Centrifuge chuck

Claim 2

In a chuck adapted to hold a centrifuge rotor for spinning, means for gripping said rotor to said chuck comprising in combination a. an annular elastomeric gripping ring; b. pressure-applying means adapted to force said gripping ring to be distended inwardly to grip the surface of said rotor; and c. spring means adapted to actuate said pressure-applying means and to retain said ring in gripping position in the absence of any external force to overcome the force of said spring means.

Claim 3

In a chuck adapted to hold a centrifuge rotor for spinning, means for gripping said rotor to said chuck, comprising in combination a. a closure ring having an inwardly extending peripheral lip; b. a chuck body having a vertical annular ring member; c. an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member; and d. an annular array of springs adapted to force said lip of said closure ring against said gripping ring whereby in the absence of external force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to grip the outer surface of said centrifuge rotor.

Claim 4

In a chuck adapted to hold a centrifuge rotor for spinning, means for gripping said rotor to said chuck, comprising in combination a. a closure ring having an inwardly extending peripheral lip; b. a chuck body having a vertical annular ring member; c. an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member; and d. an annular array of springs adapted to force said lip of said closure ring against said gripping ring whereby in the absence of external force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to grip the outer surface of said centrifuge rotor.

Claim 5

means for moving said cable through a predetermined distance thereby to move said cam torque cap and actuate said braking and ejector cams.

Claim 6

means for moving said cable through a predetermined distance thereby to move said cam torque cap and actuate said braking and ejector cams.

Claim 7

presure-applying means adapted to forcE said gripping ring to be distended inwardly to grip the surface of said rotor, and

Claim 8

presure-applying means adapted to forcE said gripping ring to be distended inwardly to grip the surface of said rotor, and

Claim 9

two pivotally mounted clamping arms adapted for engagement with said header means for positioning said header means to permit free rotation of said rotor,

Claim 10

two pivotally mounted clamping arms adapted for engagement with said header means for positioning said header means to permit free rotation of said rotor,

Claim 11

a chuck body having circular, peripheral flat registration means and central circular registration means of a size to match and engage corresponding registration means in said rotor base adapted to maintain rotational alignment of said rotor, and having a vertical annular ring member,

Claim 12

a chuck body having circular, peripheral flat registration means and central circular registration means of a size to match and engage corresponding registration means in said rotor base adapted to maintain rotational alignment of said rotor, and having a vertical annular ring member,

Claim 13

an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member of said chuck body,

Claim 14

an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member of said chuck body,

Claim 15

spring means adapted to actuate said pressure-applying means and to retain said ring in gripping position in the absence of any external force to overcome the force of said spring means; b. stationary fluid inlet and outlet-connecting means providing fluid communication between the internal volume of said rotor and tubing means; and c. clamping means adapted to hold said connecting means in position and to provide free rotation of said rotor.

Claim 16

spring means adapted to actuate said pressure-applying means and to retain said ring in gripping position in the absence of any external force to overcome the force of said spring means; b. stationary fluid inlet and outlet-connecting means providing fluid communication between the internal volume of said rotor and tubing means; and c. clamping means adapted to hold said connecting means in position and to provide free rotation of said rotor.

Claim 17

arm support means on which said arms are mounted, and

Claim 18

arm support means on which said arms are mounted, and

Claim 19

A centrifuge chuck, comprising in combination a. a closure ring having an inwardly extending peripheral lip terminating its upper edge; b. a chuck body having a vertical annular ring member and being adapted to hold a centrifuge rotor in registry; c. an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member of said chuck body; d. a brake disc affixed to the lower edge of said closure ring; e. a plurality of ejector pins mounted in an axially movable ejector pin mounting ring and passing through openings in the bottom of said chuck body; f. an annular array of springs positioned between said chuck body and said brake disc and adapted to force said lip to said closure ring against said elastomeric gripping ring whereby in the absence of external force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to a gripping position; g. a cam torque cap having a braking surface adapted for braking engagement with said brake disc and for applying external force to said springs; h. annular braking cam means affixed to said cam torque cap; i. annular ejector cam means torsionally connected to said braking cam means but free to move axially with respect thereto and adapted to move said ejector pin mounting ring upwardly thereby to cause said ejector pins to protrude into said chuck body and raise said centrifuge rotor; and j. cam actuating means.

Claim 20

A centrifuge chuck, comprising in combination a. a closure ring having an inwardly extending peripheral lip terminating its upper edge; b. a chuck body having a vertical annular ring member and being adapted to hold a centrifuge rotor in registry; c. an elastomeric gripping ring positioned between said lip of said closure ring and the upper edge of said annular ring member of said chuck body; d. a brake disc affixed to the lower edge of said closure ring; e. a plurality of ejector pins mounted in an axially movable ejector pin mounting ring and passing through openings in the bottom of said chuck body; f. an annular array of springs positioned between said chuck body and said brake disc and adapted to force said lip to said closure ring against said elastomeric gripping ring whereby in the absence of external force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to a gripping position; g. a cam torque cap having a braking surface adapted for braking engagement with said brake disc and for applying external force to said springs; h. annular braking cam means affixed to said cam torque cap; i. annular ejector cam means torsionally connected to said braking cam means but free to move axially with respect thereto and adapted to move said ejector pin mounting ring upwardly thereby to cause said ejector pins to protrude into said chuck body and raise said centrifuge rotor; and j. cam actuating means.

Claim 21

A centrifuge chuck in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cam torque cap has a vertically extending portion and said cam actuating means comprises

Claim 22

means to lock said arm in engagement with said header means.

Claim 23

means to lock said arm in engagement with said header means.

Claim 24

a brake disc affixed to the lower edge of said closure ring,

Claim 25

a brake disc affixed to the lower edge of said closure ring,

Claim 26

a plurality of ejector pins mounted in an axially movable ejector pin mounting ring and passing through openings in the bottom of said chuck body,

Claim 27

a plurality of ejector pins mounted in an axially movable ejector pin mounting ring and passing through openings in the bottom of said chuck body,

Claim 28

A centrifuge in which fluid communication is provided with the internal volume of the centrifuge rotor during centrifuging, characterized in that the means for maintaining said rotor and associated fluid connections in operational position during centrifuging comprises in combination a. a chuck adapted to grip the lower portion of said rotor, said chuck comprising

Claim 29

A centrifuge in which fluid communication is provided with the internal volume of the centrifuge rotor during centrifuging, characterized in that the means for maintaining said rotor and associated fluid connections in operational position during centrifuging comprises in combination a. a chuck adapted to grip the lower portion of said rotor, said chuck comprising

Claim 30

an annular array of springs positioned between said chuck body and said brake disc and adapted to force said lip of said closure ring against said elastomeric gripping ring whereby in the absence of force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to a gripping position,

Claim 31

an annular array of springs positioned between said chuck body and said brake disc and adapted to force said lip of said closure ring against said elastomeric gripping ring whereby in the absence of force applied to said springs said elastomeric ring is distended inwardly to a gripping position,

Claim 32

A centrifuge in accordance with claim 5 wherein said clamping means comprises two pivotable arms supported above said rotor and adapted to lock said connecting means between them.

Claim 33

A centrifuge in which fluid communication is provided with the internal volume of the centrifuge rotor during centrifuging, characterized in that the rotor holding means comprises in combination

Claim 34

A centrifuge in which fluid communication is provided with the internal volume of the centrifuge rotor during centrifuging, characterized in that the rotor holding means comprises in combination

Claim 35

a cam torque cap having a braking surface adapted for braking engagement with said brake disc and for applying force to said springs,

Claim 36

a cam torque cap having a braking surface adapted for braking engagement with said brake disc and for applying force to said springs,

Claim 37

annular braking cam means affixed to said cam torque cap,

Claim 38

annular braking cam means affixed to said cam torque cap,

Claim 39

A centrifuge in accordance with claim 7 wherein said arms incorporate cam surfaces adapted to raise said head means into operating position thereby to permit said free rotation of said rotor. a. a chuck, comprising

Claim 40

annular ejector cam means torsionally connected to said braking cam means but free to move axially with respect thereto and adapted to move said ejector pin mounting ring upwardly thereby to cause said ejector pins to protrude into said chuck body and raise said centrifuge rotor, and

Claim 41

annular ejector cam means torsionally connected to said braking cam means but free to move axially with respect thereto and adapted to move said ejector pin mounting ring upwardly thereby to cause said ejector pins to protrude into said chuck body and raise said centrifuge rotor, and

Claim 42

A centrifuge in accordance with claim 7 wherein said arms incorporate thermal contact means adapted to dissipate heat from said header means.

Claim 43

cam actuating means; and b. clamping assembly means, comprising in combination

Claim 44

cam actuating means; and b. clamping assembly means, comprising in combination