Patent ID: 8136309

Claim:
A damper system for installation in a structure to dissipate energy transmitted to the structure, comprising: a first pair of elongated members of equal length and extending from a first node on the structure; a second pair of elongated members of equal length and extending from a second node spaced from the first node on the structure; a first pivot joint for pivotally connecting a distal end of one of the first pair of elongated members to a distal end of one of the second pair of elongated members; a second pivot joint opposite the first pivot joint for pivotally connecting a distal end of the other of the first pair of elongated members to a distal end of the other of the second pair of elongated members; a third pair of elongated members of equal length and extending from the first pivot joint; a fourth pair of elongated members of equal length and extending from the second pivot joint; a third pivot joint for pivotally connecting a distal end of one of the third pair of elongated members to a distal end of one of the fourth pair of elongated members; a fourth pivot joint opposite the third pivot joint for pivotally connecting a distal end of the other of the third pair of elongated members to a distal end of the other of the fourth pair of elongated members; and an energy dissipating device connected between one of the nodes and one of the third and fourth pivot joints for dissipating the energy transmitted to the structure.