×

Vibration isolator with limited free movement

  • US 7,416,244 B2
  • Filed: 03/06/2006
  • Issued: 08/26/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A work machine comprising:

  • a frame;

    apparatus in connection with the frame and operable for generating vibrations of the frame;

    a support structure configured for supporting at least one person thereron;

    at least one vibration isolator supporting the support structure on the frame, the vibration isolator including at least one bearing element disposed in supporting contact with the support structure along an at least generally planar contact interface, the at least one bearing element allowing substantially free relative movements of the frame and the support structure in substantially any direction along the contact interface so as to reduce any transmissions of vibrations of the frame to the support structure along the contact interface, and the vibration isolator including a connector element connecting the support structure to the frame configured for allowing a predetermined amount of relative movement therebetween in a direction generally perpendicular to the contact interface and for limiting relative movements of the support structure and the frame along the contact interface to a predetermined range, wherein the at least one vibration isolator additionally includes at least one resiliently yieldable elastomeric element supporting the at least one bearing element, wherein the connector element extends between the support structure and the frame through a passage through the resiliently yieldable elastomeric element and the at least one bearing element, wherein the passage has a first extent in the direction generally perpendicular to the contact interface; and

    a tubular spacer extending around the connector element and through the passage through the at least one resiliently yieldable elastomeric element, the tubular spacer has a second extent in the direction generally perpendicular to the contact interface, wherein the second extent is smaller than the first extent to define a non-contacting space between the elastomeric element and the tubular spacer when the connector element is in a centered position within the passage, the non-contacting space extending substantially along the length of the connector element, thereby providing the predetermined amount of relative movement of the connector element and the at least one resiliently yieldable elastomeric element in the direction generally perpendicular to the contact interface within the predetermined range.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×