Patent US3552536A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3552536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Test sample carrier transport apparatus
Assignee: Gilford Instrument Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-15
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A table is arranged for transporting a plurality of test sample carriers in a manner to bring each sample into proper position at a testing station, stop a sufficient time to make the test and then move on to the next sample, repeating this until all samples have been tested. The samples are mounted on carriers which slide on the table. The table is rectangular so that each carrier is required to move in a generally rectangular path. Means are provided for supporting two columns arranged horizontally, each column consisting of a plurality of carriers. There is an endless flexible sprocket chain below the carrier-supporting table which has pins projecting above the table to engage suitable notches formed in the base of each carrier on the opposite long edges thereof. By suitable guide wheels, the flexible sprocket chain follows a path in which there are two inward excursions ending in dwell points, one for each column. The location of the pins and the geometry of the chain path are such that the lateral movement of the columns of carriers is stopped while the endwise movement of the front carrier of each column is effected, and this being done without stopping the continuous movement of the chain. In this way, the front carrier of each column may be translated endwise to leave a space for the next carrier to occupy, but without interference. The lateral movement and endwise movement of the carriers of one column are respectively opposite in direction to those of the other column. Suitable programming means activated by teeth or pins on the carriers stops the entire operation of the drive mechanism each time a sample reaches the testing station and starts the mechanism after the testing has been done.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Emary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/18; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0412; G01N2035/0415; G01N2035/0474; G01N2035/0482; G01N2035/0484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
A test sample carrier transport apparatus for moving a plurality of test sample containers seriatim into testing position relative to a testing station, each carrier having an elongate generally rectangular base and means for carrying a plurality of containers therein and indexing means adapted for cooperation with structure for stopping the movement at said testing station long enough for a test to be performed, and comprising: A. a rectangular table having means defining a pair of fields spaced from one another, and each field adapted to support a column of carriers side by side; B. the width of each field being substantially the same as the greater dimension of a carrier base, the length of each field being substantially equal to half the number of bases plus one multiplied by the smaller dimension of a carrier base; C. a spacer between fields and the spacer being arranged perpendicular to the greater dimension of the carrier bases during normal disposition of the carrier bases when arranged in columns; D. the spacer being shorter than the length of each field by twice the smaller base dimension to permit simultaneous endwise movement of a carrier from one field to the other at opposite ends of the columns; E. a flexible endless member and drive means therefor, the member being arranged to move in a guided loop generally following the periphery of the table and having a plurality of carrier engaging pins spaced along the length of the member and protruding above the table; and F. means defining the path taken by the pins in a continuous cycle which is adapted to i. push each column laterally along the length of its field from the rear of the column to the front by one small base dimension; and ii. translate the frontmost carrier of each column endwise to a position at the rear of the other column at mutually exclusive periods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
A test sample carrier transport apparatus for moving a plurality of test sample containers seriatim into testing position relative to a testing station, each carrier having an elongate generally rectangular base and means for carrying a plurality of containers therein and indexing means adapted for cooperation with structure for stopping the movement at said testing station long enough for a test to be performed, and comprising: A. a rectangular table having means defining a pair of fields spaced from one another, and each field adapted to support a column of carriers side by side; B. the width of each field being substantially the same as the greater dimension of a carrier base, the length of each field being substantially equal to half the number of bases plus one multiplied by the smaller dimension of a carrier base; C. a spacer between fields and the spacer being arranged perpendicular to the greater dimension of the carrier bases during normal disposition of the carrier bases when arranged in columns; D. the spacer being shorter than the length of each field by twice the smaller base dimension to permit simultaneous endwise movement of a carrier from one field to the other at opposite ends of the columns; E. a flexible endless member and drive means therefor, the member being arranged to move in a guided loop generally following the periphery of the table and having a plurality of carrier engaging pins spaced along the length of the member and protruding above the table; and F. means defining the path taken by the pins in a continuous cycle which is adapted to i. push each column laterally along the length of its field from the rear of the column to the front by one small base dimension; and ii. translate the frontmost carrier of each column endwise to a position at the rear of the other column at mutually exclusive periods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said last means include structure for leading the pins to make a limited inwardly-directed excursion relative to said general loop in the center of each column at the rear thereof and thereafter to withdraw from said excursion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including structure for directing the pins to move along opposite edges of the table from one field to the other to capture a base from the front of one column and translate it endwise to the rear of the other column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and including structure for directing the pins to move outside of the field at all other times so as not to interfere with the movement of carriers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said carrier-engaging pins include carrier pin mounting means secured to said flexible member to space the pins outside of the said loop generally followed and defined by the endless member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which there is a rotary guide wheel for said flexible endless member having an axis spaced inwardly from said loop at the point of each such excursion, and the spacing of the pins from the flexible member being substantially equal to radius of each of such rotary guide wheels so that each pin entering the excursion will move to the axis of a rotary guide wheel and return on straight line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the flexible endless member is a sprocket chain and the means defining the path taken by said pins comprise a plurality of sprocket wheels engaging said loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the rotary guide wheels comprise sprocket wheels having the chain wrapped around 180* of each, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a plurality of teSt sample carriers, comprising said number and each carrier comprising: A. an elongate generally rectangular base having means for carrying a plurality of sample containers therein; B. indexing means adapted for cooperation with structure for stopping the movement at a testing station long enough for a test to be performed; C. the base having a pin-receiving notch in each of its long edges at the center thereof, and each notch adapted to cooperate with a pin engaged therein to provide the movement as aforesaid; and D. the base being of rectangular dimensions such that said field width and length are as defined hereinbefore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said notch in each case has a slanted entrance edge and a right angle pusher edge, the apparatus being constructed so that the movement of a pin in translating a carrier endwise will be effected with said pin engaging against said right angle edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said spacer has activating means cooperating with said indexing means when said carrier is being translated endwise from one column to another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in combination with programming means driven by said activating means for controlling the movement of said carriers relative to said testing station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A sample carrier for use with a test sample carrier transport apparatus and comprising an elongate rectangular base, a container supporting structure on top of said base, a central notch in each of the long edges of said base for receiving a pusher pin therein to enable translation of said carrier on a table surface, each notch having a slanted entrance edge and a right angle pusher edge, the slanted edges being directed in opposite directions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A sample carrier for use with a test sample carrier transport apparatus and comprising an elongate rectangular base, a container supporting structure on top of said base, a central notch in each of the long edges of said base for receiving a pusher pin therein to enable translation of said carrier on a table surface, each notch having a slanted entrance edge and a right angle pusher edge, the slanted edges being directed in opposite directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The carrier as claimed in claim 13 in which said carrier has indexing means for cooperation with a program activator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3327833A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |