# US 4,695,169 A · Structural bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,695,169 A - Document ID: US4695169A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/818,327 - Filed: 1986-01-13 - Granted: 1987-09-22 - Earliest claimed: 1985-01-14 - Assignees: Aeplc - Inventors: Baigent Maurice G. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4695169A ## CPC - E04B 1/36: Bearings or like supports allowing movement (for bridges E01D19/04; buildings with-standing earthquakes E04H9/02) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract A structural bearing assembly in which a center plate is located upon a support 11. The support comprises an elastomeric core and a reinforcing outer layer 13 made up of a spirally wound cord of KEVLAR material embedded in a matrix of an elastomeric material which may or may not be the same as that of the core. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural bearing assembly having a self-aligning support comprising: an elastomeric core support element, an annular reinforcement member surrounding said support element and integrally joined thereto; said member having a plurality of windings of tension resistant material in fibre form embedded in a matrix of an elastomeric material, said reinforcement member extending vertically from the top to the bottom of said support element and with said reinforcement member providing a free standing flexibly resilient support resistant to deformation in the form of lateral expansion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A support according to claim 1 wherein said fibres are moulded in a similar elastomeric material to that of said core. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A support according to claim 1 wherein said fibres of said reinforcement member are composed of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of carbon fibres, steel and poly (p-phenyleneterephthalamide). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A support according to claim 3 wherein said fibres of said reinforcement member include a spirally wound cord. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A support as described in claim 3 wherein said fibres are spirally wound. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A support according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement member includes a spirally wound cord. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material of said core support element is a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, polyethylene and natural rubber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A support as described in claim 7 wherein said matrix of said reinforcement member is of the same material as said core support element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A support as described in claim 1 wherein said tension resistant material is poly (p-phenyleneterephthalamide). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A support as described in claim 1 wherein said core support element is rubber. ### Claim 11 A structural bearing assembly having vertically spaced upper and lower plates and a self-aligning support positioned between and engaging both of said plates, said support having a central core of elastomeric material and an annular reinforcement member surrounding and integrally joined to said central core and engaging both of said plates, said member being an annulus of windings of a tension resistant fibre embedded in an elastomeric matrix capable of torsional twisting and bending about its central axis without any lateral enlargement due to axially imposed loads. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A structural bearing assembly as described in claim 11 wherein said support is circular and substantially all of the vertical exterior surface of said support is free standing and without lateral contact whereby said support is capable of limited rotational deflection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A structural bearing assembly as described in claim 12 wherein said core is bonded to said upper plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A structural bearing assembly as described in claim 12 wherein said upper plate has a shallow recess in its lower face surrounded by a dependent lip, the upper edge of said support being seated in said recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A structural bearing assembly as described in claim 12 wherein said upper plate extends laterally outwardly beyond said support; a wall spaced from and surrounding both said support and said upper plate forming a restraining ring for limiting lateral movement of said upper plate with respect to said base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A structural bearing assembly as described in claim 12 wherein said elastomeric material of said core is a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, polyethylene and natural rubber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A stuctural bearing assembly as described in claim 16 wherein the fibres of said reinforcement member are composed of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of carbon fibres, steel and poly (p-phenyleneterephthalamide). ### Claim 18 A structural bearing assembly including a self aligning support located between an upper plate and a lower plate, said support comprising an elastomeric core of neoprene, said core having an integral outer reinforcing layer, said outer reinforcing layer comprising a spirally wound cord of poly (p-phenyleneterephthalamide) material embedded in an elastomeric material.