Multidirectionally deflectable mounting apparatus and method

Abstract

A multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus includes a laterally oriented base surface and a longitudinally extending elongate shaft having a laterally oriented shaft flange. The shaft flange is longitudinally adjacent to the base surface. A resilient washer is located directly longitudinally between the base surface and the shaft flange. A top plate includes a plate aperture. The shaft extends longitudinally through the plate aperture. The top plate is attached directly to the base surface with the resilient washer and the shaft flange located longitudinally between the base surface and at least a portion of the top plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus, comprising:
 a laterally oriented base surface;   a longitudinally extending elongate shaft having a laterally oriented shaft flange, the shaft flange being longitudinally adjacent to the base surface;   a resilient washer located directly longitudinally between the base surface and the shaft flange; and   a top plate including a plate aperture, the shaft extending longitudinally through the plate aperture, and the top plate being attached directly to the base surface with the resilient washer and the shaft flange located longitudinally between the base surface and at least a portion of the top plate.   
     
     
         2 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient washer is an elastomeric washer. 
     
     
         3 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a longitudinally oriented shaft lumen extending therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the shaft lumen is substantially coaxial with an aperture in the base surface. 
     
     
         5 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft flange is tapered in a lateral direction, having a maximum longitudinal thickness at the shaft and a minimum longitudinal thickness at a farthest lateral extent from the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient washer is configured to compress under deflection pressure applied laterally to the shaft, compression of the resilient washer being configured to cause a biasing force equal and opposite to the deflection pressure to re-center the shaft when the deflection pressure is removed. 
     
     
         7 . A multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus, comprising:
 a base surface, substantially located in a lateral plane;   an elongate shaft having a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end, the proximal and distal shaft ends being longitudinally spaced from one another, the shaft having a laterally oriented shaft flange encircling the proximal shaft end, the shaft flange having a proximal shaft flange surface and a distal shaft flange surface, the proximal and distal shaft flange surfaces each being laterally extending;   a resilient washer located directly between the base surface and the proximal shaft flange surface; and   a contoured top plate including a distally raised center portion and a laterally oriented outer plate rim concentric to the center portion, the center portion having a plate aperture surrounding the shaft, the plate rim being connected directly to the base surface, and the shaft flange and the resilient washer both being located entirely proximal to the center portion and lateral to the plate rim, such that the shaft flange and the resilient washer are covered by the top plate and attached to the base surface thereby;   wherein the resilient washer is configured to compress under deflection pressure applied laterally to the shaft, compression of the resilient washer being configured to cause a biasing force equal and opposite to the deflection pressure to re-center the shaft when the deflection pressure is removed.   
     
     
         8 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the resilient washer is an elastomeric washer. 
     
     
         9 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft defines a longitudinally oriented shaft lumen placing the proximal and distal shaft ends into fluid communication. 
     
     
         10 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft lumen is substantially coaxial with an aperture in the base surface. 
     
     
         11 . The multidirectionally deflectable engine mounting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft flange is tapered in a lateral direction, having a maximum longitudinal thickness at the shaft and a minimum longitudinal thickness at a farthest lateral extent from the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . An engine mount for a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine, the engine mount comprising:
 a laterally oriented base surface;   a longitudinally extending elongate shaft having a laterally oriented shaft flange, the shaft flange being longitudinally adjacent to the base surface;   a resilient washer located directly longitudinally between the base surface and the shaft flange; and   a top plate including a plate aperture, the shaft extending longitudinally through the plate aperture, and the top plate being attached directly to the base surface with the resilient washer and the shaft flange located longitudinally between the base surface and at least a portion of the top plate.   
     
     
         13 . The engine mount of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient washer is an elastomeric washer. 
     
     
         14 . The engine mount of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft includes a longitudinally oriented shaft lumen extending therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The engine mount of  claim 14 , wherein the shaft lumen is substantially coaxial with an aperture in the base surface. 
     
     
         16 . The engine mount of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft flange is tapered in a lateral direction, having a maximum longitudinal thickness at the shaft and a minimum longitudinal thickness at a farthest lateral extent from the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The engine mount of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient washer is configured to compress under deflection pressure applied laterally to the shaft, compression of the resilient washer being configured to cause a biasing force equal and opposite to the deflection pressure to re-center the shaft when the deflection pressure is removed.