Earthquake protected vibration isolator

Abstract

An upper member to which a machine or other equipment piece to be protected is securable is supported directly or indirectly upon one or more resilient support columns, like coil springs. The resilient support columns are supported from a lower member which is adapted to be fixed to the load supporting surface for the equipment. Downwardly extending looping surfaces secured to the upper member define open or closed loops about transverse horizontal restraint bolts secured in pairs of transversely separated jaws rising from the lower member at each end of the member. The looping surfaces and the restraint bolts serve to limit relative motion in the transverse and longitudinal directions between the upper and lower members. Shock cushions about each bolt and between the looping surfaces and the jaws further limit relative motion. Each resilient support column or spring has a load adjusting threaded assembly coaxially arranged centrally of the spring and secured at one end to a member, with threaded thrust units to contact an end of the column to adjust static loads on the column. The looping surfaces may be removably secured to the upper member and may define open troughs or closed loops about the bolts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.