Automatic locking mechanism for the drive device of a microtome

A microtome comprising:

• a drive device, including a shaft, for producing a movement between a knife and an object holder;
• a handle for manual actuation of the driving device;
• a blocking mechanism for locking the drive device, wherein the handle comprises switching means for actuation of the blocking mechanism, and the blocking mechanism further comprises,
• an electromagnet, arranged in the microtome, and
• a disk rotationally fixedly mounted on the shaft of the drive device.

A microtome comprising:

• a drive device for producing a movement between a knife and an object holder;
• a handle for manual actuation of the drive device;
• and
• a blocking mechanism for locking the drive device, wherein the handle comprises switching means for actuation of the blocking mechanism, said switching means comprising:
• a grip with a rotationally movable gripping piece,
• a switch arranged in the gripping piece, and
• a thrust pin under spring force, arranged inside the grip, the thrust pin being axially movable to actuate the blocking mechanism in response to the switch.

A microtome comprising:

• a drive device for producing a movement between a knife and an object holder;
• a handle for manual actuation of the drive device;
• and
• a blocking mechanism for locking the drive device, wherein the handle comprises switching means for actuation of the blocking mechanism, said switching means comprising:
• a grip with a rotationally movable gripping piece, and
• a switch arranged in the gripping piece, the switch being connected via electric leads and electric sliding contacts to a control device for actuating the blocking mechanism.

A microtome comprising:

• a housing frame;
• a drive device mounted in the housing frame for producing a movement between a knife and an object holder;
• a handle mounted on the housing frame for manual actuation of the drive device;
• a blocking mechanism for locking the drive device, said blocking mechanism including recesses in the housing frame adjacent the handle, wherein the handle comprises switching means for actuation of the blocking mechanism, wherein said switching means comprises:
• a grip with a rotationally movable gripping piece,
• a switch arranged in the gripping piece, and
• a thrust pin under a spring force, arranged inside the grip and being normally in engagement with one of said recesses, the thrust pin being axially movable in response to actuation of the switch to disengage from said recess.