Elastomeric structural bearing

Abstract

An improved elastomeric bearing structure adapted for use to support members such as beams or decks upon piers, foundations, sills, etc., to accommodate static and dynamic loading, thermal movement, non-parallel surfaces or rotation caused by beam deflection and the like. Bearing structure includes a monolithic elastomeric member which defines two substantially parallel side surfaces bounded at their peripheries by a curvilinear edge surface; the elastomeric member is confined at its edge surface by a plurality of elongated inextensible tension members disposed in both vertically spaced apart relation and horizontally offset or staggered relation and of selected accumulative height to allow selected adjacent areas of the edge surface to remain unconfined. Such structure permits a substantial increase in horizontal shear deflection for a bearing of specified thickness while also permitting superior accommodation to rotation caused by beam deflection and limiting deflection caused by vertical loading.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.