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US 8,940,252 B2Granted
Rack apparatus for a sample distribution system
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorMichael Ziegler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rack device for a sample distribution system includes a rack having receptacles for sample carriers and a rack carriage. The rack carriage and the rack can be solidly connected to one another by a latching device that can be released without the use of tools.
Claims13
A rack apparatus for a sample distribution system, comprising:
- a rack with receivers for sample holders;
- a rack carriage;
- and
- a latching device by which the rack carriage and the rack are tightly connectable and releasable with each other without use of tools,
- wherein the latching device comprises
- latching elements complementary to each other mounted on the rack carriage and the rack and
- a force element for applying a constraining force, wherein
- a latched connection is made or released via a relative motion between the rack carriage and the rack, the relative motion being a combination of a translational motion opposite the constraining force and a rotational motion, and
- the latching elements comprise
- at least one latching bolt pair formed by a rigid latching bolt and a movable latching bolt, the moveable latching bolt being arranged at a distance from the rigid latching bolt, and
- latching grooves, the latching bolts being introduced into the latching grooves forming the latched connection, whereby the distance between the latching bolt pair is changeable opposite the constraining force of the force element.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.