Shock absorbing platform

• US 6,550,740 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2002
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter J. Burer
• Original Assignee: Peter J. Burer
• Inventors: Burer, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Application Number:
  US09/683,708
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 248/564, 248/588, 248/370, 108/147, 297/311, 297/337, 297/338, 297/339
• US Class Current: 248/564
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/005 Equipment to decrease ship's vibrations produced externally to the ship, e.g. wave-induced vibrations propulsion mountings for anti-vibration purposes B63H21/30; vibration dampers, suppression of vibration in systems F16F

Abstract

A shock absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another at their respective rearward and side peripheral edges by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the top plate moves in relation to the bottom plate. In a first embodiment, an opening formed in the bottom plate accommodates the upper end of a platform-supporting pedestal so that the platform may be retrofit onto a pre-existing pedestal. The forward edge of the platform is open so that height-adjusting and seat-rotating pins are readily accessible. A cylinder is pivotally mounted on each outboard side of the platform and its plunger bears against a roller of a truncate link assembly that interconnects the top and bottom plates at their respective forward edges. Downward forces applied to the top plate are resisted by the cylinders.

Claims

1. A platform that absorbs shocks, comprising:

a bottom plate having a central opening formed therein, said central opening adapted to receive an uppermost end of an upstanding pedestal;

a flat plate disposed in elevated relation to said bottom plate, said flat plate adapted to be secured to an uppermost end of said upstanding pedestal in surmounting relation thereto;

a top plate disposed in parallel relation to said bottom plate;

a plurality of pairs of rigid link members positioned at the side rearward edges of said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto;

each pair of rival link members being interconnected to one another in scissors interconnection so that said top plate and bottom plate remain in said parallel relation to one another when said top plate is displaced relative to said bottom plate

a pair of shock-absorbing damper means disposed between said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto; and

said platform adapted to be retrofit onto said upstanding pedestal by mounting said flat plate to said upstanding pedestal in surmounting relation thereto.

2. The platform of claim 1, wherein said flat plate is supported at opposite edges thereof by upstanding side walls mounted to said bottom plate on opposite sides of said central opening.

3. The platform of claim 1, further comprising a first and second pair of truncate links that interconnect respective front edges of said top plate and bottom plate at laterally spaced apart opposite sides thereof.

4. The platform of claim 3, further comprising a first link of said first pair of truncate links having a leading end pivotally secured to a front edge of said top plate and a trailing end pivotally secured to a trailing end of a second link of said first pair, said second link of said first pair having a leading end pivotally secured to a front edge of said bottom plate.

5. The platform of claim 4, further comprising a first link of said second pair of truncate links having a leading end pivotally secured to a front edge of said top plate and a trailing end pivotally secured to a trailing end of a second link of said second pair, said second link of said second pair having a leading end pivotally secured to a front edge of said bottom plate.

6. The platform of claim 5, further comprising:

first and second cylinders disposed in laterally spaced relation to one another between said top plate and said bottom plate;

each of said first and second cylinders having a first end pivotally secured to said bottom plate; and

a said first and second cylinders having first and second plungers, respectively, adapted to engage said first and second pairs of truncate links.

7. The platform of claim 6, further comprising:

a first roller mounted between the respective trailing ends of said first pair of truncate links, said first plunger bearing against said first roller to urge an angle between said first pair of truncate links to increase, thereby causing an increase in distance between said top and bottom plates;

said first cylinder resisting external forces applied to said top plate that urge the distance between said top and bottom plates to decrease;

a second roller mounted between the respective trailing ends of said second pair of truncate links, said second plunger bearing against said second roller to urge an angle between said second pair of truncate links to increase, thereby causing an increase in distance between said top and bottom plates; and

said second cylinder resisting external forces applied to said top plate that urge the distance between said top and bottom plates to decrease.

8. A platform that is height-adjustable, comprising:

a bottom plate having a central opening formed therein, said central opening adapted to receive an uppermost end of an upstanding pedestal;

a top plate disposed in parallel, vertically spaced apart relation to skid bottom plate;

a first pair of rigid link members positioned at a first side edge of said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto;

a second pair of rigid link members positioned at a second side edge of said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto;

a third pair of rigid link members positioned at a rearward edge of said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto,

each rigid link member of each pair of said first, second, and third pair of rigid link members being interconnected to one another in scissors interconnection so that said top plate and bottom plate remain in said parallel relation to one another when said top plate is displaced relative to said bottom plate;

a pair of gas springs disposed between said top plate and said bottom plate in interconnecting relation thereto;

whereby forces imparted to said top plate are resisted by said gas strings;

whereby said platform has utility as a height-adjusting platform; and

whereby said platform has utility as a seat means when sat upon.

9. The platform of claim 8, further comprising a first and second pair of truncate links that interconnect respective front edges of said top plate and bottom plate at laterally spaced apart opposite sides thereof.