Shock and vibration resistant structures

A shock and vibration resistant structure comprising:

• a frame having a plurality of substantially rectangular regions therein;
• a plurality of modular units each adapted to be positioned removably and repaceably in one of said regions, each of said units having a lower external surface, side external surfaces and a top external surface;
• and
• a plurality of shock and vibration isolation means for isolating said units from shock and vibration, each of said shock and vibration isolation means being fixedly attached to , projecting into each of said regions extending from portions of said frame toward and contacting at least two adjacent said external surfaces of each of said units, one of said adjacent surfaces being horizontal, said shock and vibration means each further comprising:
• a first member;
• a second member fixedly attached to a portion of said frame, said second member having an opening therein, said first member being capable of having a portion thereof received in said opening in said second member so that said first member is movable to and away from said frame;
• biasing means for urging said first member in a direction away from said frame;
• retaining means for limiting motion of said first member so that said first member is not completely removable from said opening in said second member;
• and
• rolling means operatively associated with and rotatably mounted on said first member, said rolling means being adapted to contact one of said external surfaces, said rolling means and said external surfaces being so configured that said modular units can be moved without restraint over said shock and vibration isolation means in either of two mutually perpendicular directions each being respectively perpendicular to a direction of the extension of each of said shock and vibration isolation means from said frame, so that said modular units may be moved horizontally in an unrestrained manner with respect to said frame when selected members of said frame adjacent said regions are removed in the direction of said removed frame members, whereby said units may be placed selectively in and removed from said frame.

A shock and vibration resistant structure comprising:

• a frame having a plurality of substantially rectangular regions therein;
• a plurality of modular units each adapted to be positioned in one of said regions, each of said units having a lower external surface, side external surfaces and a top external surface;
• a plurality of shock and vibration isolation means for isolating said units from shock and vibration, said shock and vibration isolation means extending from portions of said frame toward at least two adjacent said external surfaces of each of said units;
• and
• elevator means for lifting said units so that said units may be transferred horizontally from said elevator means to said frame, said elevator means including carrier means comprising roller means for supporting said units so that said units may be rolled from said carrier means into said regions in said frame for positioning said units therein when said carrier means is at a predetermined height with respect to said frame.

A shock and vibration resistant structure comprising:

• a frame having a plurality of substantially rectangular regions therein;
• a plurality of modular units for being received in said regions, said units having a lower external surface, side external surfaces, and a top external surface;
• a plurality of shock and vibration isolation means for isolating said units from shock and vibration, said shock and vibration isolation means extending from portions of said frame toward at least two adjacent external suraces of said units;
• and
• stabilizing members extending from portions of said frame to each of said external surfaces, said stabilizing members being sized and shaped so that said stabilizing members are held captive in first positions between said portions of said frame and said external surfaces when said structure is not subjected to shock or vibration, and so as to fall away from said first positions when said structure undergoes shock or vibration, said stabilizing members falling to second positions wherein said stabilizing members are not held captive between said portions of said frame and said external surfaces.