Spring element

US4925163A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Woco Franz-Josef Wolf & Co. GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Franz J. Wolf · Salmünster, DE
• Hubert Pletsch · Salmünster, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 1989
• Grant date: May 15, 1990
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16F1/377
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring element (1) used for elastically supporting large loads. The spring element comprises an elastic rubber block having uniformly distributed spherical cavities (2) which are intersected by clindrical or prismatic channels (3) also formed in the rubber material. The channels (3) form groups of channels defining areas stacked on top of each other in the direction of the vector of a load to be supported, which areas neither intersect nor touch each other. These areas may be three-dimensionally-shaped areas, for example envelopes of a cone or corrugated areas, as well as mutually parallel planes oriented obliquely to the direction of the load vector. When projected onto a horizontal plane, the groups of channels (3) are either radially extending and uniformly angularly spaced if the areas are envelopes of a cone, or are mutually parallel if the areas are obliquely arranged planes. In no way, the channels (3) intersect or touch each other. Alternatively, an axial channel (6), which is at least open at one side, is arranged centrally in the direction of the load vector wherein none of the channels (3) or the spherical cavities (2) contact or intersect this…