Modular Seismic Isolation Supports and Floors

Abstract

Improved support systems, including seismic isolation platforms, tracks and flooring systems are disclosed for protecting a payload, for example, data center racks containing delicate computer equipment such as a hard disk drive, from damage due to vibrations such as seismic vibrations and the like. The systems are modular in design, and can be assembled and changed quickly, while being strong and robust enough to support heavy loads.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 ) A kit of parts for constructing a modular raised support system, comprising:
 a) a first plurality of modular support units, each said modular support unit comprising a lower horizontal connector; an upper horizontal connector; two vertically extending connectors each joined to both said upper horizontal connector and said lower horizontal connector; upper mating components comprising at least two upper lateral mating components and at least two upper back mating components; and lower mating components comprising at least two lower lateral mating components and at least two lower back mating components; and   b) a second plurality of aisle base stand connectors, each aisle base stand connector having two ends structured to be joined to the upper mating components and/or lower mating components;   
       said kit of parts having a shipping configuration comprising a first shipping volume wherein said aisle base stand connectors are not connected to said modular support units, and a second assembled volume wherein said aisle base stand connectors are connected to said modular support units. 
     
     
         15 ) The kit of  claim 14  wherein said second plurality of aisle base stand connectors is at least 4 times said first plurality of modular support units. 
     
     
         16 ) The kit of  claim 14  wherein said first shipping volume is smaller than said second assembled volume. 
     
     
         17 ) The kit of  claim 16  wherein said at least one modular support unit of said first plurality of modular support units comprises two isolator mounts, each joined thereto on a top surface of said upper horizontal connector on an axis defined by a vertically extended connecter joined to the upper horizontal connector. 
     
     
         18 ) The kit of  claim 14  wherein at least one modular support unit of said first plurality of modular support units comprises at least two lower front mating components. 
     
     
         19 ) The kit of  claim 18  wherein at least two modular support units of said first plurality of modular support units comprises at least two lower front mating components. 
     
     
         20 ) The kit of  claim 18  wherein all but two modular support units of said first plurality of modular support units comprises at least two lower front mating components. 
     
     
         21 ) The kit of  claim 17  comprising at least two rolling member seismic isolators, each of said at least two rolling member seismic isolators comprising a seismic isolator bottom half structured to be fastened to each said isolator mount. 
     
     
         22 ) The kit of  claim 19  comprising at least one support platform structured to be joined to a plurality of seismic isolator top halves. 
     
     
         23 ) The kit of  claim 19  wherein said at least one support platform is structured to be joined to at least four seismic isolator top halves. 
     
     
         24 ) The kit of  claim 14  wherein the second assembled volume comprises a modular raised support system having at least four rolling member seismic isolators. 
     
     
         26 ) The kit of  claim 24  wherein the second assembled volume comprises a modular raised support system having at least six rolling member seismic isolators. 
     
     
         27 ) The kit of  claim 14  wherein the second assembled volume comprises a modular raised support system having at least eight rolling member seismic isolators.