Polygonal seismic isolation systems

Abstract

The invention is drawn to a methods and systems employing at least one seismic isolation bearing having a substantially polygonal shape in a top and/or bottom view. Preferably the polygonal shape is other than a square shape; preferably the shape is other than a rectangular shape. Such polygonal isolation bearings can be easily and securely joined to other components o the flooring or platform, and are of particular use in modular seismic isolation systems, in which the floor or platform can be assembled to suit the available space. In preferred systems the polygonal isolation bearings may be used in low profile systems, for example, in locations having restricted headroom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A polygonal seismic isolation bearing plate comprising:
 a) a recessed hardened load-bearing surface component; and,   b) a hardened frame component, sufficiently strong to support said load-bearing surface component during use in an isolation platform or flooring system during an earthquake, said frame component being directly or indirectly joined to said load bearing surface component;   
       wherein, in top view, the frame component comprises a polygonal shape, and wherein said frame component is structured to be joined along at least one straight edge to at least one other component of said isolation platform or flooring system. 
     
     
         2 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein said frame element is welded to said load-bearing surface component. 
     
     
         3 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein the load-bearing surface component thereof has a cross sectional profile comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of:
 i) a combination of linear and curved shapes; 
 ii) a combination of different linear shapes, 
 iii) a combination of different curved shapes. 
 
     
     
         4 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein the frame polygonal shape is an octagon. 
     
     
         5 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein the frame component comprises a series of holes for joining to at least one other component of said isolation platform or flooring system. 
     
     
         6 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one said component(s) is selected from the group consisting of:
 i) another isolation bearing plate, 
 ii) a connecting component, 
 iii) a frame element of said isolation platform or flooring system, and 
 iv) a floor or foundation. 
 
     
     
         7 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein said load-bearing surface component comprises a substantially circular shape in a top view. 
     
     
         8 ) The bearing plate of  claim 1  wherein said load bearing surface component comprises a substantially polygonal shape in a top view. 
     
     
         9 ) A polygonal seismic isolation bearing assembly comprising:
 a) a hardened ball disposed between   b) a top isolation bearing plate, and   c) a bottom isolation bearing plate;   
       wherein each said top and bottom isolation bearing plates comprise:
 i) a recessed hardened load-bearing surface component; and, 
 ii) a hardened frame component, sufficiently strong to support said load-bearing surface component during use in an isolation platform or flooring system during an earthquake, said frame component being directly or indirectly joined to said load bearing surface component; 
 
       wherein, in top view, the frame component comprises a polygonal shape, and wherein said frame component is structured to be joined along at least one straight edge to at least one other component of said isolation platform or flooring system. 
     
     
         10 ) The isolation bearing assembly of  claim 9  wherein the frame element of at least said top bearing plate and said bottom bearing plate is welded to its respective load-bearing surface component. 
     
     
         11 ) The isolation bearing assembly of  claim 9  wherein the frame element of both said top bearing plate and said bottom bearing plate is welded to its respective load-bearing surface component. 
     
     
         12 ) The isolation bearing assembly of either  claim 10  or  11  wherein the load-bearing surface component thereof has a cross sectional profile comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of:
 i) a combination of linear and curved shapes; 
 ii) a combination of different linear shapes, 
 iii) a combination of different curved shapes. 
 
     
     
         13 ) The isolation bearing assembly of any of  claims 9 - 12  wherein the frame component polygonal shape is an octagon. 
     
     
         14 ) The isolation bearing assembly of any of  claims 9 - 13  wherein the frame component(s) comprises a series of holes for joining to at least one other component of said isolation platform or flooring system. 
     
     
         15 ) The isolation bearing assembly of  claim 14  wherein at least one said component(s) is selected from the group consisting of:
 i) another isolation bearing plate in substantially the same plane, 
 ii) a connecting component, 
 iii) a frame element of said isolation platform or flooring system, and 
 iv) a floor or foundation. 
 
     
     
         16 ) The isolation bearing assembly of any of  claims 9 - 15  wherein said load-bearing surface component comprises a substantially circular shape in a top view. 
     
     
         17 ) The isolation bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein said load bearing surface component comprises a substantially polygonal shape in a top view. 
     
     
         18 ) A seismic isolation floor or platform assembly comprising a plurality of polygonal isolation bearing assemblies, each such bearing assembly comprising:
 a) a hardened ball disposed between   b) a top isolation bearing plate, and   c) a bottom isolation bearing plate;   
       wherein each said top and bottom isolation bearing plates comprise:
 i) a recessed hardened load-bearing surface component; and, 
 ii) a hardened frame component, sufficiently strong to support said load-bearing surface component during use in an isolation platform or flooring system during an earthquake, said frame component being directly or indirectly joined to said load bearing surface component; 
 
       wherein, in top view, the frame component comprises a polygonal shape, and wherein said frame component is structured to be joined along at least one straight edge to at least one other component of said isolation platform or flooring system. 
     
     
         19 ) The seismic isolation floor or platform assembly of  claim 18  wherein, in at least two of said plurality of polygonal isolation bearing assemblies are joined in a manner selected from the group consisting of:
 i) said top isolation bearing plates are directly or indirectly joined together, or 
 ii) said bottom isolation bearing plates are directly or indirectly joined together, or 
 iii) both said top isolation bearing plates are directly or indirectly joined together and said bottom isolation bearing plates are directly or indirectly joined together. 
 
     
     
         20 ) The seismic isolation floor or platform assembly of  claim 20  wherein at least two of said bearing plates are joined along straight edges of each bearing plate. 
     
     
         21 ) The seismic isolation floor or platform assembly of  claim 20  wherein at least two of said bearing plates are each joined to a connector component along straight edges of each bearing plate. 
     
     
         22 ) The seismic isolation floor or platform assembly of either of  claims 19 - 21  wherein at least two bearing plates are joined to at least one component selected from the group consisting of:
 i) another isolation bearing plate in substantially the same plane, 
 ii) a connecting component, 
 iii) a frame element of said isolation platform or flooring system, and 
 iv) a floor or foundation. 
 
     
     
         23 ) The seismic isolation floor or platform assembly of either of  claim 18  wherein at least two bearing plates are joined to at least one component selected from the group consisting of:
 i) another isolation bearing plate in substantially the same plane, 
 ii) a connecting component, 
 iii) a frame element of said isolation platform or flooring system, and 
 iv) a floor or foundation.