Vibration isolation system

An improved version of a vibration isolation system using negative stiffness incorporates a payload (15) and payload platform(14) on just one 6 DOF isolator (12) in a unique and innovatively compact configuration. The isolator (1'2) includes a platform (14) supported on an assembly of independently acting flexure mechanisms which are connected in a serial fashion, tilt on top of horizontal on top of vertical, and in turn connected to a base (12). Proper arrangement of the mechanisms and the payload/platform centre of mass (17) provides highly effective decouple isolator performance. In addition, an innovative flexure preloading method which significantly improves vertical isolation performance is incorporated. This method can be used with prior (non-symmetric) designs or combined with a set of shear flexures (66) in an innovative symmetric arrangement to provide more assurance of ideal decouple response to mutually perpendicular base excitation input. Ageared mechanism (116) is also incorporated to facilitate manual adjustment of a main support spring (18) whenever payload weight is changed.