US4568325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breakaway base for an ultracentrifuge rotor
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1984-08-16
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Granted: 1986-02-04
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Expires: 2004-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A breakaway base for use with an ultracentrifuge rotor wherein the base is designed to fracture when the rotor is above a specified speed so that the rotor will disengage from the drive spindle of the centrifuge. The base has cutout areas to establish a high stress region that is designed to fracture above a specified rotor speed. The cutout areas are designed to receive lugs projecting from the bottom of the rotor. The cutout areas have slotted ledges through which fastening bolts connect to the lugs on the rotor. The fracture of the base in the high stress region in conjunction with the slotted ledges will result in the base fracturing into two parts which will cause rotor disengagement from the drive spindle of the centrifuge and prevent the rotor from spinning at a greater speed.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. W. Cheng
- 👤 Steven J. Chulay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:24
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B7/00; B04B7/02; B04B7/06; B04B9/00; B04B9/10; B04B2007/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A centrifuge rotor for placement in an ultracentrifuge, said rotor comprising: a rotor body for carrying samples to be centrifugated; a breakaway base designed for connection with rotor drive means in said centrifuge; means projecting from said rotor body for engaging said base with said rotor body; means for securing said base to said rotor body; and means formed in said base for reducing the cross-sectional area of said base in specified locations, said cross-sectional area reducing means causing said base to fracture adjacent said locations and disengage said rotor from said drive means and said securing means when said rotor exceeds a specified speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A centrifuge rotor for placement in an ultracentrifuge, said rotor comprising: a rotor body for carrying samples to be centrifugated; a breakaway base designed for connection with rotor drive means in said centrifuge; means projecting from said rotor body for engaging said base with said rotor body; means for securing said base to said rotor body; and means formed in said base for reducing the cross-sectional area of said base in specified locations, said cross-sectional area reducing means causing said base to fracture adjacent said locations and disengage said rotor from said drive means and said securing means when said rotor exceeds a specified speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein said engaging means comprises at least two lugs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 2, wherein said cross-sectional area reducing means comprises at least a pair of cutout areas in said base, said lugs being positioned in said cutout areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said cutout areas comprises a slotted ledge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 4, wherein said securing means comprises fastening bolts positioned through said slotted ledges and into said lugs, said slotted ledges being oriented 180° from each other on opposite sides of the center of said breakaway base, said base fracturing through its center and in alignment with said slots in said ledges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a fastener being attached to said engaging means and not contacting said rotor body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a generally cylindrical member having a central cavity for receipt of the drive means of said ultracentrifuge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a generally cylindrical member having two vertical noncylindrical sides at different annular positions around said cylindrical base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, and additionally comprising means on said base for providing a uniform flat contact between said base and said rotor body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 9, wherein said uniform flat contact providing means comprises a raised rim on said base having a turned surface produced by machining.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, and additionally comprising means on said base for locating said base in alignment with said rotor body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 11 wherein said locating means comprises a circular raised rim on said base, said rim being received in a recess within said rotor body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 12 and additionally comprising a rim supporting member located within said rim to support said rim so that it will shear off of said base when said rotor exceeds said specified speed and said base fractures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
140 words
A rotor for use in an ultracentrifuge having a drive spindle, said rotor comprising: a rotor having a lower surface; at least two lugs projecting from said lower surface; a breakaway base connected to said rotor lower surface, said base having at least two cutout areas on opposite sides of the center of said base and in alignment with each other, said lugs positioned in said cutout areas, said base in driving engagement with said drive spindle; means for fastening said base to said lugs; and means within said cutout areas for forming a ledge to receive said fastening means, said ledge forming means having slots, said base fracturing between said cutout areas when said rotor exceeds a specified speed, said slots allowing said fractured base to detach from said fastening means and disengage said rotor from said drive spindle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
140 words
A rotor for use in an ultracentrifuge having a drive spindle, said rotor comprising: a rotor having a lower surface; at least two lugs projecting from said lower surface; a breakaway base connected to said rotor lower surface, said base having at least two cutout areas on opposite sides of the center of said base and in alignment with each other, said lugs positioned in said cutout areas, said base in driving engagement with said drive spindle; means for fastening said base to said lugs; and means within said cutout areas for forming a ledge to receive said fastening means, said ledge forming means having slots, said base fracturing between said cutout areas when said rotor exceeds a specified speed, said slots allowing said fractured base to detach from said fastening means and disengage said rotor from said drive spindle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 14 and additionally comprising: a central circular locating rim on said base, said rotor lower surface having a recess for receipt of said rim; and a cylindrical insert within said rim to support said rim and cause said rim to shear from said base when said rotor exceeds said specified speed and said base fractures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
138 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having a top surface with cavities for receipt of samples and a bottom surface; at least two lugs projecting from said bottom surface of said rotor body; a breakaway base for engagement with a drive means; means in said breakaway base for receiving said lugs in such a manner that rotation of said breakaway base will cause rotation of said rotor body; and means for securing said base to said rotor body, said securing means extending through said breakaway base and into said projecting lugs, said securing means not extending into said bottom surface of said rotor body, said breakaway base fracturing into at least two parts when said rotor rotates above a specified speed, said breakaway base disengaging from said drive means and said securing means when said base fractures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having a top surface with cavities for receipt of samples and a bottom surface; at least two lugs projecting from said bottom surface of said rotor body; a breakaway base for engagement with a drive means; means in said breakaway base for receiving said lugs in such a manner that rotation of said breakaway base will cause rotation of said rotor body; and means for securing said base to said rotor body, said securing means extending through said breakaway base and into said projecting lugs, said securing means not extending into said bottom surface of said rotor body, said breakaway base fracturing into at least two parts when said rotor rotates above a specified speed, said breakaway base disengaging from said drive means and said securing means when said base fractures.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
137 words
A rotor for an ultracentrifuge having a central drive spindle with a hub for receipt of said rotor, said rotor comprising: a rotor body designed for carrying samples for centrifugation; at least two projecting lugs on the bottom of said rotor body; a generally cylindrical breakaway base attached to said rotor, said base having at least two outer apertures in alignment with each other and the center of said base, said apertures establishing narrow areas adjacent said center of said base, said projecting lugs positioned in said apertures; and means for securing said base to said rotor body, said narrow areas designed in such a manner that they will fracture when said rotor exceeds a specified speed, causing said base to break away from said rotor body, said securing means remaining in place when said base breaks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
137 words
A rotor for an ultracentrifuge having a central drive spindle with a hub for receipt of said rotor, said rotor comprising: a rotor body designed for carrying samples for centrifugation; at least two projecting lugs on the bottom of said rotor body; a generally cylindrical breakaway base attached to said rotor, said base having at least two outer apertures in alignment with each other and the center of said base, said apertures establishing narrow areas adjacent said center of said base, said projecting lugs positioned in said apertures; and means for securing said base to said rotor body, said narrow areas designed in such a manner that they will fracture when said rotor exceeds a specified speed, causing said base to break away from said rotor body, said securing means remaining in place when said base breaks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
122 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body for carrying samples to be centrifugated, said rotor body having a recess in its lower surface; a breakaway base for connection to rotor drive means, said base having a circular raised rim for receipt in said recess of said rotor body; means for securing said base to said rotor body; means formed in said base for reducing the cross-sectional area of said base in specified locations to cause said base to fracture adjacent said locations and disengage said rotor from said drive means and said securing means when said rotor exceeds a specified speed; and means positioned within said rim for supporting said rim so that it will fail and shear when said base fractures.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
122 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body for carrying samples to be centrifugated, said rotor body having a recess in its lower surface; a breakaway base for connection to rotor drive means, said base having a circular raised rim for receipt in said recess of said rotor body; means for securing said base to said rotor body; means formed in said base for reducing the cross-sectional area of said base in specified locations to cause said base to fracture adjacent said locations and disengage said rotor from said drive means and said securing means when said rotor exceeds a specified speed; and means positioned within said rim for supporting said rim so that it will fail and shear when said base fractures.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 18, wherein said supporting means comprises a cylindrical insert member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 19, wherein said insert member is closely adjacent and within said circular rim.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-03 | 1989-08-05 | 1990-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-03 | 1993-08-05 | 1994-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-03 | 1997-08-05 | 1998-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |