ELASTOMERIC STRUCTURAL BEARING

1471180 Elastomeric spring units GENERAL TIRE & RUBBER CO 8 Aug 1974 [6 Sept 1973] 35078/74 Heading F2S An elastomeric spring unit comprises a solid elastomeric body 16 defining a lower surface 20, an upper surface 22, and a peripheral edge 24 bounding the perimeter of the surfaces 20, 22; and a plurality of support members 18 embedded within the body 16 adjacent the peripheral edge 24 and extending around the periphery of the body 16, each support member 18 having a different spacing from the lower surface 20, and adjacent support members 18 having different spacings relative to a plane perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces 22, 20. The peripheral edge 24 may be frusto-conical, Fig. 2, cylindrical, Fig. 8, or elliptical (not shown). The body 16 may be of one hardness, e.g. 40-50 durometer, surrounded by a retaining body 26, Fig. 8, of another hardness, e.g. 50-60 durometer. The body 16 may be of natural rubber. There may be bonded to the outside of the body 16, a sheath 28 of butyl, ethylene polypropylene, polysulphide or silicone rubber, or of neoprene. There may be an upper and/or a lower sole plate 32, 30, Fig. 8 bonded to the body 16. A bearing structure, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown), may be formed from two units 10 connected by an elastomeric spanning member 34. More than two units may be similarly integrated to produce a triangular or rectangular configuration. A cumulative height of the support members 18 of not less than 40% of the height of the body 16 is mentioned.