Supports: racks – Special article – Platelike
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-01-09
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Platelike
C211S041140, C211S189000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170675
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rack for accommodating flat articles, and more particularly to an adjustable rack for holding gel plates of varying size and thickness used in DNA analysis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gel plates of varying size and thickness are used in electrophoresis equipment. This equipment is designed to promote molecular separation or sequencing of various proteins found in DNA. During separation or sequencing, the proteins are introduced into a suspension located between gel-coated glass plates. When an electrical current is applied to electrodes in contact with the gel, the proteins separate from the suspension and migrate to the glass plates. This separation or sequencing is then captured on film to maintain a record. The equipment is then broken down and cleaned for reuse. During cleaning, the glass plates must be transported to a cleaning station where the gel is removed, typically with ethanol-based cleaning solutions. Each laboratory has different production requirements and thus different quantities of gel plates that need to be stored, cleaned, transported, and so on. Current racks in use are constructed of sheet plastic that are of inverted V-shaped configuration. However, these racks are not adaptable to the various needs of laboratories or other environments.
Thus, there remains a continuous need for racks that can be custom configured at each laboratory in a relatively simple, quick and efficient manner without special skills or special hand tools to thereby accommodate different plate size requirements and different holding capacities. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide racks that are easily distinguishable from each other in order to differentiate between glass plates that are dirty, pretreated, and untreated, and whether the plates are installed in the front or back of the electrophoresis equipment, and so on.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular rack assembly that overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rack assembly for holding a plurality of flat articles comprises a plurality of interconnecting support modules. Each support module includes a pair of spaced-apart base members and an elongate beam extending between and connected to the base members. The elongate beam is preferably I-shaped in cross section and includes a center section with a first height that is greater than a height of the base members. Each of the base members has a continuous wall that defines a hollow interior. An outer boss portion extends forwardly of a front surface of the continuous wall. The hollow interior of one support module is sized to receive the outer boss portion of an adjacent support module to thereby prevent mutual rotation of the support modules. An elongate fastener is adapted to extend through the base members to thereby secure the support modules together.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rack assembly for holding a plurality of flat articles comprises a plurality of interconnecting support modules. Each support module includes a pair of spaced-apart base members and an elongate beam that extends between and is connected to the base members. The elongate beam includes a center section with a first height that is greater than a height of the base members. Each of the base members has a continuous wall that defines a hollow interior, a front surface with an outer boss portion extending forwardly thereof, and an inner boss portion extending into the hollow interior from the outer boss portion. The inner boss portion includes a bore. The hollow interior of one support module is sized to receive the outer boss portion of an adjacent support module to thereby prevent mutual rotation of the support modules. An elongate fastener is adapted to extend through the bores of the inner boss portions to thereby secure the support modules together.
A pair of interconnecting handle modules may also be provided for mounting at opposite ends of interconnecting support modules. Each handle module includes a pair of spaced-apart handle base members substantially identical in construction to the base members of the support modules, and an elongate handle beam extending between and connected to the handle base members. Preferably, the elongate handle beam is I-shaped in cross section and includes a center section with a second height that is greater than the height of the base members and less than the first height. The outer boss portion of one handle module is received in the hollow interior of one of the support modules, and the outer boss portion of another of the support modules is received in the hollow interior of the other handle module.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Bel-Air Products, Catalog 198, p. 293-346.
Follman Mark
Landsberger David
Thom Paul
Bel-Art Products Inc.
Fridman Lawrence G.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
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