Vibration and dust isolation system

Claim 1

In a vibration and sealing isolation system of the type including first and second, spaced elements (20,22) at least one of which is capable of undergoing undesirable vibration, and which together form at least part of a structure (14) to be sealed, a resilient strip (30) interposed between said first and second elements, and a fastener (26) securing said elements in sandwiching relation to the strip such that the strip seals the interface between the elements and impedes the transmission of vibration across said interface, the improvement wherein said strip is generally planar with a considerable majority (40) of the strip having a first thickness less than the spacing between said first and second elements when said strip is installed therebetween, the strip further including an elongated edge (44,60) having a second thickness somewhat greater than said spacing so as to deflect when installed and seal against one of said elements, and a load bearing portion (38,56) comprising the remainder of the strip and of a thickness somewhat greater than said spacing, said load bearing portion being the predominant part of the strip contacting both said elements while constituting a considerable minority of the surface area of the strip.