Abstract:
A stabilizer pad structure for supporting earth moving equipment is provided. A weldment is formed of metal plate material that is adapted for connection with a stabilizer arm of earth moving equipment. The weldment includes a mounting plate that defines a pocket, that can be integrally formed with the weldment or a separate material plate secured thereto, for receiving the resilient pad. The structure includes a pair of clamping bars disposed in the pocket, one on each side of the resilient pad. The clamping bars and mounting plate include respective engagement elements for interlocking the clamping bar and mounting plate together. This inhibits the clamp bars from movement in a longitudinal direction, and transfers force from the pad, through the clamp bar, to the mounting plate.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
     Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to commonly owned and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/135,731 which was filed on Jul. 23, 2008 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to stabilizer pads for vehicles, and more particularly to stabilizer pads used with backhoe-type vehicles for supporting stabilizer arms of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Construction equipment, such as earth-moving vehicles and the like, must be stabilized during construction or digging operations to limit movement of the equipment or vehicles. Typically, stabilization is provided by hydraulically actuated arms that extend from the vehicle and that have earth-engaging pads mounted on their distal ends. When the vehicle or equipment is moved into a working position, if extra stability is needed, the stabilizer arms are hydraulically operated to move from a retracted position, in which the arms generally extend upwardly and out of the way, to a user position in which the arms extend downwardly at an acute angle to the ground surface so that the pads contact the ground surface. When it is desired to move the vehicle, the arms are returned to the retracted position, and the vehicle is moved to a new operating location. 
     Reversible stabilizer pads for construction equipment, such as earth-moving vehicles and the like, are well-known in the prior art. Examples of such pads are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,761,021; 4,889,362; 5,992,883 and 6,270,119. Such stabilizer pads generally have a first surface for engagement with a softer surface, such as gravel and soft earth, and a more resilient second surface on the opposite side of the first surface for engagement with harder surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. Typically, the first surface includes flanges with grouser points that permit the pads to dig into the softer, unfinished surface formed by gravel or soft earth, to better anchor and stabilize the vehicle when encountering difficult digging conditions. The first surface is unsuitable for contact with a hard surface, since the grouser points could damage or mar the hard asphalt or concrete. The second surface of the pad typically is formed of a laminated, rubber pad for better stability on the more solid surface provided by concrete or asphalt. The stabilizer pad typically is pivotally mounted to the distal end of the hydraulically operated arm so that the pad may be rotated to contact the ground with either the first surface or the second surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,362 discloses a reversible stabilizer pad for earth moving vehicles having a generally flanged first surface for engagement with, for example, gravel and soft earth, and a resilient surface for engagement with, for example, concrete or asphalt. This patent describes the use of rubber pads on one side of the stabilizer pad for ground contact when the vehicle is on a finished surface, such as concrete or asphalt, and flanges with grouser points on the opposite side of the stabilizer pad for ground contact when the vehicle is on an unfinished but hard ground surface that requires that the pads dig into the surface in order to better anchor and stabilize the vehicle when encountering difficult digging conditions. The flange side of the pad is unsuitable for contact with a finished surface since it could damage and/or mar the finished surface. The stabilizer pad is pivotally mounted to the end of a hydraulically operated arm such that the pad may be rotated to contact the ground with either the rubber pad side or the flange side facing down to contact the ground surface. When the vehicle is moved into a working position, if extra stability is needed, the stabilizer arms, on which the pads are mounted, are hydraulically operated to move from a retracted position, in which the arms generally extend upwardly and out of the way, to a use position, in which the arms extend downward at an angle with the pads contacting the ground surface. When the vehicle is to be moved, the arms are lifted back to the retracted position, the vehicle is moved to a new operating location and the stabilizer arms are brought down into the use position again, if necessary. 
     Reference is also now made to co-pending application Ser. No. 11/726,226 filed on Mar. 21, 2007 and describing further improvements to a stabilizer pad, particularly relating to providing a more economical pad and one that is both lightweight and durable. In this pad structure the main metal plate member is formed using certain bending steps so as to minimize the welding of components. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide still further improvements to stabilizer pads to enhance their durability, to enable them to be manufactured more economically and to enable effective stability thereof even with a lighter weight construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a stabilizer pad structure comprising: a weldment formed of a metal plate material that includes at least one mounting plate that defines a pocket; a resilient pad mounted in the pocket of the mounting plate; and a pair of clamping bars disposed in the pocket, one on each side of the resilient pad; and wherein each clamping bar is constructed and arranged to interlock with the mounting plate. 
     Other aspects of the present invention include tabs disposed on the clamping bar that interlock with corresponding holes on the mounting plate; the tabs inhibit movement of the clamp bar in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the clamp bar; the tabs transfer force from the pad, through the clamp bar, to the mounting plate; the tabs define a shoulder which engages the underside of a base of the mounting plate; the weldment is adapted for connection with a stabilizer arm of earth moving equipment; and the clamping bars include a plurality of partially open holes along a bottom edge, corresponding to holes on the resilient pad, constructed and arranged to engage with support pins for supporting the resilient pad. 
     In accordance with another version of the invention there is provided a stabilizer pad structure for supporting earth moving equipment, comprising: a weldment formed of a metal plate material and adapted for connection with a stabilizer arm of the earth moving equipment; a pad constructed of a resilient material having one and another support sides and including opposed wear surfaces; at least one mounting plate secured to the weldment and defining a pocket for receiving the resilient pad; and a pair of clamping bars disposed in the pocket, one on each side of the resilient pad; and wherein the pair of clamping bars and the mounting plate include respective engagement elements that provide an interlock between the clamping bars and mounting plate. 
     In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention the engagement elements inhibit movement in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamping bar; the engagement elements transfer force from the pad, through the clamping bar to the mounting plate; the engagement elements comprise tabs disposed on the clamping bar that interlock with respective holes disposed on the mounting plate; the tabs define a shoulder which engages the underside of a base of the mounting plate; the mounting plate defines side flanges that include a pair of hexagonal-shaped holes for receiving securing members; and the securing members comprise a hexagonal-head shaped bolt and corresponding hexagonal-shaped nut for securing the resilient pad within the weldment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved stabilizer pad of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the stabilizer pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the stabilizer pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the stabilizer pad illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of flat metal blanks that are usable in constructing the main metal base of the stabilizer pad; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a further step in forming the main base of the stabilizer pad with preformed components and before the welding of the assembly; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are fragmentary cross-sectional views illustrating one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are fragmentary cross-sectional views illustrating a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the replaceable pad with one side surface worn; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the resilient pad as separated from the clamp bars; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the resilient pad having been reversed to illustrate the opposed surface now as a ground contacting surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the stabilizer pad of the present invention. The pad that is depicted in the drawings is comprised of a metal weldment that primarily includes the base plate  12  and separately mounted mounting plates  14 . Refer, for example, to  FIG. 1 . The stabilizer pad depicted in the drawings is considered as having a grouser side defined by the separately disposed flanges  20  and a resilient pad side that includes the pair of laminated pads  34 . Although laminated pads are illustrated in  FIG. 1  of the drawings, and are preferred, it is also understood that the pad  34  may be a solid one piece pad such as a molded rubber pad. It is furthermore anticipated that the principles of the present invention can apply to a stabilizer pad construction in which there is no grouser side of the pad. This is typically referred to as a “street” pad. 
     In the stabilizer pad of the present invention the base plate  12  is considered of generally U-shape and is formed by a series of bending operations, as will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. Each of the two mounting plates  14  is generally of U-shape and is also formed by a bending operation that is also described in further detail hereinafter. One of the objectives of the present invention is to minimize the amount of welding steps for the pad construction and thus bending steps are used which can be performed more efficiently and with less cost in connection with the construction of the pad. Welds are basically used only between the base plate  12  and the mounting plates  14 . These are depicted as welds  22  in the drawings. 
     The stabilizer pad that is illustrated in the drawings is meant for support from a stabilizer arm  6  of earth moving equipment such as a backhoe. The stabilizer pad, particularly the weldment and the base plate  12 , is supported from the stabilizer arm  6  by means of a pin  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . For a similar support stabilizer arm refer, for example, to my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,119 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, the following U.S. Patents and Publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,761,021; 4,889,362; 5,992,883; 6,270,119; 6,422,603; 6,471,246; 6,634,672; 6,726,246; 6,986,530; 7,040,659; 7,073,821; 7,172,216; 7,267,368; 2006/0011800; 2008/0048427 and 2008/0122212. 
     The stabilizer pad is constructed using a main base plate  12  that is generally of U-shape. The base plate  12  supports separately disposed pad mounting plates  14 . The base plate  12  includes parallel disposed flanges  20  and an interconnecting bridge piece  16 . Each of the flanges  20  define multiple grouser points as illustrated at  25  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To support the base plate  12  with the mounting plates  14 , there are also provided, associated with each flange  20 , a pair of gussets  20 A. A series of welds  22  are used to interconnect the flange  20 , as well as the gussets  20 A with the base  28  of each of the mounting plates  14 . The mounting plates  14  each include, in addition to the base  28 , orthogonally bent flanges  30 . The base  28  and the flanges  30  together define a pocket into which is disposed the resilient pad  34 . Each of the mounting plates  14  is also provided with spaced slots  60  disposed at the outer respective corners between the base  28  and the flange  30 . These slots  60  accommodate tabs  58  of the clamp bar  50 , as will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates the pivot pin  10  which is attached to the flanges  20  by means of respective bushings  26 . Each of the bushings  26  may be welded to its corresponding grouser flange  20 . The pin  10  may be free to rotate in its corresponding bushing  26 , or alternatively, a securing bolt (not shown) may pass through the pin and bushing combination to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 
     As indicated previously, each of the flanges  20  is provided with spaced grouser points  25 . In this regard refer to the side elevation view of  FIG. 2  which illustrates the grouser points  25 , one disposed on each side of the pin  10 . Although two grouser points are illustrated in the disclosed embodiment, a single grouser point may be used or more than two grouser points may be used. Also, as indicated previously, for a street pad that is meant to be used primarily only on the resilient pad side, grouser points do not need to be provided. In addition, for a street pad, sections of the flange  20  construction can be removed so that the pad is lighter in weight. 
     Reference is now made to further details of the stabilizer pad of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . As indicated previously, the resilient pad  34  is illustrated as a laminated pad including a plurality of laminations  36 . Each of these laminations preferably has a wave shape  37  at both opposed surfaces such as illustrated at opposed surfaces  42  and  44  in  FIG. 6 . Although this wave shape is preferred, the upper and lower surfaces may also be of other shapes or even planar. For the support of the resilient pad  34 , there are provided a series of support pins  38 . The resilient pad  34  is provided with a series of holes  39  for accommodating these support pins  38 . The resilient pad  34  is also provided with a further pair of holes  41  for accommodating the bolt  40 . There is actually a pair of holes  41  at opposite ends of the pad  34 , as depicted in, for example,  FIG. 6 . This accommodates a bolt  40  at each end of the pad  34 . A like pair of bolts  40  secures the other pad in the other mounting plate  14 . A pair of holes  41  is used so that the different holes can be used by the bolt  40  depending on the positioning of, or reversal of, the pad  34 . In this regard refer to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  that depicts the bolt  40  passing through an upper hole  41 . When the pad is reversed then the bolt  40  will engage the other hole  41 . 
     Each of the mounting plates  14  is provided with an inwardly facing hole  31  for each of the bolts  40  to pass through and securing the resilient pad in place in the mounting plate pocket. There are two holes  31  disposed along the inner flange  30 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The outer flange  30  is also provided with a pair of holes  33  which in the particular illustrated embodiment is each a hexagonal-shaped hole for receiving the hex nut  52 . The holes  33  are similarly spaced apart on the outer flange  30  as were the holes  31  on the inner flange  30 . The threaded end of bolt  40  is for engagement with the hex nut  52 . The inter-engagement between the hex nut  52  and its accommodating hex-shaped hole  33  prevents rotation of the nut  52  while permitting the bolt  40  to be tightened urging the hex nut  52  against the clamp bar  50  as is clearly illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate further details of the clamp bars  50 . Refer also to the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 6 . In the disclosed embodiment both the clamps bars  50  are identical in configuration. Each of the clamp bars includes an upwardly directed set of tabs  58  for accommodation in the respective slots  60 . At the bottom edge of each of the clamp bars  50  there is provided partially open holes  56  for accommodating respective support pins  38 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  there are six support pins  38  and thus also six corresponding holes  56  in each of the clamp bars  50 . Lastly, each of the clamp bars  50  is provided with a somewhat elongated slot  54 . The slots  54  are for receiving the bolts  40 . A pair of slots  54  is provided disposed at respective ends of the clamp bar  50 . The slots  54  allow a small amount of “play” in the event that some debris is deposited between the pad and mounting plate. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . This cross-sectional view illustrates the hex nut  52  disposed within the hexagonal-shaped hole  33  of the flange  30 .  FIG. 4  also illustrates by arrow  47  a tightening or rotation of the bolt  40  at its head which causes the nut  52 , which remains rotationally stationary, to be urged against the side of the left-most clamp bar  50 . This pressure is indicated in  FIG. 4  by the arrows  48 . In  FIG. 4  the bolt  40  at each side is illustrated as extending through the slot  54 .  FIG. 4  also illustrates the top of each clamp bar  50  with the tab  58  extending through the slot  60 . In this position of bolt  40 , the resilient pad  34  is at an initial position with a first wear surface  42  in a position facing the ground support surface. In this position it is noted that the bolt  40  passes through the upper one of the through holes  41 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and taken through one of the support pins  38 .  FIG. 5  also illustrates the wear surface  42 . The support pin  38  also has its ends extending through respective holes  56  in the clamp bars  50 . The side flanges  30  of the mounting plate  14  prevent the pin  38  from disengaging from the resilient pad. The pins  38  may be lose fitting within the resilient pad  34  or the pins  38  may be force fit with the resilient pad  34 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  also illustrate an upper second wear surface at  44 . Thus, in accordance with the present invention it is preferred that the resilient pad be supported so that after a first wear surface  42  has worn down sufficiently, the resilient pad can be inverted so that the other wear surface, namely surface  44  then becomes the downwardly facing ground engaging wear surface. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the stabilizer pad structure is of a relatively more simplified design requiring fewer components and one in which the resilient pad is positively engaged with its retaining structure regardless of which side of the pad is being used as the ground engaging side. In the past bumper bars have been used on either side of the resilient pad structure itself, integral with the resilient pad laminations. In accordance with the present invention rather than providing integral bumper bars on either side of the resilient pad itself, the resilient pad is held primarily by the support pins  38 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, rather than using a pair of bumper bars in combination with the clamp bar, separate clamp bars are used as illustrated by the clamp bars  50  herein. Moreover, these clamp bars are now interlocked with the mounting plate structure via tabs  58  in slots  60 . By placing the resilient pack in the pocket defined by the mounting plate, the support pins are prevented from creeping out. Moreover, the clamp bars themselves now serve as support members. In this way, the structure of the present invention is quite simplified, is economical to produce and is characterized by damaged-proof components. In accordance with the present invention, an effective wear surface is provided essentially with less metal and in a smaller-sized resilient pad. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 5 , it is noted that the slots  60  are disposed on opposite sides of the mounting plate  14  essentially at the corners between the base  28  and the side flanges  30 . Each of the slots  60  extend a sufficient distance, particularly along the base  28  so that as the bolts  40  are tightened the gap  32  is formed with the nut  52  pressing against the left most clamp bar  50 . The interlock between the clamp bars  50  and the mounting plate  14 , by means of the tabs  58  in slots  60 , keep the tabs from sliding in the direction of arrow  19  in  FIG. 2 . This interlock stabilizes the position of the pad relative to the pad mounting plate  14 . Moreover, each of the tabs  58  defines a shoulder  59  which engages the underside of the base  28 . This engagement transfers force form the resilient pad, through the support pins  38  to the clamping bar and from there to the mounting plate  14 . Refer also to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5  where the arrow  17  is indicative of the transfer of force from each of the support pins  38  to the mounting plate  14  via the clamping bars  50 . This transfer of force occurs in both sides of the resilient pad by virtue of the pair of clamping bars both of which interlock on opposite sides of the base  28  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     In the embodiment disclosed herein each of the clamping bars has two tabs. In other embodiments of the present invention fewer or greater numbers of tabs may be provided on each of the clamping bars. These tabs are for interlock with receiving pockets in the resilient pad pocket. As indicated previously, the purpose of these tabs is to limit the movement of the clamping bars, particularly when the first side of the rubber pack is worn down and the rubber pack is reversed. This interlock prevents any potential rollover of the resilient pad when it is reversed. Another function of the interlock between the clamp bar and the mounting plate is to limit the fore and aft movement of the resilient pad pack, particularly when the earth moving equipment is moving. This arrangement allows for the use of smaller, less expensive securing bolts  40 . Because most of the force is not transferred through the bolts  40 , the primary function of the bolts is now to simply clamp the laminated layers of the resilient pad together and prevent it from falling out of the pocket. 
     As indicated previously, one of the advantages of the pad structure of the present invention is the ability to form the basic metal part of the pad using bending steps and attempting to minimize the need for weld points. In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which shows basic blanks that can be used for forming both the base plate  12  as well as the two mounting plates  14 . In  FIG. 7  each of the blanks is flat and is meant to be bent along bend lines  15 . Thus, the flat blank for the base plate  12  has bend lines  15  for forming the flanges  20  as well as bend lines  15  for forming the gussets  20 A. Reference may now be made to  FIG. 8  for an illustration of the base plate  12  once the bends have been completed. 
       FIG. 7  also illustrates two additional blanks that are used for forming the mounting plates  14 . These blanks are also bent along lines  15  to form, from the base  28 , the side flanges  30 . Again, refer to  FIG. 8  for the next step in which the bends have occurred and the pad mounting plates  14  are then in their final position forming a pocket for receiving the resilient pad, as well as the pair of clamping bars  50 . 
     The resilient pad  34  may be a single piece molded rubber pad, but is preferably a laminated pad that is comprised of a series of laminated layers  36  as illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 6 . These laminated layers  36  are preferably held together by a series of support pins  38  that pass through holes  39  in the laminated layers.  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the configuration of each pad layer. Each of these pad layers, as mentioned previously, preferably has a wave-like ground contact surface  37 . The laminated layers may be tied together by means of a force fit of the pins with the holes. Alternatively, the pins  38  may be relatively loosely fit within the holes in each laminated layer. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  FIG. 9  is actually separated into  FIGS. 9A and 9B  and  FIG. 10  is separated into  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Each of these figures is a cross-section through the bolt and support pin.  FIG. 9A  shows an arrangement in which the bolt  40  passes through a hole in the clamp bar  50 .  FIG. 9A  also illustrates the support pin  38  which is of a relatively large diameter and larger than the diameter of the bolt  40 . In this arrangement the pin  38  may have a diameter of one inch.  FIG. 9A  also illustrates a wear surface depth W 1  which may be on the order of 1⅛ inch or 1.125 inch. This defines a wear surface  42 . Also shown in  FIG. 9A  is the upper wear surface  44  that is not yet in place. Reference to  FIG. 9B  illustrates the pad pack having been worn down at  43  and reversed so that the wear surface  44  can then be in a position for ground engagement. In  FIG. 9B  the wear area depth W 2  may be on the order of 1.125 inch. The second wear surface  44  is now shown in a position for ground engagement. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a preferred arrangement in which the bolt  40  rides in a slot  54  that is somewhat elongated. Moreover, the support pin  38  in the embodiment of  FIG. 10  is of a smaller diameter and may be in a range of ½-¾ inch or preferably about ⅝ inch in diameter. This provides a wear surface depth W 1  that may be on the order of 1.25 inch.  FIG. 10B  illustrates the resilient pad having been reversed so that the worn surface  43  is now facing upwardly and the new second wear surface  44  is in a position for ground engagement. This provides a wear surface depth W 2  of 0.875 inch. 
     The arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  allows for a smaller diameter support pin  38  to be used as indicated previously. This may be on the order of 0.625 inch in diameter. This, in turn, allows for a reduction in the amount of rubber that need be used while still offering a double-sided rubber construction that provides for two useful wearing surfaces illustrated as surfaces  42  and  44 . The first wear surface depth W 1  in  FIG. 10A  is on the order of 1.25 inch and the opposite surface illustrated in  FIG. 10B  is on the order of 0.875 inch. This is possible as a result of not having to clamp as much rubber in the pin  38  area. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 11-13  for a schematic illustration of the manner in which the resilient pad of the present invention is readily reversible.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the resilient pad  34  with its associated clamping bars  50 . The support pins  38  extend through the resilient pad  34  as well as through the holes  56  in the clamping bars  50 . As indicated previously, the pins  38  may be loose fit in the resilient pad or may be force fit therein. 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the reversal of the position of the resilient pad by means of arrow  62 . The two clamping bars  50  may be readily disengaged from the resilient pad as in the direction of arrows  63 . The resilient pad  34  may then be reversed in position. Lastly,  FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating one side of the worn side  43  facing upwardly while the clamping bars  50  have been re-engaged with the support pins  38  so that the assembly shown in  FIG. 13  is now ready for re-engagement with the pocket in the mounting plate  14 . 
     The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. For example, bolts having hex-shaped heads and corresponding hex nuts are depicted for securing the resilient pad within the mounting plate. However, any appropriate securing member can be employed for securing the pad within the mounting plate. Furthermore, the sizing and exemplary numbers used herein are for illustrative and exemplary purposes only. The teachings are clearly applicable to all types of resilient pad structures retained within a pocket formed of a weldment. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.