Patent ID: 8011142
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A sliding pendulum seismic isolator, comprising: a lower sliding element having a concave surface facing upwards; an upper sliding element having a concave surface facing downwards; a first intermediate element; a second intermediate element, said intermediate elements each having a convex sliding surface allowing the first and second intermediate elements to slide on the concave surfaces of said lower and upper sliding elements respectively, and means to withstand horizontal loads occurring during a seismic event, wherein said first intermediate element has a convex spherical surface opposing said convex sliding surface of said first intermediate element and said second intermediate element has a flat surface opposing said convex sliding surface of said second intermediate element, and said convex spherical surface of said first intermediate element and said flat surface of said second intermediate element are in direct contact with each other and allow a relative rotation substantially without sliding between the intermediate elements.