Magnetic Clamps for Laboratory Shakers
AssigneeLabStrong Corp.
InventorsMark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp for an Erlenmeyer flask or other laboratory containers or racks uses nickel-coated, rare earth magnets to secure the clamp to a platform for a laboratory shaker. The base of the clamp has downwardly extending positioning bosses that seat in holes or indentations on the shaker platform to prevent horizontal sliding of the clamp when the shaker is in use. A removable and replaceable, elastomeric cover for the base of the flask clamp provides cushioning and prevents spinning of the flask when the shaker is in use.
Claims31
For use with a laboratory shaker having a platform with an array of clamp positioning holes or indentations, a flask clamp comprising:
- a clamp base;
- one or more magnets attached to the clamp base and extending downward from the base;
- at least one positioning bosses extending downward from the base, said positioning bosses being configured to fit into clamp positioning holes or indentations on the shaker platform when the flask clamp is positioned on the shaker platform with the one or more magnets being magnetically attracted to the platform in order to magnetically secure the flask clamp on the shaker platform;
- and
- a flask holding mechanism attached to the clamp base, the holding mechanism having one or more inwardly biased holding surfaces located above the clamp base for engaging a sidewall of a flask placed in the flask clamp with opposing holding pressure.
For use with a laboratory shaker having a platform with an array of clamp positioning holes or indentations, a clamp for one or more containers comprising:
- a clamp base;
- one or more permanent magnets attached to the clamp base and extending downward from the base;
- at least one positioning bosses extending downward from the base, said positioning bosses being configured to fit into clamp positioning holes or indentations on the shaker platform when the clamp is positioned on the shaker platform with one or more magnets being magnetically attracted to the platform in order to magnetically secure the clamp on the shaker platform.
A method of removably attaching a container clamps or rack clamps to a laboratory shaker platform, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a laboratory shaker platform with an array of clamp positioning holes or indentations;
- providing a clamp having a base with one or more positioning bosses extending downward from the base, and a container or rack holding mechanism attached to the base;
- placing the positioning bosses on the clamp within positioning holes or indentations on the shaker platform;
- and
- using magnetic force to magnetically hold the base of the clamp against the shaker platform when the shaker is in operation.
For use with a laboratory shaker, a flask clamp for an Erlenmeyer flask comprising:
- a base;
- a flask holding mechanism attached to the base, the holding mechanism having three equally spaced resilient spring fingers connected to the base and extending generally upward from the base and a roller mechanism mounted on top of each spring finger, the roller mechanisms being inwardly biased and located above a hip line for an Erlenmeyer flask placed in the clamp, said roller mechanisms providing a net force with a downward component;
- and
- a frictional surface on the base which engages the bottom of said Erlenmeyer flask located in the flask clamp, wherein the friction force of the frictional surface against the bottom of the flask prevents the flask from spinning when the shaker is in operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.