Shock and vibration dampening device

Abstract

A dampening device that includes opposing top and bottom walls, an annular inner side wall extending between the top and bottom walls, and an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the annular inner side wall. At least one portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape. The inner and outer side walls are formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dampening device, comprising:
 opposing top and bottom walls;   an annular inner side wall extending between the top and bottom walls;   an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walk and around the annular inner side wall, wherein at least one portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape;   wherein the inner and outer side walls are formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.   
     
     
         2 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is low density poly ethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a threaded hole extending through the top wall.   
     
     
         4 . The dampening device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a threaded hole extending through the bottom wall.   
     
     
         5 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side wall is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coil spring extending between the top and bottom walls.   
     
     
         7 . The dampening device of  claim 6 , wherein the coil spring is disposed inside of the inner side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The dampening device of  claim 6 , wherein the coil spring is disposed between the inner side wall and the outer side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The dampening device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a spiral shaped channel formed into an outer surface of the inner side wall, wherein the coil spring is at least partially disposed in the spiral shaped channel.   
     
     
         10 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side wall has an outwardly projecting convex cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         11 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side wall is conically shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side wall includes two conical portions having narrow ends disposed at the top or bottom walls and wider ends terminating together at a point of flexure. 
     
     
         13 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side wall has a cross sectional shape having two inwardly curved portions terminating together at a point of flexure. 
     
     
         14 . The dampening device of  claim 13 , wherein the inner and outer side walls are dimensioned such that the point of flexure of the inner side wall engages with the outer side wall as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other. 
     
     
         15 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer side wall has a straight cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         16 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer side wall has a cross sectional shape having two inwardly curved portions terminating together at a point of flexure. 
     
     
         17 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner side wall has a cross sectional shape having two inwardly curved portions terminating together at a first point of flexure;   the at least one portion of the outer side wall includes first and second portions each having an outwardly curved cross sectional shape;   the outer side wall including a third portion disposed between the first and second portions having an inwardly curved cross section shape, wherein the third portion terminates at the first and second portions at second and third points of flexure respectively.   
     
     
         18 . The dampening device of  claim 17 , wherein the inner and outer side walls are dimensioned such that the point of flexure of the inner side wall engages with the third portion of the outer side wall as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other. 
     
     
         19 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall is shaped as a ring with an opening exposing an inner surface of the inner side wall. 
     
     
         20 . The dampening device of  claim 19 , wherein the bottom wall includes a plurality of holes for receiving a plurality of screws. 
     
     
         21 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one fastener having a hole or slot for removably engaging with a tab formed on the bottom wall.   
     
     
         22 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of spot dimples formed in at least one of the inner and outer side walls.   
     
     
         23 . The dampening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of elongated dimples formed in at least one of the inner and outer side walls.   
     
     
         24 . A dampening assembly, comprising:
 a bracket including:
 a first member extending in a first plane, 
 a second member extending in a second plane, and 
 a third member extending in a third plane, 
 wherein the second and third members are connected to or extend from the first member, and wherein the first, second and third planes are orthogonal to each other; 
   first, second and third dampening devices mounted to the first, second and third members, respectively,   each of the first, second and third dampening devices including:
 opposing top and bottom walls, 
 an annular inner side wall extending between the top and bottom walls, 
 an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the annular inner side wall, wherein at least one portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape, 
 wherein the inner and outer side walls are formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other. 
   
     
     
         25 . A dampening device, comprising:
 opposing top and bottom walls;   a coil spring extending between the top and bottom walls;   an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the coil spring, wherein at least a portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape;   wherein the outer side wail is formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.