WO2008140284A2

WO2008140284A2 - Elastic spring

Info

Publication number: WO2008140284A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ho Young Lee
Original assignee: Ho Young Lee
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: WO2008140284A3; KR20080101222A

Abstract

An elastic spring is disclosed. The elastic spring includes a rigid body and an elastic body. The rigid body is pointed at one end or opposite ends thereof. The elastic body has a receiving part corresponding to the shape of the end of the rigid body, so that the receiving part receives the pointed end of the rigid body. When an external load is applied to the elastic spring, the elastic body is radially flared with respect to the pointed end of the rigid body, being thereby deformed.

Description

ELASTIC SPRING

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to elastic springs and, more particularly, to a spring which has superior vibration, sound, and shock absorbing ability as compared to a conventional spring, and to a soundproof floor material to which the spring is attached.

[2] The spring of the present invention is a kind of machine element, which absorbs and accumulates energy using the elastic deformation of an object, thus absorbing shocks. Background Art

[3] A spring and a vibration proof material have been used in residential spaces, such as a house or an apartment house, general office buildings, factory buildings, and other buildings in order to absorb shocks, prevent vibration, and capture sound. However, the construction equipment used for absorbing shocks, preventing vibration, and excluding sound is very expensive, and requires an advanced level of technology. For example, vibration proof rubber or, generally, vibration proof equipment, incurs a higher cost in comparison with general construction equipment, and its efficacy may be deteriorated with the lapse of time. That is, the vibration control efficacy of vibration proof rubber is lowered proportionately with respect to the time used.

[4] Further, in order to provide independent space to each apartment unit of an apartment building which is currently used as residential space, the noise transmitted through the floor must be reduced. To this end, many attempts, including semi-permanent vibration and soundproof equipment, have been made. However, these attempts incur great expense, and the height of each floor is increased, thus limiting a building's height.

[5] A coil spring or a spring using an elastic body, such as of general rubber or silicone, have been used as conventional elastic springs. In a conventional elastic spring, the direction of force F is in a straight line, and the elastic spring has only an elastic effect corresponding to the elastic modulus of the elastic body. The conventional elastic spring may absorb shocks, but vibration and sound can be prevented only by the inherent ability of the elastic spring.

[6] Therefore, the ability of absorbing shocks and preventing vibration and sound depends on only the elastic force of the elastic body, so that the inherent elasticity of the elastic body is very important, and thus an expensive and good elastic body must be used.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new elastic spring which, unlike a conventional elastic spring, does not depend solely on the elastic body's elasticity, and which effectively prevents sound, vibration, and shocks, in addition to having a simple construction. Technical Solution

[8] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an elastic spring, including a rigid body which has a larger specific gravity; and an elastic body which has a specific gravity smaller than the rigid body. The rigid body comes into contact with the elastic body, so that external load, vibration, sound, or shocks are mitigated at the contact point between the rigid body and the elastic body.

[9] Further, either of the rigid body and the elastic body is arranged in a row on both sides of the remaining one of the rigid body and the elastic body.

[10] Further, the rigid body is a sphere or an ellipsoid; a pillar which has a circular, elliptical, or polygonal vertical section and is pointed at opposite ends thereof; or a polyhedron including a tetrahedron, a hexahedron, and an octahedron; and

[11] the elastic body is provided on each of the opposite ends of the rigid body, and is deformed at each of the opposite ends of the rigid body by an external load, such that the elastic body is radially flared.

[12] Further, the present invention provides an elastic spring, including a rigid body which is pointed at one end or opposite ends thereof; and an elastic body which has a receiving part corresponding to the shape of the end of the rigid body, so that the receiving part receives the pointed end of the rigid body, whereby the elastic body is radially flared at the pointed end of the rigid body, and is thus deformed, when an external load is applied to the elastic spring.

[13] The elastic spring of the present invention can be utilized in a heat insulator of the floor of a building. The heat insulator includes a hole for holding the elastic spring, two pairs of ends corresponding to each other such that the ends may be coupled to each other, and a support part which is provided on a bottom of the heat insulator and is extended or contracted by the application of a load to the heat insulator.

[14]

[15] The concept of the elastic spring according to the present invention will be described first.

[16] In FIG. 19 below, assuming that a ball having the weight of lOOg is directly thrown at a wall as seen in the upper part of the drawing, the force of the ball acts on the wall in a straight line.

[17] That is, if the ball has the force of IOON and moves linearly to collide perpen- dicularly with the wall, the force of IOON is completely transmitted to the wall. However, as seen in the lower part of the drawing, when the ball collides with a surface of the wall which is inclined at 45 degrees, the energy (force) transmitted to the wall is reduced by 50%. As such, when the angle of the ball colliding with the wall is changed as resulting from a change in the moving direction of force, the magnitude of shock force acting on the wall is changed. Based on such a principle, when a spring is manufactured so that force is not transmitted in a straight line but is dispersed laterally, the spring has good shock absorbing ability, that is, high efficiency.

[18] As an object having elasticity, a compression spring and an elastic body, such as rubber or silicone, are illustrated on the left side and the right side of FIG. 20, respectively. When force is applied from a higher location to the compression spring or the elastic body placed in a straight line with respect to the direction of the force, all of the force is transmitted to the compression spring or the elastic body, and the force is accumulated in the spring or elastic body. The magnitude of the force F transmitted through the elastic object to the floor, varies depending only on the inherent elastic ability of the elastic object. Thus, the elastic ability of the elastic object is very important. When the elastic ability is low, a large magnitude of force or shock is transmitted to the floor.

[19] In FIG. 21 below, a rigid body having the shape of a pointed triangular pyramid is placed on the floor, and an elastic body, which has a groove corresponding to the shape of the rigid body, is placed on the rigid body. FIG. 21a shows the state in which force F acts in a vertical direction, FIG. 21b shows the transmission of a vibration wave or sound wave to the body in FIG 21a, and FIG. 21c shows the state in which a rigid body having a high specific gravity is provided at a middle position, and elastic bodies are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the rigid body, and a vibration wave or sound wave acts on the elastic bodies.

[20] First, when the force F having the magnitude of FIG. 20 is applied to the elastic body of FIG. 21a, the downward force is dispersed laterally by the angle of the rigid body and is then accumulated. That is, since the downward force changes its direction according to the angle of a surface on which the force acts, the magnitude of the force acting on the surface is dispersed and reduced. That is, the magnitude of force transmitted to the surface is further reduced due to the dispersion of force resulting from the change in angle, in addition to the inherent elastic ability of the elastic body.

[21] In FIG. 21b, the vibration wave transmitted through the elastic body is reflected by the junction between the elastic body and the rigid body, and is thus cancelled and eliminated. Particularly, this effect is very large when the vibration wave has a wavelength of 1 KHz or more.

[22] In FIG. 21c, even if the vibration wave is transmitted downwards through the upper elastic body to the rigid body, the rigid body, which is provided at the middle position and has a high specific gravity, is not shaken according to the law of inertia. Thereby, the vibration is reflected, and only some of the vibration is transmitted to the lower elastic body. That is, the vibration is reflected according to the difference in medium and specific gravity. This effect occurs also between the rigid body and the lower elastic body, so that the vibration wave transmitted to the floor is reduced. The attenuation of the vibration wave is very effective in the case of a frequency of approximately 200 Hz or more.

[23] The following FIG. 22 illustrates more concretely FIG. 21c. In FIG. 22, a spherical rigid body is connected between a spring A and a spring B in such a way as to be aligned perpendicularly with the wall. When force is applied to the spring A, spring A vibrates and the vibration is transmitted to the rigid body. The vibration is transmitted through the rigid body to the spring B. Here, vibration applied to the spring A is transmitted to spring B in inverse proportion to the specific gravity of the rigid body which is positioned between the springs. The smaller the specific gravity of the centrally located rigid body, the larger is the vibration transmitted from the spring A to the spring B.

[24] In FIG. 23, when the object shown on the left side of the drawing applies force F to an elastic body placed on the floor, the force passes through the elastic body and acts on the floor. In this case, since the force acts linearly, a lot of force is transmitted to the floor. An object shown on the right side of the drawing has the shape of a metal rod, such as a wedge. The object laterally disperses the force of the elastic body by the angle of the wedge. Thus, downward force is not directly transmitted to the floor, and a larger amount of force is accumulated because of the elastic deformation of the elastic body in a horizontal direction.

[25] That is, in FIG. 23, since the left object directly applies force to the elastic body using a large area of the object, the elastic body absorbs only some of the force owing to its absorptive ability, and the remaining force is transmitted to the floor. In contrast, even if the right object, such as a wedge, applies the same force as the left object to the elastic body, the elastic body is radially deformed and absorbs a larger amount of force. Thus, for the same elastic body, the right elastic body transmits a smaller force to the floor.

[26] As described above, if the general elastic body is used without modification, the elastic body absorbs shocks only owing to its inherent elastic force. Thus, the present invention changes the shape of a spring so that it has additional elastic force in addition to its inherent elastic force, and can disperse a larger amount of noise, vibration, and shocks. That is, the present invention provides an elastic spring, in which a rigid body is pointed at one end or opposite ends thereof, and an elastic body corresponds in shape to the pointed rigid body and is thereby coupled to the rigid body. Thereby, when force or shocks are applied to a pointed axis of the elastic spring, the elastic body is radially flared with respect to the axis, and force or shocks transmitted from the rigid body are dispersed. That is, a larger amount of force or shocks can be dispersed by the inherent elastic ability in conjunction with a change in shape of the elastic body.

[27] The elastic spring according to the present invention may use one rigid body and one elastic body. In order to absorb shock waves, noise, and vibration, it is preferable that the elastic bodies touch two portions of the rigid body.

Advantageous Effects

[28] As described above, the present invention provides an elastic spring, which absorbs loads, shocks, noise, or vibration using the properties of an elastic body and a change in shape thereof, thus realizing high efficiency at a low cost.

[29] Floor construction, using a heat insulator and an elastic spring according to the present invention, is easily performed at a lower cost and height, in comparison with existing floor construction.

[30] Further, floor construction according to the present invention has a higher efficacy with respect to the absorption of shocks, the prevention of vibration, the resistance to earthquakes, and the prevention of noise, in comparison with conventional floor construction. Brief Description of the Drawings

[31] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating examples of elastic springs according to the present invention;

[32] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another example of an elastic spring according to the present invention;

[33] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an elastic spring according to the present invention;

[34] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the state in which the positions of rigid bodies

120 and an elastic body 110 are interchanged with those of a rigid body and elastic bodies of FIG. 3;

[35] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an elastic spring according to the present invention, in which FIG. 5a is a perspective view illustrating the coupled state of a rigid body with elastic bodies, and FIG. 5b is a perspective view illustrating the elastic spring when force F is applied from an upper position;

[36] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating another example of an elastic spring according to the present invention;

[37] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an example using an elastic spring according to the present invention; [38] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example wherein rigid bodies of FIG. 7 are coupled to each other by a coupling member;

[39] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a general floor structure of an apartment;

[40] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a floor structure using the elastic spring according to the present invention;

[41] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a heat insulator of FIG. 10;

[42] FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the state in which a load is applied to the heat insulator;

[43] FIG. 13 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the state in which cement is placed on the heat insulator, or a floor material is mounted on the heat insulator;

[44] FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the portion of the floor structure inside which the elastic spring is operated;

[45] FIG. 15 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a modification of FIG. 13;

[46] FIG. 16 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating another modification of FIG. 13;

[47] FIG. 17a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a heat insulator according to the present invention, FIG. 17b is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 17a, and FIG. 17c is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 17a;

[48] FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating the state in which the elastic spring of the present invention is accommodated in a casing; and

[49] FIG. 19 - 23 are drawings showing the differences between elastic forces in order to explain the principle of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[50] Hereinafter, an elastic spring according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[51] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating examples of elastic springs according to the present invention.

[52] Referring to FIG. Ia, a rigid body 120 having a larger specific gravity is coupled between two elastic bodies 110. As shown in the drawing, the elastic spring 100 includes the elastic bodies 110 each comprising general rubber or silicone, and the rigid body 120 made of metal, glass, or a ceramic material having a larger specific gravity than each elastic body. In FIG. Ia, the general elastic bodies 110 are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the rigid body 120 for maintaining the balance and original shape. Force F acts in a straight line, and an elastic effect corresponding to the elastic moduli of the upper and lower elastic bodies 110 is obtained. The elastic spring absorbs or reflects vibration or sound waves as illustrated in FIG. 21 and 22, thus attenuating vibration or sound waves transmitted to the floor, and effectively reducing vibration or noise. [53] FIG. Ib shows an elastic spring which improves on that of FIG. Ia. That is, the middle rigid body 120 is changed to have a spherical shape. In FIG. Ib, elastic bodies 110 are coupled to the middle rigid body 120. Thus, when force F acts in a direction from an upper position to a lower position, ends of the elastic bodies 110 facing the rigid body 120 are radially flared and thus absorb the force, so that the elastic ability of the elastic spring is increased compared to its original elastic ability. Further, in a manner similar to FIG. Ia, the elastic spring cancels or reflects vibration or sound waves, thus achieving a vibration- or soundproofing function.

[54] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another example of an elastic spring according to the present invention. The elastic spring of FIG. 2 has a higher elastic force and better vibration absorbing ability than the elastic spring of FIG. 1.

[55] The elastic spring of FIG. 2 includes a rigid body 120 which is shaped such that upper and lower ends of the rigid body provided along a central axis thereof are pointed, and elastic bodies 110 which are coupled to the upper and lower portions of the rigid body. FIG. 2a illustrates the state in which respective parts are separated from each other before they are coupled together, and FIG. 2b illustrates the state in which the respective parts are coupled to each other. FIG. 2c illustrates the state in which the upper and lower elastic bodies 110 are deformed when upward and downward forces act on the elastic spring 100 according to the present invention.

[56] As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic spring according to the present invention includes the rigid body 120 having the shape of a pillar which is pointed at the upper and lower ends thereof, and the elastic bodies 110 which are made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone, with a receiving part 112 provided in each elastic body to receive the pointed end.

[57] When downward force F is applied to the elastic springs 100 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2c, ends 111 of each elastic body 110 are radially flared at each pointed end of the rigid body 120, comprising a solid pillar, at an angle corresponding to the pointed end, so that the force is accumulated in each elastic body 110. When downward force applied from above is reduced or eliminated, the elastic spring is restored to have the shape of a straight line, as shown in FIG. 2b.

[58] In the case where the external force or shock of FIG. 2 is shock waves which act in a downward direction, a heavy material (metal, stone, glass, ceramic, etc.) is used to increase the density of the middle solid pillar. In this case, a wavelength passing through a soft medium collides with a surface of the middle rigid body comprising the high-density pillar, which is inclined at 45 degrees, and is thereby reflected, so that the wavelength is offset from another wavelength. Consequently, the quantity of energy which is transmitted to a lower portion is reduced. This is more advantageous when a frequency is high. Further, since sound is a kind of wavelength, a soundproof effect is obtained in a manner similar to the above when the sound is transmitted through an object. Thus, when undesirable noise is transmitted through flooring in an apartment building or the like, the transmission of a sound wave is reduced in a manner equal or similar to that of the transmission of a shock wave. The rigid body 120 may use a pillar shape and have a diameter of about 10-20mm, and may have the shape of a hexagonal rod or other shapes, as long as opposite ends of the rigid body are pointed. Each pointed end has the angle of about 30-75 degrees. The angle of the pointed end may be changed as necessary. If the pointed end is too acute, the radial flaring amount of each elastic body will be small. In contrast, if the pointed end is too dull, too much shock wave or force may be transmitted. Thus, the angle is determined according to the design of a spring.

[59] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the examples of the elastic springs according to the present invention. In FIG. Ib, each end of the elastic body surrounds the rigid body. However, the elastic spring of FIG. Ia may be changed so that the rigid body has the spherical shape of FIG. Ib. In this case, while the elastic bodies and the rigid body of the elastic spring are in point contact with each other, the elastic bodies are locally deformed by external force as shown in the right side of FIG. 23, so that the elastic spring obtains additional elastic ability. Further, the elastic spring has the effect of preventing the transmission of a vibration wave or sound wave.

[60] Further, in FIGS. 1 and 2, when lubricating oil is applied or coated to a contact surface of the rigid body in contact with the elastic bodies, the elastic bodies can be more easily deformed, and the effect of preventing the transmission of the vibration wave can be further increased.

[61]

[62] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an elastic spring according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a rigid body 120 and elastic bodies 110 are permanently coupled to each other. Holes 125 are formed in predetermined positions of the conical rigid body 120, and a mold is manufactured. Subsequently, liquid elastic material is poured into the mold to form the elastic bodies. Such a construction method prevents the separation of the elastic bodies 110 from the conical rigid body 120.

[63] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an example wherein the positions of rigid bodies 120 and an elastic body 110 are interchanged with those of the rigid body 120 and the elastic bodies 110 of FIG. 3. The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 include two elastic bodies 110 and one rigid body 120. In contrast, according to this embodiment, one elastic body 110 and two rigid bodies 120 are used because of the change in position. That is, the rigid body 120 of FIG. 3 is divided into two parts, and the two parts are used. However, the pointed portions of the rigid bodies 120 and the cor- responding portions of the elastic body 110 conform to those of the above-mentioned embodiments. That is, the elastic body 110 is arranged between the upper and lower rigid bodies 120 in a position corresponding to that of the pointed portions of the rigid bodies. Each of the two rigid bodies 120 has a hole 125, and an elastic material is poured into a mold in the same manner as FIG. 3, thus manufacturing the elastic spring. Such a manufactured elastic spring prevents the separation of the elastic body from the rigid bodies.

[64] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid elastic material is poured into the mold, so that the elastic body and the rigid body are joined to each other. However, the elastic body itself may be bent or curved to some extent. Thus, a hole may be formed in the rigid body, and a protrusion may be provided on the elastic body to correspond to the hole, so that the rigid body and the elastic body may be coupled to each other by fitting without using a mold. The elastic spring according to the present invention is operated due to the interaction between the rigid body and the elastic body. Thus, when the elastic bodies and the rigid body are separately manufactured and then are coupled to each other, as shown in FIG. 2, they may be coupled to each other by fitting of the holes. The method of permanently coupling the elastic body to the rigid body, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, is convenient to use. However, according to the intended purpose of the elastic spring, the elastic spring of FIG. 2 may be alternatively used.

[65] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an elastic spring according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5a is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state, and FIG. 5b is a perspective view illustrating the state in which downward force F is applied. The embodiment of FIG. 5 modifies the elastic springs of FIGS. 2 to 4 such that a slit 114 is previously formed in an end 111 of each elastic body, thus allowing the elastic body to be easily deformed radially. Referring to FIG. 5b, the end 111 is further flared radially along the slit 114 and become deformed, so that the elastic spring can absorb or disperse a larger amount of external force, shock, sound wave, and energy. In the case of the elastic spring of FIG. 4, slits 114 may be formed in both ends of the elastic body.

[66] The elastic spring (spring using the elastic body and the rigid cone) manufactured in this way may be used for the same purpose as a conventional spring.

[67] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a further example of an elastic spring according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a rigid body 120 is divided into two parts, and respective parts are coupled to corresponding elastic bodies 110. The rigid body 120 has a bolt-and-tap structure 127 so that the two parts of the rigid body are fastened to each other. The example is advantageous in the case where the elastic body is permanently coupled to the rigid body 120 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When the liquid elastic body 110 is poured and formed, to ensure coupling between the elastic body and the rigid body, protruding parts 126 are provided on the two parts of the rigid body, in place of the hole 125 of FIGS. 3 and 4, thus ensuring the firm coupling of the rigid body with the elastic body. If each protruding part 126 comprises a threaded part, and threads are formed in the elastic body 110 to correspond to the threaded part, the rigid body 120 and the elastic body 110 may be fastened to each other through a screw- type fastening method without using a liquid phase molding process.

[68] The embodiment of FIG. 6 may include a slit 114, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

According to this embodiment, after the rigid body and the elastic bodies are coupled to each other, a predetermined portion of each elastic body is cut using a knife or a similar tool to form a slit. The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 may form the slit after the elastic body is coupled to the rigid body. This is because, as shown in the drawings, a tap or a threaded part are provided on the contact surfaces of the conical parts of the rigid body to correspond to each other, thus permitting easy detachment.

[69] Further, when a bolt and a nut are provided in the middle of the cone, the upper and lower parts can be easily separated from each other.

[70] If only a conical pillar is made, the elastic spring can be easily manufactured by pouring the liquid elastic body into a mold.

[71]

[72] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example using an elastic spring according to the present invention.

[73] Referring to FIG. 7, the elastic spring according to the present invention is constructed so that each of elastic bodies 110 has a larger area, and a plurality of rigid bodies 120 is inserted between the elastic bodies 110 to have the arrangement of nxm. Thus, the elastic spring can perform elastic operation over a large area.

[74]

[75] Here, the middle rigid bodies 120 are coupled to each other via an additional coupling member 150.

[76] The coupling member 150 may have the shape of a mesh net or wire net. Alternatively, the coupling member may comprise an additional plastic plate having insertion holes. Thereby, the rigid bodies 120 are inserted into the insertion holes of the plastic plate and so are coupled to each other.

[77] Such an elastic spring may be used as a pad which is placed under a machine, bridge, or chair so as to prevent vibration. Here, the elastic spring of the present invention may be used in such a form that each of the rigid bodies has a small size, and the rigid bodies are inserted between the elastic bodies, thus reducing a moving distance. Therefore, the elastic spring has additional elastic force due to the deformation of the elastic body, in addition to the original elastic ability of the elastic body, and improved resistance to vibrations.

[78] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example wherein the rigid bodies of FIG.

7 are coupled to each other by a coupling member.

[79] In FIG. 8, the rigid bodies 120 are inserted into the coupling member 150 which comprises a wide plate, so that the rigid bodies are coupled to each other similarly to the rigid bodies 120 of FIG. 7. By inserting the rigid bodies 120, coupled to each other as shown in FIG. 8, between the elastic bodies 110 having a large surface area, the elastic spring according to the present invention may be used in the form of a plate.

[80]

[81] The rigid body may comprise a circular, elliptical, or polygonal vertical cross sectional pillar shape, which has pointed portions at opposite ends thereof. Further, the rigid body may have the cross section of a polygon, such as a hexahedron or an octahedron, which is long and pointed at opposite ends thereof, so that the rigid body has pointed ends. Furthermore, the rigid body may have a spherical shape or an egg shape, shaped such that a vertical cross section has an elliptical shape. Preferably, the elastic body has a receiving part whose vertical section with respect to the axis of applied force has a polygonal, circular, or elliptical shape to correspond to the shape of the rigid body. However, it is not necessary for the elastic body to have the receiving part, as described above. That is, as long as the elastic body and the rigid body are in point contact with each other as shown in the right side of FIG. 23, and the elastic body is deformed by external force, the elastic spring has improved elastic ability due to the deformation of the elastic body, in addition to the inherent elastic ability. Therefore, sufficient elastic ability and improved vibration and/or sound preventing ability can be expected only by the local deformation of the elastic body, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[82] In the above-mentioned examples, when the rigid body is made of corrodible metal

(e.g. steel), it is preferable to perform anti-rust treatment on the surface thereof.

[83]

[84] The elastic spring according to the present invention may be used in a soundproof floor material in a building, such as an apartment building. Examples of utilizing the elastic spring of the present invention will be described below.

[85] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the general floor structure of an apartment unit.

The general floor structure is constructed in the following order:. First, 1) while heat- insulating construction is done using a heat insulator, bubble cement 220 is placed onto a foundation 210. After application of the cement, three days are required for curing of the cement. Next, 2) a wire mesh 230 is laid on the bubble cement 220, and XL pipes 240 are laid on the wire mesh and fixed thereto. Thereafter, 3) cement with a depth of 50~80mm is placed thereon, thus forming a heating conductive layer 250. It takes about three days to cure the cement. Afterwards, 4) a plaster layer 260 for adjusting the level and height is formed. Finally, a floor finishing material 270 is laid. Such a conventional floor structure easily transmits shocks to a lower section thereof, when shocks are applied to the floor structure from an upper position.

[86]

[87] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a floor structure using the elastic spring according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a heat insulator of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating a load being applied to the heat insulator. FIG. 13 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating cement being placed on or a floor material being mounted on the heat insulator. FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the operation of the elastic spring in the floor structure.

[88] Hereinafter, the floor structure using the elastic spring according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14.

[89] In FIG. 10, the operation of flattening a foundation 310 must first be performed. The flattening operation is performed by placing the laying of cement or the like. A heat insulator 320 and heating units 340 are laid on the foundation 310. The heat insulator, such as Styrofoam, may include the elastic spring according to the present invention. Each heating unit, such as an XL pipe, is embedded in or attached to the heat insulator. Cement is placed on the heat insulator or heating unit to a depth of about 50mm, thus forming a heat conductive layer 350. A plaster layer 360 is formed on the heat conductive layer. Finally, a floor material 370 is laid over the plaster layer. Further, to an edge of the heating panel is attached a foam heat insulator 380, which extends from the foundation 310 to a position above the floor material 370 and has a predetermined width.

[90] As shown in FIG. 11, the heat insulator 320 includes holes 321 for holding the elastic springs 100 according to the present invention, support grooves 322 for supporting the heating units 340, ends 323 used to connect heat insulators 320 to each other, and small support parts 324 which are in direct contact with the floor.

[91] The holes 321 are formed in the heat insulator 320 such that the elastic springs according to the present invention are inserted into the holes, and withstand a load together with the plurality of support parts 324. The XL pipes are inserted into the support grooves 322, and are required when a hot- water boiler is used. A linear heating unit may be used as an electric heating unit. In the case of an electric heating system using a surface heating unit, the heating unit may be attached to the upper surface of the heat insulator 320. When a surface heating unit is attached to the upper surface of the heat insulator 320, the support grooves 322 may be omitted.

[92] Heat insulators 320 are connected to each other using the ends 323, as shown in FIG.

11. Each end 323 functions to prevent the cement from flowing down to the foundation 310 through a gap defined between the heat insulators 320, when cement is placed over each heat insulator 320. Thus, even if the cement flows into the gap, no standing pillar is formed. If the gap is widened, so that the cement enters the gap and a standard pillar is formed, vibration may be transmitted from an upper position through the cement pillar to the lower foundation.

[93] The support parts 324 are formed so that the heat insulator 320 is in contact with the foundation 310 via only the support parts 324. Thereby, load or shocks acting on the heat insulator 320 are transmitted to the foundation 310 through only the support parts 324.

[94] Referring to FIG. 12, when load F is applied to one heat insulator 320, the support parts 324 become flattened and are subjected to force. Further, after the heat insulator 320 is installed in the floor construction, when a worker unavoidably walks on the heat insulator 320, that load concentrates directly on one support part 324. Thereby, as shown in the drawing, some of the support parts 324 become flattened. For example, assuming that the force of the foot area of one person is 100 kgf, the load locally acts on part of the heat insulator during construction, and thus some of the support parts 324 are affected. However, if the conductive layers 351 have been applied onto the heat insulator 320, load is distributed evenly throughout the support parts 324.

[95] FIG. 13 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the state in which the conductive layers 351 are formed on the heat insulator 320, and unit load acts on the heat insulator 320 and the elastic springs 100 through the unit conductive layer, which has a volume of an area of 150mm2 and a height of 100mm. Here, the heat insulator 320 may be made of Styrofoam having dimensions of about 500mmx500mm. Thus, a load acting on the unit conductive layer on the heat insulator 320 is calculated as about 300kg, and is evenly distributed through the conductive layers 351 and acts on the lower support parts 324. A locking part 325 is formed in each hole 321 so that the rigid body of the elastic spring 100 is inserted into the locking part, and extra space is provided around the elastic body so that the elastic body of the elastic spring 100 is freely deformable. In the state where the load is evenly distributed through the conductive layers 351, the load acts on the support parts 324. Thus, in inverse proportion to the number of support parts per unit area, small load acts on the support parts, so that each support part withstands a smaller load.

[96] The area of the support parts must be minimized so that sound or shock is not transmitted from an upper position to a lower position. When the unit conductive layer having an area of 150mm2 bears 100kg, the support part should only bear 3kg, which is 5% of the total area 150mm2, but this amount varies depending on the density of the heat insulator. Thus, the support parts have only to bear the weight of about 3kgf per area of 150mm2.

[97] FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view concretely illustrating the operation of the elastic spring. Assuming that a worker's weight is 100kg and the worker steps on the heat insulator, the support parts 324 receive pressure and the elastic springs receive pressure and restore themselves to their higher position. Surface A comes into contact with the floor, thus withstanding the load of 100kg.

[98] When a worker installs the heating units 340, such as XL pipes, in the heat insulator

320, and places a 50mm thickness of cement on the heat insulator, the support parts, which are directly subjected to load, are put under pressure, so that the volume of the support parts is reduced to about 30% of the original volume. Afterwards, when work has been completed, only the weight of the cement, that is, about 3kg, acts on the area of 150mm2. Thus, the support parts are restored to about 70% of the original size, and the remaining space provides an elastic acting space in which the elastic spring performs, after the cement is hardened.

[99] Further, after the cement is hardened, the space within which the elastic spring is operated is ensured. When the floor construction is completed, the weight of about 3kg acts on each unit area, and the Styrofoam leg, which is compressed by the worker's weight of 100kg, is restored to about 95% of its original volume. Thus, it is preferable that the length of the support parts 324 be increased so that the restoration rate of the support parts approximates 100%.

[100] Assuming that a general Styrofoam heat insulator has a medium density and has an area of about 10mm2 and a height of 10mm, and a weight of lkg is placed on the heat insulator, the volume of the heat insulator is reduced by about 10% of its original volume while the heat insulator bears the weight.

[101] Preferably, the support parts 324 are in contact with a small surface area of the floor or in point contact with the floor, and may have any shape as long as they are in contact with a small surface area of the floor. According to this embodiment, each support part has the shape of a simple hexahedron for the convenient manufacture of a mold.

[102]

[103] FIG. 15 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating another modification of FIG. 13.

[104] The heat insulator 320 of FIG. 15 is different from that of FIG. 13 in that the heat insulator 320 includes spring support parts 327 to lock the lower elastic bodies of the elastic spring 100 into place, in addition to the general support parts 324. Thus, the locking parts 325 of FIG. 13 provided in the holes 321 are not required. The embodiment of FIG. 13 can be preferably applied to the elastic springs of FIG. 3 or 4, which is constructed so that the rigid body and the elastic body are integrated with each other. The embodiment of FIG. 15 is advantageous in that it may use the elastic spring which is constructed so that the rigid body and the elastic body are separately manufactured and coupled to each other, in addition to the elastic spring which is constructed so that the rigid body and the elastic body are integrated with each other. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, the rigid body or the elastic body which is located at a middle position is locked, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 15, the elastic body or rigid body provided on the lower portion of the elastic spring is locked, so that it is possible to use more various elastic springs. Each spring support part 327 of FIG. 15 has an "L"-shape, but may have an oblique shape. The spring support parts serve the same function as the support parts 324, in addition to performing the function of locking the elastic spring. Of course, since the important function of each spring support part 327 is to support the elastic spring, the spring support part is not in contact with the floor, but may merely function to support the elastic spring.

[105] FIG. 16 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a further modification of FIG. 13. The modification of FIG. 16 further includes a support plate 390 in addition to the construction of FIG. 13. The support plate for supporting the elastic springs 100 is provided under the elastic springs 100 so as to prevent the removal of the elastic springs 100 and enable easier use. When comparing the construction of FIG. 16 with that of FIG. 13, the length of each elastic spring 100 is increased such that the elastic spring is longer than the support parts 324, and the elastic spring is inserted into an associated support hole 391 of the support plate 390. The elastic body of the elastic spring is inserted into and supported by the support hole 391.

[106] FIG. 17a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a heat insulator 320 according to the present invention, in which a heating unit of the heat insulator 320 uses hot water pipes, such as XL pipes or copper pipes for use with a boiler. FIG. 17b is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 17a. FIG. 17c is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 17a.

[107] The heat insulator 320 includes support grooves 322 each having a predetermined depth. The support grooves are arranged in a lattice form such that the hot water pipes pass through the support grooves. Further, holes 321 for holding the support parts are uniformly distributed on the heat insulator in such a way that the holes do not overlap with the pipe support grooves 322. The parts where the lattice-type support grooves 322 meet each other comprise curved parts 382, thus allowing the pipes to be easily laid out along curved portions. Further, locking grooves 381 are formed in the support grooves 322 to be perpendicular to the support grooves 322, and are deeper than the support grooves 322.

[108] Preferably, the heat insulator 320 is made of Styrofoam or other insulating materials such that the holes 321 and the support grooves 322 are formed in the heat insulator through injection molding or plastic molding methods. The support grooves 322, locking grooves 381, and the curved parts 382 allow existing heating pipes, such as XL pipes, copper pipes, or stainless pipes, to be used without modification. As shown in the drawing, the support grooves 322 are arranged in a lattice form. However, all of the support grooves 322 are not used for arranging the pipes, and the support grooves 322 may be arranged in a zigzag fashion. That is, in order to conveniently arrange the pipes, the support grooves 322 are arranged in a lattice form. Further, the curved parts 382 are spaces for curving or bending the pipes, and are not necessarily present in the heat insulator 320. Further, the locking grooves 381 function to additionally lock the pipes arranged on the heat insulator 320 of the present invention, and fix the pipes by cement or other filling materials, such as those used for filling in the holes 321 or on the heat insulator 320.

[109]

[110] FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating independently moving, carrying, and using an elastic spring according to the present invention, in addition to illustrating how the elastic spring is used in the heat insulator.

[I l l] In the elastic spring of FIG. 18a, elastic bodies 110 are placed on opposite ends of a rigid body 120. The rigid body and the elastic bodies are held in a casing including a side cover 510 which supports the middle portion of the rigid body 120, and upper and lower covers 520 and 530 which support the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic bodies 110, as shown in FIG. 13. As shown in the drawing, the side cover 510 has space which allows the receiving part for receiving the elastic body 100 to be opened, as shown in the above drawings. In the drawing, the side cover 510 functions to support the middle portion of the rigid body 120. However, as long as space for opening the receiving part of the elastic body 100 is ensured, it is not necessary for the side cover to support the middle portion of the rigid body. Further, since the length of the elastic spring is changed by the application of an external load or the like, the side cover must be made of a flexible material so that the length of the side cover can be easily changed or must have a bellows structure. Further, the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 function to prevent the removal of the elastic body 110. Thus, although not shown in the drawings, at least one of the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 has in the center thereof a through hole which has a smaller diameter than the elastic body 110, or has the structure of a mesh net. If the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 have the through hole or mesh net structure, the external load is directly transmitted to the elastic body 110 through the through hole or the interior of the mesh net regardless of the casing, so that it is not necessary to make the whole portion of the casing using a flexible material, nor is it necessary to make the length of the casing changeable. The reason is because a rod of the elastic body contacts the through hole or the interior of the mesh net and thereby transmitting the load to the elastic spring via the rod, so that the elastic spring is operated in the casing as described above.

[112] An elastic spring of FIG. 18b is configured such that rigid bodies 120 are placed on opposite ends of an elastic body 110, and the rigid bodies and the elastic body are held in a casing including a side cover 610 and upper and lower covers 620 and 630 for supporting the upper and lower surfaces of the rigid bodies 120. As shown in the drawing, the side cover 610 ensures a space for allowing a receiving part of the elastic body 110 to be opened, as in the above-mentioned drawings. Further, since the length of the elastic spring is changed by the application of an external load or the like, the side cover 610 must be made of a flexible material so that the length of the side cover can be easily changed or must have a bellows structure. Further, the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 function to prevent the removal of the elastic body 110. Thus, although not shown in the drawings, at least one of the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 has in the center thereof a through hole which has a smaller diameter than the elastic body 110, or has the structure of a mesh net. If the upper and lower covers 520 and 530 have the through hole or mesh net structure, the external load is directly transmitted to the elastic body 110 through the through hole or the interior of the mesh net regardless of the casing, so that it is not necessary to make the whole portion of the casing using a flexible material, nor is it necessary to make the length of the casing changeable. The reason is because a rod of the elastic body contacts the through hole or the interior of the mesh net and thereby transmitting the load to the elastic spring via the rod, so that the elastic spring is operated in the casing as described above. Further, according to the embodiment of FIG. 18b, the side cover 610 may be directly secured to the rigid body 120. In this case, the upper and lower covers 620 and 630 may be omitted.

[113] An elastic spring of FIG. 18c includes one rigid body 120 and one elastic body 110, and is held in a casing including a side cover 710 which supports the outer surface of the lower portion of the rigid body 120, and a cover 720 which supports the upper surface of the elastic body 110. As shown in the drawing, the side cover 710 ensures space for allowing a receiving part of the elastic body 110 to be opened, as in the above-mentioned drawings. The remaining construction is equal or similar to that of FIGS. 18a and 18b.

[114] In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the side cover 510,610, or 710 and any one of the u pper and lower covers may be integrated with each other. Further, the side cover may be detachably mounted to the elastic spring, and the upper and lower covers may be integrated with the side cover. Thus, the casing may be variously constructed to hold the elastic spring therein and allow the deformation of the elastic body 110. Further, the elastic body 110 and the rigid body 120 may be directly connected to each other using a connection ring, instead of the side cover. This leads to the same result as the connection using the casing. In FIG. 18a, the connection ring is connected to both elastic bodies. In FIG. 18b, the connection ring is connected to both rigid bodies. In FIG. 18c, the connection ring connects the rigid body to a predetermined portion of the elastic body.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the present invention provides an elastic spring, which is used to prevent transferences of loads, shocks, noise, or vibration. The elastic spring is notable for its use in a building or in mechanical equipment.

Claims

[1] An elastic spring, comprising: a rigid body having larger specific gravity and small deformation; and an elastic body having smaller specific gravity than the rigid body, wherein a contact part of the rigid body with the elastic body is not a plane, and the elastic body is radially flared at the contact part with the rigid body by application of an external load, thus mitigating a load, vibration, noise, or shock transmitted from an exterior, at the contact part.

[2] The elastic spring according to claim 1, wherein either of the rigid body and the elastic body is arranged in a row on both sides of the remaining one of the rigid body and the elastic body.

[3] The elastic spring according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rigid body is a sphere or an ellipsoid; a pillar which has a circular, elliptical, or polygonal vertical section and is pointed at opposite ends thereof; or a polyhedron including a tetrahedron, a hexahedron, and an octahedron; and the elastic body is provided on each of the opposite ends of the rigid body, and is deformed at each of the opposite ends of the rigid body by an external load, such that the elastic body is radially flared.

[4] The elastic spring according to claim 3, wherein the rigid body is detachably coupled to the elastic body.

[5] The elastic spring according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rigid body has a pointed end, and the elastic body has a receiving part corresponding to a shape of the end of the rigid body, so that the receiving part receives the pointed end of the rigid body.

[6] The elastic spring according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic body comprises a slit at a position corresponding to the end of the rigid body.

[7] The elastic spring according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastic spring is constructed so that a predetermined hole or a through hole is formed in a lower portion of the end of the rigid body, and part of the elastic body is inserted into the hole, or the elastic spring is constructed so that a predetermined protrusion is provided on a lower portion of the end of the rigid body, and part of the elastic body is inserted into the protrusion, or the elastic spring further comprises a casing or a connection ring, and a space is provided around the contact part between the elastic body and the rigid body, so that the elastic body and the rigid body are integrated with each other.

[8] The elastic spring according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein nxm numbers of rigid bodies are arranged by a coupling member including a mesh net or a planar object, and elastic bodies each having a wide plate structure are provided, respectively, on upper and lower surfaces of the arranged rigid bodies, thus providing an elastic spring plate. [9] A heat insulator for building using an elastic spring described in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: a hole for holding the elastic spring therein; two pairs of ends corresponding to each other so that the ends are coupled to each other; and a support part provided on a bottom of the heat insulator, and extended or contracted by application of a load to the heat insulator. [10] The heat insulator according to claim 9, wherein a support groove is formed in an upper surface of the heat insulator to support an arrangement of a pipe. [11] *The heat insulator according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heat insulator is

Styrofoam. [12] The heat insulator according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the hole is in contact with any one of a rigid body and an elastic body of the elastic spring so as to support the elastic spring, and a space is defined in a contact part of the elastic body with the rigid body, so that a locking part or a spring support part which allows the elastic body to be freely deformed is provided in the space. [13] The heat insulator according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a locking groove which is at a predetermined angle with the support groove and is deeper than the support groove, thus additionally locking the pipe using a filling material, including cement.