TEST TUBE HOLDER

Abstract: A test tube holder includes an elongated tubular member (12) for receiving a test tube (18), which tubular member pivotably supports a pivot member (14), and co-­ operating latch members (58,80) are provided on the tubular member and pivot member whereby two or more such holders can be lined side-by-side via the latch members. The pivotal relationship between the tubular members and pivot members permits pivotal movement of one test tube holder with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder. A pivotal connection between the latch members of adjacent test tube holders also permits tilting of one test tube holder with respect to another test tube holder in the linkage. An adapter member (16) for holding the test tube (18) is insertable in the tubular member and pivot member assembly. The adapter member accommodates one size test tube and can be interchanged with another adapter member that accommodates another size test tube. Thus, the linkage of test tube holders can include test tubes of different size. The relative pivotal movement between test tube holders in the linkage can permit stacking of the linkage in a fan-fold arrangement.

Description: This invention relates to test tube holders, and more particularly to a test tube holder which can be linked together with other similar test tube holders in continuous fashion in a manner which permits individual relative pivoting and tilting of the test tube holders. It is well known to analyze body fluids such as blood in an apparatus which automatically performs one or more desired tests on a sample of the fluid. Generally, the fluid samples are contained in a sealed test tube. In some instances, an operator or technician transfers individual test tubes to the test apparatus. In other instances, the apparatus is adapted to receive a number of test tubes as shown in U.S. patent no. 4,609,017. The apparatus of U.S. patent no. 4,609,017 receives test tubes in a batch feed arrangement wherein racks of test tubes are delivered into the apparatus. A disadvantage of the batch feed arrangement is that the test tubes must be mounted in special cassettes which are manually installed in the apparatus. A further disadvantage is that after the test is completed, the operator must manually remove the cassettes from the apparatus. An earlier U.S. patent no. 3,350,946 concerns feeding sample containers to a sampling station of a test apparatus, and for this purpose requires the provision of a mounting boss on the test tube. The mounting boss engages a complementary shaped recess fixed to the periphery of a feed disc. The disclosed feed arrangement is not adaptable to disposable test tubes because of the expense of incorporating a mounting boss on the test tubes. In addition, this arrangement has no provision for pivoting or tilting of individual test tubes, which is often necessary to ensure that a sample is properly mixed when it reaches the sampling station of the test apparatus. Another known holding device for test tubes is shown in U.S. patent no. 3,521,785. Two or more such devices can be connected together in chain-like fashion by using the test tubes to form the joints of the chain. Removal or breakage of one test tube will unfortunately cause a break in the chain. In addition, this device does not permit relative tilting between consecutive test tubes for mixing of samples that are in proximity of a sampling station of the test apparatus. We have now devised a test tube holder which has certain advantages over these prior proposals. In particular, it can be easily linked together with other such test tube holders to form a continuous linkage, and the connection between each test tube holder permits tilting of one holder with respect to another to enable mixing action if desired. Further, the linkage of such test tube holders can be sufficiently flexible if desired to permit stacking of the test tube holders in a fan-fold arrangement. A more detailed description of a testing apparatus that utilizes the test tube holders of the present application is contained in copending application EP-A-0295048. According to the present invention, there is provided a test tube holder comprising, (a) an elongated tubular member, elongated along a longitudinal axis, said tubular member having a first wall portion extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a first latch member formed on said first wall portion, (b) a pivot member supported on said elongated tubular member to permit relative pivotal movement between said pivot member and said tubular member about said longitudinal axis, said pivot member having a second wall portion extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a second latch member formed on said second wall portion such that said first and second latch members are relatively movable toward and away from each other in a radial direction with reference to said longitudinal axis when there is said relative pivotal movement between said pivot member and said tubular member in opposite directions about said longitudinal axis. The invention also provides a linkage of test tube holders comprising, (a) at least two elongated tubular members, elongated along respective longitudinal axes, and having respective first latch members formed thereon, (b) at least two pivot members respectively pivotally supported on the respective elongated tubular members to define two respective sets, each said set having relative pivotal movement between its pivot member and its tubular member about its respective longitudinal axis, each pivot member having a respective second latch member formed thereon, the first and second latch members of each said set being relatively movable toward and away from each other in a radial direction with reference to the respective longitudinal axes when there is said relative pivotal movement in each said set between said pivot member and said tubular member in opposite directions about the respective longitudinal axes, the first latch member of one said set being latched with the second latch member of the other said set whereby the longitudinal axis of said one set is an axis of rotation for the other said set. In accordance with the present invention, the test tube holder includes an elongated tubular member provided with a pivot member pivotably supported on the elongated tubular member for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Latch members are respectively provided on the tubular member and the pivot member. The pivotal mounting of the pivot member on the tubular member permits relative pivotal movement between the tubular member and the pivot member. Under this arrangement the latch members are relatively movable toward and away from each other in a radial direction. An adapter member for holding test tubes is preferably insertable in the elongated tubular member and in the inserted position is embraced by the pivot member. A test tube is insertable in and removable from the adapter member and different adapter members can be interchanged to hold different size test tubes. A plurality of test tube holders can be linked together whereby the latch member provided on the tubular member of one test tube holder engages the latch member provided on the pivot member of another test tube holder. The pivotal relationship between the tubular member and the pivot member enables one test tube holder to pivot about the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder. The range of pivotal movement is sufficient to permit stacking of the test tube holders in a linkage, in a fan-fold or Z-fold arrangement. The latch arrangement also forms a pivot joint between adjacent test tube holders in the linkage. Thus, the test tube holders are further movable with respect to each other in a manner whereby the longitudinal axis of one test tube holder can be tilted about the pivot joint of the latch members in a skewed relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder. Under this arrangement, one or more test tube holders in the linkage can be tilted with respect to other test tube holders in the linkage to provide a mixing action for the contents of the test tube. Axial slots provided in the tubular member and the adapter member render such members expandable and resilient to releasably hold each other as well as the test tube which is received in the adapter member. Under this arrangement test tubes are easily inserted in and removed from the test tube holders and different adapter members are interchangeable to permit the test tube holder to hold different size test tubes. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linkage of test tube holders in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof; FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof; FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view thereof; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view thereof, wherein a further embodiment of the invention is incorporated in the linkage; FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view thereof; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6; FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the engagement between latching members of adjacent test tube holders in the linkage; Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a relative tilted position between adjacent test tube holders in the linkage; Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the disengagement of adjacent test tube holders in the linkage; and Fig. 13 is a simplified end view of the linkage stacked in a fan-fold or Z-fold arrangement. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. A test tube holder incorporating one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the reference number 10 in Fig. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, all components of the test tube holder are formed of a durable resilient plastic material such as nylon. Referring to Fig. 8, the test tube holder 10 comprises an elongate tubular member 12, a pivot member 14 pivotally supported on the tubular member 12, and an adapter member 16 insertable in the tubular member 12 for accommodating a test tube 18. Preferably the adapter member 16 is formed of a relatively clear material such as polypropylene. The tubular member 12, which is elongate along a longitudinal axis 20, has a generally cylindrical wall 22 with a split portion 24 having an axial slot 26 formed in the wall 22. The axial slot 26 preferably has a radial extent of at least 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis 20. The tubular member 12 also includes a main body portion 28 and a radial slot 30 formed in the wall 22 intermediate the split portion 24 and the main body portion 28. The terms "axial" and "radial" as used herein relate to the longitudinal axis 20 as a frame of reference. Thus "axial" refers to a distance or direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 and "radial" refers to a distance, direction or location that has a center on the longitudinal axis 20. The wall portion 22 has a reinforced section 32 which bridges the radial slot 30 to adjoin the main body portion 28 and the split portion 24. An interior recess 34 (Fig. 5), formed in the reinforced section 32, is radially continuous with the radial slot 30. The split portion 24 has a radially reinforced section 36 (Fig. 8) at the radial slot 30. The reinforced section 36 is formed with an interior radial recess 38 (Fig. 5) that is stepped away from the interior recess 34 toward the longitudinal axis 20. A bevelled lip portion 40 is formed at an open free end 42 of the tubular member 12. The tubular end 42 is also a free end of the split portion 24 and is formed with radially opposite, axially directed key slots 44 and 46. Additional radially spaced, axially directed slots 48, 50 and 52 are also formed at the free end 42. A window opening 54 is formed in the wall 22 of the split portion 24 radially opposite the axial slot 26. A window opening 56 is formed in the main body portion 28 at the same radial orientation as the window opening 54. However, the window opening 56 is larger than the window opening 54. As seen most clearly from Figs. 5 and 6, the internal diameter of the main body portion 28 is of greater dimension than the internal diameter of the split portion 24. A dove-tail latch member 58 (Fig. 5) is formed on the reinforced section 32 and includes a conical surface 60 tapering toward the wall 22 and a base surface 62 with a detent dimple 64. The latch member 58 is oriented approximately 90° away from the median axial element (not shown) of the slot 26. A combination lever portion and stop surface 66 is formed as a stub-like projection that projects radially away from the base 62 and extends axially toward the free end 42 of the tubular member 12. Referring to Figs. 8 and 10, the pivot member 14 is in the shape of a collar and includes a generally cylindrical wall portion 68. An axial slot 70 in the wall portion 68 extends through opposite open ends 72 and 74 of the pivot member 14. A pair of axially spaced exterior radial recesses 76 and 78 are formed at the respective opposite ends 72 and 74. The pivot member 14 further includes a latch member 80 formed between the recesses 76 and 78 at an axial edge 82 of the axial slot 70. The latch member 80 (Fig. 10) comprises a U-shaped latch pocket 84 formed with an inside tapered surface 86 (Fig. 5) that is complementary in shape to the conical surface 60 of the latch member 58. The surface 86 tapers toward a planar surface 88 which includes a small circular detent hollow 90 (Fig. 5). Radially spaced reinforcing leg portions 92 and 94 are formed at opposite sides of the latch member 80 and extend axially from the recess 76 to the recess 78. Inclined stop surfaces 96 and 98 taper from the respective legs 92, 94 to the U-shaped arc of the latch pocket 84. Referring to Fig. 8, the adapter member 16, which is elongated along the longitudinal axis 20, has a generally cylindrical wall 100 divided into a main body portion 102 and an enlarged collar portion 104 at an open end 106. An axial slot 108 formed in the wall 100 extends from a base end 110 of the main body portion 102 to the open end 106. Preferably, the axial slot 108 has a radial extent of at least 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis 20. A stabilizer opening 112 is formed in the base end 110. The opening 112 also permits access to a removal tool (not shown) to facilitate removal of the test tube 18 from the test tube holder 10. Elongated radially spaced projecting spines 114, 116, 118 and 120 (Fig. 9) are formed on the interior surface of the main body portion 102. The spines 114, 116, 118 and 120 extend axially from the base end 110 to bevelled end portions such as 122 (Fig. 8), located slightly below the collar portion 104. A pair of aligned, axially spaced window openings 124 and 126 are formed in the wall 100 of the main body portion 102 radially opposite the axial slot 108. A pair of key projections 128 and 130 (Fig. 5) radially spaced approximately 180° apart extend axially from the collar portion 104 along the exterior wall of the main body portion 102. Radial slots 132 and 134 (Fig. 8) formed in the wall 100 respectively extend radially from the axial slot 108 to the key projections 128 and 130 to enhance the resilient expansibility of the main body portion 102 with respect to the longitudinal axis 20. The enlarged collar portion 104 is formed with an internal radial ledge 136 where the collar portion 104 meets the main body portion 102. An internal radial groove 138 is formed in the interior surface of the enlarged collar portion 104 near the open end 106. A generally rectangular recess 140 (Fig. 3) is formed in the exterior surface of the collar portion 104 radially opposite the axial slot 108. In using the test tube holder 10, the pivot member 14 is disposed in the radial slot 30 of the tubular member 12. The pivot member 14 is easily pressed into the slot 30 of the tubular member 12 since the split portion 24 of the tubular member 12 is expandible at the slot 30 to accommodate the pivot member 14. The pivot member 14 is sufficiently compressible at the slot 70 to permit pressing of the pivot member 14 into the desired position. The pivot member 14 is pivotally supported in the radial slot 30 of the tubular member 12 when the radial recess 76 of the pivot member 14 engages the radial recess 38 of the tubular member 12 at the split portion 24. Similarly, the radial recess 78 of the pivot member 14 engages the interior surface of the main body portion 28 of the tubular member 12. The pivot member 14 is thus pivotable with respect to the tubular member 12 until either reinforcing leg 92 or 94 engages a side of the reinforced section 32 to stop further pivotal movement. It will be noted that because of the pivotal relationship between the pivot member 14 and the tubular member 12, the tubular member 12 is likewise pivotable with respect to the pivot member 14. The actual range of pivotal movement between the pivot member 14 and the tubular member 12 is determined by the radial extent of the reinforced section 32 and the radial spacing between the reinforcing legs 92 and 94. Preferably, the range of pivotal movement is at least 270°. Once the pivot member 14 and the tubular member 12 have been assembled, the latch member 58 of one test tube holder 10 can be engaged in the latch member 80 of another test tube holder 10 in the manner shown in Figs. 10 and 7. Thus, the conical surface 60 of the latch member 58 is received in the latch pocket 84 of the latch member 80. The detent dimple 64 is then engaged in the detent hollow 90 to retain the latch members 58 and 80 together. It will be noted that the pivot member 14 incorporates the latch member 80. Thus the pivot member 14 along with the latch members 80 and 58 constitute latching means for detachably joining adjacent test tube holders 10 to permit bi-directional radial pivotal movement and bi-directional longitudinal tilting movement. A continuous linkage of test tube holders 10 can be connected together in this manner to form a linkage of unlimited length. The relative pivotal relationship between the linked test tube holders affords the linkage with flexibility sufficient to enable the linkage to be stacked in a fan-fold or Z-fold arrangement as shown in Fig. 13. A further example of the relative pivotal movement between linked test tube holders is shown in Fig. 9 wherein one of the test tube holders is shown at an angular orientation of approximately 90° with respect to a series of three test tube holders, all of which are joined together in a continuous link. The test tube holder which has been designated by the letter T in Fig. 9 can be further pivoted in the direction A with respect to the adjacent test tube holders 10 until the tubular members 12 of the adjacent test tube holders make contact or the reinforced section 32 of the adjacent test tube holder 10 abuts its own reinforcing legs 94. It will be noted that the relative pivotal movement between test tube holders is characterized by the longitudinal axis of one test tube holder serving as a center of rotation for another test tube holder. In addition to relative pivotal movement between test tube holders that have been latched together, there is relative tilting movement such as shown in Fig. 1. The latch connection between adjacent test tube holders, such as shown in Fig. 11, permits one test tube holder 10 to be tilted with respect to another test tube holder 10 in a direction B such that the longitudinal axes of each test tube holder are inclined or skewed with respect to each other. The maximum tilt angle which can exist between two adjacent connected test tube holders 10 is determined by engagement between the lever portion-stop surface 66 on the latch member 58 with either of the inclined stop surfaces 96, 98 of the latch member 80. An example of such engagement is shown in Fig. 11. It should be noted that one test tube holder alone can be tilted with respect to a series of other test tube holders linked together or several test tube holders can be tilted in unison with respect to several other test tube holders, all of which are connected together in one linkage. The lever portion-stop surface 66 can also be used to facilitate separation of one test tube holder from another test tube holder. Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, it will be seen that an attempt to tilt one of the test tube holders 10 in the direction B with respect to the other test tube holder 10, after the lever portion stop surface 66 has engaged the inclined stop surface 98, will cause the lever portion stop surface 66 to exert a force against the inclined stop surface 98. The stop surface 98, with continued movement of the test tube holder 10 in the direction B as shown in Fig. 11, then functions as a fulcrum whereby the conical surface of the latch member 58 is caused to lift away from the latch pocket 84 in the manner shown in Fig. 12, overcoming the detent between the detent dimple 64 and the detent hollow 90. Once the latch member 58 has separated from the latch member 80 as shown in Fig. 12, the respective test tube holders are separated from each other. The test tube holder assembly 10 is completed by insertion of the adapter member 16 into the previously assembled tubular member 12 and pivot member 14. However, it should be noted that insertion of the adapter member 16 into the tubular member 12 does not affect the pivoting or tilting relationships previously described for the sub-assembly of the tubular member 12 and the pivot member 14. The adapter member 16 is inserted into the free end 42 of the tubular member with the axial slot 108 of the adapter member substantially aligned with the axial slot 26 of the tubular member. This alignment is maintained by engagement of the key projections 128 and 130 on the adapter member in the key slots 44 and 46 at the free end 42 of the tubular member. Referring to Fig. 4, an enlarged end of the key projection 130, engaged in a correspondingly enlarged end 46 of the key slot, helps detent the adapter member 16 in the tubular member 12. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, the tubular member 12 embraces the adapter member 16 primarily at the split portion 24. The main body portion 28 of the tubular member 12 is spaced from the adapter member 16. It will also be noted that the pivot member 14 embraces the adapter member 16 with sufficient clearance to permit relative pivotal movement of the pivot member 14 with respect to the adapter member 16. The test tube 18 which can be of the type sold under the trade name Vacutainer by Becton Dickinson, is inserted in the adapter member 16, before or after the adapter member 16 has been positioned in the tubular member 12. The test tube 18 is normally sealed with a stopper 19. Upon insertion of the test tube 18 in the adapter member 16, the test tube periphery engages the projecting spines 114, 116, 118 and 120 as most clearly shown in Fig. 9. The test tube 18 is sized to bottom against the base 110 of the adapter member in the stabilizer opening 112. Generally the test tube 18 includes a label (not shown) which can be provided with any suitable marking including identification of the individual sample. The test tube 18 is preferably inserted in the adapter member 16 with the label in alignment with the axial slot 108. If desired, the rectangular recess 140 of the adapter member 16 can also be used to accommodate a label. If desired or if a test tube 18 has been previously opened, a retaining ring 142, such as shown in Fig. 5 can be inserted in the radial groove 138 to enhance retention of the test tube 18 in the adapter member 16 and to enhance retention of the stopper 19 on the test tube 18. The retaining ring 142 includes a flange 144 engagable in the radial groove 138 and an annular portion stepped from the flange 144. The retaining ring 142 is easily inserted into the radial groove 138 since the enlarged collar portion 104 is easily expanded due to the radial slots 132 and 134. It will be noted that the window portion 124 of the adapter member 16 aligns with the window portion 54 of the tubular member 12 to permit a sensor to check the presence of the test tube 18 in the adapter member 16. The stabilizing opening 112 in the adapter member 16 also facilitates removal of the test tube 18 from the adapter member 16. Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that an adapter member 150 includes an intermediate base portion 152 to accommodate a test tube 154 of shorter axial extent than the test tube 18. The adapter member 150 is in all other respects similar to the adapter member 16 but includes shortened projecting spines (not shown) that correspond to the projecting spines 114, 116, 118 and 120 of the adapter member 16. It will be noted that the retaining ring 142 can be used with either the adapter member 16 or 100 or any other interchangeable adapter which accommodates a different size test tube with a rubber stopper 19. Thus, adapter members of different size can be interchanged in the test tube holder 10 for accommodating test tubes of different size. The different size test tubes in the respective test tube holders can be incorporated in a single linkage of test tube holders. Thus, the linkage of test tube holders can accommodate test tubes of different size. It will also be apparent that whether the linkage of test tube holders 10 contain test tubes of one size or another, all such test tube holders can be stacked in the fan-fold arrangement of Fig. 13. Some advantages of the present invention evident from the foregoing description include a test tube holder that can be connected with other test tube holders to form a linkage of unlimited length. Any of the test tube holders in the linkage can be pivoted with respect to other test tube holders and also tilted with respect to other test tube holders. Thus, one or more of the test tube holders in the linkage can be provided with a movement that is adapted to mixing of the contents of the test tube. A further advantage is that the unlimited length of the linkage enables a continuous uninterrupted feed of test tubes into an analytical apparatus. Thus, fluid samples can be tested on a continuous basis without interruption. In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. Other features or aspects of the present invention include: (i) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said first and second latch members or a dove-tail joint when engaged to link together said one and said other test tube holders. (ii) a test tube holder of the invention wherein a male portion of said dove-tail joint is formed on said tubular member and a female portion of said dove-tail joint is formed on said pivot member. (iii) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said tubular member has a main body portion having a first radius of curvature with respect to said longitudinal axis and said pivot member comprises a collar-like formation having a second radius of curvature that is substantially equivalent in magnitude to the first radius of curvature. (iv) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said tubular member has a split portion with a first axial slot of first predetermined axial extent along said longitudinal axis, to provide said tubular member with expandable resilient characteristics in a radial direction with respect to said longitudinal axis along said split portion. (v) a test tube holder as in (iv) wherein said tubular member includes a main body portion of second predetermined axial extent with respect to said longitudinal axis and a radial slot of third predetermined axial extent with respect to said longitudinal axis, axially intermediate said main body portion and said split portion for accommodating said pivot member for support on said tubular member to permit said relative pivotal movement between said pivot member and said tubular member. (vi) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said tubular member has a first axial slot in said first wall portion and said pivot member has a second axial slot in said second wall portion alignable with said first axial slot, and said adapter member has a third wall portion with a third axial slot alignable with said first and second axial slots, said first axial slot being alignable with said third axial slot when the engaging means of said adapter member and said tubular member are engaged. (vii) a test tube holder as in (vi) wherein said second axial slot is alignable with said first and third axial slots when said first and second latch members are approximately 180° apart. (viii) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said adapter member includes a first window opening in a wall portion for communication with a sensing device, and a second window opening in said wall accessible to facilitate removal of said test tube from said adapter member. (ix) a test tube holder as in (viii) wherein said tubular member includes third and fourth window openings in a wall thereof respectively alignable with said first and second window openings when the engaging means of said adapter member and said tubular member are aligned. (x) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said adapter member includes a test tube receptacle portion of a first predetermined size for accommodating a first said test tube corresponding to said first predetermined size. (xi) a test tube holder as in (x) wherein said adapter member is interchangeable with another said adapter member having a test tube receptacle portion of a second predetermined size for accommodating a second said test tube corresponding to said second predetermined size. (xii) a test tube holder of the invention wherein said adapter member includes a third wall portion with an axial slot of predetermined axial extent along said longitudinal axis to provide said adapter member with expandable resilient characteristics in a radial direction with respect to said longitudinal axis, along said axial slot. (xiii) a test tube holder as in (xii) wherein said adapter member includes an inside surface of said third wall portion and projecting means formed on said inside surface for engagement with the surface of a test tube. (xiv) a linkage of test tube holders comprising, (a) at least two elongated tubular members, elongated along respective longitudinal axes, and having respective first latch members formed thereon, (b) at least two pivot members respectively pivotally supported on the respective elongated tubular members to define two respective sets, each said set having relative pivotal movement between the pivot members and the respective tubular members about the respective longitudinal axes, the pivot members of each set having respective second latch members formed thereon, the first and second latch members of each of said set being relatively movable toward and away from each other in a radial direction with reference to the respective longitudinal axes when there is said relative pivotal movement in each said set between said pivot member and said tubular member in opposite directions about the respective longitudinal axes, the first latch member of one of said set being latched with the second latch member of the other said set whereby the longitudinal axis of said one set is an axis of rotation for the other said set; wherein the first and second latch members of each said set are structured to form a pivot joint such that one said set is further movable with respect to the other said set in a manner whereby the longitudinal axis of said one set can be tilted about said pivot joint in a skewed relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other set. (xv) a linkage as in (xiv) further including an elongated adapter member for accommodating a test tube insertable in and removable from the tubular member of each said set. (xvi) a method of holding test tubes comprising (a) forming an elongated tubular member, elongated along a longitudinal axis, with a radial slot, (b) mounting a pivot member in the radial slot in the tubular member for relative pivotal movement with respect to the tubular member about the longitudinal axis, (c) providing a latch member on the elongated tubular member and on the pivot member such that the pivot member of one test tube holder can be latched to the tubular member of another test tube holder to form a continuous linkage of test tube holders, wherein the longitudinal axis of one test tube holder is a central axis of rotation for the other test tube holder. (xvii) a method as in (xvi) wherein the latching members are formed such that latching engagement between the pivot member of one test tube holder and the tubular member of another test tube holder permits one test tube holder to tilt with respect to another test tube holder about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. (xviii) a method as in (xvii) including detachably inserting an adapter member in the tubular member for accommodation of test tubes of varying size. (xix) a linkage comprising (a) a plurality of elongated test tube holders with respective longitudinal axes, detachably joined together to form a continuous linkage, (b) latching means for detachably joining the test tube holders together to permit a first bi-directional pivot movement between said test tube holders such that the longitudinal axis of one test tube holder is an axis of rotation for an adjacent test tube holder, and (c) said latching means further including a pivot joint between adjacent test tube holders for permitting a second bi-directional pivotal movement between said adjacent test tube holders such that one of said adjacent test tube holders can be tilted about said pivot joint with respect to the other said adjacent test tube holder whereby the longitudinal axis of said one adjacent test tube holder is inclinable in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other adjacent test tube holder. (xx) a linkage as in (xix) wherein said test tube holders comprise an elongated tubular member and said latching means include a pivot member pivotally supported on said elongated tubular member for relative radial movement with respect to said tubular member about said longitudinal axis. (xxi) a linkage as in (xx) wherein said latching means further comprise a first latch member on said elongated tubular member and a second latch member on said pivot member. (xxii) a linkage as in (xxi) wherein said first latch member of said one adjacent test tube holder is engagable with the second latch member of the other adjacent test tube holder to form said pivot joint. (xxiii) a linkage as in (xxii) wherein said latching means include means for facilitating release of the latch connection between said first and second latch members of said adjacent test tube holders.

Claims: 1. A test tube holder (10) comprising, (a) an elongated tubular member (12), elongated along a longitudinal axis (20), said tubular member having a first wall portion (32) extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a first latch member (58) formed on said first wall portion, (b) a pivot member (14) supported on said elongated tubular member to permit relative pivotal movement between said pivot member and said tubular member about said longitudinal axis, said pivot member having a second wall portion (68) extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a second latch member (80) formed on said second wall portion such that said first and second latch members are relatively movable toward and away from each other when there is said relative pivotal movement between said pivot member and said tubular member in opposite directions about said longitudinal axis. 2. A test tube holder according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member includes a radial slot (30) formed in said first wall portion, and said pivot member is supported on said tubular member in said radial slot. 3. A test tube holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tubular member has an end portion and includes a first axial slot (26) in said first wall portion extending from said radial slot to said end portion. 4. A test tube holder according to claim 3, wherein said tubular member has opposite end portions, and said pivot member has opposite end portions (72, 74) corresponding to the opposite end portions of said tubular member, said pivot member further including a second axial slot (70) in said second wall portion extending to the opposite end portions of said pivot member. 5. A test tube holder according to claim 4, wherein said first and second axial slots are alignable when said first and second latch members are approximately 180° apart. 6. A test tube holder according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said pivot member and said tubular member are relatively pivotable through a range of at least 270° with respect to said longitudinal axis to permit relative movement of said first and second latch members through an angle of at least 270°. 7. A test tube holder according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first latch member of said test tube holder is engageable with the second latch member of another such test tube holder to link the two test tube holders together such that each is movable with respect to the other in a manner whereby the longitudinal axis of one is an axis of rotation for the other. 8. A test tube holder according to claim 7, wherein said first and second latch members are structured to form a pivot joint such that when said test tube holder is linked by engagement of said first and second latch members to another such holder, each holder is further movable in a manner whereby the longitudinal axis of one test tube holder can be tilted about said pivot joint in a skewed relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other test tube holder. 9. A test tube holder according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said first and second latch members are formed with detent means (64, 90) so that, when a first latch member of the holder is engaged with the second latch member of another such holder, the detent means maintains the link connection between the two test tube holders. 10. A test tube holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein one of said latch members includes a lever portion (66) and the other of said latch members includes a lever engaging portion (96, 98) such that, when a first latch member of the holder is engaged with the second latch member of another such holder, a predetermined tilting movement of said first latch member with respect to said second latch member will cause said lever portion to bear against said lever engagement portion to disengage the two test tube holders. 11. A test tube holder according to any preceding claim, which is one of a plurality of such test tube holders latched together in consecutive fashion at respective said first and second latch members to form a continuous linkage of said plurality of test tube holders, said pivotal range of movement between each said pivot member and each said tubular member of said continuous linkage of test tube holders permitting a fan-fold arrangement of said continuous linkage of test tube holders. 12. A test tube holder according to any of claims 1 to 11, further including an elongated adapter member (16) for accommodating a test tube (18), said adapter member being insertable in and removable from said tubular member, and being of complementary curvature with respect to said tubular member, said adapter member being embraced by said pivot member when said adapter member is inserted in said tubular member. 13. A test tube holder according to claim 12, wherein engaging means (128, 130; 44, 46) are provided in said adapter member and said tubular member to locate said adapter member in a predetermined radial orientation with respect to said tubular member when said adapter member is inserted in said tubular member. 14. A test tube holder according to claims 4 and 12, wherein said adapter member has a wall (100) with a third axial slot (108) therein alignable with said first and second axial slots. 15. A test tube holder according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein said adapter member includes a wall (100) with at least one window opening (124, 126). 16. A linkage of test tube holders (10) comprising, (a) at least two elongated tubular members (12), elongated along respective longitudinal axes (20), and having respective first latch members (58) formed thereon, (b) at least two pivot members (14) respectively pivotally supported on the respective elongated tubular members to define two respective sets, each said set having relative pivotal movement between its pivot member and its tubular member about its respective longitudinal axis, each pivot member having a respective second latch member (80) formed thereon, the first and second latch members of each said set being relatively movable toward and away from each other when there is said relative pivotal movement in each said set between said pivot member and said tubular member in opposite directions about the respective longitudinal axes, the first latch member of one said set being latched with the second latch member of the other said set whereby the longitudinal axis of said one set is an axis of rotation for the other said set.

Inventors: DIFLORA, JOSEPH E., MAWHIRT, JAMES A., MCCANDLESS, WILLIAM J. C., WARD, GEORGE H.
Applicants: TECHNICON INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G01N35
IPC codes: G01N35, B01L9