Vibration reduction support apparatus

• US 7,621,705 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dee J. Hillberry, Mark C. Mortimore
• Original Assignee: Dee J. Hillberry, Mark C. Mortimore
• Inventors: Hillberry, Dee J., Mortimore, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, STEPHEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/109,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20050177948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 410/7, 410/16, 410/19, 410/30, 410 66- 67, 410/77, 410/80, 410 86- 88, 410/90, 296/19, 296/20, 267/33, 267/150, 267/259, 188/32, 510/4, 511/8, 521/0, 248/346.04, 248/346.11
• US Class Current: 410/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/06 Supports for stretchers, e.g. to be placed in or on vehicles A61G1/0293 takes precedence; supports fixed to a vehicle A61G3/02 - A61G3/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/006 Means for reducing the influence of acceleration on patients, e.g. suspension systems of platforms securing loads against shocks in general B60P7/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/077 Wheel cradles, chocks, or wells

Abstract

Representative embodiments include a support apparatus that can be positioned between a load element and a support element to cushion the load element against vibration with respect to the support element. A receiving member and a base member are movably engaged along an axis of movement. An element engaging surface is defined on one of the members and is configured to releasably engage one of the elements. A vibration reduction device mounted between the members and configured to yieldably resist relative movement of the members toward one another.

Claims

1. A support apparatus that can be positioned between a load element and a support element to cushion the load element against vibration with respect to the support element, comprising,

a receiving member;

a base member movably mounting the receiving member along an axis of movement;

an element engaging surface defined on one of the base member or the receiving member and in substantially normal relation to the axis, and wherein the element engaging surface includes a concave wheel receiving recess;

said element engaging surface being configured to releasably engage one of the elements;

wherein one of the base member or the receiving member is partially received within the other member for sliding motion along the axis; and

a vibration reduction device mounted between the base member and the receiving member and configured to yieldably resist relative movement of the members toward one another.

2. The support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sliding seal between the base member and the receiving member extending about the vibration reduction device and configured to permit axial relative movement of the members and limited lateral movement.

3. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the base member or the receiving member includes a formed chamber for slidably receiving the other member and wherein the other member is slidably received within and projects axially outward from the one member.

4. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

one of the base member or the receiving member defines a chamber configured to slidably receive the other member;

the other member is slidably received within the chamber of the one member; and

further comprising,

a resilient “

O”

-ring disposed between the members to slidably seal the chamber.

5. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibration reduction device is comprised of at least three coil springs mounted between the receiving member and the base member.

6. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a mounting flange and wherein a portion of the base member projects to one side of the mounting flange and is configured for reception within a complimentary socket formed in one of the load element or the support element.