Patent ID: 6068251
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
An apparatus which supports a load and limits a shock from being transmitted through said load comprising:(a) a base;(b) first and third, spaced-apart, elongated struts each having a first and a second end, and each being positioned parallel to each other and aligned at a first acute angle relative to said base when said load is supported by said apparatus, each of said first and third struts having a first hole at said first end and a second hole at said second end;(c) second and fourth spaced-apart, elongated struts each having a first and a second end and each being positioned parallel to each other and aligned at a second acute angle relative to said base when the load is supported by the apparatus, each of said second and fourth struts having a first hole at said first end, and each having a second hole at said second end, said first, second, third and fourth struts being positioned such that said first ends of said first and said second struts are closer to each other than are said second ends of said first and said second struts, and said first ends of said third and said fourth struts are closer to each other than are said second ends of said third and fourth struts;(d) first and second upper rods positioned parallel to said base and to each other, which are aligned so that said first upper rod passes through said first hole in said first strut, and said first hole in said third strut, and said second upper rod passes through said first hole in said second strut and said first hole in said fourth strut, said first upper rod having a first bore positioned substantially parallel to said base and located outward of said first strut, and a second bore positioned substantially parallel to said base and located outward of said third strut, and said second upper rod having a first bore positioned substantially parallel to said base and located outward of said second strut and a second bore positioned substantially parallel to said base and located outward of said fourth strut;(e) first and second lower rods positioned parallel to said base and to each other aligned so that said first lower rod passes through said second hole in said first strut and said second hole in said third strut, and said second lower rod passes through said second hole in said second strut, and said second hole in said fourth strut;(f) a first leaf-spring inward of said first and third struts that extends in width substantially between said first and said third struts, and in its longitudinal direction starts at a line on said base and extends along said base, then between said first lower rod and said base in a direction away from the center of said load and around the side of said first lower rod toward the outside of said load, and then in a direction back toward the center of said load until said first leaf-spring contacts on the side of said first upper rod closest to said center of said load;(g) a second leaf-spring inward of said second and fourth struts that extends in width substantially between said second and said fourth struts and in its longitudinal direction starts at a point on said base and extends along said base in the direction opposite to the direction in which said first leaf-spring extends along said base, then between said second lower rod and said base in a direction away from the center of said load, and around the side of said second lower rod toward the outside of said load, and then back toward the center of said load until said second leaf-spring contacts the side of said second upper rod closest to said center of said load;(h) a first slide rod positioned parallel to said base and normal to said first and second upper rods, which passes into said first bore of said first upper rod and said first bore of said second upper rod, and said first slide rod is freely movable in one of said first bores and is secured in the other of said first bores; and(i) a second slide rod positioned parallel to said base and normal to said first and second upper rods, which passes into said second bore of said first upper rod and said second bore of said second upper rod, and said second slide rod is freely movable in one of said second bores and is secured in the other of said second bores.