US 12,703,108 B2Granted

Apparatus for facilitating automated connection

AssigneeMultiply Labs Inc.

InventorsChristopher Jin Cheng, Jeffrey Ackerman Curhan, Roger Dean Lo, Dorothy Szymkiewicz

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Abstract

An apparatus includes a port body for holding a first device and a retainer for retaining the port body. The port body includes a base, a stem extending from the base, and one or more first anti-rotation members disposed at the base. The retainer includes first and second retaining members, with the base of the port body disclosed in between. A through-hole larger than the stem of the port body is formed at the first retaining member, allowing the stem to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member. One or more second anti-rotation members are disposed at the first or second retaining member and coupled with the one or more first anti-rotation members. The retainer restricts the port body from rotating but allows it to move translationally relative to the retainer to accommodate axial misalignment when connecting the first device with a second device.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An apparatus for facilitating automated connection of a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:

a port body comprising:
a base;
a stem extending from the base;
a bore extending from an upper end portion of the stem to a lower end portion of the base and configured for receiving at least a portion of the first device;
a tip disposed at a free end portion of the stem and configured for guiding the second device when connecting the second device and the first device;
and
one or more first anti-rotation members disposed at the base;
and
a retainer comprising:
a first retaining member having a first surface;
a second retaining member coupled or formed with the first retaining member and having a second surface spaced apart from the first surface of the first retaining member in an axial direction of the port body, wherein the base of the port body is disposed between the first surface of the first retaining member and the second surface of the second retaining member;
a first circular or substantially circular through-hole disposed on the first retaining member and having a diameter larger or substantially larger than an outer diameter of the stem to allow the stem of the port body to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member;
and
one or more second anti-rotation members disposed at the first retaining member or the second retaining member and coupled with the one or more first anti-rotation members to restrict the port body from rotating relative to the retainer,
wherein the port body is movable translationally relative to the retainer in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the port body.

12 more elements

An apparatus for facilitating automated connection of a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:

a port body comprising:
a base;
a stem extending from the base, wherein at least a portion of the stem comprises a circular or substantially circular cross-section;
a bore extending from an upper end portion of the stem to a lower end portion of the base and configured for receiving at least a portion of the first device;
and
a tip disposed at a free end portion of the stem and configured for guiding the second device when connecting the second device and the first device;
and
a retainer comprising:
a first retaining member having a first surface;
a second retaining member coupled with the first retaining member and having a second surface spaced apart from the first surface of the first retaining member in an axial direction of the port body, wherein the base of the port body is disposed between the first surface of the first retaining member and the second surface of the second retaining member;
a first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member and having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the stem to allow the stem of the port body to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member;
and
a rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member to set a boundary for translational movement of the port body,
wherein the port body is movable translationally relative to the retainer in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the port body within a range defined by (i) a gap between the first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member and the stem, (ii) a gap between the rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member and an outer edge of the base of the port body, or (iii) a combination thereof.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/011,483Filed 6 Jan 2025 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 Jan 2024
Published: US 2025/0224059 A110 Jul 2025
Granted: 11 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

B25J 15/0408
With provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof: connections means
C12M 23/38
Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges: caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
C12M 23/40
Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges: manifolds; Distribution pieces
C12M 23/42
Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges: integrated assemblies, e.g. cassettes or cartridges