Patent ID: 7011618
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: B04B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An attachment and release apparatus for use with a centrifuge having a rotor and rotor attachment ring, comprising: a knob having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion includes a first passage and said second portion includes a second passage; a cover disposed around said knob; an adapter connected to the rotor attachment ring, said adapter having a first detent and oriented to receive said knob; a drive spindle having a second detent, said drive spindle oriented to receive the rotor; a plunger having a longitudinal axis, slidably disposed within said knob, said plunger having a first groove at a first axial location thereof and having a second groove at a second axial location thereof; a first adapter moveable element retained within said first passage so that said adapter moveable element is moveable between an attached position and a released position, wherein said adapter moveable element at least partially enters said first detent and contacts said plunger when said adapter moveable element is in the attached position; a first drive spindle moveable element retained within said second passage so that said drive spindle moveable element is moveable between an attached position and a released position, wherein said drive spindle moveable element at least partially enters said second detent and contacts said plunger when said drive spindle moveable element is in the attached position; and a biasing element disposed within said knob and contacts said plunger.