Uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical structural bearing
AssigneeMarconmetalfab Inc.
InventorsEric de Fleuriot de la Coliniere, Casey Xi Wang, Duncan Robert Bohlmann
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Abstract
A uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical bearing suitable for supporting structures such as bridges comprises a removable cassette comprising a sliding layer composed of a low friction material such as PTFE. The removable cassette allows for the replacement of the sliding layer without needing to remove or replace the entire bearing. The bearing can be part of a kit that includes a replacement cassette having a varying thickness that corresponds to the uneven wear on the sliding layer of the removable cassette and compensates for an eccentric pressure on the bearing when under load.
Claims13
A bearing apparatus for supporting a structure, comprising:
- (a) a first assembly having a top surface for supporting a superstructure;
- (b) a second assembly having a bottom surface mountable on a substructure;
- and
- (c) a cassette assembly in between the first and second assemblies, and comprising
- a cassette housing in contact with a top surface of the second assembly, and
- a cassette removably fastened to the cassette housing and being slidably removable from the cassette housing while the cassette housing remains in between the first and second assemblies, the cassette comprising a backing plate and a sliding layer mounted to the backing plate and in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the first assembly, such that the first assembly is movable relative to the second assembly along the sliding layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.