Patent ID: 7090207

Claim:
A seismic isolator for a structure supported on a mounting surface, the structure including a base having an inner surface facing the mounting surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, comprising: a load shaft having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted to be secured to the mounting surface, and the load shaft sized so that the second end of the load shaft extends beyond the outer surface of the base of the structure; an actuator having a mounting end adapted to be secured to the base and a driver spaced apart from the mounting end; and a resilient element including a friction spring operably interposed between the driver and the second end of the load shaft to allow relative motion between the mounting surface and the structure in the event of a seismic shock or other external applied force and to absorb or dissipate energy of such relative motion, thereby attenuating the effect on the structure of the seismic shock or other external applied force.