Vibration dampening material and uses for same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a material adapted to reduce vibration and, more specifically, to a material adapted to dissipate and evenly distribute transmitted vibrations. The material is particularly suited for impact and/or heavy load vibration resistance.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness and wherein the areas of predetermined weakness comprise U-shaped cutouts in the foam layer,   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.   
     
     
         2 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness and wherein the areas of predetermined weakness comprise compressed portions of the foam layer,   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.   
     
     
         3 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness and wherein the areas of predetermined weakness comprise removed portions of the foam layer,   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.   
     
     
         4 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness and wherein the areas of predetermined weakness comprise parallel U-shaped grooves,   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.   
     
     
         5 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness and the foam material layer further comprising a plurality of vertical slits formed therein,   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.   
     
     
         6 . A vibration-reducing material comprising:
 a foam material layer comprising a plurality of projecting sections made of substantially rigid foam material and areas of predetermined weakness located within the foam layer between the projections to allow the vibration-reducing material to flex along such areas of predetermined weakness, the areas of predetermined weakness comprising grooves that form polygon shapes;   a high tensile strength material layer that distributes vibration to facilitate vibration dampening, the high tensile strength material layer being generally non-elastic in a direction generally perpendicular to a major material surface thereof; and   a continuous elastomeric material layer configured to absorb vibration;   wherein the high tensile strength material is located between the foam material layer and elastomeric material layer.