Mount for an optical structure, and method for mounting an optical structure to the mount.
The mount for optical structures uses a combination of rigid and less rigid pads to minimize external stresses, ensuring secure attachment and synchronization with structural movements, thereby maintaining optical flatness and reducing beam deviation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PLX INC
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing mounts for high-precision optical structures fail to maintain perpendicularity and parallel orientation of reflective surfaces while minimizing external stresses, which cause distortion and beam deviation due to thermal expansion, deflection, and vibrations.
A mount configuration using a combination of rigid and less rigid attachment pads to secure the optical structure, allowing it to move and synchronize with vibrational and impact forces, reducing external stresses and maintaining optical flatness.
The mount effectively reduces external stresses, minimizing beam deviation and ensuring accurate optical performance by synchronizing with structural movements, thus maintaining optical flatness and reducing flexural stress.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 122,418, filed on December 15, 2020, with the invention title "Mount for an Optical Structure, and Method of Mounting an Optical Structure to the Mount", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] [Technical Field] The present disclosure relates to the field of mounts for high - precision optical structures. High - precision optical structures include, but are not limited to, the following optical structures: reflective panels; hollow retro - reflectors; roof mirrors; lateral - transfer retro - reflectors; and periscopes (hereinafter collectively referred to as "optical structures"). These optical structures have been around for a long time in this technology.
Background Art
[0003] When these optical structures are fabricated and assembled for high - precision and high - accuracy applications, it is important to maintain the perpendicularity and / or their parallel orientation of the reflective surfaces to each other, and sometimes it is essential to ensure that the optical structure does not move as a whole. Hereinafter, when discussing either the perpendicularity or the parallel orientation of the reflective surfaces of an optical structure, this specification refers to the "orientation" of these elements.
[0004] The orientation of the reflective surface is affected by external stresses. Regarding high - precision and high - accuracy reflective panels such as mirror panels used for high - precision purposes in such optical structures, it is also important to make the reflective surface of the panel as optically flat as possible and to maintain it so. External stresses cause distortion of the optical flatness of the reflective surface of the reflective panel, which is an optical structure, and these distortions can then cause distortion to the outgoing wavefront of the outgoing light ray. Such distortion of the outgoing light ray increases the beam deviation, whereby the outgoing light ray is no longer parallel to the incoming (incident) light ray.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] It is desirable to assemble the elements of an optical structure in a manner that eliminates or reduces external stresses. The method of mounting the optical structure to the mount should not increase these stresses, but nevertheless, it is also desirable to securely hold the optical structure on the mount. As such, prior art mounts for such optical structures have been commonly known in this art as “hard mount” structures. Hard mount structures maintain the dimensional stability ("DS") of the optical structure so that external stresses acting on the optical structure do not alter its dimensions, and therefore do not affect the optical flatness of the reflective surface of the optical structure.
[0006] The mount also achieves secure mounting of the optical structure in a manner that assists in eliminating the flexural stress on the (multiple) reflective surfaces of the optical structure caused by mounting the optical structure to the mount. One or more embodiments of the mount achieve DS such that a hard mount configuration is achieved. In particular, for measuring the DS of an optical structure and mounting it to another structure, it is important to maintain the optical path difference ("OPD") between the incident ray entering the optical structure and the reflected ray exiting the optical structure as close to perfect as possible. To achieve this in a hard mount configuration as disclosed in the subject matter, it is important that the dimensional relationship between the reflective surfaces of the optical structure, which is mounted to another structure via a mounting assembly, and the vertices of the optical structure is maintained under all environmental conditions and under changes in these annular conditions.
[0007] Examples of external stresses that may affect the optical flatness of a reflective panel and / or the orientation of the reflective surface of a reflective panel in an optical structure include thermal expansion or contraction of the substrate material that forms the panel, deflection caused by the bonding material used to join the elements together, and / or deflection caused by the curing of adhesive between (multiple) reflective panels and the item to which they are mounted, or by the tightening of (multiple) reflective panels and the item to which they are mounted, the mass of the panel itself, as well as vibrations of the combined mount and optical structure and / or shocks to them.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable not only to assemble the elements of the optical structure in a way that reduces these stresses, but equally important that the mounting system / structure used to attach the optical structure to another structure does not apply any significant straining force to the optical structure. It is desirable that the method of attaching the optical structure to its mount does not increase these stresses, but nevertheless, it would also be desirable that the optical structure be securely held on the mount.
[0009] It is even more desirable that the method of attaching the optical structure to the mount (hereinafter referred to as the "combined structure") allows the optical structure to move and synchronize with any movement of the mount when the combined structure is subjected to either a vibrational force or an impact force, or both.
[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved mount for optical structures.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mount for an optical structure that minimizes external stress on the reflective surface of the optical structure.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mount for an optical structure that achieves a reduction in the movement of the optical structure in order to achieve more accurate distance measurement.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to enable a method for mounting an optical structure to a mount such that the optical structure moves and synchronizes with any movement of the mount when the combined structure is subjected to either a vibrational force or an impact force, or both.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mount for an optical structure, which allows for easy and secure mounting to a support structure and attachment of the optical structure, and which does not impose distortion on the wavefront of the optical structure.
[0015] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an improved method for mounting optical structures using an improved mount.
[0016] Other objectives of the present invention are somewhat obvious and will be somewhat clear from the following description.
[0017] For the purpose of illustrating various aspects of the present invention, the same figures indicate the same elements, and simplified forms that can be used are shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to, or can be expressed in, the arrangements and means shown in the drawings. The following appended drawings and illustrations are provided for assistance to those skilled in the art in the preparation and use of the subject matter of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an assembly from prior art. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the prior art assembly. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the subject invention. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] It is a top view of an embodiment of the attachment pad of the embodiment of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a side elevation view of the attachment pad of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of one of the attachment pads 200 and 202 of FIG. 4 along the line B-B of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of one of the attachment pads 300, 302, 304, and 306 of FIG. 4 along the line B-B of FIG. 7.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0019] In accordance with the present invention, an improved mount for an optical structure and a method of attaching an optical structure are provided. For ease and consistency, the optical structure used in all the illustrations is the lateral transfer retroreflector ("LTR") 10 (FIGS. 1-2 (prior art)) and 100 (FIGS. 3-6). Each LTR has a roof mirror (20, 120) and a mirror panel (30, 130). Each LTR structure is formed using methods known in the art for forming a roof mirror and attaching the roof mirror and the mirror panel between an upper support member (40, 140) and a lower support member (50, 150). Similar to the rear support member (not shown), each LTR can also have a front support member (60, 160) and a rear support member 162 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) to assist in the stability of the overall optical structure joined between the upper support member and the lower support member.
[0020] In the prior art assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mount 70 is shown attached to the optical structure 10 on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower support members 40 and 50 of the optical structure 10. In the prior art, the attachment of the mount 70 is achieved using four mounting pads 80. The mounting pads 80 are all hard-mount structures, as described above herein. To achieve this hard-mount connection, the mounting pads 80 are known in the art as being rigid. When these pads are made of polymer material, the hardness is measured using a durometer scale. The durometer scale measures hardness with respect to the elasticity (stiffness) of the material. As used throughout this disclosure, stiffness is intended to mean the elasticity of the material as measured using a durometer scale. For pads formed of polymer material, the durometer values are generally within the following ranges: Shore 00: 10 to 80 (for softer materials), Shore A: 20 to 90 (for harder materials). However, in most cases, the objectives to be achieved by this disclosure will be in the range of Shore A 40–90 (for hard materials) and Shore A 25–60 (for softer materials).
[0021] Next, turning to the attachment of the present disclosure, it can be seen in the embodiments of the present invention in FIGS. 3-6 that the mount assembly 170 includes a bracket element 180 having a top panel 182 and a bottom panel 184 that are joined together by a back panel 186. The bracket 180 and the optical structure 100 are joined together using two sets of attachment pads. The first set of attachment pads 200 and 202 are rigid attachment pads, providing a more robust connection similar to those of the prior art between these components. The second set of attachment pads 300, 302, 304, and 306 are not rigid attachment pads, but rather are lower stiffness pads. For pads formed of a polymeric material, the durometer values generally fall within the following ranges: Shore 00: 10-80 (for softer cases), Shore A: 20-90 (for harder cases). However, in most cases, the objectives achieved by the present disclosure will be achieved in the ranges of Shore A 40-90 (for harder cases) and Shore A 25-60 (for softer cases).
[0022] Attachment pad 200 is between the top panel 182 of bracket 180 and the upper support member 140 of the optical structure 100. Attachment pad 202 is between the bottom panel 184 of bracket 180 and the lower support member 150 of the optical structure 100. In this configuration, the optical structure 100 is hard-mounted to the bracket 180, thereby achieving all of the stress / flexure reduction effects discussed above achieved by prior art configurations.
[0023] Mounting pads 300 and 302 are located between the top panel 182 of the bracket 180 and the upper support member 140 of the optical structure 100. Mounting pads 304 and 306 are located between the bottom panel 184 of the bracket 180 and the lower support member 150 of the optical structure 100. By using these four lower-hardness mounting pads (300, 302, 304, 306) in combination with the two hard mounting pads (200, 202), the benefit of preventing at least the following external stresses is achieved: thermal stress, vibration stress, and stress due to impact / impact forces either on the combined structure or on the overall structure to which the combined structure is mounted.
[0024] For the purposes of this disclosure, vibration stress is considered to have substantially constant properties. Examples include, but are not limited herein, (a) vibrations felt by a motor or motor-driven device to which the combination structure is attached, or (b) normal vibrations experienced by any operating device or vehicle to which the combination structure may be attached.
[0025] For the purposes of this disclosure, shock stress / impact stress is considered to have a shorter duration than vibration stress and is typically thought to result from a sudden impact to either the composite structure or the device to which the composite structure is attached.
[0026] The combination of rigid pads (200, 202) and less rigid pads (300, 302, 304, 306) allows the optical structure to move and synchronize with any movement of the bracket 180 when the combined structure is subjected to either vibrational force, impact force, or both. Furthermore, the combination of rigid pads (200, 202) and less rigid pads (300, 302, 304, 306) between the bracket 180 and the optical structure 100 also reduces the strain effect of temperature fluctuations on the combined structure.
[0027] In the combined structure of the present invention, reducing the four rigid pads of the prior art to two rigid pads, and adding four less rigid pads, outweighs all the benefits achieved in the prior art configuration by further reducing the effects of temperature, shock, impact force, and vibration on the reflective surface of the optical structure.
[0028] Lower stiffness of pads (300, 302, 304, 306) can be achieved by either changing the formulation of the polymer material used to manufacture the pad, and / or by changing the geometry of the pad. In either case, the measure of the material's stiffness (elasticity), i.e., the material's durometer value, is reduced compared to the value used for pads (200, 202). When changing the polymer material, it is changed to a material with a different stiffness. The change in polymer material may be a change within the same family of materials (e.g., two different polyurethanes) or a change to a different family of materials (e.g., switching between polyurethane and rubber). This disclosure anticipates any of the above changes to / from the polymer material in order to achieve the required stiffness.
[0029] Figures 7-10 show enlarged views of both the rigid and less rigid pads in Figure 4, while Figures 9 and 10 show another way to vary the pad stiffness. In particular, Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view through any of the rigid pads (200, 202) in Figure 4, and Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view through any of the less rigid pads (300, 302, 304, 306) in Figure 4. As can be seen in these illustrations, the wall thickness 210 of pad (200, 202) is thicker than the wall thickness 310 of pad (300, 302, 304, 306).
[0030] Another way to alter the pad's stiffness is to use a foamed version of the polymer material (not shown). In such a foamed version, the foaming characteristic imparts a controlled distribution of bubbles throughout the material. As such, there is less actual material in each pad, and consequently, the pad's stiffness is reduced; therefore, this method of foaming the pad can be considered another version of the pad's geometry.
[0031] Another way to change the stiffness of the pad would be to use a combination of the thinner wall sections mentioned above and a foamed version of the polymer material.
[0032] Other methods known in this art for reducing the rigidity of polymer materials are predicted herein.
[0033] There is no standard, fixed combination of dimensions or foaming formulations that determines what constitutes a hard pad compared to a softer pad. Each determination will depend on several different parameters, including, but are not limited to, (a) the overall size of the optical structure used, (b) the environment in which the optical structure will be used (space, Earth's atmosphere, underwater, etc.), (c) the equipment in which the optical structure will be mounted, (d) the purpose to be achieved by the use of the optical structure, and (c) the performance level required of the combined structure. Nevertheless, for pads formed from polymer materials, the durometer values generally fall within the following ranges: Shore 00: 10-80 (for softer pads), Shore A: 20-90 (for hard pads). However, in most cases, the objectives to be achieved in this disclosure will be in the range of Shore A 40-90 (for hard pads) and Shore A 25-60 (for softer pads).
[0034] There is a counter-demand for pads to protect the optical structure from vibration and shock. Since the objective is for the optical structure to move and synchronize with the mount, a fairly rigid pad is more desirable to handle vibration. A soft pad would still move the optical assembly in one direction when the mount is already moving in the opposite direction, and these movements would result in very large stresses on the pad, or collisions of the optical assembly with the mount.
[0035] To handle impact loads, we want to use softer pads to absorb and weaken the impact force. Pads that are too hard will transmit the impact force to the optical structure, increasing the risk of damage to the optical system.
[0036] Therefore, the combination of two rigid mounting pads (200, 202) and four softer pads (300, 302, 304, 306) achieves the objective of further reducing the influence of these external forces on the optics of the optical structure, as is therefore known in the prior art.
[0037] Notwithstanding any provisions of this specification that may be considered contrary to the following description, it is anticipated herein that the embodiment of two rigid / hard mounting pads (200, 202) with four softer pads (300, 302, 304, 306) as shown in Figures 3-6 is simply one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, it is anticipated herein that additional rigid / hard mounting pads may be present, as well as additional softer mounting pads. The subject matter of the present invention is the combination of the use of rigid pads and the use of softer pads. Therefore, without being limited to the following alternative embodiments, any of the following combinations and designs of pads are predicted herein between the top panel 182 of the bracket 180 and the upper support member 140 of the optical structure 100, and between the bottom panel 184 of the bracket 180 and the lower support member 150 of the optical structure 100: (a) two hard pads in the center of two softer pads; (b) two hard pads in the center of four softer pads; (c) one hard pad in the center of two softer pads; and (d) any number of hard pads along any portion of the length of the optical structure, and any row of softer pads (i.e., additional sequential variations to those of (a) to (c) above), including a row in which softer (multiple) pads are in the center of hard (multiple) pads (i.e., the opposite of those shown in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 6).
[0038] It is also anticipated herein that the sizes of the rigid and softer pads may be varied. For example, since the distance between the bracket panel and the support member of the optical structure remains substantially constant, the depth / height of the pad between the surface of the bracket panel and the surface of the support member of the optical structure is necessarily substantially constant, while the diameter and / or other shape of the pad may be varied to achieve the results anticipated by this disclosure. Examples of these alternative embodiments are not intended to be limited thereto, but may include configurations in which the pads (200, 202) have a larger volume than the softer pads (300, 302, 304, 306) (for example, by having a larger diameter), or vice versa.
[0039] Several different options exist for mounting the optical structure onto the mounting structure. For example, one method involves first fixing all the pads (200, 202, 300, 302, 304, 306) to the bracket 180, positioning the optical structure in place between the pads, and then fixing the pads to the optical structure. This method can also be reversed, in which case the pads are first fixed to the optical structure and then to the bracket. In either of these cases, all six pads will generally be assembled simultaneously. In another method, the optical structure and the bracket are held together in the correct position. In this case, the bracket has openings (not shown) through the top panel 182 and the bottom panel 184, through which the pads can be fixed to the optical structure. Then, covers (not shown) are attached above the openings, and these covers are fixed to the pads. In this approach, the pads can be mounted one at a time, all at a time, one at a time, or in any other order.
[0040] Therefore, it will be understood that the above-mentioned objectives, as revealed above, can be efficiently achieved. Since numerous / specific modifications can be made in the above configuration and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters included in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative only and not as restrictive.
[0041] It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the comprehensive specific features of the invention described herein, and all descriptions of the scope of the invention that may be said to fall between them as a matter of language.
Claims
1. A mount for attaching an optical structure to an external system, wherein the optical structure comprises two mirror panels fixed between an upper support member and a lower support member of the optical structure so as to reflect off each other, and each of the upper support member and the lower support member has an outer surface, The aforementioned mount is A bracket element comprising a top panel and a bottom panel fixed along the back panel, At least a first mounting pad and a second mounting pad, wherein the first mounting pad attaches a first portion of the outer surface of the upper support member to a first portion of the inner surface of the top panel of the bracket element, and the second mounting pad attaches a first portion of the outer surface of the lower support member to a first portion of the inner surface of the bottom panel of the bracket element, At least a third mounting pad, a fourth mounting pad, a fifth mounting pad, and a sixth mounting pad, wherein the third and fourth mounting pads attach the second and third portions of the outer surface of the upper support member to the second and third portions of the inner surface of the top panel of the bracket element, and the fifth and sixth mounting pads attach the second and third portions of the outer surface of the lower support member to the second and third portions of the inner surface of the bottom panel of the bracket element, Equipped with, The first and second mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a first durometer value, and the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a second durometer value. mount.
2. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the first durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 40 to 90, and the second durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 25 to 60.
3. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the first durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 20 to 90, and the second durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore 00: 10 to 80.
4. The mount according to claim 3, wherein at least the first mounting pad is positioned between the upper support member of the optical structure and the top panel of the bracket element, and between at least the third mounting pad and the fourth mounting pad.
5. The mount according to claim 3, wherein at least the second mounting pad is positioned between the lower support member of the optical structure and the bottom panel of the bracket element, and between at least the fifth mounting pad and the sixth mounting pad.
6. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the first durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 25 to 60, and the second durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 40 to 90.
7. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the first durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore 00: 10 to 80, and the second durometer value is within the durometer range of Shore A: 20 to 90.
8. The mount according to claim 7, wherein at least the first mounting pad is positioned between the upper support member of the optical structure and the top panel of the bracket element, and between at least the third mounting pad and the fourth mounting pad.
9. The mount according to claim 7, wherein at least the second mounting pad is positioned between the lower support member of the optical structure and the bottom panel of the bracket element, and between at least the fifth mounting pad and the sixth mounting pad.
10. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the optical structure is selected from the group consisting of a reflective panel, a hollow retroreflector, a roof mirror, a lateral transfer retroreflector, and a periscope.
11. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting pad and the second mounting pad are arranged substantially vertically.
12. The mount according to claim 1, wherein the third mounting pad and the fifth mounting pad are arranged substantially vertically, and the fourth mounting pad and the sixth mounting pad are arranged substantially vertically.
13. A method for mounting an optical structure to a mount so that a combination structure can be attached to an external system, wherein the optical structure comprises two mirror panels fixed between an upper support member and a lower support member of the optical structure so as to reflect off each other, each of the upper support member and the lower support member having an outer surface, and the mount comprises a bracket element having a top panel and a bottom panel fixed along a back panel, The method described above is A first attachment step involves attaching at least three upper mounting pads to the inner surface of the top panel of the bracket element, A second attachment step involves attaching at least three lower mounting pads to the inner surface of the bottom panel of the bracket element, The steps include: positioning the optical structure at a predetermined location on the mount substantially between the upper mounting pad and the lower mounting pad; A third attachment step involves attaching the upper mounting pad to the outer surface of the upper support member of the optical structure, A fourth attachment step involves attaching the lower mounting pad to the outer surface of the lower support member of the optical structure, Methods that include...
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first adhesion step and the second adhesion step can be performed in any order.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the third adhesion step and the fourth adhesion step may be performed in any order.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein two of the at least three upper mounting pads and two of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a first durometer value, and one of the at least three upper mounting pads and one of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a second durometer value.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first attachment step and the second attachment step include the step of attaching each of the mounting pads having the second durometer value between two mounting pads having the first durometer value.
18. A method for mounting an optical structure to a mount so that a combination structure can be attached to an external system, wherein the optical structure comprises two mirror panels fixed between an upper support member and a lower support member of the optical structure so as to reflect off each other, each of the upper support member and the lower support member having an outer surface, and the mount comprises a bracket element having a top panel and a bottom panel fixed along a back panel, The method described above is A first attachment step involves attaching at least three upper mounting pads to the outer surface of the upper support member of the optical structure, A second attachment step involves attaching at least three lower mounting pads to the outer surface of the lower support member of the optical structure, The steps include: positioning the optical structure at a predetermined location on the bracket element substantially between the top panel and the bottom panel; A third attachment step involves attaching the upper mounting pad to the inner surface of the top panel of the bracket element, A fourth attachment step involves attaching the lower mounting pad to the inner surface of the bottom panel of the bracket element, Methods that include...
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first adhesion step and the second adhesion step can be performed in any order.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the third adhesion step and the fourth adhesion step may be performed in any order.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein two of the at least three upper mounting pads and two of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a first durometer value, and one of the at least three upper mounting pads and one of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a second durometer value.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first attachment step and the second attachment step include the step of attaching each of the mounting pads having the second durometer value between two mounting pads having the first durometer value.
23. A method for mounting an optical structure to a mount so that a combination structure can be attached to an external system, wherein the optical structure comprises two mirror panels fixed between an upper support member and a lower support member of the optical structure so as to reflect off each other, each of the upper support member and the lower support member having an outer surface, and the mount comprises a bracket element having a top panel and a bottom panel fixed along a back panel, The method described above is The steps include: positioning the optical structure at a predetermined location on the bracket element substantially between the top panel and the bottom panel; A first attachment step involves attaching at least three upper mounting pads corresponding to the at least three openings through the top panel of the bracket element to the outer surface of the upper support member of the optical structure, A second attachment step involves attaching at least three lower mounting pads corresponding to the at least three openings through the bottom panel of the bracket element to the outer surface of the lower support member of the optical structure, The steps include: attaching a cover to each of the at least three openings in the top panel and bottom panel of the bracket element; A third attachment step involves attaching the upper mounting pad to the inner surface of the corresponding cover of the top panel of the bracket element, A fourth attachment step involves attaching the lower mounting pad to the inner surface of the corresponding cover of the bottom panel of the bracket element, Methods that include...
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first adhesion step and the second adhesion step can be performed in any order.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the third adhesion step and the fourth adhesion step may be performed in any order.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein two of the at least three upper mounting pads and two of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a first durometer value, and one of the at least three upper mounting pads and one of the at least three lower mounting pads are formed from a polymer material having a second durometer value.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the first attachment step and the second attachment step include the step of attaching each of the mounting pads having the second durometer value between two mounting pads having the first durometer value.