Shape-morphing apparatus for shock and vibration protection

A shape-morphing apparatus for reducing the transmission of vibrational forces between a vibration source and an at least one object, the apparatus comprising:

• an at least one unit cell comprising:
• a first composite layer providing a first upper plate and a vertically spaced apart first lower plate connected with the first upper plate by an at least one first connector extending between a center of the first upper plate and a center of the first lower plate;
• a second composite layer providing a second upper plate and a vertically spaced apart second lower plate connected with the second upper plate by an at least one second connector extending between a center of the second upper plate and a center of the second lower plate;
• an upper surface of the first upper plate positionable in direct or indirect abutting contact with the at least one object;
• a lower surface of the second lower plate is positionable in direct or indirect abutting contact with the vibration source;
• a lower surface of the first lower plate in direct or indirect sliding abutting contact with an upper surface of the second upper plate, such that the first composite layer is capable of selectively sliding laterally in an at least one direction relative to and parallel with the second composite layer, and the second composite layer is likewise capable of selectively sliding laterally in an at least one direction relative to and parallel with the first composite layer;
• the lower surface of the first lower plate and upper surface of the second upper plate held in direct or indirect sliding abutting contact by at least two laterally opposing and laterally oriented U-shaped clips, a first arm of each clip slidably positioned between the first upper plate and the first lower plate along a lateral edge of the first composite layer, and a second arm of each clip spaced apart from the first arm and slidably positioned between the second upper plate and second lower plate along a lateral edge of the second composite layer, such that the first lower plate and second upper plate are positioned between the first and second arms of each clip;
• and
• the at least two clips interconnected with one another by an at least one resilient retainer positioned and configured for biasing the clips—and, in turn, the first composite layer and second composite layer—into a neutral position.

A shape-morphing apparatus for reducing the transmission of vibrational forces between a vibration source and an at least one object, the apparatus comprising:

• an at least one unit cell comprising:
• a first composite layer providing a first upper plate and a vertically spaced apart first lower plate connected with the first upper plate;
• a second composite layer providing a second upper plate and a vertically spaced apart second lower plate connected with the second upper plate;
• an upper surface of the first upper plate positionable in direct or indirect abutting contact with the at least one object;
• a lower surface of the second lower plate is positionable in direct or indirect abutting contact with the vibration source;
• an at least one intermediate plate positioned in sliding abutting contact between a lower surface of the first lower plate and an upper surface of the second upper plate, such that the first composite layer is capable of selectively sliding laterally in an at least one direction relative to and parallel with the second composite layer, and the second composite layer is likewise capable of selectively sliding laterally in an at least one direction relative to and parallel with the first composite layer;
• the at least one intermediate plate held in sliding abutting contact between the lower surface of the first lower plate and upper surface of the second upper plate by at least two laterally opposing and laterally oriented U-shaped clips, a first arm of each clip slidably positioned between the first upper plate and the first lower plate along a lateral edge of the first composite layer, and a second arm of each clip spaced apart from the first arm and slidably positioned between the second upper plate and second lower plate along a lateral edge of the second composite layer, such that the first lower plate and second upper plate are positioned between the first and second arms of each clip;
• and
• the at least two clips interconnected with one another by an at least one resilient retainer positioned and configured for biasing the clips—and, in turn, the first composite layer and second composite layer—into a neutral position.