Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A test tube rack for holding test tubes of a predetermined diameter, said rack comprising a plurality of spaced apart superimposed parallel plates comprising at least a top and a bottom plate, each of said plates having an array of apertures each for receiving a test tube, each of said apertures in one plate having a diameter wider than the predetermined diameter of said test tubes and being vertically aligned with a corresponding aperture in each other plate, an annular circular groove formed about the periphery of each of said apertures in at least one plate, a toroidal resilient member in the form of an O-ring made of rubber-like material loosely disposed in said groove, said toroidal resilient member having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the predetermined diameter of said test tubes for peripherally resiliently grasping a test tube inserted through said aperture, and a pair of parallel sidewalls rigidly holding said plates in said superimposed spaced apart relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A test tube rack for holding test tubes of a predetermined diameter, said rack comprising a plurality of spaced apart superimposed parallel plates comprising at least a top and a bottom plate, each of said plates having an array of apertures each for receiving a test tube, each of said apertures in one plate having a diameter wider than the predetermined diameter of said test tubes and being vertically aligned with a corresponding aperture in each other plate, an annular circular groove formed about the periphery of each of said apertures in at least one plate, a toroidal resilient member in the form of an O-ring made of rubber-like material loosely disposed in said groove, said toroidal resilient member having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the predetermined diameter of said test tubes for peripherally resiliently grasping a test tube inserted through said aperture, and a pair of parallel sidewalls rigidly holding said plates in said superimposed spaced apart relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said O-ring has at least a pair of radially projecting integral members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said circular grooves have a bottom wall disposed about a circle of diameter larger than the outside diameter of said toroidal member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said circular grooves have a bottom wall disposed about a circle of diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of said toroidal member with the width of the grooves being greater than the outside diameter of said toroidal element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said circular grooves and said toroidal members are disposed in said bottom one of said plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said circular grooves and said toroidal members are disposed in at least one of said plates other than said bottom one of said plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said grooves have a cylindrical bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel annular sidewalls, said sidewalls being in planes substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of said toroidal member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said grooves have a cylindrical bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel annular sidewalls, said sidewalls being obliquely disposed in a downward direction from said cylindrical wall to its respective aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein said grooves have a cylindrical bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel annular sidewalls, said sidewalls being obliquely disposed in an upward direction from its respective cylindrical wall to said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rack of claim 1 further comprising a pair of slots disposed in vertical alignment one in the top one and the other in the next one of said plates substantially parallel to an edge of said plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rack of claim 1 wherein each of said sidewalls is provided with a handle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The rack of claim 1 made of a plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rack of claim 1 further comprising abutment means in the apertures of the bottom one of said plates for engagement with the bottom of said test tubes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rack of claim 13 wherein said abutment means is in the form of a reduced diameter portion of said apertures in said bottom one of said plates.