US3609648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems for controlling a plurality of variable functions of an instrument
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-18
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1990-05-18
Abstract
Abstract In an instrument (e.g., a spectrophotometer) having various operating parameters or functions, various groupings of a particular value for each of these functions (e.g., scan time, slit program, amplifier gain, and scan suppression) can be ''''set'''' or ''''stored,'''' for example on different potentiometers, for ''''recall'''' or use. Each ''''set'''' or ''''stored'''' condition of each function may be ''''reset'''' separately, and a particular grouping (e.g., four) of these new individual function values can then be ''''recovered'''' for use together by merely ''''addressing'''' or ''''choosing'''' a particular (mode) grouping.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M Sebas
- 👤 Charles F Demey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A control system for conveniently controlling a plurality of functions of an instrument, comprising: a first series of first instrument function-controlling elements, each being variable over a first range of values; at least a second series of second instrument functioncontrolling elements, each being variable over a second range of values; a first element-setting means, removably engaged by any one of said first function-controlling elements; at least a second element setting means, removably engaged by any one of said second function-controlling elements; a plurality of conjoint connecting means each operatively associated with a particular one of said first functioncontrolling elements and a corresponding particular one of second function-controlling elements, in such relationship as to cause a particular one of said first function-controlling elements to operatively engage said first element-setting means and simultaneously cause a corresponding particular one of said second function-controlling elements to operatively engage said second function-setting means; switching means for selecting which of said connecting means is to be actuated; and actuating means for causing actuation of that selected one of said connecting means, to cause simultaneous engagement of particular selected corresponding ones of said first and said second function-controllIng elements with said first and said second element-setting means, respectively; whereby movement of each of said element-setting means will adjustably move said particular selected corresponding ones of said function-controlling elements, thereby allowing individual adjustment thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A control system for conveniently controlling a plurality of functions of an instrument, comprising: a first series of first instrument function-controlling elements, each being variable over a first range of values; at least a second series of second instrument functioncontrolling elements, each being variable over a second range of values; a first element-setting means, removably engaged by any one of said first function-controlling elements; at least a second element setting means, removably engaged by any one of said second function-controlling elements; a plurality of conjoint connecting means each operatively associated with a particular one of said first functioncontrolling elements and a corresponding particular one of second function-controlling elements, in such relationship as to cause a particular one of said first function-controlling elements to operatively engage said first element-setting means and simultaneously cause a corresponding particular one of said second function-controlling elements to operatively engage said second function-setting means; switching means for selecting which of said connecting means is to be actuated; and actuating means for causing actuation of that selected one of said connecting means, to cause simultaneous engagement of particular selected corresponding ones of said first and said second function-controllIng elements with said first and said second element-setting means, respectively; whereby movement of each of said element-setting means will adjustably move said particular selected corresponding ones of said function-controlling elements, thereby allowing individual adjustment thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An instrument control system according to claim 1, in which: said switching means comprises additional ganged switch means for simultaneously operatively connecting each of said selected ones of said function-controlling elements to a respective function-controlling input of the instrument being controlled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
An instrument control system according to claim 1, in which: biasing means are operatively attached between each of said connecting means and the particular ones of said first and said second function-controlling elements associated therewith; said connecting means further comprises a blocking portion for maintaining said associated first and second function-controlling elements out of operative engagement with its respective element-setting means prior to actuation of said connecting means; said biasing means being so positioned as to cause said function-controlling elements to be engaged with its respective element-setting means when said connecting means is actuated to move said blocking portion out of the way of said function-controlling elements; whereby said first and said second function-controlling means are in resiliently biased engagement with said first and said second element-setting means upon actuation of its respective connecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An instrument control system according to claim 3, in which: said biasing means comprises an individual resilient means, operatively connected between each of said first and said second function-controlling elements and their particular associated conjoint connecting means; said resilient means being of such construction and relative position that actuation of said conjoint connecting means increases the force of said resilient means tending to bias said first and said second function-controlling means into engagement with said first and said second element-setting means, respectively, upon actuation of their respective conjoint connecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
An instrument control system according to claim 1, in which: said actuating means comprises an on-off electrical switch, one terminal of which is supplied by a source of electrical energy; each of said conjoint connecting means comprises an individual electromotive means; and said switching means comprises an electrical selecting switch for selectively connecting a particular one of said electromotive means to the other terminal of said on-off electrical switch; whereby closing of said on-off switch will actuate the particular electromotive means selected by the position of said electrical switch means, thereby causing actuation of a particular selected one of said connecting means so as to cause simultaneous engagement of a particular one of said first and said second function-controlling elements with said first and said second element-setting means, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An instrument control system according to claim 5, in which: said switching means further comprises additional ganged switch means for simultaneously operatively connecting each of said function-controlling elements to a respective function-controlling input of the instrument being controlled; whereby movement of said switching means and its additional ganged switch means always selects a particular one of said first and said second instrument function-controlling elements for operatively controlling said instrument regardless of the position of said on-off electrical switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
194 words
An instrument control system according to claim 1, in which: at least a third series of instrument function-controlling elements each variable over a third range of values are provided; at least a third element-setting means, capable of being operably Engaged by any one of said third function-controlling elements, are provided; each of said plurality of conjoint connecting means being also operatively associated with a particular one of said third function-controlling elements, in such relationship as to be capable of causing a particular one of said third function-controlling elements to operatively engage said third element-setting means simultaneously with the operative engagement of the corresponding particular one of said first and said second function-controlling elements with said first and said second element-setting means, respectively; said switching and actuating means thereby causing simultaneous engagement of a particular selected corresponding one of said first said second and said third function-controlling elements with said first, said second and said third element-setting means, respectively upon selected actuation; whereby movement of each of said first, second and third element-setting means will adjustably move said particular selected corresponding one of said first, second and third function-controlling elements, thereby allowing individual adjustment thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument control system according to claim 1, in which: said first and said second series of instrument function-controlling elements comprise at least four function-controlling elements each; whereby four different groupings of instrument-controlling values may be obtained.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |