Patent ID: 8926180
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A seismic isolation bearing comprising: an upper base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a lower base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a disc bearing core centrally positioned with respect to planes of the upper and lower base plates, the disc bearing core being in contact with the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, and configured to allow the lower surface of the upper base plate to slide along the disc bearing core; and at least one shear spring coupled to the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, the at least one shear spring (i) being configured to deform in shear upon lateral movement of the upper base plate relative to the lower base plate, and configured to exert a lateral return force on the upper base plate when the upper base plate is laterally displaced, and (ii) including alternating layers of an elastomeric material and a substrate material, the shear spring being configured to deform in shear along the layers of elastomeric material, and each layer of elastomeric material having an elevation area that is greater than its plan area.