Patent ID: 9399865
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: E04B,E04H,F16F

Claim Text:
1. A seismic isolation system for supporting a payload comprising: a) a horizontally oriented support panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said support panel is structured to support the payload placed on the top surface thereof; b) a rigid frame joined to and structured to support said support panel and payload; c) a plurality of downward-facing isolation bearing halves joined to a bottom side of said rigid frame, wherein each downward-facing bearing half comprises a downward-facing recessed bearing surface; d) a plurality of seismic isolation footplates, each footplate comprising a upward facing bearing half comprising a recessed upward-facing bearing surface wherein each of said footplates is securely joined to a foundation and the upward facing recessed bearing surface of each of said footplates opposes a second, downward facing recessed bearing surface of a corresponding downward-facing bearing half and defines a cavity therebetween; e) at least one rigid ball located in each of such said cavities, said ball being structured to be sufficiently strong to maintain a gap between downward and upward-facing bearing halves during operation; and wherein, in the event of a seismic vibration each downward-facing bearing half moves relative to its corresponding opposing footplate thereby cushioning the payload from the full force of said seismic vibration, and said system lacks an underfloor substructure comprising pedestals.