Vibration or shock isolators with tension and compression springs arranged equiangularly in a rosette

摘要

An isolator includes a load bearing part arranged for deflection against the action of a series of compression springs and tension springs whose axes are pivotal with respect to the axis of deflection. The arrangement is such that the isolator can operate in a range in which an incremental increase in deflection causing compression of springs is such as to result in an incremental decrease in the restoring force of springs resolved along the deflection axis. The tension springs produce an increasing restoring force throughout this range, and the net result is a load/deflection performance in which a region of zero or near zero stiffness of the entire system, along the deflection axis, is provided, bounded by regions of positive stiffness.