# US 8,465,009 B2 · Elastomeric pad for a compressible elastomeric spring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,009 B2 - Document ID: US8465009B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/150,928 - Filed: 2008-05-01 - Published: 2008-11-06 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-01 - Assignees: Wabtec Holding Corp. - Applicants: Ronald J. Sprainis; Michael E. Ring; Bradley Anderson; Jonathon Marlow - Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis; Michael E. Ring; Bradley Anderson; Jonathon Marlow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465009B2 ## CPC - B21F 35/00: Making springs from wire - B61G 9/06: with rubber springs - B61G 9/10: with separate mechanical friction shock-absorbers - B61G 9/22: Supporting framework, e.g. cradles; Spring housings - B29C 2043/3613: {applying pressure locally} - B29C 2043/3665: {cores or inserts, e.g. pins, mandrels, sliders} - B29L 2031/721: {Vibration dampening equipment, e.g. shock absorbers (bumpers B29L2031/3044, springs B29L2031/774)} - Y10T 29/49609: Spring making - Y10T 29/49611: for vehicle or clutch - Y10T 29/49615: Resilient shock or vibration absorber utility - Y10T 29/49835: with shaping - Y10T 29/49837: of first part - B21F: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE (rolling of metal wire B21B1/16; by drawing, auxiliary operations used in connection with metal-working without essentially removing material B21C) - B61G: COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES (vehicle connections in general B60D) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A compressible resilient elastomeric pad includes a body defining a central axis, the body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of the first and second axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to such central axis. A first raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the first axial end and a second raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the second axial end. A first groove is formed in the flat surface of the first axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the first projection and a second groove is formed in the flat surface of the second axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the second projection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of said first and said second axial ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; (b) a first raised projection centrally formed on said substantially flat surface of said first axial end, said first projection having each of a predetermined height and a predetermined shape; (c) a second raised projection centrally formed on said substantially flat surface of said second axial end, said second projection having each of a predetermined height and a predetermined shape; (d) a first groove formed in said substantially flat surface of said first axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of said first projection; and (e) a second groove formed in said substantially flat surface of said second axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of said second projection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 1, wherein said second projection is substantially identical to said first projection. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 1, wherein said second groove is substantially identical to said first groove. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 1 wherein a volume of each of said first and said second grooves is substantially equal to a volume of a respective one of said first and said second raised projections. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 1, wherein said pad is manufactured by a process of compressing a preform block having a generally round cross-section in a plane being traverse to a length thereof and wherein said pad further includes a recess formed in said substantially flat surfaces of each of said first and second axial ends in communication with said groove, said recess having a diameter thereof being generally equal to a diameter of said preform block. ### Claim 6 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of said first and said second axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; and (b) a plurality of pockets formed in said flat surface of at least one of said first and said second axial ends. ### Claim 7 In combination with a compressible elastomeric pad capable of absorbing and dissipating energy applied thereto, an improvement comprising said pad manufactured by a process of compressing a preform block and having a molecular structure thereof oriented during a said process and having a predetermined shape factor achieved during said process to enable repetitive absorption and dissipation of said energy in excess of about one hundred thirty percent (130%) of an ultimate tensile strength of said predetermined material. ### Claim 8 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis of said pad, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, said peripheral side surface having an outwardly extending curved shape and each of said first and said second axial ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; and (b) a groove centrally formed in said flat surface of one of said first and second axial ends, said groove having a predetermined shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 8, wherein said continuously solid body has a circular cross-section disposed normal to said central axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 9, wherein each of said first and said second axial ends has a predetermined diameter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 8, wherein said outwardly extending curved shape is formed during a forming process of said pad. ### Claim 12 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis of said pad, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of said first and said second axial ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; (b) a groove centrally formed in said flat surface of one of said first and second axial ends, said groove having a predetermined shape; and (c) a raised projection centrally formed on said flat surface of said one of said first and said second axial ends in abutting engagement with a peripheral inner surface of said groove, said projection having each of a predetermined height and a predetermined shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 12, wherein a free end surface of said projection has a convex shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 12, wherein said projection has a circular cross-section disposed normal to said central axis and wherein said groove has an annular shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 12, wherein a volume of said projection is substantially equal to a volume of said groove. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 12, wherein said peripheral side surface has an outwardly extending curved shape throughout at least middle portion of said peripheral side surface. ### Claim 17 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis of said pad, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of said first and said second axial ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; (b) a groove centrally formed in said flat surface of one of said first and second axial ends, said groove having a predetermined shape; and (c) a recess formed in said one of said first and second flat end surfaces in communication with said groove, said recess having each of a predetermined depth and a predetermined shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The compressible elastomeric pad, according to claim 17, wherein said pad is manufactured by a process of compressing a preform block having a generally round cross-section in a plane being traverse to a length thereof and wherein a diameter of said recess is generally equal to a diameter of said preform block. ### Claim 19 A compressible resilient elastomeric pad comprising: (a) a continuously solid body defining a central axis of said pad, said body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of said first and said second axial ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to said central axis; (b) a groove centrally formed in said flat surface of one of said first and second axial ends, said groove having a predetermined shape; and (c) wherein said predetermined material is at least one of a copolyester polymer and a copolyamide material.