Abstract:
A base pad for supporting mechanical machines and equipment and which is configured such that it reduces the noise and vibration emanating from these machines. The pad is constructed entirely from shredded and comminuted rubber tires and is configured such that it provides for the efficient run-off and/or draining of any moisture generated from under the machine unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a vibration and noise reducing pad. More specifically, the invention relates to a pad for positioning under a machine, such as for example, an air conditioner unit, a furnace, a heater, a refrigerator or washing and drying machines, and which supports the machine and absorbs the vibration and noise that emanate from the machine.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment are generally large machines with numerous mechanical parts on the inside such as compressors, condensers, heaters, evaporators, fans and motors to name just a few. The functioning of the parts inside these machines is generally loud and causes a significant amount of vibration. In many of these machines, vibration from a compressor, fan or motor often causes soldered joints to break and oftentimes to leak refrigerant of other fluids (some which may be caustic) which can lead to rapid degradation of components inside the unit. The breakage and degradation of these internal components often require costly unnecessary repairs and may also lead to possible damage to the ozone layer. Additionally, the operation of these machines is generally very noisy.  
         [0003]     Oftentimes, these large machines are placed directly on a surface such as the floor in a home or on the grass outside a house. Other times, these machines are elevated off the floor surface and sit on a block or slab of material such as concrete, foam, fiberglass, plastic or wood. The slab keeps the machine off the floor so as to avoid coming in contact with water in the event there is a flood, and oftentimes to provide some degree of cushioning.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The invention provides a base pad for supporting mechanical machines and is configured such that it reduces the noise and vibration emanating from these machines. Additionally, the configuration of the pad in accordance with the present invention provides for the efficient run-off and/or draining of any moisture generated from under the machine unit.  
         [0005]     In addition to saving the machine unit from damage caused by floor water, the inventive pad plays a vital role in extending the life of the unit since it reduces the vibration of the unit caused by its internal components. Furthermore, the inventive pad reduces the noise generated by the machine unit thus rendering the machine more amenable to various interior locations inside a home or office.  
         [0006]     In accordance with the present invention, the inventive pad is composed entirely from rubber shredded from used tires. Rubber from used tires provides a very cost-effective and environmentally friendly material from which the inventive pads are constructed. It is known that the disposal of scrap or used tires poses a serious threat to our environment. Unlike other waste products, tires do not readily break down in air or soil. It has been estimated that three billion tires have been discarded into U.S. dumps and land fills. Often, whole tires are simply piled onto vacant space within the dump, creating an eyesore. There, the inner cavities of these tires collect rain water and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. As a further hazard, the discarded tires in these piles are often worn to the point where their reinforcing wires are exposed. The exposed wire can injure persons handling the tires or children that attempt to climb the piles. In other instances, the tires are buried. Chemical reactions between the tires, soil, and air trapped in the cavity can create sufficient heat to ignite the tires, creating a dangerous fire hazard. For these reasons, there have been many attempts to recycle tires into useful products.  
         [0007]     The pad in accordance with the present invention is molded and formed from 100% comminuted rubber tires. The overwhelming majority of the tires used in preparing these pads will come from waste dumps and recycle centers. As such, the use of these tires in the manufacture of the inventive pad in accordance with the present invention provides an extremely valuable use for a very undesirable waste product and as such eliminates a troublesome disposal problem and environmental nuisance.  
         [0008]     The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular device embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0009]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the pad in accordance with the present invention and having a machine unit;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the pad in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the pad in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the pad in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     A monolithic pad  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Pad  10  has a top surface or upper side  12  and a lower surface or underside  14 . A plurality of side surfaces  16  surround pad  10 .  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of pad  10  with a machine unit  11  positioned on pad  10 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , upper side  12  is provided having a “waffle-like” configuration. This “waffle-like” configuration is one comprising a plurality of channels  18  and indentations or pockets  20 . Channels  18  on upper side  12  and underside  14  of pad  10  run parallel and perpendicular to each other and criss-cross or intersect one another on both upper side  12  and underside  14  of pad  10 . Within the intersecting channels the indentations or pockets  20  are formed. Pockets  20  on underside  14  of pad  10  are generally configured to be deeper than pockets  20  on upper side  12  of pad  10 ; however the invention is not limited to this configuration. In one embodiment pockets  20  on underside  14  of pad  10  are twice the depth of pockets  20  on upper side  12 . Pockets  20  on underside  14  are generally deeper so as to absorb the vibration and noise emanating from the machine unit positioned on pad  10 . Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , pockets  20  on underside  14  of pad  10  having a greater depth than pockets  20  on upper side  12  permit ground or surface water to easily flow through pad  10  and not flood or overflow around pad  10 , thus preventing contact with the machine unit on pad  10 . The monolithic configuration of pad  10  allows pad  10  to absorb vibrations and noise and disperse them throughout pad  10 . Channels  18  on upper side  12  and shallow pockets  20  on upper side  12  facilitate the draining of moisture that may collect thereon from the bottom of the machine unit.  
         [0015]     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , pockets  20  are illustrated as square shaped in configuration. The invention is not, however, limited in this respect, and cups  20  can be formed to any shape such as circular, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal, etc. Additionally, channels  18  are not limited to straight channels as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . For example, channels  18  may be zigzag or wavy lines.  
         [0016]     Pad  10  may be provided in a wide range of sizes depending upon the size and weight of the machine to be placed upon it. It is anticipated that pad  10  be provided in sizes ranging from approximately 1 ft×1 ft to approximately 6 ft×6 ft though the invention is not limited with respect to the size of the pad.  
         [0017]     In use, pad  10  can be placed on a surface in new constructions, beneath a new unit, used to replace the block, slab or support pad of an existing unit, or placed on top of an existing pad. Pad  10  may have a variety of different thicknesses which can depend upon that size and weight of machine it is supporting, as well as the degree of vibration and/or noise to be abated. Pad  10  is generally lightweight for easy handling. Without being limited to a specific thickness, it is intended that pad  10  may have a thickness in the range of from approximately ½ inch to approximately 6 inches in order to provide a stable, level platform. Side surfaces  16  may be substantially vertical or may be slanted outward. When side surfaces  16  slant outward, underside  14  has a surface area greater than that of upper side  12 .  
         [0018]     Pad  10  is comprised of shredded or comminuted rubber from tires. The shredded rubber from tires which may be obtained from waste dumps and recycling facilities (i.e. scrap tires), is heat-pressed into various sizes. A mold or cast (not shown) is generally used to provide the channels  18  and cups  20  on upper side  12  and underside  14  of pad. The shredded rubber may then be heated and then poured, injected and/or pressed into the mold. In one embodiment, the mold will include ribs and nubs on the internal surfaces to form channels  18  and pockets  20  on pad  10 . Upon cooling, the mold is removed to provide a pad  10  having a desired size based on the mold used, and having channels  18  and pockets  20  as described hereinabove. Pad  10  made from 100% comminuted rubber tires will not crack, break or rot.  
         [0019]     While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.