Shock Isolation Device

This invention relates, in general, to shock isolation devices for isolating and protecting delicate electronic devices from vibration and shock. One example of such a shock sensitive device is a disk drive for a computer; which, if subjected to excessive shock, could be irreparably damaged. Such a device has been known to cost hundreds of dollars and therefore it is desirable that it be protected. It is of further concern, that damage to a disk drive could also result in the loss of data to a user who was unaware of the damage.

Thus manufacturers of computers have normally tried to isolate disk drives from shock to prevent such damage. Typically such isolators have consisted in several individual mounting devices each, of which, have to be applied between the device to be protected and the frame of the overall carrier. The individual application of numerous shock protective mountings to a single device to be protected is time consuming and not cost effective. Hence the need arises for an improved device for isolating a shock sensitive device from disturbances which may be incurred by the carrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,332 issued Jan. 18, 1972 is one example of a device for protecting a shock sensitive article. The device includes a plurality of suction mounts and bumper devices distributed around a container for the purpose of isolating a shock sensitive article. It is clear from the patent that assembly of such a device is labor intensive.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,303 issued Sept. 4, 1984 shows another example of a device for protecting a sensitive article from vibration. In that patent, hard brackets each having one side coupled to a support and a pair of surfaces attached to the shock sensitive article have the article engaging surfaces shock isolated from the support by means of elastomers located along the corners of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,513 issued Feb. 22, 1966 shows a triangular shaped resilient support for protecting a shock sensitive article. A plurality of such supports are used to protect a single article.

While such prior art devices are satisfactory in the uses for which they were designed, there is still a great need to provide a shock isolating device for shock sensitive articles which combines a section for releasably holding the shock sensitive article with shock reducing mounting sections in a unitary supporting device.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a shock isolating device which may easily be attached to the shock sensitive article and which may also be easily mounted in the carrier.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a shock isolating device which may securely engage the shock sensitive article but is not attached thereto.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a shock isolating device which requires a minimum of attachment points to support a shock sensitive article.

These and other desirable objects of the invention will become apparent hereinafter after consideration of the specification and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In accordance with the present invention, a shock isolating device is disclosed for supporting a shock sensitive article wherein the shock isolating device comprises a unitary support member formed of a flexible resilient elastomeric material having a center section adapted to releaseably retain a shock sensitive article and further including end sections integral with the center section for connecting the center section to the carrier and for also providing shock isolation. The end sections extend in opposite directions from the center section with the distal end of each end section provided with a mean for accommodating attachment to the carrier. In a preferred embodiment, each end section is generally triangular in form with the distal apex serving as the point of attachment to a carrier.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and desired objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevation view of the shock isolation device and further includes a portion which is in cross-section.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a plurality of devices according to the present invention installed in a carrier and having an article to be isolated shown therein.

Referring to the drawings, a shock isolating device 10 includes a center section 14 and a pair of end sections 16 which extend outwardly in opposite directions from each end of the center section. The shock isolating device is preferably made in one piece from a flexible resilient material such as synthetic or natural rubbers. Suitable synthetic elastomers include silicone, neoprene and butyl rubbers. The center or strap section 14 is used to releasably retain a shock sensitive article 34 which may; for example, be a computer disk drive. Releasably retaining means that requires no further fastener other than the strap or center section itself is necessary for retaining the strap and the article in assembly. In a sense, there is an interference fit between the strap and the article to be retained.

Each end or isolator section 16, is in the shape of a triangle or trapezoid having an apex section 18, a base leg 28 opposite the apex section and a pair of convergent-divergent legs 20 which convergent portions join at the apex 18 and which divergent portions are connected at the base of the triangle. From the drawing it is clear that the end or isolator section 16 may be viewed as a triangle or trapezoid depending upon the width of the apex section. The apex section 18 is distal or remote from the base of each triangular end section and the base is integral with the strap or center section. Each end section or isolator 16 is formed with a cutout portion or opening 30 which is also generally triangular in shape.

Fastening means are also provided for the isolator or end section 20 whereby the shock isolating device may be mounted to a carrier 12. In one embodiment, fastening means includes a hole or bore 26 which is formed through the apex of the end section. Furthermore, a bolt 32 and a nut 40 may be used to attach the isolator to a carrier as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a threaded nut 42 may be mounted or molded into the apex of an end section whereupon during assembly of the shock isolating device to a carrier a male threaded member may be inserted into the nut 42. The nut may made from plastic. While the two different embodiments have been shown in FIG. 1, it is usual that one or the other of the same embodiment be consistently used for a particular isolator.

From FIG. 2, the advantages of the shock isolation device according to the present invention are clear. The article 34, to be protected, is inserted into the strap or center section 14 of the shock isolation device 10. The shock isolation device is comprised of a relatively flexible and resilient material which tightly engages the shock sensitive article thereby obviating any further means for retaining the article within the center section 14. Thereafter, attachment to a carrier or housing such as the interior of a computer central processing unit is made by fastening means at the apex of each end section. This arrangement provides a secure shock isolation mounting with a minimum of attachment points. The amount of shock isolation which is provided by the invention is a function of the elasticity of the material employed in forming the shock isolation device and the dimensions of each of the end sections which would be apparent to those having skill in the art.

While there is shown what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, other modifications may occur to those having ordinary skill in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of appended claims.