Apparatus for isolation of payloads with low transmissibility

A motion constraint mechanism comprising:

• a first parallelogram linkage disposed between a payload and a base structure;
• and
• at least one second parallelogram linkage arranged relative to the first parallelogram linkage such that the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages maintain a parallel relationship between the payload and the base structure throughout a range of motion;
• wherein each of the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages comprise first and second parallelogram sub-linkages, each of the first and second parallelogram sub-linkages having first and second supporting links, the first and second supporting links for each of the first and second parallelogram sub-linkages being connected to a common member, the first and second supporting links for one of the first or second parallelogram sub-linkages being directly fixed to only the payload or a portion thereof through first rotating joints, the first and second supporting links for the other of the first or second parallelogram sub-linkages being directly fixed to only the base structure or a portion thereof through second rotating joints.

A method of constraining motion between a payload and a base structure, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first parallelogram linkage disposed between the payload and the base structure;
• providing at least one second parallelogram linkage disposed between the payload and the base structure;
• directly fixing first and second supporting links for a first parallelogram sub-linkage from each of the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages only to the payload or a portion thereof through first rotating joints and directly fixing first and second supporting links for a second parallelogram sub-linkage from each of the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages only to the base structure or a portion thereof through second rotating joints;
• and
• arranging the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages relative to each other such that the first and at least one second parallelogram linkages maintain a parallel relationship between the payload and the base structure throughout a range of motion.

A support apparatus for providing vertical and/or lateral support of a payload relative to the base structure such that the transmission of vertical and/or lateral vibration between the payload and the base structure are suppressed, the support apparatus comprising:

• support means for supporting the effective payload weight, the support means comprising a deformable member exhibiting nonlinear elastic characteristics in response to an effective payload weight;
• and
• effective payload adjustment means for adjusting the level of support of the support means in response to a varying effective payload weight;
• wherein the deformable member comprises a bottom plate fixed to one of the payload or base structure or portions thereof, a top plate movable relative to the bottom plate and fixed to the other of the payload or base structure or portions thereof, the deformable member further comprising a compressible material disposed in a space between the top and bottom plates, the space between the top and bottom plates defining an annular cavity and wherein the compressible material disposed in the space is an elastomeric extruded tubular element, the elastomeric extruded tubular element having a tubular cavity running therein and being coiled within the space in a helical manner to thereby fill the space.