Vibration damper

Abstract

A vibration damper comprises a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate disposed on the vibration dampening structure. The vibration dampening structure includes a slip resistant layer and at least one foam layer disposed between the slip resistant layer and the load bearing plate. A resilient mounting layer is disposed on the load bearing plate. The vibration damper may act directly between an underlying support surface and equipment or may act between the underlying support surface and a sheet of flooring.

1 . A vibration damper comprising: 
 a vibration dampening structure; and    a load bearing plate disposed on said vibration dampening structure.    
   
   
       2 . A vibration damper according to  claim 1  wherein said vibration dampening structure includes a slip resistant layer and at least one foam layer disposed between said slip resistant layer and said load bearing plate.  
   
   
       3 . A vibration damper according to  claim 2  wherein said vibration dampening structure includes at least two foam layers of different densities.  
   
   
       4 . A vibration damper according to  claim 2  wherein said load bearing plate is formed of steel.  
   
   
       5 . A vibration damper according to  claim 2  further comprising a resilient mounting layer on said loading bearing plate.  
   
   
       6 . A vibration damper according to  claim 2  wherein said slip resistant layer has a contoured bottom surface.  
   
   
       7 . A vibration damper according to  claim 6  wherein the contoured bottom surface comprises an array of peaks and valleys.  
   
   
       8 . A vibration damper according to  claim 7  wherein dimensions of said peaks and valleys are selected to give the vibration damper a desired dynamic compression characteristic under load.  
   
   
       9 . A vibration damper according to  claim 8  wherein the relative densities of the slip resistant layer and the at least one foam layer are selected to provide said desired dynamic compression characteristic.  
   
   
       10 . A vibration damper according to  claim 9  wherein said slip resistant layer is formed of Styrenebutadiene Rubber and natural rubber mixed with polyurethane.  
   
   
       11 . A vibration damper according to  claim 9  wherein said vibration dampening structure includes at least two foam layers of different densities.  
   
   
       12 . A vibration damper comprising: 
 a slip resistant layer having a contoured bottom surface;    at least one layer of foam material disposed on a surface of said slip resistant layer opposite said bottom surface; and    a load bearing plate disposed on said foam layer.    
   
   
       13 . A vibration damper according to  claim 12  wherein said bottom surface is contoured to define an arrangement of peaks and valleys.  
   
   
       14 . A vibration damper according to  claim 13  wherein dimensions of said peaks and valleys are selected to give the vibration damper a desired dynamic compression characteristic under load.  
   
   
       15 . A vibration damper according to  claim 14  wherein the relative densities of the slip resistant layer and the at least one foam layer are selected to provide said desired dynamic compression characteristic.  
   
   
       16 . A vibration damper according to  claim 15  comprising at least two foam layers of different densities disposed between said slip resistant layer and load bearing plate.  
   
   
       17 . A vibration damper according to  claim 15  wherein said slip resistant layer is formed of recycled rubber product.  
   
   
       18 . A vibration damper according to  claim 17  wherein said slip resistant layer is formed of Styrenebutadiene Rubber (SBR) and natural rubber mixed with a polyurethane.  
   
   
       19 . A vibration damper according to  claim 15  further comprising a resilient mounting layer on said loading bearing plate.  
   
   
       20 . A vibration damper according to  claim 19  wherein said load bearing plate is formed of steel.  
   
   
       21 . A floating floor comprising: 
 a generally planar sheet of flooring; and    a plurality of vibration dampers acting between said sheet of flooring and an underlying floor surface at spaced locations, at least of said vibration dampers comprising a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate on said vibration dampening structure, said vibration dampening structure having a bottom surface to contact said floor surface.    
   
   
       22 . A floating floor according to  claim 21  wherein each of said vibration dampers comprises a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate.  
   
   
       23 . A floating floor according to  claim 22  wherein said vibration dampening structure comprises a non-slip layer defining said bottom surface and at least one foam layer acting between said non-slip layer and said load bearing plate.  
   
   
       24 . A floating floor section comprising: 
 a generally planar sheet of flooring; and    a plurality of vibration dampers secured to said sheet of flooring at spaced locations, each vibration damper comprising a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate thereon, said vibration dampening structure defining a bottom surface to contact an underlying floor surface on which said floating floor section is to be mounted, said load bearing plate being positioned adjacent said sheet of flooring.    
   
   
       25 . A floating floor section according to  claim 24  wherein said vibration dampening structure comprises a non-slip layer defining said bottom surface and at least one foam layer acting between said non-slip layer and said load bearing plate.