A System of Complete Isolation of Buildings and other Construc- tions, Machines, Vehicles, and Apparatuses of all kinds, with the Object of Deadening Vibrations and Shocks.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1888
Specification Accepted, 17th Aug., 1888
A System of Complete Isolation of Buildings and other Construc-
tions, Machines, Vehicles, and Apparatuses of all kinds, with
the Object of Deadening Vibrations and Shocks.
I, GUSTAVE CHARLES ANTHONI, of Levallois Perret in the Department of the Seine,
and Republic of France Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to a system of complete isolation of constructions, machines,
vehicles and apparatuses of all kinds with the object of deadening vibrations and shocks.
Machines and tools in motion, vehicles of all kinds-structures buildings, etc.,
transmit or undergo vibrations and shocks the multifarious inconveniences of which
are known. For example, the disastrous effects produced by the trembling of the
earth in the vicinity of steam hammers, the noise and the shocks or shaking caused
by transmissions of motion or connection gear fixed to walls and floors, the vibrations
and the jolting of vehicles in motion etc., etc., are all well known.
In certain particular cases, it has been sought to lessen these inconveniences by the
aid of foundations of more or less elastic materials such as frameworks of wood or
blocks of Asphalt, but all these palliatives have proved insufficient.
The problem to be solved cannot receive a satisfactory solution unless the picces
experiencing vibration or submitted to shocks are entirely isolated from the adjoining
pieces by an elastic body. Any rigid contact, however limited, is sufficient to transmit
the tremblings or vibrations almost in their entirety.
My invention has precisely for object a system of complete elastic isolation which
deadens shocks, prevents the transmission of vibrations and lessens the noise resulting
therefrom.
Several elastic bodies may be used for this purpose, but I give preference to india-
rubber, both on account of its natural qualities, and of the various degrees of resistance
and of suppleness which may be given to it in the course of manufacture and which
permit its adaptation to all kinds of applications.
I have indicated, as example on the accompanying drawings, the various modes of
using india-rubber which I have imagined, according to the various applications, in
view of insuring complete isolation.

page_text: Whatever may be the shape of the piece of india-rubber, it is necessary, in inserting
it between rigid parts, to insure its free expansion and to give it a thickness sufficient
to prevent its flattening, under the action of the shock, being instantaneous. It is also
useful, in certain applications, to protect it, by a covering, against the action of oil or
other agents which might injure it.
Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings show several examples of arrange-
ments for preventing the sliding of the india-rubber and for covering it.
Throughout the drawings S, S, indicates upper and S I lower surfaces.
Sliding commonly takes place when the ground is not quite level.
The coverings are each fixed to one of the two pieces to be isolated. The upper
cover covers the lower one leaving everywhere sufficient play for the free expansion
of the india-rubber under the maximum pressure which it is intended to bear.
It is better, when, oil is to be feared, not to pass bolts through the blocks of india-
rubber, but to place them at the side of the blocks.
Figures 1 and 2 show the India-rubber held by flanges and angle iron. Figs. 3
and 4 show it held by ☐ shaped iron the ends of which are raised to prevent the india-
rubber coming out.
The india-rubber with flange, fig. 2, which resists lateral displacement, must be so
calculated as to have sufficient surface to resist horizontal force or pressure.
In Fig. 5 the upper and lower covers serve for several washers.
In Figs. 6 and 7 the india-rubber is arranged so that the upper cover can never
touch the lower, the two covers being independent of each other.
The upper cover Fig. 8 is arranged with inclines or bevels all around, which, by
further compressing the india-rubber, better preserve the plumb of this covering.
Fig. 11 shows in perspective the form of the india-rubber used in fig. 10.
When there is a cross or connecting tube, or when the piece to be isolated is
entirely surrounded by india-rubber and thus extends between the two covers; these
latter touch and may be united by a bolt passing through the whole, or as shown
fig. 12, by a bolt, drawn on the left, or a groove or slot, drawn on the right, and
likewise held in its position by a bolt.
To obtain complete isolation of two pieces tied together by elastic and isolating
fastenings, these latter must be firmly fixed to one of the pieces, so that they are
as of one piece therewith, they must then be completely isolated from the other
piece.
The principal ties or fastenings are:-the isolated bolt, fig. 15 fixed by one or both
ends, isolated by a tube and two washers or by one or two cones of india-rubber;
the strap fig. 16, the screw fig. 17.
The isolated bolt joins the two pieces together, while leaving to the india-rubber all
its elasticity.
To isolate the bolt from the piece which it is to attach an isolating tube of india-
rubber T must be interposed, then two plugs, pads, or washers of india-rubber at the
two ends of the bolt; the first washer or foundation washer F, is placed between the
two parts to be isolated and is calculated to support the weight; the second india-
rubber washer, or reaction washer R, is placed between the piece to be isolated and
the washer of the nut; this india-rubber washer deadens the shock, due to the reaction
which follows the flattening and which, without it, would break the bolt. The
reaction washer may be thinner than the foundation washer, because it has less to
support.
2"
Covers and spread the pressure over the two india-rubber washers and protect
them from oil or dirt.
The piece thus isolated, may move in every direction, without ever meeting the bolt
or its nut; it will be as if electrically insulated and the vibrations will be completely
extinguished by this elastic and isolating fitting, or arrangement.
The load is sometimes supported by the india-rubber tube, made eccentric on the
side upon which it is to flatten and placed horizontally, which then becomes a
foundation tube T F, fig. 17, because it bears the load, the two washers become
isolating washers R, I.

page_text: The flattening of the foundation washer F, under the load, the vibration or the
shocks, is compensated by the expansion of the reaction washer R, first tightened to
an extent previously determined and invariable. To exactly limit the squeezing or
compression of the india-rubber, the tightening up of the nut must be limited, either
by screwing the nut E close up to its washer r, and on the shoulder limiting the screw
thread of the bolt, or, which is preferable by the use of a tie tube or cross tube
figs. 15, 16, and 17, placed around the bolt, the stems of the straps or the screw, and
within the isolating india rubber tube; it is then certain that the fitter cannot make
a mistake and will be compelled to give the determined tightening; the cross tube or
tie-tube comes against metal washers which spread the pressure. This cross-tube
is of sufficient strength to resist the pressure of the nut which may therefore be firmly
tightened close up; further, it absolutely prevents the nut or the head of the bolt
from starting back against the piece to be isolated, which may happen with the limited
screw-thread.
The bolt is securely fixed to one of the pieces in various ways, particularly by
riveting, by screwing it close against its shoulder, with a shoulder or collar and
counter-nut, fig. 18, or with the cross tube Fig. 15, which is the simplest means.
The strap is fixed in like manner by two cross-tubes which limit the tightening of
the two nuts of the strap. The cover entirely covers the 'india-rubber excepting at
the point of passage of the isolated part P I.
The tightning of the screw fig. 17 is also limited by the cross tube, or the screw
has a limited screwing, bearing against a washer.
To facilitate the setting up, the bolt is fixed, either to the upper or to the lower
surface and it is isolated from the other surface by leaving around it the place of the
cross-tube and of the isolating india-rubber tube.
This place will be made either in the frame of the machine, or in one of the upper
or lower surfaces hereinafter described, choosing the piece in which it is easiest to
pierce or reserve holes of sufficient diameter to receive the isolating tubes. In fixing
the frame at the upper surface, it will generally be more easy to lodge the isolating
tubes in this latter, instead of enlarging the holes of the frame.
If one of the surfaces which is to receive the isolating tube is too thin, fig. 14, an
iron tube, of a length corresponding to the lateral pressure, is riveted in the isolating
tube within suitable limits.
Also, if the isolating tube is to be held in a piece having for section a double T,
fig. 18, a tube is riveted in the two sole pieces or in a special piece attached by rivets
or bolts.
The isolating tube may be placed in the axis of a foundation block or outside of
these blocks.
When the india-rubber tube cannot be easily placed, one of the fastenings figs. 19
to-24 is used. The india-rubber isolating tube may be cylindrical, conical, or bi-conical,
of circular or square section; the bolt may be fixed by one end only as we have just
seen; it is preferable to fix it by both ends, to one of the supports, the form of which
varies according to the applications; this avoids the false bearing or divergence of
the bolt fixed at one end only. The conical tubes replace with advantage the isolating
tube and the reaction washers. With the cylindrical tubes, figs. 18 and 20, foundation
and reaction washers must be used to complete the setting up, and in certain cases, as
in fig. 20, sufficient lateral play must be left.
The conical pieces are all tightened or squeezed by screws which permit varying
the elasticity which it is desired to give to the united piece.
A sole-plate with ears or lugs SO, fig. 21; permits varying the pressure of the
india-rubber on the surface of the bolt.
In Fig. 24, one of the pieces is surrounded by india-rubber; the part a, b, is
arranged to increase the surface in contact with the flanges of the india-rubber which
here forms the isolating tube.
3
Having thus described the various arrangements which may be used to obtain
complete isolation, I will indicate various practical applications which clearly show
the industrial mechanical, or manufacturing side of my invention.

page_text: Application to Vehicles. It has for effect to lessen the noise of the body or frame,
to make the vehicles last longer and give greater easiness of suspension; finally to
lessen the draught.
To isolate the spring of the axle use is made of the arrangement shown fig. 25. The
two straps B, B, are made one with the spring and the cover with inclines S, S, by the
cross-tube or tie-tube t and the nuts screwed home; the pin g of the spring, which
passes through this cover renders any sliding of the spring in relation to the axle
impossible. The stems or arms of the strap are held in the widened holes of the
bearing plates by the cross tubes and isolated by the isolating india-rubber tubes T.
The foundation washers F and the reaction washers R complete the isolation of the
spring and of the cover.
If it is desired to entirely hide the india-rubber, covers and are added which,
by limiting the screwing up of the nuts permit dispensing with the cross-tubes.
The india-rubber may have flanges, as in fig. 26, to surround the foot, or bottom, or
bearing plate and replace the isolating tubes in giving a larger surface of india-rubber,
limiting the transverse movement.
The inclined parts i, i, of the cover S, S, increase the compression of the blocks of
india-rubber F, all around, with the object of better preserving the plumb of the
springs, while leaving them independent and completely isolated from the axle.
Figure 26a shows a variation of the arrangement fig. 26, in which the holes are
replaced by notches.
For strong axles, the arrangement shown fig. 27 may be adopted, in which the
straps only fix the cover to the spring; rods independent of the strap, fixed to the
cover, attach it to the axle as in fig. 25.
For axle without spring bearing plate, the necessary plate required to support the
block F may be attached by recessed straps as shown Fig. 27.
Figs. 27 shows another arrangement in which there are no rods passing through
the bearing plate which is held by the washers F with flange, and R. This latter is
kept in place by the bolted covers r, i. The plate is not perforated.
When the spring is to be fixed under the axle with two or four straps, the arrange-
ment shown figs. 28 and 29 will be used having an elastic and isolating supporting
collar.
The plate must be on the axle and not beneath it, as is usually fitted. A supporting
collar having a flange all around at the upper part, receives the india-rubber washer
which rests upon the plate and is flanged to serve as isolating tube. Covers with
flanges, i, bolted to the collar, make it one with the axle and hold the reaction
india-rubbers R. Straps fix the spring to the collar. This fitting lowers the centre of
gravity or permits using higher wheels.
To isolate from the body or frame a cross spring the arrangement shown fig. 24 is
used. The upper part is fixed under the body; the spring is fixed to the isolated
plate p, . An analogous arrangement might be employed to obtain an elastic traction
which lessens the draught of carriages.
The isolation of the standard and of the body is obtained by an arrangement shown
fig. 10, by using india rubber in the shape of wedges, between which the standard is
introduced, both bolts fixed to the body pass through this standard, with isolating and
cross-tubes, and the nuts tighten on the covers r, s, and r, i, which come the one on
the other, entirely hide the india rubber, and leave the passage with the accessary
play for the cross support. Fig. 11 shows a section of the india-rubber at the bolt.
Fig. 12 shows an analagous arrangement, but without bolt; longitudinal sliding is
here opposed by transverse flanges of india-rubber entering recesses reserved in
the standard.
Another arrangement may be used and each standard may be isolated by two
elastic and isolating fastenings, fig. 19, with cranked rod fixing it to the body by the
support p, 8.
The standard is bolted to the support pi, which may be placed below or above,
by modifying the height of p s.
The isolation of the fore carriage and of the body is realised by the arrangement

page_text: shown fig. 23, fastening with bi-conical india-rubbers, and consequently with optional
squeezing or compression, permits isolating the ring or circle of the fore-carriage
from the body. Two fastenings are placed parallel with the axle of the carriage,
fig. 23, and the lower supports pi are bolted on the ring; then to the foot or lower
plates pi are bolted the riding bolster or transom bed and the support, which are
independent of the fore-carriage, which is only connected therewith by the four
supports ps and which are securely bolted to the body which is thus isolated from the
fore-carriage. The desired compression is given to the india-rubber by turning the
cylinder C, screw-threaded in opposite directions, which brings the two cones closer
together or further apart, thereby varying the compression of the india-rubber at
pleasure. This cylinder acts directly on the conical bobbins BC or by the inter-
mediary of small bobbins b c. The supports ps, may be fixed directly to the body.
To isolate the under frame or carriage from the body in waggons, carts, omnibuses
etc., bands or strips of india-rubber and covers are placed, figs. 6 to 9, between the
top of the cross-pieces of the fore-carriage and the underneath of the bed plate or of
the body; the two parts are united by one of the isolating fastenings figs. 13 to 24.
At the back, the same fittings is used under the spring fastenings and under
the transverse support. The support of the cross spring may be replaced by the
arrangement shown fig. 24, which suffices for isolating this spring.
In tramways and railway trucks or waggons this same fitting is used between the
under-frame carriage and the body fig. 6 to 9 and 13 to 24.
Fig. 19, in adding an axle box around the axle, shows the arrangement to be applied
to the wheels of vehicles, to isolate the axle-box from the nave of the wheels. To
prevent the conical bobbins BC from sliding in the nave, their circular section must
be toothed, as shown fig. 33. Projections or lugs cast with the box are in the axis of
the exterior projections of the india-rubber, place for which is reserved in the navo
of the wheel.
Isolation of transmission Gear.--To connect end to end two shafts which are to
actuate each other without transmitting shocks; to remedy beforehand a lowering or
slipping of level, in avoiding vibrations and noise, and in giving a great easiness of
rotation, the elastic and isolating coupling fig. 34 may be used. This coupling is
shown in section fig. 33; it is composed of two plates with wings or projections fixed
at each end of the two shafts to be coupled, which are provided with double collars to
prevent any longitudinal displacement. The inner plate has its exterior projections,
the outer plate on the contrary has inner projections; the space between these two
plates is filled by a toothed or serrated ring of india-rubber.
To isolate the pedestals of transmission gear, foundation washers are placed under
the projections reserved for the adjustment, or in the hollow or recess between these
projections. Any adjustment of the bottom of the pedestals and of the top of the
brackets or supports is needless, a simple scouring is sufficient.
The pedestals are connected to the brackets or supports by isolated bolts, with tie-
tube or cross tube, and the re-action washers fig. 15.
If, because of the foundation washers, an unequal flexure of the pedestals is feared,
the pedestals and the supports must be made as one; fixing these latter on a floor
which will be isolated from the wall. In this way the pedestals cannot displace or
shift excepting with the shaft, on the foundation blocks.
Isolation of the rails of railways tramways etc.-The object of this isolation is to give
more clasticity to the way, to insulate the rails electrically and by giving an easier
rolling, to lessen the noise ordinary resulting therefrom.
The india-rubber may be placed under the cross-sleepers or under the axis of the
rails, but the first means would be somewhat costly. In placing it directly between
the rail and longitudinal sleepers or between these latter and the substructure or
foundation care must be taken to unite them by elastic fastenings.
Upon a bridge or a viaduct, the india-rubber laid upon a course of sheet iron or of
double T iron of the foundation, directly supports the rail; it is held laterally by angle
irons, fig. 30, which are equally distant from the foot of the rail, which is held by
fastenings, such as are shewn fig. 20. The two rails are always cross-tied so that the

page_text: slight lateral movements possible with the india-rubber can only take place by both
rails moving together.
On the ballast, fig. 31, the arrangement is modified for the lower longitudinal sleeper
which has two lateral flanges to give it hold in the ballast and angle irons to
secure the india-rubber laterally: A double T iron, fig. 32, would answer the
same purpose.
Isolation of one or several machines, of parts of workshops, and of other construc-
tions. I may isolate, upon a same upper surface, all the tools which may give shocks
or vibrations in a workshop; the driving engine and the transmission gearing are
also fixed by suitable supports. All the machines being bound together, the tensions
of the belts have no variation and all work as usual, but with a general oscillating
motion and the vibrations, entirely localised in the isolated parts, can no longer be
communicated to the adjoining fixtures.
The transmission gears may be isolated apart as I have already described; in this
case the movements of the machines isolated on the floor and of the transmission
gear fixed to the walls being no longer bound together, in some cases stretchers must
be used, unless in each case the transmission belts may be placed in a direction per-
pendicular to that of the oscillating movement of the tool or of the machine; thus, if
this oscillating movement is horizontal, the belt should be vertical and reciprocally.
Instead of isolating part of a workshop, if there are no close neighbours, only the
offices need be isolated, the drawing office in particular.
In the same way certain parts of a building may be isolated starting from any floor
and even the entire building, if independent of any party wall, thus, the shakings
resulting from the passage of vehicles, above all of those heavily laden may be avoided.
It is only necessary to choose the two suitable upper and lower surfaces and to
completely isolate them the one from the other by one of the means indicated.
The practical problem is generally reduced to the isolation of several apartments,
bedrooms, drawing-rooms and studies for example.
To isolate one in a building, the flooring must be removed and an upper floor S S
made resting upon india-rubber and nowhere touching the walls, to which it may be
connected by hangings; otherwise a complete inner chamber of woodwork must be
constructed independent of the room and isolated from every part thereof by the means
indicated. The space of less than an inch will be covered, at the doors and at the
windows by hangings and curtains. If the doors open inward, a part of the old
flooring must be left as far as they open, a great defect which would be avoided in
providing isolation in constructing a new building.
To avoid the shaking or vibrations produced by the engines, I may either isolate
them from the rest of the Vessel, or isolate certain parts of the ship, the first class
accomodation for example.
Metallic construction with water tight compartments, permits easy realization of
completo isolation, with modifications of little importance, during the building of the
vessel; the complete isolation is also effected by one of the means indicated. By
reason of the oscillations resulting from the rolling and pitching, the sides should also
be furnished with blocks of india-rubber and elastic and isolating fastenings, so as to
support the load under good conditions, even in the most unfavorable cases of
inclination.
If the engines are isolated, their bulk will be increased as much as possible, by
fixing them on caissons the interior of which will be loaded as much as possible, both
by cargo of the greatest density and a part of the coal bunkers; the vibrating motion
of the engines will be amplified by the isolating fitting, especially if all the movable
parts of the machine are not perfectly balanced. If there is no cargo the caisson will
be filled with water or ballast.
If it is proposed to isolate the first class accomodation, it will be well to isolate

page_text: one or more complete watertight compartments, to isolate a considerable total weight,
and have all the more stability.
My system of complete isolation is applicable also to the foundations or beds of
machines, tools, or apparatus of all kinds, foundations which I make independent of
the surrounding earth by resting them on elastic cushions, while the lateral faces
remain at a certain distance from the sides of the pit, or are connected with these sides
by pieces of india-rubber of appropriate form, elastic-fastenings for example. Fig. 35
shows an example of the arrangement employed.
A pit of the desired dimensions is dug until a suitable soil is reached and the earth
is upheld by walls or metal linings. The ground is leveled and preferably covered
with sheet iron to well spread the pressure. In certain cases beans will be placed
under this sheet iron.
A channel is formed around the foundation, deep enough to receive the sweepings,
between two cleanings, without coming level with the sheet iron.
The india-rubber isolators are laid upon this sheet iron foundation and covered with
a second sheet iron, above which is laid a flooring, upon which is constructed the bed
or masonry of the foundation.
The various parts of the foundation (upper sheet iron, flooring, masonry) are
united by bolts, the heads of which are accessible, owing to openings made in the
ground. The space between the bed or masonry and the sides of the pit is sufficient
for visiting. This space covered, at the ground level of the works, by a movable
flooring leaving play, as I have shown to the left of fig. 35, or taking the form shown
to the right of this figure.
In case it should be desired to easily replace the india-rubber cushions, which would
only happen at very long intervals, they may be enclosed between two metalic pieces
as shown fig. 36. It will only be necessary to compress the ends of these pieces, by
movable presses, to bring them closer to each other and easily withdraw them.
It is prudent to plate or in some way strengthen the block of masonry to prevent
any dislocation.
In certain cases the masonry may be replaced by a timber framework or be reduced
to a flooring, which are tied to the ground by the elastic fastenings described, to give
them more stability.
Instead of constructing masonry or a bed on the spot, a metal caisson may be used
which is afterwards filled with heavy materials, and, preferably, sand. This permits
the builder to deliver the engine with its bed, and the foundation work is limited to
an excavation of the soil. The caisson has an opening at its upper part and one at its
lower part to permit the introduction and removal of the sand. The whole (Engine
and bed) may therefore be shifted without difficulty or expense.
Whatever may be the system adopted for the construction of masonry or bed, the
complete isolation of the foundation has for effect to prevent the shaking and the
shocks being transmitted to the other parts of the works or to continuous habitations.
The working of the engine suffers in no way; there are only some precautions to be
taken, for example, in fitting the belts, which will be provided with stretchers, if they
go from the engine (which slightly displaces itself) to transmission gear fixed to the
walls or to the floors. Also, the steam pipes, if there are any, will have parts curved,
or horn shape in order that they may follow the displacement of the engine. It is
useless to dilate largely upon these details of setting up which will be understood by
any mechanic.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
The novel means above described of deadening shocks and vibrations, as well as
their various industrial applications; specially
1. The combination of pieces of india-rubber of variable shapes, with the upper
surfaces S S and lower surfaces SI of the pieces to be isolated, these pieces possessing,
or not, suitable covers and bevels, and further permitting the free expansion of the

page_text: india-rubber as I have described it referring to figures 3 to 12 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. The various modes of attachment or tieing of the pieces to be united, by the aid of
bolts, straps or screws, variously arranged, according to the applications, but always
entirely isolated from one of the pieces, by the aid of india-rubber tubes or washers,
the bolts being provided, or not, with cross-tubes or tic-tubes t and habitually com-
bined with the india-rubber plates or washers F and R, as I have described referring
to figures 13 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The various modes of fastening the pieces to be united, by the aid of bolts,
surrounded, instead of isolating tubes, by conical pieces of india-rubber which may
also replace the reaction washers, and, further, lend themselves easily to tightening, as
I have described referring to figs. 19 to 24 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The application to vehicles of the means of isolation described and particularly,
the isolation of the spring and of the axle, represented figs. 25, 26, 26a, 27, 28 and
29; the isolation of the body and cross-spring represented Fig. 24; the isolation of
the standard and of the body represented figs. 10, 11, 12 and 19; the isolation of the
fore-carriage and of the body, represented fig. 23, the isolation of the under-frame
and of the body by one of the arrangements represented figs. 6 to 9 and 13 to 24.
5. The application of the means described to the isolation of transmission gear
and particularly by the arrangement shown figs. 33 and 34 for the junction or coupling
of shafts end to end.
6. The applications of the means described to the isolation of rails of railways,
tramways etc., as I have indicated referring to Figs. 30, 31 and 32 of the accompany-
ing drawings.
7. The application of the means described to the isolation of one or several engines
or machines, of parts of workshops, of constructions of any kind, apartments, floors
or entire houses, in the manner set forth in this specification.
8. The application of the means described to the isolation of the engines, of steam
vessels by isolating, preferably, watertight compartments, in the manner and for the
purpose set forth in this specification.
9. The application of the means described to the isolation of the masonry or
foundations forming the beds of Engines, tools, and all kinds of apparatuses, as I
have indicated referring to figures 35 and 36 of the drawing whether the bed be made
on the, spot or constituted by a caisson afterwards loaded with sand or other heavy
materials.
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