A vehicle suspension comprises an axle supported at each end by a respective axle box and respective spring means acting between each axle box and an associated rigid vehicle mounting. The spring means has an effective spring center which acts at a point between the axle center and the associated axle box so as to reduce the radius of operation of the suspension in a yaw condition as compared with conventional suspensions in which the effective spring center acts at the axle box. The spring means comprises a pair of spring units arranged one on each side of the axle and each spring unit comprises layers of elastomeric material sandwiched between reinforcement elements.

Disclosed is an added damping and stiffness structural element for use in optimizing the design of buildings and structures subjected to earthquake, wind or other forces that induce vibratory oscillations in buildings or structures. The added damping and stiffness element comprises conventional structural engineering materials having high shear, tension and compression moduli for transferring force from one point in a structure to another point that experience relative displacement during vibratory motion of the building or structure, and viscoelastic polymers or rubber material having lower compression, tension, and shear moduli than the structural component and also having high energy dissipation properties that absorb the majority of the strain deformation that occurs between the two points of the structure. In addition, this teaching includes the elucidation of the engineering design process which incorporates added damping and stiffness elements to optimize the earthquake response performance of structures. Specifically, the added damping and stiffness element or a plurality of the added damping and stiffness elements are placed at strategic locations in buildings or structures in such a way as to achieve two engineering design process objectives: (1) provide controlled deformation and stiffness in structures to increase the non-damaging cyclic energy capacity of structures, and (2) to increase damping in structures thereby reducing and/or minimizing the cyclic earthquake energy demand on structures. While the added damping and stiffness element is generally applicable for wind induced vibrations, earthquake induced vibrations, and vibrations induced by other types of forces, this teaching is directed primarily at earthquake vibration response design optimization.

A trailer the spring for boat trailers the spring being readily fabricated from corrosion resistant materials and in particular aluminum, stainless steel and polymeric materials. The trailer spring has a base which is secured to a frame component. An elongated beam is pivotly attached to one end of the base such that the other end of the beam can pivot in relation to the base in a vertical fashion. Positioned between the pivoting end of the beam and the base is a section of an elastomeric material which may be compressed between the pivoting end of the beam and the base. The section of elastomeric material may be retained in a holder. In the preferred embodiment the beam has a U shaped cross section which has upstanding sidewalls which project around the base and the horizontal frame component when the spring is compressed. The projection of the beam around the base and frame component tends to increase the transverse stability of the trailer. Integral with the subject trailer spring is the trailer axle. The trailer spring of this invention is used in pairs.

A frameless self-steering radial wheeled support vehicle for a railroad car body includes: (a) a pair of wheelsets, (b) a support at opposite ends of each wheelset for independently mounting a railroad car body on each end of the wheelset, (c) resilient shear pads for mounting each support upon an end of a wheelset, which pads permit both lateral and yaw movement of a wheelset relative to its supports, and (d) a linkage connecting adjacent ends of each wheelset constraining the wheelsets to yaw in opposite sense and permitting lateral movement of one wheelset relative to the other.

A cantilevered bearing damper assembly has an elastomeric camping section which is maintained essentially entirely in a shear stress condition during lateral deflection of an annular bearing secured to the assembly.