U.S. patent number 3,782,788 [Application Number 05/210,439] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-01 for movable and tiltable bearing, especially for bridges.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kober AG. Invention is credited to Reinhold Huber, Waldemar Koester.
United States Patent |
3,782,788 |
Koester , et al. |
January 1, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
MOVABLE AND TILTABLE BEARING, ESPECIALLY FOR BRIDGES
Abstract
The present movable and tiltable bearing is suitable for
supporting heavy loads, such as bridges, by means of an elastically
yielding pressure cushion, for example, made of rubber, which is
surrounded by retaining ring means. In one embodiment one ring
encircles the cushion middle portion to leave gaps above and below
the ring. In another embodiment two rings are provided, one inside
an annular cushion, the other outside of the annular cushion. Two
rings are also used to surround a top and bottom region of a
cushion whereby to leave a gap between these rings to permit the
tilting movement.
Inventors: |
Koester; Waldemar (Forsbach,
DT), Huber; Reinhold (Rorbas, CH) |
Assignee: |
Kober AG (Glarus,
CH)
|
Family
ID: |
25760234 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/210,439 |
Filed: |
December 21, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 24, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
P 20 63 745.0 |
Mar 26, 1971 [DT] |
|
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P 21 14 662.3 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/73.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01D
19/04 (20130101); F16C 29/00 (20130101); F16C
23/00 (20130101); E01D 19/041 (20130101); F16F
1/3713 (20130101); F16C 29/002 (20130101); E01D
19/047 (20130101); F16C 33/22 (20130101); F16J
15/127 (20130101); F16C 2350/00 (20130101); F16F
2236/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01D
19/04 (20060101); F16J 15/12 (20060101); F16C
33/22 (20060101); F16C 23/00 (20060101); F16F
1/371 (20060101); F16F 1/36 (20060101); F16C
29/00 (20060101); F16C 33/04 (20060101); F16c
027/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;308/3R ;277/180
;14/16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Myhre; Charles J.
Assistant Examiner: Grossman; Barry
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fasse; Wolfgang G.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a tiltable bearing for heavy structures wherein a pressure
cushion is arranged between an upper bearing surface forming part
of said heavy structure and a lower bearing surface forming part of
a supporting structure, whereby a given spacing is provided between
said bearing surfaces, said pressure cushion having a
circumferential surface, an upper wall facing said upper bearing
surface, and a lower wall facing said lower bearing surface, said
circumferential surface of the pressure cushion connecting said
upper and lower walls of the cushion; the improvement comprising
cushion confining upper and lower ring members each having an inner
surface surrounding at least a portion of said circumferential
cushion surface, said upper and lower ring members having a
combined height less than said given spacing to provide a gap
therebetween of sufficient height to permit a tilting movement,
said gap being simultaneously sufficiently small in height for
controlling horizontal displacements of the bearing, and means for
providing a form-fit between said inner surfaces of the ring
members and said circumferential surface of said pressure cushion,
said form-fit means permitting a relative gliding movement between
the inner surfaces of the ring members and the circumferential
cushion surface.
2. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein said
circumferential cushion surface has a given height, said ring
members having a total height corresponding to more than one half
of said given cushion height.
3. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein at least said
upper ring member comprises an inner surface facing the pressure
cushion, which surface widens toward the gap.
4. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein said means
for securing said ring members comprise means for rigidly
connecting at least one ring member to its respective bearing
surface.
5. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of said bearing surfaces comprises means for reaching with a
form-fit into the respective ring menber.
6. The tiltable bearing according to claim 15, further comprising
plate means, means for anchoring said plate means to the respective
bearing surface, said plate means reaching into the respective ring
and resting against the inner surface of the ring.
7. The tiltable bearing according to claim 6, further comprising
means for rigidly connecting said plate means to the respective
ring.
8. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein the pressure
cushion comprises groove means in its circumferential surface.
9. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, wherein the pressure
cushion is annular and wherein said ring means comprise an upper
outer ring, an inner outer ring, an upper inner ring, and a lower
inner ring, said annular pressure cushion having an inner
circumferential surface against which the inner rings rest to
provide a further gap therebetweeen, said further gap substantially
registering with said first mentioned gap.
10. The tiltable bearing according to claim 9, further comprising
means for rigidly connecting at least one of said rings to the
respective bearing surface, a bolt, means for elastically
supporting said bolt at its top and bottom sides against the
respective bearing surface, said bolt being located with play
within said inner rings.
11. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, further comprising
means for slidably supporting the bearing relative to one bearing
surface, said slidable supporting means comprising a layer
preferably made of polytetrafluorethylene.
12. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, comprising a bearing
surface having two opposite parallel side walls, said pressure
cushion and rings being slidably supported with respect to said
side walls.
13. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, further comprising
reinforcing plate means in said pressure cushion, said plate means
being located in a region of the pressure cushion registering with
said gap.
14. The tiltable bearing according to claim 1, further comprising
sliding surface means located between the ring means and the
adjacent circumferential surface of the pressure cushion, said
sliding surface means being connected to the ring or rings.
15. The tiltable bearing of claim 1, wherein said upper and lower
ring members have a total height, as viewed in a direction
perpendicular to said bearing surfaces, corresponding to at least
one half of said given height of said pressure cushion.
16. The tiltable bearing of claim 1, further comprising means for
securing said upper and lower ring members to the respective
bearing surfaces.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a movable and tiltable bearing, especially
for heavy loads such as bridges or similar supporting structures,
wherein a pressure cushion having rubber-elastic characteristics is
arranged between an upper and lower supporting or bearing surface
of the supporting structure.
Such bearing means are known as so called rubber bearings or
elastomeric bearings. The elastic resiliency of the elastomer
permits horizontal movements and tilting movements in all
directions to a limited degree. In order to prevent that the
elastomer, for example in the form of a plate-shaped pressure
cushion, which is mostly polygonal or circular, is squeezed out
laterally by the load, prior art constructions have reinforced the
pressure cushion by strengthening means such as steel plates or
synthetic sheets or layers strengthened by fibers. This
construction resulted in an areal bearing which is practically
unyieldable in the vertical direction due to the reinforcement for
preventing the lateral escaping or yielding of the pressure cushion
material. However, tilting movements and horizontal displacements
of the upper bearing surface relative to the lower bearing surface
of the supporting structure are possible. The sum of the
thicknesses of all rubber layers determines the capacity of the
bearing for the horizontal displacement and the tilting movement,
since the strengthening means are not deformable.
Another prior art tiltable bearing has a pressure cushion
surrounded at its circumference by a plurality of rings which are
supposed to prevent or substantially limit transverse expansions of
the pressure cushion under loads. Such bearing has been disclosed
in German published application No. 1,803,312 wherein the
reinforcing inserts inside of the pressure cushion have been
replaced by rings, thus avoiding non-permissably high tensile
forces at said reinforcing insert. The total height of this known
pressure cushion is selected in accordance with the desired
tiltability and movability. An increase of the tiltability by
increasing the height of the pressure cushion, results
simultaneously in an increase in the horizontal
displaceability.
In many instances, it is desirable that these bearings should be
highly tiltable while simultaneously having a small horizontal
displaceability.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims at achieving the following objects singly or in
combination:
To overcome or alleviate the drawbacks of heretofore known movable
and tiltable bearings, especially for bridges and similar
supporting structures;
To provide a bearing which, although small in height, is
characterized by a high tiltability and a comparatively low
horizontal displaceability; and
To construct these bearings so that they are rather stiff against
horizontal displacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the pressure cushion is
circumferentially enclosed by one or two rings such that the total
height of the non-enclosed circumferential area of the pressure
cushion is large enough to assure the desired tiltability, but
simultaneously small enough to limit the horizontal
displaceability. As a rough guide for dimensioning the present
bearing, the circumferential area of the cushion enclosed by the
ring or rings should have a height greater than one half of the
height of the pressure cushion. In other words, the ring or rings
should have a height corresponding to more than one half of the
pressure cushion height.
According to one example embodiment of the invention, the pressure
cushion is surrounded by a ring which rests against its
circumferential surface and which is freely movable and spaced from
the supporting bearing surface whereby the ring is held by the
pressure cushion approximately in a middle horizontal plane of the
bearing, for example by elastic and form-fitting means such as a
tongue and groove.
Another example embodiment comprises an upper ring resting against
the upper supporting bearing surface and a lower ring resting
against the lower supporting bearing surface whereby a
circumferential gap is provided between the two rings which permits
sufficient tilting movements of the bearing.
These teachings of the invention have the advantage that the entire
height of the pressure cushion is available for the tiltability
whereas the horizontal displaceability depends on the height of the
pressure cushion which is not enclosed by the ring or rings.
Since the resistance or stiffness of the bearing to tilting
movements, as distinguished from its movability due to tilting, is
likewise determined by the height of the circumferential area not
enclosed by the rings, that is, by the gaps, the invention provides
a tiltable bearing having small dimensions and a simple structure
and nevertheless good tiltability characteristics while being
sufficiently resistant to tilting and to horizontal movement.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now
be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross section through a tiltable bearing according to
the invention wherein the pressure cushion is surrounded by one
ring;
FIGS. 2 to 6 are partial cross sectional views through
modifications of the tiltable bearing according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross section through a sliding or gliding bearing
according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of a fixed bearing with an
annular cushion;
FIG. 9 is a cross section through a sliding bearing with an annular
cushion and arranged permitting sliding in one direction only;
FIG. 10 is a cross section through a tiltable bearing with two
circumferential rings rather than one;
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate modifications of the tiltable bearing of
FIG. 10, in cross section, whereby the embodiment of FIG. 12
includes reinforcing inserts;
FIG. 13 is a cross section through a bearing that is slidable and
tiltable and which has two circumferential rings;
FIG. 14 illustrates a cross section through a movable sliding
bearing with two circumferential rings whereby the bearing is
movable in a predetermined direction; and
FIG. 15 is a fixed bearing with two inner and outer circumferential
rings each.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings the same reference numerals have been used for
designating the same or corresponding parts.
The tiltable bearing shown in FIG. 1 comprises a pressure cushion
1, for example made of rubber or plastic material, and a ring 2,
for example made of steel, surrounding the cushion. Upper and lower
supporting bearing surfaces 3 and 4 respectively are formed by the
supporting structure, for example a bridge member 5 and a
foundation member 6 bearing or resting against the pressure
cushion. The ring 2 is provided with a circumferential groove 7
approximately in a plane extending horizontally through the middle
of the ring. A circumferential rib 8 around the pressure cushion 1
forms a tongue which engages the groove 7 in a form-fitting manner.
Thus the ring 2 is rigidly secured to the pressure cushion 1.
However, outside the tongue and groove engagement, the pressure
cushion 1 rests elastically and slidingly against the inner
circumferential surface 11 of ring 2. Surface 11 is substantially
cylindrical. Since the ring 2 is secured to the pressure cushion 1
merely by the groove 7 and tongue or rib 8 and since a gap 9 is
provided between the ring and the members 5 and 6 of the supporting
structure, ring 2 may move freely with respect to the supporting
structure when the bearing is under load by the supporting
structure.
When the pressure cushion is deformed sliding movements occur at
the inner circumferential surface 11 of the floatingly supported
ring 2. These sliding movements merely slightly impede the free
shear deformation of the pressure cushion 1 in the area of its
circumference. The inner edges of the ring 2 are rounded in order
to prevent damage to the pressure cushion in the vicinity of said
inner edges. Preferably, the pressure cushion 1 is a circular disk,
however, it may have any desired and suitable shape, for instance a
polygonal shape. The inner circumferential surface 11 of ring 2 is
fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the pressure cushion
1. The outer circumferential surface of ring 2 may be geometrically
similar to the inner circumferential surface 11, but this is
optional and the outer circumferential surface of the ring 2 may
have any desired shape, that is it may be, for instance,
rectangular or polygonal.
The form-fit between the pressure cushion 1 and the ring 2 which
operates as a self centering of the ring relative to the pressure
cushion, may be accomplished by curved circumferential surfaces on
the ring as well as on the pressure cushion, for instance by making
these surfaces concave or convex as viewed relative to a vertical
plane, whereby a relative movement between the marginal or
circumferential areas of the pressure cushion with respect to the
inner circumferential area of the ring is made possible along the
entire width of the ring.
The pressure cushion 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a cross sectional,
convex circumferential surface whereas the ring 2 has a
correspondingly curved concave inner circumferential surface 11a.
Due to these curved surfaces, the ring is attached to the pressure
cushion in a form fitting manner. In addition, a further form-fit
may be provided in the central plane of the ring. More
specifically, in FIG. 2 this is realized by a circumferential
groove 7a in the ring 2 and a circumferential rib 8a on the
pressure cushion 1 fitting into the groove. The curvature of the
surfaces may be selected in accordance with the tilting movement of
the supporting structure that is to be expected in practice. The
ring 2 of FIG. 2 has a greater vertical height then the pressure
cushion 1. The upper and lower bearing surfaces 3a and 4a
respectively of the structures 5a and 6a of the load and foundation
rest on the pressure cushion 1. Therefore, these supporting
surfaces 3aand 4a extend into the ring 2 sufficiently to form a gap
9a so that the free movement of the ring 2 is assured. The
embodiment of FIG. 2 permits a rather small horizontal movement of
the bearing since the circumference of the pressure cushion 1 is
almost completely supported by ring 2. On the other hand, the
entire height of the pressure cushion is available for its
tiltability due to the the gaps 9a above and below the ring 2. The
width of the gaps 9a determines the extent of the tilting
movement.
FIG. 3 shows the slidable bearing according to the invention. A
sliding layer 12 is embedded preferably in the upper, outer surface
of the pressure cushion 1. The sliding layer 12 is slidably movable
on a sliding plate 13 of the adjacent structure 5. The ring 2 has a
convex cross sectional surface, where it faces the pressure cushion
1 whereas the latter is provided with a respective concave
circumferential surface.
It is to be understood that the circumferential surface of the
pressure cushion in the embodiment of FIG. 2 as well as of FIG. 3
may be straight or cylindrical in cross section whereby a
corresponding curvature or indentation of the circumferential
surface will result when the cushion is pressed by the load against
the inner circumferential surface 11a or 11b of the ring 2
respectively.
The bearing according to FIG. 4 has a convexly curved inner
circumferential surface 11b. The circumferential surface of the
pressure cushion 1b is provided with a reinforcement 1a having a
higher modulus of elasticity. The reinforcement 1a forms also a
ring which in this embodiment rests at the top and bottom side of
the pressure cushion 1b against plates 14 and 15 which are large
enough to cover the cushion proper as well as the reinforcement 1a.
This reinforcement assures that the pressure cushion 1b will not be
squeezed out of the gaps 9, 9a between the ring 2 and the upper and
lower supporting structure 5 and 6. In addition, the reinforcement
1a further improves the resistance of the bearing against
horizontal displacements. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the
reinforcement 1a extends all around the circumferential surface of
the pressure cushion 1b. However, these reinforcements may in other
embodiments extend only in the area of the gaps 9, 9a. Both types
of reinforcements may, to a certain extent, contribute to a
transfer of the horizontal force by the bearing. Incidentally, the
plates 14, 15 cooperate with the ring 1a in the overall
reinforcement of the pressure cushion 1b. These plates 14, 15 may
be rigidly attached to the cushion proper or a form-fit may be
provided between the cushion and these plates.
FIG. 5 shows an advantageous combination of the bearing according
to the present invention with customary structural forms. The
pressure cushion 1 is provided with reinforcing plates 21, 22 and
23, 24 in its regions outside of the ring 2. This location of the
plates 21 to 24 in regions outside the confinement by the ring 2,
permits a displaceability in a direction perpendicularly to the
axis of the bearing. On the other hand, the regions outside the
ring and particularly the region inside the ring 2 permit for the
tilting and rotation. Especially the region within the ring 2
contributes to this movability since no reinforcement plates are
provided in this area so that it may be deformed by shearing forces
to the fullest extent.
The bearing according to FIG. 5 is further provided with a sliding
layer 2a between the inner circumferential surface of the ring 2
and the cushion proper. This sliding layer 2a improves the sliding
of the circumferential areas of the pressure cushion on the ring 2,
whereby a better shearing deformation of the pressure cushion in
these areas is accomplished. Such sliding layer 2a may be provided
on all the embodiments shown in the drawings not just in the
embodiment of FIG. 5.
A particular advantage of the sliding layer 2a is seen in that it
serves as a separating layer during the production of the bearing.
If the layer 2a is made of a suitable separating material, the
pressure cushion 1 may be directly vulcanized into the ring 2 or it
may be hardened directly within the ring 2 without running the risk
that the pressure cushion adheres to or becomes glued to the ring
2. The reinforcing plates 22 and 23 may also extend into the ring 2
or rest against the same, however, the arrangement has to be such
that they do not interfere appreciably with the tiltability of the
bearing. Preferably, the sliding layer 2a is directly secured to
the ring 2.
As a modification, instead of providing a sliding layer 2a, the
rings may be made of a synthetic material which is preferably
reinforced by fibers, such as glass fibers whereby the synthetic
material is selected to have the desired sliding characteristics.
However, metallic or synthetic material rings may also be used and
provided with a metal or other coatings which are formed or
selected to provide a corrosion resistant and sliding layer.
In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, an area 1d, which completely
envelopes the pressure cushion 1, is reinforced. In such a
structure, the interior of the pressure cushion may have plastic
characteristics whereby the plastic deformation may change into an
elastic deformation toward the outer regions of the cushion.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the tiltable
bearings according to the present invention may be constructed as
sliding bearings. For instance, a sliding plate may be provided
which slidably rests against one of the supporting surfaces and
which is connected to the pressure cushion in a rigid or a form-fit
manner and, if desired, the glide plate or plates may extend into
adjacent areas of the ring.
The sliding plate may be guided in the adjacent supporting surface
so that it permits a sliding movement in one direction only as is
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7, wherein a portion 31a of a
slide plate 31 covering the pressure cushion 1 extends into a
recess of the upper supporting structure. The plate 31 reaches with
its outer circumference into the ring 2 and rests against the inner
circumferential area of the ring. The portion 31a of plate 31 is
slidingly guided and rests against guiding surfaces 5b and 5c of
said recess in the supporting structure having side walls lined
with sliding layers 34a and 34b which act as guiding surfaces and
permit the sliding movement only in one direction, namely
perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing.
In addition, the top surface of plate 31 which forms an annular
area around the portion 31a is covered with a sliding layer 33
which rests against the supporting surface 3 of the structure 5.
The bottom side of the bearing cushion 1 is provided with a plate
32 which likewise extends into and engages the inner
circumferential surface of the ring 2. Plate 32 may be connected to
the supporting structure 6 in a form-fit manner. This bearing is
capable of transmitting horizontal forces in one direction and to
yield in a direction extending perpendicularly to said one
direction because of the rail-like guiding surfaces 5b and 5c. If
the bearing is to be rotatable about a central axis only, the
portion 31a of the plate 31 and the guiding surfaces 34 will be
cylindrical.
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, the
pressure cushion has an annular shape, the inner circumference of
which may be supported by one ring or by two rings extending over a
part of the height of the ring 2. One or two holding bolts
connected to the supporting structure may reach into the inner ring
or rings supporting the inner circumference of the annulus for
securing the bearing in a fixed position. If in these embodiments
only one holding bolt extending from one bearing surface is
provided, this one bolt may be held in a guiding means in the
supporting structure for permitting a shift or displacement of the
bearing.
Referring further to FIG. 8, the annular pressure cushion 35 is in
sliding contact at its inner circumferential surface with an inner
ring 36. Thus the bearing of FIG. 8 is constructed as a fixed
bearing. The inner ring 36 is held by the pressure cushion in a
form fitting manner in the same way as the ring 2 carried by the
outer circumferential surface of the pressure cushion 35. Bolts 37
and 38 secured to the supporting sructures 5 and 6 extend from both
sides into the inner ring 36 thereby leaving a gap 39 between the
ring 36 and bolts 37, 38 for permitting the free movability of the
ring 36. A gap 40 is further left between the end faces of the
bolts 37 and 38 so that the bearing may also be vertically
displaced. The bolts may be made of an elastically yielding
material or elastically yielding intermediate layers may be placed
into the gap 38 between the bolts and the inner ring.
The bearing of FIG. 9 is constructed as a sliding bearing in a
manner similar to that of the bearing illustrated in FIG. 7 to
permit a sliding movement of the upper structure with respect to
the lower structure but in one direction only. An annular pressure
cushion 35 is provided which is supported at its inner
circumference by an inner ring 36. A bolt 38 extends into the inner
ring 36. The bolt 38 is provided adjacent to its upper portion 41
with two parallel guiding surfaces which extend into a guiding
groove 42 in the upper structure 5. Between the guiding surfaces of
the bolt 38 and the side walls of the groove 42 there are located
sliding layers 34a and 34b. The guiding groove 42 extends
perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing and has a depth
sufficient to leave a gap above guiding portion 41 of bolt 38 to
permit the inner ring 36 to adjust itself freely in the vertical
direction.
In still another embodiment of the invention two confining rings
may be used. One of the advantages of this embodiment is that the
two rings engage the bearing surfaces of the supporting structures
and are secured to these structures to permit a better connection
of the bearing to these supporting surfaces. At least the inner
surface of the upper ring which faces the pressure cushion may
flare outwardly but toward a center extending horizontally through
the pressure cushion to thereby describe, for instance, a
frusto-conical-circumferential surface. Such a shape of the inner
surface of the rings provides a good hold of the rings on the
pressure cushion and accommodates the deformation behavior of the
pressure cushion under a load.
Referring to FIG. 10, the tilting bearing shown therein comprises
again a pressure cushion 1 which is supported on its outside by an
upper ring 16 and by a lower ring 17 which rest against the upper
and lower supporting surface of the supporting structures 5 and 6
respectively. A gap 18 is left between the rings 16 and 17 to
permit tilting movements and corresponding small horizontal
displacements of the bearing when the pressure cushion is deformed.
In the vicinity of the gap, the pressure cushion has a
circumferential groove which becomes narrower in the vertical
direction when a load is applied to the bearing. In order to
control the deformation of the cushion in the area of the rings 16
and 17, the interior ring surfaces which contact the pressure
cushion are inclined outwardly and widened in the direction toward
the gap 18.
At least one of the two rings 16 or 17 may be rigidly connected to
the respective supporting surface, for instance, by a form-fit
between the ring and said supporting surface. Such a form-fit may
be achieved by a plate or shoulder which is anchored in the
supporting surface and which extends into the ring while resting
against the inner surface of the ring. Advantageously, the plate or
shoulder may be rigidly connected to the ring. Various
modifications are available for rigidly connecting one or both
rings to the supporting surface, depending on the type of bearing
and the type of load to which the bearing will be subjected.
In the tiltable bearing shown in FIG. 11, the pressure cushion 1
has a surface layer 1d which completely envelopes the pressure
cushion and is harder than its core 1b. In the vicinity of the gap
18 between rings 16 and 17, there is again provided a groove 19
formed in the surface layer 1d. The structure members 5 and 6 on
the supporting structure have shoulders 5a and 6a respectively
which engage the rings 16 and 17 in a form fitting manner. These
shoulders, or one of them, may be plates rigidly secured to the
respective structural member and reaching into the respective ring
or being secured thereto. However, the rings may also be directly
secured, as by welding, to the supporting structure. The embodiment
wherein a plate or plates supported by the respective structural
member reaches into the confining ring to which it is also secured
is especially suitable for constructing a gliding bearing, whereby
a glide layer may be embedded in the plate or in the plate and in
the ring which glide layer cooperates with a glide plate of the
respective supporting surface.
The horizontal movability of the tiltable bearing according to the
invention may be restricted further by increasing its resistance to
shearing forces in the area of areas of the pressure cushion which
are not surrounded by the ring or rings as compared to the enclosed
areas of the pressure cushion. This may be done,for instance, by
reinforcement layers or by reinforcing the circumferential zones of
the pressure cushion that are not enclosed by the rings.
Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 in which reinforcement
layers 20 are provided within the pressure cushion 1 in the area
between the rings 16 and 17, opposite the gap 18. These
reinforcements may be plates extending parallel to the bearing
surfaces 3 and 4. These reinforcement layers 20 in the area of gap
18 control the shear deformation of pressure cushion 1 depending on
the load, whereas the areas outside ring 16 and 17 permit a tilting
or rotating about horizontal axes.
FIG. 13 shows a slidable bearing in which a plate 31 of a sliding
material, such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), is inserted in the
upper ring 16 which itself is convered by a layer 25 of the same
material. A sliding plate 13 is provided at the bearing surface 3
and cooperates with the layer 25 and with the plate 31. The lower
ring 17 rests against the other bearing surface 4 through a layer
26 made of a material having only a relatively low elastic
deformability. A plate 34 is inserted into the ring 17 and rests on
the bearing surface of the support structure 6. The glide plate 32
is anchored in the bearing surface of the supporting structure 6 by
bolts 27. In addition to the groove 19 in the pressure cushion 1 in
the area of the gap 18 there are further grooves 26' provided in
the area of the upper and lower edge of the pressure cushion.
FIG. 14 shows a slidable and tiltable bearing which is slidable
only in one preferred direction, in this instance, the direction
extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. For this
purpose, the upper supporting surface 28 is extended to form a
channel with supporting side walls 30 which confine the rings 16a
and 17a for movement only in said one direction. Between the rings
16a and 17a there are arranged sliding layers 29 against which the
rings 16a and 17a rest in a sliding manner. A sliding plate 31a
extends into the upper ring 16a. The plate 31a extends over the top
of the ring 16a and rests slidably against the supporting surface
28. Similar to the arrangement according to FIG. 13, the lower ring
17a is provided with a plate 32 extending into the lower ring and
fixed with respect to the lower supporting surface 4. Preferably,
rings 16a and 17a have a straight or cylindrical outer contour.
FIG. 15 illustrates a fixed bearing with an annular cushion 1c as
in FIGS. 8 or 9. In addition to the outer rings 16 and 17, inner
rings 43 and 44 are provided in the annular pressure cushion 1c so
that the cushion rests laterally against the inner and outer rings.
A bolt 45 extends with play into the inner rings 43 and 44. Bolt 45
is supported by the structural members 5 and 6 by means of elastic
layers 46 and 47 respectively. If said play between bolt 45 and the
inner rings 43, 44 is sufficiently small horizontal forces may be
transmitted by the bolt 45 from inner ring 44 to inner ring 43.
The features of the bearings of FIGS. 14 and 15 may be combined to
construct a bearing for permitting displacement in one direction
only in which the inner bolt 45 transmits horizontal forces from
the inner ring 43 to the other inner ring 44. In this arrangement,
the displacement of the structural members 5 and 6 with respect to
each other is limited to said one direction and in addition the
tilting movement is controlled to take place solely in a direction
extending parallel to said one direction.
The bearing according to FIG. 15 may also be constructed in
accordance with the features mentioned in connection with FIG. 9
whereby the bolt 45 would be guided in one or the other of the
members 5, 6 so as to slide in a preferred direction.
As will be evident from the above, various modifications of the
present tiltable bearings are possible. For example, the features
of the bearings described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 9 may be
employed singly or in combination with the bearings according to
FIGS. 10 to 15 and vice versa.
The features of the tiltable bearing according to the present
invention may also be advantageously combined with heretofore known
bearings and the principles on which they are based. The
circumferential area enclosed by the ring or rings may also be
smaller than half the height of the pressure cushion. The present
bearings may be easily adapted to the various requirements of a
supporting structure, i.e., the present bearings may be used either
as a pure tilting bearing or as a fixed bearing or as a slidable
bearing. Where reinforcements are embedded in the cushion regions
not confined by said ring or rings, the gaps 9, 9a or 18 may
generally be larger than without these reinforcements.
In view of the foregoing, it is to be understood that it is
intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the
scope of the appended claims.
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