US3920299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laboratory module system
Assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
•
Filing: 1974-08-05
•
Granted: 1975-11-18
•
Expires: 1994-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A pair of rectangular sub-frames are joined together in spaced relationship forming a free standing central core module. The vertical members of each subframe include latch mechanisms extending along their length to support components in cantilevered fashion. The lower portion of the core is enclosed by panels which enclose electrical and fluid accessories leading to outlets in the panels. At least a portion of the front and rear panels are removable to permit free access to the interior of the lower portion. The entire system is quickly subject to dismantling and one core module can be quickly connected to another in tandem forming a multiple system.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Propst
- 👤 James O Kelley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:09
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L9/00; B01L9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A laboratory module system having fluid and electrical accessories and outlets incorporated therewith comprising, in combination: a free standing central frame comprised of at least one pair of first and second rectangular sub-frames interconnected to each other in spaced relationship, each of said sub-frames having horizontal top and bottom tube-like members connected to vertical end tube-like members, one or more of said vertical members including latch means extending vertically the length thereof, said central frame having a lower enclosed portion and an upper exposed portion, said lower enclosed portion having vertical panel means and a horizontal shelf at the transition of said upper and lower portions, said shelf extending between said sub-frames, the fluid and electrical accessories and outlets being enclosed within said lower portion and having outlet means through at least one of said panel means or shelf, said vertical panel means having portions thereof detachable from said central frame permitting access to the interior of said lower portion of said central frame, and at least one laboratory components detachably latched to said latch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A laboratory module system having fluid and electrical accessories and outlets incorporated therewith comprising, in combination: a free standing central frame comprised of at least one pair of first and second rectangular sub-frames interconnected to each other in spaced relationship, each of said sub-frames having horizontal top and bottom tube-like members connected to vertical end tube-like members, one or more of said vertical members including latch means extending vertically the length thereof, said central frame having a lower enclosed portion and an upper exposed portion, said lower enclosed portion having vertical panel means and a horizontal shelf at the transition of said upper and lower portions, said shelf extending between said sub-frames, the fluid and electrical accessories and outlets being enclosed within said lower portion and having outlet means through at least one of said panel means or shelf, said vertical panel means having portions thereof detachable from said central frame permitting access to the interior of said lower portion of said central frame, and at least one laboratory components detachably latched to said latch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said latch means includes interlock means for detachably joining at least two of said central frames together end-to-end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein one end of said system is free standing and includes an end wall connected thereto by said interlock means, said end wall partition means extends laterally to each side of said module to provide additional free standing support for said system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said latch means extends along each lateral face of said vertical member and includes access means for receipt of clip means to detachably anchor said laboratory components to said latch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said latch means comprises a pair of inwardly facing channel members secured respectively to adjacent vertical members forming an access opening to each lateral side of said adjacent vertical members, and means defining aligned slots generally along each edge of said channel members for receipt of engagement latches extending from said clip means through said access openings, said aligned slots being spaced vertically to permit latching of said clip means at selected vertical heights.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said latch means includes a hanger bar connectable between spaced vertical frame members for cantilever support of at least one of said laboratory components, said components havIng hanger means fitting over said bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said latch means extends along each lateral face of said vertical members, and said laboratory component extends laterally a distance greater than the spacing of said sub-frames, said component being cantilever supported by said latch means from either sub-frame in either lateral direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said vertical panel means includes an upper portion extending the width of each central frame and affixed to said frame, and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising said detachable portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein said bottom tube-like members include an upstanding flange means and said detachable portions of said vertical panel means are seated on the upper surface of said bottom members and indexed against said flange means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein said detachable vertical panel means includes a first latch portion engageable with said flange means and a second latch portion engageable with said vertical sub-frame members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said sub-frames are joined together by cross members, said shelf being positioned on and connected to at least one of said cross members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A laboratory module system having fluid and electrical accessories and outlets incorporated therewith comprising, in combination: a plurality of free standing central frame modules each joined together end-to-end, each module comprising a rectangular box-like frame structure of horizontal top and bottom tube-like members connected to vertical end tube-like members, said vertical members including latch means extending vertically the length thereof, each of said structures having a lower enclosed portion and an upper exposed portion, said lower enclosed portion having vertical enclosing panels and a horizontal enclosing top panel at the transition of said upper and lower portions, the fluid and electrical accessories and outlets being enclosed within said lower portions and having outlet means through at least one of said panels, said vertical panels having portions thereof detachable from said structures permitting access to the interior of said lower portion of said structures and at least one laboratory components detachably latched to said latch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
A laboratory module system having fluid and electrical accessories and outlets incorporated therewith comprising, in combination: a plurality of free standing central frame modules each joined together end-to-end, each module comprising a rectangular box-like frame structure of horizontal top and bottom tube-like members connected to vertical end tube-like members, said vertical members including latch means extending vertically the length thereof, each of said structures having a lower enclosed portion and an upper exposed portion, said lower enclosed portion having vertical enclosing panels and a horizontal enclosing top panel at the transition of said upper and lower portions, the fluid and electrical accessories and outlets being enclosed within said lower portions and having outlet means through at least one of said panels, said vertical panels having portions thereof detachable from said structures permitting access to the interior of said lower portion of said structures and at least one laboratory components detachably latched to said latch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The module system according to claim 12 wherein said system extends longitudinally and access to said latch means extends laterally from each side of said vertical members such that said laboratory components can be supported from either side of said system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The module system according to claim 13 wherein said upper exposed portions comprises laterally spaced vertical members and said laboratory components are supportable by said vertical members from either side in either lateral direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein at least one end of said system is free standing and includes an end wall partition attached thereto and extending laterally to each side of said system to provide additional free standing support therefore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US728150A
Cited
US1435015A
Cited
US2576409A
Cited
US2987356A
Cited
US3079207A
Cited
US3338647A
Cited
US3464372A
Cited
US3517467A
Cited
US3606506A
Cited
US3644008A
Cited
US3712698A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |