said damper element presenting an outer outline which tapers going away from a base situated beside one axial end of the damper towards an apex situated beside the sets of plane vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Patrice Levallard, Thierry Sieg, Marc Runfola
  • Patent number: 6773001
    Abstract: A rear engine mount includes a rectangular upper metal plate member, a metal stopper member, and a lower metal plate member. The metal stopper member includes a pair of side plates, and a bottom plate. The lower metal plate member is disposed a predetermined distance away from the upper metal plate member in a facing condition, with the metal stopper member disposed therebetween, and includes a pair of retaining portions provided at opposite end positions. A second stopper portion includes a pair of vertical plate portions standing on the lower metal plate member, and a horizontal plate member which is attached to the ends of the vertical plate portions and extended over the bottom plate of the metal stopper member. A pair of elastic rubber support members is bonded to the lower surface of the upper metal plate member at opposite end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Saiki, Hideki Maehashi, Mitsuhiro Takayanagi, Takanobu Nanno
  • Patent number: 6758466
    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 substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20040075204
    Abstract: The invention relates to spring elements based on at least two elastic moldings (i) and (ii), connected to one another by at least one connector (iii).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Josef Heidemann, Kai Bruning, Josef Dultmeyer
  • Patent number: 6715746
    Abstract: A vibration isolation device is disclosed. More specifically the vibration isolation device of the present invention comprises a fuse for decreasing the mount stiffness when loads above a threshold load value are applied to the device. The fuse for decreasing the mount stiffness comprises a shear pin with shear locations that comprise annular grooves with semielliptical cross sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Bachmeyer, Michael R. Blewett, Marvin D. Ohme
  • Patent number: 6659438
    Abstract: A mount with a first attachment member; a second attachment member spaced from the first attachment member; and resilient members joining the first and second attachment members, each of the resilient members having at least one void, the voids being collapsible under loading between a first open void condition where the mount has a first substantially constant stiffness, and a second collapsed condition where the voids are substantially closed, the mount having a second substantially constant stiffness when the voids are in the second collapsed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Michael, Peter D. Howorth, Atle Larsen, Troy P. Herbst, Ulrich A. Kuester
  • Patent number: 6648110
    Abstract: A method of producing a dust cover assembly comprising the steps of: preparing a fixing member having a mounting bore to be fitted on a shock absorber's piston rod, and an engaging portion formed in its outer circumferential surface as an axially undercut portion; preparing a tubular parison having a large diameter portion at its one axial end portion; positioning the large diameter portion to be disposed radially outwardly of the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; closing a blow mold to form a mold cavity around the parison and to hold the large diameter portion of the parison in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; and blow molding the parison by introducing a compressed gas into the blow mold through the mounting bore, thereby molding the dust cover. A dust cover assembly and a shock absorber equipped with the dust cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yorikazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6616130
    Abstract: A cylindrical vibration-isolating device including: an elastic body interposed between an inner and an outer metal sleeves disposed coaxial relationship with each other, such that at least one axial end portion of the inner sleeve is located axially outward of the elastic body, a connecting rubber layer integrally formed with and protruding axially outwardly from the elastic body and secured to an outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the inner sleeve; and an annular sealing-rubber member formed integrally with and protruding axially outwardly from the connecting rubber layer to protrude axially outwardly from an end face of the inner metal sleeve, which has a radially inner base portion rising with a concave surface from a first axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the end portion, which is axially inwardly spaced apart from the end face of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hokazono, Fukuyoshi Kawakatsu
  • Patent number: 6604735
    Abstract: A modular shock isolator and method of isolation of components of a system with multiple modular shock isolators arranged to provide different damping and vibration characteristics than an individual modular shock isolator. In one mode, a modular shock isolator having a base with legs extending from each side of the base with each of the legs having a foot that extends outward from the legs with the modular shock isolator either individually mounted to isolate a component or a plurality of modular shock isolators are be ganged, or stacked together to change the shock isolation characteristics of the shock mount formed from the multiple modular shock isolators. A layer of damping material can be sandwiched between layers of elastomers to dampen the natural spring-back of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor J. McCollough, Robert James Monson
  • Patent number: 6595504
    Abstract: A hydraulic spring includes hydraulic volumes (4a, 4b). The hydraulic volumes (4a, 4b) are, on the one hand, closed off by a spring element (6) which is vulcanized into an outer ring (8). On the other hand, the volumes (4a, 4b) are delimited by a compensating membrane (10). The volume (4a, 4b) is subdivided by a partition wall (26) into two chambers (4a, 4b), namely, a work chamber (4a), which is next to the spring element (6), and a compensating chamber (4b), which is next to the compensating membrane (10). The partition wall (26) has at least one connecting channel (28) and the chambers (4a, 4b) alternately change in volume and are filled completely with a hydraulic liquid. The partition wall (26) is configured to be flat in order to achieve a damping element requiring only a low structural elevation. The partition wall plane is orientated transversely to the spring axis. At least one level connecting channel (28) extends within the flat partition wall (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Contitech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Gedenk
  • Patent number: 6481700
    Abstract: A shock absorber for mounting between a first frame member and a second frame member of a bicycle includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member and a second member adapted to couple to the second frame member, wherein the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other. The first member includes a first member protrusion extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and forming a first border surface at a junction of the first member protrusion and the inner surface. Similarly, the second member includes a second protrusion extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and forming a second border surface at a junction of the second member protrusion and the outer surface. The first member protrusion faces the second member protrusion in a circumferential direction. An elastic member is disposed between the first member protrusion and the second member protrusion and contacts at least one of the first border surface and the second border surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6443437
    Abstract: A suspension strut includes a housing assembly including first and second opposed housing members. The first and second housing members are relatively movable along an axis. At least the first housing member includes an engagement surface. At least one compressible spring member is interposed between the first and second housing members. The spring member includes a peripheral portion. The strut is configured such that, when the first and second housing members are relatively displaced along the axis in a prescribed direction, the spring member is axially compressed to provide a spring force opposing further relative displacement between the first and second housing members in the prescribed direction, and the peripheral portion frictionally engages the engagement surface over an area of engagement to provide dynamic damping between the first and second housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Samson Beyene, Charles J. Leingang, Peter Masterson
  • Patent number: 6443439
    Abstract: An elastomeric mounting suitable for use in the suspension of an off-road vehicle comprises two rigid end members (11, 12) maintained spaced apart by an intervening tubular body (13) of elastomeric material which defines a central chamber (26), a connecting member (36) arranged to extend through the central chamber to interconnect the end members (11, 12) and serve at least to resist more than a predetermined separation of the end members, and buff member (37) provided to act in series with the connecting member (36) at a position between said connecting member and one (12) of the rigid end members thereby to cushion the transmission of force between the end members when the connecting member is loaded in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Trelleborg AB
    Inventor: Donald James Newman
  • Patent number: 6435490
    Abstract: A dual hemisphere elastomer mount having a first hemisphere composed of an elastomer and having a polar region and a base region with the polar region of the first hemisphere having a circumference smaller than a circumference of the base region of the first hemisphere; and a second hemisphere composed of an elastomer having a polar region and a base region with the polar region of the second hemisphere having a circumference smaller than a circumference of the base region of the second hemisphere, the first hemisphere securely attached to the second hemisphere at the polar region of the first hemisphere and at the polar region of the second hemisphere creating a hour-glass shaped body whereby the elastomer mount can support a housing while attenuate shocks and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Trevor J. McCollough
  • Patent number: 6408970
    Abstract: The invention is a mechanical suspension system for cab-over tractors, specifically those used in terminal transport having two front cushion dual suspension components on the front pivot area of the cab to tractor frame connection and a single rear cushion dual suspension component on the rear of the tractor frame at the cab-over latch area, the three point dual suspension system providing a more stable suspension package than the four point and other single suspension systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Allen L. Eng
  • Patent number: 6394436
    Abstract: A McPherson strut bearing for the upper connection of a McPherson strut in a motor vehicle has an inner part (1) with a central through hole (2) for accommodating the upper end of the McPherson strut. An elastomer body (3) is arranged circularly on the outer circumference of the inner part (1). A cage (4) accommodates the inner part (1) with the elastomer body. An elastic bearing body (5) completely accommodates the cage (4) up to a bilateral opening cross section (6, 7), where at least the cage (4), the bearing body (5) and a circlip (9) surrounding the bearing body are divided in a plane passing through the central longitudinal axis (10) of the McPherson strut bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schnaars, Ulrich Lux, Peter Kainz, Michael Sand
  • Publication number: 20020053765
    Abstract: In a side bearing pad assembly two housings are provided, each having a bore of such size and orientation that the housings slide telescopically one within the other. When assembled the bores constitute a single internal cavity which houses resilient members. Each housing is mounted onto a load bearing member. The biasing resilient members urge the load bearing members apart when a compressive load is imposed on either of such members. The resilient members respond in a non-linear manner to force exerted on them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: UNIROYAL CHEMICAL COMPANY INC
    Inventor: RICHARD L. PALINKAS
  • Patent number: 6382603
    Abstract: A shock isolator comprising a first plate having a set of ridges and grooves extending there along and a second plate having a complementary set of ridges and grooves with an elastomeric sheet sandwiched between the two plates so that when a compressive force is applied to the two plates the elastomeric sheet resist the forces through compression resistance, tension resistance and shear resistance to provide both static support and shock isolation to an object supported by the shock isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Trevor J. McCollough
  • Patent number: 6296238
    Abstract: The device dampens vibrations between objects, especially for preventing the transfer of vibrations from a primary object subjected to vibrations, to a vibration-sensitive secondary object. The secondary object is non-rigidly supported by a damping body, which has the same or essentially the same size of mass as the secondary object, and which in turn is non-rigidly supported on the primary object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Birger Lund-Andersen
  • Patent number: 6276674
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring (10) comprises a body (11) of elastomeric material which extends between a pair of opposed end regions (12, 13) whereby compression forces acting in a first direction (16) on said end regions are resisted by compression of the elastomeric body, the body (11) of elastomeric material being of a substantially symmetrical shape as considered in cross section about a major axis (16) of the spring extending in said first direction, and substantially hollow in the vicinity of at least one (13) of said end regions, said body (11) of elastomeric material being of progressively increasing external cross-sectional dimension over a first part (21) of the length of the body extending from a first (32) of said end regions and of progressively decreasing external cross-sectional dimension over a second part (22) of the length of the body extending to a second (13) of said end regions, a substantially inextensible reinforcement member (17) embedded in and bonded to said body (11) of elastomeric material
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: BTR Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: William Francis Randell
  • Patent number: 6274211
    Abstract: The deformable element for absorbing kinetic energy is a plastic pipe section (1) having interior surfaces at opposite ends thereof. The plastic pipe section (1) initially deforms elastically under an applied axial force (F) and, when a yield stress limit is exceeded by the applied axial force (F), the plastic pipe section (1) deforms or collapses with an approximately equal deforming force over a work stroke until adopting a physically deformed shape in which the interior surfaces at the opposite ends contact each other. The device for absorbing kinetic energy is also described including several plastic pipe sections stacked in a column with an intermediate plate between each adjacent pair of pipe sections. The plastic pipe sections and engaged around a tubular round body for support and guidance. An inner screw bolt can also be provided for pre-tensioning the plastic pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Ringfeder VGB GmbH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Detzner
  • Patent number: 6135224
    Abstract: A linear vibration isolator between a pair of shaft segments of a motor vehicle intermediate steering shaft including an outer member rigidly connected to one of the shaft segments, an inner member rigidly connected to the other of the shaft segments and cooperating with the outer member in defining an annular chamber therebetween, and an axially flexible and torsionally stiff disc pack in the annular chamber. The disc pack includes a plurality of flat outer spacer rings, a plurality of flat inner spacer rings nested inside of the outer spacer rings, and a plurality of elastomeric isolator discs stacked between the nested pairs of inner and outer spacer rings. The outer spacer rings with the isolator discs therebetween are clamped against a shoulder on the outer member and coupled to the outer member for unitary rotation therewith. The inner spacer rings with the isolator discs therebetween are clamped against a shoulder on the inner member and coupled to the inner member for unitary rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Mark Thomas, Allan K. Kennedy, Michael Francis Slasinski
  • Patent number: 6112691
    Abstract: A damper device for mooring watercraft, of the type comprising at least two rigid elements (1, 2), to one end of each of which there can be secured a mooring rope or chain, said elements being able to move coaxially in opposition to each other against the action of an elastic body (3) which comprises at least one member (10) constructed of an elastically deformable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: GIA. FRA. MA. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Bajeli, Carlo Pedruzzi
  • Patent number: 5975505
    Abstract: A mount insulator is structured by a core metal body, installed at a fixed side and including an almost flat intermediate flange section having a piercing hole at an axial center section and a ring-shaped wall section extensively provided at the outer periphery of the intermediate flange in the direction of both sides crossing the intermediate section, and a mount elastic body section integrally fixed and formed with both sides of the intermediate flange section, an inner peripheral surface of the piercing hole and an inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped wall section, and including an extension section expanded in a direction to cross the intermediate flange section and projecting from both wall sections, and a piercing supporting hole provided at the inner periphery side of the piercing hole of the intermediate flange section and piercing through between end surfaces of both extension sections of smaller diameter than that of the piercing hole and almost concentric with the piercing hole for piercingl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yoshimoto, Chikara Itoh
  • Patent number: 5913659
    Abstract: A helicopter rotor has two or more blades which extend from a hub and has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the lead/lag variation of the blades which typically occur due to manufacturing tolerance variations or to changes which occur through operation such as softening of the supporting elastomer dampers. One embodiment of the invention incorporates an end plate on an upper damper with a lug positioned adjacent to a lug on the torque tube such that the end plate of the damper can be changed relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade. For example, a .+-.1/2 degree adjustment can be made in the blade angle relative to the hub to insure that lead/lag errors are reduced. In another embodiment, the damper set includes extended metal shims adjacent to the end most laminate plys of the upper and lower dampers such that these shims can be bolted to the end plates of the snubber assemblies for step increasing the stiffness of the assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard J. Doolin, Stephen V. Poulin
  • Patent number: 5845895
    Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid sealed rubber mount capable of displaying an excellent vibration isolating effect in intermediate and high frequency ranges, having a vibration isolating effect with no resonation occurring with respect to even the impact vibration of a wide frequency band, capable of obtaining a large attenuation force for large amplitude vibration, and capable of preventing the occurrence of lateral vibration. Accordingly, a case (11, 51) and a guide shaft (14) are joined to each other by a cylindrical rubber mounting element (17, 58), and a high attenuation liquid (21, 59) is sealed in a liquid sealing chamber housing (20, 53) fixed to a lower end of the case (11, 51), a damper plate (23, 28, 55) being held on a lower end of the guide shaft (14). An elastic member (24, 26, 34, 35, 36a, 36b, 39, 56), which is deformed finely by the distance a due to the resistance of the high attenuation liquid (21, 59) when vertical vibration occurs, is fixed the damper plate (23, 28, 55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kuniaki Nakada, Hikosaburou Hiraki
  • Patent number: 5829730
    Abstract: A motor mount for a motorcycle includes a plate, cylindrical sleeve, and two grommets. The grommets are elastomeric and are on opposite sides of the plate. The grommets frictionally engage the sleeve which is inserted through each of the grommets and through a hole in the middle of the plate. Additional holes maybe included in the plate for further securing the motor mount to different portions of the motorcycle. The grommets may be of similar size. One side of the plate may have a cavity for allowing better wear of the grommets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Vern D. Ott
  • Patent number: 5676352
    Abstract: The vibration absorbers have mounts for radial fastening of the vibration absorber to an inside surface of a wheel rim to be used on rails. A plurality of mounts are uniformly distributed over the circumference of the inside surface and are each coupleable to the wheel rim in an acoustically good conducting manner against a surface that matches the radius of curvature of the inside surface. On each mount at least one vibration absorber consisting of a sequence, running in the radial direction, of metal and plastic plates can be coupled in an acoustically effective manner by means of a coupling surface. The vibration absorbers and mount are releasably connected with one another and have a coupling surface that is always the same and is independent of the radius of curvature of the inside surface of the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Josef Bartl, Klaus Ermert
  • Patent number: 5676356
    Abstract: A flexible bolster for installation between two load-carrying members in a vehicle suspension. The bolster comprises a block of rubber or rubber-like elastomer sandwiched between two end plates. The block of rubber preferably has molded thereon a plurality of metal washers or plates oriented parallel to each other and the end plates. A bore extends axially through the end plates and block of rubber. A rebound control restraint is disposed in the bore. The restraint comprise a length of cable having retainers swaged to its opposite ends. Each retainer has an enlarged part or assembly which bears against the outer side of one of the end plates. The restraint acts to limit the extent to which the end plates separate when the bolster is under tension and thereby controls rebound. The restraint is free so as not to absorb compression or shear forces applied to the bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: The Boler Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Ekonen, Tjong T. Lie, Ronald J. McLaughlin, Charles A. Vanbreemen
  • Patent number: 5649693
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber which is movable between compressed and uncompressed states, and comprises an elongate, resilient body defining top and bottom ends and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. Disposed within the body is a position sensitive friction damper which itself comprises upper and lower support members disposed within respective ones of the top and bottom ends of the body. Disposed within the bore and attached to the upper support member is an elongate guide member which defines a slot extending longitudinally therewithin. Disposed within the slot is a dampening member which is slidably movable therewithin, with the slot being sized relative to the dampening member so as to provide frictional resistance to the movement thereof. Also disposed within the bore is an elongate connecting rod having a first end attached to the dampening member and a second end pivotally connected to the lower support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: GT Bicycles, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Busby, Stanley A. Needle
  • Patent number: 5641153
    Abstract: An auxiliary damper is provided for a passenger cab on heavy equipment or the like, the damper being contained within the confines of the primary suspension system and being secured to a first one of a supported element and a support to provide surface-effect damping as needed to damp high-amplitude, low-frequency vibration in the region of the resonant frequency of the primary suspension. An elastomeric sleeve is bonded to a rigid sleeve member which surrounds the securement bolt for the primary mount. A spool member with internal protrusions engagingly surrounds the elastomeric sleeve. The spool has upper and lower flanges which overlie and underlie, respectively, in non-engaged relationship, the second of a supported element and a support. When there is low-amplitude, high frequency motion of the support, this non-engaged relationship allows the supported element to be isolated from such motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Gwinn
  • Patent number: 5641152
    Abstract: A vibration damper between a vehicle body and/or a vehicle axle, comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided so that it can move axially, whereby the piston rod is connected by way of a first connection to a bearing, and the cylinder is connected by way of an additional connection to a corresponding bearing, whereby the vibration damper runs through at least one bearing and has a self-locking closure by way of at least one radially movable flexible tab. The at least one radially movable flexible tab, by way of its end surface, forms a support for the vibration damper at the bearing in question for one direction, whereby the flexible tab(s) is/are accessible in the release direction, and an elastic clamping body is provided for the opposite direction, so that the vibration damper is restrained by way of the end surface and the clamping body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Manfred Angles, Gunther Handke, Robert Pradel
  • Patent number: 5628388
    Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot or shock absorber for motor vehicles. It comprises a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder contains fluid. The piston travels back and forth inside the cylinder on the end of a piston rod. The rod extends through a package of gaskets that maintains it aligned and seals the cylinder. The rod is attached to the vehicle body or wheel assembly by a projecting-bolt joint. The joint (5) includes resiliently yielding components that suppress impact and vibration by way of an automatic snap-together attachment to the vehicle body or wheel assembly. The projecting-bolt joint (5) is provided with at least one spring (6). The spring snaps into a matching (bent) rigid part of the vehicle body or wheel assembly. Spacers are associated with the resiliently yielding components that suppress impact and vibration. The spacers restrict their deformation once they have been installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp
    Inventor: Rolf Angermann
  • Patent number: 5613667
    Abstract: A shock absorber connected between a foot plate and the bottom side of the cab of an elevator for absorbing shock waves, including two first springy members fixed to the foot plate by a respective mounting plate, a bridging plate horizontally mounted on said first springy members and having a recessed portion in the middle, and a second springy member having a first mounting plate at the bottom fixed to the recessed portion of the bridging plate and a second mounting plate at the top fixed to the bottom side of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Jui-Chien Ho
  • Patent number: 5580075
    Abstract: A front fork for bicycles which has a shock absorbing system having both a spring type shock absorbing unit and a hydraulic shock damping unit with variable and adjustable damping characteristics that will allow a wide range of adjustments for adapting the suspension to widely differing circumstances of rider weight and riding experience and has a spring type shock absorbing system which can be interchangeably be used with both stacked elastomeric pad and coil spring type spring shock absorbing units. Stacked elastomeric pad arrangements are provided which allow the pad stack to be exchanged as a unit with another pad stack or with a coil spring and an adjustment mechanism allows the performance characteristics of a particular pad stack to be changed. Alternatively, a leaf spring arrangement can be provided formed of pairs of oppositely facing convex-concave carbon fiber composite leaf springs can be employed to produce a unit that is especially light in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Rockshox, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Turner, Mike McAndrews
  • Patent number: 5540419
    Abstract: An elastic bearing includes a support and a thrust bearing. Each is provided with a fastening element and each are braced against each other by at least one elastic spring element of an elastomeric material and at least one damping device. The support includes a supporting body made of a tough material, which extends essentially transverse to the direction of the introduced vibrations. The thrust bearing includes a drum-shaped housing which essentially encloses the supporting body on all sides. The supporting body is adjoined by at least one ring-shaped damping element made of an elastomeric material which, under static preloading of the bearing, abuts on the front-side inner surfaces of the housing in a substantially stress-free manner. In the cylindrical recess of the damping element at least one elastic spring element is arranged axially on both sides of the supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Klaus Kurr, Willi Schweikert, Armin Barth, Hans-Gerhard Sander