Elastomeric force mitigating joint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10605325-B2
Application number	US-201715460153-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2017
Priority date	Jun 8, 2011
Publication date	Mar 31, 2020
Grant date	Mar 31, 2020

Abstract

The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A joint for connecting carrier units, the joint comprising:
a joint housing comprising:
a head portion on a first side comprising an annular flange, wherein the annular flange is comprised of interior walls that define a hole and a counter bore therethrough; and
an elongated body on a second side, wherein the body comprises a bore extending longitudinally therethrough; and

an elastomeric insert positioned inside the counter bore of the annular flange, wherein the elastomeric insert comprises:
an outer ring;
an inner ring, wherein the inner and outer rings are connected together by supports;
a front gap;
a rear gap, wherein the front gap and the rear gap are at least partly defined by an inner wall of the outer ring and an outer wall of the inner ring, and wherein the front gap is larger than the rear gap; and
an elastomeric knob extending from an outer surface of the outer ring,

wherein the counter bore comprises a rear interior wall having a connecting lumen configured to receive the elastomeric knob therein, the connecting lumen contiguous with the bore extending longitudinally through the elongated body.

2. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the front gap is oriented toward a front side of the annular flange when the elastomeric insert is disposed within the counter bore and the elastomeric knob is disposed within the connecting lumen.

3. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the counter bore is greater than the diameter of the hole in the annular flange.

Assignees

• United States Postal Service

Inventors

• Close Donald R
• Bombaugh Scott R

Classifications

• Y10T29/4984

  Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts · CPC title

• F16F15/08 Primary

  with rubber springs {(grommet- or bushing-type resilient mountings F16F1/3732, F16F1/38); with springs made of rubber and metal (arrangement of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units B60K5/12; mounting of propulsion plants on vessels B63H21/30; mounting of vehicle drivers' cabs B62D33/0604)} · CPC title

• Y10T29/49872

  Confining elastic part in socket · CPC title

• B65G17/345

  the surfaces being equipped with a conveyor · CPC title

• Y10T403/54

  Flexible member is joint component · CPC title