Elastomeric force mitigating joint
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsDonald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
Claims10
A joint for connecting carrier units, the joint comprising:
- an elastomeric joint connected to a first carrier unit and a second carrier unit, the elastomeric joint comprising:
- a joint housing;
- an elastomeric insert positioned inside a bore in the joint housing, wherein the elastomeric insert comprises:
- an outer ring;
- an inner ring disposed concentrically within the outer ring, the inner ring connected to the outer ring by one or more supports, a front gap and a rear gap being formed between the inner ring and the outer ring;
- and
- a bumper disposed in the front gap, the bumper connected to a portion of the inner ring;
- wherein the joint housing and the elastomeric insert are configured such that a force received on one of the first or second carrier units is dissipated in the elastomeric joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.