Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/834,314 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/611,757, filed on Mar. 16, 2012, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/657,113, filed on Jun. 8, 2012 as well as to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/678,788, filed on Aug. 2, 2012. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to vibration dampeners and more specifically vibration dampening systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Vibration can be a nuisance or at times cause catastrophic consequences including personal injury and damage to property. Vibration occurs in many different forms, and regularly arises out of use of tools, equipment, and machinery common in everyday application. Vibration control and attenuation is important in preventing both injury and property damage. It is also important in preventing damage to structures either housing equipment or machinery, or upon which the equipment or machinery is being used. 
         [0004]    Vibration control and attenuation can be accomplished in many different ways. This includes passive control devices, active control devices, and hybrid devices. It is not uncommon for tools, equipment or machinery causing vibrations to utilize dampeners that in many instances are solid structures having a durometer appropriate for absorbing vibration. For example, machinery such as aircraft and motor vehicles have motor mounts connecting an aircraft or motor vehicle motor to the aircraft or motor vehicle structure where the motor mounts contain structures including solid blocks of vibration absorbing material, such as rubber, that will attenuate vibration resulting from the motor operation. These types of vibration control devices are limited in their ability to entirely reduce vibration due to varying degrees of vibrations that occur as a result of variations caused by the oscillations of a tool, equipment and machinery. Further, it is well known that in many applications tools, equipment and machinery have continuing vibration conditions that are not adequately addressed with current dampeners. In addition, hand held tools and firearms exhibit vibrations that are not adequately addressed with current applications, including solid dampening systems. Therefore, it would be an advantage to provide a vibration dampening system that counters or attenuates vibrations in a manner that accounts for variations in the direction and degree of oscillations but does not add significant cost or weight and burden to existing tool, equipment or machinery systems. 
         [0005]    Further, vibrations are known to cause injury, especially in applications where individuals control a tool, equipment or machinery that is vibrating during its operation. Injuries include vibration white finger (VWF), also known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or “dead-finger.” This is an injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating machinery. HAVS is a widespread recognized industrial disease affecting tens of thousands of workers. It is a disorder that affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. Good practice in industrial health and safety management requires that worker vibration exposure is assessed in terms of acceleration, amplitude and duration. For example, using a tool that vibrates slightly for a long time can be as damaging as using a heavily vibrating tool for a short time. Therefore, it is important to develop and implement systems that dampen and attenuate vibration, that addresses heavy vibration and lighter vibration that can occur for longer periods of time. 
         [0006]    In physics, dampening is an effect that reduces the amplitude of oscillations in an oscillatory system. Dampening can be achieved in an overdamp, critically damped, under damped and undamped result. The difficulty in addressing dampening of a vibrating system is accounting for variations in oscillations (vibrations) that in many instances change based on the operation of tool, equipment or machinery and associated motor/engine including its associated vibrating systems. Vibration dampening can be resolved through phase shifting occurring when a vibrating system is countered with a system that changes the oscillations in a manner that the oscillations are cancelled through phase differentiation. Therefore, it is desirable to develop and provide an economical system for dampening vibrations that is adaptable to wide application and will provide a safe and stable system for cancelling vibration in a wide range of vibrating systems. 
         [0007]    Vibration control is important not only to reduce injury to operators and passengers in the case of vehicles/aircraft applications, but is also important to reduce damage to equipment and machinery, including the surrounding structure of the vibrating source and associated equipment such as control equipment in an aircraft. Further, vibration control is necessary to reduce damage to cargo. In addition, vibration control is important for allowing control of the vibrating system. For example, control of hand held tool or equipment could be greatly increased with adequate vibration control. Without it, hand held equipment can become cumbersome and virtually uncontrollable for its operators. This can relate to simple equipment such as a hand held hammer drill or floor cleaning or polishing equipment that if uncontrolled will be difficult to move due to its inherent vibrations. 
         [0008]    In addition, it is important that the points of vibration control not create a weak link in a tool, equipment or machinery. Therefore, it is necessary to have a robust structure, having vibration dampening capability that adequately addresses the problems created by vibration but does not create structural weakness problems. Lastly, vibration may not be necessarily linear but frequently is multi-directional and results in permeation of vibration throughout a system or structure. Therefore, linear shock absorbers and other systems that are adept at reducing vibration in a linear direction are inadequate for multi-directional applications. Therefore, it would be an additional benefit to provide a system capable of vibration dampening in a multi-directional application. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention addresses this long-felt need and issue by providing a vibration dampener and/or dampening system that reduces vibration significantly while not impacting the use of the system being utilized. 
         [0010]    The present invention addresses this long-felt need and unresolved issues by providing a vibration dampener and dampening system that reduces vibration significantly while not impacting the use of the device including tool, equipment or machinery being utilized. It is therefore one object of the invention to attenuate and control vibrations thus reducing damage or injury. It is the further object of the invention to provide an economical solution to control of vibration. Another object of the invention is to provide a system that is robust enough to work in a variety of different applications, but further is scalable to be used in large equipment or machinery such as motor systems including applications such as aircraft or motor vehicles, but may also be used in smaller applications such as hand held tools or equipment or even instrument panels, including control systems in aircraft or motor vehicles. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a vibration control system utilizing at least three connectors between two members defining parallel planes having a central axis perpendicular to the parallel planes with the three connectors being substantially equally spaced circumferentially around the central axis and having a dampening element disposed in the connectors. In an embodiment the connectors are in a direction facing the central axis. In an embodiment, a third member substantially parallel to the first two is connected through three additional substantially equally spaced connectors that may also be directed towards the central axis. In an embodiment the three connectors have disposed within themselves a dampening material that includes at least a material of a first durometer that is adequate for reducing a vibration and may be connected to the material of a second durometer. In cooperation, the first and second material reduce and attenuate a wide range of vibrational oscillations. In an embodiment, the vibration dampening system comprises three interconnected vibration dampening layers with the first layer interconnected with a second layer, and a second layer interconnected with a third layer. As stated, the layers or members have at least three vibration dampening connectors that are each substantially equally spaced and aligned toward a central axis running through each of the three layers. Alternatively, the connectors may be include a mix of some connectors directed towards the central axis and others may be parallel to the central axis or perpendicular to the central axis. Each connector has disposed within it vibration dampening element. The vibration dampening elements may be materials of the same or varying durometers at each point of connection and further may have a combination of materials with different durometers within a single connection point. The vibration dampening element may alternatively be a magneto-rheological damper, a viscous fluid damper or an inertial damper including an electronically controlled inertial damper. Each vibration dampening system having two or three layers with vibration dampening element interdisposed in the connections are referred to as “pods.” Vibration dampening may be accomplished with having a single pod connected at a vibration connection point between a vibrating element and an associated connection such as an engine mount or may be disposed at any location along the system pathway between the vibrating element and associated components such as housing units, control systems, transportation components such as wheels, and various other locations, where vibration is apparent. In an embodiment where the vibration control system is used to reduce vibration in the machinery used for floor cleaning or polishing applications, the vibration dampener pod can be disposed between the machinery performing the polishing or cleaning application and separately in a handle or control arm connected indirectly through the pod to the vibrating system. Further, the handle or control arm can have separate wheels or casters, allowing for moving the floor polishing/cleaning system freely in multiple directions via the caster connections through the control arm. A similar embodiment is adaptable to a compacting machine such as a soil compactor. 
         [0012]    In embodiments, a pod or pods may be interdisposed at single or multiple locations in applications having a structural element, a vibrating element, a handle attachment, and a handle grip. In an additional applications, a pod or pods are positioned at the base of a seating system such as an aircraft seat to reduce vibration to the seat occupant. Additionally, pods may be disposed in various locations throughout an aircraft to reduce vibration in critical vibration areas such as engine mount areas or in the instance of military aircraft, locations including gun connections. Further application includes connections around control panels to reduce vibration to sensitive systems. Additional applications include connections at points where systems include a vibrating element such as home appliances including washers and dryers connect to the vibrating element or to the floor. For hand tools including any tool that has a vibrating element there is an application for having a pod or pods disposed between the vibrating element and any handle or handles on the tool. In addition, pods may be disposed in a single weapon, such as a machine gun, to reduce vibration to its operator. The pods may be used in virtually any application involving tools, equipment or machinery that create vibrations. 
         [0013]    In an additional embodiment, the invention provides for having an opening along the central axis of the pod wherein the opening creates a pathway for a tube or shaft thus allowing for providing a dampening of a system having a tube or shaft that potentially rotates within the pod. This also includes an embodiment having a bushing or bearing for interacting with the tube or shaft passing through the pod. This embodiment has particular application for oil well drilling, including a pod having an ability to allow for passing of fluids through the system in an application where it is connected to an inner tube and contained within an outer tube. 
         [0014]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vibration dampener system of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the vibration dampener system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cutout portion of the vibration dampener system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dampening element of the vibration dampener system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vibration dampener system of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of the vibration dampener system of the invention as embodied in a soil compactor machine; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the vibration dampener system of the invention as embodied in a floor cleaning machine; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the floor cleaning machine of  FIG. 7  in an alternative orientation; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the vibration dampening system of the invention embodied in a hand sander; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an arrangement for inclusion of the vibration dampener dampening system of the invention in a tool, equipment or machinery; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a second alternative inclusion of the vibration dampener system in a tool, equipment or machinery; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a third inclusion of the vibration dampener system; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a fourth inclusion of the vibration dampener system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a fifth inclusion of the vibration dampener system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a sixth inclusion of the vibration dampener system; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a top view of a third embodiment of the vibration dampener system of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a partial side view of the third embodiment of a vibration dampener system of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the vibration dampener system of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the vibration dampener system as seen in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a sixth alternative embodiment of the vibration dampener system of the invention embodied in a palm sander; 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is a top view of a portion of the vibration dampener system as seen in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is a top view of a portion of the vibration dampener system as seen in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the portion seen in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  is a top view of another component of the vibration dampener system of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vibration dampening system as seen in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  is a portion of the vibration dampening system showing a vibration dampening element; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vibrational dampener system of  FIG. 21  showing a vibration dampening element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    In the following figures like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views and embodiments. The following example is meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments for the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize various additional alternative embodiments. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a vibration dampener system  10  of the invention has a first tier  12 , a second tier  14  and a third tier  16 . The first tier  12  is coupled to the second tier  14  at three locations, including a first connection  18 , a second connection  20  and a third connection  22 . The third tier  16  is coupled to the second tier  14  at three locations including a fourth connection  24 , a fifth connection  26 , and a sixth connection  28 . The first tier  12  has three sets of flanges  30  interconnecting with a set of second tier flanges  32 . Third tier  16  is interconnected with the second tier  14  through a second set of second tier flanges  32   a  interconnected with a set of third tier flanges  34 . Each coupling between the first tier  12 , second tier  14 , and third tier  16  includes a dampening element  36  for isolating and dampening vibration within the vibration dampener system  10 . The dampening elements  36  include an opening  38  for receiving a rod  40  passing through each of the flanges and the dampening element  36 . The dampening element  36  includes end portions  42  and a middle indentation  44  for interconnecting with an opening in one of the flanges. The dampening element  36  is made from a material suitable for dampening vibrations, such as a rubber, plastic, polyurethane or other material known to those skilled in the art. Commercially available products include Tear-Resistant Light Duty Vibration-Damping Mounts by McMaster-Carr. But, other suitable dampeners are appropriate. This includes: a Lead Lag Damper manufactured by Lord Corporation; an inertial dampener; a Magneto Rheological dampener, a spring-based dampener; and combinations of any of the above-identified vibration dampening agents or modifications thereof known to those skilled in the art. This may also include systems know to those skilled in the art for adjusting the dampeners such as for adjusting the Magneto Rheological dampener or other active dampener type. 
         [0047]    In addition, the dampening element  36  may be an amalgamation of materials having differing durometer ratings. Thus, the dampening elements are adaptable to reduce vibration of differing degrees. Vibration detection pickup elements known to those skilled in the art may be used that are attached about the connections and/or the individual dampening elements for the purpose of evaluating the vibration effectiveness of the system. 
         [0048]    The first tier  12 , second tier  14  and third tier  16  are made out of a rigid material such as metal, including steel, suitable for withstanding the forces existing in the environment, where the vibration dampener system  10  is being deployed. Other materials of adequately rigidity for transferring vibrations to the isolators are suitable. Advantageously, the thickness, size and dimensions of the tiers, flanges, rods, and dampening elements can all be scaled up or down in a manner suitable for a particular application where vibration dampening is desirable. Common to the various applications and dimensions of the vibration dampener system components is tiers interdisposed with dampening elements as illustrated having at least three elements per tier where each element is generally directed toward an axis  33  perpendicular to a plane common to each of the tiers. This arrangement creates a complex of phase shifting and redirection of vibration back onto the dampening elements in a continuous manner. The flanges can be welded on to the tiers or otherwise suitably connected. Alternatively, the flanges may be stamped out of the tier and bent into position for interconnection with another tier. 
         [0049]    The vibration dampener system  10  is connected on a first side  46  to a vibration emitting source, or another component downstream from the vibration emitting source, and on a second side  48  to an area where vibration is not desirable, such as a control handle or other structure where it is desirable to reduce vibration. This includes but is not limited to tools, equipment or machinery such as: laundry equipment; air conditioners; pressure washers; landscaping equipment; hand tools; snow blowers; lawnmowers; HVAC equipment; part handling vibrators; construction equipment; weapon systems; cement mixers; kitchen appliances; oil well drillers; vehicles including aircraft, motor vehicles and boats; engine or motor mounts; and other devices. Further, the vibration dampener system  10  can be used individually in order to dampen vibrations or with additional tiers having a similar interconnection thus extending the vibration dampening effect through a wider area of interconnected tiers having multiple dampening elements. Each individual vibration dampener system is referred to herein as a “pod.” One or more pods can be used to dampen vibration. For example, several pods can be used in proximity to enhance vibration dampening over a wider area or pods may be interconnected to extend vibration dampening. As an example, more than one vibration dampener system  10  such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5  can be connected in series to increase vibration dampening. 
         [0050]    Thus, the vibration dampener system  10  is suitable for a wide range of applications and uses. It could, for example, be miniaturized to less than two centimeters (or even smaller) and used to reduce vibration when implemented between an instrument panel and an interior structure of a vehicle such as an aircraft. Alternatively, the vibration dampener system  10  can be scaled to a meter or more in diameter and include ten or more dampening elements at each tier for reducing vibration in the use of heavy machinery. 
         [0051]    Now referring to  FIG. 5  is a second embodiment of a vibration dampener system  100 . In the second embodiment, the vibration dampener system  100  has a first tier  12   a  and a second tier  14   a  that are interconnected by a first connection  18   a , a second connection  20   a , and a third connection  22   a . Flanges  30   a  are disposed circumferentially about the axis  33  central to the tiers. Second tier flanges  32   b  are disposed around the second tier  14   a  in connection. 
         [0052]    Second tier flanges  32   b  are disposed around the second tier  14   a  in connection with the first tier  12   a  flanges  30   a . Each connection between the first tier  12   a  and second tier  14   a  includes a dampening element  36  for dampening vibration within the vibration dampener system  100 . This embodiment of a vibration dampener system may also be scaled to a size appropriate for its vibration dampening application. It may also be integrated with the vibration dampener system disclosed in relation to  FIG. 1 . Common to the various applications and dimensions of the vibration dampener system components is tiers interdisposed with dampening elements as illustrated having at least three elements per tier where each element is generally directed toward an axis  33  perpendicular to a plane common to each of the tiers. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 6  is an embodiment of the vibration dampener system  150  incorporated into equipment  152 . The equipment  152 , in this instance, a soil compactor, includes an engine  154  for oscillating a vibrator  156  (hidden) that is connected to a vibrating element  158 , in this instance a soil compactor plate. A handle  160  is separated from the vibrating equipment  152  through the vibration dampener system  150 . The handle  160  is also connected to a roller  162  for contacting with the ground. The vibration dampener system  150  includes two pods of the first embodiment of the vibration dampener system  10  on each side of a central connection  164 . In operation, the engine  154  on the equipment  152  is started, causing the vibrator  156  to oscillate the vibrating element  158 . Advantageously, the vibration dampening system  150  dramatically reduces the amount of vibration to an operator holding the handle  160 . As a further advantage and benefit of the vibration dampener system is an increased ability to move the equipment  152  while in operation. Not only does the user of the equipment have a reduced risk of injury, the equipment is better controlled during its operation. Similarly, the vibration dampening system of the invention can be used in a wide range of applications including manual operation of equipment having a vibrating source. 
         [0054]    Although the equipment  152  is shown with an engine  154 , it could be adapted to use an electric powered motor as known to those skilled in the art including the use of power storage units such as batteries to power the motor. Advantageously, the vibration dampening system can be used between the batteries and the vibrating portion of the equipment  152  thus reducing wear on the batteries and promoting better longevity of the batteries. Further, the equipment  152  could include a power driving system known to those skilled in the art. The power driving system could also advantageously be coupled to the vibrating portion of the equipment  152  with the vibration dampening system. Further, the equipment  152  could include a control system known to those skilled in the art for allowing for remote operation of the equipment  152 . The control system could also be separated from the vibrating portion of the equipment  152  with use of the vibration dampening system. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 7  is another embodiment of the vibration dampener system  170  in connection with the use of floor cleaning equipment  172 . The floor cleaning equipment  172  includes a motor  174  connected to an oscillator (hidden) which is connected to an oscillating plate  176  used for cleaning a floor surface. The vibration dampener system  170  includes a first ring  178  connected to a second ring  180  with dampening elements  36  disposed therebetween as discussed in relation to the second embodiment of the vibration dampener system  100 . In this embodiment, the vibration dampener system  170  includes three connection points  182  (not all three are visible) for connecting the vibration dampener  170  to the floor cleaning equipment  172 . This includes additional dampening elements  184  for reducing vibration at the point of connection between the vibration dampener system  170  and the floor cleaning equipment  172 . The floor cleaning equipment handle  186  is connected at a first point  188  and second point (not visible) of the floor cleaning equipment  172  and is thus isolated from the vibrating portion of the equipment. The floor polishing equipment handle  186  is also connected to wheels  192 , in this case, casters. Thus, in operation, the operator of the floor cleaning equipment  172  experiences dramatically reduced vibration to his hands and arms. Further, the operator of this equipment has significant improved control over its movement when in operation, including movement in a lateral direction. Referring briefly to  FIG. 8 , the floor cleaning equipment  172  is shown with the handle  186  rotated to a locked position with pin  194  through openings  196 . Thus, the floor cleaning equipment  172  is advantageously placed into a position allowing for easy transportation when not in use. This embodiment demonstrates another variation on attaching a vibration dampening system of the invention to equipment in a manner that will significantly reduce vibration and allow for better operation of the equipment. The same type of embodiment may be widely used in various forms and on many types of equipment to advantageously allow for better vibration reduction and control of the equipment. 
         [0056]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , an embodiment of the vibration dampening system  200  is seen in use on a hand held tool  202 , in this case, a palm sander. This embodiment of the vibration dampening system is of the type disclosed in relation to  FIG. 5 . The vibration dampener system  200  in this embodiment is between a handle portion  204  and the hand held tool  202 , itself. In this embodiment, the user is isolated from vibration emitting from the hand held tool. As an alternative, incorporation of the vibration dampening system into a hand held tool or other application, more than one pod can be disposed between a handle and the tool itself. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the vibration dampening system of the invention  300 , including its various embodiments already disclosed, is illustrated in relation to other components of machinery or equipment as previously identified, thus showing alternative arrangements for inclusion of the vibration dampening system  300 . In  FIG. 10 , the vibration dampening system is between a handle grip element  302  and a handle  304  which is connected to a vibrating element  306  which in turn is connected to a structural element  308 . 
         [0058]    Now referring to  FIG. 11 , the vibration dampening system  300  is between the handle  304  and the vibrating element  306  with the vibrating element  306  connected to the structural element  308 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the vibration dampening system  300  is between the vibrating element  306  and the structural element  308  which in turn is connected to a handle  304 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the vibration dampening system  300  is between the vibrating element  306  and the structural element  308 , which in turn is connected to a handle  304 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the vibration dampening system  300  is between a handle grip element  302  and an isolated handle attachment  310  which is connected to a vibrating element  306  which in turn is connected to the structural element  308 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the vibration dampening system  300  is positioned on two sides of the structural element  308 , including between the structural element  308  and an isolated handle  310  on one side, and between the structural element  308  and the vibrating element  306  on the other side. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , another embodiment of the vibration dampener system has a first tier  12   b  and a second tier  14   b  that are interconnected by a first connection  18   b , a second connection  20   b , and a third connection  22   b . Centered between the first connection  18   b , second connection  20   b , and third connection  22   b  is a bearing assembly  402  coupled to an open tube  404 . The bearing assembly  402  is of the type generally known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, a plain bearing, sleeve bearing, rifle bearing, and flexible bearing. This coupling to both the tier and the open tube  404  provides for vibration control of a rotating tube or alternatively, a rotating shaft. For example, this has application in oil drilling. In this embodiment, the connections and related dampening elements are circumferentially disposed around the central axis  33  such that lines perpendicular to the axis of each rod  40  are directed generally towards the central axis  33 . This orientation is adapted particularly for reducing rotational vibration such as may occur in the instance of a tube such as an oil well drilling tube is rotating inside a well being drilled, but may also be used for other applications. 
         [0064]    Now referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , another embodiment of the vibration dampener system  450  includes a first tier  12   c  and second tier  14   c  interconnected by a first connection  18   c , a second connection  20   c , and a third connection  22   c . In this embodiment, lines passing through each of the connectors are parallel to the central axis  33  and equally spaced circumferentially around the central axis. 
         [0065]    It should be appreciated that the differing orientations of the connectors and related dampening elements may be combined on one or more tiers to account for supporting a load in addition to dampening vibrations. In each embodiment, at least three connections and related dampening elements have a relation to the central axis that provides for capturing and refocusing vibrations in a manner that provides for high efficiency in dampening the vibrations. 
         [0066]    Now referring to  FIGS. 21-29  is another alternative embodiment of a vibration dampener system  500 , embodied in a palm sander. In this embodiment, a first tier  502  is interconnected with a second tier  504  and also interconnected with a two-piece third tier  506 . The first tier  502  includes connectors  508  to an outer housing  510 . The first tier connectors  512  are interconnected with first tier connectors  514 . First tier connectors are also connected with third tier connectors  516  which are all disposed in a lower housing  520 . The various connectors are inter-disposed with dampening elements  522  for dampening vibrations. In this embodiment, it is demonstrated that the tiers while directing the connectors towards the central axis  33  can include tiers of different shapes and including a tier having more than one supporting member. As illustrated, this embodiment is suitable for use with a hand tool such as a palm sander, but is also adaptable to other uses as explained herein. 
         [0067]    The above disclosures may also include a monitoring system for a series of vibration structures isolated from one to the next. Vibration measuring sensor elements can be attached throughout the isolators and structures. The sensors are either wired or wirelessly attached to a display element. The display element may have as an element the ability to alert the operator of system failure. 
         [0068]    Thus, the vibration dampening system of the invention, including its various embodiments, provides a strong, stable, cost effective and scalable means of addressing the negative consequences of vibration. 
         [0069]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1