US5564826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reciprocating bath shaker
Assignee: Robbins Scientific LLC
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Filing: 1995-09-27
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2015-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A bath shaker (10) is provided for agitating liquid baths. The bath shaker (10) incorporates a "flexible parallelogram" mode of movement wherein a bath shelf (20) is attached to and supported by two, parallel opposing flexible arms (112). Present on each flexible arm (112) is a first attachment portion (124) sandwichedly held by an upright extension (120) and a first hold plate (110), the arrangement causing the first attachment portion (124) to serve as a flexible hinge. A drive mechanism (16) produces a reciprocating action of the bath shelf (20) through the use of an eccentric (80) and a pivoting lever (46) attached to both the eccentric (80) and the bath shelf (20). The flexible parallelogram arrangement defines the reciprocating motion to be substantially rectilinear and makes for an entirely noiseless mode of travel, while producing an extremely smooth transition between reciprocations. Two bath containers (24) are supported by the bath shelf (20) and are provided with a highly accurate temperature control system (26).
Inventors
- 👤 Hans D. Neumann
- 👤 Arthur J. Robbins
- 👤 David J. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:48
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L7/00; B01L7/02; B01F; B01F31/00; B01F31/20; B01F31/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A bath shaker comprising: two resilient arms arranged in substantially parallel fashion, each of said arms having a first end and a second end, each said arm including being formed of a sheet metal, the sheet metal being substantially rectangular and having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being substantially greater than the width, the thickness being of a resilient gauge; an anchoring means for anchoring the first end of each said arm; a shelf supportably attached to the second end of each said arm, the width of the sheet metal being oriented perpendicularly to said shelf; a bath container mounted on said shelf, said bath container having an underside; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf between said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A bath shaker comprising: two resilient arms arranged in substantially parallel fashion, each of said arms having a first end and a second end, each said arm including being formed of a sheet metal, the sheet metal being substantially rectangular and having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being substantially greater than the width, the thickness being of a resilient gauge; an anchoring means for anchoring the first end of each said arm; a shelf supportably attached to the second end of each said arm, the width of the sheet metal being oriented perpendicularly to said shelf; a bath container mounted on said shelf, said bath container having an underside; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf between said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 wherein the sheet metal further includes a foldover extension for structural reinforcement, and a notch for stress relief, the foldover extension and the arm forming a juncture, the notch being located at the juncture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 wherein the sheet metal is selected from the group consisting of corrosion resistant materials having good fatigue life properties, including stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 wherein the anchoring means includes a first holding member and a second holding member, and fastening means for fastening the first and second holding members together, the first end of a said arm being sandwiched therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes an eccentric and rotating means for rotating the eccentric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The bath shaker of claim 5 further including a lever having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lever being rotatably attached to the eccentric, the second end of the lever being pivotally attached to at least one of said shelf and said arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 further including a heater means for heating water in said bath container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bath shaker of claim 7 wherein the heater means includes a rubber heating pad attached to the underside of said bath container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bath shaker of claim 1 further including supplementary support means for said shelf.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A bath shaker comprising: a shelf; two resilient arm means for attaching to said shelf and for carrying said shelf in a plane so that any point thereon moves as a point in the plane of a flexible and resilient parallelogram having included angles that are continuously and concertedly variable; a bath container supported by said shelf, said bath container having an underside; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A bath shaker comprising: a shelf; two resilient arm means for attaching to said shelf and for carrying said shelf in a plane so that any point thereon moves as a point in the plane of a flexible and resilient parallelogram having included angles that are continuously and concertedly variable; a bath container supported by said shelf, said bath container having an underside; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bath shaker of claim 10 further including the parallelogram having sides that are of a fixed length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bath shaker of claim 10 further including the parallelogram having one side that is immobile.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The bath shaker of claim 10 wherein each said arm means further includes an arm formed of a resilient sheet metal, the sheet metal being substantially rectangular and having a length and a width, the length being substantially greater than the width, the width being oriented perpendicularly to said shelf.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bath shaker of claim 10 wherein said drive means includes an eccentric and rotating means for rotating the eccentric.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bath shaker of claim 14 wherein the heater means includes a rubber heating pad attached to the underside of said bath container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bath shaker of claim 14 further including a heater means for heating water in said bath container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bath shaker of claim 10 further including supplementary support means for said shelf.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A bath shaker comprising: a base; two springingly hinged arms attached to said base, and forming two attachment sites thereby; a shelf for supporting at least one bath container, said shelf supportably attached to said arms, and forming two mounting sites thereby, said shelf and said arms being in such alignment so as to in combination substantially define the figure of a parallelogram via points located in substantially close proximity to the two attachment sites and the two mounting sites; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
89 words
A bath shaker comprising: a base; two springingly hinged arms attached to said base, and forming two attachment sites thereby; a shelf for supporting at least one bath container, said shelf supportably attached to said arms, and forming two mounting sites thereby, said shelf and said arms being in such alignment so as to in combination substantially define the figure of a parallelogram via points located in substantially close proximity to the two attachment sites and the two mounting sites; and a drive means for reciprocatably moving said shelf.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The bath shaker of claim 18 wherein each said arm further includes being formed of a sheet metal, the sheet metal being substantially rectangular and having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being substantially greater than the width, the width being oriented perpendicularly to said shelf, the thickness being of a resilient gauge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |