Patent ID: 8104236

Claim:
An isolation platform comprising: an upper plate upon which equipment to be supported is placed; said upper plate comprising a first plurality of downward-facing plate segments, each plate segment comprising at least one recessed rigid bearing surface and said first plurality of plate segments being linked by substantially horizontally extending connecting members comprising metallic bars; a lower plate supported by a foundation, said lower plate comprising a second plurality of upward-facing plate segments, each plate segment comprising at least one recessed rigid bearing surface and wherein said second plurality of plate segments is linked by substantially horizontally extending connecting members comprising metallic bars, disposed opposite and corresponding to said downward-facing plate segments, said downward and upward bearing surfaces defining a plurality of bearing cavities between said upper and lower plates; a plurality of rigid spherical balls interposed between downward and upward bearing surfaces; each of said downward and upward bearing surfaces comprising a central apex and having recess perimeters, each having a curvature, and a continuous planar slope which connects said central apices and recess perimeters; wherein, following an external vibration, said spherical balls and upper and lower plates displace laterally relative to one another and a restoring force damping continued movement of the plates is substantially constant; said platform structured so that, in response to an external vibration, said lower plates are displaced laterally with respect to said upper plates such that the rigid spherical balls therebetween roll about their respective bearing surfaces and are raised to higher elevations, and wherein the platform does not comprise a coil spring structured to restrain lateral movement during an external vibration.